Michael's Record Collection

Episode 130: Big Big Train Founder Gregory Spawton

Big Big Train has been building momentum in the progressive rock world for years with their brand of quintessentially English, pastoral prog, but the sudden and tragic death of lead vocalist David Longdon dealt the band a huge blow. The band is about to release its first album without David on March 1 through Inside Out Music. New vocalist Alberto Bravin isn't Longdon, but his voice is well suited for what Big Big Train does well. Founding member Gregory Spawton was kind enough to discuss the new album with me, as well as such topics as his musical origin story, how the band got its name, how the band navigated the loss of Longdon and ultimately found Bravin, finally becoming a full-time career musician in his 50s, and much more. Learn more about the band at bigbigtrain.com.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Episode 129: Shadow Circus Guitarist John Fontana on ”From the Shadows”

Independent progressive rockers Shadow Circus are back after a long hiatus with a brand new album, From the Shadows. The band released its fourth album on Halloween digitally and started shipping out CDs just recently. This latest release sees the band going heavier, darker, and much more introspective and personal than their previous albums, and it's given more punch with the contributions of former Pain of Salvation bassist Gustaf Hielm and drummer Ryan Van Poederooyen of The Devin Townsend Band. John gave the full backstory of the album and its songs and discussed his musical beginnings, the formation of Shadow Circus, why the band spent so much time between albums, and much more. Check them out at shadowcircus.bandcamp.com.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Episode 128: Moon Safari’s Petter Sandstrom Discusses Himlabacken Vol. 2

After a 10-year absence, Swedish melodic progressive rock masters Moon Safari are back with their soaring five-part harmonies, melodic hooks, and fantastic musicianship on Himlabacken Vol. 2, the long-awaited follow-up to Himlabacken Vol. 1. Don't let the title fool you, the lyrics are in English (except for one short song). As good as the band's previous albums have been, this fifth studio album may end up towering over them all. Vocalist/guitarist Petter Sandstrom joins me to discuss his musical background, the forming of the band, the making of the new album, and much more. Check out https://www.moonsafari.se/ for more information on this wonderful and talented band out of Sweden.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Episode 127: Celebrating 30 Years of Rush Counterparts

Ryan Murphy and Jim Benner from the Rushfans community on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter are my guests as we celebrate the recent 30th anniversary of Counterparts by Rush. It's hard to believe that "newer" Rush album is three decades old, but here we are. Ryan, Jim, and I go track by track, discussing the songs that make up this fantastic album and we give our song rankings from the record at the end of the discussion. Big thanks to Ryan and Jim for stopping by and be sure to check out the  @Rushfans  channel.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Episode 126: Robert Reed on New Cyan Album ”Pictures From the Other Side”

My guest for this episode is composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Robert Reed, who is best known for his work with the outstanding modern progressive rock band Magenta. However, before there was Magenta, there was Cyan. Rob has put together a new incarnation of Cyan featuring standout musicians and the band has just released Pictures from the Other Side. These new Cyan albums are the same as the old ones ONLY in name, as Rob has reimagined the old Cyan songs with his new bandmates' talents in mind. He's also taken parts out, written new parts, and made changes all over the place. Big thanks to Rob for telling me about the all-new Cyan and this new release.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Episode 125: Dave Kerzner - Heart Land Mines Vol. 1

Dave Kerzner returns for the first time since way back in Episode 24, when he and I discussed the Genesis classic, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, along with his music career up to that point. Dave's newest solo album dropped in mid-October. Heart Land Mines Vol. 1 is an outstanding mixture of classic rock, Americana, and progressive rock with diverse influences, standout playing, and (above all) excellent songwriting. Big thanks to Dave for giving me the full story on his latest release. You can learn more about Dave and his music at davekerznermusic.com.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Episode 124: Nick D’Virgilio Talks DMJ, Kevin Gilbert, Genesis, Spock’s Beard, and More

My guest this week is multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and vocalist Nick D'Virgilio, who is perhaps best known as the drummer for progressive rock greats Spock's Beard and Big Big Train. Nick joined me to talk about the upcoming release of Sophomore, the appropriately titled second album by D'Virgilio, Morse & Jennings, a trio of talented vocalists who build accessible songs based on glorious three-part harmonies. Nick also spoke about his musical background, how he met Neal and Alan Morse and joined Spock's Beard, meeting Kevin Gilbert, finishing up Kevin's posthumous release The Shaming of the True, how he became one of the drummers on Genesis' final studio album Calling All Stations, working with Tears for Fears, and much more.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Episode 123: Galahad Returns - The Long Goodbye

Stuart Nicholson and Dean Baker from Galahad kindly returned to the show for this episode to discuss the band's brand new release, The Long Goodbye. This album was written at the same time as the songs from the band's 2022 release, The Last Great Adventurer, and Stu and Dean were generous with their time in discussing the making of the record and some of the stories behind the songs. It was great catching up with the two of them and the new record is sure to please those who have been enjoying the progressive rock Galahad has been releasing. Be sure to check out the band's website at galahadonline.com.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Episode 122: Steve Babb of Glass Hammer

Just when you think you know Glass Hammer, everything changes...the lineup, the vocalist, the style. Arise is another concept album from the Tennessee-based progressive rock project headed by Steve Babb (and, usually, Fred Schendel), but it's the band's first space opera. It's also a much heavier album than what longtime Glass Hammer fans are used to hearing. Steve was kind enough to talk to me about the new album, which drops next week, as well as his musical past, how he met Fred, some of the artists who inspire him, and much more.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Episode 121: Dave Meros of Spock’s Beard and Pattern-Seeking Animals

I'm delighted to bring you this interview with Spock's Beard and Pattern-Seeking Animals bassist Dave Meros. Dave was kind enough to spend some time telling me about the upcoming Pattern-Seeking Animals album Spooky Action at a Distance, along with the upcoming 20th-anniversary release of Spock's Beard's Feel Euphoria album on vinyl. He also spoke about the making of that Spock's record and that period in the band's history when it transitioned from Neal Morse to Nick D'Virgilio as lead singer. Dave also dove into his musical background, playing Snow live in its entirety at MorseFest, and many other topics.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more.