The Forever Manchester Podcast

Episode 03 - Greg Davis - United Estates of Wythenshawe

Forever Mancunians aims to introduce and tell the stories of featured guests whose vision, commitment and dedication in making a difference to the lives of others in our local communities is both interesting and inspiring.

In this episode, we have a candid chat with Greg Davis, maverick founder of the United Estates of Wythenshawe.

Greg shares his story of taking over a vandalised local church and positively engaging troublesome young people, through to establishing an inner city culture centre, organising a national conference of street leaders and encouraging the development of a number of social enterprises.

Listen to Greg questioning labels, challenging perceptions and asking “If kids are joining street gangs purely to feel safe, then where do we go?” 

Episode 02 - June Kelly - Abraham Moss Warriors

Forever Mancunians aims to introduce and tell the stories of featured guests whose vision, commitment and dedication in making a difference to the lives of others in our local communities is both exemplary and inspiring. In this episode, we have a candid chat with June Kelly MBE, founder of the multi-award winning Abraham Moss Warriors.

Pride of Britain award winner June shares the story of engaging young people in grass root sports through to actively engaging and benefitting the local community including the transformation of a local park, engaging with #NASA and successfully challenging the Football Association #FA. Listen to June chat about “how the power of sport can bring out the best in people”     

Frank Sidebottom

This interview was conducted on 27th May 2009 as part of the Forever Manchester Radio Show which was broadcast on Manchester Radio Online at the time. Although Frank Sidebottom didn't undertake actual interviws as such, he was more than happy to chat about his mad creative world, tell us a few home truths about 'Bobbins' & 'Plagarism' and share some of his many experiences including having a sleepover with The Smiths, being the cause of the rift in Oasis between Noel & Liam Gallagher and buying cheap cassettes from lesser artists and wiping them clean!

 

Aniff Akinola - PART ONE

Aniff Akinola is a renowned vocalist, writer, producer and ex record label owner who was also a founding member of the cult Manchester hip-hop outfit 'Chapter and the Verse' and co-writer of A Guy Called Gerald's classic house anthem "Voodoo Ray".

Aniff was also a co-writer of Kirsty MacColl's hit "Walking Down Maddison" and general co-conspiritor of such 90's electronic luminaries as The Orb, Steve Hillage and The Beloved. He was also a co-writer of Ian Brown's "Set My Baby Free" and was one half of Backyard Dog, who wrote the UK Top 20 Hit "Baddest Roughest" which went on to become the Coca Cola World Cup Theme alongside being featured in Ali G's "In the House" and "Bend it Like Beckham"  

He was involved in The Ironweed Project and their song "Get on the Floor" was featured in the Hollywood blockbuster How to Loose Friends and Alienate People. Aniff continues to write and produce today for up and coming artists both nationally and internationally and he also enjoys doing occasional lectrues and conferences.  

In this interviews Aniff talks quite openly about his life and times - Enjoy!

Aniff Akinola - PART TWO

Aniff Akinola is a renowned vocalist, writer, producer and ex record label owner who was also a founding member of the cult Manchester hip-hop outfit 'Chapter and the Verse' and co-writer of A Guy Called Gerald's classic house anthem "Voodoo Ray".

Aniff was also a co-writer of Kirsty MacColl's hit "Walking Down Maddison" and general co-conspiritor of such 90's electronic luminaries as The Orb, Steve Hillage and The Beloved. He was also a co-writer of Ian Brown's "Set My Baby Free" and was one half of Backyard Dog, who wrote the UK Top 20 Hit "Baddest Roughest" which went on to become the Coca Cola World Cup Theme alongside being featured in Ali G's "In the House" and "Bend it Like Beckham"

He was involved in The Ironweed Project and their song "Get on the Floor" featured in the Hollywood blockbuster 'How to Loose Friends and Alienate People'. Aniff continues to write and produce today for up and coming artists both nationally and internationally and he also enjoys doing occasional lectrues and conferences.

In this interviews Aniff talks quite openly about his life and experiences - Enjoy!

Sebastian Heeley - Manchester Gin

In this podcast we chat with Sebastian Heeley, co-founder of the Manchester Gin Company who along with his now partner Jen Wiggins, set up Manchester Gin in May 2016. 

Sebastian shares the love story behind the formation, growth and development of Manchester Gin, shares a few distilling secrets and shares his delight at such a young company already recieving an array of plaudits, recognitions and awards at international industry competitions.

When Manchester Gin was born, it was in the dining room of a house that Jen and Seb had just bought. Now, the Spirit of Manchester Distillery occupies a space in the centre of the city where every bottle is hand-crafted and distilled in small batches courtesy of three copper ladies. Wendy after Jen’s beloved late mother, Victoria after the fabulous Victoria Wood and Emmeline after the iconic suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst in tribute to some of Manchester’s most inspirational women.

Rowetta - Part Two

Part Two of a two-part podcast where we chat to acclaimed Manchester based singer, Rowetta about her life in Happy Mondays, her associations with some of the music world's greats and other interesting stories from one of the most sampled and powerful female singers on the planet!

This interview was conducted at the offices of Forever Manchester who today occupy the same building as Manchester's famous Boardwalk, the very building where Happy Monday's, amongst others, cut their teeth!

Rowetta is secret voice on the Black Eyed Peas worldwide hit. “Boom Boom Pow”

She is also the voice on the renowned 1989 track "Reach Out", which has been sampled by many, including Steve Angello, DJ Zinc and Todd Terry to name but a few.

Steve Angello and Laidback Luke used her voice for the hit dance tune “Be” which David Guetta and Hardwell often use it to open their dj sets, it is also used on the Steve Angello/Robin S hit “Show Me Love”
Rowetta wrote the original with Sweet Mercy and it continues to be sampled and played globally today.

Cheryl Cole also sampled Rowetta on her Brits performance of 'Fight For This Love"

Rowetta is also the original female singer with the recently reformed Madchester band, Happy Mondays, singing on all their hits, and touring the world.

She played herself in the Michael Winterbottom film 24 Hour Party People and was Simon Cowell’s favourite and the last lady standing in the UK’s very first X Factor in 2004.

Rowetta has collaborated with many house producers including Lights Out feat Rowetta with Tom Stephan and Pete Gleadell on New York label, Nervous Records and No More Comin' Down with J Nitti on Dos or Die (Unlimited Sounds) with remixes by Darude.

She also sings with Peter Hook (Joy Division/New Order) and his new band The Light and was the lead singer on the EP 1102/2011.

Rowetta also performs and is a big hit at all the UK Gay Prides including London, Manchester and Brighton. She has also headlined the infamous,
G-A-Y night twice.

Rowetta has toured with the Hacienda party including Graeme Park, Todd Terry, Marshall Jefferson, Mike Pickering and many more with performances in Japan, Thailand and Dubai alongside many Hacienda parties in the UK.

New Years Eve 2013 saw Rowetta at the Albert Hall, Manchester where she shared the stage to sing with the legendary Frankie Knuckles.

Recent collaborations will see releases with Eddie Le Funk, Mirror People & Shimi Sonic, as well as her own live funk band.

Recent releases include on Cr2 Records: Alex Gray & Rowetta “It’s All About House Music’; FSOE: Will Atkinson & Rowetta“Mesmerise”; Zulu Records: My Digital Enemy feat Rowetta “It Would Be”

Greco feat Rowetta: ‘BE' was named as one of Billboard's Top 20 House and Techno tracks of 2017. Rowetta currently tourws with Happy Mondays and Hacienda Classical as well as performing solo.

Days after the Manchester bomb, Rowetta was asked to perform on The Andrew Marr Show with Manchester Camerata strings as a tribute to the victims and along with Peter Hook, they led a minute’s silence at the opening of Glastonbury, before performing with Hacienda Classical and they also led a fitting tribute at The Royal Albert Hall.

Rowetta is also involved with and an ambassador of many charities and is passionate about Manchester. She fronted the ‘End The Fear’ campaign with Greater Manchester Police and continues to work with domestic violence support groups.

Forever Manchester is a charity that funds and supports grass-root communtity activity across Greater Manchester, for more information please visit www.forevermanchester.com 

Rowetta - Part One

Part One of a two-part podcast where we chat to legendary Manchester singer, Rowetta about her life, love of music and her memories and experiences from School Hall's to Concert Halls. Life in Happy Mondays, her X-Factor adventure and other interesting facts and stories from one of the most sampled and powerful female singers on the planet.

Forever Manchester is Greater Manchester's Community Foundation, the only charity that raises money to fund and support community activity across Greater Manchester. Pease visit www.forevermanchester.com for more information.   

Dave Haslam - Part Two

Part Two of a two-part podcast where we chat to Manchester based writer, broadcaster and DJ Dave Haslam about his love of music and his memories and experiences of venues such as the Boardwalk and the world famous Haçienda nightclub. We also touch on Dave's love of English, his books and writings, and his series of live and 'Close Up' onstage interviews that have featured many guests including Jarvis Cocker, Nile Rodgers and John Lydon to name but a few.

The interview was conducted at the offices of Forever Mancheter who today occupy the same building that used to be home to The Boardwalk!

Forever Manchester is a charity that funds and supports grass-root communtity activity across Greater Manchester, for more information please visit www.forevermanchester.com 

 

Dave Haslam - Part One

This is Part One of a two-part podcast where we chat to Manchester based writer, broadcaster and DJ Dave Haslam about his love of music, his memories and experiences of venues such as the Boardwalk and the world famous Haçienda nightclub. We also touch on Dave's love of English, his books and writings, and his series of live and 'Close Up' onstage interviews that have featured many guests including Jarvis Cocker, Nile Rodgers and John Lydon to name but a few.

The interview was conducted at the offices of Forever Mancheter who today occupy the same building that used to be home to The Boardwalk!

Forever Manchester is a charity that funds and supports grass-root communtity activity across Greater Manchester, for more information please visit www.forevermanchester.com