You can hear this week’s show again here:

Continuing to play some new stoner and doom metal I’ve come across recently, especially Nebula and Monolord, inspired by the visit from Andy Valiant of Oak last week. I began the show with some wonderful psychedelicness from Portugal in the form of Astrodome.

Also celebrated the 30th anniversary of Seventh Son of a Seventh Son by Iron Maiden– a big influence on my musical journey.

I also continued to play songs from Tanya Donelly’s ’Swan Song’, along with a little journey through Natalie Merchant and the Dixie Chicks.

It was also wonderful to discover lovely new post-rock with the likes of Good Weather For An Airstrike & Loud Exit– who continued the trend of wonderful song titles I enjoy – Dream Friend Dream Like a Resting Ship in the Night.

I finished the show with one of my favourite ever songs- December Hunting…. by Stars of The Lid. It has once again provided a wonderful background over the last week or so. I described how it’s music I enjoy through good times and bad. During bad times it takes some of the weight of some fragile and uncomfortable burdens.

Here is the playlist for 12th April 2018 (With links to purchase or discover more where possible)
1 Astrodome – Mirage (II – 2018)
2 Foot – Low Mist (Buffalo – 2018)
3 Iron Maiden – The Clairvoyant (Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son – 1988)
4 Monolord – Empress Rising (Empress Rising – 2014)
5 Oak – Love Is Falling (Oak III – 2018)
6 Nebula – Freedom (To The Centre – 1999)
7 System Of A Down – Aerials (Toxicity – 2001)
8 Alcest – Autre Temps (Autre Temps – 2011)
9 Led Zeppelin – Black Dog (Led Zeppelin IV)
10 The Black Crowes – No Speak No Slave (Southern Harmony and Musical Companion – 1992)
11 Janis Joplin – Take Another Little Piece of my Heart (Live At Winterland – 1968)
12 The Stone Roses – I Wanna Be Adored (The Stone Roses – 1989)
13 Natalie Merchant – Tell Yourself (Motherland – 2001)
14 Tanya Donelly – I Would Like To Call It Beauty (Swan Song Bonus Tracks – 2016)
15 Buddy Miles – The Segment (A Message To The People – 1970)
16 Dixie Chicks – Landslide (Home – 2002)
17 Loud Exit – Dream Friend Dream Like a Resting Ship in the Night (Loud Exit – 2018)
18 Good Weather For An Airstrike – Every Day’s New (Little Steps – 2017)
19 Stars of the Lid – December Hunting for Vegetarian F**kface (And Their Refinement of the Decline – 2007)

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This week it was a pleasure to welcome Andy Valiant of London based stoner rock band Oak into the studio. I’ve been playing their music or referring to them over many weeks and it was finally lovely to speak to him to find out more about them.

You can hear the show again here:

We discussed their origins, the origins of the band name and how their style has evolved. Partly due to how each of their EPs have been recorded in different studios, but also the evolution in Andy’s voice, from mainly making noises in the early days, to now with lyric writing. From this is also the enjoyment of having a platform for telling stories from the heart.

Andy Valiant | OAK

I’ve been a fan of the artwork Oak use on their EP covers and Andy spoke of his relationship with the artist- Unexpected Spectre and how much of a symbiotic relationship it is, where they don’t have to explain too much of what they’re after, but they get wonderful results anyway.

Andy also described his musical influences, especially the effect Led Zeppelin had when he first heard them. Also the effect this had on how he can use his voice, also the difference between singing live and recording in a studio.

While Andy spoke of how he enjoys performing, I wondered whether his growth in confidence came from the progress of this. Actually he discussed how it was more from knowing that this path is what he wants to do.

With the discussions about their musical evolution, we spoke about the new single Love Is Falling and how it came about, especially how it it became a single almost unexpectedly. They also created a video for it which you can see here:

It was great to talk about the scene in London and the UK in general. We mentioned other artists that we enjoyed, such as 1968 and Wychhound, and how much the bands in the scene help each other. Especially with the live events that are organised, such as the event at the Big Red on Holloway Road by Wychhound– here is the next one:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1033502320140879/

And the night in Deptford by Trevor’s Head:
https://www.facebook.com/events/2494174517473816/

Also Andy is helping organise the next all day Stone Frequency II event at the Black Heart in Camden on July 28th:
https://www.facebook.com/events/192920791322396/

Their next gig is in Manchester on the 28th April:
https://www.facebook.com/events/112556956231936/

Here is the playlist for 5th April 2018 (With links to purchase or discover more where possible)
1 Kyuss – Odyssey (Welcome To Sky Valley – 1994)
2 Black Sabbath – Hole In The Sky (Sabotage – 1975)
3 The Cortège – Love & Land (Love & Land EP – 2016)
4 Oak – Dissolve (Oak EP – 2015)
5 Led Zeppelin – The Girl I Love, She Got Long Black Wavy Hair (BBC Recording – 1969)
6 Oak – Against The Rain (Oak II – 2016)
7 Wychhound – Hourglass (Wychhound EP – 2015)
8 1968 – Vorpa (Fortuna Havana – 2017)
9 Oak – Love Is Falling (Oak III – 2018)
10 Herida – Otra Vida (Ghost Of The Sun – 2012)
11 Oak – Mirage (Oak II – 2016)
12 Sabatta – Emperors New Clothes (Emperors New Clothes EP – 2008)graybo.com

Celebrating the dawn of the Easter bank holiday weekend.

Beginning with some 80s and 90s metal with the likes of Anthrax, Megadeth and Helmet, then more recent examples such as 1968, Elder and the new song from Black Orchids debuted a few weeks ago during their visit to the show.

I then meandered towards a more relaxed end of the show, even discussing one of Dave Grohl’s favourite pop songs Andrew Gold’s ‘Never Let Her Slip Away’ from 1978. I then chose another example from that year with Billy Joel’s ‘My Life’.

You can hear it all again here:

Here is the playlist for 29th March 2018 (With links to purchase or discover more where possible)
1 Anthrax – Time (Persistence Of Time – 1990)
2 1968 – Duchess (Fortuna Havana – 2017)
3 Megadeth – Holy Wars…The Punishment Due (Rust In Peace – 1990)
4 Helmet – He Feels Bad (Meantime – 1992)
5 Black Orchids – Still Remains
6 Elder – Staving Off Truth (Reflections Of A Floating World – 2017)
7 Dinosaur Jr – Get Me (Where You Been – 1993)
8 Faith No More – Ashes To Ashes (Album Of The Year – 1997)
9 Aerosmith – Beyond Beautiful (Just Push Play – 2001)
10 Mother Love Bone – Heartshine (Stardog Champion – 1992)
11 A Perfect Circle – By and Down (Stone And Echo – 2013)
12 Memory Tapes – Yes I Know (Player Piano – 2011)
13 Andrew Gold – Never Let Her Slip Away (All This And Heaven Too – 1978)
14 Billy Joel – My Life (52nd Street – 1978)
15 Beautiful Girls – Cash Money (Learn Yourself – 2003)
16 Feist – The Limit To Your Love (The Reminder – 2008)
17 Brandi Carlile – Again Today (The Story – 2007)
18 Neil Diamond – Pretty Amazing Grace (Home Before Dark – 2008)
19 Natalie Merchant – Not In This Life (Motherland – 2001)
20 Snatam Kaur – Deep Blue Sea (Celebrate Peace – 2005)

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This week I enjoyed playing some new releases from Australian stoner rockers Foot and Swedish post-rock band Loud Exit. I also continued to share new music from Tanya Donelly, The Breeders and carried on the recent habit of playing songs from recent favourites such as the Lonesome Sisters.

Also this week I discovered some wonderful new classical music, including choral music from The Cambridge Singers and Tallis Scholars.

You can hear it all again here:

Here is the playlist for 22nd March 2018 (With links to purchase or discover more where possible)
1 Telekinetic Yeti – Colossus (Abominable – 2017)
2 Pallbearer – Foundations (Foundations Of Burden – 2014)
3 Burzum – Back to the shadows
4 Foot – Thunder Cave (Buffalo – 2018)
5 Corrosion of Conformity – Albatross (Live)
6 Yuri Gagarin – Za Kosmosom (Yuri Gagarin – 2014 Remix)
7 Arhios – Ath (Arhios – 2018)
8 My Morning Jacket – One Big Holiday (Okonokos – 2006)
9 The Breeders – All Nerve (All Nerve – 2018)
10 Tanya Donelly – Snow Goose And Me (Swan Song)
11 Lonesome Sisters – Peachtree (Deep Water – 2012)
12 Aerosmith – You See Me Crying (Toys In The Attic – 1975)
13 Midlake – Small Mountain (The Courage Of Others – 2010)
14 John Williams – Vivaldi- Concerto For Lute in D Major- II- Largo Rv 93
15 Ludovico Einaudi – I Giorni (I Giorni – 2002)
16 Tallis Scholars- If Ye Love Me
17 The Cambridge Singers – Rheinberger – Abendlied
18 Loud Exit – Out Of Hibernation (Loud Exit – 2018)
19 Vibrasphere – Tierra Azul (Nordlight Remix)

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This week it was lovely to celebrate some beautiful female vocals with the likes of Windhand, Sarah McLachlan and Nicole Atkins, but also hearing from Tanya Donelly again.

Also, I celebrated some more live music, also with Nicole Atkins, speaking about her recent UK tour which has just finished and the coming of Obituary in London on Saturday and Night Ranger on Sunday. Also, recently in Manchester was the Riffolution Festival, which hosted the likes of Oak, Trevor’s Head, Wychhound and 1968, so it was lovely to mention during the show.

You can listen to it here:

Here is the playlist for 22nd February 2018, including links to download and more information where available.
1. Windhand – Forest Clouds (Griefs Infernal Flower – 2015)
2. Wychhound – Hourglass (Wychhound EP – 2015)
3. Obituary – Back To One (The End Complete – 1992)
4. Soundgarden – Superunknown (Superunknown – 1994)
5. Dinosaur Jr – Feel The Pain (Without a Sound – 1994)
6. Tanya Donelly – Mass Ave (Swan Song Vol.1 – 2016)
7. The Leisure Society – Although We All Are Lost (Into The Murky Water – 2011)
8. Natalie Merchant – Seven Years (Tigerlily – 1995)
9. Sarah McLachlan – In the arms of an Angel (Surfacing – 1997)
10. Lonesome Sisters – When The Angels Call My Name (Follow Me Down – 2006)
11. India Arie – Ready for love (Miami Vice Soundtrack – 2006)
12. Nicole Atkins – The Way It Is (Neptune City – 2007)
13. Future Islands – Seasons (Singles – 2014)
14. Night Ranger – Sentimental Street (Seven Wishes – 1985)
15. Credence Clearwater Revival – Have You Ever Seen the Rain? (Pendulum – 1970)
16. Joni Mitchell – A Case Of You (Blue – 1971)
17. Don McLean – Vincent (Starry Starry Night) (American Pie – 1971)
18. Bon Iver – Re: Stacks (For Emma, Forever Ago – 2007)
19. Mooncake – Rain in the Ashtray (More Oxygen, I Said – 2007)
20. Fjord – A Breath as a Promise (Portrait for a Reflection – 2016)
21. Solar Fields – The Missing (Origin #2 – 2006)

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Legendary Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell has had a side project for a few years with his sons Todd, Dane and Tyla. After the sad passing of Lemmy, he had time to reflect and decide what he wanted to pursue next. He chose to make the band his next full time project and they’ve just released their first full album together- The Age Of Absurdity.

It was a great chance for him to start from a blank slate creatively and experiment with different musical styles, including blues rock in songs like Dark Days. But there is still his trademark riff sound throughout. Also, he greatly enjoys playing in a band with his sons and it has helped as part of his process of getting over the loss of his friend Lemmy and his time in Motörhead.

In tonight’s show I enjoyed sharing a conversation with the singer in the band Neil Starr. During the interview we spoke about his involvement, the path of creating the album and enjoying the different musical styles. Also and how they’re looking forward to playing more live gigs, including the upcoming tour supporting Ugly Kid Joe and then their own dates sometime after.

You can hear the conversation during the show available on my mixcloud page:

Or the interview via my soundcloud page:

The show also included more of the usual meanderings, including adventures in soul, with a recent song by Thundercat, some post rock including Ruins! Ruins! and Arsiesys, memories of my youth with Natalie Merchant and Loudon Wainwright III and even an opportunity for some worship with Hillsong United.

Here is the playlist for 22nd February 2018, including links to download and more information where available.
1 Ruins!Ruins! – Kurta (Mammrock – 2017)
2 Sejd – Irrbloss (Sejd – 2015)
3 Boris – Window Shopping (Heavy Rocks – 2011)
4 Orange Goblin – Land Of Secret Dreams (Frequencies From Planet 10)
5 Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons – Ringleader (Age Of Absurdity – 2018)
6 Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons – Dark Days (Age Of Absurdity – 2018)
7 Motörhead – Motörhead (Motörhead – 1977)
8 John B Wells – Western Man (Single – 2015)
9 Arsiesys – Why Do You Leave Me So Soon (Until The End Of The World – 2012)
10 Soulsavers – Longest Day (The Light The Dead See – 2012)
11 Thundercat – Show You The Way (Drunk – 2017)
12 King Creosote – You Just Want (Astronaut Meets Appleman – 2016)
13 Lonesome Sisters – Over The Sea (The Lonesome Sisters – 2005)
14 Loudon Wainwright – A Father And A Son (History – 1992)
15 Natalie Merchant – River (Tigerlily – 1995)
16 Hillsong United – What A Beautiful Name
17 Vibrasphere – Forever Imaginary (Exploring The Tributaries – 2007)

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A return to more traditional meanderings with a journey from a heavy start. through singer-songwriter music to classical music.

Also celebrating guitarists briefly with Joe Satriani and Zakk Wylde after a lovely guitar laden post rock song by Ohgod.

Hear it again here:

Here is the playlist for 1st February 2018, including links to download and more information where available.
1 Synopsys – Morning In The Wilderness (Le Temps Du Rêve – 2017)
2 Windhand – Kingfisher (Grief’s Infernal Flower – 2015)
3 Dozer- Big Sky Theory
4 High on Fire- 10,000 years (The Art Of Self Defence)
5 Iceberg Theory – Quiet Water (I See Land – 2013)
6 Ohgod – Kepler (The Great Silence – 2017)
7 Zakk Wylde – Lost Prayer (Book Of Shadows II – 2016)
8 Joe Satriani – I Believe (Flying In A Blue Dream – 1989)
9 Billy Bragg & Wilco – California Stars (Mermaid Avenue – 1998)
10 Sigur Ros – Hrafntinna (Kveikur)
11 Bon Iver – re: stacks (For Emma, Forever Ago – 2007)
12 Abide With Me -King-s College Choir- Cambridge
13 James Horner – All systems go, The Launch (Apollo 13 Soundtrack)
14 Idil Biret – Chopin- Nocturne in G minor, Op. 37, No. 1
15 Cocteau Twins & Harold Budd- Why Do You Love Me? (The Moon And The Melodies)
16 Vibrasphere – Ensueno (Exploring The Tributaries)
17 Solar Fields – Sky Trees (Movements – 2009)

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During the holiday season it was wonderful to record a phone conversation with Reed Mullin of Corrosion Of Conformity. In fact it was on Christmas eve as they were flying out on Boxing Day to meet Zakk Wylde and join the tour with Black Label Society.

You can hear the show here:

During the interview we spoke about how much they’re enjoying being back together and creating the new album ‘No Cross No Crown’. They continue to have a big, grooving sound and Reed spoke about how great it was to still be working with John Custer, their ‘fifth Beatle’.

We also spoke about their origins, such as how Slayer helped get them signed, the evolution of music through the eighties and nineties. And how they almost worked with Dave Grohl to do some work with his sound city studio for the new album, though it wasn’t needed in the end as they were so happy with what they recorded locally in Mike Dean’s studio.

He was also looking forward to playing in London again. We talked about the venues they’ve played and lamented some of the ones that have closed that Reed remembered fondly, such as also gigs he’s seen such as Faith No More at the Brixton Academy.

During the conversation I played the first two singles from the new No Cross No Crown album- Wolf Named Crow and The Luddite, then also one of my favourites of theirs- Albatross (written by Reed) and the song which introduced me to them- ‘Vote With A Bullet’.

Here is the playlist for 18th January 2018 (links to more information and where to buy where available)
1. Faith No More – From Out Of Nowhere (Live at the Brixton Academy – 1990)
2. Soundgarden – Hands All Over (Louder Than Love – 1989)
3. Black Sabbath – Tomorrow’s Dream (Volume 4 – 1972)
4. Ozzy Osborne – Desire (No More Tears – 1991)
5. Zakk Wylde – Lost Prayer (Book Of Shadows II – 2016)
6. Nebula – Freedom (To The Centre – 1999)
7. Corrosion Of Conformity – Wolf Named Crow (No Cross No Crown – 2018)
8. Corrosion Of Conformity – Albatross (Deliverance – 1994)
9. Corrosion Of Conformity – The Luddite (No Cross No Crown – 2018)
10. Corrosion Of Conformity – Vote With A Bullet (Blind – 1991)
11. Foo Fighters – Everlong (The Colour And The Shape – 1997)
12. Vy Pole – V (Untitled Album – 2013)
13. Mooncake – Rain in the Ashtray (More Oxygen, I Said – 2007)
14. Solar Fields – Sky Trees (Movements – 2009)

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Wonderful to have live musical guests to launch powerfully into 2018. The Black Orchids, Kay Elizabeth, Magnus Box, Alain Duchesne and Brian Hedemann, joined me live in the studio in Brentwood to talk about the recording of the new album and shared a couple of songs from it- Still Remains and The Wonder.

You can hear it all again here:

We also reflected on the previous release ‘Blood Moon‘ and any changes in the song writing and production styles, especially with the help of producer John Moon.

Their Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/blackorchids/

As well as their music I also started the show with a song by Motörhead- Killed By Death, celebrating the life of ‘Fast’ Eddy Clarke who passed away today. Also, as the conversation unfolded, we talked about musical influences, such as the heavy music I’ve enjoyed with Kay, such as Windhand and there were a couple of contributions by Magnus who shared a song from his other project Sparkle Darkly as well as a song he enjoyed by another band he came across Ringo Deathstarr.

Also, here is the post rock youtube channel I mentioned, ‘WherePostRockDwells‘:
https://www.youtube.com/user/Nemron28

Here is the playlist for 11th January 2018 (including links for more information and where to buy where available)
1. Motörhead – Killed By Death
2. Alice In Chains – Dam That River (Dirt)
3. Grottos – Pendulum (Catch The Breeze EP – 2012)
4. Moby – New Dawn Fades (Heat Soundtrack)
5. Black Orchids – Obscure Vision (Blood Moon EP – 2015)
6. Black Orchids – Still Remains
7. Black Orchids – Blood Moon (Blood Moon EP – 2015)
8. Windhand – Hyperion (Grief’s Infernal Flower – 2015)
9. Alcest – Là Où Naissent Les Couleurs Nouvelles (Les Voyages De L’ame – 2012)
10. Black Orchids – The Wonder
11. Ringo Deathstarr – Guilt (Pure Mood – 2015)
12. The Sweetest Ache – Briaris (Jaguar – 1990)
13. The Mystery Of The Bulgarian voicesa Feat. Lisa Gerrard – Pora Sotunda (Single- 2018)
14. Sparkle Darkly – Velvet Glove
15. Sejd – Båtsman (Sejd – 2015)
16. Bark Psychosis – All Different Things (All Different Things EP – 1990)

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Black Orchids

A dual celebration – remembering highlights of 2017 and looking forward to what’s ahead in 2018.

Enjoying the new music I discovered, such as the explorations of the post rock and doom metal genres, such as Tempus and Fjord, and also highlighting my song of the year- Pallbearer- A Plea For Understanding and my album of the year- 1968 – Fortuna Havana.

Also looking ahead to upcoming gigs in 2018, such as Myrkur, Crowbar and Obituary.

I looked at what I learned about the variations in forms of expression in artists such as Dorthia Cottrell– I played a song from her solo project along with her fronting doom metal band Windhand. Similarly, I discovered an artist from Denmark- Amelia Bruun who has done the same. I played a song of hers, then from her other more well known project- Myrkur from the new album Mareidt which she is promoting during her current tour. She is playing in Bethnal Green on the 22nd.

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and are ready for a fantastic 2018! Here’s to all the music we will be enjoying.

You can listen to the show again here:

Here is the playlist for 28th December 2017 (including links to more information or purchasing where available)
1 Tempus – Tuvia (Hymn For The Courageous – 2017)
2 Fjord – Phoenix (Portrait for a Reflection – 2016)
3 Sleep – Sonic Titan (Live – 2013)
4 Yuri Gagarin – The Big Rip (Yuri Gagarin 2014 Remix)
5 1968 – Duchess (Fortuna Havana – 2017)
6 Pallbearer – A Plea For Understanding (Heartless – 2017)
7 Crowbar – Self Inflicted (Crowbar – 1993)
8 Windhand – Summon The Moon (Windhand – 2012)
9 Dorthia Cottrell – Gold (Dorthia Cottrell – 2015)
10 Goldmund – Threnody (The Malady Of Elegance – 2008)
11 Lucy Claire & Kaiwata Tsuki – The Barren Moon (Kaiwata Tsuki – The Barren Moon – 2016)
12 The Last Sighs Of The Wind – Your Wave Caresses Me (We Are Trees – 2017)
13 Desperate Journalist – Be Kind (Grow Up – 2017)
14 Amalie Bruun – Siren (Crush EP – 2012)
15 Myrkur – Ulvinde (Mareidt – 2017)
16 Saturnus – I Long (Veronika Decides To Die – 2006)
18 I/O – To Everyone I Could Have Loved & All The Places We Could Have Called Home (Anyone, Anywhere – 2017)

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