Best Nick Waugh Podcasts (2025)

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133: Daisy Spencer - Olivia Rodrigo 1:16:42

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4d ago1:16:42

1:16:42

The StageLeft Podcast sits down with Daisy Spencer - the incredible rhythm guitarist behind Olivia Rodrigo's record-breaking Guts World Tour! In this candid conversation, Daisy opens up about: ✨ Creating a "stage persona" to handle arena-sized crowds ✨ The reality of touring at the highest level ✨ Her guitar part on Vampire ✨ Those magical acoustic…

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132: Corey McCormick - Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts, Chris Cornell, Willie Nelson 1:08:24

5d ago1:08:24

1:08:24

🎸 “I wanted to be the dad who’s present — not recovering from the night before.” — Corey McCormick The Glastonbury headliner series: To mark our 10 year anniversary, we have episodes with Neil Young bassist Corey McCormick and Olivia Rodrigo guitarist Daisy Spencer, which are released the day each headlines the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. From pl…

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131: The Glastonbury Headliner Series: The 1975 live event - July 11th, London 1:56

6d ago1:56

1:56

The Glastonbury headliner series: To mark our 10 year anniversary, we have episodes with Neil Young bassist Corey McCormick and Olivia Rodrigo guitarist Daisy Spencer, which are released the day each headlines the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. We've taken it a stage further for the Friday night headliners The 1975, as we will be hosting a live epis…

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Daniel Vildosola & John Waugh 40:34

13d ago40:34

40:34

Send us your thoughts! Daniel Vildosola and John Waugh may come from opposite sides of the Atlantic—one from the sun-scorched deserts of Arizona, the other from the rolling hills of Northumberland, UK—but together, their music finds an effortless middle ground. Drawing from their vastly different environments, they’ve created a sound that feels nat…

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130: Ben Sturley - Selena Gomez 1:05:04

1M ago1:05:04

1:05:04

In this episode of The StageLeft Podcast, host Chris Simpson sits down with the multi-talented Ben Sturley — acclaimed bassist, composer, and longtime collaborator of Selena Gomez — for a candid and insightful conversation. From witnessing the realities of fame up close to crafting immersive film scores, Ben offers a rare glimpse into the emotional…

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Sofia Hoffmann - (In) Love Muito Mais Sobre Mim 33:43

2M ago33:43

33:43

Send us your thoughts! (In) Love explores the different aspects and essences of love, through a simple yet sophisticated musical language, reflecting the singer and song-writer’s experience gathered during the last years. The original songs which compose this collection include jazz, world music, bossa nova, and also a jazz ballad composed by the m…

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129: Andrew Cushin 58:50

2M ago58:50

58:50

In this episode of the StageLeft Podcast, we’re joined by the brilliant Andrew Cushin for a deep dive into the artistry, collaboration, and chaos behind the music. We explore the evolving dynamic between frontman and musical director, the highs of working with Noel Gallagher at Lonestar Studios, and the unusual gift of a lightsabre to trusted ally …

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Emma Rawicz & Gwilym Simcock - Big Visit 51:18

2M ago51:18

51:18

Send us your thoughts! Gwilym and Emma have teamed up to record a new album Big Visit on ACT, which is out now. They sit down with Tara Minton to share their thoughts on the new music. Support the showBy Rob Cope

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Omar Thomas - Griot Songs 47:12

3M ago47:12

47:12

Send us your thoughts! Out February 7, 2025, Griot Songs marks the return of the Omar Thomas Large Ensemble after more than a decade, featuring soloists Jason Palmer, Mark Zaleski, Alex Brown, Mark Cocheo and others “Griot Songs firmly plants Omar Thomas in the pantheon of distinguished and exceptional writers. He blurs the lines stylistically in t…

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Isabelle Oliver - Impressions 35:12

3M ago35:12

35:12

Send us your thoughts! The French Impressionists revolutionized the art world by privileging the emotional and spiritual perception of the natural world over its literal reproduction. Hailing from France, harpist Isabelle Olivier has always felt an innate affinity for Impressionism and discovered its echoes within her other artistic passions, prima…

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Brian Shaw and Nick Smart - Song for Someone: The Musical Life of Kenny Wheeler 35:23

3M ago35:23

35:23

Send us your thoughts! Trumpeter and composer Kenny Wheeler (1930–2014) was one of the most enigmatic and influential musicians in recent memory. His instantly recognisable sound was a driving force within every major innovation in modern European jazz during the last half of the 20th century. More importantly, his life provides us with a profound …

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128: Evan Smith - Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Paul McCartney, Bleachers 1:01:49

3M ago1:01:49

1:01:49

Grammy winner Evan Smith has the MOST RIDICULOUS CV. As Jack Antonoff's go to man for horns/flutes/sax and more, Evan has played on multiple Taylor Swift records, Please Please Please by Sabrina Carpenter, St Vincent & Paul McCartney's collaboration on McCartney III and TV Off by Kendrick Lamar, which explore each on this episode. Hear what it's li…

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Interaction | Anat Cohen, Avishai Cohen, Yoval Cohen, Oded Lev-Ari & WDR Big Band 40:47

3M ago40:47

40:47

Send us your thoughts! The members of all-star family jazz band The 3 Cohens — featuring Anat Cohen (clarinet), Avishai Cohen (trumpet) and Yuval Cohen (soprano saxophone) — have always taken time out from their ever-burgeoning careers as soloists and bandleaders to reconvene for music-making together. The siblings developed a deep musical bond gro…

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Jon Irabagon - Server Farm 41:46

4M ago41:46

41:46

Send us your thoughts! Jon Irabagon is a Filipino-American saxophonist, composer, and founder of Irabbagast Records.[1] Winner of the 2008 Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition[1] and one of Time Out's "25 essential New York City jazz icons",[2] Irabagon is known for the breadth of his work on a jazz continuum ranging "from postbop to free improvisation…

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Claire Cope - Every Journey 33:08

4M ago33:08

33:08

Send us your thoughts! An oft-repeated Chinese proverb states, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Looking back from a vantage point several steps along her own proverbial journey, British composer and pianist Claire Cope came to discover that no matter how daunting a venture may become, it’s always taking that first step tha…

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127: Alex Moore - The Lathums 53:25

4M ago53:25

53:25

Frontman of The Lathums, Alex Moore, joins us for a special episode, recorded on the eve of the release of their new album "Matter Does Not Define." We explore: - How to compartmentalise being friends from bandmates? - How he and the band decided which tracks to appear on their new album, and which would be b-sides? - The painstaking process of dec…

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Nisha Smith & Tom Harris : Live in Manchester 38:53

4M ago38:53

38:53

Send us your thoughts! When Nishla & Tom met in Manchester in 2019, they quickly realised they had made a rare musical connection. Over the years, the pair’s work has blossomed sideways into an array of creative projects, but at the core of their partnership is a deep respect for the history and culture of the music they play, and a preoccupation w…

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Laura Anglade - Get Out of Town 40:55

4M ago40:55

40:55

Send us your thoughts! French and American singer Laura Anglade is a promising storyteller hailing from the idyllic town of Brousse-le-Château, France. She draws inspiration from Carmen McRae, Blossom Dearie, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Shirley Horn, Billie Holiday, Michel Legrand and Barbra Streisand, among others. Laura has made a mark in the…

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Ingrid Laubrock - Purposing The Air 37:02

5M ago37:02

37:02

Send us your thoughts! Hailed as a “fully committed saxophonist and visionary” by The New Yorker, Ingrid Laubrock has evolved a distinctive, fascinatingly complex and richly layered sonic vocabulary that spans her efforts as an improviser, as leader of her own diverse ensembles or, as in the case of her captivating new album Purposing The Air, as c…

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Mary Halvorson & Sylvie Courvoisier - Bone Bells - 8th Anniversary Spectacular 35:40

5M ago35:40

35:40

Send us your thoughts! Swiss pianist Sylvie Courvoisier and American guitarist Mary Halvorson show how virtuosity and joy of playing can be beautifully combined in a duo. Their snapping, over-snapping runs sparkle with the neighboring genres of jazz in particle form. Is this now flamenco, blues, country, noise? Unison voices in a rhythm that has mo…

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Ebba Åsman 39:14

5M ago39:14

39:14

Send us your thoughts! Swedish jazz virtuoso Ebba Åsman has announced the forthcoming release of her third full-length record When You Know. The new album arrives March 21st, 2025 via Dorado Records. Coinciding with the announcement of ‘When You Know’ of the upcoming album are the joint first singles - the title track ‘When You Know’ and ‘No Answer…

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125: Ed Seed - Dua Lipa, Jessie Ware, La Roux 1:15:03

5M ago1:15:03

1:15:03

Phoebe Waller-Bridge calls him a great songwriter, and both Lauren Laverne and Elton John rate his songwriting—Ed Seed joins us for an unforgettable episode! Get a VR headset-worthy experience as Ed takes us onstage at the Royal Albert Hall, accompanying Jessie Ware. Hear how he mastered 18 songs in just two days, solved a power supply issue mid-pe…

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Aubrey Logan 37:17

5M ago37:17

37:17

Send us your thoughts! Trombone-playing singer-songwriter Aubrey Logan hails from the picturesque surroundings near Seattle, WA. Raised by her two music-educator parents, she began her artistic endeavors as a child singing in theatre and in church, Thoughtful songwriters like Billy Joel & Carole King influenced her early childhood via her singing m…

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Greg Sanders - Lophae - Perfect Strangers 38:57

6M ago38:57

38:57

Send us your thoughts! Guitarist, producer, composer & arranger Greg Sanders is an integral part of the UK’s alternative world & jazz scenes. Greg was a founding member of three influential underground world/jazz/fusion groups that formed studying at London's SOAS University from 2008 - 2011: - alternative afrobeat / post-punk trio Ruby & The Vines…

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126: "The click is gone, the click is completely gone!!"- Best of 2024. 25:33

6M ago25:33

25:33

The wonderful Beth Iles has chopped up our episodes from 2024 to give you a run down of our best bits as we enter our 10 year anniversary year. Enjoy the most insightful clips from episodes featuring Jess Greenfield of Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Ralph Rolle of Chic, Chris Maas of Sting 3.0, James Walsh of Starsailor, The 1975 touring band,…

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John Merriman - Inside The Studio 39:40

7M ago39:40

39:40

Send us your thoughts! John founded Crown Lane with his wife, back in 2007, and has ensured the business stays ahead of changes in the industry. He loves eating out and spending time with his boys and foster daughter. Today he joins the show to tell us about how he set up and sustains the studio as well as all the brilliant events he runs in the co…

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124: The 1975 Touring Band - Sequel - Live at BIMM University 1:03:45

7M ago1:03:45

1:03:45

Touring members of The 1975, Gabi King, Polly Money and John Waugh join us again for our final episode of 2024, similar to our previous episode in May but we ask a completely different set of questions, which we recorded for students at BIMM University. You can now find us on Tik Tok, Instagram and Facebook by searching ‘The StageLeft Podcast’ for …

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Single Showcase : Robin Phillips - I'm Coming Home 8:31

7M ago8:31

8:31

Send us your thoughts! Robin tells us about his new single, I'm Coming Home, which is out now! Support the showBy Rob Cope

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Xhosa Cole - On a Modern Genius, Vol. 1 37:27

7M ago37:27

37:27

Send us your thoughts! Winner of the 2018 BBC Young Jazz Musician of the year, Xhosa Cole is an embodiment of the success of numerous community arts programmes in Birmingham including the Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra, Jazzlines Ensemble, and Birmingham Music Service. Having grown up in Handsworth and first played the Tenor at Andy Hamilton's Ladywo…

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Alex Clark (Hosted by Emily Masser) 31:03

7M ago31:03

31:03

Send us your thoughts! As a finalist in the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2020, winner of the Rising Star category in the 2019 British Jazz Awards and three-time nominee in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards, Alex is known to be one of the most in-demand and versatile saxophonists to have emerged on the British jazz scene. Praised for her intellig…

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123: Andy Crofts - The Moons & Paul Weller 58:36

7M ago58:36

58:36

It’s about time, after 9 years, we did an entirely filmed episode isn’t it? So, whilst you enjoy this audio only version, do feel free to search for ‘The StageLeft Podcast’ on Youtube and you’ll find this episode in beautiful 4K, filmed in Andy Crofts stunning seafront hit hut. “Chris and Andy, excellent interview. Informative. Heartwarming. Honest…

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Ali Watson 35:31

8M ago35:31

35:31

Send us your thoughts! Hailing from the North Coast of Scotland, bassist/composer Ali Watson journeyed to London to pursue his studies in music, returning to his homeland in 2022 to establish himself in Glasgow’s vibrant jazz scene. Driven by a desire to craft music that served as an escape and antidote to the relentlessness and overstimulation of …

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John-Paul Muir - Home Now 25:57

8M ago25:57

25:57

Send us your thoughts! Support the showBy Rob Cope

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Tigran Hamasyan - The Bird Of A Thousand Voices 36:57

8M ago36:57

36:57

Send us your thoughts! Tigran Hamasyan is considered one of the most remarkable and distinctive jazz-meets-rock pianists/composers of his generation. A piano virtuoso with groove power, Hamasyan seamlessly fuses potent jazz improvisation and progressive rock with the rich folkloric music of his native Armenia. In addition to awards and critical acc…

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Sola Akingbola 51:48

9M ago51:48

51:48

Send us your thoughts! Support the showBy Rob Cope

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122: John Blease - Robert Plant, Florence & The Machine, Paolo Nutini 56:37

9M ago56:37

56:37

What’s it like getting feedback from Robert Plant when playing on Led Zeppelin songs? How do we best deal with song changes on the day of the gig? How to best negotiate fees to ensure everyone is paid fairly? What makes Paolo Nutini unique to work with? How did the recent Florence and the Machine Royal Albert Hall show work logistically? Hosted by …

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Tom Thorp - Here, There Be Monsters 32:30

9M ago32:30

32:30

Send us your thoughts! Tom is based in Manchester, UK. He studied Saxophone and composition at the Royal Northern College of Music and the University of Manchester. His classical training from Rob Buckland (saxophone), Camden Reeves and Gary Carpenter (composition) continues to inform all of his original work, which blends his distinctive voice as …

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Joan Hutton 35:31

10M ago35:31

35:31

Send us your thoughts! Joan Hutton is a performer, composer and educator residing in Minneapolis. Joan’s diverse interests have taken her from jazz, free improv and funk to classical, chamber music and pit orchestras. She has released two jazz albums featuring her original music, with co-leader Sue Orfield, on Shifting Paradigm Records: “Take That …

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Darius Brubeck & Catherine Brubeck: Playing The Changes 39:36

10M ago39:36

39:36

Send us your thoughts! Darius and Cathy join the show to share their lifetime of work and achievements. With a new book and film Playing The Changes as well as a rerelease of The Jazzanians iconic album We Have Waited Too Long theres so much to catch up on! Support the showBy Rob Cope

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121: James Walsh - Starsailor 1:28:27

10M ago1:28:27

1:28:27

An episode almost a decade in the making. Finally, James Walsh, frontman of Starsailor appears to discuss the final ever recordings with Phil Spector, the impact that episode had on his wellbeing, negotiating with Allen Klein, how he wrote 'Fever' and 'The Greatest Story Never Told', plus how to best work with a singer when you're a session musicia…

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120: Chris Maas - Sting 3.0 1:07:27

11M ago1:07:27

1:07:27

Sting 3.0 drummer Chris Maas joins The StageLeft Podcast mid-tour! We explore: How to fill the ‘space’ in a trio when playing Sting classics. The auditions, rehearsals and soundchecks for Sting 3.0 Locking with Sting as a bassist within a rhythm section. Drumming long sets with high BPMs with Example. The challenges of fluctuating salaries as a mus…

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Trio HLK - Anthropometricks 35:42

11M ago35:42

35:42

Send us your thoughts! In a world which celebrates the virtuosity of the individual, HLK’s vision has been to develop their ensemble virtuosity, compelled by a unified vision. The music comprises precise notated sections, moments of conversational interaction and room for individual improvisation. It is a delicate but powerful balance. This unique,…

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Sam Braysher - That's Him: The Music of Kurt Weill 39:47

1y ago39:47

39:47

Send us your thoughts! Sam joins Rob Cope to tell us all about his brand-new album. We chat about the music, the influences and the key decisions behind the project. Support the showBy Rob Cope

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119: Seye Adelekan - Gorillaz (live band) 1:06:35

1y ago1:06:35

1:06:35

Ginger shots at the ready! What would someone learn from working with Damon Albarn they wouldn't learn from anyone else? How does sobriety work on gig days in an environment so conducive to drink and drugs? How is Self-Esteem approaching her new record, given the success of her last? When does practice end and rehearsing begin? What happened to the…

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Halie Loren - Dreams Lost and Found 37:25

1y ago37:25

37:25

Send us your thoughts! Loren’s began her career as something of a prodigy at age 13, when she won a songwriting contest, gaining national attention. Before she was 19, she did a stint in Nashville, soaking up that city’s ancestry of great American songwriting. She recorded her first album at 20, and from there she was off and running, recording suc…

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117: Ralph Rolle - Chic 1:13:43

1y ago1:13:43

1:13:43

Ralph Rolle joins Chris Simpson to discuss his unique open-hand drum technique, walks us through the Grammy's tribute to David Bowie with Lady Gaga (which without Ralph's genius almost ended us a disaster), working with Nile Rogers and Prince and.... cookies. #chic #davidbowie #ladygagaBy The StageLeft Podcast

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Vidya 42:40

1y ago42:40

42:40

Send us your thoughts! Swedish artist, Vidya talks to Tara Minton about her new album, Adi Shakti. Support the showBy Rob Cope

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Prof. Anthony M. Kelley - The Last Unfinished Work of Mary Lou Williams 38:14

1y ago38:14

38:14

Send us your thoughts! Professor of the Practice in the Department of Music at Duke University, Anthony Kelley joined the Duke faculty in 2000 after serving as Composer-in-Residence with the Richmond Symphony for three years under a grant from Meet the Composer, Inc. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Duke University, and he earne…

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118: The 1975 Touring Band - Live Episode of The StageLeft Podcast 1:11:24

1y ago1:11:24

1:11:24

After 8 years, we’ve finally done a live episode! We are joined by Polly Money, Gabi King and John Waugh (touring band with The 1975) in front of a live audience of BIMM students, recorded in London just before the European leg of The 1975s most recent tour. The interview begins with a 30mins interview with Chris, then then band jammed three songs …

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Rob Cope - Gemini - Guest Host Martin Hummel 37:36

1y ago37:36

37:36

Send us your thoughts! Our guest host Martin Hummel interviews Rob Cope about his new album, Gemini which is out now. Rob chats about his influences and inspirations and Martin does a stunning job in the captains chair. Support the showBy Rob Cope