Episode 21: Tangled up in What's Behind the Music?

On this week’s pod, Leo and Steve sum up their first year as podcasters and talk about their highlights of 2020. They move on to discuss what the future holds for Eclectica, before ending with a chat about Christmas songs.

On this week's pod, Leo and Steve delve into the art of song-writing and ponder “What’s behind the music?”. They discuss the pros and cons of knowing the true meaning behind lyrics, bringing politics into music, interpreting your favourite songs, artists singing songs written by others, substance in music and several other topics surrounding what's behind the music.

On this week's pod, Leo and Steve are honoured to be joined by Blues legend and King of the Chitlin' Circuit, Mr Bobby Rush. Bobby discusses his early years, persuading Elmore James to become his guitarist, forming a band with Freddie King, spending time in the studio with Howlin Wolf and much more. Finally, it wouldn't be Eclectica if Bobby didn't discuss his fantasy dinner guests and chosen bard.

On this week's pod, Leo and Steve review the recent social distanced Donovan gig they had the pleasure of attending. They also discuss live gigs in the context of a global pandemic, how the future of live music is going to change and discuss some of their favourite gigs of all time.

This week Leo and Steve interview the phenomenal, award winning Kyla Brox. Kyla has won the European and British Blues Challenges as well as reaching the Semi finals of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Her latest album, Pain & Glory, reached No. 1 in the IBBA (Independent Blues Broadcasters Association) charts for April and was the most played album across the IBBA radio network for the whole of 2019.

Kyla talks about growing up in a musical family, her extensive touring and who she considers to be her main influences. She gives her take on the music industry, before picking her fantasy dinner guests and her personal bard (and much more).

Check Kyla out: www.kylabrox.com

On this week’s pod, Leo and Steve delve into the popularity, global success and influence of bands during their lifetime. In the second half, they try to predict the future by discussing bands that have impressed them recently.

On this week's pod, Leo and Steve are joined by the extremely talented Dylan Fowlie. A modern fingerstyle guitarist with a dedicated and growing Instagram following. Dylan is also the co-founder of Pick-A-Riff. We get talking about an array of topics including Pick-A-Riff, modern vs traditional fingerstyle,his favourite musicians, main inspirations and more. Finally he of course answers the fun but tough routine Eclectica questions.

Check Dylan out: https://www.instagram.com/dylanfowlie/

On this week’s pod, Leo and Steve are back recording together to share some hilarious tales involving some much loved hellraising musicians. They also debate the impressive array of supergroups of both past and present, and challenge each other to pick their picks for their own super group.

On this week's pod, Leo and Steve are joined by Sarah Grace, an Indie/Roots singer with a powerful voice and very bright future. Sarah Grace was a semi-finalist on Season 15 of The Voice, producing some incredible performances, most notably her rendition of Amazing Grace, which included the first Trumpet performance on the hit show. She also leads her band "Sarah Grace and The Soul", with a debut album currently in the works. We got talking about what it's really like on TV talent shows, as well as candid discussions about the music industry from the perspective of a young artist in her first year in the industry. We also discuss Sarah Grace's influences and of course some classic Eclectica questions.

On this week's pod, Leo and Steve are joined by two founding members of The Steepwater Band. Following the release of their new album “Turn Of The Wheel”, Jeff Massey (Vocalist and Guitarist) and Joe Winters (Drummer) talk to the hosts about everything from the roots of their band in the Chicago blues scene to opening for the likes of Bon Jovi. Leo and Steve also give the band the full Eclectica treatment, by challenging Jeff and Joe to pick their fantasy dinner guests and personal bard.