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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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Joe's Beverage: Maple Old Fashioned

This week on the podcast we’re joined by the very dashing and endlessly talented musical duo, The Dunwells! We had such a joy-filled conversation with Joe and Dave Dunwell. Lesley has known these two for years and years, while Luke only recently had the pleasure of meeting them but it instantly felt like catching up with old friends. The Dunwells are not only extraordinary musicians and songwriters, but also true storytellers, weaving heart and soul into every word and melody. Beyond their talent, their humility of spirit shine just as brightly. We ended up talking late into the night, sharing laughs, stories, and insights about music, life, and everything in between. It was one of those evenings that reminds you why conversations around music matter so much, and we can’t wait for you to hear it.

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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Today's Beverage: Aviation

This week, Lesley and Luke reunite after some much-needed travel and family downtime! To mark the occasion, they shake up an Aviation, a classy little cocktail that’s equal parts elegant and divisive. Made with gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, and some lemon juice, it’s the kind of drink you either swear by or swear off. (Think of it as the cilantro of cocktails.) If you can track down crème de violette, it’s definitely worth a try - if only to feel like a 1920s pilot for an evening.

With drinks in hand, the conversation takes off in all directions: from Vin’s Night In with our good friend Vin Goodwin and our love for the ever-charming Martha Phillips, to the ups and downs of living with anxiety, to… well, not much about music at all. (But hey, sometimes the best chats are the ones that drift off course, right?)

So buckle up for a laid-back, laughter-filled episode that proves not every landing has to be on the music runway. Cheers! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and download all our episodes so you never miss the next round!

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Just the Sip: Cosmopolitan

A quick pour, a quick chat. In this mini-segment, Lesley and Luke mix up a drink (and its mocktail twin) and take a short detour into conversation while they taste it. This time, it’s a Cosmopolitan—with all the classic flair—and a no-proof version that’s just as good we dubbed the Mockmopolitan (working title). Think of it as a sip-sized break from the main show. Hope you enjoy and be sure to check out all the other episodes that came before!

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Martha's Beverage: Espresso Martini

This week on Songs & Spirits we’re joined by our very own spirit animal, woodland nymph, and all-around magical human: Martha Phillips. She’s a writer-producer, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist whose calm, peaceful energy somehow pairs perfectly with the caffeine kick of an Espresso Martini.

In this episode, we dive into her musical journey—from teenage angst, Ben Howard inspirations, and learning how to turn feelings into songs, to the collective realization that some of us are simply not built for the 9-to-5 life. Martha lets us peek behind the curtain of her creative world, where as a producer she builds emotive sonic landscapes for artists, screen, and stage.

She’s insightful, funny, and one of those people who makes you feel a little lighter just being around them. We love her, and we’re pretty sure you will too!

Check out Martha's Socials: https://www.instagram.com/somarthalous/

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Today’s Beverage: Rosemary Greyhound

Today’s episode is what Lesley and Luke call a “solo” episode… but if we’re being honest, it’s actually a duo episode. It’s just the two of us this week—no guests, just Lesley, Luke, and a cocktail that sounds way fancier than we are: the Rosemary Greyhound.

We sip, we chat, we overshare. Topics include: mysterious background noises at Lesley’s place (ghost? neighbor? Definitely just construction next door), the new F1 movie that neither of us should be qualified to review but do anyway, why “1000 foot views” are a real thing that people HAVE heard of, the joys and aches of getting older, and how we may need a certified Po-terpreter to translate certain menus.

And if that’s not enough, Luke finally confesses how he bamboozled Lesley into starting this podcast: a couple of pickle backs, some white wine, and the kind of persuasive charm that’s usually reserved for late-night infomercials. (“But wait, there’s more!”)

So grab your drink of choice, enjoy the convo, and don’t forget to download all our episodes—even the ones you haven’t listened to yet—because numbers don’t lie… but they do make us seem way cooler. 😂

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