Interview with author Irene Husk

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(1) What inspired you to write this book? I have always wanted to write stories and I have often theorized that Jack the Ripper was female as she would easily have been able to slip in and out of the darkness, unsuspected and under the cover of perhaps a lady of the night herself. I also have a morbid interest in what it is, that can make humans become so cruel to others and why. The ripper story is intriguing as it has never been solved, despite the efforts of many intelligent and forthright individuals. Throughout the years there has been so much speculation and guesswork that it has managed to colour any feasible evidence and investigative ideaology. Now there is nothing left for modern day Ripperologists to perceive as real evidence. 

(2) How come the myth that Jack the Ripper might be a woman, refuses to go away? I honestly don’t think it’s too far-fetched to consider that Jack the Ripper might have been a woman. The myth that the ripper may have been a woman will probably never go away, as it has to be taken into consideration that although great strength and callousness were imperative traits in order to commit the murders, we all know how strong and resilient women can be. Speed and camouflage could be used just as effectively as brute strength and we all know the old saying about a woman scorned! There have been many female serial killers convicted throughout history, for example, Mary Ann Cotton, Myra Hindley and Rose West to name just a few. There are those that scoff at the idea of a female Ripper but I don’t believe it should ever be ruled out. 

(3) Which actress would be a good lead to play the Ripper? I think the perfect actress would be Morven Christie who recently starred in The Bay, she has the ability to look extremely elegant but can also portray a woman with a temper and a cool calm exterior, I think she would be really appropriate for the role rather than using a glossy well known actress. 

 (4) What do you think of Whitechapel these days? I think that Whitechapel will continue to be shadowed by its worldwide reputation for being the location of so many unsolved and heinous murders and I believe that the network of streets will always hold on to its unique fame. The area has moved on and is now a much nicer place to visit but the Ripper’s rule will never be forgotten. 

 (5) Will we ever find out who the Ripper was? I believe that the Ripper will forever remain a phantom and he or she is an enigma that will hold the interest of many for the duration.

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John Lennon's Willd Sonic Experiments

During the late 60's John Lennon met his muse Yoko Ono & decided to dive into 3 years of wild, mercurial sonic experimentation that brought Avant-Garde music into the mainstream which felt like a body-blow to the conformist barbarians.

Starting with the LP's Two Virgins & Life With The Lions in 1968 & 1969 the couple embraced their surroundings and used the sounds that were at hand to inspire them. Creating tape-loops with experimental sounds. Dying child heartbeats, tape manipulation, interviews, various noises, whispers, cries and screams of varying tempos. Comprising vocal improv, birdsong, feedback, chatter and novelty tunes.

Experimental filmmaker Fabrizio Federico has embraced these techniques and lists these albums, along with Yoko's solo efforts Plastic Ono Band & Fly as inspirations for his movies, ''This music was hated with a vengence when it was first released because it fucked with his fans minds and ears, plus John reinvented his image as a revolurionary, this wasnt A Hard Days Night any longer folks. My fav Beatles song is Revolution #9 its the future.''

These techniques were also incorporated into The Beatles song Revolution #9. Avant-garde, LSD & Eastern philosophy had already been embraced by the Fab Four including this pick-a-mix style of backwards tapes, jump cuts, subliminal messages, montage, phasing, cut-up's, tape loops, smash cuts, musique concrète, double exposure, sound fx, varispeed, surrealism & electronic absurdism. 

Revolution #9 is a kinetic experimental sound film full of sonic poetry, happenings and be-ins are all associated in an anti-establishment state of mind. 

After this hectic recording schedule John & Yoko eloped and recorded the Wedding Album which created even more confusion and debate that Lennon had gone bananas. If anything these albums rejuvinated John and allowed him to start over from the Beatles huge myth.

Pop music had experienced a cataclysmic shock to the system with these albums, similar to what The Sex Pistols achieved in 1977, John even returned his MBE which was a humiliation to the establishment. 

With heroin, love and music in his heart Lennon created a cannon of futuristic music unequaled in pop music. On the track Cambrige 1969 him and Yoko torture the audience with screams and feedback for 30min in a theatre of cruelty stunt that would carry over into their live festival performance in Toronto. Their mission was accomplished. The freak flag had won for now.

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