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Showing posts from 2013

Technicals, the stereo mix

Oh lord, the technicals of gadgets.... Two weeks ago, i bought a new laptop, with windows 8 on. I thought, great, new shiny laptop, will have no problems, right......erm, wrong. Stereo mix To broadcast and to do various recordings from different sources, you need a stereo mix driver.  This, in a way, opens your soundcard, so your laptop can record sounds from your decktop( Your own stuff, obviously). Say, you have a video and you can't record the sound? The driver allows you ,with software you have, to capture audio, while it is running. The other use for this, is broadcasting.  This is the main issue.  Again, this opens up your soundcard, so you can broadcast music from your hard drive and use your microphone at the same time For some reason, Windows 8 has major issue with two drivers i found. One comes up error and the other just disappears when its supposed to be installed.  Believe me, i went everywhere to try and find the information It took me a week and s

2013 was the year that was part one. General subject

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Three main things happens in 2013 Radio guests and going to gigs I had many guests down this year. From Blackdoghat, Silverspark, John Cee Stannard and for the first time in many years, two Drum & Bass Djs, 2tone and Twist. The artist which has had the most attention on Youtube, was been Johnny Cooke. Great performance and returning in 2014. Went to loads of gigs this year, mainly in Birmingham. Originally, this was my wife, winning tickets to see Among the Echoes at the 02. We wanted to see Johnny Normal, who i interviewed this year with Psycho Pete, and band, Elmo Sexwhistle. That was the first gig.  We went a few more times in different venues in Birmingham and the last one of the year was in London, for the Shiny Darkness album Launch. These kind of went hand in hand with the radio shows. Getting tickets and buying merchandise and seeing bands live, that i had played on the radio Got a job I was cleaning, then gardening (Still going when i get odd jobs),

The Projectiles ( Official Blog)

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The Projectiles Renditions band, performing classic, well known songs with our own twist Facebook Page Stev / Guitar/ vocals Carl /Drums/ Paul Bass /Drums Extended band: Carl  Rhythm Guitar, Bob: Bass, Paul Drums, Stev, lead guitar and vocals December 2014, extended band Although, Carl, can play drums  it has become apparent, due being in reimintin from Cancer, the last few years, he has limited strength with playing the drums on top of working Paul mentioned, that he could play drums to solve the problem.  Although its been about two years since he hit a kit he would be back up.  Everyone was suprised how well Paul, could play. It was decided, that Paul would be back up for Carl. Bob Cloutman Returns Then the problem was filling the bass, Its so happens that Stev had been talking to Bob Cloutman, who has taken interested and turned up for a a couple of sessions.  He return to assist in additional bass duties when Paul is on the drums or if someone can't s

Wav music files are the industry stanndard

Probably many people, like myself, have just sold my vinyl collection for whatever reason. Not because i am going to mp3 or CD, but because i have no space at the moment. After some deliberation, i am from 2014 buying Wav files, until i get a record player and buying vinyl again and gain more space To Liberate Wav files Ever since it was possible, practically every musician if they have the means,  recorded music to the wav format. The wav format was introduced in the 70s after digital recording became possible. This is the only uncompressed digital format that is used most of the time, unless it is Flac. Both are used to get vinyl and CDs pressed In fact, if you buy a wav file, you are getting vinyl in digital form. Even CDs are compressed. Not as much as mp3s, but the music is still squeezed Lets give you a comparison Music is Like films, there are widescreen and Pan and Scan versions. Wav is the widescreen of music, giving you the full, recorded song, Mp3s are the pan and scan

Altern8 never evapor 8 ed. The return of Full Masked Hysteria

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Music is full of milestones The last true music revolution was the "Rave" era, loads of free love illegal raves, which, naturally spread to commercial success for many Very few dance acts survived, or a solo producers went his own way, like Slipmatt from SL2. The Prodigy sustained momentum and continued their success, but very few acts did, unless you count, the Bassheads album, C.O.D.E.S, which went under the radar completely, until i discovered the vinyl album years later.  One act, Altern8, did the reverse.  The duo, Chris Peat and Mark Archer, revolutionised dance music, probably without even knowing it.  Their album, Full Masked Hysteria was the only album they released, They disbanded, but the album steadily gained momentum thoughout the years, which takes a lot for that to happen.  Considered by many as one of the best dance album masterpieces ever recorded and it still stands up to in modern times, is quit ea feet.  14  tracks of glorious dance music, label

November Open Show Promotion artist: Gretas Bakery

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Fantastic, Pop Jazz trio from America/ Italy. The trio contacted me last year with their album, Edge of Everything. The sound reminded me instantly of 80s pop jazz act, Swing Out Sister, who have more of a pop jazz undercurrent Gretas Bakery return in 2013 with another stunning album, Under Control. Again just incredible Pop Jazz sound, and just have a sound and style that is second to none. Gretas singing, is just spellbinding and the music, is just great to listen to. They sent me the album to see what i thought. To be honest, very few bands can send music to me and i know i am going to hear quality before i have even pressed play. For November, they are the open show Promotion artist Website         Facebook         Twitter Dj Readman www.radiovarietyshow.webs.com

Somewhere to live

New update January 2014 The new year is upon us.  With Christmas and gig expenses out the way, i have now the money to move. For the basics. Read below Original Blog Friday 30th October,  after work, i viewed a flat for the first time. Very nice, studio style, with kitchen and seperate bedroom area. I have been looking everywhere for a one bedroom flat. Depends on the space and the age, it is getting expensive. Since i began looking over a year as my job opportunities were a little random, prices were creeping up.  The average price for a 1 bedroom flat is about £500 and up, depending on location I want to move out, have wanted to for many years, but never had the money and going through the local council in the modern climate is just impossible. All the companies that are on their list, can't go direct, which is really irritating. It should be a lot easier than this to have choice and where to go to for possible cheap accommodation. I work part time, i garden and in a cover

The Jonny Cooke appearance

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This blog is a little later tha planned.  I have been working and a little less time these days. Continuing from the website and the great feedback we had from the appearance of English musician, living in Ireland, Jonny Cooke I first heard about Jonny through, Simon Dwight, who performed on the show in the summer (2013). Jonny Cooke, uses the same engineer, Van Gabriel, as Simon, for his album, Strange Days. I had never spoken or met Jonny before, only on Facebook I had heard his music, broadcast it, but not much else. He agreed to come all the way from Ireland to performed. I found out it didn't cost him that much and he stopped overnight in Milton Keynes, where he used to live. This was the last time we were going to use General Foods Social Club rehearal room, due to the cold weather coming in with the time of year. Jonny arrived at the house first, too meet, Rhonda, and was accompanied by his brother, Tony, who i later found out was a drum & Bass DJ.  We had a few b

Variety Show, not just about presenting

In the beginning Before i began on net radio, i used to run a record shop. While i was in business, i began to find talent. sell the merch and CD.s. Then the magazine idea comes to mind. I started printing a magazine, interview bands at gig, recieving music to review.  Then the online radio came.  At the time, i had no idea i could do radio, although for some reason, i didn't care.  Luckily i liked what i heard and you learn things over time.  I had interviewed bands for the magazine, but live is different. But again, i just did it. The online radio took over the magazine side of things, which is good, but you want to get out to gigs. The only trouble with a radio, it does not provide finances to do this. Local events are not too bad, you can sometimes get on guests lists, have a few drinks and interview the acts. I used to have a dictaphone or mini disc recorder to record interview, which was fun outside in the wind many times The future of Variety Up until this year, i hav

Syntheticity. Actress and Bishop 19th October 2013

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This has to be one of the best gig nights we have been to.  Me and Rhonda have been to a couple of gigs with electro acts including Among the Echos this year.  We bought tickets in advance, which were only £5 each. This time is was a pub/venue, The Actress and Bishop, situated further away than the Flapper and 02.  As usual, its a pretty quick train trip and this time, we went to the Travelodge, which is only just around the corner from the venue. With the hotel,  difference to the Holiday Inn. Its bare, not even a phone or an iron in the room. I think next time, its back to the Holiday Inn. We dressed up and went to the pub, which is very nice place. First time i had a rum and coke, although i think in future i will have straight rum or Vodka and coke, which has more a a kick, lol We first thought the bands started at 8, it turns out, they were running a little late with soundcheck and was not on until 8.45.  One thing i learned is always check Facebook profiles for faces, even

New mini website

Its taken a while, but we are finally there. We have been utilising, Facebook for sometime, which will still continue, but you need a central base, other than social media. I found about webs that has a 10 page limit when its a free website. Its full of information, posters, podcasts, videos and other great stuff. I have no finanices for huge website, so for the moment, a mini website i created.  Also i am slowing turning, Radio Variety Show as kind of brand name. I created the name for the radio shows this year. The Fb group is called that and so is the Youtube account www.radiovarietyshow.webs.com We already had two music submission through it, which was really fast. The website is obviously being seen and people are curious with any new thing on the block. As always. this blog will be updated with anything new the website generates Dj Readman Radio Variety Show djreadmanuk@gmail.com

From Doollalays to a new band........

The band is so new, no name for it yet. Introduction Being in a band is pretty cool. Me on guitar, Carl Waring on the drum and Tony Cooke on guitar and vocals Over the course over 2 years with Jamming and rough recording we had a good thing going. But performing we never did. We had complete songs, about 3 we could perform. There was always some problems. Obviously things are never perfect, but performing is what bands do. This year, the band basically died a slow death. Tony Cooke is happy doing his own solo stuff, i do the odd Acoustic recording and Carl still plays drums with a few other people.  The last jam was nothing like we did in the past and was basically rubbish. Out of the blue, Carl called me a few days ago and said i had enough of what was the Doolallays and wanted to move on. We both agreed to carry on with original material and covers. I had had a number from someone and see someone on the net wanting band members, but as usually nothing comes of it.  To carry on,

Once a month broadcasting location

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New Broadcasting Location Needed To move the "Variety Show" forward we are no longer using the small studio for live guests. Since, August 2013, we moved to General Foods for live in house performances. This is not far from where we live.  The only downside with GF it gets cold especially in winter and it's now time to move location. I don't expect people to move mountains, athought to broadcast the show just the end of the month, we need free space What we provide The shows are net broadcast.  Every guest show has an individual poster for the show, that will have venue information and logo. There is a general poster used for the normal weekly shows (Normally Monday and Thursday evenings 8-10pm), for which the logo will be displayed.  Every live broadcast, we will plug the venue and the podcast, which is the recordin of the live broadcast is uploaded the next day( Below is the October guest and example of poster) Filming

Naked Lunch Unfrozen

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First, there was their CD ep, Frozen, which is a compilation of tunes they released in the 80s. The CD was made for the gig, Reproduction 13, in London to sell only and limit to 100 copies.  Then they carried this over on bandcamp with the digital until they run out of the CD. This was the stepping stone and set the foundations for future releases Here they come...., unfrozen, ready to take the world on, with........ The first monster to be unleached was, Alone, which is completely brand new tune from the band. This is the first song with introducties new member, Jet Noir.  This is a fine piece of work.  Very dark dark tones, like your swirling around in a void, not knowing where you are. This is helped with the ghostly voices by Tony Mayo and Jet Noir.  One reason i like this song, is it has a few hidden layers.  I have heard it on a 4 speaker car system, on home speakers and headphone and you in a sense get a slightly different song every time The next song is Slipping,

The Commercial Radio Nightmare

* Before you read on, this does not leaning towards, Horton radio.  Yes, they play commercial music, but they are charity based, do a lot for children and do some fine work in the community * Update February 2014 One station i had forgot about is, Jack Fm, which is, Oxford based. For whatever reason the signal is weak, so i turned to my ipad. Low and behold, Tunein has it listed Never heard it before, but after a month of listen, i was suprises at how well the playlist is planned. About 95% is non chart, indents are hilarious and thoughout the day, besides the two presenters on the newa and Sport, Its pretty much automated. There is a Breakfast show and there are adds, but their playlist is fantastic. I am no longer going to listen to the Tellietubie playlist of the others. Aside from Absolute radio, all other stations seem to hang onto theie 12 year old audience Update(October 17th) I took my pad to work and tethered my phone. I was going to download the, Absolute Radio app, but ther

Sugarush

Do you have rush for sugar, so doc I, well sometimes. It turns I now work in the Banbury branch of Sugarush Imports.  Although it does not say, Imports , on the outside of the shop, that's their speciality. They sell, American, Australian, sweet and sour flavours. From penny sweets, Cereals and Peanut butter. I began work there 3 day a week, two weeks ago.  Getting to know the customers and settings on. I am glad I have a safable job, which is all day, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. I am suprised how busy they are in term of what people buy. I am glad the business is going well and obviously there is a market for imports. Although I am known for my music, this does not effect my radio shows. The day of the show may move every no and again, but mainly. Monday and Thursday.  I have been doing radio too long, just to stop. I still do gardening work and selling records to make for the lack of cash until the monthly pay packet hits There will be pictures soon Dj Readman Part time at Sug

(Album review) Ann Scott - Venus to the Sky

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Joy and Stripes are just two of the songs on this fantastic album, that arrived in the mail, out of the Blue. It did not take me long to get blown away by this well crafted masterpiece.  I am continuously playing this, which is rare for me, because 8 times out of ten i don't Venus to the Sky was recording in California and Ireland on various session, and its seemless. This album is only 36 minutes long but the album is just a pleasure to listen it. This is her third album to date and being released on October 18th.  This is a solo outing, regarding her singing and at first you think its only an Acoustic based album, then it springs to life. I was amazed at what i was hearing. I picked out Joy and Stripes for the great basslines. It gives you impression that there are half a dozen musicians in a big room, recording together. The production has an orchestral feel, a little like how Muse or Kate Bush do their recordings.  From Hoola to Stars its just a joy to listen to, it

Baleve

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Baleve Baleve is the word and also " Baleve in them, as they taken themselves through a national open Mic competition. Adam Bunting and Jamie started this year under the name after meeting and seeing if their styles worked together through jamming. Adam himself, is well know in the area for his great guitar skills and song writing.  Jay is not exactly unknown but not many people know him for a singing ability, which he can as well as being a lyrcist. The two have been together a while and i first found about about their efforts on Facebook. They have a music on their Soundcloud page, which at the start, was just experiments and jamming, which many people do.  A while after i went back and found there were songs on there. To my astonishment there are well crafted songs. Very commercial in sound and can easy be indie to accessable chart hits.  Adams fathers, who has been in the music business for many years, took the songs and add his touch, including backing vocals on the one

Band promotion ( Music Promo/ online promo)

To Utilise my online time I have been asked many times to manage bands or to do more promotion. i have been ask " How much do you want for your time" i have always been thrown . I  realised recently, since i am on the net a lot and need extra funds, then this is the way to go. Music Promo My own work, led me to being asked to do two promo videos. My Weekly Preview video, i changed to music video "Montage style" and caught someones attention as i used footage i had shot of them live Footage used is bands, fan footage, ( Only landscape mode) and public domain. I try and keep the colour as even as possible, unless the mixture of black and White and colour, is no issue Online Promotion Many bands, just have no time to sort out social media profile. From recording my own music and promoting voting, I released, it takes a lot of hours.  Musicians do not realise the man hours it takes to keep profiles updated and the world knowing who you are. Other than soci

Filming guests

Up until a few years ago, I did not bother filming guests on the radio. The first time we filmed a whole performance with a phone was Dog Food in 2012. With that, we overdubbed with the radio broadcast audio.  Now there two options with the very nice compact camera we use.   As many people know, there are loads of people uploading video from iphone, with dire audio. As soon as the bass hits, you can't hear anything. With this camera we have, you get none of that, which was a relief.  The camera we have, records in AVI and plays back the same. It has best microphone pick up i have ever come across. Although its filmed in AVI, its uploaded to YouTube in Windows Media Audio format, due to time, although the quality is good. We can uploading in HD, but that takes a very long time.  Most sessions are recorded as seperate songs. but we can leave the camera running This year, i have filmed guests, including, Blackdoghat, John Cee Stannard, Silverspark and Baleve.  In most cases the qua

Moving forward

As many people know, its not easy to get a work, with a sustainable income. It does come, but its a long process. Last weekend, i began delivering with Gentlevan Removals at the weekend. We took a bed to village outside Banbury.  I was prepared for more work like this.  The only problem is, you do not know which day or how busy it is going to be. The gardening side has been slowing due to lack of transport to areas over a 3 miles radias I was prepared to deliver more, when all of a sudden on, Sunday, i got a Facebook pm from the Ian Short who ownslocal imported sweet shop, Sugarush. He had looked back though this messages and saw my C.V. I went down to the shop to see what he wanted?  It was not really an interview, more of a chat. This is what i had been wanting for some time, working in a shop. From when i stepped in i got the impression, he hired me right there and then We had a talk for about an hour about the general trade and the run of the shop. Wednesday (September 25th)

In Show Artists Campaign Promotion

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Introduction Another spur of the moment idea, turned into an in show promotion Whether you started a funding project on kickstarter, Indie a go go or other websites, this is for you. Many musicians for whatever reason, go to these sites, uploading options to buy various items or funding towards items, though the public support. In some cases, it also shows how popular a band is The Promotion From October 2013 over a month (per artist) at 8.30pm on Monday shows, unless someone requests the audio, the you get more time ( Are not played when we have a guest show) we will play rough songs or whatever is available, from the artist, to give you an idea of what the sound will be like. It could be just acoustic recordings, it could be acapella, any audio, to promote the campaign the musician, band, group, artist has. The audio from this, the musician can have for their profile or whatever they want to to do it What i get out of it I like promoting, playing, plugging, hearing fr