Undercurrent Stories The Human League, Heaven 17 and the Power of Sound: Martyn Ware
In this episode I'm delighted to welcome musician, producer and sound pioneer Martyn Ware to the show.
Martyn takes us back to his Sheffield roots and shares how the experimental beginnings of The Human League led to the formation of Heaven 17. He opens up about the split with Phil Oakey, the creation of groundbreaking tracks like Being Boiled, and how Heaven 17 carved out their place in 80s synthpop history.
Beyond the hits, Martyn reflects on his production work — including helping relaunch Tina Turner’s career — and his passion for immersive 3D soundscapes. He also discusses the power of music for creativity, connection, and wellbeing.
Highlights include:
- Early days of The Human League and the Sheffield electronic scene
- The moment that inspired Heaven 17
- Stories from the studio with Tina Turner and Terence Trent D’Arby
- Martyn’s new podcastSoundpower and his exploration of sound and healing
- The legacy of synthpop and why fans still follow Heaven 17 today
Whether you grew up on 80s electronic music or you’re discovering it fresh, this conversation is full of stories, insight, and inspiration from one of the genre’s true innovators.
LInks:
Heaven 17 (includes tour dates)
Autobiography: Electronically Yours
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