States of Independence

Ep 10: From BB to 4AD with Simon Neil, Mat Berninger, Martin Mills & Jamie East

In this last episode of the series we’re at the end of the 90s, a time when Beggars Banquet were signing a lot of guitar bands, but finding it hard to get any of them away. Derby’s own The Beekeepers struggled - the band’s ex-singer Jamie breaks down exactly why. Another that soldiered on and broke internationally was Biffy Clyro, but only after they’d left the label, as Biffy’s singer Simon Neil explains. In 2008 the Beggars Banquet label was shuttered and some artists were moved to 4AD - one of them was The National - and singer Matt Berninger talks us through that whole process. As ever, Beggars boss Martin Mills speaks with striking openness and honesty about these huge decisions of the past and the future of the Beggars Group. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Ep 9: Buffalo Tom, Trevor Tanner, Aki Nawaz and Natacha Atlas

Beggars contains multitudes. Here, three very different acts from its storied roster share their own experiences of the label. Buffalo Tom’s Bill Janowitz recalls emerging from the same Amherst alt rock scene that birthed Dinosaur Jr and happily stumbling into the line up of one of his all-time favourite labels. Then, Trevor Tanner tells the story of The Bolshoi – another act who seemed poised to take it all. Finally, Aki Nawaz and Natacha Atlas bring us the story of Fundamental, Transglobal Underground and Nation Records. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Bonus Ep: Love, Rockets, Voodoo Dolls, and Malevolent Fire Spirits feat. Daniel Ash & David J

Bonus time! A story so compelling, we thought it deserved its very own episode. Behold: the full account of the fire that gutted Rick Rubin’s studio, destroyed all of Love and Rockets’ gear, and had everyone involved swearing never to dabble with a ouija board ever again. Featuring a scene-stealing walk-on from Throbbing Gristle’s General P. Orridge, and the most hair-raising description of a voodoo doll you’re ever likely to encounter. Buckle up, kiddos, things are about to take a turn for the paranormal… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Ep 8: Love and Rockets feat. Daniel Ash & David J

When Love and Rockets tentatively emerged from the ashes of Bauhaus, Daniel Ash and David J were mainly looking for a way to get out of the shadow of their first, totemic project, and to have a little fun in the process. Little did they know that Love and Rockets would offer them so much more: a route into a whole new phase of music history, as legends in their own right. Here, the two of them reflect on the heliotropic instinct to move towards something new and bright as the gloom of the 80s gave way to the Second Summer of Love… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Ep 7, Part 2: The Go-Betweens feat Robert Forster

In part two of this Go-Betweens special, frontman Robert Forster remembers his dear friend, the late Grant McLennan, the band they began together as schoolboys, and his group’s quest to find a creative home that would last after the turmoil of moving from Brisbane to London. After a couple of false starts, that quest would eventually lead them to Beggars Banquet. The Go Betweens might not have found the fame and fortune that they’d travelled across the world for, but with Martin Mills, they did at long last find a place to truly realise their potential. As with the Gene Loves Jezebel episode, different band member’s memories don’t always match up and resolutions can take years to come by. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]