In this episode of Stirred Conversations, host Alex Christou talks about the true evolution of music with Mark Rae, renowned music producer, DJ, and founder of the independent label Grand Central Records.
Mark reflects on his journey from crate-digging in Newcastle record shops to shaping the sound of 1990s Manchester’s legendary club scene. He shares stories behind founding Grand Central Records, championing underground talent, and navigating life as an independent artist before the digital age.
From music production to novel writing, Mark reveals how collaboration, experimentation, and narrative thread through all his creative work. Along the way, Alex and Mark enjoy a tasting of Eight Lands organic spirits, exploring how shared rituals like cocktail-making help build connection and community.
Tune in for a conversation about reinvention, independence, and the culture that connects it all…
If you’re curious about how to make the cocktails from today’s episode, here’s the recipes straight from the podcast:
Cocktail Name
Gin and Tonic
60ml Eight Lands Gin
150ml Indian Tonic
Pink grapefruit garnish
Add plenty of ice to glass of your choice. Pour in the gin, pour in the tonic, add a slice of garnish and enjoy.
Cocktail Name
Mango Mint Julep Spritz
12 x fresh mint leaves
50ml Bourbon (such as Angel’s Envy)
22.5ml Mango liqueur
5ml sugar syrup
Soda water
Lightly muddle mint in base of shaker. Add other ingredients (except soda water!) and shake with ice. Strain into glass (or tin cup) filled with ice. Top with soda water to taste.
Cocktail Name
Cairo Reviver
30ml Eight Lands Producers’ Series Cask-Aged Vodka (whisky cask)
30ml Eight Lands Gin
20ml Lime cordial
10ml fresh lime juice
3 dashes Angostura Bitters
100ml Ginger Beer
Combine all ingredients in a shaker (except the Ginger Beer!) and shake with ice. Strain into rocks glass filled with ice. Top with Ginger Beer to taste.
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Stirred Conversations - Spotify Playlist
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/23T5yDY297lmS71RQNxseX?si=d8064801d6fe4fac
Listen to the music discussed in the podcast.
Alex Christou
instagram.com/alchristou
Host of the Stirred Conversations podcast. Founder of Eight Lands. Amateur mixologist. Music lover.
Eight Lands
This podcast is brought to you by Eight Lands, Scotland’s wildly smooth vodka and gin. Distilled and bottled with pure Scottish spring water. 100% organic. Vegan. Gluten-free. Award-winning.
www.eight-lands.com
instagram.com/eight_lands/?hl=en
Learn more about award-winning organic spirits, learn more about the process, or book in for a visit.
Mark Rae
www.instagram.com/marktrae
https://markrae.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/DJMarkRae
https://open.spotify.com/artist/17yWcCF4X2x4Y6aoFqqJta?si=0BgtPYlCRNSm0I8DAuZuXw
Music Producer, DJ, Record Label Owner and Novelist
