Police Dog Hogan Talk New Album, 2026 UK Tour And More

Britain has a rich tradition of bands who never take the obvious route, but nonetheless earn a devoted cult following through doing things on those own terms. Police Dog Hogan will release their new album ‘The Light At The Top of The Stairs’ on 10th April 2026. Vocalist, guitarist and songwriter in the band James Studholme kindly spoke to us:

 

Who is in Police Dog Hogan, how did you meet and what do you play?

There are 7 members of Police Dog Hogan. Eddie Bishop the fiddle player and Tim Dowling the banjo player and I go back a good 35 years but only 15 of that in PDH. So how we met is a bit veiled by the mists of time. We’ve been friends for ever. The next longest standing member of the band would be Don Bowen our esteemed Bass Player with 13 years of honourable service. Emily Norris came on board next adding trumpet to our tunes when she was staying in the same hotel we were doing a residence in some 12 or so years ago. Tim describes our music as ‘pop music with all the wrong instruments’, which brings us to Shahen Galichian our keyboard wizard who purveys the accordion. We originally had a lead guitar player who left to write novels in Kent and Accordion was the instrument we needed to replace electric guitar, to unlock the joy that now so defines Police Dog Hogan. Last to join, but not least we have Alistair Hamer on the drums. Everyone sings.

 

What is your earliest musical memory?

My father had a record by Adge Cutler and the Wurzels called ‘Live at the Royal Oak Nailsea’. It was a strange anomaly in his record collection as he believed it was all pop music after Beethoven and pop was not terribly to his liking. Drink up thy Zyder was a family favourite. I believe Bristol City may still run on to the pitch to it. Luckily, I had no idea what ’Twice Daily’ was about.

 

When did you begin songwriting?

First song I remember writing was with my friend John Cherry (now the Michael Eavis of Regerative Agriculture with his Groundswell Festival) in the car park for the ferry to Stewart Island from Invercargill New Zealand in 1978. It was called ‘I Never Met Her’ It was almost a Haiku.

 

You have your new album ‘The Light At The Top of The Stairs’ released on 10th April 2026. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

It started out as a non agenda-ed process of getting back on the recording horse after the high bar of OVERGROUND. The plan was to record songs as swiftly as they manifested themselves and put them out equally swiftly on an ad hoc basis and see which songs persisted and thus might become the core of a new LP. Along the way, in 2024, we accidentally made a semi live record called LIGHTNING STRIKE down at Middle Farm Studios in Devon. We went there for 3 days to record a couple of songs whilst being filmed. As it turned out we recorded a whole LP in that time and it demanded to be released straight away. So by the time we got back to the original plan it was much clearer what was cutting it and what wasn’t. We recorded 4 new songs and whittled down what we had to 10 songs that we really loved and felt all of a piece and that’s the record.

 

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

Eastcote Studios with George Murphy our long time production collaborator in the chair.

 

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

We’re deadly serious.

 

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

Eastcote has an astonishing range of dusty odds and ends that get dragged out into the light when required. ‘Truth About Ghosts’ clearly wanted Tim to play tuned wine glasses on it.

 

Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

Not sure there’s a happy happy one here (they all went on Lightning Strike). Not sure we can do angry. It’s all pretty reflective. One last Trip and How Did It Get To Be So Late are probably the deep heart of the record.

 

 Was it a difficult album to write?

I regard writing as a mysterious continuous process. It comes and goes. Sometime fast sometimes slow. Sometimes inspirational manifestation. Sometimes more like putting strangely shaped bits together experimentally. I never find it hard per se. The music comes when it wants to.

 

Who designed the album artwork?

Ken Ansell. He designed the cover of Dare for Human League and all the best XTC covers. We’re so lucky to have him on board. He’s a legend.

 

One of the tracks is the single ‘Go Down Fighting’ which is out now. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

It’s a celebration of difference and the dignity of trying hard even when the possibility of not winning presents itself as the most likely outcome. The importance of being true to yourself under all circumstances.

 

Do you have any visualisers to accompany the album release?

Not for this one.

 

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

Exeter. Storied Exe-side Cathedral town.

 

How do you look after your voices?

Quite badly! We sometimes do collective warm ups before shows. You’ve just reminded me that we should pay more attention to this.

 

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2026?

Yes loads…

 

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

Emotional Connection and a residual joyful feeling.

 

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

I’ve gradually sworn off pedals. Now I’m down to just a tuner and a delay pedal. A couple of Gibson J200s are the main work horses for me. For our bluegrass set we deploy an Ear trumpet condenser mic.

 

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

Historically Warren Zevon, Randy Newman, Steve Earle, Paul Simon, Jason Isbell and Ron Sexsmith. Great songwriters all. It always all about songs. The artists I like at the moment are Waxahatchee, Iron and Wine, Josiah and the Bonnevilles, Gregory Alan Isakov, Sons of Town Hall and Henry Grace.

Random specific great tunes to check out:

Reunion Hill by Richard Shindell
Blood by Gang of Youths / Mumfords
New OId Tape by Lucius
Pray the dawn by James Grant
Me and Magdalena by The Monkees

 

What makes Police Dog Hogan happy and what makes you unhappy?

Happiness. We love playing together. We love each other. Simple as that.
Unhappiness. Living through the most terrifying period I can ever remember. It’s a cliché for good reason these days but I have to say ‘the state of the world’

Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By Dedikated PR

Police Dog Hogan’s new single ‘Go Down Fighting’ is out now.

Their new album ‘The Light At The Top of The Stairs’ is released on Friday 10th April 2026.

Pre-Save Here: https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/0c47Gwg2SAM5FmbU2eZcal?si=e8560b2b4fb94941&nd=1&dlsi=23d1fb21ac224014

They will be back on the road for a headline tour which runs from April to June 2026. 

Remaining tickets for the shows are available HERE.
 
APRIL
16th – South Petherton, The David Hall (SOLD OUT)
17th – Tavistock, The Wharf
18th – Salisbury, Art Centre (SOLD OUT)
23rd – Burton-on-Trent, Deer Barn
24th – Liverpool, The Tung Auditorium
25th – Dorchester, Bishop’s Court Farm
30th – Hailsham, Pavilion Theatre
 
MAY
7th – Gateshead, Glasshouse
8th – Edinburgh, Queen’s Hall
9th – Birmingham, The MAC

JUNE
4th – Norwich, Art Centre
5th – Cambridge, The Junction 1
11th – Manchester, Band On The Wall
12th – Settle, Victoria Hall – Police Dog Hogan’s Hoganberry Weekender
13th – Settle, Victoria Hall – Police Dog Hogan’s Hoganberry Weekender
18th – London, Islington Assembly Hall

Official Website: https://www.pdhogan.com/