Podcasts about acpg

Hello and welcome to episode 177 of the ACPG Podcast. This week Ben is in Newcastle and zooming with Matthew Murphy of The Wombats and Love Fame Tragedy who is in LA. Ben and Murph talk about his second album from his side project Love, Fame, Tragedy. We talk about writing for this project and The Wombats, talk about the heritage of great scouse bands (there's a few), playing live, living in LA, and much more. Even for a writer beloved by his fans for being so frank and open about his romantic failings, tempestuous marriage and issues with drugs and depression, Life Is A Killer is Murph's truest and most lyrically raw album to date, documenting one of the most difficult years of his life. As the now sober songwriter navigates his way through balancing life as a new father of two and touring the world with The Wombats, he explores the mental struggles of managing family life amid self-destructive excess. Written in between London and LA, Murph enlisted the help of producers Jacknife Lee (U2, The Killers) and Mark Crew (Bastille, Rag N Bone Man, The Wombats) to push his sonic boundaries further than ever, with new sounds and even voice notes from his wife Akemi. As singer, guitarist and primary songwriter of The Wombats, Murph has sold over a million albums, garnered nearly 2 billion streams, and, in 2022 secured his first ever UK #1 album with the acclaimed Fix Yourself, Not The World. Thank you to Murph, Charlie and Murph's dog for coming on and support with this episode. See you very soon for season six.

Hello and welcome to episode 177 of the ACPG Podcast. This week Ben is in Newcastle and zooming with Matthew Murphy of The Wombats and Love Fame Tragedy who is in LA. Ben and Murph talk about his second album from his side project Love, Fame, Tragedy. We talk about writing for this project and The Wombats, talk about the heritage of great scouse bands (there's a few), playing live, living in LA, and much more. Even for a writer beloved by his fans for being so frank and open about his romantic failings, tempestuous marriage and issues with drugs and depression, Life Is A Killer is Murph's truest and most lyrically raw album to date, documenting one of the most difficult years of his life. As the now sober songwriter navigates his way through balancing life as a new father of two and touring the world with The Wombats, he explores the mental struggles of managing family life amid self-destructive excess. Written in between London and LA, Murph enlisted the help of producers Jacknife Lee (U2, The Killers) and Mark Crew (Bastille, Rag N Bone Man, The Wombats) to push his sonic boundaries further than ever, with new sounds and even voice notes from his wife Akemi. As singer, guitarist and primary songwriter of The Wombats, Murph has sold over a million albums, garnered nearly 2 billion streams, and, in 2022 secured his first ever UK #1 album with the acclaimed Fix Yourself, Not The World. Thank you to Murph, Charlie and Murph's dog for coming on and support with this episode. See you very soon for season six.

Hello and welcome to episode 176 of the ACPG podcast. This episode is the last interview of the series. But don't worry we will be back for a new series and our much loved outro episode. In this episode Ben is zooming with J Willgoose, Esq of the fantastic Public Service Broadcasting. The talk about PSB's new live album, approaching playing live, writing new albums, and more. A celebration of the power of radio written in recognition of the centenary of the BBC, This New Noise saw the band joining forces with the 88 piece BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jules Buckley. A standout performance from 2022's BBC Proms, it received 5*s in The Telegraph who called it “a resonant, timely and ultimately touching show”. Founder member J. Willgoose, Esq. remixed the concert from scratch, bringing out even more depth and texture from a multi-layered performance and showing it in a new light. This New Noise is the second time Public Service Broadcasting have been commissioned for the BBC Proms. In 2019 the band performed an orchestral arrangement of their 2015 studio album The Race for Space with The Multi-Story Orchestra to mark the 50th anniversary of the first manned mission to the Moon. Thank you to J Willgoose, Esq, Jodie, and Elliott for their support with this episode.

Hello and welcome to episode 176 of the ACPG podcast. This episode is the last interview of the series. But don't worry we will be back for a new series and our much loved outro episode. In this episode Ben is zooming with J Willgoose, Esq of the fantastic Public Service Broadcasting. The talk about PSB's new live album, approaching playing live, writing new albums, and more. A celebration of the power of radio written in recognition of the centenary of the BBC, This New Noise saw the band joining forces with the 88 piece BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jules Buckley. A standout performance from 2022's BBC Proms, it received 5*s in The Telegraph who called it “a resonant, timely and ultimately touching show”. Founder member J. Willgoose, Esq. remixed the concert from scratch, bringing out even more depth and texture from a multi-layered performance and showing it in a new light. This New Noise is the second time Public Service Broadcasting have been commissioned for the BBC Proms. In 2019 the band performed an orchestral arrangement of their 2015 studio album The Race for Space with The Multi-Story Orchestra to mark the 50th anniversary of the first manned mission to the Moon. Thank you to J Willgoose, Esq, Jodie, and Elliott for their support with this episode.

“เงิน” ถือเป็นปัจจัยสำคัญของมนุษย์ ดังนั้นจึงมีธุรกิจที่เกี่ยวข้องกับการเงินเกิดขึ้นมามากมาย เพื่อช่วยให้เราบริหารจัดการการเงินได้ดียิ่งขึ้น ไม่ว่าจะเป็นธุรกิจธนาคาร ธุรกิจประกันภัยและประกันชีวิต และ “ธุรกิจบริหารสินทรัพย์” . ใน Mission To The Moon EP. นี้ เราจะพาไปรู้จักกับธุรกิจบริหารสินทรัพย์ ว่าถ้าลงเล่นในธุรกิจนี้แล้วจะต้องมีการเตรียมพร้อมอย่างไร ต้องเจอกับความท้าทายอะไรบ้าง รวมถึงจะทำอย่างไรถึงจะพลิกวิกฤตที่อยู่ตรงหน้า จนกลายเป็นบริษัทที่ประสบความสำเร็จได้ กับคุณกรกฤต คำเรืองฤทธิ์ ประธานเจ้าหน้าที่สายงานบัญชีและการเงิน บมจ. อัลฟาแคปปิตอล พาร์ทเนอร์ส กรุ๊ป จำกัด (มหาชน) หรือ ACPG . #missiontothemoon #missiontothemoonpodcast

“เงิน” ถือเป็นปัจจัยสำคัญของมนุษย์ ดังนั้นจึงมีธุรกิจที่เกี่ยวข้องกับการเงินเกิดขึ้นมามากมาย เพื่อช่วยให้เราบริหารจัดการการเงินได้ดียิ่งขึ้น ไม่ว่าจะเป็นธุรกิจธนาคาร ธุรกิจประกันภัยและประกันชีวิต และ “ธุรกิจบริหารสินทรัพย์” . ใน Mission To The Moon EP. นี้ เราจะพาไปรู้จักกับธุรกิจบริหารสินทรัพย์ ว่าถ้าลงเล่นในธุรกิจนี้แล้วจะต้องมีการเตรียมพร้อมอย่างไร ต้องเจอกับความท้าทายอะไรบ้าง รวมถึงจะทำอย่างไรถึงจะพลิกวิกฤตที่อยู่ตรงหน้า จนกลายเป็นบริษัทที่ประสบความสำเร็จได้ กับคุณกรกฤต คำเรืองฤทธิ์ ประธานเจ้าหน้าที่สายงานบัญชีและการเงิน บมจ. อัลฟาแคปปิตอล พาร์ทเนอร์ส กรุ๊ป จำกัด (มหาชน) หรือ ACPG . #missiontothemoon #missiontothemoonpodcast

Hello and welcome to episode 175 of the ACPG Podcast. This week Ben is zooming with Poppy from the wonderful Girl Ray. We talk about their new album Prestige (the non concept, concept album, my words not theirs). Prestige is a fictional night club where we follow the band on a night out. And a good time is had by all. We speak about the new album, touring, and watching the crowds get bigger. Thank you to Poppy, Jodie, and Elliott for the support with this episode. See you next time for the last interview of the series.

Hello and welcome to episode 175 of the ACPG Podcast. This week Ben is zooming with Poppy from the wonderful Girl Ray. We talk about their new album Prestige (the non concept, concept album, my words not theirs). Prestige is a fictional night club where we follow the band on a night out. And a good time is had by all. We speak about the new album, touring, and watching the crowds get bigger. Thank you to Poppy, Jodie, and Elliott for the support with this episode. See you next time for the last interview of the series.

Hello and welcome to episode 174 of the ACPG Podcast. This week Ben is zooming with Finnish Musician Jaakko Eino Kalevi who was in Athens, Greece at the time of speaking. They had a great conversation about Jaakko's ninth album, Chaos Magic. They also spoke about the writing process, playing live and having a career in music. Thank you to Jaako for his time and Stasi for setting up the interview. Catch s next time when Ben is talking to Poppy from the band Girl Ray.

Hello and welcome to episode 174 of the ACPG Podcast. This week Ben is zooming with Finnish Musician Jaakko Eino Kalevi who was in Athens, Greece at the time of speaking. They had a great conversation about Jaakko's ninth album, Chaos Magic. They also spoke about the writing process, playing live and having a career in music. Thank you to Jaako for his time and Stasi for setting up the interview. Catch s next time when Ben is talking to Poppy from the band Girl Ray.

Hello and welcome to episode 173 of the ACPG Podcast. This week Ben is zooming with the delightful Willie J Healey. They talk about his new album Bunny, touring with the Arctic Monkeys and Jamie T, working with Yala records and more. Thank you to Jay for setting up the interview. And thank you to Willie for his time and rearranging time for a clash in Ben's diary. We have a special artist in Willie and, as I mention, new album ‘Bunny' is something of a new dawn for him. Recorded in NYC with producer Loren Humphrey (Florence + The Machine, Arctic Monkeys, Lana Del Rey) he stepped out of his comfort zone, pushed himself to be more honest with what he wanted to do, and ultimately discovered that there was a freedom to be found in embracing that honesty. There is a maturity and warmth to the songs here, whether he's pondering the cost of ambition (‘Dreams') or revisiting themes of love (‘Sure Feels Good'), contentment (‘Woke Up Smiling') and appreciation (‘Thank You'). It's the sound of Willie at the happiest he's been in a while, and I think this comes from being able to strike a perfect balance between determination to create what he wants, and knowing when to accept that – whatever style of album he makes – it will always have signposts to the parts of himself that he can't change.  Sliding into new musical territory, he welcomes hypnotic grooves, gospel harmonies and brass flourishes to support his own organic, understated falsetto. Fusing soul, rock and R&B, ‘Bunny' is Willie J Healey waking up a dormant side of his musical world and rolling with it. 

Hello and welcome to episode 173 of the ACPG Podcast. This week Ben is zooming with the delightful Willie J Healey. They talk about his new album Bunny, touring with the Arctic Monkeys and Jamie T, working with Yala records and more. Thank you to Jay for setting up the interview. And thank you to Willie for his time and rearranging time for a clash in Ben's diary. We have a special artist in Willie and, as I mention, new album ‘Bunny' is something of a new dawn for him. Recorded in NYC with producer Loren Humphrey (Florence + The Machine, Arctic Monkeys, Lana Del Rey) he stepped out of his comfort zone, pushed himself to be more honest with what he wanted to do, and ultimately discovered that there was a freedom to be found in embracing that honesty. There is a maturity and warmth to the songs here, whether he's pondering the cost of ambition (‘Dreams') or revisiting themes of love (‘Sure Feels Good'), contentment (‘Woke Up Smiling') and appreciation (‘Thank You'). It's the sound of Willie at the happiest he's been in a while, and I think this comes from being able to strike a perfect balance between determination to create what he wants, and knowing when to accept that – whatever style of album he makes – it will always have signposts to the parts of himself that he can't change.  Sliding into new musical territory, he welcomes hypnotic grooves, gospel harmonies and brass flourishes to support his own organic, understated falsetto. Fusing soul, rock and R&B, ‘Bunny' is Willie J Healey waking up a dormant side of his musical world and rolling with it. 

Hello and welcome to episode 172 of the ACPG Podcast. After a little mid season break we are back with a short run of episodes to finish off season five. This week Ben is zooming with Becca Mancari (they/them) who is based Nashville. We talk about Becca's third album 'Let Hand'. Which we discover has a lot of sonic hugs. A new phrase for both of us but we like it. We also cover playing live, song writing, new kits, and so much more. Thank you to Becca, Jodie, and Elliot for their support with this episode.

Hello and welcome to episode 172 of the ACPG Podcast. After a little mid season break we are back with a short run of episodes to finish off season five. This week Ben is zooming with Becca Mancari (they/them) who is based Nashville. We talk about Becca's third album 'Let Hand'. Which we discover has a lot of sonic hugs. A new phrase for both of us but we like it. We also cover playing live, song writing, new kits, and so much more. Thank you to Becca, Jodie, and Elliot for their support with this episode.

Hello and welcome to episode 171 of the ACPG podcast. This week Ben is zooming with Los Angeles where he spoke with Nick and Kelsey of the fantastic Local Natives. Now, I (Ben) have been a massive fan of Local Natives since their debut album Gorilla Manor and especially the songs Sun Hands and Airplanes. So it was great to talk to them about that but also the release of their new album Time Waits For No One. We spoke about the new album, record release parties, and touring, and more. The album was preceded at the tail-end of last year by the swaggering psychedelia-tinged indie-pop of ‘Just Before the Morning' which jumped up to the B-list at 6Music, as well as seeing them doing an LA residency back in December that saw them joined on the stage by contemporaries including Best Coast, Darkside and Miya Folick. The past year or so has also seen them hit up Jimmy Kimmel twice, one of which saw them joined by Sharon Van Etten for their collaborative track ‘Lemon', while they also headed out on a sold-out US tour last summer as well as stop-offs at Lollapalooza, Outsidelands and a bunch more staples of the US festival circuit. The band are also celebrating the 10-year anniversary of their commercial breakthrough Hummingbird album this year, which feels ripe for revisiting (it is still a total knockout). This new set finds the band linking with Grammy-winning producer John Congleton (Death Cab, Sharon Van Etten, St. Vincent) for a run of sessions across a number of historic LA studios that birthed a set of songs rooted in metamorphosis: taking in newfound fatherhood, periods of isolation, loss and identity crisis. Through it all though, the band were reminded that the constants are the people you love and - in their case - their fellow bandmates. While the album's title Time Will Wait For No One has its ominous undertones, the sentiment at the core of the album is that your loved ones will. Can't recommend spending a bit of headphone time with the new record enough if you get a moment, the production on it is glorious - something they've really honed over the four albums to date that have seen them quietly become one of the most consistently acclaimed bands of the last decade (not a single album below a 75 on Metacritic). Thank you to Nick and Kelsey, and Alex and Vanessa for all their help with this episode.

Hello and welcome to episode 171 of the ACPG podcast. This week Ben is zooming with Los Angeles where he spoke with Nick and Kelsey of the fantastic Local Natives. Now, I (Ben) have been a massive fan of Local Natives since their debut album Gorilla Manor and especially the songs Sun Hands and Airplanes. So it was great to talk to them about that but also the release of their new album Time Waits For No One. We spoke about the new album, record release parties, and touring, and more. The album was preceded at the tail-end of last year by the swaggering psychedelia-tinged indie-pop of ‘Just Before the Morning' which jumped up to the B-list at 6Music, as well as seeing them doing an LA residency back in December that saw them joined on the stage by contemporaries including Best Coast, Darkside and Miya Folick. The past year or so has also seen them hit up Jimmy Kimmel twice, one of which saw them joined by Sharon Van Etten for their collaborative track ‘Lemon', while they also headed out on a sold-out US tour last summer as well as stop-offs at Lollapalooza, Outsidelands and a bunch more staples of the US festival circuit. The band are also celebrating the 10-year anniversary of their commercial breakthrough Hummingbird album this year, which feels ripe for revisiting (it is still a total knockout). This new set finds the band linking with Grammy-winning producer John Congleton (Death Cab, Sharon Van Etten, St. Vincent) for a run of sessions across a number of historic LA studios that birthed a set of songs rooted in metamorphosis: taking in newfound fatherhood, periods of isolation, loss and identity crisis. Through it all though, the band were reminded that the constants are the people you love and - in their case - their fellow bandmates. While the album's title Time Will Wait For No One has its ominous undertones, the sentiment at the core of the album is that your loved ones will. Can't recommend spending a bit of headphone time with the new record enough if you get a moment, the production on it is glorious - something they've really honed over the four albums to date that have seen them quietly become one of the most consistently acclaimed bands of the last decade (not a single album below a 75 on Metacritic). Thank you to Nick and Kelsey, and Alex and Vanessa for all their help with this episode.

Hello and welcome to episode 170 of the ACPG podcast. This week Ben zooms with Hugh and Danny of the band Gengahr. Ben caught them in the middle of an instore tour. Or Instoring if you will. Just after the release of their fourth album Red Sun Titans. They spoke about the new album, the production, touring and so much more. ‘Red Sun Titans' is an album that sets Gengahr on an exciting new trajectory. Having passed through the happy-to-be-here phase of debut album ‘A Dream Outside' [2015] and traversed the baggage of adversity and tragedy that underpinned ‘Where Wildness Grows' [2018] and ‘Sanctuary' [2020], ‘Red Sun Titan's sees the band wrestle free from those energies to set sail anew, in what frontman Felix Bushe says is all about “dreaming of where you could go from here.” Entering the studio with Matt Glasbey (alt-J, Coldplay) producing and mixing - with executive production by Charlie Andrew (Wolf Alice, London Grammar, Bloc Party, alt-J) – the band saw a chance to revisit the origins of where their creativity came from. The album developed out of self-analysis and resultingly is one of two distinct sides: one a naive counterpart longing to exist in a simpler state, and another about checking your ego and coming to terms with great loss. ‘Red Sun Titans' sits at that crossroads where the past is still in view and to be learned from, but the future is there for the taking. It's the ambitious, unrestrained and widescreen statement Gengahr have always threatened to make. Thank you to Hugh and danny for talking to us. And to Jay for sorting out the time and space. See you next week for Local Natives.

Hello and welcome to episode 170 of the ACPG podcast. This week Ben zooms with Hugh and Danny of the band Gengahr. Ben caught them in the middle of an instore tour. Or Instoring if you will. Just after the release of their fourth album Red Sun Titans. They spoke about the new album, the production, touring and so much more. ‘Red Sun Titans' is an album that sets Gengahr on an exciting new trajectory. Having passed through the happy-to-be-here phase of debut album ‘A Dream Outside' [2015] and traversed the baggage of adversity and tragedy that underpinned ‘Where Wildness Grows' [2018] and ‘Sanctuary' [2020], ‘Red Sun Titan's sees the band wrestle free from those energies to set sail anew, in what frontman Felix Bushe says is all about “dreaming of where you could go from here.” Entering the studio with Matt Glasbey (alt-J, Coldplay) producing and mixing - with executive production by Charlie Andrew (Wolf Alice, London Grammar, Bloc Party, alt-J) – the band saw a chance to revisit the origins of where their creativity came from. The album developed out of self-analysis and resultingly is one of two distinct sides: one a naive counterpart longing to exist in a simpler state, and another about checking your ego and coming to terms with great loss. ‘Red Sun Titans' sits at that crossroads where the past is still in view and to be learned from, but the future is there for the taking. It's the ambitious, unrestrained and widescreen statement Gengahr have always threatened to make. Thank you to Hugh and danny for talking to us. And to Jay for sorting out the time and space. See you next week for Local Natives.

Hello and welcome to episode 169 of the ACPG Podcast. This week Ben is zooming, and nearly getting locked in work, with Freddie Cowan from Freddie and the Scenarios, and formally of The Vaccines. Ben and Freddie spoke about his debut solo album Answer Machine, touring, new directions, and a bit about The Vaccines. Freddie Cowan created Freddie & The Scenarios with the help of some of the best in Mexico City's incredible music scene, whilst also reuniting with Vaccines' original drummer Pete Robertson, recently more known for his production work with Beabadoobee, Nasty Cherry, Crawlers; The Vaccines' keyboardist Tim Lanham, Laura Marling's bassist Nick Pini, iconic Japanese guitarist Tomoyasu Hotei (Kill Bill), and producer Ethan Johns (Paul McCartney, Kings Of Leon, Ryan Adams) on percussion. Thank you to Freddie and Terry for support with this episode.

Hello and welcome to episode 168 of the ACPG Podcast. This week Ben is zooming with the one of the most relaxed men in music, JW Francis. Ben in Newcastle and JW in Paris, they spoke about this new album, touring, walking, and self-created tours. Which sounds amazing. Indie-rock, jangle, slacker, bedroom pop and softly-whirring psych combine to build his 'Dream House' - the foundations held in earthy human emotion, with a roof in the clouds. Across 12 quirky, technicolour sonic vignettes, JW Francis showcases every side of his wholesome 3D approach to guitar pop. When JW isn't writing songs about his own life or off-kilter imagery, he writes about other people – most notably around February when he writes valentines songs on his fans' behalf. 'Dream House' is in fact built around this collection of glorious tracks written for other people.   Thank you JW for zooming with us and thank you to Thom for setting up the interview. See you next week for Frankie Cowan of Frankie and Scenarios and The Vaccines.

Hello and welcome to episode 167 of the ACPG podcast. This week Ben is zooming with too proper geezers, Bruce and Simon of the fantastic Good Health Good Wealth. With a mix of Streetesqe spoken word vocals and dirty dirty beats. GHGW are a heading mix of Queens market and a eastern European club. And I love it (to quote them). Ben, Bruce, and Simon discuss how they good started, their approach to making music, touring and playing live, and how London influences their sound. Good Health Good Wealth are East London vocalist/songwriter/producer Bruce Breakey and Lithuania-born guitarist/producer Simon Kuzmickas; two friends who met in a central London Wetherspoons a decade ago.   Like some of the best partnerships in the history of music, there's an odd couple quality to Good Health Good Wealth, but one that just seems to work. The pair have been winning fans with a sound that combines the poetic everyday storytelling of The Streets, Baxter Dury or Mac Miller with a taut, lightly funk influenced production style that takes its cues from everything from peak-era Neptunes productions to Justice, Daft Punk and Prince. Despite their differences, Bruce and Simon bonded over a shared love of everything from Action Bronson to Tom Waits and played together in a punk band for years. But it was when the covid pandemic struck that they decided to take things in a different direction.  With an almost spoken word delivery and knack for creating an inescapable melody, their songs have tackled everything from pining for the escape of the weekend while struggling without a job, to the thrill of finding new love in the city. Each new song showcasing Bruce's lyrical ability to bring the minutiae of the everyday to life with an almost cinematic quality. Thank you to Bruce, Simon, and Sarah for this interview See you next week for JW Francis.

Hello and welcome to episode 166 of the ACPG Podcast. This week Ben has 'the look of love' as he zooms with one of his musical idols, Martin Fry of ABC. Similar to Chris Difford a couple of week ago. ABC and Martin Fry hold a special place in Ben's musical life. No 'poison arrows' with this one, and we can definitely hear 'Smokey Sing', ok I'll stop dropping ABC songs in here. As you can imagine this was a great a thrill to talk about Martin's life in music and his new 40 year Lexicon of Love live album. Celebrating their most successful and well known work. Alongside the usual stuff we talk about fashion, identity, and Chanel guitars that got them in trouble. It's quite a ride, even if there was a few little audio gremlins. Thank you to Martin for his time, it was a real pleasure to talk music with you. Thank you to Sacha for setting up the inviting and her support as ever. See you next week for another band with a tonne of steal. Good Health Good Wealth. 

Hello and welcome to episode 165 of the ACPG podcast. This week Ben is zooming with another Aussie Alex Lahey. Ben and Alex talk about her new album The Answer is Always Yes, touring, festivals, and building a community. Fresh from recently announcing her new album and debut for Liberation, The Answer is Always Yes, Aussie polymath Alex Lahey today returns with a fresh taster from the record, 'They Wouldn't Let Me In'. A breathless post-punk gem, it's a track that hits at the very heart of The Answer is Always Yes, an album that finds Lahey analysing her otherness through different lenses, from its isolating effect to the surrealism and humour it instills. We hope you enjoy this episode and we'll see you next week for Martin Fry from ABC. Thank you to Alex and Alex for this episode.

Hello and welcome to episode 164 of the ACPG Podcast. This week Ben is zooming as James is holiday(ing). Not sure if that's a real word. Ben is on zoom this week with one of his favourite artists of all time. Chris Difford from the band Squeeze. This podcast has thrown up a few unreal scenarios but thankfully it's still fun and great to meet people that you've listened to for most of your life. Squeeze have been a soundtrack band for me, so it was amazing to talk to Chris about his life in music, songwriting, touring, and so much more. Thank you to Chris for talking to us. See you next week for Alex Lahey.

Hello and welcome to episode 163 of the ACPG Podcast. This week Ben is back at the Cluny with Beans on Toast (AKA Jay). They talk pre gig, post sound check about his life in music, songwriting, touring, festivals, community, and making friends with friend of the show Frank Turner. Since 2005, Beans on Toast has written simple songs about complicated subjects. Tackling the big issues of the day but doing so with his feet firmly on the ground, he's become a people's champ of the modern folk scene and amassed a huge back catalogue of songs in the process. An unrepentant optimist whose songs celebrate all that is wonderful about the human spirit, his live shows are similarly uplifting and have taken him from SOLD OUT headline shows in the UK to the stages of major international festivals across the globe. Thank you to Jay and James and we hope you enjoyed this episode. See you next week with Chris Difford of Squeeze. Holy smokes, it's big one.

Hello and welcome to episode 162 of the ACPG Podcast. This week Ben is zooming down under again with the lovely Gena Rose Bruce. Ben and Gena talk about her second album Deep Is The Way, touring, festivals, and moving to the UK (soon). Last year a suffocating black fog pursued Melbourne musician Gena Rose Bruce through the night's depths – a recurring dream wraith brought on by the passing of her partner's mother and pandemic instability. Deep Is The Way chronicles Bruce's fraught path back into the light, as she processes death and inner turmoil to emerge with a newfound state of strength and resilience. The album finds her working with long time collaborators and forging a new wildcard relationship. Gena always due to support Paolo Nutini and Beck very soon. Jealous does even cut it close. Thank you to Gena for her time and Jodie for setting up the interview.

Hello and welcome to episode 161 of the ACPG Podcast. This week Ben is zooming with North Shields alumni Schak. Ben and Schak talk about his life in music, from inline skating to signing to Ministry of Sound and everything, and there's a lot, in between. Schak has been involved in music for a long time but over the last few years has really developed his sound, released singles, played St James' Park on the semi final, had B&Q raves and so much more. We hope you enjoy this one. We like to promote local artists wherever possible. Sting, we're coming for you. See you in a week when we head back down under with Gena Rose Bruce.

Hello and welcome to episode 160 of the ACPG Podcast. This week Ben is zoom with Charlie and Jake of Chappaqua Wrestling. They talk about Chappaqua Wrestling's debut album 'Plus Ultra' which is out this Friday (depending on when you read this), touring, getting start and a mutual love for Manchester music.  For their debut album, Chappaqua Wrestling knew that they wanted to step above the noise of the concrete everyday. To match their songs about political despondency and social change, Jake and Charlie wanted to create surrealist artwork, teetering on the brink of despair and release. Both Jake and Charlie know a thing or two about leaps of faith. Meeting at school in Brighton, the pair were bandmates before they were true friends, discovering a shared love of 00s indie. Where many school friendships peter out after results day, the Mac & Woods partnership stood firm. While Charlie went travelling, Jake headed to Manchester for University, joined by his best friend a year later. As the cogs turned on the final year of their degrees, their musical experiments solidified as Chappaqua Wrestling, earning them a slot at the Great Escape festival and some early local buzz. Whilst grateful to be adopted as a Mancunian band, they're keen to point out that this isn't the case, not wanting to unfairly ride the coattails of the city's legendary scene. We hope you enjoy it and we will see you next week with Schak.

Hello and welcome to episode 159 of the ACPG Podcast. In this episode Ben is zooming with Tor AKA Billy Nomates. I (Ben) have been obsessed with Billy Nomates release earlier this year Cacti. And it was great to talk to Tor about this album in some detail. We also spoke about touring and festivals. Billy Nomates is just about to go on tour and you can catch shows from 17/04 in Cardiff until 29/04 in Bristol. With Nottingham, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Newcastle, Birmingham, London, and Brighton inbetween. So make sure you get tickets before they all go. Thank you to Tor for talking to us and to Jodie for setting up the interview. See you in a week for another interview. This time with Chappaqua Wrestling.   

Hello and welcome to episode 158 of the ACPG Podcast. This week James is back from holiday, and Ben is talking to musician Hamish Hawk.  Ben caught up in person with Hamish at the Cluny on the first night of his latest UK tour. They spoke about the wonderful of touring, his new album Angel Numbers, influences, and sticking at it. Nothing happens over night kids. We hope you enjoy this episode. Thank you to Hamish for his time and thank you to James (a different one) for reaching out. See you next week for Billy Nomates.

Hello and welcome to episode 157 of the ACPG Podcast. In this episode Ben is zooming with Matt Corby. A solo artist from Australia. We're in the middle of a little run of Austrialian artists. Shame we couldn't record these in person in Australia. But you know, small details. Matt and Ben talk about his new album, Everything's Fine, playing live and Australian idol. The album was recorded at his own Rainbow Valley Studios with long time collaborators Alex Hendrickson and Chris Collins, and pop-writing savante Nat Dunn(Charli XCX, Tkay Maidza, Rita Ora). Together they drew out the sounds that make 'Everything's Fine' Matt Corby's most accomplished record yet. A sonically adventurous rumination on all of life's big stuff, it's a record that pulls together a decade of musical threads and production nous to reveal a body of work that glides even deeper into Corby's RnB roots, while embracing aspects of vintage funk, hip-hop and playful soft rock motifs. We hope you enjoy this episode and we promise normal service will resume next week as James is back from holiday. See you in a week with Hamish Hawk.

Hello and welcome back to ACPG podcast. Welcome to SEASON FIVE. Five season and 156 episodes we've been doing this.. mad. This is the first episode in season five and we have a wonderful guest in Jonny Took from the awesome DMA'S. Ben and Jonny catch up over zoom to discuss DMA'S new album, coming out at the end of March, How Many Dreams?, touring, the DNA of DMA'S (try saying that ten times fast), and having Liam Gallagher in your corner. It's great to be back and we have a great season coming up. It's going to be weekly and a little shorter. It's like a sprint of episodes. How exciting. See you in a week.

Hello and welcome to the last episode of season four. This is just a quick outro and reflection on season four with Ben and James. We look back at season five and look forward to season five. Wow that was very corporate writing there. Apologies. Thank you to everyone who listened, downloaded, passed the podcast to their friends, guests, management companies, PR companies, and every last tour manager.  See you later in the year with some hopefully some more amazing guests. Take care and see you soon.

Hello and Welcome to the final interview of season five. This week Ben is zooming with solo artist Jackson Mico Milas. Ben and Jackson talk about his new album Blu Terra, writing with Tim Minchin, running and so much more. Having cut his teeth at New York's Nylon Studios, Jackson carved out a career with award-winning film and TV scores including a long-standing collaboration with Tim Minchin on the acclaimed Sky Atlantic drama ‘Upright'. ‘Blu Terra' brings together eleven tender and emotive compositions and finds the British artist hitting his stride.  On ‘Blu Terra', Jackson comes of age, and delivers a mature and elegant suite of compositions encompassing acoustic, alt-folk and jazz elements to set up soaring and heartfelt songs. The LP features a cast of great players, including string arrangement on ‘June' from Elliott Wheeler (Musical Director/Composer on ELVIS), and Tim Lefebvre (David Bowie 'Blackstar'), and Troy Simms (Lee Scratch Perry). The album is released on Apollo, the home to ground-breaking talent such as Aphex Twin, Nadine Shah, Synkro, Biosphere and many more over its 30-year tenure. Thank you to Jackson for talking to us, and thank you to Terry for setting up the interview. The end of season wrap is in your feed now.

This week we speak to Tara Divina. If you visit her website, which you should, you'll be presented with this call to action - “You deserve to experience the greatest joy and fulfilment life has to offer. Create your work of art. Leave your legacy. Live free of regret.”. Big statements. And she can help. An ex record label exec and current musician and coach shares a wealth of fantastic insights.

Hello and welcome to episode 152 of the ACPG Podcast. This week Ben is zooming with Nic and Alex of the awesome TV Priest. They talk about all things TV priest, on stage, off stage, writing, recording and moving to a different country. Listen out of the classic European sirens. With just a few singles and one gig in a warehouse, they were signed to Sub Pop mid-campaign in 2020 and released their debut album Uppers in the height of a global pandemic, which reaped praise from critics and fans alike for its ‘dystopian doublespeak''. For TV Priest, it is a follow-up that feels truly, properly them; free of bravado, unnecessary bluster or any audience pressure to commit solely to their original sound. Dampened by the inability to share it live, singer Charlie Drinkwater found the success of the album both gratifying and bad for his mental health as it felt kind of divorced from reality. As such, My Other People intentionally maintains a strong sense of earth-rooted emotion, taking full advantage of the opportunity to physically connect. He set about crafting lyrics that allowed him to articulate a deeper sense of personal truth, using music as a vessel to communicate with his bandmates about his depleting mental health, at a time where he would call himself unwell. Thank you to Alex for setting up the interview and to Nic and Alex for their time. 

Hello and welcome to episode 151 of the ACPG Podcast. This week Ben is on zoom with Conradfrom the North West based band - The Luka State. Ben and Conrad talk about all things The Luka State as well as a lot of rock n roll. Hailing from Winsford – a forgotten town between Manchester and Liverpool –  The Luka State aren't overly concerned with the loftier heights of the rock'n'roll dream. “Music has always been therapy for me,” says Conrad Ellis, frontman of rising UK indie-rock powerhouse The Luka State. “You do feel like there's a weight lifted, but for people with mental health struggles and people from working-class towns, you feel like you deserve more than the cards you've been dealt – those feelings don't go away.”  Ellis, along with his hometown childhood friends Sam Bell (bass, vocals), Lewis Pusey (guitar) and Jake Barnabas (drums), dropped their self-funded debut album ‘Fall In Fall Out' in 2021 to media attention and critical acclaim, but also a world gone quiet due to the pandemic. “It was hard to connect with the wider world when we were all stuck at home, so we couldn't see what impact we'd had on the scene, the industry and the wider world,” remembers Ellis.  When the world opened up and the band could return to the stage, they found legions of fans who had connected with their debut album's punchy stories of hometown life and knew every word. But by then, they'd already been at work on the follow-up and were evolving as a band both musically and lyrically.   Thank you to Kat for setting up the interview. And thank you to Conrad for coming on.

Hello and welcome to episode 150 of the ACPG podcast. This week Ben is zooming with DC Gore (Dom) to talk about his new album All These Things, his plans for the future, playing live again and much much more. Dom was currently moving when they spoke. Both literally and in general. So expect some transit at the start of the conversation. Dom is a great musician and he is new album All These Things, expertly layers fantastically dystopian imagery against twinkling tapestries of electronics and propulsive beats. It's a shift akin to the Pet Shop Boys' development between Introspective and Behaviour: from bright, dancefloor-focused pop to melancholic mini-symphonies. Thank you to Dom and Stasi for the interview. See you in a week where will be zooming again.

Hello and welcome to episode 149 of the ACPG podcast. In this episode Ben is on zoom with Washington DC based duo Flasher. Ben, Emma, and Taylor talk all things touring, new albums, living on miles and miles apart, and the Washington DC punk scene. The band's 2018 debut, Constant Image, was a triumph – a set of songs both dizzy and explosive, balancing new-wave lushness and post-punk frenzy. Love is Yours steps up the ambition and reaches for the horizon. The record is ablaze with mood, melody, and carefully threaded hooks, finding the band foregrounding the pop sensibilities that had always been present in their previous releases. It retains the attitude that was fundamental to the band's DIY roots, but cuts loose a touch of the angst. Though the songs process disillusionment and loss, the music evokes warmth and optimism. It is their best record and also their most generous. Thank youfor listening and see you soon.

Hello and welcome to episode 148 of the ACPG Podcast. This week Ben is back on zoom with Roxanne Emery talking about her new music project Rory. It's a wide ranging episode covering her life in music, her new album, and mental health. She's a multi-platinum selling songwriter who has written for the likes of Charli XCX, NOAHFINNCE and All American Rejects, has graced the cover of Spotify's All New Rock and YouTube's Noise Riot, been selected as BBC Introducing Record of The Week, as well as receiving eclectic support from from BBC Radio 1's Jack Saunders, Kerrang, PopJustice and Rock Sound, with the latter calling previous single and EP track ‘Uncomplicated' "an emotional, sentimental and crushing pop-punk belter.” She's known for her incredibly emotive and impactful songwriting, with the new EP exploring an impressive and cathartic range of emotions and sonics from melodic post hardcore to infectious pop punk crowd pleasures, and more sensitive alt pop. ‘Help Your Friends Get Sober' taken from the EP, has also gone viral on Tik Tok with over 900,000 views, connecting with those who have lost loved ones to addiction. Please note there is a trigger warning for this episode as we discuss some very personal topics with Roxanne and some listeners may wish to listen with caution around mental health. Thank you to Roxanne and Jasleen for this interview. See you in a week.

Hello and welcome to episode 147 of the ACPG podcast. This week we have great and fascinating conversation with Phil Thornally, writer, singer, bass player, producer, engineer. He's done the lot and this is a fantastic chat. A quick scan of the many records Phil Thornalley has worked on, and you'll quickly spot some of the biggest names in popular music, including Bryan Adams, Thompson Twins, The Cure, Psychedelic Furs, XTC, Duran Duran, and even Paul McCartney. Phil co-wrote and produced Natalie Imbruglia's 1997 worldwide smash “Torn,” and has written hits with Pixie Lott (“Mama Do”) and BBMak (“Back Here”). A kind of rock'n'roll Zelig, his name is probably on countless records in your collection, although you probably didn't even know it was him.  That bass line on The Cure's “Love Cats”? That's Phil. The haunting and ethereal production on Prefab Sprout's “When Love Breaks Down”?  That's Phil too.  Now, on his latest offering, Now That I Have Your Attention, Phil Thornalley steps out of The Swamp (his North London studio) to unveil 11 catchy and brand-new original songs (plus three bonus tracks on the CD!) that find him exploring the production stylings pioneered by the Electric Light Orchestra's Brummie boffin, Jeff Lynne. Thank you to Phil and Terry for the interview and their time.

Hello and welcome to episode 146 of the ACPG podcast and a return to the weekly format to see us to the end of the year and the end of season four. This week Ben is zooming with Dante from the band GUN, as well as the return of a season three guest Ewan Macfarlane for a special doulbe bubble. Ben spoke to Dante and Ewan about their respective new albums. The Calton Songs' is an album that takes its name from the area of Glasgow where the band grew up, and where they still write their music. This record is about celebrating the road that GUN have taken to reach this point, these new versions of great songs are cut through with un-ironic nostalgia but this is a band with an eye on the horizon for what's to come, not what's over their shoulder in the past   With his persistent, near-obsessive approach to making music still his driving force, Ewan began writing and recording new material almost immediately after the release of his acclaimed debut ‘Always Everlong'. Honing this new clutch of songs almost relentlessly since, the resultant record, ‘Milk', was recorded, produced and performed almost exclusively from his Royale Stag studio at home in Scotland. With additional bass parts added by Andy McCafferty, the record was given its final mix by friend and bandmate Ashley Krajewski (of Apollo 440) and mastered by Chris Pavey.   Thank you to Thom for setting up the interviews and thank you to Dante and Ewan for being on the episode.

Hello and welcome to episode 145 of the ACPG podcast. This week Ben is on zoom with James and Steve of Crows. Ben caught James and Steve in their tour van, you've guessed it, on tour.  They spoke about getting the band started, touring, writing, playing America at SXSW and so much more. Thank you to James and Steve for their time. And thank you to Amy for setting the interview up. Next time, we speak to Phil Thornally. Not to be missed.

Hello and welcome to episode 144 of the ACPG Podcast. This week Ben is on zoom speaking to Keith Duffy, founding member of his current project Boyzlife with Brian McFadden. And member of one of the biggest boybands, Boyzone. Ben and Keith talk about how Boyzlife got started, their new album, their tour, and how to get balance in this business of music. You can catch Keith and Brian on tour now. And Old School is now. Thank you to Keith for talking to us and thank you Sacha for setting up the interview.

Hello and welcome to episode 143 of the ACPG Podcast. This week we have a change of pace for season four as Ben speaks to photographer Tony Briggs. Tony Briggs has just released a great table top book called 'Behind the Scene'. A book that captures the imagery and imagination for the awesome Ocean Colour Scene between 1995 to 1998. Ben and Tony talk about the book, how it got started, how it was produced, using Kickstarter, and Ocean Colour Scene. What makes them stand out from other bands to stand the test of time. This was a great episode to really talk to someone has been on the inside without being part of the band. It's a bit of a different view. We hope you enjoy. Thank you to Tony and Thom for the interview. And we'll see you next time. 

Hello and welcome to episode 142 of the ACPG Podcast. This week Ben is in the Newcastle University Student Union talking to the amazing Jesse Wood of the awesome Reef. Ben and Jesse talk about joining Reef, playing with Mick Jones, touring, recording, and the Reef album. We also briefly mention his dad's band. They're ok I guess. Thank you to Jesse, Seven, William, and Shaun for helping sort out the interview. Next time, we talk to the band Crows.

Hello and welcome to episode 141 of the ACPG podcast. This week Ben s back on zoom with Buddy Schaub of the fantastic Lee Than Jake. Ben and Buddy spoke about being part of the punk scene, touring, recording, being in 'band' at school, and just saying yes. As a fan of Less Than Jake for over 20 years and a pop punk kids of the late 90's/ early 00's. This was a really treat. We hope you enjoy this episode. It was a lot of fun to record. Thank you to Buddy and JR from Less Than Jake. Oh and thanks for the guestlist tickets for me and Wade. See you in two weeks for a little bit of Reef. So remember to place those hands.

Hello and welcome to episode 140 of the ACPG podcast. This is the last of our pre-covid conversation and it's with one of Ben's main guitar influences, Russell Lissack from the outstanding Bloc Party. Now, this was recorded in the cluny when it was very busy. So expect a little bit of background noise. But it's ok, don't worry. Ben and Russell speak about Bloc Party, Novacub, touring with Ash and so much more. We hope you enjoy it and we'll see you in two weeks.

Hello and welcome to episode 139 of the ACPG podcast. In this week's episode Ben is on another tour bus, outside the Newcastle Academy, in 2019. This time with Shauna of the band Rews. This was recorded pre-covid and is the last of two to go from that time. Shauna and Ben spoke about band line ups, music retreats, balance, and so much more. This episode closes a loop from episode two with Mark Radcliffe were Mark turned us on to Rews. We hope you enjoy. See you in two weeks for our last pre-covid conversation. This time with Russell Lissack from Bloc Party and Novacub.

Hello and welcome to episode 138 of the ACPG podcast. This week Ben is on a tour bus outside the Newcastle Academy in 2019. Apologies to guests are the delay in the release but is one of the last pre covid recordings. And this week we are with Matt and Chris from the awesome The Amazons. We spoke about their rise in this business they call music, playing live, touring, and Neil Young. We hope enjoy and thank you again to Matt and Chris. See you in two weeks when we back on a tour bus, back outside the Newcastle academy and back before covid, with Shauna from Rews.