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Just the Sip of a: Death in the Afternoon

Our “Just the Sip” episodes are quick little cocktail adventures! No guests, no pressure, just us, a drink, and whatever conversation bubbles up after the first sip (or two). Think of it as the happy hour version of the podcast.

On today’s spooky edition, Lesley and Luke summon up an Ernest Hemingway favorite: Death in the Afternoon! This ghoulishly simple cocktail calls for absinthe, a splash of simple syrup, and a good pour of prosecco. It’s bold, it’s a little haunting, and it’s probably not everyone’s cup of…well…green fairy. Lesley was into it right away, while Luke needed a moment (or three) but eventually grew to love it.

Between sips, they dive into the important topics: songs, Strega (the mysterious Italian herbal liqueur), the many ways they cry (spoiler: often), the eternal cookie vs. biscuit debate, and of course, the true Canadian treasure - Ryan Gosling.

Basically, if you like cocktails, questionable opinions, and a few unexpected tangents, this one’s for you.

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Jemma's Beverage: Strawberry Daiquiri

This week we’re joined by the quiet force that is singer-songwriter Jemma Johnson — quiet, that is, until she opens her mouth to sing and suddenly you’re rethinking every life choice you’ve ever made. She’s a soon-to-be pop star with a voice so good it should probably come with a warning label. Based out of Derby in the UK, Jemma has built a loyal following of over 65,000 YouTube subscribers and racked up millions of streams on Spotify — proof that people all over the world can’t stop hitting repeat.

Her sound is hard to pin down, but imagine Britney Spears at her most “Toxic” colliding with moody alt-pop drama — stomping beats, dark energy, and melodies that haunt you in the best way. In short: dangerously catchy tunes.

We sipped on daiquiris and chatted about everything from gigging in the UK to French songwriting retreats, her latest projects, and the new music you absolutely need to hear. Make sure to check out her latest single “So Dramatic” along with some of our personal favorites, “Good Guy” and “Come to the Dark Side.”

Jemma Johnson's Website: https://www.jemmajmusic.com/

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Dave's Beverage: Whiskey Sour

Part Dos! We couldn’t bring ourselves to cut anything out of this one, and since we know our listeners prefer episodes that run around an hour or less, we thought—why not split it up? Two Dunwells, two parts! In this second half, we mixed up a delicious Whiskey Sour with David Dunwell and kept the stories rolling. Along the way, we discovered Joe’s genuine admiration for his brother and even heard about his lifelong dream of becoming a postman. If you haven’t already, make sure to check out Part 1 first so you can enjoy the full story of these two incredibly talented and down-to-earth musicians. Sit back, pour yourself something good, and enjoy Part 2 with The Dunwells!

The Dunwells consist of Joseph and David Dunwell brothers turned bandmates. They are a successful Leeds based Indie-folk / Americana band with strong vocals, powerful melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Their debut album “Blind Sighted Faith” was released in 2012 following which they have released a further 6 albums / EPs.

The Dunwells have found favour with audiences across the world having toured extensively in the USA, Europe and the UK as well as having supported artists including Mumford and Sons and Elbow on UK tours. They are passionate and prolific singer-song writers having written material for joint collaborations as well as other high profile up and coming artists.​

The Dunwells will be at St. Pancras Old Church (supported by our very own Lesley Pike!) on 10 October, 2025! Grab tickets here! (if there are any left!)

Find out more about the Dunwells - https://www.thedunwells.com/

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