It felt a little bit like an action packed show tonight as I was joined live in the studio by Renu as she came in to talk about her new, second album called Midnight Radio. She was also able to play some songs acoustically live as she was assisted by Alice Phelps who sang lead vocals and brought along a harp to play which was wonderful to hear, with Renu playing guitar and backing vocals. We heard about the process behind making the album and the musical evolution since her first album, Love from London. We also discovered how she assembled the musicians who contributed to the album, such as Alison and fellow show favourite, Kay Elizabeth and how they contributed their own flavours into the mix. As always I was interested in how artists such as herself promote her material in the new online/social media world away from the old record company models and Renu talked about how she’s gone about it and her future plans such as spending time studying in India. As is becoming a regular feature with guests, Renu and Alice also shared some music that has inspired them such as Ennio Morricone, John Barry and Nick Drake, which explain some of the detail and orchestration reflected in Renu’s music.
You can check Renu’s website here where you can also find out how to get hold of the album.
Increasing the action on the show was a wonderful phone conversation I had towards the start with Chris Powell in Southend who was helping to organise a wonderful event in Leigh-on-Sea this coming weekend on the 8th of December called Band4Life. It’s in support of the charity PHAB (Physically Handicapped/ Able Bodied) which helps young and disabled people become happier and better prepared for later life. It was wonderful to hear Chris talk passionately about the event and the work going into organising it. The event featured bands such as Phoenix favourites Deferred Success along with White Devil’s Cause and Owen Williams. You can see a bit about PHAB here.
You can check out the show again here:
Renu – Musical Meanderings 4th December 2012 by Graham Stannard on Mixcloud
Here’s the playlist for 4th December 2012 (Albums in brackets)
1. Puscifer – Telling Ghosts (Conditions Of My Parole)
2. Madrugada – Vocal (Industrial Silence)
3. Tori Amos – Northern Lad (Songs From The Choirgirl Hotel)
4. James – Getting Away With It (All Messed Up) (Pleased To Meet You)
5. Throwing Muses – Start (University)
6. Renu – We Rise (Live Phoenix FM session)
7. Renu – Midnight Radio (Live Phoenix FM session)
8. Renu – Through The Fire (Midnight Radio)
9. Renu – Paradise Lost (Live Phoenix FM session)
10. Renu – Barnaby and Kim (Live Phoenix FM session)
11. Renu – Mi Morena Amor (Midnight Radio)
12. Ennio Morricone – Lay Down I Think I Love You (Ennio Morricone In Love)
13. John Barry Orchestra – On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (Best Of James Bond: 30th Anniversary Collection)
14. Santana – Samba Pa’ Ti (Abraxas)
15. Nick Drake – Pink Moon (Pink Moon)
