Chris Talks Music

The iconic multi-genre band return to the UK to celebrate the 25th anniversary tour of their classic album ‘100% Colombian’.

Brian 'Fast' Leiser joins me once more as we shoot the sh*t and talk all about it, by it we mean the music their adventures over the past 12 months and what kind of bewildering goodness we can expect in this celebration of the white stuff. And we don't mean snow... despite Christmas being just around the corner.

So pour yourself something strong, something long and sit down listen to the good ol' chat that's going on.

Fun Lovin Criminals will be performing '100% Colombian' at The Foundry, Sheffield, on Friday 15th December, 2023. Followed by a finale at the o2 Academy in Liverpool on 16th December.

Once again, thanks for listening.

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In this week's episode, Finnish DJ and music producer Darude joins me for a chat about all manner of things music, life and skateboarding.

We also spend some time discussing his 1999 hit, 'Sandstorm', but not too long as there are so many other things to chat about, like his new record label and upcoming single, Nobody Listens with the excellent Gid Sedgwick.

From the idyllic peace of life in Finland (considered to be the 'happiest country in the world) to living in the United States and back again, Darude gives us a little peek into his life, passions and so much more. Along with some lovely anecdotes.

Darude will be one of the headliners at this weekend's 90s Fest at Don Valley Bowl, Sheffield on August 5, 2023. His new single, Nobody Listens feat. Gid Sedgwick is out on Friday, August 4 and will be available from all of the usual streaming outlets.

In this episode I spoke with Alex and Elliot from the Liverpool band, Stone. We touched on all sorts of themes from their formation to the excellent EP Punkadonk and their blistering new single I Gotta Feeling, which is a spoken word, punk tour-de-force, attack on 'toxic masculinity' and the lingering faux bravado that often accompanies it.

It's been one heck of a crazy year for this Scouse quartet, who have stormed straight out of the new era Liverpool scene with a formidable live reputation preceding them and a boom in their online following.

I Gotta Feeling is out now on all streaming platforms and you'll be able to see this brilliant band at Tramlines on Saturday, 22 July, 2023.

In this episode of Chris Talks Music, I speak to the Israeli popstar Noa Kirel about her path to superstardom in her home country of Israel. We also spend some time discussing her musical upbringing and the importance of being authentic. Naturally our conversation also spent some time focussing on her recent performances at the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, where the 22-year-old star placed third with a visually and vocally astounding performance of her song Unicorn... which extols the importance of being individual, proud, brave, unique and believing in yourself for your differences are your superpower and a vessel for your beauty within.

In this episode, Hugh Cornwell came onto the podcast to discuss his Moments of Madness tour, which will see him performing at Sheffield's o2 Academy 2 on Sunday 7th May.

As leader of The Stranglers, Hugh Cornwell was the main songwriter of all the band’s most memorable songs across ten stellar albums: from “Golden Brown” to “Strange Little Girl” and from “Always The Sun” to “Peaches”, “No More Heroes” and “Nice ‘N’ Sleazy”. Widely regarded as the poet laureate of the punk era, Hugh Cornwell embarked on an illustrious solo career after releasing album ten with the band, and he has created a body of impressive solo albums to date. 

Following on from the critically acclaimed release of his tenth solo LP, Hugh shared some insight into his recent overseas tours and also his excitement at returning to Sheffield later this week.

You can buy tickets to his upcoming Sheffield performance here: http://www.hughcornwell.com/

In this episode of Chris Talks Music, Jim Glennie talks about the James Lasted tour in celebration of the band's 40th Anniversary, as well as the upcoming double album Be Opened By The Wonderful. 

Featuring a full orchestra and a gospel choir, Jim also gave an insight into what we can expect from this orchestral double album of the band's biggest hits and a brand new song.

But that's not all, he also shares with us his career journey as well as why the music industry needs to get serious about supporting artists with mental health issues.

James will be performing at the City Hall, Sheffield, on Thursday 4th May, 2023 as part of their Lasted UK tour.

For tickets and further information, go to: https://james.tmstor.es/

In this week's episode, Jon McClure comes on to talk about the upcoming seventh album from Sheffield's Reverend and the Makers, 'Heatwave In The Cold North'.

Never one to rest on their laurels and a musical collective constantly striving to challenge perceptions of the band, Reverend and the Makers have become one of the enduring and great survivors of the British music scene. From Top 10 hits like 'Heavyweight Champion of the World' to recent singles, 'High', 'Problems' and current single 'A Letter To My 21 Year Old Self', I would posit that this album is their strongest, most soulful and affecting body of work released to date.

It was only natural that I spent a little time discussing the new album, relevance in an ever-changing music scene, a dash of politics, as well as what we'd say to our younger selves if given the opportunity. Plus, we also discussed what's next for this ever evolving and artistically important Sheffield band.

Heatwave In The Cold North releases on April 28th, via Distiller Records.

In this week's episode of Chris Talks Music, Sean Cooney from The Young'uns - one of UK folk music's best-loved acts - joins me for a chat about maintaining a bit of the North East feel living in the Steel City and how Paige Hunter's handwritten messages of hope tied to the railings of Sunderland's Wearmouth Bridge inspired arguably the most evocative body of work released yet from the Teeside trio.

Tiny Notes is a bold, profound, empathetic album, which showcases the ever growing talents of ‘premier league songwriter’ Sean Cooney, who says writing songs about real, ordinary heroes has become ‘a personal passion’.

It also helps that Sean is a wonderfully grounded, full of humour, and incredibly insightful with his ability to encapsulate such tragic stories which recall victims of war and terrorism and heroes of the hour, turning the spotlight on injustice and ultimately celebrating love, tolerance and the indomitable human spirit — In short, he's a lovely chap.

The Young'uns will be performing at Sheffield's Firth Hall on 21st April, 2023. Tickets are available here: https://www.theyounguns.co.uk/live

Global folk band Mishra have formed a new collaboration with international fusion-vocalist Deepa Sri Shakthi and are touring venues in the UK this April. Ahead of their return to Sheffield's The Greystones for their penultimate show, I spent some time speaking to Kate Griffin (also of The Magpies) and Ford Collier (also of The Drystones) about this delightful project, justified the spending a small fortune on a new computer, and also had a little bit of a laugh along the way.

Mishra will be performing at The Greystones, Sheffield, on April 15th, 2023. Tickets are available from: http://www.mishramusic.co.uk/gigs

Opening song: 9 Questions

Closing song: Reclaim

They were the 90s Sheffield band that should have made it, headlining The Leadmill and with record companies fawning for their attentions, Freezer recorded “Syd Barrett’s Icelandic Girlfriend” as a single in 1996 for Divine Records. But Divine Records went straight to heaven and the single fell into an aural vortex.

26-years later and Freezer are back!

After wowing their invited audience at The Dorothy Pax, who came to see the launch of the long lost single, "Syd Barrett's Icelandic Girlfriend", Freezer have decided to do it properly and they'll be performing a couple of shows over the coming months.

Singer-songwriter, Dean Bargh popped in for a chat about the formation of the band, lost years, rediscovering (once thought) lost music and much more besides.

Buy tickets to their Friday 24th March, 2023: https://www.wegottickets.com/event/570654/

Find out more about the Dorothy Pax GoFundMe to keep Pax in the Park free for all, here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/freepaxpark

In this week's episode, I spend a little time talking to the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Winner Lucy Farrell. 

The incredibly talented and renowned, multi-instrumentalist, singer, composer and songwriter takes us on a journey through her creative process, how motherhood impacted her music and outlook on life, and so much more. 

Lucy will be performing a sold-out show at Bishop's House, Sheffield, on 19 March, 2023, as part of her UK tour ahead of the release of her long-awaited debut album, We Are Sound. Find out more about Lucy Farrell's tour and support her music here: https://lucyfarrellmusic.com/

And as always, thank you for listening.

Babybird has announced a new ‘The Bad Old Man’ UK tour for this Winter, beginning later this month and coming to the Steel City on 2nd December. The Sheffield-formed band will be bringing a wealth of music to UK audiences and ahead of the tour starting, writer and singer Stephen Jones sat down for a chat about how that Johnny Depp opportunity came about, being heckled with his own song lyrics and plenty more besides. As always, I hope you enjoy.

On this week's episode, Chris talks to Cork-native and electro-pop queen LYRA ahead of her supporting slot with Westlife at Sheffield's Utilita Arena. We discuss all manner of things like how lockdown put a pause on her leap to superstardom, why she is a fashion icon in waiting, the important message behind her recent single 29 Box, her surprise at hearing her music featured on Grey's Anatomy and Love Island, and generally just have a brilliant craic about all sorts. Enjoy.

The first time I ever saw Millie Manders and The Shutup was on a bitterly cold Friday evening back in November 2021 at the O2 Academy2 in Sheffield. What followed was an emotional Punk-Pop musical powerhouse of a performance from a spectacular band. Almost a year later I sat down once more to speak to Millie Manders about their musical journey to date, artistic growth, accountability and so much more. Enjoy!

Legendary Dutch DJ and producer Ferry Corsten has been consistently at the top of his game since his sophomore album under the System F alias 'Out of The Blue' charted in the UK Top 20 singles chart in 1999, with remix credits for acts such as U2, Moby, Faithless, Duran Duran and Public Enemy soon after. On November 26, 2022, Ferry is bringing his 'What The F...' a journey into the evolving sounds of Ferry to CODE Sheffield for its final night, naturally we had to sit down and talk about all things music and all things Ferry too.

Blancmange mark their return to London Records with the upcoming album Private View, almost 40 years since the label released the band’s debut. Chris sat down for a chat with Neil Arthur about dogs, the importance of looking inward as well as forward, and how the past is used as a trigger to create new ideas. Amongst other things, enjoy!

In this episode of Chris Talks Music, I spent some time talking to Chris and Lawrence from the Sheffield band SHEAFS, who released their debut album in July this year, A Happy Medium. Described as 'Coming in Hot' by BBC Radio 1 and 'a rallying call to arms' by Gigwise...

In this episode, The Wombats bassist Tord Øverland Knudsen talks to Chris about his Scandi-Scouse accent, how The Wombats created their chart-topping album Fix Yourself, Not The World in the midst of a pandemic, and shares the smelliest gig they've ever done — ahead of their upcoming show at the O2 Academy in Sheffield on 21st October, 2022.

In this episode, Chris spends a fair amount of time speaking to the exceptional Delilah Bon. The femme-de la bomb alter ego of Lauren Tate from Hands Off Gretel.

Crafted by the no-nonsense foundations of female empowerment this unapologetic, lyrically frenetic maestro is being unleashed... and Chris had the pleasure of her company ahead of her Sheffield show at The Leadmill on 29 September, 2022.

On this episode of Chris Talks Music, Midlands-based band The Silver Lines. The band recently released a cracking EP called Sleaze and followed this up with the excellent track 'Hotel Room'. The band performed in Sheffield earlier this month, so we took a little time to talk about their music, politics  and the importance of taking a stand in music and life. Enjoy.

In this episode the esteemed singer-songwriter Annie Keating dials in from Brooklyn, New York, to talk about her upcoming UK and Ireland tour, and discusses the unique opportunity to preview as-yet unreleased material for the first time, with a limited edition new release, the ‘Twenty 22 Tour EP’, exclusively available to purchase at these shows. Enjoy.

The Big Moon are back with their third album, ok perhaps not just yet but come October 14, 2022, Here Is Everything marks their most extraordinary work yet. A truly wonderful album that documents the arrival of a new life in real time and the excitement of motherhood, fear, joy — all of the emotions. Jules Jackson speaks to Chris Hallam for the latest episode of Chris Talks Music. You can also see them at The Leadmill on Monday, September 19, 2022 on what’s sure to be a most epic performance from the quartet.

This week, Chris Hallam discusses the importance of 'Self' and celebrating the migration experience of the fictional Francine with Malawian-born British folk-jazz singer-songwriter, by way of Manchester, Marco Woolf. Who takes on the role of improvisational storyteller in his evocative, expansive and introspective EP, Francine, I. He's performing at Jazz @ The Lescar on Wednesday 14th September 2022. Contains insightful conversation and endless intrigue... Yes, really!

Once you get your head around how exactly to pronounce the name of this band, enjoy a wonderfully varied and deep conversation on all manner of socio-political topics with the delightful Ros Cairney and Vas Antoniadou. We discuss their upcoming album 'Songs from Planet Earth', taking a stand against violent behaviour against women and why their song 'Bring Down The Government' with Deb Googe (My Bloody Valentine) could have been what finally nudged Boris Johnson from his Prime Minister role... It's a hoot.

In this episode of Chris Talks Music, I spend some time talking to the alternative Canadian duo The Bros. Landreth, who are bringing their acclaimed new album 'Come Morning' to Sheffield's Greystones on Tuesday 9th September 2022 as part of their UK and European tour. 'Come Morning' is their most immersive and emotive record of their career to date, so it's only right that we delved into that, fatherhood and mused on the impermanence of... well, everything.

In today's episode of Chris Talks Music, DJ, busker, singer songwriter extraordinaire and multi-talented Sheffield artist April Ess talks about all manner of things music, life, figuring stuff out, exploring new avenues and a discussion on why the ukelele is a massively underrated instrument.

Introducing a young lady you need to keep your eyes (and ears) peeled for, April Ess.

Opening song: Dreams produced by TEEJ

Closing song: Homies by Notion feat. April Ess.

In today's episode of Chris Talks Music, Sheffield-based alternative band Beachcomber who talk all about their recent EP A Sea Above — which came out in March. Plus we also tease their newly released single, 'This is Going To Hurt' and go into some detail behind their formation. We even got to discuss the importance of having a band champion like the wonderful Sue and much more. Enjoy!

In today's episode of Chris Talks Music, I spend some time speaking to The Weeping Willows, hailing from Melbourne the Australian kindred spirits come to Sheffield’s Cafe 9 in Nether Edge on July 5, 2022, following the recent release of their anticipated third studio outing, You Reap What You Sow, back in March, 2022.

In this week's episode of Chris Talks Music, I spoke with rising pop star and a former Miss England, Natasha Hemmings. Natasha not only possesses the voice and visage of an angel but also has an otherworldly aura about her vocals. Classically trained as an opera singer, she recently released her six-track Invisible Tour EP and the excellent single Fight For You. Currently she's on a nationwide tour with Ronan Keating, so it was only right that we had a good old chat. You can follow her on Twitter: @NatashaHMusic and you should, she's sound.

In today's episode of Chris Talks Music, we speak to The Rosadocs a five-piece indie/alternative band based in Sheffield. The band took some time to talk about their music, upcoming shows, LSD and randomly disappearing heads on Zoom. The Rosadocs are also one of the acts at performing at the Meadowlands Festival in Nottingham on Friday, June 3, 2022. You can find them on all social platforms... on Twitter or Instagram @TherosadocsUK

Opening song: Number 54

Closing song: These People

Ahead of his recent Sheffield show at The Greystones, Chris spent some time talking to Billy Rowan aka The Undercover Hippy who is on a mission to make people laugh, think and dance in unison. Described as "beautifully produced agitpop reggae flavoured-rap", The Undercover Hippy's music features powerful messages, alongside infectious rhythms.

This episode opens with the song Rise and Fall and closes with the critical number These Days.

From discovering electronic music on the radio in his mother's kitchen to headlining clubs and festivals around the world, Paul van Dyk has earned a reputation as not only one of the most prolific artists in trance, but as an icon of dance culture. And it's a reputation that is well-deserved as the trance-maestro makes his long overdue return to Sheffield on Friday 27th May, 2022.

We spent some time talking about music, life and a bunch of other meandering subjects.

The opening and closing song is the excellent Wishful Thinking by Paul van Dyk and Kolonie.

Best known hits including ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother’, ‘The Air That I Breathe’, ‘Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)’, ‘Bus Stop’, ‘Carrie-Anne’ and ‘Sorry Suzanne’, the Hollies have been performing continuously since their formation in 1962, and have had over 20 hits worldwide. In 2010, they were inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame for their ‘impact on the evolution, development and perpetuation of Rock and Roll’.

They’ll be performing at Sheffield City Hall on 24th May as part of their 2022 UK tour.

The UK’s most exciting musical theatre group The Barricade Boys’ Bring Him Home Tour is coming to Sheffield on May 20, 2022.

The Bring Him Home Tour will feature music from some of the best-loved shows from the West End and Broadway stage, including Phantom, Miss Saigon, Jersey Boys and, of course, Les Mis, as well as hits from some of pop and rock music’s all-time greats including Queen, Elton John and The Beatles.

So it was only right that I spent some time speaking to Scott Garnham, who also hails from Yorkshire.

The opening song is Bring Him Home.

The closing song is One More Day.

n today's episode, Chris Hallam speaks to hotly tipped Manchester band The Goa Express, Steve Lamacq is currently playing them to death on 6music and Mark Gardner of Ride was so taken with the demos he's produced and mixed some upcoming songs. Ahead of their Sheffield show at Sidney & Matilda on May 16, 2022, Chris spent some time speaking to the up and coming band. Oh and they will be back in July for Tramlines.

The opening song is the band's latest single, Everybody in the UK. It is played in full at the end.

Fifties-styled Rock n Rolla, soul and Motown-infused crooner Miles Kane returns to the fray with Change the Show, his latest record for fans both old and new. Self-described as his most authentic and a body of work that best reflects Miles, we spent some time talking about music, life and Lily Savage.

Miles Kane will be performing at The Leadmill, Sheffield, on May 27, 2022.

Sheffield-based DJ and music producer Adam Seymour, aka SEYK, delivers an excellently crafted debut single. We spent some time talking about his music, his influences, videogames and plenty of other things.

We open today's show with SEYK's fruity concoction, Make Your Body Move, which blends elements of electro, techno, acid house and breakbeat into one.

Sheffield’s very own Otis Mensah takes to the stage for an exclusive headline performance at NETWORK (Sheffield City Centre) as the performing artist & musician celebrates the release of their new EP “things I should have said a year ago”. Following Otis Mensah’s tenure as the city’s first ever Poet Laureate and last year's performances alongside the likes of Mahalia, Lava La Rue and Little Simz.

In collaboration with Elephant Arch Records, Otis Mensah has promised an unmissable night of live art for this Hometown Sheffield Special on Saturday, 7 May, 2022. Be there or be square, I guess.

Opening song - Black Box

Closing poem - Aurora Borealis

This week on Chris Talks Music, we speak to the Australian sister duo Charm of Finches an enchanting and also haunting folk group, whose music talks about love, grief, whispering trees and so much more. They will be performing music from their exceptional third album, Wonderful Oblivion at Sheffield's The Greystones on the 27 April, 2022, as part of their first ever UK tour.

Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes grew up busking old time tunes and singing on festival stages around Australia.

Citing influences such as Sufjan Stevens, Gillian Welch, Danish artist Agnes Obel and First Aid Kit, the sisters' seamless blood harmonies traverse melancholy and wonder in equal measure.

Already adored in their home nation by press and public alike, the duo earned a nomination for the coveted 2021 Australian Music Prize. In recent times they have also been awarded the 2021 Music Victoria’s Best Folk Act and Youth Artist of the Year at the 2021 Australian Folk Music Awards.

Opening song: As A Child by Charm of Finches

Closing song: Treading Water by Charm of Finches

Following the recent release of their chart-smashing album, Everything Was Forever, I sat down for a chat with frontman Yan ahead of the band's upcoming show at The Leadmill, Sheffield, on April 21, 2022.

We spoke about many things from the creation of their rather stellar album, how they worked collaboratively with distance between them, the state of the world, familial loss, why it felt right to drop the 'British' from their moniker, not wanting beef with other bands and even Mr Nice Guy, Gary Lineker, in a broad-ranging and insightful discussion.

Oh and they will be headlining The Leadmill, Sheffield, on April 21, 2022... so grab a ticket fast! Yes, we mentioned it twice, it'll be fine.

The Alarm are one of Wales' biggest ever exports, with over 6-million records sold and more than 15 Top 50 UK hit singles the band are setting out on an extensive tour to celebrate their 40th Anniversary (even though it's technically 41-years, thanks Covid!). Chris sat down for a chat with the band's lead singer Mike Peters to talk about all things music, touring, life, as well as their upcoming Sheffield show at The Foundry on April 8, 2022, and so much more. The opening song, Beautiful, is taken from the 2018 album, Equals. Finally we bring things to a close with the storming anthem 45 RPM. Enjoy!

In this episode I speak to the Glasgow band Walt Disco, following the recent release of their debut LP Unlearning, about a number of things from discovery and heartbreak, sexual identity, musical creativity and the profound importance of inclusivity. We also spoke about their UK tour and upcoming visit to Sheffield's very own Yellow Arch Studios. Unlearning by Walt Disco is out now on all streaming platforms, available to purchase online and from all good record shops.

In today's episode of Chris Talks Music, we speak to Lloyd Samuel the project director for Pattern + Push the South Yorkshire regional talent competition for rappers and singers with a focus on creating positive lyrics and music. Lloyd talks all about Pattern + Push, how the competition works, as well as the wide-range of industry figureheads that are involved, including the likes of Sheffield rappers Coco and Seppy (of the duo Deuxes), Sarah Jane Hawley (known for her work with Massive Attack), Steve Edwards, and how local organisations and charities like the Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation are getting behind this positive project.

After a breakaway success in its first year, even under challenging conditions, the talent competition enters its second year. Bringing forward its independent music platform to help new and emerging talent achieve their goals, all while encouraging positivity, collaboration, industry insight and positive empowerment through the medium of music.

The opening theme is an excerpt of the song Broken Mirrors by Saranity Jones.