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PODCAST

Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces

‘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

music music commentary

All Episodes

53:52

Ciphers, Picks and the Art of the Jam

Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces ·

2025/11/13

From the high lonesome sound of Appalachia to the flow of a Bronx cipher, this episode explores what happens when two traditions of storytelling and rhythm collide. Recorded at the WOMEX 2024 world-music gathering in Finland, Steve talks with Gangstagrass — the trailblazing American group fusing bluegrass instrumentation with hip-hop lyricism and beats.Expect fiddles, banjo and beats; live sessions that blur the line between folk jam and freestyle; and a conversation about community, curiosity and

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31:06

Malawian Madalitso, Vampire Vamps & Sofa Songs

Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces ·

2025/11/02

From living-room experiments to Malawian street stages — and a brief stop-off in Transylvania.This week, Steve explores what it means to sing what you see: making music that’s spontaneous, handmade and gloriously human. There’s a Halloween detour into his live Nosferatu score, a new Clip n Mix, and a look at the brilliant Madalitso Band from Malawi — two musicians whose home-built instruments and hypnotic grooves turn simplicity into joy.Plus: the mystery of a slightly windy theme tune proves that

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52:43

RE-UPLOAD: Sampling Firepits, Feeling Flamenco,...

Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces ·

2025/10/21

⚠️ Note: This is a re-uploadThe original episode was taken down due to a copyright strike on the theme tune — even though I wrote and produced it myself. While I sort that out, you’re treated to a gloriously bad placeholder version.Also, I’ve trimmed down the Clip n Mix segment — I was clearly having too much fun with firepits last time, and it got a bit… indulgent. This one gets to the good stuff faster.🔥 Can you make music from a campsite firepit?And what is Tonás — the raw, unaccompanied

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57:39

Sampling Firepits, Feeling Flamenco, Finding Tonás

Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces ·

2025/10/17

This week, I finally tackle a long-overdue Genre Tombola pick: Tonás, one of the oldest and most intense styles in flamenco — unaccompanied, emotional, and steeped in centuries of cultural history.To explore it, I chat with the brilliant Josie Sinnadurai, a flamenco dancer based in Seville, who sheds light on the roots of Tonás, its tragic themes, and how flamenco works as a live, collaborative, improvisational artform.But first… I hit a firepit with a stick. And turn it into music.Using only my

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57:22

Earwax, Echoes and Entropy

Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces ·

2025/10/03

What can a lump of whale earwax tell us about human history?What does the end of the universe sound like?And how do you play the sea like a synthesiser?This episode of Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces goes from marine mammal physiology to cosmological heat death, taking in hydrophones, cultural transmission in humpbacks, the physics of underwater sound, and an improvised trumpet elegy for the end of everything.My guests are:Chris Lintott – astrophysicist, broadcaster, and co‑host of The Sky

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45:42

Music therapy, Swedish standards and clinical...

Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces ·

2025/07/23

This week I speak to Kassandra e’Silva, a saxophonist, improviser and NHS music therapist. We caught up just before a gig at the Edinburgh Jazz Festival to talk about the power of music in care settings — from dementia wards and mental health clinics to the BBQ playlist at home.We cover:Baby‑wearing during soundcheck 👶Pre‑verbal communication in musicClinical improvisation and jazzWhether all music is a kind of therapyAnd why rhythm might be the most important bit—⏱️ Highlights00:00 – Intro – ALSO

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43:58

Access, ancestry and a flute made from a leg

Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces ·

2025/07/03

This week, Steve shares a powerful, surprising, and often jaw-dropping conversation with musician, composer and activist Jono Enser.Jono is a gifted multi-instrumentalist and a member of Nubiyan Twist, but he’s also a disabled artist whose recent experiences as an amputee have sparked a radical rethinking of performance, access, and the body as instrument — quite literally. Together, they explore:The challenges and realities of touring as a disabled musicianHow venue design (or lack of it) creates

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38:10

Jeremy Deller, 303s and knitting

Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces ·

2025/06/13

❤️ Support the show on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/StevePrettyOnTheOriginofthePieces📬 Join the mailing list + explore the archive: https://www.originofthepieces.comWelcome back to your favourite podcast for musically curious ears! This week, I’m talking to the brilliant Jeremy Deller, Turner Prize-winning artist and creator of the now-legendary Acid Brass project — a bold collision of working-class brass band tradition and squelchy late-80s acid house.Join us as we trace the unexpected cultural

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23:49

Eurovision Special with Frances Ruffelle

Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces ·

2025/05/17

In this Eurovision-week bonus episode, Steve Pretty is joined by actor, singer, and former UK Eurovision contestant Frances Ruffelle, recorded live at Wilton’s Music Hall.📺 Watch Frances’s Eurovision performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXtXpj2FGF8🌐 Visit Frances Ruffelle’s website: http://www.francesruffelle.com❤️ Support the show on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/StevePrettyOnTheOriginofthePieces📬 Join the mailing list + explore the archive: https://www.originofthepieces.com00:00 –

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15:56

World Poetry Day Special! Robin Ince, conch baths and...

Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces ·

2025/03/21

Wilton's Music Hall show 30th April: use code PRETTYAPR25 for best available seats for £15Mailing list: sign up for special offers, news and morePatreon: sign up for FREE for all manner of bonus goodies and to be part of a growing musically-curious communityDescription:To mark World Poetry Day, Steve drops a surprise bonus episode featuring writer, comedian, and poet Robin Ince, recorded live at Wilton’s Music Hall.Robin performs a series of poems—some whimsical, some urgent—including one inspired

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52:53

Re: a wake, a sample, a rebirth

Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces ·

2025/03/13

Wilton's Music Hall show 30th April: use code PRETTYAPR25 for best available seats for £15Mailing list: sign up for special offers, news and morePatreon: sign up for FREE for all manner of bonus goodies and to be part of a growing musically-curious communityIn this 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 ShowsSteve reflects on recent gigs at Wilton’s & Also Festival.04:57 - Podcast

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45:06

Vocal coaching, twanging and Matters of Life and Death

Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces ·

2025/01/15

Wilton's Music Hall show 16th January: use code PRETTYJAN25 for best available seats for £15Wilton's Music Hall show 30th April: use code PRETTYAPR25 for best available seats for £15Mailing list: sign up for special offers, news and morePatreon: sign up for FREE for all manner of bonus goodies and to be part of a growing musically-curious communityIn this episode of 'Steve Pretty on the Origin of the Pieces', Steve Pretty returns after a long hiatus to share his exciting adventures, including a trip

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1:17:10

Ass-haling, skateboard zithers and golden audio

Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces ·

2024/11/29

Wilton's Music Hall show 30th November: use code STEVEPRETTYF for best available seats for £15Wilton's Music Hall show 16th JanuaryMailing list: sign up for special offers, news and morePatreon: sign up for FREE for all manner of bonus goodies and to be part of a growing musically-curious communityA typically eclectic episode this, with a fascinating demonstration of and discussion about throat singing from Finnish composer/performer Pelkkä Poutanen, recorded at the WOMEX world music summit in

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54:05

Rock n roll defibrillators, bierhall melodies and...

Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces ·

2024/10/31

Wilton's Music Hall show 30th November: use code STEVEPRETTYF for best available seats for £15Mailing list: sign up for special offers, news and morePatreon: sign up for FREE for all manner of bonus goodies and to be part of a growing musically-curious communityIn this (yet again) slightly delayed episode - this time due to computer meltdown in the middle of some major deadlines, which is FUN - Steve serves up a tasty German special, inspired by Oktoberfest and his recent visits to Munich and

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55:22

Oud, microtones and underwater soundscapes

Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces ·

2024/10/03

Mailing list: sign up for special offers, news and morePatreon: sign up for FREE for all manner of bonus goodies and to be part of a growing musically-curious communityWilton's Music Hall show 30th November: use code STEVEPRETTYF for best available seats for £15Hackney Colliery Band Earth show 8th October: use code ORIGIN! for £5 offIn this episode, Steve chats about recent adventures and musical projects, including trips to Berlin, Portugal, and Norway. He reflects on a previous episode about

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1:03:27

Afro-joik, arctic ukuleles and 'Big Boobies Is A...

Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces ·

2024/09/06

Mailing list: sign up for special offers, news and morePatreon: sign up for FREE for all manner of bonus goodies and to be part of a growing musically-curious communityWilton's Music Hall show: use code STEVEPRETTYF for best available seats for £15In this arctic special, Steve heads to northern Norway to meet a whole variety of fascinating musical characters.First up, it's the turn of the Bitch Big Boobies Bang Band from Hemnesberget, who are exactly as you'd expect from a band with such an

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1:12:02

Narco music, Ola Onabulé and turf wars

Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces ·

2024/07/24

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

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1:07:30

Serpents, shanties and shells

Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces ·

2024/07/02

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

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1:00:20

Sound balancers, Bowie's favourite studio and Debussy

Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces ·

2024/06/10

Episode SummaryIn this episode, Steve Pretty embarks on a sonic journey with Martin Appleby, a seasoned sound engineer with over nearly four decades of experience at BBC's Maida Vale studios. They delve into Martin's illustrious career, exploring his role in capturing live music for prestigious BBC programs and his the challenges and opportunities of live recording. The episode further explores the philosophical dimensions of recording live ensembles and the unique challenges of live studio

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1:01:10

Double bass, planetary resonance and jam

Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces ·

2024/05/22

Steve invites jazz double bassist/singer Charlie Pyne to the studio for a fascinating chat about all things bass. As well as a tour of her beautiful, historic instrument (affectionately named Claude), Charlie talks about the role of the bass in jazz and swing, and we hear some incredibly soulful playing. Charlie is so warm and joyful, and this reallycomes across in her music, which she gives us a live snippet of here, before an impromptu jamwith Steve and trombonist/occasional podcast assistant Joel

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