Thurston Moore on music, politics and New York in the 80s

There was dirt. There was crime. It was real. And if 80s New York had a soundtrack – it drummed to the beat of Sonic Youth.

Its founder, Thurston Moore was a pioneer of alternative rock – inspiring countless bands with his ground-breaking tracks.

Now decades later, he has a new album, Rock N Roll Consciousness, and a progressive manifesto, too – peace and justice and keeping populist paranoia in check. He’s been talking to us about his music – his politics – and the New York that shaped his life.