Now Spinning Music Magazine - Artist Interviews and Music Reviews

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

Guitar legend Steve Hackett returns to the Now Spinning Magazine Podcast for our fifth conversation. We talk candidly about health, the healing power of music, his packed 2025–2026 touring schedule, 38 minutes of new studio material, band lineup changes (Nick D’Virgilio, Felix Lehrmann, L.A. Lawson), the Dolby Atmos experience of The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, and the long-form magic of Foxtrot, Selling England by the Pound, and “Supper’s Ready.”Steve also addresses the big question: could there be a future classical-leaning collaboration with Tony Banks and other Genesis members? His answer: “Never say never”—if it serves a greater purpose and the music.Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

Guitar legend Steve Howe (Yes, Asia) returns to Now Spinning Magazine for the 3rd time! to go deep on the new reissues of Portraits of Bob Dylan (1999) and Natural Timbre (2001). We discuss how he chose the songs, why he avoided the obvious Dylan hits, arranging with taste (and restraint), performances with Jon Anderson, Annie Haslam, PP Arnold, Phoebe Snow, Allan Clarke, Max Bacon, Keith West, and the elegant drumming of Dylan Howe.We also explore the acoustic architecture of Natural Timbre—fingerstyle breakthroughs (“Dream River”), sequencing as storytelling, and knowing when to put the brushes down. Plus: Steve hints at a new Dylan-related EP, Signals Crossed, bringing the Portraits spirit into the present.Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

Derek Trucks - Exclusive Interview It’s not every day you get to sit down with one of your all-time favourite guitarists. Derek Trucks — slide innovator, bandleader, and co-captain (with Susan Tedeschi) of the mighty Tedeschi Trucks Band — joined me to talk about the long-awaited release of Mad Dogs & Englishmen Revisited (Live at LOCKN’), the legacy of Joe Cocker and Leon Russell, the telepathy of sharing a band with your spouse, Indian classical music as a nightly compass, and the quietly radical idea of being a joyful, human big band in turbulent times.The conversation traces how a one-off 2015 tribute bloomed into a definitive live album, why “Space Captain” helped launch TTB itself, what happened when a rehearsal room turned electric with 20 original Mad Dogs, and why Derek’s red SG keeps calling him home. Along the way we touch on grief, gratitude, and the kind of communal music-making that makes ushers stop in their tracks at soundcheck.Thank you for all your supportPhil AstonNow Spinning Magazine

“Where Are the Accounts?” – John McCoy on the Collapse of GillanIn this explosive interview, John McCoy – the powerhouse bassist of the Gillan band – tells the inside story of one of rock’s most volatile and exciting groups.From the chaotic birth of the band after the Ian Gillan Band faltered, to the raw energy of Mr. Universe and Glory Road, the wild stage antics, the brilliance of Bernie Tormé, and the shocking collapse when Gillan disappeared into Black Sabbath – McCoy holds nothing back.We cover his work with Zzebra, Samson, Mammoth, Angel Air Records, and his enduring legacy in British rock. Essential viewing for fans of Deep Purple, Gillan, and the entire Purple family tree.“When I first worked with Bernie, he blew my mind. He wasn’t like anyone else – punk attitude, Hendrix fire, and just wild. I knew immediately he was the one. He gave the band that danger and rawness it needed.” John McCoyPhil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

I don’t usually go click-baity, but here we are. Lately I’ve had a wave of messages from viewers saying their new LPs arrive scratched, noisy, warped or covered in paper dust.Do Modern Vinyl Pressings Suck? My Honest Take (and Yours!)Is modern vinyl quality slipping—or am I just unlucky? In this video I share real examples from my recent purchases: factory scratches, split seams, noisy sides, over-tight inners… and some truly excellent, silent pressings too. I explain what I mean by a “great pressing,” why 180g and half-speed stickers don’t guarantee results, and how packaging/shipping choices make a huge difference.Most importantly, I want your experiences. I’ll compile your comments and send a summary to labels and pressing plants so your voices are heard. Are you returning more records? Which labels get it right? Has price vs reliability changed your buying?Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazinewww.nowspinning.co.uk