Share
Day Trips for Nihilists
Irreverent and meandering audio essays finding meaning in a meaningless world.
Latest episode
4. On Nonsense and Silliness, or why Wittgenstein was right
26:51||Season 1, Ep. 4Wittgenstein was right! Being silly is necessary for human happiness.NB. This episode contains contextualised use of the 'n' word in a sound clip from a gangster rapper* (see bold and asterisked below)Photo of Wittgenstein (see below)A Life in Pieces (BBC), Peter Cook, Ludovic Kennedy, Ep. 1 Partridge in a Pear Tree (1990)Take The Money And Run (1969), Woody AllenAnnie Hall (1977), Woody AllenTim Dog, Phone Conversation with Reporter (1991)*Play Better Golf with Peter Aliss: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTOGP7V2ezE&ab_channel=kiuvideo (?)Photo of a serious-looking Wittgenstein:
More episodes
View all episodes
3. On Bill Callahan and Authenticity
23:00||Season 1, Ep. 3Some reflections on the authenticity that runs like a rich seam of truth in Bill Callahan's songs. How does he do it?'When It Shows' - an old attempt at song-writing by yours truly'Say Valley Maker' (live) - from Rough Travel for a Rare Thing (2010) by Bill Callahan'Jim Cain' - from Sometimes I wish We Were An Eagle (2009) by Bill Callahan'Cowboy' - from Gold Record (2020) by Bill CallahanWith huge thanks to Bill Callahan and Drag City Records for permission to use clips from the songs for this audio essay. :)2. On Kathleen Ferrier's Vocal Timbre
23:03||Season 1, Ep. 2A meandering exploration of how Kathleen Ferrier's voice is so unbearably moving.'My Bonnie Lad (trad. Northumbrian folk song)Ca' the Yowes' (trad. Scottish folk song)'Ich bin der Welt abhanden gerkommen' - Gustav MahlerSymphony No. 4, 3rd movement (Ruhevoll) - Gustav Mahler1. On Emptiness
29:27||Season 1, Ep. 1A generally uplifting audio essay on emptiness and its consolations...ideal for day-tripping nihilists, naturally.Tracklist:Hailu Mergia & Dahlak Band — Anchin Kfu AyinkashGF Haas - Concerto Grosso No. 2 for ensemble and orchestra TS Eliiot reading an excerpt from 'Burnt Norton' from his Four QuartetsVilhelm Hammershoi, 'Interior in Strandgade, Sunlight on the Floor' Excerpt from GF Haas - Traum in des Sommers Nacht for orchestraFranz Kafka quoteJohn Fahey - Yes Jesus Loves MeExcerpt from GF Haas - Traum in des Sommers Nacht for orchestraDjango Reinhardt - Manoir De Mes RêvesVirginia Woolf, excerpt from 'Time Passes', To The Lighthouse (1927)Philip Larkin reading his poem 'Home is so sad'Beethoven performed by the Busch Quartet - String Quartet No. 12 in E-Flat Major, Op. 127: II. Adagio ma non troppo e molto cantabileHamlet soliloquy - I have of late but wherefore I know not... from Withnail & I (1987)Macbeth - Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow soliloquy - Orson Welles (1948)GF Haas - String Quartet No. 2 (1998) Hailu Mergia & Dahlak Band — Anchin Kfu AyinkashAll the above used under fair usage rights.Get in touch to nit-pick and/or berate my inadequacies: daytripsfornihilists@gmail.com