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She’s been compared to Edith Piaf, and her fan base includes Brian Eno and Nick Cave. The New Statesman talks politics, music and feminism with Anna Calvi. written for New Statesman Anna Calvi’s sumptuous self-titled debut saw her catapulted from relative unknown to one of the most respected artists in music. Released in 2011, it […]
May 31, 2013
written by Rob Pollard for New Statesman The Mercury Music Prizewinners talk to Rob Pollard. Rarely has a debut album made such an impression on UK listeners. An Awesome Wave, Alt-J’s brilliant first full length release, scooped the prestigious Mercury Music Prize last year, and this week was awarded an Ivor Novello for Best Album. […]
May 16, 2013
written by Rob Pollard for New Statesman British Sea Power‘s Yan speaks to the New Statesman about music, politics and Grand Designs Australia. British Sea Power remain on the outskirts of British popular culture, despite being one of the most interesting bands of the last decade. Their brand of music defies definite categorisation, and as […]
March 8, 2013
written by Rob Pollard for New Statesman Johnny Marr was one half of the most influential British songwriting partnership of all time. In May 1982, inspired by how Leiber & Stoller met, Marr approached fellow Mancunian Morrissey to convince him that they should write songs together. It was the start of one of the most […]
February 10, 2013
written by Rob Pollard for New Statesman Formed in 2007 by University of Salford students Jonathan Higgs, Jeremy Pritchard, Michael Spearman and Alex Niven (since replaced by Alex Robertshaw), Everything Everything have established themselves as one of Britain’s premier indie bands. Their debut album, Man Alive, was nominated for the 2011 Mercury Music Prize, and […]
January 23, 2013
written by Rob Pollard for New Statesman In an interview published in the latest edition of Loaded magazine, Morrissey has described David Cameron as “gratuitously violent,” and expressed his desire to see Yvette Cooper “thrown into the sea”. In the most politically charged interview of his career, Morrissey also said he felt it was difficult […]
December 13, 2012
written by Rob Pollard for New Statesman In an interview with New Zealand’s 3 News, Morrissey has accused Kate Middleton of feeling ‘no shame’ about the suspected suicide of Jacintha Saldanha, and described the British monarchy as a dictatorship, encapsulated by a history of ‘murder mayhem and slaughter.’ In what was a wide-ranging interview that […]
December 12, 2012
written by Rob Pollard for New Statesman Rob Pollard interviews Yeasayer’s Chris Keating Earlier this year, Brooklyn band Yeasayer released their third studio album, and this week they finished their latest UK tour. They are a band that have consistently evolved their sound since their breakthrough in 2007. Their debut LP, All Hour Cymbals, was […]
December 10, 2012
written by Rob Pollard for New Statesman – photograph by William Ellis Rob Pollard speaks to the former Joy Division and New Order bassist. Peter Hook was the bass player and founding member of Manchester’s influential post-punk band Joy Division. After the death of their iconic lead singer Ian Curtis, the remaining members went on […]
December 10, 2012
written by Rob Pollard for New Statesman Rob Pollard interviews one of the world’s most renowned music photographers. Kevin Cummins is one of the world’s most renowned music photographers. He has photographed David Bowie, Morrissey, Mark E. Smith, The Happy Mondays and Patti Smith, as well as working as an NME photographer from 1977-1997. However, […]
October 23, 2012
written by Rob Pollard for New Statesman During the middle of the last decade, British indie music had become artistically void. It was incredibly popular and sales were high, but bands were bereft of ideas and their output had become depressingly predictable. Thankfully, that nadir sparked a shift, with a new breed of intelligent, articulate […]
October 15, 2012
written by Nicola Carty Like a UK-based Carrie Bradshaw, Lucy Anne Holmes knows good sex. Or rather, she knows bad sex. The kind of sex that is “ugly”, and that debases the good name of sex in general. Holmes is on a mission, “valiantly trying to change the face of sex as we know it”. […]
September 20, 2012
written by Robert Pollard The big talking point in British politics over the last day or so has been Nick Clegg’s attempt at an apology for his party’s decision to renege on their pre-election pledge to scrap tuition fees. We all know the story. When they thought they were never going to be in power […]
September 11, 2012
written by Robert Pollard In January, I spent a couple of months interning at the New Statesman offices on Fleet Street. As an aspiring writer, it was an offer I could not refuse. The New Statesman is my favourite publication and the chance to go and work with the writers who I had long followed […]
September 4, 2012
written by Robert Pollard Respect Party candidate stepping down after vile Galloway comments. Kate Hudson has released a statement today outlining her decision to step down as the Respect candidate at the Manchester Central by-election because of her opposition to the recent comments from George Galloway concerning rape. It is a rare piece of political […]
September 4, 2012
written by Robert Pollard So, David Cameron’s first major reshuffle has taken place and it all looks like more of a mess than before he meddled. There are a number of baffling decisions. Firstly, what is Jeremy Hunt’s promotion all about? Let’s not forget, this is a man who was caught out having vested interests […]
August 30, 2012
Robert Pollard Today’s Video of the Day is of Gore Vidal and Christopher Hitchens telling the same funny anecdote about one of my favourite writers and thinkers – Noam Chomsky. Professor Chomsky first came to my attention when I was studying English A-Level. He is one of the most celebrated and important linguists ever, something […]
August 8, 2012
written by Robert Pollard The moronic Mormon provides another gaffe to remember Another fundraiser, another fuck up for presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, this time in Iowa. Mitt Romney is a gift that keeps on giving; a well of comedy that refuses to run dry. Only problem is, he’s running for president of the […]
July 27, 2012
written by Robert Pollard for Festival Republic It’s this kind of event that makes Latitude such a special festival. In amongst the vast array of musical talent sits an arena dedicated to literature; a platform for detailed discussion of a writer’s latest work. This morning, British journalist John McCarthy gave further insight into his recently […]
July 27, 2012
written by Robert Pollard for Festival Republic John Pilger is a highly respected political journalist who has twice been named Journalist of the Year. Through his writing and film-making, he has continually challenged common opinion and offered an alternative to the increasingly narrow media narrative. Born in Australia but based in the UK, he is […]
June 25, 2012
written by Robert Pollard al Assad, Obama and the UN now the focus of Morrissey’s disgust. In a music world full of identikit pop stars, Morrissey’s continued presence is refreshing respite. While most musicians toe the line during monotonous interviews, Morrissey provides us with honesty and opinion. His current world tour, which has so far […]
May 11, 2012
written by Robert Pollard Question Time, the BBC’s flagship political debate programme, often riles me. In the interest of fairness, the Question Time team attempt to assemble a panel of experts from across the political spectrum, meaning we at home have to endure the kind of right-wing zealots whose opinions make me shudder. I get […]
April 17, 2012
written by Rob Pollard – an edited version originally appeared in New Statesman Stewart Lee, Martin Parr and Hayden Thorpe discuss the coalition’s policy for the arts. With growing opposition to the proposed NHS reforms, and increasing uncertainty of the government’s economic policy, it is clear that David Cameron is floundering. As his health secretary […]
February 23, 2012
written by Robert Pollard for New Statesman Picture of GOP candidate made entirely from pornographic thumbnails. Rick Santorum has had a lot to say about the rights of gay people. He has openly denounced homosexuality, strongly opposed gay marriage and called for gay people to be excluded from the American military. According to the sweater-vest-wearing […]
February 20, 2012
written by Robert Pollard for New Statesman – Star Spangled Staggers blog Former Governor of Alaska promises to do “whatever I could to help”. Sarah Palin has thrust herself back into the spotlight by claiming she could yet play an integral role in the Republican presidential nomination race. What exactly that role will entail is […]
February 16, 2012
written by Robert Pollard for New Statesman Worst unemployment figures since 1995 as squeeze on pay continues. Unemployment in the UK has risen by a further 48,000 in the three months leading up to December, with official figures now showing that 2.67 million people are unemployed in Britain. This represents 8.4 per cent of the […]
February 14, 2012
written by Robert Pollard for New Statesman TV broadcasting agency sets new rules on the amount of foreign television programmes that can be aired. China’s media regulator has imposed new restrictions on television programming by banning foreign programmes during prime time slots, state media reported on Tuesday. All foreign TV series are now capped at […]
February 13, 2012
written by Robert Pollard for New Statesman IMF and eurozone insist on further cuts in exchange for £110bn bailout fund. Athens was plunged further into crisis this weekend after Greek ministers passed a fresh austerity package in exchange for a £110bn eurozone and IMF bailout aimed at avoiding the government defaulting on its debt and […]
February 3, 2012
written for New Statesman – words by Robert Pollard Former Labour Chancellor disapproves of government move. The decision to strip Fred Goodwin of his knighthood has been criticised by former Chancellor Alistair Darling, who described the move as “tawdry” and taken “on a whim”. Darling led a chorus of discontent from various high-profile figures who […]
January 31, 2012
written for New Statesman – words by Robert Pollard Unemployment figures increase as debt crisis continues to engulf the region. According to the Eurostat agency, unemployment across the eurozone hit record levels at the end of 2011, with the jobless rate standing at 10.4 per cent at the end of December. With 16.5 million people […]
January 31, 2012
written for New Statesman – words by Robert Pollard French President ready to implement a financial transaction tax and hopes move will encourage other countries to follow. Nicolas Sarkozy is ready to resist pressure from France’s finance sector and introduce a 0.1 per cent tax on financial transactions. The French president proposes to introduce the […]
January 31, 2012
written for New Statesman – words by Robert Pollard Downing Street says “We are not going to micro-manage bonuses”. David Cameron will not force any RBS executives to turn down bonus payments, despite growing calls for government intervention on executive pay. On Sunday, RBS chief executive Stephen Hester announced that he will not be accepting […]
January 29, 2012
written for the New Statesman – words by Robert Pollard Cabinet office publish list of 277 people who rejected OBEs, CBEs and knighthoods over the past 40 years. The names of people who have rejected honours from the Queen has been released after Cabinet Office officials were forced to publish the information. LS Lowry, CS […]
January 22, 2012
written for the New Statesman – words by Robert Pollard Interest rates set to remain low until 2016 as fears of double-dip recession continue to grow. A leading economic think tank has claimed that growth will remain so low for the next four years that the current base rate of 0.5 per cent will remain […]
January 22, 2012
written for the New Statesman – words by Robert Pollard £279.5m deal agreed for Robert Wiseman Dairies after swift negotiations with German company Müller. German dairy company Müller Group have agreed a deal with Robert Wiseman Dairies which will see the Scottish company bought for £279.5m. The deal represents a 60 per cent increase on […]
January 22, 2012
written for the New Statesman – words by Robert Pollard Tom Harris causes further embarrassment to Labour after uploading spoof video of Alex Salmond. Labour MP, Tom Harris, has quit his role as internet advisor for the Scottish Labour Party after posting a video depicting First Minister and SNP leader Alex Salmond as Hitler. The […]
November 10, 2011
written by Robert Pollard Every now and then an opportunity arises to make seismic changes to the social, economic and political landscape. The last time this truly happened in Britain was when Thatcher strode into power, where, after years of economic hardship, she decided that the way to deliver prosperity was to deregulate our banks, […]
October 23, 2011
Ed Miliband’s first year as leader of the Labour Party has been severely hampered by caution, with his reluctance to define his political ideology frustrating for many. A lack of clear narrative has been largely responsible for his failure to inspire his own party – and indeed the wider public – all of whom are […]
August 11, 2011
words by Robert Pollard photography by Luke Chase After a week of riots across England that have caused untold distress for many people, it seems wholly necessary for the government to carry out a full exploration into the factors that triggered the horrendous scenes. Whilst the actions of the looters have been despicable, to write […]
July 28, 2011
words by Robert Pollard The current economic strategy being implemented by George Osborne came under further scrutiny this week after Britain’s latest set of growth figures made for very depressing reading. Mr Osborne’s dogmatic insistence that austerity measures are the only remedy for our economic woes looks increasingly ill-judged after figures for the second quarter […]
July 18, 2011
words by Robert Pollard Ed Miliband’s decision to wage war on Rupert Murdoch and his News International colleagues could prove to be, not only the boldest, but the shrewdest political move of his career to date. Ever since news of the scandal broke, Miliband as been ahead of the game, time and again outmaneuvering his […]
May 1, 2011
This week I spent a few days in Parliament shadowing my local Labour MP Kate Green. I had full access to Westminster for three days and it gave me a real insight into political life. Politics fascinates me and to see it at close quarters was bloody interesting. On Tuesday I sat in on my […]
December 21, 2010
Revered by left and right-wing commentators, and seen by many as one of the most astute economic brains this country has ever produced, Vince Cable’s stock has suddenly plummeted after being duped by two Telegraph reporters posing as Liberal Democrat supporters. After approaching Mr Cable at his surgery in Twickenham, the journalists managed to extract […]
December 5, 2010
It is fair to say that almost every person living in Britain is concerned about the impact that the savage cuts being made the Con-Dem Government will have on them and their families. Headed by Prime Minister David Cameron, the coalition appears intent on seriously damaging the lives of ordinary people in order to reduce […]
February 7, 2010
If you have become increasingly concerned about the damage our ‘special relationship’ with America is doing to Britain’s reputation in the world, then Clare Short is an MP who should command your respect. This is a lady who has written and spoken extensively about the need for Britain to reassess its foreign policy and play […]
Passions Just Like Mine 
September 25, 2013
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