DJ Readman History of Record Shop Series and More

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

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...

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 ...

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...