The Apollo Audio Podcast

This week we had a very differing experiences listening to the 10th studio album from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Not to Billy's taste, but it went straight in to Martin's vinyl library, alongside former podcast find Grace by Jeff Buckley. Also discussed this week... The benefits of Boxercise Making an impression when you're ready to go on stage Radiohead on tour 2025 PJ and Duncan tribute album...

Fresh from adventures at the Reading Festival, Billy recommends local (ish) band Wunderhorse and their 2024 second album Midas for your listening pleasure. Indie Rock with a 90's vibe and 21st century style. Much like Martin and Billy! The Apollo Audio Podcast is hosted by Martin Lumsden (record producer and engineer) and Billy Hills (musician and studio owner), and is recorded at Apollo Audio Her...

The Apollo Audio Podcast is hosted by Martin Lumsden (record producer and engineer) and Billy Hills (musician and studio owner), and is recorded at Apollo Audio Hertford. Each episode offers insight into songs, records, and the creative process, drawn from real-world experience in studios and making music. 📍 www.apollo-audio.co.uk 📷 Instagram: @apolloaudiopodcast 📧 apolloaudiopod@gmail.com The...

We've reconvened after a short break to let Billy climb an actual (not metaphorical) mountain and a lot happened while we had a little rest - not least of which was the sad passing of Ozzie Osbourne, just a matter of days after the celebratory final Black Sabbath gig. We'd already decided it was time we investigated the fathers of Heavy Rock and fair to sat neither of us really knew what we were g...

On the show this week Martin is joined by Kiera and Lilly from Hertfordshire based band Vülva, who made a huge impact with our punters and the performers when they opened our Apollo Presents show in June. We discuss the second album from Hole - the influence of Courtney Love and other female role models, plus why we think bands will be around for a long time into the future. The Apollo Audio Podca...

We welcome awesome local duo Why Not to the podcast this week, to discuss their recommended listening album - the 1985 commercial smash The Hounds of Love by Kate Bush, an album that has recently had a second wind thanks to exposure on the Netflix series Stranger Things. Find Why Not online by searching whynotacoustic and check their own amazing album The Project, that celebrates the work of local...

In possibly the shortest period from release to review that we've attempted on the podcast, this week we discuss the fourth studio album by English hip-hop artist Loyle Carner - released on 20 June 2025. The Apollo Audio Podcast is hosted by Martin Lumsden (record producer and engineer) and Billy Hills (musician and studio owner), and is recorded at Apollo Audio Hertford. Each episode offers...

It's been a while since Billy and Martin caught up for a chat. Turns out there was so much we needed to defer album chat for another day. Billy's been travelling to real life gigs, Marin has been watching the telly and reading the reviews. What did you think of the first big music weekend of the summer? We didn't even mention Iron Maiden! The Apollo Audio Podcast is hosted by Martin Lumsden (recor...

This week Martin is joined in Room 1 at a busy and a little noisy Apollo Audio by local R&B artist Eponine. Voodoo is the second studio album by the American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist D'Angelo, released on January 25, 2000. Voodoo (2000), debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 and continued to receive critical acclaim. The album's lead single "Untitled (How Does It F...

It's time to bring on one of Hertford's most recognised music names, a man who's reputation now reaches as far a Germany! And he's got a passion for band featuring a man from Stoke on Trent that he wants to share with you. The Apollo Audio Podcast is hosted by Martin Lumsden (record producer and engineer) and Billy Hills (musician and studio owner), and is recorded at Apollo Audio Hertford. Each e...

So we finally come to one of the biggest names in British rock of the last 30 years. We've covered quite a lot of 90's and early 2000's without really getting in the Britpop and these of course are the daddys when it comes to Cool Britannia. By 2000 however some of the shine had worn off, and history tends to list this particular album at the bottom of the pile when it comes to the Gallagher long...

British "metal" band Sleep Token hit number one on the US album chart last month, and as we've spent a lot of time in the past we thought it would be fun to cover a current release. We might have regretted it. The Apollo Audio Podcast is hosted by Martin Lumsden (record producer and engineer) and Billy Hills (musician and studio owner), and is recorded at Apollo Audio Hertford. Each episode offers...

This week we find ourselves back in the 90's yet again, but this time with the self-proclaimed "Punk for Pansies" Ben Folds Five and their second album Whatever and Ever, Amen. Martin was and is a big fan, with songs and melodies from this collection living pretty much rent free in his head. But what will Billy think of it? And has his amazing premonition of Sleep Token's rise to the top of the ch...

Bank Holiday schedules meant we couldn't quite bring it together for a full new episode this week, so instead enjoy this bonus topical waffle that didn't make the cut from a recent recording. Back with a new episode next week! The Apollo Audio Podcast is hosted by Martin Lumsden (record producer and engineer) and Billy Hills (musician and studio owner), and is recorded at Apollo Audio Hertford. Ea...

The second album from American singer Phoebe Bridgers was Billy's lockdown album, listened to while on long dog walks while coping with the enforced lack of a social life. And it's a thread we followed from last week's episode on Elliot Smith as Phoebe Bridgers is a self confessed fan and his work inspires hers. Bill and Martin discuss whether music about depression needs to be sad and the differe...

In at attempt to recapture lightning in a bottle we seek out another American singer songwriter with a great reputation and a tragic death - although we didn't really know about the death bit when we made the choice. Elliot Smith came to prominence when his songs were used in the soundtrack for Good Will Hunting, resulting in an Oscar nomination. This album is widely regarded as his finest accompl...

RETRO AAP! Billy is away so we're taking a short break from new episodes, but here's one from way back in 2022 that you may have missed or forgotten. We'll be back soon! In this special selection episode, its Miles's choice and he's gone for the 1979 disco classic from the king of pop. Off the Wall is Michael Jackson's first "proper" solo record having separated from Motown and The Jackson 5 franc...

No messing about, we both agree this is the best album we've listened to this year and it's 30 years old. Billy has owned it for ages - Martin can't believe he hasn't properly listened to it before. If you want to spend some money on some vinyl you won't feel shortchanged on this one. At least that's our opinion...what's yours? The Apollo Audio Podcast is hosted by Martin Lumsden (record producer...

After years of waiting Martin finally get's his personal choice for review! This goes way back to postponed sessions from Season 1 so if you've been with us this long - thanks for sticking around. From 1978 this was the breakthrough 3rd album from Blondie and it wasn't just the songs that were capturing the imagination. And hey! it's number 146 on The Rolling Stone 500 so once again we find oursel...

On the podcast this week Martin is joined by Jay Hollis, also known as artist Millionth Chance and a member of Westward Ho. We chat about the "genesis" (see what I did there) of his solo album The Ghost's Companion and his recommended listening, the third album from Peter Gabriel. Officially titled just Peter Gabriel, but also known as Peter Gabriel III or "Melt" due to the cover art, it has a cou...

It's the Apollo Audio Podcast, and this week Billy continues his mission to have every album from 1997 featured on the show...this week with the self titled (lazy!) album from San Francisco Alt Pop band Third Eye Blind . You've probably heard the big hit single Semi Charmed Life before, but does the rest of the album match up? Plus chat and musings on the Herffordshire scene and other music relate...

It's the Apollo Audio Podcast, and this week Martin is joined online by Rich from Melodic Rock/ Metal band San Demas for a chat about their upcoming single release You & I and recommended album listening Synchronicity by UK New Wave band The Police . Released in 1983, it's the final album from the band before they split and is currently at No. 159 on the Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums list...

It's the Apollo Audio Podcast, and this week Billy invited podcast guest Alfie Flanagan to the show to talk about the resurgence of hardcore, his band Sunday Best and a new artist promotion venture In The Fields Project. Find details of how to submit your band to the project on instagram at @in_the_field_project Check out Alfie's band Sunday Best at @thisissundaybest Tickets for the next Hardcore...

It's the Apollo Audio Podcast, and this week Billy throws a curveball and recommends Everything You Want, the major label debut album from US band Vertical Horizon. Billy bought Everything You Want off the back of hearing one song on the soundtrack to Bruce Almighty and it remains one of his favourites. Will Martin be equally smitten? We also chat about festival lineups and the big difference betw...

It's the Apollo Audio Podcast, and this week we chat the pointlessness of the awards season, the pointless revisions made to the Rolling Stone 500 albums list and the pointed artistic and musical statement that is To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lemarr. We've mentioned him in nearly every episode so about time we actually talk about the music. Don't forget to let us know your nominations for the b...