Today’s episode of Synthetic Dreams features a conversation with synthesist, vocalist, and composer, Tim Blake. 

Tim, who currently lives  in the Poitou region of France, was part of, what many fans consider to be the classic line-up of Gong, which spawned the “Radio Gnome Trilogy”

He was also a member one my my all-time favourite groups, Hawkwind, from 1979-1980. Joining them again from 2008-2015, and on a number of occasions since.

He has also released several critically acclaimed solo albums and recorded and performed as “Crystal Machine” 

The first Synthetic Dreams episode of 2025 features a conversation with Berlin-based electronic and avant garde duo, Alexander Hacke and Danielle de Picciotto, who record music under the name hackedepicciotto.

Alexander is a founding member of the hugely influential experimental group, Einstürzende Neubauten, who he joined back in 1980 at the age of just 15

Danielle, an American-born artist, musician and filmmaker met Alexander in 1987 shortly after arriving in Berlin, the couple who first started making music together in 2001.

We discuss the recording of The Best of hackedepicciotto (Live in Napoli) which came out last year on the always excellent Mute record label 

https://www.hackedepicciotto.de

https://mute.com/artists/hackedepicciotto/

Today’s fascinating episode features DJ, producer and musician, Mathew Carter, who performs and records music under the name Jaguar Skills 

As well as putting out hundreds of drum and bass mixtapes through various radio stations, Jaguar Skills, who started his DJ career back in 2002, has released four studio albums.

We discuss, amongst other things, the recording of his latest album‘Disco Galactico’ which was released back in May. It’s one of my favourite records of 2024 - a wonderful mix of funk, disco and soul. Perfect soundtrack for any Christmas or New Years eve party

We also talk about his love of hip-hop and earliest influences as a DJ 

Jaguar Skills is doing a couple of sets at the Warehouse Project in Manchester this weekend as support for The Prodigy.

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Title music by Chris Ibbott

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Today’s fascinating episode features Austrian-Canadian electronic musician and producer,  Bill Leeb.

Leeb started his musical career with legendary industrial band, Skinny Puppy, going on to form Front Line Assembly in 1986 and new-age ambient act, Delerium a year later. In 1997 Delerium scored a massive, world-wide hit with the track ‘Silence’ taken from their ninth studio album, ‘Karma’, which is one of my all-time favourite electronic albums of the 1990s.

We discus his earliest musical memories and move to Canada from Austria at the age of 14, the recent Front Line Assembly tour with musical heroes, Gary Numan and Ministry and the recording of his first ever solo album, ‘Model Kollapse’, which came out  in September.  

https://bill-leeb.com

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Title music by Chris Ibbott

If you are enjoying the podcast, and like what I do, please support Synthetic Dreams by buying a coffee. This will help towards the cost of making more shows - thank you! ⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/syntheticdreams

Todays fascinating and fun interview features Dick Valentine, from American band, Electric Six joins me on the podcast today

Electric Six, who formed in Detroit, Michigan back in 1996, are known for combining elements of garage rock, new wave and disco into their genre-defying sound

As well as being part of Electric Six, Dick is also an author and we discuss the series of novels he has written. 

Electric Six continue their UK tour this weekend and all next week, finishing their run of dates in sunny Brighton. Be sure to grab a ticket…

Today’s fascinating episode features multi-talented Scottish musician and composer, Christopher  Duncan who records music under the name C Duncan 

His debut album ‘Architect’ was nominated for the 2015 Mercury Music Prize and since then, has gone on to release five critically acclaimed and well received albums. 

Christopher, who’s music has features ion various TV shows, discuss’s the making of his forthcoming album ‘It’s Only A Love Song’, which comes out on Bella Union on January 24, 2025. 

There are some truly great melodies on It’s Only A Love Song’ it’s a lush and dreamy record, full of wonderful layers and beautiful textures. 

Sure to be one of the albums of 2025

https://www.cspaceduncan.com/

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Title music by Chris Ibbott

If you are enjoying the podcast, and like what I do, please support Synthetic Dreams by buying a coffee. This will help towards the cost of making more shows - thank you! ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/syntheticdreams

Today’s insightful episode  of Synthetic Dreams features Colombian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, Ela Minus

Ela talks about the creative process and recording of her brilliant new album ‘DIA’ which comes out on January 17th via Domino records. 

She also discusses her earliest musical roots and time playing drums in hardcore rock band, Ratón Perez. Her move to New York and first impressions of the city. Building synths and love of analog equipment and the album that got her hooked on electronic music.  

https://elaminus.com/

https://www.dominomusic.com/artists/ela-minus

Ela Minus - BROKEN (Official Video)

Ela Minus - COMBAT (Official Video)

Today's fascinating episode of Synthetic Dreams features multi-talented musician,  Christopher Stephen Clark, who records and performs electronic music under the moniker, Clark.

Clark has also written and produced music for television, films and video games. His records have been released by Warp Records, Deutsche Gramophon and his own record label, Throttle Records.

We discuss creativity, the running of his record label and the making of his latest album, ‘In Camera, which came out in September. 

Todays fascinating episode of Synthetic Dreams features a conversation with British singer, rapper and songwriter, Alison Clarkson, better known as Betty Boo.

Alison, who has acquired many strings to her bow, started her music career as a rapper in hip-hop group She Rockers back in the late 80s. They supported big named hip-hop acts like Public Enemy. 

Then in the early 90s Alison creative the moniker Betty Boo and became a massive pop phenomenon, enjoying huge chart success’s and winning a Brit award for Best British Newcomer in 1991.

Featuring infectious beats, samples and memorable raps, Betty Boo’s music appealed, not only pop music lovers,  but to fans of alternative music too.

With her strong independent spirit and DIY approach to music making, she stood out from all the manufactured pop acts at the time.

After her first wave of success as Betty Boo, Alison went on to write a number of hits for other artists, including Hearsay and was awarded an Ivor Novello award for writing their hit single ‘Pure and Simple’

If you have been enjoying the podcast, and like what we do, please support the show by buying us a coffee - thanks! ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/syntheticdreams

This weeks episode of Synthetic Dreams features Scottish musician, Robin Guthrie, one of the co-founders of the legendary band, The Cocteau Twins, who are arguably one of the most influential bands of all-time.

Guthrie, who was Cocteau’s principal songwriter, guitarist, bassist and keyboardist, has released several collaborative albums with the acclaimed ambient composer and pianist, the late Harold Budd, as well as production work for a number of artists, including The Gun Club, Edwin Collins, Lush and Ian McCulloch.

As well as talking about his solo work, Robin also discusses his time in The Cocteau Twins and sheds light on how their beautiful music was created.

His new E.P ‘Atlas’ is out now