Whatever Comes Next with Tom Osman

Getting to know the music makers out on the fringes

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MUSIC INTERVIEWS
UPDATED WEEKLY

On Whatever Comes Next I explore the world of independent and underground music making. I talk with music makers, producers and label owners to hear their stories. I like music with a sense of mystery. I like surprises and unique stories... and noise... and weirdness... and darkness... and I want to learn more. tomosman.substack.com

1D AGO

Episode 138: Ivan Pavlov (Soisong, CoH)

The electronic/industrial underground is one of the most intriguing, magickal and mysterious realms in modern music. The mythologies surrounding groups like Throbbing Gristle, Psychic TV and Coil are rabbit holes easy to go tumbling down. The late Peter “Sleazy” Christopherson was (more or less) a founding member of all three bands mentioned above. He was also one half of experimental electronic group Soisong. Ivan Pavlov (best known for his enduring CoH project) was the other half of this musical union and on this day of 22.05.26 is releasing a book documenting the project’s history. The book is a fascinating dive into the world of Soisong, including email correspondences between Sleazy and Ivan, interviews, marketing strategies, press releases, photos and other artefacts that chart the life of this project. Complemented by two CDs, the book is being released as a one-time-only edition. Ivan Pavlov joins me to discuss the book and the story of Soisong, as well as sharing tales from his friendship and collaborations with Sleazy and John Balance (Geoff Rushton) from their Coil days. The world of Coil (and its neighbouring constellations) has been a huge source of fascination and inspiration for me since I first discovered the Musick to Play in the Dark albums over 25 years ago. A little while back I had to stop buying every fresh Coil reissue that comes out before it became necessary for me to start selling organs. It was a huge treat and honour to talk with Ivan and I will be poised to buy a copy of the book when it becomes available today. Soisong will be available in a hardcover edition of 222 numbered copies. If you are also keen to get yourself a copy get your trigger finger ready. The book release is scheduled for 22:05 CET tonight (that’s five past nine this evening for people in the UK) when the link to buy will go live. At that time (probably for about 3 minutes before they sell out) you’ll be able to buy a copy from the link here. You can also visit Soisong on bandcamp here and listen to Soisong Broadcast #13 (released on Wednesday to coincide with the release). Huge thanks to Ivan for his time and to Dan at Discipline PR for making this conversation possible. More links to Ivan Pavlov’s work: CoH website CoH on facebook CoH on bandcamp Soisong on facebook For more stories from the musical underground you can read my new column at New Noise Magazine: Mapping The Underground Check out my latest album ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Real Silence on Drama Recorder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ My music on Ampwall Podcast artwork and logo: Get A Real Job Kid Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com

52 min
4D AGO

Episode 137: Ataraxia

Italians Ataraxia are a band (or ensemble of artists, as they sometimes refer to themselves) with a long history. Core members Francesca Nicoli, Vittorio Vandelli and Giovanni Pagliari have been making music together for more than three decades and Sylfaera the Fair (released this Thursday on The Circle Music) is the band’s thirtieth album. The latest record is also the final part of a trilogy that began with 2022’s Pomegranate (The Chant of the Elementals). Drawing from a variety of musical traditions, Ataraxia’s neoclassical dimension can be seen both in their musical style as well as their thematic interests in mythology, literature and ritual. The group can do a better job than I in describing how these different elements come together in the identity of Ataraxia and the lore of the latest record. Just as well then that they’re here to do exactly that as we discuss their history, music, influences and Sylfaera the Fair. Sylfaera the Fair on The Circle Music Ataraxia website Instagram facebook Thanks to Dom at 3-Nation For more stories from the musical underground you can read my new column at New Noise Magazine: Mapping The Underground Check out my latest album ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Real Silence on Drama Recorder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ My music on Ampwall Podcast artwork and logo: Get A Real Job Kid Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com

38 min
MAY 13

Episode 136: Requiem In White

The Visible Heaven (out May 21st on The Circle Music) marks the first new music from Boston-formed, post-punk/gothic-rock band Requiem In White in over 30 years. Following the band’s split in the 90s, singer Lisa Stockton-Wilson and multi-instrumentalist/producer Doc Hammer first continued making music together as Mors Syphilitica before going on to pursue their own separate projects. In 2024 the vinyl reissue of the band’s early material by The Circle Music planted a seed which led to Hammer and Stockton-Wilson working on new material again—the result being The Visible Heaven. Intended as a continuation of where the band left off (as well as being an opportunity to capture a sound the band felt had never been truly represented on record) the forthcoming album lacks nothing in dark, grand power. Hammer and Stockton-Wilson join me to discuss the record, the band’s early years and reminiscences of the late Type O Negative frontman Peter Steele. Lisa Stockton-Wilson photo by LiAnn Grahm The Visible Heaven via The Circle Music Requiem In White on bandcamp Thanks to Dom at 3-Nation Check out my latest album ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Real Silence on Drama Recorder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ My music on Ampwall Podcast artwork and logo: Get A Real Job Kid Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com

1h 9m
MAY 5

Episode 135: Steve Austin (Today Is The Day)

Marked Cards and Loaded Dice is the debut, solo country record of Today Is The Day frontman Steve Austin—which might be a strange sentence to read if you only know Austin through the extreme metal of the band he’s fronted since the early 90s. But the outlaw country and bluegrass influences run deep for Austin. This is the music he grew up with and so while this latest record is quite a departure from Today Is The Day, it represents a musical world close to the songwriter’s heart. With Marked Cards and Loaded Dice being released last Friday on Austin’s own SuperNova Records we discuss the record, the backing band Austin put together, some of his country music inspirations and life away from the big cities. Photos by Hannah Austin Marked Cards and Loaded Dice on bandcamp SuperNova Records Steve Austin on Instagram Thanks to Dave at Earsplit PR Check out my latest album ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Real Silence on Drama Recorder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ My music on Ampwall Podcast artwork and logo: Get A Real Job Kid Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com

1h 18m
APR 28

Episode 134: Leila Abdul-Rauf

Earlier this month saw the release of Andros Insidium on 20 Buck Spin, the sixth album by Leila Abdul-Rauf under her own name. Metal fans may know Leila as the singer and guitarist for death-metal group Vastum (the band she has fronted since its formation in 2009), but she has been involved in a number of projects over the years, some very far from the realms of metal. According to Leila people often pigeon-hole her solo output as “ambient” music, but she considers “cinematic” to be a better descriptor. Listening to Andros Insidium this does feel like a more appropriate term—the album being rich in textures and instrumentation. Sometimes the music inhabits a sonic world reminiscent of the otherworldliness of Dead Can Dance, at other times (like on the album’s harrowing title track), the stark piano and vocal presence is more in the lineage of Diamanda Galás. It’s dark, intense and at times harrowing music. Leila joins me to discuss the album, collaborations, mythology, imagery and how creative freedom and financial insecurity go hand-in-hand for independent artists. Photo by Alex Parra Album art by Justyna Koziczak Andros Insidium on vinyl and CD from 20 Buck Spin Leila Abdul-Rauf on bandcamp Catch Leila Abdul-Rauf live: May 28 Center for Computer Research in Music & Acoustics (CCRMA) Palo Alto, CA May 30 First Church of the Buzzard Oakland, CA Leila Abdul-Rauf on Instagram Thanks to Dave at Earsplit PR Check out my latest album ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Real Silence on Drama Recorder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ My music on Ampwall Podcast artwork and logo: Get A Real Job Kid Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com

46 min
APR 21

Episode 133: Anne Richmond Boston (The Swimming Pool Q's)

Back in the late 70s Anne Richmond Boston was a part of a then up-and-coming, young new-wave band called The Swimming Pool Q’s—a band that would find a spiritual home alongside contemporaries like fellow Georgians The B-52s and R.E.M. In 2026 Boston is still (bar a few years when she had moved on from the band) playing shows as a member of the band. Indeed The Swimming Pool Q’s have some shows coming up this May, information for which you can get here from their website. But there’s another story to be told here. The story of how Boston set out to record the follow up to her debut solo record The Big House Of Time, only for that album (I Should Be Happy) to remain unfinished and unreleased for more than 30 years on from its original recording sessions. So what happened? That’s what we’re here to discuss (as well as looking back on Boston’s musical upbringing and tales from the early years of The Swimming Pool Q’s). At the time of this conversation Boston was rehearsing with a band to hopefully see songs from I Should Be Happy performed on stage. Hopefully this will come to pass. In the meantime, I highly recommend checking out the album, if you aren’t already familiar with it. It’s an elegant and affecting set of songs dealing with loss and longing and hope. Incidentally, the interview show I refer to during our conversation (but then couldn’t remember the name of) was Into Music. Photo: Jason Thrasher I Should Be Happy on CD, vinyl and digitally on bandcamp. Thanks for Howard at Howlin’ Huelf Media Check out my latest album ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Real Silence on Drama Recorder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ My music on Ampwall Podcast artwork and logo: Get A Real Job Kid Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com

1h 3m
APR 14

Episode 132: Curran Reynolds (The Chain, Body Stuff)

For the past 10 years Curran Reynolds has been one third of PR group The Chain, alongside Justin Pearson (Deaf Club, 3 One G) and Brandon Gallagher (Trace Amount). As with Justin and Brandon, Curran also makes music—on top of helping to represent artists navigating the music industry in his role at The Chain. This Sunday (April 19th) will see The Chain co-presenting an event to celebrate their 10 years together at Elsewhere in Brooklyn. The event is being co-promoted by Saint Vitus and will feature all three members of the Chain—Justin in the recently reformed Swing Kids, Brandon’s Trace Amount and Curran’s project Body Stuff (amongst other acts). Curran joins me to discuss the forthcoming event, The Chain, Body Stuff, and stories from his time working with Today Is The Day and from his years working as a publicist at Earache Records. Photo: Paul Roura Visit The Chain World for more information about Chain X and links to buy tickets. Body Stuff on bandcamp Curran and Body Stuff on Instagram Check out my latest album ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Real Silence on Drama Recorder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ My music on Ampwall Podcast artwork and logo: Get A Real Job Kid Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com

53 min
APR 7

Episode 131: HYPER GAL

Osaka, Japan’s HYPER GAL are vocalist Koharu Ishida and drummer Kurumi Kadoya. The two have been making music together since 2019 and this Friday sees the release of their latest record together Our Hyper. As with the duo’s previous albums, Pure and After Image, Our Hyper will be released on SKiN GRAFT Records—with the album on vinyl and CD (as well as digitally) and with special editions of the release also available. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying listening to an advance stream of the record, which sees the pair evolve their distinctive sound—which combines intense noise bombardments with shoegaze and pop aspects. For anyone able to attend one of the duo’s upcoming shows in Europe (the pair’s second planned tour in Europe as HYPER GAL) you could even pick up a copy of the album in person. This interview is a little different to past interviews on this podcast as Koharu and Kurumi were joined by friend Ai who helped to translate between my English questions and their Japanese answers. Thank you to Ai and thank you to Mark at SKiN GRAFT Records for helping to set this interview up. And if you’re wondering why we’re all laughing at the start of the interview. Well, I realised just as they were starting to answer my first question that I hadn’t pressed record! Good thing I figured that out before we were halfway through. Buy Our Hyper here. HYPER GAL on Instagram. Cover art by Akina TokiyoshiPhotos by Yurika Rokkon Design by Mark Fischer Check out my latest album ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Real Silence on Drama Recorder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ My music on Ampwall Podcast artwork and logo: Get A Real Job Kid Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com

41 min

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

On Whatever Comes Next I explore the world of independent and underground music making. I talk with music makers, producers and label owners to hear their stories. I like music with a sense of mystery. I like surprises and unique stories... and noise... and weirdness... and darkness... and I want to learn more. tomosman.substack.com

Creator

Getting to know the music makers out on the fringes
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

139
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Tom Osman
Show Website

Whatever Comes Next with Tom Osman