Big Smoke Music Weekly

The last episode before the mid-season break! The Big Smoke gang are back once again with another Indie remedy to cure those wintery blues and sniffly noses! The BigSmoke:InFocus chat in episode 7 of season 2 is with an artist that has so far shown a glimpse of his daring outlook on his music and how he refuses to be defined by one sound, the fantastically talented Ash Bates. This, plus a review of The Snuts' magnificent show down at a sold-out SCALA.  Tune in and let us guide you through the weekend!

The boys have recovered, a week on from their big away day in Manchester town. Join them as they take you through the tales of the day up at Neighbourhood Festival, the best multi-venue one dayer in all the land! Luke and Dave give you their pick of the best acts on the day, along with chats with the brilliant Porridge Radio, Egyptian Blue and BlackWaters. You don't want to miss this!

Episode 5 Season 2 is flying by! Here in Episode 05, Luke and Dave chat to Toby Mitchell, front man of the guitar-heavy delight that is The Velvet Hands, as our BigSmoke:InFocus interview. Toby tells all about supporting some of the country’s biggest acts over a jam-packed summer, what it is that draws the band to a distinctly British sound and why Cornwall is becoming a hotbed of musical talent. Chuck in a couple of gig reviews and some huge new tunes, you have yourself a polished sub-hour gem! Check it out now!

HELLO HELLO HELLO! Well.....if you didn't get a Glasto ticket (like every sorry soul we know!) the Big Smoke boys are here to give you a smile this Sunday! Another round-up of the best new bands making waves on the Indie scene, and a very special BigSmoke:InFocus guest in-residence...Shannon Cotton are served up in this latest episode. The Editor-In-Chief at top music site Gig Wise, Shannon tells all on what it takes to keep across all the hottest acts and news in music, how she got where she is and the trends that she thinks will be coming our way in the near future. Have a sit down with the Big Smoke gang and forget Glasto!

That’s Episode 3 in the can! The Big Smoke boys are back once again for your weekly round-up of all the best new music in the Indie-sphere! Luke and Dave bring you a bumper “double-bubble” edition of BigSmoke:InFocus interviews. First up to the plate is sassy Liverpool sensation, Zuzu who tells all on her pop inspiration and her honest approach. Watch out for Luke’s slip-up at the end of the interview.... Next is Bristol’s post-punkers Heavy Lungs. Luke has a mad chat with frontman Danny Nedelko ahead of their new EP release and on their new t-shirts designed with the help of their ol’ pals, IDLES. Never fear - Big Smoke Music Weekly is here.... sit back, enjoy the ride!

Luke and Dave are back with the second offering from Big Smoke Music Weekly Season 02! A gig review of Ed The Dog, Dave selling himself to potential landlords and a round-up of the tunes making the boys tick are all tied up in a tasty package. The ribbon holding it all together is this week’s BigSmoke:InFocus interview with Will Murray from Brighton retro-pop boppers FUR. He takes time out to chat to the boys right before a show on their UK tour to chat influences and how March Attax stickers are keeping spirits up during life on the road!

WE ARE BACK! After a summer of waking up in a sweaty tent at festivals across the country, Luke and Dave return ready to rumble on a new series of Big Smoke Music Weekly. Season 2 will see the boys deliver even more interviews from top upcoming artists, industry insiders and more gig reviews than you can shake a tent pole at! Episode 01 of the new season welcomes Kyle Ross, front man of the synth-heavy deliciousness of Fuzzy Sun. Kyle chats with the boys about how he achieves such luscious locks, the choreography for the video of their new single 'I Ain't Right, plus a look at their live shows across the coming months. Strap yourselves in, series 2 is here....

Episode 15 lands on the week Luke hits the quarter-century mark! Luckily, there is plenty of new music for him to cure the blues with... Join Big Smoke Music Weekly on another journey through the Indie-sphere as whenyoung frontwoman Aoife Power joins the show off the back of the release of the Irish band's brilliant debut album, 'Reasons To Dream'.  Aoife talks how moving to the Big Smoke with the band has helped them grow as people, whilst having an effect on their sound. She also tells us of the interesting dynamic behind writing songs and fans applying their own meaning to them, far from what she intended. What's more, Lauran Hibberd speaks to the boys ahead of Luke's trip to Isle of Wight Festival. The Island rocker gives an invaluable insight into how to survive the festival, as well as where to head for the best island night life and which local celebs to look out for. Tune in NOW!

In our biggest and best show yet, your hosts Luke Scanlan and Dave Bohin welcome lead singer of The Amazons, Matt Thomson, as the BigSmoke:InFocus artist to Big Smoke Music Weekly  this week. In a brilliantly honest discussion, Matt talks to Luke in an extended two-part interview around the release of the band’s second album, ‘Future Dust’. The charismatic rock and roller opens up on The Amazons refusing to bow down to industry trends as they look to make an immovable mark on the musical map the identity the band look to carve out as they invite fans on their journey of escapism. This comes with two tracks from the album, including Matt’s personal favourite. Luke and Dave give their thoughts on the album along with an in-depth look at the mammoth potential of The Amazons. Matt also reveals how he would shape up in the ring against Liam Gallagher, following last week’s story where Pete Doherty laid down the gauntlet for a bout with the former Oasis frontman.

Episode 13 of Big Smoke Music Weekly has landed! Hosts Luke Scanlan and Dave Bohin bring you their picks of the best new Indie tunes, as well as a review of Lauran Hibberd’s headline show at The Lexington. The BigSmoke:InFocus artist under the spotlight this week is North East outfit Llovers. The boys chat with vocalist and guitarist David Macnab about the rise of bands in the North East area, the influence of love and relationships…plus he and Dave have a David-off to see who the best David is! This comes with a chat about the annoyance of receiving marketing calls from withheld numbers…the boys give Luke’s old man a ring. He is not best pleased….! Don’t miss out!

Episode 12 of Big Smoke Music Weekly is here! Yet another drizzling of the best new Indie & Alternative tunes that are tickling the eardrums of your hosts, Luke Scanlan and Dave Bohin. Honey Moon return for the first time since Episode 01 as this week’s BigSmoke:InFocus artist. Lead singer Jack Slater Chandler talks of upcoming shows alongside Trudy & The Romance, his vocal influences and….woolly hats and woolly….underpants…. All this, plus an exclusive interview with Darren Brady, founder of the most exciting boutique festival. He tells us what sets DeebsDay apart from every other festival out there, how it has grown from humble beginnings and the unique all-loving atmosphere it promotes. Don’t miss this one!

Big Smoke Music Weekly is back once again to cure  those weekday blues! This week, Luke Scanlan and David Bohin give you their latest entries for Certified Banger. The BigSmoke:InFocus artist is the charming Manchester starlet, Abbie Ozard. She chats to the boys about  carving her own path in the music industry, the influences for northern artists and what it takes to get noticed in an increasingly saturated market. All this, plus a review of Sam Fender's brilliant a set at O2 Shepherds Bush Empire.

Big Smoke Music Weekly hits double figures! Host Luke Scanlan returns once again with Dave Bohin, to deliver a round-up of the best new artists in Indie & Alternative. Adam French is this week's BigSmoke:InFocus artist, fresh from his tour of UK & Europe. The boys also choose Vampire Weekend's 2008 debut as Featured Album. Another full-bodied show, packed full of insight, nonsense and stupidity. 

Luke and Dave return once more with an episode off the back of their Easter weekend. Keep the feel-good factor going here on Big Smoke Music Weekly as Certified Banger returns. This week, the BigSmoke:InFocus artist is Bright Orange Spectacle, the hottest new band coming out of Brighton. Lead singer Charlie Sinclair discusses the battle between writing music and the expectations of what it is to be in a band. All this, plus loads more great new music!

After a couple of weeks in the London wilderness, Big Smoke Music Weekly is back with Episode 08! Coming from a new studio, Luke Scanlan is joined once more by Dave Bohin for another premier pick of the tastiest nuggets making an impression in the indie world.  A new feature is on board this week, BigSmoke:FeaturedAlbum, where the boys take an in-depth look at a classic album. To kick things off, Luke and Dave discuss their mutual love and eternal fascination with The Stone Roses eponymous debut, which turns 30 this year. All this plus gig reviews for Sundara Karma and Clean Cut Kid and even more new music….Big Smoke is back with a roar!

Olly returns! The usual Big Smoke team is back once more with more lashings of the tastiest new tunes on the Indie scene. Welsh rockers Pretty Vicious are this week’s InFocus artist. Bassist Jarvis Morgan takes time out to chat about the band’s hotly anticipated debut album, his go-to karaoke song of choice and the band’s mega tour of the US next month. More Certified Bangers add the icing to another glorious Big Smoke cake….tuck in!

Episode 06 is where Olly abandons Luke for the lure of the slopes, rich cheeses and fur-lined underwear of the alps. Big Smoke Music Weekly welcomes Dave Bohin as co-host, as he joins the show for discussions on the difference in music scenes between London and his native Bristol.  The boys review a recent Pretty Vicious gig [Camden Assembly - March 12th] and make their way through a collection of hot new tunes. The question is...will Olly be allowed back?

The extended interview from Episode 05's BigSmoke:InFocus feature. Listen now for Luke's discussion with the brilliantly charismatic Laura Hayden of Anteros.

Episode 05 arrives with an InFocus feature on-board the intergalactic vessel of Anteros. Front-woman and supporter of change, Laura Hayden, joins the show. She dissects the role of women in music, Anteros’ debut album and inspiring others, all before the band play at SXSW out in Austin, Texas. An extended interview with Hayden is also available, with extra insight into the world of performance and the expectations of being part of a band on the road. The boys pick their Certified Bangers, whilst Luke prepares himself for a show without Olly....

Big Smoke Music weekly returns in Episode 04 with a tracklist full of the best new tunes in Indie, with your hosts Luke Scanlan & Olly Bowes.  From the fizzing Indie Pop of Daze, to the typically irresistible new release from Leeds boys Marsicans…look no further for your fix of the cream of the new music crop. Two more Certified Bangers follow a BigSmoke:InFocus chat with drummer of  London retro-pop band Weird Milk, Charlie Vaughan. He chats with Luke about the importance of live shows and feeling the pressure of wanting to release new music. Luke also gives a review of Palace’s gig at Village Underground [26th February].