Sex Work: An EXCLUSIVE Interview with British Filth, Audio Erotica Creator Extraordinaire

British Filth has been recording erotic audio experiences since 2012. Over the years, he’s built a collection of work which has been listened to over 25 million times across various platforms, attracting attention from publications such as Forbes, Triple J (national Australian radio) and more, all beginning with what he describes as “an experiment”.

His work is sex-positive, people-empowering and inclusive, as well as deliciously filthy.

As he returns to audio following an extended absence, we catch up with British Filth to talk about his motivations, inspirations, the world of erotic audio and what his many admirers can expect from him in the future.

Hello, British Filth! How is life with you in these turbulent times?

BF: Hi, My Sex Bio! Thanks for the opportunity to chat. It’s been challenging! I’m based in Australia these days, but my family is in the UK and I haven’t seen them for so long! We don’t have much of the virus here but we do have loooong lockdowns, so it’s been up and down.

Let’s talk about what you do. What is at the core of your work? What do your audios offer to audiences?

BF: I record audios for an audience of one; the person listening. It’s my desire to give that person a truly immersive escape, where the masks and walls we’re so used to wearing each day can be set aside for a time, and space can be given for my listener to be themselves.

For many of us, that can be a vulnerable place. Some of us aren’t kind to ourselves, and the pain and hurt we’ve experienced has become an intrinsic part of our self-image. I want to remind my listener that they’re a beautiful, valuable human being, worthy of love, acceptance and arousal.

It didn’t start that way; initially this was an experiment, reading aloud a short story I’d previously written and uploaded to Literotica. The feedback I received encouraged me to continue. Since that time, countless listeners have contacted me to share how profoundly they were moved by allowing themselves to feel. I’m deeply humbled each time, and it’s prompted me in a direction that seeks to empower and encourage my listener, without skimping on all the very naughty subject matter 😉

Do you consider yourself a sex worker?

BF: I didn’t initially.

I failed to appreciate the transactional nature of what was happening.

As interest in my audios increased and my popularity grew, my direction became more defined and I came to understand the experiences many listeners were having. As I realised the value of these experiences, my audios began to carry more weight, and the work became a synergy of my own erotic expression and the worth I wanted my listener to feel.

These days, I’m proud to consider myself a sex worker; I feel privileged to be able to harness my libido in a way that connects and resonates with other people.

What do you think the role of sex work in the world is?

BF: The term ‘sex work’ carries baggage for many; inaccurate stereotypes and images of red-lit back-alley fumblings and worse. Any potential value is subsumed by its ugliest perceptions and portrayal.

I grew up in a religious household. My dad was a Baptist minister, and my worldview was tainted with the toxic judgment that tends to accompany patriarchal monotheism. In my twenties, as I transitioned away from religiosity, I was fortunate enough to enjoy several experiences that directly challenged my narrow preconceptions.

In the noughties, I spent some time working in the pornographic industry in Los Angeles and met many sex workers both on and off screen. I saw that, while sex work can be fraught with problems (many of which could be tackled through decriminalisation, legalisation and regulation), at its core, it’s a service.

Sex work is legitimised through its utility, both for the worker and the consumer. People transact with sex workers for all sorts of reasons, and that’s where we should start when considering the role of sex work, because that’s where its value is found.

What’s something that needs to change in the world of sex work and audio erotica?

BF: I’m not sure that’s for me to say. I like to believe we live in a predominantly progressive society, and the general perception of sex work is slowly becoming more acceptable, both by the public and by governments who could establish a greater framework of safety and protection for sex workers.

Audio erotica is a wonderful world of disparate individuals coming together with one common interest – to bring their sexual expression to the creative table; whether that be through recording, writing or being part of the community through interaction or simple consumption.

It’s a very mixed bag, with far-ranging turn-ons and fetishes that you might expect when bringing expressive people together.

It’s jarred with my own values and the experiences I know my listener enjoys through my work, and it’s not a subject I would ever consider approaching. Indeed, some platforms now ban it completely.

But I wonder whether I’m blinkered in that respect and whether there is a role for fantasy work that touches on those subjects. I’ve heard it said that it could be used in part to process the grief of painful experiences.

I’m instinctively repulsed by the subject matter, but perhaps that’s a lack of understanding on my part. It’s certainly worth discussing.

Many of us are afraid of self-pleasure and concepts around accepting ourselves, and we hold back. What do you think are the first steps to start owning and accepting our own bodies' desires?

BF:

… especially in our formative years. If our experience is of a neglectful parent; a dismissive friend; or bullying of any kind, we tend to perceive ourselves through that lonely, painful prism.

I know that’s a heavy initial answer, but the key to meaningful, deeply arousing self-pleasure really is self-acceptance. It’s being able to consider yourself as fundamentally worthy of pleasure; not as an escape or as self-medicative, but because you’re a person with as much right to be here and to enjoy yourself as anyone who may suggest otherwise, including yourself.

Audio erotica is a perfect first step on that journey.

In some audios, I make the point of clarifying that I’m recording this for my listener; that they’re not eavesdropping on something meant for somebody else – that they, the person hearing me speak, is the reason I’m speaking.

It’s for you.

That’s a powerful, and sometimes confronting, statement to hear. But spend some time with me and I promise I’ll help make it real. Plus, we’ll have some fun in the process…

Your blogs on self-love and happiness are a motivation for many. What's the inspiration behind them?

BF: After my uploads on Literotica gained popularity, I also started posting on Tumblr. That platform seemed to attract a disproportionate number of vulnerable people, mostly younger adults, who seemed to be united in self-loathing and the various ways that manifests.

It wasn’t a platform I’d normally be part of, and I felt exposed to a section of society who were hurting expressively. It was heartbreaking.

Some of that community were finding my blog, and I felt I had an opportunity to say something. Not to judge them or to comment on their situations – I have no right to do that. But to share some thoughts on what it is to love yourself; how to try, and the hope I have for the things I yearn for as well. To find somebody who loves me and to love them back. To express true acceptance for another human being through a simple hold and a kiss on the forehead. To laugh and cry and have pillow fights and go to weird places.

The cynical among us dismiss these things as twee. Me? I’m an old-school romantic.

What would you tell people out there who are thinking of creating audio porn? What advice would you give them?

BF: Do it! Please do it. I want to hear your voice. I want to know what turns you on and how you describe the things you find arousing. I want you to connect with your creative self, be brave and step into this side of who you are.

There are online communities, especially on Reddit, set up to welcome people who are new to this, and new people will find a friendly reception.

Some people send audios to me privately, through my contact page at britishfilth.com and I absolutely encourage that, especially if you’re not sure where to start. I’ll always reply with constructive feedback and encouragement. That can be less scary than putting an audio into the public domain.

There are other people who love the idea of recording, but have no desire to do so publicly. Again, I invite those people to contact me with any such recording. They will find a warm, receptive listener.

Finally, you’ve been away for some time. What can your followers expect in the future?

BF: The last couple of years have been difficult for me. I’ve come close to returning to audio but haven’t. It’s always been my desire to give only when I have the inner resources to do so, and I’d become drained by the direction life has taken.

I decided to wait until I felt strong enough to return in a long term, sustainable way.

I’m SO excited to confirm that from early November, I will be back on every platform people are used to me appearing on, and will also be back to recording exclusive audios for the people who subscribe to me on Patreon, who are so incredibly supportive despite the lack of recent content.

I encourage anyone new who’s interested to follow me on Twitter as a base point of contact.