Page 69 - Phonebox Magazine May 2013

Teen Scene
INTRO
Radio
Community Radio station Secklow Sounds is an internet radio station and was founded by Mike Johnson; their first ever broadcast was back in December 2011. The radio is there for the community to use and get involved in. It encourages all ages to get involved, find new skills, make new friends and interact and socialise with people they wouldn’t normally meet. 50 people volunteered to help run the station and promote it. Secklow Sounds’ ambition is that people from all backgrounds will be producing an unrivalled variety of lively and informative programmes celebrating their cultures, music, food, and traditions in addition to our coverage on health, business, faith, sports, and the arts.
I managed to grab a quick chat with Tony Austin aka DJ Escudero, some of you may already know him from his dancing days! Me: How did you first get into Radio and how did you first hear about Secklow Sounds?
Tony: I was invited by a friend who was beginning to start up and internet radio station, One of my dance friends invited me to attend a meeting that was the founding meeting of Secklow Sounds.
Me: What was Secklow like when you first started?
Tony: Secklow was non-existent. There was only handful of people at first willing to Secklow forward.
Me: You have your own show, what’s it about and why the genre of music?
Tony: I have a Latin music genre show on Saturdays I chose this genre because it has high energy it’s percussion based and it’s great for dancing. The name I use for my show is DJ Escudero.
Phoebe: You dedicate a lot of time into Secklow, What are the benefits of doing and having a community Radio?
Tony: Commercial radio by nature formulaic (composed) and aimed at specific demographic groups. Community Radio is able to provide to a wider more diverse group. The benefits are it’s more varied, local and not instructed by commercial practises.
Me: What made you want to volunteer for Secklow?
Tony: I volunteered because I had a lot of time on my hands and I had a desire to succeed in something.
Hey guys, how are you this month? I hope you had a fantastic April and a great Easter/holiday. I had a great time I didn’t have loads planned but I went, shopping, had some sleepovers, 2 parties, rowing and my radio show...
Since the Olympics there has been a big push to get people involved in local clubs and activities, you don’t need to be sporty just get out there and join in! Whatever your age there is always an organisation that could do with your help.
Some of you know I volunteer for a community radio station. Community radio is there to send out things that are popular and relevant to the local community, but is often shadowed by the BBC or other radio stations that broadcast on a wider scale. Community radio stations are operated, owned, and influenced by the communities they serve. They are generally provide a way to help enable individuals, groups, and communities to tell their own stories, to share experiences and, in a media- rich world, to become creators and contributors of media. X
Me: You do a lot of gigs to promote Secklow what is the atmosphere like?
Tony: It’s great fun and the atmosphere is always bubbling and buoyant
Me: Finally; you taught me how everything works at Secklow, who taught you?
Tony: A mixture of different DJ’s who I go to dance classes with over 14 years and guidance from Mr Mike Johnson and a fair few mistakes.
With the summer coming up it’s a great time to get out there and get volunteering! You can catch up with Tony on his Secklow Sounds Show at 10am on Wednesdaya and 6pm on Saturdays – don’t forget to listen to my show too! Thursdays at 6pm!
Q.A
Phonebox Magazine 69