
Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces
Steve Pretty
‘Wide-ranging and insightful’ - Guardian (pick of the week, January 2024)
A show for anyone who has ever listened to, played, improvised, written, or just enjoyed 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?
With an enormous variety of guests ranging from well-known musicians, producers and industry figures through to those for whom music is central but who rarely have a voice, this show is unapologetically broad in scope.
In 'entertaining noises', Steve has musicians explain and demonstrate their instrument, giving fresh perspective on everything from the piano to modular synthesizers, via lesser-known folk instruments from around the world.
And in the flagship 'genre tombola' section, Steve is assigned a randomly-chosen genre from the list of 1334 music genres on Wikipedia, which he then goes away and researches, often talking to an expert in that music, before frequently attempting to make some music in that style... Whether he succeeds or not, there's lots of fascinating stuff to learn along the way!
As fun as it is thoughtful, this show aims to help you hear and appreciate music in new ways.
http://www.originofthepieces.com/
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Oud, microtones and underwater soundscapes
Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces
10/03/24 • 55 min
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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Spirited Away, modular expression and mild despair
Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces
05/08/24 • 96 min
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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Serpents, shanties and shells
Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces
07/02/24 • 67 min
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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Rock n roll defibrillators, bierhall melodies and tech trance
Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces
10/31/24 • 54 min
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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Afro-joik, arctic ukuleles and 'Big Boobies Is A State Of Mind'
Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces
09/06/24 • 63 min
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
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!
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Lofi hip hop, Zigaboo grooves and New Orleans explorations
Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces
03/08/24 • 52 min
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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End of year space and slides special, with Chris Hadfield, Rosie Turton and 1201 Alarm
Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces
12/30/23 • 73 min
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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Narco music, Ola Onabulé and turf wars
Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces
07/24/24 • 72 min
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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Sound balancers, Bowie's favourite studio and Debussy
Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces
06/10/24 • 60 min
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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Re: a wake, a sample, a rebirth
Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces
03/13/25 • 52 min
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 [email protected] 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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FAQ
How many episodes does Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces have?
Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces currently has 28 episodes available.
What topics does Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces cover?
The podcast is about Neuroscience, History, Music, Podcasts, Self-Improvement, Education, Jazz and Music Commentary.
What is the most popular episode on Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces?
The episode title 'Serpents, shanties and shells' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces?
The average episode length on Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces is 55 minutes.
How often are episodes of Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces released?
Episodes of Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces are typically released every 14 days, 12 hours.
When was the first episode of Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces?
The first episode of Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces was released on Oct 5, 2023.
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