Best Tom Ascott Podcasts (2024)

1
Tom Powell of Def.fo and Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band 40:00

8M ago40:00

40:00

In our latest Retrosonic Podcast interview special we welcome Tom Powell, the man behind def.fo and contender for one of our albums of the year, "Eternity". You might recognise Tom as the bassist with former Shack and Pale Fountains frontman Mick Head's latest outfit, Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band and here, in a thoroughly entertaining show, …

1
Episode 53 "Play It Cool" 1:12:59

8M ago1:12:59

1:12:59

Welcome to Episode 53 of Retrosonic Podcast, featuring 20 superb new songs by some of our favourite international Bands and Artists from as far afield as Canada, Sardinia, France, America, Sweden, Indonesia and Turkey including Big Boss Man, Jim Jones All Stars, Melody Fields, Jah Wobble (featuring Jon Klein), Pascal Comelade & The Limiñanas, Pete …

1
Duncan Reid "And It's Goodbye From Him..." 1:18:59

9M ago1:18:59

1:18:59

Following our feature on Duncan Reid & The Big Heads final bittersweet show at The Lexington, we invite Duncan into the Retrosonic Podcast virtual studio to get the lowdown on the shock decision to hang up his purple Duncanbacker bass for the very last time. The announcement came just as he released his fifth and arguably best album to date "And It…

1
Music Photographer Paul Slattery Part 2: Link Wray, Yardbirds, Stevie Wonder, Others, Grateful Dead 1:05:00

12M ago1:05:00

1:05:00

In part 2 of our chat with legendary music photographer Paul Slattery we cover what it was like growing up in West London in the mid-60's during the heyday of the British Beat and R'n'B scenes of Twickenham, Richmond and Ealing. We talk about the Eel Pie Island museum, the much-missed local venues and of seeing a young Stevie Wonder in concert in n…

1
Episode 52 "It's Clappin' Time!" 1:11:00

1y ago1:11:00

1:11:00

Welcome to Episode 52 of Retrosonic Podcast, a Brexit-busting selection of 22 superb new International releases from as far afield as America, Denmark, Scotland, Sweden, Canada, England, France and Japan - strictly minimum chat and maximum Rock 'n' Roll..! We've got tracks from Jim Jones All Stars, The Courettes, Vannas Kasino, The Jack Cades, Ian …

1
Music Photographer Paul Slattery Part 1: The Smiths, Joy Division, Penetration, Subhumans & More... 1:11:00

1y ago1:11:00

1:11:00

Welcome to this special edition of Retrosonic Podcast where we talk to the legendary music photographer Paul Slattery about some of the recent books and records to use some of his iconic pictures. There's Johnny Marr's new book "Marr's Guitars" and Paul pays tribute to The Smiths' bassist Andy Rourke who sadly passed away recently. There's news of …

1
Michael Bradley of The Undertones 1:30:00

1+ y ago1:30:00

1:30:00

In the latest episode of Retrosonic Podcast we welcome Mickey Bradley, bassist of The Undertones prior to their "Celebrating 45 Years of Teenage Kicks Tour" (or a 'series of weekends away' according to Mickey). We discuss his excellent book "Teenage Kicks: My Life as an Undertone" (Omnibus Press) and he picks some of his favourite songs and music t…

1
Dennis Lyxzén of Refused, Fake Names and The (International) Noise Conspiracy 1:22:00

1+ y ago1:22:00

1:22:00

In this latest special episode of Retrosonic Podcast we welcome one of our favourite vocalists and frontmen Dennis Lyxzén, to discuss his latest project Fake Names - a collaboration with some well known names from the Washington D.C. Hardcore Punk scene, Brian Baker (Minor Threat, Bad Religion, Dag Nasty), Michael Hampton (Embrace, S.O.A.), Johnny …

1
Leigh Heggarty on Wingmen and Ruts DC 1:00:00

1+ y ago1:00:00

1:00:00

Steve from Retro Man Blog chats to Ruts DC guitarist Leigh Heggarty on the phenomenal reaction to the new Wingmen tour and critically acclaimed debut album. Wingmen is the superb new collaboration featuring Leigh on guitar, Baz Warne from The Stranglers on vocals and guitar, Paul Gray of The Damned on bass, Marty Love from Johnny Moped on drums and…

1
Episode 51 "2022 You're Wondering Now" with Buddy Ascott 1:29:35

1+ y ago1:29:35

1:29:35

Welcome to Episode 51 of Retrosonic Podcast where we welcome former drummer with The Chords Buddy Ascott into the 'studio' on New Year's Eve to look back on 2022. Buddy, now playing with The Fallen Leaves, is currently writing his memoirs and he treats us to a reading from a chapter about an unfortunate incident in Guildford Civic Hall in 1979 invo…

1
Episode 50 "Something New" 1:00:30

1+ y ago1:00:30

1:00:30

Welcome to this milestone episode of Retrosonic Podcast - yes we've made it to 50 shows so thank you all for your support over the last ten years or so, it is very much appreciated. Of course thanks also to the great bands, artists and record labels who have been producing so such excellent new music that keeps us so busy! So, here's a little Xmas …

1
Damian O'Neill Live Q&A from The Social with Ann Scanlon 1:00:00

1+ y ago1:00:00

1:00:00

We captured a great evening's entertainment at Damian O'Neill's Q&A at the Heavenly Social on November 6th to promote his excellent new LP "An Crann" hosted by Brian O'Neill of Dimple Disc Records and music journalist Ann Scanlon. As well as the story behind the record and its influences, Damian also discussed various anecdotes from his time with T…

1
Eel Pie Island Museum - The Legacy of The Thames Delta 60's British Beat and R'n'B Explosion 1:06:00

2y ago1:06:00

1:06:00

In the latest episode of Retrosonic Podcast, Steve from Retro Man Blog and Buddy Ascott of The Fallen Leaves are on location at the excellent Eel Pie Island Museum in Twickenham in the company of museum curator Michele Whitby and music historian Pete Watt. We discuss the rich musical heritage of what has become known as the Thames Delta and the bir…

1
Suzi Moon 1:47:30

2y ago1:47:30

1:47:30

In our latest interview special we catch up with Suzi Moon following her show at Bannerman's in Edinburgh and welcome her into the virtual Retrosonic Podcast studio for a thoroughly enjoyable jaunt through her career as a musician and life as a music fan. We talk about her love of the Rebellion Festival in Blackpool, where she was soon to appear, a…

1
Episode 49 "A Tonic For The Soul" - New Release Special 1:06:45

2y ago1:06:45

1:06:45

Steve from Retro Man Blog picks out 21 of the best new Garage Rock, Psych, Indie, Power Pop and Punk releases from as far apart as the U.K., Canada, Sweden, Italy, USA, Japan and the Medway Delta! Includes spotlights on some of our favourite record labels Spinout Nuggets, Chaputa, Beluga and Damaged Goods and the episode is packed with killer track…

1
Episode 48 "Why Don't You Smile Now?" with special guests Buddy Ascott & Rob Green 1:13:43

2y ago1:13:43

1:13:43

Steve from Retro Man Blog welcomes special guests Buddy Ascott and Rob Green from The Fallen Leaves into the studio to discuss their upcoming tribute and fundraising show in the memory of the Deerstalker hat wearing guitar legend Don Craine of Downliners Sect at The Half Moon in Putney on Sunday August 21st. To help raise awareness of this very spe…

1
The Open Internet Closes 51:16

2y ago51:16

51:16

This week Tom Ascott talks to Max Beverton-Palmer, Director at the Internet Policy Unit at Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. The pair discuss the idea of an open internet and how cooperation can secure its future as well as how tech companies should regulate hostile governments and organisations online and finally end up discussing is Twitter…

1
Toxic Femininity 48:04

2y ago48:04

48:04

Welcome back to Season Two of Synthetic Society! To kick us off host Tom Ascott speaks with Nona Willis Aronowitz about femcels. FemCels, short for female incels, are women unable or unwilling to have relationships due to a mix of societal pressures and misogyny. The conversation draws on Nona's article 'The Femcel Revolution'.…

1
The Gruesomes 1:25:00

2y ago1:25:00

1:25:00

For this very special episode of Retrosonic Podcast we caught up with all four members of the legendary Canadian Garage Rock band The Gruesomes as they rehearsed for their upcoming debut London show at Weirdsville on July 2nd, hard to believe this will be the first time the band have ever played the U.K. since forming in Montreal back in 1985. In t…

1
Episode 47 "This Is No Audition" with Rock Photographer Paul Slattery 1:22:54

2+ y ago1:22:54

1:22:54

Welcome to Retrosonic Podcast Episode 47 where Steve is joined by Rock Photographer Paul Slattery to discuss "Retrospectively Yours", the excellent new compilation from Ronnie Mayor of The Tours, the criminally underrated, short-lived Power Pop/New Wave band who Paul first photographed and championed way back in 1979. There's a special feature on t…

1
Episode 46 "Stupidly Happy" with special guest Buddy Ascott 1:32:26

2+ y ago1:32:26

1:32:26

In Episode 46 of Retrosonic Podcast, Steve from Retro Man Blog welcomes The Chords & The Fallen Leaves drummer Buddy Ascott for an update on his recent musical adventures. We cover The 79'ers tour with The Vapors, recent shows with The Fallen Leaves and his production work with Proper. There's also news on his charity bass drum skin which he is get…

1
Episode 45 "Waking Up The Band" 1:12:20

2+ y ago1:12:20

1:12:20

Happy Xmas and a big thank you to all Retro Man Blog and Retrosonic Podcast subscribers and listeners, we really do appreciate the support. After all, this is just a hobby to promote some of the fantastic bands, artists and independent record labels that are keeping us all entertained in these difficult times so your continued support is what makes…

1
Presenting the fabulous Courettes 1:29:24

2+ y ago1:29:24

1:29:24

Welcome to the brand new Retrosonic Podcast "Presenting The Fabulous Courettes". In this comprehensive and highly entertaining episode, I talk to Flavia and Martin of The Courettes as they reflect on their hugely successful seventeen date U.K. tour and the amazing reaction to their latest album "Back In Mono". In part one, backstage at The Lexingto…

1
Colonialism, Connected 57:21

2+ y ago57:21

57:21

Kerryn Gammie and Tom Ascott discuss how archaic, colonial power structures have survived and turned into neo-colonialism, and how those structures continue to be pervasive online. The pair reflect on ideas of justice, identity and equality and how we can bring these ideas to the world of business to make our work lives more equitable.…

1
Instagram Insurrection 56:49

3y ago56:49

56:49

Ben Decker, Founder and CEO of Memetica, talks to host Tom Ascott about the perils of misinformation on social media, if the Taliban should be allowed to have a Twitter account, and what the future of content moderation looks like. Episode Resources: https://www.twitterandteargas.org/By Tom Ascott

1
Diversity Equals Resilience For NATO 49:45

3y ago49:45

49:45

Tom Ascott speaks to Giedrimas Jeglinskas, NATO Assistant Secretary General, and former Vice-Minister of Defence of Lithuania. The pair discuss what role NATO plays in information ecosystems and how NATO can help combat disinformation, as well as how diversity and inclusion can generate new and creative solutions and the importance of diversity in …

1
India's Innovative Data Unions 41:10

3y ago41:10

41:10

Can we make our data stronger, safer, and more secure by pooling it together? This week Tom Ascott speaks to Astha Kapoor, Co-Founder and Director of the AAPTI Institute in India. They discuss how new ideas of data unions, data co-ops and data stewardship are providing a model for how citizens can come together and collectively bargain with the sta…

1
Episode 44 "Sonic Love" - New Release Special 1:11:00

3y ago1:11:00

1:11:00

Welcome to "Sonic Love" Episode 44 of Retrosonic Podcast, which is another decidedly 'non-retro' show featuring some superb brand new international Rock 'n' Soul, Punk, Indie, Fuzzed-up Garage Rock, Psych and Power Pop releases from France, Sweden, Brazil, Japan, USA and the UK including The Stranglers, The Limiñanas, Subway Sect, The Shadracks, Be…

1
Time For The Timeline 45:33

3y ago45:33

45:33

What is time? This week Tom talks to Emily Thomas, a philosopher of time and travel, about how time and technology interact. They discuss how the timeline affects how we perceive time, if going on Twitter is like going on holiday, and the different ways technology might let us have experiences outside of time. The pair also give an overview of the …

1
Robot-Tinted Glasses 1:00:30

3y ago1:00:30

1:00:30

This week Tom explores how robotics and AI is changing our moral beliefs and practices with John Danaher. John is a Senior Lecturer at NUI Galway School of Law, and philosopher behind Philosophical Disquisitions, a blog, and a podcast that focuses on the ethical and legal nexus of technology and philosophy.…

1
For the Needs of Society 38:35

3y ago38:35

38:35

This episode Tom speaks to Areeq Chowdhury, the founder and director of WebRoots Democracy. WebRoots was a think tank focused on progressive and inclusive technology policy which ran for almost seven years. The pair discuss digital voting, facial recognition software and if social media companies should pay a user-based tax to fund digital literacy…

1
Behave Yourself! 45:50

3y ago45:50

45:50

As the ways in which we can interact virtually increase, so do the ways that we can become victims of harassment. In video games, we need to design systems that help fight problematic and toxic behavior while still supporting a competitive atmosphere. In this episode, Tom Ascott talks to Lucy Sparrow, a Ph.D. candidate with the Human-Computer Inter…

1
Gary Crowley "Lost 80's Vol. 2" Talk and Q&A 1:20:00

3y ago1:20:00

1:20:00

On Sunday August 1st we went along to our favourite record store Sounds of The Suburbs in Ruislip to see Gary Crowley, the legendary DJ, TV and Radio show presenter, A&R man, schoolboy music journalist and former receptionist at the NME - give a talk and Q&A session to promote his excellent new compilation "Lost 80's Volume 2: 1980-1986". This has …

1
Press X For Ethics 47:42

3y ago47:42

47:42

Should we treat characters in games the same way we treat real people? Is it ethical to run over someone over in Grand Theft Auto? And what about us, does it say something about our moral character if we spend all day in our underwear playing games? This week Tom Ascott speaks to Sebastian Ostritsch, Assistant Professor at Stuttgart University, abo…

1
If AI Designed Your World 24:39

3y ago24:39

24:39

What would a world look like if it was made by AI? This week Mitchell Baxter, Director at Lazy Monday Games, explains how AI helps in designing video games. He and host Tom Ascott talk about where the technology is now, the challenges in balancing unique and bespoke art with generative assets, and the assistance that new technology offers to artist…

1
The Topology of AI 26:16

3y ago26:16

26:16

This week Tom Ascott speaks to Jacob Williamson about the business of AI. The pair talk through the emerging markets for AI in different fields, boutique uses for AI, and if the market for AI is overheating!By Tom Ascott

1
Designed For Your Pleasure 44:28

3y ago44:28

44:28

This week Tom Ascott talks with Kate Devlin a Senior Lecturer in Social and Cultural Artificial Intelligence at King's College London and author of Turned On. The pair discusses the ethics and morality around sex robots and they touch on artificial intimacy, algorithmic attraction, and tackles the thorny question of should you say thank you to Alex…

1
Purpose Beyond Profit 49:16

3y ago49:16

49:16

Platforms could replace their metrics based on engagement and growth with metrics based on happiness, community strength and wellbeing. In this episode, Tom Ascott talks to Christine Jakobson, a tech ethics researcher, and consultant, about how platforms can respond to the growing issues of disinformation and online hate to create a more friendly t…

1
Monetising Islamophobia 39:38

3y ago39:38

39:38

Islamophobia has been wielded as a weapon to draw support from right wing actors as well as to disenfranchise Muslim populations. In this episode Zahed Amanullah, a Resident Senior Fellow at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, explains how Islamophobia has been refined, amplified and duplicated into a process that is being used globally. He and h…

1
Episode 43 "Kiss Me, I'm Vaccinated" 1:13:20

3y ago1:13:20

1:13:20

Welcome to Episode 43 of Retrosonic Podcast "Kiss Me, I'm Vaccinated" which is another non-retro show featuring 20 superb brand new International Garage Rock 'n' Soul, Punk, Indie, Psych and Power Pop releases from France, Spain, Sweden, Japan, Denmark, Switzerland, Ireland and the UK. Listen in and celebrate the creative talents and spirit of some…

1
The Trustless Currency 46:35

3y ago46:35

46:35

It’s taken us ten weeks but it’s finally time to address the elephant in the room: cryptocurrency! This week Erica Stanford, founder of the Crypto Curry Club and author ‘Crypto Wars: Faked Deaths, Missing Billions and Industry Disruption’, talks Tom Ascott through everything crypto. The episode starts with the basics of Bitcoin and ramps up to comp…

1
Automated Misogyny 45:13

3y ago45:13

45:13

The internet has been a platform for creating new tools and engaging platforms. But these innovations are also being used by those who would seek to perpetrate violence against women. In this episode Vaibhav Sahgal, a Senior Manager at The Economist Intelligence Unit, explains the problems that women face online and what solutions are on the horizo…

1
The Delmonas & Thee Headcoatees "Girlsville: Queens of The Medway Delta" with Saskia Holling 1:34:00

3y ago1:34:00

1:34:00

For episode 17 of our Lockdown Lowdown series we welcome Saskia Holling to discuss her new book "Girlsville: The Story of The Delmonas & Thee Headcoatees" which is out now on Spinout Publications. Saskia talks about the process of writing the book itself along with the history and legacy of both groups and each of the band members. We also find out…

1
Breaking The Anger Cycle 41:04

3y ago41:04

41:04

Dr. Greenstein’s Memory, Affect, Decision-making (MAD) lab examines how emotions affect memory and decision-making, and this week he walks Tom Ascott through how anger online can increase our susceptibility to misinformation.By Tom Ascott

1
Giving Digital Policy A Facelift 46:01

3y ago46:01

46:01

In a future where it is increasingly difficult to tell authentic from synthetic, Anna Bulakh, Policy Advisor at Reface, gives a thoughtful roadmap to upcoming digital policy. She highlights the importance of baking safety and security into apps to future proof against any malicious use. Follow Synthetic Society on Twitter. Follow Tom Ascott on Twit…

1
The Agile Government 43:25

3y ago43:25

43:25

This week host Tom Ascott talks to Walter Pasquarelli, AI Readiness & Data Policy Lead at Oxford Insights. Walter is the lead author for the ‘Government AI Readiness Index’, and the two of them discuss what it takes for a government to be AI ready, whether AI is levelling the playing field for less developed countries and if we governments should b…

1
Gaye (Advert) Black, Artist & Former Bassist with The Adverts 1:36:15

3y ago1:36:15

1:36:15

For the latest episode of our Lockdown Lowdown Podcast series we welcome former bassist with The Adverts, Gaye Black into the virtual Retrosonic studio to discuss her life in Music and Art. In this thoroughly entertaining episode, Gaye takes us on a musical journey from growing up in a small town in north Devon and discovering music for the first t…

1
What Can We Learn From Conspiracy Theories? 41:14

3y ago41:14

41:14

Lockdown has seen a surge in conspiracy theories, and as the world starts to emerge from another lockdown Katy Murray talks to Tom Ascott about what we can learn from conspiracy theories. She breaks down how a conspiracy theory forms, how they function and how they get in to our information ecosystem. Follow Synthetic Society on Twitter. Follow Tom…

1
Inge Johansson of Gatuplan & The (International) Noise Conspiracy 1:40:00

3y ago1:40:00

1:40:00

For the latest episode of our special Lockdown Lowdown series we welcome former bassist with The (International) Noise Conspiracy, Inge Johansson into the virtual Retrosonic studio to discuss the excellent debut album "Kampen Går Vidare!" by his new solo project Gatuplan. In this thoroughly entertaining chat, Inge takes on a musical journey from th…

1
Human In The Loophole 34:01

3y ago34:01

34:01

In technology we trust, or do we? This week Dr Allison Gardner, co-founder of Women Leading in AI and lecturer at Keele University, talks to Tom Ascott about the problems inherent in technology and the pair try to establish where the line is between tech solutionism and real ways that technology can benefit our lives. Follow Synthetic Society on Tw…

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Tom Ascott Podcasts

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