SleeveNotes # with Mike Kennedy
122 episodes Last Updated: Apr 30, 25
Sleeve Notes grew out of the Welsh Connections Show that I’d hosted since 2013. It was a vehicle to shout out about all the fantastic musicians that are in Wales but as the show grew and gained listeners the guests did too and I found myself interviewing ... Richie Blackmore, Allan Clarke, Kula Shaker, Steve Balsamo, Suzi Quatro, John Illsley etc - now some did still have a Welsh Connection but others did not and I was getting a few tongue in cheek comments asking what their connection to Wales was ! After a decade it was time to change. I wanted a name that still said what it did on the can but everything was taken - then I was interviewing Van Dyke Parks who was telling me about some sleeve notes he’d written for ‘Orange Crate Art’ and I had one of those lightbulb moments. So welcome to Sleeve Notes. I hope you’ll be entertained and I hope you discover some new music to fill up your record collections for the future
Episodes
Apr 30, 2025
Dropping Like Flies
Dropping Like Flies were formed from the breakup of Welsh punk legends 100000 Bodybags, during the Covid-19 lockdowns the band called it a day after 29 years and founding members Simon Cullen and Craig “Brewer” Bruzas continued to write, sneaking time together illegally during lockdown in a kitchen or garage, hiding from nosey neighbours, Covid wardens and hyper alert dog walkers in order to write and rehearse a set of new original material. With bass and drums recorded on twelve new songs in November 2020, during a brief break in totalitarianism, a new guitarist was recruited with Brian Meade, an old school friend who had never played in a band before, joining as the final member of the band. (Edited)
Apr 22, 2025
The Rogues
The Rogues are a five-piece band from Newport, South Wales, made up of Andrew Flannelly (lead vocals & acoustic guitar), Rhodri Eley (lead guitar & backing vocals), Ben Slade (bass), Alex Ainsworth (lead guitar), and James Mundy (drums). Mike caught up with them to chat about their current success and future plans.
Apr 12, 2025
Mwnci Studios
Mike caught up with, Mwnci Studios owner, Jethro Chaplin to talk about the iconic Welsh recording studio and the trials and tribulations of working with bands in a rural location - still managing to make some amazing and award winning music !
Apr 12, 2025
Femmebug
From Welsh Rock’n’Roll royalty, Femmebug comes from a rich and varied music background but she’s very much her own person - writing and recording cutting edge indie music. Mike caught up with her one summer’s afternoon to talk music.
Mar 29, 2025
3 MPH
The 8th September 2014 saw the release of the debut album 'Life In The Slow Lane' from 3MPH. Mike chats with Huw James, Pete O’Brien & Mike Trigg about the release and future plans.
Mar 24, 2025
Chaz Jankel
In a music career spanning more than 40 years, Chaz Jankel came to prominence in the late 1970s as the guitarist and keyboardist of the rock band Ian Dury and the Blockheads. With Dury, Jankel co-wrote some of the band's best-known songs including "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll", "Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick" and "Reasons to Be Cheerful, Part 3".In this episode Chaz talks to Mike about his recently re-released soundtrack to DOA.
Mar 07, 2025
Bethan Jenkins
Mike caught up with Welsh AM Bethan Jenkins to talk politics and music - did you know that she was in the Welsh indie band Gilasby ?
Mar 07, 2025
James Chadwick
Mike sat down with renowned jazz guitarist James Chadwick to talk about his latest album, Inside Out. On the way the pair chat about James’ love of music and how he immersed himself into the jazz scene from an early age.
Mar 07, 2025
Craig Mapstone of Secret Postal Society
Mike chats with Craig Mapstone, of Secret Postal Society, about his latest release - a collaboration with Swansea musician Guy Challenger to raise funds for Papyrus.
Mar 07, 2025
Tom Killner
Tom Killner is an incendiary UK award-winning singer/songwriter/guitarist who straddles the line between genres with soulfully infused blues, southern rock, country, and Americana. Mike caught up with him to talk about his highly acclaimed new album ‘Borrowed Time’.