The Lach Chronicles

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BBC Radio 4 Extra

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The creator of the New York Antifolk scene takes us into the sonic landscape of his mind.

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The Lach Chronicles: Series 2: Home on the Range

Home on the Range

Series 2

BBC Radio 4 - The Lach Chronicles, Series 2, Home on the Range

The host of the longest-running open mic night in NYC recalls why he started writing.

The host of the longest-running open mic night in NYC now lives in Scotland, where he recalls why he started writing. From December 2014.

Lach was the King of Manhattan's East Village and host of the longest running open mic night in New York. He now lives in Scotland and finds himself back at square one, playing in a dive bar on the wrong side of Edinburgh.

His eccentric night, held in various venues around New York, was called the Antihoot. Never quite fitting in and lost somewhere lonely between folk and punk music, Lach started the Antifolk movement. He played host to Suzanne Vega, Jeff Buckley and many others. He discovered and nurtured lots of talent including Beck, Regina Spektor and the Moldy Peaches - but nobody discovered him.

In this episode, Lach recalls the genesis of his career and - ultimately - his independent life. Always an outsider, his young rejection of aspiration and fledgling discoveries of Messrs Bruce and Bob led Lach to a salvation he still holds dear.


Producer: Richard Melvin
A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in December 2014.

The Lach Chronicles: Series 2

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

The creator of the New York antifolk scene takes us into the sonic landscape of his mind.

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