Renaissance Reborn: Annie Haslam & Jim McCarty on Stories, Songs & New Shows

Renaissance Reborn: Annie Haslam & Jim McCarty on Stories, Songs & New Shows

Author: Phil Aston October 27, 2025 Duration: 45:05

This Podcast episode is a joy: Annie Haslam joins me and Sue —surprise-guested by Jim McCarty—to talk about the new Renaissance “stories & music” concerts, the band’s beginnings, Annie’s five-octave voice, the magic of Betty Thatcher’s lyrics, “Northern Lights,” and how Annie paints songs with colour and feeling. We also touch on deep cuts, Illusion-era gems, and even Jim’s Shoot project. Uplifting, insightful, and full of heart—Renaissance at their most human.

Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine


Phil Aston brings the pages of Now Spinning Music Magazine-Artist Interviews and Music Reviews to life in this audio companion. Here, the focus remains firmly on the music itself and the artists who create it, championing a tangible connection to sound that goes beyond digital streams. Each episode delves into thoughtful conversations with musicians, exploring their creative processes and the stories behind their work. Alongside these interviews, you’ll find candid reviews of new releases and classic albums, all approached with an independent and honest perspective that values every format, from cherished vinyl records and CDs to elaborate box sets. This podcast extends the magazine’s global community, creating a space for enthusiasts of every genre and era. It’s for anyone who appreciates the artistry of an album as a complete physical object, not just a collection of tracks. Tune in for a deeply engaged discussion about music culture, where the passion for the material item and the music it contains is always at the forefront.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 50

Now Spinning Music Magazine - Artist Interviews and Music Reviews
Podcast Episodes
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Duration: 17:55
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How Music Helps People With Dementia - Podcast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:49
In this special Now Spinning Magazine conversation, I talk to Amy Shackleton and Lizzie Hoskin from Music for Dementia about practical, hopeful ways to reconnect people living with dementia — and their carers — to the mu…
Steve Morse Interview : on Loss, Hope and Instrumental Storytelling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:19
Steve Morse Interview : on Loss, Hope and Instrumental StorytellingTaken by an Angel: Steve Morse on Loss, Hope and Instrumental StorytellingIn this episode of the Now Spinning Magazine podcast, I sit down with legendary…
Seven Decades of Deep Purple with Martin Popoff - Podcast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:42
Seven Decades of Deep PurpleJoin me, Phil Aston, for a heartfelt conversation with music writer Martin Popoff, as we explore his monumental new book Seven Decades of Deep Purple — a 640-page celebration of every era of t…
Mariusz Duda Interview : From Riverside to Lunatic Soul [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:56
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Prince: A Sign O’ The Times — An Interview with John McKie [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:49
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From Gentle Giant to Bon Jovi - Derek Shulman Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:36
Derek Shulman: Giant Steps - Exclusive Interview An in depth interview with Derek Shulman—Gentle Giant founder and the executive who helped power Bon Jovi, Pantera, AC/DC, Dream Theater, Slipknot and more. I discuss his…