Monthly Archives: June 2017

The enduring appeal of Sparks – in conversation with Ron Mael

  Many of us of a certain age will recall the first time we heard American art-pop-rockers Sparks, a band that properly appeared on the UK chart radar around the time of the glam movement, sitting pretty comfortably amid an … Continue reading

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Championing a little respect, to the sky and back – the Vince Clarke interview

When World Be Gone, the 17th studio album from Erasure, crashed into the UK album chart at No. 6 this month, it proved to be this established synth-pop duo’s highest new entry since 1994’s I Say I Say I Say, which … Continue reading

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Fingers Crossed for top night with Mott legend – the Ian Hunter interview

Ian Hunter was at home in Connecticut when I called, having a few days to himself before returning to the UK with The Rant Band for the latest run of shows to promote last year’s acclaimed Fingers Crossed album. He’s … Continue reading

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To the power of 3WW – back in touch with Alt-J’s Gus Unger-Hamilton

This week saw the release of the brand new Alt-J LP, Relaxer, coming on the tail of this inventive trio’s Mercury Prize and Ivor Novello Award-winning 2012 debut An Awesome Wave and 2014’s No.1, Grammy and Brit Award-nominated This Is … Continue reading

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Still acting nonchalant with The Searchers – the John McNally interview

John McNally was back home in Crosby when I called this week, barely five miles from his Kirkdale roots. It seems like he’s rarely there though, thanks to a punishing tour schedule for his band, The Searchers, one of the leading … Continue reading

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Ron Sexsmith / Lori Cullen – Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester

Six nights after a horrified world faced the aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing, there was proof of live music’s healing power when Ron Sexsmith and Lori Cullen visited nearby Oxford Road. Barely a mile and a half from the … Continue reading

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