It has been quite a while since I recorded a proper Now Spinning Magazine channel and website update.
The reviews, interviews, podcasts and features have continued to appear, but the monthly update videos quietly slipped out of the schedule. I always enjoyed making them, and they often produced some of the best conversations and new ideas through your comments, so I have decided it is time to bring them back.
There are also a few changes coming to the way I approach the channel.
Making the Videos More Focused
One of the things I have realised is that my videos have a habit of growing.
A planned Top 10 can become a Top 20, Top 30 or—in the case of my celebration of David Coverdale’s career—something approaching a Top 45. What begins as a relatively simple idea can sometimes become longer than the average European holiday.
I love making detailed videos, and there will always be space for longer conversations, interviews and in-depth reviews. However, I also want more of the programming to feel spontaneous, manageable and fun.
That means some videos will become shorter and more focused. Ranking features may be divided into several parts, while playlist videos may concentrate on fewer albums at a time.
This should make the videos easier to create, but also easier for people to watch and enjoy.
A More Selective Approach to Reviews
Now Spinning Magazine will continue to review new albums, reissues, vinyl editions, CDs and deluxe box sets, but I am going to become slightly more selective about what I cover.
That does not mean concentrating only on major artists or releases that are guaranteed to attract large numbers of views.
The deciding factor will be whether I genuinely connect with the music and feel that I have something worthwhile to say about it.
That could be a major heritage artist, a high-profile box set or a completely independent band known only to a relatively small audience. Supporting new and independent music remains an important part of what Now Spinning Magazine does.
If I discover something that deserves greater attention, I want to use this platform to help people hear about it.
Introducing The Collector’s Club
One of the biggest additions to the channel will be a new series called The Collector’s Club.
The idea is wonderfully simple: rather than trying to include six, ten or twelve albums in a single video, I may focus on just one.
It will not necessarily be a rare or expensive record. It could be an album that is easy to find, a CD that can be bought for very little money or a recent reissue that has sent me back into an artist’s catalogue.
The important part will be the story.
Why did I buy it? Where did I first hear it? What memories does it bring back? Did it introduce me to a particular artist, genre or period of music?
Those personal connections are often what people respond to most strongly in my videos. By concentrating on a single release, I can explore those stories properly rather than realising that I still have another four albums to discuss after already talking for 40 minutes.
The Collector’s Club will celebrate vinyl, CDs and box sets. As I often say, I am multi-format man. Both vinyl and CD matter, and both remain central to Now Spinning Magazine.
Guides, Rankings and Music Discussion
Ranking videos and collector’s guides will continue, often inspired by your comments and suggestions.
Some of these may be divided into shorter episodes, allowing each album or period to receive more attention. There will also be more opinion-based videos and broader music discussions designed to encourage conversation within the community.
Music Biz Chat will return in a more concise format, making it easier to respond to developments within the music industry without every subject becoming a feature-length documentary.
Music and Mental Health
The Music and Mental Health series remains one of the most important parts of the channel.
These videos have connected with people around the world, and I know from the messages I receive that they have helped viewers through difficult periods.
Two new Music and Mental Health videos are currently being developed. This is a series I want to make more regularly rather than allowing it to be pushed aside by the constant flow of reviews and new releases.
Music really can be the healer and the doctor.
Interviews and Podcasts
Interviews remain one of my favourite parts of Now Spinning Magazine.
I have now spoken to hundreds of musicians, producers, writers and people from across the music industry—from some of the biggest names in rock music to exciting independent artists who are still building their audience.
The Now Spinning Magazine website now includes a searchable Interview and Podcast Library. You can search by artist, band, instrument or subject. Searching for a band such as Yes, for example, will reveal all the interviews connected to that group.
Several new interviews and conversations are currently being planned.
These include a new discussion with Greg Hart from Cats in Space. As well as talking about the band’s forthcoming album, we plan to create an imaginary compilation featuring some of the greatest tracks of 1976.
I am also hoping to speak again with Peter Hammill about his new solo album, and with Steve Hackett about his collaboration with Steve Rothery. This would be my sixth interview with Steve Hackett.
Other planned conversations include Steve Rothery discussing Marillion, Derek Shulman talking about Gentle Giant and In a Glass House, conductor and arranger Paul Mann discussing Jon Lord’s classical work, and Anthony Phillips talking about his recent piano album alongside Sue Aston.
Cool Classics, Punk Rock and Exclusive Videos
Cool Classics with Sue will continue introducing rock fans to the world of classical music.
However, Sue is also a major fan of punk rock, so we are planning a video exploring that side of her musical taste as well.
Patreon supporters and YouTube Members will continue to receive exclusive videos and early access content, with the intention of publishing at least a couple of dedicated videos each month.
The NWOBHM Story Will Continue
One question has followed me ever since I published the first episode of The New Wave of British Heavy Metal and My Small Part in It:
When is part two coming?
The answer is that I have not forgotten about it.
There has simply been a huge amount of other material to cover. Part two remains in the plans, and I am looking forward to continuing that very personal story.
I also intend to revisit older and out-of-print box sets, including releases that people may no longer be able to examine in shops. These archive unboxings and retrospectives will allow us to look again at important releases from artists such as The Rolling Stones and many others.
A Music Community First
Now Spinning Magazine may have grown considerably since it began, but its purpose has not changed.
It remains a music community built around the love of physical media, musical discovery and the stories we associate with the records and CDs in our collections.
The community now extends across YouTube, the website, Patreon, WhatsApp, Facebook and the twice-monthly Now Spinning Arms Zoom gatherings.
There is also the Now Spinning Magazine music shop, where you can discover vinyl, CDs and box sets, alongside merchandise and several other ideas currently being developed.
Thank you to everyone who watches the videos, reads the website, listens to the podcasts, leaves comments or supports Now Spinning Magazine through Patreon and YouTube Membership.
Your enthusiasm continues to inspire new ideas and keeps this entire project moving forward.
Remember: music is the healer and the doctor.
Take care, keep spinning those discs, and I will talk to you again very soon.
Phil Aston
Now Spinning Magazine
