Salena Godden talks about life and death and writing and joy, about sharing the very early stages of Mrs. Death on national radio, about a life spent revelling in words - and about having your debut novel optioned for film by Idris Elba. Join us for an hour of joy in lockdown. Pessimism, after all, is for lightweights. This interview contains a recording of Salena performing her poem ‘Pessimism is for Lightweights’ live at Tongue Fu. Thank you, Tongue Fu, for permission to include it.
Etta James – God’s Song
Arlo Parks - Black Dog
Nirvana - Where did you sleep last night
Talking Heads - Psycho Killer
Nick Cave & PJ Harvey - Henry Lee
Elliott Smith - Between The Bars
Ella Fitzgerald - Sunshine of your love
Gil Scott Heron - I’m new here
Patti Smith - Smells like Teen Spirit
Iggy Pop - Lust for Life
Irma Thomas - Time is on my side
Tracy Chapman - All that you have is your soul