From Chicago to Seacroft: How Tony Macaluso is turning everyday voices into living history at Chapel FM
Tony Macaluso, director of Chapel FM, leads a project dedicated to capturing the voices of Seacroft and the wider Leeds community through radio, podcasts, interviews, and performances.
Heritage, he says, is about people, their stories, and how they share them.
At the heart of the work is a focus on individuals, their experiences, and finding creative ways to bring them to life.
Chapel FM has built a rich archive of local life through radio dramas, oral histories, and interviews.
Each recording helps document the history of Seacroft and the experiences of the people who live there, creating a lasting record of the community.
The centre is also a place to learn and create.
People of all ages, from teenagers to older residents, including newcomers to Leeds, can explore writing, music, theatre, and radio.
A partnership with the British Library ensures many of these stories are preserved for future generations.
Tony said: “Chapel FM is a place for people to find creative ways to tell stories.
“We use radio, podcasts, writing, music, theatre and anybody can come in, learn skills and try things they never imagined.”
Tony is originally from Chicago and moved to Leeds seven years ago. He says that perspective has helped him see the unique layers of Seacroft.
“Seacroft is really interesting because there’s a really old village that goes back at least a thousand years,” he said.
“And then after the second world war, this huge council estate was built here. Lots of people from inner east Leeds moved out here.
“Then more recently, lots of newer arrivals, quite a few immigrants, have joined the community. It’s full of creative things happening and a really strong community spirit.”
Heritage at Chapel FM is about connection as much as history.
During the pandemic, the team ran a daily live radio show from home, linking the community when social interaction was difficult.
That effort led to the creation of the We Are Seacroft network, a lasting collaboration of local groups that continues to thrive today.
Tony said: “Out of that, the We Are Seacroft network was born.
“It’s a lasting collaboration between local groups that works closely together to keep the spirit of Seacroft alive.”
Young people are central to preserving this heritage.
Through the Next Generation programme, teenagers produce shows, conduct interviews, and even travel abroad to share their stories.
Many start shy and unsure, but years of involvement help them find their voice, while ensuring the stories of older generations are not lost.
“Some of these young people travelled to Lille in France for a live radio cabaret,” said Tony.
“And others, starting at age 11, are now confidently speaking in front of thousands of people, including politicians, about their community.”
Tony is proud that Chapel FM also gives a platform to quieter voices.
From teenagers finding their confidence to older residents or newcomers, people who might otherwise never be heard, whether due to age, background, or circumstance, can create, perform, and be listened to.
This, he says, is what local history is really about.
It isn’t just dates and buildings, but the everyday lives, memories, and experiences that form a community’s identity.
Volunteers, staff, and participants all contribute to a sense of continuity, ensuring the stories of the past are carried forward for future generations.
Anyone can get involved, Tony says.
The centre is open Monday to Friday, and people can drop in, join a workshop, or take part in a writing, music, theatre, or radio group.
He said: “There are about 30 different groups to get involved with. People can just walk in, meet others, and start learning and creating.”
Through the microphone, the notebook, or the performance space, Chapel FM ensures the voices of Seacroft and East Leeds are heard, remembered, and celebrated, keeping local history alive for everyone.