Stories that shine a spotlight on pioneering thinkers who forge new paths in their respective fields or those oddball eccentrics exploring the weird and wonderful.
Have you wondered who are some of the people behind the popular Christmas songs you hear every year? Songs like All 'I Want For Christmas Is You', 'Santa Claus Is Coming To Town' or 'Last Christmas' – written by the likes of Haven Gillespie, Mariah Carey, George Michael and more, they all have fascinating tales.
We meet Ulrich Gerhartz of Steinway & Sons to discuss a machine with more parts than a car, one that easily can live well beyond a hundred years and be as spectacularly precise as the day it was put together (with adequate repair, of course) – none other than the piano.
Manchester-based leftfield trio that is GoGo Penguin draws on a number of genres to create music that is distinctively theirs. Pianist Chris Illingworth speaks about that musical journey – and of how jazz factors into it.
Who actually engineers the sound effect for films? Take a deeper look into the world of foley, featuring an exclusive interview with foley artist Barnaby Smyth.
We meet Craig and Rebecca Struthers, husband and wife at the helm of Struthers Watchmakers. Creating new watches and repairing others that at times are centuries old, the duo is responsible for helping us manage one of our most precious resources: time. The tick of a watch, says Rebecca, is like a heartbeat.
Los Angeles-based indie rock band Slow Hollows has gotten co-signs from Tyler, The Creator and Frank Ocean. With a new album coming out, they are ready to be a household name.
We meet Alexander Roden, workshop manager at Yard-O-Led, makers of sterling silver pens and pencils for nearly 200 years. From their studio in Birmingham’s jewellery district, the writing instruments they create are second to none – and have no trouble finding loyal customers across the globe.
For designer Alexandra Llewellyn, working life is all fun and games. That’s because she’s found a niche for herself in making exquisite backgammon boards and poker sets. Inspired by the joy and clamour of street-side backgammon playing, the games she makes today explore materiality – using not just wood, but leather, metal, glass and stones – transforming the experience altogether.
As master of the art of acting and R&B music, Kiana Lede is the new kid on the block who is fast-becoming a household name on the radio.
