LIVE from Patch Place, Chelmsford for Essex Podcast Festival. Disappointingly Steve isn’t wearing his MBE medal. Talking The Meffs and MeffFest at Charter Hall. Steve grew up in a small village near Halstead, Essex. He discovered music at Xmas 1973 when his Dad was listening to the top 20 on the radio. Tom Robinson, The Stranglers and Eddie & The Hot Rods got him excited about punk and music, and then The Lurkers came along and he fell in love with the sound and went to see them in Chelmsford when he was 13. After that Steve was addicted to gigs. Started a fanzine, and took a course in journalism in Harlow. Learning the pyramid of how to write a news story, which is still a useful skill now. The power of camaraderie and teamwork in a newspaper office, and learning from mentors. He was sports editor at the age of 21. His journo skills and fanzine landed him a role as sub editor at NME. Advice to people starting out: Write every day to become a better writer - Set yourself writing challenges, or subjects, and build up a body of work. Know your subject better than anybody else. Steve is fascinated by the musicians that just have to perform, there’s something they need to get out and express, pure drive - like Idles! Looking after Kingmaker on tour in Colchester and watching Blind Date in a hotel room. Discovering Coldplay at a gig he almost didn’t go to at Camden Falcon - they were ready for the big time. The more gigs you’ve seen, the more well versed you are to have an opinion. Backing The Streets on the Evening Session, and the audience didn’t agree, very vocally on email. Steve started a record label, Deceptive Records. After years of being a music critic at the NME he wanted to prove that he could run a label - and to create a hit band from Harlow. A chance encounter at The Square led to him signing Collapsed Lung. Eat My Goal was a top 40 hit and featured on a CocaCola advert. Deceptive also signed Elastica - they went on to do well! All about Colchester legends Bum Gravy. Other amazing named bands from Essex - Pregnant Neck, Horrible Dolphins. Steve is Chair of LIVE Trust, and trying to get underserved towns and cities back on the gig map. People need places to play to form bands, and find inspiration. How does Steve find new bands to check out? Steve prefers being an observer of music, rather than a creator of music, he never felt like starting his own band. Balancing the music and connection to your audience when you put together a radio show - play one that the audience will like, play one they’ll probably like, play one for me - and round again! Steve likes to give as many different people and bands the chance to play on the BBC, like Slay Duggee! Interviewing Nirvana in a bed and breakfast in Shepherd’s Bush - the best story ever. Thanks to Essex Podcast Festival and Chelmsford For You Are You Creative? recorded by Lawker Media at Patch Place Chelmsford, ESSEX Edited by Nick Hearne Artwork by Alpaca Antenna Don't forget to like, subscribe, share and all the good stuff. Follow our Instagram for latest news and behind the scenes photos Send comments, questions, or suggestions for fascinating creative people in Essex give us a shout on our Instagram Thanks to NGDA for their support
