As well as writing, singing and playing on his new single 'When A Heart Beats', Nik Kershaw also took the credit for its production. In an interview with Nick Webb he displays a rarely seen side of his character and discusses his knowledge of recording studio technology and approach to songwriting.

Wig out with the kings of hype

Germanic guitars profiled

Vocalist Mick Hucknell sings out about white boys singing the Blues

'What are this spring's colours?' asks ultra-fashionable Richard Walmsley

Chris Maillard takes a close look at the E Street man's unorthodox guitar technique

DREAM MACHINE: Washburn status bass

the washburn status bass: a designer label at a supermarket price

The Power Station's percussive powerhouse talks. Bill Milkowski puts pen to paper

Naked truths from a pop idol

Stringists Darby and Marlon reveal new models

New Yolk noise boys (and girl)

Johnny Hates Jazz are in the privileged position of being allowed to produce their own debut album. David Bradwell talks to the band about their unusual situation, their techniques and their philosophies.

The fabbest four since the last Fab Four talk to us about real Pop, American style

A talk on the cheap side as the duo explain the democratisation of electronic music, and what they use to achieve it. (Including a preview of the UMI-2B interface).

Chas De Whalley gets Eurodisco orientated with Berlin beatmeister Zeus B Held

trying to get on telly could be the most frustrating experience of your musical career; we pinpoint the pitfalls

Scott Davidson utilises the power of MIDI to provide the instrumental foundation for Bros' music, both on stage and in the studio. Julian Colbeck takes notes...

His idiosyncratic style of fretless bass playing inspired a generation, but now the ex-Japan man is playing sessions, writing his own music, and programming his own synths.

shrugs and knock 'n' knowall

Wrenched from video filming (with a ballerina no less) and quizzed on gear and blushes.

who does it where to whom and with what