ABC Radio National

• 

  Appalachian spirit

  If you want to know where chart-topping folkies like Mumford and Sons might turn for inspiration, look no further than Virginia’s Whitetop Mountaineers. Geoff Wood caught up with this cool young Appalachian duo at the 2013 Woodford Folk Festival to explore their blend of hymns and gospel songs, fiddle breakdowns and dancehall tunes.

  The Rhythm Divine

• 

  Body image and the law

  Should the state regulate the use of overly skinny models and photo alteration in the media? According to new laws passed in Israel, any Photoshopped image must have a clear warning, and all models must have a minimum Body Mass Index of 8.5. As Damien Carrick writes, the laws have found strong supporters in Australia.

  Law Report

• 

  VLAD the bikie jailer

  Queensland’s Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment Act—VLAD—is designed to eradicate criminal bikie gangs, but its critics say the new law will sweep up innocent people as well, and is already being used to harass. Ian Townsend spoke to legal experts, police and club members for this Background Briefing investigation.

  Background Briefing

• 

  Director Steve McQueen on taking risks and getting lucky

  Winner of Best Picture at the Golden Globes, 12 Years A Slave is a powerful, true historical drama about a free man kidnapped into slavery. The film has been released to widespread acclaim and is nominated for nine Academy Awards. Director Steve McQueen tells Jason Di Rosso it’s a film he always wanted to make.

  The Final Cut

• 

  Corpse bearer's tale a literary festival hit

  A tender account of tragic love in Mumbai's dwindling Parsi community has won the DSC Prize—South Asia’s answer to the Man Booker. As Roanna Gonsalves and Claudia Taranto write, the prize has been hailed by the president of PEN International as a champion of regional fiction.

  Books and Arts Daily

• 

  Libraries in the digital world

  By Design's Janne Ryan spoke with architecture critic Elizabeth Farrelly and architect Tone Wheeler about the powerful connection between knowledge and the design of libraries. As the digital world changes our lives, so too do the design of our libraries and their role. Are they still important?

  By Design

• 

  Remembering Pete Seeger

  Legendary American singer Pete Seeger has passed away at the age of 94. In this moving recollection, Andrew Ford writes about his 1999 interview with the singer, set in an old boathouse in upstate New York. The two discussed music, history and the enduring need for hope in times of strife.

  The Music Show

More Features