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Sean Hannam

@seanhannam

Freelance journo:music,retail,tech.Digs retro specs,'60s spy stuff, James Bond, old TV,The Smiths,Dylan,country/Americana,'60s pop,’90s indie. Loathes summer.

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21.10.2023
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Latest posts by Sean Hannam @seanhannam

Preview
‘I don’t think we’re going to be doing this forever – we’re getting long in the tooth…’ Pioneering US band The Long Ryders unknowingly kick-started what become the Americana / alt-country movement when they formed in LA in the early ‘80s. Part of the Paisley Underground scene –…

The new Long Ryders album, High Noon Hymns, sees them back in the saddle with all guns blazing.
I spoke to @sidthesquid.bsky.social about making the record, the legacy of the band, working with Gene Clark, and trying to stay positive in a dark world: sayitwithgarageflowers.com/2026/03/05/i...

05.03.2026 22:12 👍 3 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
‘I don’t think we’re going to be doing this forever – we’re getting long in the tooth…’ Pioneering US band The Long Ryders unknowingly kick-started what become the Americana / alt-country movement when they formed in LA in the early ‘80s. Part of the Paisley Underground scene –…

The new Long Ryders album, High Noon Hymns, sees them back in the saddle with all guns blazing.
I spoke to @sidthesquid.bsky.social about making the record, the legacy of the band, working with Gene Clark, and trying to stay positive in a dark world: sayitwithgarageflowers.com/2026/03/05/i...

05.03.2026 22:12 👍 3 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
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Today I found a story idea that seemed promising. As I made some notes, the plot began to seem famililar. Then I realised I'd written the story. Then I realised I'd sent it to a magazine who'd bought it.

I am a 1950s scifi writer with amnesia.

There's a story in this...

05.03.2026 08:43 👍 29 🔁 3 💬 3 📌 0
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I’ve always said that Michael Weston King was outstanding in his field, and this week we were out, standing in his field, at his home in rural mid-Wales. Great to spend some time with him and talk about his brilliant new album, Nothing Can Hurt Me Anymore: out on April 4: youtu.be/f0LsQf2Qamk

05.03.2026 08:47 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Guy on the Tube stinking the whole carriage out with his breakfast choice - a savoury pastry.

02.03.2026 06:40 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Early start. I’m on the second train out of Chesham,heading to Birmingham for the KBB show and then to mid-Wales to do a music interview.More on that soon.This morning’s cinematic soundtrack is an advance copy of the excellent new album by The Delines: The Set Up. #freelancelife #nowplaying #delines

02.03.2026 05:57 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

I honestly had no idea Gorillaz had made nine albums. I’d have guessed four, or maybe five at the most, if you’d asked me. #gorillaz

27.02.2026 16:13 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

I went a bit crazy during lockdown and just after my dad died - I bought far too many books - and records - and inherited a lot too, so now I need to have a cull. Or buy a bigger house…

26.02.2026 21:53 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

Excellent. I have one of the ‘60s Avengers annuals too, and some paperbacks. I’m in the middle of sorting out my books - I’m running out of space. I’ve been selling a few - but not my precious ones: just some stuff I’ve been sent, won’t read again / didn’t enjoy, or bought without thinking…

26.02.2026 21:50 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

The one on the left was the first item I bought with my first ever pay packet. One for Monkey Fact Fans there.

26.02.2026 20:36 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0

Really? That’s brilliant. You’ve always been a diabolical mastermind…

26.02.2026 21:42 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
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When you pop into the local Chapter Two community bookshop and strike vintage TV gold: £3 each! The Avengers is my favourite show of all time! #theavengers #johnsteed #emmapeel #cathygale #taraking

26.02.2026 18:02 👍 4 🔁 0 💬 2 📌 0

Been reading Star Wars books to my kids - might change my name to Nute Gunray. I’m sure he was a guitarist in a cool ‘70s New York punk band.

25.02.2026 20:58 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

In the past few days, I’ve really enjoyed interviewing blokes called Steve and Stephen who have been involved with some of my favourite music of all time: Steve White and Stephen Street. Sadly, Steven Patrick Morrissey won’t return my calls… #freelancelife 🤔

25.02.2026 12:24 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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There’s a worrying trend for people dying ‘as’ tributes are being paid to them, rather than before. We are living in strange times…

24.02.2026 09:37 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 1
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Here's a photo of us by @cpsouthon.bsky.social earlier tonight in London with Nora Joy joining us RS

23.02.2026 23:38 👍 79 🔁 3 💬 3 📌 0
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Well, that was a lovely night: the wonderful @ronsexsmith.bsky.social at @cadoganhall.bsky.social. Really great to hear lots of songs from Hangover Terrace live. Great to meet Ron and @nickheyward.com (not pictured) afterwards - Nick said I had a great beard. I’ll take that. ❤️

23.02.2026 23:49 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Pre-gig pint. A safer bet than the Duke of York…

23.02.2026 18:48 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

I’m pleasantly surprised by the new Mozzer album. One or two weak songs, but it’s solid, and a couple of tracks, Many Icebergs Ago and The Monsters of Pig Alley, recall his past glories, and Boulevard is a wonderful grandiose ballad.There’s even an electro-funk track on it! #makeupisalie #morrissey

23.02.2026 16:47 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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‘I am someone who has historically thrived in isolation’ Straight Songs of Sorrow by US singer-songwriter Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees, Queens of the Stone Age) was our favourite album of 2020. His twelfth solo record, it served as a companion piece to …

Four years since the mighty Mark Lanegan died… 😞 I’ll always be grateful to him for giving me an exclusive and candid interview in January 2021: it’s still the most read article on my blog.
sayitwithgarageflowers.com/2021/01/29/i...

23.02.2026 08:05 👍 5 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Oh, God - the Foo Fighters are back…

19.02.2026 18:12 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

I was mildly curious about the new U2 EP, but then I saw the phrase ‘featuring Ed Sheeran’, and now I’m not interested in it at all.

19.02.2026 15:12 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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My kind of postal delivery… new @cherryredrecords.bsky.social US psych and Paisley Underground 3CD compilation box set, the latest issue of Record Collector, and an advance copy of Michael Weston King’s brilliant new solo album, Nothing Can Hurt Me Anymore, released on April 4. 😎

19.02.2026 14:55 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Been indulging myself with a lot of ‘60s TV recently - I’ve watched episodes of The Invaders, The Man From U.N.C.L.E, The Avengers, The Girl From U.N.C.L.E and The Baron: it’s my favourite decade for television shows - and films. 🎥

19.02.2026 14:53 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

In every ‘60s TV spy caper, it’s compulsory to have at least one storyline where the hero is replaced by a villainous doppelgänger - quite literally a double agent. Chaos and confusion ensues.

19.02.2026 14:42 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Getting my winter folk vibe on. Best accompanied by red wine. #nowplaying

16.02.2026 22:39 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Had my over 50s annual health check up today: my blood pressure is ‘excellent’ and I’m the same weight as last year. I’ll drink to that.

16.02.2026 22:38 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Had a gentle Sunday night, watching all of Small Prophets. Really enjoyed it - heartwarming, funny, odd and intriguing. I got sad at times too - it made me nostalgic for my childhood Christmases, and it made me think about how much I miss my parents. #SmallProphets

15.02.2026 22:05 👍 5 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Update - a friend who lives nearby is lending me a spare laptop. 😎

15.02.2026 11:34 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Today is not going well. I’ve sent my MacBook Air off for a minor repair and have borrowed a friend’s spare one until mine comes back at the end of the week. After working fine for a few days, the spare one has now completely died and won’t reboot… I have work to do and no working computer…

15.02.2026 10:45 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0