Low Noise is a weekly podcast, which provides a (fairly) in-depth analysis of popular music and culture in (approximately) fifteen minutes. These episodes have been recorded ‘on the spot’ using the Low Noise Mobile Recording Studio (my iPad) at various locations throughout the UK. All broadcasts are recorded with passion, enthusiasm and substance. Low noise - high output. Thank you for listening!
Artificial intelligence is suddenly everywhere in music: writing songs, generating voices, creating performances and raising uncomfortable questions about creativity, ownership and what it means to be an artist.But is AI really the unprecedented disruption it appears to be? Music has always evolved alongside technology, from synthesisers and drum machines to sampling, Auto-Tune and digital production.In this episode of Low Noise, we consider the arguments, the anxieties and the possibilities. Is AI a threat to musicians, simply another creative tool or the next stage in music's continuing evolution?In this episode I am in discussion with musician Keith Cheshire.I hope you enjoy this recording...Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).
David Crosby is one of those musicians whose life story can sometimes obscure his music.The Byrds. Crosby, Stills & Nash. Laurel Canyon. Drugs, prison, fallouts, extraordinary excess and, eventually, an equally extraordinary late creative revival.It's quite a story.But take all of that away and something much more interesting remains.Because David Crosby made some very strange music.His guitar tunings didn't always behave as expected. His songs could seem to drift rather than progress. Harmonies appeared in unexpected places. And when much American songwriting seemed to be heading towards increasingly definite forms, Crosby was often interested in ambiguity.Nowhere is that more apparent than on his 1971 solo album If I Could Only Remember My Name — a record populated by some of the most celebrated musicians of its generation, but which somehow feels less like a collection of songs than a place you temporarily inhabit.And then, remarkably, decades later, Crosby began making some of the most adventurous music of his career.So beyond the mythology, the arguments and that unmistakable moustache, what made David Crosby musically different? And have we perhaps underestimated him? In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber.I hope you enjoy this recording...Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).
What makes The War on Drugs sound so familiar, yet so completely their own? Drawing on the widescreen sweep of classic American rock, Adam Granduciel and his band transform guitars, synthesisers and repetition into something hazy, hypnotic and strangely timeless. We explore the music, influences and atmosphere of The War on Drugs — and ask how heartland rock became a dreamscape.In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber.https://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).
Can an album be nostalgic for a future that never arrived?When Donald Fagen released The Nightfly in 1982, it sounded unlike anything else. Immaculately produced, filled with jazz sophistication and lyrical detail, it looked back to the optimism of 1950s America through the eyes of a teenager convinced that tomorrow would always be brighter than today.But beneath its flawless surface lies something more poignant. Is The Nightfly really a celebration of the American Dream, or is it an elegy for a vision of the future that quietly slipped away? I'm Mathew Woodall, and this is Low Noise. Tune in to one of the finest solo albums ever made and asking why, more than forty years later, The Nightfly still sounds like tomorrow.In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber.https://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).
Can music change the atmosphere of a room without demanding your attention?Few bands have occupied that strange, beautiful space quite like The Durutti Column. Often associated with Factory Records, post-punk and Manchester, Vini Reilly's music somehow exists outside all of those labels. Delicate, melancholic and quietly virtuosic, these are records that whisper rather than shout.But why has The Durutti Column remained a treasured secret for some listeners while never quite entering the wider conversation? And what makes music this understated continue to resonate in an increasingly noisy world? I'm Mathew Woodall, and this is Low Noise. Today we're spending some time with one of Britain's most singular musical voices.In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber.https://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).
How did Hotel California become one of the defining albums of the 1970s?Released in 1976, Hotel California found the Eagles at a remarkable creative peak. Beautifully produced and meticulously arranged, it combines soaring harmonies, memorable songwriting and superb musicianship with an atmosphere that remains instantly recognisable nearly fifty years later.In this episode of Low Noise, we return to an album that contains some of the Eagles' most celebrated music, from the extraordinary title track and the widescreen beauty of “New Kid in Town” to the delicacy of “Wasted Time” and the epic guitar interplay of “The Last Resort”.We explore the arrival of Joe Walsh, the changing sound of the band and the extraordinary craft behind a record that could be both polished and melancholy, expansive and intimate.There are darker shadows here too — fame, excess and disillusionment sit alongside the seductive mythology of California. But above all, we ask what makes Hotel California such an enduring, evocative and genuinely beautiful album.Was this really the end of the California dream — or its most perfectly realised musical expression?In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber.https://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).
What does In Another World reveal about one of the most intriguing bands of the last forty years?In this episode of Low Noise, we discuss Graeme Thomson's In Another World: The Four Seasons of Talk Talk, a book that traces the remarkable evolution of Talk Talk, from their early synth-pop beginnings to the increasingly ambitious, uncompromising music of The Colour of Spring, Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock.We explore Thomson's portrait of Mark Hollis and the band, the decisions and circumstances that shaped their changing sound, and what the book adds to our understanding of a group that seemed determined to move further away from what was expected of them.Is the familiar story of Talk Talk's transformation quite as straightforward as we think, and what does In Another World reveal when we look again?In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber.https://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).
What does it mean to be remembered—not loudly, not dramatically—but in a way that quietly refuses to fade?Forget Me Nots is a song by American R&B musician Patrice Rushen, released in 1982 by Elektra Records as the first single from her seventh album, Straight from the HeartThe song is co-written by Rushen with Freddie Washington and Terri McFaddin, and was produced by Rushen. Although it received very little support from the record label, it became successful in the UK, peaking No. 8 on the Singles Chart.The song has been covered directly by several artists, but more significantly has been sampled frequently, including: George Michael in "Fastlove" (1996), and in Will Smith's 1997 hit "Men in Black" from the soundtrack to the film of the same name.In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber.https://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).
What does it sound like when a musician commits fully to a moment that won't come again?The Köln Concert is a live solo double album by pianist Keith Jarrett recorded at the Opera House in Köln, West Germany, on 24 January 1975. It unfolds without a score -just improvisation, in real time, and the subtle pressure of the room.You hear everything: the mechanics of the piano, the resonance of the space, even Jarrett's own voice - unfiltered, part of the texture rather than separate from it. Nothing is corrected or contained.And that's where its endurance lies. The Köln Concert doesn't present a finished idea; it documents attention itself. Constraint becomes material. Repetition becomes structure. Time becomes audible.In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber.https://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).
What happens when electronic music chooses restraint over excess, when it speaks softly, but still leaves a mark?Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, often shortened to OMD, formed in Merseyside in 1978 by Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys. Their sound sits in that space between pop clarity and experimental intent. Synthesizers, drum machines, fragments of melody, but arranged with a kind of careful distance.OMD's influence sits quietly but widely across electronic and pop music. Not through spectacle, but through reduction showing how little is needed for something to endure.Described as one of the most influential synth-pop acts in history, OMD have inspired many artists across diverse genres and disciplines.In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber.https://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).
What happens when punk stops trying to shock and starts trying to haunt?In this episode, we revisit The Scream, the extraordinary debut album by Siouxsie & the Banshees. Nearly fifty years on, it still feels unlike anything else released during the first wave of punk. Sparse, unsettling and fiercely original, The Scream pointed towards post-punk before the genre even had a name.From John McKay's jagged guitar work and Kenny Morris's restless drumming to Siouxsie's commanding, enigmatic voice, we explore how the band created an atmosphere that was as important as the songs themselves.In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber.https://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).
The Set Up is the 6th album by The Delines, the American group formed in the early 2010s. Known for their understated arrangements and deeply human storytelling, the band blends elements of soul, country, and Americana into a sound that feels both intimate and cinematic. Central to that identity is the voice of Amy Boone, whose delivery brings a quiet gravity to songs often focused on lives lived at the margins.In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber.https://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).
What happens when one of the greatest voices in popular music takes to the stage at the age of 85?In this episode, I look back on an unforgettable evening at the Royal Albert Hall, where I had the privilege of seeing the legendary Dionne Warwick perform live. From her gospel beginnings and groundbreaking collaborations with Burt Bacharach and Hal David to a career spanning more than six decades, Dionne Warwick has become one of the defining voices of twentieth-century popular music. But what is it like to see an artist with such an extraordinary legacy perform today? How do the songs stand up in a live setting, and what makes an evening like this so memorable?Along the way, we'll reflect on the unique atmosphere of the Royal Albert Hall and consider why her music continues to resonate with audiences across generations.Can a concert become more than simply a performance? Does hearing these songs live reveal something new about an artist whose work has become part of our collective musical memory? And what does it feel like to witness a true icon still sharing her music with the world?In this episode I am in discussion with Bhoke.https://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).
Did one hit hide a truly remarkable band?For many people, Quantum Jump begin and end with The Lone Ranger—a quirky hit that briefly lit up the charts in the late 1970s. But behind that unlikely success was a group of exceptional musicians whose blend of rock, jazz, funk and progressive influences defied easy categorisation.In this episode we look beyond the novelty of their best-known single to uncover the story of a band whose musical ambition far exceeded their commercial success. Featuring outstanding performances, inventive songwriting and a willingness to ignore convention, Quantum Jump deserve to be remembered for far more than one memorable chorus.Join us as we ask whether one hit inadvertently overshadowed one of Britain's most distinctive and accomplished bands.In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber.https://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).
Furniture were one of the most distinctive British bands of the 1980s, combining literate songwriting, sophisticated arrangements and an unmistakable sense of style. Despite critical acclaim and a loyal following, mainstream success largely eluded them. In this episode of Low Noise, we explore the story of a band that seemed destined for greater recognition, examining their music, their influences and the reasons why Furniture remain one of Britain's most fascinating forgotten groups.In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber.https://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).
Was Green Gartside Pop's Great Outsider?In this episode of Low Noise, we explore the remarkable story of Scritti Politti and their elusive frontman Green Gartside. Emerging from the politically charged post-punk scene of the late 1970s, Scritti Politti evolved into one of the most distinctive and sophisticated pop groups of the 1980s, creating music that was both intellectually ambitious and irresistibly melodic. We discuss Green Gartside's unique journey, the band's transformation from DIY radicals to chart contenders, and the songs that helped define their sound. Along the way, we consider how ideas about language, politics and culture found their way into some of the most polished pop records of the decade. Was Green Gartside the smartest man in pop? Were Scritti Politti ahead of their time? And why does their music still sound so fresh today?In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber.https://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).
What makes a performance become more than just a concert?In August 1969, as the Woodstock festival drew to a close, Jimi Hendrix stepped onto the stage in front of a much smaller crowd than the one that had gathered over the previous three days. Yet what followed would become one of the most discussed and enduring live performances in rock history. In this episode of Low Noise, we revisit Hendrix's legendary Woodstock appearance, exploring the music, the mythology and the cultural moment that transformed a festival set into a defining symbol of an era. From his electrifying guitar work to the famous interpretation of The Star-Spangled Banner, we ask what audiences saw and heard in 1969, and what listeners continue to hear more than half a century later. Was Woodstock the pinnacle of Hendrix's live career, a political statement, a technical masterclass, or something altogether more elusive? Join us as we look beyond the iconic photographs and familiar stories to discover why this performance still resonates today.And stay tuned until the end, when my guest shares an extraordinary story involving a Ouija board and an unexpected encounter with the spirit of Jimi Hendrix...In this episode I am in discussion with Keith Cheshire.https://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).
This week I went to see Rickie Lee Jones at the Barbican in London. It wasn't a concert in the usual sense. It felt more like being invited into somebody's world for a couple of hours, a world built from jazz clubs, late-night conversations, drifting highways, poetry, memory and beautifully fractured songs.Jones has always occupied her own corner of American music. Too jazzy for straightforward rock, too literary for pop, too restless to stay in one place stylistically. From the extraordinary run of albums that began with Rickie Lee Jones and Pirates, through to the experimental material later in her career, she's remained an artist who follows instinct rather than expectation. In this episode we're discussing the Barbican performance and why Jones still feels like such a singular presence decades into her career.In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber.https://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).
Why does Getting Away With It still sound so impossibly sophisticated? In this episode of Low Noise, we explore the debut single by Electronic, the collaboration between Bernard Sumner, Johnny Marr (and Neil Tennant) that briefly united two of the defining musical worlds of the 1980s. Released at the close of the decade, Getting Away With It feels suspended between confidence and insecurity, glamour and emptiness, sincerity and performance. With its immaculate production, layered synths and quietly devastating lyrics, the song captures a particular kind of late-night modernity: elegant on the surface, uncertain underneath. A song about confidence, alienation and possibly pretending to feel more certain than you really are.In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber.https://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).
What keeps Elvis Presley alive in the cultural imagination decades after his death?In this episode we explore EPiC, Baz Luhrmann's visually dense documentary meditation on Elvis Presley and the machinery of myth-making that surrounds him. Constructed from archive footage, fragmented memories and Luhrmann's trademark sensory overload, EPiC presents Elvis not simply as a musician, but as an evolving cinematic symbol, one continuously reshaped by nostalgia, media and American culture itself. We discuss spectacle, authenticity, celebrity construction and the tension between the real Elvis and the performed Elvis. Along the way, the conversation drifts into analogue media, historical revision, cultural memory and why certain icons never seem to disappear. A documentary about Elvis — but also about the way popular culture endlessly remixes its own legends.In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber.https://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).
How can one of the most successful bands in British history become almost invisible?In this episode, I explore the story of The Shadows, a group whose distinctive sound helped shape British popular music long before the arrival of the Merseybeat era. For a time, their influence seemed to be everywhere: in guitar shops, on the radio, and in the playing of countless young musicians trying to recreate those precise instrumental melodies and echoing tones. In this episode, I look at the group's sound, style and cultural significance, and consider why a band once central to British pop history now feels strangely overlooked. From instrumental hits to their close association with Cliff Richard, The Shadows occupy a fascinating place in the story of post-war British music. We also reflect on the enduring appeal of the instrumental record, and the quiet power of melody, restraint and atmosphere.In this episode I am in discussion with Keith Cheshire.https://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).
What does it mean for an album to sound effortless?Released in 1988, Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars by Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians arrived at a moment when polish often equalled intent. And yet, this record seems to resist that logic, drifting between folk, jazz and pop with a looseness that feels almost accidental. In this episode, we explore how that looseness is constructed. Because beneath the offhand delivery and conversational tone, there's something far more deliberate at work. Songs stretch, hesitate, and circle back on themselves. Nothing feels forced, but nothing is entirely casual either. It's an album that doesn't push for attention, and perhaps that's why it endures. A record built on instinct, restraint, and the quiet confidence of not needing to prove anything.Sometimes, precision isn't about control, it's about knowing when to let things be.I do hope that you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).
What happens when a record label tries to map the sound of a moment?Originally released in 1970, Fill Your Head With Rock is a double LP sampler that captures a shifting musical landscape, where folk, rock, jazz and experimentation begin to overlap. Featuring artists such as Santana, Chicago and The Byrds, it feels less like a compilation and more like a curated snapshot of transition. In this episode, we explore the sampler as an artefact -how it functioned as both introduction and invitation, a way of guiding listeners through a rapidly expanding catalogue of sound.I this episode I am in discussion with Keith Cheshire.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
What does it mean to make music that feels both rooted in the past and quietly expansive at the same time? In this episode, we step into the world of Jonathan Wilson, a songwriter, producer, and sonic architect whose work draws from Laurel Canyon tradition while reaching into something more immersive and textural. This is music shaped as much in the studio as it is in the song itself, layered, detailed, and deeply attentive to sound and space. Not just compositions, but environments.I do hope that you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
What does it mean to compose music that feels both ancient and futuristic at the same time?In this episode, we drift into the haunting, textural world of Jóhann Jóhannsson, a composer whose work dissolves the boundaries between classical form, ambient sound, and cinematic atmosphere.This is not background music. It's a space to inhabit. Tune in, slow down, and listen closely.I do hope that you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
What happens when a pop album stops behaving like a collection of songs and starts operating like a system?In this episode, we explore Slave to the Rhythm, the 1985 collaboration between Grace Jones and Trevor Horn that blurs the line between pop, performance art, and studio experiment. Built from fragments, repetitions, and reconfigurations of a single track, the album feels less like a record and more like a hall of mirrors, where identity, authorship, and control begin to dissolve.I do hope that you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
Can an album feel like a place?Pacific Ocean Blue drifts somewhere between coastline and confession. In this episode of Low Noise, we consider its sound, its mood, and the quiet ambition behind one of the most distinctive records to emerge from the The Beach Boys orbit.I do hope that you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
In this episode, we take a measured look at My Sharona by The Knack — a track often remembered for its immediacy and impact, but less frequently examined for how carefully it's constructed.We explore the tension at the heart of the song: its undeniable catchiness set against a raw, almost obsessive lyrical perspective. Along the way, we consider the musical economy of the arrangement, the role of repetition in driving momentum, and how the band managed to capture a sense of urgency that still feels intact decades later.Rather than simply revisiting a well-known hit, this episode asks why My Sharona endures — and what it reveals about power pop at the moment it briefly took centre stage.A hit that exploded onto the airwaves in 1979, My Sharona is immediate, precise, and irresistible. In this episode, we explore why the song became inescapable, what made it so effective, and what its story reveals about hits, timing, and the craft behind the pop single.
Why did everyone suddenly know the name ‘Sharona' in 1979? In this episode, we unpack My Sharona by The Knack, a hit that exploded onto the airwaves and became impossible to avoid. We explore what made it so compelling, how it captured the moment, and what it tells us about the anatomy of a perfect pop single.I do hope that you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
In this episode I explore Zazu, the 1986 debut (and still the only) album by American model, singer, and songwriter Rosie Vela.The album was produced by Gary Katz, best known for his work with Steely Dan. Donald Fagen also appears on keyboards and Walter Becker on guitar across several tracks. Legendary session musician Tony Levin also contributes, playing Chapman Stick on the songs Tonto and the title track Zazu. Critically, the album was well received but despite the positive reviews, it struggled commercially in the United States. In the UK the album reached No. 20 on the UK Albums Chart, while Magic Smile also entered the UK Top 30. After being out of print on CD for nearly two decades, the album finally returned in 2011 thanks to a reissue from Cherry Red.I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
In this episode, we are investigating the beautifully worn, late-night world of American Music Club, one of the most quietly powerful and overlooked bands to emerge from the American indie underground of the late '80s and early '90s.Guided by the singular songwriting of Mark Eitzel, their music drifts between folk, slow-burn rock, and torch-song balladry, unfolding like confessions shared after midnight. We explore the emotional undercurrent that runs through their work, songs steeped in heartbreak, dark wit, vulnerability, and hard-won tenderness. Whether you've carried these records with you for years or you're hearing them for the first time, this episode explores why American Music Club's music still resonates - intimate, fragile, and enduring.I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
Heartbeat City is the sleek, neon-lit fifth album by the American rock band The Cars,Released in 1984 by Elektra Records the album marked a turning point: for the first time, the band stepped away from longtime producer Roy Thomas Baker and teamed up with meticulous hitmaker Robert John "Mutt" Lange. The result was a polished, high-gloss sound that defined mid-'80s radio.The gamble paid off. Heartbeat City became a commercial juggernaut, spinning off massive singles and earning quadruple platinum certification in the United States. Its icy synths, punchy guitars, and hook-heavy songwriting captured the futuristic optimism of the era.One track, “Drive,” transcended pop success to become part of global history. The ballad became inextricably linked with Live Aid after it underscored a powerful video montage of the Ethiopian famine during the London concert, turning a chart hit into an anthem of empathy for millions watching around the world. With Heartbeat City, The Cars didn't just refine their sound, they helped soundtrack a defining cultural moment of the 1980s.I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
An exploration of the groundbreaking American rock band The Doors. Taking their name from Aldous Huxley's visionary work The Doors of Perception, The Doors emerged in the mid-1960s as one of the most influential—and controversial—acts of their era. Blending blues, psychedelia, flamenco flourishes, and avant-garde experimentation, the band crafted a sound that was both darkly poetic and unmistakably original. At the centre stood Jim Morrison, whose baritone voice, symbol-laden lyrics, and volatile stage presence became the band's defining force. Morrison's fascination with existentialism, rebellion, and altered states of consciousness shaped songs that felt less like pop singles and more like theatrical, sometimes dangerous, artistic statements. His increasingly erratic behavior and legal troubles only amplified the group's notoriety, cementing their reputation as countercultural icons. Yet The Doors were far more than their frontman. Keyboardist Ray Manzarek's swirling organ lines, guitarist Robby Krieger's flamenco-tinged riffs, and drummer John Densmore's jazz-inflected rhythms combined to create a distinctive, bass-less sonic landscape that remains instantly recognizable. Decades after Morrison's death, The Doors continue to command a massive, multi-generational following. With over 10 million monthly listeners on Spotify, their music resonates as strongly today as it did in the 1960s. From lifelong devotees to teenagers discovering them for the first time, new audiences continue to find meaning in their haunting melodies and provocative themes. Widely regarded as a foundational rock band, their influence can be heard across alternative, gothic, and psychedelic rock movements that followed. I hope you enjoy this episode as we delve into the artistry, mythology, and enduring cultural impact of The Doors. I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
A (relatively) in-depth analysis of Director's Cut by the English singer-songwriter Kate Bush.Released in 2011, the album consists of new versions of songs from the earlier albums The Sensual World (1989) and The Red Shoes (1993). All tracks have new lead vocals, drums, and instrumentation and are remixed and restructured. Some song were transposed to a lower key to accommodate Bush's lowering voice. Three of the songs, including 'This Woman's Work', have been completely re-recorded, often with lyrics changed in places. Bush described the album as a new project rather than a collection of remixes.It was Bush's first album release since 2005's Aerial and the first on her own record label, Fish People. Bush wrote all of the songs and lyrics with the exception of lines borrowed from James Joyce. The album has received mostly positive critical reviews.I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
A (relatively) in-depth analysis of Boat to Bolivia by British rock/folk/pop band Martin Stephenson and the Daintees.Having become busking sensations the group were signed by Kitchenware around the same time as Prefab Sprout and released their first single in 1982. Like other Kitchenware acts the group had its origins in the North East England. The band enjoyed a high critical profile and some minor commercial success. Their best-selling and most acclaimed album is Boat to Bolivia released in 1986.Both The Daintees and Martin Stephenson have remained active in recent years. Stephenson currently lives in the highlands of Scotland and splits his time between solo and small collaborative projects with band albums and annual celebratory Daintees UK tours.I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
A (relatively) in-depth analysis of Ride Like the Wind by American singer-songwriter and musician Christopher Cross.Released in 1980, Ride Like the Wind was the lead single from Cross' Grammy-winning 1979 self-titled debut album. On the album's inner sleeve, Cross dedicated this song to Lowell George, formerly of the band Little Feat (do take a listen to my Little Feat episode). The song features backing vocals by Michael McDonald. Although the single never charted in the UK, it reached number two in the USRide Like the Wind has not been covered extensively, although in 1991, Italian dance music group East Side Beat covered the song and in 2013 Belgian DJ Laurent Wéry released a version.Donald Fagen and Walter Becker of Steely Dan once invited Cross to play on their albums, but Cross declined as he belived the experience would be far too intimidating.I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
A (relatively) in-depth analysis of the album No Other by American singer-songwriter and musician Gene Clark.Released in 1974, No Other was Clark's fourth solo album. Largely dismissed by critics at the time it was a commercial failure. The studio time and cost were seen as indulgent by Asylum Records who did not promote the album, eventually deleting it from their catalogue a few years after its release. Clark never recovered from the failure of the album. It has since been positively reappraised and prior to Clark's death in 1991 it was reissued on CD. In the early 2000s it was reissued a second time to further reappraisal, being referred to as a lost masterpiece. In 2019 4AD launched another reissue campaign releasing the album as a CD, LP, deluxe double-CD set, and an expansive super deluxe box set with three SACDs, one Blu-ray disc, a silver-colored LP, and commemorative 80-page book.I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
A (relatively) in-depth analysis of English synth-pop band Blancmange (as well as some other general stuff) in (just over) thirty minutes.Formed in Harrow, London, in 1979 by vocalist Neil Arthur and instrumentalists Stephen Luscombe and Laurence Stevens, the group's name derived from the milky pudding of the same name. Stevens left shortly after the band was formed, and Arthur and Luscombe continued as a duo. They released their first EP, Irene and Mavis in 1980, but widespread exposure came via the track 'Sad Day' featuredon the Some Bizzare compilation album released in 1981. This led to them signing with London Records. Luscombe passed away in 2025 and this episode is dedicated to his contribution to the arts and culture.This is also the final episode of Season 4. Season 5 will begin in February 2026 when I hope you will join us again for more cultural rummaging.To make a classic blancmange, you combine milk, sugar, and a thickening agent (typically cornstarch or gelatin), flavour it with vanilla or other essences, cook until thickened, and then chill until set. Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.(relatively) in-depth analysis of the English rock band Joy Division (as well as some other general stuff) in (just over) thirty minutes.
A (relatively) in-depth analysis of American indie-rock band Low (as well as some other general stuff) in (just under) thirty minutes.Formed in 1993 by Alan Sparhawk (guitar and vocals) and Mimi Parker (drums and vocals), the band was a trio from 1993 to 2020, having featured four different bassists. They disbanded following the death of Parker in 2022.I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.(relatively) in-depth analysis of the English rock band Joy Division (as well as some other general stuff) in (just over) thirty minutes.
A (relatively) in-depth analysis of Original Pirate Material by English hip hop project the Streets (as well as some other general stuff) in (just over) thirty minutes.Released in 2002 by principal member Mike Skinner, the album is musically influenced by UK garage and American hip hop, while its lyrics tell stories of British working-class life. Skinner has also stated that his main early influences were from the United States, in particular Wu-Tang Clan rappers such as Raekwon and RZA, as well as the album Illmatic by Nas.The cover artwork depicts the south face of the Kestrel House tower block on City Road, London at night. The photo was taken in 1995 by German photographer Rut Blees Luxemburg using an eight-minute exposure.I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
A (relatively) in-depth analysis of the album Amarok by English musician Mike Oldfield.Released in 1990 by Virgin Records, Oldfield originally conceived it as an 'angry protest album'. It is presented as a single sixty-minute track of continuous, uninterrupted but constantly changing music.Although the album was not promoted with singles or a concert tour at the time, a duo comprising American pianist Gus Fogle and bassist Jason Miller performed the piece in April 2012, after it had been transcribed note for note by Welsh composer and arranger Ryan Yard.'I am told that when men hear its voice, it stays in their ears, they cannot be rid of it. It has many different voices: some happy, but others sad. It roars like a baboon, murmurs like a child, drums like the blazing arms of one thousand drummers, rustles like water in a glass, sings like a lover and laments like a priest...' William Murray (from the short story included in the album liner notes).I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
A (relatively) in-depth analysis of the Scottish rock/soul/funk band Love and Money (as well as some other general stuff) in (just under) twenty five minutes.Formed in 1985 in Glasgow, Love and Money was created by three former members of Friends Again (singer-songwriter and guitarist James Grant, drummer Stuart Kerr and keyboardist Paul McGeechan) along with bassist Bobby Paterson, who replaced Friends Again's Neil Cunningham and who had been a member of Set the Tone, a band previously signed to Island Records in 1983. In their initial nine years together they recorded four moderately successful albums, three of which were released in the United States, and had six chart hits in the United Kingdom.Love and Money went their separate ways in 1994, although they did regroup for one final gig at Glasgow Barrowland on 23 December 1994 entitled 'Love and Money: RIP'. They also reformed for a show at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall as part of Celtic Connections 2011. Strange Kind of Love was re-issued by Cherry Red Records in 2010 and includes six unreleased demos and forewords from Grant, McGeechan and producer Gary KatzDogs In Traffic was reissued in 2022 on vinyl and CD. The CD contained six bonus tracks.I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
A (relatively) in-depth analysis of the English post-rock band Bark Psychosis (as well as some other general stuff) in (just under) twenty five minutes.Originally, Bark Psychosis was a quartet of Graham Sutton, Daniel Gish, John Ling and Mark Simnett. This line-up (with contributions from other passing members) recorded early singles and EPs plus the debut album Hex, before gradually dissolving over the course of 1994, with Sutton moving on to his drum and bass project Boymerang and to production work. Sutton reformed the group in 2004 without any of the other previous members, as a flexible project in which he was supported by a shifting roster of guest musicians (including Talk Talk drummer Lee Harris and experimental guitarist Colin Bradley of Dual).In 2005, Bark Psychosis released the 400 Winters EP. This featured three Dustsucker album tracks 'deconstructed and reassembled' by Colin Bradley.Bark Psychosis has been dormant since 2005, mainly due to Sutton concentrating on his work as a producer. Pendulum Man was featured in the 2008 movie Definitely, Maybe.In 2017 Hex was reissued on vinyl and CD on Fire Records.I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.(relatively) in-depth analysis of the English rock band Joy Division (as well as some other general stuff) in (just over) thirty minutes.Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook formed the band (initially called Warsaw) after attending a 1976 Sex Pistols concert. While Joy Division's first recordings were heavily influenced by punk, they soon developed a sparse sound and style that made them one of the pioneering groups of the post-punk genre. Their self-released 1978 debut EP An Ideal for Living drew the attention of Tony Wilson, who signed them to his independent label Factory Records. Their debut album Unknown Pleasures, recorded with producer Martin Hannett, was released in 1979.Despite a short career, Joy Division have exerted a wide-reaching influence and achieved widespread critical acclaim.I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future. (as well as some other general stuff) in (just over) thirty minutes.Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook formed the band (initially called Warsaw) after attending a 1976 Sex Pistols concert. While Joy Division's first recordings were heavily influenced by punk, they soon developed a sparse sound and style that made them one of the pioneering groups of the post-punk genre. Their self-released 1978 debut EP An Ideal for Living drew the attention of Tony Wilson, who signed them to his independent label Factory Records. Their debut album Unknown Pleasures, recorded with producer Martin Hannett, was released in 1979.Despite a short career, Joy Division have exerted a wide-reaching influence and achieved widespread critical acclaim.I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
A (relatively) in-depth analysis of the English rock band Joy Division (as well as some other general stuff) in (just over) thirty minutes.Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook formed the band (initially called Warsaw) after attending a 1976 Sex Pistols concert. While Joy Division's first recordings were heavily influenced by punk, they soon developed a sparse sound and style that made them one of the pioneering groups of the post-punk genre. Their self-released 1978 debut EP An Ideal for Living drew the attention of Tony Wilson, who signed them to his independent label Factory Records. Their debut album Unknown Pleasures, recorded with producer Martin Hannett, was released in 1979.Despite a short career, Joy Division have exerted a wide-reaching influence and achieved widespread critical acclaim.I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
A (relatively) in-depth analysis of the musical group Gong (as well as some other general stuff) in (just over) twenty five minutes. The band were formed in Paris in 1967 by Australian musician Daevid Allen and English vocalist Gilli Smyth. Band members have included Didier Malherbe, Pip Pyle, Steve Hillage, Mike Howlett, Tim Blake, Pierre Moerlen, Bill Laswell and Theo Travis. Others who have played on stage with Gong include Don Cherry, Chris Cutler, Bill Bruford, Brian Davison, Dave Stewart and Tatsuya Yoshida.Gong's 1970 debut album, Magick Brother, featured a psychedelic rock sound. By the following year, the second album, Camembert Electrique, featured the more psychedelic rock/space rock sound with which they would be most associated.Gong's influence has been seen in artists such as Ozric Tentacles and Insane Clown Posse. Gong's music has also found appreciation from withn the ambient music scene.I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
A (relatively) in-depth analysis of the album 'Moon Safari' by French electronic duo Air (as well as some other general stuff) in just under twenty minutes.Released in 1998 by Source and Virgin Records, Moon Safari was acclaimed by critics.It was re-released in 2008 to mark the album's 10th anniversary (including a bound book, a DVD documentary about the duo, and a bonus CD with live performances and remixes). In 2024, it was reissued again to mark the album's 25th anniversary. Who knows, maybe in 2028 we can enjoy a 30th anniversary release! In the meantime, I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
A (relatively) in-depth analysis of the musical group Animals That Swim (as well as some other general stuff) in (just over) twenty five minutes. Formed in London in 1989, the band was initially created by brothers Hugh Barker and Hank Starrs (Jeffery Barker), before adding third brother Al Barker to the line-up (along with Del Crabtree).The band issued two albums on the Elemental label, but work on a third LP eventually dissolved after Elemental was taken over by One Little Indian in 1996. The Snowstorm label commissioned a third album in 1999. The band was inactive from 2001 to 2011, although Snowstorm issued a best of compilation album, Faded Glamour in 2004, with sleevenotes by Hugh Barker.I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
A (relatively) in-depth analysis of Irish rock band Thin Lizzy (as well as some other general stuff) in (just over) twenty five minutes. Formed in Dublin in 1969, the band were led by bassist, songwriter, and singer Phil Lynott until 1984.One of the defining rock groups of the 20th Century, Thin Lizzy became an inspiration for modern heavy rock bands such as Metallica and Alice in Chains.I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
A (relatively) in-depth analysis of the song 'The Captain of Her Heart' by the Swiss duo Double (as well as some other general stuff) in just under twenty minutes.Double was formed in 1983 in Zürich by Felix Haug (drums and keyboards) and Kurt Maloo (guitar and vocals). The high point of their career came shortly after the 1985 release of their first full-length album, Blue, which contained the international smash hit, 'The Captain of Her Heart'.I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
A (relatively) in-depth analysis of British rock band The Railway Children in (just under) twenty minutes. Formed in Wigan in 1984, the group comprised Gary Newby (vocals/guitar/keyboards), Brian Bateman (rhythm/guitar), Guy Keegan (drums), and Stephen Hull (bass).Their debut single A Gentle Sound was released on Factory Records in 1986. This was followed by their debut album, Reunion Wilderness in 1987. They were then signed by Virgin Records and their second album, Recurrence was released in 1988. They supported R.E.M. on tour in Europe and The Sugarcubes in the US. and in 1990, they released the album Native Place, which took a more pop oriented direction. The band parted ways with Virgin Records in 1992, and broke up soon after. Keegan later had a spell in the Wigan-based folk rock band The Tansads, while Hull and Bateman left music for good.In 2016, the original line up of Newby, Keegan, Hull and Bateman reunited for a series of live dates. They went on to play several times over the following two years, including the NYC Popfest, the Shiiine On Weekender and concerts in Manchester, Berlin and London as well as a hometown gig at the Wigan Diggers Festival. Their final concert was at the Borderline, London in December 2018, after which Hull and Bateman decided to bow out of performing for good.In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.railwaychildren.co.uk/https://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
A (relatively) in-depth analysis of pop band The Big Dish in (just under) twenty minutes. Named after Steven Lindsay's father's soup, the group formed in Airdrie, Scotland in 1983 and initially comprised Steven Lindsay (vocals/guitar), David Brownlie (drums), Stuart Hall (saxophone), Mark Ryce (guitar), and John Harper (keyboards). The band was subsequently augmented on stage by Paul Albertis (bass) and John Hendry (drums). As well as releasing three albums, the band supported Lloyd Cole, Big Country and Del Amitri. The group disbanded in 1991, after the release of the single Miss America. In 2012 they reunited to play a sold-out show at Glasgow ABC as part of the Celtic Connections festival and the Darvel Music Festival.Steven Lindsay, Brian McFie, Dave Cantwell and Craig Armstrong continue to be active in the music industry.https://stevenlindsayisbraw.com/In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
© 2020-2026 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
