Now Spinning Music Magazine - Artist Interviews & Music Reviews

John Young From Lifesigns - The Now Spinning Magazine Podcast On this episode I am delighted to be joined by John Young from PROG Rock band Lifesigns John is celebrated musician known for his incredible versatility and contributions to the progressive rock scene. He's a songwriter, a keyboardist, a vocalist, and a composer who has worked with a diverse range of artists, from Steeleye Span to Bon Jovi. Lifesigns is a fantastic band band who I would describe as English Pastoral Prog, for those of you new to the band who are looking for a reference point I would say if you are a fan of Early Genesis, Camel, Flying Colors, Transatlantic, Neal Morse, The Tangent you would be pretty close! Lifesigns, debut album made waves in 2013, even making it to the UK top 100 album chart. The band began touring in 2014, with Jon Poole stepping in for Nick Beggs, and Niko Tsonev joining the lineup. Their performances at major festivals and events, including Cruise To The Edge and Night of the Prog, were notable highlights. The band released a live DVD and double audio CD, Live In London, recorded at Under The Bridge at Chelsea Football Club. Their second album, Cardington, launched in 2017, was a crowd-funded success, featuring guest appearances from renowned artists and reaching the top ten in the Amazon national chart. Lifesigns continued to tour and perform live, releasing the single Impossible in 2020, which introduced them to a broader audience. The band underwent a lineup change with the departure of Frosty and the arrival of Zoltán Csörsz in 2020. Despite recording their album Altitude remotely, the band's synergy was palpable, leading to a successful live performance on Cruise To The Edge in 2022. Their summer 2022 tour resulted in a double live album, to be released in July, with a blu-ray to follow. The band are about to embark on a European Tour and then start writing and recording their fourth studio album. For more details on Lifesigns please visit their website Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

Doogie White talks to Phil Aston for the Now Spinning Magazine Podcast Doogie White talks about his career from being a member of the Deep Purple Appreciation Society, his influences, Ritchie Blackmore, Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael Schenker, Tank and his latest band Alcatrazz. The new album Take No Prisoners is one of the best metal albums I have heard for a while!. This is a conversation rather than an interview and those of you who know Phil's style will love this. Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

Which rock guitarist was the bridge between the first ‘Montrose album in 1973 with Ronnie Montrose and Eddie Van Halen and the Van Halen debut in 1978 ? In this exciting Podcast I am joined again by Musicologist and Rock Writer Martin Popoff where we look at the influence of the first Montrose album and and the four years in between before the first Van Halen album arrived and changed everything in 1978. Being based in the UK I have focused on guitarists from the USA as I was already a huge Ritchie Blackmore for example and Montrose was the first real Heavy Metal album from the USA. I put forward the idea that Rick Derringer was one of the most important guitarists during this period outside of the UK rock scene. But was he the bridge between the two? Will Martin agree? What other guitarists and albums will get a mention? Watch the podcast to find out! Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

Andy Powell from Wishbone Ash Talks to Phil Aston Guitarist and vocalist Andy Powell talks about his career in legendary Uk Rock band Wishbone Ash. This extensive interview covers jamming with Ritchie Blackmore, early influences from Fairport Convention to soul music and then a walk through the Wishbone Ash back catalogue from the first album and coming right up to date with the latest album and future plans. " Phil this was a simply fantastic interview. I suspect I've heard most of Andy's internet based conversations down the years and this one was in a league of its own" Chris Wright Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine https://www.nowspinning.co.uk Wishbone Ash Official Website https://www.wishboneash.com

When Rivers Meet Interview - Now Spinning Magazine Podcast One of the most exciting new bands to emerge in recent years and their story is so inspirational on how they are making the current music business work for them. Meet Grace and Aaron Bond from When Rivers Meet Prepare to have your blues-rock world shaken and stirred by the phenomenal duo, When Rivers Meet. Hailing from Essex, this powerhouse of a band redefines the genre, marrying soul-stirring vocals with electrifying guitar riffs that will make even the most seasoned blues-rock fan sit up and take notice. Fronted by the mesmerizing Grace Bond and her jaw-dropping vocals, mandolin mastery, and fiery violin skills, she is accompanied by her equally talented husband, Aaron Bond, who enthralls listeners with his innovative guitar and cigar box playing, along with captivating vocal harmonies. Since their explosive debut in 2019 with their first EP, When Rivers Meet has continued to build a stunning discography, including a second EP and two chart-topping studio albums. Their 2020 release, We Fly Free, soared to #1 on iTunes Blues Album Charts, while their 2021 gem, Saving Grace, cemented their status as blues-rock royalty, charting at #2 UK Official Jazz & Blues Albums Chart, #5 UK Official Album Downloads Chart, and #6 UK Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50. Their hotly anticipated third studio album is set for pre-order in March, with a summer release in the works. When Rivers Meet's relentless rise to prominence was further confirmed by their history-making feat of being the first band to clinch four awards at the UK Blues Awards 2021, followed by another three in 2022, taking home Blues Band of the Year both times. Their accolades don't end there, with a Best New Band win at Planet Rock's The Rocks Awards in 2021 and a Blues Power Award and Album of the Year (Saving Grace) triumph in 2022. If you're a die-hard blues-rock fan who thought you've heard it all, let When Rivers Meet show you just how much more there is to discover. Their unrivaled passion, authenticity, and undeniable talent make them an irresistible force you simply can't ignore. Buy When Rivers Meet Albums here Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

Mary Fahl Interview with Phil Aston At the beginning of this year I placed the album 'Can't Get It Out Of My Head by Mary Fahl at number 5 in my list of the Best Albums of 2022. If you are a fan of Joni Mitchell, Sandy Denny, Nick Drake, ELO, Pink Floyd, Richard and Linda Thompson, Neil Young, Judy Collins, George Harrison then I think you are going to love this. I am still playing it most weeks and I now also have the Deluxe Edition which comes with a 5.1 mix. In this interview I go through the album track by track and also look back at Mary's career including her stunning interpretation of Dark Side of The Moon which is also available on a BluRay DVD in 5.1 "Mary Fahl looks back to some of the essential music that has brought her sustenance and clarity by reinterpreting songs from her greatest inspirations … Pink Floyd, George Harrison, Moody Blues, ELO, The Rolling Stones, Neil Young and others. For Mary, this is a tribute to the music that defined her as an artist" Visit - https://maryfahl.com Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

Deep Purple - Martin Popoff and Phil Aston rank their Top 10 Deep Purple albums This is based on our current top 10 Deep Purple albums - neither of us knew what the other was going to include! This is the first of what we hope to be a regular monthly Podcast with me and Martin Martin Popoff is an excellent author of books relating to the Heavy Metal and Hard Rock Genres, indeed my book shelves and full of books by Martin For more details on Martin's books please visit https://www.martinpopoff.com Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

Sid Griffin from The Long Ryders talks to Phil Aston for the Now Spinning Magazine Podcast. Sid talks about the new album September November going through many of the songs how they came together and the stories behind them. Sid also talks about the current band, the loss of Tom Stevens, Guitars (lots of Guitars) the the upcoming tour. For more details on the album and tour visit the Long Ryders Website Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

Uriah Heep - Russell Gilbrook, Heeps Drummer talks to Phil Aston about the new album 'Chaos & Colour' This is the first album where Russell has also contributed to the writing and he talks about the four songs 'Fly Like An Eagle', Hurricane' , 'Hail The Sunrise' and 'You'll Never Be Alone' and looks back at his career and when he joined Uriah Heep for the classic 'Wake The Sleeper' album. Thank you for all your support Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine

Tygers of Pan Tang - Robb Weir Interview with Phil Aston  Robb talks about the Fantastic new album from the Tygers of Pan Tang 'Bloodlines' as well as the early years, going through the classic albums, the difficult 90s and the rebirth of the band following an epic appearance at Wacken in 1999.  Since then the band have gone from strenght to strenght constantly pushing themselves. The previous album 'Ritual' was a high water mark and I did wonder how they were going to top that, but I can safely say they have.    Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine