Verdon Records: Recent Episodes
Verdon Records
A Diary of a Record ShopA new radio show/podcast for Radio Verdon. A diary of a record shop. Ian, an Englishman living in France, has opened a record shop in a village called Moustiers Sainte-Marie, Provence. With contributions from his friends and of course plenty of songs
This will be the final episode, for a while, of Verdon Records. In this show the protagonist desires solitude in the wilds of the hills. What does he discover? The lonely cries of nature? The timeless elements? Lets find out together
Good music too from Eels, Mutual Benefit, John Denver and James.
Anna gives an early Christmas present to Ian, a trip to Iceland. With a few surprises along the way, some very bad weather, some Christmassy themes, some awful Icelandic jokes and a tour of the strange and wonderful Iceland. Music included as a Christmas present, not altogether Christmas music though, but appropriately wintery.
It's Verdon Records The Diary of a Record Shop. It will be a feast of poetry to bamboozle your ears.
A poetry festival descends on the village of Moustiers, the preparations include collecting poems from the gang, some classics and some penned by their own hand. All this qword gymnastics collides with poetry in music from artists like The Doors, John Cooper Clarke, Baxter Dury and the Beatniks. Plus, some, weird stuff.
A person appears in the midst, uninvited. Problem is he doesn't speak so the gang don't know who he is. Can they work out who the mystery man is? From the airport in Marseilles to the bars in Manosque, from the Provençal village of Moustiers Sainte-Marie to the wild plains of the Verdon, a story to fire up your imagination. Plus, as always, some great music for you to hum along with.
Verdon Records treats you to a story full of intrigue and mystery. Someone or something, is leaving macabre items on the record shop doorstep. Has someone got something against the record shop? Are there any scores to settle? Find out in tonights show, the King of Limbs! Fantastic star cast, with Mave Davis, Scott Williams, Milly Allen, Jon Pink, Kevin Bunch. Music from Close Lobsters, Pulp, Atmos Bloom, Jack Kerouc and more.
Back with a duster and tin of polish, it's Verdon Records. In this show the record shop needs a reshuffle, a clean up, so with some new vinyl racks on their way from St Tropez and some new Greta Thunberg posters what more could a record shop need? Music? Well there will be music, from The Go Betweens, Billy Idol, Sharon Van Etten, Longpigs and others. Tune in with some tuna.
WHAT THE DICKENS!
This episode sees the community put on a production of Charles Dickens 'The Christmas Carol'. Scott insists that during the build up, all the cast must stay in character, this causes some confusion with Baz, who plays the uncharitable Ebenezer Scrooge, is Baz really that grumpy or is he playing his part? This episode also features a drone carrying a Labrador. Plus loads of cool Christmas music and not a Victorian in sight.
Just so you know, or in case you didn't know, these show are written and presented by me, Ian Callen, with the help of my family and good friends. My wife Anna, my children, Joseph and Jasmine, my friends, Gareth, Mave, Kevin, Scott and Jon. Of course not forgetting Radio Verdon's Lucas. It is a real team effort, with additional musical magic from all songs available to us, which is a lot!! A local and authentic show made like your grannies cooking!!
The record shop gets invited to come along to a speed networking event in Manosque inspired by a recent 'Speed Networking' event held by Kruti and her team at Expats in and around Manosque. Kruti is featured in this episode, yes you will get to hear her lovely voice over the Verdon airwaves.
There is also a funeral of an old friend of Hectors, Bill The Punkman Figuiere, and Jon borrows and old sheep mini bus. Great music too, from Nick Cave, Simon and Garfunkel, Patti Smith, Cassandra Jenkins and more hits.
Tune in, safe in the knowledge that the world will be forgotten about for an hour or so and your brain will have a smile on it's frontal lobe afterwards.
A filmmaker arrives in town with ideas that will surely change. A brass and folk band get stranded on their way to a puzzle competition, what a lot of hot air and folking around!! Lots of other objects placed in a non advertising way too, pints of milk, tight shorts and vinyl records of course. Lots of good music from; Broadcast, Omertà, Stereolab, The Smile, Tears for Fears and more and more and less.
Its another unhinged, axe wielding episode of Verdon Records - The Diary of a Record Shop.
This episode has Ian, the handsome protagonist, heading down to the big smoke of Aix en Provence, he needs a new needle for his record player. His shopping list grows with bizarre items. He has to keep an eye on the time as he has to help set up a gig in his girlfriend's new cafe. There is also some great music, Booker T and MG's, Bon Iver, Broadcast, Radiohead, Light from a Distant Star, Daisy Rickman, Clap your Hands Say Yeah! and more. What better way to spend your evening.
Word gets out that the Northern Lights are making an appearance in Provence and there are some Mongolian acrobats to welcome them in. Projects are steadily moving on, Freddy discovers a strange object on the beach and Daisy walks on.
A new season with new ideas and projects as spring is heralded in, inspiring the gang. Jon and Scott surprise with a strange find and a lack of pants. Hector falls in love with Milky Ways, whilst Anna and Baz have big ideas for Moustiers. Ian and Jo paint things and Daisy sets off on her walk across land and sea. Nicolas tries his best to understand the difference between donkeys and small things and a new stranger in town trying to escape his past. It's all there plus some spine tingling music.
Well thank goodness for that!! A Verdon Records Christmas Episode (not Christmas Special as it has to pass a Father Christmas 'Christmas Special' test, and I forgot to submit it in time, the deadline was the 20th, I only found out today). Baz finally gets married to Tiff, who herself, it transpires, has a dark, unchristmassy past, which is dying to reveal itself, a stag and hen do, and a tower crane that saves the day. Some not bad music too, from some people. Thank you to everyone for listening in 2023, a warm Merry Christmas from everyone at Verdon Records.
Its another eccentric packed episode of Verdon Records - The Diary of a Record Shop. This show has been compared to UK TV Show The Detectorists by the way, in feeling only.
In tonight's show, Scott and Jon face an exhibition dilemma, a pub quiz with a terrible tribute band name, a spinning crane and a commissioned ceramic star made by Hana Smid. Plus great music from P J Harvey, Oasis, Slowdive, Ezra Furman ant the mighty Bjork. Forgot to say that Hector's KLF-esque stunts gets attention from the local press!
n this show, the new art collective Artistes de la Liberté, hold their first exhibition in the chapel in Moustiers Sainte-Marie. They plan a stunt to surprise the village, Banksy style! A tower crane is erected dominating the skyline of Moustiers. There are also some great songs intertwined among the diaries or a record shop.
Tom and Juliette roll into Moustiers Sainte Marie, Baz has an announcement to make and there is a new collective about to begin.
The summer in Provence was coming to an end, the heat had been unbearable and now Ian and the gang were enjoying the cooler weather. The night market in Moustiers brings out all the tourists and Ian and his friends. A band play in Moustiers Square and there is a surprise arrival from England. If you want to escape for an hour and listen to some great music, click on play.
The rain hasn't stopped for what feels like weeks. Scott needs some photos on his finished shepherd hut, Ian gathers up photos and posters for Scott with help from his friends. There is also some photography related music too, from Manic Street Preachers, Tom Waits, Allo Darling and Light From a Distant Star. Tune in and listen to the photos.
Verdon Records will hit the airways with another emotion packed episode, get your tissues ready. Ian cannot sleep, doesn't know if he should take sleeping pills and asks for expert advice. He has a rock star guest staying at the record shop who is a recovering addict. There is a live gig at the record shop, and why is Ian hallucinating? Music from Eels, AA Bondy, Six by Seven, and the thrilling My Life with the Thrill Kill Cult and lots of other drug anthems. Tune in and get high naturally with a cup of herbal tea and a biscuit, now that's rock n roll and there will be no come down.
Ian and friends take a trip to the wild Camargue to discover the culture and wildlife there. Hector has an encounter with bulls, Joseph forgets something quite important and Baz wants to know more about birds. There is also lots of bird related music and some field recordings of some wonderful birds.
Ian has an unexpected call and he must embark on a journey in a foreign land, at the same time he gets chance to look inwards whilst looking outwards. Great music and plenty of heart.
Verdon Records - The Diary of a Record Shop.
This episode is all about books, literature and authors, with a story around Ian deciding to sell some quality books in his record shop. He is trying to build a song list too around music connected to books in some way. There are also plenty of contributions from Ian's friends and family. Plus, Nicolas thinks the sky is his screensaver and Bazza looks at x ray photos of his lung when he's bored.
The Comet is Coming. A story around the coming of comet, C2022 E3 ZTF. Ian starts a campaign to rename the comet Bristol Craig Comet. Hector has parties in the hills of Provence to see in the comet. Scott travels to the shop for his book signing and gets lost in the process. Plus loads of space themed music!
Season 2 begins tonight with an episode on the theme of WINTER. All of the music chosen for this episode is associated in some way with the snowy, icy, cold season, winter. Thank you to all of you who helped choose the music with your great suggestions, some of which have been included. In tonight's story, Ian's friend, Hector from Nice, comes up to visit in his caravan for a month. Eric promotes new poetry book by Scott Williams called Rainclouds and Ian commissions a new shop sign.
Thank you and wrap up warm.
Verdon Records - The Diary of A Record Shop - Christmas Show
A Christmas special, Ian is back in the record shop in Moustiers Sainte Marie and it's Christmas Eve. He plans to go to Iceland for Christmas to be with his love, but fete has an alternative story. A prestigious musical challenge from RADIO VERDON, a few questions from a magazine and lots of snow and bitter cold. Thrown together of course with some great Christmas Music chosen by Ian's friends and Family. Get into the Christmas mood with this Christmas story.
Verdon Records - The Diary of A Record Shop - Christmas Show
A Christmas special, Ian is back in the record shop in Moustiers Sainte Marie and it's Christmas Eve. He plans to go to Iceland for Christmas to be with his love, but fete has an alternative story. A prestigious musical challenge from RADIO VERDON, a few questions from a magazine and lots of snow and bitter cold. Thrown together of course with some great Christmas Music chosen by Ian's friends and Family. Get into the Christmas mood with this Christmas story.
Episode 8 of Verdon Records, the final episode until the autumn. In tonight's episode the gang get to play in a football tournament in Nice, organised by Hector, who is out for revenge against a former record shop he worked for. Ian has some surprise news from a kiwi girl, who takes him to see a concert in Nice. Kev the Poet makes a guest appearance and joins the football team. There is also an amazing appearance from Moustiers Sainte-Marie local musical hero, Florentin Fouch. Lots of good music too and a dramatic ending.
VERDON RECORDS EPISODE 7 - PARIS. A special episode that sees Ian and the gang travel up to Paris for a few days. They take in the sights, the culture and the romance. They go to see a band, but which Irish band is it? Kev from From Me To You Poems writes his ode to the Mona Lisa, whilst Mave takes Beryl to a Comic Convention. The story plus great music and stupid jokes are all there for you to enjoy and edge you ever nearer to musical and literature heaven.
Episode 6 of Verdon Records. This thrilling episode will not only launch your weekend but will seamlessly transfer you into the cultural holiday which we call Easter. In tonight’s digipass episode, local photographer Rudolf, plans a day out to photograph and observe the iconic vultures in the majestic gorges du Verdon. Joseph, back from Uni, begins working at the record shop and gets a terrible joke played on him which is filmed by Sébastien. Hector from Vicious Vinyl, has two big ideas that could help to give Verdon Records more business. A mysterious xenophobe makes a request for a classic record and a message from a stoner that makes no sense at all. Loads of inspiring music too, Crowded House, Tom Waits, Slowdive, Blondie and more musical delights.
Thank you.
You are being treated to yet another episode of the trials and tribulations of Verdon Records - The Diary of a Record Shop. The best and only way to start your Friday night. In tonight's episode on RADIO VERDON and Radio Verdon Castellane 91 FM, Ian seeks an alternative venue for a Throat Singing Choir whilst fixing Anna's plumbing. Ian reconnects with old friend Mave and welcomes Thomas from Le Bergerie de Faucon. A spring poem from Kevin at From Me To You Poems, and Hector Stainer finally meets up with Sébastien for a drink in Riez. Loads of music from Surfing Magazines, Blur, Tryo, Madonna, A A Bondy, Grouper, Scrabbel and other pop hits. Treat yourself to a musical East Enders or Home and Away, tonight at 19h00 local time and 6pm UK time. You can listen here www.radio-verdon.com or on 96.5fm locally.
It's Episode 4 of Verdon Records - The Diary of a Record Shop. An audio diary of an Englishman running a record shop, tucked up in the back hills of Provence, France. This week, Ian gets use to having a one-eyed cat, has a visit from Hector Stainer, Tom Moriarty plays a gig at the shop, battles with some tricky customers and of course plays some great music.
Tonight on RADIO VERDON, Verdon Records - A Diary of a Record Shop. Episode 3 - Mistral.
In this episode, Verdon Records, based in the Provencal village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie hosts a memorable gig with Robi Mitch, Ian visits Hector Stainer's record shop in Nice and goes to a punk gig, Nicolás plays us his ex girlfriends vinyl and the cat refuge lady does a home visit to find out if Simon can be adopted. There is plenty more to discover plus some great music as always.
Ian gets some reoccurring 'gender swapping' news from his friend's messages and a new creature joins him at the record shop. The new playlist is made from Simon and Garfunkel, Jonathan Richman and Sigur Ros and more.
Verdon Records - A Diary of a Record Shop. Episode 1 - Open Up.
In tonight's episode, Ian officially opens Verdon Records for business in the village of Moustiers Sainte-Marie. Listen to his audio diary of how the first month went, with messages of help from his family and friends, interspersed with some great music.