Oh, God - the Foo Fighters are back…

I was mildly curious about the new U2 EP, but then I saw the phrase ‘featuring Ed Sheeran’, and now I’m not interested in it at all.

My kind of postal delivery… new @cherryredrecords.bsky.social US psych and Paisley Underground 3CD compilation box set, the latest issue of Record Collector, and an advance copy of Michael Weston King’s brilliant new solo album, Nothing Can Hurt Me Anymore, released on April 4. 😎

Been indulging myself with a lot of ‘60s TV recently - I’ve watched episodes of The Invaders, The Man From U.N.C.L.E, The Avengers, The Girl From U.N.C.L.E and The Baron: it’s my favourite decade for television shows - and films. 🎥

In every ‘60s TV spy caper, it’s compulsory to have at least one storyline where the hero is replaced by a villainous doppelgänger - quite literally a double agent. Chaos and confusion ensues.

Getting my winter folk vibe on. Best accompanied by red wine. #nowplaying

Had my over 50s annual health check up today: my blood pressure is ‘excellent’ and I’m the same weight as last year. I’ll drink to that.

Had a gentle Sunday night, watching all of Small Prophets. Really enjoyed it - heartwarming, funny, odd and intriguing. I got sad at times too - it made me nostalgic for my childhood Christmases, and it made me think about how much I miss my parents. #SmallProphets

Today is not going well. I’ve sent my MacBook Air off for a minor repair and have borrowed a friend’s spare one until mine comes back at the end of the week. After working fine for a few days, the spare one has now completely died and won’t reboot… I have work to do and no working computer…

Something for the weekend? A playlist of new music I’m enjoying - just over two hours of songs from 2026: #NowPlaying #NewMusic #bestoftheyearsofar open.spotify.com/playlist/0pM...

Both our kids have been off school sick for a few days - we’ve been juggling work and childcare. Feels like we’ve been on half-term already, but we’ve got that all to come…

I’m 10 episodes into the first season of The Invaders and really enjoying it. It owes a lot to Hitchcock: the suspense and paranoia. Like North By Northwest, there’s even a scene where the sinister enemies get a guy soused and try to blame his death on a drink driving accident.

I enjoyed talking to Keeley Moss / KEELEY about her atmospheric new album, Girl On The Edge Of The World: out Feb 20 on Definitive Gaze. Mentions in despatches for @mikiberenyi.bsky.social and The Boo Radleys: sayitwithgarageflowers.com/2026/02/12/t...

I’m enjoying the rerun of ‘60s US sci fi series The Invaders on the Legend channel and app: Hitchcockian suspense and Cold War paranoia. I can vividly remember it being on BBC2 in the ‘80s - early evening. It’s genuinely disturbing and atmospheric.

Little Bangers From Richard Hawley's Jukebox Volume Two is a fantastic compilation from @richardhawley.bsky.social. Unreservedly recommended. Out on @acerecords.bsky.social. I’ve looked at it today for @theartsdesk.bsky.social: www.theartsdesk.com/index.php/ne...

Always great to chat to @sidthesquid.bsky.social. I enjoyed today’s interview about the new Long Ryders album,High Noon Hymns:out in March.We covered a lot of ground:Trump,Dylan,LA,Gene Clark,The Beatles,Noel Gallagher… Meanwhile,here’s their great new single,Four Winters Away: youtu.be/0ZiLFYewTMI

Today, I am mostly interviewing singer-songwriters. #freelancelife

Listening to my two favourite Paul Weller solo albums - incredibly, there’s 26 years between them! His self-titled debut came out in 1992 and True Meanings - his 14th studio album - was released in 2018. #NowPlaying #paulweller #truemeanings

📚 This is very good - so in-depth and well-researched: written by Sean Egan. #smallfaces #stevemarriott #kenneyjones #ronnielane #ianmclagan #seanegan #longagosandworldsapart #nowreading #rockbiogs

Had sinusitis last month, which became a chest infection. I’m now on antibiotics, which have given me bad indigestion and stomach cramps. I woke up at 3:30 this morning, feeling very uncomfortable, and couldn’t get back to sleep. Night, all.

I finished the Weller book - really enjoyed it. It’s so in-depth and candid: a mammoth project - the definitive Weller book. I can’t see him ever writing his autobiography…

Watched a lot of vintage TV in January - 20 episodes of The Man From U.N.C.L.E and 16 of The Girl From U.N.C.L.E, plus seven Dr Who adventures - starring Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker, respectively.

Right, I’m going in… It’s over 700 pages… #paulweller #thejam #thestylecouncil #mod #dancingthrougthefire 📚

‘I’m waiting for my mag…’ and it arrived today! 😎 Good work, @uncutmagazine.bsky.social . #velvetunderground #uncut #musicmag #musicmonthly #musicpress

Sad news about Danny Couglan youtu.be/cGCBie6dmwg?...

My January reading has been eclectic: folk horror, sci-fi, train travel, crime, folk music, sinister and seedy happenings in Kent, country music and fictitious secret agents. 📚

Rest in peace, Danny Coughlan. youtube.com/watch?v=OKXp...

Oh goodness me, terrible news that Danny Coughlan has died. Tremendously talented man. His Crybaby album is one of the great heartbreak records. Here he is on (slightly) more upbeat form with Tracyanne Campbell. www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU8J...

Very sad news that Danny Coughlan, alias Crybaby, has died after a long illness. He was so good. He’ll be missed. youtu.be/bqQLrqkn6Rk?...

stop it. i beg you all.

I’m so sad to read Danny Coughlan (Crybaby) has died - he was a lovely guy.I have great memories of seeing him play and chatting to him at his gigs.He once kindly dedicated a song to me on stage at Heaven,when he was supporting Camera Obscura:it was just before I was getting married. Terrible news.

Dreadful to learn the news that Danny Coughlan has died. Aka Crybaby. His beautiful voice. Only time I was moved to tears at a gig. Waved at him madly in the street like some fan girl (which I plainly was). Unbelievable news

Dreadfully sad to her that Danny Coughlan (Crybaby) has passed away after a long illness. A lovely, funny and charming man, who was also a brilliant songwriter and singer. We mourn the loss of his wonderful talent, most of all though we mourn the loss of mischievous company. He was a gem.

I really enjoyed talking to ex-Ocean Colour Scene bassist Damon Minchella recently, to tie-in with the release of his autobiography: You’d Look Good On A Donkey: out now. ‘I’m eloquent, but I like swearing too – I’m an eloquent gobshite,’ he tells me: sayitwithgarageflowers.com/2026/01/27/i...

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this lovely conversation about records between @seanhannam.bsky.social and Richard Hawley

Next week, Bob Lind, who is 83, releases his new album, It Oughta Be Easy, on @acerecords.bsky.social. I spoke to him about writing and recording it. He also reflects on his career, and being championed by Pulp and @richardhawley.bsky.social: sayitwithgarageflowers.com/2026/01/19/w... #boblind

Ahead of Vol 2 of his Little Bangers From Richard Hawley’s Jukebox compilation album:out on @acerecords.bsky.social on Jan 30,I talk to @richardhawley.bsky.social about finding rare records,some of the highlights on the collection,and his plans for 2026: sayitwithgarageflowers.com/2026/01/22/i...

Ahead of Vol 2 of his Little Bangers From Richard Hawley’s Jukebox compilation album:out on @acerecords.bsky.social on Jan 30,I talk to @richardhawley.bsky.social about finding rare records,some of the highlights on the collection,and his plans for 2026: sayitwithgarageflowers.com/2026/01/22/i...

Next week, Bob Lind, who is 83, releases his new album, It Oughta Be Easy, on @acerecords.bsky.social. I spoke to him about writing and recording it. He also reflects on his career, and being championed by Pulp and @richardhawley.bsky.social: sayitwithgarageflowers.com/2026/01/19/w... #boblind

Recent reads. 📚

Say It With Garage Flowers presents Sean Hannam's Best Of 2025 list, and Nelson Bragg's hit anthology "Mélodie de Nelson" (out now Vinyl/CD/Streaming: orcd.co/nelsonbragg-... a slot in the Top 20! See the full rundown here:👇 sayitwithgarageflowers.com/2025/12/31/t... #IndeRock #PowerPop #IndiePop 🎸

A Spotify playlist of new tracks from 2026 that I’m enjoying… I’ll update it as and when I hear stuff I like… open.spotify.com/playlist/0pM...

Freelancing is varied - today I’ve been writing a press release for a great new album that’s out in the spring - more news on that soon - and writing, editing and proofing a publication in the kitchen and bathroom design industry. #freelancelife

I knew all those girls he’d loved before would come back to haunt him eventually… 🤨 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Been watching The Girl From UNCLE - some of my favourite episodes are the ones set in England but filmed in LA: The Mata Hari Affair, with a rumble in Soho, The Mother Muffin Affair - with waxworks and Boris Karloff in drag - and the Kooky Spook Affair:a haunted house mystery. Great camp fun.

Say It With Garage Flowers presents an exclusive interview with Nelson Bragg, covering his new album "Mélodie de Nelson" (out now: orcd.co/nelsonbragg-...) and his whole career, from his days with the Brian Wilson band! Read here:👇 sayitwithgarageflowers.com/2025/12/21/i... #IndieRock #IndiePop 🎸

'Murmurs' is the second album from trio Butler, Blake & Grant and is due in March. The artist store exclusive clear vinyl is limited to 350 copies and comes with a CD! More > bit.ly/3YAAhlC

Cold-ridden - been laid up all day, feeling rotten. Still, got to watch several episodes of The Man From UNCLE and The Girl From UNCLE, so made the best use of my time. 😎

David Bowie died 10 years ago today…😞 Here’s a pic of me in the ballroom of the legendary Hansa studios, in Berlin - ‘the studio by the Wall’ when my wife and I went on a pop pilgrimage there in 2015. Bowie recorded the Heroes album there and some of Low. #Bowie

Bunged up with cold - couldn’t sleep, so got up at 4am and watched episodes of The Man From UNCLE.