The StageLeft Podcast

In this bonus episode, Russ Pritchard shares his journey from early struggles to playing stadiums with Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, offering insights into success, songwriting, and the music industry.

Produced by Darcy Dewar
Socials by Alex Fordham
YouTube by Beth Iles
With thanks to Annabel Kiddals.

Support us to support emerging musicians by buying our merch from here > https://the-stageleft-podcast.printify.me/

Join us for a recorded live episode with Clive Deamer of Portishead, who analyses and reflects on the iconic Roseland NYC 1997 show, which is regarded as one of the greatest live albums of its era. 

A surprisingly emotional experience, we dive deep into the show itself, the period around the rehearsals and Portishead’s legacy. 

Thank you to Steve Baker from The LongPlay Sessions for putting on the event, we may well do more. If you’d like to do a similar event with us - contact us at [email protected] 

Please support us to help enable young musicians to access educational content for free by buying some merch!

https://the-stageleft-podcast.printify.me/

Recording by Steve Baker

Produced by Darcy Dewar

YouTube Channel by Beth Iles

Socials by Alex Fordham

Hosted by Chris Simpson

www.thestageleftpodcast.com

Join us as Colin MacIntyre of Mull Historical Society shares insights into the psychology of songwriting, album creation, collaboration with authors, and the importance of storytelling in music and literature.

Key Topics:

- The emotional journey of album release
- The process of songwriting and knowing when a song is finished
- Collaboration with authors and visual storytelling
- The importance of human stories in songwriting
- Balancing control and collaboration in music production
- The influence of personal history and environment on creativity

We exist to provide free educational content, so p lease support us by tapping into our merch range here... the-stageleft-podcast.printify.me

Hosted by Chris Simpson
Edited by Darcy Dewar
Socials by Alex Fordham
YouTube by Beth Iles.

They say never meet your heroes. How about interviewing them? Having travelled up and down the UK with mates, skipping train barriers and the like to get to the majestic Secret Guerrilla style Gigs in his late teens, Chris gets to interview the man who wrote one of his favourite albums of all time. 

Recorded the day Embrace released their newest top-ten album 'Avalanche', Chris explores Danny's relationship with avoiding choruses, songwriting camps, the role of a song for the listener and Danny himself and when a song feels complete.

We exist to provide free educational content, so p lease support us by tapping into our merch range here... the-stageleft-podcast.printify.me

Hosted by Chris Simpson
Edited by Darcy Dewar
Socials by Alex Fordham
YouTube by Beth Iles.

On this episode of The StageLeft Podcast, Chris Simpson sits down with Jack Bates — bassist for Smashing Pumpkins and Peter Hook & The Light — to discuss the reality of stepping into one of music’s most iconic musical legacies.

From balancing tours between Billy Corgan and Peter Hook, to playing alongside Jimmy Chamberlin, to recording with the late Mark Lanegan, this is a deep dive into musicianship, identity, touring life, pressure, and what it really means to become a “stage left” musician at the highest level.

Jack opens up about:
• Growing up with Peter Hook as a father
• The emotional reality of performing Joy Division and New Order songs nightly
• How Smashing Pumpkins rehearsals actually work
• Locking in musically with Jimmy Chamberlin
• Why being “easy to be around” matters more than technical ability
• Touring life, introversion, and handling pressure on stage
• Recording Mark Lanegan’s final album
• Choosing setlists for Peter Hook & The Light
• Fan culture, validation, and identity in music
• Why some songs change every night on stage

A fascinating conversation about musicianship, legacy, pressure, creativity and life inside some of alternative music’s most influential worlds.

Edited by Darcy Dewar
Socials by Alex Fordham
YouTube by Beth Iles

Merch:
The StageLeft Podcast Merch Store

“We stepped onto the Pyramid Stage and realised… they were just people doing the same thing as us.”

If Amber from The Japanese House hadn't shut her fingers in a door, would Willy Bish be where he is now? 

Multi-instrumentalist Willy Bishop joins The Stage Left Podcast to share his journey from maths student to a deep dive into CMATs iconic performance on the Glastonbury Festival Pyramid Stage. 

We hear about his pivotal role in The Japanese House and Declan McKenna, including exploring Matty Healy and George Daniel's production techniques, Willie offers an honest look at touring, studio life, and what it really takes to succeed as a modern musician.

A practical, behind-the-scenes conversation covering creativity, chaos, and staying grounded in the music industry.

“A better performance comes when you stop chasing perfection and just accept what you’ve got.”
 
You can buy our new merch here: https://the-stageleft-podcast.printify.me/

You can hire Chris as a Coach to find solutions personal and professional challenges - Chris has just returned from Milan/Cortina Winter Olympics doing this for Team GB. You can reach him on [email protected] and his rates are similar to those of driving lessons/private instrument tuition.

Host: Chris Simpson
Editor: Darcy Dewar

Join us as Silke Blansjaar, bassist for Yungblud, shares her journey from local bands to arena stages, the realities of touring, and insights into navigating the music industry as a woman. Discover practical advice on performance, mental health, and industry challenges.

You can buy our new merch here: https://the-stageleft-podcast.printify.me/

You can hire Chris as a Coach to find solutions personal and professional challenges - Chris has just returned from Milan/Cortina Winter Olympics doing this for Team GB. You can reach him on [email protected] and his rates are similar to those of driving lessons/private instrument tuition.

Host: Chris Simpson
Editor: Darcy Dewar

Russ Pritchard — of Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and The Zutons — returns to the podcast for a brilliant deep-dive into some of the most surreal and career-defining moments of his life in music.

We talk about one of the greatest slots a Glastonbury— playing just before Sir Paul McCartney’s headline set — and what it feels like to walk off stage knowing a Beatle is about to take over. Russ shares behind-the-scenes stories from joining Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, what it’s really like in the studio with Noel, and the responsibility (and joy) of playing Oasis classics like “Live Forever,” “Half The World Away,” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger.”

There’s a deep dive into the writing of “Valerie” — how the song came together, what it meant at the time, and how it took on a life of its own — plus an incredible story about supporting James Brown at what turned out to be one of the final gigs of his legendary career with The Zutons.

It’s nostalgic, funny, reflective — and packed with proper musical detail.

Sponsored by Frangianpani.

Edited by Darcy Dewar. 

Socials - Alex Fordham

Host - Chris Simpson

Our own range of merch is now out. Please support us - https://the-stageleft-podcast.printify.me/

Days after selling out The O2 Arena, Woody from Bastille joins us live to break down the realities of arena touring in front of a live audience, the writing and recording of Save My Soul, lessons from Bob Armstrong, and what it takes to run an independent record label!

Editing by Darcy Dewar.
Socials by Alex Fordham.
Hosted by Chris Simpson.

Get 25% off everything at frangipani-style.com — including their January Sale — with the code STAGELEFT.

Sad news reached us in December that Booker T and the M.G.'s legend Steve Cropper had passed away. It was a tremendous honour to have had Steve as a guest on StageLeft soon after we began. In truth, we probably wouldn't still exist if he hasn't appeared, as just naming him has a past guest has secured many further guests, including Gem Archer. Please enjoy the interview, and our update from the past 6 months. New episode coming monthly from next week, with Woody from Bastille, Russ from Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Shaun Ryder and Steve Hamilton on the Oasis 25 Reunion Tour all confirmed.

We now have a new range of merch to mark out 10 year anniversary - please support us whilst looking like the coolest cat in the class.

https://the-stageleft-podcast.printify.me/