The UnCon is coming

On 12 November, I’m delighted to be joining experts on the sasquatch, hermeticism and Gef the Talking Mongoose at the The Fortean Times Unconvention. Jon Ronson will be talking about The Psychopath Test, Jan Bondeson will be discussing some canine intellectuals and Gail-Nina Anderson will be presenting her popular history of the Egyptian mummy.

I’ll explore some of the stranger obsessions of the early adopters of sound recording as I immortalise a voice from the audience by recording it on wax, using an original Edison Standard Phonograph. I’ll also discuss a little-known sound recording method, one which was used to bring popular music into the home, 150 years before the phonograph. And I’ll reveal some outlandish experiments with radio, from the early 1920s, as I play some live aether music on the theremin, accompanied by fellow Spacedog Stephen Hiscock and Hugo, my ventriloquial sidekick.

Talking doll incorporating an Edison phonograph (Image source: US Dept of the Interior)

I’m excited to hear that Nina Conti, comedian and ventriloquist, will be at the Uncon on Sunday 13 November, showing a film of Ken Campbell’s work with ventriloquy. Many years ago, I saw Ken perform his show on ‘knee pals’ – his work has always been an inspiration.

This year, the Uncon will also be presenting a cabaret night. I’ll be playing a short theremin and robot set (possibly with my fellow Spacedogs). I hear Brighton legend, Michael ‘Atters’ Attree is also on the bill, showing a slideshow of ostensible paranormal marvels.