In the 9th and final episode of I Want to Talk About You, Tim Russell talks to writer Robert Rickelman about his new memoir, Jumping to the End, which is out now.

Robert spent most of his life drinking, living in flophouses, and going in and out of rehab centres and psychiatric wards. His memoir pulls absolutely no punches, and the conversation is similarly frank and open as Robert talks about growing up in Chicago, going to law school, his early drinking experiences, and how his drinking got out of control. It’s a gripping tale of job-hopping, sleazy flophouses, rehab centres, psych wards, and colourful characters, and Robert is as frank and open in conversation as he is on the page.

Big thanks to Robert for being such an amazing guest and helping IWTTAY go out on a high note, and thanks to all of you who’ve listened over the last few months. Your support is greatly appreciated.

LINKS

Robert's website - https://robertrickelman.com/

Buy Jumping to the End:

https://www.amazon.com/Jumping-End-Lifetime-Struggle-Alcoholism/dp/1627206604

https://www.waterstones.com/book/jumping-to-the-end/robert-rickelman/9781627206594

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jumping-to-the-end-robert-rickelman/1148957289

In episode 8 of I Want to Talk About You, host Tim Russell welcomes Tyler Holt, guitarist with late 80s Manchester band Joanna , to tell the amazing story of their 2025 album release Hello Flower. Originally recorded as a set of demos in 1990, the band split soon after and the tapes were lost, only to resurface some 35 years later. After a bit of restoration work, the tapes were remastered and the album was released to rave reviews in late 2025.

Tyler talks about the band’s origins in late 80s Lancashire, their early influences, and their electric live shows, and how despite a huge buzz around them from the music industry and press, things never quite clicked and they ended up splitting in 1991. Tyler also discusses the rediscovery of their demo tapes and how they came to be released as an album, and about their future plans which include a show in LA in May and a small UK tour in September. It’s a great story of could-have-beens and second chances, told with Tyler’s deadpan humour and passion for his music.

Big thanks to Tyler for joining me to tell this fantastic story! If you enjoyed this episode, please check out previous episodes and like, share, rate and subscribe to help IWTTAY get as much exposure as possible. For collaborations, sponsorship or advertising, contact me on iwttay.podcast@gmail.com.

Next episode, featuring US writer Robert Rickelman talking about his alcoholism and mental illness memoir Jumping to the End, is out in two weeks’ time.

LINKS

Joanna album Hello Flower on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/album/5nsnqKjgeBQNE5n4pca77w

Joanna remixes on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/album/4O2bWtLdMSdpzEvBkqeak5

Joanna on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joanna_band1990

In episode 7 of I Want to Talk About You, host Tim Russell welcomes an old friend, musician Robert Dillam. Robert - known to his friends as Bob - was guitarist in early 90s Creation Records act Adorable, and is now drummer with Scots folk-rockers The Zephyrs .

After reminiscing about their school years, the two discuss Bob’s life in music, particularly the Adorable years and what it was like being in a hotly-tipped (ooer) band on the world’s coolest record label, and their struggles with that label, the press, and each other. Bob also talks about his second life in The Zephyrs, and how it’s different making music in your 50s from when you’re in your 20s.

It’s a funny, frank, and occasionally chaotic conversation, and all the better for it - the perfect example of what IWTTAY is all about. Big thanks to Bob for taking part in the podcast and for being such an honest, open, and engaging guest!

As usual, if you enjoyed this podcast, check out my previous episodes and please like, share, rate, and subscribe. If you want to collaborate, either as a guest, host, advertiser, or sponsor, get in touch via iwttay.podcast@gmail.com. And look out for episode 8 coming up on 22 April, when I’ll be talking to Tyrone Holt from great lost Manchester band Joanna.

LINKS

Adorable on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/6xKL0fuDG1P7nivQtPY2fv

Adorable on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/adorablecreationrecords

The Zephyrs on Bandcamp - https://thezephyrsuk.bandcamp.com/

The Zephyrs on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Udc8hvR7KHrO9AoblN2IV

The Zephyrs on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thezephyrs