This week on Toasts & Jams, we're joined by therapist and counsellor Denise Devenish for an important conversation about creativity, mental health and the pressures of working in music.

We explore why even successful musicians can struggle financially, how criticism affects our sense of self-worth, and what happens when the pressure to keep creating begins to affect our wellbeing.

Denise shares her perspective on creative blocks, burnout, grief and the emotional challenges that can come with building a life around something you love.

It's a thoughtful conversation about the relationship between creativity and mental health, and why looking after ourselves matters just as much as the work we make.

Denise's links: https://www.denisedevenishcounselling.co.uk

Denise's drink: Kombucha

Denise's song: MJ Cole – Be Sincere

https://youtu.be/DXCtYUtjDYU?si=QuvCPGagaFyBkhpl

Toasts & Jams:

https://linktr.ee/toastsandjams

Toasts & Jams Spotify Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6gff6dFVOoYlPrm8zhTsXA

Produced, recorded and edited by Allan Brothers Films and Alex Catt.

https://www.allanbrothersfilms.com/

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

This week on Toasts & Jams, we welcome DJ and producer TSHA.

We talk about her journey into electronic music, learning to DJ, getting her first gigs and the unusual road to signing a three-album deal with Ninja Tune.

TSHA shares the realities of life on tour, from sleepless nights and demanding schedules to the importance of relationships in the music industry. We also explore the challenges of building a career as an artist, finding your own sound and learning how to navigate an industry that isn't always easy.

And we discover how seeing Bonobo perform live helped shape her ambitions as a producer, and why the emotional connection we have with music is so important.

A lovely conversation about creativity, perseverance, the music industry and the moments that inspire us to make something of our own.

TSHA's drink: Chamomile Tea

TSHA's song: Bonobo – Cirrus

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Bonobo+Cirrus

Follow TSHA:

https://www.instagram.com/tsha/

Toasts & Jams:

https://linktr.ee/toastsandjams

Toasts & Jams Spotify Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6gff6dFVOoYlPrm8zhTsXA

Big thank you to The Collective Acoustics:

https://www.tcacoustics.co.uk/

Produced, recorded and edited by Allan Brothers Films and Alex Catt.

https://www.allanbrothersfilms.com/

#ToastsAndJams #TSHA #NinjaTune #ElectronicMusic #MusicProduction

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

In this episode of Toasts & Jams, we welcome writer and journalist Charlotte Philby.

Charlotte talks about her journey from journalism into fiction, how maternity leave unexpectedly gave her the space to start writing, and the long road from first putting an idea on paper to becoming a published novelist.

We talk about persistence, motherhood and creativity, the relationship between journalism and fiction, and why she's particularly drawn to writing women's stories. Charlotte also reflects on the freedom that comes with fiction, finding your own way of working, and why some ideas are worth returning to — even when they take years to become what you imagined.

It's a warm and open conversation about writing, storytelling, changing direction and the very unglamorous reality of making something and sticking with it.

Lottie's song: • Carly Simon - You're So Vain

Pre-order Lottie's new novel HOT YOUNG THINGS: https://www.waterstones.com/book/hot-...

Big thank you to The Collective Acoustics: https://www.tcacoustics.co.uk/

Toasts & Jams: https://linktr.ee/toastsandjams

Produced, recorded and edited by Allan Brothers Films and Alex Catt: https://www.allanbrothersfilms.com/

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

In this episode of Toasts & Jams, we welcome ILLAMAN: rapper, MC and frontman of genre-bending London band PENGSHUi, whose career has taken him from the underground UK hip-hop and drum & bass scenes to stages and festivals around the world.

ILLAMAN takes us through his journey in music, from meeting his childhood hero Goldie and the unlikely origins of the PENGSHUi name, to the chaos and adrenaline of life on stage, including one particularly memorable 15-foot stage dive.

But behind the energy and humour is a much more personal story. We talk about mental health, neurodivergence, sobriety and the role music has played in helping him understand himself and navigate some of the more difficult periods of his life.

ILLAMAN reflects on giving up alcohol, letting go of ego and discovering a new sense of clarity and connection as a performer, as well as the importance of honesty, both in his music and in life.

It’s an open, funny and deeply personal conversation about music, identity, mental health, self-discovery and finding a healthier way to do what you love.

ILLAMAN's song: • Peter Tosh - Legalize It (Audio)

ILLAMAN'S links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5Sbyn...

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@mr_illaman?_r...

IG: @MR_ILLAMAN

Big thank you to The Collective Acoustics: https://www.tcacoustics.co.uk/

Toasts & Jams links: https://linktr.ee/toastsandjams

Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6gf...

Produced, recorded and edited by Allan Brothers Films and Alex Catt: https://www.allanbrothersfilms.com/

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

In this episode of Toasts & Jams, we welcome Harry "Reeps One" Yeff, artist, voice pioneer and creative technologist whose work sits at the intersection of human expression, artificial intelligence and performance.

From his beginnings as a world-renowned beatboxer to collaborating with leading researchers and institutions including Harvard, Harry has dedicated his career to exploring the limitless potential of the human voice and what it can teach us about creativity, technology and ourselves.

We talk about neurodivergence, finding belonging through art, the future of AI, voice technology, creativity and why human expression will always remain at the centre of innovation. Harry also reflects on stepping away from touring, preserving voices for future generations and how technology can help us become more creative, rather than replace us.

It's a fascinating conversation about curiosity, identity, creativity and the future of what it means to be human.

Harry's song:

Venetian Snares – Szamár Madár

https://youtu.be/2PBeKzVhWHY?si=nay9GS8QLqhSF70Y

Harry's links:

Reeps100

https://reeps100.com

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/reepsone/

Big thank you to The Collective Acoustics:

https://www.tcacoustics.co.uk/

Toasts & Jams links:

https://linktr.ee/toastsandjams

Spotify Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6gff6dFVOoYlPrm8zhTsXA

Produced, recorded and edited by Allan Brothers Films and Alex Catt.

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

In this episode of Toasts & Jams, we welcome Matt Dosa, a North London based visual artist whose work spans murals, abstract painting, prints and public art.

Emerging from a graffiti background, Matt has developed a distinctive visual language that blends bold colour, instinctive mark making and large scale composition. His work sits between street culture and contemporary abstraction, often exploring ideas of place, community and creativity.

We talk about Matt's journey from painting in public spaces to creating murals and large scale artworks, the role London has played in shaping his perspective, and why following your passion often matters more than following a plan.

The conversation moves through creativity, community, resilience and the importance of sharing your work. Matt reflects on working with people who don't see themselves as artists, the power of public art to bring people together, and a life changing accident that shifted his outlook on life.

It's a wide ranging conversation about creativity, instinct, community and finding your own path.

Matt's Song:

Hold On – Foreign Beggars & Skinnyman

https://youtu.be/hnYvKLFjdjw?si=Cw_O1BbP4xEltJEI

Matt’s links:

https://www.mattdosa.com/

https://www.instagram.com/matt.dosa/

Toasts & Jams links:

https://linktr.ee/toastsandjams

Spotify Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6gff6dFVOoYlPrm8zhTsXA

Produced, recorded and edited by Allan Brothers Films and Alex Catt.

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

We talk about Josh’s journey into music, from discovering drum & bass at a young age through Shy FX and pirate radio culture, to learning confidence through DJing and finding creative identity while studying at art college.

The conversation moves through ADHD, therapy, self medication, childhood anger and the complicated relationship between creativity and chaos. Josh reflects on confidence, escapism, emotional baggage and the different ways people learn to manage themselves while navigating creative industries.

It’s an honest and wide ranging chat about music, identity, mental health and the experiences that shape creative people behind the scenes.

Josh’s drink of choice:

English Breakfast Tea

Josh’s Song:

Shy FX & T Power – Feelings

https://youtu.be/a8girPCgHE0?si=4ZC5iIvh4Opgsdjv

Josh’s links:

https://www.instagram.com/joshparkinson/

https://itsjoshparkinson.com/

Big thank you to The Collective Acoustics:

https://www.tcacoustics.co.uk/

Toasts & Jams links:

https://linktr.ee/toastsandjams

Spotify Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6gf...

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