Straight Up

How to find yourself a mentor that could change your life? How can women take charge in male dominated spaces? And how can we ensure black female executives are getting top level jobs? In a special live record from women's members club The AllBright in Mayfair, Straight Up speaks to two of the most important women working in music today, Taponeswa Mavunga, Head of Publicity at Columbia Records, and Claire Coster, Head of Publicity at Atlantic, about their inspiring journeys to the top of the music industry. Between them, Tapi and Claire have worked with everyone from Ed Sheeran and Jay Z to Wizkid, Charli XCX and Koffee, and they first met after Claire interned for Tapi, and subsequently became her mentee. Packed full of career advice for women across all industries, as well as insider analysis on how the music industry is adapting post MeToo and Black Lives Matter and where change is still crucial, this episode of Straight Up is a must-listen for creatives of all levels.Stay listening until the end to hear Kathleen and Eleanor chat about their major artist interviews this month, which include Headie One, Nile Rodgers, D Double E and rising star Kamal. And, to get a sneak preview of our exciting upcoming guest!This episode of Straight Up was sponsored by Beija London, a beautifully inclusive and empowering lingerie and swimwear brand for all cup sizes from AA up to 36H. Fans of Straight Up can get 15% off your first order by entering ‘straightup’ at checkout. Their website address is www.beija.londonLoved this episode of Straight Up? Have any suggestions for our next episode? Are you a brand wanting to chat to us about sponsorship opportunities? We'd love to hear from you: hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukStraight Up's music and editing is by Marlon Percy: @marlonpercy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What strange clauses does Ed Sheeran insist are in his management contract? What is the one unexpected item he asks for on his rider? And what really happened at Russell Crowe's house in Australia? (Clue: it involves a field of snakes.)Stuart Camp, longterm manager to the world's most successful male recording artist, talks to Straight Up about what it's like to be Ed Sheeran's right-hand man. Stuart, who cut his teeth managing James Blunt, Lily Allen and The Darkness, is so close to Ed the star calls him dad, and even lived with him for several years.Stuart reveals how he got his first job in the music business despite being told by his careers advisor that he should become a binman, the one skill you need to be a good manager, how he deals with mad fans and the emotional toll of looking after the physical safety and mental health of one of the world's most famous people.Loved this episode of Straight Up? Have any suggestions for our next episode? Are you a brand wanting to chat to us about sponsorship opportunities? We'd love to hear from you: hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukStraight Up's music and editing is by Marlon Percy: @marlonpercyStraight Up is sponsored by online spirits specialist Master of Malt, where you can get all of your favourite drinks, including this episode's bottle of Fortaleza Blanco tequila. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 aspiring film makers, and what he believes are some of the most iconic music videos of the last decade.Also in this episode, Kathleen and Eleanor share their recommendations across podcasts, books and TV on the themes of race and white privilege, from Little Fires Everywhere and George the Poet's podcast to Kiley Reid's Such a Fun Age and Michaela Coel's I May Destroy You.Loved this episode of Straight Up? Have any suggestions for our next episode? Are you a brand wanting to chat to us about sponsorship opportunities? We'd love to hear from you: hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukStraight Up's music and editing is by Marlon Percy: @marlonpercyStraight Up is sponsored by online spirits specialist Master of Malt, where you can get all of your favourite drinks, including this episode's refreshingly botanical bottle of Ki No Bi gin.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 as one of the few women shaping UK rap. Over a couple of glasses over prosecco, Tiffany also chatted about how she overcame her imposter syndrome and why she blacklists certain lyrics from her radio show. Plus, where is really good to go out in London, which celebrity throws the best parties and what's it like to live down the road from Maya Jama?Loved this episode of Straight Up? Have any suggestions for our next episode? Are you a brand wanting to chat to us about sponsorship opportunities? We'd love to hear from you: hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukStraight Up's music and editing is by Marlon Percy: @marlonpercyStraight Up is sponsored by online spirits specialist Master of Malt, where you can buy this episode's bottle of Galeotti Prosecco. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 with The Rolling Stones while writing Keith Richards' authorised biography, launching a young Madonna in the Eighties, and the one artist she regrets not working with.In this week's cultural run-down, Eleanor and Kathleen chat about the one album, book, TV show, film and podcast they can't get enough of.Loved this episode of Straight Up? Have any suggestions for our next episode? Are you a brand wanting to chat to us about sponsorship opportunities? We'd love to hear from you: hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukStraight Up's music and editing is by Marlon Percy: @marlonpercyStraight Up is sponsored by online spirits specialist Master of Malt, where you can buy Barbara's favourite bottle of Williams Chase rose Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 he consoled Burna Boy after the star lost out on a Brit Award, how labels will adapt to an era of stars coming off social media, how a label imprint like Stormzy’s Merky Records actually works, and the difficulty of taking on his mentor Ben Cook's role after Cook was asked to leave Atlantic following a blackface controversy.Kathleen and Eleanor also talk about what it’s like to interview Niall Horan, and why the most recent episode of internet culture podcast Reply All has got everyone hooked.To listen to all the music discussed on Straight Up and the songs we've got on repeat, follow our Straight Up playlist on Spotify.Loved this episode of Straight Up? Have any suggestions for our next episode? Are you a brand wanting to chat to us about sponsorship opportunities? We'd love to hear from you: hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukStraight Up's music and editing is by Marlon Percy: @marlonpercyStraight Up was recorded Chris Bailey of The Boy in the Corner @cornerHQStraight Up is sponsored by online spirits specialist Master of Malt, where you can buy a bottle of tasty Haku vodka. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, before making explicit, inappropriate references to you during one of his shows.In this episode, Kathleen and Eleanor also discuss the musicians they interviewed at the Brits – from Burna Boy to Aitch – what the Brits Chiltern Firehouse afterparty is really like (including secret smoking areas and performances), and what happened to Duffy.To listen to all the music discussed on Straight Up and the songs we've got on repeat, follow our Straight Up playlist on Spotify.Loved this episode of Straight Up? Have any suggestions for our next episode? Are you a brand wanting to chat to us about sponsorship opportunities? We'd love to hear from you: hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukStraight Up's music and editing is by Marlon Percy: @marlonpercyStraight Up was recorded at club and co-working space The Ministry by Chris Bailey of The Boy in the Corner @cornerHQStraight Up is sponsored by online spirits specialist Master of Malt, where you can buy Kathleen and Eleanor's choice Alkkemist gin.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 give a makeover to and the behind-the-scenes issues that happen on set, including what happens when musicians take drugs during a shoot or steal shoot clothes and jewellery. Carlotta also talked about the brand every musician wants on their rail, and her hypebeast tips for getting ahead of the best fashion drops.To listen to all the music discussed on Straight Up and the songs we've got on repeat, follow our Straight Up playlist on Spotify.Loved this episode of Straight Up? Have any suggestions for our next episode? Are you a brand wanting to chat to us about sponsorship opportunities? We'd love to hear from you: hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukStraight Up's music and editing is by Marlon Percy: @marlonpercyStraight Up was recorded at club and co-working space The Ministry by Chris Bailey of The Boy in the Corner @cornerHQStraight Up is sponsored by online spirits specialist Master of Malt, where you can buy Carlotta's favourite bottle of Tattinger.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 talks to Straight Up about the one song he regrets producing, the thorny issue of freedom of speech in his studio and his craziest memory with Craig David – who hired him as a backing guitarist and was then best man at his wedding. Listen in to learn all about Fraser's signature style, his favourite songs and how he became producer to the stars. Kathleen and Eleanor also discuss Adele's rumoured new album, the just-announced Sound of 2020 list, interviewing Wiley and Lizzo's killer chat-up line to Niall Horan.To listen to all the music discussed on Straight Up and the songs we've got on repeat, follow our Straight Up playlist on Spotify.Loved this episode of Straight Up? Have any suggestions for our next episode? Are you a brand wanting to chat to us about sponsorship opportunities? We'd love to hear from you: hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukStraight Up's music and editing is by Marlon Percy: @marlonpercyStraight Up was recorded at club and co-working space The Ministry by Chris Bailey of The Boy in the Corner @cornerHQStraight Up is sponsored by online spirits specialist Master of Malt, where you can buy Fraser's favourite bottle of Monkey47 gin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, and read Kathleen's interviews with Slowthai and Jorja Smith. To listen to all the music discussed on Straight Up and the songs we've got on repeat, follow our Straight Up playlist on Spotify.Loved this episode of Straight Up? Have any suggestions for our next episode? Are you a brand wanting to chat to us about sponsorship opportunities? We'd love to hear from you: hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukStraight Up's music and editing is by Marlon Percy: @marlonpercyStraight Up was recorded at club and co-working space The Ministry by Chris Bailey of The Boy in the Corner @cornerHQStraight Up is sponsored by online spirits specialist Master of Malt, where you can buy our bottle of Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Rum Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.