The StageLeft Podcast

Dr. Jon Stewart of Sleeper and The Wedding Present discusses the band reforming and we do a deep dive in his new book Dylan, Lennon, Marx & God.  We also explore how touring differs now compared to the 90s, the rare experience of writing a dual-biography and the future of copyrighting music. Hosted by Chris Simpson Produced by Bastian Hues

"No time spent being creative is ever wasted." Rob Coombes of Supergrass gives a rare interview reflecting on 25 years playing with Gaz, Danny and Mickey. We cover gig prep, supporting Foo Fighters and Oasis, the Supergrass break up, creativity practice and Rob even plays us his iconic intro to 'Mary'.

"I've lost some wonderful people through my coping mechanisms." Part 2 of 2.

Songsmith Bill Ryder-Jones opens up about his approach to his art in a staggering pair of episodes. Former guitarist of The Coral and collaborator of Arctic Monkeys, BRJ discusses his demons and hopes in a manner as captivating as his music. A genius. 

Imagine being asked to write the liner notes for the 50th anniversary reissue of Sgt. Peppers, being produced by Pete Townshend, interviewing members of The Beatles, touring with Bowie's guitarist Earl Slick, and having a successful solo career to boot. A.K.A What a life! Ladies and gents, enjoy Jeff Slate on The StageLeft Podcast! Produced by Bastian Hues.

Should you want a peak behind the StageLeft curtain, Chris Simpson was recently a guest on Simon's Universe of Music where he was asked to explore experiences interviewing members of Oasis, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Radiohead, Lightning Seeds, his own views on the Music Industry and lots more. 

In 2018 we had the pleasure of interviewing Louisa Roach, lead singer/songwriter in She Drew The Gun, on the eve of 2nd album Revolution of Mind.  Today, Louisa returns to give us an exclusive track by track insight into new album Behave Myself, recorded by Arctic Monkeys producer Ross Orton, plus how the music industry could be more inclusive by making gigs safer spaces for females, plus memories...

Founding member of The Coral Paul Duffy discusses over 20 years as bassist with Liverpool's beat combo, tells us what it was like playing in a rhythm section with former guest Danny Goffey of Supergrass, supporting Oasis, compares Ian Broudie, John Leckie, and Geoff Barrow's production techniques and twists our melon on the creation of the new record 'Coral Island'.

Andro is unique, has had a huge history and has an even bigger future.  We learn in the interview that Andro has now left Jungle, having been part of that unit as backing singer and dancer. We learn about the highlights of being in Jungle for a number of years, the importance of androgynous influences on young people, the origin of the iconic  hat and hear about the stylish new E.P. "Mortal". For...

In Aug 2014, folk singer songwriter Katie Cole wrote on Instagram "You have no idea how excited I am. On Saturday I am sharing a stage with Billy Corgan from The Smashing Pumpkins." Katie's support slot led to being asked to join the band as a full-time member, first as bassist then keyboardist, guitarist and vocalist.  We hear Katie's incredible journey on this episode and explore Katie's solo ma...

Imagine going from making tea in the studio for Richey Edwards, Nicky Wire, James Dean Bradfield and Sean Moore to becoming trusted producer for numerous records by Manic Street Preachers.  This is Dave Eringa's truly extraordinary story.  A voice so pure, a vision so clear, we've got to learn to produce records like Dave Eringa, learn to live like Dave Eringa, ooooooh.

Compadré of The StageLeft Podcast, John Waugh, returns to discuss the past 4 years playing on Number 1 records with The 1975 and Sam Fender. We explore dressing as Princess Leia at the Star Wars themed The 1975 show, how running half marathons enables John’s wellbeing, a new EP and book, and what is was like playing The StageLeft Nights Supperclub to just 8 people compared to 20,000 at The 02. Sor...

Damon Albarn's trusted right hand man Mike Smith discusses his role as Music Director for Gorillaz & Blur, shares his fondest memories of being in The Good, The Bad & The Queen with the late Tony Allen and explores what motivates Damon Albarn to be so prolific.  Previous episodes include David Bowie  bassist Gail Ann Dorsey and manager of The Police, Miles Copeland III. Edited by Seb Chesn...

Gail Ann Dorsey joins us for a reflective space where she discusses the finer details of working closely in the studio & live with David Bowie for over two decades, her biggest fears, how she learned intervals on an out of tune guitar and singing joint lead vocal on the most recent record by The National. Plus so, so much more. A treat for your ears!

Miles Copeland III reached out to us during lockdown restrictions in LA as he was bored and fancied a chat! Who were we to say no? Miles owned IRS records, signed The Police & REM, and worked with the CIA to win the hearts and minds of Iraqi's post 2001.  A genuine legend in the music business world, Miles shares his negotiation techniques when striking a deal with Francis Ford Coppola, and gi...

What should a young musician look for when choosing a manager?  What should a good manager do? How can a musician avoid being exploited? How can we compartmentalise our work from family life when the two are entwined? These are just some of the questions we explore with Calum and Kerry from Red Grape Music management in our new episode! Up next will be Miles Copeland III.

On our new episode, Neil Cowley of the Neil Cowley trio reflects on how he and Adele nailed the iconic Bob Dylan cover of Make You Feel My Love first take, being produced by Paul Epworth on Rolling in the Deep, recording at Nil Frahms' studio and recording with Kelly Jones of Stereophonics.

What can music fans do to help grassroots venues? What can young musicians do most to enable their pathway to success? Some of the answers are easier than you thought when you hear Sybil Bell of Independent Venue Week on the new episode of The StageLeft Podcast, ahead of the release of 'Long and Winding Road', a new film depciting Phil Selway of Radiohead travelling UK wide meeting owners of grass...

James Dale of Goldheart Assembly reflects with The Stagecraft Podcast on some of the eye opening stories from 5 years of interviewing, plus we reveal who is up next!

Time to take stock as Chris from The StageLeft Podcast reflects on 5 years of The StageLeft Podcast with his favourite and funniest stories from behind the scenes recording the podcast, interviewed by the superb James Dale of Goldheart Assembly who once appeared on StageLeft!  Part One of Two.  Edited by Alex Soikans 

Steve Hamilton continues to split our sides as we descend into drunkenness on the eve of Corona virus. In Part 2 of 2 we hear Steve's thoughts on each member of NGHFB, we explore the realities of film score writing and documentary making, playing the Olympics closing ceremony, late nights with Martin Freeman and never hearing back from Matt Bellamy. 

“And I looked round and I was being hugged by Morgan Freeman. And then he introduced me to his friend Tim. Tim Robbins...” The hilarious Steve Hamilton gets tipsy with us as we discuss playing with Aretha Franklin, Thom Yorke breaking his foot in trying to create the brass parts for Kid A recordings, tales of Noel Gallagherisms, recording on Nutbush City Limits by Tina Turner, being in a band with...

The lovely human being that is Woody from the Brit Award winning & Grammy nominated band Bastille joins us, recorded on the eve of the Corona-virus outbreak. We discuss his new podcast Duck & Dive, being a father in the most uncertain time the music industry has had, singing Pompeii with Rick Astley, being zen-like before gigs, what he learned from being taught by legendary tutor Bob Armst...

Elbow drummer Alex Reeves joins us on the new episode of The StageLeft Podcast - where he contrasts Guy Garvey's approach to solo work compared to the Elbow songwriting process, what it was like playing Beatles songs with Paul McCartney, and how he can play on your record....

An extraordinary episode of the The StageLeft Podcast with legendary drummer and DJ Rusty Egan.  Here we discuss the (lack of) recognition that comes with the industry, discovering Madonna, Rusty shares his personal views on the motivations of Apple & Spotify yet offers a viable solution to musicians to ensure they earn the money they deserve by directing us to Blockchain & Ujo.  https://m...