100 Episodes: Five Years of Making Records at Apollo Audio

100 Episodes: Five Years of Making Records at Apollo Audio

For the 100th released episode of The Apollo Audio Podcast, Martin and Billy do something slightly different. For the first time, the episode was filmed as well as recorded, with the video version available on YouTube and Spotify. The milestone also lands almost exactly five years after Martin began working with Apollo Audio, so this episode looks back at the studio, the podcast, and a selection of records made at Apollo over that period. Martin and Billy talk about how the studio has changed, why the control room now feels like a proper creative space, and how Apollo has become more than just rehearsal rooms and recording equipment. It is a place where bands meet, rehearse, record, perform, drink tea, try ideas, make videos, play shows, and slowly build a history together. The main discussion focuses on a playlist of tracks recorded, produced or engineered at Apollo Audio, including music from Common Orchids, High Dives, Catherine Hamilton, Brand New Day, Hickey, Chloé Ann, Puppet and the Dwarf, Dan Thomas, F01 and Wire Bugs. They also discuss the role of the producer, why a second set of ears matters, how different artists need different recording processes, and why making records is often about becoming part of a small creative gang for a while. Spotify Playlist ForThis Episode [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1baM88GBtYzuQ7IszrAobn?si=716139a9f8bf4b6e] Topics include: • The 100th episode of The Apollo Audio Podcast • The first filmed podcast episode • Five years of Martin working with Apollo Audio • How the studio has developed over time • Building a creative community around a studio • Recording, production, rehearsal and live events • Why the producer can feel like an extra band member • Artists returning to the studio over multiple projects • Tracks recorded and produced at Apollo Audio • What makes a studio more than just a room Video version available on YouTube [https://youtu.be/zW23RoTlTJM] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2YC7RbUtO3Yu2NjgiVCBH4?si=9c057cd4ac2744ea]. Find Apollo Audio online: https://apollo-audio.co.uk [https://apollo-audio.co.uk] The Apollo Audio Podcast is hosted by Martin Lumsden (record producer and engineer) and Billy Hills (musician and studio owner), and is recorded at Apollo Audio Hertford. Each episode offers insight into songs, records, and the creative process, drawn from real-world experience in studios and making music. 📍 www.apollo-audio.co.uk [http://www.apollo-audio.co.uk] 📷 Instagram: @apolloaudiopodcast 📧 apolloaudiopod@gmail.com The Apollo Audio Podcast is Froody Music Production. Production and editing by Martin Lumsden. www.froodymusic.com [www.froodymusic.com] Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-apollo-audio-podcast [http://supporter.acast.com/the-apollo-audio-podcast]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Live Recording Is Not a Shortcut

Martin and Billy are back in the studio talking football disappointment, unreleased Deftones material, music leaks, chart data, country music, streaming algorithms and a reassessment of Olivia Rodrigo’s latest album. The main album discussion focuses on Bag O’ Bones and their new album Lift Off, recorded at Apollo Audio with production, engineering, mixing and mastering by Martin Lumsden. Martin and Billy talk through the recording process, from the band’s rehearsal preparation to the decision to track the album live in the room with minimal overdubs. They discuss why live recording only works when the band is ready, why small imperfections can add character, and how the physical limits of vinyl affected the final album sequence. They also reflect on the album as a true Apollo Audio project, with the band rehearsing at the studio, performing their first gig there, recording the album there, and bringing in artwork from another Apollo regular. Topics include: • Football disappointment and World Cup format • Deftones, leaked albums and unreleased music • Chart data and how music popularity used to be measured • Country music, algorithms and hidden mainstream audiences • Olivia Rodrigo revisited • Bag O’ Bones and Lift Off • Recording a band live in the studio • Why preparation matters before recording • Mistakes, character and performance feel • Vinyl sequencing and physical release decisions • Local scenes, real musicians and Apollo Audio as a creative hub Find Apollo Audio online: https://apollo-audio.co.uk [https://apollo-audio.co.uk] The Apollo Audio Podcast is hosted by Martin Lumsden (record producer and engineer) and Billy Hills (musician and studio owner), and is recorded at Apollo Audio Hertford. Each episode offers insight into songs, records, and the creative process, drawn from real-world experience in studios and making music. 📍 www.apollo-audio.co.uk [http://www.apollo-audio.co.uk] 📷 Instagram: @apolloaudiopodcast 📧 apolloaudiopod@gmail.com The Apollo Audio Podcast is Froody Music Production. Production and editing by Martin Lumsden. www.froodymusic.com [www.froodymusic.com] Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-apollo-audio-podcast [http://supporter.acast.com/the-apollo-audio-podcast]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Your Audience Might Not Be Who You Think It Is

Martin and Billy are back in the studio talking about the World Cup, Berlin, Download Festival, ticket prices, festival lineups and the strange question of where different artists belong. The conversation moves from Linkin Park headlining Download with a female lead singer into a wider discussion about genre, audience expectations and whether artists always know who their music is really for. They also talk about Olivia Rodrigo’s new album, how pop and rock overlap, why some music can be good without being personally appealing, and whether artists make music for a specific audience or simply discover who responds to it, and look at how important audience fit is for bands, from choosing the right venues to understanding where the people most likely to care about your music are actually gathered. Topics include: • Berlin, Berghain and music culture • Download Festival and female-fronted bands • Genre expectations in rock and metal • Olivia Rodrigo and pop with guitars • Liking music vs recognising that it is good • Artists, audience and identity • Choosing the right venues and festivals • Why the right crowd matters more than the biggest crowd Find Apollo Audio online: https://apollo-audio.co.uk [https://apollo-audio.co.uk] The Apollo Audio Podcast is hosted by Martin Lumsden (record producer and engineer) and Billy Hills (musician and studio owner), and is recorded at Apollo Audio Hertford. Each episode offers insight into songs, records, and the creative process, drawn from real-world experience in studios and making music. 📍 www.apollo-audio.co.uk [http://www.apollo-audio.co.uk] 📷 Instagram: @apolloaudiopodcast 📧 apolloaudiopod@gmail.com The Apollo Audio Podcast is Froody Music Production. Production and editing by Martin Lumsden. www.froodymusic.com [www.froodymusic.com] Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-apollo-audio-podcast [http://supporter.acast.com/the-apollo-audio-podcast]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

A Song Is Not a Lottery Ticket

Martin and Billy are back in the studio talking about leaks, ticket prices, remote recording, AI copyright, streaming royalties and the strange economics of being an independent artist in 2026. The conversation moves from the practical reality of studio work into a wider discussion about how artists actually build momentum. Making a good song matters, but releasing it without a plan can feel like buying a lottery ticket and hoping it wins. They talk about why musicians need the right people around them, from producers and engineers to photographers, booking agents, distributors and the audience itself. The album discussion focuses on Interpol’s Turn On the Bright Lights, including the band’s distinctive sound, rhythm section, New York identity and why some albums take a few listens before they properly connect. Topics include: • Remote recording and studio collaboration • AI, copyright and uploaded music • Streaming royalties for independent artists • Why releasing music needs a strategy • Building a team around a band • Interpol and Turn On the Bright Lights • Bass, drums and arrangement in indie rock • Discovering new music through influence and algorithms Find Apollo Audio online: https://apollo-audio.co.uk [https://apollo-audio.co.uk] The Apollo Audio Podcast is hosted by Martin Lumsden (record producer and engineer) and Billy Hills (musician and studio owner), and is recorded at Apollo Audio Hertford. Each episode offers insight into songs, records, and the creative process, drawn from real-world experience in studios and making music. 📍 www.apollo-audio.co.uk [http://www.apollo-audio.co.uk] 📷 Instagram: @apolloaudiopodcast 📧 apolloaudiopod@gmail.com The Apollo Audio Podcast is Froody Music Production. Production and editing by Martin Lumsden. www.froodymusic.com [www.froodymusic.com] Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-apollo-audio-podcast [http://supporter.acast.com/the-apollo-audio-podcast]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Do Albums Still Matter in the Streaming Age?

Martin and Billy are back in the studio after another sold-out Apollo Audio gig, talking about young bands, live performance, and why getting out in front of an audience still matters. The conversation moves into streaming culture, album sales and what it means when an album has billions of streams. They discuss why streaming figures are not the same as people buying records, how modern release habits affect quality control, and why artists still tend to see the album as an important creative milestone. The album discussion focuses on Fatboy Slim’s You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby, including the huge impact of tracks like Right Here, Right Now, Praise You and The Rockafeller Skank, and why the record still feels tied to a particular moment in late-90s music culture. Topics include: • Young bands and first gigs • Streaming numbers vs album sales • Why long albums work differently on streaming • Release strategy and quality control • Albums as an artistic milestone • Fatboy Slim and late-90s dance culture • Sampling, sync and licensing • Party albums, playlists and how listening habits changed Find Apollo Audio online: https://apollo-audio.co.uk [https://apollo-audio.co.uk] The Apollo Audio Podcast is hosted by Martin Lumsden (record producer and engineer) and Billy Hills (musician and studio owner), and is recorded at Apollo Audio Hertford. Each episode offers insight into songs, records, and the creative process, drawn from real-world experience in studios and making music. 📍 www.apollo-audio.co.uk [http://www.apollo-audio.co.uk] 📷 Instagram: @apolloaudiopodcast 📧 apolloaudiopod@gmail.com The Apollo Audio Podcast is Froody Music Production. Production and editing by Martin Lumsden. www.froodymusic.com [www.froodymusic.com] Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-apollo-audio-podcast [http://supporter.acast.com/the-apollo-audio-podcast]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.