From his beginnings as mash up king under the moniker Girls On Top , Richard X is now one of the most in demand producers working with artists including The Human League, Sugababes, Kelis, Annie and as a long time collaborator with Will Young. I caught up with him at his home studio to hear some of the magical moments that helped him along the way including tales of buying compilations in jumble sales and a love of 90s rave anthems!

More on Richard here http://blackmelody.com

On the 25th Anniversary of George Michael's classic "Older" album I catch up with the truly brilliant Johnny Douglas about the incredible story behind how he ended up producing tracks from that record and their collaborative partnership beyond it. Also amazing tales of an abandoned solo artist dreams leading to figuring out how to work a studio and producing/writing for so many superb artists including Kylie, Tina Turner, Tom Jones, Louise, Eternal , All Saints and Sugababes and as always some wonderful memories of working at Sarm West including how every Thursday night we would all huddle around the TV to watch TOTP usually with the artists that were featuring on it!.

More on Johnny here https://www.instagram.com/johnnydouglasproductions/

And listen to his work here https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1jt0UA1BA7ev63xbCA6nnR?si=dd7eb9da15594932

Follow the podcast and more links here https://linktr.ee/steveandersonproducer

The two people that encouraged me to do this podcast in the first place join me to share our Top 5 songs from 2021 and a few extras as well!

With Larry Flick (Sirius XM/Billboard/Vero) https://getvero.app.link/JU3SjoDkpjb?_p=c1143edc990762eeeb1b90f8ee

Lee Bennet (Teases And Dares Blog) https://teasesanddares.wordpress.com

Listen to all the songs here https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6wcsRV0ZTy4Ul5zVq4ETcq?si=1999531b30494925

So wonderful to catch up with one of my favourite songwriters, the truly gifted Jörgen Elofsson, responsible for so many huge songs including "A Moment Like This" and "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" for Kelly Clarkson, "Sometimes" and "You Drive Me Crazy" for Britney Spears , "Its The Way You Make Me Feel" for Steps , "My Love" for Westlife and so many more. He's worked with Celine Dion, Leona Lewis (including his beautiful song 'Homeless' which he talks about here) , Demi Lovato and was able to achieve the impossible coaxing Agnetha Fältskog back into the studio for the beautiful "A" album. 

His passion for writing and music shines through in this conversation detailing some of his process and how finding the right connection to a song or lyric can come in so many different ways and often when least expected. It's a wonderful story from starting as a solo artist to finding a home at the legendary Cheiron studios alongside Max Martin and Denniz Pop at the height of the Swedish pop world domination. 

More here http://www.jorgenelofsson.com

Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1EFBmP1B16bt60?si=946742ae63eb4159

Jamie Hartman is a master craftsman. Part Sam Cooke , part Paul McCartney, in this episode he talks about his origins in Bens Brother, to taking advice from a close friend to let a treasured song be covered by Will Young ("All Time Love"), the incredible story behind how the groundbreaking Brit Award winning song "Human" got to Rag'n'Bone Man and how he managed to coax the legendary Carole King out of writing retirement for the title song of Jennifer Hudson's movie about Aretha Franklin. 

Along with his work with Celeste, Calvin Harris, Lewis Capaldi and Guy Sebastian this episode is full of the most magical moments to inspire any songwriter or fan of music. Plus, he just the loveliest human too.! Enjoy.

Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1EFBRNV9sHzXQv?si=74ff075d23834864

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bensbrother1

Without doubt one of the loveliest and hardest working pop stars around , I catch up with the truly beautiful Louise Redknapp to talk about the incredible moments that have shaped her career including that legendary time where she was approached in a club and asked if she could sing by the manager of what would end up being Eternal. Through her time at stage school , being in and out of that incredible band and onto a solo career at such a young age and how her initial training has helped with all of this plus given her the tools she needs to be able to play lead roles in shows including "9 To 5" and the dream role of Sally Bowles in 'Cabaret".

She's one of my favourite singers with her gorgeous R&B tone beautifully represented on her most recent album "Heavy Love" which featured her co-writing a lot of the songs including the absolutely heartbreaking "Wrong" which I was lucky enough to producer for her. 

Alongside all of this her appearance on shows like "Strictly" and her wonderful book "You've Got This" are just a few of the many reasons she is so loved by so many people. 

https://louiseofficial.co.uk

Wonderful to talk to the genius producer/musician and writer Will Gregory in the week leading up to the premiere of his Moog Ensemble piece based on principles by Archimedes with the BBC National Orchestra Of Wales. Along with Alison Goldfrapp he has created the most incredible albums ,each of which is its own soundtrack with a very different theme and always cinematic and beautifully produced. 

He also talks about his work with Depeche Mode and how he started originally playing for Tears For Fears.

As always in these interviews the sliding doors moments that lead to him leaving a message on Alison's voicemail are so inspirational to anyone listening.

More on Goldfrapp here https://www.goldfrapp.com

More on Will Gregory Moog Ensemble here https://willgregorymoogensemble.co.uk

Truly one of the most beautiful humans on the planet as well as being a remarkably gifted songwriter and producer , Biff Stannard talks to me about the magical moments that lead to him living his dream life within music including how he Mel B introduced herself at a studio he happened to be at for another meeting , jumped on his back and took him into a Spice Girls showcase. A week later he and the five girls were in a studio writing "Wannabe" and "Two Become One" , in the same day. Also his beautiful collaborative friendship with Kylie resulting in so many iconic songs including "Love At First Sight" and "Say Something". Plus how he learned from the experience of working with the legendary Tom Watkins and E17 to his collaborations with Will Young, Leona Lewis, Little Mix , Years & Years, Ellie Goulding and One Direction.  

Biff often says he 'writes himself happy' and that translates throughout his work to the listener. Enjoy! 

https://www.instagram.com/biffco

Richard Niles is not only brilliant but also enigmatic, hilarious, quirky and a musical encyclopaedia. His orchestral arrangements over the years for everyone including Trevor Horn, The Pet Shop Boys, Swing Out Sister, Ray Charles, Westlife, Take That , Kylie, and Paul McCartney have been shining examples of his unique style. He is also an acclaimed author of music history books including "The Invisible Artist" about legendary arrangers over the years and how they so often don't receive the credit they are due. Not only is he my friend by he has been my mentor for so many years having worked on so many projects together including "The Hurly Burly Show" where he truly flexed his burlesque skills to blistering effect! Here he talks about growing up around music , his influences and the moments that changed his life forever.

More on Richard here. https://richardniles.com

And listen to his incredible podcast Radio Richard on Apple Music and Spotify.