What was the single greatest year in music history? In this episode of the K&A Podcast, Karl and Aidan put your submissions to the test in the ultimate showdown of the decades. Listeners have each nominated a year they believe had the strongest album releases, backing it up with three records that showcase its greatness.

But it is not just about the charts and the critics. Alongside the debate, Karl and Aidan share personal memories and stories tied to these albums, exploring how music from a given year connects to people’s lives. Each submission becomes more than a list - it is a glimpse into why these records mattered, and what they might reveal about the listener who chose them.

Expect passionate arguments, playful clashes, and plenty of nostalgia as we pit year against year, album against album. Was the peak in the 60s with the rise of rock legends, the 70s with its creative explosion, the 80s with pop dominance, or later with the icons of today?

To go deeper, check out the huge Spotify playlist with all the albums mentioned here:

👉 Listen on Spotify

Listening to the podcast is all the support we need - but if you would like to go a little further, you can donate to the show here. Include a message, and we will read it out on the show!

We sit down with the wonderful Mo Woods to talk about her first steps into singing, her journey as a professional performer, and why looking after your mental health as a performer is every bit as important as the music itself.

If you’d like to learn more about Mo, you can explore her story on her website or follow her on Instagram.

Mo Woods
https://www.mowoodsmusic.com/

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/mowoodsmusic/?hl=en-gb

For listeners curious about mental health, here’s a quick ADHD online self-test to check in with yourself:

https://add.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/adhd-questionnaire-ASRS111.pdf

And, as promised…

Fart noises put to fireworks:
https://www.tiktok.com/@the_mannii/video/7524172518672829710?lang=en

Listening to the podcast is all the support we need, but if you’d like to go a little further then you can make a donation to the show here:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=DZLSZP3ZWC5N2

Include a message, and we’ll read it out on the show!

This week, Karl and Aidan are on location at Southampton Guitar Repairs, joined by guitar tech and luthier Adam Chmarny.

Adam gives the K&A Podcast a guided tour of his busy workshop, sharing the tools, techniques, and practical insights that go into keeping guitars in top shape - from fretwork to electronics and everything in between. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the bench of a professional repair space, this episode is for you.

Watch the full workshop tour here:
https://youtu.be/C_A5TyGxFLE

Alongside the tour, Adam shares stories from his life on the road as a tech for internationally renowned bands including:

🎸 Orange Goblin
https://www.orangegoblinofficial.com/

🎸 Big Big Train
https://www.bigbigtrain.com/

🎸 Mr. Big
http://www.mrbigsite.com/

From meeting Paul Gilbert and Billy Sheehan, to working backstage at the legendary Budokan in Tokyo, Adam gives Karl and Aidan a glimpse into the fast-paced world of touring with some of rock’s most iconic acts.

🔗 Links:

Adam’s Website – Southampton Guitar Repairs
https://www.southamptonguitarrepairs.com/

Workshop Tour Video
https://youtu.be/C_A5TyGxFLE

Music Minds Matter – Mental Health Support for Musicians
https://www.musicmindsmatter.org.uk/

All Episodes & Guests
https://linktr.ee/kandapodcast

Listening to the podcast is all the support we need, but if you’d like to go a little further, you can make a donation to the show here:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=DZLSZP3ZWC5N2

Include a message and we’ll read it out on the show!

Episode 35 - What’s Your Favourite New Song You’ve Discovered This Year?

We put the question out there: What’s your favourite new song you’ve discovered this year? You delivered.

Fifteen songs came in - some brand new, some old gems freshly unearthed - and we listened to every one of them live on the pod.

In this episode, we give each track a proper listen and an honest score, ending with a definitive (and slightly chaotic) ranked list. Expect musical surprises and plenty of new tunes to stick on your playlist.

Along the way, the song list sparks two separate battles: one between brothers, and another that reignites the infamous Battle of the Bens.

🎧 Listen along here:
Spotify Playlist - K&A: Favourite New Songs
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0fHGCUXuI1QS7kw2SSzacU?si=98b3ab82e4404418

Listening to the podcast is all the support we need, but if you’d like to go a little further then you can make a donation to the show here:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=DZLSZP3ZWC5N2

Include a message, and we’ll read it out on the show!

In this episode, Karl and Aidan welcome Bradley Bowers into the Pod-Lodge.

Bradley is the founder of BCB Production, a company specialising in audio/visual and technical support for live events. If you’re building something creative and want it to look and sound brilliant, Bradley’s the guy you call.

We dig into how musicians and creatives can better prepare for the stage - from technical setup to mindset - and Bradley answers questions from our listeners, offering plenty of hands-on insights along the way.

Also in this episode: the fallout from Episode 33 continues, with a brewing turf war between Ben Dlugokecki and Ben Townsend. It gets tense…

Connect with Bradley and BCB Production:

🌐 https://bcbproduction.uk

📘 https://www.facebook.com/bcbproduction

📸 https://www.instagram.com/bcb.prod

Bonus Link:

🎙️ Interview with Skin (Skunk Anansie)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99gjYcODEcM

Listening to the podcast is all the support we need, but if you’d like to go a little further then you can make a donation to the show here:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=DZLSZP3ZWC5N2

Include a message, and we’ll read it out on the show!

Which song should everyone hear at least once in their life?

Karl and Aidan take on this near-impossible question, joined by some familiar voices as past guests return to share their top picks from around the globe.

With a longlist in hand, K&A attempt the unenviable task of ranking them all… but only one song can come out on top.

Tune in to find out which track takes the crown - and a huge thanks to our podcast alumni for all their brilliant suggestions!

⸻

LINKS

• CLICK HERE to find out where you can catch Karl performing with Davey Jones’ Locker
https://www.facebook.com/DaveyJonesLockerBand/?locale=en_GB

• CLICK HERE to see where you can find Aidan with Good Times
https://www.goodtimesband.co.uk/

⸻

Our friends’ podcasts:

• Universally Speaking - The Red Hot Chili Peppers Podcast
https://www.bentownsendmusic.net/rhcp-podcast

• Brothers of Atlas
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-brothers-of-atlas-podcast/id1802457993

⸻

Spotify playlist featuring all of the suggested tracks:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2hAKNvQ02aWXV2xZXDbJTS?si=65b6a44ff1cb4b04

Listening to the podcast is all the support we need, but if you’d like to go a little further then you can make a donation to the show here:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=DZLSZP3ZWC5N2

Include a message, and we’ll read it out on the show!

We’re back! It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since our last episode. Surprisingly, this isn’t 100% due to laziness - Karl and Aidan have been pretty busy.

Karl’s band, Blender, has just recorded a live EP, and the story behind its creation involves none other than Butch Vig, the legendary producer known for his work with Nirvana, Foo Fighters, and Green Day. We’ve got an exclusive preview of the recording.

Aidan has been touring across the UK with Chic to Chic and shares what it’s like to be a touring musician, spending countless hours on the road.

We also play some songs from bands we’ve discovered since the last episode, along with some old favourites that have made a comeback.

Links

Blender live EP
Pre-order Blender’s live EP here:
https://www.blackstarrecords.co.uk/black-star-crowdfunding-blender

Black Star Records
Find out more about Black Star Records here:
https://www.blackstarrecords.co.uk

Chic to Chic
For more info on Chic to Chic:
https://www.chictochic.co.uk/

Support the podcast
Listening to the podcast is all the support we need, but if you’d like to go a little further then you can make a donation to the show. Include a message and we’ll read it out on the show!

Karl and Aidan are joined by Liv Thompson this episode, all the way from Hull by the power of Zoom.

Liv has an impressive portfolio as a bass player, including Little Mix, Becky Hill and Raye. During a break between tours, she takes the time to join us for a chat about her journey so far. She shares insights into her beginnings in the pop industry and recounts her incredible experiences performing alongside renowned artists on international stages. Some of these iconic venues include Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage, London's prestigious O2 Arena, and the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

In our conversation, we delve into her recent performance at NPR's Tiny Desk Concert and get an exclusive look at what goes on behind the scenes at Jools Holland and Strictly Come Dancing. Liv also generously shares insights into the equipment she uses on stage and recalls her incredible journey starting with Little Mix.

See Liv play the Pyramid Stage HERE and her recent performance at NPR’s Tiny Desk HERE

Listening to the podcast is all the support we need, but if you’d like to go a little further then you can make a donation to the show HERE. Include a message, and we’ll read it out on the show!

Karl and Aidan celebrate the 30th episode milestone by setting themselves an impossible task… Who would you put in your ultimate 90’s rock band?

We had many suggestions from listeners, which proved just how full the decade was of incredible and influential musicians. It also made the job even harder… How did we do? Would you put the same musicians in your band? Let us know!

Listening to the podcast is all the support we need, but if you’d like to go a little further then you can make a donation to the show HERE. Include a message, and we’ll read it out on the show!

In episode 29, Karl and Aidan talk to Nia Collins, who introduces herself as a musician, singer and educator. As we progress through the episode however, we discover that she has many more strings to her bow besides these, including event management, creating a whole range of music projects and even writing jingles! She is also Aidan’s line manager at Southampton Music Hub, but we’ll let you decide if Aidan managed to conduct himself appropriately…

Nia talks about her time organising Cheltenham Jazz Festival, putting on huge music events in the south of England and how her career has progressed to leading the Isle of Wight Music Hub. She also reveals an insight to the inner workings of music education, and the challenges that come with bringing together hundreds of students to perform in mass choral events.

p.s. It’s pronounced JIF, not GIF…

Find out more about Nia’s work here:

Southampton Music Hub

Isle of Wight Music Hub

Listening to the podcast is all the support we need, but if you’d like to go a little further then you can make a donation to the show HERE. Include a message, and we’ll read it out on the show!