Feeling Versonic
By Stephen Connor
Feeling VersonicJan 18, 2021
Versonic Live!
Versonic is a 5-piece indie rock cover band from Epsom, UK. We play a pulsating mix of crowd-pleasing, audience engaging indie rock covers in pubs, clubs and private hire events.
The audio featured in this podcast is taken from an iPhone positioned in the main auditorium of The Cryer Arts Theatre in Carshalton, UK during a live performance by Versonic at a private hire party event on Saturday 19th February 2022.
Playlist includes live covers of songs originally performed by The Kooks, The Coral, Wheatus, Jimmy Eat World, Jet, Blink-182, Green Day, Kings of Leon, The Zutons, The View, 4 Non-Blondes and The Killers.
Headphones recommended.
https://www.instagram.com/versonicmusic
https://www.facebook.com/VersonicBand
Have Yourselves a Rocking Christmas
Versonic is a 5-Piece Indie Rock Guitar Covers Band from Epsom UK. We play a pulsating heady mix of anthemic, crowd-pleasing and some might say singalong rock guitar covers. With the band having 5 gigs in the month of December we thought we had better get festive and include a few Christmas songs to our set. We thought long and hard about which songs our audience might like, and of course staying true to the indie rock 'bangers' vibe that Versonic is renowned for we headed down to the Versonic Music Studio and smashed out these four Christmas Crackers for your delight and delectation;
1. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
2. Step Into Christmas
3. Last Christmas
4. Merry Christmas Everybody
We play these tracks live as part of our December shows and they have proved to be extremely popular with our audiences. You can grab yourself a personal copy on CD at Versonic gigs, or you can stream for free, but do yourselves a favour and download your very own copy for future Christmas' - or gift it to someone special for a Fiver on our Bandcamp. https://versonic1.bandcamp.com/album/have-yourselves-a-rocking-christmas-ep
Don't be a Scrooge now!
Happy Christmas from all at Versonic
Andy Brook @ The Brook
Delighted to welcome Music Producer Andy Brook as my guest on Series 3, Episode 001. Andy has produced, engineered and toured with the likes of Status Quo, Bonnie Tyler, Ginger Wildheart, Uriah Heep, Francis Rossi, Mel Gaynor, Greg Jackman, Del-Amitri, Travis, Tiger Lillie's, Towers of London, Hayseed Dixie, Million Dead, Breed 77 as well as Universal, Sony & WMG. He is also involved in film and TV, location and media post production and is a registered member of PRS, APRS, PPL, MU and the MPG as well as being a 2020 member class of the Recording Academy as a full voting member for the Grammys.
Andy studied acoustic composition and composition with electronics at the University of Hertfordshire, graduating with a BA(hons) in Electronic Music in 2001. Whilst professionally active he gained an advanced C&G in Music Technology with distinction at the City of Westminster College and an MA in Audio Production from the University of Westminster.
He established himself as a producer building Studio Sonic in Wallington, Surrey in 2002 before relocating to larger premises in London’s Denmark Street from 2004 – 2009, where he also produced live sessions for Total Rock Radio. He then became the resident producer at Scream Studios, Croydon 2009-2011 before building Strummers Recording Studio, Holloway 2012-2013 and then moving onto his current studio at The Brook in Wallington in 2014.
Andy currently freelances as a producer, mix engineer and recording engineer. After some years teaching BTEC Diploma in Music Technology Levels 2, 3, 4 & 5 he is now a visiting assessor for JAMES. Current live projects he is involved in include playing for The Middlenight Men, Rich Ragany & The Digressions, Shush, Scott McFarnon, Toccata Music Group and he also runs a local community choir.
Hope you enjoy the Episode.
A Band called A
Delighted to welcome the ebullient 'The Yin' (Adam Perry) as our very special guest on Episode 048 of The Feeling Versonic Podcast 'A Band called A'.
Adam is an award winning, mega-talented, experienced music industry professional with a wealth of experience in pretty much everything that a career in the music business can offer. From being a major label artist as the drummer in rock bands 'A' and 'Bloodhoung Gang' to being a music entrepreneur, business start-up CEO, tour manager, festival promoter, producer and celebrity ambassador with the Prince's Trust.
Feeling Versonic - The Brand
Feeling Versonic is an Indie Hub which includes the increasingly high profile Feeling Versonic Music Commentary Podcast. The podcast features news, views and interviews with notable creatives on entrepreneurial lifestyle, health (very much including mental health) and original independent music.
The Feeling Versonic brand introduces a range of fashionable clothing, tantalising fragrances, enticing body sprays and energising health products.
Look Good. Smell Good. Feel good.
Lead the Way
Delighted to welcome Rapper/Singer-Songwriter Jay Dagley as my guest on Episode 046 of the Feeling Versonic Podcast 'Lead the Way'.
Jay, from Leicestershire found a great passion in music from a young age. His early influences were Robbie Williams, Maroon 5 and Justin Timberlake. In 2002 Eminem released ‘Lose yourself’ which drew Jay’s attention to rap and the art of song writing.
At 14 years old Jay started to write his own lyrics to grime instrumentals, shortly after he was given the opportunity to record music with a local singer beginning his ambition to become a recording artist.
In 2009 a collaboration with Kev Bland, a friend and mentor, led to producing 3 acoustic albums over 5 years.
Jay then invested in his own home studio allowing him to expand his knowledge of the recording and production of music whilst also working with a Nuneaton based producer.
2014 sparked a collaboration with up and coming producer ‘Hive’ which began with freestyling to acoustic guitar riffs and has developed in to a long working relationship releasing numerous singles. Jay and Hive produced their first music video in 2019 launching their online presence leading to features on Hive sessions vlog.
https://www.instagram.com/jaydmuzik/
Falling in Love with Being Alive
Delighted to welcome indie rock duo singer-songwriter Paul Hipson, and guitarist Hugh Frizell who make up the band 'Hippy' as my guests on Episode 045 the Feeling Versonic Podcast 'Falling in Love with Being Alive'.
Hippy formed in September 2019. Paul and Hugh met via a mutual acquaintance in Glasgow and hit it off both musically and personally. A studio was duly booked by October '19 with the boys recording and releasing their first single 'Aries Girl'. Subsequent songs and releases Feelgood, Junkyard Babies and Volunteer were released thereafter in early to mid 2020.
Paul is an established singer songwriter within the Glasgow community and beyond, and has played many gigs building up a solid following of his own. Hugh is an experienced guitar player and artist of many years with a background in touring, live, studio and writing within the blues, rock and indie genres.
An album 'Behind Every Song Is A Story' was released to critical acclaim in October 2020. The band also received national radio airplay via Billy Sloan at his BBC Radio Scotland show with Billy regularly playing the band on his Saturday night slot. The band have also received local airplay throughout the UK on various stations and music commentary podcasts.
New album 'Falling in Love with Being Alive' will be released globally on 27th August 2021 and it's a cracker.
https://www.instagram.com/hippy.music
Kiss and Tell
Delighted to welcome Singer-Songwriter Kit Bennett AKA Miss Kitty as my guest on Episode 044 of the Feeling Versonic Podcast - 'Kiss and Tell'.
A fierce believer in equality and defier of authority, Miss Kitty grew up a wild child of nature, predominantly in the southwest of England and Wales, though her first few years were spent aboard a 52 ft schooner, sailing around the Irish Sea.
Since taking up guitar as a teen and walking out of school at 15, life has been one crazy musical adventure after another, from winning a battle of the bands in Newquay aged 20, to spending two years in a cabin in South Wales with nothing but candlelight and an upright piano, to performing all over the UK and US with folk-pop band Wildflowers. Now we find her back in Bristol, with a string of singles and her DIY debut album Kiss & Tell under her belt.
Winning the hearts of listeners all over the world with the support of radio stations such as Resonance FM, Great Music Stories and Exile FM, Miss Kitty’s fast-growing fanbase is testament to her singing and songwriting prowess.
Improvizone
Charles Fernyhough is a writer and psychologist. His non-fiction book about his daughter’s psychological development, The Baby in the Mirror, was published by Granta in 2008. His book on autobiographical memory, Pieces of Light (Profile, 2012) was shortlisted for the 2013 Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books. His latest non-fiction book is The Voices Within (Profile/Wellcome Collection, 2016). He is the editor of Others: Writers on the power of words to help us see beyond ourselves (Unbound, 2019), with net profits supporting refugee and anti-hate charities.
Charles is the author of two novels, The Auctioneer (Fourth Estate, 1999) and A Box Of Birds (Unbound, 2013). His fiction has been published in several anthologies including New Writing 11 and New Writing 14. His books have been translated into thirteen languages.
Charles has written for Scientific American, LA Times, TIME Ideas, Nature, New Scientist, BBC Focus, Guardian, Observer, Financial Times, Literary Review, Sunday Telegraph, Lancet, Scotland on Sunday, Huffington Post, Daily Beast and Sydney Morning Herald. He blogs for the US magazine Psychology Today and has made numerous TV and radio appearances in the UK and US, including BBC2’s Horizon, BBC Radio 4’s Start the Week, Woman’s Hour, All in the Mind and The Digital Human, and BBC World Service’s The Forum. He has acted as consultant on theatre productions on Broadway and the West End, numerous TV (BBC1 and Channel 4) and radio documentaries, and several other artistic projects.
He has played guitar in a variety of musical projects, most recently the ambient collective Improvizone.
Charles is a part-time Professor of Psychology at Durham University, where he leads the interdisciplinary Hearing the Voice project, investigating the phenomenon of auditory verbal hallucinations. He has published more than 120 peer-reviewed journal articles on topics such as inner speech, memory and child development.
Further details are available at www.charlesfernyhough.com.
Alchemy
Jacqueline Norton
Coach | Creator | Speaker | Aurator
Jacqueline is an executive coach specialising in the transformation that can be achieved by working on our inner 'stuff', achieving results that are closer to alchemy than therapy. She has a portfolio career with several roles and is also a songwriter and a survivor of breast cancer, twice.
Jacq coaches executives in business, sales and the art of connection, drawing on her over 25 years’ experience of selling multi-million-pound solutions, with authenticity. She also coaches musicians, artists and creatives how to structure and manage their business so their music can be heard.
Until recently (March 2021) she was working for Deloitte, one of the Big 4 accountancy firms and the largest professional services company in the world, coaching senior partners and teams on winning bid strategy.
Jacq has been coaching for over five years and is a qualified NLP Coach, Life Coach, Clinical Hypnotherapist, EFT Practitioner, Mentor, Speaker, Songwriter and the creator of Authentic Artists https://authentic-artists.com and Aurate Limited. She is qualified and certified in NLP for therapists, accredited by BathH British Association of Hypnotists and NLP Practitioners, GHR, GHSC, and certified by ANLP Association of NLP, the UK’S largest NLP membership body for practicing professionals.
Kings Man
Joining me as my guest on Episode 041 of the increasingly high profile Feeling Versonic Podcast is the ebullient all-rounder Kev Bland. Kev is multi-talented with a diverse range of life skills and an expert in the field of outdoor pursuits and mountain leadership. A former Royal Marines Commando and recipient of the illustrious Kings Badge, a visible mark of a man who is first amongst equals and exemplifies the Commando Spirit.
A notable and creative Singer-Songwriter, Kev uses the songwriting process as a cathartic measure in dealing with his own feelings and emotions.
Having qualified as a lecturer in further education teaching disaffected year 10 and 11 students, Kev followed his passion to motivate and drive for excellence steering him towards becoming a part of the quality audit team and teacher training staff. He left full time teaching when he was selected as a Performance Coach with Worldskills UK where his role was to mentally and physically prepare young apprentices to compete on the world stage.
Outside of education he has worked to support the film industry in a number of areas both in front of, and behind the camera as support crew or special action roles alongside stunt teams. With over 30 years of climbing experience he has mentored a number of stunt men in this skill. Other outdoor instruction has seen him teach navigation to a range of candidates from disaffected youngsters to potential UKSF candidates. Being a singer/songwriter has always been a steady fixture in the background with countless gigs under his belt, both solo and in bands, and a handful of tracks on prestigious climbing movies to boot! Favourite current quote "Success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm".
Kev is the Founder Director and CEO of men's mental health group The Leg Up Project. A social hub with the sole purpose of raising the holistic well-being for all involved.
https://www.facebook.com/TheLegUpProjectCIC
https://www.instagram.com/thelegupproject_menshealth/
Getting to Grips
Delighted to welcome UK-based composer Richard Bagley as my guest on Episode 040 of the increasingly high profile Feeling Versonic Podcast titled 'Getting to Grips'.
Richard is a classically trained pianist and multi-instrumentalist, his experience ranges from choirs to orchestras, from brass bands to rock bands.
In this episode I talk to Richard in relation to composing music for media, and composing for production music libraries. As a musical director he has written original scores and directed for the theatre.
Richard draws on this broad experience when creating bespoke compositions and tracks for production music libraries.
Gasoline
Joining me as my guest on Episode 039 'Gasoline' is Singer-Songwriter David Neil Crabtree. In this episode I talk to David about the writing process and forthcoming release of his new single 'Gasoline'. We also talk guitars, songwriting, live performance, guitars, bands, guitars, Whitby and guitars...
"The optimum number of guitars is how many you've got..plus one!"
https://davidneilcrabtree.com/
Imposter
Delighted to welcome LA based Singer-Songwriter Natalie Duque as my guest on Episode 038 of the increasingly high profile Feeling Versonic Podcast. In this Episode titled 'Imposter' I talk to Natalie about her new single 'Imposter' and in particular, the lyrical content and context in relation to Imposter Syndrome.
If there’s one thing that makes Natalie happy, it’s a sad song. She infuses soulful folk melodies into a pop delivery garnered with poetic lyricism. Through evocative and comforting vocals, she communicates feelings of truth, connectedness and vulnerability.
Y.O.U.N.G.
Delighted to welcome singer, songwriter, guitarist, front man, music producer and podcast editor Alan Smith.
In this episode Alan and I chat around his music with his band Bellevue Days, and also his solo music project under the auspices of A.Charles Music.
We touch on the vagaries of music and podcast production, and enjoy the novelty of actually being in the same room whilst recording the interview!
https://www.facebook.com/BellevueDays/
Snug as a Bug or Out on a Limb?
In this Episode I look at the viability, and assess the pro's and con's of modern day Working from Home.
The Coronavirus Pandemic has prompted countless companies and business owners to close their offices, and switch to encouraging employee's (and themselves) to work from home, or work remotely. The prospect of working from home can sound exciting, but if it's not something the individual has experienced before it can take a lot getting used to and adapting to a new way of life and work can be challenging. Getting the balance right is not easy and the initial novelty of working from home can soon wear off. It has been commented on that enforced working from home for some people can have a negative impact on their their mental health, their motivation and productivity.
It's a bit like Marmite. Some people love having the opportunity to work from home, others hate it. If you work from home, are you as Snug as a Bug, or do you feel bit left Out on a Limb?
There
My guest on Episode 035 of the Feeling Versonic Podcast is Singer-Songwriter Ben Drake. The episode is dedicated to Ben's father Barry who was taken all too soon to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). Ben has recently been made an Ambassador of The Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust and has written a touching, soul searching song titled 'There' in memory of his late father. The song is being released as a fundraiser on all digital music streaming and download platforms with all proceeds going to the Trust to help others suffering from this debilitating disease.
The aim of this episode is to raise awareness of IPF, and to encourage people to actively engage with Ben's beautiful song. Please download the song, share with your friends, add to yourPlaylists - whatever you can do to support the Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust and their work.
'There' is officially released on Friday 16th April 2021.
Feeling Versonic Bank Holiday Bangers
The very first Feeling Versonic Podcast 'Brand New Man' was published on 10th August 2020, followed by a further 33 episodes including chats with high achieving entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and of course some amazing singer songwriters, independent bands and artists that do it for themselves.
This is Feeling Versonic 'Bank Holiday Bangers'.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7kXQdgunC9e4cTXyq2EBAM?si=VmhlxVQdS2mFZghhLfsgYg
https://www.instagram.com/jackperrettmusic/
https://www.instagram.com/bellevuedays/
https://www.instagram.com/versonicmusic/
https://www.instagram.com/nathaliemirandamusic/
https://www.instagram.com/jsa_band/
https://www.instagram.com/thebendrakecollective/
https://www.instagram.com/bestofenemiesuk/
https://www.instagram.com/stayasleepuk/
Shake the Feeling
Delighted to welcome singer-songwriter, guitarist, bassist, vocalist, function band member, session musician and all round muso Sam Christmas as my guest on Episode 033 'Shake the Feeling'.
Sam is a genuine music lover, with a palpable energy and enthusiasm for live music performance. Given the chance, he would spend 100% of his time doing music, or work within the music industry in some capacity.
Sam fronted indie rock band Best of Enemies for 6 years, and is currently the bassist in Bellevue Days. He has toured the UK and Europe numerous times in his own bands, and also as a session player for other bands.
Sam launched his own solo music project in 2020, and is also guitarist/co-singer in 4 Repeats Sake covers band.
https://www.instagram.com/bestofenemiesuk/
https://www.instagram.com/bellevuedays/
https://www.instagram.com/4repeatssake/
Welcome to the Darkside
Delighted to welcome the enigma that is Chris Michaels as my guest on Episode 032 of the Feeling Versonic Podcast 'Welcome to the Darkside'.
Chris is a former Royal Navy Air Engineering Mechanic. Growing up, Chris always aimed to serve in the military and having his dream and ambition curtailed through medical discharge due to a career ending knee injury, he found it very difficult to handle that disappointment and was subsequently diagnosed with PTSD and associated mental health issues.
Chris has written about his experiences and is a self-published author, creative writer, blogger and podcast host. A self-confessed adrenaline junkie with a love of extreme sports, martial arts and tattoos.
Musically, he is a metal head and his favourite band is Metallica, but also loves a bit of techno and classical music. Chris has found himself in the deepest, darkest places mentally and yet all he sees is a light that he wants to shine into the darkness to help others.
https://www.instagram.com/the_darksidepodcast/
Marley On Tour
Delighted to welcome singer, songwriter, bass guitarist, tour manager and all round Muso David Marley as my guest on Episode 031 of the Feeling Versonic Podcast ‘Marley on Tour'. In this episode I talk to David about his love of tour, his early music industry influences and experiences of being a stagehand, a runner and being sent out to buy exactly the right mugs so that Oasis could have their tea.
Today, David is a musician and passionate advocate of tour management for independent rock guitar bands. David fronts the South London alternative/indie 5 piece band JSA. David is never happier than when he is playing, or talking about music and he is always around for a chat about music, as long as you are prepared to listen to him talk about tour most of the time. Marley loves tour. Like, really loves tour.
https://www.facebook.com/jsamusic
https://youtu.be/vHiNDw0qKf4
https://www.instagram.com/jsa_band/
We Get Digital
Delighted to welcome Mike and Carol Sebbage from website design and build specialists We Get Digital.
In this episode I talk to music and business entrepreneur Mike Sebbage and his wife and entrepreneurial business partner Carol. We discuss all things websites, visual communication, corporate branding, SEO, international business, making and releasing music in the digital age and a rather tenuous link to James Bond movies.
Music by Rien de Faire.
https://www.wegetdigital.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/RiendeFaireBand
A Versonic Music Production. https://www.versonicmusic.com
The Nomadic Veteran
Delighted to welcome Rus McDonagh, AKA 'The Nomadic Veteran' as my guest on Episode 029 of the Feeling Versonic Podcast. Rus is a former Royal Marines Commando and Close Protection Operator. In 2019 Rus and his wife 'Gibbo' decided they wanted to forego a materialistic driven lifestyle, and embark on an adventurous journey of a lifetime and travel the world...in a Van...with their two dogs Cookie and Hooch.
Rus documents their Vanlife experiences by recording video content with regular posts, including hints and tips for others that may be thinking of a Vanlife experience for themselves, on YouTube Channel 'The Nomadic Veteran' https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOeMt0ugWqYANF7kRhs7mQA
Rus is also the founder/owner of The Green Beret Coffee Co, an entrepreneurial venture to fuel the adventurous.
https://www.greenberetcoffee.co.uk/aboutus
https://www.instagram.com/thenomadicveteran
A Versonic Music Production https://www.versonicmusic.com
Confero - What's the Story?
Delighted to welcome Confero Marketing Limited company director, business partner and fellow serial entrepreneur Greg Ravilious as my guest on Episode 028 of the Feeling Versonic Podcast. Confero Marketing is a specialist media company providing brands with targeted advertising and marketing solutions in the retail sector. In this episode the founder director's of the business discuss marketing strategies from product sampling, direct marketing and appropriate integrated media formats that guarantee to get the brand message to the right people, in the right place and at the right time.
We also reminisce about significant milestones from initial incorporation of the company and bringing an innovative new idea to market, the many highs, and a few lows of an eventful, but highly successful 20-year entrepreneurial business journey.
Feeling Versonic. Do It. Don't Do It. It's a Matter of Choice.
https://conferomarketing.com
The Game of Self Domination
Delighted to welcome media entrepreneur and published author Natsune Oki as my guest on Episode 027 of the Feeling Versonic Podcast.
After graduating from high school in Japan, Natsune went to the U.S. and studied Business & Economics. She also worked in, and with multiple SME Tech startups where she realised her passion for entrepreneurship and personal development.
Natsune's mission is to contribute to making progress on a humanitarian level by showing people possibilities with encouragement to strive in their lives, in the way they choose to strive to ultimately achieve success. Natsune is the Founder and Presenter of LifeUpEducationTV, author of the book 'The Game of Self Domination' and Managing Director of B2B global recruiting and international project management service Foreign Connect.
https://www.lifeupeducationtv.com
https://www.instagram.com/lifeupeducationtv
A Versonic Music Production: https://www.versonicmusic.com
Becoming The 0.1%
Gareth Timmins is a former Royal Marines Commando turned Author and emerging Behavioural/Cognitive Scientist. During recruit training in 2005/06, he documented his experiences by keeping a never-before captured diary of elite military training. In recent years, he has utilised his psychological grounding to produce and integrate thirty-four lessons that people can employ to achieve cutting-edge, performance thinking.
While in training, widely considered to be amongst the most demanding in the world, he was awarded the Shooting Medal and later went on to represent the Royal Marines Shooting Team. He was also awarded the Operation Telic Medal for his team’s contributions in Iraq, during the capture of Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel by the Iranians, during 2007.
As a fully trained Royal Marine, Gareth passed a short, but intense selection/training course to join Fleet Standby Rifle Troop (FSRT); a specialist arm of the Royal Marines that conducts non-compliant boarding’s in both military and security operations, as well as offensive operations for the Royal Navy worldwide. As a result, he deployed on two occasions to the Northern Arabian Gulf (Iraq) and once to the Gulf of Aden/Somali Basin (Somalia) to engage in counter piracy.
Upon leaving the Royal Marines, Gareth deployed to Somalia as private Maritime Security Contractor (Team Leader) during the upsurge in pirate attacks and hijackings in 2011, and was subsequently involved in one of the biggest pirate attacks of that year. He subsequently deployed to Egypt during the Arab Spring and in the midst of the Egyptian revolution to conduct intelligence and security operations throughout the region.
https://www.noughtpointone.co.uk
https://www.instagram.com/becomingthe0.1percent/
https://www.facebook.com/fortitudeelite.co.uk/
Big Juicy Creative
Delighted to welcome Freelance Journalist and 'Big Juicy Creative' Podcast Host Suzy Bashford as my guest for Episode 025 of the Feeling Versonic Podcast. Suzy and I discuss being creative for the sake of creativity itself, creativity in lockdown, ice-breaking, wild-water swimming, the Cairngorms, mindset, psychology, mental health, being happy and of course, podcasting. This episode features music by Versonic (Happy Lane) Sunbirds (Gene Kelly) and JSA (Down and Out).
The Big Juicy Creative Podcast was recently been awarded 'Best LockDown Podcast' in the inaugural Podcasting for Business Awards.
https://www.bigjuicycreative.co.uk
https://www.podchaser.com/FeelingVersonic
Get Repped
Delighted to welcome International Award Winning Publicist Tracy Lamourie as my guest on Episode 024 of the Feeling Versonic Podcast. Tracy is the Founder and Managing Director of Lamourie Media, a 2020 Universal Women's Network Woman of Inspiration winner for Women in Media and the author of the upcoming book 'GET REPPED' - Build Your Brand With Effective Public and Media Relations. She is a well known long time advocate on a myriad of important worldwide issues and an award-winning international publicist working across industries from major entertainment projects to small businesses. Tracy is passionate about amplifying important messages and being a voice for those who most need one. Recognised by media around the world for her 20-year campaign that ultimately helped free an innocent man from death row to her work getting clients major media attention and for her local community work, Winner of the FIRST PLACE PLATINUM award HamiltonSpectator Readers Choice for PR 2018, Diamond 2019 and has been frequently quoted in the international media on both human rights issues and as a Public Relations thought leader . She is a 2020 RBC Women of Influence Nominee and was also nominated for the internationally prestigious 2020 Tällberg/Eliasson Global Leadership Prize. She frequently speaks on empowerment, entrepreneurship, leadership, how to get media attention, how anyone in any industry can get to the top of their field, on authenticity in business, on all aspects of business communications. http://www.lamouriemedia.com/home.html https://www.podchaser.com/FeelingVersonic
Feel Your Heart Come Alive
Delighted to welcome Singer-Songwriter Paul Alexander-Low as my guest on Episode 023 of the Feeling Versonic Podcast 'Feel Your Heart Come Alive'.
Paul started playing the guitar at the age of 16 and immediately felt the urge to write his own music which he did throughout his adult education, and subsequent work journey progressing up the corporate ladder, and raising a family. Alongside his music, Paul's other passion is martial arts at which he has been an avid competitor, and achieved success in winning 2 National Championships.
So, at the age of 48 years young - is it too late to embark on a solo music career and fulfil his early dreams and ambitions? Paul feels like this is his time, and following the release of debut single 'Feel Your Heart Come Alive'... a song Paul describes as being "About someone who is full of passion, love, hopes and dreams but holds themselves back through a fear of rejection or judgement", in August 2020 I think he has had a solid and promising start.
Paul's vocal style has been compared to Don Henley and Bryan Adams so expectation, and the bar has already been set pretty high!
This episode also includes an exclusive play of 'Carry On' a moving, meaningful tribute to Joss Spurway, who was tragically killed in a light airplane crash in Australia in 2017.
https://www.paulalexanderlow.com
https://www.podchaser.com/FeelingVersonic
Look Good, Feel Good
Delighted to welcome Antonia Kate Goddard as my guest on Episode 022 'Look Good, Feel Good'. Antonia runs her own personal training and nutrition business AKGFIT. Antonia helps men and women transform their lives through small sustainable changes to support a better lifestyle. She changed her own life by using health and fitness strategies, and now wants to offer her support and holistic personal coaching to people all over the globe.
Antonia believes that getting in shape shouldn’t be a punishment but rather that it's an empowering lifestyle decision that anyone can make and maintain.
Prior to setting up and establishing her lifestyle fitness business Antonia trained at arts school and has a huge passion for music. She is also an emerging young singer-songwriter.
https://www.akgfit.org
https://www.instagram.com/_akgfit
https://www.podchaser.com/FeelingVersonic
Goal Setting - Why Goals Don't Work!
Triple goal setting with Pride, Medium and High outcomes, having great self-talk and holding yourself accountable are some of the remedies we discuss in this first episode of 2021.
Stuart is Managing Director of SBR Consulting a Sales Transformation Consultancy of 21 people that was set up in London in 2002. He has been in the firm for over 14 years and has had the opportunity to work with FTSE 100 companies as well as firms you will all know such as Google, Facebook, Dropbox, Sir Robert McAlpine, Expedia and probably over 250 other firms that range cross industry that has taken him all round the world to share his insights on all elements to do with sales transformation.
He has also been a the key note speaker on elements to do with Goals and the largest was to an audience of over 450 sales leaders in Nashville, Tennessee where he shared some of his adventurous exploits such as racing to the North Pole and running the Marathon Des Sable ultra-marathon in the Sahara Desert (which is approx. 7 marathons in 6 days).
He has also completed a Psychology degree in 2017 (after 6 years studying) and is currently studying organisational psycho analysis.
A father of 4 daughters he lives in Sevenoaks, Kent with his wife Susie.
sbrconsulting.com
www.linkedin.com/in/stuartlotherington/
www.podchaser.com/FeelingVersonic
Feeling Versonic Christmas Special
Warning! This episode contains some terrible Christmas cracker jokes... This is Episode 20 and marks the end of Series 1 of the Feeling Versonic Podcast, and doubles up as the Christmas Special. In this episode I reflect on the craziest year that we have had in 2020, tell some pretty awful Christmas cracker jokes, but counter-balance that by playing some great Christmas music. Featured tracks include a collaborative effort by the 'Feeling Versonic Podcast Collective' - involving guests that have appeared on the podcast so far covering 'Merry Christmas Everybody' - originally by Slade, but also covered by Noel Gallagher/Oasis for the Christmas Day 2000 episode of BBC comedy series 'The Royle Family'.
This track can be downloaded for a contribution of £1.00 (or more if you wish) with any proceeds going to Help Musicians UK
https://versonic1.bandcamp.com/track/merry-christmas-everybody
Thank you for so much tuning in to listen to Series 1, I really appreciate the support in what is a new venture for me, and really hope that you have enjoyed the eclectic mix of guests that have featured on the Feeling Versonic Podcast so far.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous, healthy, happy new year. Take care and stay safe.
Stephen
Shufflewire
Shufflewire (www.shufflewire.com) has launched a platform specifically created for musicians and music industry professionals and businesses based in the UK. Shufflewire is the brainchild of music video director and digital producer, James Prismall, and Stuart Hardy, a musician and businessman. The pair shared a vision of what the music industry needed and combined their skills and experience to create this platform they tag line as the Complete Music Industry Resource.
Shufflewire is a free-to-access industry directory, built by its users with categories including retailers, manufacturers, products, venues, services, bands, and of course, musicians themselves. Alongside this sits classified advertising, where users can buy and sell used gear, find musicians to join their band, promote upcoming gigs (real or virtual) and discover music-industry jobs.
The team believe the platform will grow into a huge resource for anyone who works in the music industry. The website is completely free to access, free to join and free to post listings.
Television and Radio Composer - David Lowe
Delighted to welcome David Lowe as my guest on Episode 018 of The Feeling Versonic Podcast. David is an internationally recognised and established composer, arranger and producer working primarily in television, radio, branding, idents and commercials. . He has created music for a wide range of programmes including news, current affairs, factual, wildlife and entertainment shows. He has also composed for National Radio and for special events, such as the London 2012 Olympic Games.
David's music accompanies some of the most popular shows on UK Television today; BBC News, as well as X Factor Celebrity, The One Show, Countryfile, and Grand Designs.
Internationally, he has created brand identity music for Bloomberg TV USA, Euronews France, Al Arabya Dubai, NDTV India and 4 of CCTV China Television’s State TV channels.
Outside Television David has had three albums released. "Dreamcatcher", "What Is In Between?" and "I Find You Very Attractive" (under the project name "Touch and Go").
The latter included the single "Would You...?". It reached number 3 in the UK Charts, and was a hit internationally. The follow up 'Straight...to Number One', launched iTunes in the USA.
David is a member of BAFTA and The British Academy of Composers, and has two honorary doctorates from Stafford and Birmingham City Universities.
https://davidlowemusic.com
Cool To Be Kind
Delighted to welcome former Housemartins and The Beautiful South's Dave Hemingway, and Songwriter-Guitarist Phil Barton as my guests on Episode 017 of the Feeling Versonic Podcast.
We chat around their new band Sunbirds and their debut album ‘Cool To Be Kind’ which was released on 27th November 2020 on the independent label Nectar Records.
Having retired from the live scene at the back end of 2016, Dave has been keeping busy with Phil, with Cool To Be Kind signalling the arrival of the new band, new songs and a new sound.
The music Sunbirds make takes on board all of the bands and artists Dave and Phil have loved over the years. It chiefly blends the musical instruments of rural America with an occasional twist of grungy guitars and sets them against lyrics that remain very much at home in the towns and cities of England.
“Although a lot of the songs have a Country feel.” says Dave. “They’re still about life in England. You’re going to feel a bit daft singing about pick-up trucks and low down honky-tonks when you live in Yorkshire.”
Produced by cult producer Teo Miller, who was responsible for Daisy Chainsaw’s breakthrough single ‘Love Your Money’ and subsequently worked with The Pretenders, Placebo and Robert Plant, the album captures truthful, open-hearted, funny and sometimes painfully honest songs, turning the page to a new chapter for Dave Hemingway and The Beautiful South story.
The formation of Sunbirds also sees the introduction of new discovery Laura Wilcockson on vocals and violin. Laura comes from a classical/orchestral, as well as folk background. Completing the line-up is legendary UK session drummer, Marc Parnell, who has toured with Joan Armatrading, The Blockheads and Jethro Tull to name but three. Marc can be heard on recordings by Girls Aloud, Pet Shop Boys and Gabriella Cilmi's hit single ‘Sweet About Me’.
Cool To Be Kind is the result of a few transitional years in Dave and Phil’s individual personal worlds. It tells tales that cover contemporary themes as well as age-old matters of the heart and soul - all viewed through the bottom of a recently drained pint glass.
“There’s no exact science here,” says Phil. “We’re just enjoying ourselves and expressing whatever we want, whether it’s about love, greed, social isolation or Gary Lineker’s crisp adverts”.
https://sunbirds.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/sunbirds.co.uk
Scott Fleming - In the World of Tomorrow
Scott Fleming has been a professional voice and acting coach since 2005. He grew up in St.Ives in Cornwall and left in 1992 to study at ‘Mountview Theatre School’, one of the UK’s leading conservatoires in the Performing Arts.
His first job after graduation was in ‘Buddy’ at The Stand Theatre in the West End. He then played the lead role in Bob Carlton’s ‘From A Jack To A King’, which began life at Plymouth’s Theatre Royal and toured the UK’s Premier theatres for 18 months.
For the last 25 years Scott has worked in all areas of the profession, Film, TV, Radio, Commercial’s, Voice-overs and theatre. He continues to actively work in the business and can be seen regularly in ‘Doc Martin’ on ITV1 where he’s appeared in 3 series’ and hopes to return next year.
Scott is also a composer and songwriter. His composition ‘The Kitchen Door’ won Best Country Song in the UK in 2016 and closer to home he wrote all the original music for Cornwall based theatre company’s ‘Cousin Jack’s’ award winning production of ‘The Mousehole Cat’ which has been performed at Christmas in Cornwall over the last 3 years.
Scott has recently launched his new venture 'The Scott Fleming Voice Academy' working extensively with students on singing, acting and audition technique where required, giving them the best chance of success in gaining a place at Drama School where the competition is fiercer than ever.
http://scottflemingvoiceacademy.co.uk
Lost Hollow - Looking for Happy
Named Americana Band of the Year 2018 by the Indie Music Channel, Lost Hollow is a dynamic band with two main singers - Tommy and Lorrie Harden. As the names might suggest, they are husband and wife!
Tommy has been a Nashville ‘A’ list studio musician for many years. During his stint in Nashville, he has played on an estimated 7-10,000 recording sessions. Tommy has played on sessions for Taylor Swift, Alan Jackson, Craig Campbell, Kip Moore, Reba McEntire, David Allen Coe, Waylon Jennings, Lo Cash Cowboys, Tamia, Candi Staton, Big and Rich, John Anderson, George Jones, Jessica Simpson, and countless others. He has played on number 1 songs including “I Drive Your Truck” (ACM and CMA song of the year), “Girl I Just Got Started Loving You’ (most played song of the year), ‘Lost In This Moment’ (Big and Rich’s only #1 hit), and many, many others.
Tommy has played at the White House, on Good Morning America, the Today Show, the View, The Ellen Show, Oprah, Regis and Kelly, the Tonight Show, the David Letterman show, and has also has a screen credited appearance in the movie Muscle Shoals.
As Nashville based songwriters, Tommy and Lorrie got not 1, but 2 cuts on Reba McEntire’s double platinum selling album ‘Duets’. They included a song with Reba and Faith Hill called ‘Sleeping with a Telephone’ and another with Reba and Carole King called ‘Everyday People’, which was also performed live at the Kennedy center with Reba and Carole in front of the President and the entire nation via NBC. (As far as they know, they are the only outside writers to ever get a Carole King cut that she didn’t write).
Lost Hollow has appeared on the Bob Harris ‘Under the Apple Tree’ sessions and toured England, Wales, and Ireland on many trips to the UK as well as appearing on the BBC via many different radio shows.
Lost Hollow has been described as an emotional powerhouse. Two amazing voices weaving intricate and powerful songs.
www.facebook.com/losthollowband
www.instagram.com/losthollowband/
www.nashtracks.com
Jamie from Undead Collective Records
Jamie embarked on his music career at the tender age of 15 and has been prolific in writing music and performing in bands ever since. Inspired by his elder brother Justin, and a work experience stint as tea boy at the famous RAK Studios in St Johns Wood London under the watchful eye of music legend Mickie Most, Jamie has gone on to rack up an impressive music CV.
He signed a record deal at 20, established his own recording and rehearsal studio at 25, played over 1,000 shows, composed music for independent films and TV shows, started record label Undead Collective Records aged 33 with a distribution deal with Sony owned The Orchard, and recently had commercial success with a sync placement in a major Ubisoft computer game 'Watch Dogs Legion'.
www.facebook.com/undeadcollective/
www.instagram.com/undeadcollective/
www.instagram.com/onrepeatuk/
Adman Bob from The Guitar Show
Bob Wootton is a semi-retired adman and increasingly professional guitarist and collector based in London.
His successful 40+ year career embraced major advertising agencies, boutique consulting, lobbying and advocacy.
Bob has played guitar since acquiring the first Led Zeppelin album on its release when he was 13, and has been in and out of bands and studios ever since.
He has accumulated an amazing collection of fine vintage guitars which he now gets to use every day.
Bob is extremely well-networked amongst pro musicians and gear makers, occasionally advising on product development.
He will listen to, and try anything but his keenest interest is in blues, old and new.
He hopes that humanity can triumph over COVID19 soon so that live music can resume.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6elWtg_UVNuCZiFrYxG5Yg
Miss Valentine
Sideman
jordanhumber.co.uk
Music: 'Be Careful What You Wish For'/'Life is a Game we Play'/'You Make Me'/'KickBack' Lead Guitar: Jordan Humber, Lyrics: Stephen Connor Performed by Versonic
Episode Cover Art: www.joshleveridge.co.uk
Moseley
Sputnik
We Got You Covered
Catch 22
The voice and energy is distinctly Nathalie Miranda - the UK’s answer to the US Uber Divas.
Nathalie’s biggest musical influence is Freddie Mercury, both vocally and in terms of performance. She is also greatly influenced by Prince, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Whitney, Chaka Khan, and Christina Aguilera to name but a few.
Hot on the heels of her recent release ‘Poltergeist’ earlier this year, her new single ‘Catch-22’ was released on 18th September 2020, and is available for streaming and download on all major platforms. I am thrilled to play 'Catch 22' exclusively on the Feeling Versonic Podcast. The track is a totally different sound for Nathalie, and one that she feels reflects her love of soul and blues music, while still being, without doubt, a relatable, catchy, pop song.
www.nathaliemiranda.com
Pressure
"Over the years I've given first sessions to The Smiths, Primal Scream, Amy Winehouse and many more. I get a buzz and a tingle when I hear something special. that's what happened when Heard Jack Perrett". (Janice Long, BBC Radio).
This is episode is brought to you by Scott's Menswear. scottsmenswear.com
Thinking About Last Night
Displaying an incredible vocal range with a distinctive all-round style, which can effortlessly leap from earthy and soulful raw emotion to soaring and ethereal angelic tones, Hayley has been likened to Eva Cassidy, Joni Mitchel, LeAnn Rimes and Kate Bush.
An accomplished and insightful songwriter, who effortlessly captures deep emotional sentiment with moving sincerity, she has co-written with twice Grammy-nominated songwriter Jan Buckingham (Whitney Houston) in Nashville, performed in Bob Harris's home studio for his Under the Apple Tree sessions, and supported major acts including Tom Jones, Albert Lee, Scouting for Girls, Martha Reeves and Hazel O'Connor.
Hayley is releasing new material this year, and is especially looking forward to performing at C2C: Country-to-Country at the O2 Arena in London, at Glastonbury, and at The British Country Festival when they return in 2021.
Her new single, Thinking About Last Night was released 3rd April, and has been getting great response particularly in Ireland and many country stations in the UK, and was recently voted in the top 10 Valley FM Indie charts in Australia and in the top 3 best new singles in Ireland. It has also gathered support on BBC Introducing, and reached No 1 in The Ignition Country Charts. Hayley has been artist of the week on various radio stations in the USA and the UK, and has had recent support with features in Country Line TV, BMCA, ISSA (International Songwriters Association), The Sage Gateshead, NE Volume, and NE Connected amongst others.
What Do You Say?
“What do you Say?”, is an eclectic collection of five songs which were finalised during a busking venture to New York and New Orleans. Accompanied by two podcasts the EP picks up musically where Sourfish left us with the catchy What do you Say? and its poppy Friends vibes. Angel of My Eye takes us somewhere new, a piano based outing it is a raw, emotional song. The EP closes with the sweet, acoustic Neil Young inspired Hey, Hey.
Raised in The Highlands of Scotland, Gavin initially picked up the guitar after falling in love with the anthems and melodies of Oasis and the Britpop generation. This opened the doors to their musical influences and led to a fondness of the songwriting talents of The Beatles, Paul Simon and Bob Dylan.
Sourfish is Gavin’s guitar driven musical act, he writes and arranges all the songs, plays the guitar and provides an occasional vocal. The debut EP Time to Play was accompanied with a debut boxing match. The title track was a finalist in The UK Songwriting competition and selected for placement on reality TV. This was followed up with the single “The Sheep are on Fire”, a tie in with leading Scottish football team Aberdeen FC.
Gavin’s journey to understand and discover new music includes working as radio DJ promoting breaking music. Most recently this has pivoted to Gavin's 'What do You Say?' podcast sharing the stories of other acts, with guest such as Frank Turner, Amanda Palmer and Bear’s Den.
Let's All Be Friends
"Probably my favourite band in the whole world" – Alex Baker – Kerrang
Alan’s trademark vocals; strong and soaring in parts but soft and tender in others create a whimsical atmosphere to his sound. Alan has contributed to, and been featured on numerous releases from other artists, including Versonic, and unsurprisingly is held in very high esteem by his musician peers. Alan has recently established himself as sought-after Producer and Mix Engineer in the world of music production.
I am delighted to be able to call him a friend, and to share his story on Feeling Versonic.
Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying
The group have recently released their 6th Studio Album ‘AfterGlow’.
Ben has always loved the Album concept and stayed true to that purposeful writing and recording process throughout his Songwriting journey.
He uses the word ‘We’ rather than ‘I’ when referring to his music, and describes his Songwriting as ‘therapy’ in getting his thoughts and situations down on paper and brought to life as a song…and he’s very, very good at it.
open.spotify.com/artist/5zPF7zyeEHqWqT6Pf5ovtO?si=g2ui6nNKQemXgMbtwFPm6g
Links: www.instagram.com/thebendrakecollective
www.youtube.com/user/bennyboydrake/featured
www.facebook.com/BenDrakeMusic