Bottle Pop with Tom Aspaul

S1E9: Clare Maguire

Tom is joined by Brummie pop powerhouse, Clare Maguire, as they make a toast to the iconic French-Canadian chanteuse, Céline Dion. Clare brings Tom up to date on her early days going out in Birmingham through to sobriety and working with Mike Skinner and Fraser T Smith on her music. The pair discuss Clare’s Irish roots, her Dad’s love of The Corrs and the strange lack of fellow Midlanders in the music industry. Tom explains that Rihanna is the first female artist for 12 weeks to enter the Top 5 (a record since 1972) and Clare opens up about the struggles of being female artist, before choosing Céline Dion for all three (!) of her Aux Cable Selections.

S1E8: Leo Kalyan

Tom takes Bottle Pop on the road as he travels to multi-talented singer/songwriter/producer Leo Kalyan’s house for a chat. They toast to diversity (not the Britain’s Got Talent dance troupe) and put the world to rights on a wide range of issues. From Indian music being sampled in Western pop, to the lack of brown artists being played on UK radio, Leo discusses in depth, how juggling being both an LGBT artist and Asian, can be a struggle. The pair also talk about Leo’s early years, his training in Indian Classical Music and his fascination with the sea. Leo reveals what his drag name would be (it’s amazing!), his obsession with RuPaul’s Drag Race and chooses RuPaul, Holly Valance and Whigfield for his Aux Cable Selection.

S1E7: Sophie Wilkinson

Tom is joined by Guardian, Vice, Refinery 29 and Debrief journalist; Sophie Wilkinson, as they toast Lana Del Rey on her 32nd Birthday. The pair chat about enigmatic popstars choosing to separate themselves from their musical persona, such Lizzie Grant (Lana Del Rey), Stefani Germanotta (Lady Gaga) and Katheryn Hudson (Katy Perry). Sophie surprises Tom with the revelation she was once the lead guitarist in a manufactured girl group called Bloke!, before discussing her journey into journalism, her favourite charity singles and breaking down the iconic 1998 all-star version of ‘Perfect Day’. Sophie chooses Misha B, Ricky Martin and George Michael for her Aux Cable Selection.

S1E6: Nick Levine

Tom is joined by Vice, Time Out, Gay Times and NME journalist; Nick Levine, on the hottest day of the year, as they toast the late, great Cilla Black. The boys chat Nick’s early days in journalism, the best and worst interviews throughout his career (including Debbie Harry, Michelle Williams and All Saints); before discussing their shared love of older female Pop Culture icons, such as Olivia Newton-John, Liza Minnelli and Maggie Smith. Things go horribly wrong when the heat causes a technical failure and the pair are forced to continue the Podcast the next day (!) over the phone. Nick chooses Madonna, Cilla Black and Alexandra Burke for his Aux Cable Selection. 

S1E5: Kate Stewart

Tom is joined by super sassy singer/songwriter/popstar KStewart, as they make a toast to… KStewart herself (lol!) The pair take a look back at Kate’s early days as a Musical Theatre student in London, her stint as Snow White on the UK Panto Circuit and just how many Ubers she’s taken (the total is shocking). Kate also reveals her worst studio session and her hidden talent for mimicry before chatting about current single ‘Hands’ and upcoming projects. KStewart chooses QT, Diveo and Jason DeRulo for her Aux Cable Selection.

S1E4: MNEK

Tom is joined by Grammy-nominated songwriter and popstar, MNEK, as they make a toast to Jeremy Corbyn. The boys get to grips with the famous Mariah Carey/Jennifer Lopez feud, their favourite girl groups and MNEK’s early beginnings at the hallowed Xenomania pop factory. Tom asks what it was like working with Beyoncé (!) and they recount how a song they made together ended up on a Kylie Minogue album. MNEK chooses ATC, September and Billie Piper for his Aux Cable Selection.

S1E2: Emma Jay Marsh

Tom is joined by music manager and fellow former Telford inhabitant, Emma Jay Marsh, as they make a toast to Toni Collette's iconic performance in 'Muriel's Wedding'. The pair bond over their hometown and it's famous inhabitants (such as Lolly!); they also chat at length about the Golden Age of Big Brother (2004-2006), what it's like being a woman in a male-dominated industry and Emma chooses Amy Studt, Scooter (!) and Sharam for her Aux Cable selection, all before being interrupted by a massive thunder storm.

S1E1: Joe Stone

Tom is joined by Grazia, Attitude and Guardian journalist, Joe Stone as they make a toast to Rosanne McBride and the iconic MTV show for which she's famous - 'Totally Scott-Lee'. They also chat at length about The Spice Girls (obvs), get mixed up between Sean Cody/Shawn Mendez and Bel Ami/Belle Amie and Joe chooses forgotten classics from Jentina, Alanis Morrissette and Geri Halliwell for his Aux Cable selection.