Riffs

Volume 8, Issue 2 – August 2025

We are pleased to announce the publication of Riffs Volume 8, Issue 2: I Swear I Heard This.

This issue returns to the origins of Riffs and revives The Write Club format. Written on one wintery afternoon in Birmingham (UK), these short pieces began with the prompt “I swear I heard this…”, recounting a musical event or encounter that might be described as untoward, unforeseen, mysterious, or inexplicable – a happening that might invite disbelief from someone when they hear you talk about it later. Suspend your scepticism as the contributors explore fractured moments, fortuitous alignments, and unusual echoes.

Guest Editors: Nicholas Gebhardt and Asya Draganova (Birmingham City University, UK).

To download your free PDF of this issue, click here.

Each of the articles in this issue are listed below. Follow the title links to view and download individual PDFs.

Cover shoot by Ian Davies 2012 – 2025 | All rights reserved.

Design work by Iain A. Taylor. Riffs front cover design by Adam Williams.


Nicholas Gebhardt and Asya Draganova – Editorial

Benjamin Torrens – I Swear I Heard This

Ed McKeon – I Swear I Heard This… Discord Brag

Lee Griffiths – I Swear I Heard This… I Swear I Hear This Ghost. Like, For Real

Sharonne Specker – I Swear I Heard This… Ping Pong Duet

Julianne Deil – I Swear I Heard This… The Annual Reunion

Nicholas Gebhardt – I Swear I Heard This… Blow, Motherfucker, Blow!

Chris Mapp – I Swear I Heard This… I Dream of Kelly

Asya Draganova – I Swear I Heard This… Inspired by “Dark Windows” by Rupert Hine

Craig Hamilton – I Swear I Heard This

Uttaran Das Gupta – I Swear I Heard This… FOMO and Conspicuous Consumption at Live Music Events in India

Sam Riley – I Swear I Heard This… Noise Floor

Naomi Taylor – I Swear I Heard This… An Otherworldly Presence