The co-founders of an up and coming podcast about Liverpool sport and culture say they aim to "tell the stories that haven't been told before".
Michael Beetham, 21, and Luke Davies, 22, co-founded The Tenth Pint Podcast, which boasts over 30,000 subscribers across a range of social media platforms. Their podcast interviews scousers with the most extraordinary tales, from talented footballers released from Everton's academy to insights into the politics of the city's most popular musicians.
Luke explains: "We like the good stories. We try to get a story that hasn't been told before."
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"We spoke to a guy recently who was in Everton’s academy. When he left, that label stuck with him. He talked about how hard it was to bump into people who would always ask him if he was still at Everton.
Michael adds: "We all know that person at school, who was great at footy but never quite made it at the highest level. It was so relatable to so many people. That’s a story that’s so common but never heard."
Michael is from Orrell Park and Luke from Fazakerly. The two Everton fans had always talked about hosting a podcast, but it wasn't until the first lockdown that they decided to go for it in the most ordinary of settings.
Michael explains: "We got a chippy and went to Seeds Lane park, that’s when we decided to do it." Luke says: "There was no plan." Now laughing, he adds: "There still isn’t really, is there?"
That attitude is the key to their success. The Tenth Pint, no matter which guest is on, feels like a causal conversation between friends.
Many of the musicians they interview, such as The Sway, are friends of theirs, meeting them initially at concerts.
Michael explains: "Getting to meet local bands at gigs, you already half know them. It’s just like talking to your mates.
"For me, the local music scene is amazing. In Liverpool, that’s very well known. But on a wider scale, I don’t think it is.
Even footballers they've previously never met have been "sound". Luke argues their podcast shows a different side of the sport.
They recently spoke to Lee Peltier who joined Liverpool's academy aged 10. "He talked about how he was staying on top of a pub in Yeovil when he was 20, really missing home. It shows that football isn’t always about the glitz, the glamour and the money.
"You listen to a lot of podcast interviews, and they have a happy ending. But there’s not always a happy ending."
Statements like this show that this podcast isn't afraid to tackle deep issues. Their two interviews with Jamie Webster, for instance, become discussions about the political messages behind his songs, and the wider feelings of young men in Liverpool.
According to Michael, "Jamie Webster's first album spoke to us, with its politics. It’s the most relatable album I’ve ever listened to. He was everything I wanted him to be."
The Tenth Pint is a uniquely Liverpool product, with a constant flow of guests from the city's sport and music scene. "It’s amazing how many come through given the size of the city."
Next on their agenda is a live quiz and entertainment they are hosting later this month at Phase One on Seel Street. There will be music from The Sway and comedian Tom Keegan will also be performing.
Currently, the podcast is something the pair do in their spare time away from their day jobs. They describe working in the media full time as a "dream" which is not currently viable.
Luke would love to do a weekly football show. "But it’s not really possible with job commitments now. If we got to that stage, we’d like to cover multiple football teams, not just Everton."
However, this does not deair the pair, who are happy to use this time to learn from their mistakes. Luke says: "We look back at some our first interviews and go, that’s shocking!"
Michael is impressed with how far they've come since starting The Tenth Pint three years ago. "If someone would have said to me when we started the names we’d get on, I’d be impressed."
"If by the end of this year, we’ve got more subscribers, got more good guests on and are putting on high quality content, we’d be happy."
Currently any money that they make from the podcast is put back in. Michael is hopeful that, one day, that will change.
"You can’t expect to make money straight away from it.
"I heard someone say, ‘it takes 10 years to become an overnight success’. We’ve been doing it three years, and we’re still young."
Tickets for The Tenth Pint's live show are available here.
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