Le Pod

...in short, no. But we do need to take a break (it's not you, it's me). We shall be returning in Autumn of this year, better than ever - think of it as a Summer hibernation. Please keep on listening and subscribing if there are episodes that you're yet to catch up on, and we shall catch you soon! Much love, Le Pod xXx

Yes, yes! Welcome, welcome to episode number 18 of Le Pod. As festival season finally raises its weary head after a COVID induced siesta, we decided to sit down with the co-founder of one of Wales' foremost music festivals, Focus Wales. With our guest Andy Jones at the helm, Focus Wales takes place each year across the venues of Wrexham, hosting over 250 acts and putting on numerous conferences and learning opportunities to help those bands along the road to super stardom...or something like that. As always, if you like what you hear please like and subscribe to the podcast. And if you happen to fall head over heels in love with it, pop on over to ko-fi.com/lepod and tip us as many of your hard earned pennies as you can part with. Twitter - @FocusWales Instagram - @focuswales Facebook - @focuswales Website - https://www.focuswales.com/

Yes, yes! Welcome, welcome to episode number 17 of Le Pod. This week we're joined by the singer, songwriter and guitarist of one of our genuine favourite bands of the moment, Sprints, and her name is Karla Chubb. Heralding from Dublin, Ireland the band are currently receiving critical acclaim and attention for their first single 'The Cheek', and March released first EP, 'Manifesto'. Topics tackled during the chat include the growing Irish music community, dealing with imposter syndrome within the heavy music industry, and playing The Great Escape Festival without even setting foot in Brighton! As always, if you like what you hear please like and subscribe to the podcast. And if you happen to fall head over heels in love with it, pop on over to ko-fi.com/lepod and tip us as many of your hard earned pennies as you can part with. Twitter - @sprintsmusic Instagram - @sprintsmusic Facebook - @sprintsmusic Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/27nD8P491xX8UzG3j01eIY?si=67fz24GDQw26vGmlNE120A

Yes, yes! Welcome, welcome to episode number 16 of Le Pod. After a mere 15 episodes we are graced with the presence of radio royalty. Someone with nearly 25 years at the highest levels of the industry, and to top it all off, he's straight from the promised Welsh land. Our guest today, is none other than Huw Stephens. During our time together we mulled over the health of the Welsh Language, how up and coming bands can get the most out of an interview opportunity, and blanking Steve Coogan. As always, if you like what you hear please like and subscribe to the podcast. And if you happen to fall head over heels in love with it, pop on over to ko-fi.com/lepod and tip us as many of your hard earned pennies as you can part with. Twitter - @huwstephens Instagram - @huwstephensdj The Story of Welsh Art (BBC) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000st2g

Yes, yes! Welcome, welcome to episode number 15 of Le Pod. This week we bring you not one but two exciting young bands who are currently clawing their way up the ladder of the South Wales Music Scene. From Blackwood we are joined by Rhys and James of Alt Indie Rock 5 piece, Modern Neutrals. And from the promised land of Newport we have Sam and Luc from Garage Rock band, Finding Aurora. Between the two chats we cover topics including stumbling into a Royal Blood sound check, songwriting from the heart, and why Manic Street Preachers should be a compulsory inclusion on the national curriculum. As always, if you like what you hear please like and subscribe to the podcast. And if you happen to fall head over heels in love with it, pop on over to ko-fi.com/lepod and tip us as many of your hard earned pennies as you can part with. Facebook - @findingaurorauk - @Modernneutralsband Twitter - @findingaurorauk - @modern_neutrals Instagram - @findingaurorauk - @modernneutralsband

Yes, yes! Welcome, welcome to episode number 14 of Le Pod. Filling the guest slot with style and wit this week are 'rust-punk' (a genre coined and trademarked (TBC) during this episode) three-piece from Kent, Lady Bird. We had huge amounts of fun chatting band life after the arrival of a baby, Labour party leafletting on the Newport High Street with Eddie Izzard, and carbon monoxide alarm induced panic attacks. As always, if you like what you hear please like and subscribe to the podcast. And if you happen to fall head over heels in love with it, pop on over to ko-fi.com/lepod and tip us as many of your hard earned pennies as you can part with. Facebook - @thisisladybird Twitter - @ladybirdthisis Instagram - @thisisladybird Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/42QHDuNZVv5k4MtjjfmSWY?si=gDrVGRUnRGiamIE6bXuvPg&nd=1

Yes, yes! Welcome, welcome to episode number 13 of Le Pod. This, the luckiest of episodes, features music journalist, activist, and radio broadcaster, Minty. His award winning podcast 'Minty's Gig Guide to Cardiff' (available on all major platforms) has for several years now been informing live music lovers of the best gigs coming up in each coming week. Highlights include how he cut his teeth in the world of radio, first gig experiences, and publicly debating Axl Roses appalling lateness As always, if you like what you hear please like and subscribe to the podcast. And if you happen to fall head over heels in love with it, pop on over to ko-fi.com/lepod and tip us as many of your hard earned pennies as you can part with. Facebook - @mintysgigguide Twitter - @MintysGigGuide

Yes, yes! Welcome, welcome to episode number 12 of Le Pod. Joining us for this weeks shenanigans is none other than the debonair, witty and destined for disco greatness, Conor Latcham. Having been the front man, guitarist and song writer of Cardiff Indie Rock group, Rainbow Maniac, and with debut solo single, 'Do You Think You're In Love?' poised for imminent release (on March 26th), we had more than enough material to get through for a single episode. We touched on the pros and cons of late night, drunken productivity, transitioning from a band mentality to a solo work ethic, and pot-noodles. As always, if you like what you hear please like and subscribe to the podcast. And if you happen to fall head over heels in love with it, pop on over to ko-fi.com/lepod and tip us as many of your hard earned pennies as you can part with. Facebook - @ImConorLatcham Instagram - @conorlatcham Soundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/conorlatcham Spotify presaves - https://orcd.co/conorlatcham

Yes, yes! Welcome, welcome to episode number 11 of Le Pod. Filling the guest seat this episode are the boys from up and coming Cardiff, Garage rock band, Himalayas. Having just released incendiary new single, 'We Love to Hate', and as they prep for a slew of newly recorded releases as well as a nationwide UK tour, we had a lot to discuss...but instead we chose to spend most of our time talking pink gin and lemon Fanta, catching a baby Billie Eilish in Texas, and how bully-proof cool Prince was. Needless to say, we had a ball. As always, if you like what you hear please like and subscribe to the podcast. And if you happen to fall head over heels in love with it, pop on over to ko-fi.com/lepod and tip us as many of your hard earned pennies as you can part with. Facebook - @Himalayasofficial Twitter - @HimalayasBand Instagram - @himalayasofficial Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/71NBOcJ9lMeXqnbnya1z0x

Yes, yes! Welcome, welcome to episode number 10 of Le Pod - our first, and therefore most important milestone (go us...). Joining us this episode for a slightly more whimsical and trippy conversation than usual is none other than Simon Read of Cardiff band, Quiet Marauder. As we attempt to delve into the inner workings of such a unique band (i.e their debut album spanned 4 volumes and 111 tracks, and one of their most beloved songs goes by the name of 'I Want a Moustache, Dammit') we touch upon topics including toxic masculinity, The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, and the del monte man look a like that appears from Simon's bare brick wall. As always, if you like what you hear please like and subscribe to the podcast. And if you happen to fall head over heels in love with it, pop on over to ko-fi.com/lepod and tip us as many of your hard earned pennies as you can part with. Facebook - @quietmarauder Twitter - @quietmarauder Instagram - @quietmarauder Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/0hO9WBwSpb19RrmLjyyMlN Website - www.quietmarauder.co.uk

Yes, yes! Welcome, welcome to episode number 9 of Le Pod. Joining us on board the good ship Pod this week is rising Blackwood based alt-rock band, Super Marine. Having played at the very last pre-lockdown Le Pub show, and as they gear up to return to the Le Pub stage (pandemic pending...) on July 3rd, they've been a guest that we just knew we had to have on. Topics talked about range from what they envision and feel while song writing, to how to sell out a show, to getting kicked out of an awards ceremony before it's even begun, and much more. As always, if you like what you hear please like and subscribe to the podcast. And if you happen to fall head over heels in love with it, pop on over to ko-fi.com/lepod and tip us as many of your hard earned pennies as you can part with. Facebook - @supermarineband Twitter - @supermarineband Instagram - @supermarineband Website - www.supermarineband.com

Yes, yes! Welcome, welcome to episode number 8 of Le Pod. We bring you an absolute all you can eat buffet of an episode this week, featuring no fewer than 5 separate artists, from different genres and backgrounds that all performed at the recent 'Live Now Festival' streamed straight from the venue of Le Pub. First up we have Welsh singer, songwriter, and purveyor of 'weirdo pop' MADI. After that, is Callum - lead singer and guitarist of folk-punk-emo trio with the greatest band name we've heard in a very long time, Toodles and the Hectic Pity. Keeping this ball rolling is Mogan - a DIY bedroom creator of electronica whose songs simply beg for a full, live audience to properly enjoy them. Our penultimate pitstop comes in the form of Hip-Hop and Rap artist Andrew Ogun who actually performed his very first full live set as part of the Live Now Festival - an accolade that we were more than pleased to both facilitate and behold. Rounding out the episode we chat to Katie, front woman of South Walian garage rock titans, CHROMA. As always, if you like what you hear please like and subscribe to the podcast. And if you happen to fall head over heels in love with it, pop on over to ko-fi.com/lepod and tip us as many of your hard earned pennies as you can part with. Links for those wanting to delve a little deeper; MADI - (Facebook) @madibanduk (Spotify) https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Ha39W0TSEYlfJ9qiHfyHW?si=B-ZoUq8nQyajBI1oBrjSoA Toodles and the Hectic Pity - (Facebook) @toodlesband (Spotify) https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Y30nFQNuiAuEQ7XlqbYci?si=F6n5DbH5QLScKmpbIBYUDg Mogan - (Facebook) @moganism (Spotify) https://open.spotify.com/artist/3JeXOiITaBsq0nEvvwf3g1?si=tMaObjhoQ8e2wVcz1wCxrQ Andrew Ogun - (Facebook) Andrew Ogun CHROMA - (Facebook) @CHROMAbanduk (Spotify) https://open.spotify.com/artist/4OFrB5SVIJMmI2bbLFvaj2?si=oEXe7t_ASG6Ep-jSdLbaXA

Yes, yes! Welcome, welcome to episode 7 of Le Pod. This is the first of (hopefully) many ventures into the world beyond music, with this episode's destination being professional wrestling. Guiding us through this foray into wrestling is the one and only "Whiskey Chaser" Martyn Grant. He's one half of high flying, tag team High & Mighty, who recently made waves with their innovative, 'Dojo Deathmatch' which is now available to watch over on their youtube channel. Amongst many other topics we get into the nitty grittys of the relationship between wrestling and music, the stigma that often surrounds professional wrestling, and which skills are most important to an aspiring wrestler. As always, if you like what you hear please like and subscribe to the podcast. And if you happen to fall head over heels in love with it, pop on over to ko-fi.com/lepod and tip us as many of your hard earned pennies as you can part with. Facebook - @highandmightywrestling Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWiFTHfp4AOc3QOAHhsgJtw

Yes, yes! Welcome, welcome to episode number 6 of Le Pod. In this final episode of 2020 (and good riddance to bad rubbish of a year, am I right?!) we are joined by none other than Mr. Sean McGowan. The conversation flowed all over topics from drive-in concert experiences, to the layers of meaning in Star Wars, and famous twitter followers. As always, if you like what you hear please like and subscribe to the podcast. And if you happen to fall head over heels in love with it, pop on over to ko-fi.com/lepod and tip us as many of your hard earned pennies as you can part with. Facebook - @seanmcgowanmusicuk Twitter - @seanmcgowanuk Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/4Nc0bSHOyLhc10qbLmjPqZ?si=qHPJ4u4uRse35BgK33F7og

Yes, yes! Welcome, welcome to episode number 5 of Le Pod. This week we spoil you with another double header - 1 episode, 2 guests, 3 different people. We chat to Jasper and Caitlin from up and coming, Community Interest Company, Rose Parade Recording Co., and also to Tom, the lead singer, song writer and front man of South Wales Indie Punk band, Bedford Falls. On our aural travels we touch on the tyranny of Spotify, COVID (again), and the beauty of not selling your soul for rock 'n' roll super stardom. As always, if you like what you hear please like and subscribe to the podcast. And if you happen to fall head over heels in love with it, pop on over to ko-fi.com/lepod and tip us as many of your hard earned pennies as you can part with. Facebook (Rose) - @roseparaderecordco Facebook (Bedford) - @bedfordfallsrock Instagram (Rose) - roseparaderecordco Instagram (Bedford) - bedfordfallscdf Twitter (Rose) - @roserecording Instagram (Bedford) - @Bedford_Falls

Yes, yes! Welcome, welcome to episode number 4 of Le Pod. This episode's guest is a special one in many ways - he's a Welsh record smashing runner, a singer, guitarist and songwriter in several different bands, and on top of all that, he's friends with Ghostpoet. He is the one and only Jimmy Watkins. As always, if you like what you hear please like and subscribe to the podcast. And if you happen to fall head over heels in love with it, pop on over to ko-fi.com/lepod and tip us as many of your hard earned pennies as you can part with. Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jimmy.watkins.31 Instagram - @nutbushjimmylimits Twitter - @biggytimkins Website - https://www.runningpunks.com/

Yes, yes. Welcome, welcome to episode 3 of Le Pod. This week we are joined all the way from sunny Los Angeles, by the one and only, Chris Farren. Yes, THAT Chris Farren - the properly talented, famous and hilarious man himself. We get into it on the subjects of what makes a good Christmas song, being attacked by a turkey at the most inconvenient time (not sure there is a convenient time to be attacked by a turkey...), and the joys of painting smoking animals. As always, if you like what you hear please like and subscribe to the podcast. And if you happen to fall head over heels in love with it, pop on over to ko-fi.com/lepod and tip us as many of your hard earned pennies as you can part with. Facebook - @chrisfarren Twitter - @chrisfarren Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisfarren/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/6wnLSjE93qaj9uf3rVaM3N

Yes, yes. Welcome, welcome to the first Le Pod bonus episode! There's just too much good stuff going on in the world to wait until next week to bring it to you (despite what the news may be telling you...). This week we chat to not one but TWO guests - first up are the gentlemen from local post-rock trio Aaronson. Coming straight after them are the wonderful organisers of Art On The Hill. Conversation topics include, but are by no means limited to effects pedals, the plight of the artist, and Taylor Swift vs Kim Kardashian. As always, if you like what you hear please like and subscribe to the podcast. And if you happen to fall head over heels in love with it, pop on over to ko-fi.com/lepod and tip us as many of your hard earned pennies as you can part with. Aaronson; Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aaronsoncentral Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/aaronsoncentral/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/AaronsonCentral Art On The Hill; Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AOTH.NP20 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/aoth.np20/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/AOTH_NP20

Yes, yes. Welcome, welcome. It's episode 2 of Le Pod, and in this episode we chat to none other than the bass playing wild man of Larry & His Flask, Jesse Marshall. Nestled amongst much interesting waffle and chit chat, we talk about states of being in the United States, playing bluegrass on Warped Tour, and his setting sail on a solo career. Once again, if you like what you hear and what we're trying to do with Le Pod, consider heading on over to ko-fi.com/lepod and tipping us a few precious pennies, or simply subscribe to Le Pod on your favourite podcasting platform.

Episode 1 has arrived! I chat with Sam Dabb, the venue manager of Le Pub. We talk about the running of a music venue during a seemingly eternal lockdown, the influence of the punk and DIY community in her life, and, very briefly, Nickleback. A massive shoutout to Exit_International for graciously permitting us to use their 'Chainsaw Song' as our theme music. Once again, if you like what you hear and what we're trying to do with Le Pod, consider heading on over to ko-fi.com/lepod and tipping us a few precious pennies.