Jan 01
by kevindanieldawson
Brixton-raised Skin tells her tale of going from a vulnerable young woman to the fiery, no-nonsense front woman of rock band Skunk Anansie. She details how the band got signed, her process writing songs, and offers anecdotes galore including, sitting with Pavarotti in his kitchen as he cooks; a bad experience with Michael Jackson at Nelson Mandela’s 80th birthday party that she couldn’t put in her autobiography; the full run-down on the band’s Glastonbury headline slot and the criticisms that came with the news of them playing.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:01:58 — 85.1MB)
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Dec 18
by kevindanieldawson
The Hertfordshire-born frontman delves into his career for a mammoth insight into his process. From first hearing personal game changer Smells Like Teen Spirit to being manhandled by Dave Grohl, Billy’s conversational style is focused, impassioned and peppered with a great sense of humour. He also talks recording in L.A with Butch Vig, the Covid effect on venues and the industry, his brother’s recent departure from the band and the upcoming album.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:15:55 — 69.5MB)
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Dec 04
by kevindanieldawson
The Maximo Park frontman delves into his background in music and talks about how he got the job. He reveals how the band were signed, working with famous producers such as Paul Epworth and Gil Norton, and the new single and forthcoming album Nature Always Wins, which was recorded during lockdown in a unique way that had Paul acting outside of his comfort zone.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:07 — 64.2MB)
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Oct 23
by kevindanieldawson
Frontman Grian Chatten talks about the pressure of the first two years as a signed band, his early love of bands like Pixies and Kings of Leon, how the band recorded their sophomore effort A Hero’s Death and how it feels to have not played them to a live crowd yet. Articulate and honest, Grian details how he writes songs once they comes to him, and the damage an American tour did to the band.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:30 — 87.0MB)
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Feb 05
by kevindanieldawson
How do you become a costume illustrator? How do you film Tom Cruise on the side of a plane? How do you create the Vader corridor sequence? How do you make Olivia Coleman look like a badger? How do you create an alien called Paul? How do you co-manage the creature/ droid department on the Star Wars trilogy? Why would you replace George Clooney’s eyes for your own in a blockbuster movie? What does a sock full of vegetables have to do with a xenomorph alien? You guessed it, all answers lie within this episode.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:36 — 43.6MB)
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Oct 27
by kevindanieldawson
How does someone intent on being a producer actually become one? And what is the role of a producer or does it cover many facets of the recording process? Hugh details how he works with artists such as Rae Morris, Jamie N Commons, Crystal Fighters, Michael Kiwanuka and Will Joseph Cook to get the best version of a song out into the world. From arranging the song to sending them home when the performance isn‘t there, Hugh reveals how he runs his studio as a freelance music producer.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:30:12 — 82.6MB)
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Aug 24
by kevindanieldawson
While the usual format of host Kevin Dawson and a guest takes a small break, this minisode features clips from some of the previous episodes over the last few months. Art Directors, Make Up Designers, Producers, Sound Engineers, Costume Designers and more talk about their work with Ridley Scott, Edgar Wright, David Bowie, Ricky Gervais, Foo Fighters, Benedict Cumberbatch and more on projects like Ant Man, Star Wars, Batman, Extras, The Dark Knight and The Walking Dead. Reel Features returns with new guests in September.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:35 — 46.1MB)
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Nov 28
by kevindanieldawson
Foo Fighters, Muse, Placebo, Feeder, Spice Girls! Adrian’s career has been colourful, and he talks to Kevin about it in ear-pleasing detail. Hear how he convinced Dave Grohl he was the man for the job and not just ‘Studio Spice’, working in close quarters with the boys from Muse and any Spice Girls story that starts ‘I’m not sure if I should tell this one’ will always be good.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:17:30 — 62.1MB)
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Oct 27
by kevindanieldawson
Russian escorts, hair set on fire, sharts and squaring up to hecklers, playing in the West End of London on the cover band circuit awards many experiences, and fellow musicians Sara Louise, Jamie Taylor, Jason Tebble and George George share them with host Kevin Dawson in a candid, no-holds-barred way.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:39:21 — 68.2MB)
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Oct 06
by kevindanieldawson
Drummer for The Kinks, Argent, the Roulettes, Don McLean and more, Bob Henrit shares his mighty wisdom with host Kevin Dawson in the warm surroundings of his back garden. From beat groups and living next door to Cliff Richard to being mates with Keith Moon and the sibling rivalry between Ray and Dave Davies, join Kevin for a feature-length chat from a drumming legend.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:40:07 — 68.8MB)
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Sep 26
by kevindanieldawson
Pendulum, Faithless, Tinie Tempah, Norman Cook and Natalie Imbruglia, the list of artists Peredur (‘Perry’) has played with is long and varied. Host Kevin Dawson grabbed a chat over Skype with the guitarist as he readied himself for a show in Tokyo with drum and bass/electronic rock titans Pendulum. Join me as we chat Glasto, Letterman, cycling and…Tortoise Corpse!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:51 — 28.3MB)
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Sep 15
by kevindanieldawson
The Specials’ Ghost Town producer John Collins talks about how the job came his way, and the process he used to get the bleak, classic sound of the number hit. He also talks about John Peel’s role in John becoming the band’s producer, how the rise of social violence at the time affected sales, and how the changes in the industry stopped him from producing more hits for others artists.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:21:08 — 65.0MB)
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Sep 07
by kevindanieldawson
The Darkness, Bryan Ferry, Tricky, Anna Calvi, Emily has kept the drum stool warm for all these and many more. Kevin chats to her about her path from shy girl to supreme sticks woman. She even runs her own drum recording studio at emilydrums.com.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:32:50 — 63.8MB)
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Sep 03
by kevindanieldawson
The former Frankie Goes to Hollywood guitarist talks about the rise and fall of the band and all that fell in between. He also chats Bowie, Slade, the state of the music business, and the time the Sun accused the band of throwing popcorn at Gene Kelly in his wheelchair.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:19:43 — 95.9MB)
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