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Tom Hingley joins Scott Hamilton on The Third Half's monthly On the Turntable series. Singer, songwriter, and former frontman of Inspiral Carpets, Tom is still writing, recording, and playing live with the same restless energy that defined his career.

In the conversation, Tom reflects on the Madchester scene of the late 80s, the identity crisis that shaped his lockdown album Grand Mal, and the deeply personal stories behind songs like "Born Again" and "Leave It All Behind". He also talks about a new collaborative album in the works, and a mystery incognito project he's keeping firmly under wraps.

Tom's music spans soul, rock, folk, and everything in between, tied together by frank, emotionally charged lyrics and a voice that commands any room. Stick around to the end for a classic Inspiral Carpets track, Saturn 5, and a reminder of just how good they were

🎧 If you’d rather listen while “just finishing one last thing” before the break: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/1c6cd63b-6666-4b07-9f54-03bec6e27b94/

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That was one of the lines Tom Hingley dropped into our conversation the other week — and it neatly sums up why we’re delighted to have him as our On The Turntable , Musician of the Month for March.

Tom needs very little introduction.

From the late 80s Haçienda days through to becoming the unmistakable frontman of Inspiral Carpets, he’s been part of the fabric of what became known as Madchester — that moment when music, culture and attitude collided in Manchester and spilled out into the world.

But what struck me most during our chat wasn’t nostalgia.

It was evolution.

Tom is still touring. Still writing. Still recording. Still pushing himself. The same guitar has clocked up more than 1,600 gigs. There’s a new album beginning soon. There’s even an incognito side project that may or may not be him (it is), maybe, who knows….

And yet the tone isn’t retrospective. It’s forward-looking.

We talked about:

Writing through lockdown and identity wobbles

“Self-care from the self-care”

Not seeking permission anymore

Why he doesn’t do many interviews

And why performance, like life, is about emotional volume — not noise

This isn’t an “interview” in the traditional sense (I’m not very good at those). It’s more of a proper natter — the kind that starts with jokes about turning 60 and ends somewhere around gratitude, independence and creative honesty.

The full On The Turntable conversation will go live at the end of the week.

Tom’s music will feature throughout March across The Third Half — breaking up episodes, underscoring conversations, and generally reminding us what real volume sounds like.

Properly delighted he came for a chat.

More soon.

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Anna Howie joins Scott Hamilton as the first Musician of the Month on The Third Half. Blending folk, country, soul and blues, Anna’s Americana sound is rooted in honest, story-led songwriting.

In the conversation, Anna talks about how everyday moments and overheard conversations spark her songs, and how writing helps her make sense of the world. She introduces Start Again, recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios, a track that captures her instinct to find hope even in difficult stories.

Anna’s music moves effortlessly from reflective and intimate to upbeat and rocky, all tied together by warm guitar lines and authentic storytelling. Her songs will feature throughout February as The Third Half’s Musician of the Month.