Hosted by Yasi Salek
Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.
This episode explores the current landscape of new U.K. music with music journalist and SHAD magazine editor Shad D’Souza, joining host Yasi Solak to discuss emerging scenes, regional sounds, and the realities of modern music discovery. The discussion touches on everything from South London's famous venues like The Windmill and Spanners to the corporate influence of independent labels and the surprising resurgence of folk-infused indie rock. Following the conversation, the episode features an in-depth interview with members of the London-based band Mary in the Junkyard—Saya Barbaglia, Clary Freeman Taylor, and David Addison—discussing their debut album Role Model Hermit, paper mache stage craft, and their classical music backgrounds.
The episode opens with the host introducing the show and explaining the format and guests.
The host welcomes music journalist Shad de Souza and outlines the episode’s focus on new UK music.
The episode concludes with thanks, credits, and a teaser for the next episode.
The episode includes a brief sponsorship segment promoting Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing beer.
Shad reflects on Australian influences in UK music and the broader global music landscape.
Shad explains how he finds new music, noting the shift from blogs to social discovery and playlists.
Discussion of regional scenes, the historic Windmill venue, and current hotspots for live music.
The hosts wrap up the conversation, hint at future content, and thank listeners.
The hosts and Shad showcase a selection of emerging UK bands, describing their styles and releases.
The hosts dive into fresh UK bands, highlighting their unique sounds and recent releases.
A conversation about Firestone, Anthropic, and the influence of labels like Partizan on indie music.
They discuss the lineup, musical style, and the evolving membership of these emerging groups.
They debate the definition and modern incarnations of freak folk and trip-hop, citing specific artists.
The hosts analyze how single releases create hype cycles and the role of major label influence.
The episode wraps up with final thoughts on the current indie scene and what to look forward to.
A detailed exploration of several up-and-coming bands, their styles, and the hosts’ personal reactions.
The hosts talk about their favorite songs from the list and recount live shows they’ve seen.
Social approach to music discoveryinsight
Shad D'Souza explains that finding new music has largely shifted away from small blogs and Bandcamp toward social methods like asking peers and looking at tour lineups.
The Windmill scene in Londoninsight
The hosts discuss The Windmill, a South London pub venue that launched prominent acts like Black Midi and Shame through the curatorial vision of its booker, Tim.
Leasehold property ownership in the U.K.insight
Yasi expresses shock upon learning about the British property concept of leasehold, where buyers own only the negative space within a structure while someone else owns the land.
Mary in the Junkyard naming storystory
The band reveals that the name 'Mary in the Junkyard' was a surprise because none of the members are actually named Mary; the vocalist's middle name is Maggie.
Busking with string instrumentsstory
The members of Mary in the Junkyard recount playing cello, viola, and a baritone ukulele on the streets of St. Albans to make money.
Launching at the Windmill venuestrategy
Mary in the Junkyard explain how playing frequent opening slots at The Windmill after COVID helped them secure management and agency representation.
Paper mache stage sculpturesinsight
Saya Barbaglia discusses her background in art sculpture and her creation of giant papier-mâché characters and lanterns to enhance live shows.
“Your vehicle doesn't just get you from here to there.”
“It's a bridge to the people and places that matter most.”
“I think maybe the ones that we've gravitated towards in terms of what we're talking about would be more of a kind of like a downtempo vibe.”
“Just fucking pump it into my veins. You might as well.”
“There's something screwy about it. I just described it as screwy.”
“I feel like a lot of bands are just doing the mysterious thing again, which is like, just a whole, I guess it's just a whole different thing.”
“Um, but yeah, just like has a lot of different guises and modes and stuff, but it's just like really talented.”
“I think people have said it's very Radiohead-y and it is very Radiohead-y.”
“The orb was like, we realized that we were like, I think I was like struggling with the show or something, or I was feeling a bit like disconnected.”
“I was going to the gym for a bit and that was, that was good.”
Music journalist and EIC of Shaad Magazine Shaad D’Souza joins Yasi to talk about the best new music coming out of the U. K. right now. They discuss how they find new artists, gimmicks vs. authenticity, the Windmill scene, and the importance of going to shows in the algorithm era. Next, one of our favorite new U. K. bands, Mary in the Junkyard, sits down with Yasi to talk about coming up in south London, the not-very-secret identity of the old man on their album cover, and the benefits of tumbling. Plus, a reenactment of the very important phone call that brought the band together. Episode Playlist Listen to the Best New U. K. Music Playlist here Subscribe on YouTube CREDITS: Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek Guests: Shaad D’Souza @shaad, Mary in the Junkyard @maryinthejunkyrd Producer: Rob Sundermann Editor: Adrian Bridges Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
25,837 words · 6 speakers
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