The Apollo Audio Podcast

Bag O’ Bones: Recording an Album Live in One Day

Martin is joined by Elliot Stout from Bag O’ Bones to talk about the band’s new album Lift Off, recorded at Apollo Audio with production, engineering and mixing by Martin Lumsden. The conversation covers the history of the band, Elliot’s move from Southbound into Bag O’ Bones, and how the three-piece developed its blues-grunge sound. Elliot talks about writing in bursts, finding the right band dynamic, and why the aim was always to keep the music fun, direct and performance-led. They also discuss the decision to record the album live in one day, rather than build it through layers of overdubs. The band rehearsed heavily in advance, used the gear they already knew, and focused on capturing the sound they were hearing in the room. The episode also touches on the band’s influences, including Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, Patto, Cream, James Gang and The Black Keys, and why serving the song matters more than showing off. Lift Off is out now on vinyl, CD, download and streaming. www.froodymusic.com/bag-o-bones [www.froodymusic.com/bag-o-bones] 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.

How Artists Keep Momentum Between Releases

Martin and Billy discuss how artists keep momentum between releases, from regular single campaigns to the longer process of building a full album. The episode starts with two very different projects recently completed through Apollo Audio: Dan Thomas’ layered album release, developed over many months, and Bag O' Bones recording an entire album live in a single day. They also talk about BODY’s release strategy, why simply putting music “out into the ether” is rarely enough, and how independent bands can use regular releases to stay visible. Later in the episode they listen to the new Foo Fighters album and discuss whether a record can be full of good songs without having one obvious standout single. Topics include: • Release strategy for independent artists • Keeping momentum between songs • Live recording vs layered production • Vinyl releases and album presentation • Working with musical heroes • Foo Fighters after Taylor Hawkins • Deep cuts vs hit singles • What makes a song feel like a single 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.

Why great songs outlast great production

This week’s episode moves between live performance, studio thinking and the changing nature of how music is made and consumed. Martin reflects on running a live theatre production and the pressures of real-time sound, where there is no opportunity to stop and fix mistakes. Billy shares recent gig experiences, including the importance of preparation and what happens when things go wrong on stage. The conversation develops into a wider discussion about songwriting, production and how modern music is created. There is a comparison between band-based writing and more production-led workflows, and whether current chart music prioritises sound over substance. The album feature focuses on 30 Seconds To Mars’ A Beautiful Lie, looking at arrangement, performance, and why certain records build long-term connection through craft rather than just production. 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.

Get the sound right at source: studio habits that actually matter

This week’s episode starts in the rehearsal room with a sold-out hardcore night at Apollo Audio and a wider look at why live music and young bands are still thriving. From there, the conversation moves into the fundamentals that separate average recordings from great ones. Martin and Billy discuss common mistakes bands make in the studio and on stage, including preparation, tone choices, gear decisions and why relying on fixing things later often leads to worse results. There is practical advice on capturing performances properly, managing dynamics, avoiding over-processing and making decisions earlier in the process. The discussion also touches on live performance discipline and how small details can make a significant difference. The album feature focuses on Prince’s Purple Rain, exploring its production approach, live recording elements and why it remains one of the most important records of its era. 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.

Dan Thomas | Making a Debut Album That Actually Feels Like You

In this special episode, Martin is joined by artist Dan Thomas to discuss the making of his debut album This Is Where You’ll Find Me, released April 27. The conversation covers the shift from solo acoustic artist to full-band sound, the reality of long-term project development, and how artistic identity evolves over time. Dan explains how songs written across nearly two decades came together into a coherent album, and why sequencing played a key role in shaping the final record. They also discuss the continued relevance of albums as a format, the importance of committing to creative ideas in the studio, and what it takes to create a record that genuinely reflects the artist behind it. The episode closes with details on the album release and launch show. If you are working towards your own release and want support taking your songs from demo to finished record, get in touch via apollo-audio.co.uk or froodymusic.com 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.