Synths, Sound & Music’s Future with Martyn Ware (The Human League / Heaven 17 / BEF / Electronically Yours podcast)

What this episode covers

<p>What did the future sound like when the synthesizer first arrived? What does it feel like now, with AI looming and immersive audio spaces on the rise?</p><p>In this special episode of the <strong>Drowned in Sound Podcast</strong>, recorded at <a href="https://tmw.ee/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>Tallinn Music Week</strong></a>, <strong>Sean Adams</strong> speaks with <strong>Martyn Ware</strong> — founder of The Human League and Heaven 17, producer for acts ranging from Tina Turner to Erasure, and creator of some of the UK’s most ambitious sound installations.</p><p>This is a conversation about optimism and dystopia, about punk and purpose, and about how DIY culture in Sheffield shaped a career that’s still future-facing today.</p><p>Martyn also reflects on his podcast <em>Electronically Yours</em>, the legacy of sound, and how creative freedom can reshape confidence, community, and cultural memory.</p><p> Timestamps &amp; Topics:</p><ul><li><strong>01:32</strong> – Synths, Sheffield, and starting out</li><li><strong>07:00</strong> – Curiosity and creative confidence</li><li><strong>10:00</strong> – From charts to immersive installations</li><li><strong>14:30</strong> – Podcasting and preserving legacy</li><li><strong>20:00</strong> – What would a Martyn Ware bar sound like?</li><li><strong>25:00</strong> – Optimism, memory, and what comes next</li></ul><p><br></p><p> Further Listening &amp; Resources:</p><ul><li>🎙️ <a href="https://www.martynwareofficial.co.uk/electronically-yours" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Electronically Yours podcast</a></li><li>🔊 <a href="https://illustriouscompany.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Illustrious Company (immersive audio)</a></li><li>🧠 <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/soundscape-sounds-of-our-shores.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sounds of Our Shores installation</a><em></em></li></ul><p><br></p><p>Stay Connected:</p><ul><li>🗣 <a href="https://community.drownedinsound.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Drowned in Sound Community</a></li><li>📩 Email Sean → <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></li><li>🔵 <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/drownedinsound.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Follow Sean on Bluesky</a></li><li>📰 <a href="https://drownedinsound.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Subscribe to the DiS Newsletter</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p>About the Guest:</p><p><strong>Martyn Ware</strong> is a pioneering British musician, producer, and sound artist. As a founding member of <strong>The Human League</strong> and <strong>Heaven 17</strong>, and co-founder of <strong>British Electric Foundation</strong>, he helped define the sound of synth-pop while pushing boundaries in spatial audio, immersive installations, and political music-making. He also hosts the acclaimed podcast <em>Electronically Yours</em>.</p><p>About the Host:</p><p><strong>Sean Adams</strong> turned his passion for music into <a href="https://drownedinsound.org" tar