S5 Ep2: INTIWH - Thom Rylance, The Lottery Winners

04/21/25 • 44 min

"I don't know who the man is that lives inside my body... but I'm so glad he turns up." - Thom Rylance.
Chatting with Chris in this episode is Thom Rylance of The Lottery Winners. The indie-pop 4 piece from Greater Manchester took their cues from bands like The Smiths and Orange Juice as well as the Britpop scene and have quickly risen to the top. Such is their wide-ranging appeal they've collaborated and toured with acts as diverse as Tom Jones, Sean Ryder, Boy George, Paul Weller and Sir Stephen Fry. And they've also just landed their second consecutive UK number 1 album with 'Koko'.
Topics in this engaging conversation include the influence of stadium-smashing frontmen like Freddie Mercury and Robbie Williams, the importance of Manchester Apollo and how teachers can change lives. Plus there's a great story about Johnny Marr.
Find out more about The Lottery Winners' new album and tour here: https://www.thelotterywinners.co.uk/
Discover more about the amazing work of Help Musicians here:
https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/
'I Never Thought It Would Happen' is produced by Ian Callaghan and Ben Jones for Gimme Sugar Productions.
www.gimmesugar.co.uk

Previous Episode

S5 Ep1: I Never Thought It Would Happen - Bryan Adams

"I mean, you're either a creative or you're a burglar" - Bryan Adams.
Joining Chris for the first episode of his 5th series is rock superstar, and man of many talents Bryan Adams. As well as having huge global hit singles, multi-million selling albums, a number of remarkable duets and a worldwide fanbase, Bryan is also an acclaimed photographer.
In this conversation you'll hear about Bryan's songwriting start with his first musical partner Jim Vallance, their work on the 'Pretty Woman' musical, the amazing story about his long lost, but recently returned, first guitar and duetting with Pavarotti. Plus there's also a fascinating diversion into photography.
Find out more about Bryan's upcoming album and tour here: https://www.bryanadams.com/
Discover more about the amazing work of Help Musicians here:
https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/
'I Never Thought It Would Happen' is produced by Ian Callaghan and Ben Jones for Gimme Sugar Productions.
www.gimmesugar.co.uk

Next Episode

S5 Ep3: INTIWH - Abel Selaocoe

"It was alien, extremely alien. And it looked alien... with the buttons. What is this machine? What is this thing?" - Abel Selaocoe, on his brother's bassoon.
For this episode, Chris welcomes a South African cellist, singer and composer, who's now resident in Manchester. Inspired by all sorts of different music he heard through the radio, Abel discovered the cello as a pre-teen and at 13 won a scholarship to study music in Johannesburg. Continuing his studies, he moved to Manchester at 18 to attend the Royal Northern College of Music.
In 2021 Warner Classics signed Abel and he's released two albums; his debut 'Where Is Home/Hae ke Kae' featured a guest appearance from Yo-Yo Ma, and his second 'Hymns Of Bantu' enjoyed rave reviews and went to No1 on the OCC Specialist Classical Chart.
In this conversation you'll hear how Abel was encouraged in his music making by his older brother Sammy, the seeds of his eclectic musical style, his inclusive attitude towards live performances and his admiration for the poet John Cooper Clark.
Find out more about Abel Selaocoe's new album here:
https://www.abelselaocoe.com/
Discover more about the amazing work of Help Musicians here:
https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/
'I Never Thought It Would Happen' is produced by Ian Callaghan and Ben Jones for Gimme Sugar Productions.
www.gimmesugar.co.uk