Season 2 of The Encore Club comes to a chaotic festive close with a Grinchmas Special and Christmas Eve season finale featuring The Yorkshire Grinch. Instead of the usual dream concert format, this episode flips the script entirely as Will takes The Grinch on a musical journey inspired by A Christmas Carol, complete with three festive ghosts and a whole lot of unexpected emotion, nonsense, and onion-based storytelling.

Across the episode, The Grinch is visited by the Ghost of Gifts Past, Present, and Yet To Come, each one forcing him to confront memories, music, and moments that slowly chip away at his famously tiny heart. From childhood Christmas memories and feelings of isolation to the strange comfort of being included, this episode unexpectedly touches on why Christmas can be difficult for a lot of people, even while keeping things loud, ridiculous, and laugh-out-loud funny.

There are confessions about secretly loved songs, least hated Christmas tracks, guilty pleasures, and the music that manages to hit emotionally despite the Grinch’s best efforts to resist it. The conversation bounces between festive classics, movie soundtracks, dance music, TikTok trends, and artists that could finally lure him out of isolation and back into Whoville. Along the way, Will puts him through Encore Club traditions with a Christmas twist, including advent calendar questions, festive games, wild would-you-rathers, and helping Santa put together a DJ set for elves and reindeer that is guaranteed to cause chaos.

It is an episode packed with character comedy, musical deep dives, unexpected sincerity, and complete festive madness. This Grinchmas Special wraps up The Encore Club’s nine-episode daily Christmas run, released from December 12th through Christmas Eve, and serves as the official Season 2 finale. Whether you love Christmas, hate it, or sit somewhere in between, this episode is the perfect way to end the year with music, laughter, and a heart that might just grow a few sizes bigger.

The Encore Club Christmas run continues with Episode 38, as Will sits down with Barnaby Baker from Australian band Friends of Friends for a warm, honest, and wide-ranging conversation about music, identity, and surviving as an independent artist. Recorded as part of our festive run of nine episodes released daily from December 12th through to the Christmas Eve season finale, this episode blends reflective moments with humour, chaos, and a genuine love of live music.

Barnaby talks openly about growing up in Australia, discovering music as a form of escape, and how his early experiences shaped both his songwriting and his approach to creativity. He reflects on the realities of starting and sustaining a band in Australia, from geographic isolation to the financial and emotional challenges of DIY touring. The conversation explores what it really means to build something slowly, without shortcuts, while trying to stay true to yourself in an industry that often rewards speed over substance.

Throughout the episode, Barnaby shares stories from the road, discusses how Friends of Friends developed their sound, and explains why community and connection matter more to him than chasing numbers or viral moments. As always on The Encore Club, the conversation builds toward Barnaby’s dream concert, where he lays out the ultimate venue, lineup, and atmosphere that would define his perfect live music experience. Thoughtful, funny, and deeply human, this episode is perfect for fans of Friends of Friends, independent music lovers, and anyone curious about the real stories behind modern bands navigating the music industry.

If you want it slightly punchier, more reflective, or more Christmas-forward, I can tweak it in seconds.

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🎄 EPISODE OUT NOW 🎄

Episode 38 of The Encore Club is live and it’s a Christmas chaos special with Barnaby Baker from Friends of Friends 🇦🇺

We talk growing up in Australia, building a band the hard way, DIY touring, dream gigs, and somehow end up at a Live Aid-style Blink-182 set with a personal beer-dispensing man involved 🍺

It’s honest, funny, reflective, and very on brand for our Countdown to Christmas run.

🎧 Listen now
🔗 Link in bio

Let us know what Barnaby’s dream concert says about him 👀🎶

Sure, here it is with hashtags added and kept clean and discoverable:

🎄 EPISODE OUT NOW 🎄

Episode 38 of The Encore Club is live and it’s a Christmas chaos special with Barnaby Baker from Friends of Friends 🇦🇺

We talk growing up in Australia, building a band the hard way, DIY touring, dream gigs, and somehow end up at a Live Aid-style Blink-182 set with a personal beer-dispensing man involved 🍺

It’s honest, funny, reflective, and very on brand for our Countdown to Christmas run.

🎧 Listen now
🔗 Link in bio

Let us know what Barnaby’s dream concert says about him 👀🎶

#TheEncoreClub #FriendsOfFriends #BarnabyBaker #PodcastEpisode #MusicPodcast #IndieBand #AustralianMusic #DIYTouring #BandLife #LiveMusic #DreamConcert #ChristmasPodcast #CountdownToChristmas #Blink182 #IndieMusic

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The Encore Club Christmas run continues with Episode 37 as Will is joined by Sophie Patrick and Claire Chittick from Australian indie band Betty Taylor for a funny, honest, and end of year conversation full of chaos, creativity, and genuine reflection. Sharing a mic and plenty of laughs, Sophie and Claire talk openly about what it is really like to be in a band together, from songwriting and creative disagreements to the deep friendship that keeps everything grounded when things get hectic.

Across the episode, the pair reflect on how Betty Taylor came together, the realities of building a band from the ground up in Australia, and how touring, travel, and constant movement can shape both the music and the people behind it. They discuss the balance between ambition and staying true to who they are, the pressure that can come with growth, and how learning to trust each other has been key to navigating the highs and lows of band life. There is plenty of humour along the way, with stories that capture the weird, wonderful, and occasionally unhinged moments that only happen when you are chasing gigs and writing songs together.

As always on The Encore Club, the conversation builds towards the band’s dream concert, where Sophie and Claire piece together their ideal lineup, venue, and encore moments. This opens up a wider chat about the shows that shaped them, the artists who inspired them to start playing music, and the gigs that reminded them why they fell in love with performing in the first place. It is thoughtful, ridiculous, and very on brand for a festive episode.

With relaxed Christmas energy and plenty of personality, Episode 37 is the perfect listen as The Encore Club counts down to its Christmas Special season finale. Whether you are already a fan of Betty Taylor or discovering them for the first time, this episode offers a real, unfiltered look at band life, creative growth, and staying excited about what comes next.

The Encore Club’s Countdown to Christmas continues with Episode 36, as Will is joined by stuntwoman, parkour athlete, viral creator, and all-round creative force Lorena Abreu. In this wide-ranging and festive conversation, Lorena talks about growing up Dominican in New York before moving to South Texas, and how culture, language, and music shaped her identity and creative instincts from a young age. She reflects on being a theatre kid, teaching herself video editing, and discovering parkour, which became the obsession that changed her life and career.

The episode dives into Lorena’s viral rise on social media, including her iconic Wednesday Addams convention dance videos, and why her success has always come from doing what she finds fun rather than chasing trends or algorithms. Lorena opens up about bullying, confidence, embracing being “weird,” and how those experiences helped shape the fearless, authentic approach she brings to everything she creates. There’s also plenty of chat about stunt work, spooky podcasts, pop punk, Christmas music nostalgia, and her upcoming pop punk Christmas song complete with a full music video.

As always on The Encore Club, the conversation builds towards Lorena’s dream concert, set in an intimate House of Blues-style venue where connection, energy, and atmosphere matter more than scale. Funny, thoughtful, and full of festive energy, this episode is a standout part of The Encore Club’s Countdown to Christmas as we head toward the season finale.

In Episode 35 of The Encore Club Podcast, Will continues the Countdown to Christmas with singer, songwriter, and producer Maria Ellis for a festive, funny, and honest conversation that blends pop ambition, rock nostalgia, and full Christmas chaos. As part of the Christmas run, Maria brings warmth, humour, and openness to an episode that moves naturally between creative identity, musical obsession, and the moments that shape an artist from childhood to now.

Across the episode, Maria opens up about growing up on Long Island surrounded by music, writing songs from the age of six, and never questioning that music was what she was meant to do. She reflects on her parents’ influence, being raised on everything from Britney Spears and Nirvana to classic rock and rap, and how that eclectic upbringing shaped her songwriting and confidence. She also talks candidly about building her career independently, navigating viral moments on TikTok, and what it really means to receive praise from outlets like Rolling Stone while staying true to herself.

The conversation dives into her debut EP Ultra Batty, unpacking the empowerment, vulnerability, and unapologetic confidence behind the project. Maria discusses her songwriting process, how ideas and emotions often come before melodies, and why the balance between lyrics and melody is essential to creating music that connects. She also shares insight into recent releases, upcoming collaborations, and what fans can expect next.

Festive chaos runs throughout the episode, with Christmas movie talk, eggnog debates, guilty pleasure holiday songs, and helping Santa DJ a set at the North Pole. The episode builds towards Maria’s dream concert at Jones Beach Amphitheater on the water, where she curates a legendary lineup featuring Ariana Grande, Nirvana, and The Beatles, complete with iconic encore moments.

Warm, funny, and packed with music love, this festive episode is a perfect listen for anyone who loves pop, rock, and R&B, discovering artists through TikTok, or hearing musicians talk about music the way it’s meant to be talked about.

Will continues the Countdown to Christmas with a beautifully thoughtful and music-first conversation alongside Spanish-born, LA-based guitarist Twanguero, also known as Diego Garcia. As part of the festive run, this episode slows things down in the best possible way, focusing on craft, culture, memory, and the deep emotional pull of music when it is created with intention and heart.

Across the episode, Twanguero reflects on growing up in Spain surrounded by classical guitar traditions, the pressure of formal training, and the moment rock and roll began to pull him in a different direction. He talks candidly about moving to Madrid to pursue music professionally, touring the world with major Latin artists, and later making the bold decision to relocate to Los Angeles at 40 years old with no safety net, no industry contacts, and only belief in his sound. It is an honest look at artistic risk, longevity, and what it really means to build a sustainable life in music outside of the mainstream.

The conversation dives deep into Twanguero’s love of analog recording, vintage gear, and the philosophy behind his fully instrumental Christmas album, which was recorded entirely on tape. Diego explains why he avoids screens, clicks, and computers wherever possible, how one-take performances change the emotional weight of a song, and why imperfection is often where the magic lives. He also shares the deeper purpose behind the album, which exists not just as a festive project but as a fundraiser to help bring electric guitars to students in Guatemala who have never had access to them before.

Alongside discussions of Elvis, Chuck Berry, 1950s rock and roll, blues legends, and Mediterranean melodies, Diego speaks movingly about family, loss, and the influence of his mother on his life and career. He reflects on memory, nostalgia, and how certain melodies can instantly transport you back to childhood, different countries, and past versions of yourself. Food, community, and cooking emerge as recurring themes, especially during Christmas, highlighting how music and togetherness are inseparable in his world.

As always, the episode builds toward Twanguero’s dream concert, set at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. What follows is one of the most detailed and musically rich lineups in Encore Club history, featuring blues pioneers, iconic drummers, multiple guitar legends, and a genre-spanning supergroup that celebrates the guitar as a universal language. It is imaginative, deeply personal, and rooted in a lifetime of listening.

This is a calm, reflective, and genuinely inspiring festive episode, perfect for guitar lovers, fans of analog recording, and anyone who believes music should feel human. A thoughtful listen for the Christmas season and beyond.

In Episode 33 of The Encore Club Podcast, Will continues the Countdown to Christmas with singer-songwriter nep for a festive, funny, and deeply music-obsessed conversation that balances emotional honesty with full festive chaos. As part of the Christmas run, nep brings huge energy, warmth, and openness to an episode that moves seamlessly between hometown identity, creative growth, and the songs and live moments that shape you for life.

Across the episode, nep opens up about growing up in Daytona, Florida, falling in love with music at a young age, and learning how to tell stories through songwriting that blend humour, vulnerability, and self-awareness. She reflects on navigating college at the University of Miami while her music career began to take off online, discussing the strange reality of touring, going viral on TikTok, and trying to balance creative momentum with finishing her degree. There is honest reflection on knowing when it is time to leave home, how those feelings fed directly into her debut album Noel, and why embracing sadness can sometimes be a sign of gratitude rather than defeat.

The conversation dives deep into nep’s love of emo, alternative, and pop punk, with passionate discussions about My Chemical Romance, Twenty One Pilots, Pierce the Veil, crying at gigs, and the specific emotional moments in songs that hit harder than anything else. She shares unforgettable live music experiences, pinch-me career moments, and the joy of seeing fans connect with her music in real life. Alongside this, nep gives a heartfelt shoutout to independent venues and reflects on why community and live music spaces matter more than ever.

Festive chaos runs throughout the episode, with Christmas movie talk, eggnog debates, guilty pleasure holiday songs, fictional Christmas movie soundtracks, and even helping Santa DJ a set at the North Pole. The episode builds towards nep’s dream concert, where she designs the perfect venue, curates an emo-heavy lineup, and places herself right in the pit for the ultimate live music experience.

It’s a warm, emotional, and genuinely funny festive episode, and a perfect listen for anyone who loves emo and alternative music, discovering artists through TikTok, live gig culture, or simply hearing passionate people talk about music the way it’s meant to be talked about.

In Episode 32 of The Encore Club Podcast, Will welcomes singer-songwriter and creator Cynthia Parker for a festive, thoughtful, and joyfully chaotic conversation as part of the show’s Countdown to Christmas series. Toronto-born and LA-based, Cynthia has built a global audience through authenticity, artistry, and an unmistakable sense of old-school glamour, and this episode captures her at a moment of reflection, creativity, and excitement for what’s ahead.

Across the conversation, Cynthia opens up about growing up between Canada and Los Angeles, her early years as a competitive dancer, and how training across multiple disciplines helped shape her confidence, work ethic, and creative intuition. She talks candidly about navigating viral success, living online while staying grounded, and learning to trust herself in an industry that rarely slows down. Will and Cynthia dive into her love of classic music, from Frank Sinatra and Etta James to Joni Mitchell and Sade, and how those influences naturally found their way into her vocal tone, songwriting, and emotional approach to music.

There are moments of warmth, humour, and vulnerability throughout as Cynthia reflects on self-care, independence, family, and the friendships that keep her anchored in LA. She shares how songs arrive in unpredictable waves, why some stories come straight from personal experience while others are built from imagination, and how writing can feel both magical and elusive. The festive spirit runs strong as the two tackle Christmas traditions, favourite holiday songs, nostalgic films, eggnog debates, and a series of playful games that push the episode firmly into Encore Club Christmas chaos.

The episode crescendos with Cynthia building her dream concert in a grand, historic theatre filled with velvet curtains and timeless energy. From Amy Winehouse and Frank Sinatra to Sade, ABBA, and Michael Jackson, her lineup becomes a deeply personal celebration of music, memory, and emotion, complete with iconic encore choices and a moment where Cynthia imagines stepping on stage herself to perform Love Song under a glittering disco ball.

This episode is reflective, funny, festive, and deeply musical, offering a vivid snapshot of an artist finding her voice while honouring the legends who shaped her. It’s a heartfelt Christmas chapter in The Encore Club, full of imagination, honesty, and the quiet confidence of someone building something truly timeless.

In Episode 31 of The Encore Club Podcast, Will continues the Countdown to Christmas with BBC Radio 1 DJ and presenter Maia Beth for a conversation filled with warmth, humour, nostalgia, and festive chaos. As part of the Christmas run, Maia brings her infectious energy and thoughtful perspective to an episode that moves seamlessly between career reflection, music obsession, and the emotional power of the songs that stay with you for life.

Across the episode, Maia opens up about growing up in Washington in the North East, discovering music through indie anthems, pop classics, and dad rock staples, and how early gig culture shaped her love of live music. She speaks candidly about falling into media through a BBC apprenticeship, navigating creative industries without connections, and how a Radio 1 Christmas competition became the unexpected turning point that launched her broadcasting career. From BBC Introducing to Radio 1’s Happy Anthems, covering Glastonbury and major festivals, and working across radio, events, and live touring, Maia reflects on building a career by saying yes, trusting her instincts, and learning as she goes.

There are plenty of moments of humour and honesty as Maia shares Glastonbury stories, backstage surrealism, emotional songs that hit at unexpected times, and her controversial Christmas music opinions. She builds her dream gig from scratch, choosing a fairy-lit forest setting, tequila-fuelled dancing, and Scissor Sisters delivering pure joy and glitter-soaked chaos. Along the way, the conversation explores independent venues, the rising cost of gigs, the realities of the music industry, and why community, kindness, and curiosity still matter.

It’s a festive, thoughtful, and genuinely funny episode, and a perfect listen for anyone who loves Radio 1, festival culture, pop and punk energy, or simply hearing passionate people talk about music the way friends do when the conversation flows and the songs mean everything.

In Episode 30 of The Encore Club Podcast, Will sits down with the incredible Samantha Gongol, best known as one half of the multi-platinum duo Marian Hill, whose hypnotic blend of electronic pop and smoky, intimate vocals helped shape an entire wave of modern alt-pop. From creating early hits like Whiskey, One Time, and the global smash Down to stepping into her own spotlight with her debut solo EP Flash in the Pan, Samantha brings a calm, witty, and quietly magnetic presence to a conversation that feels both reflective and unexpectedly hilarious.

Across the episode, Samantha opens up about growing up in Pennsylvania, discovering her voice in school choirs, and the surreal twist of fate that led Marian Hill from a spontaneous writing session to charting around the world. She talks about the whirlwind of having Down featured in Apple’s iPhone AirPods campaign, the pressure and pride of performing the US national anthem at the MLS Cup, and the deeply personal creative journey behind her new EP and the six-part web series she co-wrote with her brother during lockdown. Will explores her shift into storytelling, the vulnerability of writing as herself rather than a persona, and what it means to chase new artistic challenges after a decade of success.

There are wonderful moments of humour and warmth as Samantha reflects on her first ever concert, her guilty pleasure anthems, the strange intensity of music-industry expectations, and why melody hits her harder than words ever could. She shares stories of nostalgia, creative frustration, her love of jazz standards, and the emotional pull of songs that shaped her childhood. Together, they dive into confidence, reinvention, the joy of being a lifelong listener, and the quiet bravery of starting again—even when no one asks you to.

The episode builds to a wildly cinematic dream concert where Samantha curates an impossibly legendary 500-cap venue show featuring Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston, Queen, and Jimi Hendrix, complete with confetti cannons, jazz scatting, and the most unexpected encore in the podcast’s history. It is vivid, chaotic, imaginative, and so distinctly Sam.

This episode is thoughtful, funny, deeply musical, and full of the honest magic that defines Samantha’s artistry. It stands as a beautiful, surprising chapter in The Encore Club and one fans will replay again and again.