Radio remains a terrific way to hear about new music. GER is pleased to recommend the following stations who have a history of supporting new artists and bring great music to a wider audience. Often when people think of radio they only imagine main national stations, but for artists all forms of radio can be invaluable as discussed by Frank Wilkes here
Radio Telstar
Radio Telstar International began broadcasting on 7th November 1977 at 8pm broadcasting on FM in the Edinburgh area. We originally broadcast on very low power however it was enough to attract a very good audience and within a few months we moved to what was then a much more desirable Medium Wave on 222metres, 1332 Khz with just 25 watts. later we acquired a much more powerful 350 watt transmitter from Radio Caroline (Scotland) and RTI began to attract more and more professional Dj’s. By 1983 we were simultaneously broadcasting on FM and also to Europe on Short Wave. Broadcasting every weekend and on public holidays we attracted a substantial following and enjoyed many years serving the people of Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife.
Sadly in 1984 we suffered two court actions as the authorities felt we were becoming too successful and the pressure to take Telstar off the air was proving too much to be able to provide a Radio Station which was worthy to our loyal listeners. It was decided it was best to call it a day and reluctantly we closed down. Since then it was always our mission to bring Edinburgh’s most loved Pirate Radio Station back and now here it is. Welcome to the new legal and fully licensed,
Radio Telstar about to go live on digital dab in 2022 with a range of fantastic presenters doing a mixture of music from classic to new & unsigned, rock to pop and everything in between
We would love to have you join us at Radio Telstar and hope you find a show you can enjoy
Phoenix FM
Phoenix FM is a community radio station based in Brentwood, Essex. Founded in 1996 by Paul Golder, the station ran a series of 28-day RSL broadcasts across Brentwood and Billericay before launching as a full-time licensed station in March 2007. The station features a huge variety of shows, covering local news, events, sport and music, with contributors including snooker player Steve Davis and actress Vicki Michelle. Phoenix FM can be heard on 98.0FM in Essex and online at www.phoenixfm.com.
Curveballs began as a podcast show on Phoenix FM in 2006 before arriving on the weekly schedule when the station began its full-time licence in March 2007. The show features a wide variety of musical styles, from rock to electronica, and regularly features interviews and live sessions with local and unsigned bands and performers. Hosted by actor and voiceover artist Nick Field, Curveballs is one of the longest-running shows on Phoenix FM, and prides itself on its open-minded approach to the local Essex scene and music scenes from around the world, and has many more Curveballs to throw yet!
Curveballs is on air every Wednesday at 8pm on Phoenix 98FM and online at www.phoenixfm.com/listen-live
Listen back to previous shows at www.phoenixfm.com/category/curveballs
Curveballs on Facebook: www.facebook.com/curveballradio
Nick’s website: www.nickfieldmedia.co.uk
Hat Tracks
“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. 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.
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:https://www.mixcloud.com/widget/follow/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mixcloud.com%2FDaz_In_The_Hat%2F
West Norfolk Radio
My Sunday Show from 7pm to 10pm runs a live show approximately every
other week with 2 guests who get a one hour set each for
self promotion. On the Sundays we are not live the show has a ‘this week’s
releases section’ and a ‘last week’s releases’ section along with an album of
the month and , usually, 3 featured artists. If there’s any space left after
that I throw in a selection of anything else I’ve been sent recently that I’ve
enjoyed. It’s a multi genre show. I hope that gives you some idea of how
the show works. During festival season it tends to go a bit off kilter as we go
to several festivals and stream them live and record them to be played
out at a later date, as long as the artists taking part have agreed.
Jane Clayton
West Norfolk Radio
Source FM
Andy Coote from Source FM has been a strong advocate of great music on his “Thank Source its Friday” Andy’s shows are always excellent with a diverse collection of great music from all styles. Source FM is a great example of how independent radio can allow people to hear music that might not be played on commercial stations like BBC radio. Certainly, I’ve come across artists who have endlessly uploaded material to BBC introducing over many years to never have any plays, yet are more readily embraced by stations such as Source FM.
Check out Andy’s show here