In this episode of the podcast, I was joined by Chris Tharp.

Chris is an American expat, originally from Seattle, and has been living in Busan, South Korea since 2004

We talk about what brought him to South Korea, his past life as a revolutionary theatre artist, and the adventures of starting out in a new country - from scratch.

Moving to another continent to live and work, we hear how Chris was eager to adopt the trappings of a young traveler and to soak it all up…something akin to what Anthony Bourdain became known for.

We get into how Chris started blogging in the early years, writing for local magazines, getting into travel writing, and gradually building up a following in the days before social media really took over. He also gives some good advice on what to do...and not to do...to gain exposure for your work.

Alongside Brian Aylward, Chris was at the fore-front of bringing stand-up to a group-orientated culture. He recounts how the stand-up comedy scene in South Korea and Busan in particular evolved over the years.

We talk dodgy promoters, chasing your dinner around the plate, and why moving to South Korea is a bit like entering the witness protection programme...

Find more about Chris and his work:

Website: https://bit.ly/3j3L7K3

Twitter: @ChrisTharpExpat

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2YsV0sP

Medium: https://bit.ly/3j0Pohc

You can follow Can't Find My Way Home at the following...

Anchor.fm -https://anchor.fm/craig-branch

Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/33qEydM

Spotify - https://spoti.fi/2YUtfc7

Instagram - @cant.findmywayhome

Facebook - @expatmusicpod

Theme music:  Surf Shimmy Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

Mamas - Josh Lippi and The Overtimers

On the first episode back after our summer break, I was joined by Justin Jardine.

Justin talks us through his expat journey from Wisconsin to Hamburg...via Freiburg and Vienna...and we also dig deep into his musical exploits along the way.

Discovering guitars and distortion at an early age, Justin really got into the thriving punk scene at home. We talk DIY, Under-The-Radar, and Pop-up gigs and Justin describes how it helped him become more politically and socially aware and how this also led to his musical tastes changing over time.

Moving abroad, opened up a whole new avenue of opportunities and possibilities. Who knew that there was a Bluegrass scene in Hamburg? Justin tells us all about it, as well as his main project - Raindance Kid.

We talk differences in playing in a band as an expat and playing in one at home, putting shows together and touring, and how he got into playing pedal steel guitar.

There’s Opera Houses, The Lemonheads, Sturgill Simpson's weird synth player, and just why has Justin been in so many bands with ‘KID’ in the name?

Raindance Kid 

https://www.facebook.com/raindancekid/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/25j5sfXQ0Nyd3dH8Ia2thp

https://youtu.be/A8bfYnyuGQo

https://timezonerecords.lnk.to/Swayer

https://www.instagram.com/raindance_kid/

"Letter To David" · Raindance Kid  Swayer  

℗ Timezone  Released on: 2018-05-04  

Author: Nikolas Kuhl Composer: Nikolas Kuhl

You can follow Can't Find My Way Home at the following...

Anchor.fm -https://anchor.fm/craig-branch

Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/33qEydM

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6qCrwzU...

Instagram - @cant.findmywayhome

Facebook - @expatmusicpod

Theme music:  Surf Shimmy Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

Mamas - Josh Lippi and The Overtimers

In this episode of Can’t Find My Way Home, I spoke with Zahra Jaan from her home in London.

Zahra takes us through her Expat journey of several years living and working in Seoul, South Korea, on to  graduating with an MA in Sustainable Textile Design, and then working as a licenced designer for Disney and Warner Bros in London.

We get into Zahra’s new business ‘JaanSmithStudio’ and how motherhood has helped spark new creative ideas and energy. Her concept is to produce children’s wall art, incorporating bold, playful, colourful imagery. And it looks fantastic…

There’s chat about why Instagram is a melting pot of inspiration and how time consuming it can be...but we give you a couple of hacks to help along the way.

Finally, Zahra shares her hopes and aspirations for the business in the months ahead And...getting paid to watch movies during your working day!

Where to find Zahra

https://www.jaansmithstudio.com/

Facebook @jaansmithstudio/

Instagram @jaansmithstudio/

If you enjoyed the episode, check out our back catalogue.

You can follow Can't Find My Way Home at the following...

Anchor.fm -https://anchor.fm/craig-branch

Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/33qEydM

Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/355fOJ7

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6qCrwzU...

Instagram - @cant.findmywayhome

Facebook - @expatmusicpod

Theme music:  Surf Shimmy Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

Mamas - Josh Lippi and The Overtimers

I was joined by Derek Hannon and we talk about his expat journey from Galway, Ireland,  to South Korea - via Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.

Derek tells of how he landed in Kwangju, South Korea, without knowing much about the country...and the ominous task of teaching several hundred Kindergarten students that lay ahead, in the early days.

Derek explains how he got into the bar business and the integral role an expat bar plays in a city outside of the capital.

We compare the red tape of setting up a business at home and abroad...you might be surprised...and finding the balance between work and play!...all this and being pointed at in the street - in a good way.

If you enjoyed the episode, check out our back catalogue.

You can follow Can't Find My Way Home at the following...

Anchor.fm -https://anchor.fm/craig-branch

Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/33qEydM

Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/355fOJ7

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6qCrwzU...

Instagram - @cant.findmywayhome

Facebook - @expatmusicpod

Theme music:  Surf Shimmy Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

Mamas - Josh Lippi and The Overtimers

In part 2 of the podcast with Tommy Reynolds, we get into how musical experiences can really change your outlook on life as well as the realization that playing music is more than just feeding your own ego.

Tommy name checks the bands and projects he played with during his time in South Korea...and a who’s who of some of the good dudes he met along the way.

There’s capers at the Haebangchon Music Fest, songs about the King of Comedy, And why TLC are a better pop act than Ed Sheeren…

Favourite venues, 80’s hair metal and the Travelling Wilbury’s feature in the Top 5

f you enjoyed the episode, check out our back catalogue.

Please like, share and comment if that's your thing.

Drop me a line [email protected] if you're interested in being a guest on the podcast.

You can follow Can't Find My Way Home at the following...

Anchor.fm -https://anchor.fm/craig-branch

Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/33qEydM

Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/355fOJ7

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6qCrwzU...

Instagram - @cant.findmywayhome

Facebook - @expatmusicpod

Theme music:  Surf Shimmy Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

Mamas - Josh Lippi and The Overtimers

In this episode of Can’t Find My Way Home, I spoke with Tommy Reynolds, an American expat, now residing in Guangzhou, China.

We get into Tommy’s expat journey that took him from Boston, to South Korea, Thailand, and now onto China.

As well as an honest recollection of dropping out of music school and everything that followed, Tommy and I wax lyrical about the magical voice of Sam Cook, opening up for RATT at Mama Kin’s, falling in and out of love with music, and why August and Everything After is such a great album…

There’s also chat about the changing face of the music scene in Seoul, playing to backing tracks in Chung Ching, and what it’s really like playing to audiences in China..and Dirty Uncle Phil!

If you enjoyed the episode, check out our back catalogue.

Please like, share and comment if that's your thing.

Drop me a line [email protected] if you're interested in being a guest on the podcast. 

You can follow Can't Find My Way Home at the following...

Anchor.fm -https://anchor.fm/craig-branch

Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/33qEydM

Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/355fOJ7

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6qCrwzU...

Instagram - @cant.findmywayhome

Facebook - @expatmusicpod

Theme music:  Surf Shimmy Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

Mamas - Josh Lippi and The Overtimers

In this preview of a forthcoming episode, Tommy describes how singing in a couple of bands in Seoul, South Korea, really changed the way he looked at music.

 It was while he was fronting The Spiritual Hustlers, a Grateful Dead tribute band, and Short Bus, a funk and soul, multi-national ensemble, that Tommy realized that it wasn't so much what the bands could do for him, but definitely more what he could do for the band. 

As Tommy says, it really was about bringing joy to people and sharing those positive vibes with one and all. 

The Spiritual Hustlers were: Tommy Reynolds - Vocals Andrew Christiansen - Guitars Nate Rafferty - Guitars Adam Caruana - Bass Guitar George Bozanich - Piano Trevor Clements - Drums Kari van der Kloot - Vocals 

If you enjoyed this clip, check out our back catalogue. 

 You can follow Can't Find My Way Home at the following... 

 Anchor.fm -https://anchor.fm/craig-branch 

 Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/33qEydM

 Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/355fOJ7  

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6qCrwzU...

Instagram - @cant.findmywayhome 

 Facebook - @expatmusicpod

In this episode of Can’t Find My Way Home, I was joined by Dimitri, all the way from Athens, Greece.

We get into his musical roots, the joys of learning an instrument, why Norwegian Black Metal is so appealing, and the genius of John Frusciante.

There’s also discussion of Americana, good Country Music, with a bit of Bluegrass thrown in for good measure.

Finally, we get into Slipknot and their various side-projects as well as a great Top 5.

So, without further ado, here’s Dimitri.

If you enjoyed the episode, check out our back catalogue on Anchor.fm

Please like, share and comment if that's your thing.

Drop me a line [email protected] if you're interested in being a guest on the podcast. Feel free to contact me.

You can follow Can't Find My Way Home at the following...

Anchor.fm -https://anchor.fm/craig-branch

Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/33qEydM

Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/355fOJ7

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6qCrwzU...

Instagram - @cant.findmywayhome

Facebook - @expatmusicpod

Theme music:  Surf Shimmy Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

Mamas - Josh Lippi and The Overtimers

In this second part of the interview with Andy Knowlton, we chat about Andy’s Viva la Vida project, which he undertook in Seoul, South Korea.

We discover how Andy brightened up a rather dreary and unimaginative 100 metre wall in his local neighborhood, as well as discovering how trash is turned into art.

There’s a Top 5 featuring Tommy James and The Shandells, Street Art and the Andong Mask Museum.

You can find out more about Andy’s projects in the episode description.

More details in the links below:

The Drunken Poets Project- https://vimeo.com/groups/seoul/videos/57352384

Street Fight (Music Video) https://bit.ly/2YjwmLq

Pondicherry Books https://bit.ly/2NnRIAZ

Andy K Art (Insta) https://bit.ly/2APam2m

Andy K Art (Facebook) https://bit.ly/2Za7OnF

The Richard Brautigan Library Project https://bit.ly/3dmpRMi

If you enjoyed the episode, check out our back catalogue.

Please like, share and comment if that's your thing.

Drop me a line [email protected] if you're interested in being a guest on the podcast. Feel free to contact me.

You can follow Can't Find My Way Home at the following...

Anchor.fm -https://anchor.fm/craig-branch

Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/33qEydM

Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/355fOJ7

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6qCrwzU...

Instagram - @cant.findmywayhome

Facebook - @expatmusicpod

Theme music:  Surf Shimmy Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

Mamas - Josh Lippi and The Overtimers

In this episode of the Can't Find My Way Home podcast, I spoke with American expat, Andy Knowlton.

In this first of a two-parter, Andy and I explore how he landed in Korea and his early expat life in France.

There's talk of 'Street Poetry' and 'Guerilla Art'  and how Andy eventually wanted to bring those words and poems into a visual format.

Among the plethora of artistic projects and challenges Andy has undertaken include an annual poetry contest, turning poems into 

something more vibrant and energetic (akin to the 'Off The Charts' documentary) where your poems are turned into real songs, as well as his 

Pondicherry Books publishing company.

We round things off with a chat about the poet and novelist, Richard Brautigan and what Andy did as way of a homage.

More details in the links below:

Street Fight (Music Video) https://bit.ly/2YjwmLq

Pondicherry Books https://bit.ly/2NnRIAZ

Andy K Art (Insta) https://bit.ly/2APam2m

Andy K Art (Facebook) https://bit.ly/2Za7OnF

The Richard Brautigan Library Project https://bit.ly/3dmpRMi

If you enjoyed the episode, check out our back catalogue.

Please like, share and comment if that's your thing.

Drop me a line [email protected] if you're interested in being a guest on the podcast. Feel free to contact me.

You can follow Can't Find My Way Home at the following...

Anchor.fm -https://anchor.fm/craig-branch

Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/33qEydM

Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/355fOJ7

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6qCrwzU...

Instagram - @cant.findmywayhome

Facebook - @expatmusicpod

Theme music:  Surf Shimmy Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

Mamas - Josh Lippi and The Overtimers