Hello. I am Steve Pretty.

This is my website, on which I attempt to explain my confusing career to you.

I do mostly performance, music composition, music production, podcasting and mixing. I also enjoy photography (especially underwater photography) and writing, both of which I’ve been able to occasionally monetise as part of my, er, ‘portfolio career’.

If you're confused, think how I feel.

Drop me a line if you’d like me to do A Thing for you.

Here are my Instagram and Twitter feeds so you can see what I’ve been up to.

Don’t forget to also check out Hackney Colliery Band’s feeds for all the latest on that front.

🧹 Dirty Rap fans — this one’s for you. And for anyone who ever wondered what a 40-something trumpet player rapping about the history of music might look like. Back at November’s Wilton’s Music Hall show, we played Genre Tombola — probably my favourite bit of the podcast, where a random genre gets picked for me and I go away, dig into it properly, and sometimes (very cautiously) try to make music in that style. This time the Tombola gods handed me Dirty Rap. I genuinely love the genre — Roots Manuva, Missy Elliott, all that good stuff — so I tried to honour it with a family-friendly yet somehow still pretty filthy rap about the evolution of music. You can see me attempt it live this Wednesday at Wilton’s Music Hall. PLUS I’ll be drawing another random genre live on stage, because clearly I haven’t learned anything. 🎟️ 30th April – link in bio! #livemusic #podcastlive #genrechallenge #comedymusic #originofthepieces #wiltonsmusichall #londonshows #musicadventure #musicallycurious

After I drop the kids at school I almost always head to the pond to hang out for a while (sometimes as much as 60-90 mins) before I have a little run. I catch up on admin and messages on my phone, plan my day and week, and try to do a few useful bits. But really this isn’t about that - it’s a chance to just be quiet, to be in, observe and feel part of nature. It’s definitely an inefficient way of starting my work day, but over the last couple of years I’ve hung out with herons, observed the life cycle of newts, watched as a stalking fox failed to outsmart a pair of wary ducks, enjoyed what I think are reed warblers flitting about in the rushes, and today have spent an hour in the company of a female blackbird building her nest. She’s got very used to my presence, and every minute or two goes down to the pond to get a mouthful of leaves and twigs, then comes up, lands about a foot away from me, looks me in the eye then takes her haul to her nest. I know it’s a cliché, but in these difficult times, with the world going mad and the rollercoaster of being a professional musician ever more whiplash-inducing, this little slice of urban nature several times a week is so satisfying and important. I live in what I think is one of the most interesting, vibrant places in the world, but I’m as grateful for the refreshing focus on rewilding our parks and urban green spaces as I am the nightlife and amazing cultural landscape these days I think. #nature #urbanwildlife #morningroutine #inefficiency

This is happening THIS WEDNESDAY! It’s going to be a really fun, varied show with a lot of great musicians on stage, tonnes of great music and chat, and some very silly bits too. If you can make it down, please do! A lot of hard work goes into these shows and audience feedback is always super positive. Think that I’m genuinely doing something quite unusual and original with them (there may be a reason for that 🤣) and if you’ve not checked one out, I urge you to do so. Roll up!

At a recent Steve Pretty (and friends) On the Origin of the Pieces – Live show, @guyprattofficial told this brilliant story about playing bass on Like a Prayer. (And about being called a dummy by Madonna…) These shows are full of music, stories, and moments that hit differently when you’re there in the room. 🎙️ Next one: 📅 30th April 📍 Wilton’s Music Hall 🎟️ Ticket link in bio #originofthepieces #guypratt #madonna #musicstories #wiltonsmusichall #livemusiclondon #musiceducation #learnmusic

Happy Earth Day — or as I’m calling it… solar studio launch day ☀️🔋 I’ve just started powering my studio (or at least the bits I use most) with a small solar setup. Bit scrappy for now — a flexible panel out the back, cable through the window, very messy studio — but today I’ve been working for hours on sunlight alone. Which feels… pretty great. The plan is to scale it up and eventually run most of my core rig this way. One small step towards carbon-neutral silly noises in a shed 🎶 #SolarStudio #EarthDay #ComposerLife #StudioRig #OriginOfThePieces #MusicTechnology #AbletonLive #MusicProducer #CarbonNeutralish

Having a delightful time in Suffolk. Out on a run today found this derelict windmill, so of course had to pop in to test the acoustics. Not as lively as I expected! Very lovely though. #windmill #nicelittleslapback #acoustics #suffolk

Arranged horns and playing with the amazing @mrjimbobfromcarter @o2sbe tonight. Sold out show of 40 songs, celebrating 40 years in the biz. Boom! Should be a cracker. Dusted off some arrangements that I first did with Jim in 2009/2010 at @robinince1969 shows. Amazing songwriting and pleasure to be joined by tootin buddies @joelknee @jamesarbenmusic #jimbob #carterusm

I’m bringing my “wide-ranging and insightful” (Guardian) podcast Steve Pretty On the Origin of the Pieces to the stage — live at @wiltonsmusichall on April 30th. Expect music, stories, live sound design, audience interaction, and a few questionable instruments (yes, including a conch shell). Joining me on stage: 🪘 R N Prakash – incredible Carnatic percussionist 🌍 World Music Big Band – a genre-hopping global ensemble 🎶 Filament Choir @filament_theatre – a 20-piece vocal ensemble singing songs from around the world You don’t need to know the podcast — just bring open ears, a sense of adventure and a readiness for some musical fun and curiosities 📅 April 30th 📍 Wilton’s Music Hall, London #WiltonsMusicHall #LivePodcast #OriginOfThePieces #CarnaticMusic #WorldMusicBigBand #FilamentChoir #LondonEvents

I’m bringing my “wide-ranging and insightful” (Guardian) podcast Steve Pretty On the Origin of the Pieces to the stage — live at Wilton’s Music Hall on April 30th. Expect music, stories, live sound design, audience interaction, and a few questionable instruments (yes, including a conch shell). Joining me on stage: 🪘 R N Prakash – incredible Carnatic percussionist 🌍 World Music Big Band – a genre-hopping global ensemble 🎶 Filament Choir – a 20-piece vocal ensemble singing songs from around the world You don’t need to know the podcast — just bring open ears, a sense of adventure and a readiness for some musical fun and curiosities 📅 April 30th 📍 Wilton’s Music Hall, London #WiltonsMusicHall #LivePodcast #OriginOfThePieces #CarnaticMusic #WorldMusicBigBand #FilamentChoir #LondonEvents

Yes, this beat is built entirely from my unborn daughter’s heartbeat. 💓🥁 I chopped up the recording to create a kick, snare, and hi-hat, then added EQ, compression, and a few subtle effects. Once the brass section comes in, it starts to take on a life of its own. The full track became Reawake – a @hackneycolliery tune that grew out of this tiny rhythm of life. 🎧 Hear the full story in Episode 25 of Origin of the Pieces – listen via link in bio. #MusicProduction #Sampling #HeartbeatDrums #ComposerLife #SoundDesign #StevePretty #OriginOfThePieces #ElectronicMusic #HackneyCollieryBand #CreativeProcess

First day teaching on the Masters programme @lcmlive based at @uniwestlondon today. Starting with some one-on-one arranging and music production sessions with a brilliant student—can’t wait to get stuck in! I’ve done a bit of university teaching for @bruneluni and others before, but always from my own studio. First time teaching in an actual higher ed building today… how long til I’m institutionalised? #musiceducation #orchestration #bigband

I can’t WAIT to be back at @wiltonsmusichall in almost exactly a month’s time for another live podcast show. I’ve got an absolutely extravaganza planned - to the extent that I’ve had to do additional health and safety checks to ensure that the antique boards can support the number of people who will be on that famous stage… Tickets from Wiltons’ website. Meanwhile here’s a little glimpse of the November show, featuring @guyprattofficial @theon_cross and more! #originofthepieces #musicpodcast #musiceducation #livemusic

I made my first unboxing video. It’s for a conch shell. Because apparently that’s who I am now. Soundtrack: Fluoresce – the conch-heavy @hackneycolliery track you didn’t know you needed. It’s fine. I’m fine. This is not a midlife crisis in shell form. #conchcore #unboxingbutmakeitweird #hackneycollieryband #musicianlife #composerlife #shellcollection #originofthepieces

Just done soundchecking ahead of a sold out @bollywoodbrassband show tonight at @lakesidearts Rocking some personalised rainbow bling courtesy of my daughter #fly #bling #trumpetplayer

As a composer, I’m used to my music being interpreted in unexpected ways. However, I must formally state that while I wrote the closing song for @alexanderybennett 's new comedy special I Can’t Stand The Man Myself, I did not compose the extended fart sequence performed over the top. That was all him. 💨 That said, we did discuss the song’s actual influences—including Robbie Williams—on Episode 2 of my podcast On the Origin of the Pieces. So if you enjoy deep-diving into the intersection of composition, comedy, and, well, unexpected sound design choices… check it out! #Composer #MusicForComedy #ComedyWriting #CreativeCollaboration #StandUpComedy #ComedySpecial #Podcast #SeriousMusicAnalysis #NotMyFarts #UKComedy

Five years ago, at the start of lockdown, I was drawn to Hopper’s ‘Nighthawks’ and put together this short piece—muted trumpet, piano, and percussion. It’s been quietly sitting ever since. Thought I’d share it today. #MusicProduction #composersofinstagram

🐚🎤 It’s #WorldPoetryDay, so here’s a strange and lovely little pairing: First up: a poem from the ever-brilliant @robinince1969 recorded live at my podcast show at @wiltonsmusichall last November. And then? A glimpse of the conch bath I performed at @alsofestival last summer. It’s poetry, sound, and a little sonic weirdness. Naturally. #OriginOfThePieces #RobinInce #SoundBath #Poetry #WiltonsMusicHall #ALSOFestival #weirdandwonderful #musicallycurious

Throwback to November’s Steve Pretty (and friends) On The Origin of the Pieces show @wiltonsmusichall with some INCREDIBLE guests: @guyprattofficial @robinince1969 @theon_cross and @bowelcancerbucketlist What a night! Full video dropping soon, and listen out for selected highlights of this show on the new VIDEO podcast feed (usual audio version also available too) over the coming months. Next live show is back in this incredible room on 30th April. Tickets available NOW from the Wilton’s website. #wiltonsmusichall #originofthepieces #musiceducation #musicpodcast

Can’t wait to fill the most beautiful venue in the UK @wiltonsmusichall with all manner of musicians and musically curious people on 30th April for the next of my Steve Pretty (and friends) On The Origin of the Pieces live shows. Already assembled a FANTASTIC line up, and it’s going to be a very special night indeed. Tickets available on the venue website right now. ROLL UP! #livepodcast #musicpodcast #musiceducation #originofthepieces

🎶 Wrote the title track for @alexanderybennett 's comedy special I Can’t Stand The Man Myself—out now on YouTube! Here’s a snippet of my song over the outro, but honestly, watch the whole thing. It’s a masterclass in hilarious self-loathing. 😈😂 #Comedy #StandUp #AlexanderBennett #ComedySpecial #MusicForComedy #ComposerLife #DarkHumor #UKComedy #Funny #StandUpComedy