Max Silverwood

Podcast Co-Host & Music Content Creator - Scorching Hot Takes Podcast

I’m a 20 year old history student at Leeds Beckett from Hornsea on the east coast of Yorkshire who runs the Scorching Hot Takes Podcast with my freind Sam. I have a deep interest and love for music and being able to dive into this every week for the podcast is a great privilege.

Considering my course, I’m also fascinated by history, art, books and films and love to use all of these topics to look at music through time through a different scope. My history course and interests massively focus on society and how it has changed over decades.

I find music to be an incredible source to reflect the societies of the past and how it they morphed through the years. I am particularly interested in what current music says about today.

Scorching Hot Takes is a Leeds-based music podcast hosted by two mates who love chatting about music the same way lots of people do with their friends. The podcast features album and discography rankings, new music reactions, and Q&As built around thought-provoking questions, from best songs for specific scenarios to bigger debates about artists and scenes.

Alongside this, we regularly covers live music, with gig reviews and promotional content created in collaboration with local promoters and organisations including Futuresound Live at Leeds, Super Friendz, Monomyth Records, and Independent Venue Week. With a strong passion for supporting grassroots venues and local scenes in Leeds, the podcast also champions emerging and lesser-known artists who deserve more attention.

Our taste is wide-ranging, with very little off limits - there’s always something for everyone, and we’re always up for a good chat about music.