On Thursday’s Drive I was joined by local singer/songwriter Ellie-Marie for a chat all about her new single “Promise” and a catch up on some of her upcoming gigs too. We talked about all sorts from the inspiration behind her new single and what’s coming up in the new year plus how and why she recently re-wrote lyrics for a lettuce and of course, a little bit of JLS.

On Friday’s Drive I was joined by local singer/songwriter Louise Parker to celebrate the release of her brand new single “Littel Bit Drnk” which landed at number one in the UK country charts! Louise brought her guitar to play her new single live in the studio for us, we talked about all sorts from her earliest songwriting memories, the inspiration behind her new single and upcoming gigs to Taylor Swfiting through life and mistaking sick bowls for cowboy hats!

On Friday’s Drive it was great to have Alex from Brentwood’s own Ocean Flaws live in the studio for a chat all about their highly anticipated debut EP “Zoo Doo Magic”. We talked about Alex’s experience returning to Doddinghurst Road to our studio and almost passing his childhood home on the way. Along with something of a track-by-track of the full EP we heard a little about how it all came together both musically and logistically… we even covered some essential band admin including the infamous Ocean Flaws shared Google Drive! As, always there were a lot of laughs along the way and Alex even became the latest musically gifted victim/supporter of the Stylophone-in… I’m still waiting to hear whether or not they’ll let me join the band for stylophone solos.

Ahead of Thursday’s Drive I caught up with Scott Feierstein AKA Just Scott for a chat about his new single “Take Back The Night” out Friday 28th October. We talked about all sorts from Scott’s musical beginnings playing trumpet in school and how storm sandy wiped out his beloved guitar pedals to how covid inspired him to get back into music and why watching the news inspired his latest single. We also did an 80s music quiz which was definitely not as easy as either of us thought! How did you do?!

Take Back The Night by Just Scott is out now. Click here to listen on Spotify.

Ahead of Monday’s Drive I caught up with our very own Michelle Ward. As well as being the star of her own daily radio show right here on Phoenix FM (Eat My Brunch 10am-1pm) Michelle is also a singer, songwriter and all round superstar of the local music scene. It was great to catch up about Michelle’s music and talk in detail about her debut EP “Directions” which comes out on 26th October. We talked about the inspiration behind the lead track “Try” and in amongst a lot of laughs Michelle shared some inspiring life advice on why it’s never too late in life to achieve your goals. We also talked about what it was like working with some fantastic musicians on the EP from producer Ed Rome to recording a track with The Condriacs plus everything from TikTok, tambourines and Michael Bublé.

Fresh from her incredible live show and EP launch at Hot Box in Chelmsford, singer/songwriter Roisin O’Hagan brought her guitar to the studio for a very special live acoustic session and performed three stripped back tracks from the new EP. We also had another chat about all sorts including a post-gig debrief, an introduction and radio debut for her new guitar “Wally” and the official naming and unveiling of a newly “up-cycled” guitar that I rescued, restored and repurposed. Roisin renamed it “Helda” and became the first of many musical stars to sign it! (The last time Roisin signed a guitar she wrote her name next to Neil Young…)

Dreamstate by Roisin O’Hagan is out now. Click here to listen on Spotify.

To hear us talk in more detail about the full EP alongside an exclusive track-by-track with Roisin click here.

Ahead of Friday’s Drive I caught up with singer/songwriter Roisin O’Hagan for a chat about her new EP Dreamstate. Roisin joined us for an exclusive track-by-track of the new EP and as well as each individual song we talked about all sorts from her upcoming live show at Hotbox Chelmsford and a little insight into future releases to her first experience in co-writing, some outstanding life advice for anyone who needs a confidence boost and an amazing story about meeting the OTHER Roisin O’Hagan!

Dreamstate by Roisin O’Hagan is out now. Click here to listen on Spotify.

You can see Roisin O’Hagan performing the full EP live at Hot Box, Chelmsford on Saturday 8th October click here for tickets.

Ahead of Tuesday’s Drive I was joined by Bruce Foxton and Russel Hostings of From The Jam. After The Jam split, bassist Bruce Foxton formed From The Jam to continue touring the band’s huge hits and since joining forces Foxton & Hastings have released two studio albums. It was great to chat to both of them ahead of their third studio album, The Butterfly Effect. We covered all sorts from what it’s like playing The Jam’s hits live, how a Covid induced touring break lead them to the studio and what we’ve got to look forward to in the new album. Plus a top tip for drying a wet phone and a few thoughts on the charts and modern radio.

Lula by Foxton & Hastings is out now. Click here to listen on Spotify. The new album ‘The Butterfly Effect’ is due out on 28th October 2022.

Ahead of the next As Yet Untitled Rock Show I caught up with welsh rock band Himalayas. We talked about their phenomenal new singles “Out Of The Dark & Into The Light” and a few details about their upcoming album as well as their UK tour. We also covered all sorts of other things too from how the band formed, effective methods for tidying up and how Joe’s health scare motivated him to write differently. Oh and I began a campaign to persuade them to write a song about cake. Grab your Battenberg! Out Of The Dark & Into The Light by Himalayas is out now. Click here to listen on Spotify. You can also see Himalayas live on Tour.

On Wednesday’s Drive I was joined by local singer, songwriter Sophie Griffiths. We caught up talked about all sorts from her fantastic new single “Monster” to her upcoming EP “Stuck In My Head” and her live headline show to celebrate the release at The Grace, London. We also found out where you might see a few stickers dotted around the local area – send us a selfie if you spot one!

Monster by Sophie Griffiths is out now. Click here to listen on Spotify.