We're a very new internet entity. Even our early BBC Pilots weren't that heavily publicised on social media. Accordingly, many of our cast & crew receive all sorts of questions about CMA from friends. It's only natural, we've not even released Series 1 and yet we're trying to convince you we're actually good at this podcast lark. 

Here's a few A's to the most common Q's we get:

Q1: What’s in Series 1 of CMA?

6 Episodes. Around 30 minutes each. They’re rigorously scripted and complex to edit. This isn’t like Joe Rogan (no offence, Joe). We can’t just walk in and babble with someone who knows something about something (genuinely not trying to fire shots here).

As a result, an episode of CMA is supposed to be an artistic piece with replay value. Much in the same way you’d consume a TV show.

Unless you’re someone who has only watched your favourite TV show once through. In which case, you’re a sociopath.

 
Q2: When’s it coming out?

A recording date has been set for October. The series will be released gradually across November. This is all pandemic permitting, obviously. Hence why we've not plastered a release date across our socials. If another lockdown happens – we’re shafted. We’ll have to reorganise. Luckily for CMA (and unluckily for the general population), the UK government is pretty set on pursuing a policy of population control for Covid-19. So, fingers crossed it’ll be sound.

​Q3: What happens in between series?

I imagine we'll get quite drunk, and then write and record the next one, obviously. If you’re subscribed on Patreon, you get exclusive access to behind the scenes and work in progress updates for Series 2, as well as outtakes & deleted scenes from Series 1.

We’ll be keeping the social media ticking over with snippets from Series 1, plugging it like mad. We’ll also record and post any short sketches that we write which don’t make it into Series 2 as we go. Generally, you’ll be updated on what’s going on.

We’ve got a YouTube, where we plan to upload visual spin-offs of Series 1. Also, there’ll be some videos speaking about satire and comedy generally.

In effect, the more Patrons we have. The more content we can feasibly put out. There are future plans for bonus podcasts, CMA Hour Specials, and even producing multiple series in a year. But we need your help to pull it off.

 
Q4: What will it sound like?

There are clips on our Facebook which give you an indication of how it sounds. Culture My Arts is taking the p*ss out of live radio, so it’s presented as if it’s an actual live radio show. There was quite a lot of consideration behind whether we should be up front about the satirical intentions of the show. It was initially quite an appealing idea to try and fool as many people as possible.

Because of algorithms, reviews, and the fact that some people might actually take CMA at face value, we thought it best to be transparent. It’s a satire. You know what you’re getting into.

Q5: Will it be offensive?

In a nutshell. If you’re asking the question: “Are you going to needlessly attack groups of people or say anything disgustingly horrendous?” The answer is 100% no. Punching down is not our vibe. Are we going to provoke, poke and galvanise? Yes. This is not to say that every second of CMA will be scathing, there's also plenty of extremely silly, loving and lighthearted material as well.

Offence is a by-product of satire. So it's not flippant or thoughtless. Nor is it offence for the sake of offence. We’re prompting you to unravel the irony and investigate the moral message within. Often, we’re trying to draw attention to a broader issue or represent the idiocy of the media.

Have fun with it. Revel in being offended. Satire is the most playful form of writing. It allows us to merge worlds that would never meet; say things we would never say; create an alternative reality that would never exist.

The audience’s reaction is a crucial part of that. So, join in. Enjoy it. Play. It’ll be a wild ride.

Q6: What kind of humour is it?

It's super cliche. But, genuinely, we think there's something for everyone. Silly movie spoofs. Biting political satire. Humorous commentary on social issues. Crazy music parodies. Deadpan surrealism. Cheesy jokes. Eccentric reporters. Bogus news headlines. We're trying to create an arts & culture radio show that lives in an alternative dimension.

The comedy influences for the script are as far and wide as Ricky Gervais, Victoria Wood, Doc Brown, Harry Enfield, Chris Morris, Reggie Watts, Diane Morgan, Matt Berry, Richard Ayoade & Steve Coogan. 

And without giving too much away, the pop culture references in Series 1 include things like Mr. Blobby, Kanye West, Gogglebox, The Streets, Chris Rock, The Muppets, Great British Bake Off, Billie Eilish & Liverpool FC. As you can see, a pretty broad spectrum of inane, unrelated sh*t.

 
Q7: What’s the big plan here?

For now, this is a platform for a bunch of pals to get together and create something funny. Of course, we’d love it to be something more. A genuine creative force which can financially support its own production to the point where we’re able to fund quality content all the time.
Obviously, we know we’re lightyears away from that. It’s a crazy dream scenario. But in the words of Mr. West: “Name one genius that ain't crazy.”

If you do want to help us at this very early stage, rest assured you’re not p*ssing your money in the wind. There is a long-term plan in place. This won’t be a short-lived project.
Just head to: www.patreon.com/culturemyarts – there’s options as small as a couple of quid.

If you're reading this. You must be semi-interested in Culture My Arts. So, gee... thanks. 

This site holds all the information you need to know about CMA, and, when the time comes, it will also be one of many places to listen to Series 1. 

Head to the Listen page to learn more about the platforms to find us on. We've already posted two highlight reels from our BBC pilots so you can get an idea of what to expect. Unfortunately, the original full episodes aren't available. However, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, where we'll be posting selected scenes from the pilots as we build towards Series 1.

About is all about us. Where this project comes from and why we even bother. You can also take a look at some of the beautiful faces involved. 

Store takes you to our Teespring, where there's already some custom gear available. Buying something at this stage shows some damn commitment as you could actually end up hating the podcast. Either way, we won't stop you. 

The Community page is where we give a shout out to our fans, friends and other projects which our crew get up to. Want to be on this page? Become a Patreon and be worshipped.

Contact is where you send hate mail. 

That's the site. Enjoy it and make sure you keep up to date with us!

The phrase 'Culture My Arts' popped into my head on Bangor Mountain in Summer 2017. At the time, I was utterly convinced I'd subconsciously nicked it from another programme and my brain had passed it off as an original thought. However, after multiple Google searches, it returned no results. "Brilliant," I thought. "I can use it without guilt."

Culture My Arts was originally my third year dissertation project. Most original cast members remain apart of the project today. In 2018, two episodes were commissioned for BBC Radio Stoke as part of their 'Wildcard' initiative, which sought to highlight local talent. This led to us taking some silly photos for the iPlayer (see above). 

I won't tell you how much I got paid. Not because I'm concealing a Gary Lineker sized salary, the total fee barely covered half a month of rent. In fact, when divided by the amount of time actually spent writing, recording and editing, it totalled around 50p an hour. It was tough at the time, especially as I was receiving higher paid job offers from Nike to sew trainers together. 

For some odd reason, the BBC cut the word 'anus' from one line. But left in another line where a character asserts he's much healthier after swapping alcohol for ecstasy. Nevertheless, myself and all the cast were ever grateful for the opportunity to put such ludicrousness on the actual radio. It was a real, albeit absurd moment of pride. Shout out to Lillie-Mae, without whom it wouldn't have even happened.
​

What started as my dissertation project, evolved into something else. During the BBC 'pilots' - as we now affectionately call them. Culture My Arts stopped being mine. It became ours. Each member of the cast brought ideas I would have never thought of; delivered performances I could have never directed; improvised things I would have never written. It was beautiful.

I don't like being referred to as the creator of Culture My Arts. I'm just the writer. That's only half the job. It's only a skeleton. The creation is done by all the brilliantly talented cast & crew who bring their own unique flavour to the f**ked up worlds we create. 

It's also worth noting that audience reaction (be it good, bad or indifferent) is a crucial step in creating satire. And so, it's you, the listeners, who are also part of the creative process.

Because of these things. Culture My Arts definitely has more life left. As it's the wonderful  people involved who breathe that life into it. 

So, after a Masters degree studying satire, a brief mental breakdown, and a difficult season watching Stoke City. Culture My Arts is back with a bigger cast and better than ever. This team is chock full of ability and passion. But, most importantly, they're my friends. And I bloody well love them. Can't wait to collectively birth this weird Jerry Springer baby - together.

A 6 episode series is coming your way in November 2020... and the word 'anus' will most definitely be included. 

Much love,
Finn