Manchester based artists Kahreign and Shauna‘s collaboration single Underdog will be released on 30th June.
The single is a debut release to come out of Rhythm Lab Record’s series giRLs, a series that aims to facilitate release-ready collaborations between women who have never met before by providing space, resources and time.
Kahreign has spoken on the motive behind the tracks saying how “Underdogs are the people you don’t see coming and I see that in myself and I definitely see that in Shauna too, the path for us in the music industry is tumultuous but it’s going to be even more rewarding when that path leads us straight to the top.”
Shauna adds to this stating, “I think women in the music industry are Underdogs, they don’t get enough recognition or as much love as their male counterparts. I think all minorities in the music industry are Underdogs.”
Head to all major platforms on 30th June to listen to Underdog by Shauna and Kahreign.
In partnership with Manchester International Festival, Reform Radio has invited MIF’s Festival Square producer Rivca Burns to discuss what this years programme has in store.
The new COVID-19 safe seated format in Cathedral Gardens will offer a free daily programme of Greater Manchester talent. This will include appearances from Trees.R.Good and King of our current Soundcamp cohort, who will be performing at Festival Square amongst over 100 other local acts between 2-18th of July.
Hosted by Reform Radio’s Resident Aisha Williams, the show will be airing on Reform Radio at 4:00PM on 30th June 2020.
Work Club runs on the last Thursday of every month with a full session based on opportunities for the future. It includes a number of speakers who discuss various opportunities available, as well as 1-1s and pastoral sessions, are also available.
Our pastoral team also runs a clinic every Wednesday to support young people in their next steps to getting their job. This includes CVs, applications, interviews, etc, and will help you whilst you’re looking for a new role.
The next session is on Thursday 29th July from 3:30PM – 17:30PM. If you want to get involved, please send an email to projects@reformradio.co.uk.
In one week, nine creative minds came together to produce a one hour radio show compiled of numerous short podcasts. Covering a multitude of topics, including Chicago Warehouse to the Jungle, muddy festival fields and even the football pitch.
The young people also honed in on their experiences of being on universal credit, shining a light on the spirit of the creative community who are fighting to prevail during this extremely difficult time.
Work Club runs on the last Thursday of every month with a full session based on opportunities for the future. It includes a number of speakers who discuss various opportunities available, as well as 1-1s and pastoral sessions, are also available.
Our pastoral team also runs a clinic every Wednesday to support young people in their next steps to getting their job. This includes CVs, applications, interviews, etc, and will help you whilst you’re looking for a new role.
The next session is on Thursday 24th June from 3:30PM – 17:30PM. If you want to get involved, please send an email to projects@reformradio.co.uk.
Journeys: Into Europe is a show that features people on-the-move and those working to support them.
This Sunday (20th June) marks World Refugee Day for 2021. Along with a full day of broadcasting all shows so far in the series, Journeys: Into Europe are hosting an Instagram Live Takeover.
In the takeover, hosts Dan and Imogen will be speaking to two previous guests of the show about their own experiences working with NGOs who support people-on-the-move.
One of the guests is Charaf Zerzar, a volunteer who moved from Algeria to live in Thessaloniki, Greece. He currently works as a cultural mediator for Border Violence Monitoring Network and, alongside this has been volunteering with Wave – Thessaloniki since 2019.
The other guest is Justyna Rosenthal, a co-founder of Wave – Thessaloniki who has been supporting people-on-the-move for over six years. Her previous experience includes working in camp settings, in a women’s centre, and more recently with organisations that focus on supporting undocumented people; generally single young men from countries that are deemed “safe” in national legislation.
The Instagram live takeover will be starting at 19:00 (BST) on 20th June.
Here are some highlights of what is to come on Reform Radio for this year’s Pride Month. Expect shows and an article on our blog which all aim to spread awareness, love and create a platform to educate on LGBTQ+ matters.
Introducing Dan
Introducing Dan is the second piece to come out of the Introducing series, with the first being Evie’s blog post on her journey to becoming her true self as a genderfluid transfeminine woman.
Dan is Reform Radio’s Well-Being Manager who offers 1:1 wellbeing sessions and also runs Life Lounge, a weekly drop in workshop to help you navigate the many thoughts, feelings and experiences we face in life.
The article that Dan has written for Reform is an extremely personal look into the darker emotion that Pride can bring to the surface as someone from the LGBTQ+ community. He explores the relationship that shame has with his identity, diving into his past and demonstrating the complicated topic of shame.
Midweek Jazz Pride Special
Manchester based saxophonist Helena shares her love of all things jazz. Each month explores a different theme and provides the perfect soundtrack to help you through the midweek slump.
This month’s show will be a Pride special, where Helena invites Rachel Oliver from Sonder Radio to discuss how to be a good trans ally and the meaning and history around Pride.
You can catch the show at Reform Radio on 10th June.
Tough Talks
Tough Talks is a British Podcast Awards nominated production, which was produced for Hits Radio Pride & funded by the Audio Content Fund.
The series invited people from the LGBTQ+ community to reflect on a difficult conversation from their past, with the person they had the conversation with. Tough Talks covers topics such as gender, sexuality, and identity.
The 20 episodes from Tough Talks have been divided into a two part show, both airing in June. Catch them both on Reform Radio.
We have another brilliant show coming straight out of our most recent podcasting course funded by MAES. Audio Antidote is an exciting new show featuring debut mini-podcasts from four podcasters fresh to the scene.
The show’s segments explore topics close to the creators’ hearts, venturing into Liquid D&B, hitchhiking, soundscapes and more. Audio Antidote takes listeners into our world for a brief moment and provides an oasis of tranquillity amid the chaos of everyday life.
Audio Antidote is also packed full of inspiration for budding podcasters. You can gain an insight into the podcasting world with tips from the APA’s 2021 winner of Best New Podcast Producer Olivia Swift, and the host of the insightful podcast series“Tea Talks”.
Sonic Synthesis, a project created by the Rhythm Lab Records team, invites two artists that have never worked together to create singles independently of each other, then swap their audio stems to rework each other’s tracks into a unique new work/remix.
The compilation album is a 9 track album that celebrates the environment that Rhythm Lab Records have carefully curated to promote collaboration in Manchester.
Being released on 9th June, Sonic Synthesis‘s compilation album will encompass all past releases plus a bonus track.
The group’s first release, ‘Sonic Synthesis: STEMS’,featured Northern-based industrial pop artist CURRENTMOODGIRLand alternative R&B artist Yelena Lashimba, with both artists exploring the difficulties and the triumph of finding your voice in environments that wish to commodify, objectify and ultimately attempts to take this agency away.
CURRENTMOODGIRL
Yelena Lashimba
Most recently, during ‘Sonic Synthesis: ROOTS’, artist duos Sindysman/China Lilly and Micco/Elias crafted a sound which focused on themes of dreams and sleep, creating a dream like sound that encourages escapism.
China Lilly
Sindysman
Micco
The added bonus track U’n’I is from artists Callum Hultquist and LINTD . It is an electronic folk ballad which explores the playful tensions between sex a rebellion through brandishing rap and soulful and hypnotic rhythms.
Callum Hultquist
LINTD
Head to all major platforms on 9th June to listen to Sonic Synthesis.
Manchester based electronica pop/folk artist IORA has finally created a music video for her track ‘Find Me’.
The video will premiering on Reform’s YouTube channel at 6 PM (BST) on 26th May.
The concept of the ‘Find Me’ music video was amongst others pitched to a panel of judges including – Mike Burgess from Sound With Mike, Jenna G and Nick Wood of Koolstof. The song’s music video pitch won support & funding from Reform Radio via Arts Council England.
IORA
No Such Thing Records paired IORA with the talented visual artist, Sarah Eyre. IORA also worked with Melanie Roberts to develop the concept and the ‘eye’ model which appears through out the video.
After becoming a fan of Holly Rush‘s work, a dancer and choreographer, IORA met virtually before finally collaborating for the project.
Head to Reform’s Youtube channel on 26th May at 6:00pm (BST) to catch the premier.
Over the past week, Reform Radio teamed up with Gaydio to produce a one hour live pride show. Working with The Proud Trust, young creatives have produced content ranging from debates to spoken word and music tracks.
To celebrate 100 years of the women’s vote, this explores topics such as strength, resilience, breaking steroetypes, gender pay gaps, and policy, through spoken word, music and debate.
EP2: The Politics of Being Homeless
There are so many factors that can lead to a person becoming homeless, and in these times of austerity so many people find themselves sleeping on the streets or sofa surfing.
In this episode Lily and Jonah from Love For the Streets were invited to talk about the issues of homelessness. Expect also discussions on some of the main causes of homelessness, a conversation with a women with first hand experience and an investigation what is being done at a policy level.
EP3: The Politics of Being a Voter
The #womanchester statue of Emmeline Pankhurst being unveiled in December inspired this episode to focus on the history of the Suffragettes who fought to get the women’s vote.
Episode 3 takes the listener out onto the streets to find out if people are using their rights to vote and why. The episode also introduces some of the key players and their manifestos, before heading to the Chamber of Secrets to understand a bit more about the voting process.
EP4: The Politics of Being in Brexit
The Politics of BeingPolitical group traveled down south to visit the Houses of Parliament, to investigate all things related to Brexit. The team interviewed protesters for leave and remain, and women to discuss how they will be impacted if Britain leaves the EU.
EP5: The Politics of Being Healthy
Whether it’s looking at your diet or thinking about your mental health, we all want to start 2019 with a fresh outlook.
The final episode of The Politics fo Being Political delves into physical and mental health, support services available and as always going to the Chamber of Secrets to find out what’s going on at policy level.
Get Started with Radio (Liverpool) is a week-long workshop designed to provide digital skills to young people in its respective area, notably of course from their homes which has provided a new dimension of learning for all involved.
In light of this our support Lead, Adam Seymour, remarked that “within five days a group of strangers have done so well to unite during lockdown to create a show packed full of really important and prevalent issues”.
A colourful Wave of creativity comes all the way from the North-west of England right to your ears! With the support of the Prince’s Trust and Reform Radio, Young people from the Lancashire and Liverpool area have created an avant-garde series of mini-podcasts that deal with a whole range of relevant topics for today’s society.
Their creations take on the inspiring challenge of creating a demo of a Podcast during lockdown– which was put forward by BBC Radio 1’s Dj, Podcast-explorer, and Radio genius Annie Mac. The result is knitted together in this special with an interview with the Podcast Producer and Radio personality Louise Mason.
Hope For Health
In partnership & funded by NHS at 70, The Prince’s Trust and The National Lottery
A group of young people have put together their own original content surrounding the themes of the NHS and mental & physical health. Expect original music, discussions lead by members of the group, interactions with the people of Liverpool and spoken word inspired by the NHS.
Homes Without Borders
Funded by The Prince’s Trust
A group of young creatives in Liverpool have put together a show packed full of original music, informative podcasts and debates surrounding the topics of leaving home.
Scouse Takeover
Funded by The Prince’s Trust
In the Scouse Takeover, expect interesting discussions on Scouse slang alongside exclusive interviews with Liverpool talent who also showcased their new music.
Get Started with Radio (Manchester) is a week-long workshop designed to provide digital skills to young people in its respective area, notably of course from their homes which has provided a new dimension of learning for all involved.
In light of this our support Lead, Adam Seymour, remarked that “within five days a group of strangers have done so well to unite during lockdown to create a show packed full of really important and prevalent issues”.
Scroll down and listen back to all the shows that have been created through this project so far.
The project brought together a huge group of 16 – 18 years olds from a care experienced background. They created a one hour live radio show, where all the skills, content and production were developed and created over only one week.
The group created debate shows, new tracks and features that challenged everything from, ‘Stop and Search to Knife Crime’
The Buzz Show
Funded by the Irene Taylor Trust and the Prince’s Trust
The project delivered a week of music workshops where a group of young creatives jammed together and produced their very own masterpieces. Thrown into this show is some tracks that inspired the young people to create the music they showcase on this show.
Stop Me if You’ve Heard This One Before
Funded by the Prince’s Trust
Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One Before’ is the show where we explore the history of one of Manchester’s greatest nightclubs; Sankeys. This show is filled with interviews with the DJs that played there and the people that partied there. There will also be a creative pieces made by Manchester’s young talent as well as the public’s opinion on their musical experiences.
Universal Vibes
Funded by the Prince’s Trust
Packed into this broadcast there’s a voxpop where the group went out into the public and asked the question, “If you could change the world to make it a better place, what would you change?”
The group also has a few chats about media, gaming and global warming as well as a quiz about facts to do with the world. Don’t forget live performance’s by James Lyons and participants on the course too.
Conspiracy Theory Takeover
Funded by the Prince’s Trust
This time the cohort created a show with live performance, poetry, discussions on conspiracy theories and a competition which gave the listeners a chance to win a reform hat.
Get and Go
Funded by the Prince’s Trust
For one hour only the Get & Go Takeover broadcasted the best music, arts and culture that Manchester has to offer.
The show delves into a wide variety of content. Song covers, interviews, game shows and a special guest appearance.
Reform Squad
Funded by the Prince’s Trust
Madventure Takeover
Funded by the Prince’s Trust
Putting the mad back in Madchester to quote DRS, our first this Get Started with Radio cohort took over the Reform airwaves for an hour, covering topics of…
On Monday 31st May, Children of Zeus will be joining Jamie (Agent J) on their Reform show Groovement.
Children of Zeus has been invited ahead of the anticipated release of their sophomore album Balance that is being released through First Word Records.
Children of Zeus started their journey together playing on a Manchester pirate radio in the 90s, playing out an eclectic selection of genres spanning from hiphop and r&b to dancehall and bass music,
The duo have now performed on airwaves such as BBC and Soulection, toured the UK, Europe, Australia and South Africa, and currently have a monthly show on NTS Radio.
Tune into Reform from 19:00 – 21:00 (BST) on Monday 31st May to hear tracks from the upcoming LP and Jamie’s interview with the duo.
WOH Thursdays is a 4 part series, premiering all the performances from Reform’s Stage at We Out Here On Line & On Air Festival. The stage gave Soundcamp graduates the opportunity to perform alongside…
On Friday 28th May, performances from KING, Sibz, Sarah Angel and Zed Bias will be going live.
KING
French Born, London based singer songwriter KING allies the musical details of French lyrical culture with the soothing tones of her soulful voice.
KING takes inspiration not only from her French upbringings but the great tradition of genre-fluidity, on a quest of sonic expansion with the trait of being experimentally audacious.
Head to Reform‘s Youtube at 20:00 (BST) to catch the performance.
Sarah Angel
Sarah Angel is a singer-songwrited and visual artist bring word play, double entendres, and her unique viewpoint of the world into her multidisciplinary artform.
Sarah Angel has a particular presence as a performer and songwriter, and is informed by her deep understanding of visual artistry, that has very much captured the attention of the Manchester scene and beyond.
Head to Reform‘s Youtube at 20:15 (BST) to catch the performance.
SIBZ
Specialising in spiritualistic hedonism and raucous beats, SIBZ‘s bold and braggadocio performances deliver emotional expressionism in a heated package.
SIBZ delivers a strong alternative vision of rap, presenting psychedelic self-produced sounds and an emotive approach to performance.
Head to Reform‘s Youtube at 20:30 (BST) to catch the performance.
Zed Bias
The iconic artist that continues to innovate and stay connected to the grass roots, traversing UKG, UK funky, Dubstep, Broken Beat and other bass sounds with DJ sets that have always been a mainstay.
Head to Reform‘s Youtube at 20:30 (BST) to catch the performance.
