Curveballs On Phoenix Fm

This week we acknowledged World Radio Day, International Women's Day, and 22 years since Space released 'Tin Planet'. I remember buying it the day it came out, and it being the only thing that kept me going through a day of really bad toothache which made my face swell up. That may have been too much information, but in these coronavirus-ridden times, never underestimate the power of music! We also proved there's still some gigs to go out and see too... Space featuring Cerys Matthews - The Ballad of Tom Jones Sonic Boom Six - No Man, No Right Sleater-Kinney - Hurry On Home The Invaders - Superficial Magpie Sally - Blues in the Attic Lyrical Strangers - Brand New Day The Kubricks - Criminals Lionel Ritchie - Hello Razorrhead - Dance of the Dead Lakey Inspired - The Process Magic Seas - Again & the Fall DateMonthYear - July The White Gospel - The Birthplace of Radio Dirty Heelz - Delay Georgia - About Work the Dancefloor Parrilla - Take Me Away Concrete Natives - Here When I'm Awake Shooty & the Bang Ba

Tonight I chatted to good buddy of the show Millie from Laika Spacedog, who is holding a performance of a play she wrote, entitled The Lighthouse, this coming Monday (9th March) at 8pm at the Queens Theatre in Hornchurch as part of their regular 'Scratch Night' for upcoming talent. We heard all about the unusual back story that inspired the play as well as meeting some of the actors you'll see performing. You can find out more about 'The Lighthouse' and order tickets on the Queens Theatre website, while you can hear more of Millie's tracks (we played two tonight) on her SoundCloud page. Catatonia - Mulder & Scully Super Furry Animals - Ysbediau Heulog Sleater-Kinney - The Professional Let's Be Strange - Shame Anorak Patch - Beans Field Music - A Shot to the Arm The Silver Bayonets - World Slow Down Laika Spacedog - Vicky the EU Worker Laika Spacedog - Sandcastles in the Air Manbreak - Hold It Now Disclosure (featuring Lion Babe) - Hourglass Marika Hackman - Boyfriend The Velvet Tree - My Love Whoremoan -

Slaves - Cheer Up London Night Driving in Small Towns - February Milloy - February Let's Be Strange - Shame Parrilla - Surrounded Lyrical Strangers - A Brand New Day Steve Hewitt - Light Gone Out Eric Clapton - Layla (Unplugged Version) DateMonthYear - July Chloe Diana - Bittersweet Myopia - Get On Ist Ist - You're Mine Political Hesitation - Detox Laika Spacedog - Vicky the EU Worker Sleater-Kinney - All Hands on the Bad One The Royals - Lavender Fielding's Dream Correction - Sleeping in a Sunbeam Colina Pearl - Hellbound Thomas James - February Rolled Up Sleeves - Sneaking Suspicion The Silver Bayonets - Real Like You Owen Williams - The Man Who Ate a Hurricane Ren Stedman - Festival Friends Shooting Gale - Launchpad McQuack Mazzy Star - Into Dust Last Known State - X Years Time

First up tonight I was joined in the studio by local singer-songwriter Rachel Arnold, just ahead of her appearance at the Essex Undiscovered solo artist heat at Chelmsford's Hot Box venue. In less than 2 years since releasing her first song, Rachel has already amassed quite a catalogue of tracks and, as we found out, some of them were played on a piano once used by Coldplay's Chris Martin! Click above to listen back to that story and many more! Find Rachel on Facebook and SoundCloud. Next up it was the return of Parrilla. Chris & Dani also joined us just ahead of an Essex Undiscovered appearance, theirs being at Chinnery's in Southend. They've also just released their new EP, Dancefloor Messiah, from which we heard 3 tracks tonight, alongside a track from Chris' solo project Razorrhead, which featured a guest vocal from Dani. Parrilla can next be seen at Colchester's The Bull on April 3rd as part of Metal 2 the Masses - in the meantime you can find them on Facebook and Bandcamp, where the EP is on sale no

Tonight I was joined in the studio for a second time by singer Mark Anthony, who since his last appearance, has teamed up with multi-instrumentalist Phil Chamberlain to form Lyrical Strangers. Mixing rap, electronica & lots more, the duo release their debut album A Brand New Day on March 30th, & tonight we heard 4 tracks from it alongside how quickly it all came together & why Mark has a slight grudge (albeit a good-natured one!) against one of the guest collaborators on the album... Find out everything you need to know about Lyrical Strangers online at www.lyricalstrangers.com! Phoenix - Run Run Run Bubblies - Oscar The Primitives - Turn Off the Moon DateMonthYear - July Stealing Sheep - Love Sonic Boom Six - Love Sound of the Suburb - When Will it End? Lyrical Strangers - A Brand New Day LYRICAL STRANGERS IN THE STUDIO Lyrical Strangers - Do You Know Who You Are? Coldplay - Magic Lyrical Strangers - The Journey Digable Planets - Cool Like That Lyrical Strangers - Typical Gorillaz featurin

Tonight I was joined in the studio for a second time by Sound of the Suburb (l-r Mike, Chris, David, Steve, Paul), to chat about their new EP, Eclectic City Part 1. We heard the unusual story about the recording of the EP (namely the different rooms it was recorded in!) & some brief speculation about part 2, alongside a live session of three of its five tracks. Sound of the Suburb have various live dates coming up, including the Dublin Castle on March 17th alongside Lace & Whiskey - check the full list, & how to get your hands on the EP, at www.soundofthesuburb.biz. See them playing live in the studio on the Phoenix FM website! Heart - There's the Girl Republic of Loose - The Translation Emiliana Torrini - Easy Grrrl Gang - Dream Grrrl Myopia - Get On Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly - Call Me Ishmael Beulah - Sunday Under Glass Sound of the Suburb - The Real You SOUND OF THE SUBURB IN THE STUDIO Sound of the Suburb - A Storm Coming (live in session) ELO - Mr Blue Sky Sound of the Suburb - Thi

Tonight we went on a continental European road trip for Curveballs Turbo, because we can... right now at least... Phoenix - If I Ever Feel Better Slipknot - Wait & Bleed Death Cab for Cutie - Long Division Field Music - Best Kept Garden Fielding's Dream Correction - No Signal Wrip - I Don't Want To Laika Spacedog - Vicky the EU Worker CURVEBALLS TURBO - CONTINENTAL ROAD TRIP Soulwax - Compute Soilwork featuring Alissa White-Gluz - Stalfagel The Notwist - Pilot Ace Out - Si Je Tombe du Haut Ladytron - Kletva Korplikaani featuring Zetro - Beer Kill Kill De Staat - Sweat Shop Johny Machette - Spasitele Electric Ladyland - Hurts Sondre Lerche - Bad Law Ska-P - Wild Spain The Parkinsons - No Choice Bortsch Orchestra - Bortsch Eine Goulasch Ludovico Einaudi - Le Onde Ummagma - Caravan Sound of the Suburb - No Tomorrow Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly - Glasshouses Concrete Natives - Let's Make Up Kaiser Chiefs - Modern Way

Happy 22nd January, the day randomly namechecked in a Disclosure song which of course we had to play today. There was plenty more randomness on the show in the form of this decade's first Curveballs Turbo, and we paid tribute to Monty Python's Terry Jones, whose passing was announced on this day, with a track from the film 'Life of Brian' which features one of his most famous lines. Yup, you know the one! Click the link to hear all this and more! AFI - Girl's Not Grey Disclosure featuring Jamie Woon - January Blood Red Shoes - Anxiety Field Music - Coffee or Wine The Vision - Pocket Change Edd Coates - Wonderland Zebrahead - Keep it to Myself Nora Anna - Apple from the Tree CURVEBALLS TURBO Takai - Leave Me Alone Jesca Hoop featuring Lucius - Free of the Feeling Soilwork featuring Alissa White-Gluz - Stålfågel Fascinating Aida - One True Religion Korpiklaani - Amon Alla Save Alex - The Skeptic Jahi Shenu - Coming Home Bonus Points - Stratford Mr B the Gentleman Rhymer - Not Being Invited Noruniro - Hey

Tonight I was joined in the studio by Edd Coates for a chat and our first live session of the new year and the new decade! Edd is releasing his second album, The Crooked Fold, later this year, and with its themes of mental health and challenging yourself, it's set to be an inspired listen. We got a taster of what to expect from the album with tonight's live session, alongside Edd's inspiring story of how his previous mental health issues have led him on the path of becoming a motivational speaker. Edd's website is www.eddcoates.com - click above to listen back to the full chat, and see him playing live in the studio at phoenixfm.com now! Zero 7 (featuring Tina Dico) - Home Beulah - Score from Augusta Blood Red Shoes - Mexican Dress Save Alex - Trigger Network Fielding's Dream Correction - Sleeping in a Sunbeam Zebrahead - Worse Than This The Foreign Exchange - Listen to the Rain Edd Coates - Icebergs EDD COATES IN THE STUDIO Edd Coates - Look at Us Now (live in session) The Divine Comedy - Charmed Life

This week I welcomed my first guests of the year and indeed the decade, in the form of Noruniro (above right) with collaborators Logan and Robbie. Niro is gearing up for his second release, aptly titled Book Two, on February 6th (his birthday!), & as we found out, there's plenty more to come - stay tuned to his Soundcloud and Instagram pages for more! Click above to listen back to the interview, including tales of the songs they jam to when they get together and Niro's simple yet effective recording techniques. Brad - 20th Century Sonic Boom Six - Monkey See, Monkey Do The Interrupters - Gave You Everything Field Music - Beyond That of Courtesy The Kubricks - Humans Laika Spacedog - First Dog in Space Two Year Break - Change My Mind High/Low - Road (I'm Not Superman) Blood Red Shoes - Bangsar NORUNIRO, LOGAN & ROBBIE IN THE STUDIO Kendrick Lemar - Duckworth Noruniro - Hey Monster Tyler the Creator - New Magic Wand Tyler Danny Chance - Dark Movements Noruniro - Raindance Souls of Mischief - 93 Ti

The first show of 2020 on the first day of the new decade! We looked back at some of the highlights of 2019 with some of the local acts we'll be hearing more of this year - as we proved, there's going to be plenty to chat about and go see on the Essex scene! Idles - Mercedes Marxist Steve Mahoney & the Milkshakes - Christmas on Credit Card Scully Ward - Me & the Moon Lakey Inspired - The Process Rock 'n' Roll Andy - Watching Over You (Phoenix FM Session) The Lightscopes - Troubled Man (Phoenix FM Session) Lady Grey & the Earls - One Last Fight in the Tiger (Phoenix FM Session) Laika Spacedog - Vicky the EU Worker Last Known State - X Years' Time The Vision - Right Now Edd Coates - I Don't Want to Lose Myself Parrilla - Dancefloor Messiah Political Hesitation - Political Hesitation Micky Niner - Dance Little Liar Shooting Gale - Launchpad McQuack Mark Anthony - This City Chloe Diana - Bittersweet Arfur Doo & the Toerags - Katy Shaw (Phoenix FM Session) Penanceville - Ruby (P

Merry Christmas everyone and thanks for supporting Curveballs in 2019! For our festive special we've put together a collection of Christmas tracks you don't hear enough on the radio, a special mix of Christmas tunes by Essex artists, and a track by the DIS4U (Disability Inclusion Society) getting its first ever radio play. Many thanks to Justin and Alli from Lady Grey & The Earls for sending us the track. Hope you all enjoy your Christmas and see you on New Year's Day for the first show of a new year and a new decade! Monty Python - Christmas in Heaven Vice Squad - Santa Claws is Coming to Town Sonic Boom Six - It's Always Christmas When I Think of You Carmen Toth - This Christmas I'm Giving You Love Marika Hackman - Driving Under Stars The Vandals - Oi to the World Mr. B the Gentleman Rhymer - Oh, Santa! 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' Cast - California Christmastime The Dollyrots - Last Christmas Hold Your Horse Is - Wonderful Christmas Time Los Campesinos! - Kindle a Flame in Her Heart Kazoo Funk Orchestra - Cr

Tonight I was joined in the studio, as is traditional at Christmas, by our good buddies Lady Grey & The Earls. Fresh from their recent 3-set gig (yes, 3!) at Bentwood's Essex Arms the weekend before, the foursome showcased new material we can expect from their next album, as well as a new recording of their Christmas track Mistletoe Kisses which was played in the studio a year ago! Find LG&TE and their tunes on Facebook, Bandcamp and SoundCloud. Click above to listen back to the interview - various references to tea, chickens, pyjamas, toast, unwanted nicknames and plenty more are featured within! The Blood Arm - Do I Have Your Attention? Decaydes - Champagne The Foreign Exchange - Listen to the Rain Jahi Shenu - Coming Home Death of Guitar Pop - Feeling Like a Right James Blunt at Christmas Sonic Boom Six - It's Always Christmas When I Think of You Lady Grey & The Earls - Why So Serious? LADY GREY & THE EARLS IN THE STUDIO Lady Grey & The Earls - Tired Bones Lady Grey & The Earls -

First up tonight I was joined by Richie and Matt from new Essex metal outfit Against the Grain.  2020 kicks off for them on January 10th when they'll be playing a special charity gig at Chinnery's in Southend, in memory of Richie's nephew Charlie who sadly passed away earlier this year. They'll be joined on the night by Walk in Coma and headliners Heart of a Coward. Listen back to them chatting about what to expect from an Against the Grain gig, the recording of their debut release, and Richie's superb taste in hats. Find them on Facebook and Instagram for more! Next up was the return of Steven, Lee and Stanley from The Vision. Since they last joined us back in 2017, the pop-edge trio have been working on their second album, from which we heard a sample in the form of their hot-off-the-press new single Right Now, out early next year. We also got to hear stories of their matching hats, getting ID'd everywhere, random musical influences, plus we got to hear live versions of their current single Pocket Cha

Tonight, for the first show of December, we got our good buddy Rock 'n' Roll Andy Hodgson to get us into the Christmas spirit with a few festive tunes (including, of course, his band Lace & Whiskey's Christmas Time is Here, played for the first time here on Curveballs many years ago!). Andy runs a series of open mic nights in his hometown of Peterborough (recommended if you're up for a road trip!) & also regularly comes to visit down south for gigs with Open Door Records and with his Guns 'n' Roses tribute act, It's So Easy. Keep updated on Andy's many live dates & open mic events at www.rockandrollenterprises.co.uk. Freeez - Southern Freeez The Futureheads - Good Night Out A - For Starters Silent Natives - Rewire Edd Coates - Wonderland Lakey Inspired - Chill Day ROCK 'N' ROLL ANDY IN THE STUDIO Billy Gibbons / Dave Grohl / Lemmy - Run Rudolph Run Rock 'n' Roll Andy - A Winter's Tale (live in session) Andy Hughes - Memory Lane Rock 'n' Roll Andy - Watching Over You (live in session) Alice Coope

First up tonight I was joined in the studio by Yulia, Adam and Owen, three of the stars from new Amazon Prime drama series Days of the Apocalypse. We got to hear about some of the unusual sights that inspired the post-apocalyptic-themed drama, some amusing stories from their filming days in Hertfordshire, and what advice they'd offer to other aspiring local film-makers. The first three episodes will appear on Prime throughout December, with the remaining three coming next year. Visit their pages on Instagram and Facebook for more! Next up it was the return of our good buddy Edd Coates. We got the chance to hear three exclusive new tracks from his new album The Crooked Fold, out next year, and how busy he's been since last joining us a year ago - including gigs in Brentwood and Stratford, his game design work and his new foray into the world of motivational public speaking. Edd will be joining us again in the new year for a live session - check out his website www.eddcoates.com in the meantime for more news!

Tonight I was joined in the studio by Last Known State frontman Adam to introduce the band's new single, X Years' Time, out now on all major download sites. After a busy year of gigs, the Essex quintet have one more gig before the year's out, at The Cove in Tottenham on December 6th, before heading back in the studio to record new material. Definitely worth staying tuned for - and you can do just that on their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Incubus - Wish You Were Here Rad Pitt - What is the Point of Piers Morgan? Zebrahead - Worse Than This Silent Natives - Sunlight Kaprica - Play with Fire The Kubricks - Human ADAM FROM LAST KNOWN STATE IN THE STUDIO Alter Bridge - Godspeed Last Known State - The Edge Last Known State - X Years' Time Two Year Break - Change My Mind Death of Guitar Pop - 69 Candy Street Last Known State - Enemy in Arms Crobot - Fly on the Wall Last Known State - Blinded A - Getting Around Edd Coates - Transit Penanceville - Old Sins Political Hesitation - Detox Serratone - Dreams Agnost

So tonight was our good buddy Koray’s birthday, and he decided to spend it with us - party time! First up were We Punch Tigers, one of the other bands on the bill for Koray’s birthday gig at Edge in Basildon the following night. The Pitsea/Laindon trio have three releases available on their Bandcamp page, and have a busy few weeks ahead with Southend’s The Venue on November 23rd (supporting Vice Squad) before heading back to Edge on December 19th. More news can be found on their Facebook page! Next up it was the birthday boy himself. Since Koray last joined us on Boxing Day last year, he’s popped up a few times on the gig scene, but we could well expect a lot more soon, as long as he makes it out of his birthday gig intact – as we found out, there was already one possibility courtesy of We Punch Tigers that left our Koray a little nervous... Assuming he survived, find him on Facebook! The Bluetones – Bluetonic De Staat – Sweat Shop The Trusted – Boy Benny Andersson – Thank You for the Music WE PUNCH TIGERS

Tonight I was joined in the studio for a second time by three-quarters of Political Hesitation (l-r Alex, Conor,  George). Since their first appearance on the show back in May, they’ve  recorded a new EP, from which we heard a selection of tracks tonight,  and started gearing up for plenty more gigs. Their next gig is at  Chinnery’s in Southend on November 21st, where they’ll be supported by Defy, The Penny Antics and The Red Steves. Head over to their Facebook, Instagram and Bandcamp pages for more news and to hear the EP! Click abve to listen back to the interview, including their varied influences and  the recording of the EP (and the story behind the random screams  featured on one track!). The Living End – What's on Your Radio? Sunna – I'm Not Trading Super Furry Animals – Do or Die Tommy Vegas – Loves Your Body New Town Kings – Pack Up Bye Bye Zero 7 – Home Political Hesitation - Political Hesitation POLITICAL HESITATION IN THE STUDIO Political Hesitation – Detox Iron Mai

Tonight I was joined in the studio once again by Tommy Vegas, showcasing his debut EP, recorded inbetween his busy gigging schedule! We chatted about the recording of the EP, where his unusual stage name came from, and some random gig stories thrown in for good measure. The EP will be out soon, and in the meantime Tommy can be found on YouTube and Instagram, as well as spotted at his weekly residency gig at Sheesh reataurant in Chigwell! Smashing Pumpkins - 1979 Sonic Boom Six - Strnge Transformations Baddies - Open One Eye Parrilla - Dancefloor Messiah Chloe Diana - It's Time Dave Stannard - Damned at the Disco (Phoenix FM Session) Operator Please - Ghost TOMMY VEGAS IN THE STUDIO Arctic Monkeys - Four Out of Five Tommy Vegas - The Chills John Mayer - Gravity Tommy Vegas - Stay Calm Paolo Nutini - Iron Sky Tommy Vegas - Loves Your Body Jeff Buckley - Vancouver Nora Anna - Over the Moon Political Hesitation - Detox Shooty & the Bang Bang - Just Friends Gen Irving - Philosophical Dodgy - So Let Me Go Far