SCARED TO DANCE PODCAST
Welcome to the Scared To Dance Podcast where host Paul Richards talks to some of his favourite people about their musical passions past and present.
In season one he will be talking to guests including Belle and Sebastian, Sorry, The National, John Grant, Billie Marten, Manic Street Preachers, Pat Nevin, Warren Ellis, Sleaford Mods, Dry Cleaning, Gwenno and Elis James.
In episode 1 he talks to Stuart Murdoch from Belle and Sebastian. They discuss Stuart’s earliest musical memories, forming the band, recording their early albums Tigermilk and If You’re Feeling Sinister, working with Trevor Horn, God Help the Girl, upcoming tour plans and his book Nobody’s Empire.
In episode 2 he talks to Asha Lorenz from Sorry. They discuss the band’s new album Cosplay, the songwriting process, directing music videos, Adam Curtis, public perception, the challenges of social media, band dynamics, inspiration, ambition, playing festivals, Fontaines D.C. and future plans.
In episode 3 he talks to Matt Berninger from The National. They discuss Mistaken For Strangers, the band’s reaction to the film, exploring potential sequels, his family’s take on the documentary and an ƒjarvi with Werner Herzog, live on stage at Picturehouse Central.
In episode 4 he talks to John Grant. They discuss performing in Jonathan Watkins’ ballet adaptation A Single Man, Berlin and the films of Wim Wenders, early musical inspirations and his love of Devo, collaborating with Kylie Minogue, CMAT and Sinéad O’Connor and playing ping-pong with Grace Jones.
In episode 5 he talks to Billie Marten. They discuss her latest album Dog Eared, DJing at the club, meeting the poet laureate Simon Armitage, exploring self-discovery and vulnerability in lyrics, unique studio experiences, plans for future albums and her experience of navigating the music industry at a young age.
In episode 6 Robin Turner talks to James Dean Bradfield from Manic Street Preachers. They discuss Escape From History, dealing with the disappearance of Richey Edwards, the success of Everything Must Go and working with the director Kieran Evans, live on stage at Picturehouse Central.
In episode 7 he talks to Pat Nevin. They discuss his early life in Glasgow and the post-punk music scene, moving from Clyde to Chelsea, being substituted at half-time to watch New Order, his love of Cocteau Twins and Simple Minds, music’s lifesaving power and a chance meeting with Morrissey.
In episode 8 he talks to Warren Ellis. They discuss Ellis Park, the documentary film about the wildlife sanctuary co-founded by Warren plus the creative journey of Nina Simone’s Gum, working with Nick Cave and navigating personal breakdowns, live on stage at Picturehouse Central.
In episode 9 he talks to Jason Williamson from Sleaford Mods. They discuss their new album The Demise of Planet X, collaborating with Life Without Buildings, recording at Abbey Road Studios, his friendship with the director Ben Wheatley plus working with Cillian Murphy and acting in Peaky Blinders and Game.
In episode 10 he talks to Lewis Maynard and Tom Dowse from Dry Cleaning. They discuss their new album Secret Love, Cate Le Bon’s inventive approach to producing the record, working with interdisciplinary performance duo Bullyache, the band’s early unexpected rise and the importance of grassroots music venues.
In episode 11 he talks to Gwenno. They discuss how Welsh and Cornish shaped her solo path, The Pipettes, life’s survival instinct and music’s stabilising role, inspirational Jarvis Cocker, Michael Flatley and her Las Vegas-era and her bold shift to the English language on her latest album Utopia.
You can listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.