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Ancient Champion: Columnist

We’re not really sure who Ancient Champion is as we only ever communicate via email, text, and the occasional postcard. There's so much we don't know, yet every article written lets us in a little more. Where’s Ancient Champion from? "Nowhere and everywhere and nowhere,” was the typically annoying oblique and evasive response from the Champ when we asked. 

What we are sure of is that as a musician the Champ once dabbled in lo-fi garage rock & roll, years before revivalists like The Strokes made it popular. About 20 or so years ago, AC put the electric guitars and effects pedals into storage, and dusted off his old keyboards and drum machines to record a series of pieces described as “easy listening for difficult people.” Electronic instrumentals dripping with misanthropy and melancholy. It's a good mix to chill to.

In 2021, a collection of short stories emerged by way of Disco City Books, ‘Six Stories About Motoring Nowhere’ mainly featuring the minutiae of lives slowly wasted behind the wheel. An early edit of one of the stories is here (Would You Spend The Rest of Your Life With Me?). Subsequently the Champ was spotted at the more obscure lit festivals and events that would have him, not exactly honouring the form. “I am more of an entertainer”.

In 2022, Ancient Champion formed a live band alongside drummer Adrian, Pete Piano on organ and Agata on bass. Performing at art openings and summer festivals, the sound was described as Iggy Pop meets Talking Heads while drinking Orange Juice. 

What’s next for Ancient? 2024 will see more works -- more singles, an LP MLLAC, an EP of easy listening punk cover versions;  the live band has been reanimated by Brandon from New Jersey on electric fuzz bass. More articles, a second short story collection, provisionally called Public Transport and more. That’s a lot. The hardest working Champ in showbusiness? We’ll see.

Find the Champ on:
AncientChampion.com
Bandcamp
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
Spotify

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WRITERS thru' the Years

A.I. House-Painter, Agata Makiela, Alan Devey, Alan Rider, Alex V. Cook, Ancient Champion, Andy Allison, Annemiek, Becca Kelly, Belle Plankton, Bruce Bailey, Caiomhin Millar, Cassie Thomas, Chantal, Cheiron Coelho, Chris Connolly, Christian Present, Damon Hayhurst, Dan Breen, Danny Rose, David Hackney, David O'Byrne, Denni Boyd, Dirty Lillie, DJ Fuzzyfelt, Dr. Rich, Dr. Richard Bennett, Duncan Jones, Erin, Erin Pipes, Erin Scott, Gracey Babs, Graham Baker, Guilaine Arts, H.xx, Hamilton High, Henderson Downing, Holly Martins, J. Charreaux, J.Lee, Jay Lewis, Jaycentee, Jennifer Lynn, Jenny McCann, Jeremy Gluck, Jez Collins, Joe Ambrose, John Robinson, Jonathan Thornton, Julie O, Karl Morgan, Katherine Pargeter, Kelsey Osgood, Kevin McHugh, Kiah Cranston, Kleo Kay, Lake, Lee Paul, Luke Skinner, Malcolm, Marek Pytel, Mark Piggott, Martin Devenney, Meave Haughey, Michelle Williams, Mike Fox, mindy strouse, Neil Campbell, Neil Scott, Ogglypoogly, OL House Writer, Pam, Paul Burns, Paul Hawkins, Paul Mortimer, Paul Quigley, Peter Williams, Pixie McMowat, Pixievic, Rene Williams, Richard John Walker, Rick Casson, Rikki Stein, Ronan Crinion, Rowena Murphy, Ruby Lake, Ryan 'RJO' Stewart, Samantha Charles, Seth Sherwood, Shane O'Reilly, Sheridan Coyle, Sofia Ribeiro Willcox, Sophia Satchell-Baeza, Spanish Pantalones, Speedie John, Spencer Kansa, Steve McCarthy, The Conversation, Tim London, Tim Sparks, Tony Fletcher, Toon Traveller, Trevi, Urs Lerch, Wayne Dean-Richards, and founders, Alarcon & Lamontpaul

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