Truth and Venom

This week sees the first international chat, as Chris is joined by Samwel Mallia & Ben Mifsud Joslin of Maltese post-rock/indie band, Eyes to Argus.

Both Sam and Ben brought incredible openness and enthusiasm to the conversation, covering how their collaborative process has developed over time and how they keep things personally relevant yet universally relatable.

Keep up to date with all things Eyes to Argus here: https://eyestoargus.com/

This week, Chris chats to Marty Toner of math-rock/post-hardcore champs, a-tota-so.

Marty discusses how he found writing and singing all the lyrics for the first time on the band's third album, I Told You So, which came out in September after an instrumental album and an album full of guest vocalists.

Listen and order the new album here: https://a-tota-so.bandcamp.com/album/i-told-you-so

Keep up to date with all things a-tota-so, including upcoming live dates, here: https://linktr.ee/atotaso

What better guest than Alex to kick off series 3 of Truth & Venom!

It's clear how much lyrics mean to Alex throughout this conversation, as we delve into his love of Fall Out Boy, the ideas and ethos behind Sunday Best's material as well as a side quest to his solo EP.

Keep track of all things Sunday Best from the links on their webiste: https://thisissundaybest.com/

In this episode, Chris is joined by Charlie Bush of London based melodic indie punk band, Muttering.

Charlie talks about the importance of connection and personal relationships when it comes to lyrics, as well as finding the comfortable, confident balance of that in his own writing. He also discusses the benefits that came from the band's recent collaborations and how that influenced his approach to lyrics.

Charlie also discusses what we can expect from his writing in the band's anticipated second album and how life events have perhaps shaped the direction that is taking.

You can listen to and buy music from Muttering here:

https://muttering.bandcamp.com/

You can keep up with the latest live dates and news here:

https://www.instagram.com/mutteringband/

This is a Scaredy Cat Promotions podcast.

https://www.instagram.com/scaredycatpromo/

In this episode, Chris is joined by London based hip hop artist, Retropxssy.

We discuss the nature of navigating the world of UK grass roots hip hop as a white woman and how that can contrast with people's expectations, as well as how the lyrical content of Retropxssy's songs sit alongside that. She also discusses the personal circumstances and experiences that lead to certain common themes within her lyrics.

The artist also discusses the way that certain beats bring out certain lyrical ideas and the importance of the relationship between the two, including some of the varied artists that might inspire these choices.

You can listen to and buy music from Retropxssy here:

https://retropxssy.bandcamp.com/

You can keep up with the latest live dates and release news here:

https://www.instagram.com/teletubbycustard/

Image photo used with kind permission from Lena Terry: https://www.instagram.com/skrifyy/

This is a Scaredy Cat Promotions podcast.

https://www.instagram.com/scaredycatpromo/

In this episode, Chris is joined by Lewis Chapman of Essex alternative/emo band, Looseleaf.

Lewis talks about why he often finds writing lyrics the least enjoyable part of songwriting and the potential anxieties that come with writing in a direct, confessional style. He also gets into some of the reasons behind why he writes songs of that nature in spite of that.

Lewis also gets into some of the lyrics from this year's release, Selfsame, as well as discussing the direction he's like his lyric writing to take from here.

You can listen to and buy music from Looseleaf here:

https://looseleafuk.bandcamp.com/

You can keep up with the latest live dates and news here:

https://www.instagram.com/looseleaf_uk/

Image photo used with kind permission from Stanislas Sauvage: https://www.instagram.com/stan.sauvage

This is a Scaredy Cat Promotions podcast.

https://www.instagram.com/scaredycatpromo/

In this episode, Chris is joined by Jackie Purver of the North East 's post-punk/fuzzy rock band, Pit Pony.

Jackie talks about the motivation behind her songwriting and how important lyrics are to her as a listener and a writer. She also discusses the importance of authenticity and how that impacts on the subject matter of her own songs.

Jackie also gets into the lyrics from the band's most recent and upcoming singles as well as next year's anticipated next album.

You can listen to and buy music from Pit Pony here:

https://pitponyband.bandcamp.com/

You can keep up with the latest live dates and news in various ways here:

https://linktr.ee/pitponyband

Image photo used with kind permission from James Mumby: https://www.instagram.com/james_a_mumby_photography

The photo was taken from James' work with Louder Than War: https://www.instagram.com/louderthanwarofficial

This is a Scaredy Cat Promotions podcast.

https://www.instagram.com/scaredycatpromo/

In this episode, Chris is joined by Freddy Vinehill-Cliffe of Leeds based post-punk/noise-rock band, Thank.

Freddy talks about the varied sources of inspiration for Thank's lyrics, be it musical, literary or comedic. He also discusses the role that humour plays in the bands songs and how that has developed over time in line with his own approach to life.

Freddy also gets into the lyrics from some of the tracks on the band's latest album, 'I Have A Physical Body That Can Be Harmed'.

You can listen to and buy music from Thank here:

https://thankleeds.bandcamp.com/

You can keep up with the latest live dates and news here:

https://linktr.ee/thankleeds

Image photo used with kind permission from Sam Hopkins: https://www.instagram.com/samhopkinsphoto

This is a Scaredy Cat Promotions podcast.

https://www.instagram.com/scaredycatpromo/

In this episode, Chris is joined by Jack Green and Fraser Briggs of Hull based post-black-metal-or-something band, Still.

Jack and Fraser talk about their creative relationship and how this has continued to develop on the writing for new album, 'A Theft'. They also discuss the qualities that they value in both their own and others' lyrics.

Jack and Fraser also get into the personal circumstances, emotions and general outlook that have influenced their writing over time.

You can listen to and buy music from Still here:

https://wearestillaband.bandcamp.com/

You can stay up to date with the band and find upcoming tour dates on their socials:

https://linktr.ee/wearestillaband

Image photos used with kind permission from Alex Dixon: https://www.instagram.com/blackboxphotoco

This is a Scaredy Cat Promotions podcast.

https://www.instagram.com/scaredycatpromo/

In this episode, Chris is joined by Jen Hingley of Manchester based alt-rock/punk band, False Advertising.

Jen talks about the balance of writing metaphorical versus more direct lyrics someone who is quite shy in daily life and how her own confidence has gradually come through in the songs over time. She also discusses lyricists that she looks up to as well as some of the aims and sentiments behind a few of the band's songs.

Jen also gets into the ideas behind the lyrics and general musical progression that is on display in latest single, 'Don't Ask Me'.

You can listen to and buy music from False Advertising as well as staying up to date with the band and any upcoming tour dates on their website:

https://falseadvertis.ing

Image photo used with kind permission from Miley Stevens: https://www.instagram.com/mileystevensphotography

This is a Scaredy Cat Promotions podcast.

https://www.instagram.com/scaredycatpromo/