In this episode of Can't Find My Way Home, I was joined by Ben Osborne.
It had maybe been about a year or so since we originally talked about doing an episode together, but it was definitely worth the wait.
Ben talks us through his early days as a musician in Oxford, and how after moving to university, his musical expectations were about to change. For the better...
We also get into the move to Berlin (back when it was a lot cheaper to do so), as well as his work with Open Music Lab, where he is the Project Manager & Workshop Organizer, as well as the Co-Founder. From their website -
"The Open Music Lab is a space where anyone can learn how to create, record, and share. All of our workshops and courses are free of charge for the students and offer a place for Berlin’s diverse communities to connect and create together."
We chat about Ben's back catalogue, his own very distinctive musical style, performing live after a long break, his work on theatre and film soundtracks, and his work as a libretti...writing lyrics for opera.
There's a new piece he's written, which will see him go to Japan in the New Year, the joy of writing lyrics, anarchic pantomimes, and why we should be listening to Kate Bush...and The Pixies...
I really enjoyed our conversation and I'm sure that you will too...
Craig
http://ben-osborn.com/
@_ben_osborn_
https://www.facebook.com/benosbornmusic
https://www.openmusiclab.org
In this episode of Can't Find My Way Home, I was joined by Greg Clifford.
Greg, originally from Dublin, now based in Berlin, has a new single out (Shoot The Messenger) on the 30th of August, and of course, we get into the story behind the song, as well as the excellent accompanying video.
We explore music's gravitational pull, his last album Lines of Desire, breaking up a band on stage, dancing in the kitchen, as well as the genius of Mark E Smith.
Greg also opens up about his work in higher education, his love of video and the editing process, the state of the music industry today, and what projects he's got planned in the near future.
Aside from his solo music endeavors Clifford also works as a session musician, producer and arranger. He has also toured internationally with the Diversus Guitar Ensemble, scored for the RTE Concert Orchestra and guest lectures and composes avant-garde works for the Sound Training Centre.
All this and just who is the other Greg Clifford?
Check out Greg's work:
https://www.instagram.com/gregcliffordmusic
https://www.gregcliffordmusic.com/
https://linktr.ee/cantfindmywayhome
In this episode of Can't Find My Way Home, I was joined by Claire Hawkins. Claire talks us through her musical and travel journey -so far, as well as the release of her new EP and the latest tracks - The Name and Choosing To Stay.
We talk musical influences, the writing process, DIY Tours and participating in The Odyssée artist-in-residency programme, in Southern France, and life as a Digital Nomad.
Claire's Youtube channel has just gone over one million views and we talk about the content creation process, the fun of making vlogs, and finding audiences in some surprising places - in a good way.
All this and a super Top 5. Let's get right to it...Claire Hawkins.
https://www.clairehawkinsmusic.com/
@imclairehawkins
@ClaireHawkins
https://linktr.ee/cantfindmywayhome
In this episode of Can't Find My Way Home, I was joined by Canadian singer-songwriter, Dom Fricot.
Dom tells us how he landed in Berlin and his many adventures along the way. We also get into the live, musical differences between Canadian and European audiences, 'Toplining', The Bundys, and why you should always reply to emails.
Dom shares some of his musical influences and who we should be listening to, as well as his roots projects Flora Falls and Folk Road Show and the forthcoming tours and new releases.
Silent concerts (which look amazing, so I can only imagine they sound amazing), the most unusual gig venues, and the real joy of singing...
Check out Dom's work below...
https://linktr.ee/dominiquefricot
https://linktr.ee/cantfindmywayhome
In this episode of Can't Find My Way Home, I was joined by Jonny Whitlam.
Jonny has been a Berlin tour guide since 2010, and has been showing travellers from across the world the fascinating history of Berlin ever since.
We talk about the tour industry in Berlin, Jonny's favourite tour that he offers, embracing your inner-nerd, the online video map that you'll find on his excellent website, as well as working as a freelancer.
Jonny talks us through the leading a tour to the former concentration camp in Sachsenhausen, how to not pull any punches, but at the same time maintain the utmost respect for those who suffered there.
There's a hot take on the best 'short time' trips in the city, his impressive daily step count, and what you'll find (or not as the case may be) when you visit the grave of the legendary film director, F.W. Murnau.
Find Jonny below...
https://www.whitlams-berlin-tours.com/
@whitlamsberlintours on instagram and facebook
In this week’s episode of Can’t Find My Way Home, I was joined by Karl Culley.
Karl starts by telling us about his guitar journey and how his distinctive playing style. We get into his new album, ‘Stories Save Our Lives’ as well as Karl’s back catalogue.
There’s talk of the doomed, dangerous sound of a Bond song, the power of the hook, and how he landed in Kraków. Karl also had the pleasure of recording his first album on the remote Scottish island of Jura, and we find out all about the logistical and meteorological challenges of working there. Definitely worth it though…
We talk about the work of the producer, live performances, why not buying records changed everything, and the joys of music theory…and a super Top 5.
Let’s get right to it…Karl Culley…
https://linktr.ee/cantfindmywayhome
In this week’s episode of Can’t Find My Way Home, I was joined by Davy Lyons.
Davy is an Irish songwriter, musician, poet, and actor.
We talk about how he started as a musician, singing at family gatherings, finding his voice, and busking on the streets of Dublin.
Davy first moved abroad, volunteering with the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms program , which brought him to live and make wine in a Tuscan castle and stay for four months in the mythic Parisian bookshop, Shakespeare & Co. In 2016, he moved to Barcelona where he still resides today.
In 2019 he released his first album, Evidence, and his second record, ‘The Human Factor’ produced by compatriot David Duffy, was released in Feb 2023 with Dutch label King Forward Records. We talk more about his live band, performances, and also some new projects in the pipeline. Let’s get right to it…Davy Lyons
https://davylyons.com/
https://linktr.ee/davylyons
Can't Find My Way Home is a podcast where Expats from around the world talk about the music and arts scene in their new home. In this episode, I was joined by multi-instrumentalist Ethan Smith. Ethan describes how he landed in Krakow from Cape Town, his many musical adventures, the projects he's working on at the moment, as well as his new EP 'Times Remembered'. We get into his musical education, and the differences in studying in South Africa and in Norway. Yes, he's travelled that much! Ethan also shares his musical influences from the jazz world as well as his continued participation in the Viva Kultura organization, which started the whole travelling thing off in the first place. https://bit.ly/3q4YjqP
https://bit.ly/3pZLbTQ
https://www.instagram.com/ethan.altosax.smith/
https://www.facebook.com/ethansmithcreates
Can't Find My Way Home is a podcast where Expats from around the world talk about the music and arts scene in their new home.
In this episode, I was joined by folk singer-songwriter Steve Wallis.
Steve was raised in Byron Bay, Australia, but after spending more than a decade playing in bands around the country, he relocated to Paris, France in 2014.Steve talks about the local music scene, his musical influences, his album ‘Nothing Stays The Same Way For Long’ (released September 16 2022), and working on his stage presence. We talk about going to a band camp with The Milk Carton Kids (and others, of course), his Guild M-20 guitar, and having one of your tunes licensed into a Playstation game.
Find out more about Steve and his music
www.stevewallismusic.com
https://linktr.ee/cantfindmywayhome
In this episode of Can’t Find My Way Home, I was joined by Chris Darwa.
Chris is originally from Canberra, Australia and has lived in Qatar, Germany and London before moving to Switzerland. He worked as a trainer in the fitness industry for 8 years before committing to stand up comedy and acting in 2012.
You’ll find this episode as we recorded it, with some light editing, here and there.
Chris had just returned to his home in Zurich the morning that we recorded, after completing his first solo European tour.
Chris talks us through his journey so far in the world of comedy, the ups and downs of performing, his first paid gig and doing things that don’t make any rational sense to other people.
Find out about his background in wrestling (the WWE kind), the nuances of Swiss audiences,
All this and just what it takes to work up to performing an 80 minute set…you’d be surprised.
Let’s get right to it…Chris Darwa
www.instagram.com/chrisdarwa
https://www.facebook.com/chris.darwa/
https://linktr.ee/cantfindmywayhome
In this episode of Can’t Find My Way Home, I was joined by Steen Agro.
Steen is a filmmaker, writer, and director, based in Prague.
In his own words, Some bloke who's been making films since he was a kid. Didn't go to film school, just kept shooting instead, figuring shit out...specialises in humour, character and story.
Steen talks us through his vast experiences in the world of filmmaking, commercials, the improv group Script For Brains, that he’s a performing member of, 48 Hour Film Challenges…Electric Dinosaur…meeting Richard Attenborough, and directing a feature film…All this and turning down Saatchi and Saatchi for all the wrong reasons…plus a super Top 5…Let’s get right to it…Steen Agro
https://www.instagram.com/kinosteeno/
https://www.facebook.com/ScriptforBrains/
https://linktr.ee/cantfindmywayhome
In this episode of Can’t Find My Way Home, I was joined by Matt Paull.
Matt, born in the UK, raised mostly in New Zealand, and now a resident in Berlin since 2016, talks us through both his musical and expat journey - so far.
We talk about social media, being a multi-instrumentalist, marketing yourself in a new country, some of the logistic challenges of settling in Berlin, as well as all things NORD.
Matt shares some of the artists he’s played with since moving to Berlin, and we get into his own debut album ‘Reminiscence’...what’s it’s like to conduct a musical and a super TOP 5…All this and trying to keep the reggae police happy…let’s get right to it…Matt Paull
@mattpaullmusic
@matthewpaullpiano
https://www.facebook.com/mattpaullmusic/
In this episode of Can’t Find My Way Home, I was joined by David Duffy.
Originally from Cork, Ireland, and now based in Barcelona, David is a renowned musician and composer in his own right.
David talks us through his musical journey from picking up the bass as a teenager, discovering jazz and then moving on to study music full-time. We talk through the academic audition process and some unique prep tips, as well as some of his experiences when he was a student.
We also get into some of David’s musical projects, both as a musician and as a composer. The Niall McCabe Band, the Eat My Noise project, the making of the video for his track “Self”, the pros and cons of arts funding, and just what is IDM?
There’s a look into what David’s working on at the moment, his commercial work, the inspirational work of Olafur Arnalds, and the live scene in Barcelona.
A super Top 5 PLUS…George Michael’s exploding reverb sound…
https://davidduffymusic.com/
https://linktr.ee/cantfindmywayhome
In this episode of Can’t Find My Way Home, I was joined by Chance from the Berlin-based rock band, Heavy Heavy.
We start our conversation with Chance telling us how the band came to be, what his musical influences are, and the thriving rock scene in Berlin.
We get into the band’s latest album ‘I Think It’s Permanent…’ and some of the themes that the songs cover. As well as Chance’s first role in directing one of the band’s new videos, we discuss Heavy Heavy’s fantastic use of visuals.
There’s talk of the recording process, the unenviable task of writing lyrics, the trouble booking tours today, how the band get their sound both live and in the studio…and a fun Top 5.
Let’s get right to it…Chance
https://linktr.ee/heavyheavyberlin
https://heavyheavysdumburl.wixsite.com/official
https://s7g.show/about/
Big thanks to @viomusic.art for sharing his Top 5. Some guilty pleasures, a particularly unique live venue, his go to Karaoke song...and more.
Viktor Haraszti is a Hungarian-born, Holland-based musician, sax player-multiinstrumentalist, producer, and sound engineer. Hitting his first notes behind the piano as a seven-year-old, he later picked up the clarinet at age 11. Seven years later, he got his first diploma at the famous Bela Bartok Conservatory in Budapest. Influenced by a visit to Fats Domino's Budapest concert in the late '80s, the Rock & Roll set off his passion and inspired him to pick up the saxophone right after graduation. Learning the traditions of Rhythm & Blues and playing with different local bands helped him to develop his interest in jazz. Discovering Parker, Miles, and Coltrane's works while he was working at the music library made him set his direction in music
Follow Viktor and check out some of his recordings, live performances, as well as some cool collaborations.
https://www.viomusic.art/
In this episode of Can’t Find My Way Home, I was joined by Viktor Haraszti.
Viktor talks us through his expat and musical journey: from growing up in Hungary in the 80’s, to his now home of many years in the Netherlands.
As well as being an acomplished Saxophonist and composer Viktor is also a multi- instrumentalist, producer and sound engineer.
Viktor talks us through his musical education in Hungary, the countless hours of practice, and discovering there was so much more to music as he got older.
We talk about innovation and creativity, the differences in musical training and education, AND breaking the rules of the jazz police.
More recently, Viktor created ViOmusic, his creative platform, and record label. We also discuss some of his musical collaborations, his solo album, as well as organsing a local festival in the Netherlands this summer.
All this and carrying a harp to the gig…let’s get right to it…Viktor Haraszti.
Follow Viktor https://www.viomusic.art/
In this episode of Can’t Find My Way Home, I was joined by Russ van den Berg, from his home in Valencia.
We started our conversation with Russ explaining why he moved to Spain and we both get to share our feelings on the ‘B’ Word - Brexit. Russ shares his musical background and how he got into the clarinet, then the saxophone, as a teenager.
We get into creativity and being dysfunctional, the scary nature of jazz as a genre, and Russ’s academic background which led him to a professorship at Trinity College, London at just 25 years old.
We talk ‘Wokeness’, cancel culture in education, what you can expect from the music scene in Valencia, and why it’s such an inspirational place for Russ. Taking risks as a musician, what goes into a practice routine, and a really fun Top 5.
All this and the importance of having shiny shoes…Let’s get right to it…
Russ van den Berg.
Follow Russ
https://www.facebook.com/russell.v.berg
https://www.youtube.com/@CentreLine2/
https://russellvandenberg.bandcamp.com/
https://linktr.ee/cantfindmywayhome
In this episode of Can’t Find My Way Home, I was joined by Daniel Beaver. Daniel’s been a long-time resident in Munich and hails from Preston, England.
We open our chat with discussion about one of Daniel’s podcasts - ‘Beavercast’, where he and some comedian buddies, discuss the latest news and happenings.
We get into the comedy scene in Munich, where you can find a show, the performers and what kind of atmosphere you can expect.
Daniel recalls what it was that brough him to Germany and what other opportunities has he been able to explore since arriving? There’s talk about performing at the Edinburgh Fringe, some advice for those who’re thinking of performing at an open mic, stealing jokes, and a super Top 5.
All this and learning to swear properly…let’s get right to it…Daniel Beaver
https://linktr.ee/danielbeaver
https://linktr.ee/cantfindmywayhome
Can't Find My Way Home is a podcast where Expats from around the world talk about the music and arts scene in their new home.
In this episode, I was joined by Robbie Aaron.
In this excerpt, Robbie talks us through the process of making the video for the band's first single, 'Break The Cycle'.
Follow Ocean's Away - https://linktr.ee/OceansAway
Can’t Find My Way Home - https://linktr.ee/cantfindmywayhome
