The Punk Rock Birdwatching Club

Next month we publish a new book from Richard Foster, the author of our first ever title, Flower Factory. It's wonderful to have another book from Richard in the world, and to be publishing the second work from an existing Ortac author for the first time.

Cover art by Sevgi Tan

In The Punk Rock Birdwatching Club we return to the Dutch bulb-growing region for a set of evocative short stories set in the mid-2000s. These psychedelic noughties vignettes document the major political and social upheavals that the Netherlands and wider Europe went through at that time. Following a diverse set of characters - from addicts to grandmothers - we learn of the changes brought on by the Euro and the influx of Polish workers, alongside the slow disappearance of the British and Irish worker-raver tribes post-Schengen, all set against a backdrop of rising costs, political murders and foreign wars. We also learn of the shock of new party snacks, like asparagus sticks wrapped in ham.

Like Flower Factory, The Punk Rock Birdwatching Club brilliantly and beautifully explores European identity, the nature of memory, and the way people and places change over time.

There are a number of events lined up in support of the book, including a UK launch party at London's The Social in February. This will feature an author interview from The Guardian's Deputy Music Editor, Laura Snapes, and readings from Goldsmiths Prize-listed novelist Richard Milward, as well as DJ sets and other surprises!

Confirmed events are detailed below, and this page will be updated as others are organised.

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'Through his stories, Richard Foster has the rare talent of casting the world anew. Under his eye, nothing is safe; the mundane becomes magical, the magical mundane. A collection to delight and destabilise.'

Ali Millar, author of The Last Days and Ava, Anna, Ada

'A magnificent collection. Like a bouquet of condolence flowers for the casualties of late capitalism, Foster's stories brilliantly capture the alienation and gratification of hard graft in the 21st century with total authenticity and total sensitivity. Taking us on pushbike dérives around the lowlands or chasing the next fleeting high with a motley cast of wreckheads, these are some of the most entertaining, elegant stories I've read about the various ways people struggle and strive to make work work for them.'

Richard Milward, author of Man-Eating Typewriter

'Richard Foster brengt een specifieke tijd en plaats – de door Britse outcasts bevolkte bollenstreek rond de millenniumwisseling – tot leven in een vernuftig spel met (autobiografische) herinnering. Het is alsof hij de video van deze onwaarschijnlijke bakermat van de Zuid-Hollandse underground naar believen terugspoelt, pauzeert, en vertraagt. Op zoek naar het moment dat alles voorgoed anders werd.'

Leonor Jonker

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UK Events

22nd February - Rats on Rafts @ Two Palms, Hackney

Dutch post-punk legends Rats on Rafts play a headline show at Two Palms, with a stage intervention and story reading from Richard Foster.

Tickets

24th February - UK Launch Party @ The Social, Soho

All ticket proceeds to Centre Point

With an author interview from Laura Snapes of The Guardian, author readings from The Punk Rock Birdwatching Club, reading by Richard Milward (Apples, Ten Storey Love Song, Man-Eating Typewriter) and interventions by Wally van Middendorp of Minny Pops (Factory Records). More TBA!

Tickets

EU Events

8th March - NL Launch Party @ Waakende Haan, Leiden

Readings, music, birdwatching quiz, guest appearances, author interview, quiet grooving.

3pm - Tickets OTD

16th March @ Katzwijm studios, Voorhout 

Readings, music, birdwatching, beer, guest appearances, author interview, quiet grooving.

2pm - Tickets OTD

29th March @ De Klarist, Den Haag

As part of Loevesteinsessies.

More info here

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The Punk Rock Birdwatching Club is published on 14th February, and available to pre-order now from our website or your local bookshop.

Pre-order

'Tern' Illustration by Richard Foster