Synthetic Dreams Podcast

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

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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

My guest this week is multi-talented musician, Aaron Hemphill, who records music under the name, Nonpareils.

We discuss he recording of his second album as Nonpareils, 'Rhetoric and Terror', which is out now via Mute records. It's a brilliant record, one of my favourite releases of 2024.

Aaron, who co-founded the band Liars, also talks about the creative process and inspiration behind this record, his earliest musical passions and what it was like living in New York in the early 2000s, being part of the city's exciting music scene, which is wonderfully documented in Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern's excellent film 'Meet Me In The Bathroom'.

The film features great footage of Liars, The Strokes and one of my favourite bands, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, who befriended Liars early on in their career.

Delighted to be joined by multi-talented musician, Steve Hillage on the Synthetic Dreams podcast this week 

Hillage is an Insanely prolific musician, so there was a lot to cram in, but we mange to cover all manner of things, including the early Canterbury music scene, which Steve was a big part of. Meeting Daevid Allen and joining psychedelic rock band, Gong. Steve was in the classic line up of the group, appearing on three of their most successful and best-known records, including the utterly bonkers but brilliant ‘Flying Teapot’ album

After leaving Gong, Steve enjoyed huge success as a solo artist in the mid 70s’s to early 80s, releasing nine well-received albums, including ‘Fish Rising’, ‘Motivation radio’ and the brilliant ‘Green’ album, which, 46 years after its release,  still sounds fantastic and totally way ahead of it’s time.

After nine years as a record producer, Steve formed electronic act, System 7 in 1989 with his parter, Miquette Giraudy, who worked with Steve on all his solo records and was also part of Gong. Impressively, they have released over 14 albums as System 7 and three as Mirror System, including ‘Route 77’, which we discuss in the interview.

As well as being a brilliant electronic artist, Steve is, in my humble opinion, one the greatest guitarist’s this country has ever produced. A guitar hero to a lot of people I’m sure 

"I don't want to be a guitar hero, I want to be a guitar zero!

http://www.stevehillage.com

Steve Hillage - The Salmon Song (Live)

Steve Hillage - Hurdy Gurdy Man (Live)

System 7 - Field Of Dreams

System 7 - Habbi

This very special book club edition of the Synthetic Dreams podcast features an interview with Thomas Dolby, who discusses his debut novel. 'Prevailing Wind', which was published back in April, via Archway Publishing.

Thomas Dolby, of course, needs little introduction, especially to fans of electronic music. He’s a true legend, a master of sound and technology. 

It was great to speak to him in-length about ‘Prevailing Wind’, which I very much enjoyed reading this summer.

The story, set in 1913, follows the trials and tribulations of the Haskell brothers, who leave their poor fishing community in Maine and try out for the sailing crew of a New York millionaire’s luxury racing yacht.

Thomas discuses the writing process, the challenges he faced writing historical fiction and the original inspiration behind the book.

‘Prevailing Wind’ is a truly captivating read, full of mysteries, passion and betrayal. Highly recommended! 

For more information about the book visit: https://www.thomasdolby.com

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

The 100 episode of Synthetic Dreams features the fascinating and super talented American electronic musician and songwriter, John Grant. 

We talk about his forthcoming book ‘The Illustrated Lyrics’, which features lyrics from his previous albums, along with his own wonderful photography.  The book is rereleased on 3rd October.

We also discuss the making of his latest album ‘The Art of the Lie’, one of my favourite albums of 2024, as well as his love of comedy and British humour. 

John’s UK tour starts in London on October 17th and finishes in Liverpool on November 2nd. As discussed in the interview, John has something different planned for this tour, so make sure you get to one of these dates. as I reckon these shows are going to be very special. 

To book tickets visit: https://www.johngrantmusic.com/

John Grant - Marbles (Official Lyric Video)

John Grant - Meek AF

Synthetic Dreams is presented and produced by Scott Zverblis

Graham Crabb from Pop Will Eat Itself joins me on the podcast this week.

Graham discusses the early days of PWEI, playing iconic music show Top Of The Pops and his memories of touring with legendary hip-hop act, Run-DMC and Nine Inch Nails.

The group, who formed back in 1986, still features much of the original line up.

PWEI were way ahead of the curve, when they first burst into the scene, fusing punk rock guitars with hip-hop samples and electronic beats.

Some great stories In this one!

http://www.popwilleatitself.net/pwei/