Issy & Cae are on a mission. Their new show on Wellington Access Radio, Awkward Talks, aims to carve out a space in the NZ music industry that they feel is desperately lacking. After meeting backstage at a gig last November, they quickly realised they had the same frustrations with the music scene.
‘I had the very privileged opportunity to participate in extracurricular music courses throughout my high school years and even went on to study music at a tertiary level,’ says Issy. ‘But at the end of my studies, I was still left not knowing how to actually get a gig, how to write up an invoice, how to manage myself, and still felt very disconnected from the music community. Awkward Talks was founded with the purpose to explore and answer these questions in a way that is accessible.’ They both bring their own experiences as musicians and artists to the show. Issy has a background in theatre, dance and music, while Cae is both a designer and musician with bands Tahini Bikini and Sig Wilder. Issy & Cae are also motivated to create a place where discussions and conversations can be held about some of the more difficult and discriminatory sides of the music industry. This is where the ‘Awkward’ part of Awkward Talks may come in. ‘It’s about all of us holding ourselves and others accountable,’ says Issy. ‘We want to raise awareness and call people to action.’ Cae agrees. ‘For me personally, there has been a disconnect from audience and artists. Once I finally became one, I realised there were so many areas of the industry that are underestimated, mistreated, hard to find or even kept secret.’ The idea is that, ultimately, music practitioners will feel less alone and more empowered. Awkward Talks will feature guests from all parts of the music industry to tell their stories, share what they’ve learned and provide practical tips to those who are starting out. ‘I want to discuss and learn more with other artists and people in the field, to have true conversation and one of a kind interviews that aren’t the same basic questions said differently,’ says Cae. And it doesn’t stop there. Issy & Cae have dreams of creating digital guides, holding live events and masterclasses, and providing education. ‘We want to be a positive media body in the industry,’ says Issy. ‘It’s about us all sharing our collective knowledge and making the music industry safer and more open.’ You can hear Awkward Talks on Wellington Access Radio every second Saturday at 12pm. Follow Awkward Talks on Instagram @awkwardtalksnz Or check out their website: awkwardtalks.co.nz
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The name Terry Shore is well known throughout the musical community in Wellington. In fact, you are likely to hear the words ‘local legend’ following his name.
Terry is a singer-songwriter who has been presenting Terry’s Songwriters Show on Wellington Access Radio for 18 years this April. The show gives a chance for local unsigned artists to share their original music and be interviewed on air by Terry. ‘I have had hundreds and hundreds of musicians on my show over the years,’ says Terry. ‘I usually see people at open mic nights and then approach them to see if they want to come on my show. It’s all about giving unknown songwriters a chance to show what they do.’ Some of those songwriters have gone on to make a name for themselves in the New Zealand music scene. Terry remembers showcasing Mel Parsons and Louis Baker in the beginning of their music careers and is proud of the fact that he has been able to help promote local artists. Wellington Access Radio is celebrating Terry’s anniversary by putting together a special programme featuring snippets of his many shows from the last 18 years. Station Manager Pip Adam says, ‘I’ve been listening back to episodes of Terry’s show while putting together the anniversary special and it’s amazing the wealth of talent Terry has amplified through the 18 years he’s been broadcasting Terry’s Songwriters Show. The success of the show is Terry’s ability to give songwriters space to play and talk about their work on their own terms. Here’s to 18 more years!’ Terry is a singer-songwriter himself, with five albums and an EP to his name. He has been playing music in Wellington for the last 28 years and was recently featured on the Flying Nun video showcase ‘What Was That Thing?’. Terry’s Songwriter Show won the Best Access Show at the 2007 New Zealand Radio Awards. You can listen to Terry’s Songwriters Show on Saturdays 2.30-3pm, on Wellington Access Radio 106.1FM or livestream via www.accessradio.org.nz When you spend time with Mukesh Patel and Neelima Bhula from Aakashwani Bharat Bhavan it is immediately apparent they are deeply passionate about their work and know each other extremely well. And this is hardly surprising, seeing as, along with Beena Patel, the three of them have hosted their radio show together for over 20 years.
‘I came in as a filler to read the news,’ says Mukesh, ‘and then never left.’ ‘And I filled in for Mukesh,’ says Neelima, ‘and then I never left!’ The programme began in 1992 and came out of the Wellington Indian Association’s AGM. ‘There was a need for something to promote, foster and further our voice, our culture, and our community,’ says Neelima. ‘We care about our community and we are proud to be entertaining them. We also want to ensure we pass on our rich heritage to our younger generation and contribute to making Aotearoa a truly multi-cultured society.’ Over thirty years later the programme is still going strong, filling their loyal listeners in on local and overseas news, community events and sports, mixed with a wide range of Gujarati, Hindi, and devotional music. The programme also features interviews with people such as the Indian High Commissioner, the president of the Indian Association, cricketers, musicians, and people in the community. One of the highlights for Neelima is the live shows they used to do at the Diwali celebrations in Civic Square. ‘We just had an old mobile phone which we used to send the sound back to someone in the studio,’ she remembers. She also enjoys the reunion shows where they bring back the ‘original cast’ - those that started Aakashwani all those years ago. ‘It is their legacy we are continuing.’ Mukesh has enjoyed being the newsreader of the team and has found that there has been a lot of interest in his reports of the prices of gold and silver, and the exchange rate with the rupee and NZ dollar. ‘Diwali is a time where people often buy gold,’ Mukesh explains, ‘so there is always interest around that time.’ The programme has a strong base of listeners who often send messages or come up and speak to the presenters when they see them at events. One piece of feedback that they have taken to heart is something they heard early on in their presenting career. ‘Someone said to me “we can’t see you, but we can hear you smile,”’ says Neelima. ‘I have always remembered that and make sure I have a smile on my face when we start the show. There is always a lot of laughing and giggling!’ You can listen to Aakashwani Bharat Bhavan on Mondays from 6-7pm at Wellington Access Radio 106.1fm, or steam via www.accessradio.org.nz. For previous episodes of the programme go to https://www.accessradio.org.nz/aakashwani-bharat-bhavan.html Follow Aakashwani Bharat Bhavan on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/ABBWellington Aakashwani Bharat Bhavan is proudly supported by the Wellington Indian Association. Wellington Access Radio are extremely proud to announce that No Labels is a finalist in the Best Access Radio Programme category at the NZ Radio Awards 2023.
No Labels explores the diversity of disability issues with a focus on accessibility for all and gives a voice to those rarely heard in mainstream media. Hosted by Thomas Bryan and Mike Gourley, the programme looks at services which might assist and highlights topics that might pose barriers for those living with or experiencing disability. The awards entry included Thomas Bryan speaking to Peter Boshier, the Chief Ombudsman for New Zealand, and Mike Gourley speaking to members of aspirational service Maranga, Esther Woodbury, the Lead Adviser on the Disability Rights Team at the Human Rights Commission, and staff and service users at Evaro, a day service for disabled people. Station Manager Pip Adam says, ‘We’re over the moon for this recognition of the amazing work Thomas and Mike do. No Labels is compelling, thoughtful, and skilfully produced radio. I’m proud of the work Wellington Access Radio’s team do to provide space for media like No Labels. We’re committed to supporting media made by, for and about groups not always heard in the mainstream.’ No Labels is grateful for the support of Wellington City Council. The New Zealand Radio Awards will be held in Auckland on Thursday 1 June, 2023. We're super excited to have some great new shows starting this month.
Public Talks Tuesdays, 2:00-3:00pm Public talks from around Whanganui-a-Tara. These include artist talks, lectures and poetry readings. For the next little while this will be selectoins from Adam Art Gallery's artist talks. Features Fridays, 6:00-7:00pm Podcast series made about issues that concern Wellington Access Radio communities. For the next few weeks it will be the Arts Access Aotearoa podcast. Friday Feature Album Fridays, 7:00-7:30pm We're showcasing the amazing musical talent in Wellington (and the rest of the country) every Friday night. Each week will feature a different Aotearoa band or musician's album. Perfect to get you ready for the weekend! This week (March 17) features local punk band Displeasure. Consume This (starts March 21) Fortnightly on Tuesdays, 1:30-2:00pm. Award-winning podcast, brought to you by Consumer NZ, hosted by Jon Duffy and Sophie Richardson. Kia ora to all those that make or have made programmes on Wellington Access Radio 106.1FM - or anyone that has thoughts to share about the station!
We are undertaking a short survey to help us understand what we're doing well and what we need to improve on. When we say a short survey - it really is very short, promise! We'd love it if you could take a few minutes to give us some feedback. All answers are anonymous unless you choose otherwise. Just click on the link to complete: https://forms.gle/ckYHN53z6HqAvwUHA Thank you! Wellington Access Radio are excited to announce that 20-26 March 2023 will be ‘CubaDupa Week’ at the station – a week celebrating the amazing CubaDupa, fill to the brim with festival content! Station Manager Pip Adam says, ‘We’re thrilled this exciting celebration of talent and community is once again taking place in our neighbourhood. We’ve loved speaking with so many of the performers and businesses involved in CubaDupa.’ During the week programme-makers will be creating space in their shows to speak to artists, showcase acts and play music by festival performers, while Massey journalism students will be out on the streets chatting with the shops and businesses of Cuba St. Station staff are also putting together a pre-festival special, talking to musicians such as Riki Gooch, Anthonie Tonnon, Tia Ward, Mikeyy, Varda, Waguan, Julie Lamb and more. They will be getting the hot takes on what not to miss in the lineup, as well as playing the musician’s own fabulous tunes. The special will be broadcast on Friday March 24, one day before the festival starts. Wellington Access Radio are attending CubaDupa as a station to conduct interviews, speak to those attending, and record the electric atmosphere. This will be broadcast as two post-festival specials for all those that missed the weekend or who just want to relive the fun and festivities. A special ‘CubaDupa Week’ programme schedule will be released closer to the time. Wellington Access Radio is very proud to celebrate ten years of the amazing C-Zone with Simon Howard.
Simon jumped on board after working on student radio in the UK and quickly took over the Monday Community Drive show, continuing the previous hosts work of focusing on Wellington’s arts and theatre scene. In the last decade Simon has become an essential part of the capital’s arts coverage, creating a space where artists get to go into depth about their work and creative processes. ‘I call it the preview, rather than the review,’ Simon says. ‘I love building relationships and supporting the artists and creatives that make this place such a wonderful place to live’. Simon’s personal highlights include interviewing Tim Minchin, watching local artist’s careers develop, and winning The Newsies Award at Nga Whakarākei o Whātaitai Wellington Theatre Awards in 2022. Station Manager Pip Adam says, ‘We are so grateful and happy that Simon continues to broadcast his amazing show on Wellington Access Radio. C-Zone celebrates Wellington’s vibrant arts scene in ways that amplify and build communities.’ C-Zone is made with the support of NZ on Air. You can listen to Simon celebrate ten years of broadcasting on C-Zone with Simon Howard on Monday 20 February, 5-6pm, on Wellington Access Radio 106.1FM or livestream via www.accessradio.org.nz Wellington Access Radio is proud to announce an important new programme described by creator Mike Gourley as ‘disabled storytellers sharing their experiences of state and faith-based care’.
‘Lest We Forget – Stories of Survival and Hope’ is an eight-part radio programme in which Gourley creates space for stories that need to be told. Gourley also speaks with academics, disability advocates, and the parents of a disabled person who was taken into care. The last two episodes feature Sir Robert Martin’s powerful statement of evidence to The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. Mike Gourley has a long history of radio broadcasting and disability advocacy, receiving the Queen’s Service Medal for services to people with disabilities in 2010. You can also hear him on the Wellington Access Radio programme ‘No Labels’, with co-host Thomas Bryan. ‘Lest We Forget – Stories of Survival and Hope’ begins on February 7 on Wellington Access Radio at 6pm. You can listen by tuning into to 106.1.FM or stream via www.accessradio.org.nz, or listen to the podcasts here: https://www.accessradio.org.nz/lestweforget.html ‘Lest We Forget – Stories of Survival and Hope’ is supported by The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. |
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