McCookerybook and Rotifer
Ahead of the release of their delightful collaborative EP 'Equal Parts', songwriters Helen McCookerybook and Robert Rotifer discuss the 'completely joyful' experience of recording over two days in August and their desire to use the EP to transcend the divisions between the UK and Europe brought on by Brexit.
McCookerybook and Rotifer
In the second of a two part interview about their new joint EP 'Equal Parts', Helen McCookerybook and Robert Rotifer talk to Ben Howarth about their discovery of each other's music and working with one another.
Apartments
Ben Howarth speaks to Peter Milton Walsh, the frontman with Australian alternative rock band the Apartments about his group's second 'comeback' album 'In and Out of the Light', his approach to songwriting and his plans for touring.
Ben Bedford
Singer-songwriter Ben Bedford has recently revisited three albums of storytelling folk with a new compilation. He tells Ben Howarth about the process of choosing the songs and how his musical influences have shaped a gradual change of direction on more recent albums.
Matt Hill
After releasing several albums as Quiet Loner, Northern English singer=songwriter Matt Hill speaks to Ben Howarth about his latest album, the folk-influenced 'Savage Pilgrims', which is also his debut LP under his own name.
John Howard
John Howard speaks to Ben Howarth about his as-yet-untitled new album, the benefits of home recording and the next two volumes of his memoir.
Darren Hayman
As he prepared for the release of 'Home Time', his 17th album, Darren Hayman speaks to Ben Howarth about his most personal album and his reflections on the end of his epic, award-winning 'Thankful Villages' project.
Joe Gideon
Back for his sixth interview with Pennyblackmusic, Joe Gideon tells Ben Howarth about his new album 'Armagideon', recorded with Jim Sclavunos and Gris-de-Lin. Having set out to write a set of lighthearted songs, he ended up with an album themed around the upcoming end of the world.
Spielbergs
Ben Howarth speaks to Mads Baklien, vocalist, guitarist and synth player of new Norwegian group Spielbergs, about their latest EP, the surprise at being on tour, and what years in bands has taught them about surviving as a group.
Papernut Cambridge
Ben Howarth visits the home of Ian Button and chats about his Papernut Cambridge project.
Jack Hayter
Former Hefner member Jack Hayter speaks to Ben Howarth about his new album which was inspired by a year spent living in the suburb of Abbey Wood, which soon to change with the arrival of a new train line, is on the borders of outer London and Kent.
David Ford
As he prepares to release his fifth solo album, ‘Animal Spirits’, David Ford tells Ben Howarth how an obsession with the causes of the 2007-8 banking crisis prompted him to write a ‘concept’ album about market economics.
John Howard
Singer songwriter John Howard has published his autobiography, a heartbreaking and hilarious tale of how to nearly become a pop star in the 70s. He tells Ben Howarth how he wanted to be 100% honest but non-judgemental.
Jarrod DIckenson
After a long wait and a move to a major label, Texas-born singer-songwriter Jarrod Dickenson is ready to unveil 'Ready The Horses' to a growing fanbase. He tells Ben Howarth about his love of recording on 2-inch tape and his desire to reach for the classic sounds of the 50's and 60's.
Roddy Woomble
As he prepares to release his fourth 'solo' album, 'The Deluder' Idlewild's Roddy Woomble explains that he really sees it as the work of a genuine band over a 'really creative couple of months' and tells us about the 'great team' he has formed.
Port Erin
As Port Erin prepared for a set at Glastonbury and the release of their excellent fourth album ‘Ocean Grey’, Ben Howarth speaks to Reuben Myles Tyghe, the frontman of the west country three-piece Port Erin to learn more about their ten years as a band
Nick Ellis
Singer-songwriter Nick Ellis talks to Benjamin Howarth about his extraordinary debut album 'Daylight Ghosts' and his early musical influences
Craig Finn
Craig Finn, the front man with the much acclaimed the Hold Steady, speaks to Benjamin Howarth about his third solo album, ‘We All Want the Same Things’
Nils Lofgren
Nils Lofgren, the guitarist with Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band, talks to Ben Howarth about his long solo career, forthcoming tour of the UK and 'Face the Music', his new ten CD box set
Papernut Cambridge
Ben Howarth chats to Death In Vegas and Rotifer member Ian Button about his band Papernut Cambridge's second solo album, 'There's No Underground'
Dan Michaelson and the Coastguards
Ben Howarth speaks to critically-acclaimed London-based singer-songwriter Dan Michaelson about being back with his band the Coastguards after two solo albums, and his just released latest album, 'Distance'
Henry Priestman
Ben Howarth talks to Henry Priestman, the much acclaimed main songwriter and former keyboardist with the Christians, about his new career as solo artist and second album, 'The Last Mad Surge of Youth'
Enuff Z'nuff
In a two-part interview, both parts of which we are publishing consecutively, rediscovered 70's singer-songwriter John Howard talks to Ben Howarth about his musical career, recent return to live work after an absence of several years and his latest solo album, 'Storeys'
Enuff Z'nuff
In 1975, CBS Records released 'Kid in a Big World' – a sumptuous fusion of glam-rock, sixties pop and orchestral showtunes. It was the first album by John Howard, a singer songwriter who had learned h
Slaid Cleaves
Ben Howarth speaks to Nashville-based country singer-songwriter and yodeller Slaid Cleaves at a show in London about his long musical career and latest solo album, 'Still Fighting the War'
Rotifer
Ben Howarth chats to Austrian-born singer-songwriter and music journalist Robert Rotifer about his indie pop trio Rotifer's forthcoming second UK album, the politically abrasive 'The Cavalry Never Showed Up', which is being released on Gare du Nord, a new label collective
Dodos
Ben Howarth speaks to breezy San Francisco folk duo Dodos' guitarist and singer Meric Long about the death of their touring guitarist Chris Reimer last yeaar and their just released fifth album, 'Carrier'
Lorna
Ben Howarth chats to Mark Rolfe, the front man with underrated Nottingham-based band Lorna about his band's unusual combination of influences and their recent fourth album, 'Heart on Wire'
Laish
Ben Howarth speaks to Daniel Green, the front man with Brighton-based folk pop outfit Laish, about his band's experiences as part of the influential Wilkommen Collective and their just-released second album, 'Obituaries'
Frontier Ruckus
Ben Howarth talks to Michigan-based Americana band Frontier Ruckus at a show in London about their new double album, ‘Eternity of Dimming’
Rose's Pawn Shop
Ben Howarth chats to American folk/country group Rose's Pawn Shop who have just completed their first British tour at a gig in London about their latest album, ‘Dancing on the Gallows’, which was recorded with Gaslight Anthem producer Ted Hutt
David Ford
Ben Howarth speaks to critically acclaimed singer-songwriter David Ford about his forthcoming fourth solo album, 'Charge', and new tour
Joe Gideon and the Shark
Ben Howarth chats to Joe Gideon, the front man with London-based alternative rock duo Joe Gideon and the Shark, about his band's long-awaited second album, 'Freakish', and their increased confident edge
It Hugs Back
John Clarkson speaks to Matthew Simms, the front man with Maidstone-based indie rock band It Hugs Back, about his dual career as a touring guitarist with Wire and ‘Laughing Party’, his band’s recently released second album
Darren Hayman
Ben Howarth talks to former Hefner front man Darren Hayman about his new album 'The Violence', which takes as its main theme the seventeenth century Essex Witch Trials
Jack Hayter
Ben Howarth chats to former Hefner member Jack Hayter about his current twelve volume series of singles and forthcoming plans for the future
Quiet Loner
Quiet Loner is the project of much acclaimed Manchester-based singer-songwriter, Matt Hill. Ben Howarth talks to him about his politically angry third album 'Greedy Magicians', which was recorded live in a church in Salford
Rotifer
In the first part of a two part interview with indie pop outfit Rotifer, Ben Howarth speaks to Austrian front man Robert Rotifer about their recent album, 'The Hosting Couple', and the departure of Darren Hayman on bass to be replaced by Mike Stone from the Television Personalities
David Celia
Ben Howarth speaks to Canadian singer-songwriter and roots rocker David Celia at a show in London about his latest album, 'I Tried', and continuous touring
Jackie Leven
Singer-songwriter Jackie Leven speaks to Ben Howarth about his new album, 'Wayside Shrines and the Code of the Travelling Man', a collaboration with his regular keyboardist Michael Cosgrave, which was written in a set of German hotel rooms
Roy Harper
Roy Harper speaks to Ben Howarth about the first four albums in the digital reissue series of his complete back catalogue, his 70th birthday and his plans for a new album
Gomez
In our second interview with them, Mercury Prize winning band Gomez's drummer and percussionist Olly Peacock speaks to Ben Howarth about their new and seventh album, 'Whatever's On Your Mind'
Dan Michaelson and the Coastguards
Americana musician and former Absentee frontman Dan Michaelson talks to Ben Howarth about his second solo album, 'Shakes'
Jack Hayter
Ben Howarth talks to former Hefner member Jack Hayter about his first new EP of music in eight years and his long absence from the music scene
Chris Bathgate
Former Hefner front man Darren Hayman in what is our sixth interview with him speaks to Ben Howarth about his latest album with his band the Secondary Modern, 'Essex Arms'
Rolo Tomassi
Ben Howarth chats to Portland, Oregon-based epic pop act Musee Mecanique about their recent first British tour and debut album, 'Hold This Ghost'
Fear Factory
in what is our second interview with them, Ben Howarth speaks to Gleen Page from Medway-based 60's-influenced garage rockers about their recent move to Steve Van Zandt's Wicked Cool label and their latest album, 'Pictures'
Belle And Sebastian
Ben Howarth speaks to Chris Geddes, the keyboardist with Belle and Sebastian about how their own one-off 1999 festival, the Bowlie Weekender had a crucial impact on the All Tomorrow's Parties festivals, and, after a long absence, his band's own plans for the future
Circulus
Ben Howarth speaks to Barry Hogan, the promoter of All Tomorrow's Parties, about the evolution and some of the challenges of his alternative rock festival over the last decade
Louis Armstrong
Australian indie pop group, the Lucksmiths, have recently announced their decision to split. Ben Howarth speaks to guitarist Marty Donald and bassist Mark Monnone at one of their farewell London shows about their band's long musical history and why they have decided to break up
Leisure Society
Lush-sounding pop outfit the Leisure Society have been gaining increasing exposure since releasing their debut album, 'The Sleeper', earlier this year and have just signed to Full Time Hobby records. Ben Howrth talks to front man Nick Hemming about his band
Idlewild
Idlewild frontman Roddy Woomble speaks about his band's forthcoming new album, which is being paid for by the sponsorship of their fans, and his recent collaboration with folk musicians, John McCusker and Kris Drever
Horse Feathers
Justin Ringle, the singer with American acclaimed acoustic pop act Horse Feathers, speaks to Ben Howarth at a show in London about his group's second alabum, 'House With No Name'
Anais Mitchell
American singer-songwriter Anais Mitchell recently signed to Ani DiFranco's Righteous Babe label. Ben Howarth at a show at the Luminaire in London speaks to her about politics and her exceptional new album, 'The Brightness'
Darren Hayman
The former front man with Hefner, Darren Hayman has just released his tenth album, 'Pram Town', a set of songs all set in the new town of Harlow in Essex. In what is our fifth interview with him, he speaks to Ben Howarth about it and his love of song writing
Sounds Like Violence
Swedish band Sounds Like Violence don't sound like anyone else and play vigorous live sets. Ben Howarth speaks to them about the intensity of their live shows and their forthcoming second album