Clara Lars: Finding Her Unique Sound and Musical JourneyIn this engaging episode, we sit down with Clara Lars, a talented musician studying at NYU's Clive Davis Institute. Clara shares her musical journey, from her early days experimenting with melodies on the piano to mastering Ableton during the COVID lockdown. She discusses her challenges in finding her unique sound and voice, inspired by artists like Lana Del Rey and experiences from her life. Clara also opens up about the creative process behind her songwriting and her ambitions to connect deeply with her audience. Additionally, she talks about the importance of visual storytelling in her music, her upcoming projects, and shares some interesting insights into her life and inspirations. Don't miss this insightful conversation about the making of a modern-day artist!

MyMusic with Graham Coath — In Conversation with Chellcy Reitsma: From Professional Dancing to Retro-Inspired Music

Join host Graham Coath for a captivating conversation with the multi-talented Chellcy Reitsma, as she shares her remarkable journey from California to Malta, her early career as a professional dancer, and her evolution into a genre-blending music artist.

Chellcy opens up about the life experiences that shaped her, the creative spark behind her retro-inspired sound, and the artistic vision that drives her work. She also takes us behind the scenes of her double album Memento Mori and Carpe Diem, revealing the stories, emotions, and inspirations woven into each project.

This episode offers a rich and engaging insight into Chellcy’s life, artistry, and creative process — complete with thoughtful reflections and a few entertaining anecdotes along the way.

MyMusic with Graham Coath — Featuring Jill Goyeau from Talking Violet

In this episode of MyMusic, Graham sits down with the wonderfully thoughtful and wildly creative Jill Goyeau, vocalist, guitarist, and founding member of the Canadian dream-pop/shoegaze band Talking Violet.

Recorded bright and early from Jill’s Windsor, Ontario studio, this conversation dives into everything from the band’s formation and evolving line-up to the renaissance of shoegaze and the artists who shaped Talking Violet’s sound — think Slowdive, Cocteau Twins, Smashing Pumpkins, and more.

Jill shares candid insights on songwriting, performing live with energy (yes, actual energy — no shoe-staring here), and the emotional honesty behind tracks like Destroy and Menagerie Queen. There’s nostalgia, laughter, a discussion about alternative Christmas music, and even a detour into Irish slang.

Whether you’re discovering Talking Violet for the first time or you’re already a fan, this episode is a gorgeous blend of music geekery, heartfelt storytelling, and genuine connection.

Listen in for:

• The band’s journey from duet to full-fledged shoegaze/alt-rock outfit

• Jill’s musical inspirations and favourite lyrical moments

• A deep dive into dream-pop textures, live energy, and the modern shoegaze revival

• International touring ambitions — including why the southwest of England definitely deserves a stop

• What really helps indie artists in 2025 (hint: engagement matters!)

Plus, Graham gives Talking Violet’s merch a well-deserved shout — because supporting independent music means more than just streaming.

Hit play, discover your new favourite band, and—if you’re on Spotify—remember: your thumb only needs to move that far.

Talking Identity, Grit & Rebirth Through Music with ARYEL MOON

It’s a Friday afternoon — my favourite time to record — that magical moment when the week is done, the fear has lifted, and you can just be—perfect timing, then, to sit down with someone who brings their own props to the party. I had a disco ball; my guest had a glowing cube. Beat that.

This week on MyMusic, I’m joined by the extraordinary Aryel Moon — or should I say, Donatella, because as you’ll hear, identity is a layered, shifting, powerful thing for this artist. What began as a solo project has evolved into a band: a collective of voices, roots, accents, and influences that somehow, beautifully, feel like home.

In this episode, we talk about:

✨ Floating roots and found belonging — from Sardinia to Bologna, Edinburgh to Balbriggan, and how accents become a map of the soul.
✨ The alter ego as armour and liberation — why “ARYEL” protects “Donatella,” and how the two now coexist.
✨ Falling out of music — and climbing back into it — the emotional cost of being silenced, and the spark that brought songwriting roaring back.
✨ Growing up on distortion and riot grrrl — from Sonic Youth to L7 to Bikini Kill, and how Irish grit now mixes with Italian fire.
✨ Why every great singer once hated their own voice — and how connection, not perfection, is the real magic.
✨ The Cranberries, freedom songs, and healing — how "Dreams" helped soundtrack her rebirth.
✨ The absolute necessity of funding the arts — and stuffing cash into the pockets (if they have them) of gigging musicians.
✨ Their debut EP — dropping 20th November, with a launch show in Dublin on the 28th.

Aryel Moon are fresh, fierce and full of heart — an alt-rock sound that is Irish in spirit, European in roots, and utterly their own.

And trust me: punk is their favourite colour.

Stick around to the end to hear how you can support them, buy the music, and maybe even buy the T-shirt (I’ve demanded one).

My Music with Graham Coath — Anna May (not Anime!)

This week Graham sits down with Anna May — Connecticut-born, sometimes-San Diego-based singer–songwriter — for a wide-ranging conversation about voice, vulnerability and finding your lane when you don’t fit neatly into one genre. Anna grew up on a diet of female storytellers (Natalie Merchant, Tori Amos, Alanis Morissette), 90s alt, dad’s country (The Mavericks, Dwight Yoakam) and a childhood of jazz rooms—and it all threads through her work.

She talks candidly about writing lyrics first (often as poems), letting the voice improvise live so no song lands the same way twice, and recording one-take magic with engineer Steve Rizzo in Rhode Island. We touch on k.d. lang (“Constant Craving”, “The Air That I Breathe”), unexpected covers (yes, Ozzy Osbourne), social media’s darker edges, boundaries, and how a bruising breakup became a healing body of songs. There’s even a New England vs California detour, a Billy Bragg nod, and a Groove Armada truth bomb: “If everybody looked the same, we’d get tired of looking at each other.”

My Music with Graham Coath — Featuring Mary McAvoy

In this soulful and wide-ranging episode of My Music, host Graham Coath heads across the Atlantic to chat with Mary McAvoy, a singer-songwriter from Providence, Rhode Island, whose voice blends classic soul, blues, and pop into something timelessly human.

Together they explore how community, creativity, and the sea itself inspire her work — from her early love of Whitney Houston and Celine Dion to her blues-infused originals that channel both comfort and catharsis. Mary talks openly about growing up in a musical household, the reality of life after appearing on The Voice USA, and what success really means when fame isn’t the goal.

There’s humour, heart, and even a guest appearance from Mary’s dachshund-beagle mix (who clearly approves of good music). The conversation dives into everything from Ella Fitzgerald to quantum physics, from the soul of live performance to why women in music are rewriting the rules of age and success.

🎧 Expect laughter, depth, and the kind of honesty that makes My Music so special — a space where artists share not just their songs, but their stories.

#MyMusic #Podcast #MaryMcAvoy #SingerSongwriter #RhodeIsland #GrahamCoath #TheVoiceUSA #Blues #Soul #IndependentMusic

Derek Shulman on Gentle Giant, Legacy, and Reinventing Music with AI as he talks about his book Giant StepsIn this special episode of My Music, we dive into the extraordinary life and career of Derek Shulman, famously known for his work with the progressive rock band Gentle Giant. Instead of discussing a new record, we explore Derek's newly released book, 'Giant Steps,' which chronicles his incredible journey in the music industry. Join us as we discuss his musical beginnings influenced by his jazz musician father, pivotal moments in his career, his thoughts on AI in music, and the lasting impact of Gentle Giant's work.

From his early days to working with new technology, Derek shares rich anecdotes and lessons that are both authentic and inspiring. Don't miss this in-depth conversation that explores the essence of creativity, the importance of staying true to oneself, and navigating the ever-evolving music industry landscape.

Giant Steps is available to order https://www.amazon.co.uk/Giant-Steps-Improbable-Journey-Executive/dp/1916829244

00:00 Introduction and Special Episode Announcement00:12 Introducing Derek Shulman and His Book 'Giant Steps'01:33 Derek Shulman's Journey with AI and Music02:59 Authenticity and Talent in the Music Industry03:56 Derek Shulman's Early Life and Family Influence07:07 Sobriety and Observations in the Music Scene08:49 Reflections on Ozzy Osbourne and Working-Class Roots11:12 The Importance of Authenticity and Leadership in Music22:59 Transition from Musician to Music Executive32:05 The Legacy of Gentle Giant and Modern Music Industry Challenges35:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Composing Emotion: Jess Faber on Film, Feeling, and Finding Her Sound
This week I sit down with the brilliantly talented Jess Faber, a composer whose music tells stories without words.
Known for her evocative, cinematic compositions, Jess creates scores that bring films to life, weaving emotion through piano, strings, and texture rather than lyrics. In this conversation, she opens up about:
Writing music for film and why silence, dialogue, and melody must all learn to share the same space.
The challenge of creating as a film score composer in a world ruled by algorithms, TikTok trends, and ten-second attention spans.
Her journey from classical training to creative freedom and the moment she decided to stop “fitting in” and start writing what truly moved her.
Why is it sometimes better to grow slowly and stay authentic than chase virality?
The influence of her grandmother, her classical roots, and how storytelling still drives everything she composes.
Jess also talks about the emotional heart of her work, her admiration for composers like @haniarani and Trent Reznor, and what she’s planning next, including her first EP and a growing passion for live performance.
As always, there’s laughter, honesty, and a few musical tangents (including jazz jokes, banjos, and stage fright confessions).
Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
📸 Follow Jess on Instagram for updates and live performance news — including her upcoming show with Mess Collective on 20 November.
#Music #Soundtracks #Piano #Passion #Podcast

My Music with Graham Coath — Featuring Kelsey Klein

In this episode of My Music, Graham Coath sits down with singer-songwriter Kelsey Klein, a captivating artist bringing the piano back to centre stage.

They explore why Kelsey chose the piano as her creative heartbeat, how her upbringing shaped her sound, and what it means to balance emotional depth with everyday life. From early memories of her mother playing lullabies at the keys to discovering Tori Amos and finding her own artistic voice, Kelsey’s story is filled with warmth, honesty, and insight.

The two dive deep into the beauty of “messy” humanity, creativity in an age of AI, and how vulnerability fuels true art. Plus, Kelsey opens up about love, structure, and the people who hold space for her intensity and creativity.

It’s a heartfelt and inspiring conversation about art, connection, and staying true to your inner voice in a digital world.

🎧 Listen now to discover Kelsey Klein’s world — one where emotion meets melody, and every note tells a story.

👉 Find Kelsey’s music, merch, and more at kelseyklein.com and follow her on Instagram @iamkelseyklein

Ella Walker (Wildes) on Music, Creative Process, and Childhood Inspiration Welcome to another episode of My Music! In this episode, we sit down with the incredibly talented Ella Walker, also known as Wildes.

Join us as we dive into her creative process, her latest album ALL WE DO IS FEEL, and the inspiration behind her captivating music.

Ella shares anecdotes from her younger years, her childhood experience on children's TV, and her love for various music genres, from 90s hip-hop to jazz.

We also discuss artists' modern challenges with social media and maintaining genuine creativity.

Ella reveals how she balances emotional depth with upbeat tracks in her music and talks about her ideal collaborations.

Don't miss this insightful conversation with Ella Walker, where art, emotion, and creativity beautifully intersect.

Remember to check out her new album on Bandcamp and leave a comment to let her know your thoughts. Enjoy and stay tuned for more episodes of My Music!

Order your copy of the album at https://wildesmusic.bandcamp.com/