Scared To Dance Podcast

In episode 12, host Paul Richards talks to singer-songwriter and cellist Ailsa Tully about her debut album Womb Room . They discuss making a record ten years in the making about grief, home and the search for where you belong. The conversation covers the closing track, a duet with her late father, the composer Colin Tully, the field recordings that run through the album, and the family piano on th...

In episode 11, host Paul Richards talks to Manic Street Preachers Sean Moore and film director Kieran Evans, live on stage at Picturehouse Central. They discuss Be Pure - Be Vigilant - Behave , Evans’ film of the band playing The Holy Bible in full in 2014. The conversation covers the legacy of the album, why Sean calls it the band’s most honest record, and the bands that inspired his drumming. Th...

In episode 10, host Paul Richards talks to Buck Meek, guitarist and co-founder of Big Thief, about his fourth solo album, The Mirror . They discuss life on tour with Big Thief, including a pool of around ninety songs, setlists written just before they walk on stage, and how songs like “Incomprehensible” keep changing. They also talk about making The Mirror with Big Thief’s James Krivchenia, includ...

In episode 9, host Paul Richards talks to Chloe Howard, frontwoman from Lime Garden, about the Brighton band's second album, Maybe Not Tonight . They discuss songs like "Body," the most exposed song on the album, the album's conception as a night out from start to finish, and how all four members ending long-term relationships within three months shaped the record. They also talk about the early h...

In episode 8, host Paul Richards talks to Nina Persson, frontwoman of The Cardigans, about the band's breakthrough with First Band on the Moon . They discuss songs like "Lovefool," the strange experience of navigating sudden fame, and her childhood and early years at art school. They also talk about the band's evolution from their early, melodic pop sound to the darker Gran Turismo and the more re...

In episode 7, host Paul Richards talks to singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin about her new album,  The Gem . They discuss the Melbourne pub it's named after, trusting her gut in the studio, and wrestling her own sense of self back from the public idea of her. They also cover her earliest steps into music, including learning guitar in six weeks, before looking back on her debut album, Don't Let the Ki...

In episode 6, host Paul Richards talks to comedian and broadcaster Nish Kumar about his new stand-up show,  Angry Humour From a Really Nice Guy . They discuss the strange economics of the Edinburgh Fringe, his entry point into music at eighteen, and how he thinks we've all become far too reliant on big tech. They also cover DJing at Scared To Dance and at Glastonbury alongside James Acaster, his t...

In episode 5, host Paul Richards talks to Owen Williams from The Tubs - guitarist, songwriter and one of the most prolific figures in British indie music over the past decade and a half. They discuss growing up in a musical household with his mother, the folk musician and novelist Charlotte Greig, and his path from founding member of Joanna Gruesome to Ex-Vöid and now The Tubs. Owen also talks abo...

In episode 4, host Paul Richards talks to singer-songwriter Matilda Mann about growing up in Shepherd's Bush, attending the BRIT School, and the rise that followed - from viral moments on TikTok to a Glastonbury Emerging Talent runner-up spot and support slots with Arlo Parks, Tom Odell and Wallows. They discuss her new album Kismet , self-released on her own label and written from a place of hard...

In episode 3, host Paul Richards talks to filmmaker Mark Jenkin about his latest film,  Rose of Nevada . They discuss working with George MacKay and Callum Turner, shooting in Cornwall, and how Mark came to score the film himself, and why music matters so much to his work. They also cover his path into directing, the 17-year journey to make his first feature Bait , and the challenges of staying in...

In episode 2, host Paul Richards talks to author and journalist Jon Ronson about his new book, The Castle.  They discuss growing up in Cardiff and finding his way into writing, and seeing The Specials play live as a teenager. They also cover how music helped shape his identity and outsider perspective growing up, his time playing in Frank Sidebottom's band and adapting his book The Men Who Stare a...

Welcome to season 2 of the Scared To Dance Podcast. In this series, host Paul Richards talks to some of his favourite people about their musical passions past and present. In episode 1, host Paul Richards talks to Ian Devaney and Aidan Noell from Nation of Language. They discuss their European tour, their latest album Dance Called Memory and the band's beginnings. They also cover writing through d...

In this bonus episode of the Scared To Dance Podcast we have put together a collection of our favourite moments from season 1. Host Paul Richards talks to Belle and Sebastian, Elis James, Sorry, Manic Street Preachers, The National, Warren Ellis, Billie Marten and Sleaford Mods. Season 2 will be launching this summer. Hosted by Paul Richards . You can contact the show by emailing hello@scaredtodan...

In episode 12 host Paul Richards talks to Elis James. They discuss choosing comedy over playing in a band, picking up a guitar and the accessible influence of Britpop, how streaming changed music’s role in personal identity, his deep connection to Welsh language and music culture and the viral success of the Cymru Connection. Hosted by Paul Richards . You can contact the show by emailing hello@sca...

In episode 11 host Paul Richards talks to Gwenno. They discuss how Welsh and Cornish shaped her solo path, The Pipettes, life's survival instinct and music's stabilising role, inspirational Jarvis Cocker, Michael Flatley and her Las Vegas-era and her bold shift to the English language on her latest album Utopia . Hosted by Paul Richards . You can contact the show by emailing hello@scaredtodance.co...

In episode 10 host Paul Richards talks to Lewis Maynard and Tom Dowse from Dry Cleaning. They discuss their new album Secret Love , Cate Le Bon's inventive approach to producing the record, working with interdisciplinary performance duo Bullyache, the band's early unexpected rise and the importance of grassroots music venues. Hosted by Paul Richards . You can contact the show by emailing hello@sca...

In episode 9 host Paul Richards talks to Jason Williamson from Sleaford Mods. They discuss their new album The Demise of Planet X , collaborating with Life Without Buildings, recording at Abbey Road Studios, his friendship with the director Ben Wheatley plus working with Cillian Murphy and acting in Peaky Blinders and Game . Hosted by Paul Richards . You can contact the show by emailing hello@scar...

In episode 8 host Paul Richards talks to Warren Ellis. They discuss Ellis Park , the documentary film about the wildlife sanctuary co-founded by Warren plus the creative journey of Nina Simone's Gum, working with Nick Cave and navigating personal breakdowns, live on stage at Picturehouse Central.  Hosted by Paul Richards . You can contact the show by emailing hello@scaredtodance.co.uk Nick Cave &a...

In episode 7 host Paul Richards talks to Pat Nevin. They discuss his early life in Glasgow and the post-punk music scene, moving from Clyde to Chelsea, being substituted at half-time to watch New Order, his love of Cocteau Twins and Simple Minds, music's lifesaving power and a chance meeting with Morrissey. Hosted by Paul Richards . You can contact the show by emailing hello@scaredtodance.co.uk Pa...

In episode 6 host Robin Turner talks to James Dean Bradfield from Manic Street Preachers. They discuss Escape From History , dealing with the disappearance of Richey Edwards, the success of Everything Must Go and working with the director Kieran Evans, live on stage at Picturehouse Central. Hosted by Paul Richards . You can contact the show by emailing hello@scaredtodance.co.uk Manic Street Preach...

In episode 5 host Paul Richards talks to Billie Marten. They discuss her latest album Dog Eared , DJing at the club, meeting the poet laureate Simon Armitage, exploring self-discovery and vulnerability in lyrics, unique studio experiences, plans for future albums and her experience of navigating the music industry at a young age. Hosted by Paul Richards . You can contact the show by emailing hello...

In episode 4 host Paul Richards talks to John Grant. They discuss performing in Jonathan Watkins’ ballet adaptation A Single Man , Berlin and the films of Wim Wenders, early musical inspirations and his love of Devo, collaborating with Kylie Minogue, CMAT and Sinéad O’Connor and playing ping-pong with Grace Jones. Hosted by Paul Richards . You can contact the show by emailing hello@scaredtodance.c...

In episode 3 host Paul Richards talks to Matt Berninger from The National. They discuss Mistaken For Strangers , the band's reaction to the film, exploring potential sequels, his family's take on the documentary and an encounter with Werner Herzog, live on stage at Picturehouse Central. Hosted by Paul Richards . You can contact the show by emailing hello@scaredtodance.co.uk Matt Berninger is on to...

In episode 2 host Paul Richards talks to Asha Lorenz from Sorry. They discuss the band's new album Cosplay , the songwriting process, directing music videos, Adam Curtis, public perception, the challenges of social media, band dynamics, inspiration, ambition, playing festivals, Fontaines D.C. and future plans. Hosted by Paul Richards . You can contact the show by emailing hello@scaredtodance.co.uk...

Welcome to season 1 of the Scared To Dance Podcast. In this series, host Paul Richards talks to some of his favourite people about their musical passions past and present. In episode 1 he talks to Stuart Murdoch from Belle and Sebastian. They discuss Stuart’s earliest musical memories, forming the band, recording their early albums Tigermilk and If You're Feeling Sinister , working with Trevor Hor...