If you are interested in music production, radio production, social media and creative writing, we have the perfect workshop for you this January.
Music Course is a 2-week programme with a focus on music production and creating a radio show that showcases your original creations. Funded by Manchester Adult Education Service, the project runs from Monday 30th January – Friday 10th of February, with a taster day on 26th January.
If you would like to get involved in this project, please drop us an email at projects@reformradio.co.uk
Every month we spotlight our lovely resident’s events. Here are a few ways to spend your weekends in some of Manchester’s most adored night-time spots this October.
GOOD CUSTARD PRESENTS: MOTORWAY DISCO W/ JET BOOT JACK
Good Custard will be joined by London DJ, producer and remix juggernaut Jet Boot Jack. Further support from AJ’s Dance Party curator Busby and Infusion host Pint Can Papi for a boogie under the A57. Secure your free tickets now!
MAS O MENOS RELEASE PARTY: LOVE LANGUAGE WITH LEVI LOVE, JOEY T AND LADY LADY
Mas O Menos celebrates their release at Band On the wall. As a DJ, producer and person, Mas O Menos founder Levi Love is larger than life. As anyone who’s been swept up in the raw energy of one of his many Manchester-wide bars or club residencies knows, the South African-born, northwest-based crate digger picks and makes music that celebrates the fulness of our existence. You don’t want to miss this one!
YOUR DISCO NEEDS YOU WITH JAEGEROSSA
YDNY is back with another spectacular line up. This time running, Jaegerossa A.K.A Mr Phil Rose, joins them for a night of pure Disco. In addition, to assist on deck duties will be your usual suspect residents Rob Jones & Neil Craven.
This October, Manchester’s iconic record store and venue, Eastern Bloc, will be hosting a number of events. Kicking off with EB Selectors on the 15th, for just shy of a fiver you can witness some of the city’s finest selectors at work, including Mica and Antoine Kiim.
Stay tuned for what’s going down at EB this month by looking at their schedule below. From live sessions to label showcases, there’s so much to check out!
On October 23rd, Supernature will be teaming up with Chris Massey, for the ultimate Sunday session. Celebrating their seventh birthday, the DJ collective specialising in everything from House to Disco will be taking over Joshua Brooks. Oh, and it’s free!
Drop the Mic takes over the Band on the Wall bar stage on October 27th. Expect eclectic sounds from the flourishing local scene, from the wider UK scene, and the world beyond. Nab yourself a free ticket and head down to catch resident vocalist DJ Lawal, alongside Feazilla on decks, as well as Nameka, Karis Jade, BOA, SAF-S2E, Hairy Dominatrixx and Caesar.
NOT BAD FOR A GIRL X MAINROOM: A FOR ALPHA AND LILY HUU
The Not Bad For A Girl crew team up with award winning, Greater Manchester-based streaming platform StreamGM, as part of their grassroots clubbing series: MainRoom. The pink bally bandits will be live streaming their event on the 29th October, with co-headliners A For Alpha and Lily Huu. Make sure to head down to YES or tune in via streamgm.co.uk.
Manchester’s first city centre park in over a century opened its gates today. Described as an urban escape, the 6.5-acre park that lies along the banks of River Medlock is now open to the public.
In recognition of the ongoing launch of Mayfield, we teamed up with the National Lottery Heritage Fund to explore the past, present and future of the site.
Produced by one of our very own, Jamie Green, the three-part series is now available to listen to on all streaming platforms. Get listening now and if you love it as much as we do, you can even leave a review or rating on Apple.
We caught up with Jamie to find out more about the production process, the themes explored in each episode, as well as his journey with Reform and beyond.
Please could you introduce yourself and explain your current occupation.
Hey, my name is Jamie Green and I am a freelance Audio Producer for Reform Radio. I work within Reform’s Podcasting team and assist with recording, editing, and producing podcasts and audio content.
You joined Reform Radio in January 2022 as a Kickstart Studio & Podcasting Assistant. How did you hear about this opportunity and what made you decide to apply?
I first saw the opportunity as a Studio & Podcasting Assistant posted on Reform’s Instagram page. I had decided over the coronavirus lockdown that I really wanted to pursue a career working with audio and so this role just seemed like the perfect opportunity. Having previously participated in some of Reform’s audio-based courses, I also knew what an incredible company they were and was keen to work in such a creative, inclusive environment.
Please could you describe your responsibilities/projects that you worked on?
I have worked on a fantastic variety of projects, from editing interviews for BBC 6 Music’s The People’s Party with Afrodeutsche to travelling around the UK recording a road trip style podcast about British vineyards. I have also led the production of our ‘Park Life’ podcast which has involved interviewing photographers, archaeologists and event organisers. My day-to-day responsibilities have included anything from recording autobiographical audiobooks for clients such as Liz Taylor to editing podcast series for ‘The Life & Death Podcast’ for Ashgate Hospice.
After Kickstart, you continued working with Reform as a freelancer, how are you finding it now?
The transition to becoming a freelancer has been really exciting, I have loved working across numerous projects and utilising my audio skills in different ways to deliver exciting content such as the ‘Park Life’ podcast.
Have you had any opportunities arise as a direct result of Reform?
Definitely, I think one of the key opportunities that I have gained through my connections within Reform is being booked for regular DJ work which has really helped build my confidence as a DJ and also provided financial support.
You have been working on the Mayfield project for some time. Please could you briefly describe what this project is and what your involvement has been?
With Manchester building its first city centre park in over 100 years, we have produced a three-part podcast series that captures and explores the heritage of this area of Manchester known as Mayfield.
My role has been to lead the creation of this podcast, which has involved everything from interviewing archaeologists and photographers to sourcing archive recordings from the Manchester Central Library, designing soundscapes and capturing field recordings to accompany the podcast.
How has the experience been producing this podcast? Any highlights?
Producing the ‘Park Life’ podcast has been an incredible experience. I have loved discovering the forgotten stories of this unique area of Manchester through speaking with so many fascinating people. Their passion for the heritage of Mayfield has really rubbed off on me, and so I feel really fortunate to have been given the creative freedom to shape the format of this podcast and how we tell the story of this site.
During the project, you touch on themes including The River, The Park and Culture. Can you talk a little bit about the creative process here?
The River
The first episode of the podcast is themed around The River Medlock. The episode tells the story of how the Medlock was transformed from a beautiful meandering river into an industrial sewer later covered over with concrete to make way for expanding industries. After being hidden for over 50 years the river Medlock in Mayfield has now been uncovered, so we really wanted to focus on how the river has intrinsically shaped the history of this area and reflect on the importance of protecting and valuing our waterways.
The Park
The theme of the second episode was inspired by Manchester opening its first city centre park in over 100 years this month! We wanted to learn about the site’s transformation from a derelict wasteland into a lush haven in the city centre, and also explore the importance of green spaces on our mental health and well-being.
Culture
The Mayfield district in Manchester is becoming a cultural hub in the city, with it being home to The Warehouse Project, Escape To Freight Island, and hosting events such MIF, Pride and numerous art exhibitions. So it only seemed natural to theme an episode around the culture surrounding the park today. However, we also wanted to dig a bit deeper and explore the unique cultural heritage of the site and investigate how this has also developed over time.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Take the plunge and move up to Manchester, it will be worth it!
What do you want for the future?
Working on the ‘Park Life’ podcast has really reinforced my desire to continue working with audio and sourcing work that integrates my passion for sound design, recording audio and producing music. In the future, I would love to continue producing audio content across different formats and using my creativity to shape the listening experience.
Do you have anything upcoming that you would like to shout about?
I’m super excited to have my first track released over the coming months as part of a compilation album on Martyn’s record label, 3024. Keep an eye out for that!
Stepping up to the mic for this rendition of Raise The Bar, it’s the voices behind Super Secret Club, Stay Safe and Layton.
They’ve been in the scene since 2005 and now they make a comeback on the Jorgy and Cheechshow, joining the hosts with their brand new alias’, as well as plenty of briefcase chat to follow.
Listen back to the full show down below to find out more about their incredibly secret, not-so-secret club that’s taking the Manchester rap scene by storm.
Join Jim Ottewill this October to celebrate the launch of his new book ‘Out of Space | How UK Cities Shaped Rave Culture’, published on Velocity Press.
The event will feature a live Q&A in conversation with a number of DJs and fellow creatives from Manchester such as aalice (Meat Free), Ruf Dug (Rüf Kutz), Mix-Stress (RebeccaNeverBecky) and more TBA.
If you’re not familiar with Jim or his special guests, keep reading to find out more about them.
Jim Ottewill is a music journalist with more than a decade of experience writing for Mixmag, FACT, Resident Advisor, Hyponik, MusicTech magazine and more. Jim’s dalliances in dance music include partying everywhere from cutlery factories in South Yorkshire to warehouses in Portland, Oregon.
Jim has recently published his first book with Velocity Press, ‘Out of Space | How UK Cities Shaped Rave Culture’.
aalice
Best known for being one-quarter of the female-led techno party Meat Free, aalice has taken her sound across the UK and further afield playing parties and festivals from the infamous AVA Boiler Room to Field Maneuvers, Festival No. 6 and Innercity Electronic. aalice currently holds a residency at Hidden in Manchester – one of the UK’s most famous clubs.
In the game for 20 years, Ruffy has never been one to rest on his laurels. In the last year alone he’s been nominated for Track Of The Year at Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards, been made one of the hosts of NTS’s flagship daily Soup To Nuts show, resumed his DJ schedule in fine style, launched an audiophile rave that’s already attained legendary status and had releases and remixes on a host of top-shelf labels.
DJ Mix-Stress is a firm favourite on the Manchester music scene and beyond, pleasing crowds and ears alike with her soulful and uplifting sets.
Mix-Stress is also the founder of the art collective, RebeccaNeverBecky, which platforms LGBTQ+ creatives, performers and DJs. Outside of music, she works towards strategy and policy change within the fields of creative culture and the night-time economy in Greater Manchester.
Our last book launch went down a treat. Watch the video down below to see what went down and a little taste of what to expect.
If you can’t make it down in person, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Just like last time, the event will be live-streamed on our website for your viewing pleasure!
It’s all fun and games being a fellow creative until the inevitability of funding pops up. Are you pondering the idea of freelancing? Have you just had a groundbreaking revelation for a new project?
Don’t worry, we have you covered! Our Head of Development, Jo Warmington, has kindly set up an amazing database of resources full of funding opportunities, particularly for artists and freelance creatives.
It’s completely free to access and has a bunch of beneficial resources that could help you out on your next creative venture!
It’s been a hot second since Alienvert dropped by the studio. Back in January, they blessed our eardrums when they made their Raise The Bar freestyle debut.
But, the fun didn’t stop there. Alienvert came back to join Daisy Adams for round 2.
Since January, the young rapper has been playing a host of live shows, including shows catered towards their audience of 18 and under.
Listen back to the full show down below to hear some exclusive music from the artist and find out more about their creative ventures this year.
Our two-week digital broadcasting course kicked off last month, inviting young people across Manchester to learn about all things producing, presenting, scripting, live broadcast and more. This programme was kindly made possible by Manchester Adult Education.
Participants came together to learn how a working radio environment functions and equip themselves with the skill set to pursue their dreams of finding careers in digital broadcasting.
We caught up with one of the participants to chat about their experience. After studying Film at the University of Central Lancashire, 27 year old Zack Khan from Manchesterhas since aspired to work within the TV or Film industry. We had a chat to find out a little bit more about Zack, why he joined Radio Course and his goals for the future.
Please can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name’s Zack and I’m from Manchester. I’ve been back and forth between Manchester, Preston and Pakistan over the past ten years. After moving to Preston for University and then dropping out, I decided to come back to Manchester and live in Oldham.
Film has always been a huge part of my life and my childhood dream was always to grow up and work in the film industry. That’s partially how I ended up here!
How have you heard about Radio Course and what prompted you to get involved?
My work coach at University had received a call out about the course and reached out to me asking if I wanted to get involved. I never expected to be doing anything in radio but I thought, why not!?
If money wasn’t a thing, what would you like to be doing full time?
As a kid, it was always film and TV. During lockdown, I tried podcasting for a couple of months. It was mainly about films and entertainment, such as what’s going on in the industry and film news. It was called the Mad Bat Podcast which was a mix of our two favourite films: Mad Max and Batman.
Is there anything you were involved in before joining Radio Course that you would like to share?
After I finished college, I took a gap year before University and went back to Pakistan for a year and did a couple of months of work with an independent film-maker who mainly made adverts.
I think he was shooting an advert where my dad worked at the time. My dad had spoken to him and said something along the lines of ‘my son is really interested in this, could you potentially take him on as a volunteer?’. It was pretty cool and he got me really involved in it.
When and how did you realise that that is the thing you wanted to do?
I used to have one of those old TVs that had a built-in VCR player, my mum got me loads of VHS tapes so a lot of my childhood was spent in my room watching movies. Seeing what you could do in those worlds, the possibilities and the lack of restrictions really excited me. I never imagined that I would be doing radio or podcasting but I’m glad I have some experience in these things now.
I remember getting into podcasts during my gap year when the app showed up on my phone after an update and I was like ‘what’s this?’. My go-to podcasts are The NoSleep Podcast which is an anthology series of horror stories, and ‘The Last Podcast on The Left’ which is a dark comedy, true crime podcast.
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?
Before I walked through the door, it was a very tense and nervous experience. I’m usually not the type of person that does well in social situations, especially after the last couple of years of Covid and lockdown. Essentially, the moment I walked in there was a very calm, inviting and supportive environment which easily set those fears aside.
Anxiety popped up here and there, mainly from doing creative writing exercises. I would worry in my own head ‘I don’t know if I can do this’, but I largely managed to overcome these feelings thanks to Alex and Naomi who were really supportive and patient. They got involved and offered help. It was a very cohesive environment.
What is one thing you have learnt from the course that you will take home with you?
I learnt a lot of technical stuff such as operating the equipment, recording and monitoring mic levels on the drops. I feel like I will carry these skills on with me even if I don’t get into film. They are great skills to know for editing Youtube videos, which I have some experience with.
What are your goals after the project?
One goal is to work on areas that I have personally struggled with over the past two weeks. For example, the anxiety that I talked about. I have a habit of second-guessing myself and stopping myself from doing stuff.
Something that caught me off guard was that when doing creative work, it often requires you to be vulnerable to some degree. That’s something I’ve had in mind and thought maybe I should let myself be vulnerable and not be so closed off.
When Covid started I was living on my own. A few years of living by myself and then lockdown made me really closed off and I didn’t have much opportunity to go out and interact with people. Being on this course has taught me I really do need to start opening up again, especially in this line of work it’s really beneficial.
To listen to the full show that the group worked on together, please click down below.
If you would like to get involved or find out more about any of our projects, please drop us an email at projects@reformradio.co.uk.
As part of #BeeWell Week we are proud to partner this year with the #BeeWell Festival and contribute to the digital programme of content, which focuses on young people and mental health.
Take a listen to some of the content we’ve been creating in the past few years in support of young people’s mental health.
Next Tuesday we’re taking over Band on The Wall for the Soundcamp Showcase, bringing 12 exciting up-and-coming talents to the stage for a night of live performances and celebration of our most recent artist development programme, Soundcamp.
12 weeks ago we partnered up with Youth Music Charity and Thirty Pound Gentleman to curate a mentoring scheme for up-and-coming musicians aged 18 – 25.
The project kicked off with a two-week bootcamp where participants were invited into the space to work on songwriting and creative collaboration. 12 finalists were then selected to stay on and receive mentoring from industry professionals such as Werkha, Jenna G and Anna Mcluckie.
Get yourselves down there on Tuesday 13th September to hear the magic for yourselves.
Every week we select our favourite tracks and share them with you. This week we’re taking a look at Rock bands coming out of Manchester, the obscurities of synthesizers and beatdowns.
SOUR HONEY
Rock band Sour Honey hailing from Manchester have just released new single ‘Cold Coffee’ and it’s getting us excited for their new album drop. The track is produced by Joe Chiccarelli, who has worked with some stars such as Elton John, The Strokes, The Killers and Morrissey to name a few.
ISMATIC GURU
Steak and Cake Records meets Swimming Faith with the return of Ismatic Guru. Their ‘Part II’ EP is rich in vocal grunge, infectious rhythms, warped speed and a general air of over-the-topness. With an incredibly fast pace and sarcastic lyrics that tell the tales of self-improvement, going to the dentist, existential nervous breakdowns and an annoying bug, this New-Wave, Post-Punk revival is one to check out.
WOLFEY
Get your pre-orders in now for this synth-heavy retrograde that goes by the name ‘Crab Park Sunrise’.
“DJ Wolfey makes his debut on Seb Wildbloods and Church UK with a three-track EP full of ever infectious grooves and rich nostalgic synth work. Closing track ’Sunday Drive’ signs off with a darker, more acidic aura as the tempo climbs for a peak energy offering” – Mixmag.
DANVERS
If you’re looking for dance-floor-ready stompers, Danvers‘ latest album ‘Gently Ascending’ is your best bet.
Titled after the technical intricacies that make up the 9 track album, Danver comments on the technical approach he took when producing: “All of the tracks have an upwards barber pole phase on the main sounds (sometimes it’s super prominent and sometimes it’s more buried in the mix). This makes all the tracks sound like they’re gliding upwards… It turns tracks that might otherwise be considered pretty heavy or aggressive and turn them into something more ethereal and dreamy.”
GALAKTIC ROGUE VS. SPECTACULAR DIAGNOSTICS
“This is the first release in a series that sees two label mates going head-to-head in a beat tape beatdown: Galaktic Rogue VS. Spectacular Diagnostics. A beat tape space opera extravaganza crammed with mind-exploding beats, cult movie samples, and villainous loops” – Bandcamp.
Last year we announced our first ever Artist In Residence, Melissa Dean. Helping others get into creative spaces has always been at the core of what Reform is all about. Through this programme, the artist received a small bursary and free space, as well as support into paid work, both within and outside our organisation.
We caught up with Melissa to see how her time being the Artist In Residence at Reform has been and what highlights or challenges she has faced.
To find out more, keep reading…
Please introduce yourself and briefly describe what the Artist In Residence is and what it means to you.
Hey! My name is Melissa Dean and I am a multi-disciplined artist; actress, voice-over, producer, writer and radio show host. The Artist In Residence was an opportunity I was given by Reform to offer me various types of support, granting me full access to Reform’s space. I have also been offered three paid opportunities throughout my year here and a bursary of £300. I get to work alongside the most beautiful team and have access to a mental health advisor.
I was producing a film at the time that I wrote to Reform to ask if they would have any desk space I could use. I was finding working from home difficult and it was expensive going into cafes to work each day. Within 6 weeks, Jemma called me to discuss the Artist In Residence role.
It goes to show that if you don’t ask for support, you won’t get it. What is there to lose other than a bit of pride? We need to get better at asking and feel more encouraged asking for things from organisations within our communities. I’ve spent years sending my acting work to casting directors and never hear a response. Had I let those rejections crush me, I never would have written to Reform and I wouldn’t have had this life-changing opportunity.
That is really what it has been for me. I am 34 now and have been working in the arts since I was 21. Reform is the first organisation to offer me support. To believe in me. To say yes. To give me the artistic space I needed. I’ve been able to record my voice-overs in a professional setting. I’ve had space 24 hours a day to do audition tapes. I’ve had the space to work late when people have left to lay out my manuscript on the entirety of the floor and cut and edit it. I’ve been so welcomed into an artistic team which I’ve never had before.
What have the last 6 months brought you personally and/or professionally?
Personally, my confidence has grown wonders. People think that because I’m an actress and I can be extroverted that I must be the most confident person in the world, which is not the case. I have my own fears and anxieties and I’ve often struggled within workplaces to fit in with rules and regulations.
I’ve been able to take part in the various free courses Reform runs. The facilitation course, DJing, Soundcamp; all of which taught me brand new skills. I’ve always wanted to try DJ’ing and I finally got to learn that skill for free with some aftercare too. I just got offered my first DJ gig, led by my facilitator at Reform. Soundcamp came for me at a time when I was having a tremendously hard time in my personal life. The course offered the space I needed to not feel trapped in the room, to be able to leave the room when I needed to but to also be as present as I could. It was exactly what I needed at that time and I really wanted to face my fear of singing; a goal and fear I’d had since I was a child. I sang for the first time in public at Drop The Mic after doing Soundcamp and I’ve gone on to write music with a producer and a musician.
What have been your highlights?
Honestly, number 1 is the amazing team at Reform. It wouldn’t be Reform without them all. The DJ course, Soundcamp (25 artists shoved into a room for 2 weeks to jam together). Having the space early morning and at night time for auditions tapes and a writing space has been so useful.
What have you learnt during this process? Were there any challenges?
I think the biggest challenge for me has been learning how to use my time daily and keep to a schedule. When you are a full-time artist and work across different projects and are your own boss, for me the hardest thing is having a daily routine to stick to.
How does it feel to be a part of Reform?
It feels so exciting. There’s so much scope for possibility. If you were to look at the space, the courses and the paid opportunities and put them all in front of you at the start of one’s time there, it’s just a gigantic pool of hope and excitement. It really is an exciting opportunity that can be taken anywhere!
Is there anything that has happened as a direct result of being the Artist In Residence?
I’ve been doing voice-overs for 8 years now. When I was offered the opportunity to do VO’s for The Guardian Newspapers Podcasts, I didn’t have the soundproof space at home. Having that space at Reform let me take that work on and offer professional recordings.
Would you recommend it? Who do you think this kind of residency will be most beneficial for?
Of course, I would recommend it! I think the residency would best suit someone that may need various types of space such as studio, DJ facilities, room or desk space. Someone who needs an artistic team around them, who would like to delve into the opportunities of the free courses.
This is a difficult one to answer – I just wanted desk space when I wrote to Reform, they were the ones that offered so much more. I wouldn’t want anyone to read the above and think that’s not me. I think a person coming into the space and hearing one of the directors, Jemma, talk about the possibilities was what woke up my creative mind.
What advice would you give anyone who was in your shoes before the Artist In Residence?
I just looked at the project I had going on at that time. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I wish I had been more present which may have come from better planning. I also allowed a bad relationship to distract me from giving my all to the courses and to my time here. I wish I could start over and re-do some of it. I’ve got to take it as a lesson moving forward, that I and my career come first.
What are your hopes and goals for the next 6 months?
I don’t really have any projects going on but I do want to up my DJ skills and I would like to sing much more before my time is up. I plan to record an EP with the rest of my time and practise my DJing. If I come up with any more project ideas, I’ll also take advantage of the wonderful opportunity to talk to Reform’s funding lead, Jo. Another, once in a lifetime opportunity. I really have so much gratitude to Reform, I will forever be thankful for what you’ve done for me.
Joey T and Levi Love are back with another set of cut-ups and reworks. 80s Synth Pop meets Funk in this Housey re-work of ‘Linked With Wolfsburg’. Funky basslines, tin-like drums and summery synths fill up the track, showing how eclectic the two are as musicians when paired together.
Imaginary Part’s remix of ‘Billy Bogus & Federico Bologna – Yor’ is available to purchase now on the Italian record label Screaming Cockatiel Records.
Brilliantly atmospheric and Ambient, this rendition of ‘Yor’ explores versatility through the use of ominous synth slurs and looming percussive patterns.
Front & Follow and the Gated Canal Community present ‘RENTAL YIELDS’ – a multi-release collaboration project raising money to tackle homelessness in Manchester.
Inspired by our current housing system, the project encourages artists to steal (or borrow, nicely) from other artists to create their own tracks.
New one ‘The Singles Club’ from Mali Hayes released on Band On The Wall Recordings.
Side A opens with ‘Forgive You’, a wonderfully warm, fuzzy, composition of Neo-Soul. Gliding into the blissful acoustic guitar of Side B with ‘Come Closer’.
Welcome back to On Our Radar, a music feature where the Reform team select their fave tracks of the week. Here are some tunes to soundtrack the rest of your summer!
I. JORDAN
2022 has been a big year for I. JORDAN. The certified hit-maker has been playing across the globe in the hottest clubs and festivals, trialling out unreleased music to their fans. Club track ‘Hey Baby’ had reached the ears of those from Marseille to Mexico City, and it’s fair to say that it’s high energy sparked some attention. With a collaboration with Fred Again… under their belt, a nomination for Best Producer at the NME Awards, and cover starring for DJ Mag and NME, it’s prevalent that things are not slowing down for Jordan. You can now check out their two-track EP to hear the ever so upbeat ‘Hey Baby’ and the lesser, but incredibly euphoric ‘I Had the Best of Times’.
CINEMA HEARTS
Former pageant queen Carlonine Weinroth, otherwise known as Cinema Hearts, is making grungy power-pop to narrate the competitive experience of partaking in Miss America. As a former Miss Virginia contender herself, she is no stranger to the cut-throat drive to win, the glitz and all the glamour. The EP is scattered with bouncy electronic guitar riffs, dreamy synthesizers and melancholy, heartwarming lyrics. Get listening!
FREE.99
Micro-genres of Pop seem to be making a huge comeback this year, with duos like the Athens-based FREE.99 leading the forefront of Industrial Pop. With sounds that could simply fry your brain or spur your own creativity, check it out now and see for yourself.
FRANK & TONY
New York’s Frank & Tony just dropped their new EP on Scissor and Thread, a sublime set of tracks and remixes. Eleana Gass’ sultry vocals open up the EP with track ‘Eastern Meantimes’, setting the tone for what’s to follow. If schmoozy alfresco dining is your thing, we suggest whacking this one on to accompany all your garden-party desires.
KESSLER
Rotterdam’s Kessler just released their 4-track EP ‘Endless’, featuring a remix from Optmst. The EP opens with the title track ‘Endless’, setting thing off for the Break Beat to follow. Things take a speedy turn with the second track ‘Mare’s Nest’, before entering the more progressive world of ‘Aspect’. The EP ends on a calm note, with Belfast’s Optmst. Inspired by trance melodies and the breaks era, his atmospheric approach to sounds is deep, rhythmic and in this case, under-water sounding.
For many people, the act or concept of confrontation can seem quite simply unbearable. To confront somebody is the process of facing someone that you have perhaps had a disagreement with. These conversations can often feel uncomfortable and many shy away from them.
However, there are ways that you can deal with confrontation to make it that little bit easier. Every month our well-being manager Dan Owens-cooper offers well-being advice. This month he shared some tips on how to deal with confrontation.
Tip number one. Instead of viewing the situation as a confrontation, reframe it as a conversation. There is often a common misconception that confronting somebody about something that you don’t agree with will automatically result in conflict. Having honest and calm conversations with each other is a great way to begin tackling confrontation.
Tip number two. Make sure that whatever you are communicating is well thought out and reasonable within your rights. If you’re unsure about this, try reaching out to a friend or somebody close to you that you trust to see their point of view on the situation.
Last but not least, frame your point. Make sure that you have had a good think about how to diverge this information to the other person. If you make it seem like an attack on them or their character, there’s a good chance that conflict could arise.
To hear more from Dan, tune into his monthly show on Tuesday the 19th of August in collaboration with #BeWell from 5 PM – 6 PM. A mental health mix of voices, experiences and creative talents from young adults in Greater Manchester.
It’s important to remember that you are never alone in whatever you are going through. If you are struggling mentally and would like to talk to someone, please visit our Emergency Contacts page. Multiple amazing organisations offer their services 24/7.
Every month we spotlight our lovely resident’s events. Here are a few ways to spend your weekends in the sunshine this September.
BAMBANANI EP LAUNCH
Celebrating yet another joint release, Levi Love andJoey Tare back with their latest and greatest ‘Late&Good/Banyana’ EP. So in the spirit of BAMBANANI, let’s hold each other in the dance and make the walls shake with this killer line-up. Get yourself down for a night of deep cuts and house groovers.
MOTORWAY DISCO WITH SUPERNATURE DISCO
Good Custard is joined by Manchester collective Supernature Disco, Discography Lessons curator Ben Banjo-Field and local selector Faz for a night of Disco and House under the A57. Join them for a night of dancing at Hatch this Friday, you won’t regret it!
NOSSA CARNIVAL
Brazilian music all day long from Nossa! Residents, Hannah O’Gorman & Keltoi, and very special guest Atiké (Me Gusta). Expect Samba, MPB, and Funk to start, with House, Disco, and Baile Funk taking us into the night!
Expect massive beats from the wonderful Samba Espirito who will be coming through with 18 drums and buckets of energy. There’s going to be Brazilian food, Capoeira, face painting and carnival make-up from Cora O’Gorman and BYOBV (Bring Your Own Brazilian Vinyl and we’ll play it!).
SPLINT + DOG + MODEMA
Manchester’s gig curators and new-band selectors, Sabotage, present brand new band Splint + Dog + Modema. Headlining their first ever show at the well-loved Castle Hotel on Oldham Street,
Get yourselves down there on September 9th to see the magic for yourselves!
JUKE JOINT X LUCID JUICE
Juke Joint and Lucid Juiceare joining forces to bring absolute legends Sully and DJ SWISHA to Manchester’s Rebellion.
“Long before the UK garage revival kicked in and “future” garage had even been dreamt up, Sully began finding a space between 2step’s swing, dubstep’s edge and break steps drums, all underpinned by the rude spirit of Jungle. While he has preferred to keep a relatively low profile and remain around the peripheries of the quick hype, quick decay climate of the burgeoning bass music scene, his music has found a sense of permanence, the longevity of which speaks volumes of his talent.
DJ SWISHA has established himself as one of the most prolific club producers in the USA. Drawing on the legacy of Jersey and Baltimore club, juke, footwork and ghetto house, the Philadelphia-born, New York-based artist has been responsible for some of the most exciting club tracks of the past years”.
The pink bally brandishing babes are back with another night of bass and booty-shaking beats! This time they’ve got Sheffield based Diessa headlining at one of their fave venues in Manchester, supported by their very own residents.
Welcome back to On Our Radar, a weekly music feature where the Reform team select their hottest tracks of the week. This time we’re exploring the genres of Bass, Ambient, Rap, Funky and more!
EARTH BOYS
Earth Boys are back with their second release of 2MR Records. Rooted in the rave culture of NYC, ‘DITTIES’ is a personal account of the pair’s musical journey and inspirations over the years. The intro track ‘We Didn’t See the End’ tells the story of their first memories of producing and promoting in the early noughties in New York, moving across to tracks such as ‘KIM 3.6’ which emphasises how they have been on the scene for decades.
BLUETOOF
We have been keeping a watchful eye on Bluetoof ever since he played at our lovely resident’s event, Great Danes, a few months ago. Mixmag premiered it on their Soundcloud, and that’s usually enough to catch our attention. This bass-heavy stomper is now available to purchase on his debut label, Infra Red, so head over to his Bandcamp now and treat your ears!
JAWINO
Jawino is opening up our minds one soundscape at a time with four-track EP ‘4040’. Smooth lyrical flow partnered with dream-like instrumentation makes for a perfect pair and sets him in his own genre of contemporary Rap. If you don’t know him, get to know.
MUTE CITY
Mute City’s latest release ‘Total Resignation’ blossoms into a beautiful sonic butterfly, wavering between polymetric Minimal Techno, glitchy Lo-fi and ominous modular melodies. Rich in texture, depth and narrative, each track glides effortlessly into one another. We highly recommend it!
SLUMBERJUNKIE
London-based producer, DJ and composer Slumberjunkie has just released ‘Never Understand’ EP on Silver Bear Recordings and its vibrant, dancey and bass-heavy. Over the past few years, he’s been playing alongside DJs such as Ross From Friends and Cameo Blush. Now, he sheds limelight onto who he is as a solo artist with four perfectly crafted tracks.
Soundcamp kicked off this May, inviting new and aspiring artists into the space for a two-week Bootcamp. After the two-week period, 12 finalists were selected to stay on and hone their craft to the next level, with mentoring from some of the best in the business such as Werkha, Jenna G and Anna Mcluckie.
Let us introduce you to our third group of Soundcamp 2022 finalists…
BAMBI RAPTOR
Hi, I’m Imogen. My artist name is Bambi Raptor and I am a producer, singer and songwriter from Manchester. I don’t have any socials or music out yet, but they will be coming soon, so keep your eyes peeled!
How would you describe yourself as an artist?
A combination of dancey beats, weird sounds, catchy melodies and emotional lyrics – think Phoebe Bridgers if she’d grown up with a 90s Garage Classics CD and a retro drum machine.
How long have you been doing music? When did you start?
I started playing the piano at 8 years old, then the drums aged 11. Eventually, I joined various Indie Rock, Pop and Grunge bands in my teens. I had always written songs for fun, but during the first lockdown, I decided to take this more seriously and develop an established sound for a new solo original project, which grew into Bambi Raptor.
What are some of your main influences?
I am influenced by the creative production of The Neptunes, SOPHIE, and Gold Panda. The House and Garage sound revival of Disclosure and Sam Gellaitry, and the heartfelt melodic songwriting of Phoebe Bridgers, The Beach Boys, Joni Mitchell and Paul Simon.
What do you hope to get out of the Soundcamp experience?
I hope to release a short EP of songs that I am really proud of and that encapsulate my sound. I would love to perform a live set of these songs for the first time!
I really want to develop a solid foundation for my music, so that I can continue to develop this project in the future.
What do you see for yourself in the future as an artist?
I would love to tour the world and play amazing shows with my favourite artists, but I’ve got a lot of work to do if I want to get to that point! In the meantime, I will continue making and releasing music that I enjoy, collaborating with different vocalists and producers, and trying to get my music out to as many people as possible – hopefully, they’ll like it!
Who is your dream collaboration?
This is a tough question! I would love to work with Anomalie – my keyboard skills aren’t as good as I’d like them to be, so to watch him shredding over one of my beats would be crazy! I’d also love to work with a really charismatic vocalist who I could bounce ideas off – Tyler, The Creator or Lizzo would be awesome, and I think the three of us would make something really fun!
Hi, I’m Bake Gently. A Manchester-based artist who is beginning to release music of his own after working with notable artists in the city such as Quiet Houses and Paige Kennedy. I am inspired by great songwriting, truth and beauty when making music, and strive to balance expression with introversion. You can follow me on Instagram and TikTok @bakegently and listen to my work on all major streaming platforms.
How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I would describe my sound as commercial with a classic twist. I make Alternative Pop and love blending my music with things I’m influenced by in film, art, literature and life in general. I’m quite a private person really, so I guess a slight air of mystique and aloofness plays into my image as an artist, but hopefully with the impression of not taking myself too seriously at the same time!
How long have you been doing music? Where did you start?
I first got into music after picking up the guitar when I was around ten. I then moved on to bass, which I played in ensembles at school as well as in bands with my mates and pursued it at a degree level, enrolling on a four-year popular music course at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. It was here that I got involved in even more projects and was also honing my songwriting and production which I’ve always done on the side. After graduating during the summer of 2021 I realised that I was most interested in developing these latter skills so started concentrating on my solo project as a vehicle for this.
What are some of your main influences?
I want my sound to be a culmination of the modern Pop experimentalism of Caroline Polachek, the high-fidelity production of Daft Punk and the musical and songwriting class of Steely Dan. I also draw upon storytelling concepts from Japanese Samurai films and Hollywood Westerns for my lyrics, as well as the natural imagery of painters like Caspar David Friedrich and the colourful wordplay of magical realism.
What do you hope to get out of the Soundcamp experience?
I hope to use it as a time to focus on my craft and consolidate my current career choices. I also hope to use it to make new friends in the local arts scene and push me out of my comfort zone in terms of sharing my work.
What do you see for yourself in the future as an artist?
I see myself as someone who will always be creating and striving to make a living from doing what they love. I’d like to find some degree of success or recognition with my project and potentially use it as a springboard to write and produce for other notable artists. I know my sound is one that’s going to take time to develop and flourish so I’m determined to treat my career as a marathon, not a sprint, and enjoy the ride as much as possible.
Who is your dream collaboration?
For my own project, I’d love to collaborate with some of the finest Pop writers out there such as Max Martin and his team, Dr. Luke or Stargate. Alternatively, as a writer/producer working on another artist’s music, I like the idea of collaborating with someone very different to me. I was just thinking the other day how liberating it would be to write a song with a powerful female artist like Doja Cat, Lizzo or Beyoncé.
Our podcasting course Tameside Futures just wrapped up, inviting participants to the 4C Community Centre in Ashton for a two-week Bootcamp which is kindly made possible by the Prince’s Trust and Tameside Council.
Following the Bootcamp, four weeks of additional support are offered such as CV and interview prep, well-being and extra creative sessions that help young people in Tameside connect with local employers.
During this August’s workshop, a wide range of employers such as Brother, Take 1 Scenic, The Village Hotels and Eve Studios joined us, allowing for a wide range of interviewing activities.
If you’re not familiar with these businesses, let’s tell you a little bit about them. Take 1 Scenic is a creative construction company, working across theatre sets and beyond. The Village Hotels are a chain of hotels across the UK, with prime locations in places such as Aberdeen, Swansea and Manchester. Eve Studios offer mixing, mastering and recording services and, last but not least, Brother is a technology company supplying some big names in the industry.
Listen back to the live radio show they worked towards to find out more about what went down.
To get involved with any of our free courses, please email projects@reformradio.co.uk
Welcome back to On Our Radar, a music feature where the Reform team show off their hottest tracks of the week. This week we are getting stuck into beats, and we don’t just mean percussion…
TSHA
London’s TSHA returns to Ninja Tune with her new album ‘Capricorn Sun’, set to release in the Autumn of 2022. Composed over the past 2 years during her prominent rise to fame, the album encapsulates her personal and professional journey through each song being emotive-provoking in its own right. Being a Capricorn herself, “naming the album ‘Capricorn Sun’ was a good way of saying ‘this is me”.
PATRICK HOLLAND
Mostly known for his Electronic releases under alias’ such as Project Pablo and Jump Source, Montreal’s Patrick Holland switches things up with a guitar-driven, Indie Pop album full of upbeat melodies based on his own personal reflections and anxieties. Pivoting from his usual House style, he asserts himself as a versatile artist through softly sung vocals and dreamy rhythms.
LDLDN
NTS Radio host and founder of Natural Frequency Records, LDLDN, is back with their third release. “This abstract, bass-heavy 4-tracker riffs on the idea that modern technology enhances, dominates and changes our lives”.
EVERSINES
We are loving this dreamy blissed-out Breaks EP from Eversines. Released on Job Jobse’s record label in Amsterdam, De Vlieger, you can only imagine it’s made for the set times of dawn. Featuring a special remix from BBC Radio 1 resident Eris Drew, go check it out!
NIKO B
After featuring on Victory Lap Cypher on Balamii, where a bunch of rappers come together and freestyle, Niko B has released a music video for ‘Love Island Freestyle’ and it’s already hit 9.6K likes. With effortless flow and well-thought-out lyrics, it’s only a matter of time before the real Love Island blows this one up.
