The Apollo Audio Podcast

This week we talk about studio experiences, recording approaches, and what actually makes a great record. We discuss a visit to a newly built high-end studio, the realities of live tracking, and why even the most advanced setups still come down to performance. Along the way, we get into gear myths, studio culture, and why environment and mindset often matter more than equipment. In the second half...

This week’s episode is a lighter conversation around music culture, listening habits, and how people discover and connect with artists. We talk about vinyl, record buying, and how music fits into everyday life, alongside a discussion about why word of mouth still plays a central role in building an audience. In the second half, we listen to The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails and reflect on its...

Most independent artists are not getting paid properly from their music. Not because streaming does not work, but because the system depends on information being set up correctly. In this episode, Martin and Billy break down one of the most overlooked parts of releasing music. Metadata, recording codes, and songwriting registration. The unglamorous details that determine whether money reaches you...

In this week’s episode, Martin and Billy talk pedals, plugins, and the difference between building a sound you can actually own versus pressing a button and borrowing someone else’s. They get into live guitar setups, tracking tones properly, why “inspiration not replication” still matters, and how technology makes it easier than ever to sound like everyone else. In the recommended listening sectio...

This week we talk about why so much modern production feels indistinguishable — and how to use reference tracks without turning your mix into a copy. We also touch on The Brits, live performance vs polish, and why Charli XCX’s Brat connected as a cultural moment as much as a record. The Brits: commercial success vs critical success Everything sounds the same because it can and what that means in p...

This week we talk about gig culture: last-minute ticket buying, dynamic pricing, bots, and why buying tickets early genuinely helps venues survive. We also reflect on the difference between “event gigs” and being five feet from a band in a proper room and why supporting grassroots venues is how future headline acts get made. Album-wise, we dive into R.E.M.’s Automatic for the People - a downbeat,...

In this week’s episode, Martin and Billy talk about music tech and internet culture — from K-pop production as a “craft flex”, to the current state of AI video and why it still gets the basics wrong. They also dig into a list of “albums that tarnished an artist’s legacy”, and end up on a bigger question: why album sequencing matters, why shuffle shouldn’t be the default, and what it says when tech...

In this week’s episode of The Apollo Audio Podcast , Martin and Billy talk about studio life at Apollo Audio - why the vibe and community matter, what bands can do to get the most out of studio time, and why being prepared (tight rehearsals, demos, and pre-production) makes everything easier once the clock starts. They also pick up the ongoing conversation about AI in music, shortcuts, and why the...

In this week’s episode of The Apollo Audio Podcast , Martin and Billy talk about the realities of running and sustaining creative spaces, why recording studios matter to local music communities, and how pressures like rising costs and business rates affect the wider music ecosystem. They also chat through recent industry news, including the Grammys and the Brit Awards, what gets recognised on big...

In this week’s episode of The Apollo Audio Podcast , Martin and Billy talk about why people still bother making records (and why that matters), plus a few things currently doing the rounds in the music world. They discuss generative AI music and Suno (including a CEO comment that sparked a bigger conversation about creativity), the Brit Awards and who actually gets platformed on big TV performance...

In this week’s episode of The Apollo Audio Podcast , Martin and Billy discuss Bandcamp’s decision to reject AI-generated music from the platform and what that could mean for artists, platforms, and the wider role of AI in music. They also share their thoughts on the Brit Awards and how relevant they feel they are within today’s music landscape. In the recommended listening section, Martin and Bill...

In this episode, Martin and Billy kick things off chatting about the evolution of movie soundtracks, the art of networking in the industry, and the ever-shifting landscape of music streaming. Then, they switch to discussing Lily Allen's controversial but highly rated new album West End Girl, it's very personal lyrical depth, and how it measures up to her previous work. Along the way, they sprinkle...

Happy New Year! In this episode of the Apollo Audio Podcast, Billy and Martin chat about our New Year reflections, the studio makeover, and what's happening in music, We dive into the rise of the band Geese, and their 3rd Album Getting Killed. We also talk about the Grammy nominations, how we listen to music now, and why being real in your art matters. The Apollo Audio Podcast is hosted by Martin...

It’s the last episode of the year so time to have a look back and find out what stood out and proved to be memorable. Thanks for listening, we'll be back in the New Year The Apollo Audio Podcast is hosted by Martin Lumsden (record producer and engineer) and Billy Hills (musician and studio owner), and is recorded at Apollo Audio Hertford. Each episode offers insight into songs, records, and the cr...

This Martin and Billy are joined by Alex LoSardo from Love Music Hate Racism for a lively chat about how Love Musis Hate Racism uses live music events to help unite us in the fight against racism. Alex shares stories from the campaign and explores the impact that bands like Rage Against the Machine inspired both his music and activism. It's an engaging conversation filled with plenty of good vibes...

In this episode of the Apollo Audio Podcast, Martin Lumsden and Billy are joined by special guest Paul Hills (yes Billy's dad) to discuss one of his all time favourites - the iconic album "Songs from the Big Chair" by Tears for Fears. We discuss timeless tracks like "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" and "Shout," and the band's unique sound and influence. Paul shares his personal stories about ea...

An offensive use of rhythm and tempo! This week, Martin and Billy celebrate Scotland's epic World Cup qualification! 🎉 and their latest gig adventures, including a night at the London Palladium with Howard Jones. Our selected album this week is the somewhat quirky and often detested first major label album from Cardiacs. From wild time signatures to theatrical vibes, we chat about what makes musi...

This week digital distributor reported that roughly 50,000 fully AI-generated tracks are now uploaded every day, accounting for more than a third of all music delivered to the service. Good lord! Thank the same lad then for the continuing existence of bands like Primus that seem to come out of nowhere and do things that are just not something you could ever be produced by AI mush. Our advice - lov...

This week we listen to Angel Dust by Faith No More and discover that while initially wrong-footed by the range of styles and theatricality it's an album that improves immediately on a second listen. Is it bold or ridiculous? You might just have to decide for yourself. Plus, we discuss Spotify's recent deal with the big three labels on AI licensing and share our thoughts on how AI could shape the f...

Another of Billy's all time favourite albums, from an artist the Martin readily acknowledges to have prior prejudice against. Can opinions be swayed? The Apollo Audio Podcast is hosted by Martin Lumsden (record producer and engineer) and Billy Hills (musician and studio owner), and is recorded at Apollo Audio Hertford. Each episode offers insight into songs, records, and the creative process, draw...

It's been a sad week as we lost several very influential musicians from various eras and genres, so we pay our respects before digging in to the third album from UK crossover dance act The Prodigy. Keith Flint is another artist who left us too soon but he was at the forefront of the biggest commercial and critical hit from a band that have had a hugely successful career and are still being covered...

A number one hit album released just a couple of weeks ago is on the listening pile this week. What do we make of the huge success of Olivia Dean? Plus the usual ramble about other stuff that's been going on. The Apollo Audio Podcast is hosted by Martin Lumsden (record producer and engineer) and Billy Hills (musician and studio owner), and is recorded at Apollo Audio Hertford. Each episode offers...

After two weeks of feeling subjected to dire depressing tunes Billy enacts revenge by insisting on reviewing the lengthy and musically complex third album from Tool "Lateralus". Science, mathematics - should they be more important than actual tunes? Also a lengthy ramble about grassroots music and the lack of venues for artists still establishing their fanbase. The Apollo Audio Podcast is hosted b...

This week Martin is joined by Lemmi Eaton who regularly performs and releases solo work as Garage Canvas and as a member of the band High Dives. We had a lovely long rambly conversation that I've managed to knock in to some sensible shape - perhaps the out-takes will make it to a bonus episode someday. Why not write in and offer bribes to have the extra content released. Jimmy Eats World's third a...

Well, Billy wasn't 100% convinced but fairly sure if it was a straight fight between this and The Boatman's Call this would win on points. Morrissey and Marr were the Lennon and McCartney of the 80's but their long term legacy doesn't quite have the deep cultural relevance of The Beatles, however the UK Indie scene was based on the foundations built on the back of this band's short time in the lim...