Sending Signals

Come on in. This episode I’m joined by the delightful Midge Ure. We had a great conversation encompassing his forthcoming “Voice and Visions” tour, the 3 (three!!!) albums he has in the works, his new photography book “In A Picture Frame”, his radio show for Scala Radio, his friendship Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott, and more. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
 

Twitter: @signalspodcast / @midgeure1

Instagram: @sendingsignalspodcast / @midge_ure

Midgeure.co.uk

I’ve been expecting you. This week The Connells are releasing their first proper new album in 23 years! The record is called “Steadman’s Wake” and it’s a triumphant return. I’m joined by previous guest Mike Connell, along with frontman Doug MacMillan, as they guide us track-by-track through the album. Boy did we have fun. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 

Twitter: @signalspodcast / @connellsmusic

Instagram: @sendingsignalspodcast / @therealconnells 

Yello! This week Tom Baxter joins me to discuss fatherhood, the challenges of being a self-sustaining artist in the 21st century, and the time Boyzone covered one of his songs.

I also talk to Tom and Joe from electro-pop merchants W.H. Lung about their forthcoming 2nd album “Vanities”. 

Twitter: @signalspodcast / @whlungmusic

Instagram: @sendingsignalspodcast / @tombaxterofficial / @whlung

So here I am once more. Very excited to welcome Ninet Tayeb to the show this week. Ninet is an Israeli singer songwriter who shot to fame when she won the first series of “A Star Is Born”, a televised TV talent show in Israel. She became a celebrity fixation, with all the baggage and speculation that comes along with that. Her debut album “Barefoot” went platinum in a single day, but she felt that she wasn’t being authentic and worked on finding her own identity as an artist. The transition was not easy. When she previewed material from her forthcoming second album at the televised Arab Festival, the reaction was brutal and she found herself getting heckled from an agitated crowd.  

Undeterred she has continued to forge her own path, carving out a continued career in music and twice winning MTV’s favourite Israeli artist award.

Her most recent album 2017’s Paper Parachute has distinct shades of PJ Harvey and the noisy grunge Ninet loved as a teenager. Ninet is also a frequent collaborator with UK prog-legend Steven Wilson.

Although she doesn’t self-identify as an actor, Ninet has various acting credits to her name, starring in a TV series based on her own life, and more recently the Netflix series “When Heroes Fly”.

She apparently doesn’t often give interviews these days. I was thrilled she was willing to talk to me for the show. Our conversation is deep at times, but it feels honest; I felt an unexpected kinship with Ninet, and I hope you enjoy it.

My other guest is responsible for probably my favourite release of the year; the debut EP by Flight Mode. The band is led by Norwegian musician Sjur Lyseid. The EP is called “Tx. ‘98” and you’ll hear how it was inspired by student exchange year Sjur spent in Texas as a 16 year old. We discuss truth vs fiction in songwriting, the pros and cons of nostalgia, and the future plans of the band. You’ll hear some clips from the EP too. Make sure you go and check out the EP. It’s currently only available digitally, but it’s pretty widely available. Enjoy.
 

Twitter: @signalspodcast / @flightmodeosl 

Instagram: @sendingsignalspodcast / @flightmodeosl / @n.tayeb 

Well hello! This week I chat to singer-songwriter Willy Mason (and producer Noel Heroux) about his excellent new album “Already Dead”, his first album for 9 years.

My other guest is artist Miles Taverner, who makes stunning works of art from wood and other materials the tide happens to bring in. He has an exhibition in London in September 2021 as part of the Totally Thames Festival.

Instagram: @sendingsignalspodcast / @wwilly.masonn / @milestavernerart

Twitter: @signalspodcast / @wwilly_masonn 

willymasonmusic.com

milestavernerart.co.uk

thamesfestivaltrust.org

seareconnection.co.uk 

Did you miss me? This week, I’m joined by actor, novelist, and musician David Duchovny. David is about to release his third album “Gestureland”, and was kind enough to talk to me about it. We discuss transferring skills across art forms, the energy of inexperience vs having learnt your craft, as well as the pros and cons of long-term creative partnerships. It’s a good one!

Also on the show, I welcome my dear friend Peter Eden. Peter was an A&R guy in the 60’s who branched out into the role of producer. He played a pivotal part in the early career of Donovan, and went on to produce records by John Surman, Bill Fay and more. He was also the brains behind the 70’s children’s TV series “Animal Kwackers”. Enjoy! 

Twitter: @signalspodcast

Instagram: @sendingsignalspodcast

How ya doin? Very cool episode this week, as I welcome musician and actor Stevie Van Zandt AKA Little Steven to the show. We talk the Disciples of Soul, rubbish 70’s production values, and the potential existence of “Electric Nebraska”. Strap in.

Also, I’m delighted to welcome Canadian actor Fred Ewanuick, who is one of the stars of Corner Gas/Corner Gas Animated. When I told Fred that Stevie was the other guest, Fred felt that would make him the B-side. Why don’t we call it a double A-side?

Twitter: @signalspodcast

Instagram @sendingsignalspodcast

Boo! It’s me. This week I talk to the brains behind The Go! Team, Mr Ian Parton. There’s a new Go! Team record out this week, as I type, and it’s called “Get Up Sequences Part One” and it is fan-tactic! Ian tries to explain what The Go! Team sound like, how visual aesthetics can influence his approach to music, and discussed his recent diagnosis with debilitating Meniere’s disease.

Also on the show, the very sweet, very mysterious Cinjun Tate, frontman of Remy Zero who were a band that meant a lot to me. Cinjun has got quite story to tell, but getting at it took some work :)

Hope you enjoy!

Twitter: @signalspodcast

Instagram: @sendingsignalspodcast

It’s me! This week; Stephen Fretwell is my first guest. Stephen is back after disappearing from the music world for over 10 years. He’s released 3 new songs so far this year, and they’re very beautiful. I was curious to talk find out what it’s like to walk away from professional creativity and then find your way back. Stephen had a lot to say on the subject…

My other guest is multi-instrumentalist and one-half of Morcheeba, Ross Godfrey. Morcheeba are back with a new album “Blackest Blue” and I spoke to Ross from his London home about the making of it, as well as having a broader conversation about the nature of genre.

stephenfretwell.com

@StephenFretwell

morcheeba.uk

@MorcheebaBand

Twitter: @signalspodcast

Instagram: @sendingsignalspodcast

Come on in! This week legendary bassist Tony Levin joins me from his place in New York State to discuss the new Liquid Tension Experiment album, as well as his work with King Crimson and Peter Gabriel, pushing his limits, and his pioneering bass techniques. He’s great company.

Also, sound artist Justin Wiggan joins me for a remarkable conversation that encompasses analogue astronauts, plant-based music, Salman Rushdie, Burnley building society, and dolphins taking photographs. It’s a wild ride.  

LINKS

TONY LEVIN

tonylevin.com

@tonylevin (Twitter)

JUSTIN WIGGAN

justinwiggan.co.uk

@justin_wiggan (Twitter)

@glassedtwin (Intragram)

SENDING SIGNALS

@signalspodcast (Twitter)

@sendingsignalspodcast (Instagram)