All My Friends Podcast

Monthly mixes from the best DJs, producers, promoters, club nights, and collectives. Catch the accompanying interview over on our website.

All My Friends Episodes

My first EP I've put together for some practice and to get some feedback and suggestions from friends and peers.

All tracks have been created using Ableton's stock plugins. 

Drum samples and vocals have come Splice and all synth sounds have been made with a Juno-106 soft synth.

Reddish Nights Vol 1

From Jupiter to the Carousel

There was a time when the album was king.

HMV was flying high and everyone bought CDs. As a medium for presenting music, the album offered something very unique. Not exactly a mix and definitely not an EP. A collection of tracks, meticulously arranged by an artist or band that told a specific story. 

The rise of the internet has changed buying habits and how people consume music. Streaming and digital downloads are pulling buyers towards subscriptions and singles. No one got time to listen to an album anymore, right?

Has the album had its day? Is it profitable, or even necessary for artists to spend a year in the studio banging on out? That’s what we'll be covering in this AMF podcast.

Check out Guys podcast over on Buzzsprout: https://thisisnothappening.buzzsprout.com

Are albums dying? /w Guy Hornsby from the 'This is not Happening' podcast | Ep#7 AMF Podcast

Becoming a music journalist isn’t for the faint-hearted. And running your own online magazine is 100 times the effort. 

Starting your own magazine is a rewarding way to get into dance culture, especially if DJing isn’t your bag. But there’s a myriad of things that could go wrong when starting your own online magazine. 

That’s even if you can get the thing started in the first place.

Web design, writing, graphics, newsletters…

The list goes on. These are all things you need to think about if you want to run a successful online magazine. 

Our guest on this show is Mike Tomlinson, the founder and head of Zone Focus. An online magazine that aims to shine a light on underground music in the North West and beyond. 

Mike shares the Zone Focus journey, offers some tips for others looking to start their own magazine, and he shares the reasons why he’s adding a record label into the mix. 

Are you thinking about building an online brand but don’t know where to start? This show is for you. 

Maybe you’d like to get into music journalism and want to hear some stories from someone who’s seen it all, check out the podcast. 

Or, maybe you’d just like some insights into the club scene in the North West. We got you covered.

Running your own music magazine /w Mike ZF | Ep#8 AMF Podcast

Guy Hornsby, one half of Son of Bangers, has put together an eclectic mix of tracks spanning 50 years for this month's mix. With everything from rap, RnB, house, disco and pop it's really live up to it's name sake. 

You can catch the podcast episode we did with Guy along with the mix over on our website: https://allmyfriendsmcr.com/episode/guy-hornsby/

All My Friends Ep#66 Guy Hornsby

What is a meme? Where did they come from? Can we define them? Should we even attempt too? 

We discuss all these questions on this episode of the AMF podcast with Instagram meme slinger VomCruise. 

VomCruise has built up a formidable reputation for putting out “no-fucks given” content that isn’t for the faint hearted. The ArchBishop of Banterbury can do one, Vom’s account is for people who like their humour bleak, Royals dead and Hasbullas by the bucket load. 

Blog founder Liam caught up with Vom to chat about how the account got started, why it’s important to keep platforms like Instagram free of censorship and why memes have become so pervasive in the 21st century. 

They also cover important issues like: why all Royals need to fuck off, What Vom would do with ten million pounds (it involves a lot of cocaine); and who’d win in a fight, Captain Tom or Hasbulla. 

They also talk about the current things Vom is working on and he shares his thoughts for the future of memes and the world in general. 

FYI it’s all pretty bleak, but also a laugh so tune in yeah!

Links from the show

It’s your funeral pod 
https://shows.acast.com/its-your-funeral

MemeTides
https://www.instagram.com/memetides/?hl=en

Swiss Lips
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/nov/21/new-band-swiss-lips?CMP=twt_gu

What makes a meme and why do they matter? /w VomCruise | Ep#1 Series 2 AMF Podcast

Food and music are the two inescapable joys of life. 

No matter what you do, they'll be there to comfort you, help you through bad times and give real life to the great times. 

In this podcast, we'll be talking with wax aficionado and chef extraordinaire Paul Dolton aka Dolly.

We're going to be chatting about what makes food and music so great, what skills both chefs and DJs share, and the power both have to stir the emotions and take us back to happy times.  

The episode is also packed with some amazing cookery tips, books to buy, and record labels to check out. 

You can head over to the episodes page on our website to find all those links: https://allmyfriendsmcr.com/2021/08/17/food-and-music/

Happy mixing

Food & Music: the perfect mix /w Dolly | Ep#2 Series 2 AMF Podcast

Pride is a protest. A party with a purpose.

But many people feel the initial goal and mission of Pride is getting lost in ever-increasing commercialisation. What was once a display of resistance is now being used by big brands to help sell their products. 

Is this something we should be worried about? And are queer communities in Manchester and around the world under threat from the commoditisation of gay culture? 

In this podcast, we spoke with Manchester DJ Jase Jeffery about the issues facing Pride and how we can all work together to keep queer spaces safe and open for those that need them most.

You can find links for everything we mentioned in the show over on the website: https://allmyfriendsmcr.com/podcast/commercialising-pride/

The pink pound and the commercialisation of Pride /w Jase Jeffery | Ep#3 Series 2 AMF Podcast

Being a parent is the time you’re supposed to “Grow up” right, no more time for running club nights you’ve got proper adult shit to sort out. 

That’s probably the opinion of a lot of the UK public. But AMF is going to be unpicking that mentality in this podcast with our guest Marco Giannini. We’ll be chatting about juggling the demands of organising DJ riders and hotels with nappies, the school run and the bedtime routine. 

Marco runs the Manchester based club night Sticky Heat and is one half of the DJ duo Son of Bangers. He’s a regular at The Carlton Club and The Refuge and has played alongside Lindstrom, Sprechen and Supernature Disco. 

As well as doing all that he’s also a proud parent and he came on the podcast to share his experiences of juggling running a club night and completing the school run. He give us his tips for the best ways to burn the candle at both ends and also shares his thoughts on what clubbing will look like post-pandemic.

Watch the video version of the podcast here: https://allmyfriendsmcr.com/podcast/promoting-and-parenting/

Promoting & Parenting /w Marco Giannini | Ep#4 Series 2 AMF Podcast

Humans' have always shared stories.

They're a fundamental way in which we communicate. 

Whether it's regaling friends with an anecdote in the pub or using a story to convey a serious message our oratory has the power to move people, start movements and bring communities together. 

Simone Kirkup knows this better than anyone. That's why she started Long Story Short during the first coronavirus lockdown in 2020 (remember that!).

Long Story Short is a community-focused event that has the aim of bringing people together to share their lived experiences through stories. 

She has come on the podcast to talk about the power of stories and shares why she thinks they still hold such a powerful place in our collective psyche.

You can download the audio version of the podcast over on our website as well as find links to the book recommendation from the episode and a link to get tickets to the latest Long Story Short event. 

Link to AMF website: https://allmyfriendsmcr.com/podcast/long-story-short/

The power of stories /w Simone Kirkup | Ep#5 series 2 AMF Podcast

For our September episode, we’re heading into South Manchester and catching up with Levenshulme party starters Levy Down Low. 

Levy Down Low is run by Good Man and Simon Oz out of the Talleyrand on Levy highstreet. The night prides itself on being an eclectic melting pot of sounds that touch on many genres with rare grooves and hidden gems guaranteed.

Catch our interview with Levy Down Low here: https://allmyfriendsmcr.com/episode/all-my-friends-ep77-levy-down-low/

All My Friends Ep#77 Levy Down Low

This year's Christmas mix is coming from the supremely talented Léna C. She's put together an hour of eclectic music from all corners of the globe.

Catch our interview with Léna over on the website: https://allmyfriendsmcr.com/episode/all-my-friends-ep80-lena-c/

All My Friends Ep#80 Léna C

February’s mix is a head slew of Italo (our favourite) from manchester DJ Fries With That. Chugging bass and sweeping synths, lock-in.

Read our interview with Fries With That over on the website: https://allmyfriendsmcr.com/episode/fries-with-that/

ALL MY FRIENDS FINAL 

AMF Ep#82 Fries With That

As Manchester’s gentrification onslaught continues the city loses another vital space for artists, bands DJs, and musicians. Can anything be done about this or is it too late?

This was our last mix recorded at the studio. All wax no worries, big up the mill!

Farewell Brunswick Mill

Paul East takes us on an odyssey of sounds for episode 85 of the AMF mix series. A veritable treat for the ears his 4 hour genre spanning mix is not one too be missed.  

Catch our interview with Paul over one the website: https://allmyfriendsmcr.com/episode/paul-east/

All My Friends Ep#85 Paul East

Episode 87 is a sonic exploration in sounds, emotions and genres courtesy of Doodle co-founder Amuse Bouche. A summery, heartfelt mix. It’s one for the heads, repeat listening required.

Catch our interview with Amuse Bouche here: https://allmyfriendsmcr.com/episode/amuse-bouche/

All My Friends Ep#87 Amuse Bouche

Funk, soul, disco, and boogie abound in episode 88 thanks to Manchester DJ Rev. Austin Sherman. His infectious selection is sure to get you on your feet with an expertly crafted hour of groovers. 

Catch our interview with him over on the website: https://allmyfriendsmcr.com/episode/austin-sherman/

All My Friends Ep#88 Rev. Austin Sherman

Sam Baaziz throws down a selection of extremely nice sounds for AMF episode 89. A ravey mix of bouncy house, acid-tipped numbers, and breaks. Perfect house party tackle. 

Catch our interview with Sam over on the website: https://allmyfriendsmcr.com/episode/sam-baaziz/

All My Friends Ep#89 Sam Baaziz

The vocals & drums are samples from Splice. 
All synth sounds were made using a Juno-106 soft synth. 

This track originally started like trying to imitate this track by Kendal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3jC6amGA44&ab_channel=DischiAutunno

But I could make a convincing version of the bell-like lead line so went back to the drawing board and realised the bassline sounded like the following track from the Drive soundtrack so used that as inspiration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DSVDcw6iW8&ab_channel=ValerieRecords

I also took inspiration from Flight Facilities Clair De Lune:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcu1AHaTchM&ab_channel=FlightFacilities

And Satin Jacket, you make me feel good:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v94q6ZouWGQ&ab_channel=EskimoRecordings

Dolphin - Reddish Nights Vol 1 - Liam Oliver

The drums and vocals in this track are samples from Splice. 
All synth sounds have been made using a Juno-106 soft synth. 

The main inspiration for this track was trying to recreate the following Renato Cohen remix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJjCm9Ysudw&ab_channel=PetsRecordings

It was sounding okay until I got to the chords around 2 minutes that I couldn't recreate for with my synths so decided to switch up my inspiration and look to the following tracks from DJ Tennis and Demi Riquisimo for my lead line:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B8TbicSt3k&ab_channel=DemiRiqu%C3%ADsimo-Topic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw1ZO63dEuI&ab_channel=ElectronicLoveCollective

Cinnamon - Reddish Night Vol 1 - Liam Oliver

The drums and vocals in this track are samples from Splice. 
All synth sounds have been made using a Juno-106 soft synth.

For this track I tried to recreate the following Boots & Kats track:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sd5zhjRb-tA&ab_channel=Boots%26Kats-Topic

I again struggled with creating the high-end, buzzy lead line so instead followed the basic arrangement on the track and used it as an opportunity to test some music idea and layered synth sounds.

Arigato - Reddish Nights Vol 1 - Liam Oliver

Taking us into 2024 with our first mix of the year is Manchester DJ Watteh. He’s put together an hour of upbeat house and disco to kick off the year right and keep the mood up even when it gets dark at fucking 4pm.

Catch our interview with Watteh over on the website: https://allmyfriendsmcr.com/episode/watteh/

All My Friends Ep#91 Watteh

From Jupiter

Body Heat resident Aveidt has put together episode 92 ahead of their next party at Soup Kitchen on the 2nd of February. It’s a proper lovely cosmic journey into some synthy, squelchy, and sultry territory. Stand by!

Grab a ticket here: https://jp.ra.co/events/1838757

AMF episode here: https://allmyfriendsmcr.com/episode/aveidt-body-heat/

All My Friends Ep#92 Aveidt (Body Heat)

The Carousel

Episode 93 is here and we have a synth-heavy mix of EBM, italo, and post-punk goodness from Mutations MCR co-founder Chernobyl Steve.   

We also spoke to Steve about his musical inspirations, setting up Mutations and running events in Manchester. 

You can catch our interview with him over on the website: https://allmyfriendsmcr.com/episode/chernobyl-steve-mutations-mcr/

All My Friends Ep#93 Chernobyl Steve - Mutations MCR

Episode 94 comes from Manchester’s Living Room Dance Club. The mix is a lovingly curated collection of early 00's latin influenced neo soul, to sample heavy cuts, rare funk 7s, full fat disco, and some 60s soul. 

Learn more about Living Room Dance Club over on our website: https://allmyfriendsmcr.com/episode/living-room-dance-club/

All My Friends Ep#94 Living Room Dance Club

A career chef and musical aficionado Dolly has always had a knack for mixing both flavours and music. With a wealth of musical knowledge and record bags deeper than the Irwell he has put together a slow burning mix of Hip Hop, Jazz, Soul & Funk.

Head over to the website to get the tracklist:
http://allmyfriendsmcr.com/2018/03/01/dolly/

All My Friends Ep#1 Dolly

Stepping up to the plate for All My Friends second musical foray is blog founder Liam Oliver. Tying together Detroit Swindle, Bellaire, Kerri Chandler, Eli Escobar amongst others in a nicely packed hour.

Head over to the website to get the tracklist:
http://allmyfriendsmcr.com/2018/03/01/liam-oliver/

All My Friends Ep#2 Liam Oliver

Former Noisegate writer and afrohouse enthusiast Lloyd throws down the third mix for All My Friends.

Head over to the website for Lloyd's music reccomendation:
http://allmyfriendsmcr.com/2018/03/04/lloyd/

All My Friends Ep#3 Lloyd

Next up to the plate is a trio of South Manchester's finest selectors. Jerk It threw their first party 6 months ago and have went from strength to strength since then. They put together this mix for All My friends and it's a melting pot spanning everything from Baleric groovers to acid Jazz.

Link to All My Friends: http://allmyfriendsmcr.com/2018/03/31/jerk-it/

All My Friends Ep#4 Jerk It

Episode 5 was put together by Traffic MCR main stay and prolific producer Arytan aka Freddie Aitkens. Episode 5 is a taut exploration into techno. A pulsating, rhythmic journey into darkness punctuated with shards of light.

Head over to the website to read Arytan's interview:
http://allmyfriendsmcr.com/2018/04/15/ayrtan/

All My Friends Ep#5 Ayrtan

The blogs pushing double figures. Carrying the shows over the threshold and into the teens is Cult founder Josh De Silva. Known for his eclectic sets and prolific radio presence around Manchester josh has constructed a pulsating, powerhouse of a mix for episode 10. AMF caught up with him at Cottonopolis to chat about Manchester’s creative scene, longevity in dance music and always making sure you put one garage track in your mix. 

Catch the full interview over on the website:
http://allmyfriendsmcr.com/2018/06/09/all-my-friends-ep10-josh-de-silva/

All My Friends Ep#10 Josh de Silva

South London’s finest are heading up episode 17. Tram22 have been regulars in the capital for over three years playing at venues including the Prince of Wales, Off the Cuff & cafe101. Tram22 have thrown down an hour of their signature sounds sampling the best in warm, soulful, minimal house.

Check their interview over on the website: http://allmyfriendsmcr.com/2018/10/12/all-my-friends-ep17-tram22/

All My Friends EP#17 Tram22

Reiss Johnson from Rotation MCR is at the helm for this fortnights mix. Recorded live at one of his Rotation MCR record fairs (more on them in the interview below) it's a thumping two hours of disco lovingly put together on strictly vinyl at Manchester venue Behind Closed Doors. 

Check out our interview with Reiss over on the website: https://allmyfriendsmcr.com/2019/11/15/rotation-mcr/

All My Friends Ep#41 Reiss Johnson | Rotation MCR

Episode 55 has been lovingly put together by Manchester DJ and radio regular Mike O'Mara. We caught up with Mike to chat about his musical influences, clubbing post-COVID and we discussed what it takes to run a great night.

Catch our interview with Mike over on the website: https://allmyfriendsmcr.com/2020/08/26/mike-omara/

All My Friends Ep#55 Mike O'Mara

Links from the show 

TNC Website: https://www.treesnotcars.com/

TNC Go Fund Me: https://uk.gofundme.com/f/trees-not-cars-mcr

Respond to the council's plans here:
http://www.piccadillylabour.org.uk/2020/08/05/central-retail-park-have-your-say/

Leave a comment or feedback for the Trees Not Cars plans here: 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fz1zlg0n75llsEFEhLFvRoHJ0TP6eoum/view 

Check out more from AMF here: https://allmyfriendsmcr.com/

----------

Manchester is bereft of green space. The city center is awash with grey. Who can hold back this endless tide of development?

Constant development is pushing out small parks. They are left at the mercy of machines and high rise flats.

Nowhere is this crisis more clearly defined than the old Toys R Us retail park at the end of Greater Ancoats street.

The council rejected plans to turn the space into a park, instead, they opted for a 440 capacity car park! (Right next to a primary school we should add)

This enraged local residents who quickly formed the organisation Trees Not Cars. They’ve spent the past year campaigning to stop the planned car park.

Founding member Julia Kovaliova is coming on the podcast to share the Trees Not Cars journey, their vision for the development, and where their campaign is heading next.

Green space is creative space, and for a city tied so closely to its music, heritage, and the arts, the proposed car park plans must be challenged.

Defending Green Space in Central Manchester /w Trees Not Cars | Ep#1 AMF Podcast

Underground dance music will always survive. But during the pandemic, it faces a new challenge. How can club culture survive and thrive in the "New Normal"?

***Links from the Show***

BRB Compilation: https://saveourscenemcr.bandcamp.com/album/brb-be-right-back-sounds-from-the-rainy-city

Eastern  Bloc’s Website: https://www.easternblocrecords.com/

Aaron J - Sure Thing: https://www.residentadvisor.net/dj/aaronj

Galaxian: https://www.residentadvisor.net/dj/galaxian

------------------

The pandemic marches on, and the longer it does the longer it’ll be until we’re able to dance again.

The UK government’s approach to supporting the events industry has been non-existent. Like so many times in history, the dance community has had to look to itself for support.  

With grass-roots movements springing up across Manchester and the country they’ll be a scene left when this is all over, but what we inherit could be vastly different to what we have now.

Socially distant raves, dance bubbles, live-streaming. All filling a gap and providing an alternative to clubbing. But could they be the new norm?

In this show AMF host, Liam Oliver, spoke with Eastern Bloc DJ, Producer and store manager, Means&3rd about what the future for Manchester’s music could look like post-covid. 

The show also does a deep dive in the Means&3rd’s DJ career and we talk about how independent record stores have been weathering the storm. 

P.S stand by for some serious White Hotel fan-girling and potshots at Rishi Sunack

Clubbing & Manchester Nightlife Post-Covid /w Means&3rd | Ep#2 AMF Podcast

As the century marches on we're no closer to a unilateral global action plan for tackling climate change. 

With a lack of leadership from governments, it falls to local groups to enact the changes required to reverse the damage we're doing to the planet.

One Manchester-based group campaigning for change in the city is Climate Emergency Manchester (CEM). AMF founder Liam Oliver spoke with CEM member Chloe Jeffries about their climate initiatives, campaigning, and victories. 

They discussed petitioning the Manchester council for a 7th scrutiny committee for climate change and Chloe shared some practical advice on how we can all lead greener lives.   

-----------------------------
***Links from the show***

CEM Website: 
https://climateemergencymanchester.net/

7th Scrutiny Committee petition:
https://climateemergencymanchester.net/petition-2/

Building a greener Manchester /w Chloe Jeffries - Climate Emergency Manchester | Ep#3 AMF Podcast

Collecting records is an art. It takes a specific set of skills to accumulate the most inconvenient and expensive medium for listening to music. 

What makes records so great? How should you approach collecting them? Should you even bother? (Yes)

How can you spot a bargain in a record store and what’s the best strategy to use when spending an afternoon in a wax palace. 

Get some insider tips and stories this show courtesy of Pat Ryder. Piccadilly Records dance buyer and record label owner. 

Liam and Pat talk about the Manchester club scene, surviving Covid, and what makes a great record collection. 

If you’ve just picked up a record player and you’re at a loss where to begin your collection this podcast can help.

Check out more from AMF here: allmyfriendsmcr.com/

The Art Of Collecting Vinyl /w Pat Ryder | Ep#4 AMF Podcast

Radio is so last century, right? Well, for a lot of people digital radio is still their main way to find and consume new music. 

There’s a plethora of stations across the UK and around the world. All working tirelessly to program forward thinking shows and bring new music and sounds to listeners everywhere. These stations also provide amazing platforms for new and emerging artists and DJs. 

When Capital FM just won’t cut it for the commute you can always rely on a team of local people in a basement or attic somewhere sharing their music with you simply for the pleasure of doing it.   

But how do you start your own station? Is it easy? Do you need a studio? Is there even any point? 

In this podcast blog founder Liam spoke with Charlie Fleig, co-founder of Ripe Radio. Manchester’s newest digital station. 

They spoke about the highs and lows of running a station and how digital radio is re-shaping the underground music scene in Manchester and beyond. 

Check out Ripe here: https://riperadio.co.uk

How to grow your digital radio station /w Charlie Fleig from Ripe Radio  | Ep#5 AMF Podcast

Music, Club Nights, and News from the rainy city. All killer, no filler.

For submissions or collaborations please email:

liam@allmyfriendsmcr.com

All My Friends MCR

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