UKNY For February 4
Karl Hyde and the cover of 'I Am Dogboy' (photo by Perou, courtesy of Smith Hyde Productions)
The path to artistic fulfillment or success is often littered with failure, self-doubt, and second (and third) chances. Composer, lyricist, visual artist and writer Karl Hyde, of the deeply influential band Underworld knows those challenges well.
In his perceptive new book I Am Dogboy, published in December via Faber & Faber, he writes about the steep, often discouraging crag one must climb in pursuit of creative aspirations—and how letting go of ego and expectations is often the best path. I Am Dogboy is not just an autobiography, but an impressionistic collection of essays, photography, and selections from Karl's collection of diary entries from the past 16 years (and published every day on Underworld's website).
On tonight's UKNY at 11, we'll spend much of the hour in conversation with Karl, chatting about some of those life decisions, his 37-year friendship with his Underworld compadre, Rick Smith, and some unexpected left turns too — the duo was recently nominated for its first Grammy award, for Best Dance/Electronic Album for their gorgeous 2016 release, Barbara Barbara, We Face A Shining Future (the Grammy Awards take place next Sunday, February 12, broadcast on CBS). And Smith recently scored and oversaw the soundtrack for Danny Boyle's "T2: Trainspotting" — twenty years after the first "Trainspotting" movie launched Underworld into the stratosphere via "Born Slippy.NUXX."
Not discussed (due to time constraints), but something to note: Karl has collaborated with playwright Simon Stephens and Frantic Assembly director Scott Graham on a new play with music, Fatherland, which premieres at the Manchester International Festival in July.
Missed the show? You can stream UKNY in the FUV Weekend Archives for two weeks after broadcast.
