The L.E.S. Show

IDLES drummer Jon Beavis breaks down the making of their foot stomping hit, War.

Josh from Langkamer breaks down the making of their lead single Humdinger.

Two days out from supporting Foals at Cardiff Castle, Curly from Islet joins the boys for a deep chat about all things music. Curly talks the boys through Islet's journey; playing in America, winning the Welsh Music Award and expressing yourself by playing tunes. Throughout the boys take breaks for anecdotes, discussions and plenty of laughs. You can feel the excitement in the room throughout this one so tune in and share a laugh with the boys. 

Curly's appreciation for lo-fi diversity is celebrated in this week's playlist. 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5uUDozubmdmNEAEx513WhI?si=8c6c1b410b884f1a

Sit down and soak it up.

The boys welcome one of Bristol's most beloved music figures to the podcast: Big Jeff. Jeff is famed for his relentless attendance of gigs in the South West and eclectic appreciation of all things music. He's become as important to the live music scene as venues and bands, with DJ slots at Green Man festival and Soho Radio, as well as honorary shrines at venues like The Louisiana. Jeff tells his story to the boys from start to present, with lots of funny anecdotes in between. 

With Jeff on board, this week's playlist was a melting pot of diversity. On top of Bain, Al and Cal's individual picks, Jeff brought 6 tunes you've likely never heard of and are even more likely to become your new favourites. 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1O7rk68HQcD2aJ2IOAtj67?si=43e6a1cf8b71467c

Sit down and soak it up. 

The L.E.S. take on their first interview with Cardiff's very own Young Garbo. Joined by Owain (Vocals) and Arwel (Lead Guitar), The L.E.S. and Young Garbo chat about the band's beginnings in venues like The Moon, to line-up changes, playing for Alan McGee and recording in their very own studio barn. Of course, The L.E.S. is about more than just seriousness and the Young Garbo boys bring plenty of laughter to the table.

Owain and Arwel brought 3 tracks each to this week's playlist, with Bain, Al and Cal backing them up with one of their own. 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2lgVfx33pA2k7KnsbpSYQj?si=YwYh4oTBQp-0rig1eLZpLg

Sit down and soak it up. 

This week is all about women. The boys reflected on some voice notes sent in by our women friends that outlined the major flaws in British music culture. Holly, Caitlin, Mari and Amelia spoke about the times they've felt failed by British music and were left feeling intimidated, unheard and under-appreciated. James, Alexander and Cal spoke about their male privileges and responsibilities in response, to hopefully communicate the ways us men can improve in making women feel included and heard in music. 

The playlist reigns were handed over to our contributors and so there are 12 songs in this weeks playlists. All songs have been chosen and performed by women. 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4lz0WgWYiLpCm02in9gZIw?si=M683nzMuR2iKe3KaYflb6g

Sit down, soak it up and keep fighting against women's injustice.

The L.E.S. boys take a deep dive into the catalogue of the world's most prolific producer, Rick Rubin. Chronicling his career through the decades: the dawn of Def Jam and B-Bop records in the 80's, RHCP madness in the 90's, pop dominance of the 00's and the diverse depths of 10's the boys pick out their stand-out career moves from the bearded wizard and uncover the sheer breadth of his brilliance. When the Rubin history lesson is done, the boys scramble their brains and pick two artists - past or present - that they would team with Rick in the halls of Shangri La.

You guessed it, this week's Spotify playlist is 100% Rick. The lads make some difficult sacrifices in whittling their favourite Rick Rubin tracks down to 3 each for the coolest of playlists. 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4BKu0ePWkkNo45PVwO8Whz?si=g2kBmFB4RQmYf2LPRsjdAg

Sit down and soak it up.

The boys respond to the Government Arts grant and what it means for the future of live music. They chat about all of the innovative ways the music industry has responded to the pandemic: Alternative live shows, funding schemes to pay venue overheads and ways of cheating the streaming system. As per usual, the boys support the little guy by shouting out some of the best venues Cardiff and Bristol has to offer and what their supporters can do to help, as well as calling out Spotify for mistreating bands of the future and what we want to change in order to keep music flowing.

This week the boys took the shackles off the Spotify playlist. There were no themes or rules to play by, instead Bain, Al and Callum chose 3 songs that have been getting some heavy rotation on their speakers.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3gg3CnCth8jf6Lo0tXMrKx?si=xe-lxVKmR3eRDezKr6Wy-g

Sit down and soak it up.