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Hello hello! Thanks for visiting this page to listen to my conversation with comedian Bec Hill, recorded on 27th March 2020.

[Content warning: one or two very mild swears.]

In this conversation, we discuss:

• the life changing effects of The Artist’s Way
• the difference between healthy and unhealthy jealousy and what success means in a creative life
• living with anxiety when people assume you must be an extrovert
• smartphone addiction – how screen-free Sundays help
• how creating an enjoyable workspace can change your mood
• why it’s okay to make work you know your audience will like (as long as you like it too)

The pieces of work Bec invites you to check out are: short videos on her YouTube channel and longer shows “Bec In 1 Hour” and “I’ll Be Bec” on Next Up Comedy (free trial available!).

Since lockdown she’s been raising money for WaterAid with the £5000 t-shirt. Sponsor a square or six here.

She also does FOUR podcasts: Because You Watched, A Problem Squared with Matt Parker, The Designspark Podcast with Dr Lucy Rogers and Harriet Braine and Con Sessions with Matt Highton.

The other comedians she recommends are: Sam Campbell, Joz Norris, Spencer Jones, Josie Long and Sarah Kendall.

Other things we mentioned:

In the intro I mention the limited release of my live Penfriend album, available til the end of Sunday 5th July only. Hurry hurry! I also mention my friend Marc Burrows, who does comedy and music *and* just published a book about Terry Pratchett!

We both talked enthusiastically about Julia Cameron’s 12 week course of The Artist’s Way and the daily practice of writing the Morning Pages. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to be more creative day to day.

I referred to my recent podcast episode with Frank Turner where he talks about getting the 9 o’clock shivers.

Bec talked about setting up her dream desk – watch the tour here!

I mentioned my favourite life changing books of recent times: “Deep Work” and “Digital Minimalism” by Cal Newport (his new podcast is great, too!) plus Austin Kleon‘s brilliant trilogy: Steal Like An Artist, Show Your Work, Keep Going. His newsletter is brilliant, too.

Bec talked about St Luke’s Church in West Holloway, and ex-Reverend Dave Tomlinson’s book “How to be a bad Christian…And a better human being“.

About Bec

Australian-born and now London-based, Bec has gained a cult following in Australia, the UK and Ireland thanks to her award-winning solo shows, Twitter presence and popular YouTube videos. She has a talent for incorporating arts and crafts into her stand-up routines, creating a unique and unforgettable comedy style that she calls “paper-puppetry”.

Bec can be found as a guest on the 2nd series of “Dara O’Briain’s Go 8 Bit”, a judge on “Sam & Mark’s Big Friday Wind-Up”, and the voice of several characters in “Mass Effect: Andromeda”. She has also appeared in every series of CBBC’s “The Dog Ate My Homework”, and starred in the Sundance UK Grand Jury Prize winning short film “Russian Roulette”.

Her one-liners regularly feature in “best joke” lists by “reputable” sources like The Telegraph, Dave, The Guardian, The Independent, Daily Record and Buzzfeed, which isn’t surprising, as she is the creator of the UK’s only pun-based comedy night, Pun Run. She has also written for The Amazing World of Gumball, Bluestone 42, Dilemma, The Now Show and her first short animation directorial debut, “Scoring Pointes” aired with Disney in 2016.

She was also one half of the award-winning, critically-acclaimed family comedy double-act, Bec & Tom.

Follow Bec on YouTube, Twitter and Instagram.

This podcast is 100% powered by my Correspondent’s Club. Thanks to every single member for your support!

New to my musical world?

+ Get two free songs music immediately by joining my mailing list.

+ I send a thoughtful email every week – join The Correspondent’s Club on a free or paid tier to receive it.

+ New episodes of my music podcast “Attention Engineer” are released every Wednesday – visit this page to find out more and subscribe via your favourite podcast platform.

+ You can also follow me around the web, on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Have a lovely day xo

Thanks for visiting!

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Greetings, curious listener, and thanks for visiting this page. I’m delighted to share my conversation with Tom Robinson, recorded remotely on 27th March 2020.

[Content warning: swearing, brief discussion of a nervous breakdown and the benefits of therapy, plus a mention of suicide in the context of lyrics helping people.]

In this conversation, we discuss:

• being a a pop star and LGBT activist in the 1970s and onwards, and why the fight for a free and fair society needs to level up
• how an act of kindness by British blues legend Alexis Korner shaped a teenage Tom’s future
• how songs can inspire individual audience members to change the world
• why “you should do the right thing, whether or not you expect to get a pat on the back for it”
• how to start a conversation with a famous person
• “late onset bisexuality” and how getting a job at BBC 6 Music gave him the opportunity to watch his kids grow up

The three songs Tom invites you to listen to from his back catalogue are: “Glad To Be Gay” (the Amnesty International Secret Policeman’s Ball version), “Merciful God” (Only The Now) and the 12″ single version of “War Baby”.

• Follow the “Attention Engineer” playlist here.

Tom recommends:

New music: “No Fanfare” by Youth Sector, the music of Freya Roy and “Ghost Town” by Greentea Peng.

More musical favourites: Squid, Cabbage, Kate Tempest and Tricky.

Things we talked about:

In the intro I mention last week’s blog post on the danger of endless lists – I’d love to hear your mindful productivity tips!

Finchden Manor therapeutic community – Tom has written very beautifully about his experience here.

Billy Bragg’s new song “Can’t Be There Today”.

Tom’s 2015 album “Only The Now”.

The Lesbians and Gay Men Support the Miners organisation and the 2014 film “Pride”, which tells the story of how hearts and minds were changed during the 1984-85 miner’s strike.

The generosity of British blues musician and radio broadcaster Alexis Korner.

Tom’s work with BBC 6 Music and his website Fresh On The Net, where artists can submit their tracks for consideration and read loads of brilliant advice.

Towards the end of the conversation, Tom quotes from TS Eliot’s 1940 poem “East Coker”:

“And every moment is a new and shocking
Valuation of all we have been.”

About Tom

Born in Cambridge in 1950, Tom Robinson first became known in the late 1970s as a musician and LGBT activist with the Tom Robinson Band (TRB) who were early supporters of Rock Against Racism and Amnesty International. In 1977 their Top 5 debut release “2-4-6-8 Motorway” became one of the landmark singles of the UK punk era. 

Other hits included “Glad To Be Gay”, “Up Against The Wall” and the band’s debut album “Power In The Darkness” which went gold in the UK and Japan. As a solo artist Tom had further solo hits in 1983 with “War Baby” and “Atmospherics: Listen To The Radio”, and co-wrote songs with Peter Gabriel, Elton John and Dan Hartman.

As a radio broadcaster, over the last 30 years Tom has hosted programmes on all eight of the BBC‘s national radio stations and won two Gold Sony Academy Radio Awards. He currently hosts three shows a week on BBC Radio 6 Music, was a member of the Ivor Novello Awards committee for ten years and in 2016 was awarded a fellowship of LIPA in recognition of his support for new music artists through BBC Introducing. His music blog at Fresh On The Net currently offers an open door to new tunes and free insider advice for independent and emerging musicians.

Follow Tom on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

This podcast is 100% powered by my Correspondent’s Club. Thanks to every single member for your support!

New to my musical world?

+ Get two free songs music immediately by joining my mailing list.

+ I send a thoughtful email every week – join The Correspondent’s Club on a free or paid tier to receive it.

+ New episodes of my music podcast “Attention Engineer” are released every Wednesday – visit this page to find out more and subscribe via your favourite podcast platform.

+ You can also follow me around the web, on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Have a lovely day xo

Thanks for visiting!

How to listen

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Transcript to follow soon.

Well hello there, and thanks for visiting! I’m delighted to share my conversation with Charlotte Hatherley, recorded on 24th March 2020.

[Content warning: some swearing present, issued in very friendly voices.]

In this conversation, we discuss:

• how Charlotte went from scraping through her A levels to playing in front of 50,000 people in Ash
• the day Charlotte met David Bowie – what’s it like meeting your number one hero?
• the day Laura saved Paul McCartney from an awkward conversation in Montego Bay
• the ups and downs of touring – is there more to life?
• how to navigate an ever changing technological landscape as a musician
• is B7 is the most irritating chord? (with thanks to guitarist Charley Stone for this question)

The three songs Charlotte recommends from her back catalogue are: “Behave” (The Deep Blue), “A Sign” (True Love) and her sci-fi cover of “How Deep Is Your Love?” by Bee Gees.

• Follow the “Attention Engineer” playlist here.

Things we talked about

In the intro I mention my recent blog post about Facebook unfriending, plus Cal Newport’s books “Deep Work” and “Digital Minimalism” and his new podcast “Deep Questions”.

Charlotte mentions Charlotte Cooper from The Subways, bass playing heroes Kim Gordon, Kim Deal, Melissa Auf der Maur and D’arcy Wretzky, and seeing Hole (with drummer Patty Schemel) and PJ Harvey play live. She talks about looking up to Bowie guitarists Carlos Alomar and Robert Fripp and remembers the excitement of finding out about American bands L7, Bikini Kill and Sleater-Kinney plus the zine scene of Portland.

We talk about how inspiring Viv Albertine (The Slits) and Gina Birch (The Rainboats) are, and I urge everyone to listen to Viv’s solo album “The Vermillion Border” (on which I have a teeny cameo – I had the great honour of playing bass and singing in Viv’s band at many gigs, and her music is GREAT, as are both her books). Charlotte also talks about Patti Smith and Lucinda Williams continuing to do brilliant things.

Songwriter Frank Turner comes up in conversation about touring – listen to my conversation with him here and watch Charlotte playing live sessions with him here + here. Excellent stuff.

Bookwise, I mention “The Last” by Hanna Jameson and Charlotte talks about “Where The Heart Beats: John Cage, Zen Buddhism and the Inner Life of Artists” by Kay K. Larson.

I also mention my love for birdsong.fm.

Charlotte is listening to:

The “Uncut Gems” soundtrack by Daniel Lopatin, Grimes’ new record “Miss Anthropocene”, the “Chernobyl” soundtrack by Hildur Guðnadóttir and the “Mandy” soundtrack by Jóhann Jóhannsson.

About Charlotte

Charlotte Hatherley is a composer, solo artist, and guitarist who initially came to prominence as guitarist and backing vocalist for alternative rock band Ash.

After leaving Ash in 2006, she recorded and performed extensively with artists including Bryan Ferry, Bat For Lashes, KT Tunstall and Birdy.

Most recently Charlotte has toured as musical director for critically acclaimed South African artist, Nakhane.

A truly versatile artist, she has written for film and stage and inspired by her love of science fiction, her fourth solo album, True Love, was released in 2018. Her soundtrack for the powerful film ‘Imogen’ was released in May 2020. 

Follow Charlotte on Twitter and Instagram, and watch out for her podcast coming soon!

This podcast is 100% powered by my Correspondent’s Club. Thanks to every single member for your support!

New to my musical world?

+ Get two free songs music immediately by joining my mailing list.

+ I send a thoughtful email every week – join The Correspondent’s Club on a free or paid tier to receive it.

+ New episodes of my music podcast “Attention Engineer” are released every Wednesday – visit this page to find out more and subscribe via your favourite podcast platform.

+ You can also follow me around the web, on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Have a lovely day xo

Thanks for visiting!

How to listen

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Transcript to follow soon.

Thank you for visiting to listen to my conversation with Frank Turner, recorded backstage at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre on Saturday 14th March 2020.

[Content warning: swearing present from the start, all in the best of humours.]

In this conversation, we discuss:

• the bravado of touring – how the ability to sleep on a bus is overrated
• substance abuse and “the 9 o’clock shivers”
• the unsustainability of being an arsehole in the music industry
• dealing with the toxicity of social media
• the power of accepting you’re not for everyone
• future careers – London tour guide?
• how to get started with Springsteen – a comprehensive guide

The three songs Frank recommends from his back catalogue are: “Get Better“, “Try This At Home” and “Be More Kind”.

• Follow the “Attention Engineer” playlist here.

Frank Recommends

Political songwriters: Grace Petrie, Billy Bragg and Sam Duckworth.

Great bands he’s toured with: Larry And His Flask and Arkells.

Artists he’s inspired by: Leonard Cohen, Tim Barry and his band Avail.

Artists he recommends: Hobo Johnson, Chris Wood, Grace Petrie and Jess Guise.

Where to start with Springsteen: albums “Nebraska” and “We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions”; songs “Reason To Believe“, “Devils And Dust”, “Born To Run” and “Thunder Road“.

Charities mentioned: Dash Charity and Safe Gigs for Women.

I recommend a book called The Good Immigrant, mention my blog post containing more anti-racism resources and give a shoutout to Music Venue Trust.

About Frank

Frank Turner is an English punk folk songwriter from Hampshire. Starting his career in post-hardcore band Million Dead, he went solo in 2005 and has built an extensive and incredibly loyal fanbase through brilliant songwriting and sheer hard work.

So far, Frank has released eight solo albums and played a bajillion gigs (2491 at the time of writing). Read his blog for more on his work to take music equipment and recording knowhow to Sierra Leone in collaboration with charity Way Out Arts.

Alongside regularly touring the world, Frank curates his own award-winning festival “Lost Evenings” and is the author of two bestselling books, “The Road Beneath My Feet” and “Try This At Home”. His podcast series “Tales From No Man’s Land” beautifully accompanies 2019 album “No Man’s Land”, celebrating important women in history.

Lockdown News

Most recently, Frank has been fundraising for venues in trouble by playing weekly online #IndependentVenueLove shows.

Tune in every Thursday at 8.30pm (UK time) on his YouTube channel.

He has also released a live album, “Live In Newcastle”, and has a split album with NOFX, “West Coast vs Wessex” coming out in July. Pre-order that here.

During the UK lockdown, Frank has also been adding to his “Try This At Home” video series (which accompanies his book of the same name), so you can learn to play some of his excellent songs yourself.

This podcast is 100% powered by my Correspondent’s Club. Thanks to every single member for your support!

New to my musical world?

+ Get two free songs music immediately by joining my mailing list.

+ I send a thoughtful email every week – join The Correspondent’s Club on a free or paid tier to receive it.

+ New episodes of my music podcast “Attention Engineer” are released every Wednesday – visit this page to find out more and subscribe via your favourite podcast platform.

+ You can also follow me around the web, on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Have a lovely day xo

Thanks for visiting!

How to listen

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Transcript to follow soon.

Welcome to episode 3 of “Attention Engineer”! I’m so happy to share my conversation with Ayse Hassan.

[Content warning: joyful, exuberant swearing, plus one mention each of bereavement and suicide in the context of a discussion about the potential healing power of music.]

About Ayse

Ayse Hassan is a multi-instrumentalist who first came to prominence as the bassist in rock band Savages. She has since made music in duos Kitebase and 180DB.

She’s currently focusing on her solo project ESYA – listen here, support and follow on your favourite platforms: Bandcamp / YouTube / Instagram / Spotify / Soundcloud.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• how a HMV combo deal and a terrible audition kicked off an exciting career as a bassist
• saved by matcha tea – how the rock n roll myth could have killed her
• what to do when touring for 7 years means coming home to nothing
• the importance of integrity in an industry where everyone’s making it up
• the perversity of social media and how to make proper memories at gigs
• how to write a book on a tour bus

The three songs Ayse recommends from her back catalogue are: “Obsolete” by Esya, “Fuckers” by Savages and “Something I Can Never Have” – a NIN cover by Kitebase.

• Follow the “Attention Engineer” playlist here.

Ayse Recommends

MUSIC: Gazelle Twin (check out the collaboration with NYX, “Deep England”), Beak and Depeche Mode.

BOOKS: “The Secret Life of Trees” and “The Hidden Life Of Trees” by Peter Wohlleben, “Underland” by Robert Macfarlane and “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood.

Other artists mentioned: Laura Mary Carter (Blood Red Shoes / Shit Girlfriend), Gemma Thompson’s project Unmoor Kiva and Brody Dalle.

The Frank Herbert quote Ayse mentioned is from “Dune”: “I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone, there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” Powerful stuff.

She also mentioned the contributions the Musicians Union and Featured Artist Coalition are making to help artists navigate the wilds of the modern music biz.

I also mentioned one of my favourite podcasts “Song Exploder” – listen here.

Thank you, Ayse!!!

This podcast is 100% powered by my Correspondent’s Club. Thanks to every single member for your support!

New to my musical world?

+ Get two free songs music immediately by joining my mailing list.

+ I send a thoughtful email every week – join The Correspondent’s Club on a free or paid tier to receive it.

+ New episodes of my music podcast “Attention Engineer” are released every Wednesday – visit this page to find out more and subscribe via your favourite podcast platform.

+ You can also follow me around the web, on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Have a lovely day xo

Thanks for visiting!

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Transcript to follow soon.

Thank you for coming to listen to “Attention Engineer” episode 2, starring Mark Chadwick and recorded in Lewes on 3rd November 2019.

About Mark

Mark Chadwick is a singer, songwriter and guitarist in British folk rock band Levellers. Formed in 1988, they take their name from the Levellers political movement, and have released 11 studio albums.

Mark has also released two excellent solo albums, available here.

Levellers’ 2020 album “Peace” is available for pre-order now.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• how to manage the highs and lows of the “extremist’s life”
• the responsibility bands have to use their platforms to help other artists
• the demise of the music critic…and why that’s a bad thing
• how writing outside and beyond yourself is the key to avoiding formulaic songs
• “shouting into a puddle” – keeping social media at arm’s length for mental wellbeing

The three songs Mark recommends from his back catalogue are: “Carry Me”, “Generation Fear” (from the new album) and “One Way”.

• Follow the “Attention Engineer” playlist here.

After touring with Levellers in 2014 I invited Mark to join me for a duet on a song called “Time To Be Unkind” – listen here.

In 2017 he returned the favour and I got to sing on “We The Collective”, contributing chorus vocals to “Drug Bust McGee” and backing vocals to a few other songs. Get the album here, it’s beautiful.

Thank you Mark!!

This podcast is 100% powered by my Correspondent’s Club. Thanks to every single member for your support!

New to my musical world?

+ Get two free songs music immediately by joining my mailing list.

+ I send a thoughtful email every week – join The Correspondent’s Club on a free or paid tier to receive it.

+ New episodes of my music podcast “Attention Engineer” are released every Wednesday – visit this page to find out more and subscribe via your favourite podcast platform.

+ You can also follow me around the web, on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Have a lovely day xo

Thanks for visiting!

How to listen

Press play below OR click for links to
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Transcript to follow soon.

Welcome to the debut “Attention Engineer” podcast episode! I’m so delighted to welcome Tanya Donelly as my first guest. Pause for sharp intake of breath, surprise and delight.

[Content warning: one mild swear.]

About Tanya

Tanya Donelly is a two time Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, founding member of three influential bands of the post-punk era (Belly, Throwing Muses, Breeders), and solo artist. Her upcoming album of covers recorded with The Parkington Sisters, to be released on August 14, 2020, is available now for pre-order.

Tanya’s Sunday Series is raising money for a different organisation every week throughout lockdown. Listen and donate here.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• what it was like being in a wildly successful band as a teenager, supporting REM and The Velvet Underground
• how she got “that future feeling” when Radiohead supported Belly
• how her relationship with fans has deepened in recent years (shoutout to the Shimmer community!
• practical self education for artists, and the power of DIY

The three songs Tanya recommends you listen to from her back catalogue are: This Hungry Life, Mass Ave and Low Red Moon.

• Follow the “Attention Engineer” playlist here.

Tanya’s lockdown music recommendations are: Ennio Morricone, Leonard Cohen, The Parkington Sisters and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.

As a long-time Tanya fan, it was a dream come true for me to get to sing on stage with her in Bristol in 2014, and I’m so pleased I have the footage to prove it!

Teenage Laura never would have believed we’d duet together the following year on my song “Paper Thin” (free download), much less make a music video together in Boston!

Now it looks like we’re writing a song together! I’ll let you know how it’s going in future episodes…

Thank you, Tanya!!

This podcast is 100% powered by my Correspondent’s Club. Thanks to every single member for your support!

New to my musical world?

+ Get two free songs music immediately by joining my mailing list.

+ I send a thoughtful email every week – join The Correspondent’s Club on a free or paid tier to receive it.

+ New episodes of my music podcast “Attention Engineer” are released every Wednesday – visit this page to find out more and subscribe via your favourite podcast platform.

+ You can also follow me around the web, on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Have a lovely day xo