Daniel Dylan Wray
Remembering The Day Today, Britain’s sharpest satire
An oral history — A precursor to some of the country’s most-loved comedies, The Day Today revolutionised television satire. We speak to the show’s creators to find out how it came to be, and why it could never be made today.
Written by: Daniel Dylan Wray
‘The music scene felt so laddy and hostile to me’
The return of Harkin — Kate Harkin has spent years in the background of bands like Wild Beasts, Sleater Kinney and Courtney Barnett. Now, she’s stepping out of their shadow to go solo.
Written by: Daniel Dylan Wray
A visual tribute to Sheffield’s underground music scene
Icons of the ’80s — Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, photographer Barbara Wasiak captured a city in a state of cultural and political flux – pairing shots of NME cover stars with anti-Poll Tax protests.
Written by: Daniel Dylan Wray
Bold, broke and backing real music: 10 years of The Quietus
‘Nobody thought we’d make it’ — As the music publication celebrates a decade of editorial independence, founders John Doran and Luke Turner reflect on the highs and lows of their tumultuous tenure – from stealing Mick Hucknall’s clothes to launching their own label.
Written by: Daniel Dylan Wray
The guerrilla gig-promoters who inspired Burning Man
Desolation Center — When a 20-year-old punk decided to put on a series of illegal shows in the desert, bands like Sonic Youth, Minutemen and the Meat Puppets agreed to play. Fans, meanwhile, boarded buses not knowing what to expect. The rest became music history.
Written by: Daniel Dylan Wray
How hard is it to be a freelance writer outside of London?
The Great Divide — In The Great Divide, we examine the ever-changing relationship between the North and South of England. Here, Sheffield-based journalist Daniel Dylan Wray shares his experiences as a writer stuck on the outside of the London bubble.
Written by: Daniel Dylan Wray
Louis Theroux on the life lessons that made his career
Things I learned along the way — After 20 years as a documentary filmmaker, Louis Theroux reflects on his transformation from gonzo reporter to compassionate presence.
Written by: Daniel Dylan Wray
This DIY filmmaker made the 'Boyhood' of skateboarding
Minding the Gap — As a kid who grew up on the move, often left at home alone, Bing Liu only found a sense of belonging when he picked up a skateboard. His acclaimed new documentary Minding the Gap captures a decade-long bond between three friends escaping volatile backgrounds.
Written by: Daniel Dylan Wray
M.I.A: ‘They always use me as an advert for what not to be’
On fame & freedom — The rapper discusses fame, high-profile feuding, and MATANGI / MAYA / M.I.A – a new, years-in-the-making documentary about her life. ‘I hate it,’ she tells writer Daniel Dylan Wray.
Written by: Daniel Dylan Wray
An interview with Sean Baker, film's brightest activist
Magical mystery tour — Sean Baker has developed his own cinematic language: one packed with colour, energy and humour. But after years on the fringes, consistently bold work has cemented his status as a socially conscious voice in Hollywood.
Written by: Daniel Dylan Wray