Music Maps Podcast

Yvonne Innes joins us to explore the life and legacy of Neil Innes, touching on his early days in Soho, his experiences with the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, and his connections with Monty Python and The Beatles. Yvonne shares personal anecdotes about their life together, the creative process behind Neil's music, and his impact on children's television. The discussion also details the formation of The...

In this episode we delve into the life and music of Arthur Russell, exploring his eclectic style, early influences, and the New York Lower East Side music scene that shaped his career. Richard shares insights from his book 'Travels Over Feeling: Arthur Russell', discussing Arthur's unique approach to music, his connections with notable figures, and the cultural context of his work. The conversatio...

Today we are joined by Pulp drummer Nick Banks to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Different Class. It starts with Jarvis Cocker bringing in a rough cassette of a new track named Common People, it proves a difficult song to nail in the studio but once Chris Thomas comes in as producer it is honed into the bands first bonafide hit single, reaching number 2 in the charts. Disco 2000 is another tr...

In this episode of Music Maps, Johnny Hopkins, former head of press and publicist for Oasis at Creation Records, shares his journey into the music industry, his early obsession with music, and the pivotal moments that led to Oasis's rise. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of produc...

On May 31st 1993 Alan McGee walked into King Tut's War War Hut in Glasgow & stumbled upon Oasis - immediately after the gig he rang Creation Records Press Officer Johnny Hopkins to enthuse about his new discovery - the calls were repeated every hour throughout the night. Johnny joins us this week for the first part of our conversation about the beginnings of Oasis & the making of their deb...

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps Join us to discuss the music book of 2024 & one of the best music books of all time - Street Level Superstar - A Year With Lawrence has swept the board in the...

Tiffany Murray grew up at Rockfield Studios after her Mum was appointed chef - she tells us about meeting Black Sabbath & Ozzy Osbourne, David Bowie, Queen, Iggy Pop, Motorhead, Simple Minds, The Teardrop Explodes, Echo & The Bunnymen, Adam & The Ants, Siouxsie Sioux, Lemmy's parents, Showaddywaddy, Rush, Bauhaus & more. One memorable moment came when she heard Freddie Mercury rehe...

Join us on our first trip to Seattle for part 1 of our conversation with Steve Turner from Mudhoney - Steve's book Mudride is out now on Omnibus Press. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps It is hugel...

This week we are joined by ex The Fall drummer Simon Wolstencroft AKA Funky Si - after meeting Ian Brown & John Squire at Altrincham Grammar School he & John follow The Clash around the UK travelling to gigs as far away as Bristol & London. In addition to a huge interest in The Sex Pistols & The Clash, other bands they follows as teens included The Slits, The Ramones, Siouxsie &amp...

Introducing DETOURS - occasionally we come across something which does not fit directly into our Music Map but we think our listeners will like anyway - this week we are joined by James Brown, founder of Loaded Magazine, NME features editor (at age 22), fanzine creator & originator of the GQ Man of The Year. Changing the landscape of the publishing world with Loaded - the magazine achieved ins...

Jakko Jakszyk joins us to take us on a tour through his wide ranging career encompassing his current role as singer of King Crimson, stints in The Lodge, Level 42, solo albums on Stiff Records & Chiswick Records, working with Tom Robinson, remix work for the likes of Emerson Lake & Palmer, Jethro Tull & Yes. Briefly being a member of The Kinks, a sideline in comedy, a brief interaction...

Join us on a trip to Zanzibar by way of India & Feltham as we trace the early years of Freddie Mercury. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews &...

Kathy Valentine joins us to talk about her career, her new book, her time with The Go-Go's, her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & more. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps It is h...

Join us as we present our first live episode - recorded at one of our live events here in Walthamstow, East London - talking all things Britpop & the 90's with Miranda Sawyer & Sian Pattenden. Including Suede, Blur, Elastica, Sleeper, Pulp, Oasis, The Verve, Robbie Williams, Tricky, Glastonbury & a lot more. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - i...

The 1989 album is 10 years old on October 27th 2014 - so we thought we'd take a deep dive into the story behind this iconic record. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps It is extremely important for u...

Bella Union label founder Simon Raymonde joins us this week to talk us through his time with the Cocteau Twins. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps It is hugely important for us to get positive revie...

Join us to take a deep dive into the life & career of LBGTQ icon Dusty Springfield - starting with her early life first in West Hampstead in London & then briefly in High Wycombe, Dusty attended a convent school but reinvented herself after leaving school into the glamorous blonde icon she became famous as. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you...

Steve Wynn joins us to tell us all about his time with the Dream Syndicate, the formation of the band & the Paisley Underground scene. Steve's new book is out now on Jawbone Press & his latest record Make It Right is out on Fire Records. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of...

Featuring exclusive clips from Jah Wobble, Stewart Lee, Caroline Catz & Richard Norris sharing their memories of the Scala Cinema - documentary makers Jane Giles & Ali Catterall join us to share the history of the cinema from its original Soho location & its 2nd home in Kings Cross in London. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to...

Clem Cattini tells us about the birth of British rock & roll - Clem has played on over 40 number 1 singles, including Shakin’ All Over by Johnny Kidd & The Pirates & of course Telstar with his band the Tornados, the first British band to top the charts in America.  It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to...

Part 2 of our chat with Prince biographer Matt Thorne picks up where we left off with the release of his debut album For You in 1977 on Warner Bros. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps It is hugely i...

Join us as we chart Prince's formative years in Minneapolis, Minnesota with biographer Matt Thorne. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & sta...

Pulp Part 1 - Nick Banks joined Pulp in 1986 after seeing an ad outside Sheffield Leadmill & as a fan of the local band already decided to audition, making his live debut at the Adelphi Hotel in Hull shortly after. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes f...

Join us to take a deep dive into the little known history of Joy Division right here on our home turf in Walthamstow, East London. Find out from a first hand source how the band came to play 2 gigs here in 1979 - how it came about, how many people were there, what happened & more. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution...

Join us as we take a deep dive into the Scottish post-punk scene, Postcard Records & C81 as we explore the history of cult band Josef K.  Josef K met at Firrhill High School in Edinburgh & music brought them together with punk quickly becoming a key influence following the iconic The Clash gig at Edinburgh Playhouse in May of 1977.  Another band which become a key influence were...