Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces

❤️ Support the show on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/StevePrettyOnTheOriginofthePieces📬 Join the mailing list + explore the archive: https://www.originofthepieces.comWelcome back to your favourite podcast for musically curious ears! This week, I’m talking to the brilliant Jeremy Deller, Turner Prize-winning artist and creator of the now-legendary Acid Brass project — a bold collision of working-class brass band tradition and squelchy late-80s acid house.Join us as we trace the unexpected cultural connections between miners’ strikes, 303s, and knitting in the front row…⏱️ Chapters and Highlights:00:00 – Welcome and new format introSteve explains the new single-topic format and introduces today’s guest, Jeremy Deller.02:00 – The story of Acid BrassFrom a Turner Prize idea to a 30-year legacy: how Jeremy connected acid house and brass bands.05:00 – Why it inspired Hackney Colliery BandSteve reflects on how Acid Brass shaped his own journey.07:00 – Interview Pt. 1: Backstage at rehearsalJeremy and Steve discuss working-class music, the politics of sound, and whether acid house is “folk.”14:00 – What’s a 303, anyway?Steve demos the iconic Roland TB-303 and compares it to traditional brass.17:00 – Interview Pt. 2: Deeper diveJeremy reflects on his artistic intentions, early audience reactions, and the cultural fallout.29:00 – The knitting incidentYes, really. Knitting, brass bands and acid house. Who'd have thought?32:00 – Musical roles and expectationsSteve discusses how Acid Brass plays with what music is for.33:00 – The Big Question: What’s the point of music?Jeremy shares his thoughts on connection, spirit, and why most artists are just frustrated musicians.36:00 – Outro and rehearsal teaserSteve wraps up and previews an exclusive clip from the Acid Brass rehearsal at EartH Hackney.🎟️ Event Promo (if catching in time!)Catch Acid Brass live at EartH Hackney on 13th June 2025, followed by a late-night party with acid house pioneer A Guy Called Gerald. Limited tickets available!🎟️ Check ticket availability🎥 Video extras & behind-the-scenes at: Patreon.com/StevePrettyOnTheOriginofthePieces

In this Eurovision-week bonus episode, Steve Pretty is joined by actor, singer, and former UK Eurovision contestant Frances Ruffelle, recorded live at Wilton’s Music Hall.📺 Watch Frances’s Eurovision performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXtXpj2FGF8🌐 Visit Frances Ruffelle’s website: http://www.francesruffelle.com❤️ Support the show on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/StevePrettyOnTheOriginofthePieces📬 Join the mailing list + explore the archive: https://www.originofthepieces.com00:00 – Intro from SteveSteve explains this emergency Eurovision-themed sub episode and gives updates on the podcast relaunch, including work with the Natural History Museum and upcoming Wilton’s shows.02:30 – Why Eurovision?Steve admits he was a bit of a Eurovision skeptic — until diving into the history while preparing for this chat with Frances.03:45 – Meet Frances RuffelleTony Award-winning actor, West End and Broadway star, and the UK’s 1994 Eurovision entry. Frances joins Steve for a live conversation and performance at Wilton’s Music Hall.05:55 – Opening music: Mood IndigoLive duet of Duke Ellington’s Mood Indigo.07:00 – Am I a ‘proper’ musician?Frances reflects on musical self-doubt, and Steve challenges the idea that you need classical training to be ‘real.’08:40 – Storytelling through songFrances talks about music as a storytelling tool — especially in theatre.10:30 – Growing up with music hallFrances shares her roots in music hall, her mum Sylvia Young’s legacy, and her first performance at age five.14:00 – The history of Wilton’sA deep dive into the family connection to Wilton’s Music Hall and its restoration.17:00 – Musicals vs ‘play with music’Frances discusses a new show she’s writing with Alan Cumming and how it blends genres.19:00 – Eurovision 1994: Behind the ScenesHow the BBC approached her, why she initially said no, and how it all unfolded — including singing eight songs for the selection show.21:30 – Live orchestra, no nervesFrances recounts the Eurovision performance experience in Dublin — nerves, glam, and all.23:00 – On music’s purposeSteve asks: “What’s the point of music?” Frances’s answer: “Togetherness and freedom.”24:00 – Live Eurovision performanceFrances sings her 1994 song Lonely Symphony (We Will Be Free) live — her first public performance of it in 30 years.26:00 – OutroSteve teases upcoming content, invites contributions for Clip n Mix, and encourages sign-ups to the newsletter and Patreon.

Wilton's Music Hall show 30th April: use code PRETTYAPR25 for best available seats for £15Mailing list: sign up for special offers, news and morePatreon: sign up for FREE for all manner of bonus goodies and to be part of a growing musically-curious communityDescription: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 exists01:04 – Robin Ince at Wilton’s: poems and reflections02:06 – Poem: The Conch Bath (plus excerpt from Steve’s performance at ALSO Festival)09:00 – Poem: Not All Men12:08 – Poem: Creation Envy13:47 – Poem: Let Me Celebrate You Now15:24 – Robin and Steve on the point of musicWatch the video version (including Robin onstage and Steve in the lake at ALSO Festival):📺 youtube.com/@StevePrettyExtras and support:🎟 £15 tickets for Wilton’s show on 30 April with code PRETTYAPR25🌐 Website, mailing list, Patreon and more: originofthepieces.com

Wilton's Music Hall show 30th April: use code PRETTYAPR25 for best available seats for £15Mailing list: sign up for special offers, news and morePatreon: sign up for FREE for all manner of bonus goodies and to be part of a growing musically-curious communityIn 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 ShowsSteve reflects on recent gigs at Wilton’s & Also Festival.04:57 - Podcast Evolution & Short BreakBig changes ahead: new website, workflow, and video podcast format.09:05 - The Video Podcast UpgradeFrom Episode 26, watch on Spotify, YouTube, and more.11:34 - New Segment: Clip n MixListeners 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 HeartbeatSteve records his daughter’s first ultrasound heartbeat and turns it into music.26:26 - Sound Design BreakdownSteve 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 & CreativityHow 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

Wilton's Music Hall show 16th January: use code PRETTYJAN25 for best available seats for £15Wilton's Music Hall show 30th April: use code PRETTYAPR25 for best available seats for £15Mailing list: sign up for special offers, news and morePatreon: sign up for FREE for all manner of bonus goodies and to be part of a growing musically-curious communityIn 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 Overview01:12 Recent Adventures and Moroccan Music02:52 Exciting Plans for 202503:41 Recap of Episode 23 and Wilton's Music Hall Show08:31 Upcoming Wilton's Show and Special Guests11:31 Interview with Vocal Coach Juliet Russell24:47 Unlocking Your Natural Musicality25:59 Learning by Listening and Copying27:33 Understanding Timbre and Instrumental Voices29:20 Breathing Techniques for Singing and Playing Instruments32:00 Interactive Vocal Exercises36:56 Celebrating Musical Achievements and Personal Stories38:47 Nathaniel Dye's Inspiring Journey and Album41:03 Closing Remarks and Final Song

Wilton's Music Hall show 30th November: use code STEVEPRETTYF for best available seats for £15Wilton's Music Hall show 16th JanuaryMailing list: sign up for special offers, news and morePatreon: sign up for FREE for all manner of bonus goodies and to be part of a growing musically-curious communityA 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 Welcome00:54 Recap of Previous Episode01:51 Upcoming Wilton's Music Hall Show02:09 Special Guests and Performances06:23 Interview with Petra Podnan11:40 Petra's Musical Journey15:34 Throat Singing Techniques34:34 Cultural Sensitivity in Throat Singing37:20 The Essence of Music37:50 Artist Promotion and Social Media38:19 Thank You and Farewell38:47 Exploring Audio Gold39:50 Hi-Fi Shop Tour42:33 The Appeal of Vintage Hi-Fi44:00 Understanding Stereo and Mono58:04 Analog vs Digital Debate01:08:34 Listening Test and Conclusion01:15:21 Final Thoughts and Announcements

Wilton's Music Hall show 30th November: use code STEVEPRETTYF for best available seats for £15Mailing list: sign up for special offers, news and morePatreon: sign up for FREE for all manner of bonus goodies and to be part of a growing musically-curious communityIn 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 Welcome00:29 Podcast Updates and Listener Feedback02:43 Special Guests Announcement06:07 Genre Tombola: German Special08:44 DefibFest: A Musical Charity Event21:36 Exploring Munich's Beer Halls25:37 The Evolution of Music in Bavarian Beer Halls26:18 Composing Beer Hall Music26:40 Unique Instrument Lineup in Beer Hall Band28:08 The Role of the Harp in Beer Hall Music31:05 The Tradition of Stammtisch33:10 The Prosit Song Tradition34:39 The Purpose of Music in Beer Halls36:24 Exploring Tech Trance37:12 Understanding EDM and Its Elements42:37 The Techno Experience in Berlin46:22 Creating a Tech Trance Track50:40 Upcoming Genres and Closing Remarks

Mailing list: sign up for special offers, news and morePatreon: sign up for FREE for all manner of bonus goodies and to be part of a growing musically-curious communityWilton's Music Hall show 30th November: use code STEVEPRETTYF for best available seats for £15Hackney Colliery Band Earth show 8th October: use code ORIGIN! for £5 offIn 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 Welcome00:43 Apologies for the Delay01:54 Recap of the Last Episode03:36 Upcoming Show Highlights04:15 Hackney Colliery Band's New Album06:16 Live Interview at Wilton's Music Hall11:27 The History and Inspiration Behind Hackney Colliery Band28:38 Interview with Syrian Musician Nawar Alnaddaf32:36 Exploring Quarter Tones on the Oud34:47 The Unique Shape and Strings of the Oud35:38 Tuning the Oud and Demonstration40:23 Introduction to the Ney42:29 Playing Techniques and History of the Ney48:10 The Spiritual and Social Importance of Music50:23 Closing Remarks and Upcoming Events52:51 Musical Outro: Sure Feels Good

Mailing list: sign up for special offers, news and morePatreon: sign up for FREE for all manner of bonus goodies and to be part of a growing musically-curious communityWilton's Music Hall show: use code STEVEPRETTYF for best available seats for £15In 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 YoutubeBitchy Big Boobies Bang Band FacebookBitchy Big Boobies Bang Band InstagramThen 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 instrumentsA bit of Igor Kill's discographyAnd 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 VårtunAfro-Joik's Varangerfestival listingGabba band's InstagramGabba band's SpotifyAs 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!