Doug Hoekstra
John Clarkson examines Nashville-based singer-songwriter and author Doug Hoekstra's haunting new collection of short stories.
Miscellaneous
John Clarkson examines new five-CD box set 'Big Gold Dreams', which documents Scottish punk and independent music between 1977 and 1989, and proves to be the definitive account of a definitive era.
Doug Hoekstra
John Clarkson reflectson 'Unopened'. the debut poetry collection of Nashville-based singer-songwriter Doug Hoekstra.
Anthony Strutt
Editor John Clarkson reflects on the music writing and his own friendship with our long-term writer Anthony Strutt, who died on March 25th after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Mary O'Meara
John Clarkson pays tribute to our writer and his friend Mary O'Meara who died in December.
Mary O'Meara
Pennyblackmusic writer Mary O'Meara, who has previously published ‘Between the Lines: A History of Haven’, a 2012 music biography and personal memoir about 90s indie/alternative band Haven, speaks to John Clarkson about her debut novel, 'A Certain Kind Of Light'.
Mary O'Meara
John Clarkson examines 'A Certain Kind of Light', the debut novel of Pennyblackmusic writer Mary O'Meara
Kimberly Bright
Kimberly Bright speaks to John Clarkson about her biography 'Chris Spedding: Reluctant Guitar Hero', which has just been reissued in a tenth anniversary revised edition, and the difficulties of self-publishing
Madam
Sukie Smith, the front woman with London-based band Madam, talks through the making of the video for 'When I Met You', the first single from 'Back to the Sea', the band's forthcoming third album
New Model Army
Adrian Huggins examines 'Between Dog and Wolf', a feature length, career- charting documentary of legendary British band New Model Army.
Wilby
John Clarkson reflects on musician-turned-comedian Rosie Wilby's new stand-up show, 'Nineties Woman'
Mary O'Meara
John Clarkson talks to Pennyblackmusic writer and author Mary O'Meara about her biography on 90's indie/alternative rock band, Haven
Miscellaneous
Pennyblackmusic writer Nicky Crewe talks to John Clarkson about some of her musical memories of Manchester between the 1960s and 1980s, which include touring with Captain Beefheart, sharing a house with Martin Hannett, knowing Tony Wilson and working at the Hacienda on its opening night
Miscellaneous
John Clarkson enjoys new DVD and coming-of-age drama 'Broken', which includes a soundtrack that involves Damon Albarn
Janice Long
John Clarkson speaks to influential DJ and presenter Janice Long about her lengthy career and new television series, 'The Janice Long Review Show'
Waterboys
John Clarkson is impressed by the honesty of Waterboys' front man Mike Scott's new autobiography,'Adventures of a Waterboy'
Outsiders
John Clarkson looks back on the career of 70's band the Outsiders, which was the first group of Adrian Borland from the Sound, and who are often seen as being the the first punk band to self-release an album
Pete Weiss
John Clarkson finds Vermont-based producer and musician Pete Weiss to have moved away from his surrealist humorous past and to be in more serious frame of mind on both his bands, the Weisstronauts and Sool's latest EPs, 'The Wisstronauts in Memphis' and 'A Touch of Sool'
Blue Eyed Black
Former Fire Engines drummer Russell Burn and journalist and ex Re-Action Recordings owner Innes Reekie talk to John Clarkson about their new label Mayakovsky Produkts and its first album, the self-titled debut CD of Burn's new band Spectorbullets
Miscellaneous
Kenny Paterson was a studio engineer from the mid 1980's to 1990's at Glasgow's legendary Park Lane Studios. John Clarkson chats to him about his new retrospective CD, 'Park Lane Archives', which compiles together tracks from many of the artists who recorded there
Miscellaneous
John Clarkson finds impressive on-line punk and alternative rock fanzine Mudkiss' second book, which collates together all of its interviews from last year
Flight of the Conchords
Sarah Johnson finds the comedy rock genre resurrected and finally escaping its novely tag as a result of duo Flight of the Conchords. She looks at the New Zealand act's career and two albums
Miscellaneous
John Clarkson speaks to Nathaniel Cramp, the owner of London-based record label and shoegazing club Sonic Cathedral, which has just released its first compilation CD and album, which features tracks from all its singles to date
Midnight Choir
Norwegian band Midnight Choir's new DVD was filmed in 2003 at the final show at their regular haunt of the Rockefeller Music Hall in Oslo on what was to prove to be their last tour. John Clarkson watches the band literally fall apart on stage in this intense, but compelling concert film
Miscellaneous
John Clarkson finds much to enjoy in Alex Walker's new documentary DVD, 'We Dreamed America', which examines the British Americana movement
La Nuit Americaine
John Clarkson examines the haunting and brooding new DVD of La Nuit Americane', the project of Bologna-based guitarist, pianist and programmer, Christian Govoni, which sees his return to music after a five year absence
Miscellaneous
John Clarkson finds a three hour double DVD about the 10th Orange Blossom Special, the festival of the German label Glitterhouse, and which featured sets from the Walkabouts, the Great Crusades, Big Bang, Seachange and Robert Fisher of the Willard Grant Conspiracy, totally riveting
Triffids
John Clarkson examines the reissues and legacy of Australian group the Triffids'1986 and 1987 albums, 'In the Pines' and 'Calenture'
Equators
Since starting up again after a 12 year hiatus, Egg Records has released retrospectives under its 'Restoration Programme' by several indiepop groups of the late 80's and early 90's. With a new 27 track compilation, 'Souvenirs from Egg Records',just out, label boss Jim Kavanagh chats to John Clarkson
F Micalizzi / R Pregadio
Pennyblackmusic writer Tommy Gunnarsson and his girlfriend Sandra Neergaard-Petersen chat to John Clarkson about their new ultra limited edition indiepop label, Snowday Records
Miscellaneous
Martin Kielty is the manager of reformed Scottish rockers the Sensational Alex Harvey Band. He is also the author of 'SAHB Stories', a biography of the band. He talks to John Clarkson about the group and his book
Miscellaneous
Portland, Oregon ensemble Tracker have recently released the soundtrack to Craig Thompson's much acclaimed autobiographical graphic novel 'Rewards.' Frontman John Askew speaks to John Clarkson about rewards and difficulties of recording it
Decibel Boy
Pennyblackmusic writer Philip Vincent has just released his debut album on his own label under the moniker of deciBel boy. He talks to John Clarkson about the recording possibilities that did not exist for musicians even 5 years ago
Miscellaneous
7' trashy garage rock label, Thee Sheffield Phonographic Corporation has had a lot of acclaim and press since releasing it debut single at the beginning of the year. John Clarkson talks to co-owner, Tiffin, about its rise.
Miscellaneous
Despite only running for only three years, and having to date released just five 7" singles and four albums,Tongue Maste has already worked with some of the best known names in independent music. Owner Theodore Vlassopulos chats to John Clarkson
Miscellaneous
The largest indie label in Germany, Glitterhouse includes on its roster the Willard Grant Conspiracy, the Walkabouts,16 Horsepower and Rocket from the Tombs. Second-in-charge Lust Mastmayer chats about its history and recent 20th anniversary celebrations
Miscellaneous
Parisian label GG0022 had been described alternately as a power pop label,a post-rock label and also an electronica label. Co-owner Roland Benedetti talks to John Clarkson about its increasing international reputation
Miscellaneous
Parisian brothers Luc and Nicolas Reverter formed their label Ronda to release records by their much acclaimed band Melmac and since then have used it as a platform for their solo projects. Luc Reverter chats to about their plans to further expand Ronda
Miscellaneous
The former owner of Emma's House Recordings, Edward Jung is back with a new 8" limited edition label, Heliotone. He talks to John Clarkson about starting over
Miscellaneous
Felicite is a new German indiepop label, which specialises in the 7" singles and EP market Owners Tom Hilverkus and Johanna Maier talk to John Clarkson about Felicite's releases to date and their plans for its future
Miscellaneous
One of Britain's biggest indie labels, Fat Cat is perhaps best known for being Sigur Ros' label, but, from its very outset , has always proved remarkably eclectic and broad in its tastes. Co-owner Dave Cawley mulls over its history with John Clarkson
Miscellaneous
Formed out of two other New York labels, Captive Ring is a promising new punk label and cooperative that hopes to put out several new releases this year. John Clarkson speaks to co-owners, Mike Griffin and Brett Ackerman, about their plans for it
Miscellaneous
Upper Class Recordings is a small Toronto-based low budget indiepop record label that is becoming increasingly well-known and established in Europe. Label boss Gareth Jones speaks to John Clarkson about its increasing profile
Miscellaneous
Oregon-based alternative rock label FILM Guerrero has a rapidly escalating international reputation. Back for a second interview, label boss John Askew takes time out from his busy schedule to talk about his label's frantic last 18 months
Miscellaneous
One of Canada’s best known small independent labels, Mag Wheel is about to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Label boss Woody Whelan talks to John Clarkson about the past 10 years and his single-handed resurrection of the career of legendary punks, the Nils
Miscellaneous
Pennyblackmusic writer Tommy Gunnarsson recently formed his own indiepop label, Heavenly Pop Hits, with his girlfriend Marie Sorenson. With their first compilation "Hit Music Only' just out, they talk about the problems and benefits of forming a label
Miscellaneous
New Boston "pessimistic pop" label Stop Pop and Roll has only put out two albums, but has already garnished a strong reputation for producing quality records. Label manager Aaaron Tap talks to John Clarkson about its growing reputation
Miscellaneous
Although formed just eighteen months ago, limited edition Manchester based vinyl only label Emma's House has already put out twelve releases, and is developing an increasing profile. Owner Edward Jung talks about his developing label.
Miscellaneous
?k,tablished in early 1994, the London based independent label Flower Shop Recordings has grown over the course of the last nearly eight years from being a low key 7" limited edition bedroom label into a small self-financing independent record compan
Miscellaneous
First formed at the beginning of last year, Film Guerrero is a new alternative rock label from Portland in Oregon with a strong emphasis on detail, and a rapidly growing international reputation.
It was initially established by its owner, local record