One of my favourites is a really old one that I first heard over thirty years ago: "I've got a friend who's a newsreader on a medium wave radio station. When we go for a drive he keeps fading out under bridges." ...which probably doesn't work too well in these days of DAB, FM and … Continue reading Know any good jokes about radio…?
Tag: Radio Culture
Don’t Touch That Dial…
...bear with me this once. This article will appear to be joyously off-topic at the start because it won't mention much about radio; just superheroes. The reason is I want to talk about finding reality in fiction. On the face of it that sounds like nonsense, but if I try to explain I hope you'll … Continue reading Don’t Touch That Dial…
Turn Your Radio On
….or perhaps “Turn ON Your Radio”, or “ Turn on THE Radio”. Or “Turn the Radio ON”. It all depends on the order of the words. And it starts with country gospel, takes in post-punk, AoR, disco, rap and nu-metal. What follows is a brief history of song titles – and adverb particle positions too. … Continue reading Turn Your Radio On
Behind the scenes (a bit more)…
...Just a quick mention for two really fascinating videos - each for different reasons. The first is the former BBC Radio 1 breakfast presenter, Nick Grimshaw, in 2017 finding out what the station's team assistants do. Watch it knowing that it's half meant for media-savvy types and half as a promo for the station. The … Continue reading Behind the scenes (a bit more)…
A personal appeal…
...this website/blog is looking for your personal support. Read on to the end to find out what you can do. It was conceived in January 2018 with a clip from the radio archives, and a first step towards using anthropological and sociological approaches to thinking about the radio. The idea is to write about how … Continue reading A personal appeal…
This comes with a spoiler alert…
...the best bit is right at the end of this piece. It's the music by James Blake called 'Radio Silence'. If you don't know the track already then you're in for a delightful surprise. But first, I want to point out that the year 2016 was coincidently distinguished by having both a best-selling book and … Continue reading This comes with a spoiler alert…
Behind the scenes…
...I always enjoy watching a radio show go out. It's the mix of technology: headphones, microphones (yes - those things again), mixing desks, computer monitor screens, and chairs with little wheels on the bottom of the legs. Seriously. Never try to broadcast on a dining room chair. It just doesn't work. You need to dissipate … Continue reading Behind the scenes…
Listening…
“...You really had to be there...” When you hear something amazing on the radio your natural reaction is to try and share that moment. It may be a listener winning a big prize in a phone-in on Heart, or it could be an incisive political interview with a cabinet minister. Perhaps it's the moment your … Continue reading Listening…
Tech determines it…
I love technology. I love the way it shapes my life. I love valves, diodes, transistors, microprocessors, plastic casings, rotary tone controls and sliding faders. Does all this stuff determine the culture around me? My answer (in a rather shy retiring way when talking about this amongst some academics) is yes: I'm a technological determinist. … Continue reading Tech determines it…
The soundtrack of your life…
Radio is a personal medium. It's my medium. It's also been the medium of the baby boomer generation, of which I am one. Radio, by the end of the 20th century, had become for many who were born in the two decades after the end of WW2 part of the soundtrack of their lives. Tanja … Continue reading The soundtrack of your life…
Pre-fade Listen 