It's the end of a long and trying year, but that doesn't mean that there wasn't plenty of great music to be found in 2020.  You'll hear Mark's picks for the top five albums of this year, plus five honorable mentions, all of which are worth your time.Bands/artists featured (in alphabetical order):CirculineSimon CollinsThe CyberiamDays Between StationsFishGlass HammerHakenMark Kelly's MarathonSilent SkiesRick Wakeman

It's the end of a long and trying year, but that doesn't mean that there wasn't plenty of great music to be found in 2020. You'll hear Mark's picks for the top five albums of this year, plus five honorable mentions, all of which are worth your time. Bands/artists featured (in alphabetical order): Circuline Simon Collins The Cyberiam Days Between Stations Fish Glass Hammer Haken Mark Kelly's Marathon Silent Skies Rick Wakeman

Episode 170: The Five From...2020

For the second part of our Halloween 2020 special, we delve into the heavier side of progressive tracks with spooky titles and themes.  Listen to songs from the Fierce and the Dead, Within Temptation, Odd Logic, Braindance, the Murder of My Sweet, Voyager, To-Mera, Venturia, Hemina, and the Cyberiam.  To hear interviews and features with many of these bands, go to the Archival Episodes tab at www.progtopia.com.  If this episode is too scary for you, check out Part 1 for some "lighter" fare!

For the second part of our Halloween 2020 special, we delve into the heavier side of progressive tracks with spooky titles and themes. Listen to songs from the Fierce and the Dead, Within Temptation, Odd Logic, Braindance, the Murder of My Sweet, Voyager, To-Mera, Venturia, Hemina, and the Cyberiam. To hear interviews and features with many of these bands, go to the Archival Episodes tab at <a href="http://www.progtopia.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.progtopia.com</a>. If this episode is too scary for you, check out Part 1 for some "lighter" fare!

Halloween 2020 Special Part 2

In the first part of our Halloween 2020 special, we highlight some of the (dare we say?) lighter progressive songs with creepy-sounding titles or themes.  Hear tracks from Francis Dunnery, the Alan Parsons Project, iamthemorning, the Flower Kings, Edison's Children, Anathema, Atomic Rooster, Djam Karet, Darryl Way, In Continuum, Adam Rabin, and Tom Slatter.  Many of these artists have been featured in past Progtopia episodes, so go to www.progtopia.com to hear from them.  Check out Part 2 for some heavier tunes!

In the first part of our Halloween 2020 special, we highlight some of the (dare we say?) lighter progressive songs with creepy-sounding titles or themes. Hear tracks from Francis Dunnery, the Alan Parsons Project, iamthemorning, the Flower Kings, Edison's Children, Anathema, Atomic Rooster, Djam Karet, Darryl Way, In Continuum, Adam Rabin, and Tom Slatter. Many of these artists have been featured in past Progtopia episodes, so go to <a href="http://www.progtopia.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.progtopia.com</a> to hear from them. Check out Part 2 for some heavier tunes!

Halloween 2020 Special Part 1

Mike Rutherford

With Genesis founder Mike Rutherford's recent 70th birthday, we thought we'd have a listen to five tracks from his non-Genesis output.  That includes solo albums and, of course, his side band Mike + the Mechanics.  Some of it's prog, some of it's not, but you can't deny he can write the kind of music many people enjoy listening to.  Here's to you, Mr. Rutherford!To hear previous archival episodes, go to www.progtopia.com, and follow the show on Facebook (www.facebook.com/progtopia).

With Genesis founder Mike Rutherford's recent 70th birthday, we thought we'd have a listen to five tracks from his non-Genesis output. That includes solo albums and, of course, his side band Mike + the Mechanics. Some of it's prog, some of it's not, but you can't deny he can write the kind of music many people enjoy listening to. Here's to you, Mr. Rutherford! To hear previous archival episodes, go to <a href="http://www.progtopia.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.progtopia.com</a>, and follow the show on Facebook (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/progtopia" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/progtopia</a>).

The Five From...Mike Rutherford

The late Eric Woolfson spent the 70s and 80s as the silent but equal partner of Alan Parsons in the rock band named after the producer.  Having penned hits like "Games People Play" and "Time," and even singing several of them himself, Woolfson eventually moved on from rock radio to writing scores for musical theatre.  His subjects included historical figures like Sigmund Freud, Antoni Gaudi, and of course Edgar Allan Poe.  With five such productions out there, it only follows that instead of spotlighting well-known Alan Parsons Project tracks, we take a look at one song from each of those musicals.  Among those, you'll hear some updated takes on APP songs from years past, and Woolfson himself singing his own words once more.Find Woolfson and APP merchandise and music at www.ericwoolfsonmusic.com.To hear previous archival episodes, go to www.progtopia.com, and follow the show on Facebook (www.facebook.com/progtopia).

The late Eric Woolfson spent the 70s and 80s as the silent but equal partner of Alan Parsons in the rock band named after the producer. Having penned hits like "Games People Play" and "Time," and even singing several of them himself, Woolfson eventually moved on from rock radio to writing scores for musical theatre. His subjects included historical figures like Sigmund Freud, Antoni Gaudi, and of course Edgar Allan Poe. With five such productions out there, it only follows that instead of spotlighting well-known Alan Parsons Project tracks, we take a look at one song from each of those musicals. Among those, you'll hear some updated takes on APP songs from years past, and Woolfson himself singing his own words once more. Find Woolfson and APP merchandise and music at <a href="http://www.ericwoolfsonmusic.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.ericwoolfsonmusic.com</a>. To hear previous archival episodes, go to <a href="http://www.progtopia.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.progtopia.com</a>, and follow the show on Facebook (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/progtopia" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/progtopia</a>).

The Five From...Eric Woolfson

Hailing from Perth, Western Australia, Voyager have spent the better part of two decades creating their signature blend of prog metal with hooks aplenty in every instrument and some of the slickest production around.  Alex Canion, Ash Doodkorte, Simone Dow, Danny Estrin, and Scott Kay have been the lineup for the past few albums, the most recent of which -- Colours in the Sun -- was released in 2019.  And to make it even harder to choose which five songs from their seven-album discography make the cut, we placed the further restriction that none of the Five here can have an official MTV-style video.  That leaves out a lot of great tracks, but the good news is there are plenty more standouts to choose from.  Did we get it right?  Tell us what you think!Find the band at https://www.voyagerau.com/ and their Bandcamp page: https://voyager.bandcamp.com/To hear previous archival episodes, go to www.progtopia.com, and follow the show on Facebook (www.facebook.com/progtopia).

Hailing from Perth, Western Australia, Voyager have spent the better part of two decades creating their signature blend of prog metal with hooks aplenty in every instrument and some of the slickest production around. Alex Canion, Ash Doodkorte, Simone Dow, Danny Estrin, and Scott Kay have been the lineup for the past few albums, the most recent of which -- Colours in the Sun -- was released in 2019. And to make it even harder to choose which five songs from their seven-album discography make the cut, we placed the further restriction that none of the Five here can have an official MTV-style video. That leaves out a lot of great tracks, but the good news is there are plenty more standouts to choose from. Did we get it right? Tell us what you think! Find the band at <a href="https://www.voyagerau.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.voyagerau.com/</a> and their Bandcamp page: <a href="https://voyager.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://voyager.bandcamp.com/</a> To hear previous archival episodes, go to <a href="http://www.progtopia.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.progtopia.com</a>, and follow the show on Facebook (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/progtopia" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/progtopia</a>).

The Five From...Voyager

Glass Hammer

Under the consistent guidance of Steve Babb and Fred Schendel, American proggers Glass Hammer have been around for close to 30 years without interruption and with quite a sizeable discography to show for it.  Members have come and gone and come back again, and many styles and epic tracks are strewn through their catalog.  But with such varied output as albums inspired by Tolkien and C.S. Lewis through more accessible and hard-driving tracks, what five sub-10-minute songs will be chosen as representative of the group?  Your intrepid host takes a shot.  Do you agree with the choices?Visit the band at www.glasshammer.com for merchandise and albums like the brand new Dreaming City and the Ultimate Middle Earth Download.To hear previous archival episodes, go to www.progtopia.com, and follow the show on Facebook (www.facebook.com/progtopia).

Under the consistent guidance of Steve Babb and Fred Schendel, American proggers Glass Hammer have been around for close to 30 years without interruption and with quite a sizeable discography to show for it. Members have come and gone and come back again, and many styles and epic tracks are strewn through their catalog. But with such varied output as albums inspired by Tolkien and C.S. Lewis through more accessible and hard-driving tracks, what five sub-10-minute songs will be chosen as representative of the group? Your intrepid host takes a shot. Do you agree with the choices? Visit the band at <a href="http://www.glasshammer.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.glasshammer.com</a> for merchandise and albums like the brand new Dreaming City and the Ultimate Middle Earth Download. To hear previous archival episodes, go to <a href="http://www.progtopia.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.progtopia.com</a>, and follow the show on Facebook (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/progtopia" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/progtopia</a>).

The Five From...Glass Hammer

Anubis Gate

We're back with a new, and hopefully more sustainable, format for the program: "The Five From...".  The rules are: 1) Choose a progressive rock, metal, or electronic band or artist with at least five releases; 2) Choose five of their songs that represent aspects of their output that are worth highlighting; 3) None of those songs can be over ten minutes long; and 4) Explain why these tracks were chosen.  This is to force your host into making some difficult decisions in reducing what might be decades of material into only five songs, as well as create discussion among listeners about what they might choose instead.  We hope you'll join in the debate -- respectfully, of course!Danish prog metallers Anubis Gate were our first guests on Progtopia back in 2012 and have been featured twice since, so naturally it made sense to place them first here, too.  With several albums, three lead singers, and a box set to their credit since 2004, what five tracks make the cut?  The choices include an eastern-influenced tour-de-force, a trip inside a troubled mind, and one of their lesser-known versions covering another band.Visit the band and get the albums and merchandise at www.anubisgate.com and www.nightmarerecords.com.To hear previous archival episodes, go to www.progtopia.com, and follow the show on Facebook (www.facebook.com/progtopia).

We're back with a new, and hopefully more sustainable, format for the program: "The Five From...". The rules are: 1) Choose a progressive rock, metal, or electronic band or artist with at least five releases; 2) Choose five of their songs that represent aspects of their output that are worth highlighting; 3) None of those songs can be over ten minutes long; and 4) Explain why these tracks were chosen. This is to force your host into making some difficult decisions in reducing what might be decades of material into only five songs, as well as create discussion among listeners about what they might choose instead. We hope you'll join in the debate -- respectfully, of course! Danish prog metallers Anubis Gate were our first guests on Progtopia back in 2012 and have been featured twice since, so naturally it made sense to place them first here, too. With several albums, three lead singers, and a box set to their credit since 2004, what five tracks make the cut? The choices include an eastern-influenced tour-de-force, a trip inside a troubled mind, and one of their lesser-known versions covering another band. Visit the band and get the albums and merchandise at <a href="http://www.anubisgate.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.anubisgate.com</a> and <a href="http://www.nightmarerecords.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.nightmarerecords.com</a>. To hear previous archival episodes, go to <a href="http://www.progtopia.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.progtopia.com</a>, and follow the show on Facebook (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/progtopia" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/progtopia</a>).

The Five From...Anubis Gate

Named after an obscure topographical feature, California-based Lobate Scarp has been sharing their brand of theatrical prog with the world for close to a decade, and while they haven't had a formal release for a few years since their debut Time and Space, they're back with an EP called Spirals and Portals.  The release is a prelude to an upcoming Kickstarter campaign for their second full-length album, to be formally announced in October.  Host Mark Ashby speaks with singer, keyboardist, and songwriter Adam Sears about that odd band name, their crowd-funding successes and shortfalls, and their addition to the bill for RoSfest 2020 in Florida.  You can learn more about them online and get their music at https://www.lobatescarp.com/.Featured songs/excerpts:"Nothing Wrong""Time and Space""And We Tried""Beautiful Light"To hear previous archival episodes, go to www.progtopia.com, and follow the show on Facebook (www.facebook.com/progtopia).

Named after an obscure topographical feature, California-based Lobate Scarp has been sharing their brand of theatrical prog with the world for close to a decade, and while they haven't had a formal release for a few years since their debut Time and Space, they're back with an EP called Spirals and Portals. The release is a prelude to an upcoming Kickstarter campaign for their second full-length album, to be formally announced in October. Host Mark Ashby speaks with singer, keyboardist, and songwriter Adam Sears about that odd band name, their crowd-funding successes and shortfalls, and their addition to the bill for RoSfest 2020 in Florida. You can learn more about them online and get their music at <a href="https://www.lobatescarp.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.lobatescarp.com/</a>. Featured songs/excerpts: "Nothing Wrong" "Time and Space" "And We Tried" "Beautiful Light" To hear previous archival episodes, go to <a href="http://www.progtopia.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.progtopia.com</a>, and follow the show on Facebook (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/progtopia" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/progtopia</a>).

Episode 144 : Lobate Scarp - "Spirals and Portals"

Some prog metal fans will know the name Jessica Lehto from her involvement in the bands Factory of Dreams (Episode 044) and Beto Vazquez Infinity.  But there's a softer side to this Swedish singer/songwriter with the angelic voice, and that is reflected in her solo project, Once There Was.  The style of music under this name has been fluid over the years, but the most recent release Breathe, Be, Bleed is being called "electro pop opera."  Whatever you describe it as, it contains haunting vocals and harmonies, with synthesizer accompaniment ranging from driving to quietly symphonic.  Host Mark Ashby speaks with her about how Once There Was has changed over the years and how it differs from other albums she guests on, why she's content being mostly a studio musician, and how digital-only releases suit artists like her.  Find her online at www.jessicalehto.com.Featured songs/excerpts:"Blue""Heartbeats""Anywhere""Black""Unknown""Fading"To hear previous archival episodes, go to www.progtopia.com, and follow the show on Facebook (www.facebook.com/progtopia).

Some prog metal fans will know the name Jessica Lehto from her involvement in the bands Factory of Dreams (Episode 044) and Beto Vazquez Infinity. But there's a softer side to this Swedish singer/songwriter with the angelic voice, and that is reflected in her solo project, Once There Was. The style of music under this name has been fluid over the years, but the most recent release Breathe, Be, Bleed is being called "electro pop opera." Whatever you describe it as, it contains haunting vocals and harmonies, with synthesizer accompaniment ranging from driving to quietly symphonic. Host Mark Ashby speaks with her about how Once There Was has changed over the years and how it differs from other albums she guests on, why she's content being mostly a studio musician, and how digital-only releases suit artists like her. Find her online at <a href="http://www.jessicalehto.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.jessicalehto.com</a>. Featured songs/excerpts: "Blue" "Heartbeats" "Anywhere" "Black" "Unknown" "Fading" To hear previous archival episodes, go to <a href="http://www.progtopia.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.progtopia.com</a>, and follow the show on Facebook (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/progtopia" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/progtopia</a>).

Episode 143 : Once There Was - "Breathe, Be, Bleed"

A podcast dedicated to progressive music in its various forms, including interviews with the musicians themselves.

I love this show, great interviews with an eclectic range of artists!

Great show

Progtopia

Jordan Brown might be known as the driving force behind the Rube Goldberg Machine (Episode 093) or as a gigging bassist around London, but for his latest project, he's gone totally '80s.  Under the name Nostromo, he's released the nine-track homage to analog synth soundtracks from that time period, Synchestral Works Vol. 1.  It's everything a kid born in the early-to-mid-70s could want in a nostalgia trip through the sounds of films scored by the likes of Giorgio Moroder or Tangerine Dream, and he does so with reverence, not irony (well, not completely).  Hear his interview with host Mark Ashby about the impetus for creating a different sort of album than he's ever done, the thought process for making digital technology sound analog, and how he got help for the obligatory vocal track that closes the album -- just like they did on your favorite movie scores in 1985.  Next, a talk with music journalist and Innerviews founder Anil Prasad about where he sees the sorry state of artist compensation in the era of streaming music.  He's long advocated for a different approach when it comes to paying musicians fairly for their creations, and he has some thoughts about how to combat the creeping demise of worthwhile art in the name of "free stuff."  Finally, you'll hear "Closer," the latest single from (iam)warface, a band who is trying to use Spotify to their advantage (and profiled in Episode 120).  See if you think their strategy is a good one and whether you want to assist them in reaching their goal.Nostromo: http://nostromoproject.bandcamp.comInnerviews (Anil Prasad): www.innerviews.org(iam)warface: www.iamwarface.comFeatured songs/excerpts:Nostromo: "The Battle for Nebula 359," "Water on Mars," "Training to Be the Best (Montage Music)," "Reason in the Black (featuring Glitterwølf)," "Love Theme," "The Hero We Need"Mahavishnu Orchestra: "Birds of Fire"(iam)warface: "Closer""Like" Progtopia on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Progtopia and www.facebook.com/groups/1380357308874546/) and follow Progtopia on Twitter (@Progtopia) to send a message about the show and to receive news about current and upcoming interviews. Thanks for listening!

Jordan Brown might be known as the driving force behind the Rube Goldberg Machine (Episode 093) or as a gigging bassist around London, but for his latest project, he's gone totally '80s. Under the name Nostromo, he's released the nine-track homage to analog synth soundtracks from that time period, Synchestral Works Vol. 1. It's everything a kid born in the early-to-mid-70s could want in a nostalgia trip through the sounds of films scored by the likes of Giorgio Moroder or Tangerine Dream, and he does so with reverence, not irony (well, not completely). Hear his interview with host Mark Ashby about the impetus for creating a different sort of album than he's ever done, the thought process for making digital technology sound analog, and how he got help for the obligatory vocal track that closes the album -- just like they did on your favorite movie scores in 1985. Next, a talk with music journalist and Innerviews founder Anil Prasad about where he sees the sorry state of artist compensation in the era of streaming music. He's long advocated for a different approach when it comes to paying musicians fairly for their creations, and he has some thoughts about how to combat the creeping demise of worthwhile art in the name of "free stuff." Finally, you'll hear "Closer," the latest single from (iam)warface, a band who is trying to use Spotify to their advantage (and profiled in Episode 120). See if you think their strategy is a good one and whether you want to assist them in reaching their goal. Nostromo: <a href="http://nostromoproject.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://nostromoproject.bandcamp.com</a> Innerviews (Anil Prasad): <a href="http://www.innerviews.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.innerviews.org</a> (iam)warface: <a href="http://www.iamwarface.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.iamwarface.com</a> Featured songs/excerpts: Nostromo: "The Battle for Nebula 359," "Water on Mars," "Training to Be the Best (Montage Music)," "Reason in the Black (featuring Glitterwølf)," "Love Theme," "The Hero We Need" Mahavishnu Orchestra: "Birds of Fire" (iam)warface: "Closer" "Like" Progtopia on Facebook (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/Progtopia" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/Progtopia</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/1380357308874546/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/groups/1380357308874546/</a>) and follow Progtopia on Twitter (@Progtopia) to send a message about the show and to receive news about current and upcoming interviews. Thanks for listening!

Episode 133 : Nostromo's 80s Vibe; The Problem of Streaming; and Getting Closer

Back with their fourth album, Antenna, on Bad Elephant Music are UK sextet The Gift (Mike Morton [vocals], David Lloyd [lead and rhythm guitar], Leroy James [guitar], Stefan Dickers [bass], Gabriele Baldocci [keyboards] and Neil Hayman [drums]).  This release sees the band keeping true to a progressive sound while pushing their own personal boundaries from their usual 70s-based aesthetic into new territory.  Host Mark Ashby chats with Morton about the liberating feeling that comes from not feeling the need to produce epic tracks, how the band has meshed over the course of the past two albums, and the intimate motivations for the beautiful track "Snowfall," which is played in full here.  Find the band online at http://http://thegiftmusic.com/Featured songs/excerpts:"Wild Roses""We Are Connected""Far Stranger""Long Time Dead""Snowfall"To hear previous episodes featuring The Gift and all other archival episodes, visit www.progtopia.com, and www.facebook.com/progtopia to follow the show on social media.

Back with their fourth album, Antenna, on Bad Elephant Music are UK sextet The Gift (Mike Morton [vocals], David Lloyd [lead and rhythm guitar], Leroy James [guitar], Stefan Dickers [bass], Gabriele Baldocci [keyboards] and Neil Hayman [drums]). This release sees the band keeping true to a progressive sound while pushing their own personal boundaries from their usual 70s-based aesthetic into new territory. Host Mark Ashby chats with Morton about the liberating feeling that comes from not feeling the need to produce epic tracks, how the band has meshed over the course of the past two albums, and the intimate motivations for the beautiful track "Snowfall," which is played in full here. Find the band online at http://<a href="http://thegiftmusic.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://thegiftmusic.com/</a> Featured songs/excerpts: "Wild Roses" "We Are Connected" "Far Stranger" "Long Time Dead" "Snowfall" To hear previous episodes featuring The Gift and all other archival episodes, visit <a href="http://www.progtopia.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.progtopia.com</a>, and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/progtopia" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/progtopia</a> to follow the show on social media.

Episode 139 : The Gift - "Antenna"

Lux Terminus

Glenn Harveston

It's only a few days from the annual installment of ProgPower USA, and although your humble host won't be in attendance this year, he's still in the spirit by speaking with someone who will be shifting from attendee to performer this time.  Vikram Shankar's dance card is quite full at the moment, because not only will he be on the ProgPower stage with stalwarts Redemption as their new keyboardist, he and his band Lux Terminus have just released their debut album The Courage to Be.  In his chat with Mark, he runs through how Tom Englund's enthusiasm for his piano cover song videos got him the Redemption gig, his many upcoming projects, and why he wanted the only song with vocals on the new album to be voiced by his favorite singer, Anneke van Giersbergen.  Then we go back to the archives with an interview with ProgPower promoter Glenn Harveston from 2015, in which he goes into detail (often forcefully!) about the challenges surrounding visas and how much he appreciates his staff and fans of the festival for supporting his efforts through thick and thin.  You'll find Lux Terminus online at https://luxterminus.bandcamp.com/ and ProgPower USA at http://progpowerusa.com/Featured songs/excerpts:Lux Terminus: "Miles Away," "Fly," "The Courage to Be," "The Journey," "Effusion"Redemption: "The Echo Chamber""Like" Progtopia on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Progtopia and www.facebook.com/groups/1380357308874546/) and follow Progtopia on Twitter (@Progtopia) to send a message about the show and to receive news about current and upcoming interviews. Thanks for listening!Photo: Kyle Finlan Photography

It's only a few days from the annual installment of ProgPower USA, and although your humble host won't be in attendance this year, he's still in the spirit by speaking with someone who will be shifting from attendee to performer this time. Vikram Shankar's dance card is quite full at the moment, because not only will he be on the ProgPower stage with stalwarts Redemption as their new keyboardist, he and his band Lux Terminus have just released their debut album The Courage to Be. In his chat with Mark, he runs through how Tom Englund's enthusiasm for his piano cover song videos got him the Redemption gig, his many upcoming projects, and why he wanted the only song with vocals on the new album to be voiced by his favorite singer, Anneke van Giersbergen. Then we go back to the archives with an interview with ProgPower promoter Glenn Harveston from 2015, in which he goes into detail (often forcefully!) about the challenges surrounding visas and how much he appreciates his staff and fans of the festival for supporting his efforts through thick and thin. You'll find Lux Terminus online at <a href="https://luxterminus.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://luxterminus.bandcamp.com/</a> and ProgPower USA at <a href="http://progpowerusa.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://progpowerusa.com/</a> Featured songs/excerpts: Lux Terminus: "Miles Away," "Fly," "The Courage to Be," "The Journey," "Effusion" Redemption: "The Echo Chamber" "Like" Progtopia on Facebook (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/Progtopia" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/Progtopia</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/1380357308874546/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/groups/1380357308874546/</a>) and follow Progtopia on Twitter (@Progtopia) to send a message about the show and to receive news about current and upcoming interviews. Thanks for listening! Photo: Kyle Finlan Photography

Episode 136 : ProgPower Prep with Lux Terminus; Glenn Harveston from the Archives

The sea levels haven't quite risen high enough to put us all underwater yet, but until we get there, Baltimore duo Waterplanet (James Hesser and Millie Landrum) will be playing their brand of acoustic, intelligent, genre-bending music.  And this July, they'll be playing songs from their album Ghost-Hypnotic and more in various parts of the US on a three-week tour.  Host Mark Ashby talks with them about the way they tend to write songs solo and then turn them into something bigger, how 60s pop and punk and many other styles inform their sound, and where you'll be able to hear them out and about.  Next Mark gets in on the "reaction video" trend (except it's only audio, of course) as you'll hear pieces of his in-the-moment commentary while listening to Kiss's "prog" album, Music from "The Elder."  Does it pass muster?  Finally, new contributor Mark Nagy has a proposition for you: Haken's masterful album The Mountain could benefit from a slight shuffling of tracks.  Will you agree with his reasons why?  Find Waterplanet online at www.waterplanetband.com.Featured songs/excerpts:Waterplanet: "Adrenaline", "Kingmaker", "Something Somebody Said", "Don't Cry", "Sea Shanty (If You Should Go)"Kiss: Music from "The Elder" (excerpts from full album)Haken: "Cockroach King", "Because It's There", "Falling Back to Earth"To hear a previous episode featuring an interview with Richard Henshall of Haken, click this link: http://progtopia.libsyn.com/episode-038-climbing-the-mountain-with-haken"Like" Progtopia on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Progtopia and www.facebook.com/groups/1380357308874546/) and follow Progtopia on Twitter (@Progtopia) to send a message about the show and to receive news about current and upcoming interviews. Thanks for listening!

The sea levels haven't quite risen high enough to put us all underwater yet, but until we get there, Baltimore duo Waterplanet (James Hesser and Millie Landrum) will be playing their brand of acoustic, intelligent, genre-bending music. And this July, they'll be playing songs from their album Ghost-Hypnotic and more in various parts of the US on a three-week tour. Host Mark Ashby talks with them about the way they tend to write songs solo and then turn them into something bigger, how 60s pop and punk and many other styles inform their sound, and where you'll be able to hear them out and about. Next Mark gets in on the "reaction video" trend (except it's only audio, of course) as you'll hear pieces of his in-the-moment commentary while listening to Kiss's "prog" album, Music from "The Elder." Does it pass muster? Finally, new contributor Mark Nagy has a proposition for you: Haken's masterful album The Mountain could benefit from a slight shuffling of tracks. Will you agree with his reasons why? Find Waterplanet online at <a href="http://www.waterplanetband.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.waterplanetband.com</a>. Featured songs/excerpts: Waterplanet: "Adrenaline", "Kingmaker", "Something Somebody Said", "Don't Cry", "Sea Shanty (If You Should Go)" Kiss: Music from "The Elder" (excerpts from full album) Haken: "Cockroach King", "Because It's There", "Falling Back to Earth" To hear a previous episode featuring an interview with Richard Henshall of Haken, click this link: <a href="http://progtopia.libsyn.com/episode-038-climbing-the-mountain-with-haken" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://progtopia.libsyn.com/episode-038-climbing-the-mountain-with-haken</a> "Like" Progtopia on Facebook (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/Progtopia" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/Progtopia</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/1380357308874546/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/groups/1380357308874546/</a>) and follow Progtopia on Twitter (@Progtopia) to send a message about the show and to receive news about current and upcoming interviews. Thanks for listening!

Episode 132 : Waterplanet's Kingmakers; A Proggy Kiss; and Moving the Mountain

Edison's Children are no strangers to Progtopia, having been featured twice already, but this is their return to the program after a few years' absence, with their fourth album The Disturbance Fields freshly released in mid-July.  Begun as the duo of Marillion's Pete Trewavas and Eric Blackwood of Blackwood &amp; Foti, they've added members like Rick Armstrong (son of astronaut Neil), Lisa Wetton, and Henry Rogers to create a soundscape of darkened moods and messages of warning.  Those warnings on the new album are for the climate changes happening around us all with alarming speed, and with the albums single track "Washed Away" spread over 14 parts, the band tells a tale of peril at the hands of a wrathful Mother Nature.  Trewavas stops by to talk about the band's recent gig in Florida supporting Alan Parsons, how likely he thinks a scenario like the one depicted in the album could be to really happen, and...all right, a little bit about his *other* band, too.  Find them online and get the album at www.edisonschildren.com.Featured songs/excerpts:"A Random Disturbance""Asphyxiation""The Tempest""A Cold Gray Morning""The Surge""Into the Dead Calm"To hear previous episodes featuring Edison's Children and Marillion, as well as all archival episodes, go to www.progtopia.com.

Edison's Children are no strangers to Progtopia, having been featured twice already, but this is their return to the program after a few years' absence, with their fourth album The Disturbance Fields freshly released in mid-July. Begun as the duo of Marillion's Pete Trewavas and Eric Blackwood of Blackwood &amp; Foti, they've added members like Rick Armstrong (son of astronaut Neil), Lisa Wetton, and Henry Rogers to create a soundscape of darkened moods and messages of warning. Those warnings on the new album are for the climate changes happening around us all with alarming speed, and with the albums single track "Washed Away" spread over 14 parts, the band tells a tale of peril at the hands of a wrathful Mother Nature. Trewavas stops by to talk about the band's recent gig in Florida supporting Alan Parsons, how likely he thinks a scenario like the one depicted in the album could be to really happen, and...all right, a little bit about his *other* band, too. Find them online and get the album at <a href="http://www.edisonschildren.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.edisonschildren.com</a>. Featured songs/excerpts: "A Random Disturbance" "Asphyxiation" "The Tempest" "A Cold Gray Morning" "The Surge" "Into the Dead Calm" To hear previous episodes featuring Edison's Children and Marillion, as well as all archival episodes, go to <a href="http://www.progtopia.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.progtopia.com</a>.

Episode 141 : Edison's Children - "The Disturbance Fields"

It's been several months since the last episode of the show, but we're back in a big way with long-time friends of the program, London's The Mariana Hollow.  In this interview with members Richie Walden (rhythm guitar), Gabriel Moreira (lead guitar), and Rebecca Stanley (vocals), they talk about The Abandoned Parade, their first full-length album since 2012's Velvet Black Sky, as well as amusing names they give their songs in the demo stages, the evolution of the band since their 2009 debut Coma Heart, and the recent departure of bassist Scott Chesworth.  After the interview, Mark explains the reasons why he took an eight-month break from production and what you can expect from the podcast in the future.  Find TMH online and order their music at http://themarianahollow.bandcamp.com.Featured songs/excerpts:"Swear to God""Chambers and Valves""Protocol""Girl Overboard""Tides""Damage Limitation""The Abandoned Parade"To listen to the previous episodes with The Mariana Hollow, go to these links:http://progtopia.libsyn.com/episode-002-diving-deep-into-the-mariana-hollowhttp://progtopia.libsyn.com/progtopia-planetary-premiere-16-august-2013-the-mariana-hollow-scars-not-woundsVisit www.progtopia.com for all archival episodes and www.facebook.com/progtopia to follow the show.

It's been several months since the last episode of the show, but we're back in a big way with long-time friends of the program, London's The Mariana Hollow. In this interview with members Richie Walden (rhythm guitar), Gabriel Moreira (lead guitar), and Rebecca Stanley (vocals), they talk about The Abandoned Parade, their first full-length album since 2012's Velvet Black Sky, as well as amusing names they give their songs in the demo stages, the evolution of the band since their 2009 debut Coma Heart, and the recent departure of bassist Scott Chesworth. After the interview, Mark explains the reasons why he took an eight-month break from production and what you can expect from the podcast in the future. Find TMH online and order their music at <a href="http://themarianahollow.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://themarianahollow.bandcamp.com</a>. Featured songs/excerpts: "Swear to God" "Chambers and Valves" "Protocol" "Girl Overboard" "Tides" "Damage Limitation" "The Abandoned Parade" To listen to the previous episodes with The Mariana Hollow, go to these links: <a href="http://progtopia.libsyn.com/episode-002-diving-deep-into-the-mariana-hollow" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://progtopia.libsyn.com/episode-002-diving-deep-into-the-mariana-hollow</a> <a href="http://progtopia.libsyn.com/progtopia-planetary-premiere-16-august-2013-the-mariana-hollow-scars-not-wounds" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://progtopia.libsyn.com/progtopia-planetary-premiere-16-august-2013-the-mariana-hollow-scars-not-wounds</a> Visit <a href="http://www.progtopia.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.progtopia.com</a> for all archival episodes and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/progtopia" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/progtopia</a> to follow the show.

Episode 138 : The Mariana Hollow - "The Abandoned Parade"

We obviously can't get enough of Sydney's Hemina, who have been supporters of this program since its very early days (check the archives at www.progtopia.com if you want proof).  So with the release of their fourth album Night Echoes, it's only right that we check in with band members Doug Skene and Jess Martin and see what it's all about.  They talk about the chances they take with diverse influences from funk to pop to 80s retro stylings mixed in with their trademark brand of progressive metal, how a song like "What's the Catch?" and its associated video were formed and fashioned, and which country seems to be surpassing all others for streams of their music.  You can order all their music at http://hemina.bandcamp.com.Featured songs/excerpts:"One Short""We Will""Flicker""What's the Catch?""In Technicolour""The Only Way"To hear previous episodes featuring Hemina, as well as all archival episodes, go to www.progtopia.com.

We obviously can't get enough of Sydney's Hemina, who have been supporters of this program since its very early days (check the archives at <a href="http://www.progtopia.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.progtopia.com</a> if you want proof). So with the release of their fourth album Night Echoes, it's only right that we check in with band members Doug Skene and Jess Martin and see what it's all about. They talk about the chances they take with diverse influences from funk to pop to 80s retro stylings mixed in with their trademark brand of progressive metal, how a song like "What's the Catch?" and its associated video were formed and fashioned, and which country seems to be surpassing all others for streams of their music. You can order all their music at <a href="http://hemina.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://hemina.bandcamp.com</a>. Featured songs/excerpts: "One Short" "We Will" "Flicker" "What's the Catch?" "In Technicolour" "The Only Way" To hear previous episodes featuring Hemina, as well as all archival episodes, go to <a href="http://www.progtopia.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.progtopia.com</a>.

Episode 142 : Hemina - "Night Echoes"

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania keyboardist and singer Robert Richardson has been through a lot in his life, not all of it positive.  But he's taken a difficult past and turned it into a productive present with his band Cell15.  Following on from the success of their 2014 debut Chapter One, they've just released their sophomore effort River Utopia, and you'll hear his interview with host Mark Ashby about the spread-out nature of the band, why sharing his story in recovery is so important, and whether or not he might have an epic-length track in him someday.  The Prog Squad archives are mined for an episode from 3 July 2015 just after the passing of Yes' Chris Squire, but wherein the usual panelists and guest Geoffrey Langley of the Twenty Committee talk Primus, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and rare tracks they'd love to hear live.  And appropriately enough, the Triple Track Special's theme this time is "utopia," with additional tracks in that vein from Factory of Dreams and Hawkwind.  Find Cell15 online at www.cell15.com.Featured songs/excerpts:"Castle Walls" (Cell15)"Criminal" (Cell15)"River Utopia" (Cell15)"Street Lights" (Cell15)"Voyage to Utopia" (Factory of Dreams)"Soon" (Yes)"DMV" (Primus)"Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict" (Pink Floyd)"How Wonderful" (The Twenty Committee)"Arrival in Utopia" (Hawkwind)"Like" Progtopia on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Progtopia and www.facebook.com/groups/1380357308874546/) and follow Progtopia on Twitter (@Progtopia) to send a message about the show and to receive news about current and upcoming interviews. Thanks for listening!

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania keyboardist and singer Robert Richardson has been through a lot in his life, not all of it positive. But he's taken a difficult past and turned it into a productive present with his band Cell15. Following on from the success of their 2014 debut Chapter One, they've just released their sophomore effort River Utopia, and you'll hear his interview with host Mark Ashby about the spread-out nature of the band, why sharing his story in recovery is so important, and whether or not he might have an epic-length track in him someday. The Prog Squad archives are mined for an episode from 3 July 2015 just after the passing of Yes' Chris Squire, but wherein the usual panelists and guest Geoffrey Langley of the Twenty Committee talk Primus, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and rare tracks they'd love to hear live. And appropriately enough, the Triple Track Special's theme this time is "utopia," with additional tracks in that vein from Factory of Dreams and Hawkwind. Find Cell15 online at <a href="http://www.cell15.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.cell15.com</a>. Featured songs/excerpts: "Castle Walls" (Cell15) "Criminal" (Cell15) "River Utopia" (Cell15) "Street Lights" (Cell15) "Voyage to Utopia" (Factory of Dreams) "Soon" (Yes) "DMV" (Primus) "Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict" (Pink Floyd) "How Wonderful" (The Twenty Committee) "Arrival in Utopia" (Hawkwind) "Like" Progtopia on Facebook (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/Progtopia" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/Progtopia</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/1380357308874546/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/groups/1380357308874546/</a>) and follow Progtopia on Twitter (@Progtopia) to send a message about the show and to receive news about current and upcoming interviews. Thanks for listening!

Episode 131 : Locked in Cell15; Remembering the Fish; Utopian Dreams

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