Salt and Sugar: Roger Phillips and BBC Merseyside

So, this post was orignally going to be about the fun I had today at community station KCC Live. We recorded a really bad rendition of the Band Aid hit from 1984 with the presenters (inc. myself) singing.

KCC Live Band Aid



I should write another post about this as I did learn some skills - or at least had more insight into the running of an FM station. I also had a live band in on my Looprevil show on Monday, but right now, I feel I should write a little about the talk my contemporaries and I just had in the auditorium from 30-year BBC serving 'Roger Phillips'.

He's a lovely man; very opinionated and with a great sense of humour but really brought it home that radio is possibly the most difficult thing to try and get into. It's not how it once was it seems and both the beeb and commercial stations have shut the doors. I feel angry and disheatened, because at least when Jon Jessop was saying much the same thing, I only had his opinion. I have now (first hand) experienced the opinions of two guys that have been in the same industry for the same amount of time and what has thrown me is that both have said the same thing - I have interpreted "don't get into radio".

The industry constantly experiences cuts cuts cuts. There is no open door anymore - all the work experience openings are now being handled by outside organisations or specialist inside ones to deal with the influx. I was checking the BBC work experience careers page almost everyday through November sa-as to catch the 'application opening in late Nov 2013' only to find that on December 5th, the message changed to 'Jan 2014'.

What's the point.

I am having a great time at KCC and conducting my own show on Looprevil but it all seems like it's going to be really short-lived.

Looprevil is Liverpool spelt backwards and David Monks is younger than I thought

So yesterday, I conducted my forth show at 99.8fm KCC Live and it went really well. I think I am getting the hang of this presenting thing. It seemed under control (to me), no real headaches to report, which is a good thing because now I can begin figuring out how to improve the show rather than solely concentrate on making one happen.

Incidentally, I had a meeting today with Simone and Alex in their office and gleaned some really useful feedback. I need to look at the production of the idents as some of them are a little tricky to hear what I'm saying (especially the scouse one) where they are overproduced. Also, it might be time for me to start thinking about renewing them relatively soon. Alex suggested that I don't produce all of them too much so that it keeps some of my own identity. Good advice and will start making new ones tonight I think.

This morning, I was invited to guest on my contemporary's show at Looprevil and have some fun with the games he conducts during it. What a great idea - one I have thought about before but avoided for lack of listeners and people in the studio. Another aspect of his show worth noting was his lack of fear and slick production of the show. Cameron Snook (my contemporary) has had a radio slot before on a local (to him) internet radio station and this seems clear when working with him. He had no fear conducting the show, himself and me for that matter. A real inspiration.

KCC training has been pushed back a week so I will begin that next Tuesday, which should be exciting. Also at this stage, I have confirmed with my course leader for the work-placement module that my time at KCC (learning valuable skills in radio presentation) will be my project for the module.

Tonight, I am field-interviewing a local singer/songwriter known as Richard Francis and am currently conducting all the necessary research to compile a list of questions. Looking forward to the gig. This stuff is great - having to see live music to conduct a show that you love doing!

As for David Monks, nice guy. I gate crashed one of his radio classes today and he welcomed me to join for the half hour or so that I could stay. Will drop him an email to say thanks.

Over and out.

KCC FM said yes!

I had a meeting on Tuesday this week at KCC FM with a view to getting involved in the said community radio station based in Huyton, Liverpool. 

Christine (boss lady) said at one point during our conversation that had she not listened to my recorded work on Looprevil, I wouldn't be sitting in front of her right now. A nice thing to say and more importantly, quite encouraging.

I was offered training in any area of radio production/presentation that I wish to explore with KCC and naturally, I excepted and will embark on presenter training on Tuesday next week.

I'm thrilled and the bonus is that I can use the station as my work-based skills learning placement for university. I did ask Christine if she would be happy to fill in the paperwork for this university project of mine and she was quite happy to oblige.

While I was at the college (where the station is based), I met some of the team who are all a ball. KCC FM opened in 2003 as an Internet based radio station, much like Looprevil. In 2009, they applied to offcom for a license to become an FM station supplying to local community with their radio product. There are now over 60 volunteers that run the station with programming from morning until night every day of the week. Last year, they counted around 50,000 listeners in the year. 

If everything goes to plan, something tells me that KCC may be a big step up towards my career goals whether in radio/music or television presentation/production. Watch this space.

Over and out.

Three shows down… Lots more to go!

Well, I have now completed three shows on Looprevil radio...

The first, I was on my own, felt a little out of my depth had a great time and kept it as smooth as I could. The second show, I got to the studio a bit late with the guest, had some technical problems and felt like it was a bit of a shambles. But, upon listening back, it seems it wasn't all that bad and I had some good feedback from those that got round to listening to it.

My third and most recent show I Inc a pre-recorded article on a local band; to members of whom are in my classes at University. The article sound is great (I thought) especially seeing as I had never spliced something like this up before. Unfortunately, it seems my technical abilities were bettered by my clumsiness upon delivery of the said article… Two. Starts and lots of apologising on there, which I have since learnt is not the right thing to do!

Listening back, in sections it's quite easy to analyse and learn from the mistakes. I have made some written and some mental notes for my up-and-coming show on Monday.

I'm having a great time creating and delivering the shows, working on my presentation skills (basically trying to get good at having a conversation with myself!), Production and delivery while on the air and all while enjoying the experience. I'm pretty confident that presenting is where I want to go.

KCC and tomorrow morning's show

So I just emailed KCC FM:

Hi there,

I am new to Liverpool and one of my friends that lives in Huyton and listens to you all the time suggested I check your station out. After listening to some of Dan's show and grooving along while checking out the website, I thought it best I get in touch.

My name is Chris Behan and I am a Popular Music Studies student at JMU. I have a show on the student station Looprevil where I produce and present 'The Monday Morning Hangover' show from 10-12 each week. (www.mixcloud.com/chrisbehanradio)

I am very keen to get involved with an FM station in any way that might be appropriate. If you are interested in talking to me with a view to organising some involvement in KCC, hit me back using the contact details below.

Look forward to hearing from you;

Regards;

Chris Behan

Student

07826******

chrisja****@***.com

Now that would be super cool. An FM station! It's funny, isn't it; with all the advancements in technology, an 'old-fashioned' FM station seems more impressive to be a part of than an internet-based station - only because the advancements in this kind of technology make it more accessible. That will make an interesting point to write about later on.

As for my internet-based show tomorrow morning, I have a confirmed guest 'Dave Hill' who composes and produces Electronic Dance Music (EDM). Though it might not be hugely appropriate music for someone's hangover, I do equally need to get the hang of interviews and the music will be of interest to some students - helping Dave get his material out there.

Dave's soundcloud page is 'www.soundcloud.com/trancelmania'. Here one will find 2/3 minute examples of his work. I think what I plan to do is get the show going and select some music that might lead up to and compliment what trancelmania's music is all about and then introduce a well-established track before bringing Dave himself into the show. I will interview him, play his latest track and then get him to select some music of his choice before continuing the show as per usual…

Sounds very organised, doesn't it…. Watch this space!

Welcome to the Monday Morning Hangover

Well that was an experience!

Running the show, queueing the music on more than one device... Researching in between songs; answering Tweets and Facebook messages. It's mad, but strangely natural.

It was a bit tricky getting started; a few technicals and odd having a conversation with oneself, but I soon got used to the button pressing and talking to myself.. As I often do :)

I had some great feedback from peers regarding my conduct and music choices, which was encouraging. We are our worst critics but I found so much I could improve upon while listening back to the recording (which incidentally, was levelled incorrectly - and I now know how o rectify that - I jus need to make sure it's set correctly BEFORE recording!).

The night before, I spent setting up my Twitter, an email address to reflect the title of the show and a bunch of idents (jingles).

The recording can be found at:

www.mixcloud.com/chrisbehanradio

Having spoken to various people that listened and those that I have made conversation with regarding the project, I have had many recommendations regarding, music, games and people to interview. One friend (Andy Morrison) told me that he was put into a good mood and was dancing around the living room! I must be doing something right. :)

Looprevil radio

I had a successful meeting with the team at Looprevil Radio and have been lucky enough to land myself a two hour slot on a Monday morning!

All week I have been thinking of show ideas, names, avatars and all of the aspects of a radio show that I might use or need going forward.

I've come up with names such as 10 AM hangover, the morning after, walk of shame, the morning after the night before, the Monday morning hangover… The latter being my chosen show title.

I have spent the evening (morning) organising music, my twitter, which is @MondayHangover and email: themindaymorninnghangover@gmail.com

This afternoon, I began organising idents (jingles), using some free sounds online and GarageBand through my Mac. All the wonders of modern technology.

Tomorrow, I intend to keep it straightforward as it will be my first go. In the coming weeks, I would like to have local artists regardless of the genre in the studio with me.

I went to a gig tonight and met a chap called 'Giles' who managed to get through some of the X factor. I spoke to his manager and he was quite happy for me to conduct an interview with Giles when they are next in Liverpool; which means field recording....

I also met another lad tonight as work that he would like to share on the show and a couple of nights before, was able to grab a card of an artist I really enjoyed at an open mic night.

Something tells me, this radio thing is can be quite fun!

Jon Jessop

So I met Jon Jessop on Thursday gone. I made my way to Southport and met him at the studio, chatted for about half an hour before he began his show. Coast radio 1079 is an Internet based radio station from which Jon broadcasts.

He was kind enough to allow me to sit in on his show while he interviews by telephone a band based in London. I learnt and noted down how he directed the interview and then took a phone call during it from the band's manager asking to wrap up the interview as they were running late for the next one! It took me back a little to the conference rooms at work when I worked in banking in London. I could picture the band sitting around a triangular speaker phone on a desk in a conference room with still and sparkling water, a tray of sandwiches and a basket of fruit with their manager on his/her Blackberry at the edge of the room silently coordinating.

Jon started the small talk by complimenting the band on the single they were trying to promote and then asked a series of questions including:

"Where did the name, 'Turin Breaks' come from?"

"Where are you playing [on tour]?"

"What's the genre/style?"

"What did you listen to growing up?"

"What's in the pipeline for next year [2014]?"

During some background music, we chatted and then just before I left to make my way back to Liverpool, he put me on the air talking to his audience about my future in radio.

Jon is a very inspirational and informative person to chat to. He told me stories of when he started in radio including some of those he now swears by when delivering a show.

"Don't come in with a hangover and complain, don't come in talking about last night, don't come in complaining you didn't get your leg over with your missus[!].

You have ONE listener.

She lives on the 15th floor of a tower block, with a budgie. She's got one leg and the lift breaks down three times a week; forcing her to use the stairs. When she's in her flat, mate; you are her best friend."

He still has ties with City FM in the heart of Liverpool (up the tower) and has offered to take me up there on a tour as his personal guest, knowing that I am in search for work experience. Quite aware that I am looking for a work placement, unfortunately this show is so small that I was unable to assist Jon in his broadcasting endeavours, however he is a very useful chap to have in my network.

I was sent home with a spring in my step knowing that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I even bought some headphones on the way back just to listen to his show during the 45 minute journey back to Liverpool.

Learning agreement

Creative Music Project

So, the learning agreement is nearly complete. I have a couple of book reviews to get organised and submission is Friday.

The learning agreement is in place so that we don't waver to far from our initial intentions from what I can understand. The CMP is quite a broad subject and although there is scope to do just about anything related to popular music, it must be a difficult piece to mark. Writing it has enabled me to think more about the theories that I may implement in the planning stages and also how the critical essay will form following the production.

Here is an excerpt from my learning agreement, which I am now not using - but gives insight into my intentions on a critical analysation level:

This entire process will be an experiment as radio is not something I have delved in before. The candidate will have compared at various music events and speaking publicly is something he would consider himself to be good at; but producing and presenting a radio show will be a new experience.


Using research that I glean in the first few weeks by reading and exploring various source materials, I intend to experiment with forms and structures of potential shows during the design and planning stages. Form experimentation will occur by designing itineraries to include matter such as interviews, music placement, commercial and advertising frequency (if appropriate), live music and any other aspects lending themselves to form part of a radio show that I may explore during the process.


These ideas will form an article that I would expect a conventional audience to be familiar with. Conventions such as existing radio programmes and articles that I research will enable me to form useful analysis that will ultimately attribute to the design and function of the completed article. I will be able to experiment with different conventions in order to explore my own research and ultimately; target audience and final product.


Another aspect to be experimented with and analysed in detail is the use of language. I intend to address not only the language that is spoken but the choices of music or subject matter. I will need to decide on whether to give the show a national or local identity and explore advantages, disadvantages and aspects that the use of spoken language can dictate. Because radio does not feature communicative confirmation (where the audience are able to confirm an understanding of the information they have received), I will need to look at (from both a producer and presenter point of view) how the language is delivered to make sure that it is universally understood. This may relate to local slang and other linguistic substance.


Technique is something that I believe (at this stage) I can only get right once in the studio. Learning the technical aspects of running a show are not something one can master from reading, though one of my source materials talks about general layouts and equipment found in a radio station. Techniques in my remit I would suggest will be technical actions such as cueing music, working with ‘talk-over’ and keeping a show flowing. I refer to this as mechanical technique, but I will also experiment with technique in delivery of linguistic presentation. 

I know, I know. Looks like a lot of waffle, but I can categorically confirm that a lot of thought went into that!

On another note, I have a meeting this evening at the SU (Student Union) with the student radio station 'Looprevil'. With any luck, there my be a regular slot for me to fill as a producer/presenter, which would be the absolute ideal result given this project, which also leads me to the below....

Work Based Learning

I have checked with my tutor, Simone and should I not be able to attain work experience with a company, I can use Looprevil as the basis for this work (if I get a slot).

However, I have to raise a glass and a note of thanks to another girl on my course Ramena, who kindly organised a contact for me with 'Jon Jessop' of Coast Radio in Southport. I spoke to Jon on the phone with a view to organising some work experience and he has kindly agreed to meet me next wednesday at the studio for a coffee and to talk further!

Exciting stuff... Watch this space!

Understanding Radio

Understanding Radio by Andrew Crisell; if I can read this book from cover-to-cover, it will quite literally be the first time I have done so in nearly 15 years. Terrible, right?

Well, I should be a little proud of myself. I'm on day three and have made it past the halfway mark of chapter one... It's a great read (it really is) - the book is designed for people like me who are looking for somewhere to reference; it even states so in the introduction. The general consensus of chapter one is describing what radio is as a medium; how it compares to other informative media and it's influence on the imagination of the receiver.

For example, when we speak in person, we often use 'communicative confirmation'... (Understand?..) This is not possible in radio communication, but an advantage is that one car transmit to a mass population of receiving ears. The said receivers cannot see what they are being told and as descriptive as the sound may be, imagination MUST be used in order to complete the picture.

Equally, where radio provokes the use of the imagination, we able to complete other tasks at the same time (now that radio receivers are smaller) - these tasks can however 'detract' from our full attention on the information (sound) coming from the radio. Interestingly, chapter one opened with a great quote:

"When you ask some people if they listen to radio, they say, 'No'. The you ask them if they drive to work and they say, 'Yes'. Then you ask them if they rive to work with the radio on and they say 'Yes'. They don't listen to it, they sit in it."

(Tony Schwartz, US advertising executive) 

Ain't that the truth!

I have decided that in order to complete a successful and more informed radio-type presentation, some ground work needs to be covered, hence the books. My education in radio simply does not stretch far enough to pull off an informed and professional production. Also, if I am to land specific work experience as I intend to at a local station, I should have a little more knowledge than I currently do.

While we're on the subject of a work placement, my classmate Ramena kindly gave me a contact for Jon Jessop of Coast Radio in Southport. I called him up today and talked him into going for a coffee with me to talk about radio and with a view to organising some work experience. He said on the phone that he wasn't quite sure what he might be able to get me to do but that a meeting would be a step in the right direction. Keep your fingers crossed... Mine are!

First deadline due

Oh boy. An email has come through with instruction to get the learning agreement organised.. Looks like a trip to the library tomorrow to choose mandatory reference material and suss out exactly what buzz words will assist in attaining my first good mark ... :-/

One class down

So we had our first class on the CMP module this week and after splitting the group in two (meeting bi-weekly and keeping the teaching part manageable), I am in GROUP A. We were asked about our thoughts and ideas for this project and a lot of people have opened for the development of an EP. I think this is something to do with the St. Helen's students having just come straight from a performance-based course. Ironically, my choice would be more production-based I guess, which is what my pre-requisite degree is about. 

There was another student that also thought of and is interested in developing a short radio programme; I forget her name. I'm sure we will introduce ourselves and share some ideas. 

Dani looked relieved when she asked me what I thought about the use of language. I went through the learning outcomes we were given and thought of buzz words to work with; under language, I noted a whole bunch including things such as regional acknowledgment, use of voice and delivery, accent, choice of words, national or local audience.. It made me think. Who is my audience? 

I will be creating this piece of work for me, but am I inadvertently creating a demo tape? Or a show reel? If I aim this at a local or niche audience, am I ruling out my skills in radio for a national audience? Equally, if I make it a national audience affair, am I not honing the skills I may need to get on the ladder? 

After all, newspaper journalists don't start at the Times... Food for thought. 

Subject matters...

Subject 'matters'...

I was really torn with which 2/3 options to take for this year.

The Dissertation

Not an easy piece of work given we are talking level 6 here, but free reign on the subject matter... Familiar work. Safe choice for me.

Creative Music Project

Completely up to the student as to what they choose to do in order to complete this module; to the point that the student writes the learning agreement! A very artistic option if a little elusive.

Work-based Learning

A given for me. I have come back to university to sort out my career. Not undertaking this was by no means an option for me. My plan is to complete my placement in radio as this is a focus area for my future plans.

Herein lies the problem. All the options are really good. For someone like me who has been out of the education loop for a while, especially in an artistic discipline, was it going to be a better idea to be safe and take on the dissertation module coupled with the work placement or could I think of something that would entice me enough to complete the more creative music project.

In class, Danijela talked about making something; a mechanical project. I thought about the guitar that I made all those years ago... I then reminded myself that it's still naked of frets and I began the work in about October 1999. I couldn't possibly start (or finish) another mechanical project.

An EP? Could I write 20 minutes of music, mix it, critically analyse it, change it, analyse it again, produce it.... I did bring my instruments with me to uni and a basic means of recording. There is nothing stopping me except that I am not a confident composer. So what about a cover EP? Danijela talked about making such a record and though I cannot remember everything she said nor can I go by my lack of notes, I don't remember getting a positive vibe from this idea.

Then it dawned on me.

A pre-recorded 20 minute radio show.

What could be more creative? Playing a producer, MC and presenter would be challenging yet such a task is the epitome of creativity. I would have to create and plan the show, get the production organised and then rely on myself to carry it along non-stop for at least 20 mins... Or even; most shows that I have listened to are on strict time constraints.

Chuffed with the idea, I grabbed my notebook and drew up what might occur on a radio show.

My first questions to myself were "how am I going to fill 20 mins?" "How is this popular music related?" "How am I going to record this?"

I will answer all these questions as I go along I suppose.

This idea confirmed my options and I paid Simone Krüger a visit the following morning with my confirmed options.

Simone suggested I get chatting to David Monks for some advice and ideas as he works for BBC Merseyside (and is also a tutor here) and that she thought it was a good idea given that I would like to conduct my work placement in radio if I can.

The more I think about it, the more challenging, yet exciting the project becomes. Having to cue up music, people to interview, maybe even get the tech organised for a phone-in. I am starting to think about subject matters and music to play.. Do I talk about current affairs or will that date it; is that such a bad thing?

Do I create a podcast? What's the definition? What rules do I need to look at? This radio thing can be both my CMP and WBL!

So many questions, so many answers to find. Something tells me, I'm going to be a busy boy.

Prologue

Prologue

I was going to complete this journalistic work as an old-fashioned journal; the one where pen and paper meet, often scrawled rather than written.

It occurred to me that scrawling however, might make it unsightly and difficult to re-read when I might need to come out of the self-indulgent world of blogging and go back to look at why I have recorded anything going through my head in the first place. 

"Why did I chose this project?" 

"Where did that idea come from?"

"What am I going to wear tonight?"

I jest, but only half-heartedly. After all, as colloquial as all this self-critical journalistic stuff is, the experiences had from being a third year fresher in a city more than 270 miles away from home will have some bearing on the project I will ultimately hand in; one way or the other.

To quote D'aiello Jr. (2013), "let's call a spade a spade" (D'Aiello, www.facebook.com message thread 22/09/13); The project I ultimately decide to embark upon will be a creation from imagination influenced and fuelled by a combination of the experiences life has already thrown my way and those that will occur in due course. There's no getting away from it.

Don't panic ladies & gentlemen, I won't go into all the useless waffle detailing what I 'did' in fact end up wearing, which club I went to, what array of intoxicating drinks I consumed and how that led me to think of organising an interview with David Bowie as part of my project.... Although, that would be rather (for a better word) cool.

At this stage, I have met my 'work-based learning' tutor, Simone - lovely, professional and strikes me as though she doesn't tolerate 'slacking'. Just as well I'm a grafter really! She was very influential on the decision I ultimately made regarding module choices; I guess writing this now, that's pretty obvious.

Am I writing this for you or for me?

Notes by the author

Notes by the author

The purpose of the complete journalistic article one may be about to embark upon is to capture the thought processes that lead to completion of the work created by the student regarding both 6009POP CREATIVE MUSIC PROJECT and 6010POP WORK-BASED LEARNING. This will be recorded in the form of a blog and will be updated following new thought processes regarding the work being designed and produced and delivered.

As the student producing the articles relating, I will aim to produce exceptional and distinguished work of a professional standard, demonstrate outstanding technical and expressive skills with exceptional creativity and imagination and submit work that displays great flair and originality. (LJMU, Module Guide 2013/14 6009POP Creative Music Project p.13)

Additionally, I will aim to reflect upon and evaluate my development of entrepreneurial, professional and practical skills. This blog will be an active document, 'a work in progress'.

Most of this capture work will be recorded in a colloquial form as per a typical journal or blog. As such, many thoughts captured will be written from an uninformed point of view and as such cannot be referenced. Where research matters take place however, references may be made and will be recorded using the Harvard referencing system as demonstrated above.

My intentions with this journalistic piece of work include keeping track and perspective on the title-project while each entry records a thought process that allows reflection.