“There’s a feeling of elation you get from Cider which I don’t think you get from any other drink. It’s partly because when you drink beer, the hops are soporific and you get that tiredness… and wine can be quite a depressive kind of drink... if you over do it on red wine… but Cider is unique in its effect, there is a lot of natural sugar... so the feeling you get is uplift and elation.”

Harry Sword is a Cambridge based writer. He is a contributor to The Quietus, Vice, Record Collector, Munchies and the Guardian. In February 2021 White Rabbit Books published his first book, Monolithic Undertow, a colossal history of ‘the drone’ as it manifests itself in music, ritual and the universe.

“Monolithic Undertow alights a crooked path across musical, religious and subcultural frontiers. It traces the line from ancient traditions to the modern underground, navigating archaeoacoustics, ringing feedback, chest plate sub-bass, avant-garde eccentricity, sound weaponry and fervent spiritualism. From Neolithic beginnings to bawdy medieval troubadours, Sufi mystics to Indian raga masters, cone shattering dubwise bass, Hawkwind’s Ladbroke Grove to the outer reaches of Faust and Ash Ra Temple; the hash-fueled fug of The Theatre of Eternal Music to the cough syrup reverse hardcore of Melvins, seedy VHS hinterland of Electric Wizard, ritual amp worship of Earth and Sunn O))) and the many touch points in between, Monolithic Undertow explores the power of the drone – an audio carrier vessel capable of evoking womb like warmth or cavernous dread alike.”

Obsessions is hosted by John Robb and produced by Sophie Porter and Andrew Paine.

Harry Sword on Twitter @HarrySword

John Robb on Twitter @johnrobb77

Andrew Paine @ItPainesMe

Sophie Porter @OtherHalfUK