Straight Up

What's it like to dance with Dua Lipa? How does Billie Eilish think up her lyrics? And what is the book Stormzy's reading in Sounds of the Skeng? Henry Scholfield, one of the world's most sought after music video directors, spills his creative secrets to Kathleen and Eleanor, from why Wiley didn't turn up to the Boasty shoot to the story behind Stormzy's Vossi Bop uber. Henry also chatted to Straight Up about how he got his very first job and the niche sources of his inspiration, his advice for aspiring film makers, and what he believes are some of the most iconic music videos of the last decade.Also in this episode, Kathleen and Eleanor share their recommendations across podcasts, books and TV on the themes of race and white privilege, from Little Fires Everywhere and George the Poet's podcast to Kiley Reid's Such a Fun Age and Michaela Coel's I May Destroy You.Loved this episode of Straight Up? Have any suggestions for our next episode? Are you a brand wanting to chat to us about sponsorship opportunities? We'd love to hear from you: hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukStraight Up's music and editing is by Marlon Percy: @marlonpercyStraight Up is sponsored by online spirits specialist Master of Malt, where you can get all of your favourite drinks, including this episode's refreshingly botanical bottle of Ki No Bi gin.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's it like to spend weeks on the road with Drake (with your nans in tow)? How to react when Fredo buys you a gas mask as a present? And what is it really like to DJ for the King and Queen themselves, Beyonce and JAY Z? Most importantly, how does it feel to be one of the most in-demand and respected DJs in the world? Tiffany Calver, the 25-year-old, Shropshire-born host of Radio 1Xtra's Rap Show talks to Straight Up about everything from first jobs and career disasters to owning her presence as one of the few women shaping UK rap. Over a couple of glasses over prosecco, Tiffany also chatted about how she overcame her imposter syndrome and why she blacklists certain lyrics from her radio show. Plus, where is really good to go out in London, which celebrity throws the best parties and what's it like to live down the road from Maya Jama?Loved this episode of Straight Up? Have any suggestions for our next episode? Are you a brand wanting to chat to us about sponsorship opportunities? We'd love to hear from you: hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukStraight Up's music and editing is by Marlon Percy: @marlonpercyStraight Up is sponsored by online spirits specialist Master of Malt, where you can buy this episode's bottle of Galeotti Prosecco. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is touring like a drug to artists and what happens when they get off stage? Is all press good press? And can the tabloids still break a celebrity? For this episode, over a dry bottle of rose, Eleanor and Kathleen spoke to publicity legend and former music critic Barbara Charone about working with some of the world’s biggest artists, from Madonna and The Rolling Stones to Mark Ronson and the Foo Fighters, Kesha, Duffy and Christina Aguilera.Barbara also revealed what it was like to tour with The Rolling Stones while writing Keith Richards' authorised biography, launching a young Madonna in the Eighties, and the one artist she regrets not working with.In this week's cultural run-down, Eleanor and Kathleen chat about the one album, book, TV show, film and podcast they can't get enough of.Loved this episode of Straight Up? Have any suggestions for our next episode? Are you a brand wanting to chat to us about sponsorship opportunities? We'd love to hear from you: hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukStraight Up's music and editing is by Marlon Percy: @marlonpercyStraight Up is sponsored by online spirits specialist Master of Malt, where you can buy Barbara's favourite bottle of Williams Chase rose Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do musicians deal with fame and is there such a thing as an overnight success story? What's the story behind Ed Sheeran getting signed? (It involves a Bruno Mars gig and a tonne of beer). This week Kathleen and Eleanor speak to one of the music business's most influential players, Ed Howard, who was promoted to co-President of Atlantic (alongside Briony Turner, who is on maternity leave), in January.Ed talks about crafting the long-term strategy behind his first-ever signing Charli XCX, how he consoled Burna Boy after the star lost out on a Brit Award, how labels will adapt to an era of stars coming off social media, how a label imprint like Stormzy’s Merky Records actually works, and the difficulty of taking on his mentor Ben Cook's role after Cook was asked to leave Atlantic following a blackface controversy.Kathleen and Eleanor also talk about what it’s like to interview Niall Horan, and why the most recent episode of internet culture podcast Reply All has got everyone hooked.To listen to all the music discussed on Straight Up and the songs we've got on repeat, follow our Straight Up playlist on Spotify.Loved this episode of Straight Up? Have any suggestions for our next episode? Are you a brand wanting to chat to us about sponsorship opportunities? We'd love to hear from you: hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukStraight Up's music and editing is by Marlon Percy: @marlonpercyStraight Up was recorded Chris Bailey of The Boy in the Corner @cornerHQStraight Up is sponsored by online spirits specialist Master of Malt, where you can buy a bottle of tasty Haku vodka. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's it like to meet Taylor Swift in her Nashville home and chat politics and Kanye? Guardian Deputy Music Editor Laura Snapes is one of the best critics in the country and on this episode of Straight Up talks about profiling Taylor Swift and the difficulties of interviewing Avril Lavigne, why she convinced Matty Healy from The 1975 to pledge only playing festival line-ups with enough women on the bill, as well what it’s like to have a male musician sexually harass you over an email interview, before making explicit, inappropriate references to you during one of his shows.In this episode, Kathleen and Eleanor also discuss the musicians they interviewed at the Brits – from Burna Boy to Aitch – what the Brits Chiltern Firehouse afterparty is really like (including secret smoking areas and performances), and what happened to Duffy.To listen to all the music discussed on Straight Up and the songs we've got on repeat, follow our Straight Up playlist on Spotify.Loved this episode of Straight Up? Have any suggestions for our next episode? Are you a brand wanting to chat to us about sponsorship opportunities? We'd love to hear from you: hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukStraight Up's music and editing is by Marlon Percy: @marlonpercyStraight Up was recorded at club and co-working space The Ministry by Chris Bailey of The Boy in the Corner @cornerHQStraight Up is sponsored by online spirits specialist Master of Malt, where you can buy Kathleen and Eleanor's choice Alkkemist gin.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's it like to get celebrities naked for work every day? Carlotta Constant, the super stylist who has dressed everyone from Rihanna, Stormzy and Loyle Carner to Krept and Konan, Hrvy and The Arctic Monkeys, lifts the lid on what it's really like to work so up close and personal with some of the music industry's biggest names. Over a couple of glasses of Tattinger champagne, Carlotta chatted to Kathleen and Eleanor about the piece of advice she gave Rihanna, the musician she'd most like to give a makeover to and the behind-the-scenes issues that happen on set, including what happens when musicians take drugs during a shoot or steal shoot clothes and jewellery. Carlotta also talked about the brand every musician wants on their rail, and her hypebeast tips for getting ahead of the best fashion drops.To listen to all the music discussed on Straight Up and the songs we've got on repeat, follow our Straight Up playlist on Spotify.Loved this episode of Straight Up? Have any suggestions for our next episode? Are you a brand wanting to chat to us about sponsorship opportunities? We'd love to hear from you: hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukStraight Up's music and editing is by Marlon Percy: @marlonpercyStraight Up was recorded at club and co-working space The Ministry by Chris Bailey of The Boy in the Corner @cornerHQStraight Up is sponsored by online spirits specialist Master of Malt, where you can buy Carlotta's favourite bottle of Tattinger.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fraser T Smith witnessed Stormzy's tug of war between the light and dark while the rapper recorded Gang Signs and Prayer, went with Dave to meet his brother in prison while recording Psychodrama, and was a shoulder to cry on for Adele while she recorded Set Fire to the Rain. Having been at the side of the UK's most successful musicians during their most vulnerable moments, Fraser shares them with Kathleen and Eleanor in this episode of Straight Up.Over a couple of gin and tonics, Fraser also talks to Straight Up about the one song he regrets producing, the thorny issue of freedom of speech in his studio and his craziest memory with Craig David – who hired him as a backing guitarist and was then best man at his wedding. Listen in to learn all about Fraser's signature style, his favourite songs and how he became producer to the stars. Kathleen and Eleanor also discuss Adele's rumoured new album, the just-announced Sound of 2020 list, interviewing Wiley and Lizzo's killer chat-up line to Niall Horan.To listen to all the music discussed on Straight Up and the songs we've got on repeat, follow our Straight Up playlist on Spotify.Loved this episode of Straight Up? Have any suggestions for our next episode? Are you a brand wanting to chat to us about sponsorship opportunities? We'd love to hear from you: hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukStraight Up's music and editing is by Marlon Percy: @marlonpercyStraight Up was recorded at club and co-working space The Ministry by Chris Bailey of The Boy in the Corner @cornerHQStraight Up is sponsored by online spirits specialist Master of Malt, where you can buy Fraser's favourite bottle of Monkey47 gin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's it like to photograph everyone from Kano to Jeremy Corbyn, and direct J Cole and Skepta's music videos? Olivia Rose, grime's most trusted photographer, spills her secrets, from how she got Slowthai naked and chased Tempa T through Milton Keynes for her perfect shot, to making her biggest mistake on a shoot with JME and leaning on D Double E as an agony aunt. It's a fun one, enjoy!You can also read Eleanor's GQ cover interview with Skepta and watch her Facebook Live with Jeremy Corbyn, and read Kathleen's interviews with Slowthai and Jorja Smith. To listen to all the music discussed on Straight Up and the songs we've got on repeat, follow our Straight Up playlist on Spotify.Loved this episode of Straight Up? Have any suggestions for our next episode? Are you a brand wanting to chat to us about sponsorship opportunities? We'd love to hear from you: hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukStraight Up's music and editing is by Marlon Percy: @marlonpercyStraight Up was recorded at club and co-working space The Ministry by Chris Bailey of The Boy in the Corner @cornerHQStraight Up is sponsored by online spirits specialist Master of Malt, where you can buy our bottle of Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Rum Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does a festival organiser do when there's a bomb threat beneath the main stage and a royal in the crowd? How to cope when Madonna's manager is shouting at you down the phone, when JAY Z threatens to pull out of your event, or when Eminem starts being a diva? This week, over a couple of whiskeys, BBC Introducing and GetOnMusic founder Jason Carter gives Straight Up the skinny on what working with the stars (and their entourage) is really like.  Also in this episode, Jason talks about booking a then unknown Ed Sheeran to play the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury, how the BBC Sound Of lists get drawn up and why Radio 1Xtra was launched, and the time a manager tried to bribe him to get his artist on the radio.  Keep listening until the end to hear Kathleen and Eleanor chat about interviewing Stormzy and Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne's problematic new album and the queer narrative around Harry Styles. Enjoy!To listen to all the music discussed on Straight Up and the songs we've got on repeat, follow our Straight Up playlist on Spotify.Enjoyed this episode of Straight Up? Have any suggestions for our next episode? Are you a brand wanting to chat to us about sponsorship opportunities? We'd love to hear from you: hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukStraight Up's music and editing is by Marlon Percy: @marlonpercyStraight Up was recorded at club and co-working space The Ministry by Chris Bailey of The Boy in the Corner @cornerHQStraight Up is sponsored by online spirits specialist Master of Malt, where you can buy a bottle of Jason's Ardberg single malt.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What makes an artist blow up and what happens when they fall? Do artists still need press, how much do their music videos cost and who tells them off when they step out of line? Why does Rita Ora have such a complicated reputation and why is George Ezra so nice? Cassandra Gracey, President of Sony’s in-house creative agency 4th Floor Creative and one of only two female label presidents in the UK, lifts the lid on all this and more over a cold glass (or two) of her favourite drink: Moët champagne. To listen to all the music discussed on Straight Up and the songs we've got on repeat, follow our Straight Up playlist on Spotify.Enjoyed this episode of Straight Up? Have any suggestions for our next episode? Are you a brand wanting to chat to us about sponsorship opportunities? We'd love to hear from you: hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukStraight Up's music and editing is by Marlon Percy: @marlonpercyStraight Up was recorded at club and co-working space The Ministry by Chris Bailey of The Boy in the Corner @cornerHQStraight Up is sponsored by online spirits specialist Master of Malt, where you can buy a bottle of Cassandra's Moët. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.