Category: MAES

Categories
blog Featured on Homepage Featured Projects MAES

BEHIND THE SCENES: HIGH RISE (FUNDED BY MAES)

Our High Rise project, kindly funded by Manchester Adult Education Service, has come to a close. Over the course of three weeks, participants have been supported through a journey of creative writing, in progression towards creating a radio drama piece, surrounding themes of gentrification and life in high rise buildings. You can listen back to the final radio drama pieces on the show below.

The group were also visited by Louise Wallwein MBE, award-winning Manchester poet, playwright and performer, who delivered a poetry session to the participants and aided them with their creative process.

Following the participants debuting their radio dramas on Reform Radio, we caught up with Joanna & Emma to chat about their experiences on the course and where they’re heading from here.

Please can you introduce yourselves, some of your hobbies and what you’re up to at the moment

J: Hey I’m Joanna, my pronouns are she/her, and outside the course I take part in amateur dramatics and I’m a massive fan of wild camping.

E: I’m Emma and my pronouns are she/her. I love creative writing in my free time. I also do a lot of drawing which I’m hoping to start doing some commissioned work with.

Describe yourself in three words

J: This is so difficult. I would have to say bubbly, personable and creative

E: Resilient, friendly and creative

What prompted you to get involved in the High Rise course?

J: I was already interested in Radio anyway so coming along to Reform was really appealing. I also thought it would be a great opportunity to put pen to paper on some of my creative ideas I had been having but not cracking on with.

E: After a series of personal struggles, I was ready to get back out there and kickstart my creativity again. I was ready to meet some new people too.

Did you have much experience in creative writing prior to the course? What is your favourite thing about it?

J: My favourite thing about creative writing would be how much you get to learn in the process which allows you to put a piece of work together that exist outside of your previous realm of knowledge.

E: I love the spectrum of things you can address through creative writing; it is completely boundless.

What is your favourite book or poem you have ever read?

J: I think everyone has a book from when they were a child that they still feel attached to and remember as their favourite. In this case, for me, my favourite book is ‘The Voyage of the Arctic Tern’ by Hugh Montgomery.

E: The only one I can think of is ‘Blood Ties’ by Sophie McKenzie.

If you throw it back to your first day at Reform, verus now, how have your feelings and first impressions changed?

J: I’m really impressed that these courses even exist, to be honest. I think as I’ve progressed through the project I’ve been continuously surprised at the quality of its delivery and the amount of care and well-being support you guys offer to participants too. It’s an incredible initiative which encourages young people to really create something they are proud of .

E: I got in touch with Reform months ago regarding their courses and I didn’t realise the longevity of support I was going to receive. The lovely team still keep in touch with things I may want to get involved with, but I also know I will always have someone to turn to if I need a chat or assistance.

Where do you guys find inspiration for your writing or creativity generally?

J: I am really inspired by continental philosophy. It provides a lot of inspiration for the the things I end up creating, writing and painting.

E: I listen to a lot of music whilst I create, which usually leads my creative process. Mitski is a personal favourite of mine.

What will you take from the High Rise course moving forward?

J: Hopefully some great friends as we’ve all really enjoyed meeting each other and hanging out. I’ve also found that the course has really helped me with breaking my writers block, alongside my struggle with bringing ideas to fruition, so I hope to use the tasks that aided this in my everyday practice.

E: I also hope to take some incredible friends from the course, but also potential collaborators to utilise in the future. I have also learnt how to prioritise workload well and manage timings better so I hope to take this skill with me moving forward.

To find out more about our future free creative courses, get in touch with our lovely Engagement team on projects@reformradio.co.uk.

Categories
blog Featured Projects MAES

BEHIND THE SCENES: PODCASTING COURSE (FUNDED BY MAES)

For the past two weeks, we’ve had a group of participants completing our Podcasting Course in the space, from learning how to script write, all the way to hosting their own live show on Reform Radio which showcased their five minute podcast pieces. You can listen back to the full show below.

We caught up with participants, Tagan and Huma, to hear about their experiences on the project and to hear what they’ll be taking from it moving forward.

What are your names, pronouns, and what you’re getting up to at the moment outside the course?

H: I’m Huma, my pronouns are she/her, and I work for a charity which supports victims of domestic abuse.

T: My name is Tagan, my pronouns are he/him, and I’m currently exploring new hobbies in my free time and trying to get more creative.

Describe yourself in 3 words

H: Kind, empathetic, and a good listener

T: Compassionate, determined and loving

If you had to recommend a podcast to someone who’s never listened to a podcast before, what would it be and why?

H: I would recommend a podcast to people in relationships who are questioning whether their relationship is healthy. The podcast is called ‘I’m Not In An Abusive Relationship’, and it’s about the early signs of abuse and neglect. It’s informative and could be really important to people who are unsure of the signs.

T: I would recommend the ‘Inspired Unemployed’ podcast. It’s a bunch of lads having fun behind the mic and creating content and it’s just good fun.

What prompted you to get involved with the Podcasting Course?

H: For me, I attended to simply explore. I wasn’t a massive podcast fan before taking on the course but I came just to give it a go.

T: I was in a similar place, I didn’t have a major expectation of the course. However, I tried the taster session and was instantly drawn into it and knew I needed to complete the rest of it.

What’s become your favourite thing about podcasting and audio through completing the course?

H: I’ve really enjoyed the thought process of writing a script. I can’t say I enjoyed the editing aspect too much, however, and listening to myself back! But the process of writing was so creative and it made me really consider the layout of podcasting.

T: For me I just loved the whole creative aspect to audio, and achieving things I didn’t think I was capable of. Being in the studio was also great as it pushed me out my comfort zone and taught me loads of new skills.

Let’s throw it back to your first day at Reform versus now, tell me a bit about your first impressions/emotions in comparison to how you feel now. What has changed? 

H: My impressions have changed hugely. I didn’t know anything about Reform Radio at all and was quite apprehensive about what we were going to experience and do on the course. But I ended up looking forward to it every morning and feeling so motivated to come along.

T: I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did and I didn’t think I’d be as committed as I have been about turning up everyday. I’m really grateful for the opportunity which Reform has given me to meet such a collective of kind people who support you by setting high standards and supporting your work. I think the main thing I’ll take with me is the confidence I’ve grown in developing audio and media skills, but also generally within life.

What will you take from the podcasting course moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards? 

H: I think I definitely feel more open to getting out of my comfort zone and trying new things in life. It’s taught me to go for things I wouldn’t usually try. I would love to continue building the podcast idea I formulated through the course and create a larger series. I feel like creating this podcast will support my work with victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

T: I will definitely take new-found confidence from the Podcasting Course, I feel like it’s really built my self-esteem. I will be taking a lot of new friendships with like-minded creatives from the course, also.

If you could have anyone on your own podcast as a guest, who would it be and why?

H: For me, it would Yasmin Mogahed, a specialist in spirituality, psychology, and personal development.

T: I don’t have anyone specific I’d ask. It would be fun to have someone totally random to discuss random subject like conspiracy theories or psychology to hear a unique point of view.

Come join us at our future courses! If you’d like to get involved or find out more about any of our projects, please drop us an email at projects@reformradio.co.uk.

Categories
blog Featured Projects Funders MAES Projects

BEHIND THE SCENES: POSITIVE FREQUENCIES (FUNDED BY MAES)

Positive Frequencies returned in full force, inviting a group of participants to turn inwards and create outwards. Funded by Manchester Adult Education Service, this incredible project welcomes individuals to set their focus onto their well-being and self-care practice. From sessions on imposter syndrome, to post-COVID life, our attendees are encouraged to use the likes of creative writing, songwriting and more to check in and express their emotions healthily. To share the wisdom and insight they had built throughout the course, our participants created a radio show for the Reform Radio airwaves. Listen to it below.

We caught up with Divine to see how the project went and what they plan to take from it moving forward into their everyday lives.

Introduce yourself (name, pronouns, and what you’re up to at the moment/hobbies etc).

Divine: My name is Divine Neza. I use she/her pronouns. At the moment I’m doing art therapy, textiles – creating my own bag. In my free time I like reading and watching funny videos.

How do you think your friends would describe you in three words?

Divine: I think my friends would describe me as funny, genuine and intellectual.

What’s your favourite thing to do to make you feel good/as a form of self-care?

Divine: My favourite thing to do as a form of self-care is binge watching Friends. It was a special interest of mine growing up and having episodes play in the background makes me feel safe. 

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?

Divine: I have lots of experience in writing to express myself but very little practice within my well-being. I really enjoyed switching my perspective on my approach to writing, as a tool for promoting a healthy well-being as opposed to just a way to vent negative feelings.

What prompted you to get involved in our Positive Frequencies course?

Divine: The recommendation by referral enlightened me on the potential benefits of doing a course like this. Especially given my mental health and life’s circumstances at the moment, Positive Frequencies seemed like a great opportunity to utilise my skills in a manner that would really help me. 

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?

Divine: Initially I was super nervous. I was incredibly anxious beforehand for numerous reasons, mainly not even to do with the course. Upon first impressions, I was worried I would feel excluded and confused as the first few sessions were over Zoom and the lack of real-life interaction made me very hesitant to connect with people. Once the first session took place and the course went on, many (if not all) of my anxieties around the course subsided. Dan, Tito, Lola, Adele, Autumn and any other staff I met/interacted with over the time were so kind, informative and inclusive. Reform Radio felt like a safe space. After completing the course, I feel confident in myself and my ideas. Positive Frequencies was the first time I’ve been honest about my autism with a group of new people and I’ve come away feeling very proud for staying true to myself. I’m not as nervous to enter new spaces without masking, because my experience on this course has encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone.

What will you take from the Positive Frequencies course moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards?

Divine: Moving forward I will definitely be taking the lessons on imposter syndrome, comfort zone anxiety and goals vs values with me. I’ll be consolidating that advice to better my well-being and my writing skills. My plans from here are to learn more creative skills and to develop the talents I already have by working on my confidence in other areas.

What’s one piece of advice/knowledge you’ve received regarding well-being through the course which you’d pass onto somebody else?

Divine: To attain true fulfillment one must align their life with their values. A life based on your values and principles will bring you far more joy than one based on achieving arbitrary goals. 

If you’d like to find out about our future courses at Reform, get in touch with our lovely Projects Team on projects@reformradio.co.uk.

Categories
blog Featured Projects Funders MAES Projects

BEHIND THE SCENES: DJ SESSIONS (FUNDED BY MAES)

What a couple weeks we’ve had! Over the past two weeks, Reform Radio has been home to our ever-growing DJ sessions programme, funded by MAES, with over twenty participants. Throughout the course, our participants have had hands-on experience behind the decks, learning how to beatmatch and blend, alongside sessions focused on self-promotion and sourcing gigs. We had DJ collective Do As You Please helping to facilitate the course, alongside some visits from GigPig and Genre Music throughout the week. To close the project, all of our incredible participants played a live set at Manchester venue The New Cross to an in-person and live-streamed audience.

We chatted to participants Jess and Jonathan to find out more about their journeys on the course and their wider plans on the DJ scene from here.

What are your names, pronouns, and current interests?

Jonathan: My name is Jonathan, I go by any pronouns, and outside the course I’m working on my career as a visual producer.

Jess: I’m Jess, my pronouns are she/her. I currently help run a comedy club in Northern Quarter. Apart from that, I love meditating and painting.

How would your friends describe you in 3 words?

Jonathan: Smiley, committed and passionate

Jess: Ambitious, laid-back and motivated

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Jonathan: ‘Love In Your Meditation’ by Dezarie

Jess: It would have to be ‘Back Out of Hell’ by Meatloaf – it was the first album I knew all the words to when I was a kid and I probably still know all the words now! Every song is such huge tune so you can solidly rely on it.

Did you have much experience in DJing before and what’s your favourite thing about it?

Jonathan: I had no experience at all. But my favourite thing about being on the course has been getting behind the decks and just doing it – you learn more and more by the minute.

Jess: I have a controller at home but it has literally never seen the light of day so I didn’t really have much experience at all. However, my favourite thing about DJing has been finally getting to grips with the decks and learning different techniques, like blending songs and figuring out which tracks work alongside one another.

What prompted you to get involved with the DJ Sessions?

Jonathan: Personally, I feel like I have a vast knowledge on music of different genres and more generally I have a massive passion for music. I play the keyboard, I love singing and dancing, so I felt like I had the potential to be a sick DJ! I also felt that by learning to DJ I would have the opportunity to promote underrepresented artists from my hometown and community.

Jess: I have wanted to DJ for a while and I’d tried to learn by watching videos online but I think I’m better learning by doing. When I saw Reform were holding an in-person DJ Course, it was the perfect opportunity to get practising in the space. I had also done a Podcasting Course here before so I knew it was a great place with great people.

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? 

Jonathan: I definitely feel more confident overall and I’ve made great progress with learning about BPM and queuing tracks. Now, I’m focusing on blending and what effects I can use in my practice.

Jess: I know how much I love DJing now – it’s so much fun! I’m still not 100% confident but I have definitely got to grips with what I’m doing in terms of blending tracks, and I feel like I have an ear for when it’s right for tracks to come in now.

Do you have any role models on the DJ or general music scene that inspire your practice?

Jonathan: An obvious one has to be KAYTRANADA, but also Kabza De Small, who is an amazing amapiano DJ.

Jess: A general big inspiration in my life is Annie Mac – I would listen to her radios shows all the time. She’s the person that got me into dance music. But, all round, I just love seeing female representation on the DJ scene, it’s inspiring.

What’s your go-to genre to DJ?

Jonathan: Amapiano. I’ve been listening to it since 2019 and the genre has expanded so much over that time so there’s so much range within it now.

Jess: Definitely dance music.

Who would your dream B2B be? 

Jonathan: KAYTRANADA, of course.

Jess: I have to go big and say Chemical Brothers.

What will you take from the DJ course moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards? 

Jonathan: So next I want to start organising playlists of different genres, and I want to apply for some opportunities with the guests we had in to start playing live.

Jess: I just want to have fun with it really – I’m hoping to keep practising at home and see where it goes. I’m not really a planner so we’ll see what happens.

If you’d like to find out about our future courses at Reform, get in touch with our lovely Projects Team on projects@reformradio.co.uk.

Categories
blog Featured Projects MAES Projects

BREAKING BARRIERS: AUDIO STORIES OF HOPE & RECOVERY (FUNDED BY MAES)

In case you missed it, last month we ran our very first Radio Drama course. Taking participants on a journey through soundscaping, voice acting, drama and radio, this two week project was a blast – kindly funded by MAES.

Throughout the course the group worked on creating their very own audio drama pieces that were put together into a radio show that was broadcast on the Reform Radio airwaves. Below you can take a look at the bios each of our participants created and find out more about the inspirations for the work behind this incredibly vast project.

Listen back to the full show below, or click on the segment titles to hear the specific pieces on Soundcloud.

999 – created by Zack

“Hi. My name’s Zack. I’m the writer, director & co-star of the following audio drama, ‘999’. The production process was more stressful than I’d hoped it would have been, running into multiple creative blocks & creating multiple concepts/stories before settling on using a script I’d written a few years ago.”

The content of this drama piece contains scenes that some may find disturbing & covers themes of death, family trauma, loss, traumatic experiences at work & therapy.

Reform Radio · 999 – Zack

I Am Averill – created by Max

‘I Am Averill’ follows a person who is struggling in life. You are put into Averill’s shoes and thrusted into some of the experiences Averill faces on a day to day basis.

Reform Radio · I Am Averill – Max

Secrets of a Teenage Trainwreck – created by Tyrone

Set in 1991, ‘Secrets of a Teenage Trainwreck’ is a short story about a young man named Ben Wheeler and the frustrating dynamic he has with his family. The piece is a large satirical take on late 80’s/early 90’s family sitcoms which stays faithful to the music, lingo and media of the era.

Reform Radio · Teenage Trainwreck – Tyrone

Asymmetrical Sincerity – created by Danny

This piece asks provoking questions; should we tell our closest friends the honest truth? What is sincerity and how can we balance this important quality with tact and sensitivity? 

Reform Radio · Asymmetrical Sincerity – Danny

Heartbreak – created by Mory 

Have you ever been through heartbreak? Mory explores what it means through this piece of spoken word.

Reform Radio · Heartbreak – Mory

Addiction: Sweet Miss Habit – created by Jack

Lost in a world of vice and chance, Vic is a gentleman taken in by the wicked wiles of the alluring Miss Habit. Looking to fill the void in his heart with the rush of gambling, he’s soon found that he might not be able to keep up with Habit’s harsh demands. His friends tell him to leave her and find another way to live his life, but will he be able to hold his nerve and drop Habit for good?

Reform Radio · Addiction Sweet Miss Habit – Jack

To find out more about our future projects, you can get in touch with our lovely Projects team at projects@reformradio.co.uk who can give you a hand with getting onboard.

Categories
blog Featured Projects Funders MAES Projects

BEHIND THE SCENES: PODCASTING COURSE (FUNDED BY MAES)

After two weeks of brainstorming, team work, and bringing their creative audio visions to life, our Podcasting Course (kindly funded by MAES) has drawn to a close. From the chatting about the French Revolution, to getting their children behind the mic, this project’s participants have covered a whole lot of ground through their audio journeys to put together their final collective experiential podcast, Push The Button.

Listen to the full show below.

We chatted to one of the course’s participants, Martha, about their time on the course and where they’re heading next.

Can you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your hobbies and interests?

I’m Martha. My pronouns are she/her and my main hobbies are running, and writing poetry and blog posts.

How would your friends describe you in 3 words?

Goofy, creative and thoughtful.

If you could only listen to one podcast for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

This is a tough question because there’s so many. I think it would probably be ‘What’s Upset You Now’. It’s two comedians just chatting about the little things that annoy them in life – it’s really silly and they make it hilarious to listen to.

What prompted you to get involved with the Podcasting Course?

So I’d just moved to Manchester and I was looking to reset. The course sounded like the perfect option to give me a new routine and I was really wanting to get into more media-related stuff so I thought this sounded like a great starting point. I was also really hoping to meet some new like-minded people.

Did you have much experience in audio/podcasting before? If so, what’s your favourite thing about it?

I had done a little bit a few years ago but it was very basic stuff and all self-taught so it’s been nice to learn everything properly and fine tune my skills. My favourite things about podcasting are definitely the presenting and talking elements.

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 expect to enjoy the editing aspects as much as I have actually. Also over the time of the course, I’ve got a lot more into the routine of the days and that’s been really beneficial to me more generally with the structure of my life to be honest, from waking up and resting. I was also quite apprehensive about the course more generally, I didn’t know we would learn about equipment and editing softwares, for example, which has proven to be SO helpful.

What will you take from the Podcasting Course moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards? 

Ideally, I would really like to continue the podcasting journey I’ve started here beyond Reform, and I’d like to find more media related roles to get stuck into.

What’s your go-to podcast to listen to after a long day?

I think it would have to be ‘The Girls Bathroom’ – it’s a great gossipy podcast and I love hearing about other peoples’ problems so I know I’m not alone.

If you could have anyone on your own podcast as a guest, who would it be and why?

I think it would have to be my mum. We already have so many in-depth chats but I would love to be able to record them and refer back to them in times of need.

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. 

Categories
blog Featured on Homepage Featured Projects Funders MAES Projects

BEHIND THE SCENES: MUSIC COURSE – APRIL (FUNDED BY MAES)

Last week, our April’s edition of Music Course (kindly funded by MAES) finished on a real high with a live radio show, showcasing our incredible participants’ range of talent and skills. This time round, the group channeled their collective creativity to form Space Odyssey, a show centred on their diversity as individuals and their shared love of quality tunes.

We caught up with Kathy to chat about her experience over the past two weeks at Reform, and where she’s going from here.

Can you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about what you’re up to at the moment?

Hey, I’m Kathy (she/her/they/them) and I’m currently spending most of my time working on a setting up a community radio station for a market in Birmingham. When I’m not here, that’s what you’ll find me doing!

If your friends had to describe you in three words – what do you think they’d be?

Weird – that’s definitely what comes out their mouth the most: “you’re weird” – and probably fun and kind.

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

This is the hardest question ever – I like too many albums. If I had to choose an artist, it would be Nina Simone. Anything by Nina Simone moves me, so probably a greatest hits of hers.

What prompted you to get involved in the Music Course?

Funnily enough, I didn’t actually think it was a music course – I thought it was radio and production vibes. Then when I got here they said “you’re going to make a song”, but it has actually been really good to step outside of my comfort zone and push myself to share my own creative work with others, rather than facilitate others.

Let’s throw it back to your first day at Reform versus today, tell me what has changed about your first impressions, your thoughts, feelings and more.

Initially I was really hesitant, I had no idea what song I wanted to make and whether I could. But this place has taught me the importance of sharing rubbish things, and stuff you might feel embarrassed about. I’ve shared some really embarrassing work in this room, and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done, because it loosens you up and reminds you that it’s okay to make mistakes as it’s all part of the creative process.

What else will you be taking from the Music Course moving forward?

It’s made me want to make more, create more, share more, and honestly make more rubbish things so I can figure out what I actually want to achieve. It’s made me really appreciate my own creative process, because we’ve had free reign to embrace our own way of doing things and be non-linear with our processes.

What’s your go-to genre to listen to after a long day?

That really depends on the type of long day I’ve had. But I think it would have to be 90s entrance, to sing along to and let go of the day. Or even massive fairground tunes that you hear on rides to blast out if people have really annoyed me.

Last question, if you could meet any artist who has ever lived on this planet, who would it be and why?

Wow, that’s a massive question. Bob Marley has really taught me a lot about being a good human, but I think it would have to be Stevie Wonder – what a huge inspiration.

Listen to the full show 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. 

Categories
Arts Council blog Funders House Of Wingz MAES More Music RiteTrax

IWD at Reform Radio

International Women’s Day is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. At Reform Radio, we’re proud to join the millions of people around the world who are marking this important day by highlighting the achievements of women, both past and present, and showcasing the incredible work that women are doing in our community and beyond. From creative workshops and events to inspiring stories and interviews, here’s a look at some of the ways we’re celebrating IWD this year.

Get involved in our free up and coming creative workshops. For any questions or to register, drop us an email at projects@reformradio.co.uk.

Positive Frequencies (6th – 10th March)

HERchester UP NORTH (Various Locations March – May)

Radio Gaga (Mondays for 8 weeks)

Listen to our most recent Made The Same Way podcast, A collaborative project between Reform Radio and the Wellcome funded ‘Human Developmental Biology Initiative’ (HDBI), each episode introduces one emerging artist and one knowledgeable researcher to discuss science, life, and music. The series are hosted by Manchester rapper Oneda, bringing together scientists and emerging female rappers.

Do As You Please Open Decks Event at Joshua Brooks

Our very own DJ Sessions delivery partner is hosting an open deck and open mic event in the infamous Joshua Brooks, it’s free entry, so there are no excuses not to come.

Rewind to Reform’s Women/Non-Binary Resident Shows


Categories
MAES Upcoming Projects

RADIO COURSE (FUNDED BY MAES)

Ever wanted to learn the production side of radio? Or have the chance to test your hosting skills live on air?

Our two week fully funded Radio Course is returning on Monday 13th March, with a taster session taking place on Thursday 9th March from 12:30PM – 2:30PM.

See flyer below for more details & how to get involved.

Radio Course has been made possible by MAES.

Categories
blog Featured Projects MAES Projects

BEHIND THE SCENES: MUSIC COURSE (FUNDED BY MAES)

The latest Music Course finished with an absolute bang, wrapping up with a live radio show showcasing every participants’ production. This group definitely brought versatility and energy, with genres spanning from heartfelt indie rock to euphoric downtempo afrobeat.

We sat down with Peter to get glimpse into his experience for the past 2 weeks!

Can you please introduce yourself?

My name is Peter, and I’ve been part of a music course at Reform Radio where they help you become an artist and develop your sense of art.

Who inspires you as an artist?

Who inspires me the most? I would probably say an African artist named Davido. They create African type Afrobeat music. I grew up listening to that type of music a lot, so take a lot inspiration from that.

What are you favourite genres?

Hip-hop, Afrobeat and … maybe classical? I listen to a lot of orchestral music from movie soundtracks.

What was your knowledge on music production before the course?

I would say I had a decent knowledge because I had previous experience in producing music. So it’s not like I had no sort of clue what I was doing. Obviously you always need help in certain things, but the basics I had.

Why did you decide to join the course?

I’ve always had an interest in music. It was more of a hobby and I didn’t know whether to take it seriously. So I was like, ‘Let’s try this out.’ And if it goes well, who knows? Who knows what might happen after.

I also joined for the environment and to develop my sense of style, because back when I used to make music, I just created whatever seemed good in the moment. I wasn’t focusing what might be unique 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?

The first day was exciting. You’re looking forward to the challenge in a way. People are really welcoming, they care about how people are feeling. And two weeks on, with the show coming up, I felt a different kind of excitement. You’ve put in the work and waiting to see whether the hard work has payed off.

Finally, what was the most memorable moment from the course?

We played a warm up game called Empire where you have to build your own empire. I won and I’m still the Emperor to this day…!

You can listen to the full project show 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. 

Categories
MAES Projects Upcoming Projects

COMEDY COURSE (FUNDED BY MAES)

It’s time to kickstart your comedy career with our first ever comedy course!

Starting on Monday 20th February, this fully funded 1 week course will give you the chance to learn with like-minded artists, and get to grips with the industry through work experience in the following week.

Comedy Course has been made possible by MAES.

See the flyer below for further details.

Categories
blog Featured Projects MAES

Behind The Scenes: Podcasting Course (Funded By MAES)

The last Podcasting Course of 2022 has just wrapped up and what an amazing 2 weeks it has been. For those not familiar with this programme, it’s a 2-week course in which participants learn the ins and outs of podcasting, focusing on audio, scriptwriting and recording, ultimately working towards creating their own live radio show. We caught up with 2 participants Dani and Astrid to chat about their journey at Reform and their future plans!

ASTRID

Describe yourself in 3 words.

Dani: Informative, efficient, and quiet.

Astrid: Dedicated, adaptable, friendly.

Please can you tell us a little bit about yourself? What are your interests? What are your hobbies?

Dani: I am a multi hobbyist myself. I like to learn new things whenever I can. Keeps my brain active. I am fascinated with audio, character design, mixology, writing, video production, especially films and everything about fashion.

Astrid: I just graduated in English Literature from University of Manchester. I’m interested in Film, TV and want to break into this industry. Ideally, I’d eventually write but I am happy to do research now and learn behind the scenes. Maybe even factual shows. So yeah, this is part of the reason I started this course. 

When and how did you realise that you want to be in media?

Dani: I started wanting to make media back in year one. Year two, when my school sort of introduced me to the idea of acting and stage performing, it hooked me immediately. It was then that I spent the rest of my life working either in some form or another with media creation. Growing up alongside YouTube from a young age, that sort of opened the doors for the whole idea of media creation and it all just branched out into many media formats. It’s interesting to me, specifically voice sightings really interest me. I want to get back on the camera whenever I can, live broadcast, stage shows etc.

DANI

How did you hear about Reform & the Podcasting Course? What prompted you to get involved? 

Dani: I heard about Reform through my work coach at a Job Centre and they all said: “Hey, we saw you were a creative mind. And there’s this radio taster session happening in September. Would you like us to sign you up for it?” And it’s during this, I heard about Podcasting Course and thought, yes, this is more me and aligns better with my interests.

Astrid: I actually found out about this course through a Facebook runners group CV page. Upon reviewing other people’s CVs and seeing their experience etc, I noticed Reform listed as a creative course. Once I looked into it, I was like, this is perfect for me to get started. Not only can I learn creative skills, but also for free as well. I was excited to get started.

What were you working on in particular for these past 2 weeks?

Dani: We’ve spent a lot of time preparing for our live radio show. My segment focuses on the culture and history of drinks, mixology. I think it’s important to respect this.

Astrid: My project is a bit of a weird one! I decided I would do a word a day but change it, so I would do a dialect a day. I wanted it to be fun, light hearted and not too serious. And yeah, looking at how people know about it, relate to it or feel about it.

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?

Dani: I came in and expected to be a lot more quiet than I’ve been because normally in a lot of temporary education settings, there’s very little for someone like myself to really be outspoken. But since the course, I have made a couple mates and we’re going for a drink tomorrow after the course. I have gelled well with the participants and everyone else and this is rare for me. Socialising can be hard for me, but in a weird cosmic twist it has really worked out!

Astrid: To start with, we didn’t get into the content making part as we were learning theory, which now, makes so much sense because everything has fell into place. It’s nice to have someone over my shoulder as I create because the pointers are helpful. I’ve enjoyed being creative in Reform. It feels like a very safe environment. I’ve struggled with anxiety around my own creativity. I am working my way through this though and finding ways to feel comfortable and confident in my own work.

What is one thing you have learnt from the course that you will take home with you?  

Dani: I can’t expect to be so quiet all the time. It’s important to vibe with what is in the room, and most of the time, it will vibe back.

Astrid: I have learnt how easy it can be to make your own podcast. And software required to do this, is free! And has reminded me how possible things are even on a smaller scale. Like, I can make a podcast with just an iPhone and my own laptop.

What are your goals after the project?

Dani: Find a job. Mostly to keep up studies in different fields, keep in contact with people on this course and make a podcast, maybe even just for myself.

Astrid: Leave my waitressing job and get working creatively. I want to sit down, when I have time, and write either a film or play, I’m unsure what it will be yet, but it’s been a goal for a long time so I will begin that soon.

You can listen to the full project show 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. 

Categories
blog Featured Projects MAES Projects

BEHIND THE SCENES: ADVANCED DJ SESSIONS (FUNDED BY MAES)

November 2022 welcomed the first ever instalment of DJ Sessions for experienced DJs. Last Friday the course finished with a bang, bringing together and shining a light on all the artists with a high-energy showcase!

This two-week advanced course invited seasoned Disc Jockeys to take their craft to next level. Learning advanced digital & vinyl DJ techniques, getting support on their promo assets, and strengthening their network. All working towards grabbing more gig opportunities!

We spoke to Omar, a participant from this session who started their DJ journey with our beginners DJ Sessions course!

Please introduce yourself…

My name is Omar Bala. I’ve been going through this DJ course, which is massive. I studied sound engineering and over the past few years, I’ve been mostly spending my time doing hospitality work. I met lots of musician friends through that, and they introduced me to a lot of new genres I’ve never heard before, which excited me about DJing. 

What are your hobbies and interests?

I’ve always been interested in arts. I studied interior design for three and a half years, a year of industrial design, then three and a half years of graphic design. My biggest passion was photography since 2008. I became obsessed with it. I participated in a lot of workshops, exhibitions, and facilitated a course on graphic design and photography while I was living in Malaysia before moving to Manchester.

I paused [creatively] due to a lot of reasons. I kind of disconnected from myself for a very long period and couldn’t really get creative in any way until very recently.

Describe your personality in 3 words! 

Fluid, dynamic and ever changing.

If money wasn’t a thing, what would you like to be doing full time? 

I’d be making art. Also helping people to be more in touch with themselves and fitting with what they want to be.

What prompted you to get involved with DJ Sessions?

A friend of mine knew about this course and mentioned it. He took a Radio Course before and told me about what kind of an organisation Reform is and what kind of courses they do. It seemed really interesting and suitable for me.

DJing is something that I never imagined actually getting into but I’m so glad that I did.

How did you first get involved with DJing? 

Reform Radio! I DJ’ed for the first time [at the beginners DJ Sessions course]. It was the first time I ever touched a deck. I was nervous throughout, to be honest. But, as I learned more, my confidence built up slowly. The facilitators helped me massively in this department. They gave me constant guidance and also some encouragement and validation, which really helped.

What’s your favourite thing about DJing?

Lifting people’s emotions up with the music that you play. It just connects people. It’s similar to why I love cooking for people. It brings them together, connects them, puts them on the same level, and good things happen.

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 still experienced some anxiety today at the final showcase. It’s something constant for me. I struggle with making mistakes even though I know everybody makes mistakes. First day I was astronomically nervous. Today I was much less, like 5% of that. But yeah, I gained a lot of confidence. I also was socially a bit more open today in comparison to my first day where I was completely shut.

What was the most memorable moment from the course?

I would say the showcase. The beginners course had a bigger group with music that varied to a ridiculous degree. This time the group was a bit smaller, which helped with the flow of learning.

I also learned a lot more than the beginners course, even though I didn’t know anything when I attended that one!

But the most memorable moment from the advanced course, I’d say were the tips and guidance from Gregor and Niall, and the two sessions where musicians came to show us their skills, like the fundamentals of vinyl scratching and the basics of music production.

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. 

Categories
blog Featured Projects Funders MAES Projects

BEHIND THE SCENES: MUSIC COURSE (OCTOBER)

The latest instalment of our free Music Course has just wrapped up and what an interesting two weeks it’s been. Participants have worked hard for the last while, trying their hands on creative song making, learning and preparing a radio show and putting these new found abilities into action, live on the airwaves of Reform Radio.

If you haven’t heard of Music Course, it’s a two-week programme generously funded by Manchester Adult Education Service, which focuses on radio and music production, including songwriting and creative writing.

We had a chat with some of the young people who took part to find out their most memorable moments, musical inspirations and goals for the future. Keep reading to find out more.  

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF…

My name is Jake and I’m 23 years old.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OR INTERESTS?

I have been studying music, well, since I was 16 – I went to Music College and then went on to study music at University level. In college I was able to get out there and play with live bands and things like that.

I made some really good friends and we made music together as well and from that point on, I just sort of realised that music was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life really – there’s a level of excitement to it. I never thought of doing anything else.

HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT MUSIC COURSE AND WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO GET INVOLVED?

So I heard about Reform Radio through the Job Centre, my work coach referred me to Reform Radio, who signed me up. I met Naomi and Conall, they were really great and knew I wanted to get into music production roles.

IF MONEY WASN’T A THING, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE DOING FULL TIME?

I would love to just make music and play my music for people to hear, share and just spread the love.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU HAVE LEARNT FROM THE COURSE THAT YOU WILL TAKE HOME WITH YOU?

One thing I’ve learned from doing this course is that no matter where you come from, what background you have and your level of experience, music production is attainable.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS AFTER THE PROJECT?

Well I want to get back into making music. I want to just keep going for it because this is what I was meant to do. So I’m not too sure where I see myself in a few years, but I do know I’m going to carry on trying to improve and get better at music.

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. 

Categories
blog Featured on Homepage Featured Projects MAES Projects

BEHIND THE SCENES: RADIO COURSE (AUGUST) 

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 Manchester has 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. 

Categories
blog Featured Projects MAES Projects

BEHIND THE SCENES: MUSIC COURSE

The first Music Course of 2022 just wrapped up. For those unfamiliar, it’s a two-week radio and music production course, with opportunities to make your own radio show or delve into songwriting and creative writing. This workshop is kindly made possible by the lovely people at Manchester Adult Education Service.

Encouraging creativity and a safe space to do so is at the heart of what our workshops are all about. With the realms of radio and music being explored, we set out to find out what creative ventures the group had set for post-music-course life. 

Manchester-born Andy came to the project with a distinctive area of interest and expertise: the Vikings. During the project, he worked on a soundscape inspired by the Vikings, recording his own vocals and a speech from Ragnar Lodbrok, a King and hero amongst the Vikings to create a piece of music. In the future, Andy hopes to make his own Viking-based talk show called ‘Ask Ragnar’ where he could act as “an agony aunt to people phoning in, covering mental health and the struggles of living in the modern world”. 

This highly innovative idea is just one of the many brilliant things to surface over the weeks. Similarly, Ukrainian Solomiia who had worked as a “music producer in Kyiv in 2019”, says she would love to start her own show exploring the area of “mental health of musicians”. Other participants such as Okubay Haile, a music maker, would love to create their own show covering the “gospel community”. We would love to see this one in action! 

The workshop saw spirits run high and those involved such as Andy, Solomiia and Okubay, take the front seat and immerse themselves in singing, writing and producing. 

Listen back to the radio show they scripted, edited and produced during the workshop down below to find out more about Music Course and what they accomplished. 


Our workshops run all year long and are open to all. To find out about our next one, please drop an email to projects@reformradio.co.uk – see you at the next one!

Categories
blog Featured Projects MAES Projects

BEHIND THE SCENES: DJ SESSIONS (MAY)

DJ Sessions project just came to an end, bringing together the budding stars and DJs of Manchester. If you’re not familiar with DJ Sessions, it’s a week-long practical workshop followed by two weeks of employment and well-being support, kindly funded by MAES. 

Orchestrated by Joe Roche, a Manchester-based DJ, Producer and Record label owner, alongside the legendary Maule , the duo set out to teach the young people of Manchester how to tackle the decks. 

Meet Mia, a Ukrainian musician and aspiring DJ who joined the project in the hope of gaining new skills: “my father was a musician, so I’ve loved music since my childhood. I wanted to join DJ sessions as it’s a great opportunity and I’m interested in music, I like to be able to do everything, so I think DJing is cool in that retrospect”. 

Mia’s style is pretty eclectic and she likes playing genres such as Old School Hip Hop and R&B, as well as modern R&B, Hip Hop and Disco, commenting that she likes “a lot of kinds of music”. When asked what her goals for the week were, she said: “I would like to continue DJing after the course finishes and really improve on myself, and maybe get a job where I can DJ”.

Luckily for Mia and the rest of the group, our facilitators had invited a host of promoters to watch the showcase at the end of the week and offer them opportunities to play out in Manchester. The participants carefully selected a tracklist to WOW the audience of promoters and Reform turned into a club for the day, with beats echoing through the studio and beyond. We can’t wait for the next instalment of DJ Sessions in June! 

If you are keen to get your hands on decks or have any questions about this or our other projects, drop us an email at projects@reformradio.co.uk

Categories
blog Featured Projects Funders MAES Projects

BEHIND THE SCENES: RADIO COURSE

The first Radio Course of 2022 took place this month, returning back and better than ever before. This two-week programme funded by MAES helps young people pursue a career in digital broadcasting. 

Welcoming participants into the studios, the group delved into what it means to be in a working Radio Production environment. Thanks to the amazing facilitators Alex, Jacob and Naomi, a wonderfully organic energy developed in the group as those involved learnt the ropes of digital media.

Cameron, one participant who has dabbled in digital broadcasting before, adds his thoughts on the group.

“We’ve been really lucky with the group, everyone’s really creative & people have their own sets of skills. It’s all just come together really organically and we’ve all just got on from day one”

During week one of the project, the group really got to know one another, through various games and team building exercises. One individual, Ewan, comments on how he felt coming into the project.

“It can be quite awkward coming into something like this and nobody really wants to share or open up, but this felt really easy, playing a lot of games has been a really important part as it gets everyone out of their shells a little bit”

With the end goal of working collaboratively towards a live radio show that would air on Reform, the group explored both Presenter and Producer roles, establishing who was the next (add famous UK presenters name) amongst them. They experimented with script writing, public speaking and acquired skills in music software, preparing for the big week ahead. 

During week two, the facilitators invited a variety of guest speakers and industry professionals into the space to get the participants geared up on the hottest radio knowledge. With sessions dedicated to Social Media and Podcasting, as well as DJ sessions, the group learnt all the different segments that make up a radio show. 

With scripting way undergo, Ewan comments on the relaxed atmosphere enabling them to come ‘to very natural progression about what we want to do with the show’. After some thought, the collective decision was made to write a show dedicated to all the senses, naming themselves Senses of Self. With participants having a variety of different skillsets and broadcasting backgrounds, segments such as comedy sketches, a game show, meditation and many more pieces of incredible original content were developed. 

Young people such as Cameron, who had previous presenting experience, speaks on the process. 

“I’ve done some presenting for silly comedy podcasts. It was a long time ago, so I’m still kind of starting afresh with it. It’s been really nice to learn how to put together a show and kind of get the ideas for it. It’s been a really useful process”

Whilst, Sophie-Mia, another individual with previous radio experience who did the radio for Manchester Metropolitan University, discusses her role in the show. 

“Our radio show is based on senses, so at the very very end of the hour I’m going to do some mindfulness to bring it back round and centre for everybody, and make them aware of where they are, so we are going to end on quite a calm note”

Not only did the participants get savvy with the scripting, but one young person, Lewis, designed a trio of artwork, spotlighting the different segments they had come up with. To view the talented artwork that was designed for the show, please scroll down below.

Artwork by Lewis
Artwork by Lewis
Artwork by Lewis

To listen to the full show click down below.

If you would like to get involved or find out more about any of our projects, please drop us an email to projects@reformradio.co.uk.

Categories
blog Featured Projects Funders MAES Projects

BEHIND THE SCENES: DJ SESSIONS

DJ Sessions, a project kindly funded by MAES, started with a bang on Monday the 14th of February (a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, don’t you think?). Led by DJ, producer and record label manager Joe Roche, this six week programme focuses on how to DJ, self promote and source what opportunities are out there, presenting individuals with a chance to play out in Manchester. 

With only one week to get savvy with the decks, the participants entered the space at Reform Radio keen to learn and become the DJ that deep down, they always have been.

On day one the participants came into the space and were introduced to the nuts and bolts of deejay land. We are talking USBs, headphones, the do’s and the don’ts and the best softwares for organising your music. But it’s not all about equipment and the technical stuff. Although this is a huge proportion of becoming a DJ, discovering your personal style and image that you want to show the world is equally as important in becoming a full-fledged artist. 

Now let’s get one thing straight. In order to be a DJ, one must become one. To immerse themselves into the disc-jockey world & phenomenon, the young people invented their DJ names and put forth their new alias; to cement, commit & complete their transition into their shiny new DJ personality. 

Creative juices were certainly flowing in the studio, with names ranging from DJ Zambezi, KayBee, Los Lopez, The Blessed Les Dennis and Red Hicks to name a few. One of the participants named Monique chose the DJ name MIQUE, a shortened adaptation of her full name. 

Another individual called Jesús chose the name MXANNA (pronounced mx-anna); the MX being a presentation that’s genderqueer and XANA being the name of a mythological creature or Spanish nymph from the forests in Northern Spain.

Jesús in the zone, getting their playlist ready for Friday.

With their DJ names finessed and the decks ready to be spun, participants were posed with the question: What do you want to get out of the week? 

Manchester-born Kim, who is part of ‘Double Trouble’ with her sister who MCs and is a regular on MCR based radio station All FM, is used to mixing vinyl. As a selector, Kim started spinning tunes in the vinyl days but decided that if they are going to get booked out again, they need to learn how to mix on CDJs. 

A lovely moment captured of Kim, otherwise known as KayBee, performing at the showcase.

Ben, who is also from Manchester and studied Music Technology at college, saw DJ Sessions as a ‘great opportunity to blow off the cobwebs and get back into DJing’. 

The rest of the week was jam packed with hands-on learning, activities and break out rooms to get the group feeling confident with the decks ahead of the last session of the week. During which, participants were tasked with coming up with a playlist of their choice, to mix and perform in the space to promoters and venues across Manchester.

Lauren from Newcastle had previous experience mixing during her student years and upon finding an old USB filled with Liquid Drum & Bass, decided to get back into it because she ‘loves the music and club scene’. Lauren also commented on how the DJ industry is somewhat ‘relentless’, but participating in DJ Sessions is a great opportunity to bridge that gap. 

As the group dynamic began to skill-up and individuals started to think about what songs they would like to choose to impress the promoters, all kinds of genres started bursting out of the studios. 

Another participant with previous experience, Ben, who normally plays Jungle, decided to slow things down and go with ‘middle of the road House music’ for his playlist of choice. Whilst other participants such as Jesús were pumping Industrial Techno before switching it up and playing Last Dance by Donna Summer, which really got the vibes rolling between the group and the Reform team. 

Ben, otherwise known as Sweaty B (left) and Jesús, otherwise known as MXANNA (right) performing at the showcase.

Although each person has their own unique style and preferred genre of choice, they were encouraged to think out of the box and pick a style of music that would be most enjoyed at bars and venues across Manchester. With popular genres ranging from RnB, Hip Hop, House, Reggeaton, Disco and Indie music to name a few, the young people got their thinking hats on. 

Some of the favoured genres chosen throughout the group were RnB, Hip Hop and House, with individuals such as Monique thinking that ‘employers will prefer RnB because of the types of venues’. 

Although there was lots of physical learning, the nitty gritty of professionalism and etiquette were brought to the table during the week, with industry talks and inside knowledge of how to approach agencies and promoters. 

On the big day of the showcase, the group came to the space in the morning and got their mixing fingers ready to play for the promoters.

The energy in the studio during this session was truly impeccable, with an atmosphere of support and individuals hyping each other up. Unfortunately due to Storm Eunice, some of the promoters were unable to come into the space. However, in true we-live-in-the-digital-age style, Zoom came to save the day and both promoters and friends of the group took to the screens to enjoy the show. One of the participants, Magic, took on the hosting duties and provided the vibes for the day.

Lauren otherwise known as Finlay Roth (left) and Magic (right) hosting & performing at the showcase.
Meduulla otherwise known as DJ Meduulla (left) and Yelena otherwise known as Lashimba (right) getting their boogie on.
Gabriel otherwise known as Red Hicks getting his groove on.

A resounding success, the group rounded things up feeling proud of themselves, with one person commenting that they felt like a ‘star’ for the day. In the following weeks, the individuals will be meeting every Wednesday evening to shadow Reform’s DJs and take their DJ careers to the next level by gaining fundamental experience in the studios and working collaboratively with industry professionals.

If you are keen to get your hands on decks or have any questions about this or our other projects, drop us an email at projects@reformradio.co.uk

Categories
blog Featured Projects MAES

Blue Monday at Reform Radio

Today is Blue Monday. A day that on average many find very mentally challenging. From the weather remaining dark and gloomy, to financial strain from the holiday period, many factors can flood in during this month, making this time of the year even more challenging than usual for some.

If you are struggling mentally and would like to talk to someone, please visit our Emergency Contacts page. There are multiple amazing organisations that offer their services 24/7.

To help uplift you during this difficult time, participants from our well-being focused project Positive Frequencies, have created a show exploring what it means to be true to ourselves (the good, the bad …and the beautiful!). The participants will take you on a journey through song, poetry and spoken word showcasing their talents.

The show will air today (Monday 17th January) at 1PM on reformradio.co.uk.

Supported by Manchester Adult Education Service, Positive Frequencies is a week of personal development, creative writing and self-expression. The workshop will wrap up with a roundtable discussion. We provide a space for Participants to develop positive self-expression and a toolbox of wellbeing skills to help take and sustain their positive next steps.

The lead facilitator of this week-long well-being course, Dan Owens-Cooper, has also created a video on staying connected. Dan is Reform’s Mental Health and Well-being manager who has had countless 1-1s with our residents and present and past participants. Check out the video below.