I Never Thought It Would Happen

Chris' guest on this episode is Lauren Mayberry, the vocalist of the critically acclaimed Scottish synth-pop act Chvrches. Ten years into their career, the band have already enjoyed an amazing ride so far, from hit singles to playing the Royal Albert Hall and recording at Berlin's legendary Hansa studios.
In a fascinating chat, Lauren discusses her musical journey so far, including her move from Glasgow to Los Angeles, how lockdown changed her writing style for the better and the pleasure of touring with Coldplay.

On this episode of his podcast Chris welcomes the exciting young singer Olivia Dean, an artist who is hugely influenced by Carol King, Paul Simon and Amy Winehouse.
Olivia was raised in a house where her parents played a lot of different music, and which was proved to be hugely influential on her future career. And then when she attended the famous BRIT school she not only found her song-writing chops but also her band. During this insightful chat with Chris, Olivia discusses her approach to lyric writing, the wonder that is the Glastonbury festival and how she'd already achieved her 3 career goals by the time her debut album "Messy" was finished.

For this episode of "I Never Thought It Would Happen" Chris is joined by musical theatre pioneer Andrew Lloyd Webber, a man The New York times called "the most commercially successful composer in history". Andrew inarguably changed musical theatre forever with a an incredible run of musicals including Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat , Jesus Christ Superstar , Evita , Cats , Starlight Express and The Phantom of The Opera, to name but a few.
In this conversation we learn how Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat was first performed at a school, that Jesus Christ Superstar was an album before it became a play and Andrew also gives away the secret to writing a hit musical.

Alongside Chris this time is musical pioneer and stye icon, Pauline Black of the 2-Tone legends The Selecter. The Coventry ska band not only influenced many UK post-punk bands, but would also later help shape Trip-hop and the American punk scene in the 1990s.
There's much to enjoy in this warm and open conversation, including why a chance meeting at a folk club set Pauline on her musical path, how Jimi Hendrix and Angela Davis helped her find her style and why a Bob Marley gig proved to be so critical to future of The Selecter.

Joining Chris this time is Gavin Rossdale, best known as frontman for the rock band Bush, a British group that managed to rack up millions of album sales in the American dominated grunge scene. He was later a tabloid fixture due to his marriage to Gwen Stefani.
In Chris' company Gavin discusses why he's gone "super-heavy" 30 years into his career, how he collaborates with other musicians (including pianist Mike Garson and Amy from Evanescence), why he enjoys acting and how writing music is a "traumatic experience".

On this episode of his podcast Chris welcomes back singer-songwriter KT Tunstall. When Chris last spoke with KT two years ago, her future as a musician looked bleak, given she was suffering from severe hearing loss.
But KT returns with a hugely positive story - cutting edge technology has allowed her to regain her hearing, and with that the ability to perform and record to her very best. Along with this remarkable update, the conversation also touches upon KT's delight at working collaboratively within musical theatre, her love of humorist Ivor Cutler and the delightful Japanese art of Kintsugi.

For this episode Chris is joined by Kevin Rowland, frontman for Dexy's Midnight Runners, one of Britain's most distinctive bands. Having emerged out of the post-punk scene, Dexy's created a unique blend of soul and Irish folk music, and in doing scored a huge global hit single with "Come On Eileen" in 1982.
In this revealing chat, Kevin talks about his journey into music making, the remarkable story behind the "My Beauty" album, overcoming addiction and the forthcoming Dexy's album "The Feminine Divine" and the theatrical concept planned for the tour in support of the new album.

Joining Chris for the latest episode of the Help Musicians podcast is Skin, front woman for the British alternative band Skunk Anansie, and also a solo artist and globally renowned DJ. When Skunk Anansie arrived on the UK music scene in 1994 they were like a bolt from the blue; culturally diverse, exciting, eclectic, electric and politically charged. In April 2001, the band split, but returned in 2009 and are still recording and touring.
In this episode, Skin discusses the excitement of growing up in Brixton, why making music can be a form of therapy, the joy of having a home studio and how being a musician today entails so much more than simply writing and performing.

Chris’ guest in this episode is the polymath Henry Rollins. Punk records and live shows in Washington DC galvanised Henry to head out on the road and forge a hugely diverse career. He sang with punk legends Black Flag - plus his own group, Rollins Band - but has also done acting, voice-over work, spoken word shows, journalism, presented documentaries and has had a long running radio show.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Henry talks about his remarkable career and his passion for music, something which stemmed from his difficult upbringing where music was an escape for him. But perhaps the most surprising thing to come out of this conversation is Henry’s appreciation of the classic musicals. As you’ll hear, there’s much more to the man than just his punk rock roots.

In this episode, Chris talks to the singer-songwriter Lemar who was first introduced to music fans via the BBC television show Fame Academy. Following his successful appearance there came a string of hit singles, awards and millions of record sales. Apart from a covers album back in 2015, he’s been keeping a low profile of late. But after a wait of 11 years, he’s returned with "Page In My Heart", a new album of original material.
In Chris' company, Lemar discusses the music he heard at home growing up and how losing his mother inspired him to pursue a musical career, why touring means so much to him and how hard it is for an artist to maintain mystique in the social media age.