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.
On episode 11 I sit down with Americana renegade Emilia Quinn! Known for energetic live performances, honest songwriting and weaving together blues, rock and country, we chat about the UK Country Scene, recording during lockdown, open mics and so much more!
https://www.facebook.com/emiliaquinnmusic/
https://www.emiliaquinnmusic.com/
Find your preferred platform to listen to here - https://linktr.ee/mike333west
I had the absolute pleasure to sit down with Southern Gothic, Blues Rock powerhouse Drew Dixon and talk songwriting, touring as an independent artist and booking shows, opening for the one and only Lynryd Skynryd and so much more!
https://www.facebook.com/iamdrewdixon/
This episode I sit down with the brilliant Anthony Simpkins of GemsOnVHS to discuss Country and Folk music, starting a YouTube channel and recording musicians and we have surprise song by the wonderful Josh OKeefe!
https://www.youtube.com/user/GemsOnVHS
https://www.facebook.com/GemsOnVHS/
https://www.facebook.com/joshokeefeofficial/
This week I (virtually) get Into the Van with Pet Patsilivas of the Caged In Podcast! A weekly podcast breaking down Nic Cage films with his guests, this conversation is NOT just about how great Nicolas Cage and his movies are! We talk about starting a podcast and building a fanbase, approaching guests and a goldmine of information for all you podders and casters!
https://linktr.ee/Petrospatsilivas
This week, I sit down with the powerhouse front man of The Plott Hounds, Noah Alexander and their trusted tour manager Patrick Adas.
The Plott Hounds are a Southern Rock/Country Blues band from Anoka, Minnesota and have been blazing a trail across the USA and even two stops over to the UK including a blistering set at Ramblin' Man Fair.
We get into the ins and outs of touring, nationally and internationally, song writing as a band, tour manager top tips and so much more. I have nothing but love and respect for these guys and this was a conversation I've been itching to have!
https://www.facebook.com/theplotthounds
https://www.theplotthounds.com/
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
