The Discussionarium & The Musicarium

Steve & Alex are joined by the multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and producer, Joseph Beaty. He promises his track choices will result in a moody episode, and he doesn't disappoint. He describes the upheaval of moving to Florida with his parents in his teens, the effect that had (and still has) on him and of living with anxiety. He chooses songs from different phases of his life that have ultimately influenced his work and talks about his latest album Rust: You Can Leave Me Now, a reflective project that helped him to put the Covid pandemic, and past experiences he had never fully processed, into perspective. The Musicarium's Patented Music Blenderator then generates a track, with a hint of sadness, it thinks he will like. Tracks played in this episode are: Break on Through (To The Other Side) by The Doors; Parasite by Nick Drake; Dream Brother by Jeff Buckley; March Of The Pigs by Nine Inch Nails; Be All Things by Chelsea Wolfe; Refrain by Joseph Beaty; and The Same Deep Water As Me by I Am Kloot.

Steve & Alex are joined by Norwegian musical artist and proud ginger, Erlend Viken, who chooses six tracks that have influenced his music. He talks about his career in music, performance anxiety, exposure therapy (in the form of musical improvisation) and his current project, the incredible Giant Sky. Tracks featured in this episode are Everyone's A VIP To Someone by The Go! Team; Shine On You Crazy Diamond Pts 1 to 5 by Pink Floyd; Nessun Dormer (from Puccini's Opera Turandot) by Luciano Pavarotti; River Man by Nick Drake; Comforting Sounds by Mew; and Vortex Surfer by Motorpsycho. He also introduces his own track, Broken Stone from the album Giant Sky by Giant Sky, which is truly epic. The Musicarium's Patented Music Blenderator then pulls out all the stops to generate a track it thinks he will like.

Steve & Alex are joined by Unicorn Whisperer and lover of all things insurance, Jeff Dunn. He cautions that not everyone is capable of taming and riding a unicorn and explains why he loves the insurance business. He also talks about how he is often mistaken for someone else, from a police officer to a film star. When it comes to his music choices, he picks "one of the best produced tracks" he has ever heard that he considers better than the original; a "perfect pop punk song" with "total energy from start to finish"; a song that has been a constant in his life since first hearing it on John Peel's show back in 1978; a song that gives the vocalist nowhere to hide and which could only be authentically performed if the lyrics were truly meaningful to them; and a track by a band that could be described as "marmite", as might the brothers who were its kingpins. And, finally, The Musicarium's Patented Music Blenderator generates a track it hopes Jeff will like.

This week the technology is all fine but there is a distinct lack of a guest. So, Steve & Alex choose more pairs of songs. Last week it was originals and covers; this week it is original songs with the same titles (so not covers) by different artists. If that doesn't explain it too well, hopefully it will all become clear as the episode progresses. Artists and bands featured in this episode are: U2, Grace Conheady, Stevie Wonder, Altered Images, Fightstar, Crystal Casey, Judas Priest, Feral Vices, Joseph Beaty, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Radiohead and SUGR?

THIS IS A MUSIC-LESS VERSION OF A PODCAST FROM SPOTIFY. ALL THE CHAT BUT WITHOUT THE MUSIC. YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE MUSIC CHOSEN BY OUR GUEST IN YOUR USUAL MUSIC PLATFORM. Steve & Alex are joined by Lu Davies and her son Billy, who has Down Syndrome. Lu is Maternity Coordinator for the charity Positive About Down Syndrome. She talks about her role, her life and her love of her family. She chooses a song that contains a line that sums up how she feels about her children and was played at her wedding when she walked in with them; a song that puts into words how protective she felt towards Billy when he was very young and vulnerable, and also gave her comfort when she was younger; a track that was played at her Dad's funeral, which proved not to be a message from beyond the grave; and, finally, a track Billy has performed with his drama group and which Lu feels is a true anthem for inclusivity. Billy then gets to choose his favourite song, talk about the film he was in with Woody Harrelson and Owen Wilson, and perform "The McDonald's Test". #positiveaboutdownsyndrome #downsyndrome #deathdefyinglove #unconditionallove #mcdonalds #mcdonaldsuk #inclusivity #freddiemercury #mrsgarybarlow #garybarlow #family #selfimage #positiveselfimage #unapologetic #love

THIS IS A MUSIC-LESS VERSION OF A PODCAST FROM SPOTIFY. ALL THE CHAT BUT WITHOUT THE MUSIC. YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE MUSIC CHOSEN BY OUR GUEST IN YOUR USUAL MUSIC PLATFORM Steve & Alex are joined by Wayne Kirven, a.k.a Wayne From Buckhurst Hill, who was described by Time Out, in 2019, as a "...fashion icon for 60 years and counting". He shares five of his favourite 45s (singles) which he purchased between the ages of 13 and 19, and suggests "...one of the all time greats of Doo-Wop" to be played in the feature, Following Marvin Gaye. The Musicarium's Patented Music Blenderator then comes up with a track it hopes can meet Wayne's high standards. Tracks referenced in this episode: 1) What'cha Gonna Do About It - Doris Troy. 2) Comin' Home Baby - Mel Torme. 3) Selfish One - Jackie Ross. 4) For Your Precious Love - Jerry Butler. 5) Long After Tonight Is All Over - Jimmy Radcliffe. 6) I Only Have Eyes For You - The Flamingos. 7) Probably Normal - Suzi Chunk #whatchagonnadoaboutit #doristroy #cominhomebaby #meltorme #selfishone #jackieross #foryourpreciouslove #jerrybutler #longaftertonightisallover #jimmyradcliffe #ionlyhaveeyesforyou #theflamingos #probablynormal #suzichunk #modernist #styleicon #doowop #soholondon #soho #buckhursthill

Steve & Alex are joined by Wayne Kirven, a.k.a Wayne From Buckhurst Hill, who was described by Time Out, in 2019, as a "...fashion icon for 60 years and counting. He shares five of his favourite 45s (singles) which he purchased between the ages of 13 and 19, and suggests "...one of the all time greats of Doo-Wop" to be played in the feature, Following Marvin Gaye. The Musicarium's Patented Music Blenderator then comes up with a track it hopes can meet Wayne's high standards.

Steve & Alex's scheduled guest was unable to make the recording of this episode. But, having been interviewed by Bernie Keith on BBC Radio Northampton on the day they recorded they still had something to talk about. And, because Bernie chose What's Going On by Marvin Gaye (asserting that no track would ever be good enough to follow it) some music to play.

Steve & Alex are joined by Personal Trainer, coach and P.E. Teacher, Enock Sare. He chooses a song that brings back happy memories of Ghana's football (soccer) team's achievement of reaching the World Cup Quarter finals in 2010; two songs that are vying to be chosen for the first dance at his wedding and which express his feelings about his partner; the floor-filling track that gets everyone up and dancing; and a classic Michael Jackson track. Finally, the Musicarium's Patented Music Blenderator tries to be funny by generating an inappropriate track. It's a good track but not really suitable and certainly not as fitting as the second attempt.

Steve & Alex are joined by Lu Davies and her son Billy, who has Down Syndrome. Lu chooses a song that contains a line that sums up how she feels about her children and was played at her wedding when she walked in with them; a song that puts into words how protective she felt towards Billy when he was very young and vulnerable, and also gave her comfort when she was younger; a track that was played at her Dad's funeral, which proved not to be a message from beyond the grave; and, finally, a track Billy has performed with his drama group and which Lu feels is a true anthem for inclusivity. Billy then gets to choose his favourite song, talk about the film he was in with Woody Harrelson and Owen Wilson, and perform "The McDonald's Test". After all that, the Musicarium's Patented Music Blenderator generates two tracks it hopes both Lu and Billy will like.

Steve & Alex are joined by personal trainer and sports therapist, Lisa Clack, who has set herself the challenge of running every day of 2021 to raise money for Headway Milton Keynes and Oxfordshire Mind. She chooses a song that reminds her of her first holiday without her parents when she was 14; her favourite song off the first cassette she bought; a song by a band her dad used to play a lot during car journeys; a Garage anthem from 1996 that brings back memories of college; and a song that motivates her and keeps her going when she is running. The Musicarium's Patented Music Blenderator then generates an appropriately titled track, with fitting lyrics, it hopes she will like.

This week Steve & Alex are joined by Staten Island-based indie pop artist, Rocky Billop, who talks about his music journey and musical influences. He chooses a song by one of his favourite bands that he first heard at a New Year's gig; a track that made him think of modern music as a symphony for the first time; a hip-hop track that has contributed to the way he shapes his music and helped him to "feel the beat"; and a track that introduced him to sampling. He then presents the first song he released on Spotify. And, as always, Steve & Alex fire up The Musicarium's Patented Music Blenderator to generate a track it thinks he will like.

This week Steve & Alex are joined by Emma Penn who had a shortlist of 76 and a half songs. Before recording they were eventually whittled down to 5, as far as Alex was concerned but, unbeknownst to her, Steve and Emma had agreed a Sneaky Six. Emma chooses: a song that helped her through difficult times and to trust that better things were to come; a track that takes her back to her carefree teens; a song that reminds her of a romantic trip to Broadway (New York not Ealing); a classic song that makes her think of her Dad; the song that was playing as she crossed the finish line when running her one and only London Marathon; and a song by an artist who is an amazing performer she saw play at Wembley Arena. And, of course, The Musicarium's Patented Music Blenderator works its usual magic.

Steve & Alex are joined by Tim Price, who doubts the capacity of The Musicarium's Patented Music Blenderator to generate a track he would like, particularly from the current crop of musical offerings. He chooses two tracks that changed his pre-teen and early teen perspective of music respectively; the track that inspired him to take up the Saxophone; a song that reminds him of long lazy summers and, specifically, of a boat trip on the Thames with Steve and another friend called Paul; and, finally, a 2017 reworking of a song, first released in 1978, by the original band's bass guitarists. The Musicarium's Patented Music Blenderator then pulls out all the stops to generate a 2020 post-punk track featuring discordant saxophone. It's surely got to be a winner! #thestranglers #downinthesewer #killingjoke #requiem #hazeloconnor #thestylecouncil #longhotsummer #idles #reigns

Steve & Alex have to think on their feet (again) when not only does another scheduled guest fall foul of circumstances beyond their control but also The Musicarium's Patented Music Blenderator is recalled for a safety upgrade of its multiplexification flange circuitry. They realise that through recording The Musicarium they have been lucky enough to have discovered music artists who may never have hit their radar otherwise. So, they revisit some who have featured in previous episodes and introduce two bands whose songs have not yet been played and whose personnel have not yet guested.

When their invited guest is unable to make the scheduled recording for this week's episode Steve & Alex are thrown into a panic. Thankfully Alex's son, Oscar, volunteers to step into the fray...for an extra hour watching TV every night and a 25% increase in pocket money for the next two months. He chooses 4 tracks that, given his age, listeners may not expect, and he agrees to make a video available of Alex doing a gymnastics routine at the age of 15. The Musicarium's Patented Music Blenderator then works its magic to generate a track it guarantees he will love. #alicecooper #poison #acdc #thunderstruck #bonjovi #yougiveloveabadname #europe #europeband #thefinalcountdown #daughtry #slash #whatiwant

Steve & Alex have decided to put The Discussionarium on hold for the time-being. They hope to be back in the future with new episodes (possibly as occasional accompaniments to The Musicarium, which is availableon Spotify) and would welcome suggestions for topics to cover - info@collieinthecorner.com

Steve & Alex are joined by Grace Conheady, the singer songwriter behind last week's Blenderator track. She brings an Enders theme to The Musicarium - that's final tracks of albums not the soap Eastenders. Admittedly the first song played would not stand up to scrutiny, but what's a penultimate album track between friends? Grace chooses a song that reminds her of feeling both scared and excited at the prospect of a foreign exchange trip; a song she first heard on the journey home from a music festival; a track used as the theme tune for the BBC drama, Versailles (she wasn't aware of that though); and a song with discord and angst. One of her solo songs and a song by the band she sings with are also played. The Musicarium's Patented Music Blenderator then generates a track it thinks she will like. #boniver #foremma #ofmonstersandmen #yellowlight #m83 #outro #phoebebridgers #iknowtheend #graceconheady #thepope #therecall #canyouhearme #syml #wheresmylove

Steve & Alex are joined by Amanda Gardiner who goes for the now not so cheeky five track choices. She chooses a song that reminds her of the summer of 1982 and recording songs off the radio; a track that's an ill-advised choice for a first dance at a wedding; a song from a greatest hits album borrowed from a friend over 30 years ago and never returned; a track played during assembly on her daughter's last day at middle school; and, finally, Mexican Love Cakes...or, at least that's what she thought it was called..and, believe us, you will find it difficult to unhear once you get it in your head! All her song choices and explanations are then fed into The Musicarium's Patented Music Blenderator, which generates a suitably titled song. #survivor #eyeofthetiger #billypaul #meandmrsjones #squeeze #upthejunction #duranduran #perfectday #daftpunk #getlucky #mexicanlovecakes #graceconheady #thingsyoumisheard

Steve & Alex are joined by former Metropolitan Police officer, private investigator and Chief Ambassador of the for profit social enterprise, Help Me Angela, Michelle Roycroft. She chooses a Christmas song...yes...that's right...a Christmas song...in April; a track that reminds her of feeling homesick when she became a police cadet; a song from the first album she was ever bought (a birthday gift from a boyfriend); a song that has a chorus she says sums her up; and her cheeky fifth track choice is a feel good song that gets her out of bed in the morning and motivates her for the day ahead. The Musicarium's Patented Music Blenderator then chooses a track based more on a bit of a theme (from talking about how she discovered her first track choice to a mention of the object in question in the second song choice) rather than trying to blend all five songs. #helpmeangela #livesafer #boneym #marysboychild #carpenters #yesterdayoncemore #everyshalala #earthwindandfire #afterthelovehasgone #meredithbrooks #bitch #nappyroots #goodday #sixpencenonethericher #radio #ferrerorocher

It's just over a year since the first lockdown in the UK and, with restrictions gradually being eased, Steve & Alex asked friends of the podcast to leave messages about their lockdown experiences, as well as their hopes and fears as restrictions are relaxed, on the Discussionarium's 1979, French, cassette-based answer machine. #lockdown #covid19 #simplertimes

Bradley Stoke Radio's finest and husband of Dr. Alice (The Discussionarium S1 Ep5), Ky Brand, joins Steve & Alex to talk about coping with depression; trying to fix furniture with a saucepan (yes, he was VERY drunk); the joy of watching his dad pretend to ride a bike around the house; and sometimes just craving simpler times. The Musicarium's Patented Music Blenderator then generates a track it hopes he has never heard before. #bradleystokeradio #foofighters #bestofyou #greenday #21guns #queen #bicyclerace #thenewroses #downbytheriver #mandylon #nnnwaah

Steve & Alex are joined by John McSherry (more special than he gives himself credit for) who was a guest in The Discussionarium's Talking Positively About Down Syndrome. He chooses a song that reminds him of a dark time in his life; a song that is his son James's favourite; a track for this time of pandemic; and finally, a song to lift the mood. His song choices and explanations are then fed into The Musicarium's Patented Music Blenerator, which generates a 12 minute epic. There were other secondary outputs but the track played was the one the judges voted to keep and the judges' decision is final. #neildiamond #helloagain #sweetcaroline #thisisme #thegreatestshowman #jerryandthepacemakers #youllneverwalkalone #marillion #neverland

Sam joins Steve & Alex in The Musicarium from over the pond in Columbus, Ohio. It's hard to tell, but she's not a local! In addtion to her 4 song choices you can also hear her husband preparing food in their kitchen and may hear animal noises...from her menagerie not...er...Anyway, The Musicarium's Patented Music Blenderator generates a track that you need to turn up LOUD. #boneym #browngirlinthering #tomjones #sexbomb #annielennox #littlebird #aloeblacc #makeway #freeatlast #wanklemut #mousset

In which Steve & Alex are joined by Candice Pearce, a self-confessed Doomscroller and a Facebook rottweiler. She talks about how Doomscrolling reinforces her view of the world and what drives her interaction with people who hold what she considers extreme views; she explains her problem with herbs and turmeric (or, more precisely, with their use as alternative medicines) and introduces the term Cognitive Dissonance to the discussion; and she descibes some of her concerns about social media and the world in general. And that's just for starters... #doomscrolling #cognitivedissonance #socialmedia #bullying

This week Paula joins Steve & Alex in The Musicarium and chooses a song that reminds her of meeting her husband; the song played for the first dance at her wedding; a song from her new gigging era; and a song by her absolute favourite band ever of all time (she quite likes them). Once all her choices are played, they are fed into the Musicarium's Patented Music Blenderator. Can Paula handle its output? Alex hates it!! #ianbrown #FEAR #F.E.A.R #embrace #gravity #kaiserchiefs #recordcollection #theprodigy #omen #thelovelyeggs #returnofwitchcraft

Steve & Alex are back with a new season of The Discussionarium, ready to take on new and challenging topics. In this episode they are joined by John, Katie and Lu who are all parents of children with Down Syndrome. They share their experiences, good and bad, and conclude they have been enriched by having children with Down Syndrome in their lives. #downsyndrome #positivity #rewarding #enriching #embracingdifference

In which Steve & Alex have to think on their feet when their scheduled guest is uncontactable. The idea of a theme of spinning (as in around) is quickly jumped upon and songs with spin or spinning in their title, or in the name of the artist, are chosen. To make things even more exciting (?) Steve & Alex try to find songs to fit different genres...at least for three of them. And the Musicarium's Patented Music Blenderator abstracts electricity from Steve's neighbours. #kylie #kylieminogue #hotpants #goldhotpants #spinningaround #staceyblack #spinningwheel #edm #georgemichael #spinningthewheel #evaplaysdead #spin #deadoralive #youspinmeround #likearecord #spindoctors #twoprinces