Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces

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!

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.

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.

Episode SummaryIn 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 DiscussedIntroduction 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 ApplebyAdditional 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.

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 reallycomes across in her music, which she gives us a live snippet of here, before an impromptu jamwith 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.comCharlie 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-starsValeria Clarke: https://www.valeriaclarke.com/Hackney Colliery Band: http://www.hackneycollieryband.co.ukAlso Festival: https://www.also-festival.com/