Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces (Steve Pretty)

For the first episode of this brand new podcast, musician Steve Pretty starts to explore the origins of music, stopping off to blow into conch shells, have a binaural audio adventure in his studio (headphones on!), discuss the limitations of music theory and start his mammoth attempt to explore every one of Wikipedia's list of over 1300 music genres, including nearly 60 varieties of metal...

A show for anyone who has ever listened to, played, improvised or written music and wanted to know more about these mysterious sounds. Are they 'auditory cheesecake' as cognitive scientist Steven Pinker claims, or actually a fundamental part of what has made us into modern humans? As fun as it is thoughtful, this show aims to help you hear and appreciate music in a new way.

http://www.stevepretty.com/mailing-list

https://wiltons.org.uk/whatson/854-

use priority code EARLYORIGIN to make a booking

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In the second episode of this new podcast helping you to hear music in new ways, Steve talks about the challenges of going on holiday as a musician, introduces his friend, harpist Valeria Clarke who makes some entertaining noises both angelic and demonic, gives a little demonstration of how jazz works and how it’s not as scary as you might think, and plays his new, Robbie Williams-inspired pop rock track for comedian Alexander Bennett.

Soundbox Ensemble: https://www.stevepretty.com/soundbox-ensemble

The Last Skeptik: https://www.instagram.com/thelastskeptik/?hl=en 

Jazz Vanguard: https://www.windsor.gov.uk/whats-on/the-old-court-jazz-vanguard-p2109621 

Old Court, Windsor: https://oldcourt.org/ 

Hackney Colliery Band: https://www.stevepretty.com/hackney-colliery-band 

Wilton’s Music Hall show: https://www.wiltons.org.uk/whatson/854-steve-pretty-and-friends-on-the-origin-of-the-pieces 

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Steve Pretty helps you to listen to and understand music in new ways, looking at where music comes from, why it exists, and what it is.

This episode, in a bonanza of interviews, Steve speaks to landlords helping to keep the grassroots music scene alive in the UK, invites renowned UK musician and composer Tamar Osborn into his studio to talk about and experience the beauty of flutes, big saxophones and warbly magnetic tape, and then South African trumpet player and educator Claude Deppa valiantly attempts to help Steve pronounce mbaqanga, the South African township music it turns out Steve has actually loved for years, despite not really knowing its name.

But what will be the music Steve will pluck from his virtual genre tombola next week? With 1298 genres left, there is some very real jeopardy there as you may find out at the end of the show...

Timecodes:

Intro: 0.00 - 3.45

Pub musings (with Lesley and Frankie from The Eleanor Arms, Bow): 4.00 - 17.05

Entertaining Noises/Music Feary (with Tamar Osborn): 17.27 - 33.07

Genre tombola (mbaqanga with Claude Deppa): 34.10 - 57.32

Outro and next genre tombola: 57.32 - 60.40

Links:

www.stevepretty.com

Eleanor Arms: https://romanroadlondon.com/eleanor-arms-pub/

Tamar Osborn aka Collocutor: https://collocutor.uk/

Tape delay: https://rvb-img.reverb.com/image/upload/s--Xya5c3HJ--/a_0/f_auto,t_supersize/v1687255861/ckz7j68gd5rhpvikiepo.jpg

Claude Deppa: https://www.grandunion.org.uk/claude-deppa

Mbaqanga playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAQy7UGhyv932ZIgGO5SfIdjru-2DOjNx

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In the most varied episode yet of this podcast helping you to hear and understand music in new ways, musician Steve Pretty uses a moving experience performing at a Remembrance Day service to talk about musical harmonics, before learning about blues shouting, whistle tones and microphones from singer Nicole Cassandra Smit (including a brief appearance by Jamie Cullum and the Hackney Colliery Band), and finishing off with a deep dive into the niche crossover metal genre of deathgrind, and a discussion about the taxonomy of heavy metal with comedian, musician, and author of the History of Heavy Metal, Andrew O'Neill.

Oh, and there's a track Steve's written which will surely launch his deathgrind career into the stratosphere. But which legendary poet wrote the lyrics Andrew sang? Tune in to find out!

Wilton's Music Hall tickets: https://www.wiltons.org.uk/whatson/854-steve-pretty-and-friends-on-the-origin-of-the-pieces

Abney Park Cemetery: https://abneypark.org/

Nicole Cassandra Smit: https://nicolecassandrasmit.com/

Andrew O'Neill: https://www.andrewoneill.co.uk/

Steve's website: http://www.stevepretty.com

Please spread the word, rate and review the show if you enjoy it! It's a HUGE help in these early days. Seriously.

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This episode sees Steve recording in not one but TWO idyllic studios in Norway, where he's been working with some incredibly talented young people, helping them to compose and create music to support a forthcoming Hackney Colliery Band tour there. We hear some of the things he's been up to, as well as chatting with some of the musicians in question about creativity, how to overcome blank page syndrome, and the intricacies of a grand piano. Then, back in Blighty, Steve talks to emo pop fan, album listening club founder and Christmas EP maker L K Francis to get to grips with what emo pop is all about, before he teams up with Chat GPT to create a whole new emo song just for this show!

Oh, and Steve launches his brand new Patreon, where you can help support the show for just $5 a month, as well as getting access to a huge treasure trove of unedited interviews and songs from the show, ticket discounts, exclusive offers and much more.

Wilton's Music Hall tickets: https://www.wiltons.org.uk/whatson/854-steve-pretty-and-friends-on-the-origin-of-the-pieces

L K Francis on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/song/this-is-our-christmas/1711865299

L K Francis on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7kceyBEKSyxcH8ffqcgH1n?si=ygPpCLm8Tsam4Z3-2Eg2rQ

North Norway Jazz Centre: https://www.europejazz.net/profile/nordnorsk-jazzsenter

Steve's website: http://www.stevepretty.com

Please spread the word, rate and review the show if you enjoy it! It's a HUGE help in these early days. Seriously.

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Christmas is coming, so of course we had to have a little look at Christmas music, but not quite in the way you would expect, unless minimalist classical composer Steve Reich is a kind of santa figure for you. Steve performs a festive version of Reich's piece Clapping Music, and is nearly driven completely mad as a result.

But then the day is saved by legendary composer and music producer Nitin Sawhney. Steve heads to Nitin's studio to learn about Soleá, the genre he was allocated in episode 5, and along the way discovers a lot of commonalities between Indian classical music and flamenco, how the guitar can be used as a percussion instrument to accompany itself, and some fascinating technical insights into the sounds of flamenco. This free-flowing interview with a musical legend covers all the usual show bases in one go as we learn about the Entertaining Noises of the flamenco guitar, dig deep into Music Feary as we examine the nuts and bolts of flamenco, and of course the Genre Tombola as we look at the commonalities between musical traditions so geographically distinct.

Oh, and Steve gives you a little reminder of his brand new Patreon, where you can help support the show for just $5 a month, as well as getting access to a huge treasure trove of unedited interviews and songs from the show, ticket discounts, exclusive offers and much more.

Wilton's Music Hall tickets: https://www.wiltons.org.uk/whatson/854-steve-pretty-and-friends-on-the-origin-of-the-pieces

Nitin's website: https://www.nitinsawhney.com/

Steve's website: http://www.stevepretty.com

Little playlist of music referenced in the episode: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQPkPcql9kp8MovgfBM0u0Z-BXVWzNAR_&si=HwQLzYIDcsKmY8CJ

Please spread the word, rate and review the show if you enjoy it! It's a HUGE help in these early days. Seriously.

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In a little Christmas gift to the listeners, Steve offers us a little taste of the forthcoming interview with Commander Chris Hadfield, astronaut, musician and author, but most of all an incredibly generous and wonderful individual.

Chris performs a song which he wrote and originally recorded whilst he was commander of the International Space Station (ISS), orbiting earth and looking through his window at the 7.8 billion people living on the beautiful blue sphere below him.

Episode 7 will feature an interview with Chris about music, exploration, the logistics of recording songs in space, and much more. TUNE IN!

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To close out the year, in this bumper Space Special, Steve is joined by astronaut Chris Hadfield, trombonist Rosie Turton and composer Steve Thompson - all of them trombonists with a number of additional skills in their portfolio!

Steve Thompson tells us about his project 1201 Alarm and how his album Hello World will be the first album on the moon! Then trombonist, composer and stalwart of the recent UK jazz revival Rosie Turton is in the studio to give us a binaural tour of the simultaneously most comedic and melancholy instrument of all: the trombone. And to close out the episode - and in fact the year - Steve interviews astronaut Chris Hadfield, former Commander of the International Space Station, experienced musician and bestselling author. Chris doesn't really do podcast interviews usually, so this is quite a coup, and in this extended, wide-ranging chat, Steve and Chris discuss the links between exploration and music, the evolution of music and its links to mankind's restless, travelling nature, international jam sessions on the ISS, and changing guitar strings in orbit.

Wilton's Music Hall tickets: https://www.wiltons.org.uk/whatson/854-steve-pretty-and-friends-on-the-origin-of-the-pieces

Steve's website: http://www.stevepretty.com

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/StevePrettyOnTheOriginofthePieces

Chris Hadfield's Space Oddity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaOC9danxNo

Chris' books: https://chrishadfield.ca/books/

Rosie Turton: https://www.rosieturton.com/

1201_Alarm: http://www.1201-alarm.com/home.html

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Steve kicks off 2024 in typically contrasting style by celebrating the London Symphony Orchestra's school outreach program, and getting lost in a world on samplers and synthesisers as he sets out to create a UK Hardcore version of the podcast intro, courtesy of the genre tombola...

Wilton's Music Hall tickets for 20th January: https://www.wiltons.org.uk/whatson/854-steve-pretty-and-friends-on-the-origin-of-the-pieces

Steve's website: http://www.stevepretty.com

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/StevePrettyOnTheOriginofthePieces

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Steve talks about and plays some music from recent live gigs (including one with a rather special dress code), and we hear a beautiful performance and fascinating chat from Filament Choir. No genre tombola this time, so strap in for an exploration of Cowpunk next episode…

Steve's website: http://www.stevepretty.com

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/StevePrettyOnTheOriginofthePieces

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In maybe the most varied episode yet, Steve speaks to Nathanial Dye about how terminal cancer reinforced his passion for music (and running the London marathon whilst playing the trombone), then, via a brief foray into the importance of reverb (as performed at Wilton's Music Hall on 20th January), finds himself making a cowpunk song set in East Anglia, with the help of his trusty AI lyricist.

Show website: http://www.originofthepieces.com

Patreon (including access to full recording of Wilton's Music Hall show): https://www.patreon.com/StevePrettyOnTheOriginofthePieces

Nathanial Dye: https://bowelcancerbucketlist.com/

Please rate, review and share!

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Steve finds himself in New Orleans for some on-the-ground research into Deep Funk (check out last episode if this doesn’t make any sense to you!), and more interviews, gigs, chats and music than you could shake a big voodoo stick at.

Episode 11 will be along soon, but meanwhile check out the first 10 episodes for a pretty broad variety of weird, curious and fun musical shenanigans, and sign up to Patreon for access to my full 2 hr live show recorded at Wilton’s Music Hall with a full choir, Hackney Colliery Band rhythm section and much more.

Back in your feed in the next week or two once there’s been a chance to digest the many hours of fascinating stuff generated from a week’s immersion in New Orleans culture and music.

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In this first episode since coming back from New Orleans, Steve discusses the importance of that city to the history of music, and, with his guest, New Orleans resident (and former London-based musician) Hannah Davis, examines its present, from the community nature of music making, through to the idea of music as a 'service industry' and what this means to both musicians and audiences.

He also features a track he produced for lofi hip hop artist rruaris, and uses it to demonstrate the role of a mix engineer/producer in the creative process, and wraps up the episode with a dive into the genre tombola - this time to break down the sound of New Orleans residents and Deep Funk pioneers The Meters.

Show website: http://www.originofthepieces.com

Patreon (including access to full recording of Wilton's Music Hall show): https://www.patreon.com/StevePrettyOnTheOriginofthePieces

rruaris: https://open.spotify.com/track/3Q8op7naEyrNZvtoTRTKd6?si=240d19effdf64be7

Pat Levett: https://patlevett.com/

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A bit of an interview special this time, with TWO incredible guests - Grammy-winning trumpet player Ashlin Parker and number 1 UK singer/songwriter Frank Turner.

Steve asks these brilliant guests about the point of music, the history of hardcore punk in the UK, the challenges and opportunities of working as a musician in New Orleans, and how angry hippies and neo nazis can sometimes find themselves liking the same music...

Ashlin Parker: http://www.ashlinparker.com/main/

Frank Turner: https://frank-turner.com/

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To celebrate Autism Acceptance Week, Steve has two brilliant autistic artists on the show - poet Maddi Crease and musician Robyn Rocket. They talk autistic art, inclusive gigs, autistic joy, space trumpet and much more.

And in between Steve takes us back to New Orleans for an interview with one of the world's leading exponents of the musical washboard! Alex Macdonald has made his living from playing the washboard for over 20 years, and here takes Steve on a quick tour through zydeco and cajun music, as well as demonstrating some techniques on this unique percussion instrument. He even agrees to let Steve have a go...

Full, unedited interviews with Alex, Maddi and Robyn are available, along with much more (including the full, professionally-recorded live show from Wilton's Music Hall) on the show Patreon. Sign up for exclusive bonus content, special offers, chat and much more: https://www.patreon.com/StevePrettyOnTheOriginofthePieces

Steve's website: http://www.stevepretty.com

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In another varied episode, Steve talks to soul singer Eliza about revealing her pregnancy live on stage, cellist Verity Simmons demonstrates her beautiful cello (and explains how it's partly made from a German U boat), and then Steve breaks down the fascinating genre of Igbo Rap in the Genre Tombola, including an in-depth transcription of some of the brilliantly complex rhythms.

Sign up for the Patreon, mailing list and everything else here: http://www.originofthepieces.com

Eliza's website: https://www.elizalovechild.com/

Eliza's instagram, including the pregnancy reveal: https://www.instagram.com/elizalovechild/

Verity Simmons: https://maslink.co.uk/client-directory?client=SIMMV1&

Three in a Bar podcast: https://www.threeinabar.com/

Razz Mataz (Episode 8) by Chucky P, Khenyzee, Space, Chumzy (Igbo Rap track): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXWhvYDftMo

Additional Igbo Rap tracks to check out:

https://youtu.be/LXWhvYDftMo?si=7LpEr-v4TKa5oZjR 

https://youtu.be/AckJs1noxMw?si=E9o41r7dSpxEjfO8

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLup2K0PBFlK1tY45LtqRKnfvOfY6scdqp&si=g705zAhYFbrZX4fw

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In a specially-extended episode, Steve has a detailed conversation with some of the creative team behind the smash hit stage version of the Oscar-winning Studio Ghibli film Spirited Away. Director John Caird, co-adaptor Maoko Imai and Musical Supervisor/Orchestrator Brad Haak tell Steve how the show came to be, and give some absolutely fascinating insights into composer Joe Hisaichi's work, including Brad demonstrating some beautiful examples on John and Maoko's gorgeous grand piano.

But first, Steve chats with Jay Chakravorty, composer, producer and promoter of brilliant London crossover classical music night Counter Chamber. Jay demonstrates his incredible modular synthesiser setup, and he and Steve discuss how expressive and emotional these wobbly, warbly voltage controllers can be, before Jay jams on his amazing machines.

And before that, Steve shares his mild despair at the state of the music industry at the moment, prompted both by off-mic chats with his guests and musician colleagues, and also by a recent article in the Guardian about the plight of musicians in 2024.

Sign up for the Patreon, mailing list and everything else here: http://www.originofthepieces.com

Guardian article: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/apr/25/shocking-truth-money-bands-make-on-tour-taylor-swift

Jay Chakravorty: https://jaychakravorty.com/

Spirited Away: https://www.spiritedawayuk.com/

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Steve invites jazz double bassist/singer Charlie Pyne to the studio for a fascinating chat about all things bass. As well as a tour of her beautiful, historic instrument (affectionately named Claude), Charlie talks about the role of the bass in jazz and swing, and we hear some incredibly soulful playing. Charlie is so warm and joyful, and this really

comes across in her music, which she gives us a live snippet of here, before an impromptu jam

with Steve and trombonist/occasional podcast assistant Joel Knee.

Before this deep dive (sorry…), we hear an excerpt of the live podcast recording at Wilton’s Music Hall from earlier in the year. Astronomer Chris Lintott introduces us to a planetary system many light years away, and Steve explains how this distant star system can teach us about music, and vice versa, with the help of Filament Choir, Valeria Clarke and Hackney Colliery Band’s rhythm section.

Oh, and stay right to the end for a very special offer…

Sign up for the Patreon, mailing list and everything else here: http://www.originofthepieces.com

Charlie Pyne: https://charliepyne.co.uk/

First Light Festival: https://firstlightlowestoft.com/

Chris Lintott: https://www.physics.ox.ac.uk/our-people/lintott and his brilliant podcast that I forgot to mention in the show (sorry Chris!): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dog-stars

Valeria Clarke: https://www.valeriaclarke.com/

Hackney Colliery Band: http://www.hackneycollieryband.co.uk

Also Festival: https://www.also-festival.com/

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Episode Summary

In this episode, Steve Pretty embarks on a sonic journey with Martin Appleby, a seasoned sound engineer with over nearly four decades of experience at BBC's Maida Vale studios. They delve into Martin's illustrious career, exploring his role in capturing live music for prestigious BBC programs and his the challenges and opportunities of live recording. The episode further explores the philosophical dimensions of recording live ensembles and the unique challenges of live studio recording.

Key Topics Discussed

Introduction to Martin Appleby

- Overview of Martin's 40-year career at the BBC.

- Martin's background as a musician and sound engineer.

- His studies on the Appalachian dulcimer and its connections to West African music traditions.

- The rich history and significance of Maida Vale studios.

Live Studio Recording

- The art and pressure of recording live music in a studio setting.

- The benefits of musicians performing together in the same room without headphones.

- Highlighting a memorable session with singer Jamie Cullum.

- The role of sound engineers in capturing authentic, dynamic performances.

Technical Aspects of Recording

- Use of omni and stereo cardioid microphones.

- Shaping the sound with artistic precision, akin to photography.

- The importance of perspective in music recording.

Exploration of Arabesque Music and Debussy

- The influence of Islamic art on Debussy's compositions.

- Debussy's revolutionary approach to music, seeking to establish a distinct French identity.

- Insights from pianist Benjamin Steinhardt on Debussy's inspirations.

Debussy's Musical Legacy

- Debussy's use of older modes and Eastern pentatonic scales.

- The impact of his relationship with his patron Nadja and admiration for Chopin.

- Steve's own attempts at composing in Debussy's style and its analysis.

Evolving Music Industry

- Discussion on AI-generated music and its potential limitations.

- Updates on the music industry landscape, including genre explorations and the transformation of the Jazz Bar in Edinburgh into a community-owned arts hub.

- The closure of the Towersley Festival and the challenges faced by live music events today.

Notable Quotes

- "Capturing the performance is the one thing you really can't fake." - Martin Appleby

- "The great thing we can do that nobody else can is we've got the space. The musicians can all come in, be in one place, do their thing, go away, and we just mix it." - Martin Appleby

Additional Information

- **Patreon:** Listeners can support the show and access exclusive content on Steve Pretty's Patreon page.

- **Previous Episode:** Exploration of the double bass with Charlie Pine.

Next Episode Teasers

- Upcoming explorations of genres like Tona and Corrido.

- Further discussions on the evolving landscape of the music industry.

Listeners are encouraged to tune in for a deep dive into the world of sound engineering, the legacy of Debussy, and the vibrant history of Maida Vale studios.

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In this episode of "Steve Pretty on the Origin of the Pieces," host Steve Pretty chats with Jeff Miller, a specialist in early brass instruments. They explore the origins and evolution of low brass instruments, particularly the serpent, and its historical significance. The discussion covers the cultural and physical aspects of music, the unique characteristics of various instruments, and the universal nature of musical languages. Steve also recaps his recent experiences at the First Light Festival in Lowestoft. The episode rounds off with an interview with and performance from the Lowestoft Longshoremen, a sea shanty choir, highlighting the cultural importance of their music.

Recap of Last Episode (00:00:07)

Steve summarizes the previous episode, including a session with a BBC engineer, discussion on Debussy and Arabesque music, and experiences at the First Light Festival in Lowestoft.

First Light Festival in Lowestoft (00:02:22)

Steve shares his experiences at the First Light Festival, including performances, interactions, and the festival's significance.

Performances at First Light Festival (00:03:34)

Steve details his performances at the festival, including a parade, concerts, and a dawn set on the beach.

Emotional Experience at Dawn Set (00:05:35)

Steve recounts the emotional impact of playing shells at dawn.

Introduction to Jeff Miller (00:08:41)

Steve introduces Jeff Miller, a multi-instrumentalist and low brass specialist, and their musical collaborations.

Evolution of Low Brass Instruments (00:09:55)

Jeff discusses the origins and evolution of low brass instruments and cultural influences on music.

Cultural Perspectives on Music (00:14:49)

Jeff and Steve explore cultural differences in musical harmony and its impact on music experience.

Classification of Musical Instruments (00:19:21)

Jeff explains the classification of musical instruments and his experience with various brass and woodwind instruments.

The origin of brass instruments (00:20:34)

Discussion on the historical evolution of brass instruments from animal horns to the cornet.

Design and structure of the serpent (00:23:31)

Description of the serpent, its components, and design.

Challenges of playing the serpent (00:27:07)

Explanation of the difficulties in playing the serpent.

Range and performance of the serpent (00:33:19)

Demonstration of the serpent's range and its use in orchestral performances.

Musical examples and timbre of the serpent (00:36:16)

Performance of a cello piece on the serpent and discussion of its unique timbre.

Challenges of playing the serpent (00:38:44)

Exploration of the difficulties in playing the serpent.

Serpent musical performance (00:39:39)

Musical performance on the serpent.

Challenges of playing traditional brass instruments (00:40:49)

Frustrations faced by modern brass players with traditional instruments.

Exploring the nature of sound through synths (00:42:28)

Jeff's journey into sound manipulation through electronic instruments.

Passing down heritage through sea shanties (00:58:06)

The importance of passing down heritage through sea shanties.

Singing Shanties (00:58:59)

Discussion on the tradition and history of singing shanties.

Diversity of Shanties (01:00:12)

Exploration of the diverse origins of shanties and their global influence.

Performance and Audience Interaction (01:01:51)

Reflection on shanty performances and audience engagement.

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Introduction (0:00:07 - 0:14:55):

Steve kicks off the episode with updates on his live shows, including upcoming recordings at the Into the Wild Festival and a special event at Wilton's Music Hall on 30th November. He encourages listeners to join his Patreon for discounted tickets and exclusive offers.

Steve then recaps highlights from episode 18 before diving into an engaging interview with Ola Onabulé.

Exploring Genre Flexibility (0:14:55 - 0:18:40):

Steve reflects on the journey of embracing multiple genres in music. He emphasises the importance of maintaining authenticity and the unique human touch that differentiates their music from AI-generated content. The discussion includes the creative process behind their track "Hacked Soul," highlighting its unpredictable evolution and polyrhythmic elements - and you can listen to the entire song at the end of the episode.

Musical Influence of Nigerian Heritage (0:18:40 - 0:23:44):

Steve and Ola discuss the deep sense of rhythm ingrained from growing up in Nigeria and how these African rhythms translate into genres like hip hop, rock, and blues.

Journey of a Soul Singer (0:23:44 - 0:39:11):

Ola shares his musical journey, starting with the impact of Stevie Wonder's album "Songs in the Key of Life" on his upbringing. He recounts a chance encounter that led him from law school to becoming a renowned singer. Ola then demonstrates his impressive baritone-to-tenor range.

Mexican Corrido (0:39:11 - 0:49:21):

Steve explores the genre of corrido, a traditional Mexican music style. He discusses the evolution of corridos from historical narratives to modern themes tied to narco culture. Insights from an interview with Mexican trumpeter Alex Gonzalez reveal the genre's progression and the blending of traditional and modern elements in corridos tumbados.

The Political Impact of Corridos (0:49:21 - 0:57:35):

They delve into the political undertones of corridos and their influence on Mexican culture. Steve discusses different types of corridos, their coded messages, and his experience attempting to create music in the corrido style. The segment concludes with a reflection on the broader purpose of music in conveying positive messages to future generations.

Genre Exploration (0:57:35 - 1:07:04):

Steve continues to explore corrido music, sharing his journey into understanding the genre and its connections to outlaw narco culture. Inspired by, and featuring Alex, Steve creates his own piece of corrido music. The episode finishes by choosing the next genre for the genre tombola.

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Mailing list: sign up for special offers, news and more

Patreon: sign up for FREE for all manner of bonus goodies and to be part of a growing musically-curious community

Wilton's Music Hall show: use code STEVEPRETTYF for best available seats for £15

In this arctic special, Steve heads to northern Norway to meet a whole variety of fascinating musical characters.

First up, it's the turn of the Bitch Big Boobies Bang Band from Hemnesberget, who are exactly as you'd expect from a band with such an unexpected name...

Bitchy Big Boobies Bang Band Youtube

Bitchy Big Boobies Bang Band Facebook

Bitchy Big Boobies Bang Band Instagram

Then Steve chats to the equally unexpectedly-named Igor Kill, a touring musician with decades of experience, and one of the only makers of the rare 8 string ukulele outside of Honolulu.

Some of Igor Kill's beautiful handmade instruments

A bit of Igor Kill's discography

And then it's time to head up to the far north east of Norway and the brilliant Varangerfestival. After their set, Steve has a fascinating conversation with a group of indigenous Sami musicians, exploring the role of music in a society built around reindeer herding, how central the vocal style of 'joiking' is to Sami culture, and the unexpected and beautiful links between this arctic vocal style and drum music from east and west Africa.

AfroJoik (incomplete list, sorry!):

John André Eira, Viktor Wilhelmsen and Ola Brandsnes Vårtun

Afro-Joik's Varangerfestival listing

Gabba band's Instagram

Gabba band's Spotify

As always, please spread the word, rate and review the show. All manner of diverse and interesting musically-curious stuff coming up, so let's get some new ears on board!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mailing list: sign up for special offers, news and more

Patreon: sign up for FREE for all manner of bonus goodies and to be part of a growing musically-curious community

Wilton's Music Hall show 30th November: use code STEVEPRETTYF for best available seats for £15

Hackney Colliery Band Earth show 8th October: use code ORIGIN! for £5 off

In this episode, Steve chats about recent adventures and musical projects, including trips to Berlin, Portugal, and Norway. He reflects on a previous episode about Arctic music, featuring unique artists and bands. Steve jokes about the challenge of keeping up with podcast episodes due to his busy schedule. He introduces his band, Hackney Colliery Band, and their upcoming album, 'Collaborations Volume Two,' showcasing a variety of musical styles and guests. The episode includes a live performance and an interview with Nawar Alnaddaf, a Syrian refugee musician, about her journey and traditional instruments, and a couple of exclusive tracks from Hackney Colliery Band. Also quite a lot of Steve apologising.

00:00 Welcome

00:43 Apologies for the Delay

01:54 Recap of the Last Episode

03:36 Upcoming Show Highlights

04:15 Hackney Colliery Band's New Album

06:16 Live Interview at Wilton's Music Hall

11:27 The History and Inspiration Behind Hackney Colliery Band

28:38 Interview with Syrian Musician Nawar Alnaddaf

32:36 Exploring Quarter Tones on the Oud

34:47 The Unique Shape and Strings of the Oud

35:38 Tuning the Oud and Demonstration

40:23 Introduction to the Ney

42:29 Playing Techniques and History of the Ney

48:10 The Spiritual and Social Importance of Music

50:23 Closing Remarks and Upcoming Events

52:51 Musical Outro: Sure Feels Good

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Wilton's Music Hall show 30th November: use code STEVEPRETTYF for best available seats for £15

Mailing list: sign up for special offers, news and more

Patreon: sign up for FREE for all manner of bonus goodies and to be part of a growing musically-curious community

In this (yet again) slightly delayed episode - this time due to computer meltdown in the middle of some major deadlines, which is FUN - Steve serves up a tasty German special, inspired by Oktoberfest and his recent visits to Munich and Berlin. He promotes an upcoming gig at Wilton’s Music Hall, including announcing incredible guests Guy Pratt, Robin Ince, and Theon Cross. The episode then goes on to explore German beer hall music, with insights from Wolfgang King in Munich, and dives into tech trance through a visit to Berlin's techno scene. The Genre Tombola section presents Steve's tech trance adaptation of a traditional drinking song, Prosit, because of course it does. Upcoming plans include episodes on avant-garde metal and the eagerly awaited flamenco genre, Tonas.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:29 Podcast Updates and Listener Feedback

02:43 Special Guests Announcement

06:07 Genre Tombola: German Special

08:44 DefibFest: A Musical Charity Event

21:36 Exploring Munich's Beer Halls

25:37 The Evolution of Music in Bavarian Beer Halls

26:18 Composing Beer Hall Music

26:40 Unique Instrument Lineup in Beer Hall Band

28:08 The Role of the Harp in Beer Hall Music

31:05 The Tradition of Stammtisch

33:10 The Prosit Song Tradition

34:39 The Purpose of Music in Beer Halls

36:24 Exploring Tech Trance

37:12 Understanding EDM and Its Elements

42:37 The Techno Experience in Berlin

46:22 Creating a Tech Trance Track

50:40 Upcoming Genres and Closing Remarks

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Wilton's Music Hall show 30th November: use code STEVEPRETTYF for best available seats for £15

Wilton's Music Hall show 16th January

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A typically eclectic episode this, with a fascinating demonstration of and discussion about throat singing from Finnish composer/performer Pelkkä Poutanen, recorded at the WOMEX world music summit in Manchester. Learn about 'asshaling' (inhaling through your bum) and zithers made out of skateboards, and then listen to Steve make the notoriously tricky skill of throat singing sound even harder than it is...

And then it's over to north London for some insight into all things HiFi - specifically beautiful vintage hifi - from legendary home audio shop Audio Gold. Steve gets a tour of the premises, including an old bank vault full from floor to ceiling with rare vintage goodies, then sits down for an extended chat with Alex Barwise from the shop. They discuss the relative merits of old vs. new technology, touch on the great analog vs. digital debate and talk about the fact that using gorgeous old sound equipment is both the most intentional and even greenest way to enjoy music. Then Steve clips some microphones to his ears and checks out the podcast theme played on a setup costing £180 and then a setup costing more than £23,000... Can you hear the difference?!

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:54 Recap of Previous Episode

01:51 Upcoming Wilton's Music Hall Show

02:09 Special Guests and Performances

06:23 Interview with Petra Podnan

11:40 Petra's Musical Journey

15:34 Throat Singing Techniques

34:34 Cultural Sensitivity in Throat Singing

37:20 The Essence of Music

37:50 Artist Promotion and Social Media

38:19 Thank You and Farewell

38:47 Exploring Audio Gold

39:50 Hi-Fi Shop Tour

42:33 The Appeal of Vintage Hi-Fi

44:00 Understanding Stereo and Mono

58:04 Analog vs Digital Debate

01:08:34 Listening Test and Conclusion

01:15:21 Final Thoughts and Announcements

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Wilton's Music Hall show 16th January: use code PRETTYJAN25 for best available seats for £15

Wilton's Music Hall show 30th April: use code PRETTYAPR25 for best available seats for £15

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Patreon: sign up for FREE for all manner of bonus goodies and to be part of a growing musically-curious community

In this episode of 'Steve Pretty on the Origin of the Pieces', Steve Pretty returns after a long hiatus to share his exciting adventures, including a trip to Morocco. He discusses the erratic podcast schedule, future plans for the show, and reflects on notable past episodes, such as the interview with Finnish throat singer Pelkkä Poutanen.

The episode features an in-depth conversation with vocal coach Juliet Russell about the mechanics of the human voice, vocal techniques, and the importance of emotional connection in music. The show concludes with an update on previous guest Nathaniel Dye, who has recently been honored with an MBE for his contributions to cancer awareness and NHS campaigning.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

01:12 Recent Adventures and Moroccan Music

02:52 Exciting Plans for 2025

03:41 Recap of Episode 23 and Wilton's Music Hall Show

08:31 Upcoming Wilton's Show and Special Guests

11:31 Interview with Vocal Coach Juliet Russell

24:47 Unlocking Your Natural Musicality

25:59 Learning by Listening and Copying

27:33 Understanding Timbre and Instrumental Voices

29:20 Breathing Techniques for Singing and Playing Instruments

32:00 Interactive Vocal Exercises

36:56 Celebrating Musical Achievements and Personal Stories

38:47 Nathaniel Dye's Inspiring Journey and Album

41:03 Closing Remarks and Final Song

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Wilton's Music Hall show 30th April: use code PRETTYAPR25 for best available seats for £15

Mailing list: sign up for special offers, news and more

Patreon: sign up for FREE for all manner of bonus goodies and to be part of a growing musically-curious community

In this special 25th episode of Steve Pretty on the Origin of the Pieces, Steve takes a moment to reflect, celebrate, and introduce something new.

00:00 - Intro & Live Shows

Steve reflects on recent gigs at Wilton’s & Also Festival.

04:57 - Podcast Evolution & Short Break

Big changes ahead: new website, workflow, and video podcast format.

09:05 - The Video Podcast Upgrade

From Episode 26, watch on Spotify, YouTube, and more.

11:34 - New Segment: Clip n Mix

Listeners send in audio/video snippets, and Steve turns them into music.

Submit via podcast@stevepretty.com or social media.

14:52 - The Story Behind ‘Reawake’

How surviving the 2004 tsunami and attending his own memorial gig led to this song.

20:39 - Making Music from a Heartbeat

Steve records his daughter’s first ultrasound heartbeat and turns it into music.

26:26 - Sound Design Breakdown

Steve demos how he transforms the heartbeat into a full track using sampling & processing.

36:21 - Full Track: ‘Reawake’

Hear Hackney Colliery Band’s emotional piece, featuring his daughter’s heartbeat.

44:37 - Reflections on Survival & Creativity

How the tsunami shaped Steve’s outlook and approach to music.

49:34 - What’s Next?

Steve takes a short break before the video relaunch.

Send in your Clip n Mix submissions!

👉 Stay connected:

📧 Join the mailing list for updates, exclusive content & ticket offers: www.originofthepieces.com

💰 Support the show on Patreon: Get behind-the-scenes access and bonus goodies.

📲 Follow Steve on social media: @stevepretty on Instagram, @steveprettymusic on TikTok

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Wilton's Music Hall show 30th April: use code PRETTYAPR25 for best available seats for £15

Mailing list: sign up for special offers, news and more

Patreon: sign up for FREE for all manner of bonus goodies and to be part of a growing musically-curious community

Description:

To mark World Poetry Day, Steve drops a surprise bonus episode featuring writer, comedian, and poet Robin Ince, recorded live at Wilton’s Music Hall.

Robin performs a series of poems—some whimsical, some urgent—including one inspired by Steve’s conch bath performance at ALSO Festival. That performance also makes an appearance here in audio form, with seashells and electronics combining into something… well, unusual.

The episode closes with reflections on music, abstraction, and the emotional power of sound.

Timecodes:

00:00 – Intro: why this bonus episode exists

01:04 – Robin Ince at Wilton’s: poems and reflections

02:06 – Poem: The Conch Bath (plus excerpt from Steve’s performance at ALSO Festival)

09:00 – Poem: Not All Men

12:08 – Poem: Creation Envy

13:47 – Poem: Let Me Celebrate You Now

15:24 – Robin and Steve on the point of music

Watch the video version (including Robin onstage and Steve in the lake at ALSO Festival):

📺 youtube.com/@StevePretty

Extras and support:

🎟 £15 tickets for Wilton’s show on 30 April with code PRETTYAPR25

🌐 Website, mailing list, Patreon and more: originofthepieces.com

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