Semi-detached

Introducing his conversation with Jason Williamson (the first in the Quietus' The Best Of Times series of podcasts), John Doran echoes the widespread view that Sleaford Mods are "the true poet laureates of broken, austerity, Brexit Britain" - a title that Williamson would probably only accept grudgingly, given the way he's previously taken pains to deny being a spokesman for anything or anyone. He speaks candidly about success, walking a tightrope as a result of your tastes and ideas changing over time, and worrying "that you've become detached from your own perception and sensibilities" - all of which makes me feel more certain that his criticism of IDLES springs from (entirely understandable) personal anxieties.

Interestingly, he rates the period surrounding the release of Divide And Exit in 2014 as both his best of times and worst of times: an exciting time when Sleaford Mods were really taking off, but also a time of unsustainable excess that was damaging both for him personally and for relationships with those around him. A former alcoholic and drug user himself, Doran makes for a sympathetic interviewer. In going clean, both have embraced the joys of cake instead, and find common ground in enthusing about buttercream.

Elsewhere during the episode, Williamson talks about his band's departure from Rough Trade for the release of new album Eton Alive - a move he admits with hindsight was rather premature - and about his love of the British Rail logo, partly inspired by The Pre New.