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.

It’s always an enormous privilege to play Last Post and Reveille at this time of year and help us to collectively remember the countless millions who have lost their lives because of war, then and now. And no more stunning place to play it than at @abneyparkn16 complete with folk choirs, speeches and wreaths. Extremely moving. Predictably split a couple of notes but, as I detail in Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces episode 4 of the podcast (‘Harmonic remembrance, blues shouting and Deathgrind taxonomy’), it’s a high pressure gig for trumpeters/buglers, and in the worst possible conditions - early, outside and cold! Hey ho. #musiceducation #originofthepieces #remembranceday🌹

Are you musically curious? On 30th November I’m bringing my live podcast/gig/chat extravaganza to the incredible @wiltonsmusichall in London, for my money the most beautiful venue in the country. I’m so excited to have such an incredible line up! @guyprattofficial fresh from touring with @davidgilmour international tuba hero @theon_cross and comedic polymath @robinince1969 Plus some extra special surprises along the way. It’s going to be an incredibly varied, interesting and entertaining evening, I promise! Tickets at link in bio. Roll up! #musiceducation #originofthepieces #basshero #pinkfloyd #theoncross #tuba

I spoke to @iain.russell founder of @defibfest about what this amazing event is, how it started and the incredible work it’s doing for episode 22 of the podcast. Very last few tickets remaining for the event on Saturday, but you can contribute to this amazing cause at any time. #defibrillator #musiceducation

This was a special one. Thought back to this off the back of The Cure’s fantastic new record. (Obviously 2017 not 2027 but too late to change) All made possible by the inspirational @robinince1969 who is my guest (alongside other legends @theon_cross and @guyprattofficial ) at my next @wiltonsmusichall show on 30th November. Tickets at link in bio. ROLL UP! #musiceducation #thecure #Repost @thecure_onthisday with @use.repost ・・・ The Cure played an odd gig on December 18th 2014, appearing as guests at ‘Brian Cox and Robin Ince’s Christmas Compendium of Reason’ gig at London’s Hammersmith Apollo. They also appeared at the show the next night, just before their three nights of sell out shows at the same venue. Their appearance had only been announced the week before so we were lucky to get tickets that were at the very back of the balcony. I can’t remember a thing about the science bit, but it was an unusual one! ⠀ ⠀ Brian Cox is an English physicist best known for his popular science programmes on British tv ,and was also keyboardist in pop band D:Ream. The clip is taken from when Robert joined Brian and the Hackney Colliery Band for a version of ‘The Lovecats’.⠀ ⠀ My videos were rubbish, so this is taken from cheekychichan’s youtube page.⠀ ⠀ Setlist:⠀ The Lovecats⠀ ⠀ Mainset:⠀ Let’s Go To Bed⠀ Close To Me⠀ Why Can’t I Be You? ⠀ Boys Don’t Cry⠀ ⠀ #thecure #cure #onthisday #robertsmith #simongallup #briancox #jasoncooper #rogerodonnell #instagoth #instamusic #alternative #goth #1980s #80s #2000s #postpunk #newwave #london

Absolutely cannot wait to get back to Wilton’s for this. Incredible guests and a lot of interesting, fun stuff in store… Head to the website and pick up your tickets whydoncha?! #Repost @wiltonsmusichall with @use.repost ・・・ We’re happy to announce that @guyprattofficial, @robinince1969 and @theon_cross will be joining @stevepretty as special guests for ‘On The Origin Of The Pieces’ on 30th November! 🎺 Grab your tickets at wiltons.org.uk!

Thrilled to have played a small role in the soundtrack of this new show, scored by the incredible @nainita_desai Listen out! #Repost @nainita_desai with @use.repost ・・・ #nautilusonprime Ahoy me hearties! Nautilus has finally docked in the UK on @amazonprime and @stanaustralia (Apologies in advance for some bad sailing ocean faring puns that will come in thick and fast 😂) Had a blast at the Press screening !

Have you heard of the oud? It’s a beautiful instrument from the middle east, and I had a fascinating chat with @nawar_alnaddaf about it (including lots of lovely music), the inspiration and challenges of making music as a refugee and much more on episode 21 of my podcast Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces. Check it out! Recorded at the incredible @hemnesjazz when I was playing there over the summer. #musiceducation #oud #middleeasternmusic

Little excerpt of the amazing @nawar_alnaddaf from episode 21 of the podcast, filmed in lovely Hemnesberget as part of @hemnesjazz . We talked all things #oud , ney and much more. Link in bio or Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces on all your podcast platforms #syrianmusic #hemnesberget

Such a great day rehearsing some of the (we think) amazing new music we’re bringing to @earthackney on Tuesday 8th for our MASSIVE album launch. Band sounding better than ever, and a privilege to be joined by collaborators as incredible as the incomparable @ola_onabule Ticket link in bio - don’t miss this one. It’s going to be truly special… #newmusic #soulmusic #londonlivemusic #jazzinlondon #olaonabule #hackneycollieryband #brassband

Was a pleasure adding some nice, warm brass to @jimmoray ‘s latest single, a hauntingly beautiful version of the traditional song ‘Spencer the Rover’. Lovely arrangement by Jim, and so nice to dust off the cornet (which I sadly don’t get to play much these days), as well as flugel and tenor horn. And great to have a spin on Mark Radcliffe’s @bbcradio2 show too - including a very nice namecheck, which is a rarity for a sideman! #folkmusic #brassband #recordingstudio #cornet #flugelhorn #tenorhorn

One of my guests in Episode 20 of the podcast is the unusually-named Igor Kill. Tune in to find out how he got this name... And how he came to be one of the very few makers of the 8 string ukulele outside of Honululu - and almost certainly the only one inside the arctic circle! Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces on all the usual platforms (link in bio too). #musiceducation #ukulele #hemnesberget #northnorway

A month ago I was floating on the arctic sea, catching pollack and eating freshly-caught king crab on a vintage fishing boat, and all thanks to @varangerfestivalen who, along with @nnjazzsenter brought @hackneycolliery over to this incredible part of the world. Then I interviewed musicians from the amazing @gabbaband about their Afro Joik project (check out the podcast episode that just dropped to hear it), before sleeping in my bivvy bag under the midnight sun. Blimey. #musicpodcast #northnorway #varangerfestivalen

One month ago I was overlooking a fjord watching the sun briefly dip below the horizon at 1.30am in Vadsø (map on second picture) with my good friends and @hackneycolliery core team buddies @edashby4 @oblackman_ @luke_j_christie So pleased to have got the band to Norway after many years of wanting to tour there. And it was so worth the wait. Huge thanks to @nnjazzsenter @ulla.stina.wiland @indianajohnsen @varangerfestivalen for making it possible. #northnorway #touringmusician #hackneycollieryband

One month on from a post gig sauna and fjord plunge in Bodø after a lovely afternoon show with @hackneycolliery at the @musikkfestuka Was very hard work, this tour, as you can see from the last few posts… and it only got harder when we headed to Vadsø the next day… Absurdly lucky, I know. #northnorway #fjord #saunalife #aftershowfjordparty

One month ago @hackneycolliery were hosted by the world’s most welcoming promoter @ulla.stina.wiland @nnjazzsenter for a BBQ, sauna and hot tub hang at her lovely house in Bodø, ahead of our gig there the following day. Now I love the UK and other scenes, but can anyone think of something similar happening here?! Seriously above and beyond. #promotersstepupyourgame #bodø #northnorway

Today’s one month on photo drop is of @hackneycolliery leading the first ever Hemnes Pride parade. 🏳️&zwj;🌈 🏳️&zwj;⚧️

Such a privilege! And such a lot of fun, too. Played London Pride many times, but there’s something about the inaug

Today’s one month on photo drop is of @hackneycolliery leading the first ever Hemnes Pride parade. 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ Such a privilege! And such a lot of fun, too. Played London Pride many times, but there’s something about the inaugural parade in a small, stunning town that made this extra special. An amazing day, including a great couple of podcast interviews which are dropping this week… #pride #pridemonth #hemnes #northnorway #arcticpride

Today’s one month on photo drop is the stage set for @hackneycolliery ‘s debut Norwegian show. Nine years on from first meeting @magnarskreslett and floating the idea of bringing the band out to his brilliant festival @hemnesjazz I was so glad to have finally made it happen, and in truly spectacular fashion. Our longest ever show at over 2 hrs, a mix of all eras of material, including some premieres from the new record, played to a wonderful, sold out crowd. Guests from the youth band we opened the festival with the night before, plus extra guests from the festival programme. A true pleasure and privilege, and an amazing way to start the tour! Thanks as always also go to @nnjazzsenter for helping to make my mad dream a reality. #hemnes #jazz #hackneycollieryband #jazzfestival #northnorway

Today’s one month on photo is from the opening concert at the amazing @hemnesjazz festival. A band of young musicians with variable levels of experience playing, and especially improvising and composing. But after some amazing workshops with this wonderful band, starting way back in November 2023, we performed a 70 minute set of completely original, group-composed music to a rapturous crowd in this incredible location. What a privilege. Thanks to the whole Hemnesjazz team and to @nnjazzsenter for making it all happen. #musiceducation #composition #creativemusicianship

Today’s one-month-on photo shows the insane views from our rehearsal venue in Hemnesberget. Bit of a contrast from the windowless basements we’re used to rehearsing in in London… We wrote a brand new tune that day, taking the view as inspiration. Amazingly hard working and talented bunch of young people. Thanks as always to @nnjazzsenter and @hemnesjazz

Right, the past few weeks have been so insanely busy that I’ve not been here much, but, frankly, it’s been a very instagrammable month. So because I missed it at the time, for the algos I’m going to tediously bombard your feeds with the amazing experiences I’ve been privileged enough to have, just a month on, to the day, for the next few days. First up, first day at @hemnesjazz working with an amazing band of young people, collectively writing and rehearsing a completely original set of music, then opening the festival with it. Huge thanks to @nnjazzsenter for making this all possible. Honestly one of the most inspiring projects I’ve been involved with, and in the most spectacular location you could imagine. Here we are taking a rare break, on the roof of the rehearsal hall. #hemnesjazz #norway #musiceducation

It’s always an enormous privilege to play Last Post and Reveille at this time of year and help us to collectively remember the countless millions who have lost their lives because of war, then and now. And no more stunning place to play it than

Are you musically curious?

On 30th November I’m bringing my live podcast/gig/chat extravaganza to the incredible @wiltonsmusichall in London, for my money the most beautiful venue in the country.

I’m so excited to have such an incredi

I spoke to @iain.russell founder of @defibfest about what this amazing event is, how it started and the incredible work it’s doing for episode 22 of the podcast.

Very last few tickets remaining for the event on Saturday, but you can contribute

This was a special one. Thought back to this off the back of The Cure’s fantastic new record.

(Obviously 2017 not 2027 but too late to change)

All made possible by the inspirational @robinince1969 who is my guest (alongside other legends @th

Have you heard of the oud? It’s a beautiful instrument from the middle east, and I had a fascinating chat with @nawar_alnaddaf about it (including lots of lovely music), the inspiration and challenges of making music as a refugee and much more

Little excerpt of the amazing @nawar_alnaddaf from episode 21 of the podcast, filmed in lovely Hemnesberget as part of @hemnesjazz . We talked all things #oud , ney and much more. Link in bio or Steve Pretty On The Origin of the Pieces on all your po

Such a great day rehearsing some of the (we think) amazing new music we’re bringing to @earthackney on Tuesday 8th for our MASSIVE album launch.

Band sounding better than ever, and a privilege to be joined by collaborators as incredible as th

Was a pleasure adding some nice, warm brass to @jimmoray ‘s latest single, a hauntingly beautiful version of the traditional song ‘Spencer the Rover’.

Lovely arrangement by Jim, and so nice to dust off the cornet (which I sadly do

One of my guests in Episode 20 of the podcast is the unusually-named Igor Kill.

Tune in to find out how he got this name... And how he came to be one of the very few makers of the 8 string ukulele outside of Honululu - and almost certainly the only