Come on in. This episode I’m joined by the delightful Midge Ure. We had a great conversation encompassing his forthcoming “Voice and Visions” tour, the 3 (three!!!) albums he has in the works, his new photography book “In A Picture Frame”, his radio show for Scala Radio, his friendship Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott, and more. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Twitter: @signalspodcast / @midgeure1Instagram: @sendingsignalspodcast / @midge_ureMidgeure.co.uk

Sending Signals

Midge Ure (Ultravox)

I’ve been expecting you. This week The Connells are releasing their first proper new album in 23 years! The record is called “Steadman’s Wake” and it’s a triumphant return. I’m joined by previous guest Mike Connell, along with frontman Doug MacMillan, as they guide us track-by-track through the album. Boy did we have fun. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.  Twitter: @signalspodcast / @connellsmusicInstagram: @sendingsignalspodcast / @therealconnells 

The Connells - The Making of “Steadman’s Wake”

Yello! This week Tom Baxter joins me to discuss fatherhood, the challenges of being a self-sustaining artist in the 21st century, and the time Boyzone covered one of his songs. I also talk to Tom and Joe from electro-pop merchants W.H. Lung about their forthcoming 2nd album “Vanities”.  Twitter: @signalspodcast / @whlungmusicInstagram: @sendingsignalspodcast / @tombaxterofficial / @whlung 

Tom Baxter / W. H. Lung

So here I am once more. Very excited to welcome Ninet Tayeb to the show this week. Ninet is an Israeli singer songwriter who shot to fame when she won the first series of “A Star Is Born”, a televised TV talent show in Israel. She became a celebrity fixation, with all the baggage and speculation that comes along with that. Her debut album “Barefoot” went platinum in a single day, but she felt that she wasn’t being authentic and worked on finding her own identity as an artist. The transition was not easy. When she previewed material from her forthcoming second album at the televised Arab Festival, the reaction was brutal and she found herself getting heckled from an agitated crowd.   Undeterred she has continued to forge her own path, carving out a continued career in music and twice winning MTV’s favourite Israeli artist award. Her most recent album 2017’s Paper Parachute has distinct shades of PJ Harvey and the noisy grunge Ninet loved as a teenager. Ninet is also a frequent collaborator with UK prog-legend Steven Wilson. Although she doesn’t self-identify as an actor, Ninet has various acting credits to her name, starring in a TV series based on her own life, and more recently the Netflix series “When Heroes Fly”. She apparently doesn’t often give interviews these days. I was thrilled she was willing to talk to me for the show. Our conversation is deep at times, but it feels honest; I felt an unexpected kinship with Ninet, and I hope you enjoy it. My other guest is responsible for probably my favourite release of the year; the debut EP by Flight Mode. The band is led by Norwegian musician Sjur Lyseid. The EP is called “Tx. ‘98” and you’ll hear how it was inspired by student exchange year Sjur spent in Texas as a 16 year old. We discuss truth vs fiction in songwriting, the pros and cons of nostalgia, and the future plans of the band. You’ll hear some clips from the EP too. Make sure you go and check out the EP. It’s currently only available digitally, but it’s pretty widely available. Enjoy. Twitter: @signalspodcast / @flightmodeosl Instagram: @sendingsignalspodcast / @flightmodeosl / @n.tayeb 

Ninet Tayeb / Flight Mode

Well hello! This week I chat to singer-songwriter Willy Mason (and producer Noel Heroux) about his excellent new album “Already Dead”, his first album for 9 years. My other guest is artist Miles Taverner, who makes stunning works of art from wood and other materials the tide happens to bring in. He has an exhibition in London in September 2021 as part of the Totally Thames Festival. Instagram: @sendingsignalspodcast / @wwilly.masonn / @milestavernerartTwitter: @signalspodcast / @wwilly_masonn  willymasonmusic.commilestavernerart.co.ukthamesfestivaltrust.orgseareconnection.co.uk 

Willy Mason (Musician) / Miles Taverner (Artist)

Did you miss me? This week, I’m joined by actor, novelist, and musician David Duchovny. David is about to release his third album “Gestureland”, and was kind enough to talk to me about it. We discuss transferring skills across art forms, the energy of inexperience vs having learnt your craft, as well as the pros and cons of long-term creative partnerships. It’s a good one! Also on the show, I welcome my dear friend Peter Eden. Peter was an A&R guy in the 60’s who branched out into the role of producer. He played a pivotal part in the early career of Donovan, and went on to produce records by John Surman, Bill Fay and more. He was also the brains behind the 70’s children’s TV series “Animal Kwackers”. Enjoy!  Twitter: @signalspodcastInstagram: @sendingsignalspodcast

David Duchovny (Actor/Musician) / Peter Eden (Producer)

How ya doin? Very cool episode this week, as I welcome musician and actor Stevie Van Zandt AKA Little Steven to the show. We talk the Disciples of Soul, rubbish 70’s production values, and the potential existence of “Electric Nebraska”. Strap in. Also, I’m delighted to welcome Canadian actor Fred Ewanuick, who is one of the stars of Corner Gas/Corner Gas Animated. When I told Fred that Stevie was the other guest, Fred felt that would make him the B-side. Why don’t we call it a double A-side? Twitter: @signalspodcastInstagram @sendingsignalspodcast

Stevie Van Zandt (Little Steven) / Fred Ewanuick (Actor)

Boo! It’s me. This week I talk to the brains behind The Go! Team, Mr Ian Parton. There’s a new Go! Team record out this week, as I type, and it’s called “Get Up Sequences Part One” and it is fan-tactic! Ian tries to explain what The Go! Team sound like, how visual aesthetics can influence his approach to music, and discussed his recent diagnosis with debilitating Meniere’s disease. Also on the show, the very sweet, very mysterious Cinjun Tate, frontman of Remy Zero who were a band that meant a lot to me. Cinjun has got quite story to tell, but getting at it took some work :) Hope you enjoy!Twitter: @signalspodcastInstagram: @sendingsignalspodcast 

Ian Parton (The Go! Team) / Cinjun Tate (Remy Zero)

It’s me! This week; Stephen Fretwell is my first guest. Stephen is back after disappearing from the music world for over 10 years. He’s released 3 new songs so far this year, and they’re very beautiful. I was curious to talk find out what it’s like to walk away from professional creativity and then find your way back. Stephen had a lot to say on the subject… My other guest is multi-instrumentalist and one-half of Morcheeba, Ross Godfrey. Morcheeba are back with a new album “Blackest Blue” and I spoke to Ross from his London home about the making of it, as well as having a broader conversation about the nature of genre. stephenfretwell.com@StephenFretwell morcheeba.uk@MorcheebaBand Twitter: @signalspodcastInstagram: @sendingsignalspodcast 

Stephen Fretwell / Ross Godfrey (Morcheeba)

Come on in! This week legendary bassist Tony Levin joins me from his place in New York State to discuss the new Liquid Tension Experiment album, as well as his work with King Crimson and Peter Gabriel, pushing his limits, and his pioneering bass techniques. He’s great company. Also, sound artist Justin Wiggan joins me for a remarkable conversation that encompasses analogue astronauts, plant-based music, Salman Rushdie, Burnley building society, and dolphins taking photographs. It’s a wild ride.   LINKSTONY LEVINtonylevin.com@tonylevin (Twitter)JUSTIN WIGGANjustinwiggan.co.uk@justin_wiggan (Twitter)@glassedtwin (Intragram)SENDING SIGNALS@signalspodcast (Twitter)@sendingsignalspodcast (Instagram)

Tony Levin (King Crimson) / Justin Wiggan (Sound Artist)

Good morning, afternoon, and/or evening! This week I’m joined by original Wings drummer Denny Seiwell to talk about his new project “Ram On”, which is a tribute to the classic McCartney album “Ram”, which Denny played on, and is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary at the moment. My other guest is M G Boulter, whose new album “Clifftown” is utterly brilliant. Matt grew up, and lives in the same area as me, and I’ve seen him play with his band The Lucky Strikes a lot over the years. He’s fantastic company; warm, eloquent, and very interesting. Matt gives us a track-by-track tour of “Clifftown” and we ponder what it means to grow up and stay put in a seaside town. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did. Twitter: @signalspodcastInstagram: @sendingsignalspodcastmgboulter.co.ukdennyseiwell.com

Denny Seiwell (Wings) / M G Boulter

Another exciting instalment of Sending Signals is here! This week I talk to David Marks about his time in The Beach Boys. David was only about 12 when he joined the band, and grew up across the street from the Wilson brothers. I get David’s take on whether Brian Wilson is being exploited, whether Mike Love gets a bad rap, and the truth about the guitar stabs on “Don’t Worry Baby”. My other guest is David Brewis from one of Britain’s finest bands Field Music. I’ve loved this band for a long time, and David is such nice company. Their latest album “Flat White Moon” is out now and it’s predictably great. Unfortunately the circumstances that inspired the album were less than great, and David and I have a candid conversation about loss and the nature of memory. It’s a good one. davidleemarks.comfield-music.co.ukTwitter: @signalspodcastInstagram: @sendingsignalspodcast

David Marks (Beach Boys) / David Brewis (Field Music)

What-ho! In this very special episode, David Crosby talks to me about the new 50th Anniversary box set of Crosby Stills Nash & Young’s masterpiece “Deja Vu”, as well as the future of the band, learning to control his temper, and how to die well. Also, I dig into the show’s archive to bring you a little bit of my interview with Bay City Rollers frontman Les McKeown who sadly passed away last week aged 65.  Twitter: @signalspodcastInstagram: @sendingsignalspodcast

David Crosby on CSNY’s “Deja Vu” 50th Anniversary

Whatcha. This week I’m joined by one of my teenage guitar heroes Steve Cradock. Steve is the guitarist in Ocean Colour Scene, as well as frequently working with Paul Weller, and more recently playing lead for The Specials. He’s just reissued his second solo record “Peace City West” with a new mix. Also joining me is Scott Milligan, the brains behind Burton prog-poppers Kitten Pyramid. There’s a new Kitten Pyramid album out now called “Koozy” and it’s a triumph over absurdity; funny, sad, and bizarre. Scott takes me through it, track by track.  Twitter @signalspodcastInstagram @sendingsignalspodcastkittenpyramid.co.ukstevecradock.com

Steve Cradock (OCS, Weller) / Kitten Pyramid

Me again! This week I talk to screenwriter and director William Nicholson about his incredible movie “Hope Gap” and the personal experiences that fed into the project. Bill also has screenwriting credits on “Les Mis”, “Gladiator”, “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”, and more, so it was fascinating to learn about his approach to projects that diverse.   Also on the show I talk to Halifax indie-disco merchants The Orielles about their brilliant new record “La Vita Olistica” and the accompanying short film. We discuss the relationship between different art forms, the benefits of returning to a project with some perspective, and much more.   Twitter @signalspodcastInstagram @sendingsignalspodcasttheorielles.co.ukwilliamnicholson.com 

hubhopper

Sending Signals

hubhopper