The inspiration for Snowdrop, the latest and 13th album from Japanese instrumental rock band Mono, came about from the passing in 2024 of long-time friend of the band Steve Albini, Mono’s recent production partner, and, in the past, audio engineer…
I am sure that many of you have at the very least, a passing acquaintance with Franck Carducci and the Fantastic Squad. But for those of you who aren’t I can sum them up as quintet of amazingly talented individuals…
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610) was an Italian painter of the Baroque period. Famous for his near photo realism and the dramatic use of chiaroscuro (the strong contrast between light and dark), his paintings reflected his own turbulent, troubled and…
Whenever I write a retrospective review of an album that means a lot to me, I try to make sure that it’s an album that has not had its horn tooted over the years. In this case, I think I’m…
Back in late 1973, a gifted young guitarist by the name of Gary Boyle, who had played with various bands, most recently Stomu Yamashta’s East Wind, decided that he had to form his own band to further explore the fusion…
Featured artists: Lite | Lari Basilio | Joy Shannon | Steve Blanco Four bite-sized reviews taking a snapshot of just some of the 2025 albums and EPs to land at TPA over the past few months… • Lite – The…
Featured artists: Edenya | Riffstone | Barend Tromp | Jonhatan Tenerini | Path Of Ilya Five bite-sized reviews taking a snapshot of just some of the recent albums to land at TPA over the past few months… • Edenya –…
![Hedvig Mollestad Trio at Boerderij [NL] in May 2026](https://theprogressiveaspect.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Hedvig-Mollestad_tpa-banner-700x450.jpg)
Poppodium Boerderij, Zoetermeer [NL] Sunday, 22 May 2026 I had never heard of the Hedvig Mollestad Trio (HM3), but the description alone — an instrumental collision of jazz, prog‑metal, psychedelia, and stoner rock was enough to pique my curiosity. The…
Howard Assembly Room, Leeds Tuesday, 19th May 2026 First of all, before I talk about the concert, I need to mention the venue, the Howard Assembly Room. In Victorian times, it was originally a theatre but it is a place…
![Rockpommel's Band at Boerderij [NL] - May 2026](https://theprogressiveaspect.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rockpommels-Band_tpa_banner-700x450.jpg)
Poppodium Boerderij, Zoetermeer [NL] Saturday, 23 May 2026 If you were to ask me which album from the long history of the German so-called ‘Krautrock’ prog scene of the seventies that stood out above the crowd, my answer would be…
Crookes WMC, Sheffield Friday, 24 April 2026 Another concert in a venue that is new to me. Crookes WMC is, as the WMC suggests, an old school hall designed for music, which, back in the day, would probably have been…
New Theatre Oxford Thursday, 14 May 2026 This means nothing to me, Oh Vienna Except. It is actually Oxford, on a rainy Thursday night in May. “The feeling has gone, only you and I, it means nothing to me.” Yet,…
Poppodium Boerderij, Zoetermeer [NL] Saturday, 2nd May 2026 To be honest, I hadn’t seen them perform live for quite some time, so when the announcement came that they would be playing at Poppodium Boerderij again, I immediately made a note…
Cavern Club, Liverpool Tuesday, 7th April 2026 Before I review the actual concert, I must break a taboo with many people who believe all things that have a Beatles badge on it makes it perfect and above criticism. Possibly a…
Camden Club, London Saturday, 11th April 2026 A blustery and sunny day, with a hard sleet shower slotted in along the way, this had been a typical April day in England, and now I’m heading for another gig at the…
With the release of the new album Blessed and the warm reception of Live First Album: 50th Anniversary, their penultimate live record, it was high time for me to catch up with frontman, singer, and principal songwriter John Palumbo. What…
Sometimes you know before the conversation even begins that it’s not going to be a standard interview. Clare Lindley is one such person. A violinist, singer, composer, rock climber, and a fixture within Big Big Train (BBT) for several years…
Grimsthorpe Castle, Bourne Thursday, 4th September 2025 Intro and first impressions… Despite this festival being in its third year I was still a virgin to Nene Valley Rock Festival. So, other than seeing a line up full of interesting bands,…
Following TPA’s review of The Great Divide, multi-instrumentalist and composer John Holden kindly agreed to talk with Jane Lee where he elaborates on the artistic vision that has shaped his music. Jane Lee [JL]: Hi John. Thanks for agreeing to…
At a time when, seemingly at least, Punk ruled the airwaves and snarling teenagers were saying naughty words on the TV – it looked like bands with talent were threatened with oblivion. Some carried on regardless, other bands folded, while some…
TPA’s Dann Chinn covers all bases in this long chat with Michael Woodman, who gives us the lowdown on his new album Hiss of Today, and much, much more besides… Dann Chinn (DC): Let’s talk about stories, Michael, and storytelling,…
