Synthetic Dreams Podcast

My guest this week is Jean-Michel Jarre, a true icon and pioneer of electronic musicWith a career spanning over 52 years in music, he is one of the most successful electronic artists ever, selling over 85 million albums and singles. Known for his large scale, elaborate live shows, Jarre has performed concerts at the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramids in Egypt and even the Sahara Desert. He’s also a UNESCO ambassador for education, science and culture and in 2017 was awarded the Stephen Hawking Medal for Science CommunicationWe discuss the making of his new album and concert film ‘Live in Bratislava - an audio-visual record of his historic open-air concert-event 'Bridge From The Future', performed on May 12, 2024 in Slovakia. A truly spectacular live event that features all that you’d expect from a Jean-Michel Jarre concert - elaborate sets, stunning visuals, fireworks and for the first time, a drone display For more information or to pre-order the album, visit: https://www.jeanmicheljarre.com/live-in-bratislavaSynthetic Dreams is presented and produced by Scott ZverblisFollow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠Follow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠⁠⁠Twitter / X⁠⁠⁠Synthetic Dreams title music by Chris Ibbott

I’m delighted to be joined by Swiss singer, songwriter,  composer and record producer, Franz Treichler, best known as the vocalist and founder member of the hugely influential industrial rock band The Young Gods.Franz formed The Young Gods in 1985 and the original lineup of the band featured  The original lineup of the band featured singer Franz Treichler, Cesare Pizzi and drummer Frank Bagnoud. Known for their innovative use of samplers in rock music, the band have influenced a number of artists, including Mike Patton from Faith No More, American industrial band, Ministry and even David Bowie, who cited the Young Gods as a direct influence on his 1996 album ‘Outside’. Impressive stuff! We discuss, amongst other things, the making of The Young Gods ninth studio album, ‘Appear Disappear’ released in back in June. 

Retro Synthetic! Another chance to listen to this previously unavailable interview with DJ and musician, Mark Archer, Altern 8.The duo, known for their signature fluorescent yellow dust masks and green boiler suits, released a series of hugely influential  techno records before achieving massive chart success with Altern 8.It was great to speak to the man behind the mask about the early rave scene, playing Top Of The Pops and how he came up with their distinctive look.Actually, this interview was recorded back in 2021, a time where everyone was wearing masks! Top one, nice one, get sorted! Synthetic Dreams is presented and produced by Scott ZverblisFollow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠Follow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠Follow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠⁠Twitter / X⁠⁠Also, check out my monthly show Synthetic Sundays on Louder Than War Radio : https://www.mixcloud.com/louderthanwar/synthetic-sundays-july-2025/If you can, please support the Synthetic Dreams Podcast by buying a coffee ⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/syntheticdreams⁠⁠⁠ ⁠

Today’s extremely fun and insightful episode features multi-talented musician, Gwenno, plus her musical partner and husband, Rhys Edwards. We discuss the making of Gwenno’s brilliant new album,‘Utopia’, which is out now on Heavenly Recordings.  The record, which is one of my favourite releases of 2025, has received some truly amazing reviews and is well worth checking out. Gwenno is doing some very intimate gigs to promote the release, including an album launch show at The Lower Third in London tomorrow evening (Wednesday 16 July) and an in-store gig at Resident Music, Brighton on Thursday. She will be performing at Greenman Festival next month, before heading out on a UK tour in October. For more information and tickets, visit: https://www.gwenno.infohttps://gwenno.bandcamp.com/musicGwenno - Utopia (Official Video) Synthetic Dreams is presented and produced by Scott ZverblisFollow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠Instagram⁠Follow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠Threads⁠Follow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠Twitter / X⁠Also, check out my monthly show on Louder Than War Radio : https://louderthanwar.com/louder-than-war-radio/scott-z-synthetic-sundays/If you can, please support the Synthetic Dreams Podcast by buying a coffee ⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/syntheticdreams⁠

Today’s fascinating and insightful episode features a conversation with Phil King, curator of ‘All The Young Droids: Junkshop Synth Pop 1978-1985’, a wonderful double Vinyl / Double CD compilation that charts the underdogs of the 80s electronica and synth-pop scene. There’s a very special album launch happening this Monday at Spiritland in London. The evening will include a conversation  chaired by Philip, featuring a few artists from the record, including Andy Beaumont (Vision) and Joe Murphy (Dream Unit) Plus, music by Dj Martin Green.For more info and to but tickets, visit: https://ra.co/events/2197026 

Delighted and truly honoured to be joined by Cosey Fanni Tutti on the podcast this week. Cosey talks about the making of her brilliant new solo album, '2t2" which comes out this Friday, 13th June. We also discuss the early days of Throbbing Gristle, music technology and her excellent books 'Art Sex Music’ published in 2017 and ‘Re-Sisters’, which came out in 2022.

Delighted to be joined by multi-talented musician, Steve Queralt on the podcast today Steve, best known as the bass player of the influential shoegaze band Ride, talks to me about the writing and recording of his first ever solo album, 'Swallow'  which comes out next Friday, June 13, on Sonic Cathedral 'Swallow', which is already one of my favourite albums of 2025, features beautiful guest vocals from Emma Anderson (Lush) and Verity Susman (Electrelane).For more information or to pre-order the album, visit: https://stevequeralt.bandcamp.com/album/swallowSteve Queralt feat. Emma Anderson - Lonely Town (Official Video)Synthetic Dreams is presented and produced by Scott ZverblisFollow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠Follow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠⁠⁠Twitter / X⁠⁠⁠Synthetic Dreams title music by Chris IbbottIf you can, please support the Synthetic Dreams Podcast by buying a coffee ⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/syntheticdreams

Today’s episode features New Order’s Tom Chapman and singer Iwan Gronow (Haven, Johnny Marr's band) who discuss the making of Sea Fever’s brilliant new album ‘Surface Sound’, which follows the band’s critically acclaimed debut, ‘Folding Lines’. The five-piece, Manchester based band, which also features Phil Cunningham (New Order) vocalist, Beth Cassidy (Section 25) and drummer, Elliot Barlow, formed in 2019.‘Surface Sound’ is out now via Stockport-based indie label Cosmic Glue. In August, the band will be doing a couple of acoustic in-stores at the following record shops: Tuesday 5th August at Banquet Records, London and Crash Records, Leeds on Wednesday 6th August 2025. Synthetic Dreams is presented and produced by Scott ZverblisFollow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠Follow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠⁠Twitter / X⁠⁠Synthetic Dreams title music by Chris IbbottIf you can, please support the Synthetic Dreams Podcast by buying a coffee ⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/syntheticdreams

Delighted to be joined by multi-talented musician, Fay Milton on the podcast this week.Best known as the drummer of English rock band, Savages, Fay spoke to me about her latest album, ‘Goddess’, a collaborative project, featuring female and non-binary musicians, including fellow Savages bandmate, Ayse Hassan and Elena Tora.With it’s unique sonic landscape of different musical styles, it's an album that really pushes the boundaries of traditional musical structures.'Goddes' is released this Friday via the always excellent Bella Union record label.We also talk about her time in Savages, who were nominated for a Mercury Award for both their debut and second album, Plus, we discuss Music Declares Emergency, an environmental pressure group that Fay co-founded back in 2019.https://bellaunion.com/pages/goddessGoddess 'Shadows' ff Ex:ReSynthetic Dreams is presented and produced by Scott ZverblisFollow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠Follow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠Threads⁠Follow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠Twitter / X⁠Synthetic Dreams title music by Chris IbbottIf you can, please support the Synthetic Dreams Podcast by buying a coffee ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/syntheticdreams 

Today’s episode features Stockholm- based multi-instrumentalist and composer, Rebekka Karijord Originally from Norway, Rebekka has released seven solo albums, as well as scoring music for over 30 films, including ‘All the Old Knives’, an American Spy thriller staring Chris Pine and Thandiwe Newton and Nathan Grossman’s  documentary, ‘I Am Greta’ about the climate change activist, Greta Thunberg In 2023, she teamed up with The National’s Aaron and Bryce Dessner for the Complete Mountain Almanac album.We discuss the making of her most ambitious album to date, The Bell Tower’, which features Grammy-winning vocal band Roomful of Teeth. Rebekka built a digital sample machine, featuring samples of her own voice, as well as the voices of the American vocal ensemble, which she skilfully manipulated to create the basis for its unique and beautiful sound.  ‘The Bell Tower’ is a beautiful album, which is worth checking out, as well as her other solo releases and soundtrack work, which are available to listen to and purchase on Rebekka’s Bandcamp page: https://rebekkakarijord.bandcamp.comhttps://rebekkakarijord.com

Todays extremely fun and insightful episode of Synthetic Dreams features electronic musicians, Jess and Jeff  DeCuir who make glorious synth-pop music under the name, Hyperbubble The couple, who met back in 1996, spoke to me about their music, early gigs in both America and in the UK, musical heroes and the documentary film, ‘Cowgirls and Synthesizers’ which is a somewhat bonkers, but absolutely brilliant.Directed by Joe Wallace, with narration by Ricard Autobahn from Helen Love, ‘Cowgirls and Synthesizers’ follows the duo on their way Nashville to record a country and western album using just synthesizers and drum machines. It’s a fascinating, inspirational, hugely entertaining film. An extremely well-made documentary that is worth checking out. The film has featured in many film festivals across the world and the should hopefully be able to stream very soon.Hyperbubble 'The Singles' album is out soon, check out their previous releases here:https://www.hyperbubble.net/https://hyperbubble.bandcamp.com/merchCowgirls and Synthesizers - Offical Trailer Synthetic Dreams is presented and produced by Scott ZverblisFollow Synthetic Dreams on InstagramFollow Synthetic Dreams on ThreadsFollow Synthetic Dreams on Twitter / XSynthetic Dreams title music by Chris IbbottIf you can, please support the Synthetic Dreams Podcast by buying a coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/syntheticdreams

Today’s fascinating episode of Synthetic Dreams features multi-talented electronic musician and DJ, Joe Goddard, best known for his work with synth-pop band, Hot Chip, which he co-founded with his school friend, Alexis TaylorJoe talks to me about his brilliant new E.P ‘Kinetic’, which features several guest vocalists including Dynamite MC and dancehall musician Suku  We also discuss the making of his third album, ‘Harmonics’ released in July last year, his long-time working relationship with fellow Hot Chip member Al Doyle, who also performs with American electronic band, LCD Soundsystem. To order Joe Goddard's new EP and previous album releases visit: www.dominomusic.com/releases/joe-goddardwww.joegoddard.co.ukSynthetic Dreams is presented and produced by Scott ZverblisFollow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠Follow Synthetic Dreams on ThreadsFollow Synthetic Dreams on Twitter / XSynthetic Dreams title music by Chris IbbottIf you can, please support the Synthetic Dreams Podcast by buying a coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/syntheticdreams

This weeks fascinating and fun episode of Synthetic Dreams features legendary singer and songwriter, Andy BellAndy, who is one half of synth-pop duo, Erasure, talks to me about his new solo album ‘Ten Crowns’ which comes out on May 2nd, via Crown Recordings The album was co-written and produced by Grammy winning US producer and DJ, Dave Audé, who is supporting Andy on his forthcoming UK tour, which starts next month. As well as featuring the excellent single, and one of my favourite tracks on the album, ‘Breaking Thru the Interstellar’ The album also features a truly wonderful collaboration with Debbie Harry from Blondie. A match made in pop heaven for sure!So great to finally have Andy on the podcast. Fair to say that Erasure are one of the greatest, and most successful, synth-pop duos of all-time, so it was a real honour to have him on the show. Was great to hear him talk with such passion about his new record, which is brilliant from start to finish and well worth checking out ANDY BELL 'BREAKING THRU THE INTERSTELLARANDY BELL 'DON'T CHA KNOW'ANDY BELL 2025 TOURPRE-ORDER 'TEN CROWNS' 

Joining me on the podcast today is American musician, singer-song-writer, Noah Lennox, who records and performs music under the name, Panda BearNoah, who is the co-founder of experimental pop band Animal Collective, talks to me about his excellent new solo record, ‘Sinister Grift’, which is out now on Domino records.We also discuss creatively, his musical passions and influences, his move to New York in the early the noughties and the formation of Animal Collective, plus his collaborations  with Sonic Boom from Spaceman 3 and dance music icons, Daft Punk https://pandabearofficial.com/https://www.dominomusic.com/ukPanda Bear. - Defense (Official Video)Animal Collective - My Girls (Official Video)Daft Punk - Doing It Right ft Panda Bear

Today's fascinating episode of Synthetic Dreams features legendary singer, Tony Hadley .Tony, is of course, best known as the lead singer of one of the biggest bands of the 1980s, Spandau Ballet. The band, who formed in Islington, London back in 1979, scored a number of hits. Spandau’s debut single, ‘To Cut A Long Story Short’, one of the greatest synth-pop anthems of all-time, reached number five in the UK charts and was the first of ten UK top-10 singles for the band, reaching global success with ‘Chant No 1, ‘True; ’Gold’ and ‘Through the Barricades’ to name a few.We discuss, amongst other things, his Christmas Big Band Tour 2025, the 40th anniversary of Live Aid and his memories from that special day. He also talks about electronic music and his love Kraftwerk and early Ultravox, plus his time hanging out at legendary new romantic club, The Blitz.

Today's fascinating episode features singer, songwriter and guitarist, Miki Berenyi.In 1987, Miki met Emma Anderson, a previous guest on Synthetic Dreams and formed the band, Lush. The group went on to release three critically acclaimed albums on legendary record label, 4AD. The band officially split in 1996, but reformed for a series of well received live shows in 2016.In 2018, Miki formed a new band called, Piroshka, which featured her partner Kevin McKillop (aka Moose) Micheal Conroy and former Elastica drummer, Justin Welch. The group released two albums on the always excellent Bella Union label.Miki’s memoir Fingers Crossed, was published by Nine Eight Books In September 2022. It’s extremely well written, funny, and, in parts, very moving - well worth a read. In recent years, Miki has been recording and playing shows as part of the Miki Berenyi Trio, which features Moose and guitarist Oliver Cherer. We discuss, amongst other things, the making of their truly brilliant debut album, ‘Tripla’, which comes out on April 4th via Bella Union records.https://mikiberenyitrio.bandcamp.comMiki Berenyi Trio - 8th Deadly Sin (Official Video)Lush - Sweetness and Light (Official Video)Lush - Single Girl (Official Video)Lush - Ladykillers

Second part of my interview with electronic musician, Jas Shaw His latest album 'Tea Within A Tea' and other releases are available to buy on his Bandcamp page https://jasshaw.bandcamp.com/album/a-tea-within-a-tea

Delighted to be joined by electronic musician, Jas Shaw on the podcast this week.Jas was one half of Simian Mobile Disco, who he formed in Manchester with James Ford, a previous guest on Synthetic Dreams, back in 2003.Originally just a DJ side project to their four-piece band Simian, Simian Mobile Disco formed as an electronic act after Simian parted ways in 2005.In 2006, the single ‘We Are Your Friends’ by Justice vs Simian reached number 20 in the UK singles chart and became a massive club hit Simian Mobile Disco’s excellent debut album, ‘Attack Decay Sustain Release’, released in June 2007 on Wichita Recordings, received lots of praise from the UK press at the time. It’s one of my favourite electronic albums. Still sounds fantastic  Jas discusses the making of his latest album ‘A Tea Within A Tea’, which follows ‘The Exquisite Cops’ released in 2019, as well as talking about his time in Simian and Simian Mobile DiscoLINKS:https://jasshaw.bandcamp.com/album/a-tea-within-a-tea

Today’s fascinating episode of Synthetic Dreams features songwriter, guitarist and singer, Emma Anderson Emma formed Rover Girls with school friend, Miki Berenyi back in 1987. Then after a couple of alternations to the lineup, changed the name of the group to Lush in 1988. A year later, the band signed to 4AD records and released the six-track mini album, ‘Scar’, which received praise from the UK music press. They went on to release three commercially successful and critically acclaimed albums with 4AD.Described as one of the first bands on the shoegaze scene, Lush went on to have great chart success during the Britpop era too, with the singles, ‘Ladykillers’ ‘500 (Shake Baby Shake) and ‘Single Girl’Emma discusses, amongst other things, the making of her first ever solo album ‘Pearlies’ which was released on Sonic Cathedral records in 2023. Emma Anderson - Clusters (Official Video)

Today's fascinating episode features musician, artist and author, Horace Panter.Horace, known professionally as  as Sir Horace Gentleman, was a member in of my all-time favourite groups, The Specials Panter met Jerry Dammers while a student at Lanchester Polytechnic and the two of them formed The Specials. The group enjoyed many hits including ‘Gangsters’ ‘Rat Race’ ‘Sterotype’ and ‘Ghost Town’ which stormed to the top of the charts back in June, 1981. As discussed in the interview, this seminal track truly reflected what was going on in Thatcher’s Britain at the time, terrible unemployment, social unrest and riots. The song was hailed by the contemporary UK music press as a major piece of popular social commentaryHorace talks about his current group The Dirt Road Band, his art and the exhibitions his put on, writing his book ‘Ska'd for Life’ and his time in The Specials, who in my humble opinion are one of the most influential British bands ever.