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
S1 Ep12: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Tom Odell
Oct 25, 2021
Show notes
In this episode, Chris invites singer-songwriter Tom Odell to discuss the highs and the lows of the fine art of songwriting. The pair also discuss their shared history which goes back to Tom's time as a music student in Brighton. The conversation also takes in the brilliance of Elton John, how it's hard to practice piano quietly and the dark side of Los Angeles.
S1 Ep11: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Tim Burgess
Oct 18, 2021
Show notes
In this episode Chris is joined by Tim Burgess, the frontman for The Charlatans, a man who's now a household name for his Twitter Listening Party, which has featured everyone from Art Of Noise to The Zutons and most famously, Paul McCartney. In this chat with Chris Tim talks not only about bringing the nation together under lockdown, but also recalls his record collection as a teenager, the excitement of being in a recording studio for the first time and how DJ-ing and writing have replaced drink and drugs.
S1 Ep10: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Amy Wadge
Oct 11, 2021
Show notes
Joining Chris in this episode is Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Amy Wadge. Amy was gripped by music from a very early age and was writing her own songs on the family piano at 9 years old, and by 11 had switched to guitar having been hugely inspired by Tracy Chapman's debut album. Soon thereafter, she and a friend were gigging regularly around her hometown of Bristol and signed their first record contract aged just 14 and released their first single at 16. There then followed a run of solo EPs and albums, but it was a meeting with another young singer-songwriter that would change Amy's life. That musician was Ed Sheeran, and their first collaboration was Ed's 2010 EP, "Songs I Wrote With Amy". From that point onwards they've become regular collaborators, with their co-written "Thinking Out Loud" landing the duo a Grammy. Amy is now an in demand songwriter for hire, spending much of her time in Nashville and has worked with artists from James Blunt, John Legend and Keith Urban to Kylie Minogue, Alicia Keys and Deltra Goodrem.
S1 Ep9: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Alfie Boe
Oct 04, 2021
Show notesIn this episode Chris is joined by a lad from Fleetwood in Lancashire, who was discovered by Baz Luhrmann and is now recognised as one of the most gifted and popular British classical singers. In this extensive and revealing conversation, Alfie discusses growing up in a musical family, the youngest of 9 children, and how a job in a car workshop kick-started his career (a story straight out of Hollywood). He also talks about being fired for falling asleep on the job, studying at the Royal College Of Music, his love of songwriting and the huge successful collaboration with Michael Ball.
S1 Ep8: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Midge Ure
Sep 27, 2021
Show notes
Midge Ure is the musician joining Chris in this episode, to discuss his long and highly eclectic career. From his inauspicious start in a teen pop band to work alongside Sex Pistol Glenn Matlock, through a stint with Thin Lizzy and onto groundbreaking work with Ultravox and Visage, the world changing Live Aid and a diverse solo career. All of this, from the highs to the lows, is considered with lots of humour, self deprecation and keen insight.
S1 Ep7: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Yungblud
Sep 20, 2021
Show notes
Joining Chris for this episode is Doncaster born actor and genre hopping musician, Dominic Harrison - who's better known as Yungblud. In a funny, profound and sometimes profane conversation the duo cover everything from music as a close companion in childhood, seeing The Who live at 9 years old, eating pink tacos with Slash, to how fans can empower an artist (and vice-versa) and being in a co-dependent relationship with 5 million people.
S1 Ep6: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Evelyn Glennie
Sep 13, 2021
Show notes
Joining Chris in this episode is the world's foremost solo percussionist, Dame Evelyn Glennie. Topics covered in the conversation include her idyllic childhood in the spacious rural countryside of Aberdeenshire followed by the move to noisy, crowded London to study at the Royal Academy Of Music. The duo also touch upon the difficulties of touring the world with a selection of her 2000+ percussion instruments, the glass harp and Evelyn's admiration for Ed Sheeran.
S1 Ep5: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Billy Bragg
Sep 06, 2021
Show notes
Joining Chris on this episode is Billy Bragg, singer-songwriter, activist, "one-man Clash" and skiffle aficionado. Across the conversation Billy discusses his first musical loves, how hr came to pick up the guitar and his eye-opening trip to the United States, on tour with Echo And The Bunnymen. They also touch upon Kirsty MacColl, empathy in music, the art of writing books and the pros and cons of life in the army.
S1 Ep4: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Nitin Sawhney
Aug 30, 2021
Show notes
In this episode of Chris' podcast, he's joined by the composer, multi-instrumentalist and multi-award winning Nitin Sawhney. Raised in Kent in a musical family, the young Nitin would pore over his dad's eclectic record collection and try his hand at any instruments that took his fancy. Later he would study law and dabble with comedy and accountancy, before deciding to follow his true calling - music. And given he's since worked with Paul McCartney, Sinead O'Connor, Jeff Beck, Brian Eno and Ellie Goulding, it's proven to have been a smart choice. Nitin has also composed for TV, gaming and theatre, as well as forging a much acclaimed solo career.
S1 Ep3: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Ruby Turner
Aug 23, 2021
Show notes
Joining Chris in this episode is the vocal legend Ruby Turner. Born in Jamaica before moving to Birmingham in the Seventies, Ruby was brought up surrounded by music. In Chris' company, Ruby reveals that seeing the Jackson 5 live was a pivotal moment in her life, as was a live performance by Joan Armatrading. And so Ruby began her musical odyssey, working first with Culture Club, before she embarked on a solo career, now 20 albums deep. She's also worked with Bryan Ferry, UB40, Mick Jagger and has been a long time regular in Jools Holland's band. And she has an amazing story about her father and Johnny Cash.
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
Stay Connected
