Hey. It’s a special one this week. Juliana Hatfield is a singer-songwriter based in Massachusetts. She was a member of the Lemonheads in the early 90s, as well as bands like Blake Babies in the late 80s and Some Girls in the early 00s. She’s made albums with Matthew Caws from Nada Surf and Paul Westerberg from The Replacements. She’s also released around 20 albums under her own name, sometimes as the Juliana Hatfield Three. Although a prolific songwriter, in recent years she occasionally release...
Nov 14, 2023•47 min•Season 4Ep. 11
This week I’m joined by drummer Chester Thompson. Chester is perhaps best known for his live work with Genesis and Phil Collins, but he has also worked with Frank Zappa, Weather Report, The Bee Gees, and The Pointer Sisters. He has a new jazz album out called “Wake-Up Call” and he joins me from Nashville to discuss it’s “genesis” (see what I did there?). Anyway, Chester schools me in the ways of jazz, talks about his career, and indulges my Genesis fan-boy questions. Hope you enjoy. Instagram: @...
Oct 31, 2023•45 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Breathe deep the gathering gloom. This episode I welcome back John Lodge of The Moody Blues to the show! John has recently released his re-working of The Moody Blues 1967 opus “Days Of Future Passed”. I think it’s fair to wonder whether it’s a good idea when artist take on projects like this, and I want to ask John about the possible disconnect between fan expectations and artist perspectives. I was also naturally curious about the current state of relationships between John and his former bandl...
Oct 03, 2023•29 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Waddup? I’m joined this episode by Jonathan Higgs from the excellent Everything Everything. The band are from Manchester and formed in 2007. They’ve so far released 6 albums, 2 of which were nominated for the Mercury Music Award. They’ve also had 5 Ivor Novello nominations. Their most recent album 2022s “Raw Data Feel” saw the band experiment with the use of AI to create the album artwork as well as some of the lyrics for the album. Mark Hanslip, a researcher from the Unversity of York, helped H...
Aug 22, 2023•45 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Welcome. Dave Pegg is the longest serving member of Fairport Convention. Fairport are one of those bands who are a subculture unto themselves. They were formed in 1967 with Dave joining the band in 1969. Fairport split in 1979 but reformed in 1985 and have been active since then. They’re still a very hardworking touring band here in the UK. They came through my hometown of Southend earlier this year and I saw my first Fairport show. Frankly, I was shocked how good it was. The band on record tend...
Jun 06, 2023•42 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Good dawning to thee, friends. My guest this episode tv producer and Daria co-creator Susie Lewis. Susie Lewis was an intern at MTV when she began working on the show Beavis and Butthead. That show featured a sardonic character names Daria, and feeling that MTV needed more content for girls, Susie was drafted in alongside Glenn Eichler to create a spin-off series called Daria. Daria is not just a great animated series, it’s a great TV series, full stop. It still stands up really well. It’s smart...
May 10, 2023•35 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Hullo! This week I’m joined by Dougie Payne of Travis. He was lovely company. Travis have recently been revisiting their 2001 album “The Invisible Band” with a series of live shows, reissues, and a live album. It’s a fascinating era to talk about, as the band had found themselves thrust into the spotlight after the unexpected runaway success of previous album “The Man Who”. I was in my late teens in this era, so it was interesting for me to reminisce on that time period too. I hope you enjoy. Tw...
Apr 18, 2023•33 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Listen up! Andy McCluskey is the frontman of Merseyside electronic legends Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark or OMD as they’re often known. OMD was formed in 1978 out of the ashes of another band The ID, to which I have a little family connection, which you’ll hear about in the episode. Their 1980 song Ebola Gay earned them widespread popularity throughout Europe, and their 1981 album “Architecture and Morality” which would sell over 4 million copies and spawn hit singles like “Souvenir” and “Ma...
Mar 14, 2023•35 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Sorry it’s been a while. Delighted to have Robert Forster as my guest this episode. Robert Forster is an Australian singer-songwriter, raised in Brisbane, where he currently resides. He’s perhaps best known as one of the co-founders and leaders of indie-rock royalty The Go-betweens. The Go-betweens were formed in 1977 and had an initial run that lasted until 1989, before a reunion run from 2000 until 2006 when co frontman Grant McLennan died of a heart attack aged just 48. As well as a run of so...
Feb 14, 2023•50 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Listen up! This week we take a trip to St. Petersburg to speak to shoegaze merchants Blankenberge whose latest album “Everything” is very good indeed. Also, Steve Hackett returns again! We discuss his forthcoming “Foxtrot at 50” tour, progress on the next album, and of course, Jack Hawkins. Enjoy! Twitter: @signalspodcast Instagram: @sendingsignalspodcast
Feb 22, 2022•53 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Friends, Romans, Countryman! Join me this week as I hang out with Bernard Butler. We discuss topics ranging from walking the Estuary coast, to being branded “difficult to work with”, and why you potentially shouldn’t buy his new reissue*. Bernard was fantastic company and had a lot to say about being an artist; he was engaged, honest, and forthcoming. Hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think! *please await context before making such a decision ;) PS: Apparently the release date for the “Peo...
Jan 25, 2022•37 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Top of the morning. Thought I’d try something different. Here’s myself and my friend Jason Booth, from the band Last Tourist, discussing our favourite music of 2021. I’m largely insufferable throughout but Jason is very nice, and you get to hear a Last Tourist song at the end of the show! Normal service will resume shortly. Twitter: @signalspodcast Instagram: @sendingsignalspodcast lasttouristband.bandcamp.com
Jan 04, 2022•1 hr
It’s the last episode of the current series, and I’m joined by David Gedge frontman and only constant member of indie-rockers, and John Peel favourites, The Wedding Present. We talk about David’s plan to release a new 7” single every month in 2022, a project The Wedding Present pulled off back in 1992. We also talk about taking third album “Seamonsters” back on the road, working with Steve Albini, writing songs as you get older, and more! My other guest is author Jon Miles, who has just released...
Nov 16, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 23
How’s it goin’? This week I’m joined with Roddy Woomble. Idlewild are about to make their 25th anniversary with a tour and the first vinyl release of their 4th album “Warnings/Promises”. Roddy tells me about his approach to writing lyrics, the metamorphosis this band underwent around the time of “Warnings/Promises”, and what it’s like to be the support act for a huge band. Also on the show, rising blues guitarist Danny Bryant tells me about his new album “The Rage To Survive”, how you create a u...
Oct 28, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 22
Come on in. This episode I’m joined by the delightful Midge Ure. We had a great conversation encompassing his forthcoming “Voice and Visions” tour, the 3 (three!!!) albums he has in the works, his new photography book “In A Picture Frame”, his radio show for Scala Radio, his friendship Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott, and more. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Twitter: @signalspodcast / @midgeure1 Instagram: @sendingsignalspodcast / @midge_ure Midgeure.co.uk
Oct 14, 2021•41 min•Season 3Ep. 21
I’ve been expecting you. This week The Connells are releasing their first proper new album in 23 years! The record is called “Steadman’s Wake” and it’s a triumphant return. I’m joined by previous guest Mike Connell, along with frontman Doug MacMillan, as they guide us track-by-track through the album. Boy did we have fun. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Twitter: @signalspodcast / @connellsmusic Instagram: @sendingsignalspodcast / @therealconnells
Sep 23, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 20
Yello! This week Tom Baxter joins me to discuss fatherhood, the challenges of being a self-sustaining artist in the 21st century, and the time Boyzone covered one of his songs. I also talk to Tom and Joe from electro-pop merchants W.H. Lung about their forthcoming 2nd album “Vanities”. Twitter: @signalspodcast / @whlungmusic Instagram: @sendingsignalspodcast / @tombaxterofficial / @whlung
Sep 07, 2021•1 hr 32 min•Season 3Ep. 19
So here I am once more. Very excited to welcome Ninet Tayeb to the show this week. Ninet is an Israeli singer songwriter who shot to fame when she won the first series of “A Star Is Born”, a televised TV talent show in Israel. She became a celebrity fixation, with all the baggage and speculation that comes along with that. Her debut album “Barefoot” went platinum in a single day, but she felt that she wasn’t being authentic and worked on finding her own identity as an artist. The transition was ...
Aug 24, 2021•1 hr 29 min•Season 3Ep. 18
Well hello! This week I chat to singer-songwriter Willy Mason (and producer Noel Heroux) about his excellent new album “Already Dead”, his first album for 9 years. My other guest is artist Miles Taverner, who makes stunning works of art from wood and other materials the tide happens to bring in. He has an exhibition in London in September 2021 as part of the Totally Thames Festival. Instagram: @sendingsignalspodcast / @wwilly.masonn / @milestavernerart Twitter: @signalspodcast / @wwilly_masonn w...
Aug 10, 2021•56 min•Season 3Ep. 17
Did you miss me? This week, I’m joined by actor, novelist, and musician David Duchovny. David is about to release his third album “Gestureland”, and was kind enough to talk to me about it. We discuss transferring skills across art forms, the energy of inexperience vs having learnt your craft, as well as the pros and cons of long-term creative partnerships. It’s a good one! Also on the show, I welcome my dear friend Peter Eden. Peter was an A&R guy in the 60’s who branched out into the role o...
Jul 27, 2021•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 16
How ya doin? Very cool episode this week, as I welcome musician and actor Stevie Van Zandt AKA Little Steven to the show. We talk the Disciples of Soul, rubbish 70’s production values, and the potential existence of “Electric Nebraska”. Strap in. Also, I’m delighted to welcome Canadian actor Fred Ewanuick, who is one of the stars of Corner Gas/Corner Gas Animated. When I told Fred that Stevie was the other guest, Fred felt that would make him the B-side. Why don’t we call it a double A-side? Twi...
Jul 13, 2021•1 hr 25 min•Season 3Ep. 15
Boo! It’s me. This week I talk to the brains behind The Go! Team, Mr Ian Parton. There’s a new Go! Team record out this week, as I type, and it’s called “Get Up Sequences Part One” and it is fan-tactic! Ian tries to explain what The Go! Team sound like, how visual aesthetics can influence his approach to music, and discussed his recent diagnosis with debilitating Meniere’s disease. Also on the show, the very sweet, very mysterious Cinjun Tate, frontman of Remy Zero who were a band that meant a l...
Jun 29, 2021•1 hr 18 min•Season 3Ep. 14
It’s me! This week; Stephen Fretwell is my first guest. Stephen is back after disappearing from the music world for over 10 years. He’s released 3 new songs so far this year, and they’re very beautiful. I was curious to talk find out what it’s like to walk away from professional creativity and then find your way back. Stephen had a lot to say on the subject… My other guest is multi-instrumentalist and one-half of Morcheeba, Ross Godfrey. Morcheeba are back with a new album “Blackest Blue” and I ...
Jun 15, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 13
Come on in! This week legendary bassist Tony Levin joins me from his place in New York State to discuss the new Liquid Tension Experiment album, as well as his work with King Crimson and Peter Gabriel, pushing his limits, and his pioneering bass techniques. He’s great company. Also, sound artist Justin Wiggan joins me for a remarkable conversation that encompasses analogue astronauts, plant-based music, Salman Rushdie, Burnley building society, and dolphins taking photographs. It’s a wild ride. ...
Jun 01, 2021•1 hr 22 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Good morning, afternoon, and/or evening! This week I’m joined by original Wings drummer Denny Seiwell to talk about his new project “Ram On”, which is a tribute to the classic McCartney album “Ram”, which Denny played on, and is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary at the moment. My other guest is M G Boulter, whose new album “Clifftown” is utterly brilliant. Matt grew up, and lives in the same area as me, and I’ve seen him play with his band The Lucky Strikes a lot over the years. He’s fantastic c...
May 18, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Another exciting instalment of Sending Signals is here! This week I talk to David Marks about his time in The Beach Boys. David was only about 12 when he joined the band, and grew up across the street from the Wilson brothers. I get David’s take on whether Brian Wilson is being exploited, whether Mike Love gets a bad rap, and the truth about the guitar stabs on “Don’t Worry Baby”. My other guest is David Brewis from one of Britain’s finest bands Field Music. I’ve loved this band for a long time,...
May 04, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Season 3Ep. 10
What-ho! In this very special episode, David Crosby talks to me about the new 50th Anniversary box set of Crosby Stills Nash & Young’s masterpiece “Deja Vu”, as well as the future of the band, learning to control his temper, and how to die well. Also, I dig into the show’s archive to bring you a little bit of my interview with Bay City Rollers frontman Les McKeown who sadly passed away last week aged 65. Twitter: @signalspodcast Instagram: @sendingsignalspodcast...
Apr 27, 2021•35 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Whatcha. This week I’m joined by one of my teenage guitar heroes Steve Cradock. Steve is the guitarist in Ocean Colour Scene, as well as frequently working with Paul Weller, and more recently playing lead for The Specials. He’s just reissued his second solo record “Peace City West” with a new mix. Also joining me is Scott Milligan, the brains behind Burton prog-poppers Kitten Pyramid. There’s a new Kitten Pyramid album out now called “Koozy” and it’s a triumph over absurdity; funny, sad, and biz...
Apr 13, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Me again! This week I talk to screenwriter and director William Nicholson about his incredible movie “Hope Gap” and the personal experiences that fed into the project. Bill also has screenwriting credits on “Les Mis”, “Gladiator”, “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”, and more, so it was fascinating to learn about his approach to projects that diverse. Also on the show I talk to Halifax indie-disco merchants The Orielles about their brilliant new record “La Vita Olistica” and the accompanying short film....
Mar 30, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Good morning/afternoon/evening! The 50th anniversary of “American Pie” is fast approaching and Don McLean is here, reflecting on how the song has affected his life and legacy, how he’s changed since he wrote it, and the album cover where it looks like a plane is flying up his nose. Also on the show, Spencer Zahn joins me from upstate New York to discuss his remarkable album “Sunday Painter”, one of the finest records of 2020. Let me know what you think. Twitter: @signalspodcast Instagram: @sendi...
Mar 16, 2021•47 min•Season 3Ep. 6
