The Fantastival Podcast

After 32 episodes since his appearance in the 2023 Christmas Special, it’s a pleasure to finally get one of the finest gentlemen back on The Fantastival Podcast for his very own guest appearance, for #182 joining us is the one and only James Houston… James recounts the start of #murderedsongoftheday, the open mic night they are hosting on Saturday 13th September in Carlisle, the charities they are...

The sun is out, Oasis have returned and so does The Fantastival Podcast as we are joined by singer / songwriter, formerly of Gazelle, Mr Ryan Dunn… Ryan is on fine form as he talks about musical memories with his grandad and parents, getting into bands, the story of Gazelle from 2016 to 2024, his first solo single ‘Ale House Blues’, his recent single ‘Lovin You’, and his plans for forthcoming sing...

It’s another milestone as The Fantastival Podcast reaches #180 and there’s not many people who can say they’ve scored in The UEFA Cup (on his debut) and have gone on to support The Horrors and The Sisters Of Mercy (to name a few)… It can only be the ‘Britpop Footballer’, Mr Paul McGregor. You’re in for a treat as Paul talks about all things music, being a fan and a performer, his life in football...

After seeing our latest guest support Jesse Malin in London earlier this year, this man became one of our highest targets to get on The Fantastival Podcast and dreams have become a reality in #179 as joining us is the one and only, Grammy nominated songwriter, singer, guitarist and record producer, Aaron Lee Tasjan… As expected Aaron makes for a great guest with lots of superb stories and you’ll b...

There is double trouble on The Fantastival Podcast #178 as joining us this week from across the pond are guitarist Sergie Loobkof and drummer Jared Shavelson from Ways Away… Aswell as talking about Ways Away, from how they started to to present day with the recent release of their awesome new album ‘I’m Not You’, both gents talk about their musical upbringing, other bands they have been in and are...

I Know What I Am and that is ecstatic as joining us for The Fantastival Podcast #177 is Russell Marsden from the brilliant, Band Of Skulls… Russell is a great guest and we had an awesome chat about his music tastes, memories, the story of Band Of Skulls from start to present day, his excitement about their upcoming 'Cold Fame' box set, going to the States to tour with Jet and lots more as he also...

Something completely different on this weeks Fantastival Podcast as I was kindly asked to join forces with Carl Maloney from the RGM Podcast and Martin Morel from Time For Heroes Podcast to have a chat about all things in the world of music podcasting and lots more in what we have aptly titled, ‘When Three Podcasts Clash’… This was a hugely enjoyable experience and the time flew by talking to thes...

After a 7 month hiatus The Fantastival Podcast makes a long awaited return with the drummer of one of my favourite bands, from the brilliant Press Club, it’s drummer Frank Lees… There is No Pressure as Frank joins me all the way from Melbourne to talk about his early music memories, how he picked up the drumsticks and never looked back, the story of Press Club, their new album ‘To All The Ones Tha...

Where you wanna go for The Fantastival Podcast #175, well that’s easy as we’re going to Hoylake to talk with Chrisy Jones from the wonderful Sunstack Jones… It’s a short but very sweet chat as Chrisy chats about how it all went down from early memories to the release of the upcoming Sunstack Jones album ‘Luminous Hands’ (released on Friday 25th October and is superb), their previous albums and acc...

Nothing Makes Me Feel the way The Fantastival Podcast does and we certainly aren’t losing our touch as we have a treat of the highest order for you with #174 as we are joined by not one, but two members of one of my favourite bands and one of the best live acts you’ll ever see, from the marvellous October Drift, it’s drummer Chris Holmes & guitarist Dan Young… It was an honour to listen to Chr...

There’s another treat instore for you on The Fantastival Podcast as for #173 there is a cracking guest waiting as the very talented Amelia Coburn is joining us… We have a great chat as Amelia talks all about her wonderful debut album ‘Between the Moon and the Milkman’ (which reached #55 in the album charts), what it was like to work with Bill Ryder-Jones, her musical tastes, influences, stories an...

We’re Going For (Liquid) Gold on The Fantastival Podcast this week as we are delighted that joining us for #172 is Singer / Songwriter for the awesome Shed Seven, it’s Mr Rick Witter… Rick is on top form as we talk all about his early musical journey from a young age from always wanting to be a singer onwards, his first bands, the Shed Seven story from their formation to today, getting a #1 album...

After two months away The Fantastival Podcast makes its big comeback with #171 as we’re back in style with co-host of The Mersey Melody Podcast, photographer and huge music fan, Amy Day… Amy talks all about her music memories from a young age to present day, her photography and hopes for the future, tells us all about The Mersey Melody Podcast, how it started, episodes so far, upcoming guests, her...

It’s been a long while but The Fantastival Podcast keeps on running up that hill as we return with #170 where we don’t just have one legend for you, we have two with both Vicky Hill and Shaun Butler joining us this week… Two of the biggest supporters of The Fantastival Podcast get their chance to collate their wonderful Fantasy Festival lineups (one each) where they also have a go at predicting th...

It’s that voice from RGM coming up this week on The Fantastival Podcast with #169 as Steve is joined by the man behind it all, the one and only, Carl Maloney… The host with the most becomes the guest as Carl talks about his early days from being in a band in Sheffield, to his band breaking up and moving on into stand up comedy, then when that came to an end getting into putting on gigs and the sub...

We’re going Full Tilt as we head into Father’s Day on The Fantastival Podcast with #168 as we are joined by singer / songwriter, ex Belfast hmv’er, the most awesome, Dave Magee… Dave is great fun and on superb form as we chat starting from his earliest musical memories, to his first band Fuel, his career and the fun times at hmv Belfast, joining LaFaro and his time in the band alongside his twin b...

It’s time for another Fantastival Podcast with #167 as this week Steve is joined by the man behind The Santos Connection, the one and only, Mr Kenny Harkis. Chatting with Kenny was just like chatting to an old friend as we have a great chat with Kenny taking us through his recollection of getting his first guitar and disbelief that he was playing the same tunes as he was used to hearing, the story...

Here Comes The Fantastival Podcast… After a week away The Fantastival Podcast returns with a brilliant #166 as we are joined by the very talented and wonderful Charley Stone. Charley is on top form talking about the game changing moment of watching a music video on Top Of The Pops, getting her first guitar and working on barre chords, we do a run through of a selection of bands Charley has played...

Come through the Window Pane for Another Day of The Fantastival Podcast for The Truth as for #165 Steve is delighted to be joined by a gentleman he has been after for a while, guitarist and vocalist for The Real People, it’s Mr Chris Griffiths… Chris is on Wonderful form For You as he talks about all things music from his earliest memories right through to the present day, the story of The Real Pe...

The Fantastival Podcast is back again with the special #164 and as we head into Mental Health Awareness Week we’re delighted to be joined by The Artist Taxi Driver, the one and only, Mr Mark McGowan… We hear from Mark who talks about all aspects of his life, with lots of music thoughts, stories and memories starting at an early age through to his art exhibition at The Bethlem Gallery, from a recen...

We won’t Cut The Transmission as The Fantastival Podcast doesn’t stop this bank holiday weekend as we go again for #163 and it’s awesome to be joined by songwriter, record producer, guitarist, the one and only Mr Cahir O’Doherty… Cahir is on great form and talks all about his life in music with lots of fantastic stories from going to a life changing gig on the eve of his 15th birthday, his time in...

Its time to Start A Revolution with The Fantastival Podcast as our guest m for #162 is one of Scotland’s finest, the very talented singer-songwriter, PG Ciarletta… PG has been waiting for you as he talks about getting his first electric guitar, hitting open mics in pubs at a young age, his fantastic tunes to date starting with ‘The Sesh’, through to ‘Let Go’, ‘Bonnie Toun’, ‘27’, ‘Please Stay’, la...

Another week and we aren’t taking your Hand Me Downs on The Fantastival Podcast #161 as we’re joined by Jonny Pickles from the fabulous, Turncoat Billy… It’s all Neon Lights & Leather speaking to the Turncoat Billy frontman about forming the band, their music to date, the superb upcoming single ‘Wonder Goal At Whaddon’ which is released on Wednesday 1st May, their gig at The Marquis on the same da...

The Fantastival Podcast finally returns after the Easter break with #160 as Steve is joined by the guitarist from the brilliant Little Man Tate and absolute top man, Mr Maz Marriott… Maz is on great form as he talks about what you might know and what you might not know about his musical journey, becoming friends with Jon and bonding over football, video games and tunes, the story of him buying and...

We’ve got a double hit for you on The Fantastival Podcast #159 with two absolute stars from the wonderful Speakeasy Fanzine, it’s Faye & Cris… The duo behind Speakeasy speak easy all about how the idea and reality of how the fanzine came about, their love of music, most memorable Speakeasy memories, what they’ve been listening to, the experience of putting on their wonderful IWD Festival recently...