Into the Van with Mike West

I sit down with the wonderful Tom Ward of Merrick: The Sensational Elephant Man

An independent comic creator, rebel and crowd funding master mind, we talk indie comics, kickstarting your own projects and building a fan base as well as so much more!

You can get the first issue of the brilliant Merrick: The Sensational ElephantMan digitally for free by following the link below as well as checking out Into the Van's previous episodes!

https://www.merrickcomic.co.uk/

Tania is one of the masterminds behind Manchester based promoters The Hen House presents. Hen House puts on some of the best Roots, Country and Traditional shows in the North West and I sat down with Tania to see how it all started and what bands and artists can and should do when dealing with promoters as well as any budding people wanting to put a show of their own on!

https://www.facebook.com/henhousepresents/

https://www.henhousepresents.co.uk/

Jon Slater is a comic book writer and artist for Cog Life Comics and one of my best friends. We've known each other since school and published comics together since 2017. Jon is currently working on his first full length comic series and I sat down with him to discuss creating your own book and publishing it, the UK indepedent comic scene, comic cons, serial killers, hauntings, Westerns, Dungeons and Dragons and how cinema has changed over the years.

https://www.facebook.com/coglifer/

https://www.instagram.com/little_jons

Mike gets Into the Van with John Craig, a pillar of the UK Rock scene, band manager with Forge A.M.P , gig promoter at Forged in Fire and all around wealth of knowledge for any band or musician wanting the inside scoop on getting started.

https://www.facebook.com/ForgeAMP1/

https://www.facebook.com/FIFPromotions1

Mike West gets in the van with Mikey and Andy from Crapsons!

The anarchic, energetic punk duo sit down to discuss their DIY festival CRAPFEST, songwriting, booking and promoting tours and the use of social media as a modern band. 

https://www.facebook.com/crapsons

https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Liverpool/Phase-One/Crapfest-2/13736246

Mike sits down with the phenomenal musician Shawn James before his sold out Birmingham show during his UK tour. A force of nature, a musical preacher to a flock that accepts everyone, a combination of the gospel choirs he sang with as a youngster and his training in classical music and opera. Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, James’ timeless sound is steeped in blues legends like Robert Johnson and Son House, forever at the crossroads of damnation and redemption, the two inextricably woven into the fabric of his songs.

http://www.shawnjamesmusic.com

https://www.facebook.com/ShawnJamesSoul/

Here is a little introduction for all you folks to know what you are getting and how to get it! Get Into the Van with Alt Country musician Mike West as he sits down with guests from all walks of life to see what makes them tick, discuss their craft and inspirations and all else in between.

Recorded in the back of Mike's Mazda Bongo that he tours in, Mike chats to musicians, poets, promoters, artists and anyone else passionate about what they do to inspire listeners to follow their creative outlets.