The James Kennedy Podcast

Andy Farrow has been a record label owner, artist manager, music publisher, tour booker and much more for over 30 years. He's the MD of the mighty Northern Music Company who currently represent Opeth, Paradise Lost, Katatonia & Devin Townsend amongst many others. On this episode we chat about Andy's thoughts on how the music industry changed, the importance of touring, marketing, social media,...

Hannah Wicklund is an american singer songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and band leader whose brand new album, The Prize is out this week. On this episode we chat about her rollercoaster career so far, the music industry, being independent, touring, art and writing her new album 'The Prize'. Hannah can be found at : https://www.instagram.com/hannahwicklund And 'The Prize' can be found at : https:/...

Sarah Wilson is a multi New York Times best selling author, founder of the 'I Quit Sugar' movement, an international keynote speaker, a philosopher, a teacher, a minimalist, an explorer - host of the excellent WILD podcast and one of the Top 200 most influential authors in the world. She is the former editor of Cosmopolitan Magazine Australia & host of the first season of Australia's Mast...

Gwern Gwynfil is the CEO of Yes Cymru, the campaign for Welsh Independence. On this episode we take a deep dive into the case for independence for Wales, what it would mean for the UK, the example of Slovenia and Iceland, how you can help - and much more! Yes Cymru can be found at : https://www.yes.cymru Please subscribe to the podcast for more episodes every week! Support the podcast at : ⁠ https...

Dan Donnelly is a Northern Irish songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and a member of The Levellers. On this episode, he chats with me about growing up in Northern Ireland, the music industry, joining The Levellers, songwriting, mental health, politics and music streaming as well as sharing some hilarious stories, advice for young bands and convincing me that it's time for a benevolent dictator....

Frankie Poullain is the Bassist in the multi-platinum band, The Darkness. We chat about the band's 20th anniversary reissue of their album 'Permission to Land...Again', their upcoming tours & documentary as well as the music industry, the reality of life in a band and even a little politics. The Darkness can be found at : https://www.thedarknesslive.com Please subscribe to the podc...

'We Three' are an Alt Pop band from Oregon, USA comprised of three siblings - Manny, Bethany and Joshua Humlie. They were the 2018 semi-finalists of America's Got Talent and have built a large and passionate global audience with their viral videos and songs that tackle issues including mental health, gender identity, religion, LGBT issues, love and more. On this episode, we chat about...

Marina Purkiss is a political commentator, writer, presenter and host of The Trawl podcast with Jemma Forte. In this episode we chat Tories, the Labour Party, Brexit, corruption, the media, Boris Johnson, protest, democracy and what a better future could look like. Marina takes no prisoners. She can be found at : https://twitter.com/MarinaPurkissand The Trawl is at : https://linktr.ee/thetrawlpodc...

Sarah Woods is the chief executive of 'Help Musicians', the brilliant charity that gives support to musicians with their mental health, financial insecurity, career guidance and lots more. Here we discuss why these issues are so prevalent in the music industry, has it always been that way, what are the new challenges we face, how Help Musicians can help and tons more. Help Musicians can be...

Bob Roth is the Executive Director of the David Lynch Foundation, best selling author, podcast host and charity director as well as one of the most sought after meditation teachers in the USA. He has personally taught thousands of people the practice of Transcendental Meditation including many celebrities such as Tom Hanks, Oprah Winfrey, Russell Brand and Hugh Jackman. Here he chats with me about...

James Watt is the co-founder of Brewdog, the insanely popular craft beer brand that embraced the principles of punk rock to disrupt a market and dominate the headlines with their provocative and creative approach to business and marketing, which took the company from two men and a dog to a billion dollar global brand. On this episode, James shares his wisdom on business and marketing, the importan...

Mark Schaefer is one of the worlds leading marketing experts as well as an author, public speaker, blogger, podcaster and educator. His clients include companies like Adidas, Dell, Pfizer & Microsoft and his best selling books include 'Marketing Rebellion', 'Known' and 'Belonging to The Brand'. He has spoken in 35 countries, his books have been translated into 14 langua...

Rou Reynolds is the singer in the hugely popular band, Enter Shikari, as well as an author, producer and video director. On this episode we talk about the bands forthcoming album 'A Kiss For The Whole World' and latest tour news as well as Rou's thoughts on the music industry, the power of art, politics, hope, community, system change and our band logo's being the same! Enter Shikari can be found...

Simon Raymonde is a member of the genre defining band 'Cocteau Twins' and the owner of the legendary Bella Union Records where his artists include John Grant, Ezra Furman, Beach House, Explosions in the Sky, the Flaming Lips & Tim Burgess among many others. On this episode, I get Simon's generous insights on the music industry, Spotify, touring, independence, the importance of building a scene...

Steve Barney is a session drummer who, for the past 30 years has performed with artists including Anastacia, Annie Lennox, Jeff Beck, The Wanted, Will Young, Gianna Nannini and many others. He is also the author of the viral open letter about how it all came to a crushing pause after Brexit as a result of the 90 in 180 rule. We chat about Steve's career, life as a session musician, advice for upco...

Professor Richard Wilkinson is an epidemiologist, professor Emeritus of social epidemiology at the University of Nottingham, co-founder of the Equality Trust and co-author of the books, 'The Spirit Level' and 'The Inner Level' with his wife, professor Kate Pickett. Here we chat about why economic and social inequality is the root cause of a whole range of social issues including crime, mental heal...

As well as being the guitarist in the band 'Pendulum', Peredur Ap Gwynedd has also toured with Natalie Imbruglia, Anastasia and many others.  In this chat, we talk about his amazing career, life as a session musician, advice for other musicians, touring, guitar gear and of course, the obligatory digression into politics, welsh independence, Brexit and more! Perry can be followed on Twitter at...

Mark Chadwick is the singer and songwriter in The Levellers. On this episode, Mark keeps it real about politics, anarchy, protest, democracy, the power of art, the music industry & the bands longevity. The Levellers official site is at : https://www.levellers.co.uk   Please subscribe to the podcast for more episodes every week!  Support the podcast at :   https://www.paypal...

Professor Tim Spector is an epidemiologist, a leading scientist in understanding the gut microbiome, a best selling author & food writer, founder of the Zoe company and one the top 100 most cited scientists in the world. In this episode, Tim explains the gut microbiome & why it's so vitally important to our health and busts some popular myths about nutrition, meat, milk, alcohol & oran...

#ItsOkToTalk Luke Ambler is the co-founder of the men's mental health charity, Andy's Man Club, formed in 2016. On this episode we talk about exactly what IS Andy's Man Club, some shocking truths about men's mental health, why it's still such a taboo subject, how men can find their nearest club. Luke also shares some brilliant tips and advice for changing your habits including sleep, exercise, hyd...

Benji Webbe is the singer in the bands Skindred and Dubwar, a songwriter, DJ & TV personality from Newport, South Wales. On this episode, we chat about the reality of touring, the music business, life lessons, Snot, ghosting, his fashion, advice for bands and what he really finds most rewarding. Benji can be found at : www.instagram.com/bmasterdred   Please subscribe to the podcast for mo...

Stella Assange is the wife and lawyer of Julian Assange - founder of Wikileaks. On this episode Stella describes Julian's worrying current state in Belmarsh prison, brings us up to date on where things are at with his case and explains how this is not a legal battle but a political and cultural one.  Stella can be followed at : www.twitter.com/stella_assange  And the links mentioned throughout our...

Jayce Lewis is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, singer & performer from Bridgend, South Wales. On this episode we chat about Jayce's insane musical journey including a major record deal with EMI, the crash of the music industry, being huge in Asia, luck, remixing Rammstein and being friends with Gary Numan, Richard Dawkins and David Prowse (aka Darth Vader!). You can check out Jayce at :&nbs...

Aled Clifford is the singer & guitarist in the band, Henry's Funeral Shoe. On this episode we chat about the band's history, the music industry, independence, stage fright, the realities of touring, his virtuoso drummer & brother, putting family first & what's coming up. HFS can be found at :   www.facebook.com/henrysfuneralshoe   Support the podcast at : https://www.paypal.c...

Charlie Kronick is a Senior Programme Advisor at Greenpeace UK. He has worked in the fields of environment and development as an activist, campaigner and writer for nearly three decades. Here, he explains the current state of the climate emergency & we also talk about food, waste, the population, recycling, hope & solutions. Greenpeace UK are at : www.greenpeace.org.uk Support the podcast...