Sage Gateshead: Recent Episodes
Sage Gateshead
As a home for music and musical discovery, Sage Gateshead offers performance and participation projects, and a rich programme of music all year round. For more information visit our website.
Listen to the sixth and final episode of our new six-part podcast series, Making Tracks.Bradley Kulisic from Singing Light Music talks to music leaders Holly and Frankie about music management, marketing and distribution. Bradley has worked with artists and independent record labels since 2002. His DIY ethic was shaped by working with Dischord, Southern Records, Constellation and Barry Adamson. He has run campaigns for artists like Peaches, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and Colin Stetson. He manages Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, Eleni Drake, Holy Moly & the Crackers and more. Singing Light Music was launched 2019 with the intention of bringing all these experiences together under one umbrella, to help demystify the music business and to offer support and guidance on releasing records, physical and digital distribution and rights management for artists, creators, managers and labels. Making Tracks, is our six-part podcast series, a podcast from behind the production desk, for songwriters and music producers who are ready to step into the studio. Music producer and educator Lisa Murphy and team lift the lid on the North East music industry by interviewing people working directly in the industry about how they use music technology in their music making. Making Tracks is a songwriting and music production course delivered by professional music producers in professional recording studios in the North East. Whether you’re looking to take your first steps, develop your existing knowledge, or work towards becoming a professional producer, there’s a Making Tracks course for you. This podcast series is brought to you by Access Music Production CIC in collaboration with The Glasshouse International Centre for Music. At the time of recording, The Glasshouse was called Sage Gateshead, so you may hear some references to our old name.
For the second last episode in our Making Tracks podcast series, Lisa talks to music producer and DJ Lee Robinson. We find out more about his career, how he got started and his advice to anyone making and performing electronic music.Making Tracks, is our new six-part podcast series, a podcast from behind the production desk, for songwriters and music producers who are ready to step into the studio. Join music producer and educator Lisa Murphy and team as they lift the lid on the North East music industry by interviewing people working directly in the industry about how they use music technology in their music making. Making Tracks is a songwriting and music production course delivered by professional music producers in professional recording studios in the North East. Whether you’re looking to take your first steps, develop your existing knowledge, or work towards becoming a professional producer, there’s a Making Tracks course for you. This podcast series is brought to you by Access Music Production CIC in collaboration with The Glasshouse International Centre for Music. At the time of recording, The Glasshouse was called Sage Gateshead, so you may hear some references to our old name.
Listen to the fourth episode of our new six-part podcast series, Making Tracks, a podcast from behind the production desk, for songwriters and music producers who are ready to step into the studio.Music leaders Holly and Frankie chat to Joe and Hannah who recently attended the Making Tracks course. Joe plays guitar and sings, does a lot of busking, and has recently completed the advanced Making Tracks course. Hannah is a singer-songwriter and plays flute. They tell us how they got into music technology, what the course is really like and what they’re up to next.Making Tracks, is our new six-part podcast series. Music producer and educator Lisa Murphy and team lift the lid on the North East music industry by interviewing people working directly in the industry about how they use music technology in their music making. Making Tracks is a songwriting and music production course delivered by professional music producers in professional recording studios in the North East. Whether you’re looking to take your first steps, develop your existing knowledge, or work towards becoming a professional producer, there’s a Making Tracks course for you. This podcast series is brought to you by Access Music Production CIC in collaboration with The Glasshouse International Centre for Music. At the time of recording, The Glasshouse was called Sage Gateshead, so you may hear some references to our old name.
In the third episode of our new six-part Making Tracks podcast series, Lisa is joined by Claire Dupree, editor of North East-based monthly alt. music and culture magazine NARC. Claire regularly supports musicians to help them get to grips with the world of marketing, press and promotion. She offers tips on press release writing, the logistics of how to approach press outlets, the importance of joined up campaigns with radio, social media tips and how to stay organised so you can get the best results for your efforts.Making Tracks, is our new six-part podcast series, a podcast from behind the production desk, for songwriters and music producers who are ready to step into the studio. Join music producer and educator Lisa Murphy and team as they lift the lid on the North East music industry by interviewing people working directly in the industry about how they use music technology in their music making. Making Tracks is a songwriting and music production course delivered by professional music producers in professional recording studios in the North East. Whether you’re looking to take your first steps, develop your existing knowledge, or work towards becoming a professional producer, there’s a Making Tracks course for you. This podcast series is brought to you by Access Music Production CIC in collaboration with The Glasshouse International Centre for Music. At the time of recording, The Glasshouse was called Sage Gateshead, so you may hear some references to our old name.
Making Tracks, is our new six-part podcast series, a podcast from behind the production desk, for songwriters and music producers who are ready to step into the studio.Join music producer and educator Lisa Murphy and team as they lift the lid on the North East music industry by interviewing people working directly in the industry about how they use music technology in their music making. In our second episode, Lisa is joined by singer-songwriter Maius Mollis (Maisie Cowburn-Bannister). Find out about how Masie writes her music, what her influences are and how she’s using music technology in her work. Making Tracks is a songwriting and music production course delivered by professional music producers in professional recording studios in the North East. Whether you’re looking to take your first steps, develop your existing knowledge, or work towards becoming a professional producer, there’s a Making Tracks course for you. This podcast series is brought to you by Access Music Production CIC in collaboration with The Glasshouse International Centre for Music. At the time of recording, The Glasshouse was called Sage Gateshead, so you may hear some references to our old name.
Listen to our new six-part podcast series, Making Tracks, a podcast from behind the production desk, for songwriters and music producers who are ready to step into the studio.In this series, join music producer and educator Lisa Murphy and her team as they lift the lid on the North East music industry by interviewing people working directly in the industry about how they use music technology in their music making.In this first episode, Lisa is joined by fellow music leaders Frankie and Holly who tell us more about music technology and the Making Tracks programme. Making Tracks is a songwriting and music production course delivered by professional music producers in professional recording studios in the North East. Whether you’re looking to take your first steps, develop your existing knowledge, or work towards becoming a professional producer, there’s a Making Tracks course for you. This podcast series is brought to you by Access Music Production CIC in collaboration with The Glasshouse International Centre for Music. At the time of recording, The Glasshouse was called Sage Gateshead, so you may hear some references to our old name.
Listen to musicians who have been our Artists in Reseidence talk about their experiences at Sage Gateshead.
Listen to musicians who have been our Artists in Reseidence talk about their experiences at Sage Gateshead.
Listen to musicians who have been our Artists in Reseidence talk about their experiences at Sage Gateshead.
Listen to musicians who have been our Artists in Reseidence talk about their experiences at Sage Gateshead.
An approach called social pedagogy underpins much of the practice with children and young people at Sage Gateshead. In this episode, you'll hear from Jenny Young, executive director of Blue Cabin and one of the speakers at a recent MC2 mini conference on the subject. Two of the people who attended the hybrid event, Jake Fletcher and Sarah Stamp, share their thoughts too.
In this special Christmas episode, José González tells us how his song writing has evolved over the last 20 years, Kate Rusby explains her unique affinity with the yuletide season, while Fatt Butcher and Beccy Owen give us a sneak preview of their winter cabaret.
We often use the word magical to describe a musician whose work we love and admire… but one Swedish artist who is coming to Sage Gateshead on November 5 literally performs magic. In this episode of the Backstage podcast, we speak to Magnus Holmander at his home in Stockholm to find out why he chooses to mix clarinet concertos with conjuring and what the Sage Gateshead audience can expect from his evening of Nordic Magic.
In this episode, we meet four musicians who have completed a 10-month residency with Sage Gateshead: Holly Clarke, Joe Snape, Me Lost Me and Rapasa Otieno. Their residencies culminated last weekend with a series of performances in front of socially distanced audiences in Sage One. We speak to each of the artists to find out what it meant to them to be able to showcase their new work in those performances – which were also streamed and are still available to view online.
It goes without saying that young people will become the leaders of tomorrow’s creative industries…but what are we doing to ensure that children and young people from all backgrounds are not only included… but given a voice?
Nurturing and listening to youth voice was the focus of the latest MC2 event organised by Sage Gateshead, a mini-conference for music Leaders, music teachers, project workers and musicians working with children and young people who are experiencing challenging circumstances.
In this episode we hear from one of the speakers, Esther Lenda Bokuma, who records and performs under the name Estée Blu and also helps young people build career pathways in the music industry. We hear too from a couple of the delegates who attended the conference: Michael Graham who works for Welsh National Opera, and Hannah West of Encore, which runs the Herefordshire Music Service.
The theme for this episode is New Beginnings. Royal Northern Sinfonia, Sage Gateshead’s very own orchestra, has a new principal conductor, Dinis Sousa – we meet him and hear his vision for the Sinfonia and its role here in the north east and beyond
And now that Sage Gateshead’s Young Musicians Programme of tuition for aspiring musicians has opened applications for 2021/22, we meet one young violinist, Connie Hayward, who says that for her the programme has been lifechanging.
Over the last 12 months many of us have decided to use some time to do something we’ve always wanted… or intended to do. Through Sage Gateshead, people of all ages have been seizing the opportunity in recent months to take up everything from ukulele and piano to singing and the bass.
So on this episode, we find out more about what’s involved, and how you can start making music – even if you’ve never played a song a note in your life. We check in with one of students on the Young Musicians Programme before learning a few chords with a tutor on the Virtuition online lessons for adults.
The efforts of community music groups to carry out their important work have been thwarted by the pandemic. But an online mini conference, MC2 – convened and hosted by Sage Gateshead – gathered together experts including Drake Music, NYMAZ and the Children’s Society to offer much needed support and encouragement.
In this episode, we hear from three of the attendees. Each of them runs a very different type of community music service – in Essex, Leeds and in Northumberland – and they tell us about the work they do, the impact of the pandemic on their activities and what they took away from this year's MC2.
Funded by Youth Music.
We chat to Darlington singer-songwriter and former Summer Studios resident Hayley McKay, who has been discovering lots of opportunities via live streams and Zoom meetings to find new fans and song-writing collaborators around the world.
In our final podcast episode of the year, we’re spending time with two north east artists who have made the most of the last 12 months, despite the lost gigs, lockdowns and setbacks: Martha Hill, who is appearing at the Sage Gateshead Christmas Cracker this Friday evening on a bill that includes Sam Fender and Royal Northern Sinfonia; and Darlington singer-songwriter Hayley McKay, who has been discovering lots of opportunities via live streams and Zoom meetings to find new fans and songwriting collaborators around the world.
In an age of technological disruption and digital streaming services. live music has been the once place where musicians could still hope to earn enough to follow their dream or calling.
But since March, even that tap has been turned off, as coronavirus restrictions mean venues must remain closed or operate at low capacities.
Lots of freelance musicians have fallen through the gaps in financial support made available to the sector and a survey by the Musicians Union suggests one third may be forced to quit the industry.
To get a better perspective, in this podcast episode, we hear from James Slater and Dan Hammersley, two professional musicians with the Royal Northern Sinfonia.
By their own admission, as salaried employees James and Dan are better off than most musicians. But they also know well the hard work, long hours, repetitive practice and sacrifices made by every professional artist trying to make a living from their craft.
In normal, non-pandemic times, the Music Education Centre inside Sage Gateshead is a busy hub of daily activity. For members of the Silver Programme classes for people over the age of 50, it’s also been a place for making friendships as well as music. We Zoom-called Silver programme member Christine Ogg to see how she’s been adapting, now that her choir practices are being held online.
Some of the north east’s best and most critically acclaimed artists will be headlining performances at Sage Gateshead over the next few weeks, as it welcomes back audiences for the first time since lockdown.
Kathryn Tickell, Richard Dawson and the Royal Northern Sinfonia are just some of the big names on the Sage Live 2020 series of live gigs and concerts in front of a socially distanced audience inside Sage Gateshead.
And so too is Newcastle’s Lanterns on the Lake, who will be performing their Mercury-nominated album Spook the Herd for the very first time. We spoke to the band’s guitarist and producer, Paul Gregory, about why this year has been a particularly bizarre one for him, the band’s vocalist Hazel Wilde… and their baby daughter.
The long wait is almost over. Seven drawn-out months after lockdown restrictions forced it to close, Sage Gateshead is about to open its doors and arms again, to artists and audiences.
This weekend sees the beginning of Sage Live 2020, a seven-week series of live performances in front of socially-distanced audiences inside the Sage Gateshead building, gigs and concerts which will also be live streamed.
So, in this episode we speak to Paul Gregory of Mercury nominated Lanterns on the Lake – one of the artists appearing in this new series of performances.
We hear from Sage Gateshead managing director Abigail Pogson as she describes how she’s steering the organisation through these challenging times.
And have a Zoom call – what else – with a keen singer who now Zooms to choir practice each week with the Virtual Sing course, part of Sage Gateshead’s new Make Music Virtual programme of online classes.
A passion for preserving the local indigenous music of western Kenya has brought vocalist and nyatiti player Rapasa Otieno to the north east of England where he is one of Sage Gateshead’s four artists-in-residence. Rapasa, who released his debut album Tipona earlier this year, introduces us to the nyatiti instrument and explains what he hopes to gain from his residency.
He’s spent the last seven years touring the world, gaining an international reputation as house music DJ and record producer Man Power. But Geoff Kirkwood has now returned to the north east to be one of Sage Gateshead’s four artists-in residence with an ambitious project that involves orchestras, traditional Japanese singers and a couple of car factories.
Jayne Dent admits she "freaked out my mum a bit" when she discovered she was one of four musicians awarded a 10-month residency with Sage Gateshead. Performing as ME LOST ME, Jayne takes inspiration from folk, electronica, pop, noise and ambient music, combining her voice alongside a concertina, looper and sampler to create her unique, genre-defying sound.
Joe Snape's musical career began with recording songs on his mum’s computer and flogging hand-painted CDs to friends at school. Now he's an artist-in-residence at Sage Gateshead, with ambitions to create an ensemble of classical and community musicians to play his "weird pop".
Music journalist Claire Dupree, composer/arranger Fiona Brice and Sony record label exec Julie Weir give us a sneak preview of the advice they’ve been giving to the latest group of artists taking part in Sage Gateshead’s Summer Studios programme.
🎧 Back in episode 28 of our Backstage podcast Jon Hopkins told us how and why Brian Eno taught him to make mistakes on purpose. The electronic music maestro shares with us why he is doing more sitting gigs now and what audiences can expect from his newest shows.
🎧 Elliot Galvin is a gifted composer and pianist who is as comfortable performing with rock jazz group LedBib or quartet Dinosaur as he is solo. He keeps returning to the classic jazz trio; in this Backstage podcast throwback we find out why, and what it was like recording the trios newest vinyl where they recorded each side in a single take.
🎧 Back on episode 3 of our Backstage podcast we caught up with a couple of members from Friends of Royal Northern Sinfonia for coffee and scones ahead of the 2018/19 season launch. Hear what the RNS mean to them and how they support the orchestra and its players.
🎧 North East comedian and poet Roisin Crowley Linton tells us how she chooses the right words for her poetry so that she gets her point across in the way she wants too. Poetry gives her away to share her opinions while making people laugh, and she hopes to inspire young people to take up poetry as a way to express their emotions.
🎧 In this podcast sound bite award winning actor and drag artist Peter Groom talks about how his portrayal of Marlene Dietrich came about and why it is like no drag show you’ve seen before.
🎧Remember Alf Hodgson and Irene Mantey? In this podcast throwback they reveal how they found more than a shared love of music when they met on the Sage Gateshead Silver Programme.
🎧 At the start of lockdown DJ Echo Juliet, who was supposed to perform at Gateshead Jazz 2020, took her set online and performed across the world from her living room. Ian talks to Emily about her musical journey, what has led her to DJing and just quite how much work went into performing remotely.
🎧 Here is a throwback to our very first Backstage Podcast, where it is all about firsts. Mercury nominated Tynesiders The Unthanks explained what it’s like to hear their songs performed by an orchestra for the first time.
In our latest podcast, we chat to drummer Cat Myers, composer Ben Gaunt, spoken word artist Faithful Johannes, vocalist/songwriter Sara Colman and keyboardist Rebecca Nash ahead of their Summer Studios residency this August.
Sage Gateshead MD Abigail Pogson talks on our latest podcast 'Backstage' about the current crisis, the recently launched Crisis, Recovery and Renaissance fundraising campaign, plus snakes, Kylie and home-schooling…
Since lockdown, the Young Musicians Programme, or YMP, at Sage Gateshead has by necessity transferred online. This new version — YMP at Home — has enabled almost 180 students to enjoy one-to-one tuition each week via Microsoft Teams. Ian Wylie spoke with one of the music leaders and a couple of her students to see how YMP at Home is actually accelerating learning in some cases, while helping to support music leaders as well as students handle the challenges of lockdown.
SK Shlomo has recorded with Bjork, jammed with Ed Sheeran and performed on Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage. This lockdown he is working with children and young people and their parents and carers to teach them how to beatbox. Homeskool Beatbox Adventures is a weekly 30-minute interactive show that's live-streamed every Thursday at 2pm. Special guests so far have included KT Tunstall, Bill Bailey and Jason Mraz. https://sagegateshead.com/read-watch-listen/homeskool-beatbox-adventures-with-shlomo/
Holly’s folk music journey began when she attend the Folkworks Summer School. Since then she’s gone on to support Billy Bragg, star in Sage Gateshead’s New Year New Artists Festival and take part in a Summer Studios residency. She is currently Artist in Residence here at Sage Gateshead.
Hear more about Holly Clarke’s journey in this podcast.
Find out what young saxophone sensation Jess Gillam loves about performing and why she chose the saxophone as her instrument. In this podcast throwback Ian talks to Jess just before her performance at our New Year New Artists festival about how important music is for children.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes is the worlds greatest living explorer; even at the age of 75 he shows no intentions of slowing down. What are his secrets of living such a long yet dangerous life? Listen as he explains how he pushes through physical and mental barriers to go where no man or woman has gone before.
We speak with Ruth Patterson about her time as one of our Artists in Residence this year and how the pandemic has impacted on her work including the postponement of her concert, her new studio and plans for her forthcoming debut single
While we’re in lockdown we thought we’d dig into our podcast archive and pull out some of the most popular interviews, in case you missed them the first time or for you to enjoy again. Ahead of his live show at Sage Gateshead in 2018 we spoke to TV doctor Michael Mosley, who tell us that will-power is grossly over-rated!
In this podcast episode we hear from Keith Miller, a retired lecturer who is already passing on the ukulele skills he’s been learning at Sage Gateshead… to his two-year-old grandson.
To help celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2018, Royal Northern Sinfonia hosted a children’s birthday party featuring a special concert and the opportunity for children to try their hand at playing instruments. Ahead of the event, podcast presenter Ian Wylie tried to master a new instrument under the expert instruction of Royal Northern Sinfonia principal clarinettist Jess Lee. Hear how he got on in this episode.
We learn the language of gospel music with local choir Voices of Virtue and hear about the power that music has in bringing people together
Earlier this year, Elaine Henderson decided to take up a new challenge and learn a new skill. In this special podcast edition, we followed her progress as she took up a percussion class, Silver Sambanisatas.
Phronesis, The Comet is Coming, Elliot Galvin, Matthew Halsall, Yazz Ahmed and Vula Viel are our guests in this jazz special.
Sage Gateshead MD Abigail Pogson, BALTIC Director Sarah Munro, choir leader Alice Dalgleish and DJ Echo Juliet.
Electronic music maestro Jon Hopkins; Gateshead Jazz festival's Yazz Ahmed and Bex Burch of Vula Viel; and rising folk star Holly Clarke are among our guests this episode.
Electronic music maestro Jon Hopkins tells us how Brian Eno taught him to make mistakes on purpose; jazz trumpeter and composer Yazz Ahmed says that more needs to be done to give female musicians and composers the respect they deserve; Vula Viel band leader Bex Burch explains the title of their new album; young violinist Giulian Fabrizi describes what it’s like to perform on the stage of Sage One; folk singer Holly tells us how Summer Studios helped launch her career; and fledgling Silver Sambanista Elaine Henderson gives us a preview of a forthcoming performance.
Steve Jinski, Head of Musical Inclusion at Sage Gateshead chats to Grant Hutchison of Tiny Changes about mental health and musical inclusion.
Grant was attending MC² - A Mini Conference on Mental Health and Musical Inclusion here at Sage Gateshead last month. The conference is the first in a new series of mini conferences for Music Leaders, music teachers, project workers and musicians working with children and young people that are experiencing challenging circumstances.
Tiny Changes set up by the family of Frightened Rabbit singer Scott Hutchison to raise awareness of children and young people’s mental health issues.Tiny Changes is a charity set up by the family of Frightened Rabbit singer Scott Hutchison following his death in 2018. Tiny Changes wants to raise awareness of children and young people’s mental health issues, advance understanding about the roots causes and support initiatives that provide help to children and young people impacted by mental health problems.
Indie popsters The Lightning Seeds, Welsh harpist Catrin Finch, Irish folk duo Ye Vagabonds and yoga-to-music teacher Grace Johnson are our guests in this latest episode.
Ian Broudie of The Lightning Seeds describes how it’s easier to write a miserable song than a happy one; Catrin Finch explains why she finds collaborations with non-classical artists so liberating; Brian Mac Gloin of Ye Vagabonds has a theory on the resurgence of stripped-back Irish music; and we unroll our mats to do some stretching with Grace Johnson who is teaching yoga… to live music.
*Backstage is a regular podcast where we go behind the scenes for exclusive interviews and insights from leading and emerging artists who’ll be taking to the stage at Sage Gateshead, and discover some of the activities that take place, and the communities that meet there.
Managing director Abigail Pogson gives us some clues as to what we can expect from the next 15 years
Clarence Adoo tells us about pioneering work he’s doing with RNS Moves to create a unique, inclusive ensemble that brings together disabled and non-disabled musicians.
In this episode we celebrate the 15th anniversary of Sage Gateshead by seeking the views of people for whom it has meant a great deal over that time: photographer and regular gig-goer Pete Robinson; artist in residence Ruth Patterson; and marketing and communications director Esme Flounders. Managing director Abigail Pogson gives us some clues as to what we can expect from the next 15 years; Clarence Adoo tells us about pioneering work he’s doing with RNS Moves to create a unique, inclusive ensemble that brings together disabled and non-disabled musicians; and we follow the progress of Elaine Henderson, one of the members of the Silver Programme for people over the age of 50, as she takes up percussion.
‘What 15 Feels Like’ performed by Jambone Youth Ensemble was written by Artist in Residence Paul Edis for Sage Gateshead’s 15th birthday.
British-Australian conductor Jessica Cottis, poet and comedian Roisin Crowley Linton, actor and drag artist Peter Groom and Good Times Band front-man Phil Davids are our guests this month. Local actor Peter Groom promises that his portrayal of Marlene Dietrich will be like no drag show you’ve seen before; Phil Davids, singer and frontman of The Good Times Band, tells us the secret of keeping people dancing this New Year’s Eve; conductor Jessica Cottis unpicks why a Viennese waltz is the perfect way to enjoy New Year’s Day. And north east poet and comedian Roisin Crowley Linton describes why verse can pack such a punch.
Pop queen Sophie Ellis-Bextor, English folk star Jon Boden and exciting young jazz pianist Elliot Galvin are our guests this month.
Some of the most successful performers are the shapeshifters – the artists who can reimagine their songs for all kinds of line-up from big bands to duos and trios… from playing solo to fronting a full blown orchestra. In this episode of Backstage, Sophie Ellis-Bextor describes what it’s like to sing her disco and house hits in front of a conductor; folk singer-songwriter Jon Boden explains why he loves flipping from performing solo tours to taking big bands like Bellowhead and the Remnant Kings on the road; and we ask pianist Elliot Galvin why he keeps returning to the classic jazz trio.
Playwright Debs Newbold and DIY music-maker Farmer Glitch are our guests this month in an episode which also explores the power of music in caring for people with dementia.
In this episode of Backstage, we talk to theatre-maker Debs Newbold about the relevance of her new retelling of the Peterloo Massacre; we meet Jane Morton and Adele Kinsella, two volunteers who explain the vital role that music plays in helping them care for friends and family with dementia; and we see if, with the help of Somerset glitch musician Stephen Ives, we can tease a tune… out of a roadworks traffic lamp.
*Backstage is a regular podcast where we go behind the scenes for exclusive interviews and insights from leading and emerging artists who’ll be taking to the stage at Sage Gateshead, and discover some of the activities that take place, and the communities that meet there.
We chatted Whinney Banks Primary School in Middlesbrough about their performance at the Big Sing.
“It’s nice to do something at the end of term and make a day of it. I was sat with a smile on my face all the way through the performance because the children were able to get up dance – they’re excited and they’re having fun.” Miss Verrill
In the last of our Summer Studios podcast series, we chat with 2018 alumni Ruth Patterson (Holy Moly and the Crackers) about her experiences in the year since being part of the programme and new resident Anna Hughes.
As part of our annual Summer Studios programme our residents get the opportunity to have one to one sessions and clinics with industry experts. This is the second in a series of 'TED Talks' with our industry insiders.
Here, composer and performer Fiona Brice gives us some top tips on how to tackle performance anxiety.
Find out more about Fiona Brice at www.fionabrice.com
Funded by PRS Foundation. In association with NARC Magazine.
As part of our annual Summer Studios programme our residents get the opportunity to have one to one sessions and clinics with industry experts. This is the second in a series of 'TED Talks' with our industry insiders.
Want to know more about music publishing? Here, John Esplen, founder of Wipe Out Music Publishing, tells us everything we should know!
Find out more about Wipe Out Music at www.wipeoutmusic.com
Funded by PRS Foundation. In association with NARC Magazine.
As part of our annual Summer Studios programme our residents get the opportunity to have one to one sessions and clinics with industry experts. This is the first in a series of 'TED Talks' with our industry insiders.
Here, Bradley Kulisic, founder of Singing Light Music and manager of North East bands Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs and Holy Moly and the Crackers, chats to Lauren Sadler, Festivals & Projects Producer at Sage Gateshead, about recording music, release timelines and how to build an audience.
Find out more about Singling Light Music at https://www.singing-light.co.uk/
Funded by PRS Foundation. In association with NARC Magazine.
In this final SummerTyne Americana festival episode, we go backstage to hear exclusive performances from Rachel Harington and Izzie Walsh; we drop in on a blues masterclass by Alvin Youngblood Hart; we speak to Scott Wall who plays blues on guitars he’s made from cigar boxes; and find out from Sage Gateshead’s director of programming, Tamsin Austin, how she brings all these amazing artists to the SummerTyne Americana festival.
There’s a chance too to hear again our interviews with Texas guitar-slinger Jesse Dayton; and local funk and soul artist Smoove.
*Backstage is a regular podcast where we go behind the scenes for exclusive interviews and insights from leading and emerging artists who’ll be taking to the stage at Sage Gateshead, and discover some of the activities that take place, and the communities that meet there.
In this second SummerTyne Americana festival episode, we speak with photographer Mark Savage who has captured many of Americana’s biggest stars; the BBC’s Bronnie McCarthy’s tell us about the broadcast wifi technology being trialed at the festival this weekend; and we talk to some diehard SummerTyne fans who have been to the festival every… single….year.
There’s a chance too to hear again our interviews with singer-songwriter Eve Selis; one of country music’s newest stars, Catherine McGrath; and Stevie Freeman, head of the Americana Music Association in the UK.
*Backstage is a regular podcast where we go behind the scenes for exclusive interviews and insights from leading and emerging artists who’ll be taking to the stage at Sage Gateshead, and discover some of the activities that take place, and the communities that meet there.
Catherine McGrath, Jesse Dayton, Roosevelt Collier, Stevie Freeman and participants in the Silver Bluegrass Band are our guests in this “SummerTyne” themed episode.
In this episode, we hear from one of country music’s newest stars, Catherine McGrath, who comes not from Nashville, but from Northern Ireland; guitar-slinger Jesse Dayton gives us the low-down on Johnny Cash as well as The Clash; Roosevelt Collier tells us the origins of his sacred steel, funk and psychedelic blues fusion sound; Stevie Freeman explains why we need an Americana Music Association in the UK; and we drop-in to hear the Silver Bluegrass Band at Sage Gateshead practise for their big, end-of-year performance.
*Backstage is a regular podcast where we go behind the scenes for exclusive interviews and insights from leading and emerging artists who’ll be taking to the stage at Sage Gateshead, and discover some of the activities that take place, and the communities that meet there.
Backstage #19: With Karine Polwart and Smoove plus participants from this year’s Big Sing by Sage Gateshead
In this episode, we hear from American jazz singer Madeleine Peyroux about what it meant to lose her voice; singer-songwriter Joan As Police Woman explains why it took so long for her to find her voice; SummerTyne star Eve Selis discloses her vocal secrets; and we visit a percussion group in Gateshead which is helping older people find their voices again through group music-making, as part of our latest project Well Tuned.
*Backstage is a regular podcast where we go behind the scenes for exclusive interviews and insights from leading and emerging artists who’ll be taking to the stage at Sage Gateshead, and discover some of the activities that take place, and the communities that meet there.
Having clear boundaries is important to all our relationships – personal and professional. Yet boundaries can also be a hindrance. Sir Ranulph Fiennes explains how he pushes through physical and mental barriers to go where no man or woman has gone before; country-soul singer Yola Carter tells us how she’s learned the importance of setting boundaries; conductor Grant Gershon, ahead of the Los Angeles Master Chorale concert, describes how the use of dramatic performance can unlock our understanding of classical music; and sitar player and composer Jonathan Mayer explains his passion for crossing boundaries between Indian and Western styles of music ahead of his Riverside Ragas: Altered Boundaries concert.
PODCAST: Backstage: Episode #16 Going Solo
Angela Hewitt, Matthew Halsall, Sinead Morrisey and Amy Thatcher are our guests appearing in this “Going Solo” themed episode.
Working collaboratively is all well and good, but sometimes we do our best work on our own, unhindered by conflicting viewpoints, unencumbered by compromise. So on this podcast episode, we hear from folk artist Amy Thatcher on what it’s like to leave the comforts of a big band to launch a first solo album. We get advice from Matthew Halsall on how to build a stirring jazz trumpet solo. Concert pianist Angela Hewitt describes how she handles the sole responsibility of holding an audience’s attention for an hour and more. And award-winning poet Sinead Morrissey gives us her tips for making listeners hang on your every word.
*Backstage is a regular podcast where we go behind the scenes for exclusive interviews and insights from leading and emerging artists who’ll be taking to the stage at Sage Gateshead, and discover some of the activities that take place, and the communities that meet there.
The Comet is Coming, Gabrielle, and participants from the Turn Up The Quiet programme at Sage Gateshead are among our guests appearing in this “Emotions” themed episode.
As a tool for arousing emotions and feelings, music can be far more powerful than language and words. But it works both ways, with emotions shaping the music that artists make and how they perform or interpret it.
So on this podcast episode, we hear from power trio The Comet is Coming on how they channel their emotions into cosmic jazz; Gabrielle, one of the UK's most successful British singer-songwriters, explains how she struggles to conceal her emotions on stage; and we meet a young woman learning how to express her emotions through song thanks to music-making classes at Sage Gateshead.
Backstage is a regular podcast where we go behind the scenes for exclusive interviews and insights from leading and emerging artists who’ll be taking to the stage at Sage Gateshead, and discover some of the activities that take place, and the communities that meet there.
Episode #14 Films
Booker T Jones, Kathryn Joseph, and Royal Northern Sinfonia oboe players Steven Hudson and Michael O'Donnell are among the guests appearing in this “Film” themed episode.
It’s movie awards season when we get to see our favourite actors embarrass themsevelves with cringy acceptance speeches. But it’s also a chance to celebrate the soundtracks and movie themes that we remember long after we’ve forgotten the plot.
So on this podcast episode, Stax legend Booker T Jones tells us how he was moved to tears when he heard one of his songs while watching a film; Scottish singer Kathryn Joseph explains how films have influenced her songwriting; the oboe section of the Royal Northern Sinfonia show us what makes a good movie theme; and we drop in on a Sage Gateshead adult class to see how beginners are learning the basic skills that may help them, one day, become the John Williams or Rachel Portmans of the future.
Backstage is a regular podcast where we go behind the scenes for exclusive interviews and insights from leading and emerging artists who’ll be taking to the stage at Sage Gateshead, and discover some of the activities that take place, and the communities that meet there.
Episode #13 Health
Dr Michael Mosley, Talk Like Tigers, Tigran Hamasyan and Royal Northern Sinfonia leader Bradley Creswick are the performers appearing in this “Health” themed episode.
The start of a new year is always a good time to start some healthy habits, and ditch some bad ones. So on this podcast episode, TV doctor Michael Mosley tells us that will-power is grossly over-rated; local electro-pop duo Talk Like Tigers suggest we avoid negative people; pianist Tigran Hamasyan advocates the power of sleep; and Royal Northern Sinfonia violinist Bradley Creswick urges us to listen to our bodies.
Backstage is a regular podcast where we go behind the scenes for exclusive interviews and insights from leading and emerging artists who’ll be taking to the stage at Sage Gateshead, and discover some of the activities that take place, and the communities that meet there.
Episode #12 Gifts
Cattle & Cane, Jess Gillam and the Royal Northern Sinfonia are the artists appearing in this “Gift” themed episode. It’s the most wonderful time of the year… or so we’re told, and that’s partly because it’s a time for giving and receiving gifts.
So on this podcast episode, we’ll hear from Cattle and Cane siblings Helen and Joe Hammill about the very special gift they received from their father; saxophone sensation Jess Gillam will tell us whether she thinks being a skilled musician is a gift, or something you can learn; and we’ll follow the Royal Northern Sinfonia as they give up their time to share their talents with Older People’s Assembly in Gateshead.
Backstage is a regular podcast where we go behind the scenes for exclusive interviews and insights from leading and emerging artists who’ll be taking to the stage at Sage Gateshead, and discover some of the activities that take place, and the communities that meet there.
Episode #11 Connections
Lau, 65daysofstatic and Voices of Virtue are the artists appearing in this “connections” themed episode, as we explore how music introduces and brings people together.
Music can often be the shared language that not only breaks down barriers and helps people connect, but also empowers and emboldens them to work together and do even better things.
So on this podcast episode, we learn the language of gospel music with local choir Voices of Virtue.
Fiddle player and composer Aidan O’Rourke of contemporary folk band Lau explains how Celtic connections compelled him to write 365 songs in just one year.
And we talk to Paul Wolinski of experimental rock band 65daysofstatic, to hear how a video game led to collaborating… with algorithms.
So plug in for the next half hour… as we help you make your connections.
Backstage is a regular podcast where we go behind the scenes for exclusive interviews and insights from leading and emerging artists who’ll be taking to the stage at Sage Gateshead, and discover some of the activities that take place, and the communities that meet there.
Episode #10: Travel
The theme for this latest episode is Travel.
Many of the artists who come to Sage Gateshead are in the middle of a UK, European or sometimes even a world tour. For them, is travel just a necessary evil – something they have to do just to please their fans and find new audiences– or does it actually helps them shape and influence their music?
So, on this podcast episode we ask Sumi Choi, lead singer of Korean band Say Sue Me, to tell us about her favourite destination, Philidelphian poet and rapper Moor Mother reveals why she prefers planes over trains, and the seasoned travellers of jazz trio Phronesis explain the importance of having an understanding family back home.
So place your bags in the overhead locker, put your phone on airplane mode and fasten your seatbelt...as we take you on tour.
Backstage is a regular podcast where we go behind the scenes for exclusive interviews and insights from leading and emerging artists who’ll be taking to the stage at Sage Gateshead, and discover some of the activities that take place, and the communities that meet there.
Episode #9: Lessons Learned
The theme for this latest episode is Lessons Learned. We’re eager to find out how people learn, when’s the best time to learn – and what are the best methods for teaching and learning music.
So on this podcast episode, we hear from Keith Miller, a retired lecturer who is already passing on the ukulele skills he’s been learning at Sage Gateshead… to his two-year-old grandson.
We call India sitar maestro Purbayan Chatterjee in Mumbai to find out why he favours the guru-shishya method of learning.
And podcast presenter Ian Wylie tries to master a new instrument under the expert instruction of Royal Northern Sinfonia principal clarinettist Jess Lee.
So pay attention at the back, raise your hand if you have any questions and join us for half an hour as we learn a lesson or two...about learning.
Backstage is a regular podcast where we go behind the scenes for exclusive interviews and insights from leading and emerging artists who’ll be taking to the stage at Sage Gateshead, and discover some of the activities that take place, and the communities that meet there.
Episode #8: Numbers
The theme for this latest episode is Numbers.
Music is, of course, one of the creative arts, capable of expressing and rousing all kinds of emotions. And yet composers and songwriters have long been fascinated too by the interplay of music and numbers.
Many of them also crank up the left side of their brains, using numbers and patterns and formulae as structural devices, time signatures and rhythmical hooks.
So on this podcast episode we’ll hear from pianist Lars Vogt on why his favorite number is 32.Thorben Dittes tells us about plans to celebrate the 60th birthday of Royal Northern Sinfonia. We’ll get a school report from Errollyn Wallen who has written more than a dozen operas. We’ll ask Maximo Park singer and songwriter Paul Smith what it’s like to perform on a small river boat in front of 20,000 people And we’ll find out from Paul Hartnoll of electronic music pioneers Orbital why his favourite mode of transport is two feet.
So join us for half an hour as we do the maths and crunch some numbers.
Backstage is a regular podcast where we go behind the scenes for exclusive interviews and insights from leading and emerging artists who’ll be taking to the stage at Sage Gateshead, and discover some of the activities that take place, and the communities that meet there.
Episode #7: The North
The theme for this latest episode is the North.
It’s unlikely to have escaped your attention that we’re about to witness a Great Exhibition of the North that’s a once-in-a generation opportunity to celebrate all kinds of northern-ness, and explore what the North actually means in 2018.
To help us understand a little more about the special and specific sounds of the North we talk to radio DJ Lauren Laverne about the week of gigs by northern artists she is curating for the Exhibition and artist Mark Fell, who is creating a sound installation at Sage Gateshead made up of northern sounds.
We pop-in with poet Degna Stone and folk musicians Bella Hardy and Sarah Hayes as they prepare their performance of new music and spoken word, called Backbone of Our Land. And we find out from Vinyl-o-phile, comedian and general know-it-all Steve Drayton what he considers to be the great albums of the North.
Backstage is a regular podcast where we go behind the scenes for exclusive interviews and insights from leading and emerging artists who’ll be taking to the stage at Sage Gateshead, and discover some of the activities that take place, and the communities that meet there.
Episode #6: Past Forward
The theme for this latest episode is Past Forward, where the focus is on folk music – and in particular, we explore how folk music draws from the past, but somehow also points to the future.
To help us understand a little more about this enduring appeal of folk music, across the generations, we ask Alistair Anderson – co-founder of Folkwork’s which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year – to explain how it combines inspiration with education to reach younger audiences.
We chat with award-winning singer, songwriter and fiddler Nancy Kerr, who cut her teeth at Folkworks summer schools, and is one of the new wave of folk musicians breathing new life into England’s ancient folk tunes.
And we begin by meeting a bunch of talented teenagers who have already fallen in love with folk music.
Backstage is a regular podcast where we go behind the scenes for exclusive interviews and insights from leading and emerging artists who’ll be taking to the stage at Sage Gateshead, and discover some of the activities that take place, and the communities that meet there.
Episode #5: America
The theme for this latest episode is America.
We explore why music from across the Atlantic – from folk and country to bluegrass and Americana – holds such a spell over us. We try to find out more about our fascination with songs, artists, and themes and places that have their roots not here… but 4,000 miles away.
And to help us, we talk to Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Shawn Colvin, local Newcastle-based bluegrass band The Often Herd and Tamsin Austin, the mastermind behind Sage Gateshead’s annual festival of Americana, SummerTyne.
Backstage is a regular podcast where we go behind the scenes for exclusive interviews and insights from leading and emerging artists who’ll be taking to the stage at Sage Gateshead, and discover some of the activities that take place, and the communities that meet there.
Episode #4: Food and drink
The theme for this latest episode is food and drink.
They’re often the best of friends aren’t they? Music, food and drink just seem to belong together – the ingredients for a perfect night out or a Sunday brunch. In this episode we meet food critic and pianist Jay Rayner, to hear his dos and don’ts of serving food with music, jazz vocalist Zara McFarlane on what food and drink she requests backstage, and Sage Gateshead food and beverage manager Dale Henry on who gets to choose the music in his kitchens.
Backstage is a regular podcast where we go behind the scenes for exclusive interviews and insights from leading and emerging artists who’ll be taking to the stage at Sage Gateshead, and discover some of the activities that take place, and the communities that meet there.
Episode #3: Friends
The theme for this latest episode is friends.
Music brings people together. Friendships form around shared musical passions… but it also has the power to drive people apart.
We meet Grammy-nominated Secret Sisters Laura and Lydia Rogers on how their kinship rather than sibling rivalry has helped them overcome musical setbacks.
Chris Difford analyses his friendship with Squeeze songwriting partner Glen Tillbrook.
And as Royal Northern Sinfonia launches its new season, we have coffee and scones with a couple of members from Friends of Royal Northern Sinfonia to hear how they support the orchestra and its players.
Backstage is a regular podcast where we go behind the scenes for exclusive interviews and insights from leading and emerging artists who’ll be taking to the stage at Sage Gateshead, and discover some of the activities that take place and the communities that meet there.
Episode #2: Departures
The theme for this latest episode is departures – musical, historical and political departures.
We meet progressive rock trio Arcane Roots, who left safety behind and learned new instruments in their search for a more cinematic, electronic sound.
We call broadcaster and author Stuart Maconie to find out what he packed on his long march from Jarrow.
And we embark on our own journey of exploration, in the foothills of classical music with Ruth Rosales and Bradley Creswick.
Backstage is a regular podcast where we go behind the scenes for exclusive interviews and insights from leading and emerging artists who’ll be taking to the stage at Sage Gateshead, and discover some of the activities that take place, and the communities that meet there.
Episode #1: Firsts
Ever wondered what it feels like to nail a song on a first take…to perform your songs with an orchestra for the first time…or to go on tour for the first time (with your husband). Can you remember what it was like to experience love at first sight…or receive your first musical instrument?
Candi Staton, the Grammy nominated soul legend, recalls how she nailed floor-filler Young Hearts Run Free in just one take.
Mercury nominated Tynesiders The Unthanks explain what it’s like to hear their songs performed by an orchestra for the first time.
Durham’s Harri Endersby describes the highs and lows of going on her first national tour… with husband Rich (and performs one of her songs for us).
Sixty-somethings Alf Hodgson and Irene Mantey reveal how they found more than a shared love of music when they met on the Sage Gateshead Silver Programme.
Backstage is a regular podcast where we go behind the scenes for exclusive interviews and insights from leading and emerging artists who’ll be taking to the stage at Sage Gateshead, and discover some of the activities that take place, and the communities that meet there.