Synthetic Dreams Podcast

Author, Richard Evans joins me on the podcast today to talk about his truly excellent book 'Listening To The Music The Machines Make: Inventing Electronic Pop 1978-1983. A must have for any fans of electronic music Heres more about Richard's book: Listening to the Music the Machines Make  is the revolutionary story of electronic pop from 1978 to 1983, a true golden age of British music. Th...

Émilie Tiersen (aka QUINQUIS) and her husband, Yann Tiersen are currently sailing along the coast on a truly unique summer tour. This week I spoke to Émilie about this special sailing trip on their wonderful boat, Ninnong, which set sailed from their home in Ushant to Ireland and then up to the beautiful Faroe Islands, which is where Émilie spoke to me from. The duo are performing a series of conc...

My guest this week is Robin Scott Starting out as folk musician, playing clubs around the UK, Robin enjoyed huge chart success with the single 'Pop Muzik', released back in 1979, under the moniker M. The track was a global hit. Robin has recently shared his first new music under the M moniker in over 40 years, ‘Break The Silence’ which is out now via BMG. heck out the following links: www....

My guest this week is Martin Rev from legendary and hugely influential electronic act, Suicide. Artists that have cited Suicide as a direct influence include, Vince Clarke, Soft Cell, OMD, Cabaret Voltaire and The Human League It was a real honour to interview one of my all-time favourite electronic musicians. Suicide's excellent third album 'A Way Of Life' has been remastered and re-l...

Martin Fry from legendary pop band, ABC talks to me about the group's brilliant new live album, which celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Lexicon Of Love https://www.abcmartinfry.com

Joining me on the podcast this week is two very talented, European men, Richard James Burgess and John Walters. We discuss, among other things, Landscape A Go-Go: The Story Of Landscape 1977-83. A very special, career-spanning 5CD boxset, which features 84 remastered tracks, some available on CD for the very first time! For more information about this legendary synth-pop band and their forthcoming...

My guest this week is Simon Raymonde from Bella Union records, one of the finest labels out there Simon was a member of hugely influential, and much loved Scottish band, Cocteau Twins. We discuss, among other things, upcoming releases from Bella Union, the time he saw legendary artist Scott Walker in his garden and we talk about his memoir, which should be out in the next year or so. https://bella...

My guest this week is Martin Moscrop from A Certain Ratio, who are one of my all-time favourite groups. Martin spoke to me about the making of ACR's brilliant new album, '1982' which comes out tomorrow via Mute records The album can be pre-ordered here: https://mutebank.co.uk The band are heading out on a UK tour next month. For more information and dates visit: https://www.acrmcr.com/...

My guests this week are Dan Lacksman and Michel Moers from legendary group Telex. Formed in Brussels back in 1978, the group are considered to be one of the first ever synth-pop acts. We discuss the groups early days, the time they performed on iconic music show, Top Of The Pops and what is was like representing Belgian for Eurovision 1980. A much-anticipated box set, featuring six Telex albums, l...

My very special guest this week is Al Jardine co-founder of legendary band The Beach Boys  Al spoke to me about the recording of his excellent solo album 'A Postcard From California' which I highly recommend  Al continues to tour with his Endless Summer band.  For more information and dates visit: https://www.aljardine.com 

My guest this week is multi-talented musician, James Chapman, aka Maps  James has been making music, excellent music I might add, as Maps since 2006 and is signed to legendary record label,  Mute. His truly brilliant new album 'Counter Melodies' is out now! https://thisismaps.com https://mutebank.co.uk/products/maps-counter-melodies-limited-edition-white-vinyl?_pos=5&_sid=2d9927389&a...

My first guest of the year is the multi-talented musician and composer, Roger Eno Roger talks to me about the making of his latest album 'The Turning Year' which I can't recommend enough. We also discuss 'Mixing Colours' his first proper collaborative album with his brother, Brian Eno. They brothers have previously worked together, but this is their first record release as a duo    Anoth...

My guest this week is Clams Baker Jr from Warmduscher   On the show we discuss, among other things, Iggy Pop, live on the road and recording their critically acclaimed album, 'At The Hotspot'.  An album that has been included in many end of year lists. Highly recommended!   It was a real pleasure speaking to Clams. Warmduscher are, arguably, one of the best in the country right now. And, If you ha...

My guest this week is Blur drummer, Dave Rowntree, who is about to release his very first solo album 'Radio Songs', via Cooking Vinyl records in January 2023. To pre-order a copy of this much anticipated album, head over to https://www.daverowntree.com

My guest this week is J.J. Jeczalik from legendary electronic group, Art Of Noise Art Of Noise enjoyed chart success with 'Moments In Love', 'Close (to the Edit) 'Kiss' with Tom Jones and 'Peter Gunn', which earned them a Grammy award. Impressive stuff!  J.J was also part of Trevor Horn's production team. His pioneering approach with the Fairlight synthesizer helped create some of the most memorab...

My guest this week is Oliver Ackermann from New York City-based band, A Place To Bury Strangers The group's newly remastered reissue of their 2009 album,  Exploding Head, was released last month via Mute / BMG. Available on limited edition transparent double vinyl, transparent red single vinyl and as a deluxe 2CD package, the CD and digital formats include rarities, unreleased material and three b...

My guests this week - very special guests in fact - are DJ Paul Langley and radio DJ, author and broadcaster, Mark Radcliffe. This dynamic due make glorious electronic music under the guise, UNE We discuss, among other things, the making of their third album 'Deux',  live shows, David Bowie and the delights of the Scotch egg onion bhaji. YES, this really is thing! UNE are heading out on a UK tour...

My guest this week is DJ and producer, Mark Moore.  Mark started his music career as a DJ in legendary club's Heaven and The Mud Club, playing all his favourite artists, but towards the late 80's he achieve massive success as an artist himself with the group S'Express. On the show, Mark speaks about making the first S'Express album, the early punk scene, what it was like working with one of his mu...

My guest this week is Jon King, singer of legendary post-punk band, Gang Of Four. Gang Of Four's band's music was a big influence on alternative rock bands like R.E.M, Nirvana and The Red Hot Chili Peppers, as well as influencing electronic acts and dance-punk groups like LCD Soundsystem and the Rapture. Gang Of Four are one of my all-time favourite groups so it was a real honour to speak to this...

My guest this week is Neil Arthur from legendary electronic act, Blancmange. On the show Neil talks about the recording of the new album ‘Private View’ making the iconic video for ‘Living On The Ceiling’ and his proudest moment, performing onstage with his son as the duo ‘Kincaid’.

An inerview with J. Willgoose, Esq from Public Service Broadcasting whose latest album 'Bright Magic' hit number 2 in the UK album charts in 2021

An interview with electronic musician, Jean-Benoît Dunckel. We discuss his excellent new album 'Carbon', soundtrack work, and forthcoming projects.  JB is one half of legendary French electronic act, Air. You can purchase his new album at: https://jbdunckel.bandcamp.com

My guest this week is electronic musician, producer and Emmy-nominated composer Hannah Peel We discuss, amongst other things, her most recent work 'The Unfolding', an album she made with the Paraorchestra, which got to number one in the classical album charts a few weeks back. We talk about the making of her Mercury nominated album 'Fir Wave' and about other musicians Hannah has collaborated with...

My guest this week is Alex Paterson from legendary electronic group, The Orb We discuss, amongst other things, recording the Roland & Albert Meet The Orb Upcountry in Uganda EP, which came out in March via Alex's record label, Orbscure, the 30th anniversary of seminal album, U.F. Orb, and recording the Metallic Spheres album with David Gilmour from Pink Floyd.  To keep up-to-date with future relea...

My guest this week is the extremely talented electronic music, arranger and composer, Dom Beken Dom spoke to me about making albums with his good friend Alex Paterson from The Orb, as part of The Transit Kings and HFB, and also discusses working with legendary Pink Floyd drummer, Nick Mason. Dom is the keyboard player and backing vocalist for Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets, which is also featur...