GUESTLIST Series

We’re always curious to know how other people use music to find their focus and get shit done. Our Guestlist series is our journey to explore this further.

GUESTLIST 001 - MARK YARDLEY, STANTON WARRIOR

We couldn’t be happier to launch this series with a playlist from Stanton Warrior, Mark Yardley. Here’s a few words from the man himself on the tracks he chose and why.

“Starting with Disclosure’s Energy for a banging chunk of PMA, just to give my brain a kick, then I tend to find meditative grooves work best for deep mind tasks so have included my current favourites. Less vocals more beats and plenty of uplifting stuff keeps me energised.”

GUESTLIST 002 - JC, MOVEMBER

Our second Guestlist is an eclectic mix from Movember Co-Founder, JC. Take a musical journey into the mind of the man who was recently named one of the most influential men in health by Men’s Health, and discover the music that kickstarts his creativity.

“Music is THE connective thread throughout my life on every level… elements of this soundtrack have underpinned snowboarding, surfing, riding bikes with buddies, travel to incredible places and occasions both glorious and tragic. It’s these moments, these people and the connecting themes that are the foundations for inspiration. Creativity is the byproduct of our experiences and these are tracks that make those magical connections for me.”

GUESTLIST 003 - JAMES KIRKHAM, ICONIC

James, former agency founder, Chief Business Officer at Defected Records and now boss at Culture Strategy shop Iconic, is proof that the right music can continue to unlock creativity years, even decades later. Enjoy a trip down memory lane with this one.

“This playlist took me down a wormhole of reminiscence, from late nighties and early noughties - working late setting up a new agency. We used to be creative during the long hours rather than jaded, with some of these sounds still unlocking ideas juices when I hear them again now.”

GUESTLIST 004 - GAIL GALLIE, PROJECT EVERYONE

As Co-Founder of Project Everyone, Gail seeks to put the power of great communications behind The Sustainable Development Goals (also known as the Global Goals), accelerating the creation of a fairer world by 2030, where extreme poverty has been eradicated, climate change is properly addressed and injustice and inequality are unacceptable. That's right, Gail is helping to save the damn world, and these are the tunes that get her focused and on it!

“When the world is on crazy time this music helps take back control of focus and tease out the creativity on problems both home and global. The world can feel very different after the right track.”

GUESTLIST 005 - TUNDE BABALOLA, FUTURE CUT

As one half of music production duo Future Cut, Tunde’s musical journey has taken him from king of the underground drum ‘n’ bass scene to curator of some of the world’s biggest hits for the likes of Lily Allen, Rihanna and MIA to name a few. We’re honoured he took time out from his busy schedule to give us a glimpse into his musical mind and show us how looking back is not always a bad thing.

“Inspired by a statement I saw on a wall 25 years ago… ‘The Future Is Behind Us’ - my stoned brain embraced this as my creative mantra. I would always take inspiration from the past to push the future… some of the best samples! This is the source material to get you juiced up eyes front.”

GUESTLIST 006 - MIKE GILLESPIE, THE SUNDAY CLUB

Mike is a music industry veteran; cutting his teeth as a rave promoter, grafting at East West and Warners, joining the start-up team at V2 Records, running Metropolis Studios in London and New York, then launching The Sunday Club initially as a vehicle to manage iconic electronic duo Underworld.

Over his career, Mike has a proven track record of success working with and developing a diverse spread of artists including Matthew Herbert, Missy Elliot, Busta Rhymes, Underworld, The Orb and Lemon Jelly. He has also worked closely with Academy Award-winning directors Anthony Minghella and Danny Boyle as music supervisor on scores for films, theatre pieces and the London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony.

His playlist is everything you’d expect from a true music fan.

“Working in music could’ve primed me to over analyse, so I just put it on and drift, see where it takes me. These tracks surfaced at key moments when up against a challenge or need to frame something differently. The music melts fixed ways of thinking and a soft focus opens up a world of possibility.”

GUESTLIST 007 - PAUL SAMPSON, LICKD

As Co-Founder of Lickd, a commercial music licensing business for Youtubers, Paul not only knows his music but knows the power it can have on people (himself included). Enjoy this beautifully eclectic, emotion-filled playlist.

“A lot of these tracks came to me in over 16 years of music licensing and all have moved me in some way. A 'greatest hits' of the music I love to work to jumped out at me the moment The Rapids got in touch. It's brings such a sense of nostalgic joy to dive into music curation.”