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BEHIND THE SCENES: RADIO COURSE (FUNDED BY MAES)

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.

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MAES Projects

HIGH RISE (FUNDED BY MAES)

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.

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blog Featured Projects MAES Projects

BEHIND THE SCENES: POSITIVE FREQUENCIES (FUNDED BY MAES & THE MANCHESTER SOCIAL PRESCRIBING DEVELOPMENT FUND)

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.

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MAES Projects

POSITIVE FREQUENCIES (FUNDED BY MAES)

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.

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blog Featured Projects MAES

BEHIND THE SCENES: DJ SESSIONS (FUNDED BY MAES)

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.

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Projects Upcoming Projects

DRUM HAPPY SESSIONS (FUNDED BY THE NATIONAL LOTTERY & MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL)

We are delighted to introduce our new free series of workshops with Drum Happy, funded by The National Lottery and Manchester City Council. Every Friday through November & December, from the 17th of November, you can come along to join us in learning the foundations of drumming and rhythm. All sessions will be held at Powerhouse Library in Moss Side.

Alongside getting to grips with percussion with a focus on music improving your wellbeing, you will also have the opportunity to explore creative writing and content creation. You will also have the opportunity to perform and chat on Reform Radio throughout the process.

No experience is necessary and all the instruments are provided so why not get signed up? Check out the flyer below for the full details on how you can get involved.

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BEHIND THE SCENES: MUSIC COURSE (FUNDED BY MAES)

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.

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Arts Council blog Featured on Homepage Funders House Of Wingz More Music RiteTrax

HERCHESTER UP NORTH CYPHER & DOCUMENTARY OUT NOW

Over the past year, Reform Radio has held a series of MC and lyrical workshops across the North West; a new leg of our rap collective project, HERchester. HERchester, led by world-class Manchester rapper, OneDa, was formed three years ago in answer to a need to nurture a safe space open for, but not exclusive to, female and non-binary spoken word, hip hop and grime artists. Following the cohort’s recent Northern workshop tour, we have released a behind-the-scenes documentary recording the participants’ progress towards performing at Manchester’s Blues Kitchen for an exclusive cypher, platforming marginalised voices within the UK rap scene..

Since its formation in 2020, funded by Arts Council England, HERchester has welcomed tens of aspiring MCs and rappers to the collective, offering them peer support, guidance and mentorship through the likes of workshops, performances, and more. The project has continually held a place-based approach to its creative sessions, with Reform Radio partnering with organisations across the North West to hold safe hubs for the collective to meet, create and collaborate in key cities. Since 2021, HERchester has had presence in Manchester, Sheffield (in partnership with Rite Trax), Blackpool (in partnership with House of Wingz), and Morcambe (in partnership with More Music). Year on year, the project has established itself as a vital contributor to changing the narrative regarding diversity within the scene.

Throughout the project’s biggest year yet, we filmed HERchester’s workshops and members to find out more about the individuals behind the movement, and to witness their progression first-hand. Thus, forming a 20 minute documentary of the programme. It soon became clear that HERchester was not only a hub of musicianship for its cohort, but it also provides a safe and social space in supporting them through their personal journeys.

“For me, being in HERchester and being in that space… I don’t feel this pressure to be the best or perform… it’s more so about being in a space, having freedom to write and create and connect with other people, hear what they’re doing, and just uplift each other. ”

– FREEQUENCY3 – HERchester member

Within the documentary, viewers get to meet each member of the cohort and gain insight in to how HERchester has impacted them both professionally and personally. From supporting musicians to offering safe spaces for women, queer and gender non-conforming artists to express authentically, to building confidence, resilience, social skills, and more within individuals, the project provides a well-rounded network to elevate the voices of all those involved in all capacities.

“We saw a huge lack of female and non-binary representation across hip-hop and rap lineups and we wanted to make a difference. In answer to this, we partnered with OneDa and Arts Council England and HERchester was born. We are already seeing the legacy it has created, with greater diversity across the North, more female and non-binary artists coming through and getting paid for their artistry. We want to keep changing the narrative, and keep the number of these artists getting recognised in the industry growing”

– Jemma Tanswell, Co-Director of Reform Radio

2023 has been a great year for HERchester, with the collective bagging performance slots at the likes of Manchester International Festival and Beyond the Music, alongside hosting their own residency on Reform Radio, and featuring as BBC 6 Music’s Spotlight artist.

Both the documentary and cypher mark HERchester’s ambition to grow from HERchester Up North to HERchester To The World. The course of workshops and their closing cypher make a nod to the necessity of amplifying marginalised voices in rap and altering the narrative on diversity. It is also a moving motivation to those considering beginning their journeys in music. HERchester aren’t stopping here, however; they intend to continue making a storm with their inspiring work across the North West.

“Our ambitions for HERchester going into 2024 are to move into new cities, new territories, as well as keeping the cities that we’ve got under our belt. We want to get the collective into production too alongside working on cypher material… this will further empower them to be independent well-rounded artists through their craft”

– OneDa, Manchester rapper & HERchester leader

So, the quest continues and we can’t wait to see what HERchester have up their sleeves for the new year. For now, you can support the cause over on their socials @herchester here, and follow Reform Radio on socials to keep up to date with where the project is heading next.

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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.

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blog Thirty Pound Gentleman Youth Music

SOUNDCAMP SHOWCASE: THE CO-LAB EDITION

Following a remarkable 12 month journey of mentorship at Reform Radio, we are delighted to bring you the final showcase of Soundcamp 2023 on the 25th of October, at Blues Kitchen Manchester.

This one-night exclusive event marks the end of our renowned artist development programme, Soundcamp, which is funded by Youth Music and held in partnership with Thirty Pound Gentleman. Soundcamp offers 16-25 year olds extensive mentorship with established music industry professionals, Jenna G, Werkha and Anna McLuckie, and offers high quality access to work and insight into the music industries. Mentees have to opportunity to develop their music and songwriting, collaborate with a range of professionals, attend masterclasses and hands-on coaching.

In celebration of completing their incredible year of progress, our Soundcamp artists have each teamed up with one of a collection of Manchester’s favourite artists to write and perform an original track live. The evening will be the first opportunity to hear these tracks, and witness the beginning of some formidable artists’ journeys.

The ten duos of Manchester icons and Soundcamp participants make an unmatched lineup. From the programme we have Bennett Is Coming, Bake Gently, Beatrix Dexter, Waves, and LC. We also have Micah Stalgic, Saint Harmony, Simplici-T, Saffi Amber, and Karis Jade in the house.

The Manchester favourites joining the collective are of all genres and artistic backgrounds. HERchester leader OneDa, Superlative, Kin Kai, Contours and Meduulla make up one half of the artists.

Meanwhile, there will also be Sarah Angel, Iora, Blind Mic, Anna McLuckie and Mattu joining the Soundcamp finalists.

Tickets are available here for free or you can pay as you feel to support this brilliant initiative. This is the perfect time to catch some new talent before anybody else and witness a collection of iconic pairings live on stage.

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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.

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HERCHESTER UP NORTH PREMIERE EVENT

HERchester are back on the block! Back in spring this year we’ve held a series of lyrical and MCing workshops, led by OneDa, across the North West – in Manchester, Sheffield, Blackpool & Morecambe. The cohort are now returning for a one-night special to round up what they’ve been up to – kindly funded by Arts Council England, and in partnership with House of Wingz, More Music and Rite Trax.

Taking over GRUB MCR on the 15th of August, 6.30PM – 9PM, the female-identifying and non-binary rap cohort will premiere their exclusive cypher, filmed at Manchester’s Blues Kitchen, and a film documenting the behind the scenes action of the project. If that’s not enough for you, the night will also include a live Q&A with HERchester and OneDa.

And this is open to all with the space being an inclusive atmosphere to meet likeminded creatives, whilst also witnessing the incredible community’s talent first-hand. It’s going to be an evening of good vibes and boundless creativity.

Reserve your free tickets here. And for full info, see the flyer below.

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BEHIND THE SCENES: IN FOCUS – CONTENT & SOCIAL MEDIA (FUNDED BY ESF & SKILLS FOR GROWTH)

You may have seen across our socials that we’ve had a busy couple months here at Reform, with a number of participants coming into the space twice a week for our In Focus Content & Social Media course.

Kindly funded by ESF & Skills For Growth, In Focus Content and Social Media is a 7-week course that is designed to upskill people in all things marketing, social media and content creation. All participants have a chance to create an exclusive social media campaign for a Manchester based creative, brand or an organisation. This time round, participants worked with the likes of Yemi Bolatiwa, Studio 88 and Gravy Mag.

We caught up with Dara, who worked on Yemi Bolatiwa’s campaign, to find out more about her time on the course and where she’s heading next.

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

I’m Dara Jackson, I use she/her pronouns and I’m currently graduating from a Masters of research in Neuroscience. My hobbies include watching anime, dancing, singing, painting, and curating digital art on Pinterest.

How would your friends describe you in 3 words?

Joyful, driven and loving.

If you could create any piece of content for yourself/a brand/an artist, what would it be? And who would you want to work with?

I really want to work for Selena Gomez’s brand, Rare Beauty, as a mental health content creator. I’d also love to work for Iris Van Herpen, Gucci or Zimmerman as a fashion or mental health content creator. Rosalia is another musician I’d love to work for too because she inspires me all the time to stay true to my roots.

What prompted you to get involved with In Focus: Content & Social Media?

I am seeking a career in content creation or the creative industries as I feel happiest doing that so this would be a great first step to getting there.

Did you have much experience in content/marketing before? If so, what’s your favourite aspect of it?

I think my favourite part is the idea generation. I like thinking of ways to get in touch with people’s humanity and remind them that everything is ok. Art can remind you of your humanity to fail, to be stagnant and to pause and re-centre. I think I just enjoy making people feel seen.

Where do you find inspiration for your creative content work?

From so much! My relationship with Christ has had a significant impact on the framework I navigate the world with. I think the compassion I experienced from my God is my first filter: compassion and grace. I get inspiration from my mum, dad, brother and sister because they’ve all had lives that speak of struggle, overcoming and making beauty out of ashes. I get inspiration from Greek, Japanese, Trinbagonian, African and Norse Mythology. I get inspiration from Islam, Hinduism and Confucianism. Also I am inspired greatly by my heritage – I’m of African, Indian, Spanish and Irish descent. I am inspired by both digital and traditional art, music like trance, alternative and noir. I pull from anime, Astronomy, nature, my own struggles – I think that’s 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?

I felt safe and like I was somewhere I belonged straight away and that hasn’t changed at all. I think the course taught me to relax and enjoy the process. Reform really knows how to make people feel like they can do anything, no matter what level you are. 

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

Definitely editing if we’re talking technical. I was so scared of using Premiere Pro before! I also hope to take my understanding of how small details in concepts can make a huge difference in perception, and also my value of teamwork.

My plan moving forward is to work in the creative industries. Creative work is the only work that makes me truly happy now and using art to help people find peace and freedom would be a great legacy to have. We’ll see how it goes! 

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.

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blog Featured Projects Funders Greater Manchester Combined Authority Projects

Manchester studio launches new service for aspiring artists, supported by Reform Radio students.

This blog post was created as part of In Focus: Content and Social Media course, funded by the Skills for Growth & European Social Fund.

We are Kao, Meg, Sarah and Anna. We have just completed the In Focus: Content and Social Media course with Reform Radio. We’d love to share our journey through the course with you! As a team, we rose to the challenge of creating a social media campaign for Manchester recording studio, Studio 88, who are launching a new product.

Over 7 weeks, we learnt about digital content creation and had lots of opportunities to gain hands on experience. Throughout the course, our marketing, video and photography skills were developed and honed. Taught by Reform Radio’s in house Content and Marketing Team, we were well placed to get to grips with the intricacies of content creation and social media. The modules covered included; social media and marketing strategies, analytics, trends, audience development, planning and implementing a social media marketing campaign and working from briefs to developing concepts.

In addition, there were valuable lessons on filming and photography, concept production and creating short form videos for platforms such as Tik Tok and Instagram. Crucially, there were practical sessions which focussed on editing and post-production. This comprehensive and interesting course has provided a solid grounding in Content and Social Media, along with a professional piece of work which can evidence our skills. The tutors were knowledgeable and approachable and the whole group were lovely. 

Darrius, Samantha, M1LLZ, Meg, Kao (from left to right)

Our group worked on a brief for local recording studio, Studio 88.

“Studio 88 stands for infinite and abundant creation…in Chinese mythology it symbolizes good fortune and wealth. We try and incorporate all of these values and philosophies into the business.” – Darrius, Director of Studio 88

Darrius


Studio 88 is a local multi-genre recording studio, providing a range of services for artists and producers looking to join a welcoming, creative community. It is owned and directed by Darrius Stewart (He/Him) and has studios in both central and South Manchester. Both sites are accessible and professionally equipped. New for summer 2023, Studio 88 have launched an affordable subscription package service, Create88, for all creatives with a range of benefits. The monthly package guarantees 12 hours a month in the studio along with a wealth of other benefits including the opportunity to work with in-house producers and access to the well-established and formidable creative network.  

Darrius explains: “Studio 88 MCR is much more than just a recording studio, we are a place for artists to grow and develop, turning ideas into fruition, and offering Manchester’s upcoming artists a creative space like no other.” Local beatmaker and Junior Recording Engineer Pretty Trixx describes how the studio has helped her: “I’m really a bedroom producer at heart and like to stay behind the scenes whilst making my music but the studio is slowly helping me come out of my shell and work with more creators.”

Pretty Trixx

With a passion for music as her first love Pretty Trixx has worked with notable names in the industry through being involved with Studio 88, including Kwengface and Youngz SB.

Artist and Studio 88 collaborator M1LLZ says:
“They took me in as a home. They gave me somewhere to go to show what my passion was. They did a lot. I’m now an artist.”

Studio 88 Singer, Songwriter and Manager, Samantha Mae says:
“From my manager side, I am working with 4 people; 3 artists and 1 producer/engineer. We are all in a development scheme and we’re all on the same wavelength, we want to see results and progress. In terms of my singing -songwriting, I’m helping song write for those who get writer’s block. I come up with creative ideas to get them out of that space and out of their head. I’m just trying to help everyone do what they do and what they love.”

M1LLZ
Samantha Mae

Studio 88 prides itself on being a launchpad for upcoming artists, a safe space with a family feel for people working in all genres to come and learn to improve their music making skills and learn about themselves in the process. M1LLZ says: “They showed me how to control my breath, pronounce my words, open my mouth. All the good fundamentals that can help you find your way of doing it. That’s what they did to help me progress.”

Studio 88 has rich partnerships with other creative organisations across Manchester and the UK.  The new package can add structure to projects, guaranteeing studio time and a network to collaborate with. 

The Create88 subscription package for £150 per month is now live and includes: 

  • 12hrs Access to Studio Time [Dry Hire]
  • Member Discounts on Media Production 
  • Member mailing list / Newsletters
  • Member discount events
  • Competitions & Offers
  • Radio Play opportunities 
  • Stage performance opportunities 
  • Placements & collaborative opportunities 
  • Network & structure 

Check out the Studio88 website here!

If you want to get involved in any of our creative courses, drop us an email at projects@reformradio.co.uk.

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Black British Female: The Remixes

Hello! We are the 2023 cohort at Reform Radio’s exciting In Focus: Content and Social Media program. This is a fantastic digital content creation program aimed at uplifting people through the education of practical experience in digital content creation.

The course is funded by the Skills for Growth & European Social Fund.

Our team, Owen, Inna, Dara and Eleanor not only learned about digital content creation but also got the opportunity of delivering a social media campaign for Manchester’s rising soul star, Yemi Bolatiwa. In collaboration with SHAR, DJ Sappo and Harry’s Method she has released an eclectic remix EP of her song Black British Female.

Eleanor, Dara, Owen, Yemi, Inna (from left to right)

About the Course 

The In Focus: Content and Social Media is a comprehensive 7-week course focusing on practical experience in digital content creation. Delivered by Reform Radio’s experienced Content & Marketing Team and industry experts, this programme enhanced our skills in marketing, video, and photography.

The curriculum consisted of social media and marketing strategies, analytics, trends, and audience development, planning and social media marketing campaign conceptualisation, implementation and execution.

Other key skills gained were: the basics of filming and concept production, including creation of short-form videos for different platforms like Instagram, editing and post-production.

Yemi Bolatiwa, Manchester’s Rising Soul Star

Yemi Bolatiwa, a talented artist born south-east London and has lived in Manchester for 14 years. She has recently released a remix collaboration of her powerful anthem, “Black British Female” (BBF).

While pursuing her masters in Social Anthropology, Yemi’s love for exploration of culture and behaviour intermingled with her renewed spark for music during open mic nights. Her journey has been a natural progression, leading her to meet a band and perform at host of large and cozy gigs and festivals. Today, Yemi is actively pursuing her passion for music, and has been honing in on her songwriting craft over the past 10 years across such genres as reggae, dub, hip-hop, drum & bass, house and of course soul & RnB in all it’s forms. Her unique blend of empowerment, positivity, and exploration of identity intends to resonate with listeners, as she uses her music to address socio-political issues and foster relatability.

The Evolution of Yemi’s Musical Journey

Yemi’s musical journey began unexpectedly, as her participation in open mic nights reignited her long-lost school passion for music. Although she didn’t initially anticipate pursuing music professionally, the organic process led her to collaborate with a band and perform live PA sets with DJs. Opportunities flowed naturally and Yemi even secured a residency at Albert’s Schloss, allowing her to develop her vocal skills and learn another side to the music industry. She describes her musical path as a continuous exploration, emphasising the importance of collaboration and remaining open to new experiences.

Powerful Messages in Yemi’s Music

Yemi Bolatiwa’s music is driven by a desire to empower, spread positivity, explore identity, and highlight resilience. In her recent songs, she delves into vulnerability and shares her experiences through her music, fostering relatability with her audience. Yemi’s dedication to addressing socio-political issues is evident, as she seeks to find her people and create a sense of connection through her music. Her desire for her music to speak to people is reflected in her remix EP, featuring a variety of styles and interpretations from across the bass music spectrum.

A Song of Empowerment

The single “Black British Female” (BBF) holds a dual meaning, playing on the abbreviation “BFF” while also delivering a light-hearted approach to a serious message. The song’s second verse confronts black stereotypes and emphasises that Yemi Bolatiwa is more than those preconceptions. Musically, BBF combines elements of electronic music, drum & bass, and a fast-paced tempo to evoke a sense of energy and attitude. This serves as an undercurrent to Yemi’s exploration of identity, ultimately instilling pride and reinforcing the notion that individuals can be multi-dimensional while still making sense.

Revitalizing BBF: Remixing for New Life

Yemi enlisted three of her close friends to create remixes of BBF, breathing new life into the song and giving it a fresh perspective. Each remix brings a distinct flavour to the table: a future garage version, a heavy drum & bass rendition, and a liquid dnb dark interpretation. Of all the remixes, the garage version by SHAR struck a chord with Yemi the most, evoking memories of her youth. This collaborative effort not only provides multiple versions of the song but also amplifies its impact and showcases its versatility.

An Anthem, A revolution

Yemi Bolatiwa’s musical journey has been an enriching and organic process, fuelled by her passion for empowerment, positivity, identity exploration, and resilience. Through her music, she seeks to address socio-political issues and foster relatability among her listeners. With the release of “Black British Female” (BBF) and its accompanying remix EP, Yemi aims to create a powerful emotional connection with her audience and make her music a captivating experience that goes beyond mere listening. As she continues to collaborate and evolve, Yemi Bolatiwa’s unique voice and messages will undoubtedly resonate with a diverse audience, inspiring and empowering individuals along the way.

If you want to get involved in any of our creative courses, drop us an email at projects@reformradio.co.uk.

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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.

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Reform Radio at Manchester International Festival

We are very excited to announce that we have curated several shows featuring Reform’s nearest and dearest artists and hosts at this year’s Manchester International Festival which returns to the city from 29 June to 16 July. Taking place at the new riverside location Festival Square’s free open-air stage will host over 190 artists, bands, DJs and musicians, as well as family entertainment and a wide variety of food and drink. With over 150 artists in the line-up hailing from Greater Manchester, the programme is massive celebration of sounds of the region. Festival Square activities are totally free to attend, so there is absolutely no excuse to miss this.

Check out our schedule below and see you at the Festival Square.

FRIDAY 30TH JUNE 1pm – 2.30pm – MELATROIS

Serving up music with no genre restrictions and conversation inspired by the socio-political climate, Melatrois is two hours of down to earth, kind of weird airtime with more rhythm than rhyme.

FRIDAY 30TH JUNE 3PM – 4.30PM – THE GET OUT

The Get Out, an afternoon version of our first ever breakfast show, The Get Up. Chat and tunes with Yelena Lashimba, broadcast live, encouraging people to get down to Festival Square.

WEDNESDAY 12TH JULY 3PM – 4.30PM – HERCHESTER

HERchester will be showcasing their talents from the latest edition & talking about the process they’ve been through from joining the project, improving their skills together and recording a cypher at Blues Kitchen.

THURSDAY 13TH JULY 1PM – 2.30PM – MUSIC AND MIND

A platform that celebrates the bringing together of music and mental health, shining a light on lived experiences and the music that drives the people behind them, hosted by Levi Love.

THURSDAY 13TH JULY 3PM – 4.30PM – MUTUALISM

A discussion with Obeka and Murder He Wrote, hosted by Reform’s Natasha delving deep into the processes behind our most recent collaborative project with shesaid.so South Africa, exploring remote collaboration.

THURSDAY 13TH JULY 9PM – 10PM – SOUNDCAMP SHOWCASE

Soundcamp 2022 alumni are taking over Festival Square to share their musical creations, that were born during their time on Reform’s artist development programme.

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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.

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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.

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MUSIC INDUSTRY DAY (FUNDED BY YOUTH MUSIC)

To celebrate this year’s World Music Day in true Reform style, we’re holding a day-long free to attend session for music-lovers to come together, meet like minded creatives, and get a taste of different musical activities.

Featuring live performances from the female-identifying/non-binary HERchester collective and our Soundcamp alumni, alongside an industry discussion with Rhythm Lab Records. There will also be a wider range of taster workshops in the likes of DJing, audio recording, editing and mixing.

Our Music Industry Day, funded by Youth Music & Arts Council England, is set to take place on the 21st of June, 11-4pm. It is open to anyone aged 16+, with an interest in music.

For more info and how to get involved, check out the flyer below.