Shows
Sheer IsolationSheer 111 - Kieran MooreIt's about time we interviewed the man behind Sheer Music on this show!
In this episode Jon talks to Kieran... He tells us how he caught the bug for organising and promoting live music, how he's spent close to 20 years supporting Wiltshire's venues and festivals, and also tells us what he's planning to do next!
We play a couple of new tunes courtesy of Swindon rockers NervEndings, and Bristol based indie songwriter, Billy Nomates.
We also chat about how local festivals are already trickling out news of their 2023 headliners, and how a Government...2022-10-2928 min
Sheer IsolationSheer 108 - Jimmy Watkins Pt.1 (Running Punks)Our guest on Sheer Isolation this week competed for Team GB in the 800 metres, and was in Welsh alt-rock band Future of the Left.
But those stories will be told another time... This week, Jimmy Watkins is talking to us about a series of YouTube videos he made, and how they led to the creation of a new running club with a difference.
Jimmy created Running Punks after he and a friend discovered first-hand just how important regular exercise is for helping overcome mental anxieties.
During lockdown, he was encouraging musicians and music-lovers...2022-09-2428 min
Sheer IsolationSheer 107 - Johnny Black (Smash Hits)On this week's Sheer Isolation we play out the second part of our Johnny Black interview.
In this part, the Devizes based music journalist talks about the time he joined a new team of writers to create the Smash Hits brand.
The publication team, which launched it's first magazine in 1978, went on to produce other titles such as Mojo and Q.
Johnny tells us about his Time Machine feature for Mojo - an 'On This Day' section which still lives on through his personal website.
We also play the new single...2022-09-1728 min
Sheer IsolationSheer 103 - Dave Hartland (Cotswold Sculpture Park)It's not very often you come across a chap who has built his own amphitheatre so he can showcase live music and theatrical performances in his garden.
But that's exactly what Dave Hartland has done at the Cotswold Sculpture Park.
He's spent nearly three decades turning a field of weeds in the surroundings of the Cotswold Water Park into a unique trail of artwork and statues, with visitors travelling far and wide to view (and sometimes buy) the pieces on display.
With his DIY amphitheatre project now complete, he's opening the park's doors...2022-07-3028 min
Sheer IsolationSheer 102 Thom Belk - (Brown Street)Our guest this week on Sheer Isolation has his finger on the pulse of Salisbury's music scene.
Thom Belk has been organising music nights in the city for over 15 years. He's currently in charge of the entertainment at Brown Street - a new venue on the site of The Chapel.
Thom tells us about their plans for extending Brown Street, and how Salisbury has recently lost it's biggest venues because of the pandemic. Fortunately the music scene is now on a road to recovery.
We also play a couple of tunes - Thom...2022-07-2328 min
Sheer IsolationSheer 101 - Oliver Phipps (Wharf Theatre)Our guest on this week's Sheer Isolation is Oliver Phipps from the Wharf Theatre in Devizes.
This historic building next to the Kennet & Avon Canal has been putting on stage shows for decades. It's recently undergone a major refurbishment and is opening it's doors to new audiences, offering more inclusive events and introducing youngsters to the world of theatre.
Oliver tells us about the recent renovation work, how their charity status allows more freedom to host unknown directors, and a look forward to what's happening later this year.
We also play a couple...2022-07-0228 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 100 - Ian Winwood Pt2We continue our chat with Telegraph and Kerrang! Journalist, Ian Winwood in this week's Sheer Isolation.
He's recently published a book which draws on his first-hand experiences to investigate why so many young superstars of the music industry crash out of fame and spiral into addiction.
In this episode, Ian gives us more of an insight into Bodies - A Life and Death In Music, and offers tips for budding young journalists who are hoping to follow in his footsteps as an internationally renowned writer.
We have a couple of tracks in the...2022-06-2528 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 99 - Ian WinwoodOur guest on Sheer Isolation this week is an internationally renowned music journalist whose work is regularly featured in The Telegraph, Kerrang! And Alternative Press.
In this first of a two-part interview, Ian Winwood talks about his career path, gives us expert tips on review writing, and offers free advice for how budding journalists can protect themselves from libel!
His new book, Bodies - A Life and Death in Music, explores the grittier side of the music industry, based on his own experience from working alongside chart-topping celebrities for the past 20 years.
Ian...2022-06-1828 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 98 Harry Steele (Unthnkble)We're talking to Harry Steele from Unthnkble on this week's Sheer Isolation - a Somerset based production company which specialises in creating music videos.
Harry tells us about a recent project he worked on at Mick Jagger's house, and how he's hoping to expand into even larger productions with bigger budgets in years to come.
He also tells us how his passion for video making has got him to this point in just a few years, and offers advice to other budding videographers in the South West on how to establish yourself on the scene.2022-06-0428 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 97 Dom Allan (Scavenger Music)Taking upcycling to a whole new level... we're joined on this week's Sheer Isolation by a chap who makes new guitars out of old pianos!
Dom Allen from Scavenger Music reclaims materials from deceased uprights that are traded in at the music shop All Instruments in Westbury to save the whole piano going to landfill.
He uses the salvaged timber to produce hand-crafted, Fender style electric guitars.
He's made more than a dozen instruments in his workshop so far, with plenty of interest from musicians who are looking for a unique, ethically sourced...2022-05-2828 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 96 Ian Fiddes (Vinyl Daze)Our guest this week spends his time touring the south of England and Wales - hosting more than 80 events every year.
Ian Fiddes runs the Vinyl Daze Record Fairs, where dealers gather to sell vinyl of every style and age to the public.
With some events attracting 20+ dealers, shoppers can find classics, rare pieces and the latest releases all under one roof.
As well as running events as far south as Cornwall and as far west as Tenby, Ian also regularly checks in to Cirencester, Wells and Dursley.
He tells us...2022-05-1428 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 95 - Kat Jones (Pseudonym Magazine)Our guest on this week's Sheer Isolation sets out to prove that print media isn't dead, by producing her own community publication.
Kat Jones created Pseudonym Magazine after moving to Wiltshire from London, and realizing there was a gap in the market to promote the region's underground arts scene.
Her team of volunteers are now working on the ninth edition which will feature articles on Wiltshire's villages, band reviews, poetry and community news. It can be ordered online or bought from several venues in mid-Wiltshire.
Our music choices this week are the latest...2022-05-0728 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 94 - Phil Moakes (Visual Radio Arts)On this week's Sheer Isolation we talk to Phil Moakes from Visual Radio Arts in Devizes.
VRA is an independent studio where local musicians and bands can record live sessions of original tracks with both professional quality sound and high definition, multi-camera video.
Phil tells us how the session recordings began in the early days of Frome FM, and has since moved on, along with the technology, to become the established and respected centre we know today.
Since 2016, Phil has recorded hundreds of sessions - all of which are free to view online.2022-04-3028 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 93 - Lee LaverackLee Laverack has taken to stages throughout the world, in front of packed venues and stadia for more than a decade, and yet he's never had a chart hit.
That's because he's the guy who sets up instruments, mops up spilt beers mid-performance and says those most famous words in the world of rock; "Check One Two".
Lee joins us on Sheer Isolation this week to tell us about his typical working day, such as sightseeing at the Great Wall of China before heading to a venue to set up the band.
He's...2022-04-1628 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 92 - Evie Em-Jay (Swindon Jazz and Soul)We're joined on Sheer Isolation this week by founder of the Swindon Jazz and Soul Festival, Evie Em-Jay.
We spoke to Evie last year when the town's jazz nights were just starting up again following lockdown. April's Jazz and Soul Festival will only be the second time this event has been held. She successfully established it in 2019, and has been forced to cancel for the last two years.
Evie updates us on the popularity of her regular music nights in venues across Swindon, and confirms who is on the bill to perform at the festival.2022-04-0228 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 91 - Professor ElementalSteampunk chap-hop rap artist and self confessed nerd, Professor Elemental, is joining us on Sheer Isolation this week.
The Professor has been recording and touring his quintessentially British rap tracks for over a decade, performing in venues across Europe and the States. His unique music style and on-brand appearance has given rise to an impressive fanbase on social media.
Music aside, he also guest starred in an episode of Disney's Phineas and Ferb.
We talk to The Professor about his upcoming tour and new releases, how the character came to be, and somehow...2022-03-2628 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 89 - Sophie Dunn (Live Music Now)Calling all musicians who are interested in playing gigs in care homes, schools and hospitals...
The charity Live Music Now is looking for new acts to add to their contact list. We're joined by the Director for the South West branch, Sophie Dunn, who tells us more about their work in communities across the country, and how delivering live music to people who can't get to venues is an integral piece of the charity's DNA.
Sophie picks an instrumental piece from a local duo who regularly work with Live Music Now - Alex Garden (from...2022-03-0528 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 88 - Marc White (Karma Tree)On this week's Sheer Isolation we chat with yoga teacher, reggae fan and ex-raver, Marc White.
Marc now hosts regular yoga classes in Trowbridge, but he has previously toured the world absorbing different rave and dance music cultures around the globe.
He's dusting off his extensive collection of reggae vinyl for a special DJ night in the town in April.
And, proving that we don't believe in boundaries when it comes to music, Kieran plays a hippy-ska-cover of a Vengaboys classic from Bristol's Boom Boom Racoon. Marc selects a reggae track from the...2022-02-1928 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 87 - Shaun Buswell (Pop-up Orchestra)Our guest on this week's Sheer Isolation is the man who came up with the concept of pop-up orchestras, Swindon's very own Shaun Buswell.
By approaching strangers in train stations who were carrying instruments, Shaun has successfully formed and created full size orchestras in the UK and Europe.
His next performance is happening next month in London.
Shaun explains where the idea came from, and what the future plans are for this unique way of making music.
On the tune menu, Shaun plays a recording from his Paris orchestra session from 2018...2022-02-1228 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 86 - Tweedy (Giffords Circus)We've talked to some jokers on these shows before, but this week we are literally joined by a clown.
The face of Giffords Circus, Tweedy, is our guest on Sheer Isolation.
The Stroud based performers will be touring the south of England from April, clocking up nearly 300 shows in 14 venues.
Tweedy has an (uncharacteristic) sensible chat with us about working with the travelling troupe of world-class artists, how Giffords stands out from other circuses, and we also talk about his one-man show which is currently touring the region.
We have two...2022-02-0528 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 85 - Nina Casey (Purple Noise)On this week's Sheer Isolation we talk to the Frome DJ Nina Casey (aka Nina LoVe) about her new project to boost interest in learning new music skills.
Purple Noise offers workshops and advice to provide experience working in studios, producing music, and lessons in live DJing.
They have a fully kitted out recording and rehearsal space in Trowbridge Town Hall and opens its doors to everyone. They especially want to help kids with learning difficulties or those who don't have access to music studios through their own schools.
Nina tells us about...2022-01-2928 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 82 - John ParkerOn Sheer Isolation this week we're joined by a musician, teacher and promoter who's been a consistent part of Cirencester's music scene for four decades.
John Parker talks about forming his first college bands in the eighties, his cheeky way of booking gigs in unsuspecting pubs, and how musicians used to get their sound heard before social media.
We also talk about the Cirencester School of Rock which John ran for several years with Swindon drummer, Tim Downes-Hall. The school quickly became a pedestal for spotting young, talented artists in the south Cotswolds.
...2021-12-1828 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 79 - Dominic Bailey-Clay (Nine Volt Leap)We're joined on this week's Sheer Isolation by the owner of the Nine Volt Leap recording studio in Melksham; Dominic Bailey-Clay.
His small team of friends created the town centre studio space from nothing, and he's now dealing with a steady stream of recording jobs from local and national artists alike.
Dominic tells us about the early days of their makeshift recording set-ups and questionable neighbours, some of his recording highlights, and talks about the band's he's been working with recently.
One of those bands is Bath based Byker Grove Fan Club...2021-11-2828 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 78 - Florence Espeut-NicklessOn this week's Sheer Isolation we're joined by actor, stage performer and writer, Flo Espeut-Nickless.
Her one-woman show, Destiny, is a semi-autobiographical take of growing up on a Chippenham council estate.
She created the show to dispel the stereotype that everyone in Wiltshire is wealthy and well spoken.
She's now in talks to adapt Destiny for TV, while also rehearsing for a festive play, Miracle on 34 Seymour Street, which you can see in Trowbridge over Christmas.
We play a track from Gavin Osborn; previous Sheer Isolation guest and is working with...2021-11-2028 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 77 - Julian Jones (Swindon Hub)A new community centre has recently opened in the centre of Swindon.
Our guest this week is Julian Jones who is part of the Swindon Hub project.
The site, which took over the derelict River Island store last month includes a café, exhibition space, workshop areas and a venue hall. Organisers are already planning events including theatre shows, guest speakers and community advice for reducing our bills and carbon footprints.
With Swindon's town centre not looking its best in recent years due to so many retail outlets closing, it's hoped the Swindon Hub w...2021-11-1328 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 76 - Tim Orchard (Purr Records)This week's Sheer Isolation is a fascinating listen for anyone wanting to get into music promotion.
We're joined by Tim Orchard from Purr Records - a Bath based promotion and record label during the 2000s.
Tim talks about how he first got into music nights at Moles Club in the centre of Bath, how he introduced foreign bands onto the UK scene, and some of the lessons learnt along the way about getting the best out of your bookings.
On the music menu we play a track from one of Purr's discoveries...2021-11-0628 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 75 - Rosie UptonTo mark the week when The Village Pump in Trowbridge re-opens for live events, we talk to local folk singer and one of the Pump's restoration volunteers, Rosie Upton, who's been a key player in the success of the venue for five decades.
She tells us what the folk club was like in the seventies, how it was reborn nearly 20 years ago, and how the Pump is diversifying to include a wider range of musical styles, while keeping live folk and acoustic performance at it's core.
Our tunes this week include Wiltshire's very own Fly...2021-10-2328 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 74 - Sumita MajumdarLiving with autism can be frustrating for yourself and the people around you, especially when young children are involved.
This week's guest has played a crucial role in increasing understanding and tolerance of autistic behaviours in schools across the UK.
Swindon artist, Sumita Majumdar, is part of the team behind Pablo; a CBeebies series where the lead character shows how his inner-world manifests into real-life behaviour.
Sumita has gone on to research autistic traits and coping mechanisms further, and is hoping to create new interactive projects which will allow more people to see...2021-10-1628 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 73 - Jonathan Dean (Innox Mills)On Sheer Isolation this week we're joined by property developer, Jonathan Dean.
He owns the Innox Mills in Trowbridge - a former sausage factory which is currently a derelict site that sits between the town centre and the train station.
He tells us his ambition to bring a 'little piece of Camden' to Wiltshire by including in his redevelopment plans dedicated studios and workshop spaces for local artists, and hopes to include new venues to promote the area's music scene.
Our tunes this week are courtesy of Devon duo, Sound of the Sirens...2021-10-0928 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 72 - Alan PettiferJoining us on this week's Sheer Isolation is songwriter and artist, Alan Pettifer.
He's launching a new, monthly music night in North Wiltshire which brings together the best components from every folk night, open mic and charity show he's ever performed at.
As well as promoting the Crudwell Music Club, he also talks about his time frequenting German folk clubs in the seventies, how his songwriting has raised tens and thousands for good causes, and the perils of selling CDs through online retailers.
We've also got two tracks as always - this week...2021-10-0228 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 71 - Evie Em-JayRegular music nights are appearing back on the pub chalkboards as life continues to return to normal.
That's music to the ears of this week's guest, Evie Em-Jay, who organises weekly jazz nights in Swindon.
She talks to us about how she fell in love with the genre, and how she ended up being Swindon's premier jazz promoter.
Her weekly music nights have now resumed at the Royal Oak in Old Town, and hopes that more of her venues will be welcoming back live music very soon.
A truly eclectic mix...2021-09-2528 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 70 - Mike Williams (Pound Arts)We're talking to Mike Williams on this week's Sheer Isolation, who is part of the team behind Corsham's Pound Arts venue.
The town centre site includes a 100 seat auditorium for live events, exhibition spaces for artists, rehearsal rooms, workshops and a cafe.
Mike explains how the centre has evolved into a community hub, with lots of Corsham's residents making the most of their unique facility.
On the music menu, we play one from the vaults courtesy of Swindon three piece ska outfit, Slagerij, and Mike chooses a track from Kitty MacFarlane - a...2021-09-1828 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 69 - Ben ParkesThis week's guest on Sheer Isolation is going old-school to help share community successes across the centre of Wiltshire.
Ben Parkes is part of the team behind the newly launched Celebrate newspaper in Trowbridge.
The idea of the paper is to promote local events, share good news stories and encourage more people to make their home town a more cheery and friendly place.
We ask Ben why he's taken on this project, and what he sees are the advantages of promotion via a physical newspaper.
On the music menu, we play...2021-09-1128 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 68 - Jon PontingIt was bound to happen eventually! We've turned the spotlight on ourselves for this week's Sheer Isolation. Our very own Jon Ponting explains how we grew from a local radio journalist to presenting and editing your favourite podcast about musicians from the West.
He looks back on hosting open mic nights across North Wiltshire and the Cotswolds, helping out at community radio stations, and taking the reins at Westonbirt's Treefest Festival.
We've also thrown a couple of songs into the mix; We have a new release from Bristol based songwriter, Onika Venus, and also a...2021-09-0428 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 67 - Ed Deedigan (Kandu Arts)For over two decades, a dedicated team has been working in Chippenham to reach out to marginalised communities and to offer support to the disaffected through music, film, art and sport.
Ed Deedigan is the Director of Kandu Arts. He joins us on this week's Sheer Isolation to look back at how the project started, to promote their upcoming music and film festivals, and to thank the many people who have helped and supported the cause through the years.
On the music menu, Ed selects a new track from Malmesbury based Will Lawton, the video...2021-08-2128 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 66 - Nick Reed (Trowbridge Festival)The Trowbridge Village Pump Festival has been a regular event on the summer calendar for decades, but in more recent years the musical line-up took a different turn, a new site meant the festival moved away from it's home town, and the organisers eventually called it a day.
But after a successful one-off event in 2018, our guest this week has plans to revitalise the festival and bring it back to its former glory.
Nick Reed has been a part of the festival since the eighties, from a child attending with his parents, to working backstage...2021-08-1428 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 65 - Adam Laughton (Wiltshire Music Centre)Our guest on Sheer Isolation this week has made it his mission to get the West's youngsters engaged with classical, opera and choir music.
Adam Laughton is part of the team at the Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon - a venue which showcases genres of music traditionally considered highbrow, while ensuring performances are fully inclusive, with workshops, events and rehearsal space to encourage teenagers to take up classical instruments and join youth orchestras and singing groups.
On our playlist, Adam picks a live recording performance by Bristol's Fitzhardinge Consort. We also play a track from...2021-08-0728 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 64 - Kirsty ClinchWe are joined on this week's Sheer Isolation by Wiltshire's very own Kirsty Clinch.
Kirsty is a folk musician who has more recently turned her attention to creating songs for toddlers. Over lockdown she illustrated and authored a children's song book which links to a series of short music videos on YouTube that she also produced.
On top of this, she has also opened her own music school for young children with plans to expand into nurseries and village halls as more restrictions are eased.
And with an impressive 111,000+ Instagram followers, she's got...2021-07-2428 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 63 - Dan Greeves (Pegasus Music Management)After 63 episodes, this will be the last Sheer Isolation... to be recorded under Covid restrictions! Don't worry... we aren't ready to retire the show just yet!
This week our guest is Dan Greeves who has recently set up his own music management business and plans to offer an alternative way for acts to get their music heard.
The first band on the Pegasus books is Concrete Prairie; a folk act from Bristol, and he is looking for more untapped local talent to get in touch.
Dan tells us why he's chosen now to...2021-07-1728 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 62 - Sam Robinson (Sound Knowledge)On this week's Sheer Isolation we're joined by Sam Robinson, who's part of the team at Marlborough's CD & vinyl shop, Sound Knowledge.
As well as the retail side, Sound Knowledge is also known for putting on in-store gigs and has hosted the likes of Ed Sheeran and Everything Everything since the shop was founded in the '90s.
We talk about the resurgence of vinyl sales, how the pandemic has pushed them into online selling, and how Record Store Day has quickly become their busiest time of the year.
On the music menu...2021-07-1028 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 61 - Jess BradleyWe're joined by comic book illustrator, Jess Bradley, on this week's Sheer Isolation.
Jon's old classroom buddy from St. Joseph's in Swindon has gone on to bigger and better things, including having regular strips and stories published in the Beano and Phoenix.
It's a rare moment in our podcast's history where our guest has seen workload increase during lockdown, with more of us buying comics online to keep our kids and ourselves entertained during the pandemic.
Jess won a Blue Peter award for her last book, A Day In The Life of a...2021-07-0328 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 60 - Sally SnailThere are plans underway to turn a large, unused bandstand in the centre of Trowbridge into an active, outdoor stage for live performances this summer.
The project is being led by Sally Snail who has promoted grassroots dance, music and stage shows in Wiltshire for more than two decades through her Starry Eyes project.
She joins us on this week's Sheer Isolation to share her plans for the bandstand, how she hopes these events will bring communities back together after lockdown, and why she has chosen to fundraise for local Alzheimer's charities.
We...2021-06-2628 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 59 - Tom Haynes (Grasslands)We're joined on this week's Sheer Isolation by musician, model maker and ecologist, Tom Haynes, a.k.a. Grasslands.
Tom tells us about how he got to tell off Jeremy Clarkson for wanting to build a pond, and how that ended up featuring on the TV star's new Amazon Prime series; Clarkson's Farm.
He also talks about recording sounds in nature which he converts into samples to create songs, why he played 30 gigs in 30 days just before Covid arrived, why he's always accompanied by a toy badger and wolf hat, and why he played a...2021-06-1928 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 57 - Tom Mallard (Riverbank Studios)We're joined on this week's Sheer Isolation by Tom Mallard from the Riverbank Studios in Chippenham.
This community based recording and rehearsal studio offers support to teens through tutoring, reachout programmes, and giving young people a space to work together on musical projects.
As if the impact of Covid wasn't bad enough, Riverbank also lost its home last year and has based itself temporarily in an empty retail unit in the centre of town.
On the playlist, we have a tune from Bristol pop-rockers, Rozelle, who have a new EP coming out next...2021-06-0528 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 56 - Lorena Pino Montilla (Trowbridge Film Club)Our guest on this week's Sheer Isolation has made it her mission to bring minority communities together through music, singing, and now movies.
Lorena Pino Montilla moved from Venezuela to teach Spanish in Wiltshire, and has always looked for ways of reaching out to groups who may feel isolated due to language or religious barriers.
She talks about how the Trowbridge Song Project brought women together to share cultural and traditional music with each other.
Her latest project is working with Trowbridge Town Hall to screen films from around the globe, in a...2021-05-2928 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 55 - Jamie WilliamsOn this week's Sheer Isolation we're joined by guitar teacher and sound tech at Walcot House, Jamie Williams.
In the past year he's seen guitar students double with more lessons taking place on Zoom. And as well as getting prepared for the return of live music at his Bath based venue, he's also working on a new project to let kids teach other kids how to play instruments.
On the playlist we have a new tune from songwriter, Doozer McDooze, and Jamie picks a track from one of his favourite local bands, Superlove.
...2021-05-2228 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 54 - Keith HyettAfter more than a year of silence, the UK's grassroots musicians are starting to plan real-life events once again. Our guest on Sheer Isolation this week is flipping the perspective by encouraging communities in the West to put on events themselves, to help support seasoned singers, newbie performers and raise money for their village halls at the same time.
Keith Hyett's Re-connect project encourages communities to work together to create a place where we can spend time with our friends and neighbours post-lockdown, and enjoy food, drink and music at the same time.
We also...2021-05-1528 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 53 - Tracy Sullivan (Open Minds Mental Health)The past year has highlighted the need for mental health awareness across all sectors from big business to individuals.
On this week's Sheer Isolation we're joined by Tracy Sullivan from Open Minds Mental Health. She offers accessible training that helps us understand and better communicate with people who are struggling with depression and anxiety.
As we start to socialise again post-lockdown and get ready for live events to begin in a few weeks time, concerns about anxiety and mixing are high on a lot of people's minds.
Before starting this worthy cause, Tracy...2021-05-0828 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 52 - Dave Webber & Deb Hannis (Chippenham Folk Festival)We're joined on this week's Sheer Isolation by Dave Webber and Deb Hannis from the Chippenham Folk Festival.
Due to take place at the end of May, the four-day festival is being streamed online this year with organisers teaming up with the Chester Folk Festival to create a one-off weekend of collaborated gigs, workshops and dancing.
We play a track from one of the event's headliners - Exeter based folk giants, Show of Hands.
We also feature a new track from Odain, with vocals provided by Krush Landing - a singer from the...2021-04-2428 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 51 - Isha McIntosh (Life 2020)On this week's Sheer Isolation we're joined by Isha McIntosh from the Bristol based community project, Life 2020.
As well as helping with life skills, wellbeing and alternative learning, Life 2020 provides a platform to upcoming musicians by booking them to play at networking events.
With lockdown restrictions being lifted, the team are now planning to take these meet-ups out of Bristol, starting with a visit to Wiltshire this summer.
Isha tells us more about the non-for-profit group, and the importance of providing entrepreneurs in black and minority communities with the encouragement and motivation to...2021-04-1728 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 50 - Jess Bennett (Trowbridge Town Hall)It won't be long until venues across the West come out of hibernation and start entertaining us again.
The team at Trowbridge Town Hall have used their time over lockdown to breathe fresh life into the building.
Our guest on this week's Sheer Isolation is Events Manager, Jess Bennett. She tells us about their new space for live music, new cinema room and their plans for showcasing live music and comedy later this year.
Our music choices this week include a new acoustic session recording of Bath based group, Young Martyrs, and Jess...2021-04-1028 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 49 - Adam Horovitz (Stroud Times)On this week's Sheer Isolation we're joined by Adam Horovitz who's the Arts Correspondent from new online publication, the Stroud Times.
The virtual newspaper hopes to breathe fresh life into local journalism by sharing community articles that are free from clickbait and shock-tactic social media posts.
Adam talks to us about why Stroud is such a hub for original music, theatre and poetry, and how townsfolk have been supporting their venues and businesses over the past year.
We're staying in Stroud with this week's music choices also; Adam selects an experimental electro piece...2021-04-0328 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 48 - Dan Petley (Brick Project) and Fraisia Dunn (Sedated by Brick)You get two guests for the price of one on this week's Sheer Isolation as we continue our quest to celebrate the West of England's music, art and theatre scenes after a year of lockdowns.
We're joined by Dan Petley, who in 2011 created a community led piece of artwork known as the Brick Project. Since then he's overseen similar schemes in the UK and Europe, and is hopeful of getting the paint-pots out from storage later this year.
We also talk to Fraisia Dunn who is from the Sedated by Brick Theatre troupe in Bristol...2021-03-2729 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 47 - Rich Swatton (Minety Festival)One of the founders of Minety Festival, Rich Swatton, joins us on this week's Sheer isolation.
The weekend long festival is due to go ahead just two weeks after the UK's current schedule for fully unlocking, making it one of the first festivals to take place in Wiltshire.
Rich tells us about the challenges that brings, who's on the 2021 line-up, and how the event has gained such popularity since it's launch just five years ago.
Both tunes this week are picked by Rich. We play a track from his own band, The Dirty...2021-03-2028 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 46 - Andy Rae (2000 Trees)It wasn't long after the Government announced provisional dates for unlocking England that festival organisers started stocking up on gaffer tape, charging their walkie-talkies and getting ready to open their doors after a fallow year.
Andy Rae is one of the founders of Gloucestershire's 2000 Trees Festival. He joins us on Sheer Isolation to talk about their plans for this July, in particular how they want the four day event to be as normal as possible, while being conscious that another blip in the Covid stats could scupper plans for the second year running.
We also...2021-03-1328 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 45 - George DaviesWe're joined on this week's Sheer Isolation by an 18 year old who's tipped to become one the UK's premier lighting technicians for live events.
Malmesbury based George Davies has already taken the reigns at Minety Festival, and lit up the likes of Republica and Spice Girl, Mel C.
He talks about how he started his business at just 16, and what he's planning to do in the coming years.
On the music front we play a track from Swindon's own hip-hop reggae collective, The Tribe, and Kieran picks out some math rock from Let's...2021-03-0628 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 44 - Brian Keen (Part 2)On this week's Sheer Isolation we're playing the second part of our Brian Keen interview. The Swindon soundman has packed up his PA and has retired onto a narrowboat.
He looks back at some of his favourite venues and festivals, talks about how a year in lockdown has disrupted plans to tour the UK's canal network, and tells us how he lost his home when 1970s rock band, Ace, lived next door.
In the week where the UK Government announced a four month plan to begin unlocking the nation, Kieran predicts how this year's festival...2021-02-2728 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 43 - Margaret Bryant (Devizes Festival)Last week, the organisers of the Devizes Festival confirmed that Covid has forced them into cancelling their two-week long programme of June events for the second year running.
Margaret Bryant joins us on Sheer Isolation to share what it's like being part of the Devizes team, her highlights from previous festivals, and how the team never shy away from inviting well known and controversial people to join their line-up.
In other news, we look at the concept of introducing rapid Covid testing into the UK's nightclubs and music events this summer.
Our music...2021-02-2028 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 42 - Tony McLoughlinOn this week's Sheer Isolation we're joined by Tony McLoughlin, who's been promoting and distributing the latest music releases to shops across the land since the 1980s.
He tells us about his time at Tower Records in Piccadilly where his career started, and how the decline of physical CD sales means there's less demand for distributors, and how that part of the music industry is being replaced in a streaming world.
On the tunes front we have a new track from Salisbury metal duo Next Stop Olympus, and Tony picks an artist who steered him...2021-02-1328 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 41 - Simon Hough (Forest Live)Forest Live - which brings international touring artists to four of England's most popular woodland sites - is celebrating its 20th anniversary this summer.
Joining us on this week's Sheer Isolation is Simon Hough, who's part of the Forest Live team and based at our local Forestry Commission venue: Westonbirt Arboretum near Tetbury.
As well as promoting this year's line-up, and staying optimistic that the event will be able to go ahead this summer, Simon also recalls the very first Forest Live, reminisces of the Treefest festival which was held at Westonbirt until 2016, and spreads...2021-02-0628 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 39 - Gavin Osborn (Wiltshire Rural Music)Bringing live music performances to people in our most remote villages, our guest on this week's Sheer Isolation is Gavin Osborn from the Wiltshire Rural Music charity.
In normal times, Gavin would be taking musicians on tour in mobile libraries across the county. This year his charity work has adapted to help the most isolated with care home gigs through Zoom and setting up a dial-a-musician scheme.
We also cover the news that Glastonbury Festival has once again been cancelled - what does that mean for the rest of the 2021 festival calendar. And, are musicians...2021-01-2328 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 40 - Brian Keen (1)Joining us on this week's Sheer Isolation is Brian Keen - one of the West's longest-serving sound engineers.
Bri has been part of Swindon's music scene for years, and spent several years hosting a local music show on Swindon 105.5 with our very own Jon.
In this two part interview, we go back to the seventies when Bri was first starting out in the music industry, his time spent at Island Records working with upcoming artists who went on to become the household names, going on tour with Ultravox, and how technology has changed the role...2021-01-2328 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 38 - Michael LoaderOn this week's Sheer Isolation we're joined by Somerset storyteller, Michael Loader.
Representing yet another overlooked arm of the entertainment industry, Michael has spent more time in the last twelve months writing and researching for new projects because live events in care homes, schools and festivals have all been called off.
He gives us a glimpse of his new, original tale, and tells a fascinating story about an arts exchange project which took him all the way to Bethlehem for a gig.
One of our tracks this week is connected to the friends...2021-01-1628 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 37 - Nick Gibbs (Folklaw)We're back from our festive break; ready to bring you another weekly slice of news and views from the West of England's music scene.
On this week's Sheer Isolation, we're looking at how Brexit is going to affect UK musicians who were planning on touring the European mainland later this year.
We're joined by Folklaw frontman, Nick Gibbs, who's been busy researching the rules and downloading the relevant paperwork so his band can legally play the German festival scene.
He shares his knowledge for anyone else who's planning a musical trip to Europe...2021-01-0928 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 36 - with Lucy O'Brien (author of She Bop)This week's guest is the author behind 'It Takes Blood and Guts' - the biography of Skin from Skunk Anansie. She also wrote 'She Bop' back in 1995 which explored how women were cutting through the male-dominated music industry.
Lucy O'Brien has just released a revised version to mark the 25th anniversary of the books first print.
She joins us on this week's Sheer Isolation to discuss why She Bop was such a groundbreaking release, how the imbalances and bias in the industry are shifting, and about working at the NME in the eighties.
...2020-12-1228 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 35 - with Leander MoralesJoining us on this week's Sheer Isolation we have Warminster based music and events promoter, Leander Morales.
He would usually be working with venues across the region, booking in touring bands and comedians. Instead, like so many in the music industry, he's gone back to his day job. But with the UK's Covid vaccine rollout about to start, he's starting to plan for events in a few months time.
On the music menu we've unintentionally picked two Bath based rock outfits - a spanking new track from the spanking new band, The Byker Grove Fan...2020-12-0528 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 34 - with Mel Kelly (Safe Gigs For Women)For the past five years Safe Gigs For Women has been working tirelessly to break through taboos, raise awareness and offer support to victims of sexual assaults at festivals and music venues across the UK.
Their volunteers have a growing presence at gigs and their logo has become a mark of reassurance to show women that event organisers are there to help and support them should the unthinkable happen.
Mel Kelly has been with SGFW since the beginning. She's our guest on this week's Sheer Isolation.
We talk about the organisation, why it...2020-11-2828 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 33 - with Talis Kimberley-FairbourneOn this week's Sheer Isolation we're joined by Talis Kimberley-Fairbourne - a keen folk musician, knitter, environmentalist and campaigner.
Her summer's are usually filled with festival slots, folk clubs and entertaining the crowds at protest marches.
She talks to us about what inspired her to use music to help right the world's wrongs, her kitchen sessions series, and ponders what Christmas will be like without the traditional groups of carollers.
We've also got two easy-on-the-ear tracks this week... One from Swindon songwriter, Paul Lappin; the other from Wiltshire folk band, The Yirdbards, which...2020-11-2128 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 32 - with Fiona RichesFloating in Bristol's harbour, The Thekla is one of Bristol's iconic music venues. On this week's Sheer Isolation we're joined by one of her sound engineers.
Fiona Riches tells a familiar story of what she's been doing this year while the Thekla, and her job, have been put on indefinite hold. She also talks about recent renovation works to the vessel, a new-found love of pottery, and why any sound engineer would want to be in charge of controlling sound in the ship's metal hull.
Two new, local tracks for you this week. One from...2020-11-1428 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 31 - with Dave Young (Part 2)We're continuing our talk with David Young this week, who used to run two of Swindon's most well known music venues - The Victoria and the 12Bar.
This week he tells us about life behind the scenes... dealing with promoters, how to handle raucous bands and what was in his very expensive lost and found box.
Our tracks are something old and something new this week. From the late noughties we have Cheltenham rock-poppers, Loungefly. We also feature a track off the new album from US Blues sensation, Fantastic Negrito.
This episode was...2020-11-0728 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 30 - with Dave Young (Part 1)This week on Sheer Isolation we're taking a break from discussing 2020 to chat with a man who retired from the live music scene several years ago.
Dave Young used to run the Victoria and the 12Bar in Swindon, and in his time booked many well known names to play in the town.
In Part One of this interview, we look back at when he and Anna first took over the Vic in 2004, along with some memorable stories from the first few years.
Dave picks a tune from Swindon trio, Hip Route, featuring vocals...2020-10-3128 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 29 - with Chris DaveyAt Sheer Isolation we're continuing to give a voice to the highly-skilled crew who work in the shadows of the performance industry. This week we're talking to jet-setting lighting engineer, Chris Davey.
He was rigging stages in Vietnam and Los Angeles when Covid started to spread around the globe. Thankfully he got back to his home in Somerset in time for UK's lockdown, but unfortunately hasn't set up a stage since.
Chris tells us about what life is like on the road, what's been happening this year, and we consider what the next few years...2020-10-2428 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 28 - with DJ John MustoeWith nightclubs forcibly closed across the UK, the dance industry is struggling to survive 2020.
And just like live bands, DJs currently have no venues to perform in, and no gigs on the horizon.
On this week's Sheer Isolation we're joined by John Mustoe - a Gloucester based DJ who would usually spend his summer on stages across Europe.
He talks to us about the extra challenges facing DJs and nightclubs during the pandemic, the problems with playing sets in a Covid safe environment, tells us about Gloucester's diverse, yet mostly undiscovered music scene...2020-10-1728 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 27 - with Sean McGowanIn the week when Chancellor Rishi Sunak caused a stir with his comments on people retraining for viable jobs, we're joined by a Southampton based musician who did just that.
Sean McGowan was a regular face on the indie scene, supporting the likes of Frank Turner and the Levellers, while working at one of the city's premier music venues, The Joiners.
He's spent the summer training to be a barber and now cuts hair for a living, although he hasn't given up on returning to the music scene soon.
Meanwhile, Kieran overshares his...2020-10-1028 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 26 - with Tim CrossWe're joined on this week's Sheer Isolation by the owner of Crest Studios and ex-landlord of Trowbridge's iconic music venue the Psychic Pig, Tim Cross.
We relive the moment a band played its first support slot in the pub in 1992, and went on to become one of the world's most famous bands.
And in the week where new Government schemes leave many in the entertainment and arts industry with no Covid lifeline, we consider if better methods for supporting live music and keeping our venues safe could have been introduced by Westminster.
As...2020-10-0328 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 25 - with Daniel Roberts (Motorpoint Arena Cardiff)With a standing capacity of 7,500, the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff is the largest events venue in the area. The Deputy Manager, Daniel Roberts, joins us on Sheer Isolation this week. He also works for Live Nation - one of the UK's largest music promoters.
He talks about his 18 years working at the venue, gives an insight into the logistics of keeping musicians, comedians, their managers and promoters happy, and what he's been up to personally over the past six months while the Arena has remained closed.
We also pay tribute to Stroud based musician and...2020-09-2628 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 24 - with Larkham & HallJoining us on Sheer Isolation this week are two of Bristol's most loved musicians; Elliot Hall and Sarah Larkham. Some know them as 'Larkham & Hall', others as 'Rapunzel', and many just know them as the music teachers who live on a barge (a wide-beam, Kieran... not a narrowboat ;) ).
In our chat, we also talk about their incredible charity work through the Mind Your Music project, Elliot shares his first-hand experience of overcoming schizophrenia, and how lockdown has brought out the author in both of them.
We're getting on board with the house-boat lifestyle with a...2020-09-1928 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 23 - with Big Jeff (Part 2)We're playing Part 2 of our Big Jeff interview on this week's Sheer Isolation Podcast. Big Jeff is a Bristol icon who has an encyclopaedic brain which recalls the best, and worst, gigs he's attended since his teenage years.
We also talk about the latest Covid guidance on groups of six, and how this shouldn't affect music venues as they continue to reopen after months of mothballing.
Music is provided by Milk Teeth, who sadly disbanded this week, and also The Struts.
It's created by Kieran Moore in Trowbridge and Jon Ponting near Cricklade.2020-09-1228 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 22 - with Graeme NashFrom humble beginnings as hired help at a gig on a uni campus, to running the ULU venue in London, our guest on Sheer Isolation this week is promoter rep and tour manager, Graeme Nash.
We talk about his career progression over the years, and what he's been doing through 2020 as, like so many other people who rely on the actual 'gig' economy, Graeme's diary has been empty since lockdown with no sign of major music events restarting any time soon.
We've picked two cracking local bands to feature this week - a new release...2020-09-0528 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 21 - with Tre Stead (Part 2)We're continuing with our interview with Tre Stead on this week's edition of Sheer Isolation.
She talks about the issues facing sound & light technicians, stage managers and touring musicians as support payments from the Government dry up despite people in the industry still being banned from doing the jobs they love.
Our brace of tunes are provided by Swindon's Sean Amor - a fan of Americana who's featured in bands like Bateleurs and Southern Harmony, and has now produced this solo piece in lockdown.
And we play a fun tune from classically trained...2020-08-2928 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 20 - with Tre Stead (Part 1)On this week's show we're joined by Tour Manager to the stars, Tre Stead.
In February she was keeping the team on Frank Turner's UK tour in check - now she's working as catering staff at a Nightingale hospital.
In Part 1 of her interview she talks about how her situation is not unique as skilled people from across the industry take on new jobs to make ends meet. With many considering a career in a more stable industry, could we be facing a skills shortage at events when life returns to normal?
Our...2020-08-2228 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 19 - with Annie GardinerLecturer, songwriter, performer, artist and one half of Bristol duo Hysterical Injury, Annie Gardiner is this week's guest on the Sheer Isolation Podcast.
We talk about her musical past, present and future, and where her inspiration came from to create a visual representation of just how male-centric the music industry can be.
Two great tunes as ever - a new track from Malmesbury's Will Lawton and the Alchemists, plus Annie's choice; American husband and wife duo, The Handsome Family.
The Sheer Isolation podcast is created weekly to promote the music scene in the...2020-08-1528 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 18 - with Seth ByeOn this week's Sheer Isolation podcast we're joined by Seth Bye from the Giffords Circus Band.
With circus performances banned under lockdown, Seth's first season with the travelling troupe was put on hold just weeks before the first opening night, although the team at Giffords have come up with a novel way of entertaining crowds for the rest of the year.
Seth also talks about the Packhorse sessions, where he joined forces with his musical housemates to bring live tunes to his village at a time when other musicians were streaming from their bedrooms.
2020-08-0828 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 17 - with James HackettThere's plenty of news to cover in this week's Sheer Isolation podcast... local venues are beginning to reopen with some jumping straight in with hosting live music, a Government backed socially distanced concert is trialled and deemed 'not a success', and Kieran confirms that Sheer Music has booked it's first post-lockdown gig - a national artist to play in Trowbridge in December.
Our guest this week is James Hackett - owner of Swindon based video production company, Inspire Creative, but also an accomplished musician performing in several rock and metal bands.
He talks about how...2020-08-0128 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 16 - with Courtney BrockPhotographer Shot by Brock and creator of Spilt Milk Mag, Courtney Brock, is our guest on this week's Sheer Isolation Podcast.
In the week when Q Magazine confirmed it was producing it's final edition, is music journalism returning to its grassroots?
And although the Government has confirmed music venues can reopen on August 1st, have they given promoters enough time to put social distancing measures in place?
We also feature tracks from Steve Skinley and October Drift.
The Sheer Isolation podcast is made weekly to promote the music scene in the...2020-07-2528 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 15 - with Alison HustwittOpen mic nights provide new musicians with the first stepping stone to fame, and give seasoned musicians a good excuse to catch up with friends and try new material.
With pubs closed for the past four months, the entire open mic scene has come to an abrupt halt.
A regular face at open mics in north Wiltshire and the Cotswolds, Alison Hustwitt, joins us on this week's Sheer Isolation podcast to talk about life during lockdown and to share some pearls of wisdom for all the new post-lockdown, self-taught guitarists about the dos and don'ts...2020-07-1828 min
Sheer IsolationSheer Isolation 14 - with Claire SuttonWe're joined by Claire Sutton on this week's Sheer Isolation Podcast. As well as being the frontwoman for Swindon bands Mortdelamer and All Ears Avow, she's also an accomplished sound engineer and recordist.
We talk about how the easing in social distancing measures means recording studios can finally start up again, the UK Government's 1.5 billion support package for the arts, and reminisce the 2000 Trees Festival, which should have been taking place on the outskirts of Cirencester this weekend.
Plus we have a couple of tracks to bring you - Gloucestershire pop rockers Elessar, and Kieran's...2020-07-1128 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 13 - with Big JeffOne of, if not THE, most recognisable gig-goers in the UK joins us on this week's Sheer Isolation Podcast. Bristol's very own enigma Big Jeff talks about his unintended rise to fame, his two most embarrassing nights in the Exchange, and THAT campaign to rename Colston Hall after him.
Meanwhile, Kieran launches a campaign in support of Sam and Rich from BBC Introducing who's 10 year stint came to an abrupt halt this week, and reviews the Government's latest lockdown relaxations, or lack of, for the music industry.
On top of all this we have a...2020-07-0428 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 12 - with Jack Clothier (Alcopop! Records)On this week's Sheer Isolation Podcast we continue with our fascinating chat with the founder of Alcopop! Records, Jack Clothier.
We hear about how Alcopop! Started thanks to a winning bet, why they launched the UK's most expensive compilation album, and how labels can stay relevant in our changing world.
This, in the week where the Government announced plenty of restrictions to our social distancing laws, but live music and the arts have been left cold by the latest changes.
We also have new music from female-fronted pop rockers Swindon's All Ears Avow...2020-06-2728 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 11 - with Jack Clothier (Alcopop! Records)Alcopop! Records look after the likes of Art Brut, Johnny Foreigner and Tellison. The man at the top, Jack Clothier, joins us on the Sheer Isolation Podcast for a two part special.
In this episode we talk about the challenges facing record labels, hiring a cruise ship for a party, and we learn about glass grinding - which isn't where we thought the conversation would go!
We play a nineties classic from Len which has a surprise connection with Alcopop!, plus a track from one of their artists; Emperor Yes.
The Sheer Isolation...2020-06-2028 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 10 - with Pete Lamb (The Music Workshop)On this week's Sheer Isolation Podcast we have studio engineer Pete Lamb - a local legend who's been recording local, national and international artists at The Music Workshop in Potterne for the past five decades.
We play a track from Mischa & His Merry Men, and Pete shares a Korgis cover he recorded earlier this year.
The Sheer Isolation podcast is made weekly to promote the music scene in Wiltshire and the West of England. It's created by Kieran Moore (Sheer Music) and Jon Ponting (4014 Project; The Late Gig).
We send our thanks to...2020-06-1328 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 09 - Brian ReidFrom a dad driving his son to gigs, to an icon of the Chippenham music scene, Brian Reid joins us on this week's Sheer Isolation Podcast.
He talks about being roadie/manager for Roads To Nowhere, how we fell into presenting a weekly radio show in the town, and gives us a taste of his 'poison pen-letter' poetry.
We've also got two amazing tracks out of Bristol thanks to Mac Lloyd (ex-Sell Your Sky) and the Erotic Secrets of Pompeii.
The Sheer Isolation podcast is made weekly to promote the music scene in...2020-06-0628 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 08 - with photographer Helen MessengerJoining us on this week's Sheer Isolation Podcast is festival photographer, Helen Messenger.
With everything from large-scale festivals to weddings and band photoshoots postponed or cancelled, how are freelance photographers coping during lockdown?
We're also playing music from Swindon / Northern Ireland songwriter Daryl Ball, and a track from Katie Malco.
The Sheer Isolation podcast is made weekly to promote the music scene in Wiltshire and the West of England. It's created by Kieran Moore (Sheer Music) and Jon Ponting (4014 Project; The Late Gig).
We send our thanks to all contributors who've...2020-05-3028 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 07 - with Ed Dyer (Tuppenny, Swindon)We're joined on this week's Sheer Isolation Podcast by seasoned music promoter and co-owner of the Swindon Tuppenny, Ed Dyer.
With pubs still closed across the UK, The Tuppenny has gone virtual; delivering drinks to regulars, hosting online quizzes and streaming live gigs.
Could other venues pick up some tips on ways to stay open, even if the doors are shut?
We also play a couple of indie pop tracks. One from Swindon's Stay Lunar, and a new track from Bath's Longcoats.
The Sheer Isolation podcast is being produced weekly to p...2020-05-2328 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 06 - with Rob Dahl (Cheese & Grain, Frome)On this week's Sheer Isolation Podcast we talk with Rob Dahl from one of the South West's most loved music venues, The Cheese & Grain in Frome. With the expectation this industry is going to be closed for months to come, we discuss what it's like having to write off bookings as a promoter, and how venues could be able to reopen later in the year.
We also play a track from punk band Chinese Burn, celebrating the rise of a political movement in Stroud some 180 years ago, and alt-rockers yourcodenameis:milo who have reformed for a Music V...2020-05-1630 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 05 - with Matt Otridge (Exchange, Bristol)With music venues closed for the foreseeable future we talk to Matt Otridge from the Exchange in Bristol about how the industry will survive lockdown, his involvement with the Music Venues Trust and Save Our Venues, and what us fans can do to help.
We also play tracks from Bristol band Woahnows and US artist Olivia Awbrey who was due to tour the area to promote her new album.
The Sheer Isolation podcast is being produced weekly to promote the music scene in Wiltshire and the West of England.
It's created by Kieran...2020-05-0928 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 04 - with Non CanonThis week on the Sheer Isolation Podcast we're joined by Non Canon (aka Oxygen Thief aka Barry Dolan) to talk about his new album which is released in a couple of weeks.
We also play a track from his new album, plus a song from Bristol's Larkham & Hall.
The Sheer Isolation podcast is being produced weekly to promote the music scene in Wiltshire and the West of England.
It's created by Kieran Moore (Sheer Music) and Jon Ponting (4014 Project; The Late Gig). We send our thanks to all musicians who've allowed us to...2020-05-0228 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 03 - with Frank TurnerThis episode of the Sheer Isolation podcast includes Part 2 of our exclusive Frank Turner interview; talking about how the music industry will reform after lockdown, what we can do to support local venues at this difficult time, and learn about Frank's book reading and cooking habits!
We also play tracks from Jess Guise and a new, live (in the countryside) recording from Tom Jenkins.
The Sheer Isolation podcast is being produced weekly to promote the music scene in Wiltshire and the West of England. It's created by Kieran Moore (Sheer Music) and Jon Ponting (4014 Project...2020-04-2530 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 02 - with Frank TurnerPunk rock superstar Frank Turner joins Kieran Moore and Jon Ponting on this week's Sheer Isolation podcast.
He talks about how Covid is impacting musicians in all corners of the industry, how venues and promoters are staying afloat this summer and his work with the Music Venues Trust.
We also play tracks from Trowbridge outfit Sober Son, and a Splat The Rat song recorded in isolation.
The Sheer Isolation podcast is being produced weekly to promote the music scene in Wiltshire and the West of England.
It's created by Kieran Moore...2020-04-1830 minSheer IsolationSheer Isolation 01The very first Sheer Isolation Podcast with Kieran Moore and Jon Ponting. In this half hour the two of us learn how to podcast, introduce ourselves to the masses, talk about how musicians have been turning to online streaming because of Covid-19 and play you some cracking music from Ducking Punches, Ben Marwood, The Black Feathers, Joe Edwards and The Lost Trades.
The Sheer Isolation podcast is being produced weekly to promote the music scene in Wiltshire and the West of England.
It's created by Kieran Moore (Sheer Music) and Jon Ponting (4014 Project; The Late...2020-04-1130 min