Hunky Dory | Memories of David Bowie with Musician Jake Vickers (The Zangwills)

How does discovering early musical theatre, navigating the indie scene in Chester, forging an artistic identity as the frontman of The Zangwills, and falling in love with a shape-shifting classic shape a lifelong music maker? In this episode of The Friday Vinyl Club, Jamie sits down with Jake Vickers, vocalist and songwriter for the independent band The Zangwills, to trace how David Bowie's genre-defining 1971 masterpiece, Hunky Dory, served as a blueprint for artistic evolution, theatrical performance, and timeless songwriting. Along the way, Jake shares behind-the-scenes insights into his creative process, filming a music video with Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams, and how Bowie's fearless pivot to the piano completely transformed his approach to writing. CONNECT WITH THE CLUB: Our Official Website: https://www.thefridayvinylclub.com/ Contact / Guest Inquiries: [email protected] Connect with Jamie on Instagram: @jamieb1nine73 INSIDE THE EPISODE & TIMESTAMPS: 00:18 - Introduction: Welcome to The Friday Vinyl Club with guest Jake Vickers. 01:56 - Meet Jake Vickers: From Chester roots to indie-pop ambitions and releasing the new single "She's So New" with The Zangwills. 03:30 - The life of an independent artist: Navigating the cycles of release day hype, creative lulls, and the journey of building a band. 07:46 - Childhood musical memories: Watching stage musicals with grandparents, drumming on biscuit tins, and early iPod soundtracks. 14:25 - Songwriting mechanics: Starting with a single favorite line, experimenting with random words and Wikipedia text, and finding magic in simplicity. 19:44 - Live performance & alter egos: Transforming from a quiet, introverted kid into a charismatic stage frontman and the reality of fan energy. 24:56 - Discovering David Bowie: Early skepticism in dad's car, falling in love with Scary Monsters, and committing to a full catalogue deep-dive. 38:35 - Deep-dive into Hunky Dory: Cinematic masterpieces like "Life on Mars?", playful storytelling on "Kooks," and the profound emotional core of "Quicksand". 58:14 - The Zangwills & Future Plans: Directing the music video for "Judas on the Dance Floor" with Maisie Williams, exploring the side project Dolly Bukowski, and gearing up for an autumn tour. TOPICS COVERED: Jake Vickers, The Zangwills, David Bowie, Hunky Dory, indie music, vinyl record collecting, growing up in Chester, theatrical performance, songwriting processes, Maisie Williams, Dolly Bukowski, and upcoming tour dates. THE FRIDAY SPIN: THE ZANGWILLS - 'SHE'S SO NEW' & TOUR SPOTLIGHT: The Recommendation: Jake's independent band The Zangwills, featuring their latest single "She's So New", alongside fan favorites like "The Feeling", "Judas on the Dance Floor", and "Patio Paradise". The Vibe: Soaring indie-pop guitars, distinctive vocal energy, sharp lyrical craftsmanship, and the electric thrill of a live underground band on the rise. FOR FANS OF: If you love music memories, physical media, and human stories behind the songs on podcasts like The Vinyl Guide, Back to NOW!, Music Is None Of Our Business, Desert Island Discs, or A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Word in your Ear, you are right at home in the club! Leave us a review wherever you listen to help our independent community grow! https://thezangwills.com/ https://www.davidbowie.com/