E113: Michael Zilkha on ZE Records + John Cale + The Velvet Underground

In this episode, Michael Zilkha joins us all the way from Houston, Texas, to reminisce about his iconic ZE label — and the extraordinary artists he signed to it, from James Chance & Lydia Lunch to his late ex-wife Cristina and August "Kid Creole" Darnell... not forgetting John Cale, whom we hear in two audio clips talking about Lou Reed, Andy Warhol and the Velvet Underground. Discussion of Todd Haynes' new documentary on the band — Michael's all-time favourite group — follows.

Mark & Jasper round things off by talking us through their highlights among the 100+ new articles added to the RBP library, including a 1966 piece on Mama Cass meeting the Beatles, Nick Kent's 1987 Face op-ed on the Smiths, and a 2018 celebration of Moroccan gnawa by John Lewis.

Many thanks to special guest Michael Zilkha. Visit the ZE Books website at zebooks.com.

Pieces discussed: Mary Harron on Michael Zilkha, Paul Rambali on Michael Zilkha, ZE Records night at Hurrah, John Cale audio, The Cure, Stevie Wonder, Kirsty MacColl, Mama Cass, Mitch Mitchell, Donald Fagen, The Smiths, Wynton Marsalis, Chris Blackwell, Slick Rick, Junkie XL/Elvis, New Orleans Funk and Moroccan gnawa.