01Profile
A Shola Aleje Photo
Shola Aleje
Radio Producer — London
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Shola Aleje, born in Whitechapel, now live in South East London
What do you do?
Radio Producer at BBC 6 Music, also produce the odd Podcast here and there and present a monthly show called ‘Moods for Moderns’ on Totally Wired Radio.
Describe your style in three words:
Changes daily depending on what I'm listening to, watching or reading. A bit mod, bit '60s/'70s, a bit del boy when it comes to jewellery, definitely obsessed with anything that is well cut and sits nicely above the ankle. So, in three words, hmm - a slightly ‘Androgynous Mary Quant’?
Which music defines the teenage you?
The Clash were a huge influence on me, they knocked me for six when I first heard London Calling, I related to them so much, especially the crossover in genres and the fact that they were friends with people of different races - I remember that being a huge deal for me.
When I think of artists and moments that single-handedly changed the course of my listening habits, I’ll never forget the moment I first saw Captain Beefheart performing late night on TV when I was a teenager - I didn’t know music like this existed.
What has been your all-time favourite gig?
Seeing Pink Floyd at the Live 8 concert, 2005 - I cried like a baby the next day. It was a few years before Richard Wright from the band passed away and David Gilmour dedicated ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ to Syd Barrett. I always appreciated that they all put their differences aside to unite for that gig.
A British icon or band who inspire your sound?
Dennis Bovell is a proper legend and has worked on some very eclectic projects, from The Slits to Janet Kay - I’ve just always loved what he’s about.
Find Shola Aleje on Twitter at @beefheartzappa and Instagram at @donvanvliet.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
What was the first song you played on repeat?
The Cranberries - 'Linger'.
I used to listen to this song several times a day at one point, I don't know what it was about this song, but I remember feeling absolutely heartbroken listening to it like I had experienced some kind of heartbreak personally... I hadn’t - I was bloody 14! I also remember listening to Roxy Music - 'Both Ends Burning' on repeat around that time too.
A song you wish you’d written?
The Specials - 'Do Nothing' as the lyrics showed a real social snapshot of Britain in the late '70s and Dusty Springfield - 'All Cried Out'. I just love how this track is so unashamedly about heartache, proper heartache, which we all know is absolutely horrific when it happens to you!
What is the last piece of music you bought?
Fast Eddie - 'Acid Thunder' and Kendrick Lamar - 'Element'
Best song to bring people together?
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - 'Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)' or Madness - 'It Must Be Love'.
Best love song of all time?
Too many to choose from but The Hollies version of 'The Air That I Breathe', The Supremes - 'I Hear a Symphony' and The Beatles - 'Michelle' is up there!
Is there a song you like that people wouldn’t expect?
I’m a mixed bag when it comes to the music I listen to, but I've been listening to a lot of Ludovico Einaudi, John Barry and Ennio Morricone to calm me down recently! Also enjoyed the new Harry Styles album.
A song from your favourite album?
David Bowie - 'Stay' from the album 'Station to Station' - it’s the perfect track to get you dancing, and an album track I've been listening to on repeat recently is Paul McCartney - 'Monkberry Moon Delight'.
What new music/bands are you listening to?
Really loving Confidence Man and Klaus Blatter at the moment, I love the latest Michael Kiwanuka album, and I’ve also gone back deep into Richard Russell’s 'Everything is Recorded' record.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Shola Aleje, born in Whitechapel, now live in South East London
What do you do?
Radio Producer at BBC 6 Music, also produce the odd Podcast here and there and present a monthly show called ‘Moods for Moderns’ on Totally Wired Radio.
Describe your style in three words:
Changes daily depending on what I'm listening to, watching or reading. A bit mod, bit '60s/'70s, a bit del boy when it comes to jewellery, definitely obsessed with anything that is well cut and sits nicely above the ankle. So, in three words, hmm - a slightly ‘Androgynous Mary Quant’?
Which music defines the teenage you?
The Clash were a huge influence on me, they knocked me for six when I first heard London Calling, I related to them so much, especially the crossover in genres and the fact that they were friends with people of different races - I remember that being a huge deal for me.
When I think of artists and moments that single-handedly changed the course of my listening habits, I’ll never forget the moment I first saw Captain Beefheart performing late night on TV when I was a teenager - I didn’t know music like this existed.
What has been your all-time favourite gig?
Seeing Pink Floyd at the Live 8 concert, 2005 - I cried like a baby the next day. It was a few years before Richard Wright from the band passed away and David Gilmour dedicated ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ to Syd Barrett. I always appreciated that they all put their differences aside to unite for that gig.
A British icon or band who inspire your sound?
Dennis Bovell is a proper legend and has worked on some very eclectic projects, from The Slits to Janet Kay - I’ve just always loved what he’s about.
Find Shola Aleje on Twitter at @beefheartzappa and Instagram at @donvanvliet.
04Playlist Notes
What was the first song you played on repeat?
The Cranberries - 'Linger'.
I used to listen to this song several times a day at one point, I don't know what it was about this song, but I remember feeling absolutely heartbroken listening to it like I had experienced some kind of heartbreak personally... I hadn’t - I was bloody 14! I also remember listening to Roxy Music - 'Both Ends Burning' on repeat around that time too.
A song you wish you’d written?
The Specials - 'Do Nothing' as the lyrics showed a real social snapshot of Britain in the late '70s and Dusty Springfield - 'All Cried Out'. I just love how this track is so unashamedly about heartache, proper heartache, which we all know is absolutely horrific when it happens to you!
What is the last piece of music you bought?
Fast Eddie - 'Acid Thunder' and Kendrick Lamar - 'Element'
Best song to bring people together?
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - 'Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)' or Madness - 'It Must Be Love'.
Best love song of all time?
Too many to choose from but The Hollies version of 'The Air That I Breathe', The Supremes - 'I Hear a Symphony' and The Beatles - 'Michelle' is up there!
Is there a song you like that people wouldn’t expect?
I’m a mixed bag when it comes to the music I listen to, but I've been listening to a lot of Ludovico Einaudi, John Barry and Ennio Morricone to calm me down recently! Also enjoyed the new Harry Styles album.
A song from your favourite album?
David Bowie - 'Stay' from the album 'Station to Station' - it’s the perfect track to get you dancing, and an album track I've been listening to on repeat recently is Paul McCartney - 'Monkberry Moon Delight'.
What new music/bands are you listening to?
Really loving Confidence Man and Klaus Blatter at the moment, I love the latest Michael Kiwanuka album, and I’ve also gone back deep into Richard Russell’s 'Everything is Recorded' record.