From post-punk to dreampop. New wave and electronic. Synthetic Dreams is a podcast series featuring relaxed, in-depth interviews with artists from different ge...
Today's fascinating episode of Synthetic Dreams features legendary singer, Tony Hadley .Tony, is of course, best known as the lead singer of one of the biggest bands of the 1980s, Spandau Ballet. The band, who formed in Islington, London back in 1979, scored a number of hits. Spandau’s debut single, ‘To Cut A Long Story Short’, one of the greatest synth-pop anthems of all-time, reached number five in the UK charts and was the first of ten UK top-10 singles for the band, reaching global success with ‘Chant No 1, ‘True; ’Gold’ and ‘Through the Barricades’ to name a few.We discuss, amongst other things, his Christmas Big Band Tour 2025, the 40th anniversary of Live Aid and his memories from that special day. He also talks about electronic music and his love Kraftwerk and early Ultravox, plus his time hanging out at legendary new romantic club, The Blitz.
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Miki Berenyi
Today's fascinating episode features singer, songwriter and guitarist, Miki Berenyi.In 1987, Miki met Emma Anderson, a previous guest on Synthetic Dreams and formed the band, Lush. The group went on to release three critically acclaimed albums on legendary record label, 4AD. The band officially split in 1996, but reformed for a series of well received live shows in 2016.In 2018, Miki formed a new band called, Piroshka, which featured her partner Kevin McKillop (aka Moose) Micheal Conroy and former Elastica drummer, Justin Welch. The group released two albums on the always excellent Bella Union label.Miki’s memoir Fingers Crossed, was published by Nine Eight Books In September 2022. It’s extremely well written, funny, and, in parts, very moving - well worth a read. In recent years, Miki has been recording and playing shows as part of the Miki Berenyi Trio, which features Moose and guitarist Oliver Cherer. We discuss, amongst other things, the making of their truly brilliant debut album, ‘Tripla’, which comes out on April 4th via Bella Union records.https://mikiberenyitrio.bandcamp.comMiki Berenyi Trio - 8th Deadly Sin (Official Video)Lush - Sweetness and Light (Official Video)Lush - Single Girl (Official Video)Lush - Ladykillers
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Jas Shaw p2
Second part of my interview with electronic musician, Jas Shaw His latest album 'Tea Within A Tea' and other releases are available to buy on his Bandcamp page https://jasshaw.bandcamp.com/album/a-tea-within-a-tea
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Jas Shaw pt 1
Delighted to be joined by electronic musician, Jas Shaw on the podcast this week.Jas was one half of Simian Mobile Disco, who he formed in Manchester with James Ford, a previous guest on Synthetic Dreams, back in 2003.Originally just a DJ side project to their four-piece band Simian, Simian Mobile Disco formed as an electronic act after Simian parted ways in 2005.In 2006, the single ‘We Are Your Friends’ by Justice vs Simian reached number 20 in the UK singles chart and became a massive club hit Simian Mobile Disco’s excellent debut album, ‘Attack Decay Sustain Release’, released in June 2007 on Wichita Recordings, received lots of praise from the UK press at the time. It’s one of my favourite electronic albums. Still sounds fantastic  Jas discusses the making of his latest album ‘A Tea Within A Tea’, which follows ‘The Exquisite Cops’ released in 2019, as well as talking about his time in Simian and Simian Mobile DiscoLINKS:https://jasshaw.bandcamp.com/album/a-tea-within-a-tea
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Emma Anderson
Today’s fascinating episode of Synthetic Dreams features songwriter, guitarist and singer, Emma Anderson Emma formed Rover Girls with school friend, Miki Berenyi back in 1987. Then after a couple of alternations to the lineup, changed the name of the group to Lush in 1988. A year later, the band signed to 4AD records and released the six-track mini album, ‘Scar’, which received praise from the UK music press. They went on to release three commercially successful and critically acclaimed albums with 4AD.Described as one of the first bands on the shoegaze scene, Lush went on to have great chart success during the Britpop era too, with the singles, ‘Ladykillers’ ‘500 (Shake Baby Shake) and ‘Single Girl’Emma discusses, amongst other things, the making of her first ever solo album ‘Pearlies’ which was released on Sonic Cathedral records in 2023. Emma Anderson - Clusters (Official Video)
From post-punk to dreampop. New wave and electronic. Synthetic Dreams is a podcast series featuring relaxed, in-depth interviews with artists from different genres and backgrounds to discuss their music, career and what keeps them inspired.
The show started back in 2021 and guests so far have included, Vince Clarke, Paul Hartnol (Orbital) Neil Barnes (Leftfield) Alex Paterson (The Orb) Graham Massey (808 State) Boris Blank (Yello) Sonic Boom (Spaceman 3) Daniel Miller (Mute Records) Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo) Andy McCluskey (OMD) John Grant, Clem Burke (Blondie) and legendary producer Youth.
Australia