Tony Mantor's : Almost Live..... Nashville

We sit down with Victoria Perks to trace how Fuzzbox went from Birmingham school friends “forming for a laugh” to chart success, touring, and a legacy that still surprises her. 
We talk honestly about sexism, branding, major-label pressure, and why she’s still building new projects through music and well-being work. 

• Fuzzbox’s origin story, reunions, and the biography that opens a new chapter 
• Where the name “Fuzzbox” comes from and why it landed differently in the US 
• The reality of being an all-girl band in the 80s, including misogynistic interview culture 
• Pride in being musicians who play instruments and in Birmingham’s creative roots 
• Indie freedom versus major-label resources, costs, and image fights over styling and promo 
• Growing up fast, managing “branding,” and how fame changes the day-to-day 
• Fan stories that show how music can spark real life change 
• What to listen to first, plus “we made it” moments like the charts and Top Of The Pops 
• Touring health, protecting your voice, and the grind behind the glamor 
• What’s next: 40th anniversary plans, festivals, book events, and the BuzzFox solo project 

If you haven't already, take a quick second to tap the follow button. It really helps the show reach more people who love music and entertainment. 

INTRO/OUTRO Music: T. Wild
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We sit down with Richard Hewson, the creative force behind the Ra Band, to trace how an under-credited arranger turns frustration over fees into a self-made recording legacy. We get the real stories behind “Clouds Across The Moon,” Abbey Road sessions, vintage studio gear, and what it feels like to be rediscovered through Spotify and TikTok decades later. 

• arrangers paid a fee without royalties, pushing Richard toward writing his own songs 
• building early Ra Band tracks as a one-person “bedroom band” on multitrack tape 
• jazz influences shaping a pop sound, plus the Paul McCartney connection that opens doors 
• turning an “international operator” memory into the sci-fi story of “Clouds Across The Moon” 
• writing lyrics by creating a story scene, starting with simple phrases and expanding them 
• “Messages from the Stars” going viral on streaming and reigniting the back catalog 
• receiving the Roland SH-5 as a first synthesizer and sticking with vintage gear 
• analog warmth vs digital sameness, plus why hiss and tape feel “timeless” 
• favorite string arrangements and the craft of writing orchestration by hand 
• Abbey Road memories, Phil Spector’s massive orchestra request, and McCartney’s reaction 
• praising session musicians as the real heroes who can nail anything first take 
• seeing the Ra Band performed live by his son and a nine-piece touring lineup 
• where to find the music on major platforms and hopes for a vinyl run 

If you haven't already, take a quick second to tap the follow button. It really helps the show reach more people who love music and entertainment. 

INTRO/OUTRO Music: T. Wild
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We sit down with Howard Jones to talk about the long arc of an electronic pop career that stays grounded in optimism, craft, and real human connection. He shares how he balances evolving music technology with live performance energy, and why authenticity is still the thing audiences can feel. 
• writing new music while still touring and chasing the next creative spark 
• blending great playing with smart technology for a powerful live show 
• building songs around big questions like love, meaning, and being human 
• how “Things Can Only Get Better” comes from thinking about singalongs 
• staying relevant by staying true to values like kindness and self-belief 
• what analog gear still does that software cannot fully copy 
• the 1985 Grammys moment that helped legitimize synth-based music 
• why the stage forces you into the present moment 
• learning from early fearless performances and bringing that spirit back 
• underestimating “No One Is To Blame” and watching it grow with fans 
• the near-miss record deal choice that changed everything 
• favorite synth pick and the message he hopes lasts for decades 
• turning a power cut into a once-in-a-lifetime show memory 
If you haven't already, take a quick second to tap the follow button. It really helps the show reach more people who love music and entertainment.

INTRO/OUTRO: T. Wild
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We sit down with Thomas Dolby to talk about touring with a full band, reshaping classic songs, and telling the stories behind a career that spans synthpop, songwriting, production, and music technology. 
He shares why emotion matters more than gear, how constraints can sharpen creativity, and what it takes to keep reinventing yourself without losing your voice. 

• touring plans and building a show around memoir-style storytelling 
• why great production starts with song and arrangement 
• musical “magic” and the shared human response to harmony 
• the many versions of 1980s music and the darker reality behind the nostalgia 
• using radio hits as a gateway to deeper, longer-lasting work 
• analog vs digital shifts with distribution as the real disruptor 
• why limitations can push invention and stronger decisions 
• chasing new horizons from samplers to AI without a “user manual” 
• founding Beatnik and the logic behind MIDI and samples on the early web 
• polyphonic ringtones and building mass-market music tech 
• staying an acquired taste and creating without chasing charts 
• teaching creativity by removing shortcuts and forcing originality 
• why inside-out performance matters more than copying trends 
• a final push to see the new live direction while there’s time 

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INTRO/OUTRO Music: T. Wild
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Juliet Dawn's Journey: From Trauma to Triumph

In this episode of Almost Live Nashville, host Tony Mantor speaks with Juliet Dawn, a former X-Factor contestant and performer at the Royal Albert Hall.

Juliet shares her remarkable journey of overcoming decades of trauma, including abuse, miscarriages, and health issues, with the help of her Christian faith.

Despite immense personal hardships, she has channeled her struggles into her new album 'Born To Be', aimed at providing hope and healing.

Juliet also discusses her path in the music industry, her ventures into writing, and her plans for the future, including her aspirations to tour and connect deeply with audiences through her compelling music and poetry.

Introduction to the Podcast

Meet Juliet Dawn: From X-Factor to Royal Albert Hall

Juliet's Journey Through Trauma and Healing

The X-Factor Experience

Opening a Boutique in Cornwall

Juliet's Musical Evolution and Future Plans

How to Follow Juliet Dawn

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

INTRO/OUTRO: T. Wild

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