Bottle Pop with Tom Aspaul

S3E1: Omari Douglas

To celebrate the release of Tom's second album 'Life In Plastic' - Bottle Pop is back for a special, brand new mini-series. In Episode 1, Tom is joined by BAFTA TV and Olivier Award nominated actor, performer and all-round mega talent, Omari Douglas. Hailing from the same hometown (Wolverhampton), same secondary school and same amateur dramatic society as Tom, the two chat about their similar adolescent years in the Midlands. Omari discusses his time filming 'It's A Sin', his experiences in the West End (including the moment Janet Jackson came to meet the cast of 'Cabaret' backstage) and his new role, opposite Billie Piper, in the new series of 'I Hate Suzie'. Omari chooses Cocknbullkid, Sérgio Mendes and Janet Jackson for his Aux Cable Selections.

Bottle Pop Live! Part II: Benedict Cork & Hannah Yadi

The lovely guys at FUBAR Radio asked Tom to takeover the station for two hours as part of their ongoing Tuesday Takeover series this summer. He was happy to oblige!

For the second hour, Tom is joined by two super-talented singers and songwriters, Benedict Cork and Hannah Yadi. The trio make a toast to broken hearts, referring to Benedict's new single 'Breaking Hearts'. Benedict discusses his music, his love for performing live and future plans. Hannah discusses her love of songwriting and reluctance to focus on just one genre, having recently featured on two dance tracks (one of which Tom plays during the show!) and written on a #1 country album. Both Hannah and Ben were part of different bands when Tom first met them, so in honour, they play a game of 'Ridin Solo' in which they have to guess: the artist, title and band which-they-were-once-a-part-of from just 5 seconds of the song. It turns out to be much harder than it sounds! Benedict chooses Toto and Celine Dion for his Aux Cable Selection and Hannah chooses Akon and All Saints.

 

Bottle Pop Live! Part I: Jack Remmington

The lovely guys at FUBAR Radio asked Tom to takeover the station for two hours as part of their ongoing Tuesday Takeover series this summer. He was happy to oblige!

For the first hour, Tom is joined by one half of Jack & Joel, the 2017 X-Factor finalist and meme generator, Jack Remmington. The pair make a toast to Miranda, who's fast becoming an icon in the meme-world. Jack explains the origins of the meme - how he came across the video, which has now been played over 400k times! Jack also chats his musical beginnings, from his time on X-Factor to Jack & Joel's new single 'One Too Many Time'. The boys discuss the recent Spice Girls gig at Wembley, coincidentally both Tom and Jack dragged up as a member of the band. Jack chooses Tina Turner, Nadine Coyle and Rascal Flatts as his Aux Cable Selection. 

S2E8: Little Boots

Tom is joined in the Season 2 Finale by BRIT nominated singer, songwriter, DJ, label boss and businesswoman, Little Boots, aka Victoria Hesketh, as they make a toast to, ‘the return of songs’. The pair catch up, having last collaborated on Little Boots' previous record, ‘Working Girl’, and vow to write something new together in the near future. Tom reminisces about his first ever solo release, ‘Indiana’, which was put out on Victoria’s own label, On Repeat Records in 2013 and Victoria explains why her Top 10 RedOne produced smash hit ‘Remedy’ has two choruses (and nearly didn’t have a chorus at all!). An ABBA superfan, Little Boots breaks down why ABBA are so amazing and her favourite ABBA song before hinting something special is on it’s way in 2019, which will be the 10 Year Anniversary of her first album, ‘Hands’. Little Boots chooses Frida, Dubstar and Robert Miles as her Aux Cable Selection.

S2E7: Chris Slade and Maddy Smith

Tom is joined by Music PR and KPop superfan, Chris Slade and the head of Digital Marketing at Capitol Records UK, Maddy Smith, for a double whammy music industry special, as the trio make a toast to the recent engagement of Justin Bieber. Chris explains his love for all things KPop and why he thinks the genre has had an upsurge in popularity with the recent successes of BTS and BLACKPINK. Maddy explains the importance of social media when launching a new musical act before getting her (scarily accurate knowledge of Instagram follower numbers) expertise put to the test in a game of The Price is Right. Chris is quizzed on Press Releases with the name of the artist and song removed - with hilarious results. The pair are asked to pick their favourite two songs of the year 2018 so far, for a special Aux Cable Selection. Chris chooses BLACKPINK and Charli XCX. Maddy chooses Ariana Grande and Christine and the Queens.

S2E6: Grace Medford

Tom is joined by fellow podcaster (What's Poppin'), blogger and social media guru, Grace Medford, as they make a toast to inclusivity on London Pride weekend. After a failed attempt at recording this very episode two weeks ago, Tom describes the trials, tribulations, highs and lows of his busy week, from appearing as a guest on Annie Mac’s BBC Radio 1 evening show (reviewing the new Years & Years record, ‘Palo Santo’), to his failing laptop (not one, but two lost podcast recordings!), to coming down from a magical evening seeing Alanis Morissette in concert. Grace discusses her new found appreciation for all things Wiccan (under Tom’s guidance!) and the pair talk about their love of girls-with-guitars and what they both perceive as a frustrating absence of lesbians from mainstream pop culture. Tom slips in some *very* exciting and exclusive news somewhere in the middle of the episode…. and Grace chooses ZAYN, 5 Seconds of Summer and Little Mix as her Aux Cable Selection.

S2E5: Lorna Blackwood

Tom takes Bottle Pop on the road this week, to sunny Clapham, as he joins vocal producer and vocal coach to-the-stars, Lorna Blackwood in her studio. The pair toast to Cam, Lorna’s husband, who's work on George Ezra’s latest album, has garnered not just a #1 album, but George’s first #1 hit! Lorna describes the different aspects to her work, giving singing lessons, doing vocal production on singles such as ‘New Rules’ and ‘IDGAF’ and coaching artists such as Liam Payne, Dua Lipa and Mabel on their vocal technique for live performances. Tom is treated to a crash course, learning warm-ups and exercises to help improve his, admittedly *nasal* voice! Lorna also describes her hilarious experiences providing vocals for ‘royalty free’ cover versions of well-known songs - specifically tracks used for Lorraine’s Fitness DVD! Lorna chooses Nickelback, Phil Collins and Kylie Minogue as her Aux Cable Selection.

S2E4: Siobhan Donaghy & Lady Lloyd

Tom is joined by the acclaimed and iconic singer/songwriter, former Sugababe and new Mum, Siobhan Donaghy as well as her best pal, the multitalented superstar Drag Queen DJ, Lady Lloyd. The trio make a toast to Siobhan’s 11 month old, Ford as well as Lloyd’s all time #1 fave Popstar, Shania Twain. Tom finds out how the pair met back in the old Sugababes days, recounts his week in the studio with Mutya, Keisha and Siobhan back in 2012, before asking all about Lady Lloyd’s new musical project with Boy George. The duo’s musical knowledge is put to the test as they battle to guess correctly famous Girl Group hits that have been reversed (the prize is a shot of Jameson!) Finally, a massive fan of Siobhan's revered second album ‘Ghosts’, Tom delves into the making of the record as well as asking the question on everybody’s lips, will there be any new music from Siobhan and her bandmates, Mutya and Keisha? Lloyd chooses Whigfield and The Rah Band as her Aux Cable Selection. Siobhan opts for Dolly Parton and Enya.

S2E3: Rob Copsey

Tom is joined by the editor of OfficialCharts.com and pop superfan, Rob Copsey, who makes not one, but two toasts; to Mariah Carey and to Lily Allen and her new album. Continuing the theme of doubles, Rob provides an extra bottle of prosecco too, which makes for possibly the most inebriated episode yet. While still sober, the pair talk about the changing face of the UK Singles Chart, what makes a hit and what still makes the charts relevant in 2018. As Editor of the Official Charts website, Rob’s knowledge is put to the test in a game of ‘Play Your Charts Right’, before the guys discuss The Saturdays, Zara Larsson, Cher in Vegas and whether outspoken popstars are still a necessity or not. Rob chooses Pitbull feat. Chris Brown, Diana Ross and Deuce as his Aux Cable Selection.

S2E2: Anita Blay

Tom is joined by singer and songwriter Anita Blay, otherwise known as one half of dance-pop duo Anthony & Cleopatra (and formerly/iconicly known as CockNBullKid). As well as celebrating her recent success with the new One Republic single, the pair make a toast to the British Summer Time. Despite Tom’s struggles with hayfever this week, they manage to pack in a whole range of topics, from the distinct lack of female producers, to what it’s really like working as a songwriter, to which FIFA World Cup song they like best (none of them!) Anita discusses her work as part of Anthony & Cleopatra - which inspires a tense game based on famous Pop Duets through-out music history. Finally, Anita chooses French Montana, Lady Gaga feat. R. Kelly and Blue as her Aux Cable Selection.