Mike Press
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.
- Reposted by Mike PressI wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Stay free
- This is rather wonderful
- Reposted by Mike PressIf Starmer were a more effective prime minister he wouldn’t need to worry about Burnham. I’m not sure Burnham would even try to get back to Westminster if current Gov was doing a good job. Starmer allies should try fixing the actual problem rather than playing student politics.
- Reposted by Mike PressI see that after a relatively positive week for Starmer on the international stage, he simply couldn’t resist the urge to come home and shoot himself right through the foot. The fucking idiot.
- Reposted by Mike PressHelp us make hope normal again. Join the Green Party now.
- Reposted by Mike Press"...a cost-of-living crisis, the resurgence of the far right, and a culture increasingly saturated with algorithmic noise and AI slop. Once again, the values Bowie articulated...feel urgently relevant." Joyous writing @mikepress.bsky.social walkonthewildside.substack.com/p/ziggy-play...
- Reposted by Mike PressComing Soon - to the music site with a difference ... Chet Atkins, Pete Cummins, Bess Atwell, Mazzy Star, Dollar, Vulfpeck, Bothy Band, John Farnham, Peter Case, Joe Pass, Lucy Kaplansky, Living Colour ... "That's (not) all Folks" www.toppermost.co.uk
- Reposted by Mike PressThe Kirsty MacColl Toppermost from @mikepress.bsky.social www.toppermost.co.uk/maccoll-kirs...
- Reposted by Mike PressThis week's Book Choice on the site. @mikepress.bsky.social reviews “The Story Of The Christmas No.1” - the new book by Marc Burrows "a joyful, affectionate exploration of a uniquely British cultural institution: the annual scramble for the Christmas chart top spot" www.toppermost.co.uk
- Reposted by Mike PressFor several years @katiedd.bsky.social from @indexoncensorship.org has been covering books bans and librarian censorship, and it's here in the UK www.indexoncensorship.org/2024/08/bann... She's going to be at my conference After Section 28 talking censorship 🎟️ www.tickettailor.com/events/after...
- Reposted by Mike PressThat’s why I’m organising: After Section 28: LGBTQIA+ Rights in an Age of Censorship and Backlash This rollback isn’t neat or legalistic. It’s fragmented, networked, and people-driven. www.tickettailor.com/events/after...
- Should anyone suggest that typography is not political, point them in the direction of this - ideology now trumping accessibility.
- There's a Beatles festival in Ireland at the end of January. Excellent speakers. Very tempting.
- Reposted by Mike PressDESIGNER: “So, what did you have in mind for this … peace prize?” FIFA: “We were thinking maybe zombies emerging from the soil, grabbing at a Christmas pudding.? Oh, and a cheap nameplate left over from that Maplins fire sale”. DESIGNER: “Got ya …”
- We're exploring the meaning of Christmas songs on the streets of Soho - Saturday 13 December.
- Reposted by Mike PressI hope someone draws this wonderful story about Tom Stoppard's Arcadia and the power of the arts to help us see things differently, to the attention of our Education Secretary. Do read it, it will lift your spirits.
- Reposted by Mike PressRecent post: The Sandy Denny toppermost from @mikepress.bsky.social www.toppermost.co.uk/denny-sandy/
- Reposted by Mike PressThis cause is close to my heart - please sign: www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/ch...
- Our story of a most remarkable woman.
- Reposted by Mike Press
- Who’s up for a two hour walk around Soho where we discover the story of Christmas songs? Our Substack project takes to the streets - a fundraiser for Centrepoint Homeless Charity.
- Join us on 13 December for a guided walk through Soho. From wassailing to Wham!, Georgian masked balls to Fairytale of New York, we’ll explore how Soho shaped the xmas soundtrack. Free to join — donations invited for Centrepoint Charity. Wrap up warm & join us for two hours of festive conviviality.
- Reposted by Mike Press
Please read, listen, and share widely. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n... - What does her look mean to you? Soo Catwoman was “the female face of punk”. She passed away this September. As part of our stories about music in Soho we are writing about her. I’m interested in what her iconic look meant to people, whether they were punks or not. Please share your thoughts. Thanks.
- What does her look mean to you? Soo Catwoman was “the female face of punk”. She passed away this September. As part of our stories about music in Soho we are writing about her. I’m interested in what her iconic look meant to people, whether they were punks or not. Please share your thoughts. Thanks.
- Reposted by Mike PressSomething else that begins the last week of January (now with corrected dates)...
- Reposted by Mike PressThe Beatles Anthology is not meant to be a primer or even an encyclopedic final word on the foursome. It’s a vehicle for those who may want insight – from the sources, for better or worse – into events that have shaped and will continue to shape generations to come.
- Reposted by Mike PressBuckle up - because this now amounts to a direct and deliberate attack on our country and its cultural sovereignty. Which side our politicians take - Trump's or the BBC's - over the coming days and weeks will speak volumes about their patriotism.
- Reposted by Mike PressThe Bert Jansch Toppermost from @pangurdubh3.bsky.social www.toppermost.co.uk/jansch-bert/
- The new album by Squeeze goes back to the future.
- Reposted by Mike PressI'm doing some walking tours of Seven Dials with @stanfordstravel.bsky.social on Saturday Nov 15. Come for coffee, cheese, & overpriced street food, stay for overexcited historian, whistle stop tour of the Dials, & sideways look at 1920s and 1930s London. www.stanfords.co.uk/event-songs-...
- Reposted by Mike PressGary 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.
- Reposted by Mike PressNEW 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/
- 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 PressRecents: 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
- Reposted by Mike PressNEW 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/
- Reposted by Mike PressNEW 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/
- Reposted by Mike PressNEW 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/
- Reposted by Mike PressThe 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
- Reposted by Mike PressRadio 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.
- Coffee, teenagers, Soho and pop before The Beatles.
- Reposted by Mike PressNEW 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/
- Reposted by Mike PressSo, 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.
- 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.
- Reposted by Mike PressFind out my Top Ten Badly Drawn Boy tracks here. Or don't. Or do.
- Reposted by Mike PressComing 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
- 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
- Reposted by Mike PressThis 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
- My review of the excellent Beatles book by @stuartmaconie.bsky.social is now on Toppermost.
- 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.
- A brilliant profile of a wonderful artist.
- Now the third and final musician who created this wonderful music has left us - Danny Thompson
- Reposted by Mike PressComing Soon to the Music Site with a Difference ... Death Cab For Cutie, Billy Mackenzie, Stray Cats, Sandy Denny, Leo Kottke, Marcus Miller, Hot Chocolate, Nic Jones, Tuck & Patti, Cathal Coughlan, Penny & Sparrow, Chet Atkins ... "That's (not) all Folks" www.toppermost.co.uk
- Reposted by Mike PressThere are still a handful of places left for my Alexander Baron/Lowlife walking tour of Stoke Newington next Saturday. Tickets here! www.faber.co.uk/product/walk...
- Join us on our musical walking tour of Soho - Saturday 11th October - a tour led by your musical passions.
- Reposted by Mike PressFantastic news for David Bowie fans: the David Bowie Centre is now open at the V&A East Storehouse 🚀 From Ziggy Stardust to Blackstar, more than 90,000 items from David Bowie’s life and work will be available to the public for the first time ever - and it’s completely free.
- Reposted by Mike PressI’m playing songs from my new album (brokendownrecords.bandcamp.com) live in St.Albans on Sep 25th. It’d be lovely if you could come; I don’t do this very often at all. Tickets here (discount code JNC25): www.ticketweb.uk/event/civil-...
- A musical walking tour of London's Soho - Saturday 11 October.
- Join our walking tour exploring the music and cultural history of London’s Soho.
- Reposted by Mike PressThis week's new book choice on Toppermost is Justin Currie's reflections on life as a touring musician in the shadow of his life changing Parkinson’s diagnosis, reviewed by @daveamitri.bsky.social www.toppermost.co.uk
- Reposted by Mike PressThe first part of the XTC Play at Home is here. Never seen this either. Like Andy’s BBC Bristol RPM appearance they’ve done the mural, will we get the Avery Scale Shop? youtu.be/Lh6fi46waIY?...
- Reposted by Mike PressLondon, in fact, is the best. I will go to the mat time and time again for my city, and anyone telling you it is scary or dangerous is just a weird racist.
- Reposted by Mike Press“Another standout is Every Time You Go Away from 'The Secret Of Association' which soared to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, cementing Paul Young’s place in the Second British Invasion” A #PaulYoung 10 from @dlew919.bsky.social today www.toppermost.co.uk/young-paul/
- Reposted by Mike PressTeenage Fanclub joint post from @durutti74.bsky.social and @riverboatcapt.bsky.social a cracker obvs www.toppermost.co.uk/teenage-fanc...
- Reposted by Mike PressComing soon to 'the music site with a difference' - Paul Young, Howard Jones, Hot Chocolate, Alasdair Roberts, Lush, Vulfpeck ... and others we don't even know about yet ... ??? @dlew919.bsky.social @stevemiller.bsky.social @daveamitri.bsky.social www.toppermost.co.uk
- Ezra Collective last night in North Berwick were stunning! A remarkable performance full of energy and joy!
- This week's Book Choice on Toppermost is Denmark Street by @peterwatts.bsky.social - my review of the book concludes: "A wonderful read for anyone curious about the history behind the sounds that shaped a nation."
- I’ve read it. It’s great!
- It's Bandcamp Friday, and you can already name your price for this audiobook, but let's help raise even more money for the supported charities (which are mentioned in the End Credits). #BandcampFriday #Audiobook #Beatles delightfulweirdo.bandcamp.com/album/pleased
- Johann Sebastian Bach never performed with Ray Charles, but if he had done, it might have sounded much like this. It is perhaps dangerous to attempt to analyse why any particular song becomes timelessly iconic, but I’ll throw caution to the wind and give it a go.
- Reposted by Mike PressSad to hear of the passing of Dave Stephens, a music writer with a huge knowledge in a large number of genres old and new. There are numerous Toppermosts which bear this out, he truly loved music. Rest in peace and deepest condolences to his family and friends. www.toppermost.co.uk
