Inheritance Tracks

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Ben Bailey Smith Jun 10, 2023

Show notes

You might know Ben Bailey Smith better as Doc Brown, an actor, comedian, rapper and screen writer. Ben was born to a Jamaican mother and English father in Willesden, north west London, his older sister is the celebrated writer Zadie Smith.

He started rapping when he was 15, competing in Rap Battles in the early 2000’s, and became a successful stand up comedian. His acting talents have appeared in huge tv series like Channel 4’s Inbetweeners and Derek, to BBC’s Doctor Who, The Split and Damilola, Our Loved Boy to name but a handful. Often his comedy, music and acting talents overlap; he’s very good at all of these things so why wouldn’t he often combine them.

In his podcast Shrink the Box, Ben and psychotherapist Sasha Bates analyse fictional tv characters like Omar from the Wire and Ross from Friends, trying to figure out why they are as they are.

Inherited: Looks is Deceiving by The Gladiators Passing on: Doo Wop (That Thing) by Lauryn Hill

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Gaz Coombes Jun 03, 2023

Show notes

The frontman of one of the biggest music acts of the 90’s, Supergrass, Gaz was born in Oxford to a food scientist father and an English teaching mother.

The family moved to San Francisco for a few of Gaz’s formative years, before returning to Oxford and at 13, he met 15-year-old Danny Goffey on the school playing field and that was the beginning of musical history.

Supergrass released six studio albums in their 17 years and famously turned down an offer from Stephen Spielberg for the band to do a Monkees style TV series.

The band broke up in 2010 and although they reformed, and played Glastonbury last year, Gaz has been making critically acclaimed solo records and has just released his fourth album Turn the Car Around.

Inherited: My Father’s Name Is Dad by Fire Passing on: Land by Patti Smith

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Sadiq Khan May 27, 2023

Show notes

Sadiq Khan was born in 1970 in Tooting, south London. He became a solicitor in the early 90’s specializing in Human rights issues, and an MP in 2005. He was first elected as London Mayor in 2016, becoming the third mayor of the city and its first Muslim mayor. In his new book 'Breathe: Tackling the Climate Emergency' he describes his reaction to being diagnosed with adult-onset asthma.

He reveals the music that was the soundtrack to the mad house he grew up in - and the inspirational song that politicised him.

Inherited: Our House by Madness Passing on: Pride (In the Name of Love) by U2

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Dr Alex George May 20, 2023

Show notes

Alex George was an A & E doctor in London when he entered the nation’s consciousness by appearing on the fourth series of Love Island.

Although he initially returned to work on the ward, the media clamour for his talent eventually lured him away. Using his medical expertise, he hosted a podcast, made appearances on many of the nation’s favourite TV shows and then, in 2020, his youngest brother took his own life.

Alex then launched a campaign requesting the UK Government prioritise mental health amongst children and adolescents and he’s been focusing on Youth Mental Health ever since, writing two books and using his huge social media following to affect change.

He describes how he remembers his mother singing and dancing to Elton John, and reveals how the power of listening Ben Howard helped him through grief.

Inherited: Your Song by Elton John Passing on: Keep Your Head Up by Ben Howard

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan

Mathew Baynton May 13, 2023

Show notes

Mathew Baynton is an actor, writer, comedian and musician – who shot to fame as part of the troop who brought us the historical and hysterical sketch show Horrible Histories on CBBC.

Since then, along with his fellow co-stars, he has gone on to create, write and star in the critically acclaimed BBC series – Ghosts.

He describes how he finds inspiration in both the light and shade of Leonard Cohen's songs, and takes great solace in Big Thief's lyrics when thinking of his children.

Music Inherited - Everybody Knows by Leonard Cohen Pass on - Change by Big Thief

Producer: Ben Mitchell

Douglas Stuart May 06, 2023

Show notes

Douglas Stuart’s debut novel Shuggie Bain won him The Booker Prize in 2020.

It centres around an alcoholic single mother and her gay son navigating life on a Glasgow estate and it reflects Douglas’ own troubled upbringing.

After near homelessness he earned a place at The Royal College of Art…and went on to land in the epicentre of New York fashion, working for huge brands.

In this edition of the podcast Douglas discusses how the music of Nick Drake helped spark romance between him and his now husband, and why Bobby Hebb's "Sunny" keeps the spirit of his late brother alive.

Music Inherited - Pink Moon by Nick Drake Pass on - Sunny by Bobby Hebb

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Catherine Powell

Alex Jones Apr 22, 2023

Show notes

Alex Jones, is a broadcaster possibly best known and host of The One Show on BBC One.

But her new show Reunion Hotel sees her give people a unique chance to reunite with one person from your past in one-of-a-kind hotel.

In this edition of the podcast Alex reunites with the sound of Elton John playing on vinyl in the woodchip walls of her childhood home, and remembers the joy of the birth of her son thanks to Jason Mraz.

Music: Inherited: Tiny Dancer by Elton John Pass on: I'm Yours by Jason Mraz

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Lowri Rhiannon Morgan

Tony Robinson Apr 22, 2023

Show notes

Sir Tony Robinson is a multi-hyphenate; an actor, comedian, broadcaster and author whose career has, so far, spanned 50 years.

He’s probably best-known for playing turnip-brained Baldrick (who always had 'a cunning plan) in the iconic TV show Blackadder, and his twenty-year stint fronting Channel 4’s Time Team, a series inspired by own his passion for digging deep into the past, to understand the present.

His new podcast series “Cunningcast”, which sees him take the long view on the big stories of the day, is available now.

Music: Inherited: The Man I Love by Billie Holiday Pass on: Short People by Randy Newman

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan

Rufus Wainwright Apr 15, 2023

Show notes

In this edition of Inheritance Tracks Rufus Wainwright reveals the stories behind the music that continues to inspire him; from the highlands of Scotland to a powerful song gifted to his peers and contemporary gay men.

Rufus will be performing at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival on April 29th.

Music: Inherited: Wild Mountain Thyme - Judy Collins Pass on: Heading for Home by Peggy Seeger

Sophie Raworth Apr 08, 2023

Show notes

As well as being a consummate journalist, newsreader and broadcaster, Sophie does ‘beyond the limits’ running…the Marathon des Sables for example…for pleasure?!

In this edition of Inheritance Tracks she reveals the very personal stories behind the music that continues to inspire her and evoke such fond and beautiful memories; from her Grandfather's peerless piano performances to the raucously fun jazz nights with the Raworth house band.

Music: Inherited: Franz Schubert - Impromptu Pass on: Frank Sinatra - Fly me to the moon

Producers: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan

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