Downes Your Way

In an episode originally published as a Facebook Live broadcast, Rebecca and Steve chat with Colin Speller about the stories behind the lyrics of the songs on the second studio album Believe.  The conversation also includes some detail of the instrumental work and gives an interesting insight to the inspiration behind these wonderful songs. The merchandise discount code lasts until Monday 18...

In the second of two linked episodes, Rebecca and Steve talks about the stories behind the lyrics of the last six songs on the last studio album More Sinner Than Saint. The conversation also includes some detail of the instrumental work and gives an interesting insight to the inspiration behind these wonderful songs and includes a contribution from Frankie the dog. The merchandise discount code la...

In the first of two linked episodes, Rebecca and Steve talks about the stories behind the lyrics of the first six songs on the last studio album More Sinner Than Saint. The conversation also includes some detail of the instrumental work and gives an interesting insight to the inspiration behind these wonderful songs. The merchandise discount code lasts until Monday 23 November 2020 The podcast inc...

In this episode Rebecca talks about the new single - Wave Them Goodbye Ft Alan Nimmo - her recent full band gig at Birmingham Streams and her next duo streamed gig via the award-winning Tuesday Night Music Club. The merchandise discount code lasts until Tuesday 29 September 2020 Background music is 'Wave Them Goodbye Ft Alan Nimmo', written by Steve Birkett and Rebecca Downes © Rebecca Downes Musi...

In this episode Rebecca gives an exclusive insight to two new releases, as well as talking about her forthcoming live stream gig, venturing out in this strange new world and vocal teaching from home. The merchandise discount code lasts until Tuesday 1 September 2020 Background music is '1000 Years' from the album 'BeLive', written by Steve Birkett and Rebecca Downes © Rebecca Downes Music Ltd 2017...

In this episode, Colin Speller, Rebecca's Manager, talks to Aidan Goldstraw, who plays keys in Rebecca's band from time to time. The conversation covers how Aidan got into music, life changes that both took him away from it and brought him back, his career in journalism, meeting Rebecca and his current music projects, details of which can be found as follows: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gol...

In this episode, as Lockdown continues, Rebecca chats to Colin Speller, her Manager, about her latest single release, the impact of aggressively negative feedback and the challenges of doing online performances. The merchandise discount code lasts until Monday 1 June 2020 Background music is 'Mama Weer All Crazee Now (Radio Edit)' from the recent single release, written by Nodder Holder and Jim Le...

In this episode, Colin Speller, Rebecca's Manager, talks to Rebecca about the Lockdown and the issues it raises both personally and professionally. The merchandise discount code lasts until Tuesday 5 May 2020 Background music is 'Salt Winds' from the album 'Believe', written by Steve Birkett and Rebecca Downes © Rebecca Downes Music Ltd 2017

In this episode, Colin Speller, Rebecca's Manager, chooses his ten tracks, book, luxury item and religious text for a period of self isolation. Colin's chosen music can be found on a Spotify playlist at https://open.spotify.com/playlist/32BAZj9aH27i7DcOhUmSZo?si=_YWMJVgUS7-gnr7wGiAyCw His book is on Amazon at https://www.amazon.co.uk/George-Smiley-Novels-Boxed-Set/dp/1524705977/ The merchandise di...

In this episode, Steve Birkett chooses his ten tracks, book, luxury item and religious text for a period of self isolation. Steve's chosen music can be found on a Spotify playlist at https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5WRIh0FZViYlVXAZ6P7pIt?si=ABlbhs6qRDGePAm0x4_R3w His book is on Amazon at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Withnail-I-Bloomsbury-Film-Classics/dp/0747538972/ His 'religious text' is also on A...

In the latest in our Back To The Start series, Colin Speller took the opportunity of a post-set break at Planet Rock Presents Winter's End festival to interview Neil Ablard, our new drummer, about his early life and his journey into music. The episode includes astonishing revelations about Rebecca's role as a site worker in a studio construction project! The Photo of Neil was taken by Campbell Ste...

This episode follows the format of a popular radio programme. Rebecca chooses ten tracks that she would take with her into circumstances of isolation - e.g. castaway on an island or quarantined on a luxury cruise liner. She also chooses a book and a luxury item. Hear Rebecca talk about the tracks, the items and what they mean to her. A playlist of the chosen tracks can be found on Spotify at https...

In this episode we take you through everything involved in doing a support gig - in this case a support to The Crazy World of Arthur Brown at Nell's Jazz and Blues, London on Saturday 25 January 2020. (Apologies for the sound quality of some of the live clips) The merchandise discount code is valid until 17 February at www.rebeccadownes.com/shop 'Take Me Higher' is from the album 'More Sinner Than...

In this episode, Colin Speller interviews Nigel Darvill, principal keys player for Rebecca, about his comprehensive, interesting and varied musical career. In the course of the conversation, there's mention of an appearance on Top of the Pops, which can be seen at https://youtu.be/DGOV7_svp8Y and details of Ricky Cool and the In Crowd can be found at http://rickycoolandtheincrowd.co.uk/ . Please n...

In this episode Rebecca and her Manager, Colin Speller, with background contributions from Ralph the dog, discuss the things fans can do to support an independent music act. Prompted by discussion on Facebook, their chat covers everything from social media to buying merchandise and from streaming to attending gigs. It's well worth a listen for fans of any independent act. Please note that the merc...

Colin Speller interviews Rebecca and Steve about the journey of the track Stand On My Feet from the simple first idea created by Rebecca on a piano right through to the final track, mixed by Bill Drescher, that was released on the 2019 album More Sinner Than Saint. This episode gives an insight to the song writing and development process followed by Rebecca and Steve. Please note that the merchand...

Continuing the theme of how it all started, Colin Speller interviews Rebecca Downes and Steve Birkett about their first meeting, the early days of their music and how they work together to write and release songs. Please note that the merchandise discount code is valid for two weeks from the date of publication. Background music is 'Back To The Start' from the album 'BeLive', written by Steve Birk...

Roles are reversed in this episode as Rebecca interviews Colin Speller about how he got involved in her music business and what he thinks about the current state of the music industry. Please note that the merchandise discount code lasts two weeks from the date of publication. Background music is 'Back To The Start' from the album 'BeLive', written by Steve Birkett and Rebecca Downes © Rebecca Dow...

In this second episode, co-songwriter and lead guitarist describes his musical career up to the point he started working with Rebecca. Please note that the merchandise discount code lasts two weeks from the date of publication. Background music is 'Back To The Start' from the album 'BeLive', written by Steve Birkett and Rebecca Downes © Rebecca Downes Music Ltd 2017

In this first episode, Rebecca recalls her early music career taking us from first beginnings up to the point she met Steve Birkett. Please note that the merchandise discount code lasts two weeks from the date of publication. Background music is 'Back To The Start' from the album 'BeLive', written by Steve Birkett and Rebecca Downes © Rebecca Downes Music Ltd 2017