K&A Podcast

What was the single greatest year in music history? In this episode of the K&A Podcast, Karl and Aidan put your submissions to the test in the ultimate showdown of the decades. Listeners have each nominated a year they believe had the strongest album releases, backing it up with three records that showcase its greatness.But it is not just about the charts and the critics. Alongside the debate, Karl and Aidan share personal memories and stories tied to these albums, exploring how music from a given year connects to people’s lives. Each submission becomes more than a list - it is a glimpse into why these records mattered, and what they might reveal about the listener who chose them.Expect passionate arguments, playful clashes, and plenty of nostalgia as we pit year against year, album against album. Was the peak in the 60s with the rise of rock legends, the 70s with its creative explosion, the 80s with pop dominance, or later with the icons of today?To go deeper, check out the huge Spotify playlist with all the albums mentioned here: 👉 Listen on SpotifyListening to the podcast is all the support we need - but if you would like to go a little further, you can donate to the show here. Include a message, and we will read it out on the show!

We sit down with the wonderful Mo Woods to talk about her first steps into singing, her journey as a professional performer, and why looking after your mental health as a performer is every bit as important as the music itself.If you’d like to learn more about Mo, you can explore her story on her website or follow her on Instagram. For listeners curious about mental health, here’s a quick ADHD online self-test to check in with yourself. And, as promised… fart noises put to fireworks.Listening to the podcast is all the support we need, but if you’d like to go a little further then you can make a donation to the show HERE. Include a message, and we’ll read it out on the show!

This week, Karl and Aidan are on location at Southampton Guitar Repairs, joined by guitar tech and luthier Adam Chmarny.Adam gives the K&A Podcast a guided tour of his busy workshop, sharing the tools, techniques, and practical insights that go into keeping guitars in top shape — from fretwork to electronics and everything in between. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the bench of a professional repair space, this episode is for you.Watch the full workshop tour here:Southampton Guitar Repairs – Workshop TourAlongside the tour, Adam shares stories from his life on the road as a tech for internationally renowned bands including: Orange Goblin Big Big Train Mr. BigFrom meeting Paul Gilbert and Billy Sheehan, to working backstage at the legendary Budokan in Tokyo, Adam gives Karl and Aidan a glimpse into the fast-paced world of touring with some of rock’s most iconic acts.🔗 Links:Adam’s Website – Southampton Guitar RepairsWorkshop Tour VideoMusic Minds Matter – Mental Health Support for MusiciansAll Episodes & GuestsListening to the podcast is all the support we need — but if you’d like to go a little further, you can make a donation to the show here. Include a message and we’ll read it out on the show!

Episode 35 – What’s Your Favourite New Song You’ve Discovered This Year?We put the question out there: What’s your favourite new song you’ve discovered this year? You delivered. Fifteen songs came in – some brand new, some old gems freshly unearthed - and we listened to every one of them live on the pod.In this episode, we give each track a proper listen and an honest score, ending with a definitive (and slightly chaotic) ranked list. Expect musical surprises and plenty of new tunes to stick on your playlist.Along the way, the song list sparks two separate battles: one between brothers, and another that reignites the infamous 'Battle of the Bens'.🎧 Listen along here: Spotify Playlist – K&A: Favourite New Songs Listening to the podcast is all the support we need, but if you’d like to go a little further then you can make a donation to the show HERE. Include a message, and we’ll read it out on the show!

In this episode, Karl and Aidan welcome Bradley Bowers into the Pod-Lodge. Bradley is the founder of BCB Production, a company specialising in audio/visual and technical support for live events. If you’re building something creative and want it to look and sound brilliant, Bradley’s the guy you call.We dig into how musicians and creatives can better prepare for the stage - from technical setup to mindset - and Bradley answers questions from our listeners, offering plenty of hands-on insights along the way.Also in this episode: the fallout from Episode 33 continues, with a brewing turf war between Ben Dlugokecki and Ben Townsend. It gets tense…Connect with Bradley and BCB Production:🌐 https://bcbproduction.uk📘 https://www.facebook.com/bcbproduction📸 https://www.instagram.com/bcb.prod Bonus Link:🎙️ Interview with Skin (Skunk Anansie)

Which song should everyone hear at least once in their life?Karl and Aidan take on this near-impossible question, joined by some familiar voices as past guests return to share their top picks from around the globe. With a longlist in hand, K&A attempt the unenviable task of ranking them all… but only one song can come out on top.Tune in to find out which track takes the crown — and a huge thanks to our podcast alumni for all their brilliant suggestions!⸻LINKS• CLICK HERE to find out where you can catch Karl performing with Davey Jones’ Locker• CLICK HERE to see where you can find Aidan with Good Times⸻Our friends’ podcasts:• Universally Speaking - The Red Hot Chili Peppers Podcast• Brothers of Atlas⸻HERE is the Spotify playlist featuring all of the suggested tracks!

We’re back! It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since our last episode. Surprisingly, this isn’t 100% due to laziness—Karl and Aidan have been pretty busy. Karl’s band, Blender, has just recorded a live EP, and the story behind its creation involves none other than Butch Vig, the legendary producer known for his work with Nirvana, Foo Fighters, and Green Day. We’ve got an exclusive preview of the recording.Aidan has been touring across the UK with Chic to Chic and shares what it’s like to be a touring musician, spending countless hours on the road.We also play some songs from bands we’ve discovered since the last episode, along with some old favourites that have made a comeback.Pre-order Blender’s live EP HERE.Find out more about Black Star Records HERE.For more info on Chic to Chic, click HERE.Listening to the podcast is all the support we need, but if you’d like to go a little further then you can make a donation to the show HERE. Include a message, and we’ll read it out on the show!

Karl and Aidan are joined by Liv Thompson this episode, all the way from Hull by the power of Zoom.Liv has an impressive portfolio as a bass player, including Little Mix, Becky Hill and Raye. During a break between tours, she takes the time to join us for a chat about her journey so far. She shares insights into her beginnings in the pop industry and recounts her incredible experiences performing alongside renowned artists on international stages. Some of these iconic venues include Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage, London's prestigious O2 Arena, and the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York City.In our conversation, we delve into her recent performance at NPR's Tiny Desk Concert and get an exclusive look at what goes on behind the scenes at Jools Holland and Strictly Come Dancing. Liv also generously shares insights into the equipment she uses on stage and recalls her incredible journey starting with Little Mix.See Liv play the Pyramid Stage HERE and her recent performance at NPR’s Tiny Desk HEREListening to the podcast is all the support we need, but if you’d like to go a little further then you can make a donation to the show HERE. Include a message, and we’ll read it out on the show!

Karl and Aidan celebrate the 30th episode milestone by setting themselves an impossible task… Who would you put in your ultimate 90’s rock band?We had many suggestions from listeners, which proved just how full the decade was of incredible and influential musicians. It also made the job even harder… How did we do? Would you put the same musicians in your band? Let us know!Listening to the podcast is all the support we need, but if you’d like to go a little further then you can make a donation to the show HERE. Include a message, and we’ll read it out on the show!

In episode 29, Karl and Aidan talk to Nia Collins, who introduces herself as a musician, singer and educator. As we progress through the episode however, we discover that she has many more strings to her bow besides these, including event management, creating a whole range of music projects and even writing jingles! She is also Aidan’s line manager at Southampton Music Hub, but we’ll let you decide if Aidan managed to conduct himself appropriately…Nia talks about her time organising Cheltenham Jazz Festival, putting on huge music events in the south of England and how her career has progressed to leading the Isle of Wight Music Hub. She also reveals an insight to the inner workings of music education, and the challenges that come with bringing together hundreds of students to perform in mass choral events.p.s. It’s pronounced JIF, not GIF…Find out more about Nia’s work here:Southampton Music HubIsle of Wight Music HubListening to the podcast is all the support we need, but if you’d like to go a little further then you can make a donation to the show HERE. Include a message, and we’ll read it out on the show!

In Episode 28 of the podcast, we sit down with Jim Denbigh, the singer and guitarist for the awesome Dave Grohl tribute band, Grohlercoaster. Jim takes us through his journey as a musician, including when he was a drummer for Southampton regulars The StringsJim discusses his early years in the music industry, including his decision to switch from drummer to the role of frontman. He talks about the inspiration he drew from Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters, and how he created Grohlercoaster.CLICK HERE to hear Inch Punch, a lockdown iteration of Grohlercoaster - performing their original song Victory MarchLINKSGrohlercoasterThe StringsListening to the podcast is all the support we need, but if you’d like to go a little further then you can make a donation to the show HERE. Include a message, and we’ll read it out on the show!

In episode 27, Aidan and Karl welcome Harry Younger to the podlodge, a renowned drummer and music educator. In this podcast, Harry takes us on a journey through his early beginnings as a musician and shares some fascinating insights into the world of drumming.Harry's exciting work with Roland instruments is also a highlight of the conversation, as he shares his experiences with some of the most advanced and innovative drumming technology available today. Aidan also leads Harry and Karl in a Mike Portnoy vs Mike Mangini quiz, which they found much trickier than he expected - predictably.Be sure to listen right to the end, where we get to hear Karl try and rhyme the word ‘religious’… We bet you can’t guess word he ended up with!Listening to the podcast is all the support we need, but if you’d like to go a little further then you can make a donation to the show HERE. Include a message, and we’ll read it out on the show!

In the second of what is becoming a yearly tradition, Karl and Aidan meet up for catch up. As well as a general chat about their lives since the last episode, they also bring in three tracks that have made recent additions to their ‘Good Stuff’ playlists to play for each other.Kelly joins in for the last part of the episode, to talk about Chic to Chic’s recent run at Butlin’s, meeting some 80’s legends and her opinions on Karl and Aidan’s music choices.You can also find the link to the Spotify playlist HERE and the Youtube video to McRad’s Weakness HERE.Listening to the podcast is all the support we need, but if you’d like to go a little further then you can make a donation to the show HERE. Include a message, and we’ll read it out on the show!

Peter and Karl go way back. They were in their first band Savalas together which morphed into Sine Star Project. Sine Star Project (an anagram of Peter’s name) are a tricky act to pin down, but you can hear influences from the Buckleys (Tim and Jeff), Elliott Smith, Aimee Mann, Love, Ry Cooder and Pink Floyd to The Flaming Lips, American Music Club and Grant Lee Buffalo…even Berlioz and Bruckner. We learn about Peter’s start as a musician on trumpet and piano, though to achieving his dreams fronting a band signed by One Little Indian (who also have Skunk Anansie and Bjork on their roster). Peter is also a talented producer, and talks us through his time working as a producer and engineer on a host of bands, most notably The Delays.We finished with a glimpse of Peter’s current projects, fusing classical and electronica genres together and taking them out on the road as a solo act. Keep an eye on his INSTAGRAM PAGE, and make sure you catch a show!You can also find Peter’s SoundCloud page HERE and his BandCamp HERE.Listening to the podcast is all the support we need, but if you’d like to go a little further then you can make a donation to the show HERE. Include a message, and we’ll read it out on the show!

Mark Jones is a the luthier at Jones Basses, a maker of bass guitars in the south of England. He brought a bass in for Karl and Aidan to look at, whilst discussing how basses are created, how materials are chosen and the thought process behind creating boutique instruments.You can find out more about Jones Basses at their Facebook page HERE and see Aidan and Matt Glasspool’s review of one of the instruments HERE.Listening to the podcast is all the support we need, but if you’d like to go a little further then you can make a donation to the show HERE. Include a message, and we’ll read it out on the show!

Dan is a saxophonist, composer and educator. He has been recognised nationally for his work in jazz and commercial music both as an educator and practitioner.He’s possibly the busiest musician in Southampton - alongside composing and performing, he is a lecturer in Jazz & Popular Music at the University of Southampton, leads Saints Brass a tutor for the NYJC and runs the pioneering youth jazz organisation, SYJO.He popped into the Podcast Lodge to chat to Karl and Aidan about his beginnings as a musician, working with Mark Hill (Artful Dodger) and Craig David, arranging for Band of Skulls and much more besides.We’re also treated to a stunning exclusive track from his upcoming album and an unreleased Band of Skulls track, recorded live with an orchestra!Dan’s WebsiteBand Of Skulls - HimalayanTo support the podcast further, you can buy Karl and Aidan a coffee HERE.

Neil and Aidan go way back, over 25 years in fact, which made them both feel older than they would like to admit! He popped into the podcast lodge to tell Karl and Aidan about his life as a musician, educator and workshop leader. He has appeared in blockbuster movies with his viola and treated the podcast hosts to a track that he wrote for Paul Smith and Voces8 which was quite frankly stunning.The new Red Hot Chili Pepper album is discussed of course, as well as many enlightening and amusing stories from his many and varied experiences across his career.Find Neil HEREReflections, his album with Paul Smith and Voces8 can be found on Spotify HEREBuy Karl and Aidan a coffee HERE

Watch this episode on YouTube HERE:Dirk Lance is the bassist for East of June and former bass player for Incubus. He started playing bass in high school, where he met Brandon Boyd, Mike Einziger and José Pasillas. The four of them bonded over Phish, Primus, Red Hot Chili Peppers and formed Incubus.Dirk zoomed into the podcast from his home in California to chat to Karl and Aidan about his introduction to music and the bass. He offers a wealth of experience and knowledge from his 30 years in the music business including touring, recording, songwriting and navigating the ‘business’ of music. Check out Dirk’s new band East of June HEREAnd listen to them on Spotify HEREBuy Karl and Aidan a coffee HERE

Not only is this episode the podcast’s 20th, but is also our three year anniversary!Rather than bring a guest in, Karl and Aidan take the opportunity to catch up on how their lives have changed since January 2019, and have a very jolly time showing each other artists and tracks from their current ‘Good Stuff’ Spotify playlists.HERE is a link to the Spotify playlist of the six songs played, and HERE is a link to the live video of ADHD.Buy Aidan and Karl a coffee HERE

Karl and Aidan first met Billy at Hanger Farm, where he filmed and streamed their live performance with the band Caroline’s Capuchin. We quickly discovered that Billy has an infectious passion for videography, alongside a wealth of expertise and stories of his adventures behind the camera.Billy has wanted to be a filmmaker since the age of 12, and the story of his career so far is one of dedication to the craft. He talks to Karl about his approach to creating films, the differences between audio and visual formats and how they complement each other and how Billy manages to avoid GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome).Check out Inline AV HEREAnd see his team’s handiwork with Caroline’s Capuchin HERE. Buy Aidan and Karl a coffee HERE