Big Smoke Music Weekly

Welcome, kids! Luke and Dave have finally got a pub trip out of the way after 5 months without seeing each other… Now they can bring you a new episode, wahoo! Big Smoke Music Weekly is back with a mega BigSmoke:InFocus chat with Black Honey lead singer, Izzy B Phillips. She tells all about Black Honey’s brilliant second album, ‘Written & Directed” that charted at number 1 in the Independent chart and 7 in the UK album chart...one of the albums of the year! Take a listen to find out how her big night with Razorlight ended up in cut knees, why she signed a lobster and how filmic elements influenced the new album. All this, plus Luke spills his heart over having to miss 110 Above Festival this summer, along with a CloseUp: 60 Seconds with Edith Violet of the fantastique FOURS.

Luke and Dave are back after making it through a big first weekend back in the pubs! Episode 3 of Season 4 comes with a huge BigSmoke:InFocus chat with Ethan Barnett AKA Ten Tonnes, off the back of his festival-ready banger of a new single ‘Everything You Got’. We chat with him about how life in this Sci-Fi horror of a year has helped him get busy with writing, how he ends up thinking about his dinner options during live shows and all about a chance encounter with TV chef royalty, Gino D’Acampo! This week’s CloseUp 60 Seconds sees us catch up with The Hubbards, who are set to play alongside the likes of whenyoung, Sad Boys Club and Valeras for CloseUp Festival 2021. PLUS! Luke digs out a compilation album that drips with 90’s anthems and a round-up of this week’s Tunes of The Week, featuring L’Objectif, Speedboat & more.

Big Smoke Music Weekly comes back at ya with yet more lashing of Indie & Alternative goodness! This week, Luke & Dave discuss killer topics such as holes in crotches, aching joints & weird messages from delivery drivers. The BigSmoke:InFocus artist in residence is the brilliant TV Priest. We speak with front-man Charlie Drinkwater about the many years that sit behind their debut album 'Uppers' and why their one and only gig was played in a disused industrial freezer.... AND Birmingham group VIOLET drop by for a chat about their mega new tune 'Fade' in the CloseUp 60 seconds.

As the days get longer, we have more sunshiiiiine and the beer gardens to open soon....Big Smoke Music Weekly returns! Luke and Dave are with you once again for the wild ride of Season 4! BigSmoke:InFocus returns, along with the tasty new feature, 'The Big Smoke Big 10', where each InFocus artist is asked a set 10 questions about life behind the scenes, to find out what makes them tick and how they got where they are, and most importantly....to find out their favourite on-tour snack. First up to the plate is Jack Cochrane, the writing powerhouse and quick wit behind The Snuts. He joins us in a week the band release their long-awaiting debut album, W.L. PLUS! We have teamed up with CloseUp - a London-based live promoters, booking agent and label. Each episode of Season 4 will see us bring you a chat with one of the artists on their roster in the 'CloseUp 60 Seconds'. This week, we chat with High Wycombe outfit, Only Sun. Corrr blimey guv'nor, it's good to be back! The Big Smoke Boys x

THE END OF AN ERA! It is on a bittersweet cushion we present to you Episode 12 of Season 3! On one hand, it means we are closer to this dumpster of a year ending, but on the other...we say goodbye to our biggest & best series yet! Luke & Dave are back for more snippets of wisdom and tomfoolery with Dave's Music News & a soon to be award-winning new feature: Favourite Bits of The Series. PLUS! We put a glittery lil ribbon on this festive gift by bringing you a bumper BigSmoke:InFocus with Joey Julliard & Dan Hipkin - the team behind The Close Encounter Club. This year, the club has been serving the thirst of music fans amongst us earthlings by beaming sessions and live stream shows back into our homes on planet Earth. Plug yourselves in for an intergalactic journey through exclusive in-session tracks from Lazarus Kane, Porridge Radio, Willie J Healey & FEET. Feast on this treat and fill your space boots on this huge final episode.  See ya in '21 for more xx

The Big Smoke Music Weekly boys are back with a huge new show! In the 11th episode of Season 3, Luke and Dave have a sit down with lead singer and creative power behind Sundara Karma, Oscar Pollock, in their biggest BigSmoke:InFocus interview to date. Oscar opens up ahead of the release of Sundara Karma's new EP, 'Kill Me', and how a decade in the band has resulted in a natural shift in styles and creative influences.  Find out how personal struggles have enabled him to have a greater sense of strength, and how Oscar was in some way responsible for Luke's  brother bagging a fiancé! All this, plus a round-up of the tracks Luke & Dave have on repeat and a trip down to the news center in Dave's Music News. Plug yourselves in - Lockdown 2.0 is saved!

Hello gang! The summer seems to have gone by in a flash, but we are still hanging on, with this episode's BigSmoke:InFocus featured artist, Cassia. The boys from Macclesfield hopped on a plane just before the chaos of 2020 truly kicked off, heading for the bohemian heights of Berlin. There, the band have carved out an irresistible new sound at their studio and home, Casa de Cassia. We speak with lead singer Rob Ellis all about adapting to life in the land of Bratwurst, as well as how this new sound is one that has left the band feeling as though they are the winners of the weirdest year to date. Luke and Dave bring you all the best tracks that have been the soundtrack to life over the last few weeks, and they discuss the need for all music lovers to get behind the WeMakeEvents campaign. It's good to hit double figures in season 3, baby!

Big Smoke Weekly returns with another bonus edition of BigSmoke:InFocus. Episode 9 of Season 3 delivers two of the hottest artists on the Indie circuit, straight into your pocket. First up is Glasgow 5-piece Walt Disco. We catch up with guitarist David Morgan about the band's latest release, their on-stage extravagance and how they have dealt with being part of the Class of 2020...the year that has been put on ice. We also catch-up with lead singer of the sensational Leeds outfit Marsicans. James Newsbigging tells us all about the excitement in releasing their long-awaited debut album, Ursa Major and how a Tweet from one of the biggest acts in world music has helped light the blue touch paper in a march towards a UK Top 40 billing.

HELLO HELLO! 2020 is the year that is disappearing before our very eyes...so too is our Weekly title! Luke and Dave are getting you back in their good books with this tasty BigSmoke:InFocus feast as they pick 3 artists as part of this 'Ones To Watch' special. They come in the form of the brilliant new solo project from Sam Hong (HONGZA). He opens up to us about the excitement of going it alone and finally getting the freedom to explore and create a sound true to himself.  Tom McConnell of Novelty Island stops by as we chat about the alternative world he has created - the perfect escape from the weird limbo of this post-lockdown world. Finally....Tom Cherrill of Brighton Punk outfit GURU drops by to tell us how £5 bargain Burberry jumpers were part of the story behind the band's formation. More than enough to make it up to you! All this, plus another edition of Dave's Music News. Enjoy!

Tune in for episode 7 of Season 3 for yet another huge BigSmoke:InFocus interview. This week, we bring you our chat with Kris Smith, singer and guitarist of The Magic Gang.  He tells us all about the themes of nights out and the time in between on their upcoming second album Death of The Party, set to land in August! On top of this, he explains the freedoms that the band’s label -YALA Records – allow them, how The Magic Gang name came into being and the how their cover of the Arthur theme tune has hit the spot with many fans during lockdown. Biggest of all, we bring you the long-awaited return of ‘Dave’s Music News’! And, of course, lashings of the best new Indie tunes out there right now. Time for a lockdown boogie!

 Happy lockdown, kids! Big Smoke (not so) Weekly returns from the abyss! With no studio access, the Big Smoke boys bring you this episode, recorded from their humble abodes. Whilst Luke and Dave are miles apart, they have more company than ever in the form of two top drawer BigSmoke:InFocus guests. First up - the brilliant Chris Bailey - lead singer of Nottingham outfit ,Do Nothing. He joins the boys for a chat to discuss releasing their new EP, 'Zero Dollar Bill' in lockdown, how having awkward hands led to his unique performance style and how the infectious nonchalance in his talking of lyrics came into being. Chris tells us how the band are  keen to get back to playing gigs and festivals. They are one of the bands on the indie-lovers dream line-up for this year's Hit The North festival. Steve Davis, director of Hit The North, also takes a seat in our Zoom meeting room to tell us all about how festivals are handling the impact of corona virus.  With the original May date now switching to October

Big Smoke Music (not-so) Weekly is back with a tasty snack for you to sink your teeth into! With the world the way it is at the moment, the boys have been unable to get the audio back from the studio in order to bring you this episode... HAVE NO FEAR - THE WAIT IS OVER! And...we believe the wait is worth it, as Luke and Dave bring you a chat with Matt Mason - lead guitarist of DMA's. One of the most successful Australian musical exports in recent years, Matt explains the DMA's stylistic changes and shift in sound on the band's upcoming third studio album 'The Glow' as he sat down with the boys in Soho. He tells us why this is thei band's most daring and best work to date. With distinct British influences seeping through their music, Matt also explains the love affair between DMA's and British crowds, after their biggest ever show at Brixton Academy and a mega show lined up for Alexandra Palace this October. Fill one hour of your lockdown day with some top new tunes, horrendous banter and an attempt from

In the biggest Big Smoke Music Weekly episode to date, we bring you 2 interviews from some of the UK’s best Indie acts, recorded across a jam-packed weekend at BBC 6 Music Festival! First on the bill is our exclusive sit down with Sports Team.  3 of the 6-strong gang join us - Rob Knaggs, Al Greenwood and Alex Rice - to chat ahead of their eagerly anticipated debut album, ‘Deep Down Happy’.  The band tell-all on their lighthearted take on life and how that bleeds into their quick witted writing and onstage flair. We ask them about mixing things up with fans through mad last-minute guerrilla gigs, and how their tunes come from a place of fun-loving madness. The Orielles speak with us a couple of weeks after the release of their second album, ‘Disco Volador’.  An album dripping in disco, funk and cosmic pop tastiness, Sidonie and and Esme from the band run us through the influences behind the release and the stress that comes in putting a second album together.  We find out about the mad anticipation a band

The third episode of Season 3 is headed up by a BigSmoke:InFocus interview with a band that have been tearing up the Big Smoke city over the past few years on the way to their debut album, False Heads. Front-man of the energetic punk outfit, Luke Griffiths, takes us through the roller-coaster time the band have gone through in the lead up to the album and how the different fortunes have led them to become the band they are today. He also opens up on the ugly side of the music industry, and fires shots at those who have an easy ride, as he has steered False Heads towards the release of their debut album, ‘It’s All There But You’re Dreaming’, which lands this Friday (March 13th). Luke Scanlan is back once again with Dave Bohin. Find out why Luke is smashing his way through Mars bars, and how a fake plant has broken a woman's heart in Dave's Music News. OH YES!

Fresh off the back of their sold out show at The Dome in London, The Mysterines are this week’s BigSmoke:InFocus artist. Luke chats with Lia Metcalfe, the powerhouse lead singer leading the band's charge towards 2020 domination. She speaks about her outlandish onstage outfits, the confidence in her performances, as well as a comment on the lack of female artists at some of this summer’s biggest festivals. All this, plus an insight into Lia’s “infatuation” with crisps... Gig reviews of Cage The Elephant, Fontaines D.C. and Squid round things off before a dose of Dave’s Music News! Pull up a pew and have a sit down with the Big Smoke boys!

YES YES YES! Big Smoke Music Weekly is BACK! Your host, Luke Scanlan, returns alongside Dave Bohin to bring you 12 weeks of Indie and Alternative dreaminess. Join the boys as they bring you their picks of the best new tunes and biggest upcoming names making a mark on the scene from interviews with some of the hottest artists out there, to gig reviews of some of London's top gigs...you don't want to be anywhere else! Season 3 kicks of with a 'BigSmoke:InFocus' interview with rising Ipswich star Bessie Turner.  With a string of beautifully composed alt-pop singles behind her and an enticing honesty in her writing, Turner is an artist set for a big 2020. She takes time out of her tour with Genghar to chat about some surprising influences, as well as how a pickled egg-eating competition somehow had a role to play in the story behind her new single, 'Donkey'! PLUS! A new feature puts Dave to the test in 'Dave's Music News', along with a gig review of Bombay Bicycle Club as part of the War Child / Brits Week

  Here it is….gift wrapped and made with love: the season 2 finale of Big Smoke Music Weekly! The boys are going out with a bang! With Luke being struck down by man flu – Dave was left to his own devices, to seek out the best gigs in London’s top venues. He reports back with his gigs of the week. Episode 12 also brings you a brilliant BigSmoke:InFocus chat with “friend of the show” and lead singer of Sad Boys Club, Jacob Wheldon.  The charismatic frontman tells all on the openness of the band’s new tracks and change in sound on their new EP, ‘Four Shades of The Transitional Phase’ and how things will shape-up for 2020.  Jacob also tells us how the band encourage talking about struggles in mental health, particularly from young men, and how cathartic it can be. They are one of our picks of next year…huge things to come! All of this, plus a look at Luke and Dave’s Christmas routine, a chat about why the festive period is so mad and a heated debate on how to go about eating their favourite chocolate

In at 10! Big Smoke Music Weekly is back with ya for another round-up of all of the sumptuous delights from the world of Indie. A gig review of Do Nothing and Girls In Synthesis at Old Blue Last is dominated by toiletries on hand that night, Dave invents a terrible new game, ‘Word Tennis’ and  PLUS! A mega BigSmoke:InFocus chat with Jess Allanic, the powerhouse lead singer of Calva Louise. She speaks with Luke and Dave about her love of the UK and the British music scene, having moved over from Venezuela. Jess tells the guys of the newfound freedom the band felt in writing their new EP ‘Interlude For The Borderline Unsettled’(released 22nd November 2019), and a look ahead to their UK tour! Lock yourselves on to this one….it’s a ride worth taking!

Big Smoke Music Weekly is back to save your winter blues once again! Episode 9 of season 2 brings you a gig review of last week's InFocus artist, Flyte, and their magical set at Village Underground. This week, we welcome a BigSmoke:InFocus guest into the studio, Sam Tucker.  The founder of CloseUp - the UK's hottest live promoters, booking agent and label - Sam gives us unique industry insight.  From his Mum providing the sandwiches for his first show 5 years back, to having a stronghold across the south coast and in London town, tune in to hear about the setbacks, the successes and the future plans. PLUS! Loads more tunes to brighten your day! Enjoy, kids!

THE BOYS ARE BACK IN...THE STUDIO! After a mid-season breather, Big Smoke Music Weekly is back once again with a feast of Indie goodies. Luke and Dave talk you through why Heavy Lungs (Series 2 Episode 3 BigSmoke:InFocus artist) have made them want to invest in earplugs after their headline show at Camden Assembly and they welcome a very special BigSmoke:InFocus artist to the show. Will Taylor, front-man of Flyte, joins the show to discuss both the struggles and the wonders of a recent 20+ tour with Jade Bird out in the US and how the band have changed their sound over the years. This, plus the boys choose band names for one another after Dave claims that we are running out of band names. WE'RE BACK, BABY!