Bottle Pop with Tom Aspaul

S2E1: Peter Robinson/Popjustice

Bottle Pop returns for a Second Season.. and to celebrate, we’re kicking off with a bumper hour-long episode! Tom is joined by Peter Robinson, music journalist and the editor/creator of Popjustice. Both being massive ABBA fans, the two could not start the podcast without toasting ABBA and discussing their upcoming reunion. Peter is concerned over the prospect of two new ABBA songs - specifically whether they will be added to his ’ABBA shithouse’ or hopefully, ‘ABBA Gold-er’ playlist. Tom then turns the tables on Peter, an interviewer notorious for asking Popstars weird and wonderful questions, by giving him a taste of his own medicine. The pair discuss the state of Pop Music in 2018, whether streaming has led to it’s oversaturation or increased the amount of great, creative artists and songs. Peter chooses Barry Manilow, Mike Posner and Almighty feat. Jamie Knight for his Aux Cable selection. 

Xmas Special: Joe Stone & Jenny Postle-Cope

Tom is back for an *Extra Special Festive Edition* of Bottle Pop! Alongside previous guest from Episode 1, Joe Stone, Tom is joined by friend, fashion-designer, pop-culture obsessive and fellow Wulfrunian, Jenny Postle-Cope, as the trio take an irreverent look back at the year that was: 2017. Month by month, from January to December, Trump to Rak Su, the Superbowl to the VMAs, the return of Steps to the return of Kesha, Gemma Collins to Meghan Markle, "Purposeful Pop" to Eurovision and everything in between - 2017 has been a bit of a weird one. The gang make some tough decisions dishing out Bottle Pop’s coveted and highly respected Bottle Pop Awards (categories of which include “Arsehole of the Year” etc…) and Joe and Jenny decide on their Top 5 songs-of-the-year for the final Aux Cable Seclection of 2017.

Greatest Hits: Vol. 1

Tom takes a look back at Season 1 of Bottle Pop, gathering together a collection of his favourite moments, anecdotes and clips. GHV1 features bits from each of the sixteen star-studded episodes, along with Tom's own insights into the making of the show and behind the scenes gossip. Over the last four months, we've gone from being inside Beyoncé’s house to finding poo on a towel in a Las Vegas hotel; flying across the world with Rihanna to being gifted a Gregg’s VIP Card; doing karaoke with Kylie Minogue to pinging a cork into KStewart’s eye; writing a #1 single to getting Shawn Mendez mixed up with Sean Cody - take a trip down memory lane and relive it all again! Tom also inaugurates the Aux Cable Hall Of Fame™ with it’s first five songs.

S1E16: Becky Hill

Tom is joined by singer-songwriter, vocal powerhouse and Bewdley superstar Becky Hill, as they make a toast to Season 1 of Bottle Pop; this being the last instalment for a short while. The pair recount their first meeting five years ago, the year they both entered the music industry, shortly after Becky got through to the finals of the 1st series of The Voice UK. Becky chats the ups and downs of her career so far and how this only really feels like the beginning, even with megahits like ‘Gecko’ and ‘False Alarm’ under her belt. The duo chat in depth about writing songs, how streaming has changed the game, their hopes for Q4,  “90s money” and their shared love of the John Niven novel ‘Kill Your Friends’ (and how scarily accurate it can be!) Becky chooses N-Dubz, Girli feat. Lethal Bizzle and Sunblock as her Aux Cable Selections.

S1E15: Julian Rupert & Sam Leutton

Tom takes Bottle Pop on the road as he travels to deepest, darkest France for a spécial *Édition Française* of the podcast. He is joined by music industry whizzkid, artist manager and Francophile Julian Rupert; AND long-time friend, KENZO knitwear designer and Parisian-Mancunian, Sam Leutton, as they toast to French President, Emmanuel Macron and his €20,000 make-up habit. Julian chats about his early days in the music industry through to seeing one of his artists hit #1 on the UK singles chart. Sam reminisces about how she and Tom met in London and what it’s like working and living in Paris (and the poor service in bars and restaurants that entails). The trio drink/eat/talk all things French, from the early career of Alizée, to the genius of Mylène Farmer and everything in between, before Tom quizzes the pair on their French knowledge. Julian chooses Shy’m, Marie Mai and Lorie as his Aux Cable Selections, Sam closes the show with a song from Disney’s ‘Beauty And The Beast’.

S1E14: Chris Mandle

Tom is joined by Shortlist features editor Chris Mandle as they make a toast to Elton John’s classic song ‘Benny And The Jets’ - especially it’s famous piano line, which has recently been the inspiration for several songs, from Gaga to Harry Styles. The boys also talk tattoos, Greggs, hangovers, chat shows and celebrity deaths before getting into Chris’s speciality subject - Boy Bands. From Take That to Five to One Direction, the pair chat solo careers, both successful and unsuccessful, dance moves, harmonies and which member of 1D they think has the best shot at longevity. However, things go horribly wrong when Tom’s laptop fails to save 2/3 of the recording. In true Bottle Pop fashion, the rest of the podcast is finished over the phone (!). Chris chooses Backstreet Boys, Busted and One Direction for his Aux Cable Selections.

S1E13: Hannah Jane Lewis

Tom is joined by freshly signed singer/songwriter, popstar-in-waiting, Hannah Jane Lewis - about to release her first official single; as they make a toast to Kesha and her incredible new album. Hannah talks about growing up in Florida, the gaps in her UK pop knowledge and going to the same University as Lady Gaga (NYU) before settling in London. The pair sing the praises of Kesha’s new country-tinged record ‘Rainbow' and share a love for female fronted country-pop, or as Tom calls it: “gay country”. Hannah fills Tom in on her upcoming single ‘Rain Check’ before admitting her slight obsession with Avril Lavigne and Ashlee Simpson. Hannah chooses Jessica Simpson, Danity Kane and Avril Lavigne for her Aux Cable Selections.

S1E12: Alim Kheraj

Tom is joined by Britney superfan and freelance writer Alim Kheraj (who, amongst other things, contributes to Beat, iD, Popjustice and Noisey) as they make a toast to the city of Las Vegas, for reinvigorating the career of The Legendary Miss Spears. The boys chat about their Las Vegas experiences and Alim recounts seeing her live at her residency and the iTunes festival. This episode is dedicated to the life, times and works of Britney Jean Spears and Alim discusses what it is that makes her so special.. and how she shapes up against today’s younger batch of pop starlets. The pair also discuss the upcoming Popjustice Twenty Quid Music Prize; who they want to win, who they don’t want to win and who will probably win anyway. Alim chooses Britney Spears for all three of his Aux Cable Selections.

S1E11: David Lim

Tom is joined by Australian PR and pop music blogger, David Lim, as they make a toast to (David’s client) Geri Halliwell herself for a special *Aussie Edition* of Bottle Pop. The boys chat all things Antipodean; from Tom’s obsession with Kath & Kim, to David working with the Minogue-sister’s-Dad back in Melbourne, through to their shared love of Tina Arena and Dannii - The People’s Minogue. David recounts his life back in Australia from working at a McDonald’s in Melbourne to running super high profile PR campaigns in London today. Tom recounts his first ever songwriting sessions with the then newly reformed Mutya Keisha Siobhan, before the pair bond over their shared passion for KFC. David chooses Scandal’Us, Lene Nystrøm and Ricki-Lee for his Aux Cable Selections.

S1E10: Michael Cragg

Tom is joined by Beat and Guardian journalist, Popjustice features editor and Max Martin superfan, Michael Cragg, as they make a toast to shitty interviews (on the birthday of Lil’ Kim). The pair chat about the Swedish Polar Music Prize - specifically when awarded to Björk, Max Martin and Emmylou Harris; the rise, fall and rise of Lady Gaga; which member of Little Mix farted in an interview; the struggles of female popstars (a recurring theme!) and when Michael once bled in front of Usher. Michael recounts his once-in-a-lifetime experience on the 777 Rihanna tour, in which she took Michael and fellow journalists on a mini world-tour in seven days. It quickly descended into chaos. The pair also try to piece together the Top 100 biggest selling female artists of all time. Michael chooses Leona Lewis, Alphabeat and Brandy & Monica for his Aux Cable Selections.