In this episode of The Grumpy Cyclist Talks Music, I’m joined by Daniel Mullin, violinist with the BBC Concert Orchestra, where he has been a full-time member for almost 20 years.

This episode marks the beginning of a special multi-part project that Daniel and I have discussed, exploring his life’s work and experiences within the classical music industry. Across several episodes, Daniel reflects on the journey that shaped his remarkable career – starting with his earliest musical experiences and building towards the pivotal moments that set him on a professional path.

Born in Manchester in May 1974, Daniel began playing the piano at the age of 5, before taking up the violin at 11. By just 15 years old, he had achieved Grade 8 distinctions in piano, violin and music theory, all within six months of each other, including an exceptional 100/100 Grade 8 theory result, earning a Certificate of Commendation.

Despite attending an ordinary comprehensive school – Peel Moat Comprehensive in Stockport – Daniel’s talent and determination led to a life-changing moment: receiving the letter offering him a place at the Royal College of Music in London in 1992. He went on to study there until 1997, completing both a Bachelor of Music and a postgraduate diploma.

Daniel began professional engagements in 1996 and has now spent 30 years working as a violinist, performing with many of the UK’s leading orchestras. His career has included time with the Hallé Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia, English National Opera Orchestra, before taking up a full-time post with the BBC Concert Orchestra in February 2006.

He has since played in 29 consecutive Proms seasons at the Royal Albert Hall, the last 20 with the BBC.

This first episode is a fascinating and inspiring starting point to a wonderful career – and the opening chapter of a deeper exploration into life at the highest level of classical music.

This episode is with Mike Kearney — a man truly passionate about music, with a particular love for The Grateful Dead (among many others).

Mike talks about his life as a vocalist, including being part of a major event involving Mel & Sue, Clive Anderson, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie and other well-known faces… oh, and it was directed by Sam Mendes!

He also shares stories of travelling to Japan and Uganda as part of an a cappella group, his deep love of blues music, and the joy of taking his daughter to gigs — experiences that have helped shape her appreciation of different musical styles.

This, and a whole lot more.

This episode is a Christmas edition… and yes, it’s that time of year again.

Wherever you go, Christmas songs are absolutely everywhere — at home, on the radio in the car, in supermarkets, people humming them under their breath, at church… just EVERYWHERE!!

So, being me, I thought I’d take a little wander and chat to some completely random people, asking them a very important festive question:

👉 What’s your favourite Christmas song… and which one do you absolutely cannot stand — and why?

The responses were honest, funny, sometimes passionate (bordering on rage in a couple of cases 😳😂), and genuinely interesting.

And what surprised me most was that there seemed to be a clear theme running through nearly all of the answers…

Grab a brew, stick your feet up, and have a listen — this one might just get you thinking differently about those festive “classics” 🎄🎶

This week’s episode is Part 3 of me — with a bit of quality control from my son Jordan — going through the questions I put out to YOU about your favourite gigs, the loudest, the ones you’ve seen the most, the absolute worst… all of it!

It was an absolute blast going through every single answer.

And I’ll be honest… it even opened Jordan’s eyes quite a bit — he hadn’t even heard of half the bands and artists you lot mentioned!

If you use Spotify, you’ll know it’s that time of year when they kindly remind you just how many HOURS you spent listening to the same songs over and over… your most played artists, albums, minutes, moods — the whole lot!

Jordan (my son) and I had a really interesting chat about our 2025 listening habits. There’s a fair old age gap between us and our music tastes are miles apart, but that actually made the conversation even better. Amazing how two completely different worlds of music can still connect.

We even ended up chatting about Coldplay at Wembley — anyone else go? What a night that must’ve been!

Nik Kershaw… yes, the musician, songwriter, entertainer and all-round nice chap!

I went to see him on his ‘Music & Lyrics’ chat tour at The Tivoli in Wimborne, Dorset — and it was absolutely brilliant.

I even recorded a little conversation with a couple of lovely people who were there, and I share my own thoughts on why I’ve always liked Nik and his music.

Cliff Richard v’s Elvis Presley?

That was the debate Rob brought up — apparently our mums had a full-on rivalry back in the day over who was better! And that little comment is exactly what led into this week’s episode…

I had a brilliant chat with Rob, who genuinely believes (like MANY do!) that 1990/91 was the moment the UK musical landscape changed for the better — the dance explosion, the rise of the Manchester scene, the birth of grunge, and then of course the Britpop era.

Rob looks back on those years of his “youth” with real fondness.

Hearing him talk about seeing his favourite band Oasis in LA earlier this year was fantastic… and listening to him gush about the artists he loves — Radiohead, Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, Paul McCartney, Kylie Minogue (yes, you read that right!) — was a real treat.

A fascinating insight into Rob’s musical journey, full of memories, surprises and proper passion for music.

This episode is Part 2 of me diving into all the brilliant answers you sent in when I asked for your thoughts on CONCERTS — the best, the worst, the loudest, the most unforgettable… all of it!

I thoroughly enjoyed going through every single response and sharing my own grumpy (but lovable!) views along the way.

Have a listen — you might just feel the same 🙏🏻🎧

🎧 Episode 40 is here! (Yes… the 40th one already!!)

This episode’s a little different from the usual format. A while back, I put out a Q&A on social media with ten questions — things like your favourite, loudest, most-seen, worst, and dream concerts.

The responses were brilliant! So in this episode, I’m chatting through your answers — sharing my views, opinions, a few laughs, and even some astonished reactions along the way.

I thoroughly enjoyed recording this one… and I think you’ll have just as much fun listening!

🎙 This week’s episode is with Josh — someone I’d never met before, who kindly reached out wanting to be part of the podcast.

Living ‘up north’, his musical influences are very much Manchester-based — and his love for Oasis still burns bright to this day (to say he’s a fan is putting it mildly!).

We chat about what on earth Cher’s “Believe” has to do with football, and Josh shares a thoughtful take on Lewis Capaldi returning to music and touring after the tough times he’s been through.

A fascinating, honest conversation (recorded over the phone) that could have gone on and on — an absolute joy to record.