Eclectica

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.

On this week's pod, Leo and Steve are joined by Grammy nominated American Soul/Blues singer songwriter, Sugaray Rayford. Suga was awarded the BMA Soul Blues Artist of the Year in both 2019 and 2020. His latest album "Somebody Save Me" was nominated for a Contemporary Blues Album Grammy in 2020. We get talking about Suga's journey throughout his eclectic career, a shared love for the blues, Suga's future plans and much more.

Check Sugaray out: https://sugarayrayford.com/

An impromptu and challenging episode off the back of the recent passing of one of the true greats, Peter Green. Leo and Steve get together to discuss the legendary musician and Man of the World. They talk about their love for Peter Green's music, how his influence changed music forever. A man who had his problems in life but will go down as one of the all time greats. He will be remembered forever, through his music.

On this week's pod, Leo and Steve are joined by Emma Swift, Australian Singer-Songwriter residing in Nashville TN. We get talking about Emma's career to date, her influences , her work with Robyn Hitchcock ,Bob Dylan, her forthcoming album "Blonde on the Tracks" and of course, Marmite.

Also it wouldn't be Eclectica if we didn't get Emma's picks for her fantasy Dinner Guests...

Check Emma out here: https://emmaswift.bandcamp.com/

On this week's pod, Leo and Steve are joined by K.G Miles. Co-author of "Troubadour Tales: Bob Dylan in London" and co-creator of "The Dylan Room" at the Troubadour in London. We get talking about the genius that is Bob Dylan and how his visit to London became an important turning point in his career. We get some teasers from the forthcoming book and begin to understand how much Dylan history is sat on our doorstep in London. Dylan fans will thoroughly enjoy the untold stories and lesser known facts about the man formerly known as Blind Boy Grunt.

On this week's pod, Leo and Steve are joined by Sam and Nick from The Bad Day Blues Band, a blues outfit who have played at some of the most iconic venues in the country. We get talking about the bands origins, life on the road, the hardships of up and coming musicians and the music scene as a whole. We also have a laugh discussing who they would pick as their fantasy dinner guests, their favourite musicians and a shared love for Donovan.

Please do check them out at www.bad-day.net

On this week's pod, Leo and Steve take a look at one of the most influential figures to ever grace the British music scene; John Mayall. We have Mayall to thank for some of the greatest musicians to ever live, his influence knew no bounds. Leo and Steve also dive into the history surrounding The Rolling Stones Mobile Studio (RSM), a piece of innovation that spawned some of the greatest albums of all time.

On this week's pod, Leo and Steve are joined by Los Angeles based Bluesman, Lightnin Willie. A seasoned musician, with 8 albums under his belt, including his latest release "No Black, No White, Just Blues". Hes also appeared alongside some of the greatest names in music including Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and Leon Russell. This interview includes some fascinating stories from throughout Willie's career, some sad and some hilarious.

Check Willie out at: www.lightninwillie.com

On this week's pod, Leo and Steve review Larkin Poe's 'Self Made Man', chat about the importance of artist evolution and get tangled up in the pros and cons of bands getting back together.

On this week's pod, Leo and Steve are joined by successful Youtuber and Musician, Mike Bradley to talk about his music journey, Youtube, advice for budding YouTubers/Musicians, his favourites and much much more. If you are a fan of Mike, then don't miss this one.

Check out Mike here: https://www.youtube.com/mikebradleyofficial

On this week's pod, Leo and Steve talk about getting immersed in music and how easy it is to get lost in music. They also talk about music for different occasions and give their picks for various scenarios.