Ah yes, the gooch of the year. Or the barse if you're so inclined (or perineum if you want to keep it medical). Long time fans will know that every Xmas we usually have a massive blow out where we answer fan questions. Well, we did that this year too! Part one is available to our Patreon subscribers, and you can still listen to it here: www.pateron.com/unsungpod hell, we won't even begrudge you signing up for a month just hear it before leaving.

As part of that we usually chuck in our favourites of the year, but in 2025 we've decided to break that out into a standalone episode for general release. So now everyone gets to hear our slightly tipsy opinions on our favourite records, gigs and Scottish acts from 2025. Also, as is tradition, Dave has resurrected himself to join us on this most holy of holidays. We miss you Dave!

But yes, this is the Best of 2025 edition of Unsung. We'll have a third episode of this entire Xmas debacle dropping for subs later this week, which you can find on the above linked Patreon. It is...drunken. To say the least.

ANYWAY ENJOY. HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT XMAS AND HAVE A WONDERFUL 2026. KTHXBAI.

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This week, we're joined by Anthony Sahyoun, member of the Lebanese experimental band SANAM, for a conversation that extends far beyond music. Recorded just before the band's autumn European tour, we explore their unique sound—a compelling blend of Arabic traditional forms, post-rock, noise, and electronic elements that defies easy categorisation.

SANAM's origins trace back to an improvisational festival in Beirut, where musicians from different scenes were brought together to play with Faust's Hans Joachim Irmler. What started as a three-day residency evolved into something far more substantial, resulting in two critically acclaimed albums that seamlessly weave microtonal Arabic melodies with contemporary Western experimental music.

We discuss the realities of being a touring band from Lebanon, where you can't simply jump in a van and drive to neighbouring territories. Anthony candidly shares what it's like to perform abroad whilst your homeland faces ongoing conflict, from the 2020 Beirut port explosion to the recent pager attacks. Including what the difference is between being home during crises versus worrying from afar.

We also delve into Beirut's vibrant but precarious cultural scene, touching on everything from the city's techno resurgence to the tragic story of Mashrou' Leila and the harassment that led to their disbandment. Anthony offers thoughtful perspectives on LGBTQ+ issues in Lebanon, explaining how religiosity became weaponised during the civil war and how political thugs use marginalised communities as pawns in power struggles.

And well, as long terms fans know, we inevitably chat about streaming and the ethics of it. Which is something we've spoken a lot about lately (and will probably speak more about in future too...). Anthony doesn't hold back, expressing a preference for people to steal music rather than stream it—a radical but consistent stance given the military-industrial complex's connections to major tech platforms. It's refreshing to hear an artist speak so frankly about these contradictions.

Anthony is engaging, thoughtful, and occasionally righteously angry throughout this interview, and we had a great time chatting to him. We thoroughly recommend you check out the band's music on Bandcamp and on catch a show in Italy or the UK this November and December:

24.11 / Roma / IT / Monk
26.11 / Savona / IT / Raindogs
27.11 / Marseille / FR / Jest Festival
28.11 / Trieste / IT / youTheater
30.11 / Leeds / UK / The Attic
01.12 / Glasgow / UK / The Flying Duck
02.12 / Salford / UK / The White Hotel
03.12 / Bristol / UK / Strange Brew
04.12 / Brighton / UK / Patterns
05.12 / London / UK / Rich Mix

00:00 Introduction 00:24 Anthony Sahyoun's Background and Band Introduction 01:31 First Meeting and Early Performances 03:10 Formation and Evolution of the Band 07:06 Musical Style and Influences 11:07 Recording the First Album 12:45 Cultural and Musical Context 32:42 Recording the Second Album 37:28 Touring Challenges and Experiences 41:19 Life in Lebanon and Touring Challenges 42:19 Impact of Global Events on Performances 45:49 Choosing the Right Label 48:02 Lebanese Music Scene and Cultural Representation 51:40 Food and Comfort on Tour 54:47 Beirut's Music and Nightlife 01:05:16 LGBTQ+ Issues and Political Climate 01:13:50 Streaming Platforms and Ethical Dilemmas 01:22:51 Concluding Thoughts and Upcoming Shows

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Charles Bradley’s cover of Black Sabbath’s Changes is one that both hosts of this podcast believe could well be the definitive version of the song. And we say that having done three episodes on Black Sabbath — an odyssey that gave us both a newfound appreciation for one of, if not the, most important metal bands to have ever existed.

Changes itself is a great song, but this emotional reworking casts an entirely new light on its meaning and power. That, in turn, led us to dive into the work — and world — of Charles Bradley.

Much was (rightly) made of Bradley when the then 62-year-old “Screaming Eagle of Soul” burst into public consciousness in 2011 with his debut album No Time for Dreaming. He was met with widespread critical acclaim, and the record proved a major success for his label, Daptone Records. From there, he went from strength to strength, releasing two more albums before his untimely death in 2016 from stomach cancer.

A former James Brown impersonator, Bradley’s life was one of tremendous hardship, which ultimately saw him achieve his greatest dream. He burned brightly and briefly, and his final record, Changes — named after the excellent Sabbath cover nestled within — is a remarkable work to bow out with.

In this episode, we talk all about his life, through the lens of the 2011 documentary Charles Bradley: Soul of America, before discussing some of our favourite soul covers of rock songs.

If you enjoyed this episode, do take some time to check out our Patreon, where you can get early access to episode (with no ads), bonus content and much more.

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