K&A Podcast

Episode 46: Back in the Pod Lodge! It's been a while! Since May, in fact, although Aidan is still struggling to work out exactly how long that actually is. Karl and Aidan are back in the Pod Lodge to catch up on what's been happening over the summer, including gigs, trips abroad and whatever else they've been getting up to while the podcast has been on its little break. They've also been discoveri...

In this episode of the K&A Podcast, Karl and Aidan dive into one of music’s most debated questions - which cover versions are genuinely better than the original songs. We’ve been through a load of listener submissions for this one, and there are some brilliant picks in here. From subtle reworkings to full reinventions, we look at the songs where the cover has either matched or completely overt...

In this episode of the K&A Podcast, Karl and Aidan dive into one of music’s most debated questions - which cover versions are genuinely better than the original songs. We’ve been through a load of listener submissions for this one, and there are some brilliant picks in here. From subtle reworkings to full reinventions, we look at the songs where the cover has either matched or completely overt...

Episode 44: James Gardener Born in Southampton, James Gardener began his musical journey at seven on tenor horn before switching to trumpet at nine - following some very practical advice from his primary school teacher: “you’ll get more gigs on trumpet.” From community brass bands to the Southampton Youth Jazz Orchestra, and through Grade 8 trumpet and piano studies, music quickly became the prior...

Born in Southampton, James Gardener began his musical journey at seven on tenor horn before switching to trumpet at nine - following some very practical advice from his primary school teacher: “you’ll get more gigs on trumpet.” From community brass bands to the Southampton Youth Jazz Orchestra, and through Grade 8 trumpet and piano studies, music quickly became the priority - A-Levels very much se...

Welcome to our Quiz Bonanza, where Karl and Aidan put their musical geekiness to the test in a head-to-head quiz. No Googling, no phone-a-friend - just two music obsessives trying to out-nerd each other. The questions include legendary festival line-ups, deep cuts from The Beatles, iconic collaborations and the curious craft of movie soundtracks. Adding a twist to the proceedings, a very special g...

Welcome to our Quiz Bonanza, where Karl and Aidan put their musical geekiness to the test in a head-to-head quiz. No Googling, no phone-a-friend - just two music obsessives trying to out-nerd each other. The questions include legendary festival line-ups, deep cuts from The Beatles, iconic collaborations and the curious craft of movie soundtracks. Adding a twist to the proceedings, a very special g...

This week, Karl and Aidan invite Hayley Thomas to the podlodge. Hayley is the founder of Miaza and brings an honest conversation about health, balance, and looking after yourself as a performer. Hayley works with people who feel physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually out of sync. In this episode, she talks specifically about how musicians can keep their bodies and minds healthy while pe...

This week, Karl and Aidan invite Hayley Thomas to the Pod Lodge. Hayley is the founder of Miaza and brings an honest conversation about health, balance, and looking after yourself as a performer. Hayley works with people who feel physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually out of sync. In this episode, she talks specifically about how musicians can keep their bodies and minds healthy while p...

Karl and Aidan head back to the Pod Lodge for a festive dive into the Christmas Day charts. In this Christmas special, they rewind through five classic years - 1975, 1985, 1995, 2005 and 2015 - to see what was topping the charts when the turkey was carved and the telly was on. From novelty and comedy records to rock anthems, chart pop and everything in between, it’s a snapshot of how tastes and tr...

Karl and Aidan head back to the Pod Lodge for a festive dive into the Christmas Day charts. In this Christmas special, they rewind through five classic years - 1975, 1985, 1995, 2005 and 2015 - to see what was topping the charts when the turkey was carved and the telly was on. From novelty and comedy records to rock anthems, chart pop and everything in between, it’s a snapshot of how tastes and tr...

In Episode 40, Tom Gregory joins Karl and Aidan in the Pod Lodge, and it becomes clear pretty quickly that he has covered more musical ground than most people manage in a lifetime. He talks us through a path that runs from Australia to Manchester and then on to Southampton, touching on Latin, funk, folk and a whole load of other styles along the way. Tom also claims he has performed on more than 5...

In Episode 40, Tom Gregory joins Karl and Aidan in the pod lodge, and it becomes clear pretty quickly that he has covered more musical ground than most people manage in a lifetime. He talks us through a path that runs from Australia to Manchester and then on to Southampton, touching on Latin, funk, folk and a whole load of other styles along the way. Tom also claims he has performed on more than 5...

Kelly joins Karl and Aidan for a chat about her journey from early singing days to a Christmas hit with Hot Pantz. She shares the surreal experience of meeting Paramore live on BBC Radio 1, and how unveiling a ‘Paramore (Or Less)’ banner at a Paramore concert almost got her kicked out of the Royal Albert Hall.. Kelly also discusses balancing her career as an architect with life on the road perform...

Kelly joins Karl and Aidan for a chat about her journey from early singing days to a Christmas hit with Hot Pantz. She shares the surreal experience of meeting Paramore live on BBC Radio 1, and how unveiling a ‘Paramore (Or Less)’ banner at a Paramore concert almost got her kicked out of the Royal Albert Hall. Kelly also discusses balancing her career as an architect with life on the road performi...

What was the single greatest year in music history? In this episode of the K&A Podcast, Karl and Aidan put your submissions to the test in the ultimate showdown of the decades. Listeners have each nominated a year they believe had the strongest album releases, backing it up with three records that showcase its greatness. But it is not just about the charts and the critics. Alongside the debate...

What was the single greatest year in music history? In this episode of the K&A Podcast, Karl and Aidan put your submissions to the test in the ultimate showdown of the decades. Listeners have each nominated a year they believe had the strongest album releases, backing it up with three records that showcase its greatness. But it is not just about the charts and the critics. Alongside the debate...

We sit down with the wonderful Mo Woods to talk about her first steps into singing, her journey as a professional performer, and why looking after your mental health as a performer is every bit as important as the music itself. If you’d like to learn more about Mo, you can explore her story on her website or follow her on Instagram. Mo Woods https://www.mowoodsmusic.com/ Instagram https://www.inst...

We sit down with the wonderful Mo Woods to talk about her first steps into singing, her journey as a professional performer, and why looking after your mental health as a performer is every bit as important as the music itself. If you’d like to learn more about Mo, you can explore her story on her website or follow her on Instagram . For listeners curious about mental health, here’s a quick ADHD o...

This week, Karl and Aidan are on location at Southampton Guitar Repairs , joined by guitar tech and luthier Adam Chmarny . Adam gives the K&A Podcast a guided tour of his busy workshop, sharing the tools, techniques, and practical insights that go into keeping guitars in top shape — from fretwork to electronics and everything in between. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the bench of...

This week, Karl and Aidan are on location at Southampton Guitar Repairs , joined by guitar tech and luthier Adam Chmarny . Adam gives the K&A Podcast a guided tour of his busy workshop, sharing the tools, techniques, and practical insights that go into keeping guitars in top shape - from fretwork to electronics and everything in between. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the bench of...

Episode 35 - What’s Your Favourite New Song You’ve Discovered This Year? We put the question out there: What’s your favourite new song you’ve discovered this year? You delivered. Fifteen songs came in - some brand new, some old gems freshly unearthed - and we listened to every one of them live on the pod. In this episode, we give each track a proper listen and an honest score, ending with a defini...

Episode 35 – What’s Your Favourite New Song You’ve Discovered This Year? We put the question out there: What’s your favourite new song you’ve discovered this year? You delivered. Fifteen songs came in – some brand new, some old gems freshly unearthed - and we listened to every one of them live on the pod. In this episode, we give each track a proper listen and an honest score, ending with a defini...

In this episode, Karl and Aidan welcome Bradley Bowers into the Pod-Lodge. Bradley is the founder of BCB Production , a company specialising in audio/visual and technical support for live events. If you’re building something creative and want it to look and sound brilliant, Bradley’s the guy you call. We dig into how musicians and creatives can better prepare for the stage - from technical setup t...

In this episode, Karl and Aidan welcome Bradley Bowers into the Pod-Lodge. Bradley is the founder of BCB Production , a company specialising in audio/visual and technical support for live events. If you’re building something creative and want it to look and sound brilliant, Bradley’s the guy you call. We dig into how musicians and creatives can better prepare for the stage - from technical setup t...