Matters

Singer, songwriter Josh Rouse was glorious to interview, as tricky as it was (read: he wasn’t interested in me). If I recall, he was is in a London cab, en-route to a soundcheck when we spoke. Under Cold Blue Stars was the album he was promoting at the time, just before the release of his career-defining 1972 album. Big thanks to Rob Cowling for setting this interview one up.

The Norwegian electronic music duo, Röyksopp, enjoyed a certain level of success until their debut studio album, Melody A.M.  What happened after its September 2001 release by Wall of Sound turned Svein Berge and Torbjørn Brundtland into global stars.    I had the privilege of talking to Svein nearly two years after the record first exploded and continued to find new audiences. It w...

Post the influential, The Wedding Album , an interview opportunity with Duran Duran guitarist Warren Cuccurullo was forced into an interview with me in July 1997 to talk through all things Medazzaland . The album’s first single was also a track included on the soundtrack to The Saint . “Out Of My Mind” took Duran Duran to new heights, even though John Taylor had recently and finally decided to lea...

The year 1999 was momentous on many levels, especially in music. David Sylvian, the unforgettable voice that illustrated “Forbidden Colours”, composed by Ryuichi Sakomoto for the motion picture’s soundtrack, Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence , was about to release a remarkable collection of new material. You may know him as the ex-Japan singer or recall his collab work with the legendary Robert Fripp?...

Now and again, you stumble upon a quiet, unassuming genius.  Lloyiso is one such soul we all need to pay attention to.  He's young, astute, and above all, gifted.  I had the joy of spending a little time with the soon-to-be global hitmaker at the point in his career that's beyond foundational; it's defining. Enjoy.

In May 2021, I had the privilege of interviewing Ziggy Alberts upon the release of his 5th studio album, Searching for Freedom , and its accompanying Brainwaves book of poetry.   In the 30-odd minutes we spent time in the Zoom, he unpacked his third album's success, his lockdown reality, and his ambitions for the future.  A delightful human being, invested in pushing his words and songs...

20 weeks to get to Number One, Hard-Fi’s Stars of CCTV album was a slow burn to the top, but when it did, it knocked the lights out. Chatting to lead singer, Richard Archer on the eve of their second Once Upon a Time in the West, this 2007 release travelled even better than the first, landing a Top 10 place as far afield as Japan. This legacy cassette-recorded interview is a snapshot in time, neve...

In 2006, José Gabriel González, the Swedish indie folk singer-songwriter and guitarist from Gothenburg, arrived in Cape Town to promote and play a record released three years before.  I sat with him in a small club in Observatory, Cape Town to talk through the journey to Veneer , his debut studio album. González is also a member of the band Junip, along with Tobias Winterkorn.

In 1999, Stereophonics were knocking the lights out with the arrival of their highly anticipated second album, Performance and Cocktails. I had the honour of chatting to the now sadly late drummer, Stuart Cable, who unpacked the journey the band had taken to realising global, well-deserved, success.

I had the privilege of speaking with Violent Femmes’ gracious frontman Gordon Gano in February 2000, at the time Freak Magnet arrived. Since 1983, this group has claimed a space that remains entirely relevant some 38-odd years on. The Washington Post  called the album "stuck in the Reagan decade," writing that "the Femmes still play punky hootenanny-rock with occasional potty-mouthed lyrics t...

Speaking to Simple Mind’s frontman, Jim Kerr on the back of filming the promo video for “War Babies” from the album Néapolis, shot in Cape Town in April 1998. Directed by Michael Geoghegan , the video gave the band an excuse to return to the country and talk through their then 20-year music career.

In mid-2006, I sat with the Australian singer-songwriter, musician, actress, and activist, Missy Higgins. Her confidence, self-belief and passion for her craft was palpable, please enjoy!

Years before "Stacy's Mom" was realised - this is FOW and the very start of their career as once of modern rock's more subtle influencers.

The acclaimed trumpeter & composer returns with an album of music written & inspired by jazz legend Wayne Shorter. Featuring Blanchard’s band E-Collective with pianist Fabian Almazan, guitarist Charles Altura, bassist David Ginyard & drummer Oscar Seaton, and the Turtle Island String Quartet.

In 2004 Basement Jaxx was the hot ticket when it came to filling dancefloors right around the world. Disclaimer: This interview is noisy, thanks to it being captured in a hotel lobby during the group's South African debut tour, post Kish Kash's success. That said, it's worthy of your time if you're a fan of the BJ.

In 2006, Richard E. Grant was in town, Cape Town, to share the story behind the making of Wah Wah, his self directed life story, along with a stellar cast of actors.

27 September 2001 - mere weeks after 9/11,  Heather was speaks about hope and promise, heading South , beyond Siren.

In October 2004, one-time Baby Spice, Emma Bunton, was celebrating the release of her second solo album, Free Me. This is she, in conversation with me, talking about her Spice World journey, finding her voice, and teasing out what she intended attempting next.

In interview with celebrated UK author, Tony Parsons, circa 2004.

The Jayhawks lead singer, Gary Louris, waxes lyrical about what makes the band Smile , after a far-to-long hiatus between recordings. Yes, this is another of my legacy cassette-recorded archive interviews intended for the committed – There are nuggets in there if you’re willing to dig deep. Enjoy, regardless.

In conversation with Gary Kemp, he of Spandau Ballet and acting fame, playing one part of the Cray Twins, a 10 year journey summarised in a 20-minute chat.

This is me in full fan-boy flight. Michael Brook is lesser-known, but no less a critical musician; celebrated solo artist, producer and inventor of the Infinite Guitar, famously played by both U2’s The Edge and Daniel Lanois. Short, but no less sweet, I caught up with 4AD multi-talent to talk about his 1997 soundtrack produced for Albino Alligator , Kevin Spacey’s directorial debut. Here, Michael...

Pete Doherty was out, having formed Baby Shambles, but The Libertines remained gracious and welcoming should he have cleaned up his act. While they got on with it, drummer Gary Powell and the the remaining band kept their self-titled, second album in the spotlight, regardless of it all. Through the personal and professional mayhem that haunted them, the band persevered and cleaned up their act to...

The year was 1998, Oremi had just been released and I got the opportunity to talk to its maker. What a wonderful woman and equally brilliant, trail-blazing musician. 

The Chemical Brothers make music that’s not been made yet. Whether they were working with Mercury Rev or Mazzy Star, they had an ear for what works. Remixing wise, they’re legendary, only because they have a lot of ideas. ’94. ’95 was a great way of getting their music out there. As they became a band, they focused on themselves, for no less than 14 months. They wanted their own voice and Surrende...