K.A. Laity's Blog, page 5

Matinee: A Damsel in Distress

Sometimes you need to cheer yourself up with a little hoofin’ and laughing and ingenue romance. As I did the other day thanks to iPlayer. A Damsel in Distress was just what the day needed: Fred Astaire, George and Gracie in London where a most youthful Joan Fontaine has fallen for an American and of... Read More

Kantele in AMP

I’m delighted to be part of the latest issue of the American Museum of Paramusicology’s journal writing about the mythical harp of Finland, the kantele. I’m always happy to take any chance to talk about the beauty of this traditional lap harp and its legendary beginnings as the jawbone of a pike. But wait —... Read More

Sounding Line – Mella Shaw

Sounding the alarm of the precarity of everything at the McManus: Mella Shaw’s Sounding Line installation offers an unsettling reminder that we are killing the world. Her immense white ceramic sculptures — modelled on the tiniest of inner ear bones of whales — attach to thick red ropes through which sonar pulses run. The same... Read More

Witches, Devils & Theatre of Cruelty

I was talking with Chloë about keeping track of reading, which I do badly, my memory palace not being what it used to be when life was more regularly paced. I bought this novel by Jane Parkhurst (Nancy Smith?) back when I was first diving into Isobel Gowdie a few years ago, but this one... Read More

Madonna of the Wasps

MADONNA OF THE WASPS My neo-giallo novella is out as an ebook with a spanking new cover by S. L. Johnson (AKA the Queen of Everything including cover art). Madonna of the Wasps involves a cult, an ancient knife, some art students, and a woman who thinks she may have found a way to live forever.... Read More

Irreverent Tarot 12: Leonora’s Priestess

OCCULTURE, LEONORA & MORE Episode 12 – Contemplating Leonora Carrington’s High Priestess card as I work on my presentation for Occulture this October in Berlin. I am very excited about that, of course, especially as it gives me even more excuses to delve into my fascination with Carrington, her art, and her magic. So much... Read More

Get Some Magic: Cronework CD

My contributor copy arrived of the very cool CRONEWORK cd from FU&Yr A-Sides and Difficult Art & Music. Wow, it’s a terrific collection and no, I’m not just saying that because I’m on it. It offers a real range of music all tied together with the theme so these are magical works that engage with... Read More

Review: Trance by Appointment – Gertrude Trevelyan

TRANCE BY APPOINTMENT Gertrude Trevelyan Boilerhouse Press Trance by Appointment is the story of Jean, an otherwise ordinary working-class London girl. But Jean has what her mother calls “the Sight.” She sees what no one else can: the future. At first, under the patient guidance of Madame Eva, she learns to control this talent and begins... Read More

Occulture 2025: me & Leonora!

I am delighted to announce that I will be part of the OCCULTURE CONFERENCE in Berlin this October! What an amazing line up to be part of! This is so exciting and I am really looking forward to having another opportunity to explore my obsession with Leonora Carrington amongst people who will be just as... Read More

Irreverent Tarot 11: Etteilla’s Creation

ETTEILLA & CREATION The Grand #Etteilla, featuring his thematic desire to encode the creation story into the opening sequence of cards — and why his Fool and Magician are in such unexpected locations. Also a bit about the astrological associations he gives the cards. If you’re unfamiliar with the first professional cartomancer from the 18th... Read More