Hat Tracks/Unsigned Radio – working in collaboration
Intro
“Hat Tracks” is a well established Internet music show presented by West Yorkshire’s Darrel Hull AKA “Daz in the Hat”. Until recently, the show was exclusively available on Daz’s own website www.dazinthehat.com & mixcloud.com. Last month it was also featured on internet radio station www.unsignedradio.co.uk run by Sheffield based Mike Evans. Now Daz has created a brand new show exclusive to Unsigned Radio: “Hat Tracks – Artist In The Spotlight” which features one independent, unsigned singer/band on each podcast.
Mike Evans: I run www.UnsignedRadio.co.uk. As the title suggests I only play music by unsigned, independent artists who produce their music using their own resources without the backing of major record labels. I manage and pay for everything myself including the website and the radio broadcasting system, I’m also the station DJ whose voice you can hear introducing the tracks and even voicing the jingles. I have a background in the mainstream music industry. In the early 1980’s I was head of marketing and purchasing for Virgin Record Stores and later I served as Marketing Director of Premier Drums before they were taken over by Yamaha. I am now retired but also still a gigging musician and currently play drums in two Sheffield based bands, The Alex Oliver Band and The Electric Luddites.
Unsigned Radio is not my first venture into Internet Radio. Around 10 years ago I ran two internet radio stations UnsignedRadio.biz and SongwriterRadio.org. Both stations were aimed at promoting unsigned and unknown acts who suffered from the stiflingly conservative policies of the establishment with their ultra-limiting playlist policies and commercial radio stations which are governed by advertising revenues and therefore slaves to listener ratings. This means they do not take chances and only ever play safe bets. Even10 years ago I was receiving music from unsigned acts which were every bit as good and as well produced as anything in the charts that you would hear on mainstream radio but these acts could not get any airplay. Because, as with almost every other “business“ it’s not what you know but who you know. And without a major record label’s money and clout they were banging their heads against a brick wall.
Due to this I wanted to provide an outlet for these artists without advertisers or third party sponsors who, invariably like to pull strings in the background.
Unfortunately, I was working full time at that time and in the end I found I could not spare the time needed to continue with my internet radio projects so I closed them down. But now, as I mentioned above I am retired, so I decided a few months ago to start back up again. To be honest I’m kicking myself I didn’t think of starting it a year ago during lockdown but that’s water under the bridge.
Of course in the intervening years since I had the previous stations there have been quite a lot of positive changes. Even the BBC is now in my opinion playing lip service to unsigned bands with their ‘BBC Introducing’ service and there have sprung up a proliferation of new genre-based radio stations and local and national internet radio is now well established.
However, I still wanted to do what I could to offer unsigned acts an outlet for them to be heard regardless of genre so I felt that Unsigned Radio could be a useful tool to get new music heard.
Interestingly, the problems Covid posed to musicians (both professional and amateur) lead to a fantastic outburst of creative ways of delivering music such as live streaming on social media and “pay-to-see” on-line concerts . Artists began seeing fellow musicians as co-workers rather than competitors and it also encouraged a lot of informal co-operation between musicians, fans and promoters.
Consequently it was in this spirit of co-operation rather than competition that I decided to contact “Daz in the Hat“ to ask if he would be at all interested in me featuring his radio show “Hat Tricks” onUnsigned Radio.
I’ve known of Daz and his passion for supporting independent, unsigned artists for a few years and he had in the past played tracks from my previous band Ace in the Hand.
Importantly “Hat Tricks“ has the same underlying ethic of only featuring Unsigned and Independent bands and singers. So a few weeks ago I dropped Daz a message via Facebook and I’ll let him tell you the story from his side now..
Mike Evans
Daz in the hat
Darrel ‘Daz In The Hat’ Hull – The name’s Hat, Daz In The Hat, I first got involved in the Bradford/Leeds independent music scene by attending open mic events and filming artists for my YouTube channel.
This lead me joining a local community radio station & presenting 3 regular broadcasts all featuring independent artists & their music: A weekly gig guide, fortnightly ‘Afternoon Stretch’ & monthly ‘Acoustic Saturday’.
Although I enjoyed presenting all shows it was Acoustic Saturday I loved the most, two hours of live music & chat with some of the best artists to be found on the local scene, since leaving the station all my shows are recorded from home where I don’t have the facilities for live broadcasts, but now plans are afoot to re-invent the Acoustic Saturday, keep tuned for more info coming soon!
Similar to Mike has already stated, one of the most frustrating things for me is coming across so many extremely talented independent, unsigned artists from around the world that never get airplay on the big stations (national/commercial), yet I would argue they as good, if not better than any singers or bands to found in today’s charts. The big problem being that these stations always look to put singers & bands into boxes, as far as I’m concerned, if I like a song I’ll play it, whatever the genre.
I remember receiving an album from a French band who were ecstatic to have their songs aired on Hat Tracks, commenting on social media:
“This is the first time our music has featured on the radio” which for me is a travesty!
Although community radio isn’t as constrained as the larger stations they are still chiefly ruled by funders, which is the main reason I decided to go it alone two to three years ago, something I don’t regret whatsoever, as it has opened up many other avenues such as working as a booking agent, joining forces with Nick Cody (Music For The Head & Heart & Green Eyed Records), promoting & videoing open mic sessions & live gigs, plus hosting & organising charity events. And, more recently, being invited to be part of Unsigned Radio, who share the same ethics and passions for independent, unsigned artists as myself.
Previous to joining Unsigned Radio all my shows were hosted on Mixcloud (and still are.. links to both can be found below), however the platform has its limitations, one of them being that I am unable to play more than 2 tracks from the same artist on each show.
It is due to this that I created Hat Tracks – Artist In The Spotlight exclusive to Unsigned Radio, which features a full hour of original music from one artist on each podcast.
The independent music scene has had a difficult time over the last few years, even more so during the pandemic & lockdown, now is the time for all those involved in the industry to come together and collaborate, in the same way Daz In The Hat & Unsigned Radio are doing.
It also needs music fans to get behind the extremely talented singer/songwriters out there.. attend gigs, pacifically ticketed events where artists can be assured a financial return for their hard work enabling them to continue to bring pleasure to others. So, music fans, please your appreciation by purchasing CD’s while there or get links to where tracks & albums can be purchased.
It is everyones dream to be able to do a job they love, and working on the independent music is something I truly adore, so I guess you could say I am living my dream! I feel very privileged to know so many amazingly talented people around the globe, some I am able to look on as valued friends!!
And now, due to collaborating with with Mike Evans from Unsigned Radio means I can bring the music I love to a larger fan base.
I urge you, wherever you in the world, support independent, unsigned artists & their music!
I end with a couple of quotes I picked over the last few month.. If You Like it, Buy It & Purchase – Don’t Stream.
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darrel@dazinthehat.com
Daz In The Hat – Gigs & Live Events
Daz In The Hat Radio – Radio Show & Podcasts
Hat Tracks Live On FB – Facebook Live, Virtual Events, Videos
Mixcloud:
Twitter: @dazinthehat
YouTube: Daz ‘In The Hat’ Hull