Lancaster Unsigned With The Taphouse

The AeroBees are a four-piece alternative indie rock band from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. They do punchy, melodic rock. They're also fun to chat to. More? Go here: https://seahouserecords.com/the-aerobees/

Aubrey Blakeledge is a Hampshire-based folk comedian, storyteller, musician, and radio DJ affectionately known as "Lord Bath of Southampton". He's loved in Lancaster after he came and dished out some of his "screaming folk". A blend of "Shakespeare and Robbie Williams", Blakeledge delivers comedic songwriting that blends folklore, absurdity, and musical talent. You must love his work, go find more...

We asked AI about our guest, this is what it said: Ben Ruth – Lancaster Music Festival Founder & Ecologist The founder of the prominent Lancaster Music Festival and director of CME Artist Services. He holds a PhD in Aquatic Ecology and Genetics and runs "The Orchard Alchemist", a local sustainability project focused on upcycling seasonal fruit and establishing a local community distillery. -- Hear...

Their profile on the Lancaster Music Co-Op website reads: "Original music at its best. From heavy guitar, banging drum beats and bass that makes you move; Listen Twice puts a focus on a collective sound that makes you want to know more. Taking inspiration from rock, indie and alternative styles (as well as some ska for fun) Listen twice offer style of songs that you can love in an instance. Add in...

The Mandrills are a young Blackpool/Over Wyre indie-rock band who have been building a name around the North-West grassroots scene. They already have a fairly substantial recorded catalogue and a reputation for strong live shows. We think they're great, worthy champions of the emerging New Blackpool Rock scene. More: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdX19RD4F_lmcsYwdu3-tIQ

Zoey Jones is a British singer, songwriter, DJ, producer, and independent record label owner who blends deep house electronic music with strong jazz, soul, and disco influences. Originally from Lancaster, UK, she began her career training as a ballerina before transitioning into a global music career that has spanned Europe and Asia. She joins us for a chat, discover more here: https://www.faceboo...

Benni Beard (the stage name of Ben Holloway) is an indie-pop singer-songwriter, guitarist, and performer based in Morecambe and Lancaster, UK. Known for his witty, melodic style influenced by 80s indie, Britpop, and DIY bands, he is a prominent figure in the local live music and open-mic scene. More of him here: https://www.facebook.com/bennibeardmusic/  

Delighted to welcome Lois Brooks, the young singer-songwriter from Blackpool, a UK independent alt-pop artist known for piano-led, emotionally driven songs. She began writing music as a child and won the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition with Girl in the Dress Find more: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6CjQr2mNnOAGcized577Nh

If local band Art Gallery is Ryan exploring goth/post-punk/psychedelic rock through a band , Hail The Radiant is Ryan exploring composition, guitar, electronics and surreal miniature pieces by himself . Stars From Afar is the clearest document of that side of his musical personality. hailtheradiant.bandcamp.com

Rachel Wyche, after her acoustic folk-rock set, joins us on the show to play two of her self-penned tracks: the live-band studio recording "Something About You," made with a University of Surrey friend, and "Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right," which she recorded and produced herself in college. Wyche describes building her skills through musical theatre, self-taught guitar and piano, previous bands an...

This chat with Ash from rock band Something Brewin' ahead of the Lancaster Unsigned Festival at The Tap House in Lancaster, featuring around 40 original acts. Ash confirms the band will play and will perform mostly new material, alongside songs from their 2024 debut album, Brewed to Perfection. He explains the group are typically a covers band but have been doing originals-only shows, and says the...

Nich chats with Joe Butler at the Tap House after Joe joins Rachel onstage to perform a co-written song. Nick praises their voices together and promises to play the track once it's recorded. Joe shares how he started gigging by approaching bars on his first day at uni, without studying music formally, after writing since age 14–15 during COVID. He discusses writing about issues like drink spiking,...

Nick Margerrison chats with Paper Jones after watching them play a packed, dance-filled gig at The Tap House for Beyond Radio's Lancaster Unsigned. The five-piece explain their name comes from a friend nicknamed "Paper Jones" because they're into origami, with bandmate Connor still able to fold a swan. They perform their original track "Someone to Swim With," described as a love song with a dual m...

Nick Margerrison, Lancaster Unsigned on Beyond Radio, from the Tap House, chatting with returning favourites Shelley's Bane. The band share updates including a new single, "Greengrass," expected in about a month, with cover art planned from a specific spot in Barrow Park. They discuss the importance of testing mixes in the car, play "You're a Richard Head, But I Love You," and note missing member...

Nick Margerrison chats with James from Morecambe-based band Coastline on Beyond Radio's Lancaster Unsigned. They discuss the shift from a long-running covers setup into releasing original music. James explains the band's roots with Tom Woods and members Liam, Lucy and Stefan, and how past writing experience in other local bands led them to develop powerful, hook-led songs designed to stand as "ban...

Kristi Michelle on Beyond Radio's Lancaster Unsigned, discussing how she moved from Los Angeles to Lancaster after being invited to tour the UK and stayed for the live music culture. She describes her folk and roots influences, songwriting as emotional processing, and the need to perform live. She reflects on piano-bar gigs with the late Chas Ambler as "Victoria Rose and Charles," mentions past Mo...

Lancaster Unsigned, Nick Margerrison interviews Lancaster guitarist, songwriter, and performer Owen Saunders, recalling their first meeting when Owen's unassuming playing transformed the room. Owen says he started guitar at 16, began on electric, switched to acoustic, and was writing strong original songs within a year, supported by a musical family. They play his SoundCloud track "Simple Pleasure...

Nick Margerrison chats with returning guest Chloe Jane Hirst at The Tap House in Lancaster, after a live performance. They discuss music as connection rather than perfection, concerns about arts education being cut or judged, and optimism about Lancaster's music scene. She talks about recording more material, including politically themed songwriting such as "Ferocious Diagnosis," and introduces a...

Betty Kendrick is an independent folk/blues/indie artist from North West England known for a "hauntingly distinctive sound" blending dark folk, blues, soul, and indie influences. Her music features rich vocals and guitar work that moves between intricate fingerpicking and heavier chord-driven arrangements. More of her here: https://www.facebook.com/bettykendrickmusic  

The Cherished Times are a Lancashire-based alt/folk/rock band formed around singer-songwriter Kev Scott. The project evolved from Scott's solo studio albums into a full live band in 2023. We caught up with them at The Taphouse after a splendid gig where they played their original material. They have their own website, go there for more: www.thecherishedtimes.com  

Everyone in Lancaster loves Arcane Hope, they're a local phenomena. Music lovers like us were ecstatic at the news that they've recruited a new member, Scott Millington. Already a huge star on our show Scott joined us with Alice to explain how and why Arcan Hope are ready to make more fantastic music. Go now to their BandCamp and feast on some music: https://arcanehope.bandcamp.com/  

Kind Hearted Thieves are a 5-piece cinematic folk rock (grunge) band from Blackpool, England, fronted by singer-songwriter Jamie, whose voice has been described as roaring like the sea on a stormy winter night. We chat to him about the band after an AWESOME solo set at The Taphouse in #LANCASTER More here: https://kindheartedthieves.com/ And here: https://www.instagram.com/kindheartedthieves/

The charismatic Jackson Ward introduces us to a side of the local music scene which seems to be growing in stature all the time, Americana! Our guest performs both solo and with the Jackson Ward Trio, mixing classic-country storytelling with rock 'n' roll energy. If you only do one thing with your day today make it this YouTube video of his: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9jW-2BXXgY And find out...

These guys are AWESOME live. They've got some real MC5 energy in there, a real treat. Strong reccommend from us at Lancaster Unsigned. Go here for more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvx4vr0E6oaTV1TwNX-cn7Q And then follow them on Insta here: https://www.instagram.com/greenhousebandlancs/  

From his Facebook page: " Hi, I'm Oliver, a 17 year old musician from Preston/Chorley area. I gig locally, doing covers and I am currently working on a lot of original work. Hope you enjoy what you see ". We got Oliver to promise to bring some recorded work to our next interview. He's got a real talent for songwriting, which pub goers at The Taphouse were treated to, just prior to us recording thi...