Hi there, Brian and Simon here, welcoming you to the 300th episode of So the Jerker on Songwriting.

And what better way to celebrate than with a cold open?

I can't think of one.

We'll keep this mercifully brief, but we just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for listening and supporting us on this podcasting Odyssey,

through the highs and lows, the peaks and troughs.

The Sturmunt drang.

Yeah, Val.

Some of you have even been with us since episode one, the Big Bang, back when we were a couple

of wide-eyed rubes, barely out of short trousers, who could just about tell a podcast from a

hole in the ground.

If that applies to you, well, hats off to you for your undying loyalty and superhuman

stamina. But whether you're a grizzled card-carrying OG or a recent convert, we truly appreciate

anyone and everyone who takes a little time out of their day to listen to our show. So again, we thank you.

As for us, modesty prevents us from patting ourselves on the back too hard but as you can

imagine we're both mightily proud

of the work we've done to this point and

we hope to be adding to it for a little while yet.

And with that, cue the music. Well, we have a special guest to help us celebrate this milestone. She's a multi-talented

Ivan novella-winning British singer, songwriter and actor.

Earlier this year, she released her acclaimed third solo album and first with new label

Polydor, a complicated woman, which reached the UK top five.

She was also bestowed with the visionary award at the 2025 Ivers back in May, and as this

...