Category: Projects

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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. 

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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. 

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Projects Upcoming Projects

MUSIC COURSE (FUNDED BY MAES)

If you are interested in music production, radio production, social media and creative writing, we have the perfect workshop for you this January.

Music Course is a 2-week programme with a focus on music production and creating a radio show that showcases your original creations. Funded by Manchester Adult Education Service, the project runs from Monday 30th January – Friday 10th of February, with a taster day on 26th January.

If you would like to get involved in this project, please drop us an email at projects@reformradio.co.uk

See the flyer below for more details.

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blog ESF Featured on Homepage Funders Greater Manchester Combined Authority Projects

Reform launches new ‘In Focus’ creative courses.

We are so excited to launch a series of new programmes in partnership with Greater Manchester Combined Authority – ‘In Focus’ in Radio, Content & Social Media, Mind & Planet.

Independently focusing on audio, content creation, Carbon Literacy and well-being, all delivered by industry experts. The course is fully funded and has been made possible with the Skills for Growth & European Social Fund. Get in touch at projects@reformradio.co.uk to find out more.

The courses were designed through consultation across the creative sector with freelancers, artists, organisations and employees, to meet current demands and skill gaps. 

Individuals will learn a variety of skills ranging from music production to podcasting, social media and marketing strategies to filming and concept production. There will also be bespoke Carbon Literacy training, stress management and tailored well-being workshops.

In Focus: Radio

A 7-week course to learn all the skills required for music radio production. Led by Reform’s award-winning Podcasting Team with experience in national BBC strands, independent production companies, online radio and music related podcasts. During this course you will learn about audio production, presenting, music sequencing, research and interview skills, recording, editing & sound design, industry advice and knowledge on BBC systems. 

In Focus: Content and Social Media

A 7-week course delivered by Reform’s experienced Content & Marketing Team, featuring exciting guests from the creative industry. In this programme you will learn the ins and outs of digital content creation with hands-on experience in video & photography. You will develop a social media strategy and deliver a live event, all whilst gaining knowledge about pre & post production. 

In Focus: Mind and Planet

Part 1 – Mind.

Developed and delivered by Dan Owens-Cooper (Reform’s Wellbeing Manager and Senior Psychotherapist), and informed by over a decade of his experience in clinical practice. This flexible well-being training programme will be a mixture of workshops, video and audio content.

Covering the following topics, as well as looking at tailored content for you or your team: Communicating without conflict, Overcoming Impostor Syndrome, Active Listening and Coaching Skills, Confidence Building, Improving Motivation, Stress Management & Avoiding Burnout, Facing your Fear of Failure, and many more.

Part 2 – Planet

Carbon Literacy Training developed and delivered by award-winning Head of Production and sustainability expert, Dan Jackson, this programme will provide a deep-understanding of the science of climate change and how our everyday activities contribute to it.

Through group learning, discussion and practical workshops, individuals will learn how to develop creative strategies to maximise their influence and minimise their negative impacts on the climate. With bespoke content specifically tailored to production companies, digital content producers, gamers, designers and the media industry.


The programmes are free to attend and eligibility for these courses are those 16+, who live or work within Greater Manchester, and are employed or self employed. If you would like to get involved in any of these courses, please email projects@reformradio.co.uk.

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Funders Manchester City Council Projects Upcoming Projects

NEXT STEPS: FOR YOUR FUTURE (FUNDED BY MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL)

Taking place on a Thursday once a month, this session is based on opportunities for the future. The next online session will take place on Wednesday 7th December – from 15:30 – 17:30.

The session includes 1-1s, both CV and cover letter support, and invites several speakers who discuss various opportunities available.

Next Steps has been made possible by Manchester City Council.

See the flyer below for further details.

If you want to get involved, please send an email to james@reformradio.co.uk.

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Projects Upcoming Projects

PODCASTING COURSE: BRING YOUR IDEAS TO LIFE (FUNDED BY MAES)

Ever wanted to create your very own podcasts? Have ideas, but not sure how to bring them to life? Or are you simply curious?

Come and design your very own podcast, whilst learning production and audio editing skills in our award winning studios!

The two week long course will run from Monday 5th to Friday 16th December, kicking off at 10AM and wrapping at 4PM everyday. If you’re uncertain whether this is the right course for you, drop into our taster sessions on Wednesday 30th November.

If you want to get involved, please send an email to projects@reformradio.co.uk.

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

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

HERchester making waves

We thought it was about time we updated you on our flagship, all female and non-binary MC project HERchester, as there have been some serious developments over the last few months.

Firstly, massive congratulations to Prinny Moni, who’s just had her track signed to Red Bull. Prinny was straight on responding to a call from OneDa, who then put her name forward and the rest is history. This exemplifies what HERchester is all about, females pushing other female rappers forward in the industry.

Next up, after seeing last year’s HERchester cypher, Frequency was chosen to take part in an all star, Manchester cypher to celebrate the launch of Snoop Dog’s new wine brand Cali Red. Watch below.

In other news, work is well underway on a new podcast project that will pair a member of the HERchester fraternity with a scientific researcher, with the aim of making the academic work more accessible through the medium of rap. The first few collaborations have been recorded, including a trip to Cambridge with Soundcamp graduate Karis Jade.

This work has been funded by the HDBI and is due for release in 2023. The Human Developmental Biology Initiative (HDBI) is a Wellcome-funded group of researchers at Institutes across the UK who are all trying to better understand how humans develop before birth.

We’re also thrilled to announce the next iteration, HERchester Up North, has been kindly funded by Arts Council England and is launching very soon. More news on this this to follow but the project has been built of a successful, North West wide pilot last year. Check out what went down behind the scenes in our short documentary below. It brought together women, non-binary people, transgender women and those that identify as women from 4 different cities: Manchester, Morecambe, Blackpool and Sheffield teaming up with RiteTrax, House of Wingz and More Music who accommodated and guided participants in their respective cities.

If you want to get involved in our next instalment of HERchester Up North, drop us an email on projects@reformradio.co.uk.

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Projects Upcoming Projects

Creative Leadership (FUNDED BY MAES)

4 day course dedicated to learning about facilitation, funding, taxes and what it takes to be a freelancer.

If you’ve ever thought about setting up your own business, it’s important to understand your audience, self-employment and taxes. Facilitating workshops and delivering socially engaged projects in your community will require you to know how to write funding bids, work with partners, plan sessions and evaluate their success.

Creative Leadership will be running on the 3rd, 4th, 10th and 11th of November from 10 AM – 4 PM.

Please see the flyer below for further details & how to get involved.

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WATCH LIVE HERE – Creative Sustainability Panel Event

Wednesday, 2nd November 2022, 5pm – 7pm GMT

Reform Radio, Bonded Warehouse 18 Lower Byrom Street, Manchester, M3 4AP

Climate change is complex and often terrifying but it can also be a rich source of inspiration. Whether it’s through creative placement and storytelling or transitioning to more sustainable practices, if you work in the creative industries you have more power than you realise.

Join us at Reform for a live, audio industry focused panel discussion, led by Dan Jackson, about how you can influence change through your editorial and creative practices. We will be discussing the increased importance of net zero, not just for the future of our planet but the acquisition of new work.

Dan has two decades of experience working across production and broadcasting. His credits span a broad range of programming including The South Bank Show, Coronation Street, and Beyond Belief and he’s produced content for ITV, the BBC World Service, BBC Radio 2 and 4 and the indie podcast sector including Spotify and Audible. Dan has won a number of awards for Sustainability in Production and combines his editorial, production-management and technical experience to support Reform Radio as an advisory board member.

Hosted by Reform’s Assistant Producer, Aisha Williams who has worked with Dan in the past to produce and present the station’s C-Change round table discussions. She is the perfect person to talk about how Reform have put Dan’s teachings into action.

Also joining them will be Reform Radio director Sam Oliveira to discuss the launch of a new carbon literacy training program, designed specifically for producers and content creators. This training will be free for anyone living in Greater Manchester and is accredited by the Carbon Literacy Project. Come along to find out more.

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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. 

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Projects Upcoming Projects

DJ SESSIONS: FREE ADVANCED DJ WORKSHOPS (FUNDED BY MAES)

Do you want to take your DJ career to the next level? Then this 2-week course is exactly what you were looking for.

This November, in partnership with Do As You Please, we invite you to Reform Radio to learn about advanced digital & vinyl DJ techniques, work on your bios and artist assets as well as to network and take part in various industry talks, hosted by local legends.

The programme will wrap up with a showcase where you will be able to show off your skills and secure future gig bookings.

The course is absolutely free and we cover your lunch and travel.

See flyer below for more info and to get involved.

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Projects Upcoming Projects

MUSIC COURSE (FUNDED BY MAES)

If you are interested in music production, radio production, social media and creative writing, we have the perfect workshop for you this September.

Music course is a 2-week programme with a focus on music production and creating a radio show that showcases your original creations. Funded by Manchester Adult Education Service, the project runs from Monday 3rd – Friday 14th of October, with a taster day on September the 29th.

See the flyer below for further details & contacts to get involved.

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blog Featured on Homepage Featured Podcast Funders Heritage Lottery

EXPLORING MANCHESTER’S FIRST CITY CENTRE PARK IN 100 YEARS WITH JAMIE GREEN

Manchester’s first city centre park in over a century opened its gates today. Described as an urban escape, the 6.5-acre park that lies along the banks of River Medlock is now open to the public. 

In recognition of the ongoing launch of Mayfield, we teamed up with the National Lottery Heritage Fund to explore the past, present and future of the site. 

Produced by one of our very own, Jamie Green, the three-part series is now available to listen to on all streaming platforms. Get listening now and if you love it as much as we do, you can even leave a review or rating on Apple. 

We caught up with Jamie to find out more about the production process, the themes explored in each episode, as well as his journey with Reform and beyond.

Please could you introduce yourself and explain your current occupation. 

Hey, my name is Jamie Green and I am a freelance Audio Producer for Reform Radio. I work within Reform’s Podcasting team and assist with recording, editing, and producing podcasts and audio content. 

You joined Reform Radio in January 2022 as a Kickstart Studio & Podcasting Assistant. How did you hear about this opportunity and what made you decide to apply? 

I first saw the opportunity as a Studio & Podcasting Assistant posted on Reform’s Instagram page. I had decided over the coronavirus lockdown that I really wanted to pursue a career working with audio and so this role just seemed like the perfect opportunity. Having previously participated in some of Reform’s audio-based courses, I also knew what an incredible company they were and was keen to work in such a creative, inclusive environment. 

Please could you describe your responsibilities/projects that you worked on? 

I have worked on a fantastic variety of projects, from editing interviews for BBC 6 Music’s The People’s Party with Afrodeutsche to travelling around the UK recording a road trip style podcast about British vineyards. I have also led the production of our ‘Park Life’ podcast which has involved interviewing photographers, archaeologists and event organisers. My day-to-day responsibilities have included anything from recording autobiographical audiobooks for clients such as Liz Taylor to editing podcast series for ‘The Life & Death Podcast’ for Ashgate Hospice. 

After Kickstart, you continued working with Reform as a freelancer, how are you finding it now?

The transition to becoming a freelancer has been really exciting, I have loved working across numerous projects and utilising my audio skills in different ways to deliver exciting content such as the ‘Park Life’ podcast. 

Have you had any opportunities arise as a direct result of Reform? 

Definitely, I think one of the key opportunities that I have gained through my connections within Reform is being booked for regular DJ work which has really helped build my confidence as a DJ and also provided financial support. 

You have been working on the Mayfield project for some time. Please could you briefly describe what this project is and what your involvement has been? 

With Manchester building its first city centre park in over 100 years, we have produced a three-part podcast series that captures and explores the heritage of this area of Manchester known as Mayfield.

My role has been to lead the creation of this podcast, which has involved everything from interviewing archaeologists and photographers to sourcing archive recordings from the Manchester Central Library, designing soundscapes and capturing field recordings to accompany the podcast.

How has the experience been producing this podcast? Any highlights?

Producing the ‘Park Life’ podcast has been an incredible experience. I have loved discovering the forgotten stories of this unique area of Manchester through speaking with so many fascinating people. Their passion for the heritage of Mayfield has really rubbed off on me, and so I feel really fortunate to have been given the creative freedom to shape the format of this podcast and how we tell the story of this site. 

During the project, you touch on themes including The River, The Park and Culture. Can you talk a little bit about the creative process here?

The River

The first episode of the podcast is themed around The River Medlock. The episode tells the story of how the Medlock was transformed from a beautiful meandering river into an industrial sewer later covered over with concrete to make way for expanding industries. After being hidden for over 50 years the river Medlock in Mayfield has now been uncovered, so we really wanted to focus on how the river has intrinsically shaped the history of this area and reflect on the importance of protecting and valuing our waterways.

The Park

The theme of the second episode was inspired by Manchester opening its first city centre park in over 100 years this month! We wanted to learn about the site’s transformation from a derelict wasteland into a lush haven in the city centre, and also explore the importance of green spaces on our mental health and well-being. 

Culture 

The Mayfield district in Manchester is becoming a cultural hub in the city, with it being home to The Warehouse Project, Escape To Freight Island, and hosting events such MIF, Pride and numerous art exhibitions. So it only seemed natural to theme an episode around the culture surrounding the park today. However, we also wanted to dig a bit deeper and explore the unique cultural heritage of the site and investigate how this has also developed over time. 

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? 

Take the plunge and move up to Manchester, it will be worth it! 

What do you want for the future? 

Working on the ‘Park Life’ podcast has really reinforced my desire to continue working with audio and sourcing work that integrates my passion for sound design, recording audio and producing music. In the future, I would love to continue producing audio content across different formats and using my creativity to shape the listening experience. 

Do you have anything upcoming that you would like to shout about? 

I’m super excited to have my first track released over the coming months as part of a compilation album on Martyn’s record label, 3024. Keep an eye out for that! 

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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 Thirty Pound Gentleman Youth Music

SOUNDCAMP SHOWCASE

Next Tuesday we’re taking over Band on The Wall for the Soundcamp Showcase, bringing 12 exciting up-and-coming talents to the stage for a night of live performances and celebration of our most recent artist development programme, Soundcamp.

12 weeks ago we partnered up with Youth Music Charity and Thirty Pound Gentleman to curate a mentoring scheme for up-and-coming musicians aged 18 – 25. 

The project kicked off with a two-week bootcamp where participants were invited into the space to work on songwriting and creative collaboration. 12 finalists were then selected to stay on and receive mentoring from industry professionals such as Werkha, Jenna G and Anna Mcluckie. 

Get yourselves down there on Tuesday 13th September to hear the magic for yourselves.

Grab your free tickets here.

Categories
blog Thirty Pound Gentleman Youth Music

INTRODUCING THIS YEAR’S SOUNDCAMP FINALISTS: GROUP 3

Soundcamp kicked off this May, inviting new and aspiring artists into the space for a two-week Bootcamp. After the two-week period, 12 finalists were selected to stay on and hone their craft to the next level, with mentoring from some of the best in the business such as Werkha, Jenna G and Anna Mcluckie. 

Let us introduce you to our third group of Soundcamp 2022 finalists… 

BAMBI RAPTOR 

Hi, I’m Imogen. My artist name is Bambi Raptor and I am a producer, singer and songwriter from Manchester. I don’t have any socials or music out yet, but they will be coming soon, so keep your eyes peeled! 

How would you describe yourself as an artist?

A combination of dancey beats, weird sounds, catchy melodies and emotional lyrics – think Phoebe Bridgers if she’d grown up with a 90s Garage Classics CD and a retro drum machine. 

How long have you been doing music? When did you start?

I started playing the piano at 8 years old, then the drums aged 11. Eventually, I joined various Indie Rock, Pop and Grunge bands in my teens. I had always written songs for fun, but during the first lockdown, I decided to take this more seriously and develop an established sound for a new solo original project, which grew into Bambi Raptor.

What are some of your main influences?

I am influenced by the creative production of The Neptunes, SOPHIE, and Gold Panda. The House and Garage sound revival of Disclosure and Sam Gellaitry, and the heartfelt melodic songwriting of Phoebe Bridgers, The Beach Boys, Joni Mitchell and Paul Simon.

What do you hope to get out of the Soundcamp experience?

I hope to release a short EP of songs that I am really proud of and that encapsulate my sound. I would love to perform a live set of these songs for the first time! 

I really want to develop a solid foundation for my music, so that I can continue to develop this project in the future.

What do you see for yourself in the future as an artist?

I would love to tour the world and play amazing shows with my favourite artists, but I’ve got a lot of work to do if I want to get to that point! In the meantime, I will continue making and releasing music that I enjoy, collaborating with different vocalists and producers, and trying to get my music out to as many people as possible – hopefully, they’ll like it!

Who is your dream collaboration?

This is a tough question! I would love to work with Anomalie – my keyboard skills aren’t as good as I’d like them to be, so to watch him shredding over one of my beats would be crazy! I’d also love to work with a really charismatic vocalist who I could bounce ideas off – Tyler, The Creator or Lizzo would be awesome, and I think the three of us would make something really fun!

BAKE GENTLY

Hi, I’m Bake Gently. A Manchester-based artist who is beginning to release music of his own after working with notable artists in the city such as Quiet Houses and Paige Kennedy. I am inspired by great songwriting, truth and beauty when making music, and strive to balance expression with introversion. You can follow me on Instagram and TikTok @bakegently and listen to my work on all major streaming platforms. 

How would you describe yourself as an artist?

I would describe my sound as commercial with a classic twist. I make Alternative Pop and love blending my music with things I’m influenced by in film, art, literature and life in general. I’m quite a private person really, so I guess a slight air of mystique and aloofness plays into my image as an artist, but hopefully with the impression of not taking myself too seriously at the same time!

How long have you been doing music? Where did you start?

I first got into music after picking up the guitar when I was around ten. I then moved on to bass, which I played in ensembles at school as well as in bands with my mates and pursued it at a degree level, enrolling on a four-year popular music course at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. It was here that I got involved in even more projects and was also honing my songwriting and production which I’ve always done on the side. After graduating during the summer of 2021 I realised that I was most interested in developing these latter skills so started concentrating on my solo project as a vehicle for this.

What are some of your main influences?

I want my sound to be a culmination of the modern Pop experimentalism of Caroline Polachek, the high-fidelity production of Daft Punk and the musical and songwriting class of Steely Dan. I also draw upon storytelling concepts from Japanese Samurai films and Hollywood Westerns for my lyrics, as well as the natural imagery of painters like Caspar David Friedrich and the colourful wordplay of magical realism.

What do you hope to get out of the Soundcamp experience?

I hope to use it as a time to focus on my craft and consolidate my current career choices. I also hope to use it to make new friends in the local arts scene and push me out of my comfort zone in terms of sharing my work. 

What do you see for yourself in the future as an artist?

I see myself as someone who will always be creating and striving to make a living from doing what they love. I’d like to find some degree of success or recognition with my project and potentially use it as a springboard to write and produce for other notable artists. I know my sound is one that’s going to take time to develop and flourish so I’m determined to treat my career as a marathon, not a sprint, and enjoy the ride as much as possible.

Who is your dream collaboration?

For my own project, I’d love to collaborate with some of the finest Pop writers out there such as Max Martin and his team, Dr. Luke or Stargate. Alternatively, as a writer/producer working on another artist’s music, I like the idea of collaborating with someone very different to me. I was just thinking the other day how liberating it would be to write a song with a powerful female artist like Doja Cat, Lizzo or Beyoncé.

Categories
blog Featured Projects The Prince’s Trust

BEHIND THE SCENES: TAMESIDE FUTURES (AUGUST)

Our podcasting course Tameside Futures just wrapped up, inviting participants to the 4C Community Centre in Ashton for a two-week Bootcamp which is kindly made possible by the  Prince’s Trust and Tameside Council. 

Following the Bootcamp, four weeks of additional support are offered such as CV and interview prep, well-being and extra creative sessions that help young people in Tameside connect with local employers. 

During this August’s workshop, a wide range of employers such as Brother, Take 1 Scenic, The Village Hotels and Eve Studios joined us, allowing for a wide range of interviewing activities. 

If you’re not familiar with these businesses, let’s tell you a little bit about them. Take 1 Scenic is a creative construction company, working across theatre sets and beyond. The Village Hotels are a chain of hotels across the UK, with prime locations in places such as Aberdeen, Swansea and Manchester. Eve Studios offer mixing, mastering and recording services and, last but not least, Brother is a technology company supplying some big names in the industry. 

Listen back to the live radio show they worked towards to find out more about what went down. 

To get involved with any of our free courses, please email projects@reformradio.co.uk

Categories
Projects Upcoming Projects

CREATIVE LEADERSHIP (FUNDED BY MAES)

Come and learn about facilitation, funding, taxes and what it takes to be a freelancer during our four-day workshop Creative Leadership this September.

If you’ve ever thought about setting up your own business, it’s important to understand your audience, self-employment and taxes. Facilitating workshops and delivering socially engaged projects in your community will require you to know how to write funding bids, work with partners, plan sessions and evaluate their success.

Creative Leadership will be running on the 1st, 2nd, 8th and 9th of September from 10 AM – 4 PM.

Please see the flyer below for further details.

If you are interested in this project, drop us an email at projects@reformradio.co.uk.

Categories
blog Funders Projects Thirty Pound Gentleman Youth Music

INTRODUCING THIS YEAR’S SOUNDCAMP FINALISTS: GROUP 2

Soundcamp kicked off this May, inviting new and aspiring artists into the space for a two-week Bootcamp, funded by Youth Music in partnership with Thirty Pound Gentleman. After the two-week period, 12 finalists were selected to stay on and hone their craft to the next level, with mentoring from some of the best in the business such as Werkha, Jenna G and Anna Mcluckie. 

Let us introduce you to our second group of Soundcamp 2022 finalists… 

KARIS JADE

Hello, I am Karis Jade and I’m 22 years old. Originally from Wolverhampton, I am a R&B/Soul singer and songwriter with a story to tell. 

How would you describe yourself as an artist? 

I would describe myself as an R&B, Soul, Hip Hop artist who doesn’t take themselves too seriously.

How long have you been doing music? When did you start? 

In the year of 2017, myself and Superlative made our first collaborative project ‘written free sundays’. This is a project where we made and released a song every week. 

What are some of your main influences? 

My main influences are Superlative, WILLOW, Jacob Collier and Daniel Caesar. My son is also one of my main influences as I want to show him that he can do whatever he wishes in life. 

What do you hope to get out of the Soundcamp experience? 

I hope to gain confidence and connections within the industry. I would also like to establish myself as an artist. 

What do you see for yourself in the future as an artist? 

I see myself making important changes in the world whilst touring and making music.

Who is your dream collaboration?

WILLOW or Jacob Collier. I admire their rawness and realness. 

MICAH STALGIC 

I am Micah Stalgic, a singer, dancer and songwriter with a passion to carve out a unique fusion of R&B, Hip-Hop & Afrobeat music. Follow me on Instagram and other platforms. 

You can find my work on Spotify, Apple Music and Soundcloud.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?

I absolutely love to dance. When I make music, I try and incorporate this element of myself into music that puts my audience in the mood to dance. As well as dancing, I love vintage fashion and I like to fuse this into my audio and visual artistry. 

How long have you been doing music? Where did you start?

I have always been surrounded by musical people and aspiring artists so I would freestyle here and there until one day, I finally decided to take music more seriously. I’ve been making music for about five years now. 

What are some of your main influences?

There are two things that really influence my music creation process. The first is the act of dancing. Music plays a major role in dancing and I would like to think that people can’t dance effectively without music. The second is my personal experiences, my emotions and the challenges life throws at me. 

What do you hope to get out of the Soundcamp experience?

I hope to gain more professional and industry skills and I hope to gain valuable knowledge that would help me navigate through this artistic journey. I hope to build a network of talented artists in Manchester. I also look forward to all the surprises Reform Radio has in store for Soundcampers.

What do you see for yourself in the future as an artist?

I see myself as a globally recognised artist who electrifies the crowd and entertains his audience. I see myself evolving into an artist who positively impacts this generation. This will be done by sharing my story about mental health and many other life challenges.

Who is your dream collaboration?

Chris Brown, Usher, Tory Lanez, Rihanna, J Cole, Little Simz and Wizkid. 

HARMONY

My name is Harmony, I am a singer and songwriter. You can find me on Instagram or on SoundCloud. 

How would you describe yourself as an artist?

I am a lyrical artist and I take influence from all genres but I’d generally put myself under adult contemporary. 

How long have you been doing music? Where did you start?

I have always sung as it was something my dad taught me and my sisters. Music was always a huge part of my household and day to day I grew up singing in church. I wrote my first song and short chorus when I was around six or seven years old.  

What are some of your main influences?

Lyrically, I’m inspired by how Joni Mitchell, Ella Fitzgerald, and Solange paint sonic images with their voices and choice of lyricism. 

What do you hope to get out of the Soundcamp experience?

I hope to be a more confident, well-rounded artist and make connections with other musicians I admire and can create with. 

What do you see for yourself in the future as an artist?

I see myself connecting with people all over the world through music and expanding my musical storytelling into the world of visuals and film, making timeless music. 

Who is your dream collaboration?

I have too many to count but currently, Kendrick Lamar.

Categories
blog Funders Projects Thirty Pound Gentleman Youth Music

INTRODUCING THIS YEAR’S SOUNDCAMP FINALISTS: GROUP 1

Soundcamp kicked off this May, inviting new and aspiring artists into the space for a two-week Bootcamp, funded by Youth Music in partnership with Thirty Pound Gentleman. After the two-week period, 12 finalists were selected to stay on and hone their craft to the next level, with mentoring from some of the best in the business such as Werkha, Jenna G and Anna Mcluckie. 

Let us introduce you to our first group of Soundcamp 2022 finalists… 

BEATRIX DEXTER

Hi, I’m Beatrix Dexter and I am an artist, songwriter and producer from Manchester. You can find me on Instagram, YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music: @beatrixdexter. 

How would you describe yourself as an artist?

I would describe myself as an innovative, original and authentic artist. I’m not afraid to try new things or to break barriers and be as creative as possible. 

How long have you been doing music? Where did you start?

I’ve been doing music for the past 3 years but I have always been interested in becoming an artist, I just did not have the confidence to pursue my dreams. It has taken me a while to be comfortable enough to embrace who I am and what I have always wanted to do.

What are some of your main influences?

My main influences are Beyoncé, Rihanna and Miley Cyrus. I admire Beyoncé for her energy, drive and hard work. Rihanna for her confidence and style. Miley Cyrus for her daring and free-spirited vibe. 

What do you hope to get out of the Soundcamp experience?

After my experience with Soundcamp, I hope to be able to progress further as an independent artist with all the knowledge and skills that I have acquired. I hope to be able to gain recognition for my creativity and my talents to be able to manage myself not only more efficiently, but confidently. And I hope to keep making music that breaks barriers and that brings something different to the table. 

What do you see for yourself in the future as an artist?

In the future I see myself as not just an artist but also an entrepreneur, I want to be able to branch into many different creative aspects such as design and running a company. I see myself becoming very successful at what I do. 

Who is your dream collaboration?

My dream collaboration would be with Miley Cyrus, as I feel like she also represents a vibe that is completely authentic like myself and also her voice transcends different genres, styles and sounds, which is exactly the kind of route I want to take as an artist.

ATHAR YOUSIF

I am a dancer, as well as having a good ear to differentiate and know where there are irregularities. I love listening to music, especially Afrobeat and Dancehall. I do a lot of dance choreos, by me and others on Tiktok. @lc_alhilo @athar_asman_athilo 

How would you describe yourself as an artist? 

A multi-talented individual that loves music and dancing. I am a fast learner with a vision.

How long have you been doing music? When did you start? 

About six years in the industry, I started as a radio host but I have been dancing all my life. 

What are some of your main influences? 

My love for dance. My friends. Social media. 

What do you hope to get out of the Soundcamp experience? 

The confidence and knowledge to be able to make it in the music industry as well as the world. Building relations and meeting people. Being able to become more comfortable with my talents and the ability to utilise them. 

What do you see for yourself in the future as an artist? 

Successful, untouchable and famous but humble. 

Who is your dream collaboration?

Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, DJ Khalid, Stefflon Don, Vybz Cartel, Tems and Wizkid. 

BENNETT

My stage name is Bennettiscoming. This is a double entendre lol. @bennetiscoming (spotify etc) 

How would you describe yourself as an artist? 

I would describe myself as an emotive artist with a sensual tone and honest, soul-baring lyrics. 

How long have you been doing music? When did you start? 

I began singing when I was six years old, I tried to sing a lot in primary school and progressed later to making my own music when I was eighteen. So far, I’ve been doing it for four years. 

What are some of your main influences? 

My favourite singer when I was little was Beyoncé. I’ve since developed my craft around my influences, Rihanna, SZA, Brandy, Mariah Carey, Jazmine Sullivan and Bree Runway. 

What do you hope to get out of the Soundcamp experience? 

I hope to learn more about the business and how I can package myself as well as develop my craft. 

What do you see for yourself in the future as an artist? 

I see myself performing for thousands of people and having my music heard and enjoyed. I see myself being a major figure in the Manchester scene and from then, the world. 

Who is your dream collaboration?

Rihanna! Brandy! The harmonies would be crazy.