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On this episode of The New Wave Music Podcast, Steve sits down with Ted Ottaviano and Susan Ottaviano of Book of Love to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the band’s landmark self-titled debut album and their upcoming anniversary tour featuring the original lineup. Ted and Susan share the story of how Book of Love came together, the inspiration behind the band’s name, memories from creating their classic songs, and the lasting legacy of the debut album. They also reflect on what it means to see their music continue to resonate with fans four decades later.

Along the way, they share stories from the studio, the road, and their remarkable career while revisiting highlights from the Book of Love catalog. Ted and Susan discuss the upcoming reunion tour, what fans can expect from the anniversary celebration, and how it feels to look back on one of the most influential and beloved careers in synth-pop history.

Book of Love: https://www.bookoflovemusic.com/

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On this episode of The New Wave Music Podcast, Steve and Don take a deep dive into Nine Inch Noize by Nine Inch Nails and It's the Long Goodbye by The Twilight Sad. They break down each album track by track, discussing standout moments, production choices, and what makes these releases worth a listen.

Plus, in music news, they cover new releases and announcements from Paul Heaton, Bananarama, Peter Gabriel, Kon Kan, The Trash Can Sinatras, and Dexy's Midnight Runners.

Nine Inch Nails: https://www.nin.com/

The Twilight Sad: https://thetwilightsad.com

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On this episode of The New Wave Music Podcast, we welcome John Thomas Griffith from Red Rockers for a conversation covering the band’s rise from the New Orleans punk scene to becoming one of the standout acts of the MTV-era new wave movement. John shares stories from the early days of the band, reflects on the making of Condition Red, and talks about the success of songs like “China,” “Good as Gold,” and “Eve of Destruction.” He also opens up about the 2023 reunion and what it felt like reconnecting with both the music and the fans after so many years.

We also dive into the new live release It’s In Our Blood from Liberation Hall, discussing how the project came together and what it was like revisiting the Red Rockers catalog on stage again. Along the way, John shares memorable touring stories, talks about his longtime work with Cowboy Mouth, and reflects on the lasting legacy of a career that has spanned punk, new wave, and rock over several decades.

Red Rockers: https://redrockerslive.bandcamp.com/album/its-in-our-blood

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On this episode of The New Wave Music Podcast, Steve sits down with Barry Harris of Kon Kan for a deep dive into the story behind one of the most recognizable dance-pop acts of the late ‘80s. Barry reflects on the origins of Kon Kan, the massive success of “I Beg Your Pardon,” the creative process behind hits like “Harry Houdini,” and how DJ culture and remixing helped shape the band’s signature sound.

The conversation also explores the return of Kon Kan and the next chapter of Barry’s career, including updated versions of “I Beg Your Pardon” and “Sinful Wishes,” as well as brand-new music like “Stars,” “My Medication,” “Not This One,” and “Welcome to My Head.” Barry discusses the inspiration behind the upcoming album, what longtime fans can expect, and his thoughts on the evolving Kon Kan legacy.

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On this episode of The New Wave Music Podcast, Steve and Don dive deep into two major new releases, going track by track through Hope and Fury from Joe Jackson and the long-awaited Trixies from Squeeze, an album over 50 years in the making. From sharp songwriting to the signature sounds that defined a generation, they take a closer look at these albums, highlighting the standout moments and how they fit into each artist’s legacy.

In music news, there’s a wave of fresh releases and exciting returns, including new music from Haircut 100, Soft Cell, Duran Duran, The Alarm, and Kon Kan, along with Doublespeak, a brand-new collaboration between Vince Clarke and Neil Arthur that brings a fresh synth-driven twist to classic tracks.

Joe Jackson: http://joejackson.com/

Squeeze: https://www.squeezeofficial.com/

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In this episode of the New Wave Music Podcast, we sit down with Debora Iyall of Romeo Void to explore the band’s full journey—from their beginnings in the late ‘70s San Francisco scene to becoming one of the most distinctive voices of the early alternative era. Debora reflects on the band’s evolution and shares insights into some of their most iconic songs, including Deborah shares the story of how her response to a Michael Jackson songs led to one the bands biggest hits.

We also dive into her work with The Raton 3, including their unique take on classic cover songs and what draws her to reinterpret those tracks. Debora also discusses the upcoming Record Store Day live release Live ’81–’85, giving fans a chance to hear the band’s raw energy on stage and how those performances captured a different side of Romeo Void. Along the way, she reflects on the band’s lasting legacy, connecting with new generations of listeners, and what continues to inspire her musically today.

Romeo Void: https://romeovoid.com/

Live 81-85: https://romeovoid.bandcamp.com/album/live-81-85

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In this episode, Steve and Don dive into two highly anticipated releases. They take a deep, track-by-track look at Morrissey’s Make-Up Is a Lie, exploring its themes, standout moments, and where it lands in his ever-controversial catalog. The conversation then shifts to The Charlatans’ We Are Loved, where they break down the band’s latest release, discussing its sonic direction, pacing, and how it stacks up against their classic era.

The episode also features a busy music news segment, with the latest updates from Robyn Hitchcock and Trashcan Sinatras, both previewing upcoming albums with brand-new singles. Midge Ure returns with details on his ambitious new project, while Michael Stipe makes a surprising comeback with his first new song in years for an HBO series. There’s also new music from Peter Gabriel, and an unexpected return from Kon Kan.

Morrissey: https://www.makeupisalie.com/

The Charlatans: https://thecharlatans.net/

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In this episode of The New Wave Music Podcast, Steve sits down with Jesse Hartman from LAPTOP for a deep dive into the band’s past, present, and future. Jesse takes listeners back to the beginning, sharing the story of how LAPTOP first came together and reflecting on the early days of the band, including the debut album Opening Credits and the follow-up release The Old Me vs The New You. Along the way, he discusses the songwriting process behind those early records and even talks about the band’s unique take on a classic track by Billy Joel.

The conversation also explores LAPTOP’s 2009 album Don’t Try This at Home, the band’s recent reboot, and the new wave of music that is introducing the project to a new generation of listeners. Jesse shares stories from performing live, reflects on standout moments from the band’s catalog, and gives listeners insight into where LAPTOP is headed next.

LAPTOP: https://www.laptoptheband.com/

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