As we kick off our annual round-up of what our 2025 authors have been reading, watching and listening to, we’re starting with someone who’s had quite a year: Ralph Moore. Following the release of his memoir On Tour, Ralph has spent the past twelve months deep in books, records, films and dancefloors – discovering new favourites, reconnecting with old inspirations and even finding unexpected creative fuel in late-night bike rides.

What have you been reading this year?

It might be a surprise – to him at least – but the writer I’ve read the most this year is Graeme Thomson. His recent Simple Minds book Our Secrets Are The Same was one of the best music books I read this year and it brilliantly captured the beating heart at the centre of this still-evolving, decades-deep Scottish band.

That sent me back to his near-exhaustive books on Kate Bush and George Harrison, both of which were lovingly remastered with sharp new covers this past year or so. Similarly, Justin Currie’s The Tremelo Diaries was just as incisive as Our Secrets and I recently inhaled the whole thing in two sittings. “Every time I stop, I fear I will never start again,” appears to be the book’s main silent mantra but I can’t help but think there’s life in the old Dels yet.

Closer to home, I must give a shout-out to Andy Crysell, whose book followed mine on Velocity. He was the best writer during my tenure at Muzik Magazine and that talent continues to shine on Selling The Night, delving in detail into an industry I’m grateful to have been a part of professionally for over 25 years.

Finally, I’ve just started on Dancefloor by Victor Jestin, translated by Sam Taylor. It was originally published in France as ‘L’homme qui danse’ in 2022 and already reminds me a bit of Stef Macbeth’s Folk!

Any new favourite films/TV programmes?

As an avid film-goer, 2025 had plenty of highs and lows. Biggest highs were Bugonia, One Battle After Another, Weapons and, of course, the seismic Sinners. I’ll save you from the lows.

Any new favourite tracks, records or releases from the year?

Music-wise, 2025 was a smash with arguably the debut album of the year coming from Scottish singer-songwriter Jacob Alon, whose sound is somewhere between classic Turin Brakes and late 90s/early 2000s Radiohead. Auntie Flo’s Birds Of Paradise album has also been on repeat non-stop this November, with both Paradise and the Twin Peaks-inspired Ceibo being my favourite two tracks in the pack.

I also liked Floorplan’s Earth, Wind & Fire piano house cover You’re A Shining Star on fabric, Georgia’s Be Free on Domino and Findia’s Say My Name single on Greco-Roman.

Finally, a shout-out to Disiniblud, the thrilling self-titled new collaborative album project on Domino (them again) by composers/producers/multi-instrumentalists Rachika Nayar and Nina Keith. I saw their recent show as part of the Pitchfork festival and sonically it was peerless.

Have you been listening to any podcasts, audiobooks or radio shows?

Gilles Peterson and SHERELLE on 6 Music.

Heard any standout DJ sets or been to memorable parties or events in 2025?

Disinblud and Everything Is Recorded at Village Underground were my big two November standouts. Guest-wise, Richard Russell called on Roses Gabor, Sampha, Georgia and even Jack Peñate… and Beggars Banquet boss Martin Mills stood next to me in complete awe.

But going to Movement for the first time in May to witness Moodymann, Mike Banks and Carl Craig was probably the biggest moment I could have experienced in 2025, and I’m still thinking about it six months later! (That reminds me, I still have footage of Mike Banks playing the keys to ‘Knights Of The Jaguar – chills!)

As well as those three, I also got to witness Dubfire, Goldie and Photek, Mau P, Vintage Culture and Loco Dice, Dennis Ferrer and Cobblestone Jazz live over the course of the weekend: I’d almost forgotten what a genius producer Mathew Jonson was, but not any more.

In Ibiza, I watched German selector Cinthie go back to back with New Jersey’s Harry Romero at Pacha in a symbiotic house music masterclass that ended with ‘Big Love’ and experienced Sven Väth up close and personal at Akasha. My well is full!

Have you found any new sources of inspiration or creativity over the last year?

Putting everything down to jump on a Lime bike after dark has been my most liberating nocturnal distraction discovery when the working day is done! I used to just ignore them. I’ve also been inviting a whole bunch of artists, old and new, onto my Voices Radio show: this month Jon Marsh from The Beloved held court but in the past few months, Findia, BT and Lou Hayter all hopped on board to talk Masters At Work, FKA Twigs and Prince. It’s a great community that I continue to cherish and I’m pretty sure that everyone involved collided at We Out Here festival this summer!

What are your reflections on your book now that it’s out? Has anything surprised you?

I’m very, very proud of the work and precision that went into On Tour and I’m so glad that I wrote it and that my editor, Duncan (Mixmag’s former print editor, Duncan Dick to be precise), took the time to guide it into land. The fact that Andy Crysell’s own book followed mine made me realise I really did pick the right publisher in Velocity.

The book has led to a whole bunch of opportunities and even reignited friendships that go right back to 1991 secondary school in West Sussex. It’s also made its way into the mitts of some of my favourite producers and selectors – I even spotted it in Carl Craig’s home studio in Grosse Pointe, Detroit.

Any general reflections on 2025?

I took part in the Fan-Led NTIA event at Ministry of Sound in October. One participant talked about the role of landlords and how they don’t allow venues to be established. Another participant talked about opening a music venue, where they paid their own security rates for a year, and the landlords locally were then convinced to allow more similar venues to open. But Temporary Event Notices (TENs) vary across boroughs and some are easier than others.

All I know is that we can’t afford to lose any more venues in London after the shock (but not surprise) incoming closure announcement by Corsica Studios. I can’t help but think there could be a more widespread mandatory levy to support grassroots and smaller venues across the country.

On a positive note, fabric’s birthday with Theo Parrish playing for six hours was incredible: a resounding moment of release for so many in the underground club community.

What are you looking forward to in 2026?

I studied English and American Literature at Warwick University in the mid-90s and I’ve just been invited back to Warwick in February to give a careers talk to students on campus, which, as an alumnus, is pretty much the highest compliment I could get! SELCS Careers Conference is on February 25th, if you happen to be there.