On this episode of The KC Arts Beat Report, Patrick Neas speaks with legendary writer, magician (not the stage variety), and visionary storyteller Alan Moore about the latest release in Long London, his ambitious five-volume fantasy series exploring the hidden histories, forgotten possibilities, and mysterious undercurrents of modern London.
Moore discusses I Hear a New World, the second novel in the series, and explains the concept of Long London, a city where past, present, and future exist simultaneously. The conversation delves into the extraordinary life of pioneering record producer Joe Meek, whose groundbreaking 1959 album I Hear a New World inspired the novel and, Moore argues, helped lay the foundations for the psychedelic movement of the 1960s.
Along the way, Moore reflects on the transformative power of language, his belief that art is a form of magic, the relationship between consciousness and creativity, and why he remains skeptical of artificial intelligence as a creative force. He also shares surprising thoughts on cultural change, the future of humanity, and the historical forces that have shaped the world we inhabit today.
Whether you know Alan Moore through Watchmen, V for Vendetta, From Hell, Promethea, or The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, or are discovering his work for the first time, this wide-ranging conversation offers a fascinating glimpse into the mind of one of the most influential and imaginative writers of our time.
I Hear a New World is available at https://link.amazon/B0cLT7t9n
The KC Arts Beat Report theme: Moten Swing by Bennie Moten, performed by and courtesy of the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, conducted by Clint Ashlock. More information at kcjo.org.
KC Arts Beat is sponsored in part by Get Well KC, which offers a body-mind approach to health and healing, helping individuals alleviate pain and optimize their overall well-being. Learn more at www.getwellkc.com.
Fascinating interview! I do hope Alan Moore is correct about AI. Also, I don’t know how I expected him to sound, but his accent certainly surprised me