Demo Tapes

By Demo Tapes

What's Demo Tapes about?

Demo Tapes is the music podcast that hits rewind on the careers of some of the world's biggest bands and artists.

Presented by Rick Martin (ex NME) and blogger/blagger Sarah Jane Kemp, the podcast features interviews with top musicians, their fans, journalists and anyone with a good tale to tell.

Email us at [email protected]

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Demo Tapes episodes:

07.30.2023
S3 Ep17: Test CMM
04.04.2022
S3 Ep19: Blur, The Enemy, Jon 'Reverend' McClure and more star in our very final episode
'All farewells should be sudden when forever' as the old saying goes - just ask The Verve. So, get that helpline set up: after three series and four years, Demo Tapes is ending for good. But like many of our...
03.27.2022
S3 Ep18: Why Oasis v Blur was such a life-changing gateway drug for us (Previously Unreleased Podcast Pilot)
You know that thing where an important artist dies and their record label spends the following decades cashing in on any distorted demo or half thought/finished track they even committed to tape? Well, we'd like to think of this release of...
05.20.2021
S3 Ep16: Noughties indie stagers Haven reunite for 20th anniversary (Lost Artists, Episode 2)
Originally formed in Cornwall, indie four-piece Haven rose to prominence in the early '00s after moving to Manchester. After a string of Top 30 hits and international tours, along with an appearance on Top of the Pops which they admit...
04.11.2021
S3 Ep15: Reverend and the Makers guitarist Ed Cosens talks going solo (Series 3, Episode 15)
Here at Demo Tapes, nothing fascinates us more than someone going solo from a band - particularly if it isn't the frontman. So we were delighted to get Ed Cosens on the show, on the week that the Reverend and...
04.02.2021
S3 Ep14: Theoretical Girl kicks off our Lost Artists series
Lost Artists is a new occasional feature for Demo Tapes, where we shine a light on criminally under-rated artists from yesteryear - and find out what happened next for them. First up, we've got an interview with Theoretical Girl, aka Amy...
03.01.2021
S3 Ep13: Long Blondes interview: Triumphs and tragedy with '00s indie's biggest outsiders (Series 3, Episode 13)
The Long Blondes were one of the most important indie groups of the '00s - great tunes, whip-smart lyrics filled with endless Easter eggs for eagle-eyed listeners and a fashion sense which inspired a generation of music fans. However, the...
02.22.2021
S3 Ep12: Luke from The Kooks and his wife Ellie Rose talk their joint album (Series 3, Episode 12)
We're excited to bring you a bit of a Demo Tapes exclusive this week as Luke Pritchard of The Kooks and his wife Ellie Rose sit down for their first extended joint podcast interview. The pair released their excellent joint...
02.15.2021
S3 Ep11: Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ turns 30: Hear one of their early interviews (Series 3, Episode 11)
Legendary music journalist John Robb was the first person to interview Nirvana in the late ‘80s. As the grunge titans’ seminal second album ‘Nevermind’ turns 30 later this year, we’ve got John on the show to look back on his time...
02.08.2021
S3 Ep10: Film soundtracks special with writer/director/actress Laura Jean Marsh (Series 3, Episode 10)
Behind every great movie - even the silent ones of the early 20th century - is a great soundtrack. On this episode we celebrate our favourite film soundtracks and also find out about how they're put together with writer, director...
02.01.2021
S3 Ep9: The inside story of 'Is This It' with Strokes producer Gordon Raphael (Series 3, Episode 9)
This week marks the 20th anniversary of the release of The Strokes' debut EP 'The Modern Age' - so what better time to get band producer Gordon Raphael on the show to talk all about New York's finest? *If you want...
01.25.2021
S3 Ep8: The Holloways interview: Highs, lows and a scuppered reunion (Series 3, Episode 8)
Noughties North London rockers The Holloways formed with a simple premise, outlined in their Top 20 smash and signature song 'Generator': making the music to make you feel better. However, underneath their calypso-pop indie sound and raucously fun live performances...
01.18.2021
S3 Ep7: Turin Brakes discuss the 20th anniversary of 'The Optimist LP' (Series 3, Episode 7)
Turin Brakes are a British indie institution so we were delighted to get singer Olly Knights on the show to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of the folk heroes' 2001 debut album 'The Optimist LP'. Olly reflects on...
01.11.2021
S3 Ep6: Looking back on the legendary Leeds scene with Black Wire (Series 3, Episode 6)
Leeds saw an explosion of musical activity in the mid '00s - and brilliant art-punks Black Wire, active 2003-2007, were right at the heart of it all. Their bassist Tom Greatorex joins the show this week to tells us about...
12.18.2020
S3 Ep5: Music movies special with Laura Jean Marsh of new film 'Giddy Stratospheres' (Series 3, Episode 5)
When we heard someone was making a movie drama about the guitar scene of the mid-'00s we couldn't have been more excited - not least because it sounded like the film version of this very podcast! That someone is writer, director...
12.11.2020
S3 Ep4: Young Knives chat carving a new niche with 'Barbarians' (Series 3, Episode 4)
Young Knives recently returned with their first album in seven years, the brilliantly bonkers 'Barbarians' - and we've got them on the show to tell us all about it. Speaking to guest interviewer and firm friend of Demo Tapes Jamie...
12.01.2020
S3 Ep3: The Orielles discuss their brilliant album ‘Disco Volador’ (Series 3, Episode 3)
The Orielles have released one of our favourite albums of this (or any) year in ‘Disco Volador’, so we were delighted to get all three of them on the show to tell us all about it. The Halifax indie trio...
11.27.2020
S3 Ep2: Revisiting the Libertines-led London scene with The Paddingtons (Series 3, Episode 2)
The Paddingtons were one of the leading lights of the London grot'n'roll scene of the mid '00s - despite being from, er, Hull. Singer Tom Atkin and bassist Lloyd Dobbs join this week's episode to reminisce about the raucous squat...
11.23.2020
S3 Ep1: The Enemy's Tom Clarke returns to talk 'The Chronicles of Nigel' (Series 3, Episode 1)
Demo Tapes is back on the podcast airwaves after an extended break! And who better to kick off Series 3 than one of our most popular previous guests, Tom Clarke? The former frontman of chart-topping indie-punks The Enemy returns to the...
12.09.2019
S2 Ep9: Adam Ficek: Pete Doherty's drummer to psychotherapist to the stars (Series 2, Episode 9)
How do you go from being one of the musical sidekicks to the world's most notorious rock star Pete Doherty to a psychotherapist to the stars? This is the question we put to sometime Babyshambles drummer Adam Ficek in this...
11.14.2019
S2 Ep8: Chris McClure talks Arctic Monkeys album artwork & alcoholism (Series 2, Episode 8)
You may not know the name but you will definitely know the face. Chris McClure shot to global fame as the cover star of the Arctic Monkeys' record-breaking debut album 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not' back...
11.05.2019
S2 Ep7: A Stone Roses history lesson from biographer John Robb (Series 2, Episode 7)
This month marks the 30th anniversary of The Stone Roses' seminal track Fools Gold. With this in mind, we got band biographer and music journalist John Robb on the line to give us the inside story on the creation of...
10.28.2019
S2 Ep6: Interview with The Twang's Phil Etheridge (Series 2, Episode 6)
In this episode Sarah sits down for an interview with The Twang frontman Phil Etheridge as the Birmingham band prepare to release their new album 'If Confronted Just Go Mad'. Given the Brummie baggy rockers have racked up 15 years...
10.21.2019
S2 Ep5: Interview with The Enemy's Tom Clarke (Series 2, Ep 5)
In this episode we bring you an extended interview with Tom Clarke, formerly frontman of chart-topping Coventry indie-rockers The Enemy. Tom is currently recording his debut solo album and gives us exclusive details of his new songs and how a...
10.07.2019
S2 Ep4: Damon Albarn interview & Britpop revival rambles (Series 2, Ep 4)
Hear an exclusive archive interview with Damon Albarn as the frontman of Blur/Gorillaz/The Good the Bad and the Queen/Rockjuice & the Moon/some other bands we've probably forgotten readies his new solo project. Elsewhere, Rick and Sarah examine the '90s/Britpop revival engulfing...
09.23.2019
S2 Ep3: Jon McClure interview: The resurrection of Reverend & the Makers (Series 2, Ep 3)
With Reverend and the Makers having released their Best Of album this week we've got frontman Jon McClure on the line to look back over the band's career, reflect on their recent career resurgence and, frankly, settle a few scores....
09.17.2019
S2 Ep2: Classic Courteeners interview & Mercury Prize predictions (Series 2, Ep 2)
With Manchester indie heroes Courteeners having just announced details of their long-awaited new album 'More. Again. Forever', we've delved back into Rick's interview archive to unearth a classic interview with singer Liam Fray. Fans of the band won't want to...
09.13.2019
S2 Ep1: Can Music be Factually Good? (Series 2, Ep 1)
Demo Tapes is back on the podcast airwaves! In this first episode of the second series Rick and Sarah talk about their last 9 months in music before pondering on whether songs, artists or albums can be considered 'factually' good....
12.23.2018
S1 Ep12: End of Series Xmas Special! (Series 1, Ep 12)
'Tis the season to hand out presents and our gift to you this year is... another episode of Demo Tapes. For our final episode of 2018 - and the series - we're hitting rewind on our year in music and looking...
12.14.2018
S1 Ep11: The Big Rap Cookbook (Series 1, Ep 11)
This week we're doing something a bit different and hitting rewind on the relationship between the worlds of food and music. Joining us on our journey are Scott (Booda) French and Sam (Fatty) Hemingway, the authors of The Big Rap...
12.04.2018
S1 Ep10: Johnny Marr Interview (Series 1, Ep 10)
This week we're hitting rewind on the career of one of our all-time musical heroes, Johnny Marr. Rick has unearthed a previously unheard archive interview with the legendary Smiths guitarist, recorded in 2011 as he recorded his classic album The...
11.28.2018
S1 Ep9: The Libertines - Side B: On the Trail of Pete Doherty (Series 1, Ep 9)
From Wormwood Scrubs to Paris - and everywhere inbetween - journalist Jamie Fullerton trailed Pete Doherty for a number of years whilst working for NME. On this week's episode, Jamie reveals amazing insights from some of his most infamous interviews...
11.21.2018
S1 Ep8: The Music That Made Us - Side A (Series 1, Ep 8)
We're hitting rewind as usual, but doing something a bit different this week - and talking through our own musical memories. Specifically, we're looking back on our first singles, albums and gigs - the music which shaped the first ten...
11.14.2018
S1 Ep7: Interview with Blur's Dave Rowntree (Series 1, Ep 7)
Hear an interview with Dave Rowntree as we hit rewind on the career of Blur. Find out more about the band’s formative years, how they survived the Britpop wars with Oasis and the inside story of their 2015 comeback album...
11.14.2018
7: Episode 7 - Blur exclusive
To be filled in by Sarah
11.07.2018
S1 Ep6: The inside story of The Libertines with band biographer Anthony Thornton (Series 1, Ep 6)
This week Rick and Sarah Jane jump aboard the Good Ship Albion and hit rewind on the career of The Libertines - one of the most celebrated British bands of the past 20 years. Joining them on their voyage down...
11.07.2018
6: Episode 6 - The Libertines
This week Rick and Sarah Jane jump aboard the Good Ship Albion and hit rewind on the career of The Libertines - one of the most celebrated British bands of the past 20 years. Joining them on their voyage down memory...
10.31.2018
S1 Ep5: Azealia Banks Interview (Series 1, Ep 5)
This week’s episode is focused on hip-hop’s enfant terrible Azealia Banks. Hear an exclusive archive interview with the New York rapper, recorded in 2011 as ‘212’ was blowing up but she hadn’t yet signed a record deal. Banks also talks...
10.24.2018
S1 Ep4: Late of the Pier Interview (Series 1, Ep 4)
Was the New Rave scene sublime or ridiculous? This is what Rick and Sarah set out to decide in the fourth episode of this series of Demo Tapes as they revisit the scene that time forgot and look back on...
10.17.2018
S1 Ep3: Listen to Arctic Monkeys' first ever NME interview - Part 2 (Series 1, Ep 3)
It’s the third episode of the series and side-B of Demo Tapes' terrific two-parter covering the emergence of the Arctic Monkeys. Rick and Sarah unveil more clips from their never-before-heard interview with Alex Turner and Matt Helders, recorded way back...
10.15.2018
S1 Ep2: Glasvegas Interview (Series 1, Ep 2)
Join Rick and Sarah for Episode 2 of the music podcast which hits rewind on the careers of some of the world's biggest and best bands. In the first of this week's bonus double-header of episodes, Rick joins Scottish stagers...
10.08.2018
S1 Ep1: Hear Arctic Monkeys' first ever NME interview - Part 1 (Series 1, Ep1)
Welcome to the very first episode of the series! In the first of their two-parter covering the emergence of Arctic Monkeys, your hosts Rick and Sarah unveil a never-before-heard interview with the Sheffield band, recorded when they were still unsigned...

What's Demo Tapes about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Demo Tapes episodes:

S3 Ep17: Test CMM

S3 Ep19: Blur, The Enemy, Jon 'Reverend' McClure and more star in our very final episode

S3 Ep18: Why Oasis v Blur was such a life-changing gateway drug for us (Previously Unreleased Podcast Pilot)

S3 Ep16: Noughties indie stagers Haven reunite for 20th anniversary (Lost Artists, Episode 2)

S3 Ep15: Reverend and the Makers guitarist Ed Cosens talks going solo (Series 3, Episode 15)

S3 Ep14: Theoretical Girl kicks off our Lost Artists series

S3 Ep13: Long Blondes interview: Triumphs and tragedy with '00s indie's biggest outsiders (Series 3, Episode 13)

S3 Ep12: Luke from The Kooks and his wife Ellie Rose talk their joint album (Series 3, Episode 12)

S3 Ep11: Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ turns 30: Hear one of their early interviews (Series 3, Episode 11)

S3 Ep10: Film soundtracks special with writer/director/actress Laura Jean Marsh (Series 3, Episode 10)

S3 Ep9: The inside story of 'Is This It' with Strokes producer Gordon Raphael (Series 3, Episode 9)

S3 Ep8: The Holloways interview: Highs, lows and a scuppered reunion (Series 3, Episode 8)

S3 Ep7: Turin Brakes discuss the 20th anniversary of 'The Optimist LP' (Series 3, Episode 7)

S3 Ep6: Looking back on the legendary Leeds scene with Black Wire (Series 3, Episode 6)

S3 Ep5: Music movies special with Laura Jean Marsh of new film 'Giddy Stratospheres' (Series 3, Episode 5)

S3 Ep4: Young Knives chat carving a new niche with 'Barbarians' (Series 3, Episode 4)

S3 Ep3: The Orielles discuss their brilliant album ‘Disco Volador’ (Series 3, Episode 3)

S3 Ep2: Revisiting the Libertines-led London scene with The Paddingtons (Series 3, Episode 2)

S3 Ep1: The Enemy's Tom Clarke returns to talk 'The Chronicles of Nigel' (Series 3, Episode 1)

S2 Ep9: Adam Ficek: Pete Doherty's drummer to psychotherapist to the stars (Series 2, Episode 9)

S2 Ep8: Chris McClure talks Arctic Monkeys album artwork & alcoholism (Series 2, Episode 8)

S2 Ep7: A Stone Roses history lesson from biographer John Robb (Series 2, Episode 7)

S2 Ep6: Interview with The Twang's Phil Etheridge (Series 2, Episode 6)

S2 Ep5: Interview with The Enemy's Tom Clarke (Series 2, Ep 5)

S2 Ep4: Damon Albarn interview & Britpop revival rambles (Series 2, Ep 4)

S2 Ep3: Jon McClure interview: The resurrection of Reverend & the Makers (Series 2, Ep 3)

S2 Ep2: Classic Courteeners interview & Mercury Prize predictions (Series 2, Ep 2)

S2 Ep1: Can Music be Factually Good? (Series 2, Ep 1)

S1 Ep12: End of Series Xmas Special! (Series 1, Ep 12)

S1 Ep11: The Big Rap Cookbook (Series 1, Ep 11)

S1 Ep10: Johnny Marr Interview (Series 1, Ep 10)

S1 Ep9: The Libertines - Side B: On the Trail of Pete Doherty (Series 1, Ep 9)

S1 Ep8: The Music That Made Us - Side A (Series 1, Ep 8)

S1 Ep7: Interview with Blur's Dave Rowntree (Series 1, Ep 7)

7: Episode 7 - Blur exclusive

S1 Ep6: The inside story of The Libertines with band biographer Anthony Thornton (Series 1, Ep 6)

6: Episode 6 - The Libertines

S1 Ep5: Azealia Banks Interview (Series 1, Ep 5)

S1 Ep4: Late of the Pier Interview (Series 1, Ep 4)

S1 Ep3: Listen to Arctic Monkeys' first ever NME interview - Part 2 (Series 1, Ep 3)

S1 Ep2: Glasvegas Interview (Series 1, Ep 2)

S1 Ep1: Hear Arctic Monkeys' first ever NME interview - Part 1 (Series 1, Ep1)

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