The DJ Sessions course (funded by MAES) last month in June was an absolute hit. We are lucky to have had a cohort of incredible young talent and passion walk through our studio doors, ready to upskill in the world of mixers and beat-matching. Over the two-week course, our trusty team of mentors helped the participants curate their music selection and learn the often tricky technicalities of DJing. All of their preparation was geared towards their showcase on the final day of the course! We spoke to Mason just ahead of his showcase to hear about his experiences of DJ Sessions and his exciting future plans.
Please can you introduce your name, and pronouns, and tell us a bit about what you like getting up to in your free time?
My name is Mason Neville Cooper (he/him). I love DJing, clearly, and I love learning everything there is to know about it.
What prompted you to get involved with the DJ Sessions course?
It was just that at one point, I heard a song, and it just resonated with me. I wanted to know how it was made and who made it – most importantly, I wanted to know if everyone else felt the same way about that song. And now a year down the line, here I am, learning about it.
What do you love most about DJing?
What I love the most about it is definitely the creativeness, you can literally be your own person when it comes to DJing. You can express yourself in a million different ways. It’s a good thing to always have at the back of your mind, and know that if all else fails, I’ve always got this. It’s not even just a good skill to have, but a backup plan – I enjoy waking up in the morning and DJing.
Did you have much experience in DJing before? What’s one stand out thing you’ve learnt at Reform?
I had barely any experience before, just a love for it. I think one big thing that I’ve learned is how creative you can actually be with it. Everything that we’ve learned altogether has been absolutely amazing.
How would you describe your DJ set in three words?
Absolutely bloody amazing.
Do you have any role models in the music scene that inspire your practice?
I have so many, I could spend all day naming them. I’ll name all the big names, you’ve got people like Chris Stussy, Kettama. There are a lot of people in the industry that I highly look up to and all for different things: the person that they are, their attitude, and how they make the crowd feel. The DJ world just gives off a really warm vibe, and it’s a great community to be a part of.
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?
Well, I’d say the first day, before even coming, I was a bit nervous because I’m not really the type of person to just meet new people like this. But the second I walked through the door, everyone made me feel right at home. I’ve made really good friends.
What will you take from the DJ course moving forwards and what are your plans from here onwards?
I’m definitely taking my attitude and everything I’ve learned with me. And my plans for after are to hopefully become the next big superstar DJ, hopefully you’ll see me at Parklife next year.
If you could DJ at any festival, event, or place in the world, where would it be and why?
Recently, there was a rave in front of the Pyramids in Egypt, which is my ideal place. Sunset, in front of the Pyramids, dropping absolute bangers.
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We had an eclectic group of musicians develop their artistry on our Music Course at Reform Radio (funded by MAES). Whether first-timers or new artists looking for guidance, all the participants worked over two weeks to write and produce a song. Expert help from our Reform Radio mentors, Alex, Femi and Les, led these budding creatives towards their end goal, where they had the opportunity to play their new song live on Reform Radio’s airwaves. The sheer talent and passion from our attendees on this Music Course can be experienced via their ‘Quest For Groove’ show, where they let you into this new, exciting chapter of their musical careers.
Listen below.
We caught up with two members of the groovy crew at the end of their course to see how they developed over their time here:
Please can you introduce your name, and pronouns, and tell us a bit about what you like getting up to in your free time?
S: Hi, I’m Sakinah (she/her). I am a classically trained actress, but I’ve always had this hidden hobby for music. Music is something I’m in love with, it has saved my life. I love to listen to sounds like R&B, Ragga, Jazz and Hip-Hop. Hip-hop is my therapy. My goal is to make a lot of music and perform onstage.
J: My name is James (he/him). I’m a folk and soul singer-songwriter. I always grew up around music, and even when I wasn’t consciously looking for it, it became a part of my life. I love old soul music. Otis Redding is my favourite singer in the world. I have an eclectic taste, I love bits of everything. My end goal is to share music and help people with mental health – hopefully they can relate to my songs and put people in a better place.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
S: Tranquility, fun, light.
J: Unique, honest, brave.
If you were stuck on a desert island with a record player, what record would you want to have with you to listen to?
S: ‘I Will Always Love You’ by Whitney Houston.
J: One song that’d keep me going is ‘Dry The Rain’ by The Beta Band.
Did you have much musical experience before? If so, what’s your favourite thing about making music?
S: I’ve mainly got acting experience. But my sister said to me when I was sixteen that I can’t sing, so I thought that I was never going to be able to do that. So I always hid behind dance and acting when truthfully, I’m a little superstar who loves singing!
J: I went to college to study music performance. But from growing up around music, I have developed an eclectic music taste. Music for me is about expression, you can really express how you feel; express soul and love and even unhappiness. Most sad things turn out beautiful in music. After studying music for three years at college, I really realised that this is my life. I like performing and feeling the soul and feeling a buzz. I don’t really feel that when I wake up, but when I’m onstage I feel something – I don’t know what it is but it’s something that keeps me going.
What prompted you to get involved with the Music Course?
S: I’ve come on this course to get confident being around other people who are creative in this music bubble. I just wanted to be able to feel confident. I want to create something and share it because I feel like loads of people are gonna relate to me. I’m supposed to make these songs to help people. I love healing the world, so this is my method of doing that.
J: I’m unemployed because I want to work in the music industry and it’s something that you can’t really just walk into. So, I was at the job centre talking about my music, and Damian, who’s very good, directed me to this course. It’s been really good, this course has helped me so much. It has taught me so much and shown me how music is important to me.
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?
S: I came here with an open mind, receptive to anything that was asked of me. I’ve got more clarity and confidence now because I’ve been able to practice what I do in front of people and have feedback, which I never had before.
J: Coming from college, I always found there was a lot of pressure to be a certain way. So I said to myself, “I’m going to come in here with a mindset that just wants to learn and grow with other people.” It’s been really chill, and I’ve met a lot of nice and creative people who genuinely care about the soul of music. People who care about the journey and not the destination. At college, it wasn’t like that. Alex and Femi are absolutely phenomenal, I’ve learned so much from them already.
What’s your go-to album to listen to after a long day?
S: When I’m creating, I don’t listen to any other artists. I only listen to frequency music. Because if I listen to them now, I’m potentially going to try and sound like them, and I can’t afford to do that because it’s important that I keep my originality. But when I’m not creating, I listen to Janet Jackson (‘That’s The Way Love Goes’), Lauryn Hill, and Missy Elliott.
J: For me, that’s easy, I’m going to say ‘Otis Blue’ by Otis Redding. It’s got some really beautiful and calm melodies and some more upbeat melodies. Every time I listen, I think, “That’s my man Otis Redding”. I love that man.
Do you have any musical role models that inspire your practice and why?
S: Beyonce, because she does this thing, that when she’s creating a world and a body of art, she’s drawing from all these different elements and she’s using that to be the foundation of the art. Everything she does is calculated. She’s not putting anything together just because it looks good.
J: My dad. He’s been singing in bands all his life. Without him, I would not be the musician I am today. I’m very lucky because my mum and dad play great music. My dad taught me the basics of the guitar. He is my music hero.
What will you take from the Music course moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards?
S: I want to perform. I want to do festivals and concerts and support artists; writing and write for people. With my whole new lease of life, I just want to live it. I want to get onstage and share to the masses.
J: Keep creating music. I need to start up a social media page for it. I’m not a big fan of social media, but I know it’s important if I want to raise my music awareness. I want people to see it! I’d love to work in the industry facilitating music courses for disabled people.
To find out about our future projects at Reform Radio, sign up to our Projects newsletter here.
Here at Reform Radio, we kick-started the year with another one of our podcasting courses. In January, we had a group of eager, new podcasters come in for a two week program funded by MAES. During their time here, our participants learned the ropes of podcast production including scriptwriting, audio recording and editing. The attendees also got the exciting opportunity to visit the BBC Studios. They headed to Media City for the day to experience the liveliness of the broadcasting industry first hand. The group worked hard to create their own podcast show, which was aired live from the Reform studios at the end of the project. Listen to the show via the link below.
We spoke to Madi and JB to uncover their personal experiences of the podcasting course and their exciting future prospects.
Please can you introduce your name, and pronouns, and tell us a bit about what you like getting up to in your free time?
M: I’m Madi, my pronouns are she/they. I’m very involved in the art scene. I am a freelance director and actor, which is very cool and fun. I’ve also done a few short films, but I’ve not really had the opportunity to learn much about podcasting, which is why I’m here.
JB: I’m JB, my pronouns are he/him. I’m a musician outside of here, I really like music and photography as well. I also had no clue about podcasting or radio, so that’s why I’m on this course.
Describe yourself in three words.
M: Energetic, passionate and caring.
JB: Passionate, calm and sporadic.
If you had to recommend a podcast to someone who’s never listened to a podcast before, what would it be and why?
M: I think it depends on your mood so I’m gonna do two. If you’re looking for a storytelling, human experience, I would recommend ‘The Moth’. I think ‘The Moth’ stories are absolutely excellent, they’re from all over the world. If you’re looking for a sit down comedy, I’ve got to say my girl Brittany Broski.
JB: I didn’t listen to a lot of podcasts before, so I’ll say one that really got me, which was ‘George The Poet’. It really expanded what I thought podcasting was. I think he talks about some really interesting things.
If you could have anyone on your own podcast as a guest, who would it be and why?
M: This is a really random one, and I think my answer to this would change day to day, but recently I’ve really gotten into Dolly Parton. I just love that diva. So if I could have the opportunity to sit down and chat with her, I would absolutely jump on that.
JB: There’s a rapper I really like called Earl Sweatshirt, I feel like he’d be fun to interview. I’d like to pick his brain about stuff – he seems quite with it.
What prompted you to get involved with the Podcasting Course?
M: I’ve always been really interested in radio and podcasting. I had a horrible podcast in school with one of my friends. It was just a phone set up in our car and we would eat and just chat. And so, I was really excited to do the audio aspects. I’ve always done film, but I’ve not really had the opportunity to learn specifically about the audio. Bad audio really ruins an entire film, so I really wanted to get into the nitty gritty of that.
JB: I think I actually feel the same, but also peer pressure… Someone who was on this course told me “you have to do this course,” and they weren’t wrong. I did a video podcast sort of thing in the past and I came here trying to revitalise it. I ended up thinking about it so much more broadly as a result of coming here. It’s opened my eyes a lot.
What has been your favourite thing about audio production and podcasting through the project?
M: I definitely didn’t think it was going to be something I was good at. I have hearing damage, and so, I didn’t think at all that I was going to be good at it. Originally I just wanted to do a chat with someone, but now I am actually able to listen to the audio and know how to edit the tracks. I think that’s been an eye opening thing; how much I really do love sitting down and editing.
JB: I second that. Editing has been the most fun part. It’s like a big puzzle for me, getting all the pieces together and finding what works. My serotonin levels are at an all time high.
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?
M: I graduated in July and it’s been a constant stream of applying for different creative jobs and every single one coming back and saying no. So, I came in feeling defeated about my career, what I was doing and not really having creative juices left. It’s been really refreshing here and I think it’s built up my confidence again. I can go out and feel like the way I think is worthy in and of itself within the creative industry.
JB: I think I’m a lot more comfortable. I think that the space, the mentors, the people you’re surrounded by on the course and also the people who work at Reform are all so welcoming and quite warm. I feel that over time, it’s not just thawed me a bit. But it’s definitely made me a bit more like ‘yeah, I can be comfortable here.’ I feel like it’s a great space to facilitate that.
What will you take from the podcasting course moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards?
M: There’s definitely the confidence of going back into the world as a freelance artist, which is exciting. On top of that, after leaving the education system where so much of the art you’re pushing out is for a grade, it’s nice to have a personal creative endeavour that I want to continue. I’m not going to get anything from this apart from satisfying my own brain and head. But, I think that’s really cool and it’s important to have projects like that.
JB: I do want to continue the concept I’ve got. The original idea was to do my previous show and make it animated but including the audio. I think I’d still do that but with this new idea. This course has opened a lot more doors. I can now gather as much creative potential as possible and see where it lands.
To find out about our future projects at Reform Radio, sign up to our Projects newsletter here.
It is as busy as ever over here at Reform Radio, with us running a whole exciting array of courses to kickstart 2025. Today, we are throwing it back to our most recent Radio Course in November, funded by MAES. Throughout the two week course, our participants delved into scriptwriting, presenting, and radio production. To close the course, our attendees went live on the airwaves to broadcast their very own show. Listen back to the show below.
We caught up with Amanda and Dylan about their time on the programme and their plans from here. Read the full interview below.
Please can you introduce your name, and pronouns, and tell us a bit about what you like getting up to in your free time?
A: I’m Amanda, my pronouns are she/her. I go out a lot; Manchester is a great city if you like going out. I also like acting and filmmaking.
D: My name is Dylan and my pronouns are he/him. In my free time, I like listening to and playing instruments, and I’m also in a band.
Describe yourself in three words.
A: Curious, emotional and friendly.
D: I’m quiet, curious and laid-back.
Did either of you have much experience in radio or presenting before, and what has been your favourite thing about it?
A: No, I didn’t have any experience at all. I have had experience with acting and performing in some capacity. The thing I like, in comparison to acting, is that you’re speaking your truth. You have more creative freedom, and there are so many different elements you can get involved in. It has been eye-opening to understand how many jobs there are within the radio sector.
D: Similar to Amanda, I had no direct experience in radio either. At university, we had to make a radio play and, coming from a music production background, I had some an understanding of producing. However, I was keen to understand what went into producing a live radio show. Like Amanda said, it’s just been great to see how much work goes into the sector.
What prompted you guys to get involved in the Radio Course?
A: I realised that radio would be a good industry for me as it encompasses a lot of the things I am interested in. Then I was chatting to a friend who recommended Reform Radio to me and I was ready to try something new as well. I wasn’t sure what to do after leaving uni so this gave me some direction and routine.
D: I didn’t realise these courses existed, but my connection with the Job Centre led me to them. When I read about them, they sounded really decent so I thought I’d get involved.
You guys have been working on your own show, can you tell us a bit more about what we can expect from it and what it’s been inspired by?
A: Dylan and I are working on the same segment of the show, which is looking into our experiences within the Manchester music scene. The whole group has different music styles and preferences so there are lots of different perspectives to discuss. The whole show is delving into different topics surrounding Manchester, some segment subjects include dating, football and more.
D: Yes, it’s been great because even though we have that common umbrella of the fact that all of us are from Manchester, we’ve still been able to see everyone’s personalities coming out in their segments.
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?
A: Aside from learning practical skills, one of the things I have taken from this course has been meeting new people. I’ve met people, like Dylan, who have different interests to me, and they have opened me up to new interests of theirs. That’s a cool thing about the creative industries – you never know things exist until you meet someone that exists in those spaces.
D: Definitely. One of the other participants is running an event tonight and some of us are just heading down to support him. It’s nice to have met people I’m not directly similar to, but then to have found ways we are connected.
If you could have any guest on your own radio show, who would it be and why?
A: Because I grew up listening to Nick Grimshaw on the radio, I think it would be funny and a real ‘I made it’ moment if Nick Grimshaw was a guest on my show.
D: It would have to be someone like John Lennon or Jimi Hendrix – one of the musical greats – to pick their brains.
What’s your go-to radio station to lock into?
A: I love a bit of Radio 6, especially when I’m in the car; there’s a lot of variety on that station, too. Also, I listen to NTS a lot because there’s so much choice and you can try listening to new sounds. The breakfast shows are so easy to listen to as well.
D: I used to love listening to things like Kerrang! and Planet Rock. Now, I really like Guy Garvey’s and Radcliffe & Maconie’s slots on 6 Music.
What will you take from the Radio Course moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards?
A: I am doing the DJ course with Reform soon so I’m excited to have even more skills to take moving forward. Afterwards, I am going to look for experience in the creative industries to continue trying new things and developing new skills. The best thing about being creative is you can do lots of different things at once.
D: Obviously, I was looking forward to the course but I didn’t really consider having a career in radio. However, following the project, I am now really interested in a radio career. I plan to get in touch with some community stations to look into volunteering with them and see where it goes from there.
To find out about our future projects at Reform Radio, sign up to our Projects newsletter here.
We had a blast at our recent Music Course, funded by MAES. The two week programme was filled with songwriting, music production, and radio workshops. Meanwhile, to close the project, all the songs our participants created were showcased on a live radio show on Reform Radio.
It was about time we delved deeper into what our attendees got up to, so meet Theo, one of our participants who told us more about their musical inspirations and where they’re heading next.
Please can you introduce yourself, your pronouns and what you get up to in your free time?
Hey, I’m Theo and my pronouns are they/them. I like exploring abandoned places around Manchester and photographing them on my camera.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
I’m curious, inquisitive and adventurous.
If you were stuck on a desert island with a record player, what record would you want to have with you to listen to?
It would be ‘Jubilee’ by Japanese Breakfast.
Did you have much musical experience before you joined the course? If so, what’s your favourite thing about making music?
It was all very new. I had taken piano lessons as a kid when I was 6 and then did nothing musical. My favourite thing about music now has been being exposed to different genres of music. Also, I’ve liked seeing the different processes individuals have undertaken. It’s been great to see how my course-mates have developed their ideas. Furthermore, I have learnt the basics of chord progressions; I feel so empowered by that.
What prompted you to get involved with the Music Course?
I discovered the course on Instagram and I just thought I’d give it a go. I was a bit afraid of giving music a try but I’m glad I did.
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?
I didn’t think I could write music. Now, I know I actually can if I’m encouraged and guided through it. Additionally, I thought I couldn’t sing but Alex, the facilitator, gave me all the confidence in delivering two lines of singing within my spoken word piece.
What will you take from the Music course moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards?
Experimenting and arranging new tracks is something I want to keep doing, alongside collaborating with more people. The musical process can be so solitary sometimes so you forget that you can let go of agency when you work with other people.
Who would be your dream artist/producer to collaborate with?
I love how Aldous Harding writes so it would have to be her.
We invited another round of participants into Reform Radio for our ever-growing DJ Sessions, funded by MAES. Our attendees were led through the likes of beat-matching, blending and mixing. By the end of the project, they were ready to take to the decks and play at a celebratory showcase, sharing all they’d learnt. We caught up with Erika, one of our newly-trained DJs, to find out more about what they got up to across the two weeks.
Introduce your name, pronouns, and what you enjoy in your free time.
My name’s Erika (she/her), and I’m currently working on improving my DJing skills. I’m usually doing something arts and crafty; lately I’ve been into crocheting and reforming clothes.
What prompted you to get involved with the DJ Course?
I actually took part in the Soundcamp Bootcamp earlier this year and was recommended to take the DJ course as it’s another pathway into the music scene. Most of the music I create is electronic, so it makes sense for me to take on these skills.
What do you love most about DJing?
It’s interesting seeing what elements mix well with each other when I’m blending different tracks together and the vibe that can come from it.
Did you have much experience in DJing before? What’s one stand out thing you’ve learnt at Reform?
This was my first time properly being behind decks. I’ve only played around with DJing a few years before but this was my first time seriously doing it. At Reform, I didn’t only learnt the ins and outs of the craft but also how to market and promote myself as a DJ. I also learnt how to put together a deck and what equipment to use which is handy.
How would you describe a DJ set of yours in three words?
I would say it’s a mix of experimental, harsh (in a good way!) and colourful.
Do you have any role models in the music scene that inspire your DJing practice and why?
KAYTRANADA is the reason I got into producing and I usually watch or listen to his sets because I love the range he uses in them.
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?
I was so nervous that I was considering not attending the course as this felt like a completely new world to me. But ultimately, I’m so happy I decided to face it head-on. Now, I feel really welcomed and at ease with the people running the course and the people I took it with.
What will you take from the DJ course moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards?
I’m taking on a new perspective on the music scene. I’m ready to go full steam ahead with DJing and plan on doing more gigs and putting myself out there. I plan on booking more gigs in the new year and releasing music soon as well.
If you could DJ at any festival, event, or place in the world, where would it be and why?
I’d want to try an underground rave at one point. It feels a lot more intimate and vibey as opposed to a festival, I’d love to curate the mood for an event like that.
If you’d like to find out how you can get involved in our future projects, get in touch with our Engagement team on projects@reformradio.co.uk.
Throughout June we hosted a new bunch of participants here at Reform Radio for another round of our DJ Sessions. Funded by MAES, attendees were led through the likes of mixing, beat-matching and self-promotion. This cohort also received masterclasses from the likes of Not Bad For A Girl, Genre Music and GigPig. To close the course, our new DJs took to the decks at Revolution Manchester to play a 10 minute set, showcasing all they’d been working on.
We were lucky enough to catch up with two of our participants, Caylee and Cookie, about what they got up to and where they plan to take their new DJing skills. Check it out below.
The recent group of participants on our DJ Sessions
Introduce your name, pronouns, and what you get up to in your free time.
Cookie: My name is Cookie (they/them). I’m a multi-disciplinary artist. I do design, illustration, mural work, poetry, and spoken word. I’m also a vocalist in a punk band and a creative producer for The Untold Orchestra.
Caylee: I’m Caylee, my pronouns are she/her. I don’t really do much in my free time. I used to bartend at events. I’ve quit that now to live life and focus on where I’m going next.
What prompted you to get involved with the DJ Sessions?
Cookie: I bumped into a friend who was on the last DJ course when she was on her way to Reform. She just had a different energy about her. We both had said we were going to learn to DJ this year. She said I had to get on this course so that we can do a B2B we’d been planning for years. I could just tell from her energy that it was a good thing. I immediately signed up.
Caylee: Well, I heard about this through my friend and also through the Job Centre. I signed up as soon as my friend told me about it and then the Job Centre helped me to get onto the register. I have a few DJ friends. One of my friends, he’s a very accomplished DJ and producer. I used to always go to his events in Sweden. I just love the way that he gets the crowd moving. He’s constantly in the zone and I just admire his craftsmanship. I was wondering how he does it so I decided to give DJing a go.
What do you love most about DJing?
Cookie: I’ve really enjoyed learning about the equipment. I do ad-hoc stage managing and I’ve wanted to know what all the names of all the equipment are. Because I work on live shows, there’s no time to be asking questions. So it’s been nice to be around people who are willing to help you learn at your pace. It’s been really encouraging.
Caylee: The creativity of it all. I’m enjoying just getting behind the decks, freestyling and having fun. It’s just constant excitement. Once you learn something and then you can apply it yourself and it actually sounds good, it’s the best feeling.
Cookie: I completely agree. Sometimes I forget I’m not in the crowd dancing and then I come back into the room and remember I’m the one in control of the music.
Caylee: Me too. I’m in the practice rooms raving to my own mixes. It’s the best serotonin hit.
Cookie, a participant on our DJ Sessions
Did you have much experience in DJing before? What’s one stand out thing you’ve learnt at Reform?
Cookie: I didn’t have any experience in DJing so it’s amazing being able to just understand all the different operations on the decks. Doing hot queues; I’m obsessed with the fact that I can do all these new things. I feel like I’ve got a higher knowledge of the music now.
Caylee: I think just knowing how to make it sound good. I’ve enjoyed playing with the tunes, taking out certain aspects of a song to help another song and even having two songs playing at the same time. It’s the best feeling when it’s sounding good together.
How would you describe a DJ set of yours in three words?
Cookie: High energy, intense and eclectic.
Caylee: I would say fun, light-hearted and different.
Do you have any role models in the music scene that inspire your DJing practice and why?
Cookie: Jaguar, as a DJ. I met them a few years ago when I was doing body painting at The Warehouse Project. It was when they were just starting off. They were telling me what they were going to do in terms of doing a diversity rider, so that when they get booked, it ensures that they have other marginalised genders, races and identities at the same events. I was saying they were going to change the game with that and they really have. Now, they’ve got their BBC Introducing residency and it has actually changed the way that most DJs are booked.
I also love Metrodome. He’s been DJing since he was four years old and he is such a varied DJ. I love watching him and seeing his same childlike energy now and the faces he does when he has excited himself. He’s the only person I’ve seen that can turn up to a gig, realise he’s left his USB back at home, borrow someone else’s, and play the tunes better than them. Adele, one of our Reform mentors, has also inspired me too. I was blown away by her DJing.
Caylee: Me too. Adele just had so much energy in her when she was playing for us. Again, my friend Eric is a huge inspiration to me. If it wasn’t for him, I would have never even thought about being a DJ. I’m from a very musically inclined family but I can’t sing or play any instruments. Now I’ve got into DJing, it all makes sense; this is what I’m supposed to be doing.
From left: Adele (Reform Mentor), Naomi & Les (creative practicioners)
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?
Cookie: I feel really comfortable in the space now. I’ve been to Reform for a couple of other things in the past and I was always worried being around such expensive equipment. I would always think ‘Cookie, don’t touch anything, don’t knock into anything’. Now I know what everything is and what it does. I feel much more comfortable here and very knowledgeable. I feel like I’ve learned so much in these past few days, but in a manageable away.
Caylee: I feel very much more confident in myself, even just in general, and also optimistic about my future. I used to be so scared of the future and thought I would have to do a boring 9 to 5 job. Now I know I can take other routes and still live my life happily.
If you could DJ at any festival, event, or place in the world, where would it be and why?
Cookie: Definitely We Out Here Festival. It’s the most comfortable I’ve ever felt at a festival. It’s very well mixed in terms of diversity and race and gender. There’s a lot of opportunities to DJ in the different spaces there. For example, they have a roller rink you can DJ at. Last year, on another stage, they had breakdancing in the background and DJs on stage. I would love to have that mix of creativity going on around me.
Caylee: If I was going to choose a festival, it would be Boomtown. It’s such a colourful festival. Venue wise, the Avicii Arena is my favourite. You know when you have a really personal connection to a certain place that you can’t explain to someone else? It’s just my place.
What will you take from the DJ course moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards?
Cookie: The course has given me a space to be inquisitive which is nice. It’s a welcomed inquisition rather than making you just get on with things without asking questions. There is space to ask more and it is welcomed to do so.
Caylee: It’s given me lots of knowledge and skills, and the confidence to actually put myself out there. I’m obviously sad that I’m not coming to Reform anymore, but I’m excited to actually get out there and see what I can do with my new skills in the world.
If you want to find out more about our future courses, drop our Engagement team an email on projects@reformradio.co.uk.
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.
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.
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.
It has been a busy fortnight at Reform, with us having a full house of participants for our Podcasting Course. Funded by MAES, our attendees have been led through the likes of production, scripting and editing. To complete the project, they have each designed, recorded and produced their own podcast to be played on the Reform Radio airwaves.
Listen to the show they created below.
We chatted to two of our participants, Ruby and Dove, to hear about what they got up to on the programme. They also chatted about what they’ve learnt and developed from joining us on the course.
Introduce your name, pronouns and what you get up to in your free time
R: Hi, I’m Ruby. My pronouns are she/her. In my free time I do a lot of media and art. I love spending time with my friends and I also do gig photography.
D: My name is Dove and my pronouns are she/her. My hobbies include gardening, foraging, meditating, yoga and reading.
Describe yourself in 3 words
R: I would say caring, funny and weird.
D: Neurodivergent, intuitive and humanitarian.
If you had to recommend a podcast to someone who’s never listened to a podcast before, what would it be and why?
R: I’ve got to say the ‘My Dad Wrote a Porno’ podcast because it’s hilarious and flows really well. I often find myself listening to it on public transport, laughing to myself and getting some stares.
D: The ‘Living Myth’ podcast with Michael Meade. He is a mythologist and philosopher. He takes ancient myths, tells their stories, and then connects it with our society today.
If you had to produce a podcast on any topic, what would it be about and why?
R: The podcast I’ve been working on on the course is called ‘Wired Differently’. It is all about neurodivergence and my personal experiences of being autistic and having ADHD. I hope to help other people learn about these subjects, but also use this topic to explore myself.
D: Mental health and the ways we can become better people to improve society. I would do this through sharing my own experiences, how my past self contributed to society and the environment and how I changed myself to help create a better world.
What prompted you to get involved with the Podcasting Course?
R: I’m currently on a gap year right now from my media degree. I wanted to broaden my horizons in this realm.
D: My own desire to create my own podcast. I was really passionate about it but I didn’t know what it actually took to do it. When I saw the course, I was ready to learn.
Did you have much experience in audio/podcasting before? If so, what’s your favourite thing about it?
R: I have some knowledge in radio and editing. However, I didn’t have direct experience in podcasting. It has been a really fun opportunity to delve into this more. My favourite thing about it has been getting into the routine of recording, producing and editing. I love the journey of creating a piece of audio work and exploring each stage of the process.
D: It was quite new; I am more into blogging via YouTube. I listen to some podcasts and some of my friends also do podcasting but I had never done it myself. My favourite thing about trying it for the first time has been the freedom it has given me to speak my truth. It’s really nice to speak freely in this form.
Let’s throw it back to your first day at Reform versus now, tell me a bit about your first impressions/feelings/emotions in comparison to how you feel now. What has changed?
R: I definitely feel a lot more confident in the area of podcasting. To begin with, I was shaking in my boots at working with a new group of people and trying something new. Fast forward to now and I will be sad to finish the course. I have loved meeting such a range of people and collaborating with them.
D: I have definitely become more authentic and genuine over the course of the project and learnt a lot about compromising and working in a team.
What will you take from the podcasting course moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards?
R: To begin with, I was quite apprehensive to do the course, but I am so glad I did it. So I plan to take this attitude with me and be confident in my creative choices, even when I think I am lacking expertise in certain areas. From here, I hope to continue with my podcast series and take part in more creative projects like this one.
D: I will take all the skills and knowledge I have learnt about editing, scripting, ethical consent and the requirements of different platforms.
To find out about our future projects, please reach out to our Engagement team at projects@reformradio.co.uk.
Our most recent Positive Frequencies course, funded by MAES, drew to a close with an inspiring radio show, Hotel Changing Frequencies. Within this, our participants shared stories of human experience, personal reflections and creative writing they worked on over the duration of the workshops.
Listen to the full show below.
Positive Frequencies is our well-being project, centred around self-expression and using creative outlets as a form of self-care. We chatted to one of our participants, Uyama, about her time on the programme and what they’ll be taking from it moving forward.
Introduce your name, pronouns and hobbies.
My name is Uyama and my pronouns are she/her. Currently, I’m studying English and Maths. Outside the course, I like playing netball for fun, and to help me relax and clear my mind.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Patient, caring and supportive.
What’s your favourite thing to do to make you feel good or as a form of self-care?
Playing netball!
Left: Creative Practitioner, Tito, leading one of our sessions. Right: Our Well-being Manager and in-house trained psychotherapist, Dan, leading a group discussion.
Did you have much experience of using writing in your well-being practice already? If so, what’s your favourite element of this or what have you enjoyed about trying it for the first time?
I didn’t have much experience, but I really appreciate that I got the opportunity to write something kind about myself at Positive Frequencies. I learnt that you don’t just have to say nice things to other people, but that you can also say these things to yourself.
What prompted you to get involved in our Positive Frequencies course?
I saw a poster and thought I should sign up. I didn’t want to miss it.
Let’s throw it back to your first day on the course versus now, tell me a bit about your first impressions/feelings/emotions in comparison to how you feel now. What has changed?
Again, I genuinely had never thought about saying kind things to myself. This was totally out of my mind and something I had never considered. It showed me you can value, respect and love yourself, and not just other people. This has helped me a lot already and it’s something I will take away with me.
If you had to give a sentence of advice to your younger self, what would it say?
You’re not too late to start anything. You can always restart at any age.
What will you take from Positive Frequencies moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards?
Aside from a kinder attitude towards myself, I am also looking forward to studying nursing and midwifing in the future. Hopefully, I will be a qualified nurse in two or three years time.
How would you describe the Positive Frequencies course to someone who was thinking of joining us as a participant?
It’s a great course – everybody is patient; there is no pressure and no judgement. I’m not an outspoken person and prefer to listen usually, but Positive Frequencies made me feel welcome and comfortable to share and speak. I would encourage others to take the step to join the course, because it’s a great space where everyone supports each other.
Over the past three weeks, we held another round of our High Rise project, funded by MAES. Participants were invited to hop into solo and collaborative creative writing sessions, alongside character development workshops, to build their own audio dramas. Produced by some of Manchester’s dynamic young voices, these audio pieces delved into the highs and lows of urban change, delivering a raw, authentic take on gentrification’s impact. The dramas were exclusively previewed on Reform Radio’s airwaves in a one hour special. Listen to the full show below.
We caught up with Chris, one of our recent participants, to find out about his time on the programme and what he’ll be taking forward from it.
Introduce your name, pronouns, and what you currently get up to in your free time.
My name is Christopher, my pronouns are he/him and I am currently re-learning how to play the guitar.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Work In Progress.
What prompted you to get involved with the High Rise project?
I previously really enjoyed doing scripting when I was on the Radio Course at Reform, so when I found out I could expand on this in the High Rise project, I was really keen to get involved.
Did you have much experience with creative writing before? If so, what’s your favourite thing about it?
I came onto the course with a tiny bit of experience in creative writing due to doing a session on it, also as part of the Radio Course. However, this was a whole different mine field for me and I was able to explore new areas of writing.
What’s your favourite book/poem that you’ve ever read?
My favourite poem would have to be ‘In Flanders Fields’ by John McCrae. I’m really interested in World War One so this is easily one of my favourite pieces.
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?
On my first day in the space, I was really nervous and introverted. Expressing myself, getting to know others and becoming more comfortable has allowed me to come out of my shell a lot. I’m really proud of how much my confidence has developed.
Where do you find inspiration for writing normally and can you give us some examples of what/who inspires your work?
I find most of my inspiration simply from my imagination. Sometimes I think of random elements and characters and then write them down. I can build a whole story from there.
What will you take from the High Rise project moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards?
I’ve developed my writing skills so much through the project and I’ve also met lots of like-minded creatives. From here, I am going to work with another guy who was on the High Rise course to produce our own larger scale audio drama.
If you want to find out more about our future projects, contact us at projects@reformradio.co.uk.
We hopped into 2024 with another round of our renowned DJ Sessions with our friends Do As You Please, funded by Manchester Adult Education. Over the past two weeks, a group of participants, eager to jump behind the decks, have been learning the ropes of beatmatching, blending and more. Our partners, GigPig, also joined us for a session all about gig-sourcing and self-promotion. Closing the project, our attendees put their new skills to the test in our celebratory showcase.
We caught up with two of our participants, Milo and Suse, to find out more about their time on the course and where they’re heading from here.
Introduce your name, pronouns, and what you’re up to at the moment outside the course.
M: My name’s Milo and my pronouns are he/him. Before Christmas, I was working in a corporate job which I really wasn’t enjoying, so I left and decided I wanted to get stuck into more fulfilling activities I actually wanted to do.
S: Hey, I’m Suse, my pronouns are she/her, and, at the moment, I am working in a club. I love working in a music-immersed environment.
What prompted you to get involved with the DJ Course?
M: I joined the DJ Course on a whim, to be honest. When I left my job, I started looking at creative opportunities I could take up. I was DJing a bit before as a hobby and I wanted to start taking the steps to getting a career in something I am actually passionate about.
S: I had seen one of the Creative Practitioners, Adele, DJing and she’s a huge inspiration to me so I was really keen to work with her on the course. Also, I am Portuguese, and, in my culture, music is so centred around community and acts as a love language we speak. DJing feels so universal to this.
What do you love most about DJing?
M: DJing is such a mindful and therapeutic activity. It’s so nice to lose yourself in it and get in the zone.
S: I really love the techniques and effects you can use when DJing, like blending. It’s training for the brain and I’ve loved picking these up gradually.
Did you have much experience in DJing before? What’s one stand out thing you’ve learnt at Reform?
M: I have a controller at home and me and my friends used to do DJing at home for fun. So, I’ve been mostly self-teaching myself for a while. A stand out thing I’ve learnt is definitely the backspin trick on the decks; I don’t think I would have ever attempted that unless I’d come on the course.
S: In the pandemic, I bought a small DJ deck and thought I’d try it out. I ended up uploading a female drill mix to my Soundcloud. Then I just got super busy with university work and stopped DJing as much. I promised myself I’d get back into it, so I have.
How would you describe a DJ set of yours in three words?
M: Energising, uplifting, and dancey.
S: Global music, dancey and nostalgic.
Do you have any role models in the music scene that inspire your DJing practice?
M: I have some favourite DJs, of course. But I guess the people that have really inspired my practice have been my friends through university that got me hooked on DJing. The collaborative environment we created allowed us to make mistakes and be really open-minded when it came to our craft.
S: I really love Uncle Waffles, and I grew up listening and taking inspiration from Disclosure – I have always loved house music. I also love DJ Chaise from the local scene. I think Uncle Waffles is probably my biggest role model, however, due to them platforming South African culture and that’s what I hope to do for my culture too.
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?
M: On the first day of the project, I was really nervous for what was to come – especially finding out we had a showcase ahead in which we’d have to perform in front of people we didn’t know. But now, I feel so much more confident with the support of the Creative Practitioners and my peers. Also, it is so nice to be working in an environment that makes you feel like pursuing your goals is realistic and possible. I actually feel like I could be a DJ now.
S: My first interaction with Reform was at a one-day workshop, but I was super invested in the courses and the work Reform were doing. I was delighted to be able to join the DJ Sessions. From day one, things have been great and insightful. As the course has gone on, I have really felt my skillset grow.
What will you take from the DJ course moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards?
M: I’m really keen to take the motivation and inspiration I’ve gained through the project with me and really push myself to keep pursuing my hobbies and passions. I’m looking forward to hopefully getting some DJ gigs locked in to play.
S: I’ve been trying different courses and hobbies, but DJing has really stuck with me. I really want to start uploading some of my mixes to social media and get some gigs booked in.
If you could DJ at any festival, event, or place in the world, where would it be and why?
M: I’d have to start here first and play The White Hotel. It’s home, it’s not too big so you’re nice and close to who you’re playing for, and the room is always full of people who are actually there for the music.
S: I would start off with Parklife. I’ve worked there as a bartender over the years, but experiencing that as a performer would be incredible. Of course, it would be amazing to perform in my home country, Portugal, too.
If you could do a b2b DJ set with anyone, who would it be with and why?
M: I would have to say Gerd Janson. I think he’s a really consistent DJ and the Godfather of DJing.
S: I think it would be with DJ Chaise. She is amazing and I feel like we have similar energy so the set would be contagious.
If you want to find out more about our future projects, drop us an email at projects@reformradio.co.uk to get involved.
Funded by MAES, our Radio Course marks the closing of our projects for 2023. Over the past two weeks, our participants have been exploring presenting, script writing, the technical aspects of radio and more, all in contribution towards their own radio show to be debuted on Reform Radio.
Listen to the show below.
We caught up with two of our attendees, Violet & Helena, to hear about their antics on the programme and where they’re heading next.
Please can you introduce your name, pronouns, and what you enjoy doing in your free time.
H: I’m Helena, my pronouns are she/her. I’m currently in the process of applying for lots of jobs and I DJ disco and house music in my bedroom. One day, I hope to start playing some live DJ sets.
V: Hey, I’m Violet, my pronouns are she/her, and in my free time I do video editing for YouTubers and I livestream on Twitch – anything to keep me being creative.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
H: Personable, energetic and exquisite.
V: I’d say creative, soft-spoken and kind-hearted.
Did you have much experience in radio or presenting before? If so, what’s your favourite thing about it?
H: I presented my own monthly show on a radio station through lockdown that I recorded from home. Also, I am part of a DJ collective and I sometimes get my mixes played on Bloop London. My favourite thing about radio is how broad it is, but I have also loved learning the technical ropes of radio throughout the course too.
V: I didn’t have that much experience in radio specifically, but I have been acting since I was younger, which I think is really transferable to presenting. Since partaking in the radio course, I have loved how you can turn any topic into a show and when you bring your ideas into Reform, your ideas are always met with seriousness.
What prompted you to get involved with the Radio Course?
H: I have always loved radio and I adore Annie Mac. I was really curious to see how radio operates and keen to view the landscape of jobs within it.
V: Every weekend, we used to travel an hour and a half to visit my family after I moved to Halifax and the entire journey we would listen to the radio. I would fall asleep to it and discover music through it; sometimes I think I forget how much it means to me. I was ready to apply this passion through my time on the course.
Throughout the project, 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: My group’s show is about DJing and how to break into the industry. I am always looking for guidance on the internet on how to start gigging and getting out there so we thought we’d shape a show around this struggle and hopefully help others with it too.
V: The topic of our show is ‘transitions’. When people hear the term ‘transition’, they tend to think of gender transition. However, there are three of us in my team and all of us have unique experiences of transitional periods in our lives. For me, I experienced it in relation to my gender, another one of us had a baby which changed her life a lot, and the other member of my group had a big career change. So we wanted to address this vast theme in our piece.
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: The biggest development I’ve noticed is how our friendships have flourished as a group over the project. I’ve loved the teamwork aspect of the course as it’s really allowed us to get to know each other and we all get along so well.
V: 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.
What will you take from the Radio Course moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards?
H: It’s given me such a boost of confidence and motivation to enjoy the creative scene in Manchester more. It’s also confirmed how much I want to work in a creative role.
V: I agree with Helena; my confidence has grown huge amounts. Also, I can’t wait to take the knowledge I have gained through the course with me in terms of sound set-ups and exploring the Reaper software. My dream job of sound-editing or voice acting no longer feels like a dream; it feels so much more reachable now.
If you could have any guest on your own radio show, who would it be?
H: I think it would have to be Annie Mac. I would love to be her mate and it would be so cool to flip the dynamic of her being a presenter, to her being a guest on a show.
V: I have two people I’d love to interview on a show. The first one would be Matthew Mercer, who is a big voice actor. It would be nice to chat to him about his journey from being a nerdy kid that played video games, to being one of the biggest video game voice actors. The second one would be my partner’s mother. She is such a lovely person and has been through so much in her life, both good and bad. It would be great to sit down with her and let her story be told.
Find out more about our Radio Course here and explore our future projects here. If you like the look of any of them, drop our lovely Engagement team an email at projects@reformradio.co.uk.
Interested in blending your passion for radio with your surroundings? High Rise is a three week creative writing course focused on taking a closer look at the gentrification of Greater Manchester. This project is funded by Manchester Adult Education Service.
Throughout the course you can expect to develop your skills in public speaking, alongside the technical aspects of designing a radio drama. When doing so, you will have the opportunity create soundscapes to underscore your dramas. You will gain great experience in building well-rounded characters and writing dialogue to form your drama pieces.
Take a look at the flyer below for full details of the course and how to get involved.
Hop behind the scenes of one of our creative writing courses below and check out what we got up to.
Meet Chris, who took part in our latest High Rise and read about their experience at Reform here.
Listen to our most recent round of participants’ Reform Radio show below.
Find out about our other free creative courses here. If any of them take your fancy, get in touch with our lovely Engagement Team on projects@reformradio.co.uk to get involved.
Over the past six weeks, we’ve been joined by a remarkable group of participants for our Positive Frequencies course. Funded by MAES and The Manchester Social Prescribing Development Fund, this programme is led by our Well-being Manager and trained psychotherapist, Dan. Throughout the project, our participants tried the likes of journalling, creative writing and more to express themselves in a safe place.
We caught up with one of our attendees, Devika, to find out what she got up to and what she’ll be taking with her upon completing Positive Frequencies.
Please can you introduce yourself, your pronouns and what you’re up to at the moment outside of the course.
Devika: Hey, I’m Devika, my pronouns are she/her and I’m currently in a transition period, so I’m using my time to taste new things and develop skills. I had such a great experience doing Positive Frequencies, that I’m now enrolled on Reform’s Radio Course too.
How do you think your friends would describe you in three words?
Devika: Talkative, dramatic and funny.
What’s your favourite thing to do to make you feel good/as a form of self care?
Devika: As someone who struggles to switch off, I’ve been practicing self care by simply taking time to rest. If I need to engage myself, I’ll read and research self-development based subjects, but in a comfortable space.
Did you have much experience of using writing in your well-being practice already? If so, what’s your favourite element of this or what have you enjoyed about trying it for the first time?
Devika: I hadn’t really thought about the intersection between writing and well-being before, even though I’m interested in both subjects. I’ve really enjoyed the discussions surrounding wellness and how different people articulate their experiences in different ways. Each session has provided me with extensive ‘food for thought’.
What prompted you to get involved in our Positive Frequencies course?
Devika: I’ve known about Reform Radio for a couple of years and been admiring the work they do from afar. As someone who is trying to figure out her next steps, I thought what better opportunity than to get involved in a course and learn some skills that could change the trajectory of my career.
Let’s throw it back to your first day on the course versus now, tell me a bit about your first impressions/feelings/emotions in comparison to how you feel now. What has changed?
Devika: On the first day of the course, I didn’t know what to expect. I hadn’t really done anything like this before so I didn’t know how to respond to people’s experiences. As the sessions went on, this radically changed. Positive Frequencies has been such a safe space for myself and others to learn, unlearn and relearn.
What will you take from Positive Frequencies moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards?
Devika: I’ve learnt that being in thought-provoking discussions is an energising experience. It has made me want to look into conducting facilitation myself. Some of the topics and themes we covered have also inspired me to build a life coaching business. I’d like to say a massive thanks to Reform Radio and everyone involved for helping me think more creatively.
Listen to the radio show put together by the participants of Positive Frequencies here.
If you like the sound of our Positive Frequencies course, find out more about the project here. You can also reach out to our lovely Engagement team on projects@reformradio.co.uk to find out about our other courses.
It’s time to exhale and take some time to turn inwards. Take a look at Positive Frequencies course, led by our incredible Well-being Manager and trained psychotherapist Dan.
This programme takes place over the course of six weeks and is funded by MAES. The project is designed to guide participants through a journey of self-reflection through the likes of creative writing and self-expression, in a safe space.
Following the course, participants are also offered access to a range of free pastoral and well-being support through our designated teams here at Reform.
If this sounds like something you can get behind, take a look at the flyer below for the full details of how to get involved.
Head over to our behind-the-scenes blog post here to meet Positive Frequencies participant, Uyama, and read what they got up to in the last round of the project.
Listen in to the show one of our previous Positive Frequencies groups created for the airwaves below.
Find out about our other free creative courses here. If any of them take your fancy, get in touch with our lovely Engagement Team on projects@reformradio.co.uk to get involved.
We’ve wrapped up another two incredible weeks of DJ Sessions at Reform Radio, with our good friends Do As You Please, funded by MAES. Over the course of the project, our participants have been getting hands-on experience in beatmatching, self promotion and more. It’s been a lively time in the space throughout the programme, with all of our participants building their own unique sets and styles behind the decks. The project closed with a brilliant celebratory showcase, for all of the new DJs to share what they’d been working on.
We have already witnessed some remarkable successes from the project’s cohort since they completed this collection of sessions. Our participants have been getting stuck into playing sets around Manchester, with support from our partners GigPig, the city’s live music marketplace app. Meanwhile, we were delighted to hear an individual from the project who had been unemployed for two years, following mental health struggles, neurodiversity access barriers and a history of offending and substance abuse has since been offered a job.
Their support worker stated: “I genuinely believe that without this course, [he] wouldn’t have had the confidence to attend his job interview independently and secure paid employment. It gave him a purpose, got him back into a healthy routine, reduced his social isolation and helped equip him with the necessary skills to succeed in life”. We pass on our huge congratulations to this participant, and we can’t wait to hear where their course-mates end up heading following the course.
In the meantime, we got to know Scott and and Bola who took part in the course to find out their favourite things about DJing and what their plans were moving forward from here.
Tell us your name, pronouns, and what you enjoy getting up to in your free time.
S: My name is Scott, AKA DJ Tez, and my pronouns are he/him. In my free time I play a lot of football as a Manchester United supporter, and I produce and listen to a huge range of music.
B: My performance name is Bolli Bubbles, my pronouns are she/they and I’m non-binary. I love listening to music and I go to the gym a lot.
How would your friends describe you in 3 words?
S: I would say definitely loyal and caring, but I can’t think of a third one!
B: For me, I would say effervescent, uplifting and chaotic.
If you’re heading to a DJ set, what’s your favourite genre to go and see and why?
S: Definitely house music.
B: I love going to see techno, disco, and specifically Italo-disco.
Did you have much experience in DJing before? If so, what’s your favourite thing about it?
S: Most of my experience was computer-based virtual DJing where I was able to do everything automatically behind a keyboard. So this has been a new challenge, learning to do everything myself behind the decks. My favourite thing about DJing is finding new combinations of tracks to blend. I love it when you blend two tracks you’d never think to combine, but then you do and they work amazingly together.
B: I didn’t have any experience directly in DJing, but I spend a lot of time dancing and experiencing music from that point of view. My favourite thing about learning to DJ has been understanding which tracks work together side by side in a set, rather than just playing any songs I like.
What prompted you to get involved with the DJ Course?
S: I wanted to refine the skills I had already built through virtual DJing and be able to translate those into real life. I also have a lot of DJs in my family who inspired me to get involved.
B: I have a lot of experience in dancing, performing and attending and holding events. So the natural progression for me was to learn how to DJ so I have it under my belt for working in this industry.
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?
S: I’ve learnt so much more about finding the right time to drop the music and feel much more confident performing the skills I would have previously done on my computer automatically.
B: A lot of the things I would do when I dance makes sense now. I’ve really learnt to feel the music, and trust the beat of it to know when to blend.
What will you take from the DJ course moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards?
S: I can’t wait to apply the practical skills I have built in real life scenarios. Moving forward, I would love to go and play at events as a DJ personality all over the place. I don’t want to based in one city; I’d love to get to a point where I get invited to specific locations to play.
B: I really want to keep people moving and play sets that get people dancing. I am super eager to travel with my work and experience new places through my DJ practice.
Do you have any role models on the DJ/music scene that inspire your practice and why?
S: In terms of the way he manages the crowd and the decks, I would have to say James Hype.
B: DJ Paulette, for sure. I also am a big fan of a DJ called LEXII, who always dresses incredibly and is a model come DJ.
What’s your favourite tune to close a set with?
S: I don’t think I could choose a singular song because it depends so much on the crowd and how they’re feeling. It’s impossible to choose one record – there’s so many I love.
B: Right now there’s a song I’m loving, it’s a Brazilian remix of a disco song and I’m hoping to close my set at the showcase with this track.
Who would your dream B2B be with?
S: Either James Hype or The Martinez Brothers.
B: I recently saw a DJ in Berlin and he closed the Horsemeat Disco. It was jivey, loud, bangy disco tunes and I was thinking how insane it would be to do a B2B set with him.
Find out about our future projects here. If you like the look of any of them, drop our lovely Engagement team an email at projects@reformradio.co.uk.
Following two weeks of learning the ropes of music theory and production, alongside some incredible collaborative work, our Music Course has come to a close. The project, funded by Manchester Adult Education Service, invited nearly 20 participants into the Reform Radio space to create their own tracks to be played live on the radio, as well as encouraging them to work together and fine tune their own musical styles.
Listen to the collective’s final radio show below, showcasing the tunes they created throughout the course.
We chatted to participant, Sarah, about what she got up to on the programme and what her plans are moving forward.
Introduce yourself (name, pronouns, and what you’re up to at the moment/hobbies etc).
My name’s Sarah and my pronouns are she/her. I’m producing bangers and staying positive.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
I’d describe myself as a legend, party starter and confident out of my head.
If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
Now, this one may shock you, but if I could only listen to one album for the rest of my life it would probably be ‘Harry’s House’ by Harry Styles. The reason I’d listen to that particular album is because it reminds me of how beautiful life can be.
Did you have much musical experience before? If so, what’s your favourite thing about making music?
I’d say I had some music skills prior to doing the course. My favourite thing about making music is how I can use it as evidence that I am capable of creating something amazing.
What prompted you to get involved with the Music Course?
I’ve been to Reform before and the support and acknowledgement you receive from them amazes me. So being able to be part of a Reform Radio course was enough for me to want to get involved.
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?
Well, deep down I had some doubts but I knew I loved music and I knew I had something special to share. As soon as I walked through the doors of Reform Radio, it was like they thought a star had entered the room and their belief in me quietened my inner voices of incapability. I now know after completing the course that I am capable and I am appreciated.
What will you take from the Music Course moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards?
From the course, I will take the knowledge that the voices in my head are chatting cheddar and I am good enough.
Do you have any musical role models that inspire your practice and why?
My musical role model is Fred Again.. all day long, I just love how moving his music is; it’s proper feel good music.
Who would be your dream artist/producer to collaborate with?
I’d, of course, have to say Fred Again.. but, also, I’d love to work with Four Tet and Dom Dolla.
What’s your go-to album to listen to after a long day?
My go-to album to listen to is probably my own music, to be honest. I don’t have a full album, however I do listen to all the mixes and songs I’ve created and feel so proud.
To find out about our future free creative courses, you can head to our Projects page, or reach out to our lovely Engagement team at projects@reformradio.co.uk.
