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The Sinister Urge: How The Marriage Of Metal And Horror Terrified The World
Heavy metal and horror have co-existed with one another since the music’s inception. One could say that metal has been macabre since its very first notes.
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The Devil Has All The Best Tunes: How Musicians Discovered Their Dark Side
The subject of evil will remain one of interest to songwriters, no matter how controversial & unsettling. The Devil does indeed get some of the best songs.
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Mojos Working: A History Of Recorded Blues
Who wrote the first ever blues song and what was the first ever recorded blues song? We dig deep to find out the fascinating history of recorded blues.
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The Album Isn’t Dead. Long Live The Long-Player
Despite the claims of many in a streaming world, the album isn’t dead. Taylor Swift and Sam Smith are just a few artists keeping it alive.
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Is Rock Music Dead? Not If You’re Really Listening
Every year, critics and so-called experts ask: is rock music dead? Not with a new breed of young talents aiming for legendary status.
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We Shall Overcome: The Power Of Protest Songs
The power of the protest song looks set to be exploited as politics takes center stage again. That music is used as a means to raise awareness and share a common goal looks set to continue.
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Idol Playthings: How Teen Idols Shaped The Pop World
Mass-marketed music for the X-Factor generation promoting attractive, clean-living male singers to teenagers looking for romance from their pop idols is not actually a new thing.
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Fight For Your Right: The Battle Over Music Censorship
A question of boundaries lays at the heart of music censorship, but artists have always pushed back, fighting for the freedom to express themselves.
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A Change Is Gonna Come: How Gospel Gave Birth To Soul
Gospel music has always had a major influence on R&B, with many of the biggest soul singers having started their vocal careers in gospel church choirs.
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DIY Music: How Musicians Did It For Themselves
The notion of DIY music stretches back to 19th-century flutes made from bird bone, through punk anarchy and the digital revolution.
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45 45s That Changed The World
Great songs are a compelling soundtrack to our inner worlds, and any list of key singles will be personal rather than definitive, but the 45 45s in our playlist still inspire and delight.
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The Overlooked Musical Pioneers You Really Should Know
Being ahead of their time, too offbeat for mass consumption, or through plain old bad luck – some artists became wildly influential without becoming household names.
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Decca Records: A History Of “The Supreme Record Company”
From doorknobs to ‘Nessun Dorma’, Decca Records’ story is one of innovation, revolutionising the way sound has been recorded, sold and enjoyed.
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A Family Affair: The Blood Bonds That Stormed The World
Family bands have provided some of the greatest popular music of the past 100 years. As Sister Sledge once sang: “We are family. Get up everybody and sing.”
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Road Works: How Life On The Road Made Music Matter
Touring will continue as long as there are new ears to listen to music. The desire for success, money and creative fulfilment will remain, but for many musicians, it is an essential way of life.
