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Variety Mix

Simon Halsey
Simon Halsey
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Presenter: Simon Halsey

Usual slot: Sunday, 19.00, four weekly, check schedule for dates.

Rock, folk and blues with a psychedellic twist

What is the programme all about?

A lot of music these days includes the word 'psych' in either its description or in its tags. That leaves plenty to choose from, almost too much in fact. The Variety Mix is a programme that leans a little towards psychedelic but includes a mix of blues, folk (plenty of psychedelic in folk), progressive and sometimes experimental music too.

New music features heavily in the programme. There are so many new releases that take place each week between the shows, it would be possible to fill several programmes with just those. We try to pick the best but we also include a few familiar artists or songs to balance it out.

In contrast, at the start of each programme there is usually a reference back to rock's roots in jazz and blues.

Recent Updates - Variety Mix

Programme for 22nd March 2026

On the programme we play a preview from the debut album by north London singer-songwriter Eves Wilder, Little Miss Sunshine set for release on the 17th April.

We also include a track from Electric Moon, their contribution to the album The Magical Mystery Psychout, A Tribute To The Beatles (2024). With more echo and reverb you can shake a stick at, this is perhaps more psychedelic than the psychedelic original? Well, maybe? I'll leave you to decide that.

There is folk from Tim Harding and Scottish folk musician Dick Gaughan and blues from Nina Simone and Muddy Waters. Goth rock and post-punk courtesy of Darkways, a duo from Barcelona. Their new album was released in January.

The roots track is by Harlem Hamfats from 1938.

If you missed the repeat broadcast of this programme which went out very early on the 5th April or you would like to listen again, it is available on Mixcloud.

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