01Profile
A Iain R Webb Photo
Iain R Webb
Writer/Curator/Professor — Bath/London
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Iain R Webb – Wiltshire originally, now Bath/London
What do you do?
Fashion writer, curator, Professor of Fashion & Design, Kingston School of Art.
Describe your style in three words:
Utilitarian. Punk. Undone.
A British icon or band who inspire your sound?
David Bowie. Through Bowie I discovered pretty much everything from numerous other musicians, artists, writers and filmmakers to life long friends. "You’re not alone".
What has been your all-time favourite gig?
A dead heat: Grace Jones’ ‘One Man Show’, Drury Lane Theatre, 10th October 1981 – an astonishing fusion of music, fashion, theatrics and art / Patti Smith / Massive Attack, Hyde Park, 1st July 2016 – political, sensorial, majestic.
What are your social media handles?
Instagram: @hopeandglitter
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
What was the first song you played on repeat?
'Metal Guru' by T.Rex. From first glimpse on TV, Marc Bolan ushered glam rock into my life. I was willingly dragged along on its satin coattails.
Which music defines the teenage you?
'Rebel Rebel' by David Bowie. Androgynous, tacky, with alright hair, dreaming of staying out all night. ‘Defiant Pose’ – The Cortinas. Local Bristol punk band. I ended up on the cover of this record puking up cold vegetable soup.
A song from your favourite album?
'Ballad of Mott the Hoople' (26th March 1972, Zürich) by Mott The Hoople (album: ‘Mott’). The first band I saw live at 15. Their single 'All The Young Dudes' was a rally cry for a generation. This track is a reflective paean to rock’n’roll. "I wish I hadn’t wanted then what I want now twice as much". Read: ‘Diary of a Rock’n’Roll Star’ – Ian Hunter.
A song you wish you’d written?
'Dry Your Eyes' by The Streets. I first heard this on the soundtrack of Spring/Summer 2007 fashion show by Jasper Conran, cross-cut with English contralto singer Kathleen Ferrier. Its poetry took my breath away.
What is the last piece of music you bought?
I buy second-hand vinyl especially Live LPs – the last one being 'Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band Live/1975-85'. Another poet. I listen to a lot of music digitally via Amazon Prime, YouTube and Cinemix. My latest listen: 'There Is No Time' by Lou Reed (album: 'New York'), a song that could’ve been written for this moment.
Best song to bring people together?
'Last Dance' by Donna Summer. Inevitably, the last track played at the end of the night in gay discos c.1978. Everyone would fill the dancefloor for one last dance and that "last chance for romance".
Best love song of all time?
Single: 'Angel' by Aretha Franklin. Teenage gay boy heartache "He’ll be there, now don’t you worry".
Album track: 'Understand' by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel ('Timeless Flight') – "If I could put the words together…" Everything you want to say when you’re hopelessly besotted.
Is there a song you like that people wouldn’t expect?
'Runaway' by Kanye West ft.Pusha T [Explicit] – Kanye’s music is an anthemic soundscape collage layered with visceral lyrics. He is the most played artist on my phone.
What new music/bands are you listening to?
FKA Twigs – boundary-breaking, dressed to perfection by Matthew Josephs.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Iain R Webb – Wiltshire originally, now Bath/London
What do you do?
Fashion writer, curator, Professor of Fashion & Design, Kingston School of Art.
Describe your style in three words:
Utilitarian. Punk. Undone.
A British icon or band who inspire your sound?
David Bowie. Through Bowie I discovered pretty much everything from numerous other musicians, artists, writers and filmmakers to life long friends. "You’re not alone".
What has been your all-time favourite gig?
A dead heat: Grace Jones’ ‘One Man Show’, Drury Lane Theatre, 10th October 1981 – an astonishing fusion of music, fashion, theatrics and art / Patti Smith / Massive Attack, Hyde Park, 1st July 2016 – political, sensorial, majestic.
What are your social media handles?
Instagram: @hopeandglitter
04Playlist Notes
What was the first song you played on repeat?
'Metal Guru' by T.Rex. From first glimpse on TV, Marc Bolan ushered glam rock into my life. I was willingly dragged along on its satin coattails.
Which music defines the teenage you?
'Rebel Rebel' by David Bowie. Androgynous, tacky, with alright hair, dreaming of staying out all night. ‘Defiant Pose’ – The Cortinas. Local Bristol punk band. I ended up on the cover of this record puking up cold vegetable soup.
A song from your favourite album?
'Ballad of Mott the Hoople' (26th March 1972, Zürich) by Mott The Hoople (album: ‘Mott’). The first band I saw live at 15. Their single 'All The Young Dudes' was a rally cry for a generation. This track is a reflective paean to rock’n’roll. "I wish I hadn’t wanted then what I want now twice as much". Read: ‘Diary of a Rock’n’Roll Star’ – Ian Hunter.
A song you wish you’d written?
'Dry Your Eyes' by The Streets. I first heard this on the soundtrack of Spring/Summer 2007 fashion show by Jasper Conran, cross-cut with English contralto singer Kathleen Ferrier. Its poetry took my breath away.
What is the last piece of music you bought?
I buy second-hand vinyl especially Live LPs – the last one being 'Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band Live/1975-85'. Another poet. I listen to a lot of music digitally via Amazon Prime, YouTube and Cinemix. My latest listen: 'There Is No Time' by Lou Reed (album: 'New York'), a song that could’ve been written for this moment.
Best song to bring people together?
'Last Dance' by Donna Summer. Inevitably, the last track played at the end of the night in gay discos c.1978. Everyone would fill the dancefloor for one last dance and that "last chance for romance".
Best love song of all time?
Single: 'Angel' by Aretha Franklin. Teenage gay boy heartache "He’ll be there, now don’t you worry".
Album track: 'Understand' by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel ('Timeless Flight') – "If I could put the words together…" Everything you want to say when you’re hopelessly besotted.
Is there a song you like that people wouldn’t expect?
'Runaway' by Kanye West ft.Pusha T [Explicit] – Kanye’s music is an anthemic soundscape collage layered with visceral lyrics. He is the most played artist on my phone.
What new music/bands are you listening to?
FKA Twigs – boundary-breaking, dressed to perfection by Matthew Josephs.