The First Time With... Series 35 - 3. Emma-Jean Thackray

THE FIRST TIME WITH... SERIES 35 - 3. EMMA-JEAN THACKRAY (320kbs-m4a/137mb/60mins)
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 28th January 2026

Musical polymath, producer, and DJ Emma-Jean Thackray joins Matt Everitt to explore the moments that shaped her sonic world. Together, they trace a childhood completely immersed in music — from the power of brass band traditions to the many instruments she learned to master along the way.

She reflects on formative nights spent in Leeds' electro clubs, her once-secret love of U.S. prog-rock giants Dream Theater, and the transformative influence of Miles Davis and Gil Evans' Sketches of Spain. She also opens up about the creative journeys behind her acclaimed solo EPs Rain Dance, her debut Yellow and most recent album Weirdo.

It's all soundtracked by Madlib, John Coltrane, Charles Stepney's Rotary Connection and more.

Emma‐Jean Thackray - Weirdo [Parlophone UK]
Candi Staton - Young Hearts Run Free [Telstar]
Rune Gundersen & Musikkorpset Gjallarhorn - Isaiah 40 [Grong Musikkproduksjon]
Dream Theater - Pull Me Under [Atlantic]
Spice Girls - Wannabe [Sony Music TV]
DJ Q (feat. K Dot) - Bassline [Crucast]
Miles Davis - Concierto De Aranjuez [Play Digital]
Yesterdays New Quintet - Prelude [Stones Throw]
Rotary Connection - I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun [Stateside]
Inner City - Good Life [10]