Ruth Eliza joins us, an acomplished songwriter and performer. Hear her how taking up five-string clawhammer banjo, after hearing Darrell Adams perform, and learning through lessons and Sore Fingers summer schools, where she formed the band Blue Lass.

Her solo work blends bluegrass and old-time influences with an Anglo folk/Americana feel, featuring original songs and instrumentals. Catch her in Lancaster gig at The Hall Café (Atkinson's) on Saturday 25 April; her debut album is due around March 2026.

Find her work here: https://rutheliza.bandcamp.com/album/while-the-light-shines

Derek Meins has a chat to us about THE LANCASTER MUSIC COOP where he is both a Director and Volunteer.

Hear about the student-founded hub for rehearsal and recording, its closure during lockdowns, and how post-lockdown disrepair prevented reopening. Hear about our efforts to secure a permanent lease to access funding, a full strip-back renovation with five soundproofed rehearsal rooms and a rebuilt recording studio, and hopes to reopen in 2026.

We also chat about the thoroughly epic monthly free-entry co-op fundraising gigs held the last Friday of every month at The Pub in Lancaster. And the recent Bandcamp compilation, of local acts put out ot raise money for the cause.

We couldn't let Derek escape without telling us about VEX MESSAGE the influential three-piece and their themes of surveillance and modern "utopian" visions...

Find VEX MESSAGE: https://open.spotify.com/track/0vfwxSyS1JCgbUC2WVJSGI

FIND THE COOP ALBUM: https://lancastermusiccoop.bandcamp.com/album/co-opilation-vol-1

The wonderful effervescent CHLOE JANE HIRST joins us. Do make sure you go and listen to her music, a fantastic vocal range and powerful lyrcis.

She talks about her new as yet unreleased song "Soldier Boy," inspired by concern for men experiencing pain and lack of support, a possible summer 2026 release. In that chat we mention Andy's Man Club. Here's a link to them: https://andysmanclub.co.uk/

And here's a link to Chloe's LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/chloejanehirst

Lancaster artist Last Dan Standing (Dan) on Beyond Radio's Lancaster Unsigned. We discuss his move to Lancaster and impact on our music scene.

Explore alternate guitar tunings and playing exclusively in C major nine (C-G-E-G-B-D) for about 15 years

Discuss rebuilding after relocating and receiving encouragement on the Lancaster scene.

He can be found on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@DanLDS

We love his work. You should love him too!

ARCANE HOPE are an enigmatic ever evolving musical wonder that has been part of the Lancaster Music scene for years now. Alice Evans explains the band and gives us more reasons to binge on their fantastic back catalogue of tunes.

Go here now: https://www.arcanehope.co.uk/

Stephen, lead guitarist from Massive Wagons, pops in to chat about Promanade Music. Every great City has a cool guitar shop where you can buy (or try) out an axe worthy of your calibre. If you're from Lancaster you generally make the trek to a town also known as the home of rock. Morecambe, rock.

The iconic shop has a long and interesting history, we discuss it. We also discuss Massive Wagons, one of The City of Lancaster's most successful musical exports.

Fall in love with them and their music here, now: https://www.youtube.com/user/massivewagons

This charismatic chap is an interesting new voice on the #LancasterMusicScene

With the promise of recorded material on the way we chat about what it's like to decide to go out into our City armed only with a guitar and some tunes. Turns out it's quite fun.

Expect big things from Joe Butler next year, in the meantime he's proving to be a popular live choice with audiences around the town. Find out more here: https://www.instagram.com/joe.butler_01/

One of the most powerful young voices in the region, Lois Brooks joins us for an update. Her new single is out now. Go listen:

https://open.spotify.com/album/6sY9K3jGl7FDeQFRmGY559

And if you've not already heard it, check out our previous interview with Lois here: https://sites.libsyn.com/592775/lois-brooks

Lucas Willaims has a talent that goes way beyond his years. A confident performer in a crowded pub on a Wednesday night, this chat is him right after he finished his gig. The description of his music on his Spotify page puts it in context: "I started gigging at various events and venues at age 12 and more recently I've been out on the streets busking." His studio work is excellent, we suggest you suppliment this podcast with a binge.

Start here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6xEINUfzwfdAQIMnG9ZZOw

Find him here: https://www.instagram.com/lucas_williams_music/

Indie rock upstarts, The Mandrills, joined us on the show. These guys are on a mission and it's one we're happy to help with. They do shows that have an indie-rock energy, with DIY / alternative influences. Strongly suggest you go find them online:

https://www.instagram.com/the_mandrills_band/

And listen to their music: https://open.spotify.com/album/7HgF5eReXCqtRrjpRU2B6h