Singer-songwriter Chris Difford (Squeeze) is joined by musical guests to talk about the highs and lows of their career in this new podcast from Help Musicians. Series 4 returns on Tuesday March 19th with James Blunt. Listen to our previous episodes now and find out more at www.HelpMusicians.org.uk
S3 Ep9: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Pauline Black
Jun 05, 2023
Show notes
Alongside Chris this time is musical pioneer and stye icon, Pauline Black of the 2-Tone legends The Selecter. The Coventry ska band not only influenced many UK post-punk bands, but would also later help shape Trip-hop and the American punk scene in the 1990s. There's much to enjoy in this warm and open conversation, including why a chance meeting at a folk club set Pauline on her musical path, how Jimi Hendrix and Angela Davis helped her find her style and why a Bob Marley gig proved to be so critical to future of The Selecter.
S3 Ep8: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Gavin Rossdale
May 29, 2023
Show notes
Joining Chris this time is Gavin Rossdale, best known as frontman for the rock band Bush, a British group that managed to rack up millions of album sales in the American dominated grunge scene. He was later a tabloid fixture due to his marriage to Gwen Stefani. In Chris' company Gavin discusses why he's gone "super-heavy" 30 years into his career, how he collaborates with other musicians (including pianist Mike Garson and Amy from Evanescence), why he enjoys acting and how writing music is a "traumatic experience".
S3 Ep7: I Never Thought It Would Happen - KT Tunstall
May 22, 2023
Show notes
On this episode of his podcast Chris welcomes back singer-songwriter KT Tunstall. When Chris last spoke with KT two years ago, her future as a musician looked bleak, given she was suffering from severe hearing loss. But KT returns with a hugely positive story - cutting edge technology has allowed her to regain her hearing, and with that the ability to perform and record to her very best. Along with this remarkable update, the conversation also touches upon KT's delight at working collaboratively within musical theatre, her love of humorist Ivor Cutler and the delightful Japanese art of Kintsugi.
S3 Ep6: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Kevin Rowland
May 15, 2023
Show notes
For this episode Chris is joined by Kevin Rowland, frontman for Dexy's Midnight Runners, one of Britain's most distinctive bands. Having emerged out of the post-punk scene, Dexy's created a unique blend of soul and Irish folk music, and in doing scored a huge global hit single with "Come On Eileen" in 1982. In this revealing chat, Kevin talks about his journey into music making, the remarkable story behind the "My Beauty" album, overcoming addiction and the forthcoming Dexy's album "The Feminine Divine" and the theatrical concept planned for the tour in support of the new album.
S3 Ep5: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Skin
May 08, 2023
Show notes
Joining Chris for the latest episode of the Help Musicians podcast is Skin, front woman for the British alternative band Skunk Anansie, and also a solo artist and globally renowned DJ. When Skunk Anansie arrived on the UK music scene in 1994 they were like a bolt from the blue; culturally diverse, exciting, eclectic, electric and politically charged. In April 2001, the band split, but returned in 2009 and are still recording and touring. In this episode, Skin discusses the excitement of growing up in Brixton, why making music can be a form of therapy, the joy of having a home studio and how being a musician today entails so much more than simply writing and performing.
S3 Ep4: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Henry Rollins
May 01, 2023
Show notes
Chris’ guest in this episode is the polymath Henry Rollins. Punk records and live shows in Washington DC galvanised Henry to head out on the road and forge a hugely diverse career. He sang with punk legends Black Flag - plus his own group, Rollins Band - but has also done acting, voice-over work, spoken word shows, journalism, presented documentaries and has had a long running radio show. In this wide-ranging conversation, Henry talks about his remarkable career and his passion for music, something which stemmed from his difficult upbringing where music was an escape for him. But perhaps the most surprising thing to come out of this conversation is Henry’s appreciation of the classic musicals. As you’ll hear, there’s much more to the man than just his punk rock roots.
S3 Ep3: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Lemar
Apr 24, 2023
Show notes
In this episode, Chris talks to the singer-songwriter Lemar who was first introduced to music fans via the BBC television show Fame Academy. Following his successful appearance there came a string of hit singles, awards and millions of record sales. Apart from a covers album back in 2015, he’s been keeping a low profile of late. But after a wait of 11 years, he’s returned with "Page In My Heart", a new album of original material. In Chris' company, Lemar discusses the music he heard at home growing up and how losing his mother inspired him to pursue a musical career, why touring means so much to him and how hard it is for an artist to maintain mystique in the social media age.
S3 Ep2: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Joan Armatrading
Apr 17, 2023
Show notes
Joining Chris in this podcast is one of Britain’s greatest and most unique singer-songwriters, Joan Armatrading, who’s also a skilled guitarist with a spine-tingling voice. She released her first album in 1972 and since then she’s proven to be a fearless pioneer and pursued her musical muse with a single-minded determination, retaining total control of her music from writing to recording to performing. In this episode Joan discusses her parents' curious relationship with musical instruments, her determined desire to learn how to play and record music and whether song-writing can be a form of therapy.
S3 Ep1: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Kelly Jones
Apr 10, 2023
Show notes
To kick off series three of I Never Thought It Would Happen, Chris Difford is joined by Kelly Jones, singer, songwriter and guitarist for Welsh stadium rockers Stereophonics. The band released their debut album in 1997 and experienced a meteoric rise to fame, subsequently enjoying 8 back to back number one albums in the UK, putting them in the same league as Oasis, REM and Taylor Swift. In this conversation Chris and Kelly cover the highs and lows of life in a band; from growing up in a musical household, appearing on Top Of The Pops to the tragic early death of drummer Stuart Cable, a childhood friend of Kelly's and a founding member of Stereophonics. And bringing things up to date, the pair talk enthusiastically about Kelly's new side project, Far From Saints.
S3 Ep1: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Series 3 on April 11th
Mar 28, 2023
Show notes
Standby as series 3 of I Never Thought It Would Happen with Chris Difford and Help Musicians returns soon with a fantastic lineup of guests. Series 3 returns April 11th with Kelly Jones
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