The Friday Vinyl Club Podcast – Albums, Vinyl Records, Personal Music Memories and Stories

Welcome to The Friday Vinyl Club Podcast, where everyday feels like Friday and every record tells a story.

In this music interview, I’m joined by Emma Bannister, the passionate music fan behind the popular Instagram account It's a Little Bit Messy. Emma joins us to share a record that isn’t just an exceptional piece of modern soul, but an album that soundtracked her own chaotic, transitional chapter of life. We dive into the warm, intimate world of Olivia Dean, exploring the art of loving "Messy "and how a debut record can invite you in, tell you an honest story, and completely get under your skin.
Along the way we hear how:
​Top of the Pops & French Road Trips: Emma shares her childhood musical roots, from her father's love of old TV reruns and karate dancing to the Flaming Lips, to driving to France with the Red Hot Chili Peppers on repeat.
​The Spitalfields Vinyl Hunt: We hear how Emma’s teenage years were defined by a massive obsession with The 1975, including a memorable, nervous trip to a London market stall at age 15 to secure rare, clear vinyl EPs.
​The University Summer Ball Discovery: Emma recounts her introduction to Olivia Dean through the Growth EP, and the incredible, "butterfly effect" moment of unexpectedly seeing her perform live at her own university ball in 2022.
​Building an Unfiltered Fan Community: We explore the warm and welcoming nature of the Olivia Dean fan base, and how Emma's desire to connect with other "proud strangers" led her to launch her beautifully candid, beautifully messy Instagram page.
​The Magic of Quietly Devastating Tracks: We dive deep into the meticulously crafted storytelling of Messy, exploring the conversational honesty of "UFO," the piano perfection of "Dive," and the immense, emotional power of the Windrush-tribute track "Carmen".
​From Uni Gigs to the Grammys: Emma reflects on watching Olivia's graceful ascension to a global superstar—from watching her play small student crowds to the surreal, 3:00 AM moment of watching her win Best New Artist live on television.
For this week’s spin, Emma shifts our focus to the dazzling new sounds of British singer-songwriter Tsatsamis and his fresh EP, Sycophant. Blending heavy 1980s George Michael vocal vibes with infectious, dance-infused energy, Emma spotlights the standout tracks "Think About You" and "Nothing to Lose" as the perfect, feel-good addition to your playlist.
Contact @jamieb1NINE73 InstagramEmail TheFridayVinylClub@hotmail.com
What album did you discover that felt like finding a lost chapter of your own life? Send us a message: we’d love to feature your musical "chapters" in a future episode.
Keywords: Olivia Dean, Messy, The Art of Loving Messy, Emma Bannister, It's a Little Bit Messy, The 1975, Taylor Swift, RHCP, Tsatsamis, Sycophant, Carmen, Dive, UFO, George Michael, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Vinyl Records, Indie Soul, Music Podcast, Record Collecting, Grammy Winner, Windrush Generation.
#OliviaDean #TheArtOfLovingMessy #VinylClub #MusicPodcast #RecordCollecting #Messy #ItsALittleBitMessy #The1975 #TaylorSwift #RHCP #Tsatsamis #Sycophant #GeorgeMichael #VinylCommunity #NewMusicDiscovery #IndieSoul #Grammys
Friday Spin Recommendation:

Welcome to The Friday Vinyl Club Podcast, where everyday feels like Friday and every record tells a story.
In this episode, I’m joined by musician and drummer Jim McDermott, whose incredible career spans decades of British rock and pop, from early BBC sessions and major stadium tours with Sting to his current role behind the kit for the iconic Scottish band, Del Amitri. Jim joins us to share a record that’s not just nostalgic but deeply personal, an album that stands as a masterclass in instrumental aggression and technical precision. We dive into the raw, frantic energy of Jeff Beck’s Wired, exploring how music doesn’t just play in the background of our lives, but actively shapes our identity.
Along the way we hear how:
The Family Soundtrack: Jim recounts his musical roots, from his father’s classical records to his older brother Kevin's Punk collection and a childhood obsession with rhythm played out on makeshift Tupperware drum kits.

Memorable Roots and '80s Anthems: Jim shares his rapid rise into professional music, landing a BBC session for Tutti Frutti at 16 while dodging his school English teacher, Ricky Ross of Deacon Blue.

A Big First Break: We hear how Jim's first major career breakthrough came playing with the Kevin McDermott Orchestra, which landed them a massive stadium tour supporting Sting and a dream gig at Wembley Stadium.

A Lifelong Friendship: We discover Jim’s deep, long-standing friendship with Del Amitri frontman Justin Currie, tracing their bond from young musicians in the Glasgow scene to collaborative side-projects and ultimately sharing the same stage.

The Power of Storytelling: We dive into Jim’s elite drumming career with Gunn and Simple Minds, performing for 1.1 billion people with Kylie Minogue at the Commonwealth Games, and what it takes to survive a grueling global tour.

An Enduring Cultural Impact: Jim shares a grounding chapter working as a pandemic care worker, scrubbing toilets while Del Amitri played on the radio, just months before he was handed the baton by former drummer Ash Sloan took over their drum throne.

Friday Spin Recommendation:
For this week’s spin, Jim shines a light on pseudo-Americana pop singer-songwriter Jenny Lewis and her track "Puppy and a Truck." Shifting away from the high-octane fusion of Jeff Beck, this tune delivers a delightfully catchy, breezy slice of indie-pop storytelling that celebrates finding unconditional love and moving forward when life gets chaotic. It's the ultimate musical palette cleanser for your Friday.
Contact @jamieb1NINE73 Instagram
Email TheFridayVinylClub@hotmail.com
What album did you discover that felt like finding a lost chapter of your own life? Send us a message: we’d love to feature your musical "chapters" in a future episode.
Keywords: Jeff Beck, Wired, Jim McDermott, Del Amitri, Justin Currie, Kevin McDermott Orchestra, Jenny Lewis, Puppy and a Truck, George Martin, Drumming, Session Musician, Sting, Simple Minds, Gunn, Tutti Frutti, Vinyl Records, Jazz Fusion, Americana Pop, Music Podcast, Record Collecting.
#JeffBeck #VinylClub #MusicPodcast #RecordCollecting #Wired #JimMcDermott #DelAmitri #JustinCurrie #KevinMcDermott #JennyLewis #PuppyAndATruck #Sting #Drummer #VinylCommunity #NewMusicDiscovery

Welcome to The Friday Vinyl Club Podcast, where everyday feels like Friday and every record tells a story.

In this episode, I’m joined by Marcus Tongue, a talented songwriter, guitarist, and member of the band Escaped Roots. Marcus joins us to share a record that’s not just nostalgic but deeply personal, an album that stands as a masterclass in melody and heartfelt storytelling. We dive into the warm acoustic glow of Passenger’s All the Little Lights, exploring how music doesn’t just play in the background of our lives, but actively shapes our identity.

Along the way we hear how:
​The Family Soundtrack: Marcus recounts how his musical tapestry was woven at home, from his father's drumming and uncles' guitar sessions to his sisters introducing him to eclectic genres from indie to pop.
​Wembley, Urgency, and Pop Royalty: In a hilarious childhood memory, Marcus recalls the absolute agony of needing the toilet at a massive Michael Jackson Wembley gig, the exact moment the King of Pop materialized on stage.
​Memorable Roots and '80s Anthems: From kicking footballs to the sounds of The Kinks and Bon Jovi, Marcus shares how childhood memories and a love for David Bowie proved that melody can capture emotions words cannot.
​The Power of Storytelling: We dive into Marcus's transition to writing for Escaped Roots, exploring how Passenger’s narrative style transforms universal themes of love and loss into deeply personal anthems.
​An Enduring Cultural Impact: We discuss why All the Little Lights remains a constant in his life, proving that the personal stories behind the tracks are what truly connect a listener to the artist.
Friday Spin Recommendation:For this week’s spin, Marcus highlights a couple of tracks from his own band, Escaped Roots, alongside The Felice Brothers' From Dreams to Dust. A brilliant pairing of raw, driving indie energy and gritty, poetic Americana, these tracks serve as the perfect companion to our journey through powerful songwriting.
Contact @jamieb1NINE73 InstagramEmail TheFridayVinylClub@hotmail.com
What album did you discover that felt like finding a lost chapter of your own life? Send us a message: we’d love to feature your musical "chapters" in a future episode.
Keywords: Passenger, All the Little Lights, Marcus Tung, Escaped Roots, The Felice Brothers, From Dreams to Dust, Vinyl Records, Songwriting, Indie Music, Michael Jackson, David Bowie, The Kinks, Music History, Record Collecting.
#Passenger #VinylClub #MusicPodcast #RecordCollecting #AllTheLittleLights #EscapedRoots #TheFeliceBrothers #MichaelJackson #Songwriter #VinylCommunity #NewMusicDiscovery

Welcome to The Friday Vinyl Club Podcast, where everyday feels like Friday and every record tells a story.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dion Woodbury, a dedicated collector from New Zealand with a deep-rooted passion for the "Finn Universe" and the craft of Irish songwriting. Dion joins us to share a record that is a masterclass in lyrical intimacy and melodic warmth. We dive into the hidden gem of Andy White’s Destination Beautiful, an album that traces the map of Dion's musical journey from teenage influences to his present-day collection.

Along the way we hear how:
​The Finn Family Connection: Dion recounts the monumental impact of Split Enz and Crowded House on his life. We discuss the transition from the manic energy of the Enz to the refined pop craftsmanship of Neil and Tim Finn, and how that unique New Zealand sound paved the way for his discovery of other world-class songwriters.
​The "Diary Entry" Songwriting: We explore why Andy White’s music feels so personal. From the "love letter to John Lennon" to the vulnerable "Learning to Cry," we discuss the raw, diary-like quality of Andy’s lyrics that turn personal moments into universal anthems.
​A Love for the Variant: Dion opens up about his vinyl rituals and the specific thrill of collecting variants. We talk about the physical connection to the music through the artwork of Destination Beautiful and how a record's sleeve can connect a fan to the artist's soul.
​Optimism and Grit: The realization of the emotional arc within an album. We break down the narrative of Andy’s work—from the tracks that grow on you over time to the persistent sense of optimism that defines his sound, even when tackling heavy themes.
Listen to Andy White's podcast on the making of Destination Beautiful here: https://andywhite.buzzsprout.com/
Friday Spin Recommendation:For this week’s spin, Dion highlights Aldous Harding’s Designer. A fantastic piece of New Zealand avant-folk, this record serves as the perfect companion to our journey through antipodean excellence. We discuss how Harding’s singular voice and eccentric song structures continue the rich tradition of Kiwi musical innovation, making it a must-have for any collector looking for "light after dark."

Contact @jamieb1NINE73 Instgaram
Email TheFridayVinylClub@hotmail.com

What album did you discover that felt like finding a lost chapter of your own life? Send us a message—we’d love to feature your musical "chapters" in a future episode.
Keywords: Andy White, Destination Beautiful, Dion Woodbury, Finn Brothers, Vinyl Records, Irish Songwriting, Split Enz, Crowded House, Aldous Harding, Music History, Record Collecting.
#AndyWhite #VinylClub #MusicPodcast #RecordCollecting #DestinationBeautiful #FinnBrothers #CrowdedHouse #AldousHarding #VinylCommunity #NewMusicDiscovery

Welcome to The Friday Vinyl Club Podcast — where everyday feels like Friday and every record tells a story.
In this episode, I’m joined by Will Rew Smith, a record collector, creative soul, and the man behind the massive Nick Cave Bad Seeds 2000 Instagram community Will joins to share a record that is pure earth, grit, and soul. We dive into the quiet, powerful world of Ray LaMontagne’s debut, an album that didn't just play in the background of Will's life—it practically rewrote his future.
Along the way we hear how:
The Prince Obsession: Before the Bad Seeds, there was the Purple One. Will recounts his early "eBay era," hunting down rare Prince 12-inch singles and the "My Name Is Prince" picture disc. We talk about the thrill of the chase and the specific "buzz" of finding those elusive, extended versions that only existed on vinyl.

The Speaker Pillow: Will reveals his teenage "high-tech" ritual—listening to Trouble on a literal pillow with a built-in speaker, marinating in Ray’s gravelly vocals until he drifted off to sleep.

The "Switcheroo" Demos: The shocking realization that the "finished" album we all know is actually comprised of the original demos. We discuss why Ray finds it difficult to listen to his early work today and the raw, unpolished magic that makes it a classic.

Wedding Bells & Wild Horses: Why "Forever My Friend" remains the most emotional track for Will (having played it while signing his wedding register) and the spiritual, rolling closure of "All the Wild Horses."

The Last Temptation Quote: A look at the striking "Blindfolded Lady and the Devil" artwork and the hidden, powerful quote inside the sleeve that compares songwriting to turning sin into song.
Friday Spin Recommendation

For this week’s spin, Will takes us back to a limited-edition gem that bridges the gap between soul and modern pop. Claire Maguire – Light After Dark (2011): A soulful, low-voiced power house reminiscent of London Grammar’s Hannah Reid. Will shares the story of his "green vinyl" hunt—one of only 355 copies in the world—and why the track "The Last Dance" (a tribute to Michael Jackson) remains a permanent fixture in his personal soundtrack.
🔗 Connect & Listen
What album did you literally "sleep on" until it became part of your DNA? Send us a message—we’d love to feature your musical "chapters" in a future episode.
Keywords: Ray LaMontagne, Trouble, Will Rew Smith, Nick Cave, Claire Maguire, Vinyl Records, Prince, Creative Writing, Podcast, Music History, Record Collecting, London Grammar.
#RayLaMontagne #VinylClub #MusicPodcast #RecordCollecting #NickCave #Trouble #ClaireMaguire #Prince #VinylCommunity #NewMusicDiscovery