In the final episode of the season I had the total privilege of chatting to Mille Manders of 'Millie Manders and The Shutup' about all things music. Norwich resident Millie very generously shares her experience of the industry and talks about the hard work, the toil, the rewards and the sheer bliss of being a DIY musician. Millie is a first class musician and has been ploughing a deep furrow into the heart of the music scene with her high-octane, fierce sound that's bursting with attitude. Please check out: https://millie-manders.com

A local music scene is full of surprises and excellent discoveries if you just scratch the surface. Just like that time I bumped into a superb Jazz guitarist at a local community gig who also turned out to be a retired producer for the BBC, a touring cruise ship regular and, amongst many other things, Ed Sheeran's former guitar teacher! I was beyond excited to talk to Keith Krykant who lives just round the corner from me here in Lowestoft, UK and very generously gave up his evening to come and have a chat with me in my home studio. Keith is the most humble musician I have ever met despite his huge musical career and it was a total joy to talk to someone who has been there and back!

Successful and driven Heavy Metal musician Daniel Finch joins me to share his journey, stories and experience of the Heavy Metal scene and what it means to him.  Please check out some of Daniels music: www.facebook.com/thedeadsoulcommunion Dead Soul Communion on Bandcamp

My first on location episode takes places at the amazing new venue in Lowestoft: The Grit Centre for the Arts & Heritage. The owner and curator at said Arts Centre, Piers Colby, very generously allowed me access to his great new venue which is set in the old Magistrates court. Piers is also part of The Hard Working Blues Band along with my other guests Adam Jarrett (very active within the Norfolk Blues Society) and superb harmonica player (and one of my oldest friends) Ryan Duffer. All three of these exceptional musicians had some great experience to share with me in this incredible setting and brand new venue. www.facebook.com/gritartslowestoft The Grit Main Website www.facebook.com/hardworkingbluesband The Hard Working Blues Band on Youtube

Guitar welding troubadour Isaac Lister who 'loves as hard as he fights' has recently returned to our local music scene from York and brings with him a breath of fresh air. Hitting all the local bars spreading his music and love, Isaac takes some time out with me to discuss his upcoming musical projects, watch me have my windows cleaned, have a live text chat with his old mate Chris Helme from the Seahorses and many more fun things! Follow Isaac's exploits on socials: Instagram: @isaaclisterlive Facebook: www.facebook.com/isaaclisterlive

Acoustic, original Americana artist and the other blues man in Lowestoft, Gram Philliips gives some great advice for the DIY musician on this in-depth episode of the podcast. Known professionally as Tupelo Lime, Gram talks us through Twitch streaming, getting an agent, getting a manager, getting euro gigs, authenticity and the plethora of other mountains that the DIY musician has to climb in order to create revenue streams. We also talk about building a musical community and discuss the benefits of creating a local music scene. Check out Gram's music Tupelo Lime: https://tupelolime.com

Here in Lowestoft we have some highly skilled instrument repair people to keep us musicians on the road and playing our songs. On this episode of the poddy the Guitar Doctor, Andrew McKee, talks us through the repairs he undertakes and explains to a guitar idiot like me how it all works. I will just say that since the recording of this interview, Andrew has worked on my Squier Strat and has done a fabulous job so please check out and his work at: https://guitardoctoruk.com

Ben Hampton from newly formed promotion company Culture Vulture Promotions came and had a chat about the company's plans and promotional tactics. The venue which Ben alludes to on this podcast is The Globe at the top end of Lowestoft HIgh Street, at the time of recording it was a closely guarded secret that Ben was going to re-open and revitalise it. Please check out their events on the links below: The Globe: https://www.facebook.com/theglobelowestoft Culture Vulture on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/culturevulturelive Culture Vulture on Instagram: @culturevulturelive

Known on the local circuit as 'the human jukebox' superb local guitarist Ben Lever joins us on the show to talk about the importance of having a large...repertoire. Ben also shares with us his history and involvement within the local music scene and talks about his more recent bands; The Masie-Joe & Ben Show and The Boston Tea Party. Danny R joins in with the laughs and banter and gives his perspective of a local battle of the bands contest he was in many years ago, competing against Ben's band!  Check out Ben's music: The Boston Tea Party

Joining me on the podcast for this episode is the genius that is Raoul Crane; owner of Blaze Studios and frontman/guitarist for local legendary rock band The Floating Greyhounds. For this extended episode Raoul gets deep into working with bands, music production, sound engineering and even spills the beans about his latest project: building a recording studio from scratch! Anyone that has heard the music production that emerges from Blaze Studios will testify to the fact that the man really knows his stuff. I'm extremely grateful that Raoul came on the show to share his knowledge and experience with all of us! www.blaze-studios.co.uk

The incredibly knowledgable audio engineer Sam Wilson makes a return visit to the podcast to get pummelled with questions about recording. This time the questions don't just come from me but the rather curious nature of Danny R as well. Both myself and Danny being relative beginners at the home recording malarkey we take every chance to ask all the questions imaginable about what our recording kit actually does.Follow Sam on Insta:@samwilsonaudioHave a listen to Sam's band Mojique:https://linktr.ee/mojiqueband

Local legend Darren Steger-Lewis joins me on the poddy in this episode to talk about the great work he does in the local community and on the music scene. A total audiophile, Darren has organised some of the best music events in the Lowestoft area as well as having being a club DJ, radio presenter and (sometimes) a musician. Always funny and gregarious, Darren shares some great insight into the local scene and shows (despite his youth!) that he has a wealth of experience and knowledge to draw on. Keep up with Darren's shenanigans:https://www.facebook.com/stegerlewishttps://www.facebook.com/CareAndRealLovin

This week I'm throwing the spotlight on the insanely talented guitarist Robby Hodgey. Robby shares the story of his involvement on the local scene and how he survives the music industry in a digital media age.Check out Robby's band 'Smoking Mirrors':https://www.youtube.com/c/SmokingMirrorsRobby's YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/user/Hodgey23

In a series of special episodes I'm throwing the spotlight on individual artists to get them to talk about their music, inspiration and process. On this particular episode I was joined by talented singer-songwriter Nathan Cochrane of the superb local pop-punk outfit 'Like Optimists'. Check out Nathan and his music here:https://www.facebook.com/likeoptimistshttps://www.instagram.com/LikeOptimists/https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/likeoptimists/the-stressjust-like-yoursLike Optimists on Spotify

The very talented songwriter Ryan Redwood agreed to come back into the studio and have a chat about his recording process. This time Ryan bought along his very knowledgable sound engineer friend, Sam Wilson, to talk us through what goes into creating a recording. Sam also shares some great tips and how to get started with home recording and talks about his own music with the band Mojique. Strap yourselves in, it gets a bit geeky! 🤓Ryan Redwoodwww.ryanredwood.co.ukSam WilsonInstagram: @samwilsonaudioMojique: https://linktr.ee/mojiqueband

An actual bona fide rock star graces my studio in this landmark episode. Guitarist Mark Chapman from local (and then global) band 'A' talks to me about many things including how he got started, how they got signed to Warner and why their band name is the most difficult to search for on Google! A are currently on tour with the mighty Reef.https://www.facebook.com/acommunication

Making a living from a covers band takes hard work and dedication. My guests this week are no strangers to this. Kevin Harrison and Lee Chapman together form part of popular local sixties tribute band 'The Austin Beats'. Lee also runs the very busy function band 'The Invisible Band'. Lee and Kevin generously share some great insights into how it all works behind the scenes stemming from their love of music and the culture that surrounds it.www.theaustinbeats.comwww.theinvisibleband.co.ukwww.facebook.com/theaustinbeatswww.facebook.com/theinvisiblebanduk Instagram: @theaustinbeats@invisiblebanduk

Young man about town Ryan Redwood is the subject of this week's podcast. Ryan was part of the successful local bands 'British Rejects' and 'T.OR.' but is now striking out on his own with original material and a spring in his step. Ryan talks to us about making the change to solo musician and all the pitfalls and triumphs of being part of our local music scene and the UK scene at large.Check out Ryan's music and tour dates:www.ryanredwood.co.uk

Three local singer-songwriters, Chris Garrod, Coral Cross and Danny R generously take their time to share their knowledge and experience of a wide range of subjects including; recruiting band members, writing songs, using tech and of course, their passion for their music.Chris Garrod - The Jamshedders:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZjvuPBs948S5NB4JgKdynA/featuredThe Coral Cross Band:https://www.facebook.com/TheCoralCrossBand/Danny Rhttps://www.facebook.com/dannyrguitar

It was my extreme pleasure to talk to Richard Trigg of the superb Rap 'n' Roll six-piece CTHRU27 about keeping the passion going for a band for over twenty years. Richard also shared some great rock n roll stories and told us what he's up to now.Formed in 2001 in Suffolk, CTHRU27 are certainly no strangers to the scene. After years of driving around the UK and selling demos out of the back of smelly vans, 2005 finally saw the release of the bands stunningly crafted EP ‘Radio..N’. Described by “A”s Mark Chapman as “Cross between the Beastie Boys and The Streets”. CTHRU27 also had a new album out in 2021: 'Gas Lighter'.Follow Richard and CTHRU27 on Instagram:@richie_design@cthru27www.cthru27.com