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.

Follow & Catch Up With Us

Want more from Stirred Conversations? Tap in for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes moments, and everything that doesn’t make it into the mic.

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

Andrez reflects on his journey from the heart of London’s 90s R&B scene to becoming a changemaker for young people across the UK. He shares untold stories from Damage’s rise to fame, collaborations with icons, and how his Caribbean roots shaped his sound and identity.

Now leading The Liminality Group, Andrez opens up about transforming his passion for music into purpose - mentoring at-risk youth, tackling systemic barriers, and building pathways for the next generation of leaders.

Tune in to hear how Andrez turned rhythm into real-world impact and discover what it truly means to lead with purpose.

-

If you’re curious about how to make the cocktails from today’s episode, here’s the recipe straight from the podcast:

Cocktail Name
Vodka & Soda
50ml of Eight Lands Organic Vodka
100ml Soda Water
Ice
Highball glass or tumbler
Slice of pink grapefruit to garnish

Cocktail Name
Rum Punch-Up
30ml Wray & Nephew Rum
20ml Appleton Estate 8 Years Rum
15ml freshly squeezed lime juice
15ml sugar syrup
2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
Chilled coupe glass
Shake all ingredients over ice and strain into the chilled glass

Follow & Catch Up With Us
Want more from Stirred Conversations? Tap in for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes moments, and everything that doesn’t make it into the mic.

Stirred Conversations - Spotify Playlist
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/55vPOw7ZcS6NLTDRdk4C2C?si=7c2c8bc90b064074 
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.

Andrez Harriott
instagram.com/andrezharriott
Member of British R&B band Damage and founder of The Liminality Group. 

-

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.