Tomorrow morning – that’s Monday – at 0800, we’ll stop test transmissions. Hurrah. Yippee. Marvelous. About time too.
What you’ll hear will be … a bit different. As you may have noticed, it’s not our style to say “Da Daa! Here’s a 24×7 schedule! Like it or Lump It!” I’d like the schedule to be controlled by you, just as much as the music selection is. So tomorrow we’re launching a couple of key lumps for consideration.
AUDITION - where you choose the music
0800, 1200 & 1700 weekdays, 1000 and 1530 weekends
This is our most important show – it’s the heart of the interactivity. We suspect you’re a bit too busy to listen to all 17,626 songs on amazingtunes.com (that’s the total this morning, with 7 more added so far today. It’ll have increased by the time I finish writing this*). But we listen to everything, to check nobody’s stealing music, to monitor for taste and decency, to check PRS membership status – and because it’s damned good fun. So Audition is our selection of ten songs that caught our ear. We’d like your permission to add them to the playlist.
We’ll play the songs and say a bit about the artist/band. If you like a tune and want it on the playlist, go to amazingtunes.com to buy, recommend, play, rate or tag it. As you know, The Big Clever Algorithm then decides what comes out on top. Sales are most important. Musicians like to eat.
We’ve introduced a short URL to make this easier. So the first song is amazingtunes.com/a, the second amazingtunes.com/b and so on. You can also see the current Audition running order at amazingradio.co.uk/audition.
In the first week, we’re just playing ten songs. We could do ten every day, but I suspect you’ll need to hear them more often, to decide if they’re ok to include. We’ll experiment with the numbers, depending on what you tell me. Hope you like it.
LOCAL HEROES - starting with XAN DOWN SOUTH
Every day at 2100
As the only national radio station based outside London, we’d like to be representative of the whole of the UK – unlike all those other stations, who only care what happens in West 1. Or Islington. So Local Heroes will look in detail at the music scene all over the place, starting with Xan down South. Its presenter Xan Phillips, the first new voice on Amazing Radio, is a fantastically-talented presenter, bass player, father and music obsessive (that’s a good thing), who lives and rocks on the South Coast. His show combines music and interview with a number of local bands. We have other shows lined up for the rest of the country – and we’re looking for more presenters to be ‘correspondents’ for their patch. (pc@amazingradio.co.uk if you want to be one of them). We’re also talking to someone in New York, as Amazing Radio is getting a lot of reaction from the USA, and we already have hundreds of artists based there. Ditto mainland Europe, Scandinavia, Asia, LatAm…..
NIGHTBIRDS
Every day, 2300 – 0100
We launched this quietly (geddit) last week, and it’s already caused a bit of a storm in The Guardian, in the States, and in our email traffic. Nightbirds is radio mogadon, a mix of ambient music and – you guessed it – birdsong. But unlike ‘Birdsong Radio’ which Amazing Radio replaced, these are lots of different birds, they don’t loop, you can see what they are on the scrolling text, and if you download them from amazingtunes.com/users/birds, we’ll give ALL the proceeds to the RSPB. We’re just so nice.
Nightbirds is partly an apologetic nod to Terry Pratchett, who is a genius and who deserves his birdsong – but mainly an attempt to make a late night show that’s genuinely different. A word of warning: if you’re not asleep by 0100 but would like to be, you’d better switch off – we get noisy again afterwards.
The next new programme we’ll launch will be a Chart Show, and then a pile of others (particularly some specialist genre shows for the evening, with presenters and everything). But not yet. I’d like your comments on these programmes first please – how they sound, what you think of the scheduling, do you want them longer, shorter, on at different times, more/less often – you know the kind of thing.
And whilst I’m on – I’d like to say a sincere thanks to those of you who have started buying tracks from amazingtunes.com in much greater numbers in the past week. The artists really need this: we really need it too, or we’ll have to a) go off the air, or b) take adverts. Urgh. Thanks also for buying more songs in each sitting, which as I explained in my ‘More is Less’ blog post is much more cost-efficient, because of how banks like to rip people off. Please keep it up!
PC
* four more songs uploaded since I starting writing. Told you so.
I’m enjoying the music but was expecting more new material and not the test music? One playlist I have built consists of music from Phil Best. I really love his voice and his songs why not play the material you have on your FEATURE link? I would vote to hear Phil Best featured on Amazing Radio! I also think that you shouldn’t have to purchase material just to have it played on Amazing Radio ( we were told it was down to people liking it) but can sort of understand why….. I’m looking forward to hearing lots more new songs this week!
Hi James, As you know, I’ve called you to discuss some of the points you raise and some of the underlying issues, in particular the need for people to buy songs, or a) we have to take adverts, or b) we have to go off the air! PC
I’m enjoying the music but was expecting more new material and not the test music? One playlist I have built consists of music from Phil Best. I really love his voice and his songs why not play the material you have on your FEATURE link? I would vote to hear Phil Best featured on Amazing Radio! I also think that you shouldn’t have to purchase material just to have it played on Amazing Radio ( we were told it was down to people liking it) but can sort of understand why….. I’m looking forward to hearing lots more new songs this week!
Hi James, As you know, I’ve called you to discuss some of the points you raise and some of the underlying issues, in particular the need for people to buy songs, or a) we have to take adverts, or b) we have to go off the air! PC
When and how often does the playlist get updated? Will there eventually be somewhere where we can get to see the playlist in full or is everything potentially playable, subject to the whims of the selection algorithm? Is there a minimum production value you expect from tracks and do you ever reject tracks? Will you be able to answer all of these questions?
Hi Arthur, good questions, thanks. The current playlist is updated every day, based on traffic at amazingtunes.com. We don’t currently have the playlist visible except as a list of what’s been played – it’s a good idea to have it in its entirety, to be honest it’s stupid we’d not thought of that yet, we’ll do it. Everything is potentially playable, with the caveat that we always moderate for taste and decency and legals (we’re Ofcom-regulated after all), and we also have a Big Red Over-ride Button in case someone tries to fool the system and spam a song. We only reject songs for those reasons, and the minimum production value is determined by the amazingtunes.com audience. How did I do on all your questions?! PC
When and how often does the playlist get updated? Will there eventually be somewhere where we can get to see the playlist in full or is everything potentially playable, subject to the whims of the selection algorithm? Is there a minimum production value you expect from tracks and do you ever reject tracks? Will you be able to answer all of these questions?
Hi Arthur, good questions, thanks. The current playlist is updated every day, based on traffic at amazingtunes.com. We don’t currently have the playlist visible except as a list of what’s been played – it’s a good idea to have it in its entirety, to be honest it’s stupid we’d not thought of that yet, we’ll do it. Everything is potentially playable, with the caveat that we always moderate for taste and decency and legals (we’re Ofcom-regulated after all), and we also have a Big Red Over-ride Button in case someone tries to fool the system and spam a song. We only reject songs for those reasons, and the minimum production value is determined by the amazingtunes.com audience. How did I do on all your questions?! PC
I have got a few questions that I would like you to answer:
1. When are you planning to put djs on amazing radio?
We’re gradually introducing DJs in the evenings, so far almost all feedback suggests listeners don’t want DJs during the day. We’ll keep monitoring this and respond to what everyone says.
2. Is the music going to be different throughout each day or is it just repeating all of the time?
Currently we have a playlist of about 150 songs, to which we’re adding all the time, based on track sales, ratings, tagging and recommendations at amazingtunes.com. The ‘audition’ programme is the fastest way for a new song to get on the radio. The schedule during the day is randomly generated by our playout system, so it’s not repeating like it was in our test transmissions.
3. The final question that I would like answered is I think Amazing radio will be even more special if you placed a sports show on Saturday and Sunday afternoons where a presenter can inform listeners on all the latest football scores.
Er – don;’t you think other stations do this enough already?! We’ll do it if everyone else wants it, but my guess from the feedback we get is that probably most people would prefer us to remain a sport-free (and news-free and advert-free and DJ-free) zone!
I will be very grateful if you could answer these questions for me and let me know the answers. Thanks Paul Beavis
Many thanks for the comments Paul, I hope the responses satisfy you, let me know if not. Best, PC
I have got a few questions that I would like you to answer:
1. When are you planning to put djs on amazing radio?
We’re gradually introducing DJs in the evenings, so far almost all feedback suggests listeners don’t want DJs during the day. We’ll keep monitoring this and respond to what everyone says.
2. Is the music going to be different throughout each day or is it just repeating all of the time?
Currently we have a playlist of about 150 songs, to which we’re adding all the time, based on track sales, ratings, tagging and recommendations at amazingtunes.com. The ‘audition’ programme is the fastest way for a new song to get on the radio. The schedule during the day is randomly generated by our playout system, so it’s not repeating like it was in our test transmissions.
3. The final question that I would like answered is I think Amazing radio will be even more special if you placed a sports show on Saturday and Sunday afternoons where a presenter can inform listeners on all the latest football scores.
Er – don;’t you think other stations do this enough already?! We’ll do it if everyone else wants it, but my guess from the feedback we get is that probably most people would prefer us to remain a sport-free (and news-free and advert-free and DJ-free) zone!
I will be very grateful if you could answer these questions for me and let me know the answers. Thanks Paul Beavis
Many thanks for the comments Paul, I hope the responses satisfy you, let me know if not. Best, PC
I have listened to your new radio station everynight and have been intrigued how the playlist was going to work and was pleasantly surprised as to the detail you use, However the track that seems to have grown on me is the one listed tonight as shown, 21 Jul 22:41 Speaking of Improper Conduct by The Stiggz. For some strange reason when going to the amazing tunes website to purchase this great track I found that it isn’t that one, the one I eventually tracked down was the one listed below “ambient.slowrain by Rumours Of Whores” what an excellent track as was their others I listened to, and I am surprised that they haven’t had a recording deal, was it an error in your play list? Can’t wait for you to go 24/7 and to hear more great music from very talented muscicians and singers, Well done
Many thanks for the comment. We’re checking the link you describe – it might be that your radio showed the previous track when you heard the one you liked, sometimes the scrolling text can be behind like that. Really appreciate the comments, please keep listening and tell all your friends! PC
I have listened to your new radio station everynight and have been intrigued how the playlist was going to work and was pleasantly surprised as to the detail you use, However the track that seems to have grown on me is the one listed tonight as shown, 21 Jul 22:41 Speaking of Improper Conduct by The Stiggz. For some strange reason when going to the amazing tunes website to purchase this great track I found that it isn’t that one, the one I eventually tracked down was the one listed below “ambient.slowrain by Rumours Of Whores” what an excellent track as was their others I listened to, and I am surprised that they haven’t had a recording deal, was it an error in your play list? Can’t wait for you to go 24/7 and to hear more great music from very talented muscicians and singers, Well done
Many thanks for the comment. We’re checking the link you describe – it might be that your radio showed the previous track when you heard the one you liked, sometimes the scrolling text can be behind like that. Really appreciate the comments, please keep listening and tell all your friends! PC
Hi, A quick note to say well done. You are on to something here – I stumbled across your station earlier today, and while there’s still some polishing you’ve got the basis of a disruptive service. There’s nothing like sticking one to monolithic organisations (record labels and broadcasters) and putting the power back into the hands of the people (musicians and fans) who deserve it. All the best. RB
Thanks Richard, appreciate the comments. Keep listening. PC
Hi, A quick note to say well done. You are on to something here – I stumbled across your station earlier today, and while there’s still some polishing you’ve got the basis of a disruptive service. There’s nothing like sticking one to monolithic organisations (record labels and broadcasters) and putting the power back into the hands of the people (musicians and fans) who deserve it. All the best. RB
Thanks Richard, appreciate the comments. Keep listening. PC
I think regional shows are a great addition. As demonstrated in the first show, people who are passionate about unsigned music like to know what’s happening in their area, in terms of gigs and new bands. I do however find strange, the time of the repeat of the show about the South Coast. It’s on at the same time every night. I think this is a bad decision from the point of view of the bands. People listen to radio at different times. Those who listen at work may not listen at home and vice versa, and people work different shifts. To give more exposure to the featured artists, I think the repeat should be on at different times. For the new additions, I think artists should be asked to introduce their own songs as in the tests.
Thanks for the thoughtful comments. Re regional programme scheduling – as you know, it’s convention to repeat programmes at the same time of day so they’re easier to find/remember – once we get to a different Local Heroes edition every day of the week, this will make more sense than it does now. Maybe we should repeat it at different times at the weekend – I’ll get some more feedback on that. Secondly, we’re always trying to get artists to introduce their own songs and I agree it’s a nice approach, but I don’t think it would be fair to have an Audition programme where some artists intro their own songs but others don’t, as it might be thought an unfair promotion. So it needs to be all artist introduced, or none. We’ll try to work towards that, it would be great I agree. Thanks again, PC
I think regional shows are a great addition. As demonstrated in the first show, people who are passionate about unsigned music like to know what’s happening in their area, in terms of gigs and new bands. I do however find strange, the time of the repeat of the show about the South Coast. It’s on at the same time every night. I think this is a bad decision from the point of view of the bands. People listen to radio at different times. Those who listen at work may not listen at home and vice versa, and people work different shifts. To give more exposure to the featured artists, I think the repeat should be on at different times. For the new additions, I think artists should be asked to introduce their own songs as in the tests.
Thanks for the thoughtful comments. Re regional programme scheduling – as you know, it’s convention to repeat programmes at the same time of day so they’re easier to find/remember – once we get to a different Local Heroes edition every day of the week, this will make more sense than it does now. Maybe we should repeat it at different times at the weekend – I’ll get some more feedback on that. Secondly, we’re always trying to get artists to introduce their own songs and I agree it’s a nice approach, but I don’t think it would be fair to have an Audition programme where some artists intro their own songs but others don’t, as it might be thought an unfair promotion. So it needs to be all artist introduced, or none. We’ll try to work towards that, it would be great I agree. Thanks again, PC
Thanks for having me on the Auditions, it’s been really exciting! And I’ve got a different track in the charts! Wow!!!! DJ AJA Inc.
…. and loads of sales! Many congratulations, delighted it’s working for you. All the best, PC
Thanks for having me on the Auditions, it’s been really exciting! And I’ve got a different track in the charts! Wow!!!! DJ AJA Inc.
…. and loads of sales! Many congratulations, delighted it’s working for you. All the best, PC
I just stumbled upon this radio station (just like lots of other people it seems) – what a fantastic concept!!! …. The standard of music is pretty high plus there’s something for everyone! I’m a fan! Great work! Helen
Thanks Helen – delighted you like it. Tell all your friends please!! PC
I just stumbled upon this radio station (just like lots of other people it seems) – what a fantastic concept!!! …. The standard of music is pretty high plus there’s something for everyone! I’m a fan! Great work! Helen
Thanks Helen – delighted you like it. Tell all your friends please!! PC
I know you have said you will be putting the entire playlist online – do you know yet when you will do this?
Hi Mike, it’s on the development list … but it’s a long list! and we have some folks off on holiday right now. Might be a couple of weeks still, Best, PC
I know you have said you will be putting the entire playlist online – do you know yet when you will do this?
Hi Mike, it’s on the development list … but it’s a long list! and we have some folks off on holiday right now. Might be a couple of weeks still, Best, PC