INTERVIEWS

Conversations with the great, the good and the grassroots

THE ‘ONE TO WATCH’ INTERVIEW

Balloon: ‘I know people who rate Gravity among their favourites. There was trepidation about the new LP’

Their 1992 debut, Gravity, was widely heralded and they seemed set for glory. And then years of silence. Balloon’s Ian Bickerton tells us what happened, and why it took three decades to make their follow-up.

Questions by David Rea

25 October 2025

THE ‘ONE TO WATCH’ INTERVIEW

Sarah McQuaid: ‘I’d call out song requests to my mum in the next room’

The singer-songwriter on her musical childhood, listening to the Beatles on her Mickey Mouse turntable and how her mother's death sent her in a new creative direction.

Questions by David Rea

11 October 2025

INTERVIEW

Emma Swift: ‘I'm an analogue baby in a digital dream’

Since the release of Blonde on the Tracks, her album of Bob Dylan covers, Emma Swift has been to hell and back. At this turning point in her career, she told State of Sound about her breakdown and the stunning new album which came out of it.

Questions by David Rea

12 September 2025

Shapes Like People: ‘I almost decapitated Kylie Minogue with a scissor kick’

THE ‘ONE TO WATCH’ INTERVIEW

When Kat Mann challenged husband Carl to write songs to pitch to Kylie Minogue, neither of them knew it would lead to the formation of Shapes Like People — nor a glistening debut album. David Rea spoke to them to find out more.

Questions by David Rea

6 September 2024

THE ‘ONE TO WATCH’ INTERVIEW

Paul Garside: ‘A whole new world opened up’

The London singer-songwriter on taking classical music to the school disco and how giving up set him free.

Questions by David Rea

1 September 2025

INTERVIEWS

Balloon: ‘I know people who rate Gravity among their favourites. There was trepidation about the new LP’

Sarah McQuaid: ‘I’d call out song requests to my mum in the next room’

Emma Swift: ‘I'm an analogue baby in a digital dream’

Shapes Like People: ‘I almost decapitated Kylie Minogue with a scissor kick’

Paul Garside: ‘A whole new world opened up’

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Mother nature’s sons: how the Beatles regenerated after the split

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Bob Dylan’s The Times They Are a-Changin' at 60

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David Byrne shares wedding playlist

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The Resurrection Game, Emma Swift

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Oasis’ Definitely Maybe at 30

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