Show Notes
When an artist’s resume boasts of a pedigree like that of Yolanda’s – from Top 40 Pop, soul, rock, jazz, studio recordings, film soundtracks, TV shows, and from stadium tours to intimate jazz club engagements, it’s obvious that we are talking about one of the most well respected, in demand, creative and eclectic, multi-genre talents working in music today. Yolanda Charles started her career playing for Jimmy Sommerville (The Communards) and then quickly became the bass foundation of various groups in the burgeoning ‘acid jazz’ scene of the early 1990’s including Raw Stylus and Urban Species, swiftly securing her reputation as the ‘go to’ bass player resulting in her remarkable career as a session musician for the next 30 years. From 2010 onwards saw Yolanda continue to be the first call for many recording sessions and live performances with the incredible list of headline names above –and also became Musical Director for ex-Eurythmic Dave Stewart’s London appearances and feature in the TV house bands for shows hosted by Ricky Wilson (Kaiser Chiefs) & Nicole Scherzinger (Pussy Cat Dolls). In 2018 Yolanda broadened her scope of work accepting engagements with Laura Mvula, Mercury Award nominee Eska, pianist Tomasz Bura’s Jazz Fusion quartet, and the trio of Brian Jackson, Gil Scott-Heron’s co-writer. And as if to demonstrate her eclectic and varied talents, she then recorded and toured with the legendary British band Squeeze from 2017 to 2020 For 6 years Yolanda performed and recorded with the incomparable composer Hans Zimmer touring Europe, the South Pacific region and the US. Working on various film soundtracks including “A Knight’s Tale” “Alfie” “Home” “War on Everyone” & “Boss Baby I & II’ and “DUNE” Yolanda has worked with Hans Zimmer, BB King, Mick Jagger, Paul Weller, Squeeze, Robbie Williams, Sting, Dave Stewart, Queen, Anastasia, Lulu, Heather Small, Natasha Bedingfield, Sinead O’Connor, Daryl Hall, Marcella Detroit, Pops Mohammed, Alison Moyet, Desert Eagle Discs, Aztec Camera, Gabrielle, Robbie Williams, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Somerville, Roger Daltrey, Van Morrison, Michael Jackson, Laura Mvula, Eska, Cathy Dennis, Leee John, Brian Jackson Check out all her music here: https://g4dz.com/about/
More from Songwriting For Songwriters
Jah Wobble is an English bassist, composer, writer, and musical innovator who started his musical journey as a founding member of the post-punk band Public Image Ltd. alongside John Lydon. Renowned for his distinctive, deep bass style, he has built a remarkable solo career spanning post-punk, world music, dub, jazz, and experimental genres. Over several decades, Jah Wobble has collaborated with artists from around the world while continually pushing musical boundaries. As both a performer and author, he remains one of Britain's most original and influential creative voices, bringing a unique perspective on songwriting, rhythm, and artistic independence. https://jahwobble.com
Charlie Eaves is a new and upcoming singer-songwriter whose songs have recently been played and highlighted on BBC Introducing. Charlie has a unique and distinctive voice as an artist and songwriter recording and releasing his own music at one with who he is, how he writes and the way he releases his records His new album 'Waiting Around' is released on June 6th and can be found uner the name Charlie Eaves on spotify and all other streaming services. Instagram @charliejameseaves
Graham Fellows 'Do what you like or don't bother' Graham Fellows is an English comedian, musician, actor, and song writer whose career uniquely blends sharp character comedy with expertly crafted pop songwriting. He first found chart success with the 1978 punk-inflected hit Jilted John, a UK Top 5 single released under the persona of Jilted John Fellows later went on to create his most enduring alter ego, John Shuttleworth, the earnest Sheffield singer-songwriter whose gentle satire and lo-fi organ ballads have become a beloved fixture of British comedy. Across television, radio, stage and music, Fellows has built a distinctive body of work that combines humour with heart, using character to explore ambition, vulnerability, and the quiet drama of everyday life. https://grahamfellowsmusic.com/
Rick Witter (Shed Seven) 'Never Give Up, Never Give In, Anything Could Happen'Get ready to turn up the volume, because we are joined by a true Britpop powerhouse and one of the most enduring voices in British guitar music: the legendary Rick Witter! As the charismatic frontman of Shed Seven, Rick has spent over three decades crafting the anthems that defined an era, recently defying the odds to clinch two massive UK Number 1 albums in 2024. From the swagger of "Going for Gold" to the cinematic depth of their latest hits, Rick brings a masterclass in longevity, grit, and the art of writing songs that resonate with thousands. Whether you're a lifelong fan or a budding songwriter, his journey from York schoolboy to indie icon is a high-octane reminder that great music—and great songwriters—only get better with timeShed Seven Website: https://www.shedseven.com/Rick Witter Website: https://www.rick-witter.co.uk/about/
Crispian Mills (Kula Shaker) 'It's something to do with control and chaos' Crispian Mills is best known as the songwriter, singer, and guitarist behind Kula Shaker, and his writing stands out for how boldly it blends classic pop craft with spiritual curiosity. At a time when Britpop leaned heavily on irony and everyday realism, Mills zigged toward mysticism—pulling from Indian philosophy, psychedelic rock, and ’60s melodies, sometimes even weaving Sanskrit lyrics into radio-friendly songs. Crispian Mills is a great example of a songwriter who fully committed to his inner obsessions—and in doing so, carved out a sound and lyrical identity that still feels singular. Kula Shaker existed in an alternate reality. Emerging in the midst of Britpop’s lad-culture swagger and retrograde cool, they appeared like a luminous anomaly — flooded with Sanskrit and sitar-drenched feedback as they became one of Britain’s most exhilarating live bands. Fronted by the spiritually restless Crispian Mills, the band carved out their own mystical counter-narrative, fusing British psychedelia and eastern mysticism that felt less like a gimmick and more like an invocation. Phenomenal success soon followed. How many other artists can claim to have actually headlined Glastonbury twice in the same weekend? Scored one of the fastest selling double-Platinum debuts of all time, a run of Top 10 singles, and opened for Oasis at their era-defining Knebworth shows? Now Kula Shaker are set to prove that they're back at the top of their creative game with their eighth album WORMSLAYER . Still consisting of their original line-up - best friends Crispian Mills (vocals/guitar), Alonza Bevan (bass), Paul Winterhart (drums) and Jay Darlington (Hammond organ) Website: https://kulashaker.os.fan/