In possibly the post powerful episode yet of Turn Up The Volume! from The Stables in Milton Keynes, Eve Selis opens up about the personal trauma which led to the writing of her latest album "Dark Side Blue". She was faced with the kind of family tragedy which none of us could imagine ever having to face, let alone deal with and come back from. It's an absolutely compelling interview and really deserves your time.

Equally touching is Peggy Seeger, as she embarks on her very final farewell tour, after 75 years of music and activism. She looks back on a musical life which has made such a difference to so many people, and looks ahead to her final gig at The Stables, with her two sons.

And one of the loveliest people in music, Lee Mead, is coming to The Stables, with big songs and a great band. Which of the West End characters he has played would he most like to be? Listen to his interview to find out, as he talks about fame, talent and hard graft.

To book tickets for these, and any other shows at The Stables, head off to www.stables.org

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This lovely, sunny Spring episode’s all about stories, music, and the power of connecting - on stage and off.

Joining Nick this time:

🎤 David Eagle – One third of award-winning folk trio The Young’uns, David chats about how singing turned into stand-up, why folk music still matters, and how songs can tell powerful, personal stories. Honest, funny, and full of heart.

🎶 Ashnaa - A local artist blending R&B, jazz, and Carnatic music, Ashna talks about growing up shy, finding her voice, and why singing in Tamil feels like home. Her music is full of emotion and authenticity - and it’s only the beginning.

🎸 George Hinchliffe – Founder of The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, George shares 40 years of uke-playing tales - from local pubs to the Royal Albert Hall. Expect dry humour, a bit of musical nerdery, and real love for the instrument.

Coming up at The Stables:

– The Young’uns – May 25

– Ashna Sasekaran – June 7 (Stage 2)

– Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain – June 19

Tickets: stables.org

🎪 Also: Check out IF: Milton Keynes International Festival at ifmiltonkeynes.org

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Welcome to another episode of Turn Up The Volume!—your backstage pass to the incredible artists gracing the stage at The Stables. This week, host Nick Coffer dives into the worlds of three exceptional musicians, each bringing their own magic to the stage.

He went viral at age 10 in a tiger onesie, but make no mistake, Toby Lee is the real deal. Recently playlisted on BBC Radio 2, Toby shares the story of his rise from YouTube sensation to one of the most exciting guitarists on the scene. He talks about honing his craft, playing with legends like Joe Bonamassa and Brian May, and how he saw his first ever gigs at The Stables. This is a musician on the brink of something huge - catch him now before he’s filling arenas.

Toby Lee at The Stables – Tuesday, June 3rd | Tickets: stables.org

Folk legend and guitar virtuoso Martin Simpson joins us fresh from shoulder surgery - but not even that can slow him down. With his latest album Skydancers winning critical acclaim, he reflects on 50 years of music-making, the stories that shape his songwriting, and the joy of always learning something new. He also shares his deep love of nature, recounting how a chance encounter with an old ballad in Linlithgow inspired a future track. And, of course, we hear two stunning tracks from Skydancers, including the hauntingly beautiful New Harmony.

Catch Martin at The Stables – Sunday, May 11th | Tickets: stables.org

Singer, actress, and all-round powerhouse Liza Pulman steps up to the mic, bringing warmth, wit, and some wonderful anecdotes. From growing up in a house filled with words and TV royalty (her father wrote I, Claudius, her mum was a consumate actress), to a career that’s spanned opera, musical theatre, and comedy, Liza’s journey is as rich as her voice. She talks about finding her own path, her deep love of language, and the chemistry that fuels her latest show Pulman & Stilgoe: A Couple of Swells with Joe Stilgoe. Expect laughter, storytelling, and a glorious blend of voices.

Liza & Joe Stilgoe at The Stables – Wednesday, May 21st | Tickets: stables.org

📌 Don’t miss this episode full of music, stories, and brilliant conversation. And if you love what we do, please do spread the word. Follow us on social media and tell your friends—Turn Up The Volume! is for everyone who loves live music, great artists, and the magic of The Stables.

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Welcome to February’s edition of Turn Up the Volume with Nick Coffer.

This month, the wonderful Eddi Reader reflects on a whirlwind year - reuniting with Fairground Attraction, touring the world, and even starting a PhD. She opens up about her home city of Glasgow, reconnecting with old bandmates, rediscovering her passion for music, and what it means to be a working musician after 40 years in the industry.

Author and broadcaster Charlie Connelly shares his fascination with the Shipping Forecast and how it inspired his best-selling book and new stage show, Attention All Shipping. He takes us on a journey through the poetic place names and the enduring magic of this iconic broadcast.

Meanwhile, folk singer-songwriter Reg Meuross brings Woody Guthrie’s legacy to life in Fire and Dust, a powerful musical tribute commissioned by Pete Townshend. He explores Guthrie’s influence, his own creative process, and why these songs still matter today.

Plus, Alison Young picks out some of the must-see shows coming up at The Stables.

Upcoming Events at The Stables:

Eddi Reader – April 10 & 11

Charlie Connelly: Attention All Shipping – March 19

Reg Meuross: Fire and Dust – The Woody Guthrie Story – March 23

For tickets and more info, visit stables.org.

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A bumper episode for you, full of wonderful, long-format interviews. Nick speaks to Graham Gouldman, one of the country's all-time great songwriters. Best known for his role in 10CC, he has also collaborated with, and written hit songs for, innumerable peers and contemporaries. He talks with such clarity and intelligence about his career, about songrwriting, about the influence of his family and his roots. It's a great listen.

Joanna Eden is an accomplished and compelling jazz performer, and a long-time friend of The Stables. She was also Sam Smith's singing teacher for nearly 10 years. Hear her talk about working with them, her passion for jazz and her love of... Uruguay.

Simon Nicol is one of British music’s great characters. Founding member of Fairport Convention, he has the best part of forty albums under his belt and still loves performing and playing live as much as in the early days in Muswell Hill. He also, always, tells a good story and he completes a great trio of guests on today's show.

For more info and to book your tickets, go to https://stables.org/.

A Boutique Broadcast production for The Stables

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A really lovely episode to finish the year with. Nick catches up with the wonderful Seth Lakeman, who will be celebrating the release of his new album, The Granite Way, when he comes to The Stables on February 25th 2025. As ever, Seth is a warm and engaging story teller in this extended interview. You can also hear an exclusive preview of a track from his new album.

The Cinelli Brothers are one of the best live blues bands on the circuit. Their music is both instantly recognisable and fresh at the same time. Thing 70s American rock with a very modern twist. Nick speaks to Alessandro, who is currently on tour in Europe.

And finally, a truly gorgeous duo - The Breath. Their shimmering music speaks of love and heartbreak, of mythology and history. If you haven't. heard them before, you will love discovering them in this podcast.

For more information, head to www.stables.org, or call the Box Office on 01908 280800.

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Nick sits down with the wonderful Eliza Carthy, one of the most recognisable faces on the English folk scene. A wonderful story teller and incredibly warm human, her music is tinged love, pai, joy and sadness, a craft honed over an award winning career spanning over 30 years. She talks to Nick ahead of her show on Novemver 26th at The Stables.

Nick finds out about the brilliant Christmas show coming to The Stables. It's called A Christmas Tail, and it has been devised and created by award-winning street theatre company Dizzy O' Dare. Nick chats to Alana and Mike from the company about this Christmas treat.

And he catches up with Katharine Blake, lead singer of The Medieval Baebes (and founding member of Miranda Sex Garden), who are coming to The Stables with a Christmas show which will include a procession - which everyone can join - to the venue before they perform. Their unique mix of classical, choral and folk will be on show on December 3rd.

For more info, head to stables.org.

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Join Nick Coffer as he speaks to legendary singer Colin Blunstone ahead of his show at The Stables on November 12th, where he will play his seminal solo album, One Year, in full. He talks about the Zombies, running out of money, his sense of loss when the band broke up, and his solo career which led to this brilliant album.

Lady Nade is one of the UK's most distinctive Americana singers. Poet, singer, songwriter, she also loves Nina Simone - whose songbook she brings to life on October 18th. Her career journey is a fascinating one, touched by grief and a sense of sometimes not belonging, and she tells her story articulately and with great warmth.

Nick Beggs shot to fame as part of Kajagoogoo and has enjoyed a highly successul career since, across musical genres. His daughters, Willow and Lula, formed the Beggs Sisters, and Nick will be playing with them at The Stables on 24th November. Hear Nick and Willow talk about being a family band, existentialism, the importance of neurodiversity in creative pursuits and, of course, Lamahl.

Please follow this series in order to be notified of all future episodes. And please tell your friends, it really helps spread the word about the work of The Stables.

A Boutique Broadcast Ltd production.

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Soothe the post summer holiday blues with this lovely episode of Turn Up The Volume. Nigel Planer and Henry Normal are coming to The Stables for an evening of poetry, stories and much more. Nigel is perhaps best known for his role in the Young Ones and has enjoyed a prolifically successful West End career. Henry is the creator behind The Royle Family and the Mrs Merton Show and played a leading role in household favourites such as Gavin & Stacey and Alan Partridge. Hear them talk to Nick about their careers and their absolute love of poetry...

Vonda Shepard was the voice behind the multi award-winning series Ally McBeal, creating the theme tune, as well as producing over 500 tracks for the show. She is also a wonderful, soulful singer songwriter with a fantastic catalogue of work behind her. She's a great listen, for fans and non-fans of Ally alike!

Seckou Keita plays the incredibly complex instrument, the Kora. He writes and performs disarmingly beautiful music. He take Nick on a journey through his West African heritage, his European influences and his passion for the music of his childhood.

More info at stables.org

Produced by Nick Coffer at Boutique Broadcast Ltd

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Some amazing interviews in this latest edition of Turn Up The Volume! from the Stables in Milton Keynes. Nick chats to comedian, writer and broadcaster Dom Joly about his book, The Conspiracy Tourist, and his show, The Conspiracy Tour, which is coming to the venue in September. Dom is absolutely fascinating in this interview, exploring how conspiracy theories are created and then take hold. Who propagates them? What is going on in their world that means they find comfort in them? Can you feel sympathy for conspiracy theorists? And how does all this translate into a comedy show?!

Danny Beard - winner of Drag Race UK - is a wonderful performer, and also an incedibly articulate voice when speaking about prejudice and homophobia. His wide-ranging interview with Nick is insightful, thought-provoking, funny and moving.

And Nick Cope, former lead singer of the Candyskins, explains how he has become the country's finest exponent of indie music for three year olds, while also reminiscing about the Thames Valley indie music scene he grew up in, spawning bands like Radiohead, Supergrass and Slowdive.

More info at stables.org

Produced by Nick Coffer at Boutique Broadcast Ltd

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