Sending Signals

Hey folks. Here’s something to brighten your January I hope! I’m really excited to share this episode, the first of Series 3. Dan Wilson is the frontman of Semisonic (“Closing Time”, “Secret Smile”) but he’s also a brilliant songwriting collaborator. He’s worked with on some songs you may know by Adele (“Someone Like You”), Taylor Swift (“Treacherous”), and Dixie Chicks (“Not Ready To Make Nice”)...

A very special episode featuring all 4 surviving original members of The Zombies; Rod Argent, Chris White, Colin Blunstone, and Hugh Grundy! We take a look at the making of one of the greatest albums of all time, “Odessey and Oracle”, including a track-by-track commentary from Rod and Chris. It’s one of the most ambitious episodes I’ve attempted and I hope you enjoy it.   Let me know what you thin...

‘Allo! This episode I’m joined by J. Willgoose Esq. of Public Service Broadcasting to talk about anxiety, therapy, and his creative process. J. recently became a father and was also coming to terms with the delay the pandemic has brought to the band’s next album.   My other guest is Michelle Stodart of The Magic Numbers. This year was supposed to be a celebration of the 15th anniversary of their v...

Action! “Sometimes Always Never” is a movie that really moved me; it’s an incredible piece of work, and it was fantastic to get to speak to it’s writer Frank Cottrell-Boyce, and its director Carl Hunter, about the lengthy gestation period the movie went through, and to get a sense of what goes into pulling off a movie like this.   If you haven’t yet had the pleasure, the movie stars Bill Nighy, Al...

Attention! The following personnel are assigned to Sending Signals; John Lodge of The Moody Blues, and actor Jamie Farr, best known for playing Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger on M*A*S*H.   John Lodge joined The Moodies in 1966 as the band’s bassist, as well as sharing in vocal and songwriting contributions. We had a great conversation about lockdown, his new single, the future of the Moodies, and the...

“The Vast Of Night” is one the finest movies of the year, and this episode we go behind the scenes on its creation with one of its stars, Jake Horowitz, Production Designer Adam Dietrich, as well as talking with Jared Bulmer and Erick Alexander about their beautiful score, and we have music and conversation from The Mellows who’s songs were also used in the movie!   “The Vast Of Night” is out now...

This episode, legendary engineer/producer Stephen Street takes us behind the scenes on the making of classic records by The Smiths, Blur, and The Cranberries.   Also, the show’s mission to explore the nature of creativity widens its parameters, as my old friend Tom Pendry, one of the Directors of Henry Poole & Co. is here to chat about bespoke tailoring and its long association with Savile Row in...

Welcome to Season 2! Very excited to have Stewart Copeland on the show this week. The Police were a formative band for me growing up, and Stewart is a great storyteller. We dig into The Police reunion tour, creativity during lockdown, and coming to terms with your father being a spy...   Also on the show, Stuart Braithwaite of legendary Scottish post-rockers Mogwai!   Find me on Twitter @signalspo...

Hi! This month, hear my chat with befluted (not a word) frontman of Jethro Tull, Ian Anderson, as he embarks on 2 tours in 2020. Also, enjoy a fantastic conversation with one of the greatest 21st century songwriters, Chris Porterfield of Field Report. As a special treat, you can also hear an acoustic version of “Blind Spot”. This is currently the only place you can hear this recording (unless you...

Ahoy! This month, Tim Wheeler of Ash is here talking 25 years of the band, along with Derek Shulman of Gentle Giant talking about the band’s mammoth new box set.

In one of the highlights of the series, and a special extended episode, I have a deep and candid conversation with Danny McNamara from Embrace. It’s a wide-ranging conversation taking in mental health issues like PTSD and OCD, as well as physical ones. We talk through the highs and lows of the band and the future. I think it’s a pretty special conversation. Also on the show, Russell Leetch from Ed...

Greetings! This month Jazz legend Digby Fairweather talks about his career, the past and future of jazz, the nature of genre, and his work with The Jazz Centre UK. It’s a good one! Also, Wilco member Mikael Jorgensen chats about the band’s latest record, the rather dark “Ode To Joy”, and touring with one of the best live bands on the planet! Enjoy! Twitter: @signalspodcast Insta: @sendingsignalspo...

Rollermania comes to Sending Signals! Yes, Les McKeown is on, talking about his time in the whirlwind of fame, and the toll of touring in your 60’s. You can also hear my chat with The Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn, talking about his excellent new solo record “I Need A New War”. Come and get it!

Prog-tastic! This month Steve Howe of Yes discusses his new record with The Steve Howe Trio, picking Yes setlists, and playing gigs in a prison. Also, former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett talks life on the road, his current tour performing “Selling England By The Pound” in full, and hayfever! Twitter: @signalspodcast Instagram: @sendingsignalspodcast

And we’re back. Did you miss me? This month Lloyd Cole talks divisive new album “Guesswork” and the challenges of being creative as you get older. Steve Hogarth of Marillion is also on, reflecting on 30 years with the band, as they tentatively start work on a new album ahead of a UK tour later this year. marillion.com lloydcole.com Twitter: @signalspodcast Instagram: @sendingsignalspodcast

Episode 10! I'm still here! Delighted to have drummer Steve Ferrone of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as a guest this week. We discuss growing up, overcoming his addiction, and of course, the loss of Tom. Also on the show, Bob Collum pops in for a chat and performs a song for us from his latest record "Pay Pack and Carry".

Hey hey hey! This week John Illsley of Dire Straits talks nostalgia, the pressure of being huge, and whether bass players should make solo albums. Also, you may remember The Connells for their hit "74-75" but there's a lot more to the band's career. It was awesome to talk to Mike Connell from the band about their past and future. theconnells.com johnillsley.com Find me on Twitter @signal...

Greetings! Episode 8 is here. Grant Nicholas is on the show this week, talking about the upcoming Feeder album “Tallulah”. We talk about the ups and downs of 25 years of Feeder; being creative in the face of tragedy, the process of making some of their records, and whether “Buck Rogers” irritates him too. Also I’m delighted to have Tony Banks of Genesis on the show. We talk about his new boxset of...

The spaceship is landing! Bev Bevan of ELO and The Move is on the show this week. We get real about ELO's first album, Bev's ill-advised ELO spin-off band, writing credits for drummers, and the great songs left off "Time". Also on the show, the very nice Eric Pulido of Midlake AKA "E.B. The Younger" talks about going solo, and the status of Midlake's ongoing hiatus. I also comp...

Howdy! This week Big Star drummer Jody Stephens is here! Big Star are one of the greatest bands "evs" and they have such a mystique around them; it was so cool to talk to Jody from Ardent Studios where Big Star created most of their records, and where he now works! Also on the show, Professor of Creative Writing, poet, music writer Katie Mullins. We had an awesome conversation about teac...

Imagine you could take a pill that reduced or even eliminated your body's need for sleep. Would you take it? What would be the implications for society if everyone took it? Those are some of the issues raised in "Dead Tired"; the debut novel from Derek J. Pack, one of my guests this week. Also, we take a trip over to "Motor City", Detroit. Guitarist Dennis Coffey is here talkin...

Wossup! This week we have a member of Desperate Journalist and an actual journalist whom I shall not refer to as "desperate". Clarisse Loughrey, is here! The Independent's Chief Film Critic, and occasional "substitute teacher" for the BBC's flagship movie show on 5Live (known as Wittertainment to those in the know) herself. I really enjoyed our chat. We talked about the current...

You're still here? Welcome back. This week the brilliant and hilarious Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy talks new album "Office Politics", ELO, Mastermind, and complains about Mike Rutherford's bass pedals. Also, designer and musician Ben Brignell discusses creativity in design, design principles, computers and stuff, and plays live! Visit thedivinecomedy.com and ben.bz for more info on...

Welcome back. This week, Genesis guitarist Mike Rutherford indulges my fan-boy questions, and we talk father-son relationships, and about the Mechanics' current activities. Also, we have a visitor from E Street! Nils Lofgren checks in from the road to discuss new album "Blue With Lou", writing with Lou Reed, playing with Neil Young, and I ask if playing with Springsteen is ever creativel...

This week Counting Crows' Adam Duritz talks mental health and creativity, and the future (or possibly not) of the band. For more information on dissociative disorders (as mispronounced by me) visit; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dissociative-disorders/ For more information on Counting Crows visit; http://countingcrows.com Also Colin Blunstone of The Zombies chats ahead of the band's induction into...