Turn Up The Volume! from The Stables in Milton Keynes

This month on Turn Up The Volume, Nick Coffer is joined by two acclaimed artists with remarkable stories to tell. First up is multi award-winning singer-songwriter Elles Bailey, who reflects on the childhood illness that almost took her voice, the extraordinary chain of events that led her to Nashville, and the stories behind albums including Shining in the Half Light and her latest release, Can't...

Nick Coffer is joined by three artists whose stories span decades of music, resilience, and a shared refusal to take the easy road. Sarah-Jane Morris opens the episode discussing The Sisterhood and Sisterhood Two — two albums she wrote with guitarist Tony Remy as tributes to the female singer-songwriters who paved the way for generations that followed. She explains why each artist had to be a song...

Nick Coffer is joined by three artists whose work spans continents, genres, and generations of storytelling. Eric Bibb opens the episode reflecting on gratitude, purpose, and what it means to be "the happiest man in the world." The blues legend discusses how simplicity can be powerful, shares memories of meeting Bob Dylan at eleven, and explains why songs have a staying power that history books do...

In this December edition, Nick Coffer is joined by three artists whose stories span decades of British music history, personal revelation, and creative resilience. Andy Fairweather Low opens the episode reflecting on the passing of Steve Cropper, whose understated brilliance shaped Andy's entire approach to guitar. From fronting Amen Corner at the Royal Albert Hall with Jimi Hendrix to becoming th...

In this November edition, Nick Coffer is joined by three artists whose voices and stories have shaped decades of British music. Clare Teal opens the episode celebrating 25 years of touring, reflecting on vulnerability, finding joy in the moment, and how her fifties have brought a new appreciation for her craft. She shares the remarkable story of singing with Sam Smith at the BBC Proms and discusse...

In this October edition, Nick Coffer is joined by three artists whose music and stories capture the heart of what live performance is all about. Grace Petrie  opens the episode with her trademark mix of conviction, wit and compassion. She talks about the political threads running through her album  Build Something Better , why empathy matters more than ever, and how her new show  No...

Turn Up The Volume! is back with a brand new season from The Stables in Milton Keynes. Nick welcomes singer-songwriter Nerina Pallot for a wide-ranging conversation about 25 years in music, the family and loss that have shaped her writing, and the inspiration behind her most recent album. She also shares the story of  Madison , a song that arrived fully formed in a dream and has since become...

In possibly the post powerful episode yet of Turn Up The Volume! from The Stables in Milton Keynes, Eve Selis opens up about the personal trauma which led to the writing of her latest album "Dark Side Blue". She was faced with the kind of family tragedy which none of us could imagine ever having to face, let alone deal with and come back from. It's an absolutely compelling interview and really des...

This lovely, sunny Spring episode’s all about stories, music, and the power of connecting - on stage and off. Joining Nick this time: 🎤  David Eagle  – One third of award-winning folk trio  The Young’uns , David chats about how singing turned into stand-up, why folk music still matters, and how songs can tell powerful, personal stories. Honest, funny, and full of heart. 🎶  As...

Welcome to another episode of  Turn Up The Volume! —your backstage pass to the incredible artists gracing the stage at The Stables. This week, host Nick Coffer dives into the worlds of three exceptional musicians, each bringing their own magic to the stage. 🎸  Toby Lee – From Viral Sensation to Guitar Prodigy He went viral at age 10 in a tiger onesie, but make no mistake, Toby...

Welcome to February’s edition of Turn Up the Volume with Nick Coffer. This month, the wonderful Eddi Reader reflects on a whirlwind year - reuniting with Fairground Attraction, touring the world, and even starting a PhD. She opens up about her home city of Glasgow, reconnecting with old bandmates, rediscovering her passion for music, and what it means to be a working musician after 40 years in the...

A bumper episode for you, full of wonderful, long-format interviews. Nick speaks to Graham Gouldman, one of the country's all-time great songwriters. Best known for his role in 10CC, he has also collaborated with, and written hit songs for, innumerable peers and contemporaries. He talks with such clarity and intelligence about his career, about songrwriting, about the influence of his family and h...

A really lovely episode to finish the year with. Nick catches up with the wonderful Seth Lakeman, who will be celebrating the release of his new album, The Granite Way, when he comes to The Stables on February 25th 2025. As ever, Seth is a warm and engaging story teller in this extended interview. You can also hear an exclusive preview of a track from his new album. The Cinelli Brothers are one of...

Nick sits down with the wonderful Eliza Carthy, one of the most recognisable faces on the English folk scene. A wonderful story teller and incredibly warm human, her music is tinged love, pai, joy and sadness, a craft honed over an award winning career spanning over 30 years. She talks to Nick ahead of her show on Novemver 26th at The Stables. Nick finds out about the brilliant Christmas show...

Join Nick Coffer as he speaks to legendary singer Colin Blunstone ahead of his show at The Stables on November 12th , where he will play his seminal solo album, One Year, in full. He talks about the Zombies, running out of money, his sense of loss when the band broke up, and his solo career which led to this brilliant album. Lady Nade is one of the UK's most distinctive Americana singers. Poet, si...

Soothe the post summer holiday blues with this lovely episode of Turn Up The Volume. Nigel Planer and Henry Normal are coming to The Stables for an evening of poetry, stories and much more. Nigel is perhaps best known for his role in the Young Ones and has enjoyed a prolifically successful West End career. Henry is the creator behind The Royle Family and the Mrs Merton Show and played a leading ro...

Some amazing interviews in this latest edition of Turn Up The Volume! from the Stables in Milton Keynes. Nick chats to comedian, writer and broadcaster Dom Joly about his book, The Conspiracy Tourist, and his show, The Conspiracy Tour, which is coming to the venue in September. Dom is absolutely fascinating in this interview, exploring how conspiracy theories are created and then take hold. Who pr...

This is a real bumper episode. Three artists, soon to be appearing at The Stables, talking about their music, their careers and their artistry. Karine Polwart is a multi-award winning singer from Scotland. Proud of her local musical heritage, passionate about her community and her environment, her songs ask the questions she is seeking to answer about today and tomorrow. She is coming to The Stabl...

Another bumper episode of Turn Up The Volume! from The Stables in Milton Keynes, with three lovely interviews for you to enjoy. Nick chats at length to the legendary Nick Heyward, who is coming to The Stables in November. Expect stories about Haircut 100, his solo career, his mental health challenges and his passion for looking after his mental wellbeing. Katherine Priddy is one of the UK's bright...

In this episode, you can hear a searingly honest and open interview with Nashville Americana singer Mary Gauthier. Mary is a true troubador, writing perfectly crafted Americana songs about life, death, love and loss. Her story is unique - a rich tapestry of addiction and recovery, interlaced with an unusually late start as a recording artist. This is an incredibly powerful, personal interview with...

A bona fide legend on this latest episode as Nick speaks at length to poet Dr John Cooper Clarke. Don't miss the astonishing world exclusive reading Dr John gives during the interview, alongside a riveting chat about poetry, performance, growing up in Manchester, punk and his friendship with Nico. You'll hear how he is sharper than ever, still challenging, still seeing the world through words. (NB...

Some absolutely wonderful stories in this month's episode, as Nick speaks to legendary guitarist and songwriter Jim Cregan. He worked with his best friend, Rod Stewart, for decades, and his extended interview is filled with personal stories about Rod, Etta James, Willie Nelson, Queen and Bruce Springsteen. It's an absolute joy to listen to. And in an episode which shows the incredible diversity of...

In this very intimate episode of Turn Up The Volume! from The Stables in Milton Keynes, Nick speaks at length to three much-loved guests who are coming to the venue in the next few weeks, with exclusive tracks from all three of them. Legendary singer, songwriter and broadcaster Tom Robinson opens up about the challenges he faced in his childhood, the success of the Tom Robinson band, how War Baby...

Welcome to the December edition of Turn Up The Volume! from The Stables in Milton Keynes, bringing you, as ever, in-depth interviews with the artists you can enjoy at the venue in the coming weeks. Peter Cox will be coming as one half of Go West in December, and then returning next year with a solo show. Nearly 40 years since the release of "We Close Our Eyes", Peter talks at length in a lovely in...

November's edition of Turn Up The Volume! contains three wonderfully warm, intimate and authentic interviews with three brilliant artists who are coming to The Stables. YolanDa Brown - musician, performer, broadcaster and philanthropist - talks about the power of music to make a difference, especially for young people, her own musical upbringing, her love of jazz, how she loves breaking with conve...