Start Here

House music changed dancefloors forever. But beyond the four-on-the-floor rhythm lies a genre built on soul, community, liberation and musical innovation.

In this episode of Start Here Podcast, Alexis Ffrench is joined by DJ, producer and broadcaster Kwame Safo, also known as Funk Butcher, to explore the origins, sound and global influence of House music.

Together, they trace house music’s roots from Chicago’s Warehouse and pioneers like Frankie Knuckles through to the UK rave scene, Afro House and Amapiano. They discuss the genre’s deep connections to disco, jazz, gospel and Black musical traditions, alongside the role house music has played in community, identity and cultural expression.

The conversation also explores the musical DNA of house, from hypnotic rhythms and sampling culture to vocals, piano house and the lasting influence of DJs and producers across generations.

Whether you are already immersed in house music or discovering it for the first time, this is a joyful and insightful introduction to one of the world’s most influential dance genres.
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Punk was loud, fast, confrontational and impossible to ignore. But beneath the chaos was a movement that changed music, fashion and culture forever.

In this episode of Start Here Podcast, Alexis Ffrench is joined by Guardian journalist and critic Alexis Petridis to explore the origins, sound and legacy of Punk.

Together, they unpack the roots of punk in 1970s New York and Britain, the rise of bands like the Ramones, Sex Pistols and The Clash, and the DIY ethos that reshaped modern music culture.

The conversation explores punk’s stripped-back musical language, its relationship with politics and protest, the influence of fashion and youth identity, and the artists who carried its spirit far beyond the original movement.

Whether you know punk intimately or are discovering it for the first time, this is a fascinating introduction to one of music’s most disruptive and influential genres.
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In this episode of Start Here Podcast, Alexis Ffrench is joined by music journalist and author Jude Rogers to explore the rise, sound and cultural impact of Britpop.

Together, they unpack how Britpop emerged in 1990s Britain as a reaction to grunge and American alternative music, becoming a defining cultural movement built on guitars, regional identity, sharp songwriting and unapologetically British voices.

The conversation explores the musical DNA of the genre, from jangling guitars and melodic basslines to distinctive vocal delivery and observational storytelling, alongside the social and political backdrop that shaped the era. They discuss key bands including Blur, Oasis, Pulp, Suede and Elastica, as well as the influence of The Smiths, Madchester and rave culture.

Alexis and Jude also reflect on Britpop’s relationship with class, identity, Cool Britannia and authenticity, alongside the movement’s lasting influence on British music today.

Whether you lived through the era or are discovering it for the first time, this is a fascinating introduction to one of Britain’s most iconic musical movements.
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In this episode of Start Here, Alexis Ffrench dives into the world of Disco with DJ, musician and historian Ana Matronic.

Together, they explore a genre that is far more than glitter and dancefloors. From its roots in rhythm and blues and underground club culture to its role in community, identity and liberation, disco emerges as one of the most powerful and influential musical movements of the 20th century.

They unpack disco’s musical DNA, from four-on-the-floor rhythms to orchestral production, and trace its journey from underground spaces to global phenomenon. The episode also explores the cultural and political forces that shaped disco, its pushback in the late 1970s, and its lasting influence on house, hip-hop and modern pop.

Featuring artists such as Donna Summer, Barry White and Chic, this is a rich and revealing introduction to a genre that continues to move people across generations.

Whether you know disco well or are discovering it for the first time, this is your starting point.

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In this episode of Start Here, Alexis Ffrench explores the richness, rhythm and global influence of Brazilian music with DJ and broadcaster Patrick Forge.

From the foundations of samba to the intimacy of bossa nova, they unpack a musical culture shaped by African, European and indigenous influences, and one that continues to evolve today.

They explore the rhythmic DNA that underpins Brazilian music, the stories behind its most iconic sounds, and how genres like samba, bossa nova and MPB have travelled far beyond Brazil to influence music around the world.

Featuring insights into artists including Antônio Carlos Jobim, João Gilberto and Elis Regina, this episode is a vibrant and accessible introduction to one of the most sophisticated and expressive musical traditions in the world.

🎧 Listen now: podfollow.com/1730508421

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