We’re over the halfway point of the 2024 NFA Bootleg Series, today coming from the 31st floor of a very fancy San Antonio hotel as I sit down with Iranian flute (and history) expert; Mehrdad Gholami.

Mehrdad and I have been chatting for years online, so to finally get to meet was a blast. This episode felt like two mates chatting away, and there happened to be a camera. Pure Inline G Core. 

We chatted everything the American Flute School and Mehrdad’s brand new record, to our shared love of Sankyo and contemporary music. 

If you'd like to support the podcast, you can sign up for just 5 quid a month to be a Patron at;

patreon.com/TheInlineGFlutePodcast

Inline G will ALWAYS be free of charge, but signing up helps let this podcast reach new heights, if you can afford it. You'll also get to ask questions to upcoming guests as well as get early access to some episodes. 

Or if you'd rather not spend money, subscribing to my YouTube channel and following me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok is a HUGE way to support the podcast. It'll cost you nothing, and it really makes a difference to the algorithm gods. So please interact however you can; like, comment, or subscribe, and help keep this podcast lit x

And finally; use the code “INLINEG” online or in person at Flute Center for; 5% off accessories, 10% off all sheet music, free shipping on new instruments and free shipping to trial instruments (USA only.)

Chapters:

00:00 - A short intro

03:19 - Iranian Culture, A History

08:10 - Teaching in the US (Part 1)

15:15 - The American Flute School and Vibrato

21:23 - Teaching in the US (Part 2)

32:49 - Performance Practices from Bach to Today

33:35 - This Vast Sky

41:10 - Sankyo Very Much

48:32 - Teaching in the Trenches

54:35 - Quick Fire Questions

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The second instalment of the NFA Convention Series is out and I am spoiling you all rotten!

This week’s guest is soloist, University of Iowa professor, recording artist and all-round flute superstar; Nicole Esposito.

I’ve been a fan of Nicole’s for 13 (!) years and I finally got to meet her and record a wee episode together. She chats about everything from how she judges competitions and her impressive NFA stats to her two recent flute and harp albums and studying with some of the greatest female flutists in US music history (amongst many other things).

 It’s a brilliant episode, I enjoyed this so much and I know you lot will too, you lucky wee ducks.

If you'd like to support the podcast, you can sign up for just 5 quid a month to be a Patron at;

patreon.com/TheInlineGFlutePodcast

Inline G will ALWAYS be free of charge, but signing up helps let this podcast reach new heights, if you can afford it. You'll also get to ask questions to upcoming guests as well as get early access to some episodes. 

Or if you'd rather not spend money, subscribing to my YouTube channel and following me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok is a HUGE way to support the podcast. It'll cost you nothing, and it really makes a difference to the algorithm gods. So please interact however you can; like, comment, or subscribe, and help keep this podcast lit x

And finally; use the code “INLINEG” online or in person at Flute Center for; 5% off accessories, 10% off all sheet music, free shipping on new instruments and free shipping to trial instruments (USA only.)

Chapters: 

00:00 - Intro

03:15 - Judging Competitions

09:35 - Teaching the Post-COVID Generation

15:25 - Intersections, Turkish music and Beyond

24:21 - Dancing in Dreams

29:55 - Fluting Queens

40:15 - Social Media and it’s Developments

51:10 - Quick Fire Questions

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From jägerbombs to secret parties, and stellar guests to plastic babies; this week’s podcast reflects on my time at the NFA Annual Flute Convention in San Antonio, Texas.

I look at all the things the NFA got right, my own personal scandals, the cultural differences in the US, a hot take that will kill all my sponsorship chances and finally; why you should join me next year in Atlanta.

(There’s also a wee rant against Woodify and other related snake-oil products, sorry I got carried away x)

If you'd like to support the podcast, you can sign up for just 5 quid a month to be a Patron at;

patreon.com/TheInlineGFlutePodcast

Inline G will ALWAYS be free of charge, but signing up helps let this podcast reach new heights, if you can afford it. You'll also get to ask questions to upcoming guests as well as get early access to some episodes. 

Or if you'd rather not spend money, subscribing to my YouTube channel and following me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok is a HUGE way to support the podcast. It'll cost you nothing, and it really makes a difference to the algorithm gods. So please interact however you can; like, comment, or subscribe, and help keep this podcast lit x

And finally; use the code “INLINEG” online or in person at Flute Center for; 5% off accessories, 10% off all sheet music, free shipping on new instruments and free shipping to trial instruments (USA only.)

Chapters:

0:00 - Sneaky Snakey Oil 

5:09 - Fables from the Exhibitor Hall 

15:58 - Big up Flute Center

18:18 - What NFA nailed

20:40 - Stereotypes and Secret Parties

30:51 - Help

32:44 - A Complaint

36:15 - Atlanta (Atlantic City?)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fresh off the plane from the US, this week’s episode is one of several recorded at the NFA Convention in sickly humid San Antonio, Texas. Kicking us off from across the pond is my friend and yours, Scottish flute superstar Stephen Clark. 

I haven’t seen Stephen in near 10 years, so this was just a lovely wee catch up that happened to be filmed where we chatted about cultural differences between the US and UK flute worlds, daily challenges for gigging musicians, keeping your trousers on whilst bowing and the musical stylings of Cyndi Lauper.

If you'd like to support the podcast, you can sign up for just 5 quid a month to be a Patron at;

patreon.com/TheInlineGFlutePodcast

Inline G will ALWAYS be free of charge, but signing up helps let this podcast reach new heights, if you can afford it. You'll also get to ask questions to upcoming guests as well as get early access to some episodes. 

Or if you'd rather not spend money, subscribing to my YouTube channel and following me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok is a HUGE way to support the podcast. It'll cost you nothing, and it really makes a difference to the algorithm gods. So please interact however you can; like, comment, or subscribe, and help keep this podcast lit x

And finally; use the code “INLINEG” online or in person at Flute Center for; 5% off accessories, 10% off all sheet music, free shipping on new instruments and free shipping to trial instruments (USA only.)

Chapters: 

0:00 - A sickly intro

3:47 - USA vs UK

18:22 - Teaching in the US

27:53 - Gigging and Stage Fright

43:28 - The Waistcoat Revolution

52:05 - Fun Questions

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is there truly an American School of Flute Playing, similar to that of France, or is it purely said French School with an American accent?

I haven’t got the answer yet, but come join me as I trace the origins of American Flute Playing back to a Frenchman, which then passed through William Kincaid, Joseph Mariano and Julius Baker, to a potential tradition of American Flute Playing. 

If you'd like to support the podcast, you can sign up for just 5 quid a month to be a Patron at;

patreon.com/TheInlineGFlutePodcast

Inline G will ALWAYS be free of charge, but signing up helps let this podcast reach new heights, if you can afford it. You'll also get to ask questions to upcoming guests as well as get early access to some episodes. 

Or if you'd rather not spend money, subscribing to my YouTube channel and following me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok is a HUGE way to support the podcast. It'll cost you nothing, and it really makes a difference to the algorithm gods. So please interact however you can; like, comment, or subscribe, and help keep this podcast lit x

And finally; use the code “INLINEG” online or in person at Flute Center for; 5% off accessories, 10% off all sheet music, free shipping on new instruments and free shipping to trial instruments (USA only.)

Chapters:

00:00 - The Ghost of Christmas Past

03:29 - French, German and English Cultures

06:45 - What is American Culture?

10:15 - Georges Barrère to USA

19:45 - Dear Listener

23:45 - Billy Kincaid and a Hot Take

35:41 - Joseph Mariano and St Patrick

38:39 - Julius and Julia Baker

41:39 - What is the American School then?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two weeks in a row, Inline G is bringing you former winners of the Kobe International Flute Competition; with this week welcoming Spanish-Filipino flutist Rafael Adobas Bayog.

Rafael and I chatted about the unique musical education he got in Ibiza, his compositional style, the Nielsen and Kobe competitions and how channelling your inner lion may be the key to success.

We also chat about our shared love of Steve Aoki and try to name as many Taylor Swift hits as we can.

If you'd like to support the podcast, you can sign up for just 5 quid a month to be a Patron at;

patreon.com/TheInlineGFlutePodcast

Inline G will ALWAYS be free of charge, but signing up helps let this podcast reach new heights, if you can afford it. You'll also get to ask questions to upcoming guests as well as get early access to some episodes. 

Or if you'd rather not spend money, subscribing to my YouTube channel and following me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok is a HUGE way to support the podcast. It'll cost you nothing, and it really makes a difference to the algorithm gods. So please interact however you can; like, comment, or subscribe, and help keep this podcast lit x

And finally; use the code “INLINEG” online or in person at Flute Center for; 5% off accessories, 10% off all sheet music, free shipping on new instruments and free shipping to trial instruments (USA only.)

Chapters:

00:00 - A quick hello from just me

04:04 - Rafael Adobas on Ibiza and Vicens Prats

11:38 - Nielsen and other flute competitions

21:48 - Kobe in the Times of Corona

25:15 - Composing

29:14 - Channelling Lions

37:35 - Baroque Flute 

43:08 - Orchestral Solos

48:48 - Quick Fire Questions

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s episode comes fresh off the press from the Luxembourg Philharomie with orchestral flute superstar, former Kobe Flute Competition Winner, Jolivet aficionado and super-mom; Hélène Boulègue.

I’ve been a fan of Hélène for years now, so getting to sit down with her to chat about her career, social media and most strikingly, motherhood was a legit privilege.

If you only watch one part of this episode, skip ahead to the chapter on motherhood; especially if you’re a fella.

If you'd like to support the podcast, you can sign up for just 5 quid a month to be a Patron at;

patreon.com/TheInlineGFlutePodcast

Inline G will ALWAYS be free of charge, but signing up helps let this podcast reach new heights, if you can afford it. You'll also get to ask questions to upcoming guests as well as get early access to some episodes. 

Or if you'd rather not spend money, subscribing to my YouTube channel and following me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok is a HUGE way to support the podcast. It'll cost you nothing, and it really makes a difference to the algorithm gods. So please interact however you can; like, comment, or subscribe, and help keep this podcast lit x

And finally; use the code “INLINEG” online or in person at Flute Center for; 5% off accessories, 10% off all sheet music, free shipping on new instruments and free shipping to trial instruments (USA only.)

Chapters:

0:00 - A Quick Intro

2:32 - Orchestral Auditions at 19

12:50 - Preparing for Kobe

26:28 - Principal Flute

34:28 - Motherhood

51:03 - Changing Artistic Priorities 

52:32 - Quickfire Questions

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All music is political; the fact it even exists is a political debate. So on the most political day of the year for the flute, join me as I discuss the role it plays as a symbol for both the Ulster Unionist and Catholic Nationalist communities across Ireland. 

I also chat about why music is inherently left-wing, and why classical music insists of being apolitical in an ever changing world. 

If you'd like to support the podcast, you can sign up for just 5 quid a month to be a Patron at;

patreon.com/TheInlineGFlutePodcast

Inline G will ALWAYS be free of charge, but signing up helps let this podcast reach new heights, if you can afford it. You'll also get to ask questions to upcoming guests as well as get early access to some episodes. 

Or if you'd rather not spend money, subscribing to my YouTube channel and following me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok is a HUGE way to support the podcast. It'll cost you nothing, and it really makes a difference to the algorithm gods. So please interact however you can; like, comment, or subscribe, and help keep this podcast lit x

And finally; use the code “INLINEG” online or in person at Flute Center for; 5% off accessories, 10% off all sheet music, free shipping on new instruments and free shipping to trial instruments (USA only.)

Chapters:

0:00 - Is Music Political?

4:02 - The Flute in both Irelands

22:22 - Comparing Rebel and Orange Songs

27:36 - Right Wing Music (and why it’s shite)

29:54 - Patreon and Flute Center

32:40 - Classical Music’s Apolitical Attempts

38:13 - Ireland and Palestine

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Punk Ethos is defined by anti-authoritarian and anti-establishment views, carried out in a DIY fashion. Is there anyone in Classical Music truly doing this, or is elitism too deeply ingrained in the culture?

I explore the roots of punk, the differences between punk as a genre and as an ethos, and finally I give my 3 favourite classical music “punks.”

If you'd like to support the podcast, you can sign up for just 5 quid a month to be a Patron at;

patreon.com/TheInlineGFlutePodcast

Inline G will ALWAYS be free of charge, but signing up helps let this podcast reach new heights, if you can afford it. You'll also get to ask questions to upcoming guests as well as get early access to some episodes. 

Or if you'd rather not spend money, subscribing to my YouTube channel and following me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok is a HUGE way to support the podcast. It'll cost you nothing, and it really makes a difference to the algorithm gods. So please interact however you can; like, comment, or subscribe, and help keep this podcast lit x

Chapters: 

0:00 - The Origins of Punk 

7:55 - Disco, LGBTQ+ and Kneecap

12:20 - Support your local Punk

14:40 - Why Classical Music ISN’T Punk

18:55 - Franz Liszt and Clevage

25:55 - Stockhausen and Polyamory

34:17 - Currentzis and Big Boots

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How a freak accident in 1930's Hungary led to Francis Poulenc writing the most played flute and piano piece in the world, as well as an opera about a set of flying female breasts. 

If you'd like to support the podcast, you can sign up for just 5 quid a month to be a Patron at;

patreon.com/TheInlineGFlutePodcast

Inline G will ALWAYS be free of charge, but signing up helps let this podcast reach new heights, if you can afford it. You'll also get to ask questions to upcoming guests as well as get early access to some episodes. 

Or if you'd rather not spend money, subscribing to my YouTube channel and following me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok is a HUGE way to support the podcast. It'll cost you nothing, and it really makes a difference to the algorithm gods. So please interact however you can; like, comment, or subscribe, and help keep this podcast lit x

Chapters:

0:00 - Summer and Healthy Practice 

2:35 - Who is Monsieur Poulenc?

12:15 - True Crime in Hungary

19:10 - Patreon Ad Read

21:08 - PostBestMateDecapitation Era

24:35 - Flying Breasts

26:50 - The Flute Sonata

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.