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Under the Radar Podcast

Celine Teo-Blockey

A monthly podcast that dives into memories of childhood, musical inspirations and milestones that have shaped artists—and informed their most recent albums. Hosted and produced by Celine Teo-Blockey. Presented by Under the Radar, a print magazine and website founded in 2001 by Mark and Wendy Redfern.

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Episodes

Tim Burgess
09-02-2023
Tim Burgess
"Typically, music heals," says Tim Burgess, the hyperactive multi-talent whose career encompasses three decades as The Charlatans frontman, sixth diverse solo albums, three memoirs, his own O Genesis record label, and more than 1000 installments of the now-beloved Tim’s Twitter Listening Party. During the darker, more uncertain days of lockdown, these twitter parties facilitated joyful connections between fans and some of our favorite bands—from Blur's Dave Rowntree to Oasis' Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs, Paul McCartney and Susanah Hoffs from The Bangles. As the parties progressed, it took in more diverse albums including Run The Jewels, Iron Maiden and more recently Shania Twain. The wide breadth of music it covered during the pandemic would in time unstuck Tim's own creative impasse and the positivity would spill over to his electic, sixth album Typical Music.Many thanks for making this possible: — Thank you Tim for sharing 'more than we needed,' even as your van waited for you outside. (Insert Heart emoji) Thank you to Mute for use of all songs. To Sony Music for Master Rights for "The Only One I Know." And to Bella Union and O Genesis for all other songs. Finally to Ken Weinstein from Big Hassle for all the added support.Songs Featured: "Here Comes The Weekend,"The Only One I Know," "Years Ago," 'Just One Kiss (One Last Kiss)," "Nik V," "The Mall," "Time That We Call Time," and "The Centre of Me(Is a Symphony of You)."To share your thoughts on this episode, email: celine.teoblockey@undertheradarmag.com Or leave a voice message here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Phoenix - Thomas Mars
05-12-2022
Phoenix - Thomas Mars
Phoenix frontman Thomas Mars subscribes to Ed Ruscha's philosophy on art—that it should prompt bewilderment or even disgust before appreciation. And not the reverse. This can be applied to the French band's music. Consider their latest album Alpha Zulu, the title seems odd but dig a little and it reveals a salient truth for Thomas. Together with his friends and bandmates Deck D'Arcy, Christian Mazzalai and Laurent Brancowitz the foursome started the songwriting for this, their seventh album, after the death of their dearest friend, producer Philippe Zdar—who was crucial in helming their breakthrough 2009 album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. Less than a year later, they would find themselves in the midst of a pandemic and then the California fires. Listen to find out how writing Alpha Zulu became a way for them to manifest the light at the end of the tunnel.Many thanks for making this possible — Thomas, for telling us that he's been cutting his own hair since he was 11! Thank you to Glassnote Records and Loyauté for permission to use songs. Also to Jen Appel and Juliette Kost at The Oriel Co for constant support.Songs Featured: "Alpha Zulu," "Too Young," "Lisztomania," "1901," "J-Boy," "Telefono," "All Eyes On Me," "Tonight," "Artefact," "Identical," "Winter Solstice," and "The Only One."To share your thoughts on this episode, email: celine.teoblockey@undertheradarmag.com Or leave a voice message here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Marlon Williams
30-09-2022
Marlon Williams
As a child, New Zealand singer-songwriter Marlon Williams believed that if he could nail the songs at iwi or tribe gatherings then surely everything in the world would be ok. Nevermind that elders were discussing big issues such as Maori land rights, water rights and education, Marlon had an inate believe in the virtues of song and his vocal prowess as a singer. Indeed his voice is something to behold — a melismatic, velvety croon that can register as Roy Orbison or Elvis. And before the release of his latest album My Boy, it could be said that it's a voice more comfortable in a different era or genre or part of the world, but after this third record — it's clearly a voice that transcends all of it. Marlon can raid the chest of drawers on any musical era and come up with a piece of art that is contemporary because it speaks to current afflictions in a knowing way, uniquely framed by his indegenuity and wry, humor.Many thanks for making this possible — Marlon for a great psych session, both times! To Dead Oceans for use of all Master Recordings. Native Tongue for Publishing rights. And Jessica Linker at Pitch Perfect PR for all the added support. Thank you to Lily Sloane for additional music and Martin Austwick for additional sound engineering.Songs Featured: "River Rival," "Hello Miss Lonesome," "Dark Child," "Strange Things," "Make Way For Love," "Nobody Gets What They Want Anymore," "My Boy," "My Heart Is A Wormhole," "Princes Walk," "Thinking Of Nina," "Don't Go Back" and "Easy Does It."To share your thoughts on this episode, email: celine.teoblockey@undertheradarmag.com Or leave a voice message here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Seratones - A.J. Haynes
31-08-2022
Seratones - A.J. Haynes
Seratones frontwoman A.J. Haynes and her Shreveport, Louisiana-based band (bassist, Travis Stewart and drummer, Jesse Gabriel) released their disco-inspired, third album Love & Algorhythms, earlier this year. At the time of writing the album, A.J. was also working full-time as an Abortion Advocate in the last standing Abortion clinic in Louisiana, an experience that brought her close to burnout and informed much of the record's theme of liberation, Afro-Futurism and radical joy as a form of protest. She draws from the works of Black Feminist authors in her lyrics –– from civil rights activist, Toni Cade Bambara ("The Salt Eaters") to Science Fiction writer Octavia Butler ("Xenogenesis") and queer activist, Audre Lorde ("A Burst of Light" and "Sister Outsider"). While no longer working at an abortion clinic, she is still the President of the Board at the New Orleans Abortion Fund, and continues the fight for Reproductive Rights.Many thanks for making this possible — A.J. what an absolute force you are! I have learnt so much. Thank you to Fat Possum for use of songs from the album Get Gone. And to New West Records for songs from Power and Love & Algorhythms. And for support from Shazila Mohammed, Jaclyn Ulman and Devin Velez at Grandstand Media.Songs Featured: "Good Day," "Choking On Your Spit," "Don't Need It," "Power," "Fear," "Pleasure," "Get Free," "Two Of A Kind" and "Power of Your Light."To share your thoughts on this episode, email: celine.teoblockey@undertheradarmag.com Or leave a voice message here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Teenhood, Wolves and that Right Path
16-06-2022
Teenhood, Wolves and that Right Path
In our final episode for Season 2, we listen to some raw tape that didn't make the Julien Baker episode. And we're joined by not one but two fans. Allison, a teenage fan, from Louisiana, shares how Julien's music helped her through her own bouts of depresson during the pandemic. And Azin Samari, a documentary editor on "The September Issue"—the award-winning film about Vogue magazine, Amazon docu-series "Lorena" and more recently, Hulu's "Sasquatch." Azin is currently working on a documentary about the refugee crisis. She discusses her experience with religion, editing for documentary, and its similairities to editing for audio.Thanks to Matador Records for use of the song "Appointments." And Katie Nelson from Grandstand Media for support with music clearance. A big, big thank you to the many Julien Baker fans that reached out. We could only pick one but feel free to record a voice message and I promise to play it on a future mini-episode. And of course to our guest Allison, thank you for sharing the music in your head with all of us in the world — it's a truly special thing. Links to the other episodes discussed — Black Belt Eagle Scout, Ezra Furman, Travis and Lucy Dacus. Julien Baker will tour with Angel Olsen and Sharon Van Etten, for the Wild Hearts Tour, from 21 July to 21 Aug 2022. Remember Season 3 will drop July 7. Write us an Apple Podcast review, or again send me a voice message. If you prefer to share your thoughts via email, drop us a line at celine.teoblockey@undertheradarmag.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jamie Stewart - Xiu Xiu
24-12-2021
Jamie Stewart - Xiu Xiu
Experimental art-pop and noize band Xiu Xiu's single "Rumpus Room" found me on a particular low day in early 2021. I remember puttng it on, cranking the volume up and jumping around like a sugar-ed up toddler in a boucy castle. There's hints that the song is about more serious things but in that moment I needed joy and bouce—and that's what I found. Jamie Stewart began Xiu Xiu 20 years ago. The band has seen many configurations and different members. For the last decade, Xiu Xiu's been a duo of Stewart with Angela Seo. Xiu Xiu's music is often confronting either thematically or in the noize elements that Jamie employs. Diving into it, is its own reward. Their latest is OH NO, an album of duets. It features Sharon Van Etten, Angus Andrew from Australian band, Liars, Twin Shadow, Owen Pallett and LA's First Wave punk pioneer, Alice Bag.Many thanks for making this possible — Thank you Jamie for all the noize, madness, mayhem and beauty. And that infectious laugh. To Kill Rock Stars for use of "I Luv The Valley OH" and "Apple For A Brain." And to Polyvinyl for use of all other songs. To Catherine Herrick from Motor Mouth Media for media support.Songs Featured: "Rumpus Room," "I Luv the Valley OH," "I Luv Abortion," "Apple For A Brain," "Honey Suckle," "Sad Mezcalita," "Saint Dymphna," "I Dream Of Someone Else Entirely," "Antz," and "Bottle of Rum."To share your thoughts on this episode, email: celine.teoblockey@undertheradarmag.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Courtney Barnett
19-11-2021
Courtney Barnett
Australian indie rocker Courtney Barnett's latest album Things Take Time, Take Time is an attempt to be kinder to herself. To not worry about the big picture of how to stay successful or even sane after achieving then sustaining global stardom against the backdrop of a world that seemed to be burning at each turn. Instead, she shfts her mind and focus on the small comforts — regular Zoom calls with friends during the Pandemic, taking in the laid-back beauty of a Joshua Tree sunset, the blush of a new love and the acceptance of the cycles of change in life. By Courtney's own admission she finds it hard to say the right thing in any given moment, and perhaps that's why songwriting is such a precious outlet for her. Anonymous Club, a new documentary by her longtime collaborator and friend, Danny Cohen (scheduled for released in 2022) will reveal the scope of her turmoil during the darkest days of her last tour. But for now she is employing her best defense 'being annoyingly optimistic."Many thanks for making this possible — Thank you Courtney for giving us a piece of your heart, even when it hasn't been easy. To Mom & Pop Records for use of all songs. And to Katie Nelson and Grace Jones at Grandstand Media for all the support.Songs Featured: "Rae St," "Avant Gardener," "Pedestrian At Best," "City Looks Pretty," "Nameless Faceless," "Splendour," "Oh The Night," and "If I Don't Hear From You Tonight."To share your thoughts on this episode, email: celine.teoblockey@undertheradarmag.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sleaford Mods
24-09-2021
Sleaford Mods
On Sleaford Mods latest album Spare Ribs the Nottingam duo keep their aim firmly at the ruling political class and their mishandling of the pandemic. As the U.K. reels from further economic unraveling thanks to the harsh realities from the Tory push for Brexit, coupled with a decade of austerity measures, Jason Williamson's agit-punk over Andrew Fearn's sly beats continues to give voice to the everyman and their frustrations. Lyrically, the rants are richer, more poetic and in parts intimate, stripping it of the machismo that his image might first brandish to the casual listener. Williamson sheds light on this shifting perspective. He is still shouting about the world outside but also ruminating on parts of his interior life that may have been previously locked away.And after a hard slog to the top, they appear eager to extend a hand to nascent women artists. Watch out for newcomer Billy Nomates and Australian, Amy Taylor, from Amyl & The Sniffers—both have excellent features on this album.Many thanks for making this possible — Thank you Jason for giving a F*ck. To Rough Trade Records and Abby Rubin at Beggars Group for use of songs. Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn for use of "Don't Want A Disco Or 2." And Talia Miller at Rough Trade Records for additional support.Songs Featured: "Nudge It," "Jobseeker," "Don't Wanna Disco Or 2," "BHS," "Shortcummings," "Elocution," "Mork & Mindy," "Top Room," "I Don't Rate You" and "Out There."To share your thoughts on this episode, email: celine.teoblockey@undertheradarmag.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Adrian Younge
19-08-2021
Adrian Younge
The cover art of Adrian Younge's album The American Negro depicts the shocking image of a man hanging from a tree. Flip the cover over and the other image reveals that on his back is a note which reads 'This n***** voter." You may ask "Why, do we need an image so offensive? Or an album like this one now?" A multi-hyphenate artist dedicated to shining a light on the unsung heroes of soul, jazz and culture, Adrian also shares a deep love for history which he is keen to impart to us. As he believes knowledge and education are the key to understanding our current social ills.The American Negro is a multi-pronged project that includes a short film called TAN and Younge's podcast Invisible Blackness. His conversations with Public Enemy's Chuck D and Brian Jackson, Gil Scott-Heron's jazz collaborator on "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" and some of the most crucial albums of the '70s contributing to the Black Consciouness —are illuminating and not to be missed.Many thanks for making this possible — Adrian for taking on this work of helping us all to educate ourselves. To Dru Lojero at Linear Labs for assistance with music clearance. To Jazz Is Dead for use of Masters and to Sony Publishing. Thanks to Shazila Mohamad and Zoe HInes at Grandstand Media for additional support.Songs Featured: "The American Negro," "Bitches Do Voodoo," "Sirens," James Mincey Jr," "Margaret Garner," "Race Is A Fellacy" and "Light On The Horizon."To share your thoughts on this episode, email: celine.teoblockey@undertheradarmag.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.