118 episodes

The StageLeft Podcast lifts the veil on the music industry by telling the stories of those with a unique vantage point. We talk to the unsung heroes behind the success and help young musicians going into an ever complex industry by gleaning advice about the working practices of the the greats from those who were in close proximity when the magic was being made.

The StageLeft Podcast has featured musicians who’ve worked performed live & in the studio with David Bowie, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan, U2, The Rolling Stones, Oasis, The Prodigy, Bjork, Dave Gilmour, Morrissey, Alanis Morissette, The Damned and Fun Lovin' Criminals.

In January 2016, David Bowie's long term producer Tony Visconti appeared to to talk in depth about how Bowie was recording his final album Blackstar. The episode was released only a few days before Bowie passed, and was met with much acclaim.

The StageLeft Podcast The StageLeft Podcast

    • Music
    • 4.8 • 69 Ratings

The StageLeft Podcast lifts the veil on the music industry by telling the stories of those with a unique vantage point. We talk to the unsung heroes behind the success and help young musicians going into an ever complex industry by gleaning advice about the working practices of the the greats from those who were in close proximity when the magic was being made.

The StageLeft Podcast has featured musicians who’ve worked performed live & in the studio with David Bowie, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan, U2, The Rolling Stones, Oasis, The Prodigy, Bjork, Dave Gilmour, Morrissey, Alanis Morissette, The Damned and Fun Lovin' Criminals.

In January 2016, David Bowie's long term producer Tony Visconti appeared to to talk in depth about how Bowie was recording his final album Blackstar. The episode was released only a few days before Bowie passed, and was met with much acclaim.

    Seye Adelekan - Gorillaz (live band)

    Seye Adelekan - Gorillaz (live band)

    Ginger shots at the ready!

    What would someone learn from working with Damon Albarn they wouldn't learn from anyone else?

    How does sobriety work on gig days in an environment so conducive to drink and drugs?

    How is Self-Esteem approaching her new record, given the success of her last?

    When does practice end and rehearsing begin?

    What happened to the Youth of the Apocalypse (YOTA)?!

    All these questions, and more, answered by the visionary Seye Adelekan, songwriter and bassist with Gorillaz, Self-Esteem and Paloma Faith as he joins Chris Simpson for the newest episode of The StageLeft Podcast.

    Feedback on our episode welcome by contacting chris@thestageleftpodcast.com. 

    Hustle - Please too reach out if your business is interested in equipping their staff with Mental Health First Aiders, as Chris is one of only two people in the UK who can deliver this fully accessibly. 

    • 1 hr 6 min
    Ralph Rolle - Chic

    Ralph Rolle - Chic

    Ralph Rolle joins Chris Simpson to discuss his unique open-hand drum technique, walks us through the Grammy's tribute to David Bowie with Lady Gaga (which without Ralph's genius almost ended us a disaster), working with Nile Rogers and Prince and.... cookies.

    #chic
    #davidbowie
    #ladygaga

    • 1 hr 13 min
    The 1975 Touring Band - Live Episode of The StageLeft Podcast

    The 1975 Touring Band - Live Episode of The StageLeft Podcast

    After 8 years, we’ve finally done a live episode! We are joined by Polly Money, Gabi King and John Waugh (touring band with The 1975) in front of a live audience of BIMM students, recorded in London just before the European leg of The 1975s most recent tour. The interview begins with a 30mins interview with Chris, then then band jammed three songs of The 1975 with BIMM students (“If You’re Too Shy Let Me Know”, “About You”, and “UGH!”), before a Q and A from the students themselves.

    We discuss the value of music education, navigating external vs internal validation, fear of failure, how AI and creativity might entwine, playing Madison Square Garden and more.

    P.S. we’re going to do more of these – do get in touch if you’re a venue who’d like to host :)

    Thank you to BIMM London and in particular Seda Beysal and Sam Hong.

    Engineered by Matteo Cortinovis @waitate

    @thestageleftpod
    @thestageleftpodcast
    chris@thestageleftpodcast.com
    www.thestageleftpodcast

    • 1 hr 11 min
    Erran Baron Cohen

    Erran Baron Cohen

    The Oscar shortlisted composer Erran Baron Cohen joins us to dig deep into how the music industry has shaped him as a person, plus breaks down the creative process of writing music for the Borat movies, Da Ali G show, The Infidel (with David Baddiel), being signed to Miles Copeland III's label, and having Snoop Dogg, Elton John, Sting, Bono & Chris Martin perform on his original 'Dove of Peace'.

    “I think it’s hard to not be exploited in the music industry at some point (of your career).”

    You can find more of Erran's work at erranbaroncohen.com and you can contact us by emailing chris@thestageleftpodcast.com to let us know what you think of the episode, or via www.thestageleftpodcast.com

    Happy listening!

    Chris

    • 1 hr 16 min
    Jessica Greenfield on experiencing postpartum depression & touring as a new parent

    Jessica Greenfield on experiencing postpartum depression & touring as a new parent

    Jess Greenfield of Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds talks openly about some troubling experiences within the industry that took place over ten years ago, the treatment she received for post-natal depression, how NGHFB bandmates model how to best support parents separated from children when touring, and what needs to change in the music industry.

    Useful resources for those impacted by the topics include....

    Music Minds Matter - 0808 802 8008. 

    If you work in music and are struggling to cope then call Music Minds Matter, a free, 24/7 charity, which will listen, support and help. It doesn’t have to be a crisis, or even about music.

    MIND - 0300 123 3393

    Survivors Trust  - 08088 010 818
    Monday- Thursday: 10am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-4pm & 6pm-8pm

    Friday: 10am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-4pm

    Saturday: 10am-12.30pm

    Sunday: 6pm-8pm

    https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/resources/mums-and-families/

    Support for new parents juggling work commitments.

    https://survivorsnetwork.org.uk/resource/helplines-webchat-services/ 

    A comprehensive list of a range of free numbers and web services.

    You can reach out to us too at  chris@thestageleftpodcast.com 

    Chris Simpson is one of only two people in the UK qualified to train people fully accessibly in supporting others experiencing a mental health crisis, and is also available as a personal and professional development coach should you need support for yourself or your business.

    www.thestageleftpodcast.com 

    • 1 hr 12 min
    Tom Gray - Gomez & Chair of the Ivors Academy

    Tom Gray - Gomez & Chair of the Ivors Academy

    Currently, an artist would need 62million streams on Spotify to break even on a £25k budget. This needs to change and our guest today Tom Gray is leading that change.

    Tom is Chair of the prestigious Ivor Novello’s, and founding member of Gomez, and is doing more to try to change the music industry than most, through his Broken Records campaign which was backed by The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and many more, to ensure the fairer distribution of streaming royalties to artists at every level. 

    Today we’ll be taking a deep dive into this topic, hearing how we as listeners can help, Whippin’ Piccadilly, and how the Ivor Novello's choose winners. 

    There’ll be no Pussyfooting around.

    Hosted and Produced by Chris Simpson.
    Photo @scottishkenny

    • 1 hr 11 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
69 Ratings

69 Ratings

BowesR ,

Always a compelling listen.

Interesting guests and unique style of interview which brings out the best in the guests.

Pshqet ,

Ace podcast

Great show

Romankato ,

Different insights!

Dig it. Great to get new perspectives. Thanks.

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