The L.E.S. Show

It's time for us to now bow out of what has been an incredible three years. In this final episode, we recorded a Cardiff special. On our bikes, we cycled between 6 of the city's finest pubs, each with their own segment: Day at your Dream Festival Bain's Gizz Quiz Cal's Finish The Lyric Al's £1m Music Makeover The L.E.S. Top 10 Final Playlist With 3 seasons under our belt, a beer sponsorship from Tiny Rebel and a whole load of talented musician friends made, we can only say that as 3 music loving mates who started a little project over a couple of cans, to see what it has since become feels like an overwhelming success. Too much is said about music not being what it was, blah blah blah, but what we're most proud of is making content that goes some way towards proving that the artists who make up our current scene are the some of BEST to ever do it and it was an absolute blast for us to shine a little bit more light on them. There's too many highlights to list, so BIG thankyou to everyone who ever came on whether it was podcast, insta or even helping us spin some tunes when we were live on radio.Al and Cal will be continuing the content on the instagram page over the summer. We've always attended festivals as punters, but this year we'll be attending some as press 🎤 So keep your eyes tuned to The L.E.S. insta as there will be a whole load of visual content with even more artists coming! For the last time, sit down and soak it up. Thankyou everybody!

For this week's Deep Dive, Angel Hotel broke down their latest single Rumpy Pumpy. Fitting into Sion's "under 20 minutes to write" policy, this is a love-making pop banger that only Angel Hotel can write! Have a listen below: https://open.spotify.com/track/4OqJY1KYmnxyMc3RMgEvuC?si=7dc61fa87f854737 Sit down and soak it up.

This week Angel Hotel, the Cardiff 4-piece inspired by retro nostalgia, 80s flicks and 'big power pop hooks' drop by to chat to the boys. They talk solo songwriting deals, 'geek-chic' sounds and what representing the Welsh music scene means to them. Sion and Carys bring complete authenticity to Tiny Rebel in this episode and proudly fly the flag for musicians who unashamedly pursue their own sounds. In the Deep Dive this week they break down their latest single 'Rumpy Pumpy'. In keeping with their sound, the playlist for this episode is a tour-de-force of 80's hits... On their part anyway. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3zKao8eSI7oxi2cESsQiZV?si=1ed7b330f2744973 Sit down and soak it up!

The boys may have missed frontman Dave for this one but they still bring some cool insights into the song's sonic conception. I Don't Feel is a true modern britpop banger and if this earmarks the future sound of Saloon Dion, we are incredibly excited. Episode playlist below: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/28As6UNwYpalZBfY9b652F?si=60dc9181e9c14541 Sit down and soak it up.

Here lies part 2 of our exclusive track by track with CVC in which we delve into Side B of their debut record "Get Real." This episodes covers the tracks: Good Morning Vietnam, Woman of Mine, Music Stuff, Mademoiselle, Docking the Pay and American Ultra. The lads get stuck into the recording and writing process of the songs. There's a few surprises along the way and even an acoustic rendition of the initial concept of one of CVC's biggest hitters… No playlist for this weeks episode, go get stuck into Get Real now: https://open.spotify.com/album/2CP4v1zIXBxJab2lmoVHED?si=dBNNWtwZRLWTmM-Lgx5NDg

In this episode the L.E.S. boys are around the mic with CVC for an exclusive track by track of their smash hit debut album "Get Real" in which we discuss each track at length with a little taste of each song sprinkled throughout the episode. This episode covers Side A of the record which includes tracks; Hail Mary, Winston, Knock Knock, Sophie and Anogo. Side B is to follow shortly, so keep your eyes peeled or subscribe to be notified of its release.  There is no playlist for this weeks episode, only a link to the album itself... https://open.spotify.com/album/2CP4v1zIXBxJab2lmoVHED?si=8_2tDBwVSUKAxxOAyC694A Sit down and Soak it up. 

The 14 minute epic that saw the world introduced to the incredible Alice Low is a sprawling journey of genre defying music that shows all of her incredible qualities in one. Where to begin? We didn't know either, but we tried. Listen to the full song here: https://open.spotify.com/track/3Joyo5A52KlDFHucSBfWyg?si=0f0f3a3874fe4dfa Radio edit: https://open.spotify.com/track/2PnT3q5Sods3wOj3ULlbYq?si=ec9ab9494b8e45e8

IDLES drummer Jon Beavis breaks down the making of their foot stomping hit, War. Listen to the full song here: https://open.spotify.com/track/2kYn0VPQY1iTY3XpCvUaPt?si=bffad1102c114c23

Josh from Langkamer breaks down the making of their lead single Humdinger. Listen to the full song here: https://open.spotify.com/track/790RuvdpJxbg5JrQqafu9X?si=372914389610426e Sit down and soak it up. 

Two days out from supporting Foals at Cardiff Castle, Curly from Islet joins the boys for a deep chat about all things music. Curly talks the boys through Islet's journey; playing in America, winning the Welsh Music Award and expressing yourself by playing tunes. Throughout the boys take breaks for anecdotes, discussions and plenty of laughs. You can feel the excitement in the room throughout this one so tune in and share a laugh with the boys.  Curly's appreciation for lo-fi diversity is celebrated in this week's playlist.  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5uUDozubmdmNEAEx513WhI?si=8c6c1b410b884f1a Sit down and soak it up.

This week the boys are joined by Heather from Rose Parade. As well as playing keys in TJ Roberts, Heather has founded Rose Parade Records; an artist driven and democratic label that aims to give artists the power to choose their own identity. With artists like Sam Barnes, TELGATE and Rona Mac to boast, Rose Parade have begun making some healthy waves in the music industry.  To celebrate the label's diverse music, Heather's 6 picks for this week's playlist are all children of the Rose Parade Label. Al, Bain and Cal back her up with some tunes you may not have discovered. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/76znljxpSBFhwQlotPuR38?si=54a257ebeda34d71 Sit down and soak it up.

The boys welcome one of Bristol's most beloved music figures to the podcast: Big Jeff. Jeff is famed for his relentless attendance of gigs in the South West and eclectic appreciation of all things music. He's become as important to the live music scene as venues and bands, with DJ slots at Green Man festival and Soho Radio, as well as honorary shrines at venues like The Louisiana. Jeff tells his story to the boys from start to present, with lots of funny anecdotes in between.  With Jeff on board, this week's playlist was a melting pot of diversity. On top of Bain, Al and Cal's individual picks, Jeff brought 6 tunes you've likely never heard of and are even more likely to become your new favourites.  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1O7rk68HQcD2aJ2IOAtj67?si=43e6a1cf8b71467c Sit down and soak it up. 

The L.E.S. take on their first interview with Cardiff's very own Young Garbo. Joined by Owain (Vocals) and Arwel (Lead Guitar), The L.E.S. and Young Garbo chat about the band's beginnings in venues like The Moon, to line-up changes, playing for Alan McGee and recording in their very own studio barn. Of course, The L.E.S. is about more than just seriousness and the Young Garbo boys bring plenty of laughter to the table. Owain and Arwel brought 3 tracks each to this week's playlist, with Bain, Al and Cal backing them up with one of their own.  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2lgVfx33pA2k7KnsbpSYQj?si=YwYh4oTBQp-0rig1eLZpLg Sit down and soak it up. 

This week is all about women. The boys reflected on some voice notes sent in by our women friends that outlined the major flaws in British music culture. Holly, Caitlin, Mari and Amelia spoke about the times they've felt failed by British music and were left feeling intimidated, unheard and under-appreciated. James, Alexander and Cal spoke about their male privileges and responsibilities in response, to hopefully communicate the ways us men can improve in making women feel included and heard in music.  The playlist reigns were handed over to our contributors and so there are 12 songs in this weeks playlists. All songs have been chosen and performed by women.  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4lz0WgWYiLpCm02in9gZIw?si=M683nzMuR2iKe3KaYflb6g Sit down, soak it up and keep fighting against women's injustice.

Having to make do with Zoom again, the boys take an extensive look at 2020's Mercury Prize. As Britain's most prestigious awards ceremony, Bain, Al and Callum take some time to explain what makes it so special: the judging panel, previous winners and the cultural impact it has on artists. Then they go deep into the class of 2020 - analysing all 12 of this year's shortlisted albums and arguing their favourites.  In the episode Spotify playlist, the boys have to play by the Mercury rules. Each host had to pick 3 songs that have been nominated for the Mercury's since it's inception in 1992 and one of those choices must be from the 2020 shortlist. In tribute to this year's winner, Michael Kiwanuka, there is a bonus 10th song on the playlist that acts as a unanimous choice. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/17FJD8z931L5wGv57mvltZ?si=_QpD5t5uR-mGGWnWoHS_QQ Sit down and soak it up.

The L.E.S. boys take a deep dive into the catalogue of the world's most prolific producer, Rick Rubin. Chronicling his career through the decades: the dawn of Def Jam and B-Bop records in the 80's, RHCP madness in the 90's, pop dominance of the 00's and the diverse depths of 10's the boys pick out their stand-out career moves from the bearded wizard and uncover the sheer breadth of his brilliance. When the Rubin history lesson is done, the boys scramble their brains and pick two artists - past or present - that they would team with Rick in the halls of Shangri La. You guessed it, this week's Spotify playlist is 100% Rick. The lads make some difficult sacrifices in whittling their favourite Rick Rubin tracks down to 3 each for the coolest of playlists.  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4BKu0ePWkkNo45PVwO8Whz?si=g2kBmFB4RQmYf2LPRsjdAg Sit down and soak it up.

The boys respond to the Government Arts grant and what it means for the future of live music. They chat about all of the innovative ways the music industry has responded to the pandemic: Alternative live shows, funding schemes to pay venue overheads and ways of cheating the streaming system. As per usual, the boys support the little guy by shouting out some of the best venues Cardiff and Bristol has to offer and what their supporters can do to help, as well as calling out Spotify for mistreating bands of the future and what we want to change in order to keep music flowing. This week the boys took the shackles off the Spotify playlist. There were no themes or rules to play by, instead Bain, Al and Callum chose 3 songs that have been getting some heavy rotation on their speakers. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3gg3CnCth8jf6Lo0tXMrKx?si=xe-lxVKmR3eRDezKr6Wy-g Sit down and soak it up.

With Glastonbury blues at an all time high in 2020, The L.E.S. boys try and unpack what makes Glastonbury Festival the best in the world. They take on the mammoth task of explaining it's charm before looking back on some of their favourite headliner performances of the past, from Jay-Z, to Arctic Monkeys and Metallica. Then, they debate who they think should stand on the pyramid stage in future years: RHCP, Foals, Wolf Alice or King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizzard.  In tribute to the world's greatest party, the episode Spotify playlist is a collection of songs made up of the boys' favourite past headliners: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0GhsOqNZuRBhqqMcK5XNXU?si=VlLGCOW8QL-UriLlALSB_g Sit down and soak it up.

The L.E.S. boys begin their podcast venture in the confines of lockdown. With no gigs to attend, festivals to get lost in or bands to chat to, the lads make do with reliving live sets and listening to new releases. From the IDLES 2019 Glasto set, to the new releases from Baxter Dury and Little Simz the chat reflects the everyday experiences of a music fan in lockdown.   As per every episode, Alex, Bain and Callum pick their 3 songs for the episode Spotify playlist:   https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2CbVE5eaRXR8eTYkJkCmea?si=MjFkAwaJR36ZIFOIGLXDEw  Sit down and soak it up. 

In this installment of The Deep Dive we get chatting to The Family Battenberg to discuss their ripper of a tune "Feed Yer (Nganga)." From the conception of the riff, to the lyrical content, we rarrive at some far reaching corners to get to the essence of this tune. Checkout the single in the link below. Sit down and soak it up. https://open.spotify.com/track/1y2K0VDxho2yz4eUQGlcfU?si=b2d334c8d66a427d