Mike Press
@mikepress.bsky.social
Writer - about music, about London, often both together. Sometimes about design.
One half of the Walk on the Wild Side project.
https://walkonthewildside.substack.com
We write, take photos and organise walks.
One half of the Walk on the Wild Side project.
https://walkonthewildside.substack.com
We write, take photos and organise walks.
Reposted by Mike Press
Gary Lineker: "This is the mistake the BBC makes. The BBC tries to appease the people that hate the BBC, rather than worrying about the people that love the BBC."
April 22, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Gary Lineker: "This is the mistake the BBC makes. The BBC tries to appease the people that hate the BBC, rather than worrying about the people that love the BBC."
A seasonal walk around London's most musical neighbourhood.
Santa Claus is Coming to Soho
Made with Tally, the simplest way to create forms.
tally.so
November 9, 2025 at 4:49 PM
A seasonal walk around London's most musical neighbourhood.
Reposted by Mike Press
Our guided walk on 13 December will explore how Soho shaped the sound of Christmas. From wassailing to Wham!, the puritans to The Pogues, the streets of Soho tell a story of how Christmas songs have celebrated, offended, satirised and glorified in equal measure. Join us!
Santa Claus is Coming to Soho
Made with Tally, the simplest way to create forms.
tally.so
November 4, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Our guided walk on 13 December will explore how Soho shaped the sound of Christmas. From wassailing to Wham!, the puritans to The Pogues, the streets of Soho tell a story of how Christmas songs have celebrated, offended, satirised and glorified in equal measure. Join us!
Reposted by Mike Press
NEW post:
In 2001, ‘Penguin Eggs’ by Nic Jones was voted into 2nd place "Best Folk Album of all Time" on the Mike Harding show on BBC Radio 2 (just behind Fairport's ‘Liege & Lief’)
@pangurdubh3.bsky.social picks 10 tracks from the albums of #NicJones
www.toppermost.co.uk/jones-nic/
In 2001, ‘Penguin Eggs’ by Nic Jones was voted into 2nd place "Best Folk Album of all Time" on the Mike Harding show on BBC Radio 2 (just behind Fairport's ‘Liege & Lief’)
@pangurdubh3.bsky.social picks 10 tracks from the albums of #NicJones
www.toppermost.co.uk/jones-nic/
November 4, 2025 at 4:59 PM
NEW post:
In 2001, ‘Penguin Eggs’ by Nic Jones was voted into 2nd place "Best Folk Album of all Time" on the Mike Harding show on BBC Radio 2 (just behind Fairport's ‘Liege & Lief’)
@pangurdubh3.bsky.social picks 10 tracks from the albums of #NicJones
www.toppermost.co.uk/jones-nic/
In 2001, ‘Penguin Eggs’ by Nic Jones was voted into 2nd place "Best Folk Album of all Time" on the Mike Harding show on BBC Radio 2 (just behind Fairport's ‘Liege & Lief’)
@pangurdubh3.bsky.social picks 10 tracks from the albums of #NicJones
www.toppermost.co.uk/jones-nic/
Our guided walk on 13 December will explore how Soho shaped the sound of Christmas. From wassailing to Wham!, the puritans to The Pogues, the streets of Soho tell a story of how Christmas songs have celebrated, offended, satirised and glorified in equal measure. Join us!
Santa Claus is Coming to Soho
Made with Tally, the simplest way to create forms.
tally.so
November 4, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Our guided walk on 13 December will explore how Soho shaped the sound of Christmas. From wassailing to Wham!, the puritans to The Pogues, the streets of Soho tell a story of how Christmas songs have celebrated, offended, satirised and glorified in equal measure. Join us!
Reposted by Mike Press
Recents: Sandy Denny, Penny & Sparrow, Marcus Miller, Leo Kottke, Rain Parade, Stray Cats, Billy Mackenzie, Death Cab, East River Pipe
@rusky.bsky.social @paulwonvinyl.bsky.social @marcfagel.bsky.social @dlew919.bsky.social @pangurdubh3.bsky.social @mikepress.bsky.social
www.toppermost.co.uk
@rusky.bsky.social @paulwonvinyl.bsky.social @marcfagel.bsky.social @dlew919.bsky.social @pangurdubh3.bsky.social @mikepress.bsky.social
www.toppermost.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Recents: Sandy Denny, Penny & Sparrow, Marcus Miller, Leo Kottke, Rain Parade, Stray Cats, Billy Mackenzie, Death Cab, East River Pipe
@rusky.bsky.social @paulwonvinyl.bsky.social @marcfagel.bsky.social @dlew919.bsky.social @pangurdubh3.bsky.social @mikepress.bsky.social
www.toppermost.co.uk
@rusky.bsky.social @paulwonvinyl.bsky.social @marcfagel.bsky.social @dlew919.bsky.social @pangurdubh3.bsky.social @mikepress.bsky.social
www.toppermost.co.uk
Reposted by Mike Press
NEW post: "Listen, Listen (from 1972's 'Sandy') - something timeless about its stately rhythm and lyrical restraint, it could just as easily be a 17th-century lament as a 1970s ballad."
@mikepress.bsky.social picks 10 from the ‘solo’ records of #SandyDenny
www.toppermost.co.uk/denny-sandy/
@mikepress.bsky.social picks 10 from the ‘solo’ records of #SandyDenny
www.toppermost.co.uk/denny-sandy/
October 29, 2025 at 9:45 PM
NEW post: "Listen, Listen (from 1972's 'Sandy') - something timeless about its stately rhythm and lyrical restraint, it could just as easily be a 17th-century lament as a 1970s ballad."
@mikepress.bsky.social picks 10 from the ‘solo’ records of #SandyDenny
www.toppermost.co.uk/denny-sandy/
@mikepress.bsky.social picks 10 from the ‘solo’ records of #SandyDenny
www.toppermost.co.uk/denny-sandy/
Reposted by Mike Press
NEW post: "Late November (from 1971’s 'The North Star Grassman and the Ravens') is perhaps her most cinematic song - full of streams, temples and phosphorous sands."
@mikepress.bsky.social picks his 10 best songs from the ‘solo’ records of #SandyDenny
www.toppermost.co.uk/denny-sandy/
@mikepress.bsky.social picks his 10 best songs from the ‘solo’ records of #SandyDenny
www.toppermost.co.uk/denny-sandy/
October 29, 2025 at 7:37 PM
NEW post: "Late November (from 1971’s 'The North Star Grassman and the Ravens') is perhaps her most cinematic song - full of streams, temples and phosphorous sands."
@mikepress.bsky.social picks his 10 best songs from the ‘solo’ records of #SandyDenny
www.toppermost.co.uk/denny-sandy/
@mikepress.bsky.social picks his 10 best songs from the ‘solo’ records of #SandyDenny
www.toppermost.co.uk/denny-sandy/
Reposted by Mike Press
NEW post: Sandy Denny ... "Her voice and vision still resonate: a reminder that the most profound melancholy can also be luminous, alive and simply beautiful."
@mikepress.bsky.social picks 10 from the ‘solo’ records of #SandyDenny (photo Keith 'Keef' MacMillan)
www.toppermost.co.uk/denny-sandy/
@mikepress.bsky.social picks 10 from the ‘solo’ records of #SandyDenny (photo Keith 'Keef' MacMillan)
www.toppermost.co.uk/denny-sandy/
October 29, 2025 at 2:23 PM
NEW post: Sandy Denny ... "Her voice and vision still resonate: a reminder that the most profound melancholy can also be luminous, alive and simply beautiful."
@mikepress.bsky.social picks 10 from the ‘solo’ records of #SandyDenny (photo Keith 'Keef' MacMillan)
www.toppermost.co.uk/denny-sandy/
@mikepress.bsky.social picks 10 from the ‘solo’ records of #SandyDenny (photo Keith 'Keef' MacMillan)
www.toppermost.co.uk/denny-sandy/
Reposted by Mike Press
The Hammersmith-born singer-songwriter phone hacks herself, resulting in an album of unvarnished rawness with more in common with Kirsty MacColl or Squeeze than any of her pop contemporaries
#LilyAllen - West End Girl
buff.ly/N6Kt2kQ
#LilyAllen - West End Girl
buff.ly/N6Kt2kQ
October 27, 2025 at 3:01 PM
The Hammersmith-born singer-songwriter phone hacks herself, resulting in an album of unvarnished rawness with more in common with Kirsty MacColl or Squeeze than any of her pop contemporaries
#LilyAllen - West End Girl
buff.ly/N6Kt2kQ
#LilyAllen - West End Girl
buff.ly/N6Kt2kQ
Reposted by Mike Press
Radio Caroline, the Pirate Radio Ship That Rocked the British Music World (1965)
Radio Caroline, the Pirate Radio Ship That Rocked the British Music World (1965)
Nowadays musicians can reach hundreds, thousands, sometimes millions of listeners with a few, usually free, online services and a minimal grasp of technology.
www.openculture.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Radio Caroline, the Pirate Radio Ship That Rocked the British Music World (1965)
Join us on Saturday 13 December for a festive guided walk through London’s Soho. From Georgian masquerade balls to Fairytale of New York, we’ll trace how Soho shaped the soundtrack of Christmas. From wassailing to Wham!, it’s a walk that will make you hear Christmas — and Soho — in a whole new way.
Santa Claus is Coming to Soho
Made with Tally, the simplest way to create forms.
tally.so
October 24, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Join us on Saturday 13 December for a festive guided walk through London’s Soho. From Georgian masquerade balls to Fairytale of New York, we’ll trace how Soho shaped the soundtrack of Christmas. From wassailing to Wham!, it’s a walk that will make you hear Christmas — and Soho — in a whole new way.
Coffee, teenagers, Soho and pop before The Beatles.
The Basement that Changed Britain
The 2i’s Coffee Bar and the Birth of Pop
open.substack.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Coffee, teenagers, Soho and pop before The Beatles.
Reposted by Mike Press
NEW post: Leo Kottke – “the richness of his work means that this selection can only represent the tip of the iceberg”
@pangurdubh3.bsky.social picks his #LeoKottke top 10
www.toppermost.co.uk/kottke-leo/
@pangurdubh3.bsky.social picks his #LeoKottke top 10
www.toppermost.co.uk/kottke-leo/
October 14, 2025 at 3:49 PM
NEW post: Leo Kottke – “the richness of his work means that this selection can only represent the tip of the iceberg”
@pangurdubh3.bsky.social picks his #LeoKottke top 10
www.toppermost.co.uk/kottke-leo/
@pangurdubh3.bsky.social picks his #LeoKottke top 10
www.toppermost.co.uk/kottke-leo/
Reposted by Mike Press
So, I wrote a book. It's out in February but there's an offer on this week if you pre-order it from Waterstones. www.waterstones.com/book/atypica...
October 14, 2025 at 8:35 AM
So, I wrote a book. It's out in February but there's an offer on this week if you pre-order it from Waterstones. www.waterstones.com/book/atypica...
The new David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse is a remarkable experience, and a unique archive.
“I Change Every Day”
Visiting The David Bowie Centre, V&A East Storehouse, London
open.substack.com
October 10, 2025 at 3:32 PM
The new David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse is a remarkable experience, and a unique archive.
The David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse is rather remarkable. The Storehouse itself is awesome.
October 9, 2025 at 3:45 PM
The David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse is rather remarkable. The Storehouse itself is awesome.
Our guided walk of the musical history of London's Soho this Saturday - 11 Oct - takes in Bowie, Beatles, punk, jazz, Pulp and much else. Free to attend, but donations invited for Centrepoint homeless charity.
Walk On The Wild Side
Made with Tally, the simplest way to create forms.
tally.so
October 8, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Our guided walk of the musical history of London's Soho this Saturday - 11 Oct - takes in Bowie, Beatles, punk, jazz, Pulp and much else. Free to attend, but donations invited for Centrepoint homeless charity.
Reposted by Mike Press
Find out my Top Ten Badly Drawn Boy tracks here. Or don't. Or do.
The Badly Drawn Boy Toppermost by @mealygarage.bsky.social www.toppermost.co.uk/badly-drawn-...
Badly Drawn Boy - Toppermost
Badly Drawn Boy - aka Damon Gough, the singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who came to prominence when his debut studio album, The Hour Of Bewilderbeast, won the Mercury Prize in 2000 - is an ...
www.toppermost.co.uk
October 7, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Find out my Top Ten Badly Drawn Boy tracks here. Or don't. Or do.
Reposted by Mike Press
Coming Soon - to the Music Site with a difference ...
Rain Parade, Vulfpeck, Leo Kottke, Penny & Sparrow, Marcus Miller, Hot Chocolate, Sandy Denny, Nic Jones, Tuck & Patti, Cathal Coughlan, Chet Atkins, Betty Davis, Lush, Popguns ...
"That's (not) all Folks"
www.toppermost.co.uk
Rain Parade, Vulfpeck, Leo Kottke, Penny & Sparrow, Marcus Miller, Hot Chocolate, Sandy Denny, Nic Jones, Tuck & Patti, Cathal Coughlan, Chet Atkins, Betty Davis, Lush, Popguns ...
"That's (not) all Folks"
www.toppermost.co.uk
October 7, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Coming Soon - to the Music Site with a difference ...
Rain Parade, Vulfpeck, Leo Kottke, Penny & Sparrow, Marcus Miller, Hot Chocolate, Sandy Denny, Nic Jones, Tuck & Patti, Cathal Coughlan, Chet Atkins, Betty Davis, Lush, Popguns ...
"That's (not) all Folks"
www.toppermost.co.uk
Rain Parade, Vulfpeck, Leo Kottke, Penny & Sparrow, Marcus Miller, Hot Chocolate, Sandy Denny, Nic Jones, Tuck & Patti, Cathal Coughlan, Chet Atkins, Betty Davis, Lush, Popguns ...
"That's (not) all Folks"
www.toppermost.co.uk
There’s another way of looking at AI
News from Nowhere 2.0
AI: The Architect and The Bee
open.substack.com
October 4, 2025 at 7:48 AM
There’s another way of looking at AI
Reposted by Mike Press
🎉Exactly four years ago I published my short story collection which is quite fitting for the hallowe'en season. Once I've published my vampire novel next year, I'll be writing another collection. Obligatory link for any curious folk. books2read.com/b/VIFOF1
October 3, 2025 at 11:37 AM
🎉Exactly four years ago I published my short story collection which is quite fitting for the hallowe'en season. Once I've published my vampire novel next year, I'll be writing another collection. Obligatory link for any curious folk. books2read.com/b/VIFOF1
Reposted by Mike Press
This week's Book Choice.
@mikepress.bsky.social reviews @stuartmaconie.bsky.social new Beatles book:
“A vivid portrait of a rich, diverse creative ecosystem. Maconie writes with his trademark wit, warmth, and unerring eye for human detail, a labour of love, a joy to read”
www.toppermost.co.uk
@mikepress.bsky.social reviews @stuartmaconie.bsky.social new Beatles book:
“A vivid portrait of a rich, diverse creative ecosystem. Maconie writes with his trademark wit, warmth, and unerring eye for human detail, a labour of love, a joy to read”
www.toppermost.co.uk
October 3, 2025 at 4:54 PM
This week's Book Choice.
@mikepress.bsky.social reviews @stuartmaconie.bsky.social new Beatles book:
“A vivid portrait of a rich, diverse creative ecosystem. Maconie writes with his trademark wit, warmth, and unerring eye for human detail, a labour of love, a joy to read”
www.toppermost.co.uk
@mikepress.bsky.social reviews @stuartmaconie.bsky.social new Beatles book:
“A vivid portrait of a rich, diverse creative ecosystem. Maconie writes with his trademark wit, warmth, and unerring eye for human detail, a labour of love, a joy to read”
www.toppermost.co.uk
My review of the excellent Beatles book by @stuartmaconie.bsky.social is now on Toppermost.
Toppermost - Music site with a difference
Where fans can have their say about a band – passionate writing, top 10s galore, all genres covered, new contributors welcome.
www.toppermost.co.uk
October 3, 2025 at 11:34 AM
My review of the excellent Beatles book by @stuartmaconie.bsky.social is now on Toppermost.
Reposted by Mike Press
Our guided walk of London’s Soho on 11 October takes in music, culture and a bit of politics too. Free but inviting donations to Centrepoint homeless charity.
Walk On The Wild Side
Made with Tally, the simplest way to create forms.
tally.so
October 1, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Our guided walk of London’s Soho on 11 October takes in music, culture and a bit of politics too. Free but inviting donations to Centrepoint homeless charity.