We are delighted to bring you this online open forum, Misogyny In Music: Inspiring Inclusivity, funded by Manchester City Council. Hosted by the incredible Jenna G, attendees are invited to join this discussion, touching on the likes of dynamics and inclusivity to investigate how change can be catalysed in the industry.
Taking place from 1PM til 3PM on the 28th of March, join us online and be part of the conversation. For the full details on how you can get involved, check the flyer below.
Since January, we have been holding weekly digital content sessions as part of our Digital Natives course, funded by Brighter Sound. Over the ten week project, we invited ten people aged 13 to 25 into the Reform Radio space. Our in-house Content and Marketing team delivered sessions on the likes of social media, content creation, interview techniques, and more. Over the course of the project, our participants put the skills they were learning into practice. To draw Digital Natives to a close, they showcased their work to the group and a selection of industry professionals.
We chatted to Essence, one of our attendees, about her love of content creation and what the group got up to throughout the programme.
Introduce your name, pronouns and what you get up to in your free time.
I’m Essence A and my pronouns are she/her. I like to watch film and TV in my spare time. Following this, I love talking about it with my friends and family about its possible themes or meanings.
If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Bubbly, creative and optimistic.
What prompted you to get involved with Digital Natives?
I was prompted to get involved with Digital Natives through my placement with the Young Film Collective at HOME. Once I read more about the opportunity and what I’d learn, I immediately wanted to be a part of it.
If you could create any piece of content for yourself or an organisation, who would you want to work with and what content would you produce?
If I were to make digital content for myself, other than making film, I’d probably make a YouTube channel to talk about my favourite films or to vlog the process of me making films. I’d probably want to start a magazine of sorts too, to hold as a space for these conversations to continue. If I were to work with someone else, I’d love to work with Dazed magazine. They’re so cool and visually pleasing. Or I’d work with the film magazine Little White Lies for their unique and niche style of producing film reviews.
What’s your favourite thing about making digital content and why?
With making digital content, you’re able to be creative to the fullest extent and be true to your personal style. You can be who you want to be and reach vast audiences that relate to your unique personality or content. Possibilities are endless with digital content and that’s why I love it.
If you could interview anyone on-screen, who would it be and why?
I would love to interview Issa Rae if I could. However, I’d love for this to be less of a journalistic interview and more of a conversation over dinner. She is an artist and industry professional that I look up to a lot in my own journey to creating film and TV. I feel like it would be not only a fun time because she’s a funny person, but I’d learn a lot from her many years of experience.
Let’s throw it back to your first day at Reform on the Digital Natives course versus now. Tell us a bit about your first impressions, feelings and emotions in comparison to how you feel now. What has changed?
I didn’t really know what to expect from the first Digital Natives meeting, but I knew it would surround social media content and developing those skills. I feel like I achieved that assumption and learnt more about shooting content, cameras and editing too. Also, I know more about what works and digital trends, and how to work effectively as a team.
What will you take from Digital Natives moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards?
I’m taking the editing and social media filming tips from this course, using them in future projects and possibly the start of my YouTube channel. I plan on making content, writing film and hopefully directing more in the future.
To find out more about our future projects, reach out to our Engagement team at projects@reformradio.co.uk.
BBC Maestro is a subscription-based streaming platform, created to educate and inspire people to explore their creativity. Through pre-recorded lessons and detailed course notes, anyone can learn a wide range of disciplines and follow in the footsteps of experts respected all over the world.
BBC Maestro offers single course purchases or an annual subscription. Click the link above to browse courses and start a free trial.
Back for another banging Bank Holiday weekend, Sounds From The Other City have announced this year’s line-up for their annual celebration. Taking place on the 5th of May, SFTOC is a firm underground favourite, delivering a unique yearly event that champions local promoters and celebrates the off-kilter beauty of Salford – the ‘other city’ to Manchester.
We are delighted to announce we will be taking over Salford’s Peel Hall with Manchester arts organisation Band on the Wall to curate an exclusive stage for this year’s festival. Let us introduce you to the artists we have joining us. You can grab your tickets to the multi-venue event here and get a taste of some of the UK’s best upcoming talent.
Manchester-based, Hampshire-grown Lavender Rodriguez explores the sounds between alternative soul and Afro-beat by night, whilst working as a classical composer by day. Their music celebrates the intersectionality of queerness, being mixed race, and the universal life experience.
Lavender previously joined us for a live session on The Takeover w/ Kaoti. Check out the full session below.
Urbi is one of many hobbyists who perfected their craft in lockdown. However, unlike the rest, her seamless blending of different house genres has earned an impressive following and some heavy support from the underground realms in the short space of a year. She’ll be showcasing her infectious style and creativity alongside fellow Reform Radio resident, Juno. Juno works the crowd with an upbeat selection of percussive, afro, deep, soulful house, broken beat and jazz. Come along to watch the duo delve into inspiring sounds from across the globe.
Listen to the most recent Urbi show on Reform below.
You can also check out Juno’s most recent show below.
0161 resident KinKai’s ear was attuned to a wide range of West African music, reggae, jazz, and hip-hop at an early age. Inspired by his mother’s vinyl collection and influenced by his Jamaican and Sierra Leonean roots, his heartfelt discography is a bonafide gem of UK underground hip-hop. We are proud to host KinKai as our Reform Radio artist in residence and offer him the stage to share the vast array of sounds and craft he has explored within his residency. Listen to KinKai’s most recent show on Reform below.
Davina Earth Adeosun-Bright, more popularly known as muva of Earth, is inspired by the act of evolution. Taking cues from innovative sound travellers like Bjork and FKA Twigs, her path has been one of expansion and self-reflection. As a solo act and one-half of DIVINEANGEL, muva of Earth blesses audiences across the UK and Europe with celestial sounds and meditative experiences.
Lashimba isn’t just the host of our breakfast show, she is also an acclaimed artist and producer. Combining a multitude of genres to create an indie R&B sound, we experience infused smooth vocals with rap/spoken word verses. Lashimba as part of a new generation using their art to champion feminism. Check out her morning residency at Reform here.
Stoic and wise, current and fierce. Renee Stormz unapologetically flows innovative lyricism over soulful hip-hop beats, evoking power, nostalgia, and grace. We’ve been lucky to have Renee with us in the Reform space for a while now. She was part of our Soundcamp bootcamp in 2020, she now joins us on the airwaves for some incredible shows. Check out her January mix below.
A vital contributor to the London scene, Ife is one fifth of the band Ezra Collective. He is a purveyour of an authentic sound versatile enough to transition from spiritual jazz to dance fuelled Afrobeat in a heartbeat.
Multi-instrumentalist ISHA’s fresh funk beats are characterised by rare groove appeal and strong bass lines. Her influences go back to the funk, hip-hop, and jazz scene of the 70’s and 80’s, as well as modern-day acts like SG Lewis, Jungle and FKJ.
SHEwillprovide ft. Mix-Stress, Shimrise and Andrea Trout (panel discussion presented by Adele Tondu)
Formidable collective SHEwillprovide are hosting a panel of DJs to discuss their individual journeys and the current DJ landscape. Featuring on the panel are some of the best in the business – Mix-Stress, Shimrise and Andrea Trout. The discussion will be hosted by Adele Tondu. Listen to SHEwillprovide’s takeover show on Reform Radio below.
We cannot wait to chat, boogie, and celebrate at this year’s festival. Don’t forget to grab your tickets here now to join in on the antics.
It has been a busy fortnight at Reform, with us having a full house of participants for our Podcasting Course. Funded by MAES, our attendees have been led through the likes of production, scripting and editing. To complete the project, they have each designed, recorded and produced their own podcast to be played on the Reform Radio airwaves.
Listen to the show they created below.
We chatted to two of our participants, Ruby and Dove, to hear about what they got up to on the programme. They also chatted about what they’ve learnt and developed from joining us on the course.
Introduce your name, pronouns and what you get up to in your free time
R: Hi, I’m Ruby. My pronouns are she/her. In my free time I do a lot of media and art. I love spending time with my friends and I also do gig photography.
D: My name is Dove and my pronouns are she/her. My hobbies include gardening, foraging, meditating, yoga and reading.
Describe yourself in 3 words
R: I would say caring, funny and weird.
D: Neurodivergent, intuitive and humanitarian.
If you had to recommend a podcast to someone who’s never listened to a podcast before, what would it be and why?
R: I’ve got to say the ‘My Dad Wrote a Porno’ podcast because it’s hilarious and flows really well. I often find myself listening to it on public transport, laughing to myself and getting some stares.
D: The ‘Living Myth’ podcast with Michael Meade. He is a mythologist and philosopher. He takes ancient myths, tells their stories, and then connects it with our society today.
If you had to produce a podcast on any topic, what would it be about and why?
R: The podcast I’ve been working on on the course is called ‘Wired Differently’. It is all about neurodivergence and my personal experiences of being autistic and having ADHD. I hope to help other people learn about these subjects, but also use this topic to explore myself.
D: Mental health and the ways we can become better people to improve society. I would do this through sharing my own experiences, how my past self contributed to society and the environment and how I changed myself to help create a better world.
What prompted you to get involved with the Podcasting Course?
R: I’m currently on a gap year right now from my media degree. I wanted to broaden my horizons in this realm.
D: My own desire to create my own podcast. I was really passionate about it but I didn’t know what it actually took to do it. When I saw the course, I was ready to learn.
Did you have much experience in audio/podcasting before? If so, what’s your favourite thing about it?
R: I have some knowledge in radio and editing. However, I didn’t have direct experience in podcasting. It has been a really fun opportunity to delve into this more. My favourite thing about it has been getting into the routine of recording, producing and editing. I love the journey of creating a piece of audio work and exploring each stage of the process.
D: It was quite new; I am more into blogging via YouTube. I listen to some podcasts and some of my friends also do podcasting but I had never done it myself. My favourite thing about trying it for the first time has been the freedom it has given me to speak my truth. It’s really nice to speak freely in this form.
Let’s throw it back to your first day at Reform versus now, tell me a bit about your first impressions/feelings/emotions in comparison to how you feel now. What has changed?
R: I definitely feel a lot more confident in the area of podcasting. To begin with, I was shaking in my boots at working with a new group of people and trying something new. Fast forward to now and I will be sad to finish the course. I have loved meeting such a range of people and collaborating with them.
D: I have definitely become more authentic and genuine over the course of the project and learnt a lot about compromising and working in a team.
What will you take from the podcasting course moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards?
R: To begin with, I was quite apprehensive to do the course, but I am so glad I did it. So I plan to take this attitude with me and be confident in my creative choices, even when I think I am lacking expertise in certain areas. From here, I hope to continue with my podcast series and take part in more creative projects like this one.
D: I will take all the skills and knowledge I have learnt about editing, scripting, ethical consent and the requirements of different platforms.
To find out about our future projects, please reach out to our Engagement team at projects@reformradio.co.uk.
NeuroJoy is a new programme run by Starling.
They are looking for 12 curious and creative people who want to explore the joy of diverse minds.
Working with leading neurodivergent artists, you will create work that will live forever as part of the very first creative collection of neurodivergent art and stories: The Neuro-Collection.
To take part you need to:
🌟 Identify as neurodivergent
🌟 Be between 18 and 30
🌟 Have something to say about neurodiversity
🌟 Be creative e.g. you like to make, write or perform
🌟 Be able to take part in at least 6 sessions per year
No previous experience needed.
To receive more info on NeuroJoy or to register your interest, click the link above.
In partnership with size?Radio, powered by Nike Sportswear, we have been hosting a super exciting project in the Reform Radio space. ‘Run The Track‘ is a new exclusive radio series which places female music artists from the North West at the centre of the conversation. From discussing the likes of the representation of female queer identities to the experiences of Black artists in music, and the reality of functioning as a female artist, this series catalyses vital conversations to triggering change in the industry.
In 2023, the UK Parliament found that just 1 in 10 major UK festival headliners, less than a third of top-selling artists, and 14% of songwriters were female. These numbers also lessen in relation to marginalised racial identities. There has been an overall decrease to 21% of individuals working in music identifying as Black, Asian or from an ethnically diverse background. As a means of support to underrepresented genders in music, we were proud to take part in the production of ‘Run The Track‘ and hold space for said artists to share their reflections and experiences to alter the narrative of inequality.
Released on the 15th of February, the series kickstarted with its debut episode led by Manchester’s Mix-Stress, also known as Rebecca Swarray. The DJ, producer and curator invited Homobloc resident Gina Breeze, and Liverpool’s Fliss Mayo to the conversation regarding LGBTQIA+ representation in the realm of dance music. From the birth of disco and electronic dance music lying in 70s underground queer clubs, the genre has a lot to thank the queer community for.
“Dance music is queer, and that fact has been erased over time… Most stems of electronic music have come from queer house and techno, which has always pushed the boundaries of music creation.”
Fliss Mayo, ‘Run The Track’, Episode One
The trio discussed the vitality of music communities in providing safety for LGBTQIA+ individuals. Mix-Stress and Gina Breeze made a point to acknowledge Manchester’s grassroots venues, including the Derby Brewery Arms and Partisan Collective, which are consistently creating new queer events to ensure the subculture stays true to its roots. Similarly, larger promoters, such as Warehouse Project, were celebrated for curating exciting lineups of local LGBTQIA+ artists alongside bigger industry names. However, there is still a long way to go. Other North West cities are struggling with diversity within audience demographics. Manchester acts as an example to others in showcasing the vitality of DIY events for the queer community, but funding and support is needed to ensure this in less established locations.
Amongst discussion, we were also treated to some delicious mixes from the guests throughout the episode to get us moving and to showcase some talent we are lucky enough to have right on our doorstep. Listen to the first episode below.
The second episode welcomed Manchester based artist and founder of six piece group Lovescene, Pops Roberts, to host the conversation. Joining her to explore the contributions of females in the music industry were critically acclaimed singer, songwriter and producer Låpsley and DJ of the Girls Can’t Sync collective Hannah Lynch. The trio noted the struggles of gender minorities in the industry and also took time to celebrate the moves said communities are making resiliently.
Watch the full episode below.
Following International Women’s Day, there is no better time than now to tune into ‘Run The Track‘. Check out the vast array of female talent and chat it has to offer. From listening in to some top mixes, to hearing unheard lived experiences, the series is sure to bring something fresh to your ears and leave you more informed on the realities of being a female in the industry.
Listen to the second episode below.
Stay tuned for the full three-part series to be available via Reform Radio or the size?launches app over the coming weeks.
Our most recent Positive Frequencies course, funded by MAES, drew to a close with an inspiring radio show, Hotel Changing Frequencies. Within this, our participants shared stories of human experience, personal reflections and creative writing they worked on over the duration of the workshops.
Listen to the full show below.
Positive Frequencies is our well-being project, centred around self-expression and using creative outlets as a form of self-care. We chatted to one of our participants, Uyama, about her time on the programme and what they’ll be taking from it moving forward.
Introduce your name, pronouns and hobbies.
My name is Uyama and my pronouns are she/her. Currently, I’m studying English and Maths. Outside the course, I like playing netball for fun, and to help me relax and clear my mind.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Patient, caring and supportive.
What’s your favourite thing to do to make you feel good or as a form of self-care?
Playing netball!
Did you have much experience of using writing in your well-being practice already? If so, what’s your favourite element of this or what have you enjoyed about trying it for the first time?
I didn’t have much experience, but I really appreciate that I got the opportunity to write something kind about myself at Positive Frequencies. I learnt that you don’t just have to say nice things to other people, but that you can also say these things to yourself.
What prompted you to get involved in our Positive Frequencies course?
I saw a poster and thought I should sign up. I didn’t want to miss it.
Let’s throw it back to your first day on the course versus now, tell me a bit about your first impressions/feelings/emotions in comparison to how you feel now. What has changed?
Again, I genuinely had never thought about saying kind things to myself. This was totally out of my mind and something I had never considered. It showed me you can value, respect and love yourself, and not just other people. This has helped me a lot already and it’s something I will take away with me.
If you had to give a sentence of advice to your younger self, what would it say?
You’re not too late to start anything. You can always restart at any age.
What will you take from Positive Frequencies moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards?
Aside from a kinder attitude towards myself, I am also looking forward to studying nursing and midwifing in the future. Hopefully, I will be a qualified nurse in two or three years time.
How would you describe the Positive Frequencies course to someone who was thinking of joining us as a participant?
It’s a great course – everybody is patient; there is no pressure and no judgement. I’m not an outspoken person and prefer to listen usually, but Positive Frequencies made me feel welcome and comfortable to share and speak. I would encourage others to take the step to join the course, because it’s a great space where everyone supports each other.
To find out more about our projects, email our Engagement team at projects@reformradio.co.uk.
Following our recent open forum, funded by the BBC’s Indie Development Fund in partnership with BBC Radio 3, we are delighted to bring you a follow-up workshop surrounding classical music radio production.
On the 12th and 13th of March, you can join our Podcasting and Production team to learn the ropes of radio production, with a specific focus on classical music. Those that come along will have the chance to be selected for a Summer part-time paid position in the team to increase their skillsets and work in our industry-standard studios. The workshops will take place from 10am til 4pm and are open to anybody interested in the genre and radio.
Check the flyer below for the full details of how you can get involved.
