22/06/2019
Hello folks, I realise I've been a bit quiet lately, but it's cos I'm starting a radio station: Is anyone interested in making radio for a new, diverse, most-probably-political, philosophy & arts-based community radio station that I am co-running? It's based in the West of the Isle of Wight. I am currently setting up everything officially, and I need expressions of interest from people who would like to be involved in making radio, for the purposes of applying for *FUN*ding, and admin and so on. Here's a little manifesto for what we are planning to do:
"The Isle of Wight is, in spite of - or possibly as a result of - its location, a place bustling with artists, writers, and musicians, in a community with many unique and often surprising facets informed by its geography and sense of displacement from the rest of the UK.
Wolverton Manor, in Shorwell, has long been a centre of cultural activity on the island, accommodating artists and musicians, from its concerts of world-class classical music to the annual Folk & Blues Festival, fostering an atmosphere of creativity that has also seen the births of locally legendary Isle of Wight art, punk, avant-garde, and hip-hop projects.
Wolverton FM, a new community arts radio station based in the grounds of the manor, will celebrate the island's creative heritage and provide a platform for experiment and expression for the Isle of Wight, through DJ radio shows, documentaries, radioplays, sound installations, field recordings, live sessions and talk radio.
The project is headed by island native Lottie Depresstival Bowater, songwriter, winner of the Edinburgh Festival Panel Prize, activist, and curator of the long running London avant-garde multidisciplinary arts event Depresstival Presents, in collaboration with Dominic Robertson AKA Ergo Phizmiz, an artist, radio playwright, and composer who has a long association with the Isle of Wight. Both artists recently collaborated with the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra on their production "Ariadne auf Naxos", which received Critic's Pick in the New York Times.
We are seeking expressions of interest from local artists, writers, musicians, bands, arts organisations, or anyone interested in presenting radio or behind-the-scenes in-studio work. "
You can be involved from anywhere - I'm looking for lots of different, diverse stuff from all over the place if possible, but I would definitely like to talk to any interested parties based on the Isle of Wight. So please get in touch with me if you are interested, and please pass this on to anyone who might like to be involved. We start broadcasting in September but will be making content before that in preparation. I expect there will be a big launch party too! PM me, or email us on [email protected]
