Now Spinning Magazine — Music Interviews, Reviews & Commentary
By With Phil Aston — artist conversations, album discoveries and a lifelong love of music.
Categories: Music, Music Interviews
Join Phil Aston from Now Spinning Magazine for thoughtful artist interviews, independent album reviews and conversations about why music means so much to us. From classic rock, prog and metal to new discoveries, we explore the stories behind the records, meet the people who make them and celebrate music in all its physical forms — vinyl, CDs and box sets. Expect personal reflections, a collector’s eye for detail and a positive approach that gives the music room to breathe. Along the way, we discuss the changing music industry and the powerful role music plays in our lives and wellbeing. Watch or listen, revisit an old favourite or discover your next essential album. You’re among friends who understand that it’s never just a record. Now Spinning Magazine — Celebrating Music in All Its Physical Forms. philaston.substack.com
208 episodes indexed on PodSearch.
Recent episodes
- Ian Gillan: Nothing Left to Prove, So Much to Thank You For
I’ve been an Ian Gillan and Deep Purple fan since 1972, when I first heard “Never Before” from Machine Head. Their music has been part of my life ever since.Following Ian’s announcement that the rest of Deep Purple’s European and UK tour is postponed on medical advice, I wanted to share a few…
- Steven Wilson on Requiem for a Village: Finding Magic in the Mistakes
Steven Wilson returns to the Now Spinning Magazine podcast to explore Requiem for a Village — an album he describes as “54 minutes of cinema for the ears”.Living in a small rural village in Cornwall, I felt an immediate connection to its atmosphere: the old ways overlapping with the new, familiar…
- Cats in Space Have Made Their Finest Album – Greg Hart on Suit of Armour
We’ve Risked Everything on This Album” – Cats in Space’s Greg HartIs Suit of Armour the finest album Cats in Space have made? For me, it is—and in my second interview with Greg Hart, we explore every track and the extraordinary stories behind the music.Greg joins me, Phil Aston, for an in-depth…
- Ritchie Blackmore Interview: “I’ve Never Followed Any Rules”
Ritchie Blackmore Interview: In His Own Words – Parts 6–8Family Favourites, Breaking the Rules and Learning to Love the Acoustic Guitar.Three questions. Three very different sides of Ritchie Blackmore.In this extended instalment of my exclusive Ritchie Blackmore Interview : In His Own Words…
- Dave Hill: Slade Memories, Recovery and a New Musical Chapter | Part 3
Dave Hill Slade Interview Part 3 In the final part of our Now Spinning Magazine interview, Dave Hill talks about making his solo album, Dirty Foot Lane, and the personal stories within its songs.Dave explains how Noddy Holder suggested working with his son Django, and how that collaboration helped…
- Ritchie Blackmore Reveals the Guitarists and Music He Listens to Today
Ritchie Blackmore: In His Own Words – Episode Five.What does Ritchie Blackmore actually listen to today?In this episode of my exclusive 13-part interview series, I ask Ritchie about the classical and Renaissance music that has influenced him throughout his life — and whether his musical tastes…
- Dave Hill from SLADE on Songwriting, Spirituality and Family | Part 2
In the second part of my interview with Dave Hill from SLADE he reflects on the personal experiences that have shaped his songwriting.From working on music during lockdown to the memories behind “Dirty Foot Lane” and “Sweet and Tender,” Dave talks about family, his musical influences, spirituality…
- Leo Lyons Interview: Ten Years After, Alvin Lee, Woodstock & UFO
My guest on the Now Spinning Magazine podcast is Leo Lyons, founding bassist of Ten Years After and producer of UFO’s Phenomenon, Force It and No Heavy Petting.Beginning with the Chrysalis reissues of Ssssh and Cricklewood Green, we explore how Ten Years After created music in the moment, both…
- Ritchie Blackmore: In His Own Words – Episode Four.
What happens after you have just stepped onto a stage with Deep Purple again for the first time in more than 30 years?In this episode, I ask Ritchie about the journey home after the reunion, whether he watched any footage afterwards, and how quickly family life returned to normal once the…
- Dave Hill: How Slade Came Together | Interview Part 1
Dave Hill from Slade joins me for the first part of a warm, funny and wide-ranging Now Spinning Magazine interview.Dave takes us back to his first guitar, his father’s encouragement and the chance encounters that brought him together with Don Powell, Jim Lea and Noddy Holder. He also remembers…
- Downes Braide Association: Is Trauma Their Finest Album Yet?
Geoff Downes and Chris Braide join me, Phil Aston, on the Now Spinning Magazine podcast to explore Trauma, the latest album from Downes Braide Association — and already my favourite of their six albums.We talk about memory, loss, identity and moving forward, and how those themes became songs…
- Ritchie Blackmore: “The Band Was Nicer Than They’ve Ever Been”
Ritchie Blackmore: In His Own Words – Episode Three.What happened after Ritchie Blackmore walked off stage following his first performance with Deep Purple in more than three decades?In the third instalment of my exclusive 13-part interview series, Ritchie talks about meeting the band backstage…
- Ritchie Blackmore: In His Own Words – Episode 2 | I Nearly Changed My Mind
Ritchie Blackmore: In His Own Words – Episode Two.The Doubts, the Family and the Journey Back to Deep PurpleAfter deciding to step onto a stage with Deep Purple again, did Ritchie Blackmore ever have second thoughts?In the second part of my exclusive 13-part interview series, Ritchie talks about…
- Steve Hackett Interview : Life on Tour and Finding New Musical Possibilities
Steve Hackett returns to the Now Spinning Magazine Podcast for his seventh conversation with Phil Aston, ahead of the Best of Genesis & Solo Gems 2026 UK tour.We discuss the response to The Roaring Waves, his collaboration with Steve Rothery, and the fresh energy keyboard player Lalle Larsson and…
- Ritchie Blackmore: In His Own Words – Exclusive Interview Episode 1.
Ritchie Blackmore: In His Own Words – Episode 1.In the first part of this exclusive 13-part Now Spinning Magazine series, I ask Ritchie how the idea of appearing on stage with Deep Purple again first came about — and what happened when that idea suddenly became a reality.Ritchie tells the story in…
- Remembering Dolly Parton: Kindness Was Her Superpower
Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, leaving behind an extraordinary catalogue of music—and a legacy of kindness, generosity and humanity.In this personal tribute, I reflect on Dolly’s connection with my late mum, who introduced me to country music, and how I gradually discovered that country…
- Why Ritchie Blackmore’s Deep Purple Reunion Moved Fans to Tears
Ritchie Blackmore has performed with Deep Purple for the first time since 1993, joining the band at Jones Beach in New York for an unforgettable version of “Smoke on the Water.”In this video, I share my emotional response to those extraordinary six minutes—not simply the notes Ritchie played, but…
- Greg Hart Builds His Dream 1976 Album + New Cats in Space Album Secrets
Greg Hart Builds His Dream 1976 Album – 10 Tracks, Two Sides, No FillersWhat would be on your perfect ten-track album from 1976?In this special episode of the Now Spinning Magazine podcast, I am joined by Greg Hart, guitarist and songwriter with Cats in Space, to create his dream vinyl compilation…
- Steve Hackett Reveals How Steve Rothery Changed His Guitar Approach
Steve Hackett joins me for the sixth time on Now Spinning Magazine to discuss The Roaring Waves, his long-awaited instrumental collaboration with Marillion guitarist Steve Rothery.Steve explains how the album became “a musical conversation between two guitarists,” with no competition and no desire…
- Deep Purple Exclusive Don Airey Interview
Deep Purple keyboard legend Don Airey joins me on the Now Spinning Magazine Podcast to discuss the band's new studio album Splat!.In this exclusive interview, Don talks about working with Simon McBride, the band's creative chemistry, recording together in the studio, Bob Ezrin's influence on the…
- Otis Williams From The Temptations Reflects on Motown, My Girl and 60 Years of Music
Dr. Otis Williams, founding and sole surviving original member of The Temptations, joins Phil Aston of Now Spinning Magazine for a fascinating conversation about Motown, music, friendship and legacy.From growing up in Texas and moving to Detroit, to meeting Berry Gordy, recording My Girl…
- Bruce Soord on Ghosts in the Park & Jethro Tull
Bruce Soord joins me on the Now Spinning Magazine Podcast to discuss his deeply personal new solo album Ghosts in the Park.In this emotional and thoughtful conversation, Bruce talks openly about grief, memory, losing parents to Alzheimer’s, songwriting, silence in music, and how certain places and…
- Jeff Wayne Exclusive Interview : The War of the Worlds: “I Never Wanted It To Stand Still”
Composer and producer Jeff Wayne joins me for a rare and exclusive interview about the creation and evolution of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds.We discuss:the influence of his father Jerry Wayneproducing David Essex’s Rock Onmeeting H.G. Wells’ sonworking with Richard…
- Jon Davison on YES, Aurora, Steve Howe and Music as “Medicine for the Soul”
New interview with Jon Davison from YES about the band’s new studio album Aurora, released on June 12th.In this new Now Spinning Magazine interview, Jon talks about his creative growth within YES, the spiritual and uplifting themes behind Aurora, working with Steve Howe, the long-form track…
- The Four Tops - Lawrence Payton Jr Interview “These Songs Are The Soundtracks Of People’s Lives”
Lawrence Payton Jr from the legendary Four Tops about legacy, family, Motown, and carrying forward one of the greatest soul music catalogues of all time.Lawrence shares deeply personal stories about growing up with his father, original Four Tops member Lawrence Payton, memories of Motown legends…
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