The Hear and Now

Examining the music industry in a new light, Liv shifts focus towards the experience of artists themselves in this exclusive bonus episode. Joined by solo artist Keir, this episode explores the process of creating music mid-lockdown, what Keir would change about the industry going forward, and the stories behind his most recent single, ‘leave a light on (feat. Fenne Lily)’ // @soundofkeir // Keir's playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7stl5p0GvQPNVmBc6bvyOD?si=b274ecfaf666457e

This episode, Liv is joined by young powerhouse Natalie Greener, who at just 21 years old is the director and founder of Tits Upon Tyne. Born in 2018 as a way to raise money for breast cancer, the organisation has since flourished into a platform for journalism, an organiser of live events, and an advocate for calling out feminist issues in the music industry. In their chat, Nat talks to Liv about blurred boundaries between a work life and social life in the music industry, and what we need to be doing to ensure the safety of women and young people at live events. // titsupontyne.co.uk // @titsupontyne // Nat's mix: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0IMgHtelw8hrgIugDqMsjE?si=e6b17cd537b44bee

In this new episode, Liv explores the accessibility and inclusivity issues surrounding live music events, particularly for music lovers who are deaf or disabled. You may never have considered the experience of someone with hearing loss or access needs when it comes to music, which is exactly why the not-for-profit organisation Attitude is Everything exists. Head of Campaigns Jacob Adams joins Liv to discuss the issues around ticketing, the rise of captioning, and what makes the new COVID19 pilot events so problematic. // attitudeiseverything.org.uk // Jacob's playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7zZTnzBiVmSn2PtxGbnf3j?si=33f48c71f8a4491f

Welcome back to The Hear and Now! This season, the podcast turns its focus to the people and organisations working towards a better future for the music industry. To kick off season two, Liv welcomes Claire O’Neill from A Greener Festival to talk about the environmental impact of large-scale festivals and the touring industry, and how we can all help to make live music events a greener experience. // @agreenerfestival // Claire’s playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6i5TTrDjKfnpndsBr7rMoV?si=0fd1a572534342e9

One new episode wasn’t enough! In this very special BONUS episode, Liv welcomes DJ and fellow podcaster Lex on the Decks onto the podcast. Lex is the host of the podcast Hot Girls, and in this episode she and Liv talk about women in rap, how far we’ve come in terms of women in music, and how we should be shifting the conversation around motherhood – in music and in general. // @lexonthedecks // Lex’s playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1NGbTxBcfna4UopFPPYJBW?si=22983d4583d84eaa

Having skimmed the surface of some of the biggest socio-political themes influencing the music industry – from queer culture and racial bias to Brexit itself – season two of The Hear and Now continues to open up the conversation. Inviting guests from all corners of the business, Liv turns this season to celebrate those advocating for change, striving towards a more inclusive, more sustainable and more exciting future for music. 

In the final episode of season one, discussing money in the industry, Liv portrays music as the business it is. Welcoming Luke Hinton, award-winning music promoter (Juicebox Live) and regional coordinator for Music Venue Trust, he and Liv discuss the financial impact an entire year without live music has had on independent UK venues, and the repercussions for the industry if we were to lose these sites. As a celebration of live music, the playlist for this episode is entirely made up of live recordings – from stadium gigs to intimate studio settings – featuring the onstage talents of Elbow, Bleachers and Beyoncé.

After a whole year of national lockdowns, those in the music industry have arguably been among those most affected – financially, emotionally and mentally. Liv looks this episode about how the disappearance of work opportunities has affected musicians’ mental health across the UK, speaking with freelance musician Russell Swallow about his own experience, and hearing from psychologist and counsellor Rachel Jepson (founder of Counselling for Musicians) about the support available to those in need. Liv then presents a playlist of tracks whose lyrics cover different journeys of mental health struggles, from hitting rock bottom to coming out the other side – including Mac Miller, Arlo Parks, SOAK and Johnny Nash. EP 5 Spotify playlist available here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0cTLBFMfT18hAxyJGDxcSF?si=4e3dd3e494de4192

Following on from last episode's dissection of gender in the music industry, Liv turns this time to open the conversation more broadly onto LGBTQ+ representation in the business. Welcoming Jamie Ahye from Pride In Music, this episode considers the progress and problems that make up the interwoven relationship between queer culture and music. Later, Liv turns to those within the LGBTQ+ community to pick the artists and songs that have been part of their journey, from George Michael to Bessie Smith. EP 4 Spotify playlist available here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QwT0ezoGGvD8u4arwHoZr?si=3752ec37e5a84c96

Turning, this episode, to the mammoth topic of gender, Liv looks at the place and representation of women, transgender and gender-fluid creators in a continually male-dominated business. Welcoming music producer Aubrey Whitfield – whose career experience includes working with Little Mix, Simon Webbe and Kelly Clarkson – to discuss why only 2% of producers are women, we also hear from Carli Jefferson (of folk duo Lunatraktors) on the place and role of gender in the industry. Liv then looks at the music itself, highlighting songs tackling misogyny in the business, and bringing attention to some exciting but lesser-known trans and nonbinary artists, including Jackie Shane, Claud and Ryan Cassata.EP 3 Spotify playlist available here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2ZKEQQnYiH6hhqringujey?si=fe9f2d90646d43da