Nick and Sue. This edition is brought to you
in association with the Steel Union for men's
gifts, presents and problem solving men's accessories.
More from them in a bit. Chatterbox. When the
stars talk, they talk to Nick and Sue. Welcome
back to the Chatterbox Redux Podcast and today
our special guests are Karen Turley and Naomi
Campbell of Motel Sundown. This is Nick and Sue
with Chatterbox giving you all you need to know
about musical entertainment. Oh yeah! Chatterbox!
Chatterbox. We're just lucky enough to welcome
Karen Turley and Naomi Campbell of Motel Sundown.
Hello, how are you? Hello, good thanks. Good,
thank you. Great, well good here as well. I'd
say 2026 has been quite a busy year for you.
I know you've been on the road a bit. You got
this EP. We got a single we're talking about.
Probably more than one single by now because
the press release was a few weeks ago now. So
what's the highlight? Who grabs the talking stick?
Whoever starts talking first? So who's the lead
singer, by the way? So we don't have one actually.
Excellent. Even better. All three of us take
turns, yep. So whoever answers the question then,
do it that way. So 2026 looks like a really,
really great year for Motel, Motel Sundown. So
what do you think, now we're just over halfway
through, what do you think the peak or the highlight
of the year has been so far? Radio 2, wasn't
it really? Yeah, definitely, yeah. Yeah, we were
selected to play country to country by our local
presenter, Dave Monks. And then we found out
that we were going to be doing a live session
on Radio 2 at the festival. So, yeah, that was
with Bob Harris. Bob Harris and do a live session.
So that was probably a highlight, I would say,
for us. Yeah. Well, Bob Harris himself, bless
him. He's just retired, as you might know, but
through a bit of pain. He was 80, I think. But
I mean, those of us that have been in music or
into music for some time, I could remember him,
you probably heard anyway, back in the 70s, the
old Grey Whistle Test on BBC2 TV. And he presented
that, I think, all the way through the 70s and
into the 80s, actually. So he actually is quite
a figure when it comes to music and new music.
He really has been quite something over the years.
You know, so, yeah. Quite a great guy to have
on your side. So, yeah, absolutely. Yeah, we
were tough. No, the people that he's interviewed,
you know. So we were we were very excited that
day. And yeah. And then, of course, you retired.
So we were very, you know, pretty lucky to be
on the show before I did. So, yeah. Yeah. Great.
Where are you guys based? What part of the country
are you based? Where are you from? We're in Liverpool.
Lovely. OK. Yeah. I know Liverpool has had some
diverse sounds over the years, whether it be
Frankie Goes to Hollywood, the 60s sound, or
the real thing, whatever it might be. I did put
them under the 60s, but I promise I hadn't forgotten
them. The 60s thing is a big, big thing, you
know, to cover. And then maybe, yeah, I'm just
thinking across the board. To me, unless I'm
naive to a whole front of music in Liverpool,
this is a new sound to me coming from Liverpool.
Is that right? Is it a Moto Sundown sound or
is there like a whole movement in Liverpool that
sounds like that? Yeah, I mean, there's a lot
of indie stuff in Liverpool and there's always
been like folky kind of acoustic -y stuff, I
think. You know, there's a lot of songwriters
nights and things like that that we all have
been to and stuff over the years. But I know
what you mean. I think it's just kind of like
it's a small kind of unit as well. The people
that do like the Americana stuff. So I think
a lot of the times that we go down south, we
can see that it's a lot bigger there, obviously,
in London and places like that. But I guess just
helps you to stand out more in Liverpool, which
isn't a bad thing. You are standing out to South
Coast near Brighton. Obviously, we're aware of
the London scene, the Brighton scene and all
that stuff. To me, it's a bit of a different
sound, especially coming from Liverpool as well.
It's an interesting sound. So whether you're
an early one to break out down this far on the
South Coast, I don't know with that sound, but
it certainly sounds different and new to me.
And it's certainly been worth an interview and
have a chat and play some of your stuff. So,
yeah. Whether everyone sounds like that in the
whole part of Liverpool or not, well maybe they
do, but you're the ones that got the press release
to me. Yeah I guess it's kind of American influenced
as well, some of it too. A lot of the people
we know and the musicians that we play with and
stuff and that Naomi plays with, they all love
the 60s and 70s. stuff and we all kind of are
influenced by that so it kind of the three of
us have different um things that we listen to
so it kind of comes out in that way when you
kind of mash it together i guess and what about
you two girls uh when it comes to let's go Naomi
then i'll switch back to Karen uh what about
stuff that you Naomi what were you you were listening
to at home what did your parents have in their
record or cd collections what what sort of stuff
were you listening to before you bought your
own stuff um well there's a lot of country stuff
And in Ireland, I think there's quite, there's
a lot of American country and old classic country
and, and yeah, just stuff like the Beach Boys
and stuff like that. Whatever was in the car,
really. I mean, they weren't really like big,
like music lovers like devout, like, you know,
loads of record collections or anything like
that. And yeah, and then more so when I went
to school, I kind of discovered more stuff like,
you know, Fleetwood Mac and Bob Dylan and all
those bands from the 60s and 70s, really. But
yeah. There was a lot of country growing up,
I guess, which was which was nice. Sure. Karen,
what about you? What was being played? What was
in your parents' record collection and stuff?
What was being played at home before you got
into music yourself? Yeah, pretty much the same.
My dad was playing Johnny Cash and Garth Brooks.
But then my mum loved like the Bee Gees and,
you know, people like that. And yeah. A lot of
Elvis. Elvis. Yeah, she loved Elvis. Loads of
different things. So, yeah, but then I discovered
Fleetwood Mac and became a big fan of Bluegrass
as well. I love Bluegrass, that's Alice in Christ
and all that. So, yeah, different, all the songwriters
as well from like the noddies, like Katie Tunstall
and people when I was learning guitar when I
was a teenager. So there's a little bit different
influences coming in. Yeah sure, what about,
I mean obviously Liverpool for a very long time,
centuries and centuries, has been the first stop
for Irish people getting off and arriving, being
the first port of call, where they usually arrive
from, or they did. So Irish influences, I can
hear Irish influences, whether you think it's
there or not. How strong an influence do you
think, if you think about it? Oh yeah, okay.
How much stronger influence do you think there
is? I mean, you mentioned Fleetwood Mac and stuff
like that and what you both got into. What sort
of Irish influence do you think there is there,
being Liverpool and everything else and such
a strong Irish? front there I suppose you know
a lot of Irish people live now they've gone through
the through the docks and port live there for
a while move through on their way to Kilburn
or wherever it might be they're going to they've
obviously left a mark so how strong do you think
that might be? Yeah it's a sense of community
I think and like you know Irish people just like
getting in a room together and having a jam or
whatever and that kind of stuff it's a bit stronger
you know coming from from home and go on to like
things like that and the pub and stuff you know
we just like to to get in a room and sing together
which probably um drawn us to start singing together
in harmony as well probably maybe and also we
get compared to the chorus a lot recently so
they're irish really bad thing is it really they're
all right sound good look good yeah made it now
something right okay so we've got uh an ep uh
which has got quite a lot of tracks on from the
ep it's almost an LP isn't it or am i yeah I've
actually had somebody I've interviewed in the
past who came up with a six track LP and I thought
I used to buy EPs that had six tracks, between
four and six tracks. So a seven track EP is probably
the biggest one I've ever dealt with, seriously
by one track. So, signs in the rush of lights
we got. What out of these, I'm looking at these
seven tracks, how many of these have been singles
so far? How many are going to be singles? I think
all of them have been singles apart from Rosie,
maybe. Yeah, I think so. Yeah. Yeah, we added
Rosie on at the end, didn't we? So I think that
was an extra. Was that an extra add on kind of
thing? Yeah. We're going to be six and then we
had... that so we it wasn't on a wasn't on a
compilation so we thought we'd put that on as
well and then it became I think nowadays nowadays
you kind of to release them all as singles just
kind of helps get the tracks out there because
you know people like to listen to to just you
know if you put out an EP altogether there's
a risk that you know some of the songs you know
might not get as much traction so we decided
to do them all as singles and then why was the
last one which we released in March Are all these
songs, all seven of the songs, are they all real
life experiences from any one of you three and
then you take to put it on the table to the rest
of the others? I mean, are they all real life
experiences or do you just sit down and write
songs and jam and come up with something? How
does it really work in general for you guys?
I think those ones probably are a bit autobiographical.
But then I think there's one that Rob did maybe
from a book, an idea from a book. But yeah, sometimes
you might start with lyrics or an idea that you
had personally and then it can change into something
else as well. in particular, more of a kind of
personal on this one, because I think I just
kind of made random stuff up for the two that
I wrote. Fantastic. The waiting game though,
the waiting game is about the music industry,
isn't it? Yeah, I guess. Yeah, it's about that.
Just a bit about everything, both of them. We're
taking a quick break to talk about the things
we carry with us every single day. Now we've
all been there fumbling with a bulky wallet or
dealing with jumbled mess of keys that sounds
like a tambourine in your pocket. Well this show
is proud to be brought to you in association
with the Distill Union. Since 2011 the Distill
Union have been on a mission to simplify your
life through a less is more philosophy, creating
sleek essentials to solve everyday problems with
serious style. Distill Union doesn't just make
accessories, they engineer intuitive tools that
declutter your routine. The Walle Wallet is a
real game changer for anyone tired of pocket
bulk. It's a minimalist slim profile wallet that
uses innovative magnetic closures to keep your
cards in cache incredibly secure while remaining
effortlessly accessible. With the Ferris Key
Organizer you can say goodbye to the clutter.
The Ferris uses a modular magnetic system to
snap your keys and essentials together into one
streamlined silent setup. It's customisable,
tactile and honestly a joy to use. All products
are premium quality and crafted from premium
full grain leather. It's durable, sophisticated
and actually ages beautifully over time developing
a unique character plus they stand behind their
work in a three year guarantee. When you choose
the Distill Union you're choosing quality over
quantity and by using our code CBUKRDUX, you
aren't just getting a better way to carry your
gear, you're supporting the show and the planet.
As part of the Chatterbox community's commitment
to the environment, 1 % of all commissions from
your purchases are donated to the Stripe Climate
Program to help remove CO2 from the atmosphere.
It's a small way to make a big difference while
upgrading your daily carry. We've worked with
Distill Union to arrange the highest exclusive
discounts specifically for you, 20%. Head over
to distillunion .com or simply scroll down to
the link below in the show notes and just add
CBUKRDUX. How long have you guys been together?
I mean there's been albums and bits and pieces
before I could say it's nothing new there's signs
in the rush of light so how long have you guys
actually been together? Yeah so it was from 2019
we've known each other probably over 10 years
and we're playing together in pubs and bars and
stuff and started singing together and thought,
well, this kind of sounds good. So started the
band and we released a single in like 2019, late
2019. And then of course, COVID happened and
then we kind of stalled a little bit and then
we did the album in lockdown and the first album
and that came out in 2022. So we just, then we
released another EP in 2024 and then this is
the second EP. So yeah, we have plans for an
album as well. We're going to start working on
an album hopefully this year. That's the next
thing. Okay, let's get Naomi. I couldn't just
keep blurting it out. I mean what I love when
I've got like two people now in different zooms,
it's quite great. I've blurted out a question.
And what I really like is someone say yes, someone
say no to a question. Pass it on. So yeah, well,
it is working out because you guys will see that
you know what you're doing. But that's just quite
funny when that happens. Let's ask Naomi. Right,
Naomi. So you guys were jamming around, like
Karen says, and for quite a while. Whose idea
was it? to say, right, we're former band, we're
always working together, we work well together,
let's form a band, let's make it permanent. Whose
idea was that actually to do that? I don't know.
I don't even know if the band came first or if
we just decided to record stuff together because,
well, I knew Karn before I knew Rob, really,
and then Karn knew Rob. And then we all knew
each other in pairs. And then I think when the
three of us came together, I can't even remember
now. There's probably a lot of Guinness going
around back then. I think we decided to record
songs. And then I think we did a lot of playing
together in the bars and stuff. So that was kind
of like a way of making money and stuff. So I
guess when we did that so often, we thought,
well, maybe we could... released some music under
this, you know, umbrella. I don't really know
as such whose idea it was, but I think it just
kind of happened more naturally. But yeah, it
was just, you know, we all had songs, you know,
separately. So eventually released them. And
then I think that led to there was a band whether
we wanted it or not. I think probably but what
I say because I've been doing radio since the
80s actually and naturally formed bands rather
than ones that would be more as forced together
naturally formed bands do tend to last a lot
longer and go on and on and on and on and I do
you fight that you know from looking in and interviewing
many people over the years so yeah because it's
natural You know, you guys have naturally, you
know, things will happen in your lives. One or
both of you, all three of you will raise families
and things will happen, then you might go back.
You know, things will happen, but there's potential
for it to be almost a lifelong thing if it's
a natural formation. I do think that. Yeah, hopefully.
Thank you, yeah, hope so, yeah. So depending
how long I hang on for, we could be talking for
decades yet, you know. Let's hope so. Let's talk
about, you sound quite exciting and the music
you're into and the music you play, so let's
talk about festivals. What sort of festivals
are you doing this year or are you planning festivals
in the future? Yeah, we just did Beardy Folk,
which was nice. That was the first time we've
ever played that one. Don't know if you know
it. I've heard of it, haven't been yet. Yeah,
it's it was it. Where was that again? Um. And
it was like, yeah, it used to be called Hole
in the Wall Festival, but that was a good one
because sadly Red Wrister was cancelled this
year, which is one that we've done a couple of
years and we've done Black Deer Festival before.
That was a great one. When Cheryl Crowe was headlining
and also we've played, well, obviously country
to country this year, which was great. But yeah,
there's some great Americana festivals. So hopefully
next year we'll be able to do more and even get
on to even some more mainstream ones as well.
I love a good festival. Yeah, yeah. Well, a bit
of a bit of Glastonbury maybe sometime. Yeah,
that'd be nice. The big family one up in Suffolk.
That's a whole long weekend at the end of August.
That's a good one. They invite me to compare
every few years. So they haven't asked me yet
this year, so if they do ask me I'll have to
remember what it's called and turn up at the
right place. Cool, absolutely, I can introduce
you on stage. So we talk about an album, you
mentioned that that's sort of like the next plan
maybe. Let's jump ahead a little bit more. Let's
say we are having a chat in June or July next
year. Well, talk about the album. You're obviously
hoping the album might be completed now by then.
What else would you like to be telling me and
the listeners on Chatterbox that you've achieved?
I don't know who goes first, but you can both
answer it. I don't know. That's tough. I think
Glastonbury would be amazing to play. even if
it's a tiny, tiny stage in the corner, to go
and play would be a great thing for us and probably
on the bucket list as well. So that would be
good. Yeah, I've never been to Glastonbury, I'd
love to go. It's very muddy. Probably another
tour as well, a UK, Ireland, maybe even Europe
tour, that'd be nice. Yeah, a good support tour
would be something we're good to... to support
somebody a little bigger would be great as well.
Yeah, sure, sure. Excluding perhaps Liverpool,
maybe, but as you're going around the country,
around Ireland and places, is there a particular
region or area where you feel you're more popular
than others that really reach out for you? Or
are you reaching out across the whole UK, perhaps,
and Ireland as a whole? It's the same sort of
popularity, perhaps, all over. I don't know.
I think, like Naomi said, when we go down south,
we always get, you know, a good crowd, like,
you know, a large, large crowd. And, you know,
there's definitely more of an audience for this
kind of stuff down there, I think. We went down
to, yeah, like Norfolk and Suffolk and stuff.
And, yeah, there seems to be a big Americana
scene. We had a couple of shows in London as
well, on the Green Note in Camden, and that was
a lovely venue as well. Getting heard in London
is not a bad thing at all, is it? Yeah, I know
it's really bad. Let's see what we've got coming
up. I'm looking at your UK tour dates at the
moment. Let's actually get onto your website.
That'd be better. So we do social media before
we let you go. So we've got www .motel -sundown
.co .uk. I know I saw something here. So yeah.
So we've got a tour dates always announced on
there. Something here on the 9th of October.
I'm sure I saw somewhere on Lisa Dave's... promotions
that you had some other stuff booked up somewhere
um yeah well i think we might have done those
since so we had yeah we had the beardy folk festival
and and we also did a nice gig recently in chester
which was the story house lantern sessions which
was um it's an event that they put on every month
So that was great. And then we've also done one
more since I think it was maybe London as well.
We did, like Karen mentioned, we did the Green
Note. Yeah, yeah. But we're actually working
on a tour at the minute for October. So we're
going to be putting some dates together, like
that Liverpool date. So, yeah. That could be
our next chat. That could be our next chat, what
you're doing outside with it maybe. Yeah. Okay
so anyway I mentioned the website motelsundown
.co .uk if we click on that I did notice that
you got some just underneath the picture on the
home page of all three of you nice venue there
where is that actually on the home page it's
lovely it looks like so panels all over the ceiling
and the wall oh that's that's probably st peter's
tavern in liverpool yeah it's like pictures taken
recently actually beautiful the photographer's
so good but yeah it's it's like an old church
and it used to be a nightclub and now it's like
a bar but yeah it's really really beautiful inside
yeah absolutely absolutely uh so anyway yeah
so we get onto your uh your website home page
under that beautiful picture and all your links
to all your social media is there anyway your
instagram your facebook facebook twitter it's
all there so basically all someone's got to remember
is uh is yeah motel sundown .co .uk and rather
than read it all out it's all there underneath
that picture just click on it and you're going
straight there so that's all good yeah easy yeah
yeah uh great meeting you guys wish you every
success with the EP, the singles and whatever
else you're doing, you know through the summer
with the LP, everything in October, hopefully
we can catch up about that time, have an update
and then you could tell us more about the album
then couldn't you, because you'll definitely
be writing loads for it then. Definitely yeah,
hopefully yeah. Yeah, but in the meantime, it's
great meeting you. It's great being able to share
some of your songs with the Chats Box audience
and the member stations. And yeah, Karen and
Naomi. Thanks for coming on. Great to meet you.
Thank you so much. Thank you. Bye. Thank you.
You've been listening to the Chatterbox Redux
podcast and today our special guests were Karen
Turley and Naomi Campbell of Motel Sundown. If
you're interested in becoming a future guest
on the Chatterbox Redux podcast or the radio
show Chatterbox UK, you're welcome to submit
songs, books or whatever it is you do and send
us a CV, synopsis or press release. However,
we receive several thousand such press releases
every week and it's impossible to reply to each
one individually. Why not email us or leave a
comment because we'd love to know what you think
of the podcast. Our email address is nickelbum
at myyahoo .com. Alternatively, you could write
to us. at P .O. Box 26, the Old Observer Building,
Telford Road, St. Leonard -on -Sea, East Sussex,
England, TN38 -9LZ. And wherever it is you choose
to listen to the Chatterbox Redux podcast, don't
forget to give us a like, a follow, a favorite,
or whatever it is on that platform. just so you
don't miss a future episode Sue, myself Nick
and Twinkle the tuxedo cat thank you very much
for your company and we look forward to welcoming
you again next time for another Chatterbox Redux
podcast in the meantime take care and thank you
for your company and we'll catch you then This
is Nick and Sue with Chatterbox giving you all
you need to know about musical entertainment.
Oh yeah! Chatterbox!