The Talk Music Podcast

Hi everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Talk Music Podcast.

With RECORD STORE DAY happening this Saturday, April 18, I’m joined by DERRY GREHAN of HONEYMOON SUITE—this year’s Canadian ambassadors—alongside global ambassador Bruno Mars and Record Store Legend award recipient, Robert Plant.

Record Store Day began in 2007 as a celebration of independent record store culture—nearly 1,400 in the U.S. and thousands more around the world. The first official event took place on April 19, 2008.

In this episode, we dive into what makes Record Store Day so special: the culture, the community, and the charm of indie record shops. Derry shares stories from his early days in record stores, the staff picks that helped shape his musical taste, and why putting vinyl on a turntable is often a magical engaging listening experience.

We also talk about Honeymoon Suite’s exclusive Record Store Day limited-edition release—a red translucent vinyl album titled Singles, featuring their biggest hits, including four tracks from their debut album, which I had the pleasure of producing.

Plus, we wrap things up with what’s next for the band—touring, recording, and what fans can expect in the year ahead.

P.S. If you’d like to check out my earlier deep-dive conversation with Derry about the band’s illustrious career, listen here.
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Hi and welcome to another episode of The Talk Music Podcast!

What does it take to build a global rock career—from underground scenes to arena stages?

This episode dives deep with WALLY VAN MIDDENDORP a powerhouse music executive whose fingerprints are all over the international rock and alternative landscape. Now based in London and working with In De Goot Management as Senior Vice President, International, with a roster that includes Shinedown, Halestorm, Black Stone Cherry, GWAR, and Canadians Theory of a Deadman, Wally shares insight into international strategy, bridging U.S. and European operations and the growing success of artists selling merch and physical goods.

But his story goes far beyond management. Wally has held top roles across the industry—from SVP International at Roadrunner Records working closely with founder Cees Wessels to General Manager of Sony Music Netherlands, as well as GM of the prestigious PIAS label AKA Play It Again Sam in the Benelux where we actually met when I signed Voivod to the label for European distribution.

Our chat includes his early beginnings—when, in his teenage years, he was president of the David Bowie fan club—and his time as an artist himself, fronting the pioneering Dutch post-punk band MINNY POPS who opened for Slash and Joy Division. We also touch on his time spent with Lars Ulrich and working with acts such as Ricky Martin, Julio Iglesias, Mötley Crüe, Alterbridge and many others.

From leading European operations to shaping global marketing strategies, his career is a masterclass in how music moves across borders and audiences.
If you’re a fan of great music stories, this episode is packed with them.

Enjoy!
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Hi everyone, welcome to another episode of The Talk Music Podcast!

This episode is a particularly special one for me on a personal level, as I take a trip back to my days as an A&R scout for RCA Records in New York —when I had the incredible opportunity to work closely with none other than GENE SIMMONS.

During that time, I discovered and signed the rock band GYPSY ROSE out of Sarnia. I eventually went on to manage the band and co-produce their debut album PREY alongside my longtime friend Gary Furniss—who, for the past 32 years, has served as President of Sony Publishing in Canada. My guest for this episode is the unique sounding gravel-voiced singer songwriter from that album, MICHAEL ROSS.

In our conversation, Michael and I dig deep into how we first met, how we ultimately connected with Gene himself and how I secured getting Gypsy Rose signed to RCA and Simmons Records. We also share our experiences working with him as the executive producer of Prey—and what it was really like collaborating and hanging out with Gene behind the scenes.

Before we get into our deep dive, I’ll be featuring a clip of the album’s single “Poisoned by Love.” At the time, the video had gone into heavy rotation on MTV and the song was beginning to climb the U.S. charts… until, suddenly, everything came to a halt.

It’s a fascinating story from a time when rock ruled the airwaves, CDs were selling in the millions, and MTV could change a band’s life overnight. A must-listen for anyone who remembers the golden age of rock.

Enjoy!
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Hi everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Talk Music Podcast!

In this episode, my guest is founding member MATTHEW GILSENAN as we take a deep dive into one of Ireland’s most remarkable musical exports — The CELTIC TENORS.

For over 25 years, The CELTIC TENORS have been blending classical technique, Celtic tradition and contemporary repertoire, appealing to audiences far beyond the traditional classical world. With more than one million albums sold worldwide and chart success across Ireland, the UK, Germany, North America, and Australia, their journey began with a multi-album deal with EMI Classics, and a debut release that became a bona fide international hit.

Along the way, they’ve earned prestigious honours including Germany’s Echo Award, performed in renowned concert halls and festivals around the globe, and sung for world leaders and international audiences alike.

Now, for the first time ever, they’re releasing a live album, recorded at the EMPIRE theatre in Belleville and currently being broadcast on the PBS network. Capturing the emotion, humour, and musical connection fans have cherished for decades, the album features traditional Irish favourites alongside classical and crossover covers — including “Perfect Symphony,” their take on Perfect by Ed Sheeran.

Currently on tour — with Ontario dates coming up and a return this November and December — I absolutely loved chatting with Matthew about the band’s beginnings, how their unique sound evolved, and what it takes to sustain a career at this level for over two decades. ENJOY!
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Hi everyone, welcome back to another season of THE TALK MUSIC Podcast!

I’m thrilled to announce my first guest is Ben Wells from global rock powerhouse, Black Stone Cherry. Born in the backwoods of Edmonton, Kentucky, Black Stone Cherry have spent over two decades reinventing Southern rock with a vicious breed of melodic-heavy riffs and soulful grit. Formed in 2001, this four-piece brotherhood has remained remarkably consistent, only recently welcoming new bassist Steve Jewell Jr. in 2021.

The band have released eight studio albums, dominated the UK Rock Charts with six consecutive #1 debuts, earned gold-certified albums, and headlined sold-out arena tours. In the U.S., they’ve had 17 singles hit the Mainstream Rock charts.

With a new EP titled CELEBRATE coming soon, our chat goes deep into how the songs came together, including the title track Celebrate, which, as vocalist Chris Robertson explains, serves as a reminder to acknowledge survival, small victories, and the importance of celebrating the simple act of getting through another day.

The EP also includes a powerful cover of the classic Simple Minds song “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” featuring Tyler Connolly of Theory of a Deadman.

We then dive into how the songs were produced and recorded, along with an overview of the band’s incredible career so far. Enjoy!
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