Truth and Venom

In this episode, Chris is joined by Charlie Bush of London based melodic indie punk band, Muttering. Charlie talks about the importance of connection and personal relationships when it comes to lyrics, as well as finding the comfortable, confident balance of that in his own writing. He also discusses the benefits that came from the band's recent collaborations and how that influenced his approach...

In this episode, Chris is joined by London based hip hop artist, Retropxssy. We discuss the nature of navigating the world of UK grass roots hip hop as a white woman and how that can contrast with people's expectations, as well as how the lyrical content of Retropxssy's songs sit alongside that. She also discusses the personal circumstances and experiences that lead to certain common themes within...

In this episode, Chris is joined by Lewis Chapman of Essex alternative/emo band, Looseleaf. Lewis talks about why he often finds writing lyrics the least enjoyable part of songwriting and the potential anxieties that come with writing in a direct, confessional style. He also gets into some of the reasons behind why he writes songs of that nature in spite of that. Lewis also gets into some of the l...

In this episode, Chris is joined by Jackie Purver of the North East 's post-punk/fuzzy rock band, Pit Pony. Jackie talks about the motivation behind her songwriting and how important lyrics are to her as a listener and a writer. She also discusses the importance of authenticity and how that impacts on the subject matter of her own songs. Jackie also gets into the lyrics from the band's most recent...

In this episode, Chris is joined by Freddy Vinehill-Cliffe of Leeds based post-punk/noise-rock band, Thank. Freddy talks about the varied sources of inspiration for Thank's lyrics, be it musical, literary or comedic. He also discusses the role that humour plays in the bands songs and how that has developed over time in line with his own approach to life. Freddy also gets into the lyrics from some...

In this episode, Chris is joined by Jack Green and Fraser Briggs of Hull based post-black-metal-or-something band, Still. Jack and Fraser talk about their creative relationship and how this has continued to develop on the writing for new album, 'A Theft'. They also discuss the qualities that they value in both their own and others' lyrics. Jack and Fraser also get into the personal circumstances,...

In this episode, Chris is joined by Jen Hingley of Manchester based alt-rock/punk band, False Advertising. Jen talks about the balance of writing metaphorical versus more direct lyrics someone who is quite shy in daily life and how her own confidence has gradually come through in the songs over time. She also discusses lyricists that she looks up to as well as some of the aims and sentiments behin...

In this episode, Chris is joined by Phoebe Cross and Rich Mandell of London based indie-punk band, Happy Accidents. Phoebe and Rich talk about the progression of the band's sound and songwriting process over time including the more collaborative approach to lyric writing that they've adopted. They also discuss some lyricists that they admire and how those artists influence their own writing. Phoeb...

In the first episode of series 2 of Truth and Venom, Chris is joined by Ashley Tubb of Bristol based noisey genre ignorers, Sugar Horse. Ashley talks about the enjoyment he gets from the lyric writing process as well as discussing the recurring themes within the band's songs, such as the ideas surrounding mortality and religious imagery. He also explains some of the varied sources of inspiration,...

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In this final episode of season 1 of Truth and Venom, Chris talks with Annie Dorrett of Brighton based electro-punk-pop band, CLT DRP. Annie talks about how performing with CLT DRP has enabled and emboldened her over time to express things in a more direct, bold way than she would in her day to day life. She also discusses the wider socio-political issues that have had an increasingly importance i...

In this episode of Truth and Venom, Chris talks with Mia Lust of Manchester based psychedelic-garage-post-punk band, Chemtrails. Mia talks about her appreciation for lyrics that use words in a creative and often unexpected way and how she tries to emulate that approach with her own lyric writing. She also discusses challenging herself to try new methods and processes to elicit specific responses t...

In this episode of Truth and Venom, Chris talks with Jamie, Justin and Tom of Surrey based punk/post-hardcore band, Stay//Asleep. The band talk about the joy of working collaboratively and how that process plays out from Jamie's initial lyrics to the finished song. They also discuss their own relationship and preferences with lyrics and how that varies within the band. Jamie also talks about t...

In this episode of Truth and Venom, Chris talks with Cal Hudson of Norfolk noise/punk/indie/post-hardcore band, Other Half. Cal talks about the importance of lyrics to him personally, as well as some of the biggest (and at times surprising) influences behind his own lyrical approach. He also talks about the process of writing lyrics to fit a narrative across albums and how much personal experience...

In this episode of Truth and Venom, Chris talks with Callum Cant of Scottish anti-fascist black metal band, Tyrannus. Callum talks about the choice to use otherworldly concepts and narratives to communicate very real universal truths and socio-political views and the balance of clarifying an idea with leaving room for personal interpretation. Callum also talks about the importance of prioritising...

In this episode of Truth and Venom, Chris talks with singer/songwriter, Katie Malco. Katie talks about the subconscious influence of lyricists that she looks up to as well as the personal, at times very direct, nature of writing autobiographical lyrics and how that can complicate the relationship to older songs over time. Katie also talks about new music that is planned for release later this year...

In this episode of Truth and Venom, Chris talks with Leona Farrugia of Maltese/British band, ĠENN. Leona talks about the influence that visual arts and film have on her writing, the effect that being an artists away from home has on their lyrics and the hopes of being able to celebrate the band's heritage even more in future. Leona also talks passionately about the deeper beliefs in why the ar...

This episode of Truth and Venom has a slightly different tone, as Chris talks with long time friends, Paul Chave and Rob Barker of Lincoln-based post-hardcorey noise rock band, Bat Flattery! They talk about how the lyric writing process works withing the dynamics of the band, the use of lyrics to portray a particular side of oneself that might otherwise be shut away in public, and some influences...

In this episode of Truth and Venom, Chris talks with Nina Saeidi of London-based Middle Eastern progressive doom band, Lowen. Nina talks about how classic literature and scripture influence the band's lyrics, as well as how fantastical, sci-fi and ancient themes and imagery are used to tell the more personal stories of displacement, spirituality and pain. Nina also reveals how some of these th...

Welcome to Truth and Venom! In this first ever episode, Chris speaks to Joey Ashworth from mathy-indie-emo legends itoldyouiwouldeatyou! Joey speaks about bands and lyricists that influenced them as a young songwriter as well as those they draw reference from more recently, before getting into the experiences, ambitions and philosophies that inspire their own lyrics. There's also some in depth...

Listen to find out what Truth and Venom is all about...