Synthetic Dreams Podcast

In this episode of Synthetic Dreams, I'm joined by two remarkable artists, Beibei Wang and the returning Hannah Peel, to discuss their stunning collaborative album, The Endless Dance. Blending ancient musical traditions with contemporary electronics,  The Endless Dance  is a richly textured and deeply immersive record, combining expressive percussion, evocative synthesisers and cinematic sound...

Welcome back to the Synthetic Dreams Podcast. After taking a short break from recording, I'm pleased to return with a previously unreleased interview that was originally recorded during the lockdown period. In this episode, I’m joined by Dean Garcia, best known as the bassist and co-founder of the hugely influential alternative rock and electronic duo Curve. Dean talks about his continuing mus...

Welcome back to  Synthetic Dreams . This special episode features a conversation with pioneering electronic musician Man Parrish, diving into the electric atmosphere of early 1980s New York—a moment when nightlife, technology, and creativity collided to reshape modern music. Man Parrish was at the heart of it all. From the clubs to the studio, he witnessed—and helped drive—the emergence of dance a...

This week on  Synthetic Dreams , we’re diving deep into the neon-lit, 80's inspired world of Synthwave music with none other than Dutch electronic musician, Jordy Leenaerts (aka Timecop1983) One of the leading voices in the scene, he’s helped shape the sound of a genre built on nostalgia, emotion, and cinematic energy. So, if you’re into retro vibes, cinematic soundscapes, or the future of ele...

In today’s insightful and extremely fun episode of Synthetic Dreams, I’m joined by singer, actor , author and pop icon Clare Grogan. We had a really lovely chat that covered a lot of ground — from classic 80s synth pop to touring stories, acting memories, and brand new music. Clare talks about the upcoming Altered Images Happy Birthday 50th Anniversary Tour, which celebrates the legendary debut al...

For this episode, I’m joined by Colin Newman from legendary post-punk band, Wire and Malka Spigel to talk about the new Immersion album, WTF?? . We dive into how the record came together, including their work with Matt Schulz (Holy Fuck), and how collaboration, experimentation, and curiosity continue to push Immersion’s sound into exciting new territory. We also explore their long-running radio sh...

This very special episode of  Synthetic Dreams , features a conversation with legendary songwriter and producer Pete Bellotte. Pete’s extraordinary journey began in the basement of Munich’s Arabella Sheraton Hotel, home to Giorgio Moroder’s groundbreaking Musicland Studios. There, as Moroder’s right-hand man and a visionary in his own right, Pete helped shape a sound that would change music foreve...

This week I'm joined by a true trailblazer in the underground electronic and avant-garde scene—Adi Newton, founder of Clock DVA and TAGC. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the newly remastered re-issue of  White Souls in Black Suits , Clock DVA’s groundbreaking debut album that helped define the darker, experimental side of post-punk electronics. Adi takes us behind the scenes, sharing unfor...

Today's fascinating and insightful episode of Synthetic Dreams features electronic musician, Ian Boddy. We discuss the making of Caged , his collaborative album with Chris Carter (Throbbing Gristle) — now celebrating its 25th anniversary with a special Mute Records reissue, which is out onNovember 28th.   Ian also reflects on the origins of his iconic label DIN, founded in 1999 and now home to...

This week on  Synthetic Dreams , I’m thrilled to share a conversation with Christopher Chaplin — composer, pianist, and electronic musician. Christopher’s music blends classical roots with experimental electronic textures — it’s atmospheric, layered, and deeply personal. We talk about how he first fell in love with music, learning piano as a kid, and how that early connection still shapes the way...

This week's fun and insighful episode of Synthetic Dreams features Dutch electronic duo Weval. Fresh off the release of their fourth studio album,  CHOROPHOBIA , on Ninja Tune, Harm and Merijn join us to talk about crafting their most club-focused, danceable record yet — full of driving beats, hypnotic acid lines, and that unmistakable Weval warmth. Despite its title meaning “fear of dancing,”...

This week on Synthetic Dreams , I’m celebrating the incredible legacy of synth legend Bob Moog with a very special guest: Michelle Moog-Koussa, his daughter and Co-Founder of the Bob Moog Foundation. We dive into Bob’s revolutionary contributions to music technology, his enduring impact on artists worldwide, and the amazing work the Foundation is doing to preserve his amazing legacy. For more info...

I'm thrilled to be joined today by legendary music journalist and Art of Noise co-founder Paul Morley, to talk about The Art Of This — a new offshoot, descendant, and subset of the pioneering electronic group. Art of Noise helped reshape the sound of modern music, becoming one of the most sampled acts in history   Paul has reunited with fellow founders Gary Langan and J. J. Jeczalik for The Ar...

My guest this week is Jean-Michel Jarre, a true icon and pioneer of electronic music With a career spanning over 52 years in music, he is one of the most successful electronic artists ever, selling over 85 million albums and singles. Known for his large scale, elaborate live shows, Jarre has performed concerts at the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramids in Egypt and even the Sahara Desert. He’s also a UNESC...

I’m delighted to be joined by Swiss singer, songwriter,  composer and record producer, Franz Treichler, best known as the vocalist and founder member of the hugely influential industrial rock band The Young Gods. Franz formed The Young Gods in 1985 and the original lineup of the band featured  The original lineup of the band featured singer Franz Treichler, Cesare Pizzi and drummer Frank Bagnoud....

Retro Synthetic!  Another chance to listen to this previously unavailable interview with DJ and musician, Mark Archer, Altern 8. The duo, known for their signature fluorescent yellow dust masks and green boiler suits, released a series of hugely influential  techno records before achieving massive chart success with Altern 8. It was great to speak to the man behind the mask about the early rave sc...

Today’s extremely fun and insightful episode features multi-talented musician, Gwenno, plus her musical partner and husband, Rhys Edwards.  We discuss the making of Gwenno’s brilliant new album,‘Utopia’, which is out now on Heavenly Recordings.  The record, which is one of my favourite releases of 2025, has received some truly amazing reviews and is well worth checking out.  Gwenno is doing some v...

Today’s fascinating and insightful episode features a conversation with Phil King, curator of ‘All The Young Droids: Junkshop Synth Pop 1978-1985’, a wonderful double Vinyl / Double CD compilation that charts the underdogs of the 80s electronica and synth-pop scene.  There’s a very special album launch happening this Monday at Spiritland in London. The evening will include a conversation  chaired...

Delighted and truly honoured to be joined by Cosey Fanni Tutti on the podcast this week. Cosey talks about the making of her brilliant new solo album, '2t2" which comes out this Friday, 13th June. We also discuss the early days of Throbbing Gristle, music technology and her excellent books 'Art Sex Music’ published in 2017 and ‘Re-Sisters’, which came out in 2022.

Delighted to be joined by multi-talented musician, Steve Queralt on the podcast today Steve, best known as the bass player of the influential shoegaze band Ride, talks to me about the writing and recording of his first ever solo album, 'Swallow'  which comes out next Friday, June 13, on Sonic Cathedral 'Swallow', which is already one of my favourite albums of 2025, features beautif...

Today’s episode features New Order’s Tom Chapman and singer Iwan Gronow (Haven, Johnny Marr's band) who discuss the making of Sea Fever’s brilliant new album ‘Surface Sound’, which follows the band’s critically acclaimed debut, ‘Folding Lines’.  The five-piece, Manchester based band, which also features Phil Cunningham (New Order) vocalist, Beth Cassidy (Section 25) and drummer, Elliot Barlow,...

Delighted to be joined by multi-talented musician, Fay Milton on the podcast this week. Best known as the drummer of English rock band, Savages, Fay spoke to me about her latest album, ‘Goddess’, a collaborative project, featuring female and non-binary musicians, including fellow Savages bandmate, Ayse Hassan and Elena Tora. With it’s unique sonic landscape of different musical styles, it's an alb...

Today’s episode features Stockholm- based multi-instrumentalist and composer, Rebekka Karijord  Originally from Norway, Rebekka has released seven solo albums, as well as scoring music for over 30 films, including ‘All the Old Knives’, an American Spy thriller staring Chris Pine and Thandiwe Newton and Nathan Grossman’s  documentary, ‘I Am Greta’ about the climate change activist, Greta Thunberg ...

Todays extremely fun and insightful episode of Synthetic Dreams features electronic musicians, Jess and Jeff  DeCuir who make glorious synth-pop music under the name, Hyperbubble  The couple, who met back in 1996, spoke to me about their music, early gigs in both America and in the UK, musical heroes and the documentary film, ‘Cowgirls and Synthesizers’ which is a somewhat bonkers, but absolutely...

Today’s fascinating episode of Synthetic Dreams features multi-talented electronic musician and DJ, Joe Goddard, best known for his work with synth-pop band, Hot Chip, which he co-founded with his school friend, Alexis Taylor Joe talks to me about his brilliant new E.P ‘Kinetic’, which features several guest vocalists including Dynamite MC and dancehall musician Suku   We also discuss the making o...