Music evoking big sunset skies, diners and deserts and featuring Raymond Richards, Chuck Johnson and Cowboy Sadness.By Hicksdesign

This episode is all about Tim Smith, formerly of Midlake, and his other projects. The Pills won't help you now with The Chemical Brothers, Grey Tower with Lost Horizons and Herstmonceux in his new band, Harp.By Hicksdesign

My favourite songs from 2023, featuring Lanterns on the Lake, Harp, boygenius, Molly, M83, The Clientele and more. With twenty-one tracks it will keep you busy for almost two hours!By Hicksdesign

This episode of Troika is in tribute to Brian McBride, one-half of ambient duo Stars of the Lid, who sadly died last month. His music is so important to me, that I couldn't let the opportunity pass to honour his work and memory. I didn't want to spoil this episode with my narration, so just sit back with headphones and enjoy a double-troika selecti…

Songs featuring, or inspired by, BBC Radio 4's Shipping Forecast. Featuring music by Ronald Binge, Tears for Fears, Solomon Grey and The Longest Johns.By Hicksdesign

To mark two years after my dad passed away, I'm dedicating a double Troika episode all to him. Featuring classical music by Elgar, Mahler, Vaughn Williams and William Walton, but also The Dave Clark Five and Sun Kil Moon. There's also a surprise pop connection with Pete Waterman. The atmosphere is a little melancholy, but not an all out tearjerker.…

Episode #42 is all about The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, with music spanning the Radio and TV series and the movie from 2005. It features music from The Eagles, Paddy Kingsland, Joby Talbot, Marvin the Paranoid Android and Louis Armstrong.By Hicksdesign

In order to break the seal of the two year Troika hiatus, I've put together a quick episode, simply featuring some new music I'm listening to. Featured in this episode are Site Nonsite (a new music project from Simon Collison), Hamish Hawk and Gareth Quinn Redmond.By Hicksdesign

We had to say goodbye to our beautiful golden retriever Olive a few weeks ago. She really was the goodest of girls and the fluffiest of floofs, and as part of the Hicks family she deserves her very own episode of Troika. The tracks are: 'Olive, the other Reindeer' by Johnny Hart, 'Golden Retriever' by Super Furry Animals and 'We Watched you Disappe…

An episode of Troika to celebrate my son Daniel's 18th birthday, featuring music that he's chosen. A Moment Apart by *ODESZA, Freaking Out the Neighbourhood by Mac DeMarco and Taken For A Fool by The Strokes.By Hicksdesign

This special double episode is devoted to the music of one of my favourite artists, Montreal psychedelic rock band The Besnard Lakes! Featuring the tracks Like the Ocean/Like the Innocent, Chicago Train, Agent 13, Color yr Lights in, Necronomicon and The Last of the Great Thunderstorm Warnings. Also features interview snippets and extra bonus track…

I was feeling the need for a bit of a change, so for this episode, I've chosen some of the electronic music that I've been playing in the last month or so. I feel the beats might help balance out the amount of ambient/shoegaze that I play. We've got 'Disappear' by Meg Ward, 'Sundial' by Bicep, and as a bit of a curveball, 'Next to me' by DJ Sabrina…

I've called this episode Dark Mode, partly in a nod to the UI trend, but mostly because as we enter Winter, light feels in short supply. I've already themed two Troika's on ambient/drone music, and this is the third (and won't be the last). This is the music that gives me comfort and escapism in the dark times. Featuring 'Kitchen' by This Will Dest…

This double episode celebrates my daughter Samantha''s 18th Birthday! The first half looks at the strange we choices we made for our ''birthing mixtape'', that didn''t work, and the second showcases artists that she''s introduced me too. Featuring, Frank Sinatra, Ben Folds Five, Radiohead, Florence and the Machine, American Football and Cigarettes …

For this episode I wanted to look at music that just used the voice, and choose some examples that were just a small part of that huge spectrum. 'Mouth Music' has so many variations globally, that it would impossible to cover properly, so instead I've picked 6 of my favourites. 'Salve Mater Misericordie' by Trio Mediaeval, 'Sleep' by Eric Whitacre,…

By Hicksdesign

A double-troika of the my favourite sad songs! Featuring: Anais Mitchell - 'Shepherd', Jarvis Cocker and Chilly Gonzales - 'Tearjerker', Spiritualized - 'Broken Heart', Kate Bush - 'This Womans Work', Nick Cave (featuring Else Torp) - 'Distant Sky' and finally Radiohead - 'Harry Patch (In Memory Of)'…

Carrying on the theme of ambient post-rock music that featured in the first ever episode, I've chosen three tracks that I particularly think of at dusk. 'Building Clouds' by Olavi Louhivuori, 'Even if You're Never Awake' by Stars of the Lid and finishing with 'God's Teeth' by This Will Destroy You.By Hicksdesign

This Troika revisits my youth, and the years 85–87, when I was a fan of three bands, all roughly linked in a family tree. The music this time is 'Bottom Line' by Big Audio Dynamite, 'Atari Baby' by Sigue Sigue Sputnik and 'Joy Rider' by WestworldBy Hicksdesign

The 10 months since the last episode! Featuring The Amazing, 65daysofstatic and Rogue WaveBy Hicksdesign

In the first ever multi-part episode of the Five-Star Podcast, Rod and Nathan talk Ronda Rousey's return, the Cyborg "superfight", Conor McGregor and more.

Nathan and Jon talk wrestling (as always) but also get in a little high school and college sports talk. Music used by springtide via Creative Commons license.

In this week's episode, Devin and Nathan talk wrestling and a lot of MMA. They discuss Jose Aldo's request for a release, Diaz/McGregor and Chael Sonnen coming out of retirement. Music used by springtide via Creative Commons license.

In this week's episode, Anthony stops by to talk about the WWE brand split and the upcoming Clash of Champions PPV.

Nathan and Brad talk about his return to the ring, general wrestling and faith in this week's episode. Music used by springtide via Creative Commons license.

Nathan and Adam talk about Newsome's wrestling career, WWE, NWA and even some UFC in this week's episode.

This episode is all about the phenomenon of DJ Derek, and the fact that I don't really like reggae. Featuring 'Police and Thieves' by Junior Murvin, 'I Chase the Devil' by Max Romeo and the Upsetters and 'One love' by Bob Marley and the WailersBy Hicksdesign

Here are three songs all about tea! 'Cup of Brown Joy' by Professor Elemental, 'Drink tea (For the love of God)' by Kula Shaker and 'Tea in the Sahara' by The Police. Pop the kettle on!By Hicksdesign

Three songs that remind me of my time in the Lake District. 'The New Physics' by The Lost Dogs, 'Virgin and Child' by Iona, and 'Animal Nitrate' by Suede.By Hicksdesign

This Valentine's edition is either really early, or a bit late, depending on how you look at it! Love songs in general are either insincere, mawkish rubbish, cheesy, or all three. There so much chaff, but (for me at least) here's the wheat! My three favourite love songs in ascending order: 'Sick of Myself' by Matthew Sweet, 'Unravel' by Björk and '…

A bit of a delay in getting to this episode. I've hesitated over whether to do a full-on Bowie tribute as there are so many brilliant tributes already. It almost felt like jumping on the bandwagon. Instead I've bided my time, and its now evolved into a tribute to three people who've died too early in 2016: Lemmy Kilmister, David Bowie and Terry Wog…

Its an end of year list! Only shorter! This three-piece won't take long to read or listen to, but it took me a very long time to choose just three from so much wonderful music in 2015. To make it easier, I excluded any music that has already featured in Troika.So without further ado, my three most-played are: 'Satellites' by Mew, 'Repetition' by Pu…

Here we have another episode of Chrimbo tunes, this time with traditional songs covered by modern bands. These sound a bit more atmospheric compared last weeks more jaunty tunes! Once in Royal David's City' - Sufjan Stevens, 'Little Drummer Boy' - Low and 'The First Noel' - Over the RhineBy Hicksdesign

There's so many decent Christmas songs, that one Troika isn't going to be enough! So I've split them over two episodes - maybe more if I pull my finger out! While the first track isn't strictly 'explicit' (there's no swearing), it is a rather rum tale that minors may find disturbing.So we have: 'Oh Santa!' by Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer, 'Get behind …

This time its all about taking it _slow_. Songs or pieces of music that either sound better, or take on a new form, when slowed down.'Feel it all Around' by Washed OutErnest Greenes' project 'Washed Out' take the backing from Gary Low's 1983 single 'I Want You' and slows it to nice laid back pace, creating this lovely slurry sound. I'm told this is…

In the early eighties I was really into artists like Jean Michel Jarre, Depeche Mode and Howard Jones. I loved synths! After about '86 I moved away to more guitar-based music, Metal and then a wee folky phase in the early nineties.During my last year at college in 94 I started rediscovering electronic music. As well as purveyors of ambience like Ap…

Troika number 18 is a straightforward simpler episode! The only thematic link this time is tracks that I've discovered either by shuffle or playback glitches. Random songs! (Maybe a little bit of swearing too)'Cissy Strut' - Butch Cassidy Sound System'Auditorium' - Mos Def feat. Slick Rick'Babe you turn me on' - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds…

This Troika is a musical representation of one of my favourite foods - the mighty Scotch Egg! 'Breadcrumbs' by Deca, 'Valley of the Sausages' by Mr Scruff and 'Egg' by The Garden.By Hicksdesign

With the new series of Dr Who starting this weekend, I decided it was time for a Troika on the iconic TV theme! There's been a lot of 'official' versions over and many more covers (including a terrible disco-ified one by Mankind in 1979), but here is: the Original Theme by Ron Grainer and Delia Derbyshire, a Belgian Jazz version- 'Dr Qui' - from Bi…

Troika number fifteen is all about twins from Manchester called Andy and Jez Williams. From 90s dance act Sub Sub to Indie Rock giants Doves, and their new band, Black Rivers. We start with 'Ain't no love (ain't no use)' by Sub Sub feat. Melanie Williams, move onto 'Pounding' by Doves, and finish 'Voyager 1' by Black Rivers.…

Welcome back to Troika after a lovely summer break! This Troika is about the three 'discoveries' I made at the Reading Festival last weekend - bands that I liked after seeing them live. 'Happy Song’ by Bring me the Horizon* (contains sweary swears!), ‘All the Sad Young Men’ by Spector and ‘Tryer, you’ by And So I Watch You From Afar.…

Episode 13 of Troika is all about the versatile singer-songwriter and Yahama maestro John Shuttleworth! Songs featured are: 'Mutiny over the Bounty', 'Two Margarines' and 'I can’t go back to savoury now'.By Hicksdesign

I had planned a different Troika for #12, but I was so late getting it ready, I was going to miss the fact that the Tour de France starts this weekend! So that will become #13, and here is my rather hurried tribute to the annual cycling pantomime that is the Tour! First up is 'Tour de France' by Alexis Roche (apparently a bit rude, but it's in Fren…

Hello peoples! This Troika is all about the bassists! We start with 'Hello Meow' by Squarepusher, 'Jerry was a race car driver' by Primus, and finish with 'By the Way' by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.By Hicksdesign

Eighteen years ago, I sold my car, and met my wife! These are songs that remind of that wonderful time - Step into my World' by Hurricane #1, 'Don't Whiz on the Electric Fence' by Ren and Stimpy, and finishing up with 'No Surprises' by RadioheadBy Hicksdesign

This coming Sunday is three years since my mum died, so I wanted to dedicate this ninth episode of Troika to her memory! There are four pieces of music this time: 'Strawberry Fields Forever' - The Beatles', Ukelele Lady' - Peter Sellers and The Temperance Seven, 'The Lark Ascending' - Ralph Vaughan Williams and finally 'Dear Friends' - Elbow.…

This episode of Troika is a collection of music that uses NASA samples. The first track is *"Space Walk" by Lemon Jelly*, which samples Ed White's reaction to the first ever space walk on the Gemini 4 mission in 1965. Then we have *"V1 | 130" by Geremia Vinattieri*, released as part of the Space Songs EP from Bad Panda records. The final track, cal…

I discovered the music of J Dilla (aka James Dewitt Yancey or Jay Dee) by going backwards. I'm a big fan of the band Phantogram, and when they mentioned their sound uses 'J Dilla beats' I looked back on his extensive back catalog and found his influence everywhere. He's one of hip hop’s most influential producers and artists, but his career was cut…

The theme for this Troika is a little more esoteric than normal - it's comedians, singing parody songs, in the style of other artists. Weird Al Yankovic has made a whole career out of this, but these are maybe slightly less well known.By Hicksdesign

Back in the mid-90's the British Music Press had decided that Shoegaze music was finished, and that if you weren't Britpop or Grunge you deserved to be mocked. Bands like Slowdive disbanded and explored other genres, but it had left enough quality work to inspire the next generation of bands, nastily called 'Nu gaze'.…