PODCAST

Feeling Versonic

Stephen Connor

Feeling Versonic is an Indie Hub featuring news, views and interviews with notable creatives on entrepreneurial lifestyle, health (very much including mental health) and original independent music.

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Feeling Versonic - Series 2

Feeling Versonic - Series 2

05-07-2020

45 seconds

Versonic Live!

Versonic is a 5-piece indie rock cover band from Epsom, UK. We play a pulsating mix of crowd-pleasing, audience engaging indie rock covers in pubs, clubs and private hire events. The audio featured in this podcast is taken from an iPhone positioned in the main auditorium of The Cryer Arts Theatre in Carshalton, UK during a live performance by Versonic at a private hire party event on Saturday 19th February 2022. Playlist includes live covers of songs originally performed by The Kooks, The Coral, Wheatus, Jimmy Eat World, Jet, Blink-182, Green Day, Kings of Leon, The Zutons, The View, 4 Non-Blondes and The Killers. Headphones recommended. https://www.instagram.com/versonicmusic https://www.facebook.com/VersonicBand --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stephen-connor2/message

04-03-2022

47 mins

Have Yourselves a Rocking Christmas

Have Yourselves a Rocking Christmas

Versonic is a 5-Piece Indie Rock Guitar Covers Band from Epsom UK. We play a pulsating heady mix of anthemic, crowd-pleasing and some might say singalong rock guitar covers. With the band having 5 gigs in the month of December we thought we had better get festive and include a few Christmas songs to our set. We thought long and hard about which songs our audience might like, and of course staying true to the indie rock 'bangers' vibe that Versonic is renowned for we headed down to the Versonic Music Studio and smashed out these four Christmas Crackers for your delight and delectation; 1. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town 2. Step Into Christmas 3. Last Christmas 4. Merry Christmas Everybody We play these tracks live as part of our December shows and they have proved to be extremely popular with our audiences. You can grab yourself a personal copy on CD at Versonic gigs, or you can stream for free, but do yourselves a favour and download your very own copy for future Christmas' - or gift it to someone special for a Fiver on our Bandcamp. https://versonic1.bandcamp.com/album/have-yourselves-a-rocking-christmas-ep Don't be a Scrooge now! Happy Christmas from all at Versonic https://feelingversonic.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stephen-connor2/message

22-12-2021

1 hr

Andy Brook @ The Brook

Andy Brook @ The Brook

Delighted to welcome Music Producer Andy Brook as my guest on Series 3, Episode 001. Andy has produced, engineered and toured with the likes of Status Quo, Bonnie Tyler, Ginger Wildheart, Uriah Heep, Francis Rossi, Mel Gaynor, Greg Jackman, Del-Amitri, Travis, Tiger Lillie's, Towers of London, Hayseed Dixie, Million Dead, Breed 77 as well as Universal, Sony & WMG. He is also involved in film and TV, location and media post production and is a registered member of PRS, APRS, PPL, MU and the MPG as well as being a 2020 member class of the Recording Academy as a full voting member for the Grammys. Andy studied acoustic composition and composition with electronics at the University of Hertfordshire, graduating with a BA(hons) in Electronic Music in 2001. Whilst professionally active he gained an advanced C&G in Music Technology with distinction at the City of Westminster College and an MA in Audio Production from the University of Westminster. He established himself as a producer building Studio Sonic in Wallington, Surrey in 2002 before relocating to larger premises in London’s Denmark Street from 2004 – 2009, where he also produced live sessions for Total Rock Radio. He then became the resident producer at Scream Studios, Croydon 2009-2011 before building Strummers Recording Studio, Holloway 2012-2013 and then moving onto his current studio at The Brook in Wallington in 2014. Andy currently freelances as a producer, mix engineer and recording engineer. After some years teaching BTEC Diploma in Music Technology Levels 2, 3, 4 & 5 he is now a visiting assessor for JAMES. Current live projects he is involved in include playing for The Middlenight Men, Rich Ragany & The Digressions, Shush, Scott McFarnon, Toccata Music Group and he also runs a local community choir. Hope you enjoy the Episode. https://www.andybrook.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stephen-connor2/message

08-11-2021

1 hr

A Band called A

A Band called A

Delighted to welcome the ebullient 'The Yin' (Adam Perry) as our very special guest on Episode 048 of The Feeling Versonic Podcast 'A Band called A'. Adam is an award winning, mega-talented, experienced music industry professional with a wealth of experience in pretty much everything that a career in the music business can offer. From being a major label artist as the drummer in rock bands 'A' and 'Bloodhoung Gang' to being a music entrepreneur, business start-up CEO, tour manager, festival promoter, producer and celebrity ambassador with the Prince's Trust. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Perry_(drummer) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stephen-connor2/message

20-09-2021

1 hr

Feeling Versonic - The Brand

Feeling Versonic is an Indie Hub which includes the increasingly high profile Feeling Versonic Music Commentary Podcast. The podcast features news, views and interviews with notable creatives on entrepreneurial lifestyle, health (very much including mental health) and original independent music. The Feeling Versonic brand introduces a range of fashionable clothing, tantalising fragrances, enticing body sprays and energising health products. Look Good. Smell Good. Feel good. https://feelingversonic.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stephen-connor2/message

16-09-2021

27 mins

Lead the Way

Delighted to welcome Rapper/Singer-Songwriter Jay Dagley as my guest on Episode 046 of the Feeling Versonic Podcast 'Lead the Way'. Jay, from Leicestershire found a great passion in music from a young age. His early influences were Robbie Williams, Maroon 5 and Justin Timberlake. In 2002 Eminem released ‘Lose yourself’ which drew Jay’s attention to rap and the art of song writing. At 14 years old Jay started to write his own lyrics to grime instrumentals, shortly after he was given the opportunity to record music with a local singer beginning his ambition to become a recording artist. In 2009 a collaboration with Kev Bland, a friend and mentor, led to producing 3 acoustic albums over 5 years. Jay then invested in his own home studio allowing him to expand his knowledge of the recording and production of music whilst also working with a Nuneaton based producer. 2014 sparked a collaboration with up and coming producer ‘Hive’ which began with freestyling to acoustic guitar riffs and has developed in to a long working relationship releasing numerous singles. Jay and Hive produced their first music video in 2019 launching their online presence leading to features on Hive sessions vlog. https://www.instagram.com/jaydmuzik/ https://www.instagram.com/hiveaudioproduction/ https://hiveaudioproduction.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stephen-connor2/message

16-08-2021

59 mins

Falling in Love with Being Alive

Falling in Love with Being Alive

Delighted to welcome indie rock duo singer-songwriter Paul Hipson, and guitarist Hugh Frizell who make up the band 'Hippy' as my guests on Episode 045 the Feeling Versonic Podcast 'Falling in Love with Being Alive'. Hippy formed in September 2019. Paul and Hugh met via a mutual acquaintance in Glasgow and hit it off both musically and personally. A studio was duly booked by October '19 with the boys recording and releasing their first single 'Aries Girl'. Subsequent songs and releases Feelgood, Junkyard Babies and Volunteer were released thereafter in early to mid 2020. Paul is an established singer songwriter within the Glasgow community and beyond, and has played many gigs building up a solid following of his own. Hugh is an experienced guitar player and artist of many years with a background in touring, live, studio and writing within the blues, rock and indie genres. An album 'Behind Every Song Is A Story' was released to critical acclaim in October 2020. The band also received national radio airplay via Billy Sloan at his BBC Radio Scotland show with Billy regularly playing the band on his Saturday night slot. The band have also received local airplay throughout the UK on various stations and music commentary podcasts. New album 'Falling in Love with Being Alive' will be released globally on 27th August 2021 and it's a cracker. https://www.instagram.com/hippy.music https://youtu.be/TOMvKVuwtg4 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stephen-connor2/message

10-08-2021

1 hr

Kiss and Tell

Delighted to welcome Singer-Songwriter Kit Bennett AKA Miss Kitty as my guest on Episode 044 of the Feeling Versonic Podcast - 'Kiss and Tell'. A fierce believer in equality and defier of authority, Miss Kitty grew up a wild child of nature, predominantly in the southwest of England and Wales, though her first few years were spent aboard a 52 ft schooner, sailing around the Irish Sea. Since taking up guitar as a teen and walking out of school at 15, life has been one crazy musical adventure after another, from winning a battle of the bands in Newquay aged 20, to spending two years in a cabin in South Wales with nothing but candlelight and an upright piano, to performing all over the UK and US with folk-pop band Wildflowers. Now we find her back in Bristol, with a string of singles and her DIY debut album Kiss & Tell under her belt. Winning the hearts of listeners all over the world with the support of radio stations such as Resonance FM, Great Music Stories and Exile FM, Miss Kitty’s fast-growing fanbase is testament to her singing and songwriting prowess. https://www.iammisskitty.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stephen-connor2/message

26-07-2021

55 mins

Improvizone

Charles Fernyhough is a writer and psychologist. His non-fiction book about his daughter’s psychological development, The Baby in the Mirror, was published by Granta in 2008. His book on autobiographical memory, Pieces of Light (Profile, 2012) was shortlisted for the 2013 Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books. His latest non-fiction book is The Voices Within (Profile/Wellcome Collection, 2016). He is the editor of Others: Writers on the power of words to help us see beyond ourselves (Unbound, 2019), with net profits supporting refugee and anti-hate charities. Charles is the author of two novels, The Auctioneer (Fourth Estate, 1999) and A Box Of Birds (Unbound, 2013). His fiction has been published in several anthologies including New Writing 11 and New Writing 14. His books have been translated into thirteen languages. Charles has written for Scientific American, LA Times, TIME Ideas, Nature, New Scientist, BBC Focus, Guardian, Observer, Financial Times, Literary Review, Sunday Telegraph, Lancet, Scotland on Sunday, Huffington Post, Daily Beast and Sydney Morning Herald. He blogs for the US magazine Psychology Today and has made numerous TV and radio appearances in the UK and US, including BBC2’s Horizon, BBC Radio 4’s Start the Week, Woman’s Hour, All in the Mind and The Digital Human, and BBC World Service’s The Forum. He has acted as consultant on theatre productions on Broadway and the West End, numerous TV (BBC1 and Channel 4) and radio documentaries, and several other artistic projects. He has played guitar in a variety of musical projects, most recently the ambient collective Improvizone. Charles is a part-time Professor of Psychology at Durham University, where he leads the interdisciplinary Hearing the Voice project, investigating the phenomenon of auditory verbal hallucinations. He has published more than 120 peer-reviewed journal articles on topics such as inner speech, memory and child development. Further details are available at www.charlesfernyhough.com. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stephen-connor2/message

28-06-2021

39 mins

Alchemy

Jacqueline Norton Coach | Creator | Speaker | Aurator Jacqueline is an executive coach specialising in the transformation that can be achieved by working on our inner 'stuff', achieving results that are closer to alchemy than therapy. She has a portfolio career with several roles and is also a songwriter and a survivor of breast cancer, twice. Jacq coaches executives in business, sales and the art of connection, drawing on her over 25 years’ experience of selling multi-million-pound solutions, with authenticity. She also coaches musicians, artists and creatives how to structure and manage their business so their music can be heard. Until recently (March 2021) she was working for Deloitte, one of the Big 4 accountancy firms and the largest professional services company in the world, coaching senior partners and teams on winning bid strategy. Jacq has been coaching for over five years and is a qualified NLP Coach, Life Coach, Clinical Hypnotherapist, EFT Practitioner, Mentor, Speaker, Songwriter and the creator of Authentic Artists https://authentic-artists.com and Aurate Limited. She is qualified and certified in NLP for therapists, accredited by BathH British Association of Hypnotists and NLP Practitioners, GHR, GHSC, and certified by ANLP Association of NLP, the UK’S largest NLP membership body for practicing professionals. https://linktr.ee/Jacq9 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stephen-connor2/message

07-06-2021

59 mins

Kings Man

Joining me as my guest on Episode 041 of the increasingly high profile Feeling Versonic Podcast is the ebullient all-rounder Kev Bland. Kev is multi-talented with a diverse range of life skills and an expert in the field of outdoor pursuits and mountain leadership. A former Royal Marines Commando and recipient of the illustrious Kings Badge, a visible mark of a man who is first amongst equals and exemplifies the Commando Spirit. A notable and creative Singer-Songwriter, Kev uses the songwriting process as a cathartic measure in dealing with his own feelings and emotions. Having qualified as a lecturer in further education teaching disaffected year 10 and 11 students, Kev followed his passion to motivate and drive for excellence steering him towards becoming a part of the quality audit team and teacher training staff. He left full time teaching when he was selected as a Performance Coach with Worldskills UK where his role was to mentally and physically prepare young apprentices to compete on the world stage. Outside of education he has worked to support the film industry in a number of areas both in front of, and behind the camera as support crew or special action roles alongside stunt teams. With over 30 years of climbing experience he has mentored a number of stunt men in this skill. Other outdoor instruction has seen him teach navigation to a range of candidates from disaffected youngsters to potential UKSF candidates. Being a singer/songwriter has always been a steady fixture in the background with countless gigs under his belt, both solo and in bands, and a handful of tracks on prestigious climbing movies to boot! Favourite current quote "Success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm". Kev is the Founder Director and CEO of men's mental health group The Leg Up Project. A social hub with the sole purpose of raising the holistic well-being for all involved. https://www.facebook.com/TheLegUpProjectCIC https://www.instagram.com/thelegupproject_menshealth/ https://kevbland.bandcamp.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stephen-connor2/message

31-05-2021

1 hr 1 min

Getting to Grips

Getting to Grips

Delighted to welcome UK-based composer Richard Bagley as my guest on Episode 040 of the increasingly high profile Feeling Versonic Podcast titled 'Getting to Grips'. Richard is a classically trained pianist and multi-instrumentalist, his experience ranges from choirs to orchestras, from brass bands to rock bands. In this episode I talk to Richard in relation to composing music for media, and composing for production music libraries. As a musical director he has written original scores and directed for the theatre. Richard draws on this broad experience when creating bespoke compositions and tracks for production music libraries. https://richardbagleymusic.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stephen-connor2/message

23-05-2021

44 mins

Gasoline

Joining me as my guest on Episode 039 'Gasoline' is Singer-Songwriter David Neil Crabtree. In this episode I talk to David about the writing process and forthcoming release of his new single 'Gasoline'. We also talk guitars, songwriting, live performance, guitars, bands, guitars, Whitby and guitars... "The optimum number of guitars is how many you've got..plus one!" https://davidneilcrabtree.com/ https://www.thementulls.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stephen-connor2/message

17-05-2021

44 mins

Imposter

Delighted to welcome LA based Singer-Songwriter Natalie Duque as my guest on Episode 038 of the increasingly high profile Feeling Versonic Podcast. In this Episode titled 'Imposter' I talk to Natalie about her new single 'Imposter' and in particular, the lyrical content and context in relation to Imposter Syndrome. If there’s one thing that makes Natalie happy, it’s a sad song. She infuses soulful folk melodies into a pop delivery garnered with poetic lyricism. Through evocative and comforting vocals, she communicates feelings of truth, connectedness and vulnerability. https://natalieduque.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stephen-connor2/message

02-05-2021

45 mins

Y.O.U.N.G.

Delighted to welcome singer, songwriter, guitarist, front man, music producer and podcast editor Alan Smith. In this episode Alan and I chat around his music with his band Bellevue Days, and also his solo music project under the auspices of A.Charles Music. We touch on the vagaries of music and podcast production, and enjoy the novelty of actually being in the same room whilst recording the interview! https://www.facebook.com/BellevueDays/ https://www.instagram.com/acharlesmusic/ https://www.versonicmusic.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stephen-connor2/message

26-04-2021

46 mins

Snug as a Bug or Out on a Limb?

Snug as a Bug or Out on a Limb?

In this Episode I look at the viability, and assess the pro's and con's of modern day Working from Home. The Coronavirus Pandemic has prompted countless companies and business owners to close their offices, and switch to encouraging employee's (and themselves) to work from home, or work remotely. The prospect of working from home can sound exciting, but if it's not something the individual has experienced before it can take a lot getting used to and adapting to a new way of life and work can be challenging. Getting the balance right is not easy and the initial novelty of working from home can soon wear off. It has been commented on that enforced working from home for some people can have a negative impact on their their mental health, their motivation and productivity. It's a bit like Marmite. Some people love having the opportunity to work from home, others hate it. If you work from home, are you as Snug as a Bug, or do you feel bit left Out on a Limb? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stephen-connor2/message

19-04-2021

36 mins

There

My guest on Episode 035 of the Feeling Versonic Podcast is Singer-Songwriter Ben Drake. The episode is dedicated to Ben's father Barry who was taken all too soon to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). Ben has recently been made an Ambassador of The Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust and has written a touching, soul searching song titled 'There' in memory of his late father. The song is being released as a fundraiser on all digital music streaming and download platforms with all proceeds going to the Trust to help others suffering from this debilitating disease. The aim of this episode is to raise awareness of IPF, and to encourage people to actively engage with Ben's beautiful song. Please download the song, share with your friends, add to yourPlaylists - whatever you can do to support the Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust and their work. 'There' is officially released on Friday 16th April 2021. https://pulmonaryfibrosistrust.org http://www.bendrakemusic.com https://www.instagram.com/thebendrakecollective --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stephen-connor2/message

12-04-2021

37 mins

Feeling Versonic Bank Holiday Bangers

Feeling Versonic Bank Holiday Bangers

The very first Feeling Versonic Podcast 'Brand New Man' was published on 10th August 2020, followed by a further 33 episodes including chats with high achieving entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and of course some amazing singer songwriters, independent bands and artists that do it for themselves. This is Feeling Versonic 'Bank Holiday Bangers'. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7kXQdgunC9e4cTXyq2EBAM?si=VmhlxVQdS2mFZghhLfsgYg https://www.instagram.com/jackperrettmusic/ https://www.instagram.com/bellevuedays/ https://www.instagram.com/versonicmusic/ https://www.instagram.com/nathaliemirandamusic/ https://www.instagram.com/jsa_band/ https://www.instagram.com/thebendrakecollective/ https://www.instagram.com/bestofenemiesuk/ https://www.instagram.com/stayasleepuk/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stephen-connor2/message

05-04-2021

28 mins

Shake the Feeling

Shake the Feeling

Delighted to welcome singer-songwriter, guitarist, bassist, vocalist, function band member, session musician and all round muso Sam Christmas as my guest on Episode 033 'Shake the Feeling'. Sam is a genuine music lover, with a palpable energy and enthusiasm for live music performance. Given the chance, he would spend 100% of his time doing music, or work within the music industry in some capacity. Sam fronted indie rock band Best of Enemies for 6 years, and is currently the bassist in Bellevue Days. He has toured the UK and Europe numerous times in his own bands, and also as a session player for other bands. Sam launched his own solo music project in 2020, and is also guitarist/co-singer in 4 Repeats Sake covers band. https://www.instagram.com/bestofenemiesuk/ https://www.instagram.com/bellevuedays/ https://www.instagram.com/4repeatssake/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stephen-connor2/message

29-03-2021

57 mins

Welcome to the Darkside

Welcome to the Darkside

Delighted to welcome the enigma that is Chris Michaels as my guest on Episode 032 of the Feeling Versonic Podcast 'Welcome to the Darkside'. Chris is a former Royal Navy Air Engineering Mechanic. Growing up, Chris always aimed to serve in the military and having his dream and ambition curtailed through medical discharge due to a career ending knee injury, he found it very difficult to handle that disappointment and was subsequently diagnosed with PTSD and associated mental health issues. Chris has written about his experiences and is a self-published author, creative writer, blogger and podcast host. A self-confessed adrenaline junkie with a love of extreme sports, martial arts and tattoos. Musically, he is a metal head and his favourite band is Metallica, but also loves a bit of techno and classical music. Chris has found himself in the deepest, darkest places mentally and yet all he sees is a light that he wants to shine into the darkness to help others. https://www.instagram.com/the_darksidepodcast/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stephen-connor2/message

22-03-2021

1 hr 1 min