The StageLeft Podcast
The StageLeft Podcast lifts the veil on the music industry by telling the stories of those with a unique vantage point. We talk to the unsung heroes behind the success and help young musicians going into an ever complex industry by gleaning advice about the working practices of the the greats from those who were in close proximity when the magic was being made. The StageLeft Podcast has featured musicians who’ve worked performed live & in the studio with David Bowie, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan, U2, The Rolling Stones, Oasis, The Prodigy, Bjork, Dave Gilmour, Morrissey, Alanis Morissette, The Damned and Fun Lovin' Criminals. In January 2016, David Bowie's long term producer Tony Visconti appeared to to talk in depth about how Bowie was recording his final album Blackstar. The episode was released only a few days before Bowie passed, and was met with much acclaim.
Episodes
August 11, 2025 • 32 secs
Hey all! Please have a quick listen to Tymon (our Social Media intern) who is asking for your help to complete a survey below to support the podcast growth over the next 5 years. This will help us bring you more interviews with the best session musicians globally, providing a platform for free educational content at the same time. Cheers! Chris
https://uwe.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_40CSzoUoJnURjZY
https://uwe.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_40CSzoUoJnURjZY
Mark as Played
July 3, 2025 • 95 mins
If you've got Oasis hysteria with the reunion beginning on Friday, then you may enjoy this episode with the keyboardist for that Oasis reunion - Christian Madden. This was recorded in 2017, and was listened to (and tweeted about with love) by Bonehead!
We will be at the first show back in Cardiff, so come say hi or reach out.
To mark the 10 year anniversary, we are also doing a live episode on July 11th at ...
We will be at the first show back in Cardiff, so come say hi or reach out.
To mark the 10 year anniversary, we are also doing a live episode on July 11th at ...
Mark as Played
July 3, 2025 • 77 mins
If you've got Oasis hysteria with the reunion beginning on Friday, then you may enjoy this episode with guitarist Gem Archer, recorded in 2017.
We will be at the first show back in Cardiff, so come say hi or reach out.
To mark the 10 year anniversary, we are also doing a live episode on July 11th at The Courtyard Theatre with three of The 1975 touring band, fresh off the back of headlining Glastonbury. Go to...
We will be at the first show back in Cardiff, so come say hi or reach out.
To mark the 10 year anniversary, we are also doing a live episode on July 11th at The Courtyard Theatre with three of The 1975 touring band, fresh off the back of headlining Glastonbury. Go to...
Mark as Played
June 29, 2025 • 76 mins
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 moments with Olivia ✨ Making big life changes to stay grounded on tou...
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 moments with Olivia ✨ Making big life changes to stay grounded on tou...
Mark as Played
June 28, 2025 • 68 mins
🎸 “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 playing with Neil Young and Chris Cornell to navigatin...
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 playing with Neil Young and Chris Cornell to navigatin...
Mark as Played
June 27, 2025 • 1 min
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 episode with touring band members that you can attend at The Court...
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 episode with touring band members that you can attend at The Court...
Mark as Played
May 27, 2025 • 65 mins
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 and creative nuances of life both on stage and behind the scenes. He also share...
Mark as Played
April 29, 2025 • 58 mins
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 Dave Eringa. Andrew opens up about his writing process and how it’s developed si...
Mark as Played
March 27, 2025 • 61 mins
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 like listening to your music on Kendrick's superbowl perfor...
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 like listening to your music on Kendrick's superbowl perfor...
Mark as Played
March 3, 2025 • 53 mins
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 deciding concert setlists!
- How to best choose exte...
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 deciding concert setlists!
- How to best choose exte...
Mark as Played
January 27, 2025 • 75 mins
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-performance with Dua Lipa, and absorbed La Roux's distinctive musical knowledge in...
Mark as Played
January 10, 2025 • 25 mins
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, Erron Baron Cohen, Seye Adelekan of Gorillaz & Self-Esteem, John ...
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, Erron Baron Cohen, Seye Adelekan of Gorillaz & Self-Esteem, John ...
Mark as Played
December 9, 2024 • 63 mins
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 exclusive video content of the interviews. We’re looking to tour this n...
You can now find us on Tik Tok, Instagram and Facebook by searching ‘The StageLeft Podcast’ for exclusive video content of the interviews. We’re looking to tour this n...
Mark as Played
November 22, 2024 • 58 mins
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.” – Debra, StageLeft listener.
Thank you to Sophia at Bearl...
“Chris and Andy, excellent interview. Informative. Heartwarming. Honest.” – Debra, StageLeft listener.
Thank you to Sophia at Bearl...
Mark as Played
September 26, 2024 • 56 mins
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 Chris Simpson - you can reach out t...
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 Chris Simpson - you can reach out t...
Mark as Played
August 27, 2024 • 88 mins
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 musician.
Thank you to Tymon Firin, Darcy Dewar, Beth Iles, Anabel-...
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 musician.
Thank you to Tymon Firin, Darcy Dewar, Beth Iles, Anabel-...
Mark as Played
July 27, 2024 • 67 mins
Sting 3.0 drummer Chris Maas joins The StageLeft Podcast mid-tour!
We explore:
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 musician.
- How the music education systems differ bet...
Mark as Played
June 24, 2024 • 66 mins
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 Youth of the Apocalypse (YOTA)?!
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 Youth of the Apocalypse (YOTA)?!
Mark as Played
May 24, 2024 • 73 mins
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
#ladygaga
#chic
#davidbowie
#ladygaga
Mark as Played
April 24, 2024 • 71 mins
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 of The 1975 with BIMM students (“If You’re Too Shy Let Me Know”, “About You”, an...
Mark as Played
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