DJ Readman History of Record Shop Series and More

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 t...

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 p...

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

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 c...

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 gu...

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 Th...

* 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 ...

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 t...

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 list...

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 o...

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...