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ON OUR RADAR

Welcome back to On Our Radar, a music feature where the Reform team select their fave tracks of the week. Here are some tunes to soundtrack the rest of your summer!

I. JORDAN

2022 has been a big year for I. JORDAN. The certified hit-maker has been playing across the globe in the hottest clubs and festivals, trialling out unreleased music to their fans. Club track ‘Hey Baby’ had reached the ears of those from Marseille to Mexico City, and it’s fair to say that it’s high energy sparked some attention. With a collaboration with Fred Again… under their belt, a nomination for Best Producer at the NME Awards, and cover starring for DJ Mag and NME, it’s prevalent that things are not slowing down for Jordan. You can now check out their two-track EP to hear the ever so upbeat ‘Hey Baby’ and the lesser, but incredibly euphoric ‘I Had the Best of Times’.  

CINEMA HEARTS 

Former pageant queen Carlonine Weinroth, otherwise known as Cinema Hearts, is making grungy power-pop to narrate the competitive experience of partaking in Miss America. As a former Miss Virginia contender herself, she is no stranger to the cut-throat drive to win, the glitz and all the glamour. The EP is scattered with bouncy electronic guitar riffs, dreamy synthesizers and melancholy, heartwarming lyrics. Get listening! 

FREE.99 

Micro-genres of Pop seem to be making a huge comeback this year, with duos like the Athens-based FREE.99 leading the forefront of Industrial Pop. With sounds that could simply fry your brain or spur your own creativity, check it out now and see for yourself. 

FRANK & TONY 

New York’s Frank & Tony just dropped their new EP on Scissor and Thread, a sublime set of tracks and remixes. Eleana Gass’ sultry vocals open up the EP with track ‘Eastern Meantimes’, setting the tone for what’s to follow. If schmoozy alfresco dining is your thing, we suggest whacking this one on to accompany all your garden-party desires. 

KESSLER

Rotterdam’s Kessler just released their 4-track EP ‘Endless’, featuring a remix from Optmst. The EP opens with the title track ‘Endless’, setting thing off for the Break Beat to follow. Things take a speedy turn with the second track ‘Mare’s Nest’, before entering the more progressive world of ‘Aspect’. The EP ends on a calm note, with Belfast’s Optmst. Inspired by trance melodies and the breaks era, his atmospheric approach to sounds is deep, rhythmic and in this case, under-water sounding. 

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MENTAL HEALTH TIPS WITH DAN: CONFRONTATION

For many people, the act or concept of confrontation can seem quite simply unbearable. To confront somebody is the process of facing someone that you have perhaps had a disagreement with. These conversations can often feel uncomfortable and many shy away from them. 


However, there are ways that you can deal with confrontation to make it that little bit easier. Every month our well-being manager Dan Owens-cooper offers well-being advice. This month he shared some tips on how to deal with confrontation.

Tip number one. Instead of viewing the situation as a confrontation, reframe it as a conversation. There is often a common misconception that confronting somebody about something that you don’t agree with will automatically result in conflict. Having honest and calm conversations with each other is a great way to begin tackling confrontation. 

Tip number two. Make sure that whatever you are communicating is well thought out and reasonable within your rights. If you’re unsure about this, try reaching out to a friend or somebody close to you that you trust to see their point of view on the situation.

Last but not least, frame your point. Make sure that you have had a good think about how to diverge this information to the other person. If you make it seem like an attack on them or their character, there’s a good chance that conflict could arise. 

To hear more from Dan, tune into his monthly show on Tuesday the 19th of August in collaboration with #BeWell from 5 PM – 6 PM. A mental health mix of voices, experiences and creative talents from young adults in Greater Manchester.

It’s important to remember that you are never alone in whatever you are going through. If you are struggling mentally and would like to talk to someone, please visit our Emergency Contacts page. Multiple amazing organisations offer their services 24/7. 

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UPCOMING RESIDENTS EVENTS (SEPTEMBER)

Every month we spotlight our lovely resident’s events. Here are a few ways to spend your weekends in the sunshine this September.

BAMBANANI EP LAUNCH

Celebrating yet another joint release, Levi Love and Joey T are back with their latest and greatest ‘Late&Good/Banyana’ EP. So in the spirit of BAMBANANI, let’s hold each other in the dance and make the walls shake with this killer line-up. Get yourself down for a night of deep cuts and house groovers. 

MOTORWAY DISCO WITH SUPERNATURE DISCO

Good Custard is joined by Manchester collective Supernature Disco, Discography Lessons curator Ben Banjo-Field and local selector Faz for a night of Disco and House under the A57. Join them for a night of dancing at Hatch this Friday, you won’t regret it!

NOSSA CARNIVAL

Brazilian music all day long from Nossa! Residents, Hannah O’Gorman & Keltoi, and very special guest Atiké (Me Gusta). Expect Samba, MPB, and Funk to start, with House, Disco, and Baile Funk taking us into the night!

Expect massive beats from the wonderful Samba Espirito who will be coming through with 18 drums and buckets of energy. There’s going to be Brazilian food, Capoeira, face painting and carnival make-up from Cora O’Gorman and BYOBV (Bring Your Own Brazilian Vinyl and we’ll play it!).

SPLINT + DOG + MODEMA

Manchester’s gig curators and new-band selectors, Sabotage, present brand new band Splint + Dog + Modema. Headlining their first ever show at the well-loved Castle Hotel on Oldham Street,

Get yourselves down there on September 9th to see the magic for yourselves!

JUKE JOINT X LUCID JUICE

Juke Joint and Lucid Juice are joining forces to bring absolute legends Sully and DJ SWISHA to Manchester’s Rebellion.

“Long before the UK garage revival kicked in and “future” garage had even been dreamt up, Sully began finding a space between 2step’s swing, dubstep’s edge and break steps drums, all underpinned by the rude spirit of Jungle. While he has preferred to keep a relatively low profile and remain around the peripheries of the quick hype, quick decay climate of the burgeoning bass music scene, his music has found a sense of permanence, the longevity of which speaks volumes of his talent.

DJ SWISHA has established himself as one of the most prolific club producers in the USA. Drawing on the legacy of Jersey and Baltimore club, juke, footwork and ghetto house, the Philadelphia-born, New York-based artist has been responsible for some of the most exciting club tracks of the past years”.

NOT BAD FOR A GIRL PRESENTS DIESSA

The pink bally brandishing babes are back with another night of bass and booty-shaking beats! This time they’ve got Sheffield based Diessa headlining at one of their fave venues in Manchester, supported by their very own residents.

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ON OUR RADAR

Welcome back to On Our Radar, a weekly music feature where the Reform team select their hottest tracks of the week. This time we’re exploring the genres of Bass, Ambient, Rap, Funky and more!

EARTH BOYS 

Earth Boys are back with their second release of 2MR Records. Rooted in the rave culture of NYC, ‘DITTIES’ is a personal account of the pair’s musical journey and inspirations over the years. The intro track ‘We Didn’t See the End’ tells the story of their first memories of producing and promoting in the early noughties in New York, moving across to tracks such as ‘KIM 3.6’ which emphasises how they have been on the scene for decades. 

BLUETOOF

We have been keeping a watchful eye on Bluetoof ever since he played at our lovely resident’s event, Great Danes, a few months ago. Mixmag premiered it on their Soundcloud, and that’s usually enough to catch our attention. This bass-heavy stomper is now available to purchase on his debut label, Infra Red, so head over to his Bandcamp now and treat your ears!

JAWINO 


Jawino is opening up our minds one soundscape at a time with four-track EP ‘4040’. Smooth lyrical flow partnered with dream-like instrumentation makes for a perfect pair and sets him in his own genre of contemporary Rap. If you don’t know him, get to know.

MUTE CITY 

Mute City’s latest release ‘Total Resignation’ blossoms into a beautiful sonic butterfly, wavering between polymetric Minimal Techno, glitchy Lo-fi and ominous modular melodies. Rich in texture, depth and narrative, each track glides effortlessly into one another. We highly recommend it!

SLUMBERJUNKIE

London-based producer, DJ and composer Slumberjunkie has just released ‘Never Understand’ EP on Silver Bear Recordings and its vibrant, dancey and bass-heavy. Over the past few years, he’s been playing alongside DJs such as Ross From Friends and Cameo Blush. Now, he sheds limelight onto who he is as a solo artist with four perfectly crafted tracks.

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INTRODUCING THIS YEAR’S SOUNDCAMP FINALISTS: GROUP 3

Soundcamp kicked off this May, inviting new and aspiring artists into the space for a two-week Bootcamp. After the two-week period, 12 finalists were selected to stay on and hone their craft to the next level, with mentoring from some of the best in the business such as Werkha, Jenna G and Anna Mcluckie

Let us introduce you to our third group of Soundcamp 2022 finalists… 

BAMBI RAPTOR 

Hi, I’m Imogen. My artist name is Bambi Raptor and I am a producer, singer and songwriter from Manchester. I don’t have any socials or music out yet, but they will be coming soon, so keep your eyes peeled! 

How would you describe yourself as an artist?

A combination of dancey beats, weird sounds, catchy melodies and emotional lyrics – think Phoebe Bridgers if she’d grown up with a 90s Garage Classics CD and a retro drum machine. 

How long have you been doing music? When did you start?

I started playing the piano at 8 years old, then the drums aged 11. Eventually, I joined various Indie Rock, Pop and Grunge bands in my teens. I had always written songs for fun, but during the first lockdown, I decided to take this more seriously and develop an established sound for a new solo original project, which grew into Bambi Raptor.

What are some of your main influences?

I am influenced by the creative production of The Neptunes, SOPHIE, and Gold Panda. The House and Garage sound revival of Disclosure and Sam Gellaitry, and the heartfelt melodic songwriting of Phoebe Bridgers, The Beach Boys, Joni Mitchell and Paul Simon.

What do you hope to get out of the Soundcamp experience?

I hope to release a short EP of songs that I am really proud of and that encapsulate my sound. I would love to perform a live set of these songs for the first time! 

I really want to develop a solid foundation for my music, so that I can continue to develop this project in the future.

What do you see for yourself in the future as an artist?

I would love to tour the world and play amazing shows with my favourite artists, but I’ve got a lot of work to do if I want to get to that point! In the meantime, I will continue making and releasing music that I enjoy, collaborating with different vocalists and producers, and trying to get my music out to as many people as possible – hopefully, they’ll like it!

Who is your dream collaboration?

This is a tough question! I would love to work with Anomalie – my keyboard skills aren’t as good as I’d like them to be, so to watch him shredding over one of my beats would be crazy! I’d also love to work with a really charismatic vocalist who I could bounce ideas off – Tyler, The Creator or Lizzo would be awesome, and I think the three of us would make something really fun!

BAKE GENTLY

Hi, I’m Bake Gently. A Manchester-based artist who is beginning to release music of his own after working with notable artists in the city such as Quiet Houses and Paige Kennedy. I am inspired by great songwriting, truth and beauty when making music, and strive to balance expression with introversion. You can follow me on Instagram and TikTok @bakegently and listen to my work on all major streaming platforms. 

How would you describe yourself as an artist?

I would describe my sound as commercial with a classic twist. I make Alternative Pop and love blending my music with things I’m influenced by in film, art, literature and life in general. I’m quite a private person really, so I guess a slight air of mystique and aloofness plays into my image as an artist, but hopefully with the impression of not taking myself too seriously at the same time!

How long have you been doing music? Where did you start?

I first got into music after picking up the guitar when I was around ten. I then moved on to bass, which I played in ensembles at school as well as in bands with my mates and pursued it at a degree level, enrolling on a four-year popular music course at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. It was here that I got involved in even more projects and was also honing my songwriting and production which I’ve always done on the side. After graduating during the summer of 2021 I realised that I was most interested in developing these latter skills so started concentrating on my solo project as a vehicle for this.

What are some of your main influences?

I want my sound to be a culmination of the modern Pop experimentalism of Caroline Polachek, the high-fidelity production of Daft Punk and the musical and songwriting class of Steely Dan. I also draw upon storytelling concepts from Japanese Samurai films and Hollywood Westerns for my lyrics, as well as the natural imagery of painters like Caspar David Friedrich and the colourful wordplay of magical realism.

What do you hope to get out of the Soundcamp experience?

I hope to use it as a time to focus on my craft and consolidate my current career choices. I also hope to use it to make new friends in the local arts scene and push me out of my comfort zone in terms of sharing my work. 

What do you see for yourself in the future as an artist?

I see myself as someone who will always be creating and striving to make a living from doing what they love. I’d like to find some degree of success or recognition with my project and potentially use it as a springboard to write and produce for other notable artists. I know my sound is one that’s going to take time to develop and flourish so I’m determined to treat my career as a marathon, not a sprint, and enjoy the ride as much as possible.

Who is your dream collaboration?

For my own project, I’d love to collaborate with some of the finest Pop writers out there such as Max Martin and his team, Dr. Luke or Stargate. Alternatively, as a writer/producer working on another artist’s music, I like the idea of collaborating with someone very different to me. I was just thinking the other day how liberating it would be to write a song with a powerful female artist like Doja Cat, Lizzo or Beyoncé.

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blog Featured Projects The Prince’s Trust

BEHIND THE SCENES: TAMESIDE FUTURES (AUGUST)

Our podcasting course Tameside Futures just wrapped up, inviting participants to the 4C Community Centre in Ashton for a two-week Bootcamp which is kindly made possible by the  Prince’s Trust and Tameside Council. 

Following the Bootcamp, four weeks of additional support are offered such as CV and interview prep, well-being and extra creative sessions that help young people in Tameside connect with local employers. 

During this August’s workshop, a wide range of employers such as Brother, Take 1 Scenic, The Village Hotels and Eve Studios joined us, allowing for a wide range of interviewing activities. 

If you’re not familiar with these businesses, let’s tell you a little bit about them. Take 1 Scenic is a creative construction company, working across theatre sets and beyond. The Village Hotels are a chain of hotels across the UK, with prime locations in places such as Aberdeen, Swansea and Manchester. Eve Studios offer mixing, mastering and recording services and, last but not least, Brother is a technology company supplying some big names in the industry. 

Listen back to the live radio show they worked towards to find out more about what went down. 

To get involved with any of our free courses, please email projects@reformradio.co.uk

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Projects Upcoming Projects

CREATIVE LEADERSHIP (FUNDED BY MAES)

Come and learn about facilitation, funding, taxes and what it takes to be a freelancer during our four-day workshop Creative Leadership this September.

If you’ve ever thought about setting up your own business, it’s important to understand your audience, self-employment and taxes. Facilitating workshops and delivering socially engaged projects in your community will require you to know how to write funding bids, work with partners, plan sessions and evaluate their success.

Creative Leadership will be running on the 1st, 2nd, 8th and 9th of September from 10 AM – 4 PM.

Please see the flyer below for further details.

If you are interested in this project, drop us an email at projects@reformradio.co.uk.

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ON OUR RADAR

Welcome back to On Our Radar, a music feature where the Reform team show off their hottest tracks of the week. This week we are getting stuck into beats, and we don’t just mean percussion…

TSHA 

London’s TSHA returns to Ninja Tune with her new album ‘Capricorn Sun’, set to release in the Autumn of 2022. Composed over the past 2 years during her prominent rise to fame, the album encapsulates her personal and professional journey through each song being emotive-provoking in its own right. Being a Capricorn herself, “naming the album ‘Capricorn Sun’ was a good way of saying ‘this is me”. 

PATRICK HOLLAND

Mostly known for his Electronic releases under alias’ such as ​​Project Pablo and Jump Source, Montreal’s Patrick Holland switches things up with a guitar-driven, Indie Pop album full of upbeat melodies based on his own personal reflections and anxieties. Pivoting from his usual House style, he asserts himself as a versatile artist through softly sung vocals and dreamy rhythms. 

LDLDN

NTS Radio host and founder of Natural Frequency Records, LDLDN, is back with their third release. “This abstract, bass-heavy 4-tracker riffs on the idea that modern technology enhances, dominates and changes our lives”. 

EVERSINES 

We are loving this dreamy blissed-out Breaks EP from Eversines. Released on Job Jobse’s record label in Amsterdam, De Vlieger, you can only imagine it’s made for the set times of dawn. Featuring a special remix from BBC Radio 1 resident Eris Drew, go check it out! 

NIKO B

After featuring on Victory Lap Cypher on Balamii, where a bunch of rappers come together and freestyle, Niko B has released a music video for ‘Love Island Freestyle’ and it’s already hit 9.6K likes. With effortless flow and well-thought-out lyrics, it’s only a matter of time before the real Love Island blows this one up.

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blog Funders Projects Thirty Pound Gentleman Youth Music

INTRODUCING THIS YEAR’S SOUNDCAMP FINALISTS: GROUP 2

Soundcamp kicked off this May, inviting new and aspiring artists into the space for a two-week Bootcamp, funded by Youth Music in partnership with Thirty Pound Gentleman. After the two-week period, 12 finalists were selected to stay on and hone their craft to the next level, with mentoring from some of the best in the business such as Werkha, Jenna G and Anna Mcluckie

Let us introduce you to our second group of Soundcamp 2022 finalists… 

KARIS JADE

Hello, I am Karis Jade and I’m 22 years old. Originally from Wolverhampton, I am a R&B/Soul singer and songwriter with a story to tell. 

How would you describe yourself as an artist? 

I would describe myself as an R&B, Soul, Hip Hop artist who doesn’t take themselves too seriously.

How long have you been doing music? When did you start? 

In the year of 2017, myself and Superlative made our first collaborative project ‘written free sundays’. This is a project where we made and released a song every week. 

What are some of your main influences? 

My main influences are Superlative, WILLOW, Jacob Collier and Daniel Caesar. My son is also one of my main influences as I want to show him that he can do whatever he wishes in life. 

What do you hope to get out of the Soundcamp experience? 

I hope to gain confidence and connections within the industry. I would also like to establish myself as an artist. 

What do you see for yourself in the future as an artist? 

I see myself making important changes in the world whilst touring and making music.

Who is your dream collaboration?

WILLOW or Jacob Collier. I admire their rawness and realness. 

MICAH STALGIC 

I am Micah Stalgic, a singer, dancer and songwriter with a passion to carve out a unique fusion of R&B, Hip-Hop & Afrobeat music. Follow me on Instagram and other platforms. 

You can find my work on Spotify, Apple Music and Soundcloud.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?

I absolutely love to dance. When I make music, I try and incorporate this element of myself into music that puts my audience in the mood to dance. As well as dancing, I love vintage fashion and I like to fuse this into my audio and visual artistry. 

How long have you been doing music? Where did you start?

I have always been surrounded by musical people and aspiring artists so I would freestyle here and there until one day, I finally decided to take music more seriously. I’ve been making music for about five years now. 

What are some of your main influences?

There are two things that really influence my music creation process. The first is the act of dancing. Music plays a major role in dancing and I would like to think that people can’t dance effectively without music. The second is my personal experiences, my emotions and the challenges life throws at me. 

What do you hope to get out of the Soundcamp experience?

I hope to gain more professional and industry skills and I hope to gain valuable knowledge that would help me navigate through this artistic journey. I hope to build a network of talented artists in Manchester. I also look forward to all the surprises Reform Radio has in store for Soundcampers.

What do you see for yourself in the future as an artist?

I see myself as a globally recognised artist who electrifies the crowd and entertains his audience. I see myself evolving into an artist who positively impacts this generation. This will be done by sharing my story about mental health and many other life challenges.

Who is your dream collaboration?

Chris Brown, Usher, Tory Lanez, Rihanna, J Cole, Little Simz and Wizkid. 

HARMONY

My name is Harmony, I am a singer and songwriter. You can find me on Instagram or on SoundCloud

How would you describe yourself as an artist?

I am a lyrical artist and I take influence from all genres but I’d generally put myself under adult contemporary. 

How long have you been doing music? Where did you start?

I have always sung as it was something my dad taught me and my sisters. Music was always a huge part of my household and day to day I grew up singing in church. I wrote my first song and short chorus when I was around six or seven years old.  

What are some of your main influences?

Lyrically, I’m inspired by how Joni Mitchell, Ella Fitzgerald, and Solange paint sonic images with their voices and choice of lyricism. 

What do you hope to get out of the Soundcamp experience?

I hope to be a more confident, well-rounded artist and make connections with other musicians I admire and can create with. 

What do you see for yourself in the future as an artist?

I see myself connecting with people all over the world through music and expanding my musical storytelling into the world of visuals and film, making timeless music. 

Who is your dream collaboration?

I have too many to count but currently, Kendrick Lamar.

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RAISE THE BAR: COUNTRY BOY RAF & RKiD 

Country Boy Raf and RKiD came down to join Daisy Adams for this fortnightly freestyle episode, Raise The Bar

Self-taught producer RKiD has been making music for the past two years, learning as he goes along on Ableton. Country Boy Raf has been on the scene over the last eight years.

From being friends outside the music world, it wasn’t long before they realised they were both into making music. You can hear their original track ‘Hard Times Freestyle’ on the show, before they ramp things up a notch with a freestyle performance full of energy. 

WATCH NOW

LISTEN NOW

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ON OUR RADAR

Welcome back to On Our Radar, a music feature where the Reform team show off their hottest tracks of the week. This week we are diving into compilation and remix albums, as well as taking a look at emerging songwriters from the North.

OBSKURA 

All proceeds from this hard-hitting industrial techno compilation go to benefit relief organizations helping Ukraine. Released on the 100th day that the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine, featuring fifteen tracks and an array of contributing artists. 

#StandWithUkraine 

ILYICH 

If bubbly dance music with rubbery basslines is your thing, then this EP will fulfil all your grooving desires. Embracing Jazz, House and Soul, German artist Ilyich synthesises trippy breaks and percussion with out of this word vocals, entrancing strings and voluminous arpeggios. 

BRIAN JACKSON

Did somebody say dancefloor-friendly remixes? Brain Jackson’s latest album features the original track ‘Little Orphan Boy’, and a continuation of remixes to follow. With ‘Soul Fusion’, instrumental, Down-tempo and Dub mixes, there’s one for everyone. 

BARRY CAN’T SWIM 

What a name. ‘Fiorucci Made Me Hardcore’ is from the 4-track EP ‘More Content’. Released on independent Electronic label Ninja Tune, Barry Can’t Swim continues to make forward-thinking, jubilant dance music, impossible not to like. 

DEE RAE 

Queer Indie Rock artist Dee Rae has just released their first single ‘Silver Wallet’. Twenty-year-old singer from Liverpool has been blowing up, making appearances at some of the most prestigious venues across the North. Through her emotive vocals and upbeat melodies, tales of love, dreams and nature are delegated.

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blog Funders Projects Thirty Pound Gentleman Youth Music

INTRODUCING THIS YEAR’S SOUNDCAMP FINALISTS: GROUP 1

Soundcamp kicked off this May, inviting new and aspiring artists into the space for a two-week Bootcamp, funded by Youth Music in partnership with Thirty Pound Gentleman. After the two-week period, 12 finalists were selected to stay on and hone their craft to the next level, with mentoring from some of the best in the business such as Werkha, Jenna G and Anna Mcluckie

Let us introduce you to our first group of Soundcamp 2022 finalists… 

BEATRIX DEXTER

Hi, I’m Beatrix Dexter and I am an artist, songwriter and producer from Manchester. You can find me on Instagram, YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music: @beatrixdexter. 

How would you describe yourself as an artist?

I would describe myself as an innovative, original and authentic artist. I’m not afraid to try new things or to break barriers and be as creative as possible. 

How long have you been doing music? Where did you start?

I’ve been doing music for the past 3 years but I have always been interested in becoming an artist, I just did not have the confidence to pursue my dreams. It has taken me a while to be comfortable enough to embrace who I am and what I have always wanted to do.

What are some of your main influences?

My main influences are Beyoncé, Rihanna and Miley Cyrus. I admire Beyoncé for her energy, drive and hard work. Rihanna for her confidence and style. Miley Cyrus for her daring and free-spirited vibe. 

What do you hope to get out of the Soundcamp experience?

After my experience with Soundcamp, I hope to be able to progress further as an independent artist with all the knowledge and skills that I have acquired. I hope to be able to gain recognition for my creativity and my talents to be able to manage myself not only more efficiently, but confidently. And I hope to keep making music that breaks barriers and that brings something different to the table. 

What do you see for yourself in the future as an artist?

In the future I see myself as not just an artist but also an entrepreneur, I want to be able to branch into many different creative aspects such as design and running a company. I see myself becoming very successful at what I do. 

Who is your dream collaboration?

My dream collaboration would be with Miley Cyrus, as I feel like she also represents a vibe that is completely authentic like myself and also her voice transcends different genres, styles and sounds, which is exactly the kind of route I want to take as an artist.

ATHAR YOUSIF

I am a dancer, as well as having a good ear to differentiate and know where there are irregularities. I love listening to music, especially Afrobeat and Dancehall. I do a lot of dance choreos, by me and others on Tiktok. @lc_alhilo @athar_asman_athilo 

How would you describe yourself as an artist? 

A multi-talented individual that loves music and dancing. I am a fast learner with a vision.

How long have you been doing music? When did you start? 

About six years in the industry, I started as a radio host but I have been dancing all my life. 

What are some of your main influences? 

My love for dance. My friends. Social media. 

What do you hope to get out of the Soundcamp experience? 

The confidence and knowledge to be able to make it in the music industry as well as the world. Building relations and meeting people. Being able to become more comfortable with my talents and the ability to utilise them. 

What do you see for yourself in the future as an artist? 

Successful, untouchable and famous but humble. 

Who is your dream collaboration?

Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, DJ Khalid, Stefflon Don, Vybz Cartel, Tems and Wizkid. 

BENNETT

My stage name is Bennettiscoming. This is a double entendre lol. @bennetiscoming (spotify etc) 

How would you describe yourself as an artist? 

I would describe myself as an emotive artist with a sensual tone and honest, soul-baring lyrics. 

How long have you been doing music? When did you start? 

I began singing when I was six years old, I tried to sing a lot in primary school and progressed later to making my own music when I was eighteen. So far, I’ve been doing it for four years. 

What are some of your main influences? 

My favourite singer when I was little was Beyoncé. I’ve since developed my craft around my influences, Rihanna, SZA, Brandy, Mariah Carey, Jazmine Sullivan and Bree Runway. 

What do you hope to get out of the Soundcamp experience? 

I hope to learn more about the business and how I can package myself as well as develop my craft. 

What do you see for yourself in the future as an artist? 

I see myself performing for thousands of people and having my music heard and enjoyed. I see myself being a major figure in the Manchester scene and from then, the world. 

Who is your dream collaboration?

Rihanna! Brandy! The harmonies would be crazy. 

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A LOOK BACK AT JULY ON THE PEOPLE’S PARTY WITH AFRODEUTSCHE

July was a busy month for us, producing The People’s Party with Afrodeutsche, and we hope you caught some of the show in the summer heat! Airing every Friday night 7-9PM.

Kicking off the month was Manchester based DJ and producer Mr Scruff, who brought us a Phones Down Finale mix dedicated to the music of his youth. This month we also heard mixes from Manchester Queer collective Kiss Me Again and Turkish DJ Nene H.

Rising East London artist Eliza Rose joined the party this month to take on the Unmixable challenge. She had to combine Blondie with Soul II Soul, and it was truly magical. LA based producer Obli, and Irish duo Le Boom, also took on the challenge this month and we were truly blown away by their creativity.

Last but not least, as part of our Fresh Magic feature, in which we bring you the freshest new artists, we had producer and DJ Junior Simba, DJ Ceri and Italian artist Stenny who chatted to us about their new music. 

Tune into the show on BBC6 Music every Friday night!

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blog Featured Projects Projects The Prince’s Trust

BEHIND THE SCENES: MANCHESTER FUTURES (JULY)

Our podcasting course Manchester Futures just wrapped up. If you’re unfamiliar with MF, it’s a 6-week course that provides bespoke support to young people aged 16-25 looking for work, kindly made possible by The Prince’s Trust

With the goal of working towards a live radio show the group immersed themselves into the digital world and got to business.

This time, employers joining us were Fuzzy Duck, Brighter Sounds and The British Red Cross. Let’s tell you a little bit about each of them. 

Fuzzy Duck is a company that works across the realms of design, film, animation and other means of creativity to craft much-loved stories. The kind of stories that one doesn’t forget or the kind that gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling. They’ve worked with BBC Bitesize, CBBC’s Blue Peter, the Science Museum in London and the National Trust to name a few. 

Brighter Sounds is a creative music charity which helps music creators, leaders and industry professionals through creative projects, residencies, training and events. Over the years, they have connected those working with them with established artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Bugzy Malone and Everything Everything. 

And, last but not least, the British Red Cross is a humanitarian charity aiming to help those in crisis, in the UK and the rest of the world. Currently, they are offering advice, support and schemes to help those affected in Ukraine, as well as offering advice on Climate Change and what we can do as individuals to prevent further monstrosities. 

Participants such as Kate, who aspires to make their own podcast post workshop on philosophy and cinematography, chose to explore the British Red Cross as they wanted to learn “insight into the humanitarian industry”. Bartender Gabriel Hackman agreed that it was “really informative”, adding that he chose Red Cross because he was “intrigued by the panel about climate change” that the charity discussed. 

Others like part-time fundraiser George Edwards went with Fuzzy Duck out of a keen interest in the film production industry. During his time at University, George received training in Radio commercials and would love to make his own radio show exploring plays, due to his “love of theatre”. 

Although no previous broadcasting experience is required to join the course, individuals such as Amina had dabbled in a podcasting course funded by the Prince’s Trust in the past. During Manchester Futures, she built up her confidence and said: “I would actually love to make my own podcast about personal development or confidence building”. 

As with all of our workshops, we strive to create and maintain an environment of ease, where anyone can join and be their authentic selves with no judgement. It’s great to see when that pays off and people involved such as Amina leave feeling confident and ready to boss their next move. 

To hear more from the group behind Manchester Futures, you can tune into the radio show they scripted and produced themselves called ‘Shut Up and Listen’. During the show, they chat about neurodiversity, potatoes and game shows. 

Listen now.

If you’re interested in applying for the next workshop, please drop an email to projects@reformradio.co.uk to find out more.

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ON OUR RADAR

Welcome back to On Our Radar, a weekly music feature where the Reform team share their hottest tracks of the week. This week we’re spotlighting talent from our very own and exploring the different realms of sonic beats.

DR MYSTERY 

Her latest release is the bass-forward three-track EP ‘Basquiat’, released on Manchester’s record label Left Right & Centre. Entering the void through the thrilling title track, introduced by a ‘mysterious sample and a transcendent breakbeat coated with delayed synths, phasing in and out of the foreground to present a dreamlike space’.

Mixmag · Premiere: DR MYSTERY ‘Basquiat’

TWO SHELL 

EP ‘Icons’ is here to drive your ears nuts. A smorgasbord of sonic delights and atmospheric excitement, jampacked with layers upon layers of sound art. Since the release of their first EP in 2019, they’ve been blowing up in the electronic sphere. It’s the kind of music that’s born into this world to give each individual listener a feeling of exclusivity as if your ears are the only ones to have heard the immensity and intricacy of their crafts. You can catch them at a couple of festivals this summer such as Lost Village and Four Tet’s All-Dayer to see the magic for yourselves. 

ITSNATEVENDAHK

Manchester’s itsnatevendahk have just released a remix album of their 2021 album ‘Wedontdothatanymore’. Mastered by one of Reform’s very own, dithering, it’s safe to say the production is top-notch. Kicking off with the calming ‘Preelood’, the album sweeps into the mysteries of micro-genres such as Ambient Breakbeat with ‘Must Find Out Who He Is’.

K-65

K-65 traverses through the darker side of Electro and Breaks with bass-wobbling EP ‘The Sequence’, released on the Parisian label Les Yeux Orange. K makes use of a wonderfully haunting display of laughter, echoing relentlessly throughout the cause of track A ‘The Sequence’. Squelching samples and hard-hitting drums make up the rest of the rave-centric composition, leaving us thinking, what’s next for track B ‘Negative’…

Les Yeux Orange · PREMIERE : K-65 – The Sequence

SBTRKT 

It’s been a hot minute since SBTRKT has come out with any new music. Released on Ruff and Ready, the mask-man makes a comeback with catchy Jungle tune ‘miss the days’. Held together with his trademark synth chords and silky vocals, his new sound blesses us with a tune fit for the summer festivities.

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UPCOMING RESIDENTS EVENTS

It’s summertime and our city has been blossoming, full of vibrancy, life and laughter. Here are a few ways to spend your weekends in the sunshine this August.

INTERNATIONAL BOOM BAP

Come party in Ancoats with our resident Pablo Blanquito and Same Chose at the Hip Hop Chip Shop. International Boom Bap is a global Hip Hop night with beats and rhythms from across the globe. With an 8 PM kick-off, there’s plenty of time to grab some delicious munch, have a boogie and support your local artists. Plus, it’s free entry!

RELAX AND BAKE FM TAKEOVER

Expect to hear some silky sounds on August the 13th because Relax And Bake FM will be taking over Whiteworth Lock. As a collective of DJs and creatives, dedicated to highlighting emerging talent and providing a vibe, you don’t want to miss this one.

MIC CHECK LIVE PRESENTS

Mic Check Live is back, this time at Low Four Studio in Deansgate Mews, a classy venue which will be hosting its first Rap show. With 6 high-level rappers, this event is already close to being sold out. Grab your £10 ticket now!

BUILDING:BRIDGES W/ VINDYA & SCAPA

With Pride weekend and Bank Holiday locking eyes and joining hips, we thought you might fancy a do. On Friday 26 August, one month on from their Sports Day spesh with those rascals over at Semi-Peppered, Soup will play theatre to Building:Bridges’ first night time jaunt.

They’ve got prolific bop dealers and producers, Scapa and Vindya on the dials, with a buffet of rump shakers on the menu ’til close. Turn up and chow down with your friends, family or love interest(s) to raise money for Rainbow Migration and WAST Manchester – two brilliant charities we’re buzzing to support.