Rob Galloway has been the lead singer of punk rock and roll band The Yalla Yallas for 16 years. He tells me all about the Leeds music scene and how it has changed over the years, how the band got together, their upcoming new album (their seventh!) and much more. Rob played Sid the Snake in the Shane Meadow's production The Gallow's Pole which you can see on iPlayer. It's a great series with some amazing actors and I would thoroughly recommend. Rob chose to feaure the cracking tune that is...

Tian Liu has been selected as a member of the Youth Parliament Leeds. She advocates for youth voice, climate action and making mental health support accessible. She taslks with representatives from the UK governemnt, youth groups and has met with King Charles. Tian has a passion for social mobility, justice and activism. She aims to understand difficulties within her own community and to provide solutions. 11th October, 2023 was International Day of the Girl and to coincide with that, WOW...

I had a wonderful time chatting to Spike and Fran who are both members of Leeds Arts Cenrtre. Spike and Fran tell me about their upcoming play ROPE, a play by Patrick Hamilton that was further immortalised by the Alfred Hitchock film. ROPE is Spike's directorial debut and he tells me all about what the experience has been like. Fran only moved to Leeds in April and she tells me more about the community aspect of being a LAC member and the character she is peforming as, Leila Arden. Fran...

Martin Gaughan is a contemporary classical music composer, currently living in North Devon. He tells me what led him to becoming a composer, the inspirational people who helped him on his way and about some of his creative processes.  Martin chose to feature his beautiful track "Echoes" which is part of a larger piece called "Pale Goddess". Do check out his work on Soundcloud (links...

Hannah Broadbent told me all about Feel Good Film Experience, which as she explains, the title of the project sums up it's aims. Hannah explains to me how she got started, her love of film and what you can expect from one of her events. Hannah is collaborating with Come On In and is showing a film called "Ginger Snaps" and also screening 'A Film About Studio Electrophonique' at Jumbo Records, as part of the Scalarama Leeds DIY Festival taking place at various locations across the city...

Lisa Thiel has been an Egghead since 2014. She was a fantastic guest and told me all about how she got started in TV quizzing, what it's like behind the scenes, the move from BBC to Channel 5, Jeremy Vine on a unicyle and much, much more. The featured track is "Blowing Kisses" by the up and coming and very talented Leeds band, Lucky Iris. I predict big things for...

I had a grand old time chatting to Vic Bingham about standup comedy, coming from a funny family, how she got involved and where you can see her perform. The featured track is the stuninng "I don't Want To Live Without You" by Lorenzo Gabanizza & Jeff...

Lauren & Mathew joined me to tell me all about FoodCycle, to tell me how they got involved, how you can get involved and about all of the good work thet are doing across Leeds and the 66 projects they have running across the UK. "We are FoodCycle, and our vision is to make food poverty, loneliness and food waste a thing of the past for every community. We connect communities, reducing loneliness and food poverty – working with thousands of volunteers and surplus food to help everyone who...

I had a great time chatting to Kully Thiarai, Creative Director and CEO of Leeds 2023 - the city's international year of culture. "For one whole year, we’re Letting Culture Loose.  In partnership with world-class creatives, homegrown talent, local communities and international arts organisations, together we’re creating a celebration that's about Leeds, for Leeds, by Leeds. LEEDS 2023 is an explosive, bold and imaginative Year of Culture packed with creativity. We’re showing off Leeds to the...

Ann Lightman told me about some of the fascinating history of Leeds and it's colourful characters - she relates this history as part of her Lawnswood Cemetery Walks. Spring 2023 walks at Lawnswood Cemetery, Leeds LS16 6AH: Ann Lightman is offering the following walks, all at 2.00 p.m. on Sundays and no charge made! Expect each to last about two hours –tailored to suit group or individual needs. The meeting point varies according to the walk. To book any (or all) of these free tours,...

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed chatting with Elizabeth! I learned so much! Elizabeth is the Lead Coordinator of Leeds Festival of Gothica. She tells me all about 1980s Leeds being at the forefront of the alternative and goth scene. I also learn about the Sophie Lancaster Foundation and the great work they do; about the Batwings mural in Kirkgate Market and about the Leeds Alternative Market. There's an archive on the Leodis website where anyone can upload photos of flyers or nights...

I make no money from this podcast and all I ask is that you enjoy it, tell your friends and if you could leave me a review I would be most grateful. If you know of someone you think would make a great guest, do get in touch - [email protected]. Do send an mp3 or a wav if you would like your track featuring on an episode.

It was so interesting chatting to Hannah Gehrke, a talented tattoo artist at Red Tattoo & Piercing in the Corn Exchange. She tells me what led her to being a tattoo artist, her apprenticeship, developing her own style, how she ended up in Leeds and much, much more! The featured song on this episode  is "Birds Are Falling Out Of The Sky" by West Yorkshire band, Bloodhound. It's a really beautiful song and there are links below if you'd like to hear more of their...

Enya Lucas is the director of the Leeds Arts Centre production of the play "Scarborough" which is on at The Carriageworks Theatre from Wednesday 8th March until Saturday 11th March, 2023. We had a great chat and Enya tells me about being involved with Leeds Arts Centre, all about the play written by Fiona Evans, the role and challenges of being a director and what she loves about being living in Leeds. Enya chose to feature the beautiful track "Girl On A Hill" by Duncan Evans. The design...

"Leeds Community Foundation distributes vital grants and gives trusted advice to Community Organisations across Leeds and Bradford to influence positive change. We are driven by creating meaningful social impact for thousands of local people every year. As the region’s largest independent funder, Leeds Community Foundation is the only organisation of its kind in Leeds and Bradford, working with hundreds of Community Organisations each year. The Foundation generates philanthropic giving and...

I had such a great chat with Kenneth Barker of WOTR Movies, a film company that has been going since 1998. Kenneth is a producer, writer, director and film maker and he tells me all about how he got started, how he works, where his inspiration for his films come from and much more. Kenneth chose to feature the track "Count Creepy Head" by the fabulous band Johnny Cosmic and the Night Terrors - You may remember Johnny from the Leeds Tarot episode - if not go and have a listen he's a...

I had a grand old chat with Dave, Daniel and Tony of SAS - Specialist Autism Services. "Specialist Autism Services has worked exclusively for and with adults (18+) on the autism spectrum and their families since 1999. We are a non-profit organisation that works with the charity Sacar to provide autism specific services across the Yorkshire region. We provide a range of services including group social skills workshops (through an autism-specific learning programme), information and guidance,...

Sorry for the delay in getting podcasts out to you all! Normal service has now resumed... In many ways this episode is a reboot as I last spoke to Yusef back in May 2020 about Art by Arjo. He joins me on this episode to give me an update since our Lives inLockdown and slo to tell me about Sketch Club Leeds. These are monthly events of skecthing amazing architecture across Leeds. You get access to locations you normally wouldn't too! I was sent the featured track by Tony Peek - it's called...

"Leeds Coppice Workers is a workers co-operative commited to restoring and managing neglected and underused woodlands in the Leeds area. We aim to create jobs in Leeds woodlands for our members and to promote the use of locally sourced woodland products within the Leeds area. We also aim to reintegrate local people to their woodlands, show how woodland can be managed in sustainable and ecologically sound ways and to train and share skills in woodland related activities." I had a great chat...

Catherine Warr was a brilliant guest who is extremely knowledgeable about history - especially Yorkshire History! She has a very popular YouTube channel "Yorkshire's Hidden History" and she has written a book "A Yorkshire Year" which will be published soon. Catherine tells me about what inspires her, her up and coming episode on Louis LePrince and what her TV programme would be about it. The featured track on this episode is the absolutely beautiful "Lammas Fair" by Henry...

Leeds Hunters RUFC is an inclusive rugby club formed in 2016. It has a rapidly growing membersip that is broad and diverse. They have recently developed their O2 Touch Team that aims to provide rugby access to all, including women of all sexualities and the trans community. Chris Woods and Daniel Nerini are both Membership Officers of the club and were great guests who told me about the formulation of the club, the numerous awards they have won, appearing on Steph's Packed Lunch on Channel...

"Leeds Dads is a voluntary organisation that brings together a diverse community of fathers for social interaction and support." I had such fun chatting to Errol Murray, the founder of Leeds Dads. He explains how and why he got started, the challenges he has faced and the successes. We talk about Forest School, Saturday Styling Sessions, Sunday Walks and Dad Talks. If you'd like to get involved do email [email protected] Errol chose to feature the very apt and beautiful track...

What a great conversation I had with Johnny Cosmic! We talked art, offence, inspiration, frustrations with the city loop system - it was wild! Leeds Tarot is "a commmunity focused art project aiming to unify both established and aspiring artists together therough the intriguing imagery of tarot. 78 crads by 78 different artists." The Leeds Tarot Deck is the first of its kind and was inspired by a deck Johnny's Dad owned (Dad worked at Waddington's that produced tarot decks). It's a...

I had a fantastic rambling chat with Mat Cooper who is a BAFTA nominated script writer for hire, a script consultant and script doctor. He has written for Eastenders, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and Family Affairs. Mat was the first ever winner of the Lloyds Bank Film Challenge and the the winner of the Oscar Moore Screenwriting award. Mat works with producers, directors, production companies, brands, broadcasters and content creators across the globe. He has directed and produced two films...