Advertise on podcast: Synthetic Dreams Podcast

Delighted and honoured to be joined by multi-instrumentalist, Brendan Perry on the podcast this week.  Brendan, who is one half of seminal 4AD band, Dead Can Dance, talks to me about his first band The Scavengers and the early punk rock scene in Aukland, New Zealand. His love of Bowie and early musical influences and the recording of Dead Can Dance’s self-titled debut album, released back in 1984.  So many great stories in this one! Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Link in bio  Dead Can Dance are one of my all-time favourite groups, so it was a real honour to speak to Brendan about the truly wonderful music he has made with Lisa Gerrard and as solo artist The overall sound of Dead Can Dance is tricky to define, there are elements of European folk ambient, baroque rock, classical and darkwave in their wonderful, genre-bending music. So many Dead Can Dance albums to discover, with three great solo albums from Brendan to check out too   https://www.deadcandance.com/ Dead Can Dance - 'Opium" Dead Can Dance - 'The Host Of Seraphim' (Remastered) Brendan Perry - 'Song To The Siren' (live on KEXP)  

Delighted to be joined by guitarist, producer and bandleader, Kevin Armstrong on the podcast today. Kevin talks to me about his memoir, ‘Absolute Beginner’ and time working and performing with David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Thomas Dolby and gothic rock band, Alien Sex Fiend. Kevin collaborated with Bowie on the soundtrack for the hit film Absolute Beginners and performed at Live Aid with him.  He also played on Mick Jagger’s and Bowie’s cover of ‘Dancing On The Streets, which charted at number one back in 1985.  He’s due to head out on tour with the Lust For Life band, which also features Clem Burke from Blondie and ex- Sex Pistol, Glen Matlock.    The band will, once again, perform Iggy Pop’s classic album, Lust For Life album in it’s entirety, as well as playing songs from Blondie, Bowie and the Pistols  The Lust For Life tour starts in Colchester on Wednesday 28th February  For dates and tickets visit: https://www.lustforlifetour.com/tour

My guest this week is Sal Solo from legendary new wave band, Classix Nouveaux. Last year, after an absence of over 40 years, the band released a new album called ‘Battle Cry’ on Cherry Red records.  Classix Nouveaux, who were part of the New Romantic, formed out of the ashes of punk band, X-Ray Spex.  During a six-year career, Classix released three well received albums and eleven singles; the most successful of which was the single "Is It A Dream" reaching No.11 in the UK singles chart. 

My guest this week is York based electronic musician, Anton Witter, whose music I discovered on Bandcamp, a few years back. If you enjoy listening classic synth artists like Jean-Michel Jarre, Tangerine Dream and early Numan, then you'll certainly love Anton Witter's music - highly recommend! We discuss, among other things, his creative process, his musical passions growing up and our mutual love and respect for Mr. Gary Numan. It seems like musical talent runs in the family too, Anton's brother Rick is the lead singer of popular indie band, Shed 7. To find out more about Anton - or to purchase one of his albums -check out: https://antonwitter.bandcamp.com/

My guest this week is multi-talented musician and producer, James Ellis Shaw James has worked with some of the biggest names in music and is one half of Simian Mobile Disco, who formed back in 2003. James talks to me about the making of his first ever solo record, ‘The Hum’ which came out last year on Warp Records, playing with 808 State, the formation of Simian Mobile Disco and his time as a student in Manchester We also talk a little about his work with Blur and Depeche Mode. James produced the band’s latest album ‘Memento Mori’, which is a truly fantastic record. He’s also been working with The Pet Shop Boys on their brand new album, which is due to be released in the spring  - Instagram @syntheticdreampod - Twitter @SyntheticDreamP

My guest this week is James Atkin, singer of popular indie band, EMF. We discuss, among other things, the recording of the new EMF album, 'The Beauty and the Chaos' , which is out now. He's also made some truly excellent electronic albums, including 'Circadian Rhythms' which came out in march, 2023 James also speaks about his love of teaching, a role he has had for over 13 years now. Performing on ionic music show, Top Of The Pops and how he coped with all the attention and fame back in the early nineties. For more information on the new EMF album and tour, visit: https://emf-theband.com Also, check out his Bandcamp page: https://jamesatkinmusic.bandcamp.com/album/circadian-rhythms

My guests this week are Al Sundvall and Rob Strachan from Liverpool-based band, Bonnacons of Doom. The band’s genre-defying music is difficult to categorise, it’s a real melting pot of influences, blending different musical styles, including experimental rock and electronica.  Their second album, ‘Signs’ released towards the end of October, 2023 on Rocket Recordings, is one of my favourite records from last year. It’s a fantastic album!     We discuss, among other things, the recording of ‘Signs’. The advantages and disadvantages of wearing mirrored masks onstage. Touring with Rocket Recording label mates Pigs x7, hanging out Thurston Moore and the time legendary Hawkwind dancer, Miss Stacia joined them onstage. https://bonnaconsofdoom.bandcamp.com/album/bonnacons-of-doom

My guest this week is James Lowe, singer of American band, The Electric Prunes, who formed in Los Angeles, California, back in 1965. The group's other-worldly sound, which included electronic elements, was characterised by innovative recording techniques, fuzz guitars and tape loops. Will discuss, among other things, the recording of their Psychedelic masterpiece, 'I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)' and the recording techniques they used, what it was like touring with The Doors and hanging out with Jimmi Hendrix. Some great stories in this one!  'I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)' official video

My guests, for the first episode of 2024, are Wolfgang Flür and Peter Duggal Wolfgang Flür, a true legend of electronic music, needs little introduction. He was a member of Kraftwerk, one of the most influential acts of all-time, from 1973-1987.  He played electronic drums on Kraftwerk’s best known albums, including ‘Autobahn’, ‘Trans Europe Express’ and ‘The Man Machine’   Peter, who has worked with a number of artists over the years, including Apache Indian and electronic musician, MAPS is a musician and producer based in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire. Peter’s first single ‘‘Psyche’ released in 1990 achieved chart success in the UK Dance and Indie charts  Peter and Wolfgang talk to me about the making of their album ‘Magazine 1’ which came out in 2022 on Cherry Red Records. This excellent album features a number of guest musicians, including Claudia Brücken from Propaganda and legendary bassist, Peter Hook (Joy Division/New Order  For more information on Peter Duggal's work visit: https://www.peterduggal.com

Synthetic Dreams Christmas Special (of sorts!) The return of Gerald Casale from legendary band, Devo We discuss, among other things, consumer anxiety around Christmas time, the making of the new 4D video for 'Lounge:Pay U Back', the future of virtual reality and AI created music Gerald also talks about the analog synths Devo used back in the 1970's Some really great stories in this one DEVO "Very Merry Something To You" Gerald V. Casale "Lounge: Pay U Back" [Official Music Video]

My guest this week is singer, songwriter and record producer, Nik Kershaw.  Nik rose to fame back in 1984 and enjoyed massive chart success with songs such as. ‘Wouldn’t Be Good’, Dancing Girls’, ‘I Won’t Let The Song Go Down on Me’ and ‘The Riddle’ Nik talks to me about next years 1984 tour, what it was like performing at Live Aid in 1985 and his memories of the day, performing on Top Of The Pops, songwriting and much more.  The 1984 tour, which kicks off in Lincoln on 3rd October 2024, will see Nik perform tracks from his first two albums, ‘Human Racing’ and ‘The Riddle’ both released, you guessed it, in 1984. The full list of dates are as follows: Oct 3 | Lincoln Engine Shed    Oct 4 | Sunderland Fire Station   Oct 5 | Edinburgh Queen’s Hall  Oct 6 | Holmfirth Picturedrome   Oct 8 | Cambridge Junction   Oct 9 | Manchester Academy   Oct 10 | New Brighton Floral Pavilion   Oct 11 | Wolverhampton The Halls   Oct 12 | Cardiff Tramshed   Oct 14 | Bath Komedia   Oct 15 | Portsmouth Guildhall  Oct 16 | London O2 Shepherds Bush Empire  Tickets for all of Nik’s upcoming UK shows are on sale now, from https://www.nikkershaw.net/. Nik Kershaw on Top Of The Pops Do They Know It's Christmas on Top Of The Pops Follow SynthetIc Dreams Podcast on Instagram or on X / Twitter Music for the show by Chris Ibbott

Today I am joined by Ben and Dottie from one of my favourite new bands, Deary. Their excellent self-title E.P came out last month via Sonic Cathedral We discuss, among other things, the recording the E.P, musical influences, supporting Slowdive and their plans for 2024. https://deary.bandcamp.com/ Fairground official video via Youtube