American media artist Andy Slater grew up wanting to paint hyper-realistic landscapes. But when he began to lose his sight, as a result of the genetic condition retinitis pigmentosa, he switched to recording found sounds, quickly gaining an audience for his wild experimental music and soundscapes. A self-described "hyperactive listener", he's now the recipient of a prestigious United States Artists fellowship. Andy, alongside his son Baron and his dad Jim, chat to Outlook's Danny Greenwald about music, activism, and the shared passion for vinyl that unites them all.

Outlook, BBC, May 17, 2023
Presenter: Danny Greenwald 
Producer: Danny Greenwald and Laura Thomas

The 'Hyperactive Listener' Capturing the World Around Him

"If you're not angry, you're not paying attention," says one character in Dawn King's play about the climate crisis, The Trials.

"I learnt at an early age what it is to be angry - angry and helpless." In Look Back in Anger, a youthful Jimmy Porter rages against church, country and the docility of those he loves.

People working in theatre now - amid war, injustice and increasing authoritarianism - reflect on anger as a motivation for the 'art of words', its creative limitations and the eroding effect of the passing years.

With playwrights Dawn King and Georgia Bruce, director Atri Banerjee and Cress Brown of Cutting the Tightrope.

Including extracts from the 1959 film Look Back in Anger. Original music (Homage to Jimmy Porter) written and performed by Alan Hall.

First broadcast 4th August 2025, BBC Radio 4
Produced by Alan Hall

Angry and Young

Forty years ago, Route 66, the highway that ran the 2448 miles from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, was formally decommissioned, usurped by a more modern, high-speed interstate. But the road has lived on in the collective imagination — a symbol of freedom, adventure, and new beginnings, of America's concept of itself.

In this meditation on the Mother Road, as John Steinbeck christened it, Laura Barton explores 66's shifting identity, from migratory route to America's Main Street.

With contributions from Angel (the "Angel of Route 66") and his daughter Clarissa Delgadillo in Seligman, Arizona; Mike Cowen who set up his own Historic Route 66 museum in Williams, Arizona; Leigh Anne Isbell of the Devil's Rope Museum in Texas and Candacy Taylor, who's written about Route 66 in relation to The Green Book.

Written and presented by Laura Barton
With extracts from John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath read by Corey Johnson.
Location recording producer, Diane Hope

First broadcast 14th September 2025, BBC Radio 4
Produced by Alan Hall

Where The Distance Shimmers

BBC World Service, Outlook: The Besties Who Helped Expose a Truly Wild Sporting Scandal

There are so many problems in the world. For the past three years, Estonian clown Julia Masli - armed with a microphone taped to a mannequin leg - has been trying to solve them.

So far, during the performances of her live show ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, where Julia asks audience members their problem, she has recorded 1574 problems. A few people feel homesick, some worry about the collapse of society, and many lament their retreating hairlines. But we are not alone with our problems: Janet is not the only one with a broken fridge. Simon shares his back pain. Alexandra might feel lonely, but Aisha does too.

This clown might not be able to solve all of our problems, but she’s going to try.

Photo: Cameron Whitman
Original music composed by Alessio Festuccia
Produced by Talia Augustidis and Julia Masli
Dramaturgy by Kim Noble (director of ha ha ha ha ha ha ha)
Executive producers Alan Hall and Eleanor McDowall

First broadcast 26th October 2025, BBC Radio 4

Problems with Julia Masli

Humourous and tender, this documentary takes a long-haul view of the life of modern truckers in Europe - exploring working class masculinity on the road, all nighters and long journeys from the inside of a truck driver's cab.

What does it mean to be a trucker in an era shaped by global events like pandemics and geopolitical crises? Where drivers often find themselves on the frontlines of change?

We follow these modern nomads across borders, exploring themes of in(ter)dependence, home, and the evolving identity of truckers within the European landscape.

First broadcast 30th October 2025, BBC World Service
Produced by Suvi Tuuli Kataja

The Last Cowboys

Saxophonist Pauli Lyytinen travels to Sápmi, to Ohcejohka (Utsjoki), the northernmost municipality of Finland and the European Union, to visit his friend, writer–musician Niillas Holmberg. The two artists go rowing in the river, improvise under the Sámi bridge, and make music with birds. Along the way, with researcher Karoliina Lummaa, they confront questions of understanding: do the birds understand them—or do they understand the birds? And does it even matter?

Sound design and field recording: Suvi Tuuli Kataja and Jussi Liukkonen
Script consultant: Elli Salo
Background research: Roosa Stenroos
Music: Niillas Holmberg and Pauli Lyytinen
Poem (in Northern Sámi and English translation): Niillas Holmberg
Production manager: Pinja Korhonen

First broadcast 2nd November 2025, BBC Radio 3
Produced by Suvi Tuuli Kataja

Ohcejohka - Saxophone, Joik and Birds

Baltimore-based producer, sound designer, composer, etc. Also, I can be funny.

Go here: soundcloud.com/glassine. Listen to the music I make.

The 'Hyperactive Listener' Capturing the World Around Him

Danny Greenwald

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