In this episode, the final one of 2021, I was joined by Adrian Black.

Adrian joined me from Valencia, Spain, and talks us through his journey from the US to Shenzhen, China, where he started work on an English teaching program. From the early ensemble days of open mics with co-workers, to playing with countless different bands on the weekends, Adrian was lucky enough to hone his skills and make a name for himself in the local scene.

We talk about the numerous opportunities that expats have abroad, compared to being at home, as well as how Adrian got into drumming in his younger days.

We get into musical inspirations, playing in house bands and expanding your musical vocabulary, as well as Adrian’s main project in Valencia - the band AY Trick, and how to grow a following organically.

We wax lyrical about our shared appreciation of Charles Bradley, social media marketing, and making that move as an Expat.

In the Top 5, we feature Kanye, Reggaeton, playing gigs in football stadiums and on the big stage at festivals, Hotel California, the music of Tarrus Riley, and a super selection from Adrian’s own ‘New to Me’ playlist…

All this and what songs would you sing on The Voice…

Let’s get right to it…Adrian Black.

You can follow Adrian here

https://www.instagram.com/adrianblackva/

https://www.instagram.com/aytrickvlc/

https://spoti.fi/3GFI3jc

https://bit.ly/3yhaAsh

Can’t Find My Way Home

https://linktr.ee/cantfindmywayhome

In this episode of Can’t Find My Way Home, I was joined by Gary Hurlstone

Gary shares with us his musical journey. From first picking up the acoustic guitar after hearing Bert Jansch’s ‘Anji’, to joining local bands and the numerous styles and genres of music that he’s played over the years.

Gary takes us through the recording process for both of his recent solo albums, the locations, the musicians, and of course, during these covid times - some unique circumstances.

There’s talk of touring throughout China, the Chinese Glastonbury, staying in Yurts, the transient nature of being an Expat musician and being in a band, playing on the most unusual of stages, and the appetite for Western music in the country at that time.

In the Top5, we blether on about getting lost in music, armies of songwriters, playing at the WOMAD Festival and for the British Council, and the joy of Snarky Puppy.

All this and just how many musicians can you fit into a Tiny Desk performance...Let’s get right to it...Gary Hurlstone

Follow Gary 

https://www.garyhurlstonemusic.com/

Can’t Find My Way Home

https://linktr.ee/cantfindmywayhome

In this episode of Can’t Find My Way Home, I was joined by Chris Davis.

Chris and I both hail from the same hometown in Scotland, (Cumbernauld -  the only Scottish town to be labelled “Scotland’s most dismal town” twice.), so we name check a few cultural references in the episode.

Chris went to university in Aberdeen, graduated, and then  headed for Berlin in 2008.

Chris tells us about his early days in Berlin, working in bars, and getting into the improv comedy scene in the city. After two years in the improv scene, Chris decided to spread his wings and to go it alone in stand-up comedy, and has been a regular on the scene for the last ten years.

We also find out about ‘The Wandering Barman’ persona, the immersive and interactive nature of the act, and where it’s heading next.

Alongside Chris’s comedy journey, he’s also been serving cocktails in numerous high-end establishments, Michelin Star restaurants, as well as on stage. We blether on about alcohol-free gin, pretentious ingredients, Chris’s own podcast - Lifting Yer Spirits, his new one hour show aptly named ‘The Death of a Barman’, and we both share our experiences of playing to disinterested audiences.

In the Top 5, we talk Coldplay, Foreigner, The Barrowlands in Glasgow, first gigs, The Smiths, Aldous Harding and Adam Curtis.

All this and just what is a gas mark 5 palate...let’s get right to it...Chris Davis

Follow Chris:

Website - https://www.thewanderingbarman.net

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/comedianchrisdavis/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thewanderingbarman/

LinkedIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thewanderingbarman/

YouTube - http://bit.ly/3niyDQB

Spotify - http://spoti.fi/3rHZskz.

Support - http://www.buymeacoff.ee/thewb

Can’t Find My Way Home

https://linktr.ee/cantfindmywayhome

In this episode of Can’t Find My Way Home, I was joined by Freddie Dickson.

Freddie’s a singer and songwriter from London, now living in Berlin.

Before moving to Germany, Freddie cut his teeth in the London music scene, eventually signing with Columbia Records 8 years ago. But after his contract finished  he decided to move and to try something radical,

Freddie fills us in on what type of music was on around the house when he was growing up, playing at Glastonbury, how the world of blogging helped elevate and promote artists at the time, and just how difficult it is to compete for space on the internet these days.

There’s talk about Freddie’s songwriting work with different artists and how to fit something into their particular style, the challenges of trying to make the Berlin scene grow, worst gigs ever, and all you need to know about his latest EP ‘Idiot’s Dream’.

In the Top 5, you’ll hear from Taylor Swift, new music from King Hannah, restricted views at music venues, me not knowing who Blue are/were, just how overrated is John Mayer, and I manage to sneak in the German youth word of the year…

Let’s get right to it...Freddie Dickson

https://www.freddiedickson.com/

Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3wHhk1L

Youtube - https://youtu.be/-JdhBQK9XYE

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/freddiedickson/

Can't Find My Way Home

https://linktr.ee/cantfindmywayhome

In this episode of Can’t Find My Way Home, I was joined by Mark Will.

Based on the island of Taiwan, pop-rock collective [ai] are set to release their forthcoming album, No Cure for the Princess Disease, scheduled for November 2021.

Mark and I first met in 2009 and we worked on his songs for the original Princess Disease album along with Jeff Valley (guitar) and Fred Glover (bass guitar).

Mark takes us through the through process behind the re-imagining of the album, as well as the differences in the recording process. We find out just what is the ‘Far East Trilogy’, the album as a medium in today’s streaming age, as well as the right way to  say the band’s name and the meaning behind it.

We also get into the preferences of being a live band or a studio band, the musicians who played on the new album, how production notes were integral to the recording, and why there’s almost no interest from the Far East about the Far East Trilogy…

Let’s get right to it...Mark Will

Listen and Follow Mark 

Subway Song (from the album No Cure for the Princess Disease) https://youtu.be/xhFRN8rlKKk

www.markwillwrite.com

Spotify https://spoti.fi/306K3Bd

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/carminaformosa/

Can't Find My Way Home

https://linktr.ee/cantfindmywayhome

In this episode of Can’t Find My Way Home, I was joined by Conor Kilkelly.

Conor takes us through his time living in Berlin, what it’s like making that leap of faith to become a full-time artist, the ups and downs of the lockdown, as well as some of the projects he’s working on at the moment.

There’s talk of the different processes he used to record his first album and the second one which is in the works. The Gut and Gutter Sessions - both on Youtube and now live on stage. We ponder if folk music is dark or not and is it better than dark Disco? Writing songs to order, and being part of the Berlin Folk Festival - in Sicilly.

The Top 5 features Blink 182, OMC’s ‘How Bizarre’, sibling rivalries, getting Depeche Mode wrong, sounding like The Tallest Man on Earth, and just how to find your own voice.

Follow Conor

https://kilkelly.net/

Facebook @kilkellymusic

Instagram @kilkellymusic

Youtube https://youtu.be/YGVLJW8uVpo

Can’t Find My Way Home

https://linktr.ee/cantfindmywayhome

In this episode of Can’t Find My Way Home, I was joined by David Stewart Ingleton.

David joined me from his home in Berlin, and he takes us through his expat and musical journey. After leaving Australia in 2000, with a brief stay in London, David first settled in Munich, and has now been living in Berlin for the past few years.

We talk about the differences between Munich and Berlin, not only as places to live, but also where you can really flourish as an artist. I’ll let you work out which city?

We get into his passion for playing the banjo, his band ‘The Yonder Boys’ and their unique set-up, how to deal with Bluegrass traditionalists, as well as the open-mic he runs every Sunday.

The Top 5 features Whitney Houston, Ed Sheeran, Dolly Parton, supporting Billy Bragg in Munich, why Townes Van Zandt isn’t better known, and trying to fit a double bass into a taxi…

Let’s get right to it...David Stewart Ingleton.

Follow David here...

https://m.facebook.com/davidstewartingleton/

https://www.timezone-records.com/kuenstler/details/david-stewart-ingleton/

https://www.berlinstreetmusic.com/david-stewart-ingleton

Yonder Boys @Spotify

https://spoti.fi/3thb66Y

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/yonderboys

Youtube - https://youtu.be/WWUh74osz4s

Can’t Find My Way Home

https://linktr.ee/cantfindmywayhome

Michael Brinkworth

In this episode of Can’t Find My Way Home, I was joined by Michael Brinkworth.

Michael talks us through his expat journey from Australia, to Berlin, via The Americas and more. We talk musical influences, busking in Brisbane, and the transition from playing in bands to becoming a solo performer.

We get into the making of Michael’s new album ‘Wasted Wonder’, the excellent video accompaniments, bar busking in Berlin, feeling the harmonica, playing live post-lockdown, and the folk-scene in Berlin.

The Top 5 features ABBA, Hair Metal, Axl Rose, Twain, Paul Westerberg,, Mogwai and The Flaming Lips...All this and why living in a shed is cooler than it sounds…

Follow Michael

https://michaelbrinkworth.com/

Instagram @michaelbrinkworthmusic

Youtube https://bit.ly/3fERJ28

Spotify https://spoti.fi/3iy8dv0

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/michaelbrinkworthmusic/

Can’t Find My Way Home

https://linktr.ee/cantfindmywayhome

In this episode of Can't Find My Way Home, I was joined by Zoe Hayter 

Calling from France, where she was performing with the Footsbarn Theatre Company, Zoe tells us about growing up between London, Czech Republic and France, and how the theatre, performing in productions, writing and performing her own songs have all become so prominent in her life.

We talk musical influences, how working with Glen Hansard has really transformed and inspired her as a musician, as well as looking forward to studying movement and theatre at L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq later in the year. What are the best spots in Prague for busking (pre-Covid) and why it’s such a great way to learn your trade as a performer? Zoe gives us the lowdown...

In the Top 5 there’s some favourite venues, music from Limoncello and Glen Hansard, Elton John and Bilie Eilish

Find more about Zoe Here

http://zoehayter.com/

http://www.footsbarn.com/

Can’t Find My Way Home

https://linktr.ee/cantfindmywayhome

In this episode of Can’t Find My Way Home, I was joined by David Gaffney.

David, originally from Jersey in the Channel Islands takes us through his Expat story and his musical adventures.

An intrepid busker, David had been travelling throughout the UK from London to Brighton, and beyond. But it was on Mathew Street in Liverpool, where he was busking that things were about to change. David was approached by German actress Meret Becker who asked him to join her band on a German tour...and that chance meeting took him to Berlin. David tells us all about it...

We talk musical influences, Joel, Carole King, James Taylor, and some Hue and Cry...

As well as some of his on-going projects at the moment, the release of his new single, the realities of making a living in the music business, his success at the German and European songwriting Awards, as well performing at Song Slam and the buzz he gets from the audience.

In the Top 5, there’s Ed Sheeran (again), Nick Cave, Elton John not quite standing, why you should be listening to David Keenan...All this and opening for Pete Doherty at Huxley’s in Berlin

Follow David

Spotify https://spoti.fi/3rqje4k

Facebook https://bit.ly/3hLNWBu

Instagram @davidgaffneymusic

Youtube https://bit.ly/3kvcEI9

Can’t Find My Way Home

https://linktr.ee/cantfindmywayhome