Public Address Podcast

HIGHER FIDELITY

Public Address: HIGHER FIDELITY

"A great song can make us feel like we're flying, even when our feet are firmly on the ground." This quote beautifully captures the transformative power of music. John Peel DJ and Broadcaster

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2024

SOUL OF THE NORTH: A NORTHERN SOUL MEGA MIX

Public Address: SOUL OF THE NORTH

Who would've thought that the working men's clubs of Wigan would become the birthplace of all-night party culture? Well - back in 1973, revellers flocked to the now famous Wigan Casino to hit the dance-floor - to lost and forgotten tracks from Detroit, and the Northern Soul scene was born. People young and old, black and white, came together in droves by coach to the clubs of several sleepy towns to dance the night away, with the elegant footwork and inch-perfect spins typical of the movement.

Northern Soul fashion was focused more on the functional – jeans, wide-fitting trousers and t-shirts. People were there to dance, not stand around posing in the corners. In this special Public Address Northern Soul Non-Stop MegaMix – there’s a chance to hear just some of the timeless classics that motivated so many – to do nothing but dance!

Written Produced and Mixed by Thom McKeown © 2024

SUPERMUSIC

Public Address: SUPERMUSIC

Subcultures in music form because mainstream music doesn't satisfy the needs of certain people. So through music and through style, we'll find our tribe, like-minded rebels. Don Letts, Musician and DJ

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2024

PUNK SPECIAL

Public Address: PUNK SPECIAL

Relating the story of punk in anything less than about 4,000 songs is pretty much impossible. From The Addicts and Angelic Upstarts to Zounds and The Zeros, most lists only cover around 100 punk bands, so they’re woefully incomplete, omitting outfits such as Defcon Zero, Vortex, Sick On The Bus, The Satellites and many more. Further selecting the definitive song by each band is an equally thankless task.

It's easy enough with bands like Menace or Cult Maniax but what about The Lurkers, Subhumans, or 999 who each had several classics to their name? What about Anti-Nowhere League, Wire, and The Mob? All of them punk, but all very, very different. Added to that - what began simply as punk rock rapidly diverged into multiple subcategories – from hardcore and crust to anarcho-punk, pop punk, street punk, horror punk and numerous other variations. There are rules, but then again, there are no rules…

 And that's before punk and metal hopped into bed together and started producing their own obnoxious offspring! And then there's the fact that a lot of people can't seem to agree about what punk actually is, but will happily bicker about what it isn't. It's fast and aggressive – except when it isn't. The songs are short and political – except when they're not. You've got to have spiky hair and a studded leather jacket – except when you don't.

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2024  (Punk Quiz Compiled and Presented by Andrew McKinnon)

THE STORY OF THE JAM

Public Address: THE STORY OF THE JAM

In purely cold statistical terms, the Jam was the most successful British band of their era. Such was their fire and spirit that a generation grew up with them, and was inspired by them. Featuring comments from all three members plus friends and associates - plus the brilliant music - hear The Story of The Jam.

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2022/2024

MODSVILLE

Public Address: MODSVILLE

The ultimate session of Mod-era classic tracks. Mod fashion began in London at the end of the 50’s and has its roots in groups of young, working class men with a sharp sense of style. The name ‘Mod’ originated from the fact that this first incarnation listened, mostly, to modern Jazz. This would evolve with the movement over time as bands such as The Small Faces and The Who became the zeitgeist. But one thing that never changed was the sharp fashion that defines them.

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2024

 

SOUNDCAST

Public Address: SOUNDCAST

"Style is knowing who are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn!" Gore Vidal, Celebrated writer

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2024

APPOINTMENT TO LISTEN

Public Address: APPOINTMENT TO LISTEN

It’s all very surreal and weird. I’m sure some people have dreams of being famous, but I don’t know if we had those. I always wanted to make it, and by “make it” I mean play music and be creative for a living. But, this is weird. It’s weird to be in a band and hear yourself played in coffee shops. Khruangbin, Texan trio

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2024

JOLLY GOOD SHOW

Public Address: JOLLY GOOD SHOW

As one knows the musician by his fine music, so one can recognise the liar by his rich rhythmic utterance, and in neither case will the casual inspiration of the moment suffice. In music, as elsewhere, practice must precede perfection.

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2024

THE LATE GREATS SHOW

Public Address: THE LATE GREATS SHOW (Take II)

A very special revised edition of the programme focussing on tracks from great musicians we have sadly lost, but whose legacy is the brilliant music they have left behind.

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2024

BACK TO THE NINETIES

Public Address: BACK TO THE 90s

In the 1990s, music trends were eclectic. It was the era of vibrant contrast, creative fusions and a delicate waltz between counter-culture and the mainstream. Perhaps stranger still, the almost category-free culture of the ‘90s allowed music fans to support Britpop, hip hop, alternative rock/metal, and contemporary R&B simultaneously, without a second thought.

In this Public Address special, producer Thom McKeown hands over the vocal reins to his non-human A.I. protégé Arta Intello to guide the listener through this age of open-minded music.

Written Edited and Produced by Thom McKeown © 2024

 

ALL IN TIME TO THE MUSIC

Public Address: ALL IN TIME TO THE MUSIC

Music can reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure, decrease cortisol (stress hormone) levels and increase serotonin and endorphin levels in the blood. It elevates mood. Music can boost the brain's production of the hormone dopamine - and this increased dopamine production helps relieve feelings of anxiety and depression.

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2024

FAMILY FAVOURITES

Public Address: FAMILY FAVOURITES

If you develop an ear for sounds that are musical it is like developing an ego. You begin to refuse sounds that may not seem like conventional music - and that way cut yourself off from a good deal of experience. I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas in music. I'm frightened of the old ones. John Cage Musician

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2024

NOT SO FAST

Public Address: NOT SO FAST

A very special edition of Public Address with two hours of completely uninterrupted, less frenetic music to help you relax, unwind, and enjoy a melody-led embrace towards tranquility.

Edited and Produced by Thom McKeown © 2024

FABS UNPLUGGED

Public Address: FABS UNPLUGGED

Welcome to another two hours of exceptional music, including on Side 2, a rare chance to hear some performances from The Beatles, as they bring us a selection of several Fabs tracks, this time in less over-produced and acoustic versions, plus a genuine rarity from them, to conclude the programme.

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2024

DISCERNING LISTENERS ONLY

Public Address: DISCERNING LISTENERS ONLY

The late great dj John Peel once famously said, "The best songs are the ones that make you feel like they were written just for you." This quote beautifully captures the essence of what truly resonates with discerning music lovers.

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2024

BACK TO THE NINETEEN EIGHTIES

Public Address: BACK TO THE 1980s

Music in the 1980s was all about image, and with the advent of MTV, the looks that accompanied artists became more important than ever. When it came to music during the decade, nothing was understated, not the sound, not the fashion, not even charities.

The 1980s reflected the beginning of a period of great income disparity and a focus on affluence was reflected in the music. There were also several new genres that popped up including Hip Hop and sythn-electro, which strongly influenced the music of today. The 80s also saw the emergence of electronic dance music and new wave and as disco fell out of fashion in the decade's early years, genres such as Euro disco and dance-pop became more popular.

In this Public Address 3-hour extra-special we’ll go back to those ten years from 1980-89 and refresh our collective memories on some of those as well as a few familiar classics, plus giving a play to one or two that might have passed you by. Plus an extended 1980s Music Quiz.

Written Produced Edited and Presented by Thom McKeown | Quiz Questions by Andrew McKinnon © 2024

PINK FLOYD

Public Address: PINK FLOYD

Another chance to listen to and/or download this two hour spotlight on the lifespan of one of the UK's most creatively inventive music ensembles whose reputation and popularity has transcended generations from the mid-1960s to today. This is the most successful, most downloaded and most-listened to programme in the entire Public Address series.

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2021-2024

SENSUALITY

Public Address: SENSUALITY

Following the covid pandemic, long after we were social-distancing and quarantining in very un-sexy pods, we just want to intimately touch each other. But for many of us, it may have been a while. So if you’re overwhelmed, this Public Address Sensuality special is here to help set a steamy mood. Some are about making love outright, others are a little more subtle. Regardless, they’re sure to get your heart – and other organs – racing. From sensual soul to gloriously freaky offerings, these are the perfect sexy songs to set the mood in the bedroom. Nothing quite does it like sensual music, but choosing the right tunes can be crucial. Pick a silky-smooth slow jam, and hopefully you’ll be in for a memorable night.

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2024

TURN ON, TUNE IN, CHECK IT OUT

Public Address: TURN ON TUNE IN CHECK IT OUT

Rock's so good to me. Rock is my child and my grandfather. Roll over Beethoven, and tell Tchaikovsky the news.                            Chuck Berry Musician

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2024