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...
Jun 23, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 12
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 ...
May 15, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 11
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 wit...
Apr 10, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 10
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...
Mar 12, 2020•56 min•Season 1Ep. 9
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...
Feb 27, 2020•57 min•Season 1Ep. 8
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 gi...
Feb 13, 2020•53 min•Season 1Ep. 7
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 ta...
Jan 09, 2020•51 min•Season 1Ep. 5
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 , a...
Dec 26, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 4
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 ...
Dec 12, 2019•58 min•Season 1Ep. 3
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 champagn...
Nov 28, 2019•58 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Austin Daboh almost lost his very first job in music at the BBC, yet now he's one of the industry's most respected voices. Previously at Spotify, then Head of Editorial at Apple Music, and now Executive Vice President at Atlantic Records UK, Austin chatted to Straight Up all about his life changing career moves, what he has learned from failure along the way, and advice for all aspiring creatives. Over his favourite drink, a Hennessy and coke, Austin also spoke to Kathleen and Eleanor about how ...
Nov 14, 2019•49 min•Season 1Ep. 1
