Absolute Radio's Skin Tings podcast - listen now!
Featuring interviews with music legends and up-and-coming stars
Last updated 15th Apr 2021
We’re very excited to launch a brand-new podcast called Skin Tings hosted by Skunk Anansie singer and Absolute Radio DJ extraordinaire, Skin.
Skin Tings features Skin chatting to her musical heroes and some of the most exciting up and coming talent. They relive past experiences, remember stories from on and off tour, and look ahead, talking about new music and generally just spilling the tea.
The Skin Tings podcast has launched Thursday 4th March 2021 with the first three episodes, featuring chats with Blondie legend Debbie Harry, Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan and rock icon Shirley Manson of Garbage fame. On Thursday 11th March, the Arlo Parks episode became available to listen to followed by Paul Weller, Sam Bettens, Joan Armatrading, Living Colour and the legendary Annie Lennox.
How to listen to Absolute Radio's Skin Tings podcast:
The remaining episodes will be available to download weekly every Thursday from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the Absolute Radio app, absoluteradio.co.uk, and all mainstream podcast providers.
You can listen to the episodes and read the descriptions below:
Episode 1: Debbie Harry
An avid viewer of Top of the Pops when she was younger, one performance caught Skin’s attention so much it made her want to be a singer. In this episode of Skin Tings, Skin gets to chat to the very person who inspired her all those years ago, Debbie Harry.
Skin and the Blondie icon discuss the term ‘punk’, Studio 54 and unexpectedly, the London Dungeons.
Episode 2: Billy Corgan
In this episode of Skin Things, Skin caught up with her old mate, 90s music legend Billy Corgan.
They spoke about Billy’s love for wrestling, the new Smashing Pumpkins album, Cyr, as well as the 25th anniversary of their timeless 'Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness' record.
Episode 3: Shirley Manson
Shirley Manson, lead singer and writer for rock band Garbage, and one of the world’s greatest redheads, joined Skin for this episode of Skin Tings.
Skin & Shirley address what it was like being a woman in the 90s rock scene, they compare their experiences as frontwomen of male-dominated rock bands and Shirley chats about her acting career!
Episode 4: Arlo Parks
Skin’s guest on this episode of Skin Tings is someone whose music she fell in love with when she burst onto the scene a year or so ago, Arlo Parks.
Skin asks Arlo about her early influences, how she came to write plays when she was younger, and being an up and coming artist during a pandemic. This, plus they look ahead to Arlo’s debut album release.
Episode 5: Paul Weller
A legend of British music joined Skin on this episode of Skin Tings. Paul Weller has an incredible back catalogue and continues to release excellent records, as he and Skin discuss. They chat about the ways Paul experiments in the studio when making new music, how he developed his exquisite fashion sense and his experiences being a dad.
Episode 6: Sam Bettens
In this episode of Skin Tings, Skin was joined by her friend Sam Bettens of K’s Choice to talk about his new project, Rex Rebel. Skin & Sam also discuss the necessity to cross genres as a musician, the benefits of taking music in fresh directions and how Sam’s band Rex Rebel mesmerised Skin when they first met.
Episode 7: Joan Armatrading
Hugely influential and successful singer songwriter, Joan Armatrading, joins Skin for this episode of Skin Tings. They discuss how important observing people is to their success in songwriting, Joan also tells Skin how comedy records got her into music when she was growing up, and how she still struggles to play in front of crowds.
Episode 8: Living Colour
Skin was joined by not one, not two, not three, but four guests on this episode of Skin Tings. Vernon Reid, Corey Glover, Will Calhoun & Doug Wimbish from Living Colour. They chatted about Living Colour’s incredible career, how blown away Skin was when she saw them for the first time, and also how blown away Living Colour were when they saw Skunk Anansie for the first time!
Episode 9: Annie Lennox
In this episode of Skin Tings, the incredible Annie Lennox joins Skin for a chat. Skin and Annie reminisce about the first time they met, performing at Pavarotti and friends, as well as activism and writing conscious music, plus Annie discusses her enjoyment working with her daughter on music.
Skin says: “I've been in the music industry for over 30 years - making music and playing countless gigs. And now I've hosted my own radio show on Absolute Radio. As part of it, I've had the pleasure of chatting to some of my musical heroes, some of my mates from the industry and some of the most exciting up-and-coming new talent.
“From Debbie Harry to Paul Weller to Arlo Parks... to Joan Armatrading! We reminisce about past experiences, remembering stories from on tour and we look ahead! Talking about new music and just generally spilling the tea!
“I found the chats touching, interesting and inspiring and so I wanted to give you the chance to hear the full uncut conversations in all their glory. So, search 'Skin Tings' wherever you usually get your podcasts. Rate and subscribe and enjoy a couple of musicians just having a heart-to-heart!
“The podcast launches Thursday 4th March with not one, not two but three of my interviews. With Debbie Harry, Billy Corgan and Shirley Manson. Don't say I don't treat ya! So, don't forget - in fact, do it right now if you need to! Skin Tings - enjoy!”