If you enjoy sticking on a good playlist just as much as a great podcast, then this is the series for you!
We’re proud to have produced this 5 part series recognising Black artists’ contributions to Britain’s best loved music genres. Packed with music that you know and love, we spotlight the stories of instrumental people whose legacies have been sidelined, but without them British music would not be the same.
Hosted by Northerner and creative Mia Thornton, each episode she delves into a different music genre, exploring classical, punk, folk, dance and pop. Mia takes us on a journey within each, using intriguing storytelling, high profile interviews with contributors such as Craig David and Jaguar Bingham, and rich archival content to touch on important themes such as erasure and re-telling, breaking stereotypes plus legal and economic challenges. Listen to the full series on BBC Sounds.
We had a lot of fun recording with many contributors, often travelling across the UK to capture visual content too…
In the pop episode, broadcaster Clara Amfo discusses stereotypes, colourism and what is considered ‘desirable’ within pop’s power structures. Check out a snippet below.
In the punk episode, Benji Webbe, lead vocalist of Skindred, reflects on how being brought up by his Rastafarian brother shaped the sound he creates today.
Mia spoke to DJ Paulette, a trailblazer who played at Manchester’s iconic Hacienda nightclub, who discusses overcoming sexism, ageism and racism in the dance episode.
Instrumental also made history, being the first podcast for the BBC to make use of a new music rights agreement called SORP, allowing us to feature longer music extracts than the usual BBC documentaries you hear!
This podcast was produced under the Audio Lab 2024 scheme, an annual programme aiming to amplify the next-generation of audio creatives. You can learn more about Mia and her experience here.
Join us at our Podcasting Course, in partnership with One Manchester and Gorton Central. Learn the ropes of script-writing and audio production, and bring your podcast idea to life. This is the perfect start to gaining experience in designing, recording, producing and editing a podcast. To bring the project to a close you will be part of creating a live radioshow on the Reform Radio airwaves.
If you’re aged 18 to 30 years old and not currently in work then this one is for you. Lunch and travel is provided.
Check the flyer below for the full details on how you can get involved.
Some of you may know Boa through hosting the Wob Deep show on Reform Radio. However, outside of the studio, she is an acclaimed rapper, singer, and MC. Since her debut single release in 2021, Boa has developed a sound rooted in a delicious combination of hip-hop, rock, dubstep and 140bpm. She recently joined forces with composer and producer ALTOSOUNDS to create her debut album, ‘Bodacious‘. Since its release, tracks on ‘Bodacious’ have been featured on the likes of BBC 1Xtra and BBC Introducing, coining Boa as one to watch, not only in the local scene, but on the wider dubstep scene, too. To celebrate her debut record, we caught up with the artist for an exclusive interview in which she shares her honest journey, from writer to rapper, and dives deeper into the messages behind her music.
Introduce your name, pronouns and a little bit about yourself.
I go by the name of Boa and my pronouns are she/her. I’m a self-taught MC, rapper, DJ and recording artist born in Manchester and raised in Cheshire. I generally DJ and vocalise to 140 and dubstep music, but I often dabble in hip hop. My style is old school and heavily influenced by the East coast underground. However, I’m mostly known for my passionate and aggy MCing over dubstep and grime in various venues or on radio shows. I pride myself on my ability to make music uniquely across a plethora of genres. I believe in remaining true and authentic, whilst creating to align with the plans for my musical legacy.
Describe your music in three words to someone who’s never heard it before.
Unique, skilful, and high attention to detail.
Where did your journey with music begin?
I used to be a bit of a festival rat and I was offered the opportunity to spit bars with Akil from Jurassic 5, but at the time, I only had poetry under my belt – no bars. After that night, I started writing bars at the festival campsite. I was inspired by Manchester artists like T-man and Strategy. When I was on nights out I used to think ‘I can do that’.
I originally MCed with the mighty Union Sound System around 5 or 6 years ago. The sound had just started, but the lads were so encouraging of me on the mic. They were the family I needed. We played warehouses and house parties, and eventually made it into venues. I formed an alliance with MC Contra & DJ Waxi, named ‘Wob Deep’. The lads have now moved onto new things, so I run Wob Deep solo and host its rising show on Reform.
During my journey, I was searching to network with new people and stumbled upon Reform Radio’s call out for female rappers. We formed HERchester with OneDa and it was here that I met people I am still close with to this day. Growing up in the countryside around animals and few people, this was very new to me. Reform showed me kindness from people of all walks of life. It was mind-opening and I’ll always go hard to represent the station.
After supporting an amazing performance from one of my favourites, Renee Stormz, with HERchester’s Queen Tamika in Manchester, I met ALTOSOUNDS. I thought the production on his song ‘Manny’ was mega. Following this, we both got to work. We joined Soundcamp at Reform, which got interrupted by the Covid-19 lockdown. Still, we managed to drop a few bangers like ‘Astrals’, ‘Windpipe’ & ‘Breach’. Now, we have a gorgeous album together with music videos and a whole aesthetic. I’m so proud of my work, considering I’ve battled with mental and physical health problems most of my life. I can’t wait to make more music.
Tell us about your debut album ‘Bodacious’ – how did it come about and what inspired its creation?
‘Bodacious’ was already written in my subconscious. The hard part was putting it into something digestible visually and sonically. When I closed my eyes, I could see it. Luckily ALTO saw the vision too, and helped me bring it to life. He spent a lot of time showing me beats or making new ones with me, and recording or filming music videos I had written and planned. We definitely were making some magic and I’m forever grateful for that help.
The cover art reflects a race against nature, through the difficulty of self expression, but to remain as a peaceful competitor to the system so things have room to breath. The album is playful, unique, and a great listen for all types of people. It conceptualises the motivation to chase your muse, uplift with lyrical meaning and shock with wordplay and tone. Most of all, I love how the album gives space for your inner child to be nourished. I personally feel it’s in a league of its own and summarises Boa breaking out of her chains.
You collaborated with numerous creatives to make ‘Bodacious’, did you enjoy this process and is collaboration important to you in your creative process?
During the making of ‘Bodacious’ I learnt more than I ever have about music and my voice. I feel so lucky to have collaborated with some of the fiercest artists in the North. I must mention the gruelling hours ALTOSOUNDS and I spent perfecting every harmony, intro, outro, backing and instruments. It wasn’t easy; blood, sweat and tears went into this project, especially with the music videos and the heartbreaking loss of our friend who was involved, Mauro Camal (rest in power king, we’ve dedicated this album to you). It took us time to get all these moving pieces right before we knew it was ready, but I believe we have something special in our hands because of that extra time we took tending to the smaller details.
Sahala is one of my favourite singers. Her voice is something else! It was an honour for my first female collaboration to be with such a special soul. There were many others that played a part in moulding these pieces, offering an ear or just generally supporting us. I am grateful for the transferrable skills I learnt with this group of artists – love to them all.
Where do you find inspiration for your musical practice and aesthetic?
Honestly, ALTO’s beats are an inspiration in their own right, but my stage presence and writing skills are definitely passed down from my Dad. He is still in his band, Theives 40 Theives. They used to rock up and down the country and I know their music word for word. His legacy and music is truly epic. My bravery comes from my adoring Mum. She taught me so much about happiness and letting go. Also, she helped me get more comfortable later in life when I opened up to her about my mental health. Shout out to the original creators.
My big brother, a badass bass player, got me into prog metal which is 2 strokes away from dubstep, in my opinion. The first time I heard ‘Rubber Chicken’ by Caspa or ‘Go Ask Alice’ by The Widdler I knew dubstep was my genre. Dubstep as a UK movement was glorious. I loved the sound systems, the wobbles and the partying. I spent many evenings with DJ Waxi as he taught me how to mix vinyl with his endless selection of 140. My love for DJing deepened because of him, but I’m more of a digital DJ now.
I also loved the voices of Jamakabi, Irah and Killa P – so deep and fiery – and I definitely lowered my voice when MCing because of these legends. I then discovered grime dons like D Double E, JME, Bugsey and drill’s Unknown T that helped with my wordplay. When I was growing up, all I heard was dad rock and ABBA, so I got well stuck into new genres.
The reason why I’m so diverse is because of the amount of different sounding artists that inspire me, including Renee Stormz, Levelz, The Mouse Outfit, Lin Que, Das EFX, Call O’ Da Wild, and more.
What’s one track from the album you’d recommend us to listen to?
This is a hard one because I think most of them slap. However, you have got to give ‘Wavedtime’ a go. It’s got groove and finesse. Mine and Sahala’s vocals together are like bread and butter. Meanwhile, mine and ALTO’s production brings horns and sax, elevating the levels majorly. I flow on it like a rip curl to a surf boarder, and there’s plenty of room to dance with the track’s wordplay. I’ve also got to recommend ‘Windpipe’ and ‘Renegade’ simply for their creativity and originality alone. You’ve got to big up your own music!
How did you know the album was finally finished and ready to put out there?
After various people had a go mixing it, ALTOSOUNDS took the reigns and did an amazing job mastering it too. It finally sounded right. I ran a tight ship on how particular I was about everything on the album. We recorded it in a loft room; no big studio and no professional team behind us. This speaks volumes for myself and ALTO’s listening abilities. The cover art, the concept and the music videos all came together naturally.
Where can we find you and where can we listen to ‘Bodacious’ ?
The latest round of our Radio Course, funded by MAES, has drawn to a close. The past two weeks have seen us welcome a new group of young people into the Reform Radio space to learn the likes of scriptwriting, audio production, recording, presenting and more. It’s certainly been a busy fortnight with our attendees having the chance to visit BBC 5 Live studios. Meanwhile, they were able to put their interviewing skills to the test with special guest, Lauren Haynes, of the Great British Sewing Bee. The exclusive Zoom interview they conducted, alongside all the audio pieces they’ve been working on throughout the course were then showcased in a radio show.
Listen back to the show below.
To find out more about this project’s antics, we caught up with two of our participants, Nell & Hanad.
Introduce your name, pronouns and what you get up to in your free time.
H: My name is Hanad, my pronouns are she/her and my current pastime is trying to get fit and healthy.
N: I’m Nell and my pronouns are she/her. In my free time, I like producing theatre.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
H: I would say funny, caring and enthusiastic.
N: High-energy, affectionate and funny.
Did you have much experience in radio or presenting before? What’s your favourite thing about it?
H: The only experience I had in radio was as a child. In Year 3, we got to go on a local radio station. After that, I remember thinking I was a star. I did a bit of performing arts in high school too, but I shied away from the limelight for a while following this. Radio feels like the right stepping stone to going back to my roots now. I like not being on camera and being able to use my voice as my most power tool.
N: I did a bit of podcasting as part of my degree and I did a lot of performing throughout growing up too. I was looking for a way to marry up my interests and what I studied; radio felt like a comfortable, happy medium. Similar to Hamad, because you’re not on camera, you have so much more freedom to express yourself. I gesticulate a lot when I speak and I enjoy being able to do that authentically. So much of the time, you have to look and appear a certain way in the media; this isn’t the case for radio.
Nell
What prompted you to get involved with the Radio Course?
H: When I saw the course being advertised, I noticed the age eligibility was for those below 30. I am 29 so I thought to myself ‘if I’m going to do it, now is my time’. So I decided to take the bull by its horns and apply. I had grown tired of working in corporate job roles, and I was ready to try something new in which I could be myself.
N: I had not long finished uni and had been thinking a lot about what I wanted to do next. So I started looking at all the things I enjoy doing, and radio seemed to relate to all of them. I have also been craving structure since leaving university.
Throughout the course, you’ve been working on your own radio shows, what have inspired your direction with these and can you tell us about the themes of your shows?
H: The title of our show is ‘Misfits Fit In’ and it summarises our group of people so well. We genuinely look as if we are on jury duty; we are from all walks of life and places around Manchester. I am loving the fact we have all been able to come together and create something together. It’s an opportunity we wouldn’t have had if we weren’t on the course.
N: The theme of misfits has been a great lens to look at things through. My audio piece is about mental health as it’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Much of the time, mental struggles can alienate people and make us feel a sense of otherness. In reality, we can often bond over these emotional struggles. It’s been nice to come into a safe space and have open conversations about this.
ME Blair
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?
H: I’m so happy I stuck with the course. To begin with, I was really apprehensive about doing the icebreaker tasks; it made me feel like I was on my first day at school. But I recognise now that those tasks were there to get us to where we are today – creating together. I’ve loved working with everybody.
N: I was nervous at the start of the course to work in a smaller group. Being creative is vulnerable. Now, I feel a lot more confident sharing my own ideas with people. I believe this will translate into my everyday life too. My confidence is so much bigger in backing my own ideas and putting them out there.
Hanad
If you could have any guest on your own radio show, who would it be and why?
H: There’s loads of people I’d love to have on my own show. However, to pay homage to my favourite host of all time, I would have to say Graham Norton. It would have to be him so I could pick his brain and learn about how he got to where he is today.
N: Someone with a nice voice – maybe, Joanna Lumley. I’d also love to have both of my grannies on air.
What’s your go-to radio station to lock into?
H: Mine is LBC if I want to listen to chatter, or Capital Extra for music.
N: BBC Radio 1Xtra.
Fionn (left) & Funkę (right)
What will you take from the Radio Course moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards?
H: Definitely a newfound, or reaffirmed, confidence and self-belief. I need to find creative spaces, or make these spaces myself if I can’t find them. I’m going to work with Reform to get some employment and funding application support.
N: It has given me drive to keep creating. I want to stop waiting for opportunities to come to me and go searching for them myself. Next up for me is continuing to work on a devised theatre piece called ‘Look What We’ve Done’ in Manchester.
We are delighted to share we will be taking part in 2024’s Act Green, an Indigo Share: Hot Topic sponsored by Supercool. Act Green is a research initiative, exploring how audiences would like cultural organisations to respond to the climate emergency.
From the management of our buildings and the travel choices we encourage audiences to make, to the platform we have through our programme, we want to hear where you think we can make the most impact.
We have collaborated with our research partners Indigo to develop a short survey to help us explore this. Now, we need your help. We are kindly asking our community to spare ten minutes to complete the Act Green survey here.
The survey should take around 10 minutes to complete. If you complete the survey you will be able to enter the prize draw to win £100 of Theatre Tokens (or a £100 Gift Voucher to a cultural organisation of your choice). The deadline for completing the survey and entering the prize draw is 9am on Monday 27 May.
By answering these questions, you will be contributing to our journey towards becoming a carbon neutral organisation, and helping us develop new methods of operating sustainably, informed by you, our community.
To celebrate our 11th birthday we are treating you to a number of exclusive sets that were recorded at our party with ShinDigger last September at the Yard. Expect to hear the likes of Mr Scruff & MC Kwasi,Cooper T,Andrea Trout b2b Lena C, Obeka, Murder He Wrote b2b DR MYSTERY, Soundcamp 2023 alumni and many more. Tune in today from 4PM.
This year has also brought us another round of our Soundcampprogramme, funded by Youth Music, in partnership with Thirty Pound Gentleman. This time we welcomed over thirty aspiring artists to Reform Radio for a 2-week bootcamp and since then, we selected eight finalists to continue with six months of mentorship from industry professionals LayFullstop and Jack Kong.
This May we were back at one of our favourite festivals, Sounds From The Other City alongside Band On The Wall, curating a stage full of incredible talent at Peel Hall. We’ve also travelled to London to attend the prestigious UK ARIAS and won Silver in the The John Myers Station of the Year category.
We want to say massive thanks to our amazing team at Reform, our DJs, artists, Advisory Board, young people and audience for making Reform what it is today. Here’s to many more years.
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 – a 7-day initiative to help prevent mental health problems in the UK. In alignment with this, we thought it would be a good time to share with you our new audio-video project, ‘Am I Living Right?’.
Brought to fruition by our own Aisha Williams, ‘Am I Living Right?’ is a self-presented audio-video series. It records Aisha’s freeing journey informed by an overwhelming influence of social media. Our host takes the audience along with her through experiences of dating, ice baths, and more, to seek out the answer to her question.
‘Nowadays, those of us in our twenties are bombarded on social media with content which tells us how to live our best lives, how to to make the most of our twenties, and how to become the best version of ourselves… The information overload leaves you asking ‘am I living right?’.‘
Aisha Williams, ‘Am I Living Right?’ Presenter
We are proud to kickstart the series with our pilot episode out today. Join Aisha to look into cold water therapy and how the internet boasts it can change people’s lives. In the episode, Aisha is joined by her friend come TikTok content creator, HUMZ. The duo took to the banks of Chorlton Water Park for an ice bath. Meanwhile, they discussed how daily baths have positively impacted HUMZ’s mental health, alongside building an online cold water therapy community. Following this, more guests join Aisha for a fresh cold water dip, alongside chatting about modern-day self-care practices such as yoga, and meditation.
‘I would definitely do something like [a cold water dip] again. It felt like I was having an out of body experience and all I could think about was focusing on what I was doing. I needed to ground myself and be present in that moment to get through it.’
Ebony, guest on the ‘Am I Living Right?’ pilot episode
Intertwining our values of youth culture and well-being, this episode delves straight into the pressures of how young people are told to live their lives. However, Aisha brings a realistic approach to such conversations, welcoming audience to turn inwards and explore their own well-being practices. On Mental Health Awareness Week, we invite you to do the same. Now is the perfect time to think about what makes you feel good. If you don’t know where to start, maybe Aisha will inspire you with some of her discussions in this episode.
Check out the full pilot episode of ‘Am I Living Right?’ above.
Although we didn’t have the funds to complete the full series, we have hopes of doing so one day. If you think you can help make this happen, please get in touch with us on our social media or join us as a paying member of Reform Radio to support our work here.
Last night, we attended The Radio Academy ARIAS 2024. This year, we were lucky enough to be nominated for The John Myers Station of the Year Award alongside an incredible array of nominees. We are delighted to share we won silver in the category, with BBC Radio Manchester winning gold and Clyde 1 bronze. It was amazing to have some strong Northern representation for such an acclaimed award.
We’d like to take this moment to congratulate our unmatched team, and our community of DJs, creatives and young people. It is all of you that make Reform Radio one of the UK’s finest – it’s a true team effort. Huge congratulations to our fellow Mancunian station, ALL FM, for bagging Community Station of the Year too.
What an evening it was. Now, it’s time for some celebrations.
It’s time to meet the last two finalists of our Soundcamp 2024 cohort. After taking part in our Soundcamp bootcamp back in February, this duo were selected alongside six of their peers to join us for a further six months of artist development sessions. The eight participants have received direct mentorship with industry pros including Layfullstop, Jack Kong and Werkha, alongside honing in on their craft in a series of creative workshops. All attendees are working towards an evening of exclusive performances at The Blues Kitchen on the 15th of May. Grab your free tickets here.
Meet Alpha Twang and HAZZU below.
Alpha Twang
Hey I am Alpha Twang. I am a producer, I make electronic music and I also DJ as Summer’s Groove. You can find me on Instagram at @alpha_twang and you can find my music on all streaming platforms.
How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard it before?
I would say it’s storytelling with sound. I want to evoke feelings and take listeners on a journey.
What prompted you to get involved in Soundcamp and what are you hoping to achieve from it?
For me, I have spent the last few years as a bedroom producer. I saw Soundcamp as an opportunity to transition into live performance and to find ways to get my music out to larger audiences. The showcase on the 15th of May will be the perfect way to express my journey since starting to produce in 2019.
Where did your journey with music begin?
I started to produce within Ableton in 2019. Before that, I always knew I wanted to do something with music but I never felt like I could because I didn’t have any training in it. Between 2019 and 2020, I started teaching myself a lot through music forums, YouTube and Reddit. I started to notice myself really improving so I began working with other artists. Since then, I have done some residencies, some sound design commissions and now I am here at Reform doing Soundcamp.
Describe your creative process from starting to finishing a track.
One thing that I love about electronic music is that there isn’t a right way to go about it. I usually go into a project with it as a complete blank slate. I will watch a tutorial video first to see what area of production I want to explore through this specific track. I start experimenting and then hours of chaos begin. About halfway through the process, everything starts to coalesce into something and I hone in on that until I have a finished track.
Who are the main inspirations/influences for your sound and aesthetic?
My biggest influence in terms of music production is Arca. She showed me new portals of what you can do with electronic music, like using textures and creating three dimensional sounds. Flying Lotus is another one, and composers like Philip Glass, Hans Zimmer, Mica Levi, John Hassell and more.
If you could collaborate with anyone on a track, who would it be and why?
I think at this point in my career, I would love to work with a lot of the queer and upcoming electronic artists I know. For example, blood of aza, or Andras 2020. It would be a joy to work with these friends of mine from all of over the world. We all found each other through Arca’s Discord server in 2020 and we created multiple mixtapes together for charities with Arca herself. It’s called MUTANTS MIXTAPE; I recommend checking it out. But yes, I truly see these friends of mine as the future of electronic music.
What are your biggest goals/plans for your music in the future?
I would love to lean into sound production for movies and video games. However, I would also love to work with live instrumentalists. I am a huge classical music fan so it would be amazing to hear my work played by an orchestra. I also hope to continue honing in on the themes I’ve started exploring through my music, like identity, Manchester, and existing in the city as a Black person.
HAZZU
My name is HAZZU and you can find me on all streaming platforms. I was raised in Spain, I’m originally from Senegal, and now I’m in Manchester.
How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard it before?
People always describe my music as ‘a vibe’. I would also describe it as short and intense at the same time.
What prompted you to get involved in Soundcamp and what are you hoping to achieve from it?
I just want to grow as an artist. Music is my way of coping with both the good and bad in life. As an artist, I hope to personify all of these feelings and my journey. From Soundcamp, I think I will just go higher and higher on the road to being the best I can be.
Where did your journey with music begin?
My dad used to play Akon in the car, anywhere we’d go. I was instantly drawn to it as a kid. From then on, I fell in love with music. When I was about 10, I started writing short poems and four bars of words. I just kept going until I was able to write a full song. The first time I stepped into a studio was 2021 to record my first ever track.
Describe your creative process from starting to finishing a track.
It depends on how my day goes really. To create the beat itself, I will usually buy one thats already made, or I’ll head to YouTube and work from there. My writing process is very mixed. I usually start with the hook and build up from there.
Who are the main inspirations/influences for your sound and aesthetic?
I really like R&B music so some artists that inspire me include AKON, Ne-Yo, and Danny Brown.
If you could collaborate with anyone on a track, who would it be and why?
Currently, I would say Nemzzz. He’s originally from Manchester and we actually went to the same high school. I think my artistry can fit into any project so I definitely think it would work. Nemzzz’s music is something you can instantly vibe to, like mine.
What are your biggest goals/plans for your music in the future?
I just want to make an impact on people, no matter how small. I guess, when I’m not here anymore, I want to be able to reflect and know I have helped people.
Grab your free ticket to see Alpha Twang & HAZZU alongside the rest of the Soundcamp cohort live at The Blues Kitchen on the 15th of May here.
On the most recent Jorgy and Cheech’s Show, our pair of hosts welcomed Northern soul sisters Dischi to the airwaves. The Manchester duo have been making moves in the city’s underground scene, drawing inspiration from hip hop, disco, electronic and soul music. We were buzzing to have their infectious energy in the Reform Radio space, joining us for a chat and an exclusive live session.
Get a taste of the duo’s unique sound below and watch the full live session.
You can listen to the full episode of Jordy and Cheech’s show below.
Over the course of two weeks, participants for our acclaimed Music Course hopped into our series of workshops to create and collaborate. Funded by MAES, the programme walks attendees through the likes of musicproduction, social media and creative writing. Throughout the project, our participants worked on their own tracks to be debuted on Reform Radio in a one hour radio show.
Listen back to the show below.
We chatted with Jack and Yorusa who took part in the course about what they got up to, their musical influences, and where they’re heading from here.
Introduce your name, pronouns, and what you get up to in your free time.
Y: I’m Yorusha, my pronouns are she/they, and in my free time I really enjoy spending time with my friends and family, writing and reading, and watching films.
J: My name is Jack. My pronouns are he/him. I love music in all forms, whether it’s listening, creating or producing. I also love watching art-house movies and exploring Manchester.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Y: Curious, conversational and humorous.
J: I would say determined, aloof and open-minded.
If you were stuck on a desert island and could only listen to one record, what record would you want to have with you and why?
Y: NAO’s ‘For All We Know’.
J: It would have to be Lady Gaga’s ‘Born This Way’. It’s the best pop album of all time.
Did you have much musical experience before the course? What’s your favourite thing about making music?
Y: I had a bit of experience with music and performing live. I really love performing and I spend a lot of time around artists too. Sometimes, I’m not creating music, I’m just having conversations about it with other creatives. It’s nice to have an idea and losing yourself in the creation. There’s so much chaos, and boundless possibilities in making music. You never know what is going to come out of you.
J: I’ve been involved in music for the past 12/13 years. I started producing when I was in secondary school when I should have been doing my homework. Since then, I have released some compilations and worked with some labels. I’ve mostly produced dance music, but I have also started to explore songwriting more recently. My favourite part of creating music would have to be getting the idea in your head down securely. Music is another language. It’s so freeing to be able to express an idea through it.
What prompted you to get involved with the Music Course?
Y: I really wanted to learn how to produce. I feel like you’re expected to know how to do so much as a musician these days. I was eager to learn about production more thoroughly, and also get to grips with technical terminology to be able to communicate more effectively with other creatives.
J: I wanted to get more experience in areas out of my comfort zone, like songwriting and lyricism. But, more specifically, I wanted to return to Reform. I recently did the Classical Connections project here and it was the most nurturing environment. I was ready to come back and embrace all of that again.
Let’s throw it back to your first day at Reform versus now, tell us a bit about your first impressions/feelings/emotions in comparison to how you feel now. What has changed?
Y: My skill set has definitely increased. I was experienced in music making, but I have learnt so much about the work that surrounds releasing music, such as promotion and marketing. I have the know- how now if I wish to take music further.
J: I think the main thing that has developed through my time on the project is my connection with others on the course. You start off knowing nobody, and now I have built such strong bonds with everyone. We all have a special connection now; we bonded over something we love.
Do you have any musical role models that inspire your practice and why?
Y: My friends. Even those around me in the room on the project. It’s been inspiring seeing how everyone has created music differently and noticing their differing approaches.
J: I really admire SOPHIE as a trans producer and DJ. Her music is so beyond anything my brain can comprehend and I’ll never forget her legacy. Daft Punk also inspire me with their clever use of sampling and their ability to build such a futuristic sound. We still don’t hear music like theirs now. Prince’s general artistry is also phenomenal.
When writing new music, where do you begin with the process and what inspires you to make a new track?
Y: It often happens for me when I’m just humming to myself. Either this, or I’ll be reflecting on a conversation I had and considering what I would’ve said. Once I’ve secured the words, I will start forming verses and rhymes here to build a bigger feeling and emotion in a track.
J: I tend to just get sporadic ideas coming to my head and I will quickly record them as voice recordings. When an idea comes to me, I see it as a gift and I know it’s fleeting so it’s important I get this down to log it. However, when I am producing dance music, going to the club is so inspiring to me. Being surround by that sound and space allows me to receive creative energy to then transfer into my own work.
What will you take from the Music Course moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards?
Y: I think it’s given me a lot of confidence. It’s made me feel like music is realistic for me to pursue in my journey. I am ready to push boundaries and make music of my own. I’d also love to do my own live shows and use movement in these sets.
J: An encouraging environment is priceless; that’s what I will take with me. I’ve learnt that being surrounded by positivity and support is vital to my progression. I’m really grateful to have been able to attend this project. Now, I’m keen to collaborate with other songwriters and producers to help them flesh out their ideas as well as my own.
We’re back to introduce you to two more of our Soundcamp finalists, funded by Youth Music, in partnership with Thirty Pound Gentleman. In case you missed it, we kickstarted our 2024 Soundcamp programme back in February, inviting thirty participants into Reform to take part in a two week bootcamp. To support them with their music creation, we had industry pros Layfullstop, Jack Kong and Werkha in the space. From production support to providing their musical ears, the trio gave our attendees an array of great advice to take with them.
Eight of our participants were chosen to continue their journey on Soundcamp, through our six month mentorship initiative. These finalists are joining us every week for focused artist development, musical workshops, and a dedicated space for their creative practice. Meet Ishola & Sarah, two of our artists, below.
Known Konopka
I’m Sarah Konopka, also known as Known Konopka. My pronouns are she/her. I produce techno-house music and I’m also a DJ. You can find me on SoundCloud and on all social media.
How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard it before?
My music is a journey. It starts off emotional and then you’re on a high by the end of it. It’s my job to change your emotions through listening to my tracks.
What prompted you to get involved in Soundcamp and what are you hoping to achieve from it?
I came to Reform’s other courses, like Music and DJing. I had never received so much acknowledgement for my music and creations before. It was only then that I realised I could actually do Soundcamp. I was ready to receive more feedback and get input from professional mentors. All of my music prior to this, I had done completely on my own. I taught myself through YouTube tutorials and videos online. Already, I am noticing the difference from the 1-2-1 support I am receiving, learning about what equipment is actually out there, and what opportunities are out there. From the project, I hope to achieve getting my music in the right places and hands to make progression happen. I also just want to perform; it’s my favourite thing to do.
Where did your journey with music begin?
My need to create music has come from my need to express and shift my own personal difficulties. I like to think that people can hear this through my work and relate to it and feel heard. Music helped me and I hope my music can help others too. I’ve been listening to house since I came out of the womb. However, I couldn’t sing at all. I could dance, but I never knew I could translate this into actually making music myself. After buying my first DJ decks at the age of 18, I started mixing tracks that I hadn’t heard anyone mixing together before. I delved into DAW and downloaded some free softwares and I soon realised the beat and rhythm I had from dancing, could then be translated into mixing. This is where it all began.
Describe your creative process from starting to finishing a track.
It’s always different depending on the track. I don’t put pressure on myself to create because I trust it’ll come to me. For example, this Soundcamp track came to me at 4am. I couldn’t sleep and I kept hearing this specific noise in my head. So I tried to mimic this on my keyboard and then started building the track from there. It’s a really natural process, which keeps me up at night.
Who are your main inspiration/influences for your sound and aesthetic?
Fred Again is definitely a huge inspiration for the sound I am trying to achieve and wanting to take people on an emotional journey. He also taught me that there’s no rules in music and you can produce however feels right for you. I also like Dom Dolla and, of course, Peggy Gou. However, I’d also say Harry Styles is a huge inspiration for me. Not genre-wise, but he inspires me in knowing I can be whoever I want to be. He empowers me to be myself and be the unique person I am.
If you could collaborate with anyone on a track, who would it be and why?
I have two artists in mind. The first one I’d say is Cat Burns. Her music is so emotional and moving so it makes a good fit with the sort of stuff I create. But then also Aitch. He would bang on a house tune, we’re both from Manchester and it would be amazing to produce a song for him.
What are your biggest goals/plans for your music in the future?
I want to be at Parklife, and I want to be at the Warehouse Project. That’s where my music would be best suited and received. One day, I will be there.
Ishola
My name’s Ishola, my pronouns are he/him, and you can find me on Instagram and TikTok at @isho1a.
How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard it before?
I would describe my music as a fusion of past and future hip-hop. I draw heavy inspiration from both the UK and the US scenes. My music is something you can vibe to as you’re walking through the city, but also blast out of your speakers on a late night drive down the motorway. I like to think my music can fit any kind of scenario or environment.
What prompted you to get involved in Soundcamp and what are you hoping to achieve from it?
I was looking for more opportunities to grow my network in the music industry after leaving university, where I studied music production. I’m an engineer and a producer, but this comes from me being an artist myself. When I found out about Soundcamp, I thought it would be the perfect chance to meet new creatives, meet like-minded people who I can grow with, and meet individuals who can guide me and keep me on the right path. I have confidence in my own abilities, but it’s also nice to gain the approval and validation of professionals in the industry. Working with the mentors has really helped me tackle imposter syndrome. It has also offered me useful insights, nuggets of knowledge, and has allowed me to absorb their experiences.
Where did your journey with music begin?
I’ve been doing music since I could walk. I vividly remember coming home from school one day and my parents saying I needed to learn an instrument. So I decided to take up the piano, and progressed through graded exams. As I got older, I felt restricted by classical training and I was exposed to more methods of expression through music. For example, I discovered music production and technology. My mind was blown and I fell back in love with music. I’m really grateful that learning the piano laid the foundations for me to grow musically and really explore it. The journey is only just beginning now.
Describe your creative process from starting to finishing a track.
This question is a bit too linear for me. There’s no start and no end in the creative energy. A song can start from me walking around town listening to bossa nova, subconsciously listening out for samples. It could also start on the bus, writing random lyrics. I feel like I’m constantly drawing inspiration from things around me to influence different areas of my creative practice. Then I can piece these little creations together. Some lyrics I wrote last week could fit a beat I made today; a song comes out of the universe. There’s no start and end; it’s the cycle of music.
Who are your main inspiration/influences for your sound and aesthetic?
One of my biggest inspirations is my father. He was an old school man and grew up through the golden ages of mankind from the 60s to the 80s. He was really into fashion and I was brought up around that so it naturally rubbed off on me. The music from those eras, like Marvin Gaye, Prince, and Luther Vandross, combined with the greats of the early 2000s impacted me. The music I create today takes from these times, as well as the new wave of hip-hop, like Lancey Foux and Skepta. On the other side of the ocean, we have A$AP Rocky, Lil Yachty, and more. There’s a plethora of people within Black music that I am constantly motivated by.
If you could collaborate with anyone on a track, who would it be and why?
In the UK, it would have to be Skepta. This is simply because of his notoriety, the work he has done, and the respect I have for him. What he represents as an individual – fearlessness, complete and utter confidence in his craft – is hugely inspiring to me. I’m also loving what Lil Yachty is doing. He is the perfect bridge between underground and mainstream hip-hop. It would be a blessing to be introduced to these two individuals’ audiences.
What are your biggest goals/plans for your music in the future?
Besides the obvious goal of touring internationally, I would love to get into scoring. It would be magical to compose music for fashion shows. Being respected as a composer as well as a hip-hop artist would be incredible. I have massive respect for Tyler, the Creator and the way he has made the crossover between being an artist, to being a reputable composer. It would be beautiful to move listeners’ emotions and manipulate individuals into feeling certain things with my music.
Grab your free ticket to see Known Konopka & Ishola alongside the rest of the Soundcamp cohort live at The Blues Kitchen on the 15th of May here.
Recently on the HYPE THEM show with kaoti and sheri, we welcomed North West artist Jenni Orlopp to the studio. Jenni joined them for an exclusive live session alongside a chat about her journey and experiences as a female in the industry.
Listen to the full show below.
With her soft vocals, soothing melodies, and catchy pop beats, we have had Jenni’s tunes on repeat ever since. We caught up with the musician come producer to find out more about her creative practice and inspiration. Read the full interview below and check out her full live session.
What’s your name, pronouns and your star sign?
My name is Jenni Orlopp (she/her), and I’m a 21 year old singer, songwriter and producer based in Manchester. I’m originally from the North East. My star sign is Leo, but I’m actually not sure what that means – I’ve been told that I don’t fit the description that well.
If you had to describe your music in three words to someone who had never heard it before, how would you describe it?
“Bit of everything”.
Where did your journey with music begin?
I started getting really into music through my parents and sister. They had this huge CD collection and I was just obsessed with listening to it over and over. Eventually I started learning instruments at school, and found songwriting and producing through that. I used to record myself playing the clarinet and then play the drums over it on Garageband. I’d also play around with the novation launchpad app and make beats using loops and random sounds.
Have there been any important figures or role models in your musical journey or any that have inspired your sound and aesthetic?
When I was younger, I got really into hip hop and rap and I think that definitely started my love for fashion, especially streetwear. I have a picture of me from when I was really little. I have on the baggiest jeans possible and this sideways pink cap because I wouldn’t let anyone else dress me. Music-wise, I’m definitely inspired by jazz. It’s the foundation of so many genres and artists. I think there are very few musicians that haven’t been inspired by it in some way.
Where do you find inspiration for your creativity?
I go through phases of being inspired by absolutely everything for a while, and then nothing.I definitely find inspiration in different things when it comes to lyrics versus production – I have so many half finished songs with no backing tracks, and drum loops with no instrumentals. I’m most creative when things are happening in my life though. Emotions are definitely the best source of inspiration for me.
How does your writing process look?
Back in 2022, I wanted to get better at songwriting, so I challenged myself to write 5 songs a week for the whole year. My routine became playing a backing track on repeat and writing down whatever came into my head, and then repeating the process again, but only picking out the good bits of my previous attempt. Sometimes writing songs is hard because you don’t want to write down a bad lyric, but that process made me realise that perfection isn’t realistic. Writing down a bunch of terrible ideas helps to bring the good ones out. I either write my songs based on an idea from doing that, or they write themselves in less than an hour – I don’t really have an in between.
What do you see for the future of your music? Do you have any particular goals you’d like to achieve with your creative journey?
Last year, I performed at the Eurovision Fan Village and the whole experience was just amazing. Since then I’ve decided that I’d love to perform at a festival. Other than that I’m just seeing what happens. Most of the best moments in my career so far have been opportunities that I didn’t even know existed a year before, so I don’t really like to plan too far ahead.
Where’s the best place for people to find you on social media and to find your music?
I’m the most active on Instagram – @jenniorlopp. My handle is pretty much the same everywhere. You can find my music on all major platforms.
You can catch HYPE THEM bi-monthly on Thursdays on the airwaves of Reform Radio, tune in via website or on DAB in Greater Manchester region.
Soundcamp 2024 is well on its way, funded by Youth Musicand in partnership with Thirty Pound Gentleman. We held a two week bootcamp in February, with over thirty aspiring musicians in the Reform Radio space collaborating and working on their crafts. Throughout the bootcamp, they received support from our exclusive mentors, Layfullstop and Jack Kong.
Following our bootcamp, eight participants were selected to take part in Soundcamp’s six month artist development programme. Each week, in the lead up to our Soundcamp Showcase on the 15th of May, we will be introducing you to two of our selected finalists. This week, get to know kaoti and DREIXSS below.
kaoti
My name is kaoti, my pronouns are they/them. You can find me on all streaming platforms and on Instagram as @kaotiiii.
How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard it before?
You’re in for a ride and you’re about to have your ears blown off by this beautiful chaos. My music is like popping candy, or a pinball machine in your head. It’s full of heavy bass that you can screw your face at and lots of break-beats and drums to move to. There’s lots of high flute and twinkly sounds to balance out the low frequencies too. In the lyrics, you can expect anything from heavy rap to soft poetry. We have it all in the kaoti-sphere.
What prompted you to get involved in Soundcamp and what are you hoping to achieve from it?
I got involved in Soundcamp because, simply, I love making music. It was an amazing opportunity to even get to attend the Bootcamp. I’m hoping to understand the industry better, get myself out there more, find people that vibe with my sound, and make new musical friends. I’m a big believer in trade. I want to trade energy and creativity with new creatives and see where it takes me.
Where did your journey with music begin?
Like any small pop punk kid, I wanted to be Avril Lavigne. I wrote some very angsty and angry lyrics. Then, I started to mash up songs together and make videos singing them when I was as young as 10. It all started there.
Describe your creative process from starting to finishing a track.
Sometimes it starts with me freestyling over a beat; other times I will have a funny phrase and shape a whole song around it. I’m also a big fan of concept pieces. For example, I wrote a song about my pink car last week. My creativity comes from so many different places, but it always ends up going through the motions of trial and error to create a full song. Currently, I start with a beat and then go on a spiritual process of acknowledging what sounds and, then, words feel right. This process has really improved my freestyling abilities too. After this, I will go back and fine tune the track. I’m really enjoying the journey of seeing what comes out of me, working independently, and listening to myself before sharing my work for feedback.
Who are the main inspirations and influences for your sound and aesthetic?
It’s hard to put my sound in a box and it has qualities of a huge range of music I listened to growing up. My attitude is inspired by punk and rock music heavily. My rap is actively inspired by Eminem and Tyler, the Creator. However, I also love drum and bass and higher BPM music to get moving to, alongside hyper pop and glitch-core artists like Grimes. There’s a huge fusion of sounds and inspirations within my music.
If you could collaborate with anyone on a track, who would it be and why?
I would have to collaborate with Tyler, the Creator and experience working with him. Ashniko and I could also smash a track together, or even Cookie Monsta.
What are your biggest goals/plans for your music in the future?
I know I’ve mentioned Tyler a lot, but I would love to follow in his footsteps of combining fashion, art, film and more. It would be a dream for my music to expand to form a whole world of creativity – the ‘kaoti-sphere’.
DREIXSS
My name is Idreiss, also known as DREIXSS. My pronouns are he/him and you can hit me up on any streaming platforms out there to hear my music.
How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard it before?
I would just describe it as ‘DREIXSS’. I’ve picked up influences from music I listen to and the music my parents brought me up on. I like to think of my music as a collection of timeless classics.
What prompted you to get involved in Soundcamp and what are you hoping to achieve from it?
I heard about Soundcamp through Kong, one of the mentors on the project. He was really encouraging and it filled me with confidence to get involved. When I looked further into Reform Radio and what they did for the community, I was even more keen to be part of Soundcamp and share the room with such talented people. I am really hoping to use this time and involvement with Reform to build a strong foundation to move onto big things.
Where did your journey with music begin?
When I was a kid, my parents used to play the classics – my mum was a massive George Michael fan, and my dad was a proper Ministry of Sound raver. They shaped my ideas of music. It all started out with me singing in choirs as a kid, but it never felt like the real me. I liked singing, but I didn’t like what I was singing. I started listening to garage and DJ music and then I discovered R&B, rap and trap. It’s been a journey so far, and it doesn’t look like it’ll be slowing down any time soon. I’m excited to see where it ends up going.
Describe your creative process from starting to finishing a track.
As a creative process, it all starts off in a similar way – I have to connect with the music. It might start with a line in my head and then I’ll start building it from there. Or I will find a beat I love and start writing lyrics to this. It simply just has to start with something I connect with and I’m feeling.
Who are the main inspirations and influences for your sound and aesthetic?
Obviously I have inspirations, but I like to think I am an individual and I am true to my own unique sound. I’ve been very influenced by Ne-Yo and Usher, but I also love the UK scene. Bugzy Malone is another great example of someone I appreciate. I love what he addresses through his music and the messages he shares. I hope I can form a community of people that resonate with my work like he has.
If you could collaborate with anyone on a track, who would it be and why?
I’d have to go with D-Block Europe. What they’ve built all by themselves and by being their unique selves is hugely inspiring to me. I love their music and I love the community they’ve made so organically.
What are your biggest goals/plans for your music in the future?
My biggest goal is getting as many people to hear my music as possible, building a solid fanbase and foundation for my future in the industry. I want to walk down the street and hear people playing my music out their cars. I want DREIXSS to be heard by as many people as possible.
Grab your free ticket to see kaoti & DREIXSS alongside the rest of the Soundcamp cohort live at The Blues Kitchen on the 15th of May here.
Get yourselves ready to hear some of Manchester’s emerging talent as we bring you this year’s Soundcamp Showcase. Taking place on the 15th of May at Manchester’s Blues Kitchen, come along and submerge yourself in some of the city’s freshest sounds.
Since February, we have hosted an array of upcoming music artists at Reform Radio, in partnership with Thirty Pound Gentleman and funded by Youth Music. From over 30 participants at our Soundcamp Bootcamp, to our eight finalists consistently working every week, some incredible collaborations and creations have been born in our space over the course of the programme. Attendees on the project have had the chance to work with industry professionals including Layfullstop,Jack Kong and Werkha. Meanwhile, they have been led through workshops on the likes of production, songwriting and more.
On the line-up, you will be treated to the house-infused sounds of Known Konopka, the cool, calm and collected energy of Ishola, alongside the effortless bars of FREEQUENCY3, and the intimate story-telling qualities of Alpha Twang. Meanwhile, meet the multi-dimensional boundless creations of kaoti, the R&B fusions of Hazzu, DREIXSS and the soothing and soulful tones of Jennifer Dala.
Now, we welcome you to join us in hearing the tracks they have been perfecting for their live debuts on this exclusive night oozing with talent.
Check out the flyer below for the full details and come join us in seeing these Manchester names before they get big.
From radio broadcasting and podcast production, to creative course facilitation and talent development programmes, we are certainly busy bees here at Reform Radio. Whilst you may have seen us operating in numerous areas, we wanted to give you a rundown of what we do and introduce you to our amazing Engagement Team, who you will definitely come into contact with when joining one of our creative courses.
About Us
Reform Radio is an award-winning radio station and arts organisation based in Manchester’s Bonded Warehouse. We use our station to engage young people of all walks of life and support them into employment. We work with a lot of local and international DJs as well as creatives to showcase their work via our platforms. Not only does this give individuals valuable experience working with a radio station, but it also allows us to share and broadcast a diverse range of voices and some of the best emerging talent on our airwaves. Since our formation in 2013, we are proud to have created an invaluable community of individuals, driving collaboration to create all of our content with people right on our doorstep, to across the globe. You can find out more about our journey throughout the past decade here.
Our Courses
Throughout the year, we also hold a rotation of fully-funded creative courses for young people. With the support of some incredible funders, and as a National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England, we are proud to deliver programmes in a variety of areas, utilising our industry-standard facilities. Our rotation of courses and development programmes include: Podcasting, Music, DJ Sessions, Soundcamp, Radio, Creative Leadership, Well-beingand Creative Writing. However, we also hold a number of sessions throughout the year in the likes of content creation,sustainability,money management, and employment skills.
“I’m really impressed that these courses even exist, to be honest. I think as I’ve progressed through the project I’ve been continuously surprised at the quality of its delivery and the amount of care and well-being support you guys offer to participants too. It’s an incredible initiative which encourages young people to really create something they are proud of.”
Joanna (she/her – participant of High Rise course)
Whilst our participants have the opportunity to learn the technical skills associated with their courses’ areas, we also aim to hold a safe place for them to create and work together. Our workshops blend the necessity for attendees to gain practical techniques via softwares and industry equipment, alongside our desire to support their personal growth and development. Many of our community notice an increase in their confidence levels and social skills.
“On the first day of the course, I was in my own head and couldn’t even speak out loud to the group. However, I have come out of my shell so much and really pushed myself to chat to everybody and get to know them. I feel sad that the course is nearly over now after growing in confidence with everybody and making some great friends with people I would never usually meet.”
Violet (she/her – participant of Radio Course)
We have a designated Engagement Team to support the young people joining us at Reform, who have a wide array of experience to contribute towards teaching and leading our programmes. Meet the full team below!
Meet Our Engagement Team
Our Reform Mentors (Adele, Imogen and Lola) are here to support the young adults that we work with. Mentors provide support from the moment someone gets in touch with Reform Radio until 6 months after they finish participating in one of our courses or programmes. Mentors take time to get to know the participants, and to understand the barriers that stand in their way to achieving their goals. They will work with participants to co-create an action plan, and offer support and advice throughout and after the project or training programme. Our mentors aim to introduce participants to a person centred and creative approach to improving confidence, transferable and employment skills.
Reform Mentors engage with wider community partners to make sure that we reach and offer our support to those young unemployed adults who will benefit from it, and so that we can signpost people to other opportunities and services in response to their needs, challenges and interests.
Imogen (she/her) – Reform Mentor
Where did your journey with Reform begin?
I found out about Reform Radio through a temporary job I had with a charity in 2021. While I was working there, we collaborated on a project and I really enjoyed the time I spent in the space. I returned to bar work after my contract ended and spent several months looking for work in the creative industries. On a whim, I checked the Reform website and saw there was a vacancy for an Employment Assistant. The rest is history!
What’s your favourite thing about being part of Reform?
My favourite thing about working at Reform is seeing how getting involved with our courses can impact peoples’ lives in a really positive way. It’s so nice to see people gain confidence and go onto do really exciting and creative things after finishing projects here.
What do you get up to outside of your work at Reform?
During the week, I love to read, do a bit of writing and watch films. I’ve recently started DJing, so I also like to practice mixing and work on preparing for my takeover shows on Reform. I’ve been attending Chinese kickboxing classes, which are brutal! On weekends, I spend time with friends and go to electronic music events.
What’s your favourite track to listen to when your mood needs picking up?
‘Waitin’ by Kelela always gives me energy when I need it.
Adele (she/her) – Reform Mentor
Where did your journey with Reform begin?
I had done a takeover show with my collective SHEwillprovide and was then working in radio as a breakfast show host. When I came to do the takeover, I knew that I wanted to work at Reform immediately and applied as soon as I saw a role come up.
What’s your favourite thing about being part of Reform?
Favourite thing about being at Reform is the ability to meet all the amazing talented people that come through the doors in all forms, and being able to be surrounded by a hub of positivity towards creativity. What I love about my job is being able to see the journey of the people I work with and the growth of their time shared at Reform and outside.
What do you get up to outside of your work at Reform?
Outside of Reform, I am a DJ and also a part of a collective called SHEwillprovide. I also partake in social action and change work as a Youth Ambassador for YMCA England and Wales.
What’s your favourite track to listen to when your mood needs picking up?
‘VIVID DREAMS’ by KAYTRANADA and River Tiber.
Dan (he/him) – Well-being Manager
As Reform Radio’s Mental Health and Well-being Manager Dan is responsible for supporting the good mental health and well-being of our staff and the participants. This can include delivering interactive workshops, 1:1 check-ins, counselling, training, creating mental health content and much more. Dan works particularly closely with the Reform Radio Mentors, helping to ensure their mental health needs and the needs of the participants they work with are identified, and thus appropriate support can be offered. All Dan’s sessions are totally confidential and free to attend.
Where did your journey with Reform begin?
When the opportunity came up to apply to work for Reform Radio in 2019, I’d been practicing as a therapist for a number of years in an NHS eating disorder service, and was ready to diversify my work. Reform Radio gave me the opportunity to apply my skills and experience in new ways. I was delivering more workshops, creative projects and working more flexibly with young people to support and expand understandings of good mental health for them and the staff working with them.
What’s your favourite thing about being part of Reform?
My favourite part of being Reform Radio’s Mental Health and Well-being Manager, is that I get to use my training as a psychotherapist in diverse, creative and innovative ways that I wouldn’t be able to in a regular 9-5 job as a therapist.
What do you get up to outside of your work at Reform?
Outside of Reform Radio I enjoy hanging out with my friends or partner, drawing, or making music.
What’s your favourite track to listen to when your mood needs picking up?
‘Romeo’ by Basement Jaxx.
Top left to top right – Autumn & Naomi, bottom left to bottom right – Tito & Alex
During your time at Reform, you are also likely to meet some of our lovely Creative Practitioners who deliver our creative courses and support our participants in sessions. Above, you can see Autumn (they/them), Naomi (she/her), Tito (she/her) and Alex (he/him), all of whom help make our combination of workshops run smoothly.
Employment and Pastoral Support
Alongside our skills development programmes at Reform, we also offer free employment and pastoral advice to all of our participants. From personal CV and job application support from our mentors, to having access to 1-2-1 appointments with our in-house psychotherapist and Well-being Manager, we are proud to assist individuals throughout their journeys with Reform.
For regular job and opportunities updates in the North West, head to our Opportunities page which outlines new paid, voluntary, funding and work experience roles every week. If you’re looking for local support organisations you can reach out to, head over to our Emergency Contacts page.
Get In Touch
If you’d like to find out more about our courses and projects, please reach out to our Engagement Team at projects@reformradio.co.uk.
To keep up to date with what is going on at Reform, you can find us on social media here.
As you might already know, Reform Radio is a non-profit and Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisation. Over the past decade of our work, we have been lucky enough to receive support from a brilliant range of funders. It is these funders who have made our growth and development possible to get us where we are today.
Applying for financial support as an organisation remains equally as important now as it was for us in the early days of our journey. From gaining support to facilitate our courses, to allowing us to offer the covering of travel and lunch expenses for our participants, our funding fuels all the work we do. With years of experience working with those aiding our practice, we are able to offer insight and advice to our community who are applying for financial support for both their projects, or as individuals. We are proud to do this through the likes of workshops, online content and 1-2-1 assistance.
Approaching a funding application may feel daunting, especially if you’ve never completed one before. Many application processes can differ. You may apply for grants in different scenarios; as an individual, an organisation, or for a specific project.
Here are some top tips from one of our directors, Jemma, to consider if you’re looking for guidance on applying.
1 – Check the eligibility for the funding before you start the application process. You can usually find this in the grant’s guidance information and may outline demographic, geographical, or turnover requirements. Eligibility is a non-negotiable when it comes to funders allocating their budget, so it’s vital to check this and make sure you aren’t applying for support you aren’t eligible for. If you’re unsure about anything regarding this, reach out to the funder.
2 – Check if you need a personal or a business bank account to receive the grant. Sometimes funders may specifically ask for a business bank account to transfer the money into. If you do not have a business account, organisations may be able to help you by holding your money for you and allow you to apply with their account information.
3 – Check the deadline dates and start working on the application before the submission portal opens. Turnaround can be fast. This will also allow you some contingency time for technical issues, or to reach out to experienced individuals to check over your application and offer feedback.
4 – Work on a separate auto-saving document to the form on the granter’s website. Not only does this prevent you losing your work, but softwares such as Google Drive have grammar-checking and word count devices.
5 – Develop partnerships and utilise them to strengthen your application. Consider who is going to help you with your project and how they benefit you and your application. Who are your recruitment partners, or who is going to help promote your project? Who is going to patch up the gaps in your skillset internally to perform your work to the highest standard? Not only will this help you achieve a high quality project, but funders also value when multiple parties are working together on the same cause.
Application processes and funding requirements are all unique. This is why it’s so important to take your time, read through the grant’s guidelines and ensure you have prepared effectively for submitting your bid. With the tips and resources above, we hope to have helped make the task more approachable. Although the processes may appear intimidating, it is well worth researching and applying for support to help make your ideas become reality. Regardless of the outcomes, applying is brilliant experience and the more applications you make, the sooner you will become a pro on funding bids.
If you are interested in getting involved in our next Creative Leadership course, drop us an email at projects@reformradio.co.uk.
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.
Soundcamp, our artist development and mentorship programme funded by Youth Music and in partnership with Thirty Pound Gentleman, has drawn to a close for our 2023 cohort. To bring it to an end, it was only right for our Soundcamp artists to take over Manchester venue, The Blues Kitchen, and put into practice all they’d been working on over the past year.
Check out the undivided antics from our showcase below and keep reading to find out the highlights from Soundcamp 2023.
Over the course of the Soundcamp project, ten emerging artists received artistic guidance from a collection of established music industry professionals and creatives to support them on their musical journeys. From sound engineering, to performance skills and musicianship, the participants were provided with insight into a wide array of areas impacting their careers.
Mentors on the programme included creative producer, artist and broadcaster Jenna G, DJ and producer Werkha who has appeared on the likes of BBC Radio 6’s ‘The People’s Party’, and Anna McLuckie, a remarkable vocalist and harpist. Our mentors combined weren’t short of knowledge in vast corners of the music industry to share with our group of upcoming talent.
Not only did our participants receive consistent mentoring through the programme, but they were also invited to pair up with an acclaimed Manchester artist to create an exclusive track to perform at the Soundcamp: The Co-Lab Edition closing showcase. The main event took place at Manchester’s The Blues Kitchen; all ten duos of emerging artists and Manchester legends debuted their collaborative tracks live, alongside partaking in panel discussions about their time on the project and plans moving forward. This process of collaboration not only musically challenged participants, but also tested their resilience and practice in producing a product with individuals from differing creative backgrounds.
“Even though I was initially worried, it’s been amazing working with Sarah [Angel]… She has helped me grow as a person and we’ve been able to produce something that is unique to the both of us. It’s been a very innovative collaboration that made us both step out of our comfort zones in a positive way.”
– LC, Soundcamp participant
Soundcamp has been thriving since its launch in 2018 and assisted a huge range of new artists of all creative backgrounds in kickstarting their journeys. From hosting a virtual stage at We Out Here Festival, to a series of successful showcases and appearances, our Soundcampers have never shied away from opportunities to hop onstage. We have also had the joy of seeing members of the previous years’ cohorts move into recognised positions within Manchester’s music scene. Alex Pascalidis of the programme’s debut year is now the proud project manager for our Soundcamp course. Meanwhile, artists including Sarah Angeland Iora that collaborated professionally with our Soundcamp participants this year for the Co-Lab project, are also alumni from previous years.
As this year’s collective spread their wings and head off with a large range of newly-built skills under their belt, we look forward to 2024’s Soundcamp project. Stay tuned for news on next year’s programme coming soon.
