133 - Dr. Iain Quinn on Sacred Music, British Culture, and His New Book ”Cultural Dissonance”

Host Mark McNees welcomes Dr. Iain Quinn, professor of organ and coordinator of sacred music at FSU's College of Music, who also oversees the university's Festival of the Creative Arts. Quinn discusses growing up in Wales in the 1980s as a cathedral chorister and teenage organist, balancing early professional responsibilities with school and multiple instruments, and learning teamwork through music and rugby. He reflects on broader culture, including Live Aid, and how the arts can advance social and political causes. Quinn introduces his forthcoming book, Cultural Dissonance: Brexit Reconsidered, on Brexit, explaining it as a historically and culturally rooted outcome rather than a right-or-wrong verdict, and argues that post-referendum reactions, media and political disconnect, immigration numbers, and demands for Westminster accountability helped reinforce divisions, alongside the rise of UKIP and Reform UK. Cultural Dissonance: Brexit Reconsidered Get the Book: https://www.lutterworth.com/product/cultural-dissonance-brexit-reconsidered/ 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:41 Iain Quinn Background Roles 01:24 Teen Organist Beginnings 06:19 Growing Up in Wales 09:09 Live Aid and the Value of Culture and Community 13:20 Why Write a Brexit Book 18:56 Who Voted Leave and Why 22:01 EU Trade Immigration Context 26:18 Take Back Control Slogan 26:40 Immigration or Control 27:36 Why Write This Book 32:14 Was Brexit a Mistake 34:11 EU Power and Fairness 37:16 Culture and Free Movement 41:47 Campaigns and Populism 46:54 Mindset and Passion 50:56 Advice to Younger Self 53:13 Closing and Sign Off