Episodes
Ray Lakeman, Gyp Buggane, Ruby Biscoe Taylor and Matt Brewster come to the Live Lounge to share a very special new album, featuring a host of incredible talent for the Island who have come together to celebrate the memory of Jacques and Torin Lakeman.
Internationally renowned trad musicians Elizabeth Davidson Blythe and Daniel Quayle are one part Bostonian, one part Onchan-ian (!?), but they are both absolutely rooted in our music and culture. In fact, Elizabeth's discovery and then passion for everything Manx just a few years ago, came at a time when her musical career was about to come to a standstill. Now working on their second album together, they have somewhat reinvented their traditional wheel with their latest releases - and have invited some extra special guests to join them on their journey.
Dan Webb is not only the drummer for Sunset Jet and Highwayves, he's also branched out in to the world of promotion, with one of the first gigs on Isle being a jampacked eve of superb talent: Terry George, Adam Kelly and Highwayves themselves, along with our other studio guests this evening - Harry Roe and Josh Quaye, who treated us to two beautiful acoustic numbers
Christy catches up with Roy Stride from Scouting for Girls ahead of their return visit to the Villa Marina on Sunday (October 20th). They talk about aviation museums and aviaries, song-writing and dream-making; Roy reveals some of his favourite current artists and gives us an idea of what we can expect from the gig, in a conversation full of fun and peppered with fascinating facts.
We catch up with Jess, one half of new duo 'CLUCAS' who slammed on to our A List with their excellent debut single 'Speak Easy'
Jo Garvin tells us about the return of the Isle of Man Traditional Music Weekend. which starts on Friday and runs through Monday with workshops, sessions, song groups and more. We also hear some live music from an O'Donnell's session last week and remember much loved musician and broadcaster John Kaneen and the impact he had on the scene.Find out more here
Christy catches up with John Power from the Liverpool band Cast, who return to our shores in September with a renewed vigour and a brand new album, having spent this Summer opening for Liam Gallagher. Tickets for the gig available here: Cast (villagaiety.com)
'Miss' Katie Lawrence joined Christy in the Live Lounge this evening to chat about her new Tune Book of original compositions, 'From Western Shores and Beyond'. A much loved music teacher, she also shared some of her favourite music at the moment, paid tribute to her own music teachers and played a tune for us live in the studio.
Celtic Gathering Isle of Man - Yn Chruinnaght returns on Monday (July 22nd) and there something for everyone! From films to dancing, workshops to craft fairs and, of course, superb music from the Celtic Nations. Christy found out more, chatting with Committee members Chloe Woolley, Grainne Joughin and Breeshey Kermode.
Christy catches up with Matt 'Twist' from Manx Punx, as he tells us all about next weekend's All Day gig at the Outback. Open to all ages* and with reduced price tickets for those that need it*, the day features 10 hours of live music from bands from here and further afield. *Message and check their Facebook Page for all the details.
Hannah Lindqvist Kinrade recently visited the Isle of Man for the first time to trace her family roots and to record an EP of music inspired the dark tales she'd been told of her ancestory here. With familial links to murderers, absconders and even literary master Hall Caine, it's no surprise perhaps that her EP is to be called 'Murders and Melancholy'. Christy went to meet Hannah and her cousin Ben as they put the bones of the songs together at Ballagroove Studios in Ballasalla with Gyp Buggane at the helm.
Towards the end of this month, the Isle of Man will be represented at one of the world's most famous music festivals. Mae Challis has been invited to perform a two-hour set each day of Glastonbury at 'The Tap House'.Worthy Farm in Somerset is home to some of the most iconic music acts, with some independent artists being scouted by major record labels along the way.Christian Jones caught up with Mae, ahead of the festival.
Annabel Curphey, previously a member of Spaghetti and the Hoops, has been forging a career for herself in Brighton under the new stage name of 'Annabel Lauren'. She was on Isle recently so Christy took the opportunity to catch up with her about her music, her plans - and whether her Mum's Cauliflower Cheese is all that she says it is...
Internationally acclaimed Jake Thackray tribute, John Watterson, first fell in love with the poetic and musical stylings of Jake at a gig here on the Isle of Man. Since then, he has made a name for himself as 'Fake', invited to tour with acts like Fairport Convention and regularly contributing to radio programmes on BBC 2, 3 and 4.
He returns to the Island for a special one off performance next week, playing the Peel Centenary Centre on May 18th, with every penny of the night going to Hospice. He tells Christy more.
You may remember us chatting with songwriter Callum Brew about this time last year, about his idea for an event that has two purposes – raising awareness and funds for Mental Health charities while promoting the excellent original songwriting talent on the Island. Well, he's doing it again! Black Dog Oven May 18th will see a long line up of some of the Island's finest taking to the stage.
Callum tells Christy what we can expect and Juan Christian, from Isle Listen, tells us what it means for the Charity to have events like this raise funds for them.
Songwriting duo Carl Holden and Stu Watret have already overcome the practical obstacles of being separated by the Irish Sea, but in the past few years they were faced with a whole new challenge... Singer Stu slowly lost his ability to sing, as a symptom of having a rare form of Motor Neurone Disease.
Undeterred, they have embraced the benefits of AI, showing that the world of artificial intelligence can have positives too.
Christy was joined by Christine Collister in the Live Lounge this evening, talking about her new release: the book, art project and album 'Children of the Sea'. You can get your hands on copies of the book/album at ChristineCollister.com and at her launch gig, at the Peel Centenary Centre on April 27th. Christine will be then be heading to the UK for a tour later this year, check her website for all the details.
She also played this stunning Sandy Denny cover live for us...
https://youtu.be/rDOt3_XdQHY?si=rKmZqQtgKc6LTMSi
As well as speaking with young rapper Seb Garood in the Live Lounge this week (which you'll find as a separate podcast), Christy also caught up with singer songwriter Francesca May ahead of her returning to London to further her career (pictured with partner and producer Andrew Johnson below) and we paid tribute to extraordinary talent Sarah Puzzar (picture by Adrian Cowin below), who it was announced had passed away at the weekend.
You can find some of Sarah's songs with The Heights on the Reverbnation page here, and listen to the superb collaboration she released in 2002 with Superloop h...
15 yr old Seb Garrood found UK rap and realised it helped him deal with his emotions in a really powerful way. Christy chats to him about his music and learns about the complicated current rap scene along the way.
Simon Rea tells Christy about Truman Falls' new album - their third in fact - which is inspired by and dedicated to one of his favourite places on the Isle of Man. Silverdale is released on Good Friday.
https://youtu.be/lfGAxw1DbjI?si=3v_2HXI69zZ4UW-1
Christy caught up with Aalin, Rob and Dan from Clash Vooar in the Live Lounge this evening, as they celebrate their new album 'Pulled By The Stars' which is released on Easter Sunday. Single Manannan, inspired by Anglin Buttimore's piano playing, is out today and we heard a great story about how the song developed in an unexpected way. They also shared their Firsts with us, which led to some wonderful revelations about their musical youth!
In the Live Lounge this evening we met Finnish artist Heikki who brought along his Producer, Phil Reynolds from Small Bear Records. We heard about the 2 EPs that have been 30 years in the making and Heikki shared his Firsts with us.
In the Live Lounge this evening we met the acts and organisers from next weekend's Acoustic Delight event at the Peel Centenary Centre. The event is Saturday March 9th with 4 acoustic acts taking to the Peel Centenary Centre stage: Jon Lightfield, John Gregory, Paul Reynolds and When Kelly Met Nelly. Tickets are £8 and are available from etickets.im/bjm
Christy catches up with the wonderfully positive and inspiring Sandra Oberoi, who moved to the Island two years ago and is on a mission to inspire, connect and support young musicians. Her organisation, Harmony International Isle of Man, is running the workshop 'Anyone Can Compose' at the Kensington Youth Arts Centre. Find out more on their Facebook here and sign up via Eventbrite.
Performance poet and musician Jacqueline Morrey-Grace is launching her latest book, 'There are worse places to hide than inside' by gathering a collection of her talented pals to bring the words to life.
There will be gongs, drums, Mandolorian whistles and choreographed routines, all directed by Jackie's extraordinary imagination and knitted together by her mastery of the spoken word. You can experience this unique event at the Erin Arts Centre on March 8th - or listen to this podcast with Jackie, Virgil and Amy in tow, to get just a taste of what's in store.
When Christy played the latest Yard Act single and enthused about it with Lenny Conroy at the back end of 2023, she also mentioned that the band had 'switched on the Christmas lights in their hometown, the Yorkshire village of Meanwood. So she was surprised to receive an email a few weeks later from Yard Act's guitarist, Sam Shipstone, saying he wasn't from Meanwood at all, but was actually 'from the Isle of Man'..!
So naturally, Christy took the opportunity to find out more - and Sam generously carved out a chunk of time* for a good old fashioned chinwag (*in between writing out lists, r...
Christy catches up with Islander-abroad Shane Kerwin about his beautiful new version of Ellan Vannin, featuring the blues vocals of Mary-Elaine Jenkins from South Carolina and a host of multicultural musicians he's met since living in Brooklyn NYC.
Shane also tells us what musical larks he's been up to Stateside, about his mission to promote Manx music wherever he goes and about the Brooklyn branch of the 'Manx Music Centre' of New York...
We're also reminded of his work with the trad group Fyn - which you can find here: Treisht | Fyn (bandcamp.com)
Pre-save the release of 'Ellan Vanni...
A VERY festive Live Lounge, featuring songwriters, Manx choirs, Drag Queens - and Muppets, of course. Exclusive sessions and/or festive messages from: Yn Choraa, Lizzy and Josh from Eject, Vida La Fierce, Steve Nash, Jeff Jepson, Francesca May, Ian Thompson, Dusty Plankton, Gyp Buggane and many more. All wrapped up with a sparkly ribbon of alternative Christmas tunes from the likes of Low, James Brown, Spinal Tap, the Squirrel Nut Zippers, Delgados - too many to mention here! So sit back, pour yourself a dram of something warming and get this feast of festive wonders in yer ears.
Prog Metal group Aeons have achieved incredible international success already and this is set to continue with their brilliant new album 'Consequences'. They're also taking on the mighty Ed Force One, the Island's Iron Maiden tribute, in a 'titanic struggle between the Gods of Old School Heavy Metal' with the Yule Rock gig on December 29th at the Villa Prom Suite. Si and Skippy from Aeons and Dick and Mike from Ed Force One stopped by the Live Lounge to tell us all about it.
Find out more about the gig itself - and book tickets - here: Aeons v Ed Force One (villagaiety.com)
We heard all about Kitterland in the Live Lounge this evening, a music and film project which will be showcased on Sunday 17th Dec with a screening of the film "2121" at the Erin Arts Centre.
Musicians Joff Whitten and Tibor Miklos told us how it all works and shared some of the music from the film, which is entirely improvised using loops, analogue synths, guitar and voice.