Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces

Steve Pretty
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‘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 is central but who rarely have a voice, this show is unapologetically broad in scope. In 'entertaining noises', Steve has musicians explain and demonstrate their instrument, giving fresh perspective on everything from the piano to modular synthesizers, via lesser-known folk instruments from around the world. And in the flagship 'genre tombola' section, Steve is assigned a randomly-chosen genre from the list of 1334 music genres on Wikipedia, which he then goes away and researches, often talking to an expert in that music, before frequently attempting to make some music in that style... Whether he succeeds or not, there's lots of fascinating stuff to learn along the way! As fun as it is thoughtful, this show aims to help you hear and appreciate music in new ways. http://www.originofthepieces.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Sampling Firepits, Feeling Flamenco, Finding Tonás

    5H AGO

    Sampling Firepits, Feeling Flamenco, Finding Tonás

    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 phone and the Ableton Note app, I record a metallic firepit in Dorset with my son, and turn it into a playable instrument. The result? A crunchy little beat made entirely from campsite sounds — and the launch of a brand-new segment: Clip n Mix. Video versions available on Spotify and YouTube. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Intro + podcast updates 03:00 – Clip n Mix: sampling a firepit in Dorset 10:45 – Tonás and flamenco intro 11:10 – Interview with Josie Sinnadurai 35:30 – Post-interview: why I didn’t make a Tonás track 36:30 – Turning the firepit samples into a beat in the studio 56:00 – Outro, Patreon, live shows, and how to send in your own samples 🔗 Links 🎬 Watch the Tonás video Josie mentions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7vpU5zLl-A 👣 Follow Josie: Website: https://www.josielaurelflamenco.com/ Instagram: @josie_sinna 📱 Try Ableton Note (free app): iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/ableton-note/id1611814758 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ableton.note 🎧 Get the firepit samples + Ableton Note project file: https://www.patreon.com/StevePrettyOnTheOriginofthePieces 🎟️ Live at Wilton’s Music Hall – 24th Jan 2026 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Kids show (2pm): https://wiltons.org.uk/whats-on/steve-pretty-and-friends-on-the-origin-of-the-pieces-kids/ 🌙 Evening show (7:30pm): https://wiltons.org.uk/whats-on/steve-pretty-and-friends-on-the-origin-of-the-pieces-2/ 🌍 More info: https://www.originofthepieces.com 👉 Like the show? Please subscribe, rate, and share — and send your own weird/beautiful samples for future Clip n Mix segments to podcast@stevepretty.com or @stevepretty on social. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    58 min
  2. Earwax, Echoes and Entropy

    OCT 3

    Earwax, Echoes and Entropy

    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 at Night. We open with a live extract from our Universe of Music show, performed at Gresham College — exploring what sound and music can tell us about the ultimate fate of the cosmos.Richard Sabin – whale expert and lead curator of mammals at the Natural History Museum, who shares sonic insights from the deep — including how 150 years of whale earwax is helping scientists track stress in marine life. We also: Hear vintage 78 rpm whale recordings, played on a £60k system at Audio GoldUse filters to “play the sea” like a scaleDrop a hydrophone into a water tank and see how sound behavesDiscuss echolocation, underwater acoustic pollution, and whale “culture”Recreate underwater acoustic effects via processing and pitch shiftingReflect on what it means to really listen — to whales or the cosmos Recorded live at the brilliant First Light Festival in a sweltering tent by the sea (thanks again to them for hosting us). 🧠 Bonus content 🎥 The full, uncut interview with Richard Sabin — including audience Q&A and extended hydrophone demos — is available on Patreon. 👯 Mentioned in this episode Sonic Collaborations – project by Colin Riley & teamAudio Gold – London hi‑fi / vinyl emporiumNatural History MuseumFirst Light FestivalChris Lintott 💌 How to support the show Join the mailing list: www.originofthepieces.comBecome a patron: patreon.com/StevePrettyOnTheOriginofthePiecesShare with a musically curious friendRate & review on Apple or Spotify — it genuinely helps 🎧 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min
  3. Music therapy, Swedish standards and clinical improvisation

    JUL 23

    Music therapy, Swedish standards and clinical improvisation

    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 — ⏱️ Highlights 00:00 – Intro – ALSO Festival, Nosferatu live score, and a conch bath update 03:00 – Edinburgh Jazz Festival – A tribute to The Jazz Bar and Bill Kyle 08:30 – Interview with Kassandra e’Silva – Backstage at the Spiegeltent 10:00 – What music therapy is – Presence, trauma, and non-verbal expression 13:30 – Lighting up the brain – Music as reconnection 16:00 – Music at both ends of life – Parenting and dementia 20:00 – Letting go of ‘good’ music – From jazz standards to egg shakers 23:10 – Rhythm as anchor – Repetition, stability, and mental health 25:40 – Creative expression – Instruments, blocks, and tambo-responsiveness 29:40 – Teaching vs therapy – When learning becomes part of healing 31:40 – Improvisation as diagnostic mirror – Sound as resistance 34:40 – Participation matters – Why passive listening isn’t enough 36:10 – What’s the point of music? – A beautiful closing answer — 🎶 Check out Resounding, co-written with Nicole Cassandra Smit, on Hackney Colliery Band – Collaborations: Volume Two 👉 Listen on Bandcamp — 💬 Resource: Music in Dementia (NHS Lothian) Kassandra helped develop this practical guide for carers, families and practitioners. Includes activity ideas, playlists, and real examples from NHS care. 🎵 Explore the guide Note: Kassandra’s views are her own, not those of NHS Lothian. — 🎧 Support the show: 💌 originofthepieces.com ☕ patreon.com/StevePrettyOnTheOriginofthePieces #musictherapy #jazz #musicanddementia #improvisation #originofthepieces #kassandraesilva #stevepretty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min
  4. Access, ancestry and a flute made from a leg

    JUL 3

    Access, ancestry and a flute made from a leg

    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 systemic barriers to inclusionThe radical creativity of reclaiming trauma — including Jono’s current project turning his amputated leg bone into a working fluteMusical ancestors: from Neanderthal bone flutes to Tibetan thighbone trumpetsWhy accessibility isn’t just a bolt-on feature — it’s a cultural responsibilityAnd what it means to give your pain a voice, breath, and song Plus, Steve shares a clip from his Ocean Songs sunrise performance at Benacre Broad — part of his work with the Blue Machine project, inspired by Dr. Helen Czerski’s oceanography book of the same name. There’s a lot packed in here, and it’s one of the most wide-ranging and deeply personal episodes yet. 🎟 Jono’s band Nubiyan Twist are touring this summer – check them out. 🎶 His solo project Matters Unknown is also worth diving into. 🎤 Steve is performing live at ALSO Festival and on July 11th at the National Maritime Museum with Blue Machine – see originofthepieces.com for details. — 🧡 Support the podcast and get exclusive content at: patreon.com/StevePrettyOnTheOriginofthePieces 🎧 Listen, watch, share and review: it all helps the podcast grow. 📍 More info at originofthepieces.com 00:00 – Welcome back + Acid Brass recap Steve introduces the episode and reflects on his recent chat with Jeremy Deller. 02:00 – Meet Jono Enser Jono’s musical upbringing, his shift from trumpet to tuba, and the spiritual resonance of breath. 07:00 – Life as a touring amputee The hidden and not-so-hidden barriers for disabled musicians on the road. 10:00 – Access is everywhere (or isn’t) From venue layouts to door weights and bar heights — access means more than ramps. 14:00 – What artists and venues can actually do Practical steps, responsibility, and why checking access before the gig matters. 18:00 – Ocean Songs interlude Steve shares a clip from his beachside dawn performance as part of the Blue Machine project. 23:00 – A flute made from his own amputated leg Jono’s extraordinary project connecting trauma, ancestry, and sonic experimentation. 28:00 – Resonance, ritual, and reclaiming space Caves, Ambisonics, somatic practice and ecological listening. 32:00 – Music as breath and transformation Why giving pain a voice — literally — matters. 36:00 – What’s the point of music? Jono’s heartfelt answer to Steve’s recurring question. 40:00 – Wrap-up and upcoming gigs Tour dates, ALSO Festival, and National Maritime Museum performance previews. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    44 min
  5. Jeremy Deller, 303s and knitting

    JUN 13

    Jeremy Deller, 303s and knitting

    ❤️ Support the show on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/StevePrettyOnTheOriginofthePieces 📬 Join the mailing list + explore the archive: https://www.originofthepieces.com Welcome 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 connections between miners’ strikes, 303s, and knitting in the front row… ⏱️ Chapters and Highlights: 00:00 – Welcome and new format intro Steve explains the new single-topic format and introduces today’s guest, Jeremy Deller. 02:00 – The story of Acid Brass From a Turner Prize idea to a 30-year legacy: how Jeremy connected acid house and brass bands. 05:00 – Why it inspired Hackney Colliery Band Steve reflects on how Acid Brass shaped his own journey. 07:00 – Interview Pt. 1: Backstage at rehearsal Jeremy and Steve discuss working-class music, the politics of sound, and whether acid house is “folk.” 14:00 – What’s a 303, anyway? Steve demos the iconic Roland TB-303 and compares it to traditional brass. 17:00 – Interview Pt. 2: Deeper dive Jeremy reflects on his artistic intentions, early audience reactions, and the cultural fallout. 29:00 – The knitting incident Yes, really. Knitting, brass bands and acid house. Who'd have thought? 32:00 – Musical roles and expectations Steve discusses how Acid Brass plays with what music is for. 33:00 – The Big Question: What’s the point of music? Jeremy shares his thoughts on connection, spirit, and why most artists are just frustrated musicians. 36:00 – Outro and rehearsal teaser Steve wraps up and previews an exclusive clip from the Acid Brass rehearsal at EartH Hackney. 🎟️ Event Promo (if catching in time!) Catch Acid Brass live at EartH Hackney on 13th June 2025, followed by a late-night party with acid house pioneer A Guy Called Gerald. Limited tickets available! 🎟️ Check ticket availability 🎥 Video extras & behind-the-scenes at: Patreon.com/StevePrettyOnTheOriginofthePieces Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    38 min
  6. Eurovision Special with Frances Ruffelle

    MAY 17

    Eurovision Special with Frances Ruffelle

    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.com 00:00 – Intro from Steve Steve explains this emergency Eurovision-themed sub episode and gives updates on the podcast relaunch, including work with the Natural History Museum and upcoming Wilton’s shows. 02:30 – Why Eurovision? Steve admits he was a bit of a Eurovision skeptic — until diving into the history while preparing for this chat with Frances. 03:45 – Meet Frances Ruffelle Tony Award-winning actor, West End and Broadway star, and the UK’s 1994 Eurovision entry. Frances joins Steve for a live conversation and performance at Wilton’s Music Hall. 05:55 – Opening music: Mood Indigo Live duet of Duke Ellington’s Mood Indigo. 07:00 – Am I a ‘proper’ musician? Frances reflects on musical self-doubt, and Steve challenges the idea that you need classical training to be ‘real.’ 08:40 – Storytelling through song Frances talks about music as a storytelling tool — especially in theatre. 10:30 – Growing up with music hall Frances shares her roots in music hall, her mum Sylvia Young’s legacy, and her first performance at age five. 14:00 – The history of Wilton’s A deep dive into the family connection to Wilton’s Music Hall and its restoration. 17:00 – Musicals vs ‘play with music’ Frances discusses a new show she’s writing with Alan Cumming and how it blends genres. 19:00 – Eurovision 1994: Behind the Scenes How the BBC approached her, why she initially said no, and how it all unfolded — including singing eight songs for the selection show. 21:30 – Live orchestra, no nerves Frances recounts the Eurovision performance experience in Dublin — nerves, glam, and all. 23:00 – On music’s purpose Steve asks: “What’s the point of music?” Frances’s answer: “Togetherness and freedom.” 24:00 – Live Eurovision performance Frances sings her 1994 song Lonely Symphony (We Will Be Free) live — her first public performance of it in 30 years. 26:00 – Outro Steve teases upcoming content, invites contributions for Clip n Mix, and encourages sign-ups to the newsletter and Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    24 min
  7. World Poetry Day Special! Robin Ince, conch baths and BRIAN BLESSED (kind of)

    MAR 21

    World Poetry Day Special! Robin Ince, conch baths and BRIAN BLESSED (kind of)

    Wilton's Music Hall show 30th April: use code PRETTYAPR25 for best available seats for £15 Mailing list: sign up for special offers, news and more Patreon: sign up for FREE for all manner of bonus goodies and to be part of a growing musically-curious community Description: 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 by Steve’s conch bath performance at ALSO Festival. That performance also makes an appearance here in audio form, with seashells and electronics combining into something… well, unusual. The episode closes with reflections on music, abstraction, and the emotional power of sound. Timecodes: 00:00 – Intro: why this bonus episode exists 01:04 – Robin Ince at Wilton’s: poems and reflections 02:06 – Poem: The Conch Bath (plus excerpt from Steve’s performance at ALSO Festival) 09:00 – Poem: Not All Men 12:08 – Poem: Creation Envy 13:47 – Poem: Let Me Celebrate You Now 15:24 – Robin and Steve on the point of music Watch the video version (including Robin onstage and Steve in the lake at ALSO Festival): 📺 youtube.com/@StevePretty Extras and support: 🎟 £15 tickets for Wilton’s show on 30 April with code PRETTYAPR25 🌐 Website, mailing list, Patreon and more: originofthepieces.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    16 min
  8. Re: a wake, a sample, a rebirth

    MAR 13

    Re: a wake, a sample, a rebirth

    Wilton's Music Hall show 30th April: use code PRETTYAPR25 for best available seats for £15 Mailing list: sign up for special offers, news and more Patreon: sign up for FREE for all manner of bonus goodies and to be part of a growing musically-curious community In 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 Shows Steve reflects on recent gigs at Wilton’s & Also Festival. 04:57 - Podcast Evolution & Short Break Big changes ahead: new website, workflow, and video podcast format. 09:05 - The Video Podcast Upgrade From Episode 26, watch on Spotify, YouTube, and more. 11:34 - New Segment: Clip n Mix Listeners send in audio/video snippets, and Steve turns them into music. Submit via podcast@stevepretty.com or social media. 14:52 - The Story Behind ‘Reawake’ How surviving the 2004 tsunami and attending his own memorial gig led to this song. 20:39 - Making Music from a Heartbeat Steve records his daughter’s first ultrasound heartbeat and turns it into music. 26:26 - Sound Design Breakdown Steve demos how he transforms the heartbeat into a full track using sampling & processing. 36:21 - Full Track: ‘Reawake’ Hear Hackney Colliery Band’s emotional piece, featuring his daughter’s heartbeat. 44:37 - Reflections on Survival & Creativity How the tsunami shaped Steve’s outlook and approach to music. 49:34 - What’s Next? Steve takes a short break before the video relaunch. Send in your Clip n Mix submissions! 👉 Stay connected: 📧 Join the mailing list for updates, exclusive content & ticket offers: www.originofthepieces.com 💰 Support the show on Patreon: Get behind-the-scenes access and bonus goodies. 📲 Follow Steve on social media: @stevepretty on Instagram, @steveprettymusic on TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

‘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 is central but who rarely have a voice, this show is unapologetically broad in scope. In 'entertaining noises', Steve has musicians explain and demonstrate their instrument, giving fresh perspective on everything from the piano to modular synthesizers, via lesser-known folk instruments from around the world. And in the flagship 'genre tombola' section, Steve is assigned a randomly-chosen genre from the list of 1334 music genres on Wikipedia, which he then goes away and researches, often talking to an expert in that music, before frequently attempting to make some music in that style... Whether he succeeds or not, there's lots of fascinating stuff to learn along the way! As fun as it is thoughtful, this show aims to help you hear and appreciate music in new ways. http://www.originofthepieces.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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