Time For Heroes

A bit different this week as i sit in the hotseat and let Steve Nussbaum of The Fantastival Podcast grills me both on my heroes and on my fantasy festival line up!

Wediscussed the journey of transitioning from a podcast listener to a podcaster, the challenges and persistence in booking guests, and the impact of early podcasting experience. It also explores the evolution of the podcast, memorable episodes and guest experiences, future plans, and flexibility in podcasting.

I must say its a bit uncomfortable having the tables turned, i definetley prefer asking the questions!

Also make sure you go listen to The Fantastival Podcast!

The Fantastival Podcast | Podcast on Spotify

Takeaways

• Podcasting as a medium for personal and professional growth
• The impact of influential guests on the success of a podcast

Chapters

• 00:00 Dinner Party Guest Selection: Henrik Larsson

This week on the podcast my guest is Simon Williams of The Samurai Seven, a band back after a 20 year hiatus, a new EP just released and a run of gigs supporting The Boo Radleys.

We discussed Simon's early life and influences, exploring the local music scene and emotional investment in his local football team. The connection between music and football is also highlighted. The conversation covers the influence of Teenage Fanclub on songwriting and vocal harmonies, the experience of gigging and touring, the changes in the modern music landscape, and the process of songwriting and exploration of contemporary themes in music.

As i said the band have a new EP which you can check out below:

Make It Real - EP by The Samurai Seven | Spotify

Gig wise they play Portmouth Wedgewood Rooms on September 20th

The Samurai Seven Portsmouth Tickets, The Wedgewood Rooms Sep 20, 2026 | Bandsintown

As well as dates with The Boo Radleys in November (Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow and Lewes)

And then Oslo Hackney in London

The Samurai Seven London Tickets, Oslo Hackney Nov 15, 2026 | Bandsintown

and a hometown show in Oxford at The Bullingdon

The Samurai Seven Oxford Tickets, The Bullingdon Nov 19, 2026 | Bandsintown

And check out their links below:

Instagram

Facebook

My next guest on the podcast is the amazing Colin MacIntyre aka Mull Historical Society.

The conversation covers the early influences and music scene in Glasgow, the birth of Mull Historical Society, debut single and radio play, signing with Rough Trade and Geoff Travis, touring with The Strokes and festival performances, album creation and collaboration, and The Reindeer Section.

The conversation delves into the journey of collaboration, the art of storytelling, and the influence of musical inspiration. It explores the connections and experiences that have shaped Colin's creative path, highlighting the significance of collaboration, storytelling, and musical influence in his work.

As discussed Colin has a tour starting imminently and you can buy tickets here Mull Historical Society

and here is all the other links you'll need:

Facebook

Facebook

Mull Historical (@MullHistorical) / X

Instagram

Instagram

Mull Historical Society | Spotify

This week on the podcast I spoke to John Campbell of London band iC1's.

The conversation covers the origins of iC1's, the band's influences, early beginnings, and the magic of their first rehearsal. It also delves into the challenges, recording of the 'Lowering the Tone' album (which subsequently was never released), and the band's reunion.

The conversation covers a range of topics including the influence of age on music, changes in music release and consumption, the evolution of live music, the role of live shows in album sales, the shift in music promotion, upcoming album and shows, and as usual at the end John chose his heroes!

Ticket links below for upcoming gigs as well as all their socials:

iC1s - Universe

Tickets: iC1s, London | Sat, 27 Feb 2027, 19:00 | Ticketmaster UK

Instagram

Facebook

ic1sofficial (@ic1sofficial) | TikTok

iC1s - YouTube

Home | iC1s

IC1s | Spotify

% years in the making i finally speak to Danny McNamara of Embrace, a band i've followed from the beginning in a career spanning 30 years so far!

We discussed everything including his childhood, musical influences, struggles with OCD, and the band's journey through success, setbacks, and creative renewal. The conversation covers topics such as the band's collaborative dynamic, the songwriting process, the release of their new album, and the future plans for the band and its members. It also delves into the themes of creativity, artistic inspiration, and the impact of AI and billionaires on society.

We mentioned a couple of podcast that Danny did discussing his OCD in more detail and i've included them below:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3MQrke1n6ZT7gH1B1N0iND?si=e26a3991d9a84bf8 - The James McMahon Music Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Cf3vQQYhkFuRWgWVJcI8F?si=a9ef905d075f48bb - Sound Affects Podcast: Music & Mental Health, with Katy Georgiou

and here is links for Embrace including upcoming tour, book and Danny's spoken word tour

Live - Embrace

Good Good People: The Story Of Embrace - Luxe Edition

awaywithmedia.com/tours/danny-mcnamara

Home - Embrace

Facebook

Embrace (@embrace) / X

Instagram

Embrace (@embrace_band) | TikTok

Embrace | Spotify

Embrace - Up in Your Feelings (Official Video)

Thanks for listening/watching, please continue to Like, Share, Subscribe and tell yer pals!

Tom Bellamy was one sixth of The Cooper Temple Clause, one of the best british bands of the noughties, after 3 fantastic albums the band split and Tom focused on remixes before forming Losers with Paul Mullen and Eddy Temple Morris, since then Losers have released 3 studio albums an EP and last Tuesday released their second track this year, the fantastic 'Daring To Begin'

We spoke about all this and tons more and then Tom picked his heroes, I hope you enjoy the chat as much as I did, if so please like, share and subscribe wherever you can and also, tell yer pals! Word of mouth is better than any algorithm!

Check out Tom's links below:

Instagram

LOSERS (@losersuk) / X

Facebook

LOSERS BAND - YouTube

Stream LOSERS music | Listen to songs, albums, playlists for free on SoundCloud

Passenger | LOSERS | Losers

CLUB LOSERS — LOSERS

Losers | Spotify

The Cooper Temple Clause | Spotify

Andy MacLeod has done it all, he was initially in a band called The Pointy Birds (managed by a young Ricky Gervais) when the band folded he set up his own Record Label (Pointy Records) and along with previous guest Simon Williams ran Club Fandango, one of the most succesful indie club nights in the noughties and onwards which saw all the big names playing on their bills.

Andy has just released his second book (Soho Days Camden Nights), as well as re-releasing his first (Anoint My Head: How I Failed To Make It As A Britpop Indie Rockstar)

And he bring his live show to Edinburgh Fringe next week.

Oh and he also fronts The InCureables (a tribute band to Crawley's finest!)

You can hear all about it in the interview and then once your done click the links below to check out all Andy's work!

Order the books here: Anoint My Head x Soho Days, Camden Nights - Book Bundle – omnibuspress.com

Edinburgh Fringe tickets here: Just the Tonic Edinburgh – The best of comedy in the UK

Get The InCureable's tickets here: The InCureables — Cure Tribute Official: Instagram, Facebook | Linktree

Pointy Records | The Clientele | Big Slice | Campag Velocet | Flotation Toy Warning | Ladybug Transistor | Tim Ten Yen | Color Filter | Yo Zushi | Cathead | Tall Tree 6ft Man

Andy Macleod – Books|Songs|Podcasts

Instagram

Facebook

Please like, share and subscribe wherever you can!

Back after a while with David Bothwell, frontman of Ayrshire band, Ocean Views.

We spoke about the bands career, which has spanned an EP and 2 albums, sometimes organised, sometimes chaotic, always energetic, the band have built lasting contacts throughout their career which has helped their journey and there's plenty more to come, starting with McChuills in Glasgow this Friday (17th July) buy tickets here Tickets: VSS Vol. 13 | Robin Brown | McChuills Glasgow Fri 17 July 2026

Check out the bands links below:

Instagram

Facebook

oceanviewsmusic - YouTube

Ocean Views | Spotify

Its been a while, had a few cancellations recently as is to be expected this time of year with festival season kicking in to full swing, episodes might be a bit intermittent for the time being ............. But here's a cracking episode with Steven Deary of Smaller!

The conversation covers Steven Deary's early musical influences, growing up in a musical family (which as well as including his brother Digsy, it also includes his cousins Tony and Chris of The Real People), the musical scene in Liverpool, the formation of Smaller, collaboration with Oasis and other bands, the impact of Digsy's Dinner, recording and production of the 'Badly Badly' album, and supporting Oasis at Irvine Beach. It provides insights into the vibrant music culture of Liverpool and the close-knit relationships between musicians and bands. The conversation covers the early days of the band, their experiences in the toilet circuit, the success of the Japanese EP and the sell-out tour of Japan, the recording of the second album and the record company issue, the revival of Smaller and recent gigs, and a discussion about dinner with heroes and upcoming plans.

Best dinner guests yet!

Check all Smaller's links below:

Instagram

Facebook

Buy tickets for Decembers Liverpool show here Tickets: Smaller Live at Archive Liverpool | Archive Liverpool Liverpool L8 5XJ Fri 18 December 2026

Smaller | Spotify

Kicking off Season 4 of the podcast is Brad Stalker, frontman of The Castros, who i had the pleasure of seeing supporting Kyle Falconer at King Tut's a few weeks back!

What a fucking band, obviously listen to the episode first but then go buy tickets for their Liquid Rooms gig in Edinburgh on 26th of September, tickets here >>> The Castros - Edinburgh Liquid Rooms - Universe

Throughout the conversation we touched on the bands journey so far, from Brad being a late bloomer to music to me seeing them at Tuts and likening him to the natural successor to Tom Meighan, big words I know, but i genuinely mean that!

We also spoke about the Fife music scene, This Feeling, attending none other than 3 song-writing camps at Kyle Falconer's La Sierra Casa and their debut EP release 'Articulate Your Madness' which you can buy here >>> Articulate Your Madness - EP - Vinyl - The Castros

And I sprung the heroes bit on him at the end also!

Here are all the other links for The Castros:

Instagram

Facebook

The Castros (@TheCastros_____) / X

thecastros_____ (@thecastros_____) | TikTok

The Castros | Spotify

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