Now Spinning Music Magazine - Artist Interviews and Music Reviews

In this special Now Spinning Magazine conversation, I talk to Amy Shackleton and Lizzie Hoskin from Music for Dementia about practical, hopeful ways to reconnect people living with dementia — and their carers — to the music they love.We discuss:How music reduces anxiety, calms agitation, and rekindles memoryWhy streaming and modern devices can accidentally shut older listeners outm4dRADIO — a free, ad-free station by decade (1940s–1980s) designed as a safe listening spaceThe Yoto Player trial — simple, screen-free listening that helps families “just press play”Easy steps anyone can take: 10-song starter playlists, routines, and community👉 Learn more: musicfordementia.org.uk🎧 Listen free: m4dRADIO.comPhil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

Steve Morse Interview : on Loss, Hope and Instrumental StorytellingTaken by an Angel: Steve Morse on Loss, Hope and Instrumental StorytellingIn this episode of the Now Spinning Magazine podcast, I sit down with legendary guitarist Steve Morse to dive deep into his new instrumental album Triangulation.Steve talks about the freedom of making a record with no industry expectations, the almost telepathic musical connection he shares with Dave LaRue, and how tracks like “Too Many Parts” grew into ambitious, multi-section odysseys.He also opens up about the deeply personal closing piece “Taken by an Angel”, recorded with his son Kevin in memory of Steve’s late wife – a story of grief, love and hope told entirely through melody.We discuss adapting his technique as his hands change with age, why melody now matters more than ever in his writing, and how guest appearances from John Petrucci and Eric Johnson came together.If you’re a fan of Steve Morse, Deep Purple, Dixie Dregs, or you’re a guitarist who loves thoughtful, emotional instrumental music, this conversation is a must-listen.Triangulation is out now on Mascot – please support the music by picking up the CD or vinyl and, of course, by sharing this episode with fellow fans.Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

Seven Decades of Deep PurpleJoin me, Phil Aston, for a heartfelt conversation with music writer Martin Popoff, as we explore his monumental new book Seven Decades of Deep Purple — a 640-page celebration of every era of the band that changed rock forever.We discuss:How Martin rebuilt and expanded his earlier Purple booksThe emotional connection he has with the bandWhy the Purpendicular–present era may be Purple’s strongestThe “walk in Portugal” that changed everythingHow the band’s sound and spirit survived endless lineup changesSlaves & Masters, Made in Japan, improvisation, album art, Simon McBride and moreWhat =1 represents — and whether it would be a fitting final chapterThis is one of the most insightful and passionate Deep Purple discussions you’ll ever hear — from two lifelong fans who could happily talk Purple for days.If you love Deep Purple, this episode is unmissable.Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

“Lunatic Soul was never the ‘bassist’s side project’. It’s the composer’s project—the place I can be completely free.” Mariusz DudaThere aren’t many artists who can glide between rock, ambient, electronic and filmic sound design with the grace of Mariusz Duda. As the voice, bassist and principal composer behind Riverside, Duda is already a towering presence in modern progressive music. But it’s under his Lunatic Soul banner that he explores the liminal spaces: trance, repetition, eastern folk colours, synth arpeggios, and those instantly recognisable melodic bass motifs that seem to burrow under the skin.Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

From Island Studios to Super-Deluxe Box Sets: The Engineer Richard Digby SmithOn this episode, I'm delighted to welcome one of the true unsung heroes of classic rock (or rock music in general any era, really), and that is engineer and producer Richard Digby Smith. His career spans decades from the golden age of the early 70s on Island Studios with bands like Free, Traffic, Led Zeppelin, Sparks, Detective right through to his incredible recent work with Black Sabbath and even more recently Deep Purple’s 50th anniversary of Made in Japan.We’re going to look back at some of those classic sessions — the young bands, big ambitions, fast-paced studio life — and also dig into the modern world of archiving, remixing and preserving those recordings for new generations. Richard will share stories of the tech, the people, the accidents (yes, including the one where a guitar sleeve switch caused a famous moment), and the philosophy behind bringing timeless rock to life.So pour yourself a drink, fire up your headphones, and join us behind the console with a man who’s been doing this for four decades.Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

This Podcast episode is a joy: Annie Haslam joins me and Sue —surprise-guested by Jim McCarty—to talk about the new Renaissance “stories & music” concerts, the band’s beginnings, Annie’s five-octave voice, the magic of Betty Thatcher’s lyrics, “Northern Lights,” and how Annie paints songs with colour and feeling. We also touch on deep cuts, Illusion-era gems, and even Jim’s Shoot project. Uplifting, insightful, and full of heart—Renaissance at their most human.Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

Peter Hammill on Voice, Vision & Vulnerability: Inside The Charisma & Virgin Recordings 1971–1986Peter Hammill joins me to explore his new 18CD + 2 Blu-ray anthology The Charisma & Virgin Recordings 1971–1986 — including new remasters, 5.1 & stereo mixes of The Future Now and pH7 by Stephen W. Tayler, rare BBC sessions, unreleased European TV performances, and a 76-page hardback book with Peter’s own notes.We discuss: Hammill’s unique vocal style (from chorister roots to dramatic restraint), early home recording as creative survival, the late-’70s pivot to left-field textures, writing about mortality (and the impact of his 2004 heart attack), the balance with Van der Graaf Generator, physical media vs streaming, and whether a future companion box could cover the later years. Peter also suggests a perfect starting album for newcomers: Nadir’s Big Chance.Thank you for all your support - Phil

Prince: A Sign O’ The Times — An Interview with John McKie“I spoke to 220 people. I still wanted more—Prince is bottomless.” — John McKieIn this episode, I’m joined by John McKie, acclaimed music writer and former editor of Smash Hits and Q Magazine, to talk about his epic new book Prince: A Sign O’ The Times, published by Bonnier Books.This incredible book is based on over 200 interviews with people who knew Prince best — from bandmates and engineers to ex-girlfriends, bodyguards, and personal assistants. It explores how Sign o’ the Times became the lens through which we can truly understand the man behind the myth.We talk about Prince’s relationship with Michael Jackson, his legendary work ethic, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitar solo, and the generosity and humour often hidden behind the mystique.If you’re a Prince fan — or just fascinated by how one artist could blend funk, rock, pop, and soul into pure magic — this conversation is for you.👉 The book Prince: A Sign O’ The Times by John McKie is out now on Bonnier Books.

Derek Shulman: Giant Steps - Exclusive Interview An in depth interview with Derek Shulman—Gentle Giant founder and the executive who helped power Bon Jovi, Pantera, AC/DC, Dream Theater, Slipknot and more. I discuss his remarkable memoir Giant Steps: grief and grit after his father’s passing, the leap from Simon Dupree & The Big Sound to Gentle Giant, mentorship from Tony Visconti, live reinvention, and the bold move to the business side (minus the clichés). Derek also drops news on remixing In A Glass House with cutting-edge AI, and explains why hip-hop embraced Gentle Giant.If you love honest music stories—from Top of the Pops to arena tours—this is essential.“We didn’t have a plan. We just needed musicians who would push each other. Out dripped Gentle Giant.” — Derek Shulman“Bon Jovi said, ‘I want to be bigger than Elvis.’ You can’t stop that kind of drive—you nurture it.” — Derek ShulmanPhil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Nad Sylvan (lead singer with Steve Hackett’s band) joins Phil Aston to unpack his new solo album Monumentata—a deeply personal work shaped by family, memory, grief, and resilience. Nad explains how his music arrives fully formed in his head, why lyrics come last, and how a painful moment with his father became the seed for the title track. He also talks about adapting his voice for Genesis classics, the emotional power of live shows (including a moving “Supper’s Ready” moment in Italy), and the stubborn self-belief that kept him creating for forty years.Featuring song insights (“Secret Lover,” “Flowerland,” “Wildfire,” “That’s Not Me,” “Monumentata”) and tour notes ahead of the USA run with Steve Hackett.Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine