Tonight I was joined in the studio by London-based foursome Mockingbird (l-r Jo, Alice, Bethan, Frances). The quartet formed in 2013 and their mix of acoustic folk, country and harmonies have made them a big hit at festivals and live events across the capital in the past year. They have one self-titled EP available on their SoundCloud page, and have more live shows planned soon – keep up with them on Facebook for the latest news!

Click above to listen back to the interview (staring time around 00:30:30), including talk of weddings, getting a big following in Islington, and the random musical direction they may be heading in next! Click below to see them playing live in the studio.

Lena Fiagbe – You Come From Earth

Stealing Sheep – Rearrange

Micrafish – Remember the Rain

The Lemoncurd Kids – Caveat

The Broken Chords – First & Only Kind

Sonic Boom Six – Love

Joy Atlas – Drop Your Sword

Mockingbird – Road

MOCKINGBIRD LIVE IN THE STUDIO

Mockingbird – Hole in My Heart (live in session)

Fleetwood Mac – Everywhere

Mockingbird – Disturbia / Monster (live in session)

Stormzy – Shut Up

Mockingbird – Walk Right On (live in session)

Simple Minds – Don’t You Forget About Me

Mockingbird – Road (live in session)

Frances & the Light (featuring Bon Iver & Kanye West) – Friends

Fragile Creatures – One Bit at a Time

Arfur Doo & the Toerags – Kid on the Mountain

Farrago – Best of Intentions

Muertos – Black Box

SKUFF – Curtain Call

Surge – Lemonade

Tokyo Taboo – Make It Out Alive

Click below to listen back to the show:

This week I was joined in the studio by (l-r) Ross and Adam from Painting On Pavements. Formed from the ashes of previous Curveballs guests Lanter Of Badds, the Thurrock-based fivesome have released two singles to date – Set Me Free and Tired Mind – with more new releases to come, including new track Expectations which was heard exclusively on tonight’s show. They’ll be returning to the live scene soon too – look out for news on their Facebook and Twitter pages.

Click above to listen back too the show, including an exclusive play of Expectations, the long story behind the recording of their first single, and a rather random dedication to an absent band member…

Asylums – I’ve Seen Your Face in a Music Magazine

Slaves – Where’s Your Car Debbie?

Lux Lisbon – Keep Me Wild

Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra – Honest Man Blues

Callum Gardner – Ascending from the Storm

MFC Chicken – Gross People

KLOQ – Behind the Screams

Painting on Pavements – Tired Mind

PAINTING ON PAVEMENTS IN THE STUDIO

Painting on Pavements – Set Me Free

Culture Club – Karma Chameleon

Painting on Pavements – Expectations

Mumford & Sons – The Wolf

Caravan Palace – Lone Digger

Muse – Panic Station

Biffy Clyro – Different People

Harry Pane – Changing

Corner Pilots – Rocket Fuel

Origami Noise – Little Screen

Into Horizon – Nothin’ But Love

Ocean Flaws – Dancing to the Fear

SKUFF – Laughing in the Dark

Tonight I was joined in the studio by Dan, Jake and Joshua from Corner Pilots. The Surrey fivesome (also featuring Ben on bass and Reece on drums) joined us just after their biggest gig to date at the O2 Academy and just ahead of releasing a new single. They have more new releases and live dates in the pipeline – find out more at www.cornerpilots.com!

Click above to listen back to the interview, including the story behind the band getting together (a bad Oasis cover was involved), and them becoming the only band in Curveballs history to use certain vocabulary in their songs…

Scroll down to see them playing live in the studio too!

Full tracklisting for the show was as follows:

Dingus Khan – Knifey Spoony

De La Soul – Action!

The Kubricks – Self-Help Wannabe

CC Smugglers – Rhythm

Blink 182 – Built This Pool

Joy Atlas – Dismount

Corner Pilots – Queen of my Nightmare

CORNER PILOTS IN THE STUDIO

Corner Pilots – Language (live in session)

David Bowie – Moonage Daydream

Corner Pilots – Self Destruct (live in session)

The Rolling Stones – Gimme Shelter

The Black Keys – Little Black Submarine

Corner Pilots – With a Little Help From My Friends (live in session)

Reignwolf – Are You Satisfied?

Farrago – This Spark

Mockingbird – Road

Phoenix Chroi – Mighty

Origami Noise – Leeroy Jenkins

First up tonight I was joined in the studio by Graeme, Elaine and Joe from Phoenix Chroi. The group – who also feature Darren on guitar – are based in Woking and joined us just ahead of a busy summer of festival appearances. They released their first album, Songs From the Last Five Years, last year and are currently planning their second. Find out more at www.phoenixchroi.com. Click above to listen back to the interview, where they chat about the origins of their name, putting on their own gigs, and much more. Click below to see them playing live in the studio.

Next up I was joined by singer-songwriter LJ Howard. Based in Southend, LJ previously had minor success performing in bands before going solo, and he released his debut solo single Nothing Lasts Forever earlier this year.  LJ is currently recording new material for release soon and live performances to go with it – look him up at www.lj-howard.com. Click above to listen back to him chatting about appearing on TV with a previous band, what LJ stands for and plenty more! See him and guitarist Pete playing live in the studio below.

Lena Fiagbe – You Come From Earth

Sonic Boom Six – Monkey See, Monkey Do

Into Horizon – Time & Tide

Phoenix Chroi – Destruction

PHOENIX CHROI IN THE STUDIO

Phoenix Chroi – Mighty (live in session)

Jefferson Airplane – White Rabbit

Phoenix Chroi – Crossroads (live in session)

The Ramones – Blitzkrieg Bop

Phoenix Chroi – Beaches (live in session)

The Specials – Monkey Man

Lazy Habits – Hindsight Bias

LJ Howard – Nothing Lasts Forever

LJ HOWARD IN THE STUDIO

LJ Howard – Too Late (live in session)

John Legend – All of Me

LJ Howard – All of the People (live in session)

Seal – Daylight Living

LJ Howard – Nothing Lasts Forever (live in session)

Origami Noise – Nicolas Steno’s 374^th Birthday

Tonight I was joined in the studio by upcoming singer-songwriter Gigi Monrose. Based in Lindon, Gigi is spending summer gigging across the local area and currently has a wide range of tracks available on her SoundCloud page.

Incubus – Summer Romance (Anti-Gravity Love Song)

Night Driving In Small Towns – Kick

Lena Fiagbe – You Come From Earth

Lisa Wright – Back To You

Cat’s Eyes – Be Careful Where You Park Your Car

Lazy Habits – The Breach

Gigi Monrose – Red Wine

GIGI MONROSE IN THE STUDIO

Gigi Monrose – In Your Bed

Simon & Garfunkel – Feeling Groovy

Gigi Monrose – Hit the Road Jack

James Brown – It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World

Gigi Monrose – Out of Time

Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra – Something Blue

LJ Howard – Nothing Lasts Forever

The Invaders – Windows

Dark Globes – Dream Away

Jumpstone – Telling You

Fire at Dawn – Parasite

Reservoir Blues – Invasive Manoeuvres

Into Horizon – Time & Tide

Immense – Football Chant

Origami Noise – Little Screen

Jamie Isaac ft Rejjie Snow – Last Drip

Click below to listen back to the show:

Lush – Ladykillers

Lena Fiagbe – Shine

Fragile Creatures – Stowaways

Fades – Breaking Through the Walls

The Living End – Donkey

Such Strange Arts – Figure It Out

Lazy Habits (featuring Poetek) – Left 2 (Ruins)

The Display Team – This is the News

Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra – Honest Man Blues

Reservoir Blues – Invasive Manoeuvres

Reachback – You’re On Fire, Kid!

Hurricane#1 – I Wanna Kill You

Fire at Dawn – Parasite

JumpStone – Telling You

Motorcycle Display Team – Letters of Last Resort

Pixx – Fall In

Arcaves – Love You All the Time

Garbage – Empty

Angelica – Misdemeanour

Paul Dale – Wolves & Hyenas & Foxes Oh My

Vindico – Waves (When I Go)

Snide – Go On

Whiteout – No Time

Jamie Isaac (featuring Rejjie Snow) – Last Drip (Remix)

Fungus – A Fan Club Would be Nice

Painting on Pavements – Laura

Click below to listen back to the show:

Kasabian – Processed Beats

Skawar – Best of the 80s

Cate Le Bon – Wonderful

Paul Draper – Feeling My Feart Run Slow

The Display Team – A Summer of Subservience

This Modern Hope – Ship on the Ocean

The Thirst – True

Petty Phase – Made to Order

Lazy Habits – Kicking the Clouds

Panama Sunrise – Delevingne

Cameo – Candy

Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra – Soleil

Deniers – Blood Pressures

Dani Sylvia – Perfection Generation

Lush – Rosebud

Indigo – Pins & Needles

Different People – Picture Perfect

Ren Stedman – What I Have Become

Kieron Liley – Heartbreak Kid

Velvet Tree – My Love

Painting on Pavements – Laura

Ekkoes – Heaven

The Living End – Keep on Running

Blink 182 – Bored to Death

Fire at Dawn – Parasite

Click below to listen back to the interview:

Dani Sylvia interview at around 34:00.

This week I chatted in the phone to Sussex-born, London-based singer-songwriter Dani Sylvia. Dani recently released her debut EP Monologues, from which we heard two tracks tonight, and has also been on tour with The Feeling and Jeff Lynne’s ELO! We heard all about that tonight alongside what inspired the EP’s lyrics and her plans for the next few months. Dani can next be seen live at Metropolis Studios on May 5^th and Ronnie Scott’s on May 10^th, with more dates & news to come – keep up to date at www.danisylviamusic.com

Elvis Costello & the Attractions – (I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea

Gomez – Whippin’ Picadilly

Lucy Rose – Sheffield

Lena Fiagbe – You Come From Earth

Lush – Burnham Beeches

Hurricane #1 – I Wanna Kill You

Elliot Porter – Keep Going

The Lemoncurd Kids – Pieces

Dani Sylvia – Coming Back

Dani Sylvia – Free

Prince – Money Don’t Matter 2 Night

Walkway – Get Out

Paul Ziepe – Believe in You (Phoenix FM Session)

Indigo – Pins & Needles

Mark Matthews – London Lives

High/Low – Are You There?

Lee Sargeant – Me & the Moon (Phoenix FM Session)

The Velvet Tree – My Love

Crazy Grandma’s Rocking Chair – Nice Guy

Ronnie Wiggins – Don’t Be Afraid

Super Happy Fun Club – London

Ian Dury & the Blockheads – Billericay Dickie

The Fratellis – Chelsea Dagger

Click below to listen back to the show:

This week was our busiest for a while, kicking off with Charlie Howsego from acoustic duo Little Chasers, and singer-songwriter Louise Jaymes. Charlie and Louise are currently both studying Music Performance at Havering College, and joined us just ahead of their latest joint gig at the Golden Lion in Romford at the weekend. They are both currently recording their first sets of songs – of which we got a sample tonight – and can both be seen at Romford & Gidea Park RFC on May 26^th as part of the ‘Last Song’ performance. In the meantime, find Little Chasers online on Facebook & Twitter while Louise can be found at Facebook and Twitter too!

Click above to listen back to the interview, including the many instruments Charlie had to carry around when he was younger, and the film that first inspired Louise to pick up a guitar! Click below to see Louise playing live in the studio too!

Next up was the Phoenix FM debut of singer-songwriter Elliot Porter. Hailing from Bishops Stortford, Elliot released his debut EP Keep Going last November, and knows a thing or two about keeping going, as he joined us just ahead of his latest gig in Cambridge later in the week, with plans to return to London in June – stay tuned for dates & listen to more tunes at www.elliotporter.co.uk.

Click above to listen back to the interview, including tales of juggling guitar & piano playing on stage, and click below to see Elliot playing live in the studio!

Vampire Weekend – Oxford Comma

Noonday Underground – London

The Lemoncurd Kids – Pieces

Little Capers – Jäegerbombs & Cigarettes

3^rd Eye Foundation – In Bristol with A…

Louise Jaymes – Feathers in the Sky (live in session)

Morrissey – Dagenham Dave

Elliot Porter – Keep Going

ELLIOT PORTER IN THE STUDIO

Elliot Porter – Over Again (live in session)

Jamie Lawson – I Wasn’t Expecting That

Elliot Porter – Something You Regret (live in session)

Bob Dylan – Just Like a Woman

Elliot Porter – Joanna (live in session)

Damien Rice – Amie

Elliot Porter – Golden Touch (live in session)

James Bay – Let It Go

Dani Sylvia – Forever Young

Lux Lisbon – Show Me the Money

Paolo Morena – Where Do You Go When You Don’t Fit In?

The Capers – Right Little Raver

Click below to listen back to the show:

Tonight I was joined in the studio by upcoming foursome Vindico. (L-R) Dylan, George, Rhys and Jack hail from the Isle of Wight, and recently released their first single Waves (When I Go) with a plan to release more new material later in the year. They can next be seen live at The Islington in London on May 15^th. Find them online at www.vindicoband.com.

Click above to listen back to the interview, including the unusual location the band got their name from, tales of playing festivals, and what to expect from the Isle of Wight music scene. Click below to see the playing live in the studio too!

Nine Black Alps – Unsatisfied

My Brightest Diamond – Pressure

Lush – Out of Control

My Cruel Goro – It’s Fake

Johnny Machette – Spasitelé

Figures – Wigourney Seaver

They Called Him Zone – Gonna Have a Cool Time

Vindico – Waves (When I Go)

VINDICO LIVE IN THE STUDIO

Vindico – Outbound (live in session)

Foo Fighters – Times Like These

Vindico – Yesterday (live in session)

Smashing Pumpkins – Stand Inside Your Love

Vindico – I Don’t Really Care (live in session)

Kings of Leon – No Money

Vindico – Waves (When I Go) (live in session)

Catfish & the Bottlemen – Fallout

The Departure – Just Like TV

Elliot Porter – Keep Going

Loving Forty Four – Beaten & Bruised

Dark Globes – Do What You Want

Minerva Falls – Devil

These Arms Are Snakes – Child Chicken Play

Lolita Storm – Red Hot Riding Hood

Click below to listen back to the show (Paul Ziepe interview from around 29:00)

Tonight I was joined in the studio by local singer-songwriter Paul Ziepe. Paul recently returned to the local scene after a few years away (one of his previous bands, Cloned, previously received airplay on Curveballs), and was a semi-finalist at Essex Undiscovered earlier this year. He’s currently recording his first solo EP, and can next be seen live at the Thames Delta All Stars event at Little Thurrock’s The Ship on April 23^rd, followed by a slot at the Essex Cider & Sausage Festival at Barleylands in Billericay on April 30^th, with more dates to come – check his Facebook page for more!

Click above to listen back to the interview, & find out what got him back into music, and being on the same bill as a band whose drummer would go on to join a rather famous rock act of the moment…

Click below to see him playing live in the studio

Nirvana – Come As You Are

The Samurai Seven – Been a Fool

Spud MacBain – Walking Away

The Thirst – True

Ekkoes – Heaven

Kieron Liley – Heartbreak Kid

Paul Ziepe – Bitter Taste

PAUL ZIEPE IN THE STUDIO

Paul Ziepe – Ease My Mind (live in session)

Oasis – Bring it on Down

Foo Fighters – Everlong

Paul Ziepe – Why? (live in session)

Ben Howard – Keep Your Head Up

Paul Ziepe – How Deep is Your Love? (live in session)

Fink – Yesterday Was Hard On All of Us

Paul Ziepe – Believe in You (live in session)

The Albino Peaches – Static Love

Vindico – Waves (When I Go)

The Famous Potatoes – I Like Chicken Pie

Indigo – Pins & Needles

Click below to listen back to the show:

Spud MacBain interview starts around 34:00.

Tonight I was joined in the studio by singer-songwriter Spud MacBain. Born in Sheffield but now based in East London, Spud joined us on the very day he released his new single, Walking Away, which is available from all good download sites. He’s currently working on his debut album which is tentatively planned for a summer release – stay up to date at www.spudmacbain.com.

Click above to listen back to the show, including how he came to be known as Spud (and his real name), alongside his favourite gig to date and the unusual location where he recorded his new single.

Click below to see him playing live in the studio:

Super Furry Animals – Something for the Weekend

The Lovely Eggs – Food

Bunny – Ambulance Drive

Nick Stephenson – One Thing

Stuart Masters – Mystic Blue

New York Tourists – Colours

Scarlett & Saffron – Pushrod

Lazy Habits – Kicking the Clouds

Spud MacBain – Walking Away

SPUD MACBAIN LIVE IN THE STUDIO

Spud MacBain – The Only One (live in session)

Oasis – Headshrinker

Neil Young – Southern Man

Spud MacBain – The Afterglow (live in session)

Badly Drawn Boy – Another Pearl

Spud MacBain –On the Run (live in session)

Bee Gees – To Love Somebody

Spud MacBain – Eye of the Tiger (live in session)

The Coral – Walking in the Winter

Field Music – The Noisy Days Are Over

Painting on Pavements – Drifted Apart

Fire at Dawn – Bad Trip

Indigo – Pins & Needles

They Called Him Zone – Gonna Have a Good Time

Click below to listen back to the show:

Tonight on Curveballs we welcomed two stars from upcoming thriller series Case Files into the studio – Heather Mae Cutts (above left, who plays Julia) and Cerys Wrigley-Moss (above right, who plays Tammy), plus we also chatted to the show’s director Damien Kage from Tricell Films, on the phone. Case Files, which is currently being filmed around the UK, revolves around a group of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by deadly creatures called Kreepas, and is set to be a must-watch for all sci-fi and horror fans. You can find out more about the series on Tricell Films’ website at www.tricellfilms.com.

Click above to listen back to the interview, including what inspired Damien to write the story, the unusual range of weapons Cerys & Heather have to use to fight off evil kreepas in the show, getting some unexpected visitors while filming in Nottingham last year, and that’s even before we get to the unusual ingredients used by the make-up department…

Sugar – The Act We Act

Ladytron – Playgirl

Sonic Boom Six – Keep On Believing

Fragile Creatures – Ready to Go

Walkway – One Touch Too Much

Lush – Out of Control

Muertos – Make Me Your Zombie

CASE FILES’ CERYS, HEATHER & DAMIEN

Coldplay – Adventure of a Lifetime

The Weeknd – Night

Duke Dumont – Ocean Drive

Lukas Graham – 7 Years

The 1975 – Sound

Babylon Zoo – Spaceman

Seedling – Put Your Hand Under My Shirt

Spud MacBain – The Only One

Pocket Trees – Moon Horizon

Figures – Wigourney Seaver

Click to listen back to the show:

Tonight I was joined in the studio by three members of Pocket Trees (l-r Ben, Jon, Jon). The foursome (also featuring bassist Pete) recently released their first EP Hail Fever, with more new recordings to come, alongside live dates. They can next be seen live at The Islington in London on March 26^th – check their website www.pockettrees.com for more!

Click above to listen back to the interview (starts around 32:00), including chats on their origins as a 2-piece, where the name comes from, and many more! See them playing live below:

Feeder – Miss You

Flogging Molly – Drunken Lullabies

Republic of Loose – The Translation

Fragile Creatures – Stowaways

Arcaves – Frozen Water

High/Low – Let’s Run

Different People – Picture Perfect (Phoenix FM Creative Session)

Crazy Grandma’s Rocking Chair – Nice Guy

Pocket Trees – Awaken

POCKET TREES LIVE IN THE STUDIO

Pocket Trees – Moon Horizon (live in session)

Soundgarden – Rusty Cage

Foo Fighters – Deepest Blues Are Black

Pocket Trees – Lost Inside a Sound (live in session)

Biffy Clyro – Kill the Old, Torture Their Young

Pocket Trees – Solemn at the Altar (live in session)

The Subways – My Heart is Pumping to a Brand New Beat

Red Hook – This Broken City

Walkway – Mission Impossible

Lady Grey & the Earls – Feel the Fear

Painting On Pavements – Laura

Minerva Falls – Devil

Click below to listen back to the show:

Tonight I was joined in the studio by Grimsby/Sheffield trio Scarlett & Saffron. The threesome of Rob, Olly & Louis were in the middle of a UK tour when they came to visit, having played London’s The Good Ship the night before, and setting off straight after the interview to Glasgow for a gig the following night! The tour was in aid of their new single Jealous which has just been released & available to buy & download, with plans to release more new material later in the year alongside many more gigs! Find Scarlett & Saffron online on Facebook and Twitter.

Click above to listen back to the show & find out the origins of the band’s name (playing guitar on a beach is featured), and why their last song choice – Crash by the Primitives – is a fitting one. Plus watch them playing live below!

Operator Please – Leave It Alone

Jack Off Jill – My Cat

Reachback – Saviour

Lilac Sheer – Zoe

Kata Hay – Redneck Woman

Stealing Sheep – She

Mark Matthews – London Lives

Scarlett & Saffron – 45

SCARLETT & SAFFRON LIVE IN THE STUDIO

Scarlett & Saffron – Marfinkla (live in session)

Circa Waves – T-Shirt Weather

Scarlett & Saffron – Jealous (live in session)

Phoenix – 1901

Scarlett & Saffron – Pushrod (live in session)

The Strokes – You Only Live Once

The Primitives – Crash

Pocket Trees – Moon Horizon

Fades – Breaking Through the Walls

False-Heads – Steal & Cheat

State of the Art – Through Heaven, Through Hell

Loving Forty Four – Beaten & Bruised

Youth Club – Pressure

Arcaves – Frozen Water

Click below to listen back to the show:

Tonight I was joined in the studio by quintet Fragile Creatures, just ahead of their latest gig on Friday night in their native Brighton. The fivesome release their debut album …And Other Wild Things on March 18^th and are planning dates across the South East shortly after that. We got a taster of both the new album and the upcoming gigs tonight in the form of an excellent live session, which you can watch below and listen back to above, alongside tales of guest appearances in other bands’ music videos and a rather unfortunate item they once had to share a stage with.

Find Fragile Creatures on Facebook and at www.fragilecreatures.co.uk.

3 Doors Down – Kryptonite

Crashland – Standard Love Affair

Superbus – Beggin’ Me to Stay

Field Music – It’s a Good Thing

Sol Silver – Turn On Me

Twelve Foot Ninja – Endless

Last Known State – The Edge

Fragile Creatures – Stowaways

FRAGILE CREATURES IN THE STUDIO

Fragile Creatures – One Bit at a Time (live in session)

Housemartins – Happy Hour

Fragile Creatures – Grace (live in session)

My Morning Jacket – Big Decisions

Fragile Creatures – Ready to Go (live in session)

Storms – Shame

Fragile Creatures – Stowaways (live in session)

Fierce Friend – Don’t Fade Me to White

Minus the Bear – This Ain’t a Surfin’ movie

States of Emotion – Rag & Bone Men

Painting on Pavements – Set Me Free

Indigo – Pins & Needles

The Walking Method – Rusty Hook

Different People – Daniel

Click below to listen back to the show:

For tonight’s show we had a go at getting into the Valentine’s Day spirit, with a few romantic tunes and some serenading courtesy of Illicit (l-r Chris, Andy, Rob, Jimmy). Based mainly in Maldon, the fivesome (also featuring drummer Neil) have performed all over Essex with their wide repertoire of popular songs, of which we had a sample tonight. Illicit can next be seen live at the Chappel Winter Beer Festival on February 26^th with appearances in Colchester, Maldon and South Woodham Ferrers to follow among many more – for the full list, head to www.illicitband.co.uk.

Click above to hear their tales of setting off sensors at festivals among other gig stories, and below you can see them playing live in the studio covering Robert Johnson, Whitesnake, Bon Jovi and Stereophonics!

https://youtu.be/PQXuGAgyeaA

Stealing Sheep – Love

The Dirty Royals – I’m in Love

The Foreign Exchange (featuring Tamisha Waden) – Truce

Indigo – Pins & Needles

The Beatniks – CC (Love Surprise)

Optional Rubber Duck – Girl at the Movies

ILLICIT IN THE STUDIO

Gary Moore  – Parisienne Walkways

Illicit – Sweet Home Chicago (live in session)

Spin Doctors – Two Princes

Illicit – Here I Go Again (live in session)

Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun

Illicit – Wanted Dead or Alive (live in session)

Tom Waits – New Coat of Paint

Illicit – Dakota (live in session)

Led Zeppelin – Heartbreaker

Ben Westbeech – Something for the Weekend

Fragile Creatures – Stowaways

The Sparrows – Hello

Tom Parsons – Isolated in Space

Reuben – Nobody Loves You

Click below to listen back to the show:

Tonight I was joined in the studio by fellow Romford boy Tony Short, joined by his fiancée Lisa. Now based in Gillingham, Tony has made a musical comeback of sorts recently, a few years after suffering Encephalitis, a rare brain disease. He’s currently planning an all-day gig in the summer to raise money and awareness for treatment – and as we found out tonight, he has big plans.

Click above to hear him chatting about his many plans for the year – plus look out for his performance videos on YouTube!

Minus the Bear – Pachuca Sunrise

Night Driving in Small Towns – February

Bob Collum & the Welfare Mothers – Cemetery Blues

High/Low – Autospy

Vindico – Waves

The Foreign Exchange – The Last Fall

Tom Parsons – Sweetest Love of All

TONY SHORT IN THE STUDIO

Dobie Gray – Drift Away

Tony Short – Champagne Supernova (Phoenix FM Session)

The Rolling Stones – Wild Horses

Paul Weller – You Do Something to Me

Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun

Audioslave – Cochise

Bob Dylan – Mr Tambourine Man

Stapleton – Northwest Corners

Fragile Creatures – Stowaways

The Silver Bayonets – Schemes

The Beatniks – CC (Love Surprise)

Huetensil – Simple

Click below to listen back to the show:

Seeing out January with the new, the old and the off-the-wall!

Super Furry Animals – Demons

Idlewild – The Space Between All Things

Frenzal Rhomb – Big Brother

Bob Mould – Voices in My Head

Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra – Honest Man Blues

The Foreign Exchange – The Last Fall

Disclosure (featuring Jamie Woon) – January

Fragile Creatures – Stowaways

Huetensil – Mr Curry’s Troubles

Wolf Alice – Freazy

My Cruel Goro – Lost E

Pocket Trees – Moon Horizon

Skaciety (featuring Leila K) – Step Back (Take a Look Around)

High/Low – Mould

Minus the Bear – Drilling

False-Heads – Steal & Cheat

Painting on Pavements – Set Me Free

Paul Woodley – Shake Your Hips (Phoenix FM Creative Session)

Arrows of Time – Impossible Glow

Gunner Who – RIOT

Ships Have Sailed – Summertime

Decades – Champagne

Miro – TBTC

Let’s Wrestle – Rain Ruins Revolution

KLOQ – The Gun

Ummagma – Risky

Click below to listen back to the show:

Gunner Who interview at around 29:00.

Tonight I was joined in the studio by London’s Gunner Who (l-r Ant, Tom, Joe, Mark). The foursome released their self-titled debut last year (available on their Bandcamp page), and plan to record and release the follow-up later this year. They can next be seen live at Leytonstone’s The Plough & Harrow on March 4^th, and the Underbelly in Hoxton on April 23^rd. Find them on Facebook, Twitter and SoundCloud in the meantime!

Click above to listen back to the interview, including tales of where they might be recording the next album, and a challenge from a listener which they’ve accepted…

The Eagles – Lyin’ Eyes

Sleater-Kinney – No Cities to Love

The City Perils – Explain

Skaciety (featuring Leila K) – Step Back (Take a Look Around)

Painting On Pavements – Set Me Free

Fades – Back

Gunner Who – Mellow Venom

GUNNER WHO IN THE STUDIO

Gunner Who – Winona

The Ramones – I Wanna be Your Boyfriend

Gunner Who – Imagine Life, Imagine Death

The Fat White Family – Is It Raining in Your Mouth

Belter – TV Junkie

Gunner Who – RIOT

Gunner Who – Enough is Enough

Optional Rubber Duck – Smile

Matt Tubey – He Below Me

False-Heads – Steal & Cheat

State of the Art – Through Heaven, Through Hell

The Main Grains – Unscrewed

The Outer Seasons – Out of Season

Scarlet Echo – Mainstream

Stealing Signs – When I Get Out of Here

Lace & Whiskey – Out of Time

Click below to listen back to the show:

Tonight was the first Curveballs live session of 2016, courtesy of West London singer-songwriter Josh Massey. Josh released his debut EP, Paper Planes, last year which made the iTunes charts, and plans to record a follow-up release in the coming months. Definitely a name to be looking out for this year, and you can do just that on his Facebook and Twitter pages.

Click above to listen back to the show & click below to see him playing live in the studio!

David Bowie – Heroes

Dartz! – Once, Twice, Again!

Ben Westbeech – Taken Away From

States of Emotion – Rag & Bone Men

NOVA – Crash & Burn

Minus the Bear – Pachuca Sunrise

Tom Parsons – China Girl

Space – Strange World

Silent Natives – Circles

High/Low – Mould

Josh Massey – Tonight

JOSH MASSEY LIVE IN THE STUDIO

Josh Massey – Runaway (live in session)

James Bay – If You Ever Want to be in Love

Josh Massey – Paper Planes (live in session)

Samm Henshaw – Only Wanna be With You

Josh Massey – Streetlights (live in session)

Michael Jackson – Baby be Mine

Disclosure (featuring Brendon Reilly) – Moving Mountains

Gunner Who – RIOT

The Long Run – Beat the Lights

Lady Grey & the Earls – Forget Me Soon

Into Horizon – Built to Break

Stan Blade – Women They Love a Bad Boi

Stone by Window – Adrift Again

Click below to listen back to the show:

Happy New Year! The first Curveballs of 2016 featured one final look back at some of the great guests we had in during the second half of last year, including a personal highlight for me in interviewing Tommy Scott from Space. From then on, however, eyes were firmly focused on the year ahead, with some brand new tracks and new names to be looking out for in 2016, alongside the return of a few established ones too. Here’s to a great year of music!

Disclosure featuring Lion Babe – Hourglass

Youth Club – Pressure

The Albino Peaches – Motha

NOVA – Alive

The City Perils – The Optimist

Tommy Scott (Space) – Neighbourhood (Phoenix FM Session)

Lee Sargeant – Me & the Moon (Phoenix FM Session)

Apachelux – Only When You’re Lonely

Lisa Wright – Before I Die

High/Low – Mould

Stan Blade – #IBlameTheParents

State of the Art – One Million Eyes (Phoenix FM Session)

Into Horizon – Nothin’ But Love

Lady Grey & the Earls – Feel the Fear

Josh Massey – Paper Planes

Different People – Over Your Shoulder

Painting on Pavements – Set Me Free

Luke Wright – Have a Gong!

The Outer Seasons – Out of Season

Lazy Habits – Kicking the Clouds

Sugarmen – Plastic Ocean

Gunner Who – My Brother Will Like This (My Parents Won’t)

Jarryd James – This Time

Primo Nelson – Pinch

Kitty, Daisy & Lewis v Slimkid3 – Baby Bye

Click below to listen back to the show:

Tonight was the first of two shows looking back at the many guests and music we had in the studio in 2015. Part 2 is due soon! Don’t forget you can still listen back to all the shows from 2015 at www.phoenixfm.com/category/curveballs. We’re currently on the lookout for bands looking for airplay and/or an interview on the show in 2016 – if you’re up for it, drop us a line via the Contact page!

Motorhead – Ace of Spades

Queensburys – Driving Home (Phoenix FM Session)

The Long Run – So How (Phoenix FM Session)

Late Homecoming – Head Down

Lady Grey & the Earls – Feel the Fear (Phoenix FM Session)

Tom Baitson – The Milkman (Phoenix FM Session)

Joshua Woo (Fades) – Falling Into Place (Phoenix FM Session)

Paul Littler (The Maida Vales) – Mrs Kraus (Phoenix FM Session)

The Ends – You Write the Hits (I Write the B-Sides)

Magda Czula – Goodbye

Russell & the Wolf Choir – Closure

Imperial Leisure – Animal

Lips – Hag (Phoenix FM Session)

Young & the Blue – Only For a Second (Phoenix FM Session)

Lanter of Badds – Fight Or Flight?

Ten a Penny – Tel Aviv

Art of Rebellion – Self Destruct

Lone Wolf – Mistakes

Looks Like Rain – My Utopia (Phoenix FM Session)

The Takes – Scuffle on the Kitchen Floor (Phoenix FM Session)

Ease Springs – Somewhere in Between (Phoenix FM Session)

The Baby Blues – “Mike’s Life” (Phoenix FM Session)

Olaf Stando – Float (Phoenix FM Session)

Counties – November (Phoenix FM Session)

Different People – Over Your Shoulder (Phoenix FM Creative Session)

Arch Rivals – Something Wrong

Mouthful of Ashtrays – Slow Train

The Sparrows – What I’ve Done (Phoenix FM Session)

Stan Blade – Women They Love a Bad Boi (Phoenix FM Session)

Click below to listen back to the show:

This week was the return of Lady Grey & the Earls (l-r Paul, Amy, Justin, Graham), as is traditional for the annual Curveballs Christmas Special! Since their last appearance, the foursome have recorded a host of new material, of which we heard 4 tracks tonight. They’re returning to the live scene next month when they can be seen live at London’s Amersham Arms on January 15^th, with many more live dates to come – check their Facebook and SoundCloud pages for more!

Click above to listen back to the interview and find out more about why Paul’s home jukebox is happy this Chrimbo, alongside honourable mentions for Star Wars, Right Said Fred and jumpers…

Vice Squad – Santa Claws is Coming to Town

Manic Street Preachers – The Ghost of Christmas

Sonic Boom Six – It’s Always Christmas When I Think of You

Tall Poppies – Cold Christmas

The Pukes – Exmas

Hadleigh Ford – It’s Christmas

Social Potion – This Christmas I’m Giving You Love

Lady Grey & the Earls – Why So Serious?

LADY GREY & THE EARLS IN THE STUDIO

Lady Grey & the Earls – Forget Me Soon

Florence & the Machine – Ship to Wreck

The Who – My Generation

Lady Grey & the Earls – Looking Glass

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – The Right Stuff

Lady Grey & the Earls – Feel the Fear

Sam Cooke – Twisting the Night Away

Lady Grey & the Earls – To the Bone

Pulp – Underwear

Mariah Carey – All I Want for Christmas is You

Lace & Whiskey – Christmas Time is Here

The Dollyrots – Be My Leia

The Blog – (Commercial)

Lisa Houghton – The Night I Fell in Love

Karen Mav – Take Me Home for Christmas

Click below to listen back to the show:

Tonight I was joined in the studio by Southend newcomers Into Horizon (l-r Luke, Glaen, Rob, Elliott), just ahead of their second gig at Chinnerys, where they played their debut gig last month to an impressive reception. The foursome have also recently released their first set of recordings – including one track which was played exclusively on tonight’s show – and you can pick up a CD at their gigs, more of which will be announced in the new year. Stay tuned to their Facebook page in the meantime!

Click above to listen back to the tracks and, among other things, the band’s tales of recording said tracks in a lounge!

Alkaline Trio – Private Eye

Stealing Sheep – Love

Django Django – Vibrations

The Main Grains – Unscrewed

The Tuesday Club – Boo Hoo

Scarlet Echo – Mainstream

Lazy Habits – Kicking the Clouds

Into Horizon – Fragmental Information

INTO HORIZON ON THE STUDIO

Into Horizon – Built to Break

Metallica – Devil’s Dance

Into Horizon – Nothin’ But Love

Iron Maiden – Phantom of the Opera

Arcane Roots – If Nothing Breaks, Nothing Moves

Into Horizon – The Game

Muse – Map of the Problematique

State of the Art – One Million Eyes

Lady Grey & the Earls – Why So Serious?

Crown the Mushroom – Muai Thai Kick

The Albino Peaches – Motha

Ocean Flaws – Like a Fool

Primo Nelson – Pinch

Click below to listen back to the show:

Tonight I was joined in the studio once again by State Of The Art (l-r Ray, Dan, Tiago, Elle, Adam). Since they last joined us in the studio last year, the quartet have become a quintet with the addition of guitarist Adam, and they plan to follow up last year’s Careless Confessions EP with a new as-yet-untitled single in January. The fivesome can next be seen live at the O2 Academy Islington on January 23^rd – find them online on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube!

Click below to see them playing live in the studio

Stone Temple Pilots – Plush

Jarryd James – This Time

8 Storey Window – I Will

Stone By Window – Adrift Again

Leanne Louise – Spotlight

High/Low – Mould

State of the Art – One Million Eyes

STATE OF THE ART LIVE IN THE STUDIO

State of the Art – Betrayed (live in session)

Thrice – Circles

State of the Art – One Million Eyes (live in session)

Fightstar – Mercury Summer

State of the Art – Giants! (live in session)

Don Broco – You Wanna Know

State of the Art – New World Order (live in session)

Foo Fighters – Something From Nothing

Into Horizon – Built to Break

Stan Blade – #IBlameTheParents

Click below to listen back to the show:

First up tonight I was joined in the studio once again by High/Low (l-r Steve, Lee, Dave). Since we last chatted to them at the Village Green festival in July, the trio have recorded a new album, Autospy, which you can pre-order right now from their website www.wearehighlow.co.uk where you’ll also receive their new single Mould for your trouble! The threesome will be back out on the road in the new year – stay tuned to the website for more!

Next up was the return of Stan Blade.  Since his debut appearance on the show in March, the Southend singer-songwriter with a hip-hop edge has had a busy summer of gigs and recording new material, and later this month he’ll be releasing his second single #IBlameTheParents. Stan can next be seen live at the Haystack Pub in Canvey Island on December 5^th, followed by London’s Undersolo on December 16^th. Find Stan online on Facebook and Twitter.

Click the link above to hear both interviews & click below to see Stan Blade playing live in the studio

Fat – Downtime

Into Horizon – Nothin’ But Love

Lazy Habits – Kicking the Clouds

High/Low – Mould

High/Low – Thing Inside

Official Burnt Toast – Hi-Time

Stan Blade – Women They Love a Bad Boi

Stan Blade – People (live in session)

Nothing But Thieves – Trip Switch

Stan Blade – Basildon Boy Meets Canvey Girl / La La La

Asylums – Missing Persons

Stan Blade – Women They Love a Bad Boi (live in session)

State of the Art – Through Heaven Through Hell

Disclosure – Echoes

Happy Attack – Compo

Matt Tubey – Easy Going

City Perils – Explain

Jarryd James – This Time

Click below to listen back to the show:

Disclosure (featuring Lion Babe) – Hourglass

Mundy – To You I Bestow

Nothing But Thieves – Trip Switch

Lazy Habits – Kicking the Clouds

Sugarmen – Plastic Ocean

Stealing Signs – When I Get Out of Here

Matt Tubey – Easy Going

Youth Club – Pressure

Mixed Up Studios featuring Victoria BeeBee – Tangling

Ummagma – Lama

Ocean Flaws – Like a Fool

Stan Blade – Women They Love a Bad Boi

High/Low – Mustard Man

State of the Art – Careless Confessions

Gunner Who – My Parents Will Like This (My Parents Won’t)

Different People – Picture Perfect (Phoenix FM Creative Session)

Under the Stars – Insane Fascination (Phoenix FM Creative Session)

Loving Forty-Four – Beaten & Bruised

States of Emotion – Lena

Lee Sargeant – Me & the Moon (Phoenix FM Session)

Bruce Springsteen – Brilliant Disguise

Lights That Change – Starlight

Depeche Mode – Precious

Mickey 9s – Computer Inventor

Muertos – Make Me Your Zombie

Click below to listen back to the show:

Tonight I chatted to Stevenage drummer and producer Kieran ‘Mumble’ Leigh. Kieran has previously been featured on Curveballs as drummer for Forgotten Castaway and Atlas, but is currently involved in a variety of musical and film projects as producer and instrumentalist – way too many to list here, so click above to listen back to the interview and find out more, as well as how he got his unusual nickname! Kieran can be found on Twitter and Facebook where you can find more links to his music!

Pleymo – New Wave

Silmarils – Va Y Avoir du Sport

We Are Scientists – Sprinkles

Stone By Window – Set Free

Question of Honour – Let’s Be Friends

The Foreign Exchange (featuring Carlitta Durand) – Disappear

My Cruel Goro – Clash

Atlas – Summer Jams

KIERAN ‘MUMBLE’ LEIGH IN THE STUDIO

Waste – Blow

Johnny Cash – I Walk the Line

Gho$t$ounds – Fat Trap

Booker T & the MGs – Green Onions

4Hero – Escape That

Velettes – Wild Flowers

Decades – Champagne

Lady Grey & the Earls – Freak Show

Zebrahead – Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right But Three Rights Make a Left

The Folk Implosion – Free to Go

Ace Out – We Should Be Dancing

Click below to listen back to the show:

Damien Kage interview starts shortly after 30:00.

Tonight I chatted to Damien Kage from Nottingham production company Tricell Films. The company are currently filming Case Files, a TV series written by Kage, and promises to be quite a treat for the zombie film fans among you suffering Halloween withdrawal symptoms. As we found out during the interview,  we found out that Damien and Tricell Films have plenty more in the pipeline for the horror & sci-fi lovers among you who like a good fright – have a listen and find out more! Find Tricell Films online at www.tricellfilms.com.

Dedmau5 – I Remember

Counting Coins – All That I Need

Husker Du – Don’t Want to Know If You Are Lonely

Huetensil – Nothin’

Guthrie Brown & the Family Tree – Lakeside

Dead to Me – Victims of No Ambition

Muertos – Make Me Your Zombie

John Murphy – In the House – in a Heartbeat

Disclosure (featuring Lion Babe) – Hourglass

Atlas – Summer Jams

Zen Motel – Devil Song

Micrafish – Cumulonimbus

Silent Natives – Circles

Forever Never – One Life

Dave Stannard – Over the Top (Phoenix FM Session)

Different People – Over Your Shoulder (Phoenix FM Creative Session)

Tokyo Taboo – Drowning (Phoenix FM Creative Session)

KLOQ – This Beat (Phoenix FM Creative Session)

Matt Tubey – Marbles (Phoenix FM Creative Session)

Ilana J – Angel

Vicinius Terra – O Inverno

Click below to listen back to the show:

If you’re a band or solo artist looking for airplay or an interview on Curveballs, drop us a line via the Contact page above!

Reuben – Freddy Krueger

Counties – November

Badly Drawn Boy – Everybody’s Stalking

Silent Natives – Circles

Huetensil – Nothin’

Official Burnt Toast – Hi-Time

Mickey 9s – Computer Inventor

Apachelux – Only When You’re Lonely

The Fleeting Ends – Can’t Say No

The Foreign Exchange (featuring Tamisha Waden) – Truce

Dreamscape – Separate Sense

The Velvet Tree – My Love

Killatrix – Dumb

Fades – New Design

Harper – Electric Headlock

Looks Like Rain – 52:59

State of the Art – Through Heaven, Through Hell

Dave Stannard – Small Talk

Let’s Wrestle – Rain Ruins Revolution

Derelics – California

Horrorpops – Walk Like a Zombie

The Tuesday Club – Lady Gargar

Samantha Aungle – Disrespect

Warm Winters – Meet Me by the Sea

Click below to listen back to the show:

Tonight it was our annual Halloween special here on Curveballs, digging up some of the ghostly tunes from years gone by which you may have forgotten about, along with plenty of fresh blood in the form of new music to suit the time of year. I got so many suggestions online for spooky tracks to play that I might do a Halloween overspill on next week’s show…

Misfits – Monster Mash

Colours of Melanchola – Bottom

The Specials – Ghost Town

Attaboy Skip – Ghostbusters Theme

Space – Strange World

Ministry – Every Day is Halloween

Tokyo Taboo – Drowning

Sonic Boom Six – Strange Transformations

Beat Happening – Zombie Limbo Time

Bis – Secret Vampires

Lights That Change – Starlight

Screamin’ Jay Hawkins – I Put a Spell on You

The Eels – My Beloved Monster

Alice Cooper – Feed My Frankenstein

Nothing But Thieves – Trip Switch

The City is Ours – A Reason

Warm Winters – Meet Me By the Sea

The Baby Blues – “Mike’s Life” (Phoenix FM Session)

Imperial Leisure – Machine Vs Monster

Fella – Bunny Boiler

Counting Coins – All That I Need

Tom Parsons – Dragged Into Fear (Virtually Insane Theme)

Andy Forray – Drac’s Back

The Travis Waltons – Vampire Bite

Killing Miranda – Teenage Vampire

Engerica – Trick Or Treat

Derelics – To Brunhilde

Click below to listen back to the show:

Wrestlers from around 30:00 onwards.

Tonight I was joined in the studio for a second time by Suplex Wrestling’s Mitch “The Wolf” Davis and Phil Powers, with an unexpected guest appearance (read: gatecrash) from fellow grappler Shane Stevens. Mitch & Phil both emerged victorious from their most recent matches at East Tilbury last Saturday, but as we found out, they weren’t without their controversies! Click above to listen back to the interview, including tales of drama in and out of the ring, unpopular wrestlers and even more unpopular referees, and people who just can’t get the interviewer’s name right…

Catch Mitch, Phil and Shane in action on November 8^th at the Old Regent Ballroom in Stanford-le-Hope from 5pm. Find them online at www.suplexwrestling.co.uk.

Disclosure – Jaded

Royal Trux – I’m Ready

Sunna – I’m Not Trading

Husker Dü – Dead Set On Destruction

Ummagma – Orion

South – Paint the Silence

Let’s Wrestle – Rain Ruins Revolution

The Kooks – She Moves In Her Own Way

Primo Nelson – Pinch

Isotonik – Different Strokes

Imperial Leisure – Jenny

Lisa Wright – Back to You (Phoenix FM Session)

Space – Strange World

Youth Club – Nothing

The City Perils – Prove Me Wrong

Warm Winters – Tiny Little Moments

Tom Parsons – Dragged Into Fear (Virtually Insane Theme)

Sonic Boom Six – A People’s History of the Future

Manbreak – Future Days

Stealing Signs – Hide & Seek

Fella – Sideways

Click below to listen back to the show:

This week I welcomed local country singer Lisa Wright back to the Phoenix FM studio. Since joining us in December last year, Lisa has just released her new EP, Before I Die, which she recorded earlier in the year during a visit to Nashville! With a busy few months ahead in both gigging and more recording, expect to be hearing a lot more from Lisa not just in country circles but plenty more too! The EP is available from all download sites, and Lisa can next be seen live locally at The Garage in Highbury next Thursday (22^nd) where she’ll be supporting Jeannine Barry. Find Lisa on Facebook, Twitter and SoundCloud.

Click above to hear Lisa chatting about playing one of Nashville’s most famous venues, alongside other sights to see there (& something she didn’t see!), the experience of recording her new EP, and the country music-inspired items of clothing nobody should be without!

Click below to see her playing live in the studio:

Camera Obscura – My Maudlin Career

Lush – 500 (Shake Baby Shake)

Noonday Underground – London

The Albino Peaches – Motha

Kiss Me Quick – I Only Love You When I’m Drunk

The Foreign Exchange (featuring Shana Tucker) – Milk & Honey

Lisa Wright – Before I Die

LISA WRIGHT LIVE IN THE STUDIO

Lisa Wright – Girl Like Me

Chris Stapleton – Traveller

Lisa Wright – Here We Go Again

Carrie Underwood – Smoke Break

Lisa Wright – Back to You (live in session)

Eric Church – Talladega

Lisa Wright – You Grow But You Don’t Change

Dolly Parton – Better Get to Livin’

Toby Lightman – Every Kind of People

Disclosure (featuring Lion Babe) – Hourglass

Counties – November

The Ends – No Choruses

The Tuesday Club – Lady Gar Gar

Killatrix – Dumb

Click below to listen back to the show:

This week we got in touch with our theatrical side as I chatted to Jake Burtenshaw, director of upcoming Halloween production The Turn of the Screw, which can be seen at Chelmsford’s Old Court Theatre between October 27^th and 31^st. Based on Henry James’ gothic tale, it’s guaranteed to make your Halloween go with a scream! Tickets can be bought from www.ctw.org.uk.

Click above to listen back to the interview to hear Jake talking about what how the original play’s influence is still felt today, as well as some reminiscing about when he first appeared on Curveballs back in 2009 under a very different guise, and what he’s been up to since then – which involves a few well-known films!

Lush – Ladykillers

Jungle Brothers – VIP

Future Kings of Spain – Your Starlight

Disclosure – Echoes

The Ends – No Choruses

Sugar – The Act We Act

Screamin’ Jay Hawkins – I Put a Spell on You

Lisa Wright – Before I Die

Kiss Me Quick – I Only Love You When I’m Drunk

Apachelux – Only When You’re Lonely

Lee Sargeant – Relationships (Phoenix FM Session)

Before I Go – Freedom

Rayne – Dolorus

Howling Black Soul – Brand New Soul

Kloq – This Beat

Primo Nelson – Pinch

Adam Wedd – Ark

Foxtrott – Shields

The Foreign Exchange – Asking for a Friend

Tom Rory Parsons – Dragged Into Fear (Virtually Insane Theme)

Devereux – Collision Path

Arcaves – Frozen Water

Ummagma – Risky

Click below to listen back to the show:

Apachelux interview begins at around 27:00.

Tonight I was joined in the studio by enigmatic electronica duo Apachelux. The pair met in Southend a year ago and released their debut single This Time earlier this year. We got to hear the follow-up, Only When You’re Lonely, on the show tonight – its first radio play – ahead of its release in November, when it will be available alongside two exclusive remixes. For news and upcoming recordings, Apachelux can be found online at www.apachelux.com.  

Click above to listen back to the interview, including stories of how they got their unusual name, what’s currently driving them mad in the studio, and their completely different other projects!

Roni Size & Reprazent – Brown Paper Bag

CSS – Off the Hook

Lone Wolf – Alligator

Devereux – Heavy Eyed Hope

Disclosure (featuring Lorde) – Magnets

Stealing Sheep – Deadlock

APACHELUX IN THE STUDIO

Daft Punk – Robot Rock

Apachelux – This Time

Algiers – Black Eunuch

Apachelux – Only When You’re Lonely

Roger Sanchez – Another Chance

Marlena Shaw – California Soul

Disciples featuring David Rodigan – Mastermind

The Foreign Exchange – So What If It Is

Lisa Wright – Before I Die

Ekkoes – Last Breath

KLOQ – The Gun

The Ends – You Write the Hits (I Write the B-Sides)

Stick in the Wheel – Bedlam

Tom Rory Parsons – Escape From This Reality

Tony Steele & the Massacre – Starting From Scratch

Lee Sargeant – Strolling On (Phoenix FM Session)

Blood Red Shoes – 7 Years

The Ramisco Maki Maki Rocking Horse – And We Will Dance

The Fleeting Ends – Can’t Say No

Funke & the Two Tone Baby – Not Enough Bonobo

Different People – Over Your Shoulder

Space – Strange World

Tokyo Taboo – Bubbilicious

Lush – Hypocrite

The Velettes – Wild Flowers

Volume All Star – Alpoboy

Click below to listen back to the show:

Tonight I was joined in the studio once again by local singer-songwriter Lee Sargeant. Since his last appearance on the show last year, Lee has had a busy time gigging and getting ready to record his debut solo album, due out early next year. Inbetween now and then however, you can find him playing and hosting a weekly open jam night every Thursday at Ten Green Bottles in Leigh-on-sea, with some other live dates in the pipeline too – find him on Facebook and Twitter and stay tuned!

Click above to listen back to the interview and hear some tales of random instruments being brought to the open jam night, songs being written in lounges, and the many random places and audiences Lee’s played to in the past year!

Click below to see him playing live in the studio:

Lush – Single Girl

Badly Drawn Boy – Everybody’s Stalking

De La Soul – Breakadawn

Lisa Wright – Before I Die

Bakerside – Tuesday Moonlight

Space – Strange World

Funke & the Two Tone Baby – Not Enough Bonobo

LEE SARGEANT IN THE STUDIO

Incubus – Drive

Lee Sargeant – Me & the Moon (live in session)

Jamie Cullum – Pure Imagination

Lee Sargeant – Strolling On (live in session)

Lo-Fi Beats featuring Lee Sargeant – Exit Strategy

Reef – Summer’s in Bloom

Lee Sargeant – We Get Back Up (live in session)

Del Amitri – Just Like a Man

Lee Sargeant – Relationships (live in session)

Bear’s Den – Above the Clouds of Pompeii

Apachelux – This Time

Adam Wedd – Ark

Disclosure featuring Lion Babe – Hourglass

Click below to listen back to the show:

This week it was time for our annual festival round-up, reliving some of the best memories and singalongs from the festival season. Looking back on some of the highlights of Village Green and Latitude in July (interviews and photos of which are still available here on the Phoenix FM website), Essex Road Fest, as well as Reading in August and Bestival earlier in September.

Who annoyed festival organisers when their set overran? Who seemingly vanished in a puff of smoke? Who came on stage wearing a drum machine (that’s right, wearing)? Who did an impromptu meet-and-greet with fans straight after coming off stage? And who was marking 20 years since their first festival appearance by playing there again? Click above to listen back to the show and all will be revealed!

Of course, it wouldn’t be the Curveballs festival special without the annual A-Z of festival t-shirts. What amusing pun can be found on this lad’s shirt? Have a listen to the show to find out and hear this year’s full slogan countdown!

Asylums – I’ve Seen Your Face in a Music Magazine

Nitin Sawhney – Sunset

Django Django – Storm

Luke Wright – Have a Gong

Badly Drawn Boy – Once Around the Block

Boomtown Rats – I Don’t Like Mondays

Manic Street Preachers – You Love Us

The City Perils – Explain

Limp Bizkit – Faith

New Found Glory – My Friends Over You

Nothing But Thieves – Trip Switch

Ash – Girl From Mars

Azealia Banks (featuring Lazy Jay) – 212

Bury Tomorrow – Man on Fire

Mr B the Gentleman Rhymer – Hail the Chap

Jurassic 5 – Concrete Schoolyard

Level 42 – Something About You

House of Pain – Jump Around

Slaves – Where’s Your Car Debbie?

Chemical Brothers (featuring Noel Gallagher) – Setting Sun

The Skints – Katy on a Mission

Dub Pistols – Mucky Weekend

Jungle Brothers – VIP

Deadmau5 – Ghosts N Stuff (excerpt)

Roni Size & Reprazent – Brown Paper Bag

Underworld – Cowgirl (excerpt)

Click below to listen back to this week’s show:

This week we gave listeners the first opportunity to hear my chat with Space frontman Tommy Scott, ahead of the release of their new single Strange World. Click above to listen back to the interview and click here to see him playing live in the studio.

Terrorvision – Perseverance

Nine Black Alps – Not Everyone

De Staat – Build That, Buy That

The City Perils – The Optimist

Kloq – The Gun

The Foreign Exchange (featuring Shana Tucker) – Milk & Honey

Lisa Wright – Before I Die

Space – Neighbourhood

SPACE’S TOMMY SCOTT IN THE STUDIO

Tommy Scott (Space) – Female of the Species (live in session)

Tommy Scott (Space) – Avenging Angels (live in session)

Space – Strange World

Tommy Scott (Space) – The Loneliest Robot (live in session)

Tommy Scott (Space) – Neighbourhood (live in session)

Space – Attach of the Mutant 50ft Kebab

Youth Club – People

Stan Blade – Women They Love a Bad Boi

Walkway – Streetwise

Nova – My Bitter Blood

Lone Wolf – Crimes

Lo-Fi Beats (featuring Lee Sargeant) – Exit Strategy

Kids with Torches – The Comedian

Underworld – King of Snake (Barking mix)

Django Django – First Light

Space burst out of Liverpool in the mid-90s with hits including Female of the Species, Neighbourhood, Avenging Angels and many more. After two hit albums, Spiders and Tin Planet, personal and record label issues saw the band withdraw from the public eye, but last year they returned with a bang with their first new album in a decade, Attack of the Mutant 50ft Kebab, accompanied by a UK tour alongside fellow 90s hitmakers Republica. A follow-up album is currently in the works and the first fruits of new Space material will be arriving next month in the form of new single Strange World.

Space singer Tommy Scott recently visited the Phoenix FM studio to chat to Nick Field about Space’s past, present and future, and play some tracks, both old and new, live in the studio. Click below to listen to the interview and see him playing live!

(Apologies for the fuzzy sound quality in places during the interview).

Click below to listen back to the interview:

Thingamagig’s Pete & Stuart at around 27:00, The City Perils at 1:11:00.

First up tonight I was joined in the studio by Stuart Sinclair and Pete Baker from Billericay label Big Stinky Dog Records, organisers of alldayer Thingamagig. Now in its eighth year, the latest Thingamagig event takes place on September 19^th from 12pm at The Ship Inn in Stock, with headliners Tallowah and Ed Rome plus many more. Advance tickets are available now, and there will also be a shuttle bus service running from Billericay & Chelmsford – to find out more, and for the full line-up, visit www.bigstinkydog.co.uk.

Click above to listen back to the interview and find out more about who to watch this year, as well as how Thingamagig got its name and how various mis-spellings gave them ideas for more events…!

Next up I was joined by three-quarters of upcoming local rockers The City Perils (l-r Ricky, Andy, Dave). The foursome (also featuring drummer Dal) formed from previous bands at the beginning of this year and have had a busy summer with gigs in London and the release of their first set of recordings. They can next be seen live at the Underbelly in Hoxton on September 26^th, and can be found on Facebook and SoundCloud. Click above to listen back to the interview to hear them discussing gigs in back gardens and some of the crazy inspirations for their songs.

New Found Glory – Hit Or Miss (Waited Too Long)

Do Me Bad Things – What’s Hideous

China Drum – Wuthering Heights

Kloq – This Beat

Metasic – New Design

THINGAMAGIG’S STUART & PETE IN THE STUDIO

Ed Rome – Hype

Funke & the Two Tone Baby – Not Enough Bonobo

Tallowah – Wise Up

Origami Noise – I Made Me Think

Kids With Torches – Overloading

Django Django – First Light

The City Perils – Explain

THE CITY PERILS IN THE STUDIO

The City Perils – When the Nightmare Started

Saves the Day – Drag in D Flat

The City Perils – The Optimist

Foo Fighters – Everlong

The City Perils – Prove Me Wrong

Elliot Smith – Bled White

A – Getting Around

Space – Strange World

Loving Forty Four – Sabretooth

Surge – Loveblood

The Travis Waltons – Tell Me Where You Are

Arcaves – Frozen Water

Unearth the Kings – Saturday Night Hero

The Foreign Exchange – Asking for a Friend

Imperial Leisure – Animal

Looks Like Rain – 52:59

Fella – Sideways

Click below to listen back to the show:

Another 3-hour special this week, featuring as much new and undiscovered music as we could find with a smattering of old favourites for good measure! we also had a look at what’s coming up at local gigs and festivals for the rest of August. Plenty to go out and discover! Curveballs returns on September 2nd where I’ll be chatting to The City Perils (above) and the organisers from Thingamigig! See you at Reading Festival!

Biffy Clyro – Questions & Answers

Imperial Leisure – Isle of Slice

4hero – Star Chasers

Nova – My Bitter Blood

My Cruel Goro – Clash

Youth Club – Breathe

Space – Strange World

Stealing Sheep – Love

Tom Rory Parsons – Escape from this Reality

Apachelux – This Time

Marika Hackman – Ophelia

The Get Up Kids – My Apology

American Werewolf Academy – I Can’t Lose

Ella Squirrel – Quiet Fire

The Foreign Exchange – Asking for a Friend

Fella – Sideways

Liam Hayes & Plush – Greyhound Bus Station

Grits (featuring Fyutch) – Seize the Day

Surge – Loveblood

Fire at Dawn – Bad Trip

The City Perils – Explain

The City Is Ours – A Reason

Kurtze – Dry Bones

De La Soul – Breakadawn

The Sparrows – Follow (Phoenix FM Session)

Micrafish – Broken Mirrors

Charlie Law & the Cabineers – Take Me Home

Calico – Now I’m Sure

Different People – Over Your Shoulder

Django Django – Vibrations

Fidlar – No Ass

Lucy Rose – Scar

Dedmau5 – I Remember

Tinman – 18 Strings

Lights That Change – Toxic

Tokyo Taboo – Bubbilicious

The Albino Peaches – Bang Bang

Arctic Monkeys – This House is a Circus

Arch Rivals – Something Wrong

Click below to listen back to the interview:

This week I sat in for Bob on One2Three and was joined in the studio by local musicians Tom Parsons and Beckie Grace for a chat and exclusive live session. Both are recent music graduates from Havering College, and are set to be names we’ll be hearing much more of in the coming months – Beckie is currently putting together a debut album with her band The Cascade, while Tom recently produced audio drama Virtually Insane, with more productions in the pipeline!

Click above to listen back to the interview and hear about, among other things, Beckie’s theatre award and Tom’s composition of a certain famous TV theme!

Click below to see them playing live in the studio:

Beckie’s band The Cascade can be found here: http://instagram.com/the_cascade_

Tom can be found on SoundCloud here: http://www.soundcloud.com/rory-parsons

Click below to listen back to this week’s EXTENDED show!

Albino Peaches interview at approx 29:00, Nova interview at approx 1:47:00. Apologies for short fuzzing during parts of the show.

First up tonight I was joined in the studio by Dan (above right) and Kyle from The Albino Peaches. After mainly spending the first half of the year recording the new material, the Harlow-based trio (also featuring Tommy on drums) are gearing up to release a new single, Motha, on August 31^st, with plans to release two more singles later this year. August 31^st is also the day you can catch them live at The Square in Harlow – stay tuned to their Facebook and Twitter pages for more news on live shows and releases.

Click above to listen back to the interview – once we’ve got the talk of lodges and caravans out of the way, find out about where in the world they’ve been getting some high-profile radio play!

Next up was Stevenage foursome Nova. Formed last year, they’ve recently released their first EP, the aptly-named Debut, and had a busy summer gigging. They can next be seen live this Saturday (15^th) at the Cricketers in Stevenage, with plenty more gigs to come – find out more at www.nova-band.co.uk.

Click above to find out more about upcoming gigs, the unusual inspirations for their songs, and what the band were called before Nova. It’s quite a story in itself.

Incubus – Drive

Imperial Leisure – Animal

Youth Club – Nothing

KLOQ – High

Tokyo Taboo – Bubbilicious

Miggs – Pretty

Noonday Underground – London

The Albino Peaches – Bang Bang

THE ALBINO PEACHES IN THE STUDIO

The Albino Peaches – Ride

Arctic Monkeys – From the Ritz to the Rubble

The Albino Peaches – Motha

Kula Shaker – Govinda

The Albino Peaches – Memphis

Rush – Spirit of the Radio

Striped Sight – Karma

Micrafish – Remember the Rain

Jacksonswarehouse – Right Here Right Now

Palumbo & the Funk – Dawn is Rising

Nova – Alive

NOVA IN THE STUDIO

Nova – My Bitter Blood

Kings of Leon – Red Morning Light

Muse – Knights of Cydonia

Nova – Time Ticks Slowly

Ozzy Osbourne & Randy Rhoads – I Don’t Know

Nova – Crossing that Line

Royal Blood – Loose Change

Optional Rubber Duck – Smile

Sounds of Sputnik – Blizzard

Click below to listen back to the show:

The Sparrows interview at approximately 28:00. Apologies for the crackling during parts of the show.

Tonight I was joined in the studio by local fivesome The Sparrows (l-r Paul, Jamie, Bobby, Chris, Ross) – and all their equipment, which as you’ll hear, was put to good use! The quintet are currently recording material for a new EP to be released later in the year, but before that, you can next see them live at the Camden Barfly on August 22^nd. Find The Sparrows online at www.sparrowsmusic.co.uk.

Click above to listen back to the interview, including tales of their shortest ever headline gig and some truly bizarre listener questions!

Click below to see them playing live in the studio:

Howling Bells – Into the Chaos

The Get Up Kids – The Company Dime

Mouthful of Ashtrays – Slow Train

Space – Strange World

Kurtze – Dry Bones

Ummagma – Risky

The Sparrows – Away From Here

THE SPARROWS LIVE IN THE STUDIO

The Sparrows – Hello (live in session)

John Mayer – Gravity (live)

The Sparrows – Free to Love (live in session)

Jason Mraz – Butterfly

The Sparrows – What I’ve Done (live in session)

Dave Matthews Band – #41

The Sparrows – Follow (live in session)

Do Me Bad Things – Off the Hook

The Albino Peaches – Bang Bang

Nova – My Bitter Blood

Killatrix – Dumb

The Takes – Song 2 (Phoenix FM Session)

I recently sat in for Chris Stagg on Words & Sound, and chatted to local musician and producer Tom Parsons. Music graduate Tom was in to chat about Virtually Insane, an audio drama he recently provided production and music duties for, alongside other musical projects he has coming up. You can hear clips from Virtually Insane alongside Tom’s other work on his Soundcloud and YouTube pages, and he can also be contacted on Facebook. Expect to hear more from Tom soon!

Click below to listen back to the interview:

Mouthful of Ashtrays interview begins around 27:00.

Tonight I was joined in the studio by Mouthful of Ashtrays (l-r Tony, Mark, Dave, Rik). Originally formed in Chelmsford in the mid-80s, and last in action as a band in the early 90s, the foursome reformed in 2013 and have recently released a new EP, Fire in the Hole. After a series of live appearances locally so far this year, they return to the live scene in September – check the official website for details of where to catch them and how to get your hands on the EP!

Click above to listen back to the interview and hear Mouthful of Ashtrays discuss getting back together as well as their gigs with Dr Feelgood among other famous names from the 80s, and getting played on the radio by John Peel and Bruno Brookes!

NOFX – Bottles to the Ground

Gardener – Tamed

The City Perils – Explain

Striped Sight – Talk Like the Moon

Arctic Monkeys – Secret Door

Apachelux – This Time

Mouthful of Ashtrays – Never Get to Heaven

MOUTHFUL OF ASHTRAYS IN THE STUDIO

Mouthful of Ashtrays – Slow Train

Crazy Cavan & the Rhythm Rockers – Jumpin’ Jive

Lynyrd Skynyrd – Travelling Man (live)

Mouthful of Ashtrays – One for the Hippy

Johnny Cash – Boy Named Sue

Mouthful of Ashtrays – Cold War Kid

Dr Feelgood – That’s It I Quit

Fire At Dawn – Bad Trip

The Sparrows – Away From Here

Different People – Over Your Shoulder

Do Me Bad Things – What’s Hideous

Machine Head – Hallowed be Thy Name

Click below to listen back to the show:

DS North interview at 1:10:00.

Tonight I chatted to local wrestler DS North about the upcoming British Wrestling Evolution event Dominance, which takes place at Lopping Hall in Loughton on August 8^th. DS first joined us on the show back in 2009, just before the very first BWE championship event, which he went on to win. After a few years away, BWE returned earlier this year with its first tournament in four years, and Dominance – their third event – features a host of upcoming British wrestling talent. For the full line-up of matches, visit www.britishwrestlingevolution.com.

Click above to listen back to the interview and hear DS North chatting about who to look out for at Dominance, his choice of entrance music, and why his match opponent, Reece Royale, should be worried!

DS also announced that BWE are running a competition to win tickets to Dominance – to be in with a chance of winning, simply answer this question: which WWF wrestler would enter the ring to the tune of Rule Britannia? Send your answer plus your name to britwresevo@gmail.com and good luck! The competition closes on Wednesday July 29^th.

Cave In – Anchor

Django Django – Reflections

Arctic Monkeys – Bad Thing

Wolf Alice – You’re a Germ

Marika Hackman – Ophelia

Minus the Bear – Michio’s Death Drive

Arcaves – Frozen Water

High/Low – Mustard Man

Different People – Daniel

Nova – Alive

Culling the Pantheon – Nemesis

Fragile Souls – Devil’s Sun (Electro Mix)

Looking for Liam – Saw a World

Mouthful of Ashtrays – Slow Train

The Little Mothers – Your Twisted Sister

Lips – Rolling Stone

A Day to Remember – All I Want

Lady Grey & the Earls – Beggars Belief

Arch Rivals – The Long Gone

Do Me Bad Things – Liv Ullman on Drums (Move in Stereo)

Chvrches – Do I Wanna Know?

Click below to listen back to the show:

Interview with David & Shelly at around 11:00. Arch Rivals interview at around 37:00.

First up tonight I was joined in the studio by Danfest organisers David Pankhurst and Shelly Morris (pictured above with sons Dan and Louee), just ahead of this year’s event at Stanford-Le-Hope’s Crooked Billet on July 18^th. Now in its third year, Danfest is an all-day event featuring local acts and is in aid of raising funds for the National Autistic Society and Great Ormond Street Hospital. You can find out more about Danfest on Facebook. Click above to listen back to the interview, where we find out more about who’s booked for this year, and why young Dan is going to win every single argument from now on…

Next up it was the Phoenix FM debut of London’s Arch Rivals (l-r Arran, Rodrigo, Chris). The foursome (also featuring Gareth) formed at the beginning of this year and recently released their first EP, Something Wrong, which is now available on download and limited-edition CD. They can next be seen playing live at Islington’s O2 Academy on July 24^th. In the meantime, click above to listen back and find out about Arran’s stage management tales, and their ‘friend of the stars’ producer among other things! Find Arch Rivals online at www.archrivals.co.uk.

Do Me Bad Things – Time For Deliverance

The Kubricks – Self-Help Wannabe

Asylums – I’ve Seen Your Face in a Music Magazine

DANFEST FEATURED BANDS

High/Low – Mustard Man

The Ends – You Write the Hits (I Write the B-Sides)

Different People – Daniel

Bunny – Ambulance Drive

Arch Rivals – Something Wrong

ARCH RIVALS IN THE STUDIO

Arch Rivals – Stay True

Echoic – Last Train

Arch Rivals – Greater Mammals

Emperor Yes – Wasps

Tall Ships – Phosphorescence

Arch Rivals – The Long Gone

Raul Seixas – Sociedad Alternativa

Looking For Liam – Saw a World

Nova – Alive

Staind – Sober

Click below to listen back to the show:

Different People interview starts at around 28:00.

Tonight I was joined in the studio for a second time by Thurrock’s Different People (l-r Callum, Tom, Matt, Dave, Lee). Since their last appearance on the show last year, they’ve recorded a new EP, Picture Perfect, which we were sampled to tonight, and is due for release soon. In the meantime, Different People can be seen playing live at Danfest, which takes place at Stanford-Le-Hope’s The Crooked Billet on July 18^th, followed by the Traitors Gate, Grays on July 31^st and Hornchurch’s The Crown on August 30^th. Find them on Facebook, Twitter and Bandcamp.

Click above to listen back and hear tales of dragon encounters, falling off chairs and getting strange interferences while recording!

Alkaline Trio – Time to Waste

Super Furry Animals – Venus & Serena

Shark Tape – Bronco

The Travis Waltons (featuring Charlie Simpson) – Separation Season

Looks Like Rain – 52:59

The City Perils – Explain

Area 11 – Are You Listening?

Different People – Over Your Shoulder

30 Seconds to Mars – Kings & Queens

Different People – Picture Perfect

Asylums – I’ve Seen Your Face in a Music Magazine

Different People – Daniel

Black Sabbath – Into the Void

Different People – Line ‘Em Up

Foo Fighters – Everlong

Arch Rivals – Something Wrong

Arcaves – Frozen Water

Gunner Who – Enough is Enough

Superbus – Boys Don’t Cry

Arctic Monkeys – Chun Li’s Spinning Bird Kick

Click below to listen to this week’s show:

Looks Like Rain interview at around 18:00, Travis Waltons interview at around 1:04:30.

First up tonight I was joined in the studio by Steve and Chris from Looks Like Rain (yes, we realise that was kinda ironic for the hottest day of the year so far too). The band can be seen playing at Barking Folk Festival on Sunday, where they’ll be playing alongside Billy Bragg among many others! They’ll be releasing a new single, 52:59 (as heard exclusively when they first joined us in May)on Sunday to coincide with the slot – find out more at www.lookslikerain.co.uk. See them playing live in the studio below:

Then I chatted to Daniel Flay (above right), frontman of Bristol’s The Travis Waltons. Daniel is gearing up for the band’s second album release, Separation Season, on August 10^th, which features guest appearances from Jamie Lenman and Charlie Simpson among others. It’s not Dan’s first brush with famous faces, having had one of the band’s videos introduced by a famous US actor. Click above to find out how all these amazing collaborations came about, and how you can get your hands on the album, alongside tales of gigs in gardens and living rooms!

Voice of the Beehive – Don’t Call Me Baby

Milloy – Deuce

My Brightest Diamond – This is My Hand

Stapleton – Dear Dusk

Odds – Someone Who’s Cool

Looks Like Rain – Epitomise (live in session)

Looks Like Rain – 52:59

Looks Like Rain – Thank You, Farewell & Goodbye (live in session)

Stars – From the Night

Culling the Pantheon – Nemesis

Robert Vincent – Life in Easy Steps

Belter – Poison

The Travis Waltons (featuring Jamie Lenman) – Good Grief

The Travis Waltons – Doom

Different People – Over Your Shoulder

Ten A Penny – Tel Aviv

Stan Blade – Women They Love a Bad Boi

Double Headed Jester – Lily’s Getting Lippy

Lanter of Badds – Fight Or Flight?

Godhead – Eleanor Rigby

Arctic Monkeys – My Propellor

Listen back to this week’s show here:

Plenty of new bands and tracks to check out this week, and it seems festival season is really in full swing, as we found out with a montage of bands playing Leigh Folk Festival this week, and news that one of our favourite regularly featured bands is playing Glastonbury!

Don’t forget you can still vote for your favourite Arctic Monkeys tracks here: http://www.phoenixfm.com/2015/03/26/the-top-20-show-arctic-monkeys/ and tune in to Phoenix FM on July 22^nd at 10pm to see which track is the number 1 party anthem!

Beth Orton – Stolen Car

Lazy Habits – The Breach

Ten A Penny – Tel Aviv

Late Homecoming – Head Down

Lone Wolf – Get Rough

Nova – Alive

Micrafish – Remember the Rain

Ella Squirrel – Loop

Bear’s Den – Above the Clouds of Pompeii

Stealing Sheep – Apparition

Django Django – Reflections

Arctic Monkeys – No.1 Party Anthem

Counties – Mistress to Distance

Looks Like Rain – 52:59

Minnie Birch – Bones

Bob Collum & the Welfare Mothers – Knockdown Dragout

The Krakenists – Krackenist

The Ends – You Write the Hits (I Write the B-Sides)

Walkway – Overrated

Magda Czula – Power of Sound

The City Perils – Explain

Howling Black Soul – Myself

False-Heads – Twentynothing

Different People – Over Your Shoulder

Frank Turner – Who’s Got a Match?

Massive Attack – Teardrop

Click below to listen back to the show:

Micrafish interview begins at around 32:00.

Tonight I was joined in the studio by Southend foursome Micrafish (l-r Ryan, Alex [back], Luke, Matt), just ahead of their launch gig at Chinnerys for their debut album, Blood, Smoke & Broken Mirrors, from which we heard three tracks. A fascinating mix of rock styles, the album is available on CD and will be available to download shortly. Micrafish can also be seen live at London’s Surya on August 14^th – you can find out where else, and how to get your hands on the album, at the band’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Dreamscape – Finally Through

Fella – Bunny Boiler

The Takes – That Chat

Arch Rivals – Something Wrong

John Coffey – Broke Neck

Ella Squirrel – Quiet Fire

Lips – Rolling Stone

MICRAFISH IN THE STUDIO

Nirvana – In Bloom

Micrafish – Remember the Rain

Micrafish – Broken Mirrors

Black Stone Cherry – Blind Man

Pearl Jam – Even Flow

Micrafish – Cumulonimbus

Presidents of the USA – Peaches

Foo Fighters – Aurora

Metasic – Falling Into Place

Electric Child House – Soul Sucker

Anna Carow – I’m On Fire (Phoenix FM Session)

Arctic Monkeys – Balaclava

Click below to listen back to this week’s show:

Another week and another year older (thanks for the birthday messages online everyone). The passing of time means festival season is rapidly upon us, and we discussed some upcoming local fests tonight, as well as talking about walking on fire and Reuben gig memories.

Two Door Cinema Club – Wake Up

The Features – The Idea of Growing Old

My Brightest Diamond – Pressure

Ella Squirrel – Quiet Fire

Disclosure – When a Fire Starts to Burn

Different People – Over Your Shoulder

Walkway – Just Can’t Help

Youth Club – Filling It Up to Go

Ten A Penny – I See the Light

Arcaves – Killing Time

Django Django – Pause Repeat

Drenge – Bloodsports

Electric Child House – Soul Sucker

Stan Blade – Women They Love a Bad Boi

Lucy Rose – Scar

Beartooth – In Between

The Long Run – 9 Past 8

Reuben – Keep It to Yourself

Olaf Stando – Island (Phoenix FM Session)

Counties – November (Phoenix FM Session)

The Baby Blues – “Mike’s Life” (Phoenix FM Session)

TheCityIsOurs – A Reason

Huetensil – Executioner’s Song

Machine Head – Message in a Bottle

Lazy Habits – The Breach

Arctic Monkeys – Brianstorm

Listen back to this week’s show here:

Olaf Stando interview at around 10:00, Counties at 45:00.

First up tonight I was joined in the studio once again by good buddy of the show, local singer-songwriter Olaf Stando. Since his last appearance last year, Olaf has moved to Scotland to go to university, but has still found time to write new material during study breaks, and we were treated to a sample of that tonight. Olaf’s EP Horizons is still available for download, and you can keep up with him on Facebook and Twitter.

Click above to hear Olaf’s tales of writing songs while studying, and soon-to-be globetrotting! Click below to see him playing live in the studio.

Next up I was joined in the studio by Counties, a new band formed from the ashes of We Were Lions, who recorded a session for us last year. They’ve just recruited a new bassist to complete their line-up, and plan to release their debut EP (of which we were treated to a sample tonight) this summer. Expect Counties’ brand of rock mixed with pop-punk to be a sound you’ll be hearing plenty more of very soon – find them now on Facebook and Twitter.

Click above to hear Counties’ stories of annoying the neighbours while recording and getting people mixed up – and click below to see them playing live for us.

Rocket From the Crypt – Young Livers

De Staat – All is Dull

Lily & Madeline – Rabbit

OLAF STANDO IN THE STUDIO

Olaf Stando – Pavements (live in session)

Olaf Stando – Island (live in session)

Olaf Stando – Float (live in session)

Stan Blade – Women They Love a Bad Boi

Fella – Bunny Boiler

COUNTIES IN THE STUDIO

The Amity Affliction – Don’t Lean On Me

Counties – November (live in session)

Flogging Molly – If I Ever Leave This World Alone

Counties – Better Days (live in session)

A Day to Remember – Right Back at it Again

Counties – Mistress to Distance (live in session)

Counties – 2014 Taught Me Nothing (I’m Still Learning)

Oasis – Whatever

The Takes – That Chat

Stephen Foster-Pilkington – If This Isn’t Good – What Is?

The MBG – Rose Tints

Guns ‘n’ Roses – Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

Click below to listen back to the show:

Baby Blues interview starts around 27:00.

Tonight I was joined in the studio by local newcomers The Baby Blues (l-r Mike, Louise, David). The trio formed at the beginning of this year and are already making a name for themselves with live appearances locally, including sets at the Essex Arms and our own Phoenix Fridays event at Old Brentwoods (which you can still listen to here). The trio plan to record their first EP in July and are also planning an alldayer at the Essex Arms in August – find out more by staying tuned in on their Facebook page.

Click above to hear them chatting about shaved heads, being inspired by debauchery, and a contender for the longest hashtag ever, and click below to see them playing live in the studio!

The Smashing Pumpkins – Perfect

Fungus – I’d Rather be a Doll

Ease Springs – Swayze

Lone Wolf – Alligator

Stealing Sheep – Deadlock

The House United – Made of Matches

THE BABY BLUES IN THE STUDIO

BB King – The Thrill is Gone

The Baby Blues – My Medicine (live in session)

Kill It Kid – Blood Stop & Run

The Baby Blues – Feels Just Like (live in session)

Keb’ Mo’ – Old Me Better

The Baby Blues – Done (live in session)

Bruce Springsteen – Atlantic City

The Baby Blues – Mike’s Life (working title) (live in session)

Samantha Fish – Go to Hell

The Baby Blues – Pink (live in session)

Looks Like Rain – 52:59

Olaf Stando – Postcards

The Takes – That Chat

Motorhead – Enter Sandman

Click below to listen back to the show:

The Takes interview at 11:00, Ease Springs interview at around 32:00.

First up tonight I was joined by Sam and Curtis from The Takes. Since their last appearance on the show back in October, the foursome have recorded a new EP, Text Me When You Leave, which is released this Saturday, and they’ll be marking it with a launch gig at The Swan Inn, Hatfield Peverel. You can find them online at www.thetakesofficial.weebly.com.

Click below to see them playing live in the studio:

Next up it was Steve and Sam from Ease Springs. The trio (also featuring drummer Gerald) recently released the album Who is Leonard Bopper?, which is also connected to an online graphic novel you can read online at www.whoisleonardbopper.com. Ease Springs can next be seen live at the Golden Fleece in Chelmsford this Sunday as part of Shakster Records’ charity weekender. Find them online at www.easesprings.com.

See them playing live in the studio below:

Foo Fighters – Gimme Stitches

Arctic Monkeys – D Is For Dangerous

The Ends – You Write the Hits (I Write the B-Sides)

THE TAKES LIVE IN THE STUDIO

The Takes – That Chat

The Takes – Scuffle on the Kitchen Floor (live in session)

The Takes – Song 2 (live in session)

Stan Blade – Women They Love a Bad Boi

Ease Springs – Legalised, Controlled & Sold

EASE SPRINGS LIVE IN THE STUDIO

Ease Springs – Tonight (live in session)

Fleetwood Mac – The Chain

Ease Springs – Somewhere In Between (live in session)

Rage Against the Machine – Wake Up

Ease Springs – There’s No Way (live in session)

The Waifs – London Still

Ease Springs – Sunny Sunny Sky (live in session)

Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Mellowship Slinky in B Major

Art of Rebellion – Under the Mountain

Loving Forty Four – Sabre Tooth

Any Colour You Like – Fearless (Phoenix FM Session)

Click below to listen back to this week’s show:

looks Like Rain interview commencing at 30:00.

Tonight I was joined in the studio by local quartet Looks Like Rain (l-r Rich, Jed, Steve, Chris). The foursome originally formed while at school in the early noughties, and following a break to pursue outside interests, returned to the local circuit recently with new material and their first gigs in a few years. We got a sample of what’s to come with an exclusive play of their new track, 52:59, as well as a live session. Looks Like Rain can be seen supporting Billy Bragg in East London in July – for more information on that, and other stories from their favourite gigs over the years, click above to listen back! Find them online at www.lookslikerain.co.uk.

Click below to see them playing live in the studio:

Minus the Bear – Pachuca Sunrise

The Playwrights – Fear of Open Spaces

Stealing Sheep – Not Real

Lone Wolf – Crimes

Django Django – Reflections

Natusro – Suffocation

Folk Family Revival – I Drew a Line

LOOKS LIKE RAIN IN THE STUDIO

The Stone Roses – Love Spreads

Looks Like Rain – My Utopia (live in session)

Paul Weller – The Changingman

Looks Like Rain – The Code (live in session)

Radiohead – Exit Music (For a Film)

Looks Like Rain – Until the Magic Dies (live in session)

Looks Like Rain – 52:59

Looks Like Rain – Amsterdam (live in session)

Ease Springs – Legalised, Controlled & Sold

The Takes – That Chat

Magda Czula – Hold Me

Young & the Blue – Boredom

Lanter of Badds – Fight Or Flight?

Click below to listen back to the show:

Lone Wolf interview at the beginning of the second hour.

Tonight I chatted on the phone to good buddy of the show Lone Wolf, aka Paul Marshall. The Essex-born, Leeds-based performer is having a busy month, with the imminent release of his new album Lodge in May 11^th, and playing a handful of shows up and down the UK, including an appearance at Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen on May 9^th. Click above to listen back to the interview, where Paul discusses how his approach to music has changed over the years, why this will be the last album under the Lone Wolf name, and a nod to our old music teacher…

Find Lone Wolf online at www.iamlonewolf.com

Hole – Awful

Operator Please – Volcanic

Nick & the Sun Machine – Fiery Sky

Django Django – Shake & Tremble

The Kubricks – Self-Help Wannabe

Looking For Liam – Modern Girls

Killatrix – Dumb

Ten A Penny – I See the Light

Ady Suleiman – So Lost

Rivalries – Shortest Way Home

Stealing Sheep – Deadlock

Joan as Police Woman – Holy City

The Krakenists – Heart Felt Miss

Hadleigh Ford – Joga

The Foreign Exchange – So What If It Is

Tellison – Tact is Dead

Lone Wolf – Mistakes

Stan Blade – What You Gonna Do

The Shermans – In Daylight

The Silver Bayonets – Schemes

Scarfo – Cosmonaut No7

Kittie – Charlotte

Russell & the Wolf Choir – The Constant

Weird Al Yankovic – Eat It

Tame Impala – Stranger in Moscow

Ronnie Wiggins – It’s a Lazy World

Click below to listen back to the show:

John Baker interview at 13:00. Art Of Rebellion interview at 30:00.

First up tonight I was joined in the studio by John Baker from new Shenfield rehearsal studios The Control Rooms. The studios opened in March at Whitegates Business Centre – a short walk from Shenfield station – and with 3 rehearsal rooms and guitar tuition available, there’s plenty to offer local musicians. Click above to listen back to the interview and find out more at www.thecontrolrooms.co.uk.

Next up it was the return of Art Of Rebellion for their fourth Curveballs appearance. The trio have just released their debut album The Fire Ignites on CD and download, and plan to return to the live scene very soon – find out more at www.artofrebellion.co.uk and the band’s Facebook page. Click above to listen back to the interview – and prepare to have “a lovely lovely voice” stuck in your head for a while…

Django Django – First Light

Lazy Habits – The Breach

Ten A Penny – I See the Light

THE CONTROL ROOMS’ JOHN BAKER IN THE SUDIO

Gaz Coombes – Detroit

The Rolling Stones – Before They Make Me Famous

ART OF REBELLION IN THE STUDIO

Art of Rebellion – Under the Mountain

Art of Rebellion – Hidium

Dream Theater – The Dark Eternal Night

David Bowie – Heroes

Art of Rebellion – The End

Matchbox 20 – How Far We’ve Come

Hundred Reasons – Silver

Art of Rebellion – People of Gotham

Melanie De Baisio – The Flow

The Takes – That Chat

Metasic – New Design

Johnny Cash – Personal Jesus

Lone Wolf – Mistakes

Click below to listen back to the show:

Teen a Penny interview begins at 30:40.

Tonight I was joined in the studio by locals Ten A Penny (l-r Dan, Brad, Mo), making their second appearance on the show. They’ve been busy recording new material, of which we heard two samples tonight, including new single I See the Light which will be released on May 1^st. They can next be  seen live at the Essex Arms on Warley Hill on June 21^st, and they’re also playing Chelmsford’s Brownstock Festival on July 12^th. Find out more on their Facebook and Twitter pages.

Click above to listen back to them chatting about all how the recording of the new material came together, and who the empty seat in the studio is reserved for…

The Animalhouse – Small

Boy Kill Boy – Showdown

The Bluetones – Thank You, Not Today

Lazy Habits – The Breach

Didi Benami – Trouble

Ady Suleiman – So Lost

Lone Wolf – Crimes

TEN A PENNY IN THE STUDIO

Alt-J – Breezeblocks

Ten A Penny – I See the Light

Foo Fighters – Walking After You

Ten A Penny – Tel Aviv

Jesse Malin – Bent Up

Royal Blood – Figure It Out

New Order – Age of Consent

Art of Rebellion – Under the Mountain

The MBG – Blues No1

Connor Wells – Give It (Up Up Up Up)

Lanter of Badds – Chill Manner

Ryan Adams – Wonderwall

Click below to listen back to the show:

Lanter of Badds on air at around 30:00.

Tonight I was joined in the studio by three members of Thurrock rockers Lanter of Badds (lr Adam M, Ross, Adam R aka Taco). Since forming two years ago, the six-piece have released one EP, Set Meal A, and gigged across Essex. They’re currently working on a follow-up release and can next be seen live at Chinnerys in Southend on April 25^th, Basildon’s Castlemayne on May 8^th, and Brentwood’s own Essex Arms on May 17^th. Find them online at www.lanterofbadds.co.uk as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

Sunna – I’m Not Trading

De Staat – Build That, Buy That

Bakerside – Tuesday Moonlight

Stealing Sheep – This Time

The MBG – Wake Up

Young & The Blue – Only For a Second

Johny Machette featuring Ondřej Brzobohatý – Spasitelé

LANTER OF BADDS IN THE STUDIO

Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody

Lanter of Badds – Fight Or Flight

Daze Train – Today

Lanter of Badds – Chill Manner

The Wombats – Give Me a Try

Skindred – Set It Off

Lanter of Badds – We Have It on a Screen

PJ & Duncan – Let’s Get Ready to Rhumble

Sounds of Sputnik featuring Ummagma – Overdrive

Nick & the Sun Machine – Baby A

Queensburys – Cash

False-Heads – Snatch

Crème de Chèvre – God Knows I’ve Goats to Make Cheese

Click below to listen back to the show:

The MBG interview starts at approx. 13:00. Young & The Blue interview at approx. 48:00.

First up tonight I was joined in the studio by locals The MBG (l-r Joe, Laura, Lewis, Ben). Since their first visit to the studio a year ago, they’ve grown two new members, played all over Essex and London (you may have spotted them at Lighting Up Brentwood just before Christmas) and have just released their first EP Everywhere We Sit is VIP. The foursome have another busy few weeks ahead – they can next be seen live at a headline show at the Railway Hotel, Southend, on April 24^th. They can be found online on Facebook and you can download the EP from Bandcamp.

Click above to listen back to the interview and find out what inspired the EP name, and some samples from their growing array of crazy gig stories!

Next up I was joined by Young & The Blue from London (l-r Jack, Lewis, Adam, DJ, Dan). They first joined us back in 2013 when called The Seagulls, but since relaunching last year they’ve been busy gigging and have just released a new EP entitled Change Your Mind, from which we heard a sample via a studio session. They can next be seen live at Colchester’s Swinburne Hall on April 24^th and you can find them online at www.youngandtheblue.com.  Click above to listen back to the interview and session, and find out which band members come under ‘young’ and ‘blue’!

Bennet – Mum’s Gone to Iceland

Luscious Jackson – We Go Back

Imperial Leisure – Animal

THE MBG IN THE STUDIO

The MBG – Blues No1

The MBG – Wake Up

The MBG – Rose Tints

The MBG – Cynic Song

Pixies – Where Is My Mind?

YOUNG & THE BLUE IN THE STUDIO

Young & The Blue – Boredom

Young & The Blue – Watching (live in session)

Cage the Elephant – In One Ear

The Beatles – A Hard Day’s Night

Blink 182 – Dammit

Young & The Blue – Around (live in session)

Brand New – Jesus Christ

The Stone Roses – Begging You

The Smiths – I Want the One I Can’t Have

Idlewild – Collect Yourself

Lanter of Badds – Fight Or Flight

High/Low – Mustard Man

Ekkoes – Last Breath

Lips – London Town

Weird Al Yankovic – Tacky

Bely Basarte – Mambo No5

Snug – Beatnik Girl

Jack Off Jill – My Cat

The Silver Bayonets – Schemes

Lone Wolf – Crimes

Stan Blade – What You Gonna Do

High Tyde – Karibu

Olaf Stando – Postcards

Arctic Monkeys – If You Were There, Beware

Click here to listen to the show:

Imperial Leisure interview at 37:00; Lips interview at 2:02:00

First up tonight I was joined in the studio by Richard, Dennis and Ben from longtime Curveballs favourites Imperial Leisure. The band originally formed in the late 90s and went on to release two albums, The Art of Saying Nothing and Death to the One-Trick Pony, before establishing their current line-up in 2012 and recording their third album Lifestyle Brand which is released this coming Monday (April 6^th). They’ll be marking the occasion with a headline show at The Lexington on London that day, supported by Ghouls and Sonic Boom Six. Find out more at www.imperial-leisure.co.uk. Click above to hear them discuss their many tales of ‘guerilla gigging’ and memories of recording the album, and gigging everywhere from Romford to Belgium!

Next up I was joined by Alex, Nathalia and Isabel from Lips. The trio (also featuring drummer Jason) formed a year ago in West London and are currently recording their debut EP in Colchester with producer Tom Donovan. The EP – of which we got a sample tonight, via a live session – will be released in June, and Lips can next be seen live at the Crown & Treaty pub in Uxbridge this Sunday (5^th) as part of the Yuck Rocks Festival. Click above to hear them chatting about their influences, recording the EP and more, and click below to see them playing live in the studio! Lips can be found on Twitter and Facebook.

Reel Big Fish – Take On Me

De Staat – Sweat Shop

Ady Suleiman – So Lost

Lanter of Badds – Fight Or Flight?

Stan Blade – Women They Love a Bad Boi

Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra – Hey Mr Landlord!

The Dollyrots – Da Doo Ron Ron / I Wanna Be Sedated

Imperial Leisure – Isle of Slice

IMPERIAL LEISURE LIVE IN THE STUDIO

Imperial Leisure – Animal

Ozomatli – Cut Chemical Suite

Random Hand – Anger Management

Imperial Leisure – Lucky People

Gentle Mystics – Hark

Imperial Leisure – The Big E

The Skints – This Town

SocietySociety – Say Yeah You Got It

Young & the Blue – Watching

The MBG – Blues No1

The Ends – Kebab Shop Fodder

The Maida Vales – Love the One You Love

Arcaves – Killing Time

LIPS LIVE IN THE STUDIO

Lips – London Town

Lips – Rolling Stone (live in session)

Queen / David Bowie – Under Pressure

Lips – Hag (live in session)

Led Zeppelin – Rock & Roll

Lips – Yellow Brick Road (live in session)

Midget – Parting Shot

Hadleigh Ford – All is Full of Love

Sonic Boom Six – Totally Addicted to Bass

Listen back to this week’s show here:

Russell & The Wolf Choir interview at 28:05, Meadowlark interview at 02:02:01

First up tonight I was joined in the studio by Russell Evans, the titular member of Russell & The Wolf Choir. Originally performing as a solo acoustic act (including an appearance on our Creative Sessions in 2011), last year Russell recruited a band of local musicians to record what would become a series of EPs – the first of which, The Ivy Leaf Agreement, is available now, with a second to be released later in the year. You can find out more about Russell & The Wolf Choir’s mix of acoustics, rock and post-punk at www.russellandthewolfchoir.com. Click above to listen back to the interview, including a preview of two exclusive new tracks which will appear on the next EP, and chatting about Russell’s many other, completely different-sounding bands!

Later on I chatted to Kate McGill from the band Meadlowlark. The Bristol-based duo (also featuring Daniel Broadley) have had a busy few months, recently seeing their single Eyes Wide surpass 27 million Spotify plays and playing a sold-out show in London. Their new EP Dual is released at the end of this month and they’ll be supporting Amber Run on their upcoming UK tour in April – find out more at http://meadowlarkofficial.tumblr.com. Click the link at the top to hear the interview.

The Dears – Lost in the Plot

Boy – Skin

Sleater-Kinney – A New Wave

Surge – Tears of Joy

Stealing Sheep – Not Real

Roadkill Ghost Choir – Slow Knife

RUSSELL & THE WOLF CHOIR IN THE STUDIO

Former Utopia – Double Negative

Russell & the Wolf Choir – This Fall I Think That You’re Riding For

Tellison – Tact is Dead

Russell & the Wolf Choir – The Constant

Splintered Man – Home to No Home

Hop Along – Powerful Man

Russell & the Wolf Choir – At a Cost

Russell & the Wolf Choir – Closure

Hadleigh Ford – The Emperor’s New Clothes

Ummagma – Live & Let Die

Olaf Stando – Postcards

Stan Blade – Women They Love a Bad Boi

The Ends – You Write the Hits (I Write the B-Sides)

Looking for Liam – Modern Girls

Magda Czula – I Know You By Heart

Imperial Leisure – Isle of Slice

Huetensil – Last Night

Double Headed Jester – Lilly’s Getting Lippy

Meadowlark – Eyes Wide

Late Homecoming – Head Down

Let’s Wrestle – Rain Ruins Revolution

A Day to Remember – All I Want

State of the Art – Sanctuary

Kids With Torches – DNA

Kata Hay – Cannibals (Real World)

Geoffrey Williams – Drive

The Foreign Exchange – Listen to the Rain

Dr Meaker featuring Sian Evans – Right Back

Jacksonswarehouse – Right Here Right Now

Click below to listen back to the show:

Stan Blade interview at 18:00, Magda Czula interview at 54:00, Essex Wrestling Academy interview at 2:02:20.

First up tonight was singer-songwriter Stan Blade. Based in Southend, and specialising in acoustic music with a spoken-word influence, Stan has already had a busy year of gigging and promoting a Crowdfunder campaign to record his debut album and tour the UK. He can next be seen live at Tigerlily in Leigh on March 26^th and The Townhouse in Southend on March 27^th. For more info on Stan’s Crowdfunder campaign, find him on Facebook and Twitter. Have a listen to find out how Stan Blade got his name, and his unique sound. See him playing live below too:

Next up was a different variety of singer-songwriter in the form of Poland-born, London-based Magda Czula. Magda recently released her first EP, Power of Sound, with all profits going to children’s charity Dreams Come True. Her next gig is at the Comedy, near Piccadilly Circus, on April 1^st, and you can keep up with her goings-on on Facebook and Twitter. Have a listen above to find out how Magda got into music, the wonders of Polish rock, and her reaction when I said “Dzień dobry, jak się masz?” See her playing live below:

Finally tonight, it was time to get physical as I was joined by Essex Wrestling Academy’s head coach Phil Powers (above right) alongside wrestling newcomer Mitch Davis (above left), also from the EWA. With training sessions every weekend at their base on Langston Road, Loughton, and with regular showcase matches around the county, Essex Wrestling Academy has established itself at the forefront of local wrestling talent and a world away from what you might be used to from performance wrestlers on TV. Find out more at www.essexwrestlingtraining.com. Have a listen to find out about their next events, as well as Phil and Mitch’s favourite wrestling moves!

Ani DiFranco – Shy

The Capers – Right Little Raver

Black Bottom Lighters – Nuclear

The MBG – Blues No.1

Stan Blade – Women They Love a Bad Boy (live in session)

Radiohead – Just

Stan Blade – I Saw You (live in session)

Jamie T – Sheila

Stan Blade – Cupid (live in session)

Ady Suleiman – So Lost

Magda Czula – I Know You By Heart

Magda Czula – Goodbye

D-em – Wehiku Czasu

Magda Czula – Hold Me (live in session)

Ernesto Alonso – Moonshine

Russell & the Wolf Choir – I Think I Need an Editor

Meadowlark – Eyes Wide

The Maida Vales – You Don’t Need Love

The Silver Bayonets – Schemes

Metasic – New Design

God is an Astronaut – Fireflies & Empty Skies

The Filthy Souls – Boys Will Be Out for a Fight

Let’s Wrestle – Rain Ruins Revolution

Disclosure – Flow

Huetensil – Want Too Much

All True Events – Rock ‘n’ Rolla

Fountains of Wayne – Sick Day

Idlewild – Radium Girl

LCD Soundsystem – Tribulations

Listen back to this week’s show here:

First up tonight I was joined in the studio by James and Joe from our good buddies The Ends. The foursome (also featuring Mike and Liam) have just released their new single, You Write the Hits (I Write the B-Sides), available on 7” vinyl from record stores and their website www.theends.co.uk. You can next see them at St Moritz Club in Soho on Friday (13^th) supporting David Woodcock. Click above to hear them talking about their recent in-store gig in Leigh and the crazy things that happen whenever they play the single live…

Then making his Phoenix FM debut was Paul from The Maida Vales. The multinational foursome , with members from the UK, Italy and Latvia, are currently putting together material for their debut album. You can hear recent demos from them on their website www.themaidavales.com. The band can be seen live at the Paper Dress Vintage in Old Street, London next Thursday (19^th) alongside Nick & The Sun Machine and Zoo. Have a listen to Paul chatting about just how many auditionees he had for the band, the story behind their name, and how people can get involved in their first album release. Click below to see him playing live in the studio too:

De Staat – Down Town

Youth Club – Filling It Up To Go

Double Headed Jester – Lilly’s Getting Lippy

The Ends – You Write the Hits (I Write the B-Sides)

The Ends – Kebab Shop Fodder

The Ends – Just Do It www.theends.co.uk

The Maida Vales – Love the One You Love

PAUL FROM THE MAIDA VALES LIVE IN THE STUDIO

Paul Littler (The Maida Vales) – Kiss Me Goodbye (live in session)

Supergrass – Going Out

Paul Littler (The Maida Vales) – You Don’t Need Love (live in session)

The Lightning Seeds – You Showed Me

Paul Littler (The Maida Vales) – Love is Suicide (live in session)

Mystery Jets – The Nothing

Beck – Think I’m in Love

Paul Littler (The Maida Vales) – Mrs Kraus (live in session)

www.themaidavales.com

Magda Czula – Goodbye

Stan Blade – I Saw You

Symmetry – The Cure

The Capers – Right Little Raver

Memo – Thief

Feet First – Borders

Russell & the Wolf Choir – Closure

Metasic – Point & Laugh

Listen back to this week’s show here:

First up tonight, I chatted to Symmetry frontman Jared Hara, just before he went on stage in Nottingham as part of LA-based quartet’s nationwide UK tour. Jared turned to music after losing his eyesight when he was aged 12, and went on to form Symmetry in early 2013. They can be seen supporting McBusted at Islington’s O2 Academy on Friday 13^th March, and with new material due very soon, they’re a name worth remembering! Click above to listen back to the interview (note: the sound quality is a bit fuzzy in places, and due to a recording fault, my questions and Jared’s answers overlap in places. Apologies for any confusion this may cause). Find them at www.symmetryband.com.

Then I chatted to Metasic frontman Joshua Woo in the studio, just ahead of the band’s gig at the O2 Academy in Islington. The fivesome released their debut EP Falling Into Place at the end of last year, which is available as both a digital download and as a USB memory stick – a ‘meta-stic’! As well as the O2 Academy gig this Saturday (7^th), they can also be seen live at the Sebright Arms in East London on March 20^th. The EP can be downloaded/ordered from their Bandcamp page.

Click to listen back to the interview and hear about the unusual story behind the formation of the band and the EP, and how Joshua now has the nickname “Evil Elvis”…

Click below to see Joshua playing live in the studio.

We also heard two acoustic tracks courtesy of Ease Springs, looking forward to welcoming them into the studio soon.

Super Furry Animals – Play It Cool

Sunna – I’m Not Trading

Django Django – First Light

Memo – Ballet Boy Can’t Science

Ease Springs – Somewhere in Between (Acoustic Version)

Symmetry – The Cure

Metasic – New Design

JOSHUA FROM METASIC LIVE IN THE STUDIO

Joshua Woo (Metasic) – Falling Into Place (live in session)

Radiohead – Weird Fishes / Arpeggi

Joshua Woo (Metasic) – Throw It Away (live in session)

Aphex Twin – Minipops 67 [120.2] (Source Field Mix)

Joshua Woo (Metasic) – Are You Willing (live in session)

Queens of the Stone Age – In the Fade

Joshua Woo (Metasic) – Point & Laugh (live in session)

Bjork – Pagan Poetry

http://metasic.bandcamp.com

Cardinal Sons – Solo

The Maida Vales – Love the One You Love

The Ends – You Write the Hits (I Write the B-Sides)

Nadia Marisa – Time Flies By

Ease Springs – Tonight (Acoustic Version)

Click below to listen back to the show:

Tonight I was joined in the studio by singer-songwriter Tom Baitson. Since he last joined us in 2012, Tom has recorded plenty of new material which you can hear on his SoundCloud page, as well as gigging across London – he can next be seen live at Roadtrip & The Workshop on Old Street this coming Tuesday (March 3^rd). Tom can also be found on Facebook and his official site.

Click above to hear Tom discussing getting random visits from cats and some other equally random things that have inspired his songs. Click below to see him playing live in the studio:

Sleater Kinney – No Cities To Love

The Ends – You Write the Hits (I Write the B-Sides)

Little Donkey – Real Woman

Django Django – First Light

Late Homecoming – Amelie

Ease Springs – Legalised, Controlled & Sold

Tom Baitson – Story of the Masked Detective

TOM BAITSON LIVE IN THE STUDIO

Tom Baitson – The Milkman (live in session)

Creaky Boards – Songs I Didn’t Write

Tom Baitson – Goddess of My Dreams (live in session)

The Beatles – Here Comes the Sun

Tom Baitson – Gammon

Tom Baitson – Mr Turner (live in session)

The Bee Gees – Stayin’ Alive

Tom Baitson – High Class Living (live in session)

Tom Baitson – [Unknown Title] (live in session)

http://tombaitson.wix.com/music

Metasic – Falling Into Place

Foster-Pilkington – Plebs

The Takes – Baby Blue

Lady Grey & the Earls – Why So Serious?

State of the Art – Careless Confessions

Click below to listen to the interview:

Tonight I was joined in the studio by Hertfordshire-based quartet Late Homecoming (l-r Tom, Liam, Tennyson, Steve). Since they last joined us in July last year, they’ve been on an eventful UK tour (which we heard plenty of stories about!) and recorded a new EP, Head Down, due for release at the end of the month (along with a video for the lead track, the filming of which was also quite eventful!). They play Club 85 in Hitchin this Friday, with more live shows in the pipeline – keep up on Facebook and Twitter.

Have a listen to them chatting about having bad luck with hotels, even worse luck with cars and UK geography, and getting an unexpected visit during their last video shoot. Plus, click below to see their rather unusual live cover version!

Sugarcult – Bouncing Off the Walls

Youth Club – Tunnel

Dance Hall Crashers – Beverley Kills

The Ends – You Write the Hits (I Write the B-Sides)

Cardinal Sons – Underdressed

Ady Suleiman – So Lost

Stan Blade – What You Gonna Do

IRIS – Candle

LATE HOMECOMING IN THE STUDIO

Decade – British Weather

Late Homecoming – Hello World

5 Seconds of Summer – What I Like About You

Late Homecoming – Amelie

Counting Crows – Accidentally in Love

Prince – Kiss

Late Homecoming – Teenage Dream (Katy Perry cover) (live in session)

Anavae – Anti-Faith

www.twitter.com/latehomecoming

Ease Springs – Nights Like These

Tom Baitson – High Class Living

Sabiba – One More Chance

Wolf Party – In My Pocket

Little Donkey – Real Woman

Young & the Blue – Boredom

Magda Czula – Goodbye

Click below to listen back to the show:

This week it was the return on our good buddies Lady Grey & The Earls. Since their last appearance at Christmas, they’ve been finishing off their new album and booking new shows. They’ll be joining us at Old Brentwoods, Ashwells Road for the latest Phoenix Fridays event on February 27^th, followed by a set at the Asylum in Chelmsford on March 13^th. You can keep up to date with them on Facebook. Have a listen to the interview to hear new tracks, discussions of 90s memories, and find out why they nearly had to re-record a song due to the final note!

Click below to see them playing live in the studio:

Beck – Sexx Laws

Stealing Sheep – Genevieve

Sleater Kinney – No Cities To Love

David Livings – Scrub No9

Apidae – Turning Tides

Lone Wolf – Give Up

The Chemical Brothers (featuring Noel Gallagher) – Let Forever Be

Lady Grey & The Earls – Feel the Fear (live in session)

Moby – Porcelain

Lady Grey & The Earls – Paper Sky

David Bowie – Little Wonder

Lady Grey & The Earls – Wonderland (live in session)

The Rolling Stones – Paint It Black

Lady Grey & The Earls – Swallow My Envy

Lady Grey & The Earls – Breathe

www.facebook.com/ladygreyandtheearls

Sarah Holburn – Falling Down

Late Homecoming – Amelie

High/Low – Night Drive

Fuze – Gimme Fire

The Long Run – Showed Him How to Dance

Lux Lisbon – Keep Me Wild

Youth Club – Tunnel

Click below to listen back to the show:

Congratulations on surviving another January everyone; I think we can all call ourselves experts on that now! This week was a selection of new singles and rediscoveries. Don’t forget you can keep up with our upcoming guests by checking the ‘Coming Up…’ section below right on this page, and if you’ve got music of your own you’d like us to give a listen, get in touch via the ‘Contact’ page above!

Bloc Party – Helicopter

Night Driving in Small Towns – February

Milloy – February

Emma Harrop – Be With Me

Aeromancy – Triangles

Cardinal Sons – Solo

IRIS – Candle

Lanter of Badds – Chill Manner

Queensburys – Driving Home (Phoenix FM Session)

Lazy Habits – The Road

Veruca Salt – Officially Dead

Dedamu5 – I Remember

The Long Run – So How (Phoenix FM Session)

SocietySociety – Stereotypes

Lady Grey & the Earls – Love Me & Leave Me

Madidus – Fallen Angel

Loving Forty Four – Sabre Tooth

Leanne Louise – Spotlight

Metasic – Falling Into Place

Lee Sargeant – Blown Over (Phoenix FM Session)

Chloe Jac – Excuse After Excuse

Lux Lisbon – Keep Me Wild

Felix – Oh Thee 73

Endless Mile – Cellophane

Bakerside – Remember Me

Click below to listen back to the show:

Tonight I was joined in the studio by Canvey Island’s The Long Run (l-r Darren, John, Gavin, Ryan). Since Darren & John joined us in July last year, the foursome have been working on a new album, the follow-up to last year’s limited edition Showed Him How To Dance. They’re balancing that with a busy tour schedule around Essex, with appearances in Basildon, Hornchurch, Southend and their Canvey hometown booked for the next few weeks – head over to their website www.the-longrun.co.uk for the full schedule. They can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Click below to see them playing live in the studio:

Disclosure (featuring Jamie Woon) – January

Young & the Blue – Boredom

Lazy Habits (featuring Baby Sol) – Memory Banks

Sleater Kinney – No Cities to Love

The Ends – You Write the Hits (I Write the B-Sides)

Sarah Holburn – I Heard

The Maida Vales – Love the One You Love

The Long Run – Outro–Shown

THE LONG RUN LIVE IN THE STUDIO

The Long Run – Showed Him How to Dance

Allan Holdsworth – Metal Fatigue

Buddy Miles – Them Changes

The Long Run – I Know (live in session)

The Long Run – Paradise

The Long Run – So How

Oasis – (It’s Good) To Be Free

The Long Run – Get to Know Ya

The Long Run – Lying Low (live in session)

www.the-longrun.co.uk

Jacksonswarehouse – Right Here Right Now

Lace & Whiskey – Out of Time

False-Heads – Wrap Up

Wolf Party – In My Pocket

Apidae – Turning Tides

Queensburys – Cash

Click below to listen to this week’s show:

Tonight I was joined in the studio once again by Queensburys. The Thurrock-based foursome are set for a busy year, with the release of their new EP in March (which will feature the track Driving Home which they played live tonight), and there’s plenty of chances to catch them live too – they can next be seen on stage at London’s Scala on February 28^th. Keep up with them on their Facebook, Twitter, SoundCloud and YouTube pages.

Click below to see them playing live in the studio:

After the show I also chatted to Marc from AT Music Group, who this week hosted a showcase event at Evoke in Chelmsford, where they are currently planning a series of live events featuring various big-name acts – with a chance for local bands to get involved as well. Click below to listen to the interview and find out more! AT Music Group can be contacted via their Twitter and Facebook pages, as well as www.atmusicgroup.co.uk.

Sleater-Kinney – Bury Our Friends

Nick & the Sun Machine – Acid Rain Clouds

Youth Club – Tunnel

Felix – Oh Thee 73

Ease Springs – There’s No Way

Stan Blade – What You Gonna Do

Queensburys – Hard as Nails

QUEENSBURYS LIVE IN THE STUDIO

Queensburys – City Light (live in session)

PJ Harvey – Is This Desire?

Queensburys – Driving Home (live in session)

The Stone Roses – Shoot You Down

Queensburys – Nothing at All (live in session)

Madeline Peyroux – Between the Bars

Queensburys – I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to be Free

Catfish & the Bottlemen – Kathleen

www.facebook.com/queensburys

Ronnie Wiggins – It’s a Lazy World

The Long Run – Highway Line

High/Low – Mustard Man

Primo Nelson – What’s That?

Smashing Pumpkins – 1979

Disclosure (featuring Jamie Woon) – January

Click below to listen back to the show:

Hope everyone’s having a great start to 2015 – if you’re interested on getting your music on the show, then do get in touch with us via the Contact page!

Foo Fighters – Rope

Bis – Control the Radical

Deadmau5 – I Remember

Stapleton – From Wood to Ridge

Emma Harrop – Be With Me

Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra – Crazy Country Fool

Jake Lore – Charlie

SocietySociety – Skyscrapers

Olaf Stando – Postcards

Magda Czula – Goodbye

Lisa Wright – Home

Disclosure – Defeated No More

Buzzcocks – What Do I Get?

Queensburys – Hard as Nails

Ease Springs – Legalised, Controlled & Sold

Harper – Bringing Me Down

Young & the Blue (featured pic) – Watching

Nick & the Sun Machine – Ask Me for my Name

Lady Grey & the Earls – Why So Serious?

Lux Lisbon – Your Heart is a Weapon the Size of Your Fist

Luscious Jackson – We Go Back

Aeromancy – Triangles

High/Low – Night Drive

The Broken Chords – Rock & Stone

Veruca Salt – Volcano Girls

The Foreign Exchange – Listen to the Rain

Click below to listen back to the show:

Happy new year everyone! The first Curveballs of 2015 featured an assortment of acts we hope to be hearing more of this year. From local bands hoping to make an impact to international names making long-awaited comebacks, it’s shaping up to be a good dozen months. If you’re in a band and hoping to get some airplay or an interview on the show, do get in touch with us via the Contact link above. We look forward to rocking out with you!

Sonic Boom Six – Back 2 Skool

The Lites – This Fear

Sleater-Kinney – Bury Our Friends

Harper – What More Can You Give?

Mac Lethal – Incredible Mozart Rap

SocietySociety – Stereotypes

Young & the Blue – Boredom

Nick & the Sun Machine – Fiery Sky

Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra – Junk on the Radio

Peyote – Never Let Her

The Drink – Microsleep

Looking for Liam – She Is

Olaf Stando – Postcards

Longy – Love Schizophrenia

Nadia Marisa – Time Flies By

Bis – Cubis (I Love You)

The Ends – Blank Maps

Lee Sargeant – Blown Over (Phoenix FM Session)

Lone Wolf – Glass

Lady Grey & the Earls – Bowl into the Fray

Lazy Habits (featuring Baby Sol) – Memory Banks

Stose – Class War

Veruca Salt – Seether

Lux Lisbon – The Devil Got Me Dancing

Scarletts Roses – Lost

Jacksonswarehouse – Right Here Right Now

Listen back to the show here:

For the final Curveballs show of 2014, we concluded our look back at the year with tracks from July through to December, featuring a host of tracks from bands who joined us in the studio as well as a few memorable sing-alongs from the festival season. Thanks for all your support for Curveballs in 2014 – here’s to an even better 2015! See you on the airwaves!

Sondre Lerche – Bad Law www.sondrelerche.com

Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra – Hey Mr Landlord! www.teapadorchestra.co.uk

The Long Run – 9 Past 8 (Phoenix FM Session)www.the-longrun.co.uk

Osmium Guillotine – D-Day www.osmiumguillotine.com

Sohn – Artifice www.sohnmusic.com

Late Homecoming – Terror Twin (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/pages/Late-Homecoming/418596588275292

We Were Lions – Find (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/wewerelions

Imperial Leisure – Nasty Boy www.imperial-leisure.co.uk

Stereolight – What Are You Doing It For? (Phoenix FM Session) www.stereolight.co.uk

Art of Rebellion – Echoes of Conflict www.facebook.com/pages/Art-of-Rebellion/14683788071

Blood Red Shoes – Speech Coma www.bloodredshoes.co.uk

Vic Mensa – Orange Soda www.vicmensa.com

Minnie Birch – Wise Words (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/minniebirch

Different People – This Dream Ain’t to Fade (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/DifferentPeopleBand

Wild City – Reaper Man (Phoenix FM Session) www.reverbnation.com/wildcity

Nadia Marisa – Time Flies By (Phoenix FM Session) www.nadiamarisa.com

Chloe Jac – Excuse After Excuse (Phoenix FM Session) www.chloe.ie

Scarlet Echo – Greyhaven www.scarletscho.co.uk

The Takes – Knock (Phoenix FM Session) http://thetakes.weebly.com

State of the Art – Through Heaven Through Hell (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/stateoftheartbanduk

Rochelle Jordan (featuring Iamsu) – Playa 4 Life www.rochellejordan.com

Lee Sargeant & Dan Tilbrook – Further Away (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/pages/Lee-Sargeant/410983035633753

A Higher Demise – Here We Go Again www.facebook.com/AHigherDemiseBand

Arfur Doo & the Toerags – King of the Fairies (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/ArfurDooAndTheToerags

Lisa Wright – Warrior (Phoenix FM Session) www.twitter.com/lisawright92

High/Low – Mustard Man www.wearehighlow.co.uk

Lady Grey & the Earls – Tear (Phoenix FM Creative Session) www.facebook.com/ladygreyandtheearls

Ease Springs – Nights Like These www.easesprings.com

Disclosure (featuring Sam Smith) – Latch www.disclosureofficial.com

Click below to listen back to the show:

Tonight we began a look back at 2014 with the first of two shows featuring some of our favourite musical discoveries and session guests here on Curveballs. This show featured the highlights of January through to June, where we welcomed both local and international rising stars to the studio, with plenty of new and established names among the line-ups. We re-learned the alphabet via hip-hop and tapped our toes until our heels fell off to a host of great tracks. Part 2 can be heard on New Year’s Eve at the earlier time of 6pm; hopefully you can join us then in seeing out the year in style!

Space – Attack of the Mutant 50ft Kebab www.spacetheband.com

Filthy Souls – Boys Will Be Out For a Fight www.thefilthysouls.com

Loving Forty Four – Sabre Tooth (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/lovingfortyfour

Feet First – My Heart is Fools Gold http://feetfirstuk.bandcamp.com

Porcupine Kiss – Shout It Out (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/porcupinekiss01

Mac Lethal – Alphabet Insanity www.maclethal.com

Lee Sargeant – Relationships (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/pages/Lee-Sargeant/410983035633753

The Albino Peaches – Memphis (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/AlbinoPeaches

The MBG – Fields www.soundcloud.com/the-mbg

Kata Hay – Smoke When I Drink (Phoenix FM Session) www.katahay.com

Meryl & A Bit of Yellow – Time to Persevere (Phoenix FM Session) www.merylandabitofyellow.nl

Lilac Sheer – Love is Always Free (Phoenix FM Session) www.lilacsheer.com

Looking For Liam – Modern Girls www.lookingforliam.com

Stone By Window – Regretfully Jealously (Phoenix FM Session) www.stonebywindow.co.uk

Eastend Promises – Joker www.eastendpromises.com

High Flying Wolves – Can I Call It a Day? (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/TheHighFlyingWolves

Nick & the Sun Machine – Baby A (Phoenix FM Session) www.nickandthesunmachine.co.uk

GraVil – Thoughts of a Rising Sun www.gravilmetal.com

Accidental Tourists – Spotlight www.facebook.com/atourists

The Ends – Black Hole Girl www.theends.co.uk

Scarlet Echo – Mainstream www.scarletecho.co.uk

All True Events – Yeah You www.facebook.com/pages/All-True-Events/675348195822885

Chris Bird – Ladyluck http://chrisbirdproductions.wordpress.com

Uprising – Retalliation (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/UprisingUK

Anna Carow – It Was Love (Phoenix FM Session) www.annacarow.com

Olaf Stando – The Run (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/olafstandomusic

The Foreign Exchange – So What If It Is www.theforeignexchangemusic.com

Click below to listen back to this week’s show:

First up for tonight’s Christmas Special, we heard about the upcoming Christmas comedown gig taking place at Billericay Town Football Club on December 27^th. Organiser Ian Parkins joined us to discuss the show alongside Jamie and Hannah from Scarlet Echo, one of the bands who’ll be playing alongside The Theme and The Tuts. You can get tickets for the gig from WeGotTickets.

Then we welcomed back, as is traditional for the Christmas Special, Lady Grey & The Earls (l-r Paul, Graham, Amy, Justin) – their 10^th Curveballs appearance, no less! Since they last joined us a year ago, the foursome have recorded a new album, which is currently being mastered. We were treated to a few tracks tonight ahead of its release next year, which is also when they’ll be making a return to the live scene, with a set at Brentwood’s Essex Arms on January 17^th followed by an appearance on our own Phoenix Fridays bill at Old Brentwoods on February 27^th. Find them on Facebook.

Lace & Whiskey – Christmas Time is Here www.laceandwhiskey.co.uk

Hadleigh Ford – My Time to Shine www.hadleighford.com

Andy Rehfeldt & Bordi – Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (Death Metal version) www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHuXSvbC91g

The Theme – Hits the Sky www.thethemeuk.com

The Tuts – Dump Your Boyfriend (live) www.facebook.com/thetuts

Scarlet Echo – Mass Production www.scarletecho.co.uk

Magda Czula – Goodbye www.facebook.com/magdaczula

Lady Grey & The Earls – Why So Serious?

LADY GREY & THE EARLS IN THE STUDIO

Lady Grey & The Earls – Paper Sky

Lady Grey & The Earls – Bowl Into the Fray

Cat Stevens – First Cut is the Deepest

Martha Reeves & the Vandellas – Nowhere to Run

Lady Grey & The Earls – Shadow Away

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Freaky Teeth

Lady Grey & The Earls – Electric Mist

Mariah Carey – All I Want for Christmas is You

Lady Grey & The Earls – Rhythm is a Dancer / Breathe (Phoenix FM Creative Session)

www.facebook.com/ladygreyandtheearls

The Cloudrunner – Christmas Medley (Holidays Are Coming / Santa Claus is Coming to Town) www.facebook.com/thecloudrunner

Russell & the Wolf Choir – The Compass & the Foal www.russellandthewolfchor.com

Careless Sons – Don’t Tell Me You Don’t Like Christmas www.carelesssons.com

Matt Lorentzen – Christmas Time www.mattlorentzen.com

Listen back to the show here:

Tonight I was joined in the studio by locals High/Low (l-r Dave, Steve, Lee). Originally formed in early 2013 by singer/guitarist Steve and bassist Lee, they first appeared on Phoenix as part of last year’s Creative Sessions. They went on to record their debut album, Stuck in a Void, later that year.  A few months back, they recruited drummer Dave to complete the line-up, and High/Low make their return to the live scene this month with two Southend gigs, starting at Saks Underground on the 19^th before a set at Chinnerys on the 21^st. They can be found online at www.wearehighlow.co.uk and the album Stuck in a Void can be found on Bandcamp.

Sugar – Changes

De Staat – Down Town

Bis – Don’t Let the Rain Come Down

The Talks – Don’t Look Behind You

Young & the Blue – Watching

Newton’s Apple – Out of the Maze

High/Low – Mustard Man

HIGH/LOW IN THE STUDIO

High/Low – Sneakers

Bob Mould – This War

High/Low – Burnt

Manchester Orchestra – Cope

High/Low – Already Alone

Therapy? – Living in the Shadow of the Terrible Thing

Foo Fighters – Good Grief

High/Low – Night Drive

www.wearehighlow.co.uk

Anthrax – Safe Home

Lady Grey & the Earls – Smiling Out of Key

Queensburys – Cash

The Kubricks – Self-Help Wannabe

Shouting Signals – I Am Catastrophe

Lace & Whiskey – Christmas Time is Here

Greg(o)rian – Utter Condemnation (excerpt)

Listen back to this week’s show here:

Tonight I was joined in the studio by local singer-songwriter Lisa Wright. We first chatted to Lisa in 2012 when she took time out from university to play one of our Brentwood Centre gigs from that year. Since graduating earlier this year, Lisa has made a number of live appearances, and recently released a new single, Faith, as a few download from her Soundcloud page. Lisa can next be seen playing live at the Essex Arms in Brentwood on December 19^th, and there’ll be new material on the way very soon, including the track Home which was premiered on tonight’s show. Lisa can also be found on Twitter and Facebook.

Listen to Lisa chatting about studying in Liverpool and the unusual things she missed about home while there, as well as an unusual situation in London where she heard Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire being played! Click below to see her playing live in the studio.

Luscious Jackson – Ladyfingers

Boy – Skin

The MBG – Fields

Young & the Blue – Boredom

Jamie Lenman – Pretty Please

Stealing Sheep – Rearrange

My Brightest Diamond – This is My Hand

Lisa Wright – Faith

LISA WRIGHT IN THE STUDIO

Lisa Wright – Warriors (live in session)

Kacey Musgraves – Follow Your Arrow

Lisa Wright – Sinners (live in session)

Johnny Cash – Ring of Fire

Ward Thomas – Push for the Stride

Lisa Wright – Home

Holly Williams – Drinkin’

www.twitter.com/lisawright92

The Lites – This Fear

High/Low – Mustard Man

Simon Gentry (Krakenists) – That Dress

Scarlet Echo – Mainstream

Lower Than Atlantis – Beech Like the Tree

Osmium Guillotine – Phobophobia

Lilac Sheer – Love is Always Free

Martin Garrix – Animals

Listen back to this week’s show here:

Tonight was all about showcasing some of our favourite new tracks, as well as others from throughout the year, a few blasts from the past and a look ahead to the coming week in gigs – including of course, Lighting Up Brentwood and Lighting Up Shenfield which are happening this Saturday and Sunday respectively, where you’ll be able to catch myself and plenty more of the Phoenix FM crew. See you there!

Super Furry Animals – Do Or Die

Barry Adamson – What It Means

States of Emotion – The Way That I’m Wired

Anthrax – Safe Home

Moondogs – Blue Tattoo

My Brightest Diamond – Pressure

Little Donkey – Real Woman

Rochelle Jordan (featuring Iamsu) – Playa 4 Life

Little Boots – Taste It

Tommy & the Chauffeur – Having & Wanting

Imperial Leisure – Festival

Refused – New Noise

Scarlet Echo – Mainstream

Lisa Wright – Faith

Metasic – Falling Into Place

State of the Art – Through Heaven, Through Hell

Ease Springs – Nights Like These

Leanne Louise – Running

Scarlett’s Roses – Lost

The Everglows – Sugary Sun

The MBG – Fields

The Folkwitz – I Wanna Be Like You (Phoenix FM Session)

Manic Street Preachers – A Design for Life

Arfur Doo & the Toerags – King of the Fairies (Phoenix FM Session)

Martin Garrix – Animals

Click below to listen back to this week’s show:

Tonight I was joined in the studio by Arfur Doo & The Toerags (l-r Tim, Simon, Fran, Judy), quite possibly the first band we’ve ever had in who list Irish folk music as their main specialism. They also boast a highly impressive range of instrumentation, with recorders, flutes and violins in their repertoire! We heard a selection of tracks in the studio, based around traditional Irish folk songs with a few extra touches – have a listen and see what you can recognise! The Toerags plan to spend the rest of this year recording their debut album before returning to the live scene with a set at … on January 13^th.

Click below to see them playing live in the studio:

Letters to Cleo – Here & Now www.letterstocleo.net

Sondre Lerche – Bad Law www.sondrelerche.com

Young & the Blue – Soft Wax Children www.soundcloud.com/youngandtheblue

Noveis – Caleidoscopiophonia www.noveis.it

Scarlett’s Roses – Lost www.scarlettsroses.com

Los Salvadores – Holly Shore www.facebook.com/pages/Los-Salvadores/139802822750974

Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra – Drinking Coffee Rag www.teapadorchestra.co.uk

ARFUR DOO & THE TOERAGS IN THE STUDIO

Rose Kemp – Dirty Glow

Arfur Doo & the Toerags – King of the Fairies

Fairport Convention – Toss the Feathers (live medley)

Arfur Doo & the Toerags – Kesh Jig / Morrison’s (live in session)

16 Horsepower – Haw

Arfur Doo & the Toerags – Crazy Man Michael (live in session)

Fairport Convention – Who Knows Where the Time Goes?

Arfur Doo & the Toerags – Dennis Murphy’s Polka / The 42 Pound Cheque / John Ryan’s

www.facebook.com/ArfurDooAndTheToerags

Ani DiFranco – Shy www.righteousbabe.com

Job Seekers Alliance – Royal Smile www.soundcloud.com/job-seekersalliance

Different People – This Dream Ain’t To Fade www.facebook.com/DifferentPeopleBand

Machine Gun Men – Down with the Devil www.facebook.com/MachineGunMen

Northern Uproar – Livin’ It Up www.northernuproar.com

Imperial Leisure – Nasty Boy www.imperial-leisure.co.uk

Dreamscape – Finally Through http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/17204-la-di-da-recordings

Listen back to this week’s show here:

Tonight I was joined in the studio by metallers A Higher Demise (l-r Dan, Dag, Charlie, Rachel, Terry), just ahead of their gig at the Royal Vic & Bull in their hometown of Dartford. The fivesome’s debut EP, The Doctor Will See You Now, was released earlier this year, and they can next be seen live on November 28^th at Attitude Festival at Clermont Pier in Lowestoft, on a line-up headlined by Dani Filth’s band Devilment.

Click above to listen back, and hear them chatting about recording their EP with an ex-member of Reuben, and being on the same bill as a group of burlesque dancers!

Sonic Youth – Sugar Kane www.sonicyouth.com

Reuben – Stuck In My Throat www.wordsfromreuben.com

Idlewild – A Film for the Future www.idlewild.co.uk

Little Donkey – Real Woman www.facebook.com/littledonkeymusic

Hana Piranha – Blue Skies www.hanapiranha.com

Sounds of Sputnik featuring Ummagma – Overdrive www.soundcloud.com/soundsofsputnik

A Higher Demise – All These Reasons

A HIGHER DEMISE IN THE STUDIO

A Higher Demise – Here We Go Again

Atreyu – The Crimson

Sum 41 – The Hell Song

A Higher Demise – Over & Over

Finch – What it is to Burn

A Higher Demise – It’s a Trap

A Day To Remember – All I Want

www.facebook.com/AHigherDemiseBand

Blood Red Shoes – Colours Fade www.bloodredshoes.co.uk

The Ends – Blank Maps www.theends.co.uk

Longy – Love Schizophrenia www.whoislongy.com

Different People – This Dream Ain’t To Fade www.facebook.com/DifferentPeopleBand

Ekkoes – Last Breath www.ekkoes.com

Colours of Melancholia – 3 Days www.coloursofmelancholia.com

Listen back to this week’s show here:

References to fireworks, fire, pyro, volcanoes and getting blown over – check. Bonfire night spirit embraced (we pretty much had to, there was a big firework display going on outside the Brentwood Centre after all!).

Ladytron – Ghosts www.ladytron.com

Luscious Jackson – We Go Back www.lusciousjackson.us

This Boy’s Fire – I Try www.thisboysfire.co.uk

Looking For Liam – Modern Girls www.lookingforliam.com

Fearless Vampire Killers – Unbreakable Hearts www.fearlessvampirekillers.co.uk

The Broken Chords – Pyro www.thebrokenchords.com

Rayne – The Great Burden www.facebook.com/rayneofficial

Scarlet Echo – Greyhaven www.scarletecho.co.uk

Jacksonswarehouse – Right Here Right Now www.facebook.com/JACKSONSWAREHOUSE

Hadleigh Ford – The Emperor’s New Clothes www.hadleighford.com

Dreamscape – Finally Through http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/17204-la-di-da-recordings

Jawbox – Channel 3 www.myspace.com/jawboxdc

Sugar – Fortune Teller www.facebook.com/pages/SUGAR/148505795208421

Dr Meaker featuring Sian Evans – Right Back www.drmeaker.co.uk

Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra – Hey Mr Landlord! www.teapadorchestra.co.uk

Sondre Lerche – Bad Law www.sondrelerche.com

The Foreign Exchange – So What If It Is www.theforeignexchangemusic.com

A Higher Demise – All These Reasons www.facebook.com/AHigherDemiseBand

Little Donkey – Wrong Direction www.facebook.com/littledonkeymusic

Modovar – The Sea of Unbroken Words (Phoenix FM Creative Session) www.modovar.com

Lee Sargeant – Blown Over (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/pages/Lee-Sargeant/410983035633753

False-Heads – Without a Doubt http://false-heads.bandcamp.com

Veruca Salt – Volcano Girls www.verucasalt.com

Ekkoes – Last Breath www.ekkoes.com

Bernhoft – Come Around www.bernhoft.org

Louis Armstrong – Firework http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Armstrong

Click below to listen back to the show:

Tonight I was joined in the studio once again by local singer and Vacant Touch frontman Lee Sargeant, alongside debutant Dan Tillbrook. Lee and Dan showcased a new track they’d been working on, and we also chatted about goosebumps, tea and being on the same bill as Peter Andre.

Lee can be seen playing live this Sunday at the East Coast Social in Southend. He can be found on Facebook here.

Click below to see some live tracks:

Reuben – Freddy Krueger www.wordsfromreuben.com

De Staat – Psycho Disco www.destaat.com

Operator Please – Ghost www.facebook.com/operatorplease

IRIS – Haunted www.iris.uk.com

The Open Feel – Sidewalk Zombies www.theopenfeel.com

Ekkoes – Last Breath www.ekkoes.com

Scarlett’s Roses – Nightmares www.scarlettsroses.com

Lo-Fi Beats featuring Lee Sargeant – Exit Strategy

Lee Sargeant & Dan Tilbrook – Further Away (live in session)

Rival Sons – Face of Light

Lee Sargeant – Dreamchaser (live in session)

Wax Fang – Majestic

Lee Sargeant – Blown Over (live in session)

Don Hinson & The Rigamorticians – Monster Mash

Lee Sargeant – Does She Know (live in session)

Bernhoft – Streetlights

www.facebook.com/pages/Lee-Sargeant/410983035633753

Massive Attack – Sly www.massiveattack.co.uk

Whoremoan – Killer Gorilla www.facebook.com/wh0remoan

Fearless Vampire Killers – All Hallows Evil www.fearlessvampirekillers.co.uk

Engerica – Trick Or Treat? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engerica

DJ Shadow – Ghost Town www.djshadow.com

Click below to listen to this week’s show:

Metal, electronica, indie, hip-hop, just about every tempo covered this week, and Weird Al Yankovic parodying Pharrell for good measure. Listen and enjoy!

Soulwax – Conversation Intercom www.soulwax.com

False-Heads – Fall Around http://false-heads.bandcamp.com

Sleater-Kinney – Start Together www.sleater-kinney.com

Scarlet Echo – Grey Haven www.scarletecho.co.uk

IRIS – Haunted www.iris.uk.com

Paper Cranes – Little Darling www.papercranes.co.nz

Linden Jay – Be Like You www.lindenjay.com

Jake Lore – Charlie www.jakelore.com

State of the Art – Through Heaven, Through Hell www.facebook.com/stateoftheartbanduk

Dreamscape – Separate Sense http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/17204-la-di-da-recordings

Emma Harrop – Desperation www.emmaharrop.com

Weird Al Yankovic – Tacky www.weirdal.com

A Higher Demise – Here We Go Again www.facebook.com/AHigherDemiseBand

De Staat – Sweatshop www.destaat.com

Submotion Orchestra – 2L84U www.submotion.co.uk

Jacksonswarehouse – Right Here Right Now www.facebook.com/JACKSONSWAREHOUSE

Lee Sargeant – Comfort Zone www.facebook.com/pages/Lee-Sargeant/410983035633753

Bob Collum & the Welfare Mothers – Jennifer Jones www.bobcollum.com

Lost On Broadway – 50s Guy www.facebook.com/lostonbroadway13

Paolo Morena – Oh Yeah www.paolomorena.com

The Ends – Black Hole Girl www.facebook.com/theendsband

Rochelle Jordan (featuring IAMSU) – Playa 4 Life www.rochellejordan.com

Optional Rubber Duck – Going Home www.facebook.com/OptionalRubberDuck

Listen back to this week’s show here:

First up tonight I was joined by our good buddies Scarlet Echo (me pictured above with Mitch, Hannah, Jamie and Alex). The foursome have just released a new single, Grey Haven, which is available as a free download from their website www.scarletecho.co.uk – the same place you can also download their previous single, Lose Control. The band plan to spend the next month writing new material before returning to the live circuit later in the year, but don’t forget you can still listen back to their Phoenix Fridays gig from last month here!

Next up it was the Phoenix FM debut of State Of The Art (l-r Tiago, Raymond, Dan, Elle). The foursome formed 2 years ago and have one EP available, Careless Confessions, alongside plenty of other random merchandise, as we found out – listen to the interview to find out more! They’re planning a new EP release in the new year, but in the meantime you can catch them playing their biggest show to date at the O2 Academy in Islington on November 28^th. State Of The Art can be found on Facebook and YouTube. Click below to see them playing live in the studio!

Ladytron – Sugar www.ladytron.com

De Staat – All is Dull www.destaat.com

Jake Lore – Born to Believe www.jakelore.com

SCARLET ECHO IN THE STUDIO

Scarlet Echo – Grey Haven

Scarlet Echo – Lose Control

www.scarletecho.co.uk

Colours of Melancholia – Django Surf www.coloursofmelancholia.com

State of the Art – Through Heaven, Through Hell

STATE OF THE ART IN THE STUDIO

Hoobastank – Crawling in the Dark

State of the Art – Through Heaven, Through Hell (live in session)

A Day to Remember – It’s Complicated

State of the Art – Chains (live in session)

Thrice – Blinded

State of the Art – One Million Eyes (live in session)

Funeral For a Friend – Monsters

State of the Art – We Are One (live in session)

www.facebook.com/stateoftheartbanduk

Ease Springs – There’s No Way www.easesprings.com

Different People – This Dream Ain’t to Fade www.facebook.com/DifferentPeopleBand

We Were Lions – Silver Medal www.wewerelions.com

Listen back to this week’s show here:

Tonight saw the Phoenix FM debut of The Takes (Sam, Harry, Curtis, Toby). Formed last year, the foursome have one EP available on their SoundCloud page, with a view to writing and recording new material before returning to the local live circuit in January. You can find them on Facebook, Twitter and at www.thetakes.weebly.com.

Click above to hear them chatting about getting gigs, and bedrooms, and a lot more.

See them playing live in the studio below:

Midget – All Fall Down http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midget_(band)

Dead to Me – Bad Friends www.deadtomesf.com

Nick & the Sun Machine – Fiery Sky www.nickandthesunmachine.co.uk

De Staat – Down Town www.destaat.com

Mac Lethal – Rap Classified Ads www.maclethal.com

Emma Harrop – Desperation www.emmaharrop.com

Su Casa – Sand in My Eyes www.myspace.com/sucasamusic

Bennet – Jordan Bennet http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bennet_(band)

The Takes – Nice

THE TAKES LIVE IN THE STUDIO

The Takes – Up the Bracket (Libertines cover) (live in session)

Elvis Presley – Suspicious Minds

The Takes – Baby Blue (live in session)

The Libertines – The Boy Looked at Johnny

The Takes – That Chat (live in session)

The Family Rain – Binocular

The Takes – Knock (live in session)

The Beach Boys – Good Vibrations

www.thetakes.weebly.com

State of the Art – Through Heaven, Through Hell www.facebook.com/stateoftheartbanduk

False-Heads – Fall Around http://false-heads.bandcamp.com

Dead Foxxes – City Lights www.facebook.com/DeadFoxxes

Nadia Marisa – Don’t Hold Back www.nadiamarisa.com

Madidus – No Fairytale www.facebook.com/MadidusBand

Lady Grey & the Earls – Beggars Belief www.ladygreyandtheearls.com

Optional Rubber Duck – Going Home www.facebook.com/OptionalRubberDuck

Click below to listen to this week’s show:

So we arrive in October, and we marked it this week with plenty of great new acts (many local ones!), alongside some trips back to the 90s, and a classified adverts section in hip-hop form – it has to be heard to be believed! If you’re a band or singer looking for some airplay and/or an interview on Curveballs, we still have slots available for the rest of the year so feel free to drop us a line via the comments section below or the Contact page!

Luscious Jackson – CitySong www.lusciousjackson.us

Sondre Lerche – Bad Law www.sondrelerche.com

Ease Springs – Legalised, Controlled & Sold www.easesprings.com

Emma Harrop – Desperation www.emmaharrop.com

Jake Lore – Your Girl www.jakelore.com

Mac Lethal – Rap Classified Ads www.maclethal.com

Nadia Marisa – Time Flies By www.nadiamarisa.com

Zoe Konez – Escapee www.zoekonez.com

Sohn – Artifice www.sohnmusic.com

Bunny – Ambulance Drive www.allmusic.com/artist/bunny-mn0002019719

San – Imminent Child www.damnably.com/smallgang

All True Events – Kings & Queens www.facebook.com/pages/All-True-Events/675348195822885

Kata Hay – Smoke When I Drink www.katahay.com

The Takes – Nice http://thetakes.weebly.com

Odds – Someone Who’s Cool www.oddsmusic.com

The Krakenists – Krakenist www.facebook.com/krakinsts

The Ends – Black Hole Girl www.facebook.com/theendsband

High/Low – Crashland www.wearehighlow.co.uk

Former Utopia – Schism www.formerutopia.com

Lilac Sheer – Today of All Days www.lilacsheer.com

Chloe Jac – Excuse After Excuse www.chloe.ie

Tolivar – Do Or Die www.facebook.com/Tolivar

Disclosure featuring Sinead Harnett – Boiling www.disclosureofficial.com

Fat – Downtime

The Kubricks – Self-Help Wannabe www.thekubricks.com

Nick & the Sun Machine – Fast Learner www.nickandthesunmachine.co.uk

Click to listen back to this week’s show:

First up tonight I was joined in the studio by Nadia Marisa. From Switzerland, now living in London, Nadia has just released her debut EP Hope, and will be playing a launch gig at 93 Feet East on Brick Lane in East London on October 9^th. Click below to listen to the interview and see her playing 2 tracks live in the studio. www.nadiamarisa.com

Then it was the turn of Chloe Jac, also based in London, but originally from Ireland. Chloe currently has one EP available for download entitled Tiny Little Fleas, with a view to recording her first album soon. With a busy gigging schedule ahead, Chloe can be seen playing live this Saturday (27^th) at the Finsbury in Manor Park, the Boogaloo in Highgate on Tuesday (30^th), and she’ll also be joining Nadia at 93 Feet East on October 9^th. Click below to listen to the interview and see her playing 3 tracks live in the studio. www.chloe.ie

Transister – Look Who’s Perfect Now http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transister

Blood Red Shoes – Speech Coma www.bloodredshoes.co.uk

Drowners – Luv, Hold Me Down www.drownersband.com

Optional Rubber Duck – Girl at the Movies www.facebook.com/OptionalRubberDuck

Mac Lethal – Incredible Mozart Rap www.maclethal.com

The Foreign Exchange – Call It Home www.theforeignexchangemusic.com

The Krakenists – Heart Felt Miss www.facebook.com/krakinsts

The Open Feel – Sidewalk Zombies www.theopenfeel.com

Nadia Marisa – Home

NADIA MARISA LIVE IN THE STUDIO

Nadia Marisa – Time Flies By (live in session)

Joss Stone – Right to be Wrong

Nadia Marisa – What For

Nadia Marisa – Feeling Like (live in session)

John Hiatt – Have a Little Faith in Me

www.nadiamarisa.com

CHLOE JAC IN THE STUDIO

Alt-J – Left Hand Free

Chloe Jac – Excuse After Excuse (live in session)

Morrissey & Marshall – High & Low

Chloe Jac – My Love It’s Over (live in session)

Chloe Jac – Something in Sin (live in session)

www.chloe.ie

Thundercat – Without You http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thundercat_(musician)

Zoe Konez – Escapee www.zoekonez.com

Wild City – Cruel to be Kind www.facebook.com/wildcityband

Young & the Blue – Paint the Sun www.soundcloud.com/youngandtheblue

Scarlet Echo – Lose Control www.scarletecho.co.uk

Listen back to this week’s show here:

Tonight I was joined in the studio by Wild City (l-r Dave Billy, Craig, Andy). Based around Essex, the foursome formed at the start of this year, and following on from a busy summer of gigs, they are currently recording new material for a future release in the new year. Before then, however, you can catch them this Saturday at the Traitors Gate in Grays, followed by a an appearance next Friday (26^th) at Aylum in Chelmsford, and they’ll also be back in Brentwood on October 3^rd at the Hermit. You can find them on Facebook, Twitter and Reverbnation.

Click above to hear them chatting about the band’s background, their influences and that unusual location where they’ll be recording their next release. Click below to see them playing live in the studio too – including a bold cover version!

Biffy Clyro – Joy.discovery.invention www.biffyclyro.com

David Devant & His Spirit Wife – Ginger http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Devant_&_His_Spirit_Wife

SocietySociety – Skyscrapers www.reverbnation.com/societysocietymusic

Slaves – Hey! www.facebook.com/slaves

Different People – This Dream Ain’t to Fade www.facebook.com/differentpeopleband

All True Events – Kings & Queens www.facebook.com/pages/All-True-Events/675348195822885

Ten A Penny – Three Leaf Clover www.tenapennymusic.com

WILD CITY LIVE IN THE STUDIO

Them Crooked Vultures – Nobody Loves Me & Neither Do I

Wild City – Reaper Man (live in session)

Black Stone Cherry – Hell & High Water

Wild City – Lying Beside You (live in session)

Wild City – Cruel to be Kind

Royal Blood – Out of the Black

Wild City – Everlong (live in session)

Sixx AM – Life is Beautiful

Wild City – Cruel to be Kind (live in session)

www.facebook.com/wildcityband

Scarlet Echo – Lose Control www.scarletecho.co.uk

Nadia Marisa – Time Flies By www.nadiamarisa.com

Apidae featuring Drew York – Turning Tides www.soundcloud.com/ApidaeUK

The MBG – Fields http://thembg.bandcamp.com

Crosswires – Modern Art http://crosswires.bandcamp.com

Joel RL Phelps & the Downer Trio – Hold Fast www.joelrlphelps.net

Ease Springs – Nights Like These www.easesprings.com

Listen back to this week’s show here:

Different People (l-r): Thomas (guitar), Dave (drums), Matt (vocals/guitar), Jack (bass), Lee (guitar).

Tonight saw the Phoenix FM debut of Different People. The band formed in Grays last year, and currently have two releases available – the EP Too Much Money, Too Little Time and the single Made Like You – from their Bandcamp page. The band can be seen playing live this Saturday at the 229 Club, Great Portland Street, London at 8pm – and if you’re going and you mention Curveballs and/or Phoenix FM to the band at the gig, you’ll get a free CD!

The band can be contacted online via their Facebook and Twitter pages.

Click to hear them chatting about the inspiration for their name, the jamming sessions that made the band what it is today, and Bugsy Malone gets a mention too…

Click below to see them playing live in the studio!

We Are Scientists – Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt www.wearescientists.com

Sonic Boom Six – Back 2 Skool www.sonicboomsix.co.uk

Rocket from the Crypt – Young Livers www.rftc.com

Mac Lethal – Incredible Mozart Rap www.maclethal.com

The Open Feel – You’re Still Running www.theopenfeel.com

Stone By Window – FMV www.stonebywindow.co.uk

The Tomorrow Men – Independent… Yeah Right www.facebook.com/thetomorrowmenmusic

Different People – Made Like You

DIFFERENT PEOPLE LIVE IN THE STUDIO

Different People – Daniel (live in session)

Paramore – Still Into You

Different People – Over My Shoulder (live in session)

Alter Bridge – Metalingus

Different People – Picture Perfect (live in session)

Pearl Jam – Alive

Different People – This Dream Ain’t to Fade (live in session)

Green Day – Waiting

Foo Fighters – Generator

Different People – Made Like You (live in session)

www.facebook.com/differentpeopleband

The Victories – Still Here (Tell Me I’m Sane) www.facebook.com/thevictoriesmusic

Wild City – Cruel to be Kind www.reverbnation.com/wildcity

A Light Left On – Quit Now & Cake will be Served Immediately www.soundcloud.com/alightlefton

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly – An Oak Tree www.getcapewearcapefly.com

Flares – Thunder Haze www.flaresband.com

Minnie Birch – Delirium www.facebook.com/minniebirch

Listen back to this week’s show here:   Tonight I was joined in the studio by singer-songwriter Minnie Birch. Based in Hemel Hempstead, Minnie has had a busy year with gigs all over the UK as well as in the US, and is currently recording new material for her debut solo album. In the meantime, you can listen to more of her music on her Bandcamp and Reverbnation pages, and find where she’s playing next on her Facebook and Twitter pages.

Click above to listen back to the interview and find out about her playing Nashville, recording her album and a famous name she’ll be supporting later in the year!

Click below to see her playing live in the studio:

Disclosure featuring Aluna George – Voices www.disclosureofficial.com

Thomas James – 1989 www.thomasjamesofficial.com

Ease Springs – No Sleep Tonight www.easesprings.com

Loving Forty Four – Sabre Tooth www.facebook.com/LovingFortyFour

The Open Feel – Sidewalk Zombies www.theopenfeel.com

Apidae featuring Drew York – Turning Tides www.soundcloud.com/ApidaeUK

Minnie Birch – Promises

MINNIE BIRCH LIVE IN THE STUDIO

Minnie Birch – Floundering (live in session)

Blind Willie Johnson – God Moves on the Water

Minnie Birch – Wise Words (live in session)

Broken Boat – Still Young

The Streets – The Strongest Person I Know

Minnie Birch – Bones (live in session)

Minnie Birch – Glitter

Minnie Birch – Sea Shanty (live in session)

www.facebook.com/minniebirch

Stealing Signs – Medicine www.facebook.com/stealingsigns

Different People – Made Like You www.facebook.com/DifferentPeopleBand

Tolivar – Never Trust a Girl with a Curly Smile www.facebook.com/Tolivar

The Kubricks – Self-Help Wannabe www.thekubricks.com

Longy – Love Schizophrenia www.whoislongy.com

Dancing Years – Places We’ve Roamed www.dancingyears.com

Ekkoes – Team www.ekkoes.com

Meryl & A Bit of Yellow – Chance www.merylandabitofyellow.nl

So I was back from Reading this week and it was time for the annual Curveballs festival round-up, including top sing-alongs, new musical discoveries, and stories about dressing up, stunts on stage, blasts from the past and, of course, we rounded off the show with our annual A-Z of festival t-shirts. Some classics this year! Click above to listen back to the show!

The Travis Waltons – Homewrecker www.thetraviswaltons.com

Stereolight – What Are You Doing It For? www.stereolight.co.uk

Hot Hot Heat – So So Cold www.hothotheat.com

Hall & Oates – I Can’t Go For That www.hallandoates.com

Sohn – Artifice www.sohnmusic.com

Slaves – Where’s Your Car, Debbie? www.youareallslaves.com

Luke Wright – August Bank Holiday, Essex, 1914 www.lukewright.co.uk

Dizraeli & Downlow – Nick www.dizraeli.com

Imperial Leisure – Jenny www.imperial-leisure.co.uk

Hackney Colliery Band – Rolling in the Deep www.hackneycollieryband.co.uk

Dan Whitehouse – A Dream That’s Floating Out to Sea www.dan-whitehouse.com

Blood Red Shoes – I Wish I Was Someone Better www.bloodredshoes.co.uk

Dancing Years – Places We’ve Roamed www.dancingyears.com

Jimmy Eat World – A Praise Chorus www.jimmyeatworld.com

Paramore – Misery Business www.paramore.net

The Hives – Tick Tick Boom! www.thehivesbroadcastingservice.com

American Authors – Best Day of My Life www.facebook.com/americanauthors

Arctic Monkeys – I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor www.arcticmonkeys.com

Breach featuring Andreya Triana – Everything You Never Had (We Had It All) www.soundcloud.com/breach-uk

Vic Mensa – Orange Soda www.vicmensa.com

You Me At Six – Win Some, Lose Some www.youmeatsix.co.uk

Disclosure – Grab Her! (excerpt) www.disclosureofficial.com

Blink 182 – What’s My Age Again? www.blink-182.com

Disclosure – Stimulation

Minnie Birch – Promises www.facebook.com/minniebirch

Stealing Signs – Every Emperor www.facebook.com/stealingsigns

Listen back to the show here:

Tonight I was joined in the studio once again by local trio Art Of Rebellion (l-r Lee, Russ, Nathan). Since they last visited us in July last year, they’ve been recording their debut album Fire Ignite, which is currently being mastered – but Phoenix FM listeners were treated to a sneak preview of four tracks which will appear on the album, due out soon – stay tuned to their Facebook page for more details!

Click above to listen back to the show and the interview – including talk of ‘panic bongos’ and who is it who has “a lovely lovely voice…”!

Feeder – Miss You www.feederweb.com

Robots in Disguise – Turn It Up www.robotsindisguise.co.uk

All True Events – Yeah You www.facebook.com/pages/All-True-Events/675348195822885

The Travis Waltons – Homewrecker www.thetraviswaltons.com

Stone By Window – Regretfully Jealously www.stonebywindow.co.uk

Smallgang – Imminent Child www.smallgangland.co.uk

The Krakenists – Heart Felt Miss www.facebook.com/krakinsts

Art of Rebellion – Under the Mountain

ART OF REBELLION IN THE STUDIO

Art of Rebellion – Echoes

Mastodon – Pendulous Skin

Art of Rebellion – The Fall of Icarus

Deep Purple – Fireball

Between the Buried & Me – Moredecai

Art of Rebellion – The End

Art of Rebellion – People of Gotham

www.facebook.com/pages/Art-of-Rebellion/14683788071

Ease Springs – Legalised, Controlled & Sold www.easesprings.com

Killatrix – Supersonic www.killatrix.co.uk

Lady Grey & the Earls – Why So Serious? www.ladygreyandtheearls.com

Harper – What More Can You Give? www.harper.co.uk

Disclosure (featuring Ed Macfarlane) – Defeated No More www.disclosureofficial.com

Listen back to this week’s show here:

Tonight I was joined in the studio by newcomers Stereolight (l-r Jess, James, Josh, Tom). Formed only a few months back, the foursome’s appearance this evening was the night after they played Southend’s Railways Hotel – their very first gig! Their debut track, What Are You Doing It For?, is available at their gigs and by contacting the band – find them on Facebook, Twitter and at www.stereolight.co.uk. Their next confirmed gig is at Southend’s Chinnerys on October 3^rd but more dates before then is a possibility – stay tuned!

Click below to listen and see them playing live in the studio!

Boy Kill Boy – Suzie www.boykillboy.com

Ease Springs – Midnight www.easesprings.com

Dr Meaker featuring Sian Evans – Right Back www.drmeaker.co.uk

Imperial Leisure – Untouchable www.imperial-leisure.co.uk

Wild City – Cruel to be Kind www.reverbnation.com/wildcityband

We Were Lions – Find www.wewerelions.co.uk

The Travis Waltons – Homewrecker www.thetraviswaltons.com

Stereolight – What Are You Doing It For?

STEREOLIGHT LIVE IN THE STUDIO

Stereolight – Time (live in session)

Resin – Raise the Day

Stereolight – I See Fire (live in session)

Last Dinosaurs – Zoom

Oasis – Roll with It

Stereolight – What Are You Doing It For? (live in session)

The Killers – All These Things I’ve Done

www.stereolight.co.uk

Scarlet Echo – Lose Control www.scarletecho.co.uk

Art of Rebellion – Superhero (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/pages/Art-of-Rebellion/14683788071

The Ends – Black Hole Girl www.facebook.com/theendsband

Late Homecoming – Terror Twin www.facebook.com/pages/Late-Homecoming/418596588275292

Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra – Hey Mr Landlord! www.teapadorchestra.co.uk

Tibetan Sky – Good News www.soundcloud.com/tibetansky

Listen back to this week’s show here:

This week’s show had a heavy influence of Latitude Festival, where myself, 33rpm Chris and Nightswimming Matt had spent the previous weekend. As well as playing some of my musical discoveries from the festival, there was also a chance to hear my interview with Luke Wright, who was the main compere of the Latitude Poetry Arena. We chatted about lions in Essex, how to get into poetry and his latest work about being a ‘fat dandy’ – have a listen to the show to find out more!

Kosheen – Catch www.kosheen.com

Kill Chaos – We Came Here to Die www.killchaos.co.uk

The Lightworker – Life Worth Living www.facebook.com/TheLightworkerband

Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra – Hey Mr Landlord! www.teapadorchestra.com

High Flying Wolves – Can I Call It a Day? www.facebook.com/TheHighFlyingWolves

Jake Lore – Your Girl www.jakelore.com

The Ends – Black Hole Girl www.facebook.com/theendsband

Sohn – Artifice www.sohnmusic.com

Luke Wright – The Minimum Security Prison of the Mind www.lukewright.co.uk

CURVEBALLS TURBO

The Unobtainables – Brand New Shoes www.facebook.com/theunobtainables

Disclosure – London Town www.disclosureofficial.com

Zoe Konez & Kal Lavelle – Love Will Tear Us Apart www.zoekonez.com

Linden Jay – Be Like You www.lindenjay.com

Reeps One – UMPH www.reepsone.co.uk

Dizraeli & Downlow – Nick www.dizraeli.com

Luke Wright – O England Heal My Hackneyed Heart www.lukewright.co.uk

Kyo – Le Graal www.kyomusic.com

Weird Al Yankovic – Word Crimes www.weirdal.com

Unnatural Selection – Fifty Word Obituary www.unnaturalselection.bandcamp.com

Ady Suleiman – Why You Running Away? www.soundcloud.com/adysuleiman

We Were Lions – Find www.wewerelions.com

Late Homecoming – Terror Twin www.facebook.com/pages/Late-Homecoming/418596588275292

Lady Grey & the Earls – Freak Show www.ladygreyandtheearls.com

Muertos – Make Me Your Zombie www.soundcloud.com/muertosband

Predicting the Fall – Suck It ‘Til Your Ears Touch www.predictingthefall.com

Sabiba – Dancing Eyes www.facebook.com/pages/Sabiba/52910863966

Dr Meaker featuring Sian Evans – Right Back www.drmeaker.co.uk

Sir O – Please Stop Talking www.sir-o.com

Listen back to this week’s show here:

First up tonight, I was joined in the studio by Danfest organisers David Pankhurst and Shelly Morris (pictured with sons Danfest Dan, front, and Louee). Riding on the success of the original event a year ago, the second Danfest is taking place on Saturday 2^nd August at the Crooked Billet in Stanford-le-Hope. Pure DC headline the event, while there’s also sets from Minerva Falls, High/Low, Sabiba and many more, and with face painting and a bouncy castle to boot, it’s set to be a great day for all the family. There’s a great cause to support on the day as well, with all profits from the event going to the National Autistic Society. Find out more on the event, and how to make a donation, on the event’s official Facebook page.

Next up I was joined by locals Osmium Guillotine (l-r James, Pete, Dan). The foursome (also featuring guitarist Lance) have just released their debut self-titled album, from which we heard a few tracks. They can next be seen live at the Gunners Pub in London on August 9^th, and the album is available from their website www.osmiumguillotine.com. The band can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Click to listen back to the interview and find out just some of the crazy stories behind their songs… and their name!

One Minute Silence – Fish Out of Water www.facebook.com/oneminutesilence.band

Our Time Down Here – Tony & the Gang http://ourtimedownhere.tumblr.com

Immense – Football Chant www.fat-cat.co.uk/site/artists/immense

High/Low – Sneakers www.wearehighlow.co.uk

Minerva Falls – D-Evil www.minervafalls.com

AC/DC – Back in Black www.acdc.com

Osmium Guillotine – Phobophobia

OSMIUM GUILLOTINE IN THE STUDIO

Osmium Guillotine – Martyrdom

Death Ape Disco – Kingdom of Others

Osmium Guillotine – City of Chaos

Kaine – The Iron Lady

Osmium Guillotine – Goomba

Osmium Guillotine – D-Day

www.osmiumguillotine.com

We Were Lions – Find www.wewerelions.com

The Long Run – Nine Past Eight (Phoenix FM session) www.the-longrun.co.uk

Little Donkey – Wrong Direction www.facebook.com/littledonkeymusic

Mogwai – 2 Rights Make 1 Wrong (excerpt) www.mogwai.co.uk

Click below to listen back to this week’s show:

Tonight I was joined in the studio by Darren and John from The Long Run. The Canvey Island quintet (also featuring Stewart, Ryan and Gavin) formed eight years ago and have been regulars on the Essex circuit since. We heard a couple of tracks from their most recent album, Showed Him How to Dance, alongside a live session featuring some new tracks. Inbetween recording their next release, the band can be seen at the Banned For life festival in Old Leigh on July 13^th, as well as an appearance at Brentwood Festival on July 19^th, where they can be seen on the Marquee stage. Find them online at www.the-longrun.co.uk as well as Facebook and Twitter.

Click below to listen back to the interview and see them playing live in the studio.

Hot Hot Heat – No, Not Now www.hothotheat.com

Royal Trux – I’m Ready http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Trux

Fuzzface – Not Now I’m in a Hot Tub www.myspace.com/fuzzface1

Stose – Class War www.stoseopm.com

Reggie Williams – You Make Me Feel www.reverbnation.com/reggiewilliamsmusic

Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra – Hey Mr Landlord! www.teapadorcestra.com

Madidus – No Fairytale http://madidus.bandcamp.com

The Long Run – Showed Him how to Dance

THE LONG RUN IN THE STUDIO

The Long Run – Donna Don’t Run (live in session)

Bruce Springsteen – Blinded By the Light

The Long Run – I Know (live in session)

The Long Run – Lying Low

The Long Run – Hear My Train a Comin’ (live in session)

Gotye – In Your Light

The Long Run – Thrill She Gives (live in session)

The Long Run – Nine Past Eight (live in session)

www.the-longrun.co.uk

Osmium Guillotine – Phobophobia www.osmiumguillotine.com

Muertos – Black Box www.soundcloud.com/muertosband

Ross Candy – Show Me Love www.candyofficial.com

Accidental Tourists – Not My Fault www.facebook.com/atourists

Beth Orton – Stolen Car www.bethortonofficial.com

Immense – Football Chant www.fat-cat.co.uk/site/artists/immense

As much music as we could fit into 2 hours? Go on then! Click below to listen to this week’s show.

If you’re interested in getting airplay or an interview on the show, drop us a line via the Contacts page!

Midget – Invisible Balloon www.insall.co.uk/midget

Menswear – Crash ’14 www.menswearband.com

CSS – Rat is Dead (Rage) www.csssuxxx.com

False-Heads – Without a Doubt http://false-heads.bandcamp.com

Sondre Lerche – Bad Law www.sondrelerche.com

Disclosure featuring Sinead Harnett – Boiling www.disclosureofficial.com

Rochelle Jordan – Lowkey www.rochellejordan.com

The Foreign Exchange – Call It Home www.theforeignexchangemusic.com

The Ends – Blank Maps www.facebook.com/theendsband

Bis – Control the Radical www.bisnation.com

The Tuesday Club – New Glamour www.thisisthetuesdayclub.co.uk

Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra – High Speed Train www.teapadorchestra.com

Chris Bird – Do I www.soundcloud.com/chris-bird-91

We Were Lions – Find www.wewerelions.com

The Travis Waltons – Canned Food & Shotguns www.thetraviswaltons.com

The Long Run – Highway Line www.the-longrun.co.uk

Jake Lore – Born to Believe www.jakelore.com

Tolivar – Never Trust a Girl with a Curly Smile www.facebook.com/Tolivar

Harper – Bringing Me Down www.harperband.co.uk

Stealing Signs – Medicine www.facebook.com/stealingsigns

Queensburys – Cash www.soundcloud.com/queensburys

Anna Carow – Every Day www.annacarow.com

Scarlet Echo – Lose Control (Save Alex Controlling Mix) www.scarletecho.co.uk

Olaf Stando – Perfect Imperfections www.olafstandomusic.com

Social Potion – Drive Myself Home www.socialpotion.ca

Tunnelvision – Straight Out the Congo www.soundcloud.com/tunnelvisionmusic

Listen back to this week’s show here:

Tonight I was lucky to be joined in the studio by two great upcoming singer-songwriters.

First up was Anna Carow, just ahead of her latest gig at the Redchurch Brewery in London on Saturday. Anna hails from the USA but has recently become a regular on the gig circuit in London, where she has been staying while studying music. Her debut album City Songs is available to download from iTunes, Amazon and Spotify, and there’s more new material in the pipeline – stay tuned to Anna’s website and Facebook pages for more news! In the meantime, click below to see and hear her playing live in the studio.

Next up was the return of Olaf Stando. Since he last joined us last October, Olaf has made several gig appearances across the south of England and begun work on a new EP, of which we got a sneak preview in the form of a new session. You can keep up with Olaf’s news via his Facebook and Twitter pages, and click below to see and hear his session.

Theaudience – A Pessimist is Never Disappointed http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theaudience

Immense – Football Chant www.fat-cat.co.uk/site/artists/immense

Kata Hay – Smoke When I Drink www.katahay.com

ANNA CAROW LIVE IN THE STUDIO

Anna Carow – It Was Love (live in session)

Anna Carow – Unsatisfied (live in session)

Anna Carow – I’m On Fire (live in session)

www.annacarow.com

Nick & the Sun Machine – Ask Me For My Name www.nickandthesunmachine.co.uk

Olaf Stando – Postcards

OLAF STANDO LIVE IN THE STUDIO

Olaf Stando – Perfect Imperfections (live in session)

Arctic Monkeys – Snap Out of It

Olaf Stando – Keyhole (live in session)

Olaf Stando – What About Today / Waiting (live in session)

Lewis Watson – Sink Or Swim

Olaf Stando – Pavements (live in session)

Gabrielle Applin – Keep On Walking

Olaf Stando – The Run (live in session)

www.olafstandomusic.com

Lone Wolf – Ghosts www.iamlonewolf.com

The Long Run – Highway Line www.the-longrun.co.uk

The Tuesday Club – New Glamour www.thisisthetuesdayclub.co.uk

Lost Harbours – Whispers in the Night http://lostharbours.bandcamp.com

To listen back to the show click here:

Tonight I was joined in the studio by an uprising foursome called… Uprising! Hailing from Romford and Hornchurch, the quartet (l-r Orton, Daniel, Sam, Rory) formed last year at college and plan to release their first set of recordings online very soon. They can be seen playing live at Chinnerys in Southend on September 12^th with more gigs in the pipeline – stay tuned for news on their Facebook, Twitter and Reverbnation pages. In the meantime, click below to see them playing live in the studio!

Ash – Wild Surf www.ash-official.com

The Ends – You Write the Hits (I Write the B-Sides) www.facebook.com/theendsband

Little Mothers – Your Twisted Sister www.myspace.com/littlemothers

Sohn – Artifice www.sohnmusic.com

The Lightworker – Writing on the Wall www.soundcloud.com/the-lightworker

All True Events – Yeah You www.twitter.com/alltrueevents

Alphabetamax – If England Had Ryan Giggs www.alphabetamax.co.uk

UPRISING IN THE STUDIO

Bad Religion – American Jesus

Uprising – Retalliation (live in session)

Volbeat – The Lonesome Rider

Uprising – Calm Before the Storm (live in session)

Nirvana – Lithium

Uprising – All I Need (live in session)

Linkin Park – A Place For My Head

Uprising – The Life That Could Have Been (live in session)

Metallica – For Whom the Bell Tolls

www.facebook.com/uprisinguk

Anna Carrow – Come On Back www.annacarrow.com

Olaf Stando – Postcards www.olafsstandomusic.com

State of the Art – Through Heaven, Through Hell www.soundcloud.com/sotabanduk

Under the Hat – Playing Her Game www.facebook.com/underthehat

False–Heads – Without a Doubt http://false-heads.bandcamp.com

Robert Vincent – Life in Easy Steps www.robertvincentmusic.com

Chris Bird – Ladyluck www.soundcloud.com/chris-bird-91

Listen back to this week’s show here:

Tonight I chatted to Kent-based singer/musician/producer/engineer Chris Bird. Chris first came to our attention last year as a member of Decaris, and has recently been recording his debut solo album One Up From 11, which will be released on August 4^th. For more on Chris, head to his SoundCloud page, and he can also be contacted via Facebook and Twitter.

Snuff – Marbles http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snuff_(band)

High/Low – Crashland www.wearehighlow.co.uk

Dub Pistols – Cyclone www.dubpistolsmusic.co.uk

Imperial Leisure – Nasty Boy www.imperial-leisure.co.uk

All True Events – Going Back for More www.twitter.com/alltrueevents

Accidental Tourists – Comic Life www.facebook.com/atourists

Su Casa – Sand in My Eyes www.myspace.com/sucasamusic

Luscious Jackson – Show Us What You Got www.lusciousjackson.net

Chris Bird – Ladyluck www.soundcloud.com/chris-bird-91

Scarlet Echo – Lose Control www.scarletecho.co.uk

Harper – Ligature www.harperband.co.uk

Beast Within – Like Freedom is Too Much www.facebook.com/BeastWithinUK

The MBG – Fields www.facebook.com/pages/The-MBG/277969245653494

Bob Collum & the Welfare Mothers – Knockdown Dragout www.bobcollumonline.com

Under the Hat – Subconscious www.facebook.com/underthehat

Nick & the Sun Machine – Fiery Sky www.nickandthesunmachine.co.uk

Scarlett’s Roses – Roll On Rio www.scarlettsroses.com

Osmium Guillotine – Blight Upon Mankind www.osmiumguillotine.com

Stealing Signs – Medicine www.facebook.com/stealingsigns

Rochelle Jordan – Lowkey www.rochellejordan.com

The Foreign Exchange – On a Day Like Today www.theforeignexchangemusic.com

Young & the Blue – Paint the Sun www.youngandtheblue.com

Mr Beard – Never Gonna Stop www.soundcloud.com/mr-beard-official

Listen back to this week’s show here:

Tonight I was joined in the studio by Witham newcomers All True Events (l-r Alex, James, Joe). The trio are currently recording their debut EP, from which we heard three tracks tonight. They can next be seen live at Haverhill festival on June 28^th, with the EP release and more dates in the summer to come – follow them on Facebook and Twitter for more!

A – Old Folks www.acommunication.co.uk

Fuzzface – (Not Now) I’m in a Hot Tub www.myspace.com/fuzzface1

Black Bottom Lighters – Right Time www.blackbottomlighters.net

The Ends – You Write the Hits (I Write the B-Sides) www.facebook.com/theendsband

Harper – Bringing Me Down www.harperband.co.uk

Scarlet Echo – Lose Control www.scarletecho.co.uk

Black Hats – Kick in the Doors www.blackhatsmusic.co.uk

ALL TRUE EVENTS IN THE STUDIO

Kings of Leon – Happy Alone

All True Events – Going Back for More

Santana – Smooth

All True Events – Yeah You

Arctic Monkeys – Do I Wanna Know

All True Events – Be There

Foo Fighters – The Pretender

London Grammar – Strong

www.twitter.com/alltrueevents

Stealing Signs – Medicine www.facebook.com/stealingsigns

Chris Bird – Ladyluck www.soundcloud.com/chris-bird-91

Shouting Signals – Set It Off www.shoutingsignals.com

The Long Run – Highway Line www.the-longrun.co.uk

Metasic – The Bullet Hits www.soundcloud.com/metasic

Osmium Guillotine – D-Day www.osmiumguillotine.com

States of Emotion – The Way That I’m Wired www.statesofemotionmusic.com

Time Keegan & Departure Lounge – Disconnected http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Departure_Lounge_(band)

Listen back to this week’s show here:

Tonight I was joined once again in the studio by Scarlet Echo (l-r Mitch, Alex, Jamie, Hannah). Since they last joined us a year ago, Hannah and Mitch have been joined by two new members – guitarist Jamie and drummer Alex (whom you may recognise from previous bands who have joined us in the studio!). Scarlet Echo will be releasing a free download single, Lose Control, on their SoundCloud page on June 7^th, and will be marking the release with live shows at The Bassment in Chelmsford on June 6^th followed by the Essex Arms in Brentwood on June 7^th. Find out more on Facebook, Twitter and www.scarletecho.co.uk!

Click below to hear the interview and see them playing live in the studio!

No Doubt – Spiderwebs www.nodoubt.com

Luscious Jackson – We Go Back www.lusciousjackson.net

The Ends – You Write the Hits (I Write the B-Sides) www.facebook.com/theendsband

Dead Foxxes – Rolling Rock www.deadfoxxes.com

State of the Art – Through Heaven, Through Hell www.soundcloud.com/sotabanduk

Scarlett’s Roses – Roll On Rio www.scarlettsroses.com

Scarlet Echo – Lose Control

SCARLET ECHO LIVE IN THE STUDIO

Scarlet Echo – Mainstream (live in session)

Sneaker Pimps – Roll On

Radiohead – There, There

Scarlet Echo – Factory Floor (live in session)

Beck – Golden Age

Joy Division – Love Will Tear Us Apart

www.scarletecho.co.uk

Streetlight Manifesto – We Will Fall Together www.streetlightmanifesto.com

All True Events – Yeah You www.facebook.com/pages/All-True-Events/675348195822885

The Silver Bayonets – Your Complex Life www.thesilverbayonets.co.uk

Bow Flats – I Know What I Know www.facebook.com/bowflats

High/Low – Crashland www.wearehighlow.co.uk

The Talks – Don’t Look Behind You www.thetalks.co.uk

Listen back to the show here:

First up tonight, I chatted to Shaun Lee from Mad-Hat Promotions, who have recently been hosting a Battle of the Bands event at the White Horse, Chadwell Heath. They’re hosting the grand final this Sunday (25^th), with J Romero, Dead Foxxes, State Of The Art and Loving Forty-Four all battling it out for the top honours. With cash, video and recording prizes all up for grabs, it’s set to be a great night of music with everything to play for. You can find out more on Mad-Hat Promotions’ future events through their Facebook and Twitter pages.

Next up I chatted to another good buddy of the show, James from The Ends (pictured above right). The Canvey Island foursome have just released their new single You Write the Hits (I Write the B-Sides), and next Wednesday (28^th), they’ll be playing their biggest gig to date when they support The Enemy at Camden KOKO, before venturing out for two further support gigs in Birmingham and Portsmouth. With the next single already in the bag for an August release, it’s set to be a busy few months for the quartet – keep up with them on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter!

Cake – Never There www.cakemusic.com

Sonic Boom Six – The Concrete We’re Trapped Within (It’s Yours) www.sonicboomsix.co.uk

Disclosure – When a Fire Starts to Burn www.disclosureofficial.com

Smash Mouth – Walkin’ on the Sun www.smashmouth.com

Chris Bird – Ladyluck www.soundcloud.com/chris-bird-91

Jon Lajoie – Please Use This Song www.jonlajoie.com

J Romero – Superhero www.facebook.com/JRomeroBand

Dead Foxxes – City Lights www.deadfoxxes.com

Loving Forty-Four – Poppy www.facebook.com/lovingfortyfour

State of the Art – Through Heaven, Through Hell www.soundcloud.com/sotabanduk

Ummagma – Lama www.ummagma.com

High/Low – Crashland www.wearehighlow.co.uk

The Ends – You Write the Hits (I Write the B-Sides)

The Ends – You Were Nice Once www.facebook.com/theendsband

All True Events – Yeah You www.facebook.com/pages/All-True-Events/675348195822885

Accidental Tourists – Spotlight www.facebook.com/atourists

Last Superheroes – Get It On! www.lastsuperheroes.co.uk

Anne of the Wolves – Rainmaker www.anneofthewolves.com

Flight of Ryan – Technicolour Souls www.facebook.com/flightofryan

Hana Piranha – Thin Air www.hanapiranha.com

The Foreign Exchange – So What If It Is www.theforeignexchangemusic.com

Listen back to this week’s show here:

Tonight I was joined in the studio by locals Accidental Tourists (l-r Toby, Dan, Josh, Sam), who have just released their self-titled debut EP. Since their first appearance on Phoenix FM with Scott Ross last October, the quintet (also featuring singer Amanda) have become regulars at The Hermit venue in Brentwood alongside many other local gig appearances. Their next live appearance will be at Ilford Sports Centre on May 23^rd, and you can find more on the band (and listen to their EP) on their Facebook, Twitter and SoundCloud pages.

Ikara Colt – Sink Venice http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikara_Colt

Big Yoga Muffin – Is That How You Get Off? www.last.fm/music/Big+Yoga+Muffin

Seedling – Dutch Disease www.seedling.nl

Not From There – Juanita’s Cocktail Party http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Not_from_There

Jon Lajoie – Please Use This Song www.jonlajoie.com

High/Low – Crashland www.wearehighlow.co.uk

Anne of the Wolves – Rainmaker www.anneofthewolves.com

Accidental Tourists – Comic Life

ACCIDENTAL TOURISTS IN THE STUDIO

Accidental Tourists – Not My Fault

Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams – Get Lucky

The 1975 – Girls

Accidental Tourists – 12 Moons

Stevie Wonder – Sir Duke

Accidental Tourists – Spotlight

Gary Clark Jr – Numb

www.facebook.com/atourists

Minus the Bear – Into the Mirror www.minusthebear.com

The Ends – You Write the Hits (I Write the B-Sides) www.facebook.com/theendsband

The Wavetones – Take Back Tomorrow www.facebook.com/TheWavetones

Nick & the Sun Machine – Acid Rain Clouds www.nickandthesunmachine.co.uk

Shouting Signals – Set It Off www.shoutingsignals.com

State of the Art – Careless Confessions www.soundcloud.com/sotabanduk

Click above to listen back to the show!

GraVil (l-r): Sparx (bass), David (rhythm guitar), Grant (vocals).

Tonight we welcomed local metallers GraVil back to Curveballs. GraVil originally formed as a duo back in 2008 (their first appearance on the show being in February of that year!), before singer Grant headed out with a new extended line-up (also featuring Tony on lead guitar and Perrin on drums). The band have had a busy past year with the release of their debut full-length Thoughts of a Rising Sun and bagging themselves an impressive headline slot on the Takeover stage at last year’s Download Festival. The band plan to spend much of this year putting together their second album but a trip back to the live circuit is a possibility too – stay tuned for news via www.gravilmetal.com as well as their Facebook and Twitter pages.

Slipknot – Left Behind www.slipknot.com

Twelve Foot Ninja – Endless www.twelvefootninja.com

Ladytron – Predict the Day www.ladytron.com

Kill Chaos – We Came Here to Die www.killchaos.co.uk

Ummagma – Lama www.ummagma.com

Redefine – Seven by Seven www.last.fm/music/Redefine/The+Daisy+Chain+Cycle

GraVil – Beyond Reprieve

GRAVIL LIVE IN THE STUDIO

GraVil – Through the Eyes of Spartans

Bull Riff Stampede – Thrashing Machine

Fallen Fate – I Welcome the Dead

GraVil – Bottle of Shadows

Collapse – Arms & the Covenant

GraVil – March of the Titans

Cinders Fall – I Inside

www.gravilmetal.com

Mum Locked in Castle – Soft as Thorns www.facebook.com/mumlockedincastle

Accidental Tourists – Comic Life www.facebook.com/atourists

Tolivar – Never Trust a Girl with a Curly Smile www.facebook.com/tolivar

Nick & the Sun Machine – Fiery Sky www.nickandthesunmachine.co.uk

The Shermans – Hurricane www.soundcloud.com/theshermans

Beast Within – Like Freedom is Too Much www.facebook.com/BeastWithinUK

Click here to listen back to this week’s show:

Nick & the Sun Machine (l-r): Simon (drums), Joe (bass), Nick (vocals/guitar).

This week featured a chat and session from Nick & The Sun Machine’s recent visit to Phoenix FM. The St Albans-based foursome (also featuring Mikey on guitar) formed in 2012 and released their debut album, Wide Lying Smiles, in March, available on CD and download. The band can be seen regularly performing live around the south east, with plans to tour further out later in the year. They can next be seen live at The Workshop in London on May 8^th, followed by a support slot with CC Smugglers at Club 85 in Hitchin on the 10^th. For the full list, head to www.nickandthesunmachine.co.uk. The band can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and Bandcamp.

Click below to listen to the interview & see them playing live in the studio!

The Eels – Flyswatter www.eelstheband.com

Black Bottom Lighters – Hard Way www.blackbottomlighters.net

The Bluetones – Thank You, Not Today http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bluetones

Imperial Leisure – Nasty Boy www.imperial-leisure.co.uk

The Foreign Exchange – On a Day Like Today www.theforeignexchangemusic.com

The Ends – You Write the Hits (I Wite the B-Sides) www.facebook.com/theendsband

The Talks – Don’t Look Behind You www.thetalks.co.uk

Nick & the Sun Machine – White Chalk

NICK & THE SUN MACHINE LIVE IN THE STUDIO

Nick & the Sun Machine – Baby A (live in session)

Steely Dan – Reelin’ in the Years

Nick & the Sun Machine – Better Than Any Drug (live in session)

Jane’s Addiction – Been Caught Stealing

Nick & the Sun Machine – Fiery Sky (live in session)

The Correspondents – Alarm Call

Nick & the Sun Machine – One Thing (live in session)

www.nickandthesunmachine.co.uk

Shomaha – All Grown-Ups Are Pirates www.shomaha.co.uk

GraVil – Thoughts of a Rising Sun www.gravilmetal.com

Accidental Tourists – Comic Life www.facebook.com/atourists

High Flying Wolves – Lotoon www.soundcloud.com/highflyingwolves

Minerva Falls – D-Evil www.minervafalls.com

Shotgun Shango – Scarlett www.soundcloud.com/shotgun-shango

Kitty, Daisy & Lewis – I’m Going Back www.kittydaisyandlewis.com

Click below to listen to the whole show – also featuring an exclusive session track from Nick & The Sun Machine. More from them next week!

Tonight I was joined in the studio for a second time by High Flying Wolves (l-r Peter, JJ, Tom). After a few months away writing new material, the local foursome (also featuring drummer Jed) are planning a comeback on the live circuit next month, starting with Stortford Music Festival (aka Stortfest) on May 4^th and Epping’s speakeasy Bar on May 27^th, with more live dates to come alongside a new EP. We also got a sneak preview of what to expect from said EP with a live session. Keep up with High Flying Wolves’ activities on their Soundcloud, Twitter and Facebook pages.

Click below to listen back to the interview & see them playing live in the studio!

Elastica – Connection http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elastica

The Filthy Souls – Boys Will Be Out for a Fight www.thefilthysouls.com

Lone Wolf – Soldiers www.iamlonewolf.com

Young & the Blue – Soft Wax Children www.soundcloud.com/youngandtheblue

Nick & the Sun Machine – Fiery Sky (Phoenix FM Session)  www.nickandthesunmachine.co.uk

The Black Hats – Kick in the Doors www.blackhatsmusic.co.uk

Mac Lethal – Alphabet Insanity www.facebook.com/maclethal

Dead Foxxes – City Lights www.deadfoxxes.com

High Flying Wolves – Ballad of Kevin Bacon

HIGH FLYING WOLVES IN THE STUDIO

High Flying Wolves – Lotoon (live in session)

The White Stripes – Girl, You Have No Faith in Medicine

High Flying Wolves – Goldfish (live in session)

Screaming Females – It All Means Nothing

High Flying Wolves – Kaytee (live in session)

Muddy Waters – Got My Mojo working

High Flying Wolves – Can I Call It a Day? (live in session)

Alabama Shakes – Heavy Chevy

High Flying Wolves – Lotoon

www.soundcloud.com/highflyingwolves

SocietySociety – Say Yeah You Got It www.facebook.com/SocietySocietyMusic

Shotgun Shango – Scarlett www.soundcloud.com/shotgun-shango

Ten A Penny – Three Leaf Clover www.tenapennymusic.co.uk

Metasic – The Bullet Hits www.facebook.com/metasic

Nick & the Sun Machine – Baby A www.nickandthesunmachine.co.uk

Lo-Fi Beats featuring Lee Sargeant – Exit Strategy www.facebook.com/DBRmusicUK

Click below to listen to the show:

This week’s show included my recent chat on the phone to Dave Green (above second left), frontman of The Filthy Souls. The band are based in Los Angeles but originally formed in Dave’s home town of Wigan, and since the move to the US, have featured in numerous American TV shows and adverts, including an upcoming campaign for BOSE headphones. Click to find out some of their other famous TV appearances and more from Dave about living the dream.

Bis – Action & Drama www.bisnation.com

Arveene & Musk featuring Ruby Goe – Mr Mr www.soundcloud.com/arveeneandmisk

Social Potion – Drive Myself Home www.socialpotion.ca

Space – Attack of the Mutant 50ft Kebab www.spacetheband.com

Tune-yards – Water Fountain www.tune-yards.com

Mac Lethal – Alphabet Insanity www.facebook.com/maclethal

Sabatta – Told Ya www.sabatta.net

Lo-Fi Beats featuring Lee Sargeant – Exit Strategy www.facebook.com/DBRmusicUK

Shouting Signals – Set It Off www.shoutingsignals.com

The Filthy Souls – Destroy You www.facebook.com/thefilthysouls

The Filthy Souls – Boys Will Be Out for a Fight www.thefilthysouls.com

The Foreign Exchange – So What If It Is www.theforeignexchangemusic.com

The Custodian of Records – Your Blog’s in my Business http://freemusicarchive.org/music/The_Custodian_of_Records

High Flying Wolves – Ballad of Kevin Bacon www.facebook.com/TheHighFlyingWolves

Last Superheroes – Get It On! www.lastsuperheroes.co.uk

The Victories – Still There (Tell Me I’m Sane) www.soundcloud.com/victories

Loving Forty-Four – I’ve Got a Kingdom www.facebook.com/lovingfortyfour

FutureAges – Missing Misery www.futureages.com

Scarlett’s Roses – Nightmares www.scarlettsroses.com

The Ends – Just Do It www.facebook.com/theendsband

Harper – Heavy Like Thunder www.harperband.co.uk

Sub Rosa – Hands Around http://subrosa4.bandcamp.com

Nick & the Sun Machine – Baby A www.nickandthesunmachine.co.uk

Lee Sargeant – Comfort Zone www.facebook.com/vacanttouch

Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra – High Speed Train www.teapadorcestra.co.uk

To listen back to this week’s show click below. Scroll down for individual interviews & live videos.

First up tonight I chatted to Lisa Houghton – whom you may recall did a session for us last year as half of Black Cherry Pop Tart – about her latest venture as part of Mad Hat Promotions. They’re organising a Battle of the Bands event at the White Horse in Chadwell Heath, with some great prizes for the bands taking part in the two heats on April 20^th and May 4^th, followed by the final on May 25^th. To get involved, get in touch with Mad Hat Promotions on Facebook.

Listen back here:

Then I was joined again by Vacant Touch singer Lee Sargeant. Since his first Curveballs appearance a month ago, Lee has collaborated with Lo-Fi Beats on a new single, Exit Strategy, which has just been released on Deaf By Records, as well as plenty of gigging with Vacant Touch, who are hoping to get their debut release ready very soon. You can find out more at www.facebook.com/vacanttouch.

Click below to listen to the interview and see him playing live in the studio:

G-Love & Special Sauce – You Shall See www.philadelphonic.com

Nick & the Sun Machine – Ask Me for My Name www.nickandthesunmachine.co.uk

The Shermans – In Daylight www.soundcloud.com/theshermans

Black Bottom Lighters – Right Time www.blackbottomlighters.net

The Long Run – Highway Line www.the-longrun.co.uk

LEE SARGEANT IN THE STUDIO

Clutch – Burning Beard

Lo-Fi Beats featuring Lee Sargeant – Exit Strategy

Lee Sargeant – Rivers & Worlds (live in session)

Span – Cut Like Diamonds

Lee Sargeant – Summer Song (live in session)

Del Amitri – Start With Me

Foo Fighters – Rope

Lee Sargeant – Faceless Demons (live in session)

Jimmy Eat World – Bleed American / Salt Sweat Sugar

Lee Sargeant – Comfort Zone (live in session)

Hundred Reasons – Oratorio

www.facebook.com/vacanttouch

Lilac Sheer – Today of All Days www.lilacsheer.com

Weatherbird – Where I Wanna Be www.weatherbird.co.uk

EastEnd Promises – Heads Or Tails www.eastendpromises.com

Tonight saw the return of EastEnd Promises (l-r Wayne, Jake, Iason, Lewis), their fourth Curveballs appearance. They last joined us in October 2012 just after the release of their debut album Alan & the White Horse, which is still available on CD and download. Since then, the Newham-based foursome have had a busy time gigging and putting together new material. They can next be seen live at The Boleyn in Upton Park this Saturday (5^th) followed by a set at the Plough & Harrow in Leytonstone on April 11^th. Keep up with their news on Facebook, Twitter and at www.eastendpromises.com.

Listen back to the show here (EEP interview 30 minutes in):

Adequate Seven – Splitting Up http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adequate_Seven

House Party Massacre – First Impression www.housepartymassacre.com

The Tomorrow Men – Independent… Yeah Right www.soundcloud.com/thetomorrowmen

Looking For Liam – No Good For Me www.facebook.com/LookingforLiam

Kata Hay – Smoke When I Drink www.katahay.com

Black Bottom Lighters – Hard Way www.blackbottomlighters.net

The Long Run – Highway Line www.the-longrun.co.uk

EastEnd Promises – Joker

EASTEND PROMISES IN THE STUDIO

EastEnd Promises – Sweet Said

The Cockney Rejects – Fighting in the Streets

Alan McKee – For My Father

EastEnd Promises – Violent Spiders

Dan le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip – Thou Shalt Always Kill

Incubus – Dig

EastEnd Promises – Heads Or Tails

www.eastendpromises.com

Queensburys – Beneath the Tide www.facebook.com/Queensburys

Warm Winters – Meet Me By The Sea www.facebook.com/warmwintersband

Metasic – The Bullet Hits www.facebook.com/metasic

Stone By Window – Signal www.stonebywindow.co.uk

This week I was joined in the studio by three-fifths of Stone By Window (l-r Bob, Nick, Mark). Hailing from various parts of the south east, the fivesome released their first EP, EP1, at the end of last year (still available from their Bandcamp page), and will be recording and releasing a follow-up within the next few months. A preview of what might be on the new EP was to be heard tonight courtesy of a live session, alongside chat about modern technology and a lot more! Stone By Window can be contacted via their website www.stonebywindow.co.uk as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

Listen back to the show here:

Click below to see them playing live in the studio!

Jetplane Landing – Brave Gravity www.smalltownamerica.co.uk/artists/jetplane-landing

The Birthday Suit – Hope Me Home www.thebirthdaysuit.co.uk

Kata Hay – Cannibals (Real World) www.katahay.com

Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra – High Speed Train www.teapadorchestra.com

Space – Charlie M www.spacetheband.com

Lo-Fi Beats featuring Lee Sargeant – Exit Strategy www.facebook.com/DBRmusicUK

Meryl & A Bit of Yellow – Chance www.merylandabitofyellow.nl

Stone By Window – Ex-Static

Stone By Window – Simple Things (live in session)

Phoenix – Lasso

Stone By Window – FMV (live in session)

Depeche Mode – Should Be Higher

Stone By Window – Regretfully Jealously (live in session)

The 22-20s – Heart on a String

Stone By Window – Signal (live in session)

Slade – How Does It Feel

www.stonebywindow.co.uk

Stapleton – Northwest Corners www.myspace.com/stapleton

EastEnd Promises – Joker www.eastendpromises.com

Harper – Death Valley Days www.facebook.com/harperbanduk

Mannequins – Yella Belly www.facebook.com/mannequinsuk

Lilac Sheer – Today of All Days www.lilacsheer.com

Paolo Morena – Oh Yeah www.paolomorena.com

PS Did you spot Nick in the Brentwood Gazette this week?

Listen back to this week’s show here (scroll down for individual interviews and session videos):

This week’s show featured a triple bill of live sessions as I was joined in the studio by a trio of singer-songwriter ladies (l-r): Meryl & A Bit of Yellow, Lilac Sheer and Kata Hay, just ahead of their UK tour together.

Kata Hay grew up in Oklahoma before moving to her current base of Tennessee. She has been singing on stage since the tender age of two and won her first talent competition aged just five – and it’s fair to say she hasn’t looked back since. Kata has just released a compilation of old and new material on iTunes to tie in with the UK tour, which sees her headlining shows in London, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff and Colchester – for the full list and to hear more from Kata, head to www.katahay.com.

Meryl & A Bit of Yellow, aka Dutch singer Merel van der Wielen, is joining Kata on the tour and Meryl also treated us to a few tracks on the show. She has recently released her debut EP, Chance, which can be previewed and ordered from her website www.merylandabitofyellow.nl.

Finally it was the turn of the other third of the tour, Lilac Sheer, who originally hails from Israel but is now based in London. She has just released a new single, Love is Always Free, which is taken from her album A Different Country which will be released later in the year, but you can hear a few tracks from it now at her website www.lilacsheer.com.

Sleater-Kinney – Jumpers www.sleater-kinney.com

Hadleigh Ford – Eye of the Needle www.hadleighford.com

Stealing Sheep – Genevieve www.stealingsheep.co.uk

Nick & the Sun Machine – Ask Me For My Name www.nickandthesunmachine.co.uk

The MBG – Fields http://thembg.bandcamp.com

Jamie Lenman – Pretty Please www.jamielenman.com

Lazy Habits (featuring Miss Baby Sol) – Memory Banks www.lazyhabits.co.uk

Soul Coughing – 16 Horses http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_Coughing

Kata Hay – Cannibals (Real World)

LIVE IN THE STUDIO

Kata Hay – Smoke When I Drink (live in session)

Kata Hay – Robbie’s Song (live in session)

Brandi Carlile – The Story

Meryl & A Bit of Yellow – Chance

Meryl & A Bit of Yellow – Time to Persevere (live in session)

Joni Mitchell – Little Green

Meryl & A Bit of Yellow – Before Sunrise (live in session)

Meryl & A Bit of Yellow – Like a Kid (live in session)

Lilac Sheer – Mother Earth

Lilac Sheer – Love is Always Free (live in session)

Lilac Sheer – Queen of Hollywood (live in session)

Lilac Sheer – Today of All Days (live in session)

Jewel – Goodbye Alice in Wonderland

Kata Hay – Cannibals (Real World) (live in session)

www.katahay.com

www.merylandabitofyellow.nl

www.lilacsheer.com

To listen back to this week’s show, click below!

First up tonight I was joined in the studio by Mark Oliff to chat about the upcoming Castle Reunion event at Eclipse nightclub, Brentwood on March 26^th. A night of throwbacks to the Castle’s punk era-inspired nights of the 70s, 80s and 90s is promised at the event, and you can get your hands on tickets by visiting this link on Facebook. Click above to listen back to the interview, including Mark’s many stories of clubbing with skateboards!!

Next up it was the turn of the MBG, a new local foursome featuring (l-r) Sam (vocals/guitar), Laura (drums), Ben (bass) alongside guitarist James. The band have just released their debut single Fields which is available as a download from their Bandcamp page. Following on from their appearance at Billericay’s Ivory Rooms earlier this week, they’re currently booking more shows, including a set at the New Cross Inn in London on April 10^th – stay tuned for more shows and news via their Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr pages. Click above to listen back to the interview and their stories of what MBG stands for and how everyday household rooms and objects have shaped their recording…

Ross Candy – I Can’t see It www.rosscandy.com

The Dalloways – Desperate www.facebook.com/thedalloways

Black Bottom Lighters – Right Time www.blackbottomlighters.net

MARK OLIFF’S CHOICES

Hawkwind – Seven By Seven

The Ramones – Chasing the Night

The Albino Peaches – Gimme the Night www.facebook.com/AlbinoPeaches

Stapleton – Passing Place www.myspace.com/stapleton

THE MBG IN THE STUDIO

Guns ‘n’ Roses – Sweet Child O’ Mine

The MBG – Fields

Cage the Elephant – Back Against the Wall

Two Door Cinema Club – Sun

Arctic Monkeys – I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor

http://thembg.bandcamp.com

Kata Hay – Cannibals (Real World) www.katahay.com

Meryl & A Bit of Yellow – Chance www.merylandabitofyellow.nl

Lilac Sheer – Love is Always Free www.lilacsheer.com

Aeromancy – Triangles www.reverbnation.com/aeromancy

Nick & the Sun Machine – Acid Rain Clouds www.nickandthesunmachine.co.uk

Alexei Crawley – Swimming Pools www.soundcloud.com/alexeicrawley

Point Inaudible – The Waster www.pointinaudible.com

Vic Mensa – Lovely Day www.vicmensa.com

To listen back to this week’s show, click here:

First up this week, I was joined in the studio by Lee Sargeant from local quartet Vacant Touch, just ahead of their headline gig at Chinnerys in Southend this Thursday (6^th). The foursome are hoping to release new material later in the year, and can be found on Facebook and Twitter. Click below to listen to the interview and see Lee playing live in the studio.

Then it was the turn of The Albino Peaches (l-r Daniel, Tommy, Wesley). The trio formed shortly after singer Daniel performed a solo set on Curveballs back in June 2012, and are releasing their new single Gimme the Night on March 31^st, which was one of the tracks they performed live for us this evening! You can keep up to date with all their other news on the band’s Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as giving them a listen on SoundCloud. Click below to hear the interview and click below to see them playing live in the studio – more videos coming soon!

Space – Fortune Teller www.spacetheband.com

Nick & the Sun Machine – White Chalk www.nickandthesunmachine.co.uk

Optional Rubber Duck – Jamie’s Song www.facebook.com/OptionalRubberDuck

Lee Sargeant (Vacant Touch) – Relationships www.facebook.com/VacantTouch

Lee Sargeant (Vacant Touch) – Time Takes Your Place

Colours of Melancholia – Brotha Funk www.coloursofmelncholia.com

Porcupine Kiss – Shout It Out! www.porcupinekiss.co.uk

The Albino Peaches – Gimme the Night

THE ALBINO PEACHES LIVE IN THE STUDIO

The Albino Peaches – Memphis (live in session)

Kings of Leon – Supersoaker

Aphrodite’s Child – The Four Horsemen

The Albino Peaches – Lucifer’s Child (live in session)

The Cure – A Forest

The Albino Peaches – Gimme the Night (live in session)

The Black Crowes – Twice as Hard

Joy Division – Transmission

The Albino Peaches – Home (live in session)

www.facebook.com/AlbinoPeaches

Stone By Window – Ultrasonic www.stonebywondow.co.uk

The MBG – Fields http://thembg.bandcamp.com

Dregs of Society – The Bomb www.facebook.com/cometastethedregs

Ekkoes – Fight the Feeling www.ekkoes.com

This week I was joined in the studio once again by Chelmsford’s Porcupine Kiss. Since they last joined us in May last year, the fivesome have been recording their debut album Disillusion which is nearing completion and will be released later in the year. We had a sample of what to expect from the album with a live session, and there was some debate over venues they can play which are named after shapes. Find Porcpune Kiss at www.porcupinekiss.co.uk  and on Facebook and YouTube, and click below to listen back to this week’s show and see them playing live in the studio.

Minus the Bear – Pachuca Sunrise www.minusthebear.com

Point Inaudible – The Waster www.pointinaudible.com

The Ends – Blank Maps www.facebook.com/theendsband

Ross Candy – I Can’t Feel It www.rosscandy.com

Man Made – My Heart is Fool’s Gold www.facebook.com/ManMadeUK

Tolivar – Shilo http://tolivar.bandcamp.com

Stone Thieves – New Mexico www.facebook.com/stonethieves

Porcupine Kiss – Steal Tomorrow

PORCUPINE KISS IN THE STUDIO

Porcupine Kiss – Lost in Silence (live in session)

Alter Bridge – Still Remains

The Cure – A Forest

Porcupine Kiss – I Belong (live in session)

Porcupine Kiss – Jaded (live in session)

Faith No More – Epic

Porcupine Kiss – Shout It Out (live in session)

Mansun – Wide Open Space

Porcupine Kiss – Scream (live in session)

www.porcupinekiss.co.uk

Drive Through Therapy – Words for the B-Side www.facebook.com/drivethroughtherapy

The Filthy Souls – Boys Will Be Out for a Fight www.thefilthysouls.com

The Albino Peaches – Gimme the Night www.facebook.com/AlbinoPeaches

Tonight I was joined in the studio by new pop-punk trio Man Made (l-r Josh, Jay, Chris). Hailing from Stevenage, the threesome recently released their debut single My Heart is Fool’s Gold, available for download from their Bandcamp page. The trio can next be seen live at The Horn in St Albans on February 27^th with more dates coming in March – find out more on their Facebook and Twitter pages.

Click below to listen back to this week’s show (Man Made interview is 30 mins into the show) and to see Man Made playing live in the studio – more vids coming soon!

http://www.mixcloud.com/nickfield2/curveballs-19th-february-2014-with-man-made/

Streetlight Manifesto – We Will Fall Together www.streetlightmanifesto.com

Janus Stark – Floyd What Are You On? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janus_Stark

Lazy Habits – Starting Fires www.lazyhabits.co.uk

The Albino Peaches – Bang Bang www.facebook.com/AlbinoPeaches

Reachback – Pretty Slick www.reachbackband.com

SocietySociety – Skyscrapers www.facebook.com/SocietySocietyMusic

Stanley Odd – Get Out Ma Headspace www.stanleyodd.com

Man Made – My Heart is Fool’s Gold

MAN MADE IN THE STUDIO

Man Made – Strike 22 (live in session)

Blink 182 – Dumpweed

Man Made – Mix Tape (live in session)

Letlive – H Ledger

Man Made – “Don’t Have A Cow Man” (live in session)

State Champs – Remedy

Man Made – My Heart is Fool’s Gold (live in session)

Deaf Havana – Nelsons County

www.facebook.com/ManMadeUK

Broken Tongues – Sunrises www.brokentongues.com

Porcupine Kiss – Steal Tomorrow www.porcupinekiss.co.uk

The Filthy Souls – Unlucky www.thefilthysouls.com

Point Inaudible – The Waster www.pointinaudible.com

Subrosa – Hands Around http://subrosa4.bandcamp.com

Ekkoes – Fight the Feeling www.ekkoes.com

Tonight was our first live session of 2014, courtesy of local threesome Loving Forty-Four (l-r Charlie, Alex, Jamie), making their third appearance on the show. Since they were last with us in May 2012, the trio took most of 2013 off to concentrate on work, studies and travelling, but returned to the local live scene in January with gigs in Chelmsford and Brentwood, with plenty more to come – they can be seen at the Essex Arms (next to Brentwood station) on March 6^th, and they’ll also be playing Monto Water Rats in London on April 18^th. Their first EP is still available for free download on their Bandcamp page, and you can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Click below to listen back to the show and see them playing live in the studio!

Nine Black Alps – Not Everyone www.nineblackalps.com

Blood Red Shoes – One More Empty Chair www.bloodredshoes.co.uk

Mum Locked in Castle – Forgotten Prayer www.facebook.com/mumlockedincastle

Harriet Jones – Dealin’ Man Blues  www.harrietjonesmusic.co.uk

Aeromancy – Triangles www.soundcloud.com/aeromancy

Space – Fortune Teller www.spacetheband.com

Year of Birds – I Play With My Food http://yearofbirds.bandcamp.com

Loving Forty-Four – Glenda Needs Her Bottle

LOVING FORTY-FOUR IN THE STUDIO

Loving Forty-Four – Sabre Tooth (live in session)

Rage Against the Machine – Calm Like a Bomb

Loving Forty-Four – Molly’s Lips (The Vaselines cover) (live in session)

The Ramones – My Brain is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes to Bitburg)

Loving Forty-Four – No Scrubs (TLC cover) (live in session)

Kris Kristofferson – Whiskey, Whiskey

Foo Fighters – Aurora

Loving Forty-Four – Eight Pairs of Legs (live in session)

Jerry Reed – Amos Moses

http://lovingfortyfour.bandcamp.com

Queensburys – Maker’s Hand www.facebook.com/queensburys

FutureAges – Deviant of the Soul www.futureages.com

Fuze – Don’t Cry www.fuzeofficial.co.uk

The Ends – Blank Maps www.facebook.com/theendsband

Man Made – My Heart is Fool’s Gold www.facebook.com/ManMadeUK

Tonight I was joined in the studio by Freya Lees and Matt Davey from Brentwood youth venue The Hermit. The venue, which features gigs, recording and music tuition for 13-19-year-olds, reopened a year ago this week, and this weekend is putting on two gigs to celebrate the first anniversary of its relaunch. To find out about how to get tickets and for who’s playing in the coming weeks, check out The Hermit on Facebook, Twitter and www.TheHermitClub.co.uk.

Listen back to the show here:

Luscious Jackson – Are You Ready? www.lusciousjackson.net

Disclosure (featuring Jamie Woon) – January www.disclosureofficial.com

Echoes – Fight the Feeling www.soundcloud.com/wehearechoes

Young & the Blue – Never Over www.soundcloud.com/youngandtheblue

Blitz Kids – Sometimes www.blitzkidsofficial.com

Prismism Project – Throwing Shapes www.soundcloud.com/prismismuk

Looking for Liam – The Reason I Stayed www.facebook.com/LookingforLiam

Last Superheroes – Get It On! http://lastsuperheroes.bandcamp.com

Accidental Tourists – Backstabber www.facebook.com/atourists

Olaf Stando – Hand in Hand www.olafstandomusic.com

Kata Hay – Cannibals (Real World) www.katahay.com

FutureAges – Deviant of the Soul www.futureages.com

Circle of Reason – Themes Amongst Thieves www.facebook.com/circleofreason

Kill Chaos – We Came Here to Die www.killchaos.co.uk

Blood Red Shoes – An Animal www.bloodredshoes.co.uk

Lone Wolf – Ghosts of Holloway www.iamlonewolf.com

Rochelle Jordan – Follow Me www.rochellejordan.com

Lace & Whiskey – Out of Time www.laceandwhiskey.co.uk

Harper – Death Valley Days www.soundcloud.com/harperbanduk

Loving Forty-Four – Poppy http://lovingfortyfour.bandcamp.com

Broken Tongues – Sunrises www.brokentongues.com

The Foreign Exchange – Take Off the Blues www.theforeignexchangemusic.com

Cling – Into the Light www.clingmusic.com

Happy new year one and all! Following on from our Christmas Day covers special, New Year’s Day Curveballs consisted of as many session tracks and top tunes from 2013 as we could fit into a 3-hour special. Even with the extra hour we couldn’t fit in every single act we chatted to last year – we’ll make up for that next week, promise!

Listen back to the show here…

Harper – Feel So Hollow www.soundcloud.com/harperbanduk

The Lites – Dénouement (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/thelites

The Ends – No Choruses www.facebook.com/theendsband

FallPath – Refuse to Fall (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/FallPath

House Party Massacre – End of Me (Phoenix FM Session) www.housepartymassacre.com

The Lightworker – Jack O’Lantern (Phoenix FM Session) www.soundcloud.com/the-lightworker

Abodes – Fingernails www.facebook.com/AbodesBand

Gereint Vickery – Please Don’t Bring Me Down (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/pages/Gereint-Vickery/385921618154918

Drive Through Therapy – Emily (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/drivethroughtherapy

IRIS – Lights at Ten (Phoenix FM Session) www.iris.uk.com

Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra – She Don’t Like the Fish www.teapadorchestra.co.uk

Last Superheroes – Get It On (Phoenix FM Session)  http://lastsuperheroes.bandcamp.com/

Dead Foxxes – Wasted My Time www.deadfoxxes.com

George Henry King – Worse Off Than You (Phoenix FM Session) www.soundcloud.com/georgehenryking

Olaf Stando – Hand in Hand (Phoenix FM Session) www.olafstandomusic.com

Point Inaudible – The Waster www.pointinaudible.com

Porcupine Kiss – Banished (Phoenix FM Session) www.porcupinekiss.co.uk

Harry Palmer Band – Where I Lay My Hat (Phoenix FM Session) www.reverbnation.com/harrypalmerband

Paolo Morena – Peace of Mind (Phoenix FM Session) www.paolomorena.com

Learn to Swim – Hunting for Bears (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/pages/Learn-To-Swim/125999830806505

The Tomorrow Men – The Smoke (Phoenix FM Session) www.soundcloud.com/thetomorrowmen

Rajiv (featuring Mr Arch) – Catch Me If You Can www.rajivmusic.com

Any Colour You Like – Fearless (Phoenix FM Session) www.acyluk.com

Sabiba – One More Chance (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/pages/Sabiba/52910863966

Ten A Penny – Three Leaf Clover (Phoenix FM Session) www.tenapennymusic.com

The Lunar Pilots – Black & Blue (Phoenix FM Session) www.thelunarpilots.com

High Flying Wolves – Ballad of Kevin Bacon (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/TheHighFlyingWolves

Stealing Sheep – Shut Eye www.stealingsheep.co.uk

Soma Rising – Brandon’s Song (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/somarising

Art of Rebellion – Superhero (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/pages/Art-of-Rebellion/14683788071

Dead Baby Birds – After All www.deadbabybirds.co.uk

Disclosure – F for You www.disclosureofficial.com

The Dalloways – Desperate (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/thedalloways

Elysium – Deception by Perception (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/Elysiumusic

Dregs of Society – I Don’t Believe You www.facebook.com/cometastethedregs

Optional Rubber Duck – Going Home (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/OptionalRubberDuck

Queensburys – Driving Home (Phoenix FM Session) www.facebook.com/queensburys

The Seagulls – Nobody Here (Phoenix FM Session) http://theseagulls.bandpage.com

Black Cherry Pop Tart – No One Knows (Phoenix FM Session) www.soundcloud.com/blackcherrypoptart

Chapter 9 – New Breed (Phoenix FM Session) www.chapter9.co.uk

Minerva Falls – D-Evil (Phoenix FM Session) www.minervafalls.com

The Folkwitz – I Wanna be Like You (Phoenix FM Session) http://thefolkwitz.wix.com/thefolkwitz

Lady Grey & the Earls – Why So Serious? www.ladygreyandtheearls.com

Lace & Whiskey – Christmas Time is Here www.laceandwhiskey.co.uk

Lady Grey & the Earls (l-r): Paul (guitar), Justin (guitar), Mark (drums), Amy (vocals), Graham (bass).

I think it’s fair to say that Christmas just isn’t Christmas here at Phoenix FM until we’ve had our annual Curveballs festive special with Lady Grey & the Earls. This, their fifth Chrimbo appearance and ninth guest slot overall, found the fivesome in as much festive spirits as ever, musing about playing festival bills with Big Brovaz and Gareth Gates, and stunning us with their creative skills, particularly when it came to designing slightly x-rated mugs. To find out exactly what that last sentence was about, click below to listen back to the show. You can find out more about LGnTE at www.ladygreyandtheearls.com and on Facebook.

Listen back to the show here:

Shred Guitar Eric – Christmas Meets Metal www.shredguitareric.com

Black Stone Cherry – Santa’s Back in Town www.blackstonecherry.com

Reuben – Christmas is Awesome www.wordsfromreuben.com

Vice Squad – Santa Claws is Coming to Town www.vicesquad.co.uk

Manic Street Preachers – The Ghost of Christmas www.manics.co.uk

Hadleigh Ford – My Time to Shine www.hadleighford.com

Rant ‘n’ Rave – What Do You Want For Christmas? www.reverbnation.com/rantnraveband

Lady Grey & the Earls – Why So Serious?

LADY GREY & THE EARLS IN THE STUDIO

Lady Grey & the Earls – Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Phoenix FM Session)

Bruno Mars – Treasure

Lady Grey & the Earls – Beggars Belief

Beady Eye – Second Bite of the Apple

Lady Grey & the Earls – Adore Me

Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera – Moves Like Jagger

Lady Grey & the Earls – Shadows Away

Blur – Trimm Trabb

Lady Grey & the Earls – Swallow My Envy

www.ladygreyandtheearls.co.uk

Lace & Whiskey – Christmas Time is Here www.laceandwhiskey.co.uk

Lisa Houghton – The Night I Fell in Love http://hadleighford.bandcamp.com

Leanne Louise – Save Your Heart www.leannelouisemusic.co.uk

Tonight I was joined in the studio by Minerva Falls (l-r Tom, Aaron, Ad, Ross, Ben) for a chat and live session. The Southend-based fivesome are marking the release of their debut album, Death in the Afternoon, with a gig at Chinnerys this coming Friday (13^th) alongside Herida and Great Divide. 2014 is set to be a busy year for them with a number of gig dates and appearances already booked, with more to come – find the full list and more at www.minervafalls.com. They can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Click below to listen back to this week’s show, which includes a debate on how honey is made, and how Ben ended up being the most suavely-dressed guest we’ve ever had on the show…

See them playing live in the studio below – more videos coming soon!

Baroness – Take My Bones Away www.baronessmusic.com

Jawbox – Channel 3 www.myspace.com/jawboxdc

Ummagma – Live & Let Die www.ummagma.com

Echoes – Fight the Feeling www.facebook.com/wehearechoes

Emma Harrop – Your Ocean http://emmaharrop.bandcamp.com

Farewell Republic – Gliss http://farewellrepublic.bandcamp.com

Pipedream – Trip http://1pipedream.wix.com/pipedream

Minerva Falls – CLM

MINERVA FALLS IN THE STUDIO

Minerva Falls – D-Evil (live in session)

Herida – Refrain

Minerva Falls – Reject Your Apathy (live in session)

Hundred Reasons – If I Could

Minerva Falls – CLM (live in session)

Great Divide – Turning Up the Heat

Minerva Falls – Wrecking Ball (live in session)

www.minervafalls.com

Jamie Lenman – A Plague on Both Your Houses www.jamielenman.com

Lady Grey & the Earls – White Room www.ladygreyandtheearls.com

The Lunar Pilots – Perfect Dream www.thelunarpilots.com

Lone Wolf – Glass www.iamlonewolf.com

To listen back to this week’s show, including chats with The Folkwitz and Lace & Whiskey, click below:

Tonight I was joined in the studio by Andy, Melissa and Aaron from Lace & Whiskey. Their third appearance on Curveballs, the band (also featuring bassist Nick) have just released a Christmas single, Christmas Time is Here, which some of you may recall was premiered in live acoustic form during a session they did on the show a year ago. The single is available from iTunes and all good music download sites, while Lace & Whiskey are also planning a special gig in London just before Christmas – stay tuned to www.laceandwhiskey.co.uk to find out more! You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Earlier in the show I also chatted to Iain, Shaun and Guy from The Folkwitz, just ahead of their gig this Saturday at St Lawrence Church Hall, Upminster as part of the Grand Casino Night fundraiser event. The threesome are currently planning their first release for next year, and in the meantime can probably be found busking in random locations, as you can find out on their YouTube channel! They also have their own website alongside their Facebook and Twitter pages.