The Cruel Thing About James Brown Is Just Listening

Where and how we listened to music shifted during the pandemic. But the music industry itself had to quickly adapt in 2020 to how music was recorded and produced. Our very musical conversation with guest Mark Thorley delves into the changes that COVID brought to remote working and how people’s relationships with music have changed in recent months.

There is no greater joy for Tim than discussing music with our guests, and you can see from the musical links on this episode, that our conversation with Mark covers a multitude of musical genres! Our relaxed discussion with Mark swings off into many musical tangents and Mark even manages to turn his own speed round question back on Tim and Kurt. Listen in to find out which musical star they both would choose to have dinner with!

Mark has coined the phrase “remotivity” to embody the concept of working on music, whether it be recording or producing, in a remote setting. But this goes further than just having a working WiFi connection or a Zoom meeting set up. There are four key skills needed to work remotely in music; innovation, technical expertise, a fan base, and a unique selling point. We explore each of these four elements in detail with Mark. 

•  Welcome and speed round.
•  Hearing the same music at different stages can alter our listening experience. 
•  How has the pandemic shifted how music is recorded and consumed? 
•  Working from home has come full circle.
•  The mental health toll of working from home.
•  The 4 skills needed for working remotely in music.

Wally Heider: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Heider 

Rupert Neve: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupert_Neve 

Rudy Van Gelder: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudy_Van_Gelder 

Les Paul: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Paul 

Joe Meek: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Meek  

Episode 219: Why Music Makes You Feel Better with Pablo Ripollés and Ernest Mas Herrero: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/why-music-makes-you-feel-better/

Episode 82, Chris Matyszczyk: Listening to Music While You Work: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/chris-matyszczyk-listening-to-music-while-you-work/

Kylie Minogue “I Should Be So Lucky”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_TvpBwSZDM 

Hot Chocolate “You Sexy Thing”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3fX2_bxEkg 

Madonna “Material Girl”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p-lDYPR2P8 

Quincy Jones “Summer in the City 1973”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xN3KOY2kbg 

Chicane “Hello, Goodbye”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iTHBBv0n5c  

James Brown “Get On Up”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCCkb6k_aow 

Chuck Berry “Johnny B Goode”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T38v3-SSGcM 

Nina Simone “Feeling Good”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHRNrgDIJfo 

U2 “I Will Follow”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSJYerDbdjc 

Ministry “Search and Destroy”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psHDeiXRVwQ 

Charlie Mingus “Moanin’”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__OSyznVDOY” 

Echo and The BunnyMen “The Killing Men”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWz0JC7afNQ 

Steely Dan “More Than Just a Band”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjXB894CZnM 

UB40 “Red. Red Wine”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXt56MB-3vc 

“The 1919 Influenza Blues”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y_7B1cCvjk