Welcome to “HORROR!”, a podcast by the researchers of the charity University of the Underground’s Horror Programme. This tuition free programme was led by speculative designer Agi Haines from November 2021 to March 2022, as a critical exploration into illicit societal fears and a dive into horror as a complex tool and genre. In every episode of this series we will explore research topics from our projects, with the help of experts, practitioners, artists, and much more. Our host throughout this podcast series will be Necro, our cheeky demonic guide on a nightly journey full of ghosts, shadows, and inexplicable monsters…but no need to worry, as all our guests, human and non-human, have promised to stay in the studio. Be prepared, though: these encounters might easily transport into your homes some uncanny perspectives on our present.

In this episode, Agi Haines gives us some suggestions about werewolves and ritual. Our researcher Katherine Cosgrove sits down with the practitioner of witchcraft Natalie Walls to talk about contemporary witchcraft and pagan spiritual practices. The last segment of the episode offers the possibility to listen to a special investigative report about the monstrous Soul Eater. Spirits, rituals and ancestors are also the main elements inhabiting our musical atmosphere for this journey.

Featuring:

Katharine Cosgrove, researcher, writer and part-time visual artist whose most recent work concerns the personal and societal interaction between experiences of gender, hormones, chronic mental health conditions and invisible disability.

Agi Haines, speculative designer. Her work is focused on the design of the human body as a malleable object through which she explores how far we can push our living flesh while still being accepted by society.

Natalie Walls, practitioner of witchcraft and freelance writer. She has a dual heritage of Colombian and Scottish which means her practice includes a blend of influences which she draws from.

Katherine Cosgrove also gives us more information about the investigation of a lost expedition for which it was probably a fatal meeting with the Soul Eater (voicing features Joe Cosgrove and Samuel Organ).

James Nola as Necromantique or Necro, our demonic host who pays homage to 80s cult horror, that will get your bones giggling.

Thank you for listening. We hope that this series will contribute to inspire, to communicate powerful messages, to expose enduring dynamics of the contemporary world and to challenge our understanding of its structures and taboos. If we didn't scare you enough, and you want to know more about our projects, join us for more episodes or visit https://universityoftheunderground.org!

Coordination, proof-listening: Veronika Hanáková, Ludovica BattistaScripting: Veronika Hanáková, Katharine CosgroveProduction, editing, music selection: Ludovica Battista, Katharine CosgroveHosting: James Nola, Katharine Cosgrove

TRACKLIST:CNN Predicts a Monster Storm - Laurie Anderson & Kronos QuartetSpirits Drifting - Brian EnoAncestors - BjörkRitual Awakening - Cosey Fanni TuttiWikka Man - Nocturnal EmissionsGorillaz - Introsoundtrack for Hunting the Soul Eater - Samuel OrganRitual Spirit - Massive Attack