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