Bill Oakley, along with his best friend and writing partner Josh Weinstein, wrote various episodes of The Simpsons during it’s glory days including “Marge Gets A Job”, “Bart vs Australia”, and the legendary 2-part season-straddling “Who Shot Mr Burns”, and they were appointed executive producers and showrunners for the 7th and 8th seasons of the sh…

It’s been five years! Yes, it’s 5th anniversary extravaganza episode of Sending Signals! I’m delighted that Dan Wilson agreed to come back on for a catch-up. He’s one of my favourite ever guests on the show and he didn’t disappoint. We talk about his recent Grammy win, the role of embarrassment in songwriter, as well as the story behind the Semison…

Would you like some toast? Instagram: @sendingsignalspodcast X: @signalspodcastBy Matt Royal

Putting last week behind us, this was genuinely one of my favourite conversations I’ve had for the show. Like many, I was first aware of Isobel as member of Scottish indie band Belle and Sebastian. I found her such a compelling figure. She looked like she had stepped out of a French new wave movie. She was a cello player in an indie rock band. And …

Chris Difford is having a very busy year. There’s a new Squeeze album in the works, they are supporting Heart on their forthcoming arena tour, and there’s also the matter of an enormous UK tour in hour of Squeeze’s 50th anniversary. Chris also hosts the podcast “I Never Thought It Would Happen” which is currently on Season 4. Seems like a good time…

Roll up! Roll up! This episode I’m joined from across the Atlantic by singer-songwriter Jade Bird, who has just released a new EP, “Burn The Hard Drive”, which chronicles the breakdown of her relationship and engagement to a former bandmate. It’s the first significant release from Jade since 2021’s very excellent “Different Kinds Of Light” album. W…

Phillip Ingram is one of the founding members of Motown band Switch who formed in late 1976, and after a chance encounter, were championed by Jermaine Jackson. Motown chief Berry Gordy heard the band’s tape and signed them to his subsidiary Gordy label. Switch were a a consistent presence on the R’n’B charts in the last 1970s. Switch sort of implod…

It seems like a good time to take a deep dive into Best Picture nominee, and more importantly, my favourite film of 2023, “Past Lives”. This episode I’m joined by the film’s Assistant Director Ben Kahn to discuss his personal impact on the film, creating the remarkable chemistry between the cast, evoking an older digital landscape, and the profound…

This Friday, March 1st Bruce Hornsby releases a new album in collaboration with chamber ensemble yMusic. The record is entitled “Deep Sea Vents”. It straddles the line between contemporary songwriting and modern classical, and the album has an aquatic theme with all the songs dealing with the ocean, or at least water in some way. The album is emble…

Welcome. My guest this episode is artist and photographer Lynn Goldsmith. Her career as a photographer has brought her into the orbit of rock n roll legends like Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, and notably Bruce Springsteen with whom she had a romantic relationship in the 70s as he was still working his way up, with his blistering l…

I’m listening! Hopefully you are too, as this week is incredibly fun. I’m joined by “Frasier” writer and consulting producer Bob Daily. Bob was on the writing staff for several seasons of the original run of “Frasier” and he’s back on board for the new revival series out now on Paramount+. If you’re at all interested in how TV shows like this get m…

Hey. It’s a special one this week. Juliana Hatfield is a singer-songwriter based in Massachusetts. She was a member of the Lemonheads in the early 90s, as well as bands like Blake Babies in the late 80s and Some Girls in the early 00s. She’s made albums with Matthew Caws from Nada Surf and Paul Westerberg from The Replacements. She’s also released …

This week I’m joined by drummer Chester Thompson. Chester is perhaps best known for his live work with Genesis and Phil Collins, but he has also worked with Frank Zappa, Weather Report, The Bee Gees, and The Pointer Sisters. He has a new jazz album out called “Wake-Up Call” and he joins me from Nashville to discuss it’s “genesis” (see what I did th…

Breathe deep the gathering gloom. This episode I welcome back John Lodge of The Moody Blues to the show! John has recently released his re-working of The Moody Blues 1967 opus “Days Of Future Passed”. I think it’s fair to wonder whether it’s a good idea when artist take on projects like this, and I want to ask John about the possible disconnect bet…

Waddup? I’m joined this episode by Jonathan Higgs from the excellent Everything Everything. The band are from Manchester and formed in 2007. They’ve so far released 6 albums, 2 of which were nominated for the Mercury Music Award. They’ve also had 5 Ivor Novello nominations. Their most recent album 2022s “Raw Data Feel” saw the band experiment with …

Welcome. Dave Pegg is the longest serving member of Fairport Convention. Fairport are one of those bands who are a subculture unto themselves. They were formed in 1967 with Dave joining the band in 1969. Fairport split in 1979 but reformed in 1985 and have been active since then. They’re still a very hardworking touring band here in the UK. They ca…

Good dawning to thee, friends. My guest this episode tv producer and Daria co-creator Susie Lewis. Susie Lewis was an intern at MTV when she began working on the show Beavis and Butthead. That show featured a sardonic character names Daria, and feeling that MTV needed more content for girls, Susie was drafted in alongside Glenn Eichler to create a …

Hullo! This week I’m joined by Dougie Payne of Travis. He was lovely company. Travis have recently been revisiting their 2001 album “The Invisible Band” with a series of live shows, reissues, and a live album. It’s a fascinating era to talk about, as the band had found themselves thrust into the spotlight after the unexpected runaway success of pre…

Listen up! Andy McCluskey is the frontman of Merseyside electronic legends Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark or OMD as they’re often known. OMD was formed in 1978 out of the ashes of another band The ID, to which I have a little family connection, which you’ll hear about in the episode. Their 1980 song Ebola Gay earned them widespread popularity th…

Sorry it’s been a while. Delighted to have Robert Forster as my guest this episode. Robert Forster is an Australian singer-songwriter, raised in Brisbane, where he currently resides. He’s perhaps best known as one of the co-founders and leaders of indie-rock royalty The Go-betweens. The Go-betweens were formed in 1977 and had an initial run that la…

Listen up! This week we take a trip to St. Petersburg to speak to shoegaze merchants Blankenberge whose latest album “Everything” is very good indeed. Also, Steve Hackett returns again! We discuss his forthcoming “Foxtrot at 50” tour, progress on the next album, and of course, Jack Hawkins. Enjoy! Twitter: @signalspodcast Instagram: @sendingsignals…

Friends, Romans, Countryman! Join me this week as I hang out with Bernard Butler. We discuss topics ranging from walking the Estuary coast, to being branded “difficult to work with”, and why you potentially shouldn’t buy his new reissue*. Bernard was fantastic company and had a lot to say about being an artist; he was engaged, honest, and forthcomi…

Top of the morning. Thought I’d try something different. Here’s myself and my friend Jason Booth, from the band Last Tourist, discussing our favourite music of 2021. I’m largely insufferable throughout but Jason is very nice, and you get to hear a Last Tourist song at the end of the show! Normal service will resume shortly. Twitter: @signalspodcast…

It’s the last episode of the current series, and I’m joined by David Gedge frontman and only constant member of indie-rockers, and John Peel favourites, The Wedding Present. We talk about David’s plan to release a new 7” single every month in 2022, a project The Wedding Present pulled off back in 1992. We also talk about taking third album “Seamons…

How’s it goin’? This week I’m joined with Roddy Woomble. Idlewild are about to make their 25th anniversary with a tour and the first vinyl release of their 4th album “Warnings/Promises”. Roddy tells me about his approach to writing lyrics, the metamorphosis this band underwent around the time of “Warnings/Promises”, and what it’s like to be the sup…

Come on in. This episode I’m joined by the delightful Midge Ure. We had a great conversation encompassing his forthcoming “Voice and Visions” tour, the 3 (three!!!) albums he has in the works, his new photography book “In A Picture Frame”, his radio show for Scala Radio, his friendship Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott, and more. I hope you enjoy it as much…

I’ve been expecting you. This week The Connells are releasing their first proper new album in 23 years! The record is called “Steadman’s Wake” and it’s a triumphant return. I’m joined by previous guest Mike Connell, along with frontman Doug MacMillan, as they guide us track-by-track through the album. Boy did we have fun. I hope you enjoy it as muc…

Yello! This week Tom Baxter joins me to discuss fatherhood, the challenges of being a self-sustaining artist in the 21st century, and the time Boyzone covered one of his songs. I also talk to Tom and Joe from electro-pop merchants W.H. Lung about their forthcoming 2nd album “Vanities”. Twitter: @signalspodcast / @whlungmusic Instagram: @sendingsign…

So here I am once more. Very excited to welcome Ninet Tayeb to the show this week. Ninet is an Israeli singer songwriter who shot to fame when she won the first series of “A Star Is Born”, a televised TV talent show in Israel. She became a celebrity fixation, with all the baggage and speculation that comes along with that. Her debut album “Barefoot…

Well hello! This week I chat to singer-songwriter Willy Mason (and producer Noel Heroux) about his excellent new album “Already Dead”, his first album for 9 years. My other guest is artist Miles Taverner, who makes stunning works of art from wood and other materials the tide happens to bring in. He has an exhibition in London in September 2021 as p…

Did you miss me? This week, I’m joined by actor, novelist, and musician David Duchovny. David is about to release his third album “Gestureland”, and was kind enough to talk to me about it. We discuss transferring skills across art forms, the energy of inexperience vs having learnt your craft, as well as the pros and cons of long-term creative partn…

How ya doin? Very cool episode this week, as I welcome musician and actor Stevie Van Zandt AKA Little Steven to the show. We talk the Disciples of Soul, rubbish 70’s production values, and the potential existence of “Electric Nebraska”. Strap in. Also, I’m delighted to welcome Canadian actor Fred Ewanuick, who is one of the stars of Corner Gas/Corn…

Boo! It’s me. This week I talk to the brains behind The Go! Team, Mr Ian Parton. There’s a new Go! Team record out this week, as I type, and it’s called “Get Up Sequences Part One” and it is fan-tactic! Ian tries to explain what The Go! Team sound like, how visual aesthetics can influence his approach to music, and discussed his recent diagnosis wi…

It’s me! This week; Stephen Fretwell is my first guest. Stephen is back after disappearing from the music world for over 10 years. He’s released 3 new songs so far this year, and they’re very beautiful. I was curious to talk find out what it’s like to walk away from professional creativity and then find your way back. Stephen had a lot to say on th…

Come on in! This week legendary bassist Tony Levin joins me from his place in New York State to discuss the new Liquid Tension Experiment album, as well as his work with King Crimson and Peter Gabriel, pushing his limits, and his pioneering bass techniques. He’s great company. Also, sound artist Justin Wiggan joins me for a remarkable conversation …

Good morning, afternoon, and/or evening! This week I’m joined by original Wings drummer Denny Seiwell to talk about his new project “Ram On”, which is a tribute to the classic McCartney album “Ram”, which Denny played on, and is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary at the moment. My other guest is M G Boulter, whose new album “Clifftown” is utterly br…

Another exciting instalment of Sending Signals is here! This week I talk to David Marks about his time in The Beach Boys. David was only about 12 when he joined the band, and grew up across the street from the Wilson brothers. I get David’s take on whether Brian Wilson is being exploited, whether Mike Love gets a bad rap, and the truth about the gu…

What-ho! In this very special episode, David Crosby talks to me about the new 50th Anniversary box set of Crosby Stills Nash & Young’s masterpiece “Deja Vu”, as well as the future of the band, learning to control his temper, and how to die well. Also, I dig into the show’s archive to bring you a little bit of my interview with Bay City Rollers fron…

Whatcha. This week I’m joined by one of my teenage guitar heroes Steve Cradock. Steve is the guitarist in Ocean Colour Scene, as well as frequently working with Paul Weller, and more recently playing lead for The Specials. He’s just reissued his second solo record “Peace City West” with a new mix. Also joining me is Scott Milligan, the brains behin…

Me again! This week I talk to screenwriter and director William Nicholson about his incredible movie “Hope Gap” and the personal experiences that fed into the project. Bill also has screenwriting credits on “Les Mis”, “Gladiator”, “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”, and more, so it was fascinating to learn about his approach to projects that diverse. Also…

Good morning/afternoon/evening! The 50th anniversary of “American Pie” is fast approaching and Don McLean is here, reflecting on how the song has affected his life and legacy, how he’s changed since he wrote it, and the album cover where it looks like a plane is flying up his nose. Also on the show, Spencer Zahn joins me from upstate New York to di…

It’s that time again! Very fun episode this week. I was delighted to talk to Chris Hillman about his work with The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers, as well as the process he went through to write his recent autobiography. We chat about memory, his songwriting process, and what people misunderstand about him. You might not recognise the name B…

How are you? This episode Steve Hackett returns to Sending Signals to discuss his remarkable new album “Under A Mediterranean Sky”. We discuss the effect of location and geography on creating music, and for some reason, the movies of Jack Hawkins. Also this episode Steve Rothery puts up with my disparaging remarks about their 1999 record “Marillion…

Hello again! This episode I’m joined by author Mike Gayle, and drummer Andy Williams from the band Doves. Both guests were excellent company and I hope you enjoy it. As you will hear, Mike has a history in music and teen journalism. His first novel “My Legendary Girlfriend” was published in 1998. Last year he released his 17th book, the excellent “…

Welcome back! This episode I have a seriously epic conversation with singer Fish about his final studio album “Weltschmerz”. I’m fascinated by the idea of deciding you’ve done all you can within a certain media and wanting to do something else. We unpack that idea and lots of other things during our chat. Fish is a great conversationalist and we ha…

Hey folks. Here’s something to brighten your January I hope! I’m really excited to share this episode, the first of Series 3. Dan Wilson is the frontman of Semisonic (“Closing Time”, “Secret Smile”) but he’s also a brilliant songwriting collaborator. He’s worked with on some songs you may know by Adele (“Someone Like You”), Taylor Swift (“Treachero…

A very special episode featuring all 4 surviving original members of The Zombies; Rod Argent, Chris White, Colin Blunstone, and Hugh Grundy! We take a look at the making of one of the greatest albums of all time, “Odessey and Oracle”, including a track-by-track commentary from Rod and Chris. It’s one of the most ambitious episodes I’ve attempted an…

‘Allo! This episode I’m joined by J. Willgoose Esq. of Public Service Broadcasting to talk about anxiety, therapy, and his creative process. J. recently became a father and was also coming to terms with the delay the pandemic has brought to the band’s next album. My other guest is Michelle Stodart of The Magic Numbers. This year was supposed to be …

Action! “Sometimes Always Never” is a movie that really moved me; it’s an incredible piece of work, and it was fantastic to get to speak to it’s writer Frank Cottrell-Boyce, and its director Carl Hunter, about the lengthy gestation period the movie went through, and to get a sense of what goes into pulling off a movie like this. If you haven’t yet …

Attention! The following personnel are assigned to Sending Signals; John Lodge of The Moody Blues, and actor Jamie Farr, best known for playing Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger on M*A*S*H. John Lodge joined The Moodies in 1966 as the band’s bassist, as well as sharing in vocal and songwriting contributions. We had a great conversation about lockdown, hi…