Victoria Simmonds

Singer-songwriter and actress Victoria Simmonds guests on this show and talks about her career in music and acting. This talented young lady gained a degree in theatre which has earned its place in her career today. Victoria shares her experiences of placing emotions in her lyrics and explains how the lyrics are enhanced by her music which completes the message.  Her passion for music and performing arts is clear as she shares the role of the arts in her own life.

The latest release is 'October Girl' which can be heard via the link below.'

Tune in for an entertaining chat!

Victoria Simmonds - October Girl
https://open.spotify.com/artist/71J40Bvar7RSwVLv6aSQiP

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A lovely fun chat with actor Nicholas John Brennan

This budding star was in Halle Berry's movie 'Bruised' back in 2019 and talks about his love for movies and acting. Beginning with his favourite actor Sean Connery and the classic Bond movies, Nick is also drawn to horror movies and describes the experience of playing out such characters as he leaves his true self behind. 

Nick talks about the realities of the film industry as he’s faced the drawbacks and the challenges but sees perseverance as the key to success.

Nick's movies include: 'Benita', 'Black Night', and 'The Meadows' and the commercial 'Hilltop Nissan'

Nick is about to explore his musical career and develop himself as a vocalist as he works on original rock material.

This is an exciting time for Nick in his journey within the performing arts.

For more information:
https://actornickbrennan.wixsite.com/nick-brennan/biography 

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A chat with Tony West, singer-songwriter and frontman of BLACKLIST UNION. Tony was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. He discovered his passion for music at five and knew that music was his way forward. As a child, Tony faced severe struggles with abuse that shaped him. His lyrics today reflect with honesty the journey he endured. 

His approach to recovery is highly inspiring as he speaks of overcoming his pain and obstacles through finding spirituality. Tony reveals deeply personal topics as he talks of the passing of important people in his life and the impacts of his loss. 

Tony West is described as an open book as he shares his past traumas taking us to where he is today. 

Their brand-new single, "The Queen of Everything' is a powerful and emotional rock song that will tug at the heartstrings. 

BLACKLIST UNION has been hailed worldwide as the next big rock band. 

https://blacklistunion.com/

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TV Show

A fantastic duo comprising two wonderful and successful artists who both excel as musicians in their own right. Between them, they take the roles of singers, songwriters and producers, creating quality music and content to be enjoyed by the family. Together, Swaddley & Dean have created a TV show for children with a strong appeal to adults as lyrics cleverly tap into inner child content. 

Drawing from their musical inspirations, The Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel, these videos are lively, bright, educational and emotionally intelligent, guaranteed to entertain and inform. 

Swaddley and Dean have carefully crafted their songs, paying attention to the diphthong, the phrase and the rhyming and have been described as extremely precise. These two musicians have spent time on the details and taken the project seriously to ensure that messages are perceived by the public as accurately as they were conveyed. 

You can hear snippets in this podcast!

ULTRA SWADDLEY & DEAN are the adult version of this outfit. Explicitly aimed at adults, they are to release their single on the 16th of December, ‘Are You Worried’. These professionals play their single for us here in a live acoustic version as they pick up the guitar and perform it here in this show. A real treat!

Tune in now!

https://swaddlyanddean.com/

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A chat with the lovely Frank Blair of the rock band DROWN AGAIN. 

The Band DROWN AGAIN just released their first single and music video entitled 'Measure of Man'. From their upcoming 10-track album ‘EMERGE’, this single is an emotional rock song, with a music video that tugs at the heartstrings.

The band formed internationally during the COVID-19 shutdown of the last year and a half, with members in Ireland and the USA. This was an extraordinary meeting of two dads with autistic sons. Singer of Scar For Life & Boneyard Dog, award-winning producer Rob Mancini, and Guitarist Frank Blair of Neverwas and Chlorine Dream met after Frank, and his son had recorded some music together and needed a vocalist to finish off the song. Rob Mancini accepted the request to do vocals on the track. Rob also has a son with the affliction and was eager to work on the project. Frank and Rob hit it off immediately and started working on new material after finishing the song.

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Monique began her career at the tender age of six years. Entering the world of ballet, her artistry grew as she developed her taste and interest, starting with the piano. Her lessons culminated in a Major in piano performance.

The foundations of her vocal training lie firmly in the style of opera and musical theatre, and she is described as sounding similar to Kate Bush. Her influences extend to rock artists and bands such as Queen and Evanescence.

Monique enjoys writing and creating “freely”, as she talks around the rules of classical music and feels her way is to be free.

Monique draws plenty of natural inspiration and implements this into her music videos. 

Info on live performances can be found on her website, Monique loves to connect with people and feel the energy in a room with live audiences.

Tune in to get to know this lovely lady!

https://www.moniqueangele.com/

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A chat with the lovely upcoming artist 'Aishvan Jeyapalan', based in Ontario, Canada. Aishvan tells us about his journey in music and how he engaged in vocal development.  This twenty-one-year-old artist started singing at around three years of age and has performed in talent shows, local competitions and recitals.

At sixteen, he released his first single, "Completely Incomplete", and debuted two independent projects, including his most recent effort 'NONE OF THIS WAS EASY'.

Tune in for a lovely chat at Facing Mel's Music!

www.aishvan.com

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A lovely chat with the wonderful Gregg Lee of rock band Paisty Jenny. This high-energy band is delivering quality rock music as it borders on metal! Gregg's voice is strong and dynamic, as he delivers powerful vocals along with his wild performances. These guys are experienced, bringing years of dedication to the music scene. Back with a vengeance, the band is making more music and intends to take it to the road, rocking out their audiences with electrifying performances.

Gregg talks about the two personalities involved in being a musician as he reflects on his personal self versus his wild performer self, described as letting loose and “coming alive”!! Gregg embraces the new music industry changes compared to a decade ago, talking about the closer gap between performer and audience as social media makes musicians more accessible, feeling more connected with audiences than ever. More to come with rock artist Gregg Lee and his band Paisty Jenny. Watch this space!

https://paistyjenny.com/home

https://youtu.be/eHvfoUwtqIw

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William Odell Hughes

A fabulous chat with the legendary Detroit singer-songwriter William Odell Hughes. This star began his music career at nine years of age in the late 60s. As he watched and learned from The Temptations and some of the greats to come out of Motown, the nine-year-old William witnessed some of the best times in music. Smokey Robinson, Anita Baker, Denise Williams were amongst these original legendary artists as William described “it was great to see them doing their thing!” William talks and compares the world of making music today, the pros and cons, and remains excited to be active in today's music industry.

William grew up in Detroit and met Pamela Wise, a jazz pianist married to Wendell Harrison, who owned his own record label. A meet destined to happen between Pamela and William, as they shared the same bus route each day! This encounter was responsible for kick-starting William’s career for the next forty years!

William’s album ‘Cruisin’ is full of soulful tunes, great jazzy vides and his EP ‘Soul Survivor’ sitting in the 70s roots of music. William’s music is impacting today's market and cementing the need for this niche. These timeless classics will never go out of fashion!

William is now writing in multiple genres, covering dance, pop, Rap, European dance, love songs, uptempo, and ballads. His mission is to "cover a lot of ground" and be versatile. His music is being pushed into sync licensing.  We have a lot to come from this legendary musician!

Tune in for a wonderful chat!

https://lightintheattic.net/products/cruisin-lita-exclusive

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3D9QvRzpVnNIg9Nwxgsylc?si=R3-bSCDhTeKy74GqiPpetg

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Left on Colfax
The Radiation Tapes and I Ain't Judas

Ted and JJ Maestas make up this incredible team of long-distance writers and performing artists called Left on Colfax. The duo talk about their experience of songwriting and the benefits of expression for mental health. Tragic moments and personal loss have occurred in Ted’s life, but the brave musician states “pain doesn’t define us or our music” as he passionately continues his music career.

JJ quotes, “Taking emotions and putting them into songs and onto paper, and belting out the songs is the best therapy there ever is!”

Described as being in the best place musically than they’ve ever been before, this loyal and authentic duo talk about how maturity and experience have helped them hone their craft, producing quality music for their fans.

These multi-instrumentalists and singers have lived through regret, resilience and hope, enhancing their ability for empathy as they speak honestly about taking ownership of choices in life.

Back on the road to music, tune in to these guys and journey with them on their new venture!


https://www.leftoncolfax.com/

Watch the video on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/c3YKj8Lh8zE

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