This podcast aims to explore life from a musician's point of view: the peaks, troughs and the downright unexpected. Hosted by London-based cellist Davina Shum
Episodes
Friday Feb 14, 2020
Friday Feb 14, 2020
Welcome to the first episode of 2020! This has been brought to you following my worst January ever. It never rains, but it pours!
Australian harpist Tara Minton is my guest in this episode, whose versatility is illustrated in her ability to play and sing in various styles. We chatted about moving over to the cold of London from the heat of Melbourne, travelling with a harp, gig life, how grade 8 is just the beginning of your musical journey, and Tara's thoughts on harmony. You'll also find out the best gig she's ever played in, and the best gigs she's ever seen.
This episode features a Music College Didn't Prepare Me transport disaster that occurred to me in - you guessed it: January.
Want to get in touch? Email me: asitcomespodcast@gmail.com
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Mentioned in this episode:
Twitter: @tara_minton
Instagram: @taraminton
Website: taraminton.com.au (oi oi oi)
Friday Dec 20, 2019
Friday Dec 20, 2019
Part deux of my conversation with Jingle Elms is here, including chat about writing music for computer games, geese, swan necks (things took a surreal turn), plus the wildcard question round. Please excuse the nasal congestion on either side of the interview, as I wasn’t very well at the time of recording this. Also featured is a Music College Didn’t Prepare Me segment all about travel.
Got an experience that music college didn’t prepare you for that you’d like to share? Tell me: asitcomespodcast@gmail.com or via social media, and I may share it on the podcast, hopefully without a blocked nose. Like and follow le podcast on Facebook and Instagram @asitcomespod.
Mentioned in this episode:
Twitter: @danielelms
Instagram: @danielelmsmusic
Friday Dec 13, 2019
Friday Dec 13, 2019
Composer Daniel Elms is my guest this episode, and next episode, as we shared a lengthy chat in his flat in Hove. We cover topics such as the wonders of various northern UK accents, dealing with composition briefs, anxiety in one's creative process, and how his debut album got signed, landing a UK-wide tour, and the logistics involved in making that happen.
This episode's music college didn't prepare me is about TAX because it seems no one knows anything about it until you're in the middle of a hefty tax return amongst a pile of receipts.
Mentioned in this episode:
Friday Nov 22, 2019
Friday Nov 22, 2019
You know the times are trying when you sit in silence and have a wee cry. Fortunately, solace can be found in some maternal love.
This episode's guest is cellist Sophie Gledhill. We chatted backstage at Snape Maltings about life as a freelancer, long-distance relationships, being emotional, animals, Disney, and Sophie's drive to use music to bring about social change - leading her to take part in the Global Leaders Program and a residency at the Banff Centre.
This episode features a Music College Didn't Prepare Me segment that illustrates music in motion for most people involved. Got a weird experience you'd like to share? Tell me: asitcomespodcast@gmail.com
Like and follow for bonus material and silly rain-soaked videos: @asitcomespod
Mentioned in this episode:
rippletank.org
Friday Nov 08, 2019
Friday Nov 08, 2019
Today’s episode is brought to you from a designated duvet day – necessary for recharging one’s batteries!
My guest is Mike Ladouceur – composer and orchestrator. He’s recently released his album of original work “Between Worlds” – on vinyl no less! Find out why Mike chose to release his album via sound installation, what he has to do as a film score orchestrator, and what he’d be if he weren’t a musician.
This episode features a Music College Didn’t Prepare Me segment of bowel-shaking proportions. Got an experience that music college didn’t prepare you for that you’d like to share? Let me know: asitcomespodcast@gmail.com
Stay up to date with the pod: like and follow on Facebook and Instagram @asitcomespod
Mentioned in this episode:
Mike’s album “Between Worlds”: https://phonicarecords.com/product/mike-ladouceur-between-worlds-lp-ml-records/163443
@mike_ladouceur
Friday Oct 25, 2019
Friday Oct 25, 2019
We're 10 episodes old! Happy days! This episode was brought to you amongst the chaos and logistics of organising chamber music rehearsals and concerts.
Episode 10's guest is Margaret Cookhorn, principal contrabassoon of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. We chat about life as a bassoonist - how it can take years to get your dream instrument, how practice is like Olympic training or saving to buy a house and how to get ahead with your reed-making (clue: husbands). As well as being the first contrabassoon soloist at the BBC Proms, Margaret is also a fellow BBC Radio 3 Time Traveller, so we chat about writing and working in radio.
A comedy of errors involving mistaken genders, forgotten instruments, inclement weather and vehicular damage feature in this episode's Music College Didn't Prepare Me segment.
Got a rando experience to share that music college didn't prepare you for? Let me know: asitcomespodcast@gmail.com
Like and follow the pod on Facebook and Instagram @asitcomespod
Mentioned in this episode:
@queencontra
Musicians' Wellbeing online survey: tinyurl.com/musicianswellbeingsurvey
Musicians' Weekend episode 8- interview with Simone Willis (skip to 25'08"): https://musicianweekend.podbean.com/e/episode-8-feat-simone-willis-phd-researcher-in-musicians-stress-and-well-being/
Friday Oct 11, 2019
Friday Oct 11, 2019
This episode was largely produced on the road - in trains, Travelodges, green rooms, you name it. Busy times - it explains my huskier-than-usual vocal register this episode.
My guest is David Mahoney, conductor and founder of the Novello Orchestra, which recently performed a UK arena tour of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Live in Concert. We chatted backstage in a galaxy far, far away (Birmingham) about how he got to where he is now, what he has to deal with onstage while conducting a film score (turns out quite a bit), and the glamorous life of living on a tour bus.
Also featured is a titillating Music College Didn't Prepare Me segment of a salacious nature. Got an experience music college didn't prep you for? Tell me: asitcomespodcast@gmail.com
Mentioned in this episode:
@david_mahoney
@thenovelloorchestra
FYI Rugby results: NZ vs Canada 63-0
NZ vs Namibia 71-9
Like and follow the podcast on Facebook and Instagram @asitcomespod
Friday Sep 27, 2019
Friday Sep 27, 2019
Producing today's episode has been an exercise in time management. How do you get everything done when you have a billion things on, and during the Rugby World Cup? #dilemma
My guest this episode is my old friend Lucy Anderson, from Wellington, New Zealand. We chat about expat life here in the UK, the Kiwi attitude of tackling whatever may come your way, such as moving countries, language and accent comprehension, finding good coffee, and some of the challenges faced in Lucy's job as assistant company manager at English National Opera (evacuating Kelsey Grammer out of the Coliseum avoiding the paparazzi, anyone?)
Don't miss this episode's avian Music College Didn't Prepare Me segment. Got an anecdote or funny story to share? Email me at asitcomespodcast@gmail.com
Like and follow the podcast on Facebook and Instagram @asitcomespod (especially if you like cats and would like to see more of assistant purr-ducer Romeo)
Mentioned in this episode:
Ensemble Mini Berlin: http://minimahler.com/
ENO Discover Opera: https://www.eno.org/discover-opera/
Friday Sep 13, 2019
Friday Sep 13, 2019
Back to school! Which means back to the land of seemingly unfamiliar students, wacky comments from pupils and having to wake up early again...
My guest is pianist Elisabeth Streichert, the Artistic Director of the Phacelia Ensemble - a flexible ensemble which specialises in "Concertos in Miniature" arranged by Elisabeth herself as well as great staples of chamber music repertoire. This conversation occurred in July 2019 during a heatwave, where we chatted about the unexpected delights of German beaches, how concertos are really just chamber music, convincing yourself that your project is a good idea, as well as Eli's struggle with and recovery from physical injury. One to listen to if you have or know someone who's ever endured physical pain - who hasn't?
Don't miss this episode's double-reeded Bridezilla Music College Didn't Prepare Me segment!
For bonus material such as videos and cats, please Like: facebook.com/asitcomespod Follow on Instagram: @asitcomespod
Mentioned in this episode:
https://www.phacelia-ensemble.com/
facebook.com/phaceliaensemble
Instagram: @phacelia.ensemble
Germany tour dates:
28/09/2019 Klangmanufaktur Hamburg 8pm
29/09/2019 Konzertgut RitterGut Lucklum 5pm (broadcast date TBC on Deutschlandfunk Kultur)
04/10/2019 St Peter's church, St. Peter-Ording 8pm
Friday Aug 30, 2019
Friday Aug 30, 2019
Cellist spots fellow cellist at home train station - THAT SHE DOESN'T KNOW. Commence awkward staring. What do you do, especially if you don't have your instrument, and can't illustrate your solidarity?
Nina Harries is my guest this week. We chat about her life as a bassist and vocalist, her musical family, imposter syndrome, working with the Akram Khan company, and her upcoming album. Also mentioned are muddy gigs, carting around double basses, and crying at nature, especially mountains.
Don't miss this week's Music College Didn't Prepare Me segment of photographic consequences.
Like and follow the podcast for bonus content such as myself playing instruments that I do not play: facebook.com/asitcomespod or Instagram @asitcomespod
Mentioned in this episode:
Nina's website and socials: www.ninaharries.com @ninaharriesbass
13th September album launch: https://www.hoxtonhall.co.uk/event/nina-harries/
Album preorder: https://ninaharries.bandcamp.com/