Community radio stations are a hugely important part of the foundations that the local music industry and, of course, community are built on.
Perth’s beloved RTRFM are about to kick off Radiothon, their annual 10-day fundraising drive – which includes a bunch of gigs across Northbridge – to bring in some vital contributions from listeners and the music community to keep the station whirring along.
To drum up a bit of support, we’ve asked some local musos who also host programs on the station to let us know how listening to and working in community radio has impacted their musical trajectories, and their lives overall.
RTRFM’s Radiothon Party takes place across four venues in Northbridge on Saturday August 13, and you can come to the party and subscribe to RTRFM during Radiothon from August 12 to 21, by visiting rtrfm.com.au or calling (08) 9260 9210.
ADAM TRAINER – PRESENTS ‘POSTED’ / PLAYS IN ORIGINAL PAST LIFE & RADARMAKER
How did you first come to RTRFM?
The first time I set foot inside the Sanders Building at UWA was as a musician who was there to be interviewed about my band. A couple of years later a slot came up on the Posted program, then the odd fill in on Drivetime or Out To Lunch, and then in 2010 I was fortunate enough to become the music director, a position that I relished for almost four years.
How has RTRFM helped you as a musician in Perth?
There are lots of ways that are all fairly straightforward, like the airplay and interviews and mentions of gigs and even playing RTR fundraisers, but I think the most fundamental way is through facilitating and celebrating local music culture more broadly, because that means a culture in this city where people actually get along to gigs, they dig your music and they’re actually invested in what you’re doing.
What’s the best musical discovery you’ve made via RTRFM?
I was in the fortunate position of actually receiving all of the music that was sent to RTR for years, and there were so many! I would like to take credit for booking Methyl Ethel to play their first ever gig though, which was a Radiothon Party a few years back. That one makes me look like a tastemaker, right?! ;)
Other than your own program, what show should people subscribe to and why?
Every program on the grid is vital, because it taps into a particular aesthetic or scene that would be otherwise under or even unrepresented on local airwaves otherwise, so people should subscribe to their personal favourite. If you can’t pick, then subscribe to the show that you think is best connected to the musical community that it represents – passionate people who are invested in their scene always make great radio.
MARK NEAL – PRESENTS ‘OUT TO LUNCH TUESDAYS’/ PLAYS IN ODLAW & THE DISAPPOINTED
How did you first come to RTRFM?
I grew up in a little country town. After I left high school I started studying music down there. Part of the music course took us to Perth to introduce us to the Perth scene and the RTRFM studio was one of the stops. I was really young, and not easily impressed, but I was amazed by the atmosphere and energy that RTRFM had. We walked into this office so full of life. It was a hub of people, all chatting music, full of ideas and it seemed like the coolest place in the world. It still is.
How has RTRFM helped you as a musician in Perth?
I’ve always been the member of the band who answers emails and gets us gigs, before I was involved in the station as a younger member of the local scene I would stumble around Perth trying to figure out how to get a gig, or get someone to listen to our music.
Someone at RTRFM played our music without me even asking. This presenter had somehow got our CD and played it on the radio. They probably came to a gig and paid money for it, that’s the kind of station RTR is. It’s full of people actively going to shows, always seeking out music, and supporting local bands.
After that I hassled the station at every opportunity. They would always answer my emails, gave us interviews, and a few opportunities to play their events. RTR events are amazing! Diverse, interesting and always on point with what is happening in the local music scene.
What’s the best musical discovery you’ve made via RTRFM?
There are too many to list. I remember hearing ‘Oxymoron’ by The Love Junkies on RTRFM when I was presenting Homegrown a few year ago. That band has continued to write amazing albums and kickass at live shows. Last week on Breakfast I heard a song by John Carpenter from Lost Themes II. I love horror films, this blew my mind! Now every day I get to drive around a pretend I’m in a horror film scored by John Carpenter.
I had terrible taste in music when I was younger, so RTR has kinda been like the older brother I never had, always introducing me to new music. Now that I get to host Out To Lunch, the new music program, I’m always hunting for new sounds, I love finding music that challenges me, that I hope will challenge and surprise my listeners.
Other than your own program, what show should people subscribe to and why?
All of them! I think I’ll be subscribing to Drastic in Plastic, the women in music show. It’s on every Saturday and the team behind that show are brilliant. Some of the best radio presenters you will ever hear, with impeccable taste in music.
Support the local music show Homegrown, also on Saturdays. This is the show that celebrates WA music and gives everyone in WA a go. Don’t be afraid to subscribe more than once, or subscribe on behalf of your pets.
XANTHEA O’CONNOR – PRESENTS ‘UP LATE’ & ‘SNOOZE BUTTON’/ PLAYS AS XANTHEA
How did you first come to RTRFM?
I started off bugging former Music Director Adam Christou and Breakfast Presenter Caitlin Nienaber to interview artists I manage and they didn’t tell me to go away! Then I volunteered a lot last year and took the presenters’ course earlier this year. RTRFM is the kind of place that feels like it’s always moving with purpose and enthusiasm and I got attached pretty quickly to its inner workings.
How has RTRFM helped you as a musician in Perth?
RTRFM is one of the most well-informed organisations on Perth local music in my mind so being asked to play this year’s Radiothon is really validating. Working inside the beast that is the music industry and managing other bands takes most of my time and while I love it, it’s sometimes a struggle to maintain perspective of where I fit in artistically. It’s definitely pushed me to get it together and finally finish my EP I’ve been working on for so long it’s getting embarrassing.
What’s the best musical discovery you’ve made via RTRFM?
RTRFM has played a large roll in shaping my music taste in the last 5 years. I religiously head to the RTRFM Sound Selection every week and see what’s new and noteworthy, especially now I work as a presenter at the station. Locally, I heard Rabbit Island for the first time on Breakfast with Barr who is one of my favourite acts now. I heard Terrible Truths for the first time when their album was featured last year. I could go on but I’d be here all day.
Other than your own program, what show should people subscribe to and why?
Breakfast with Caitlin. 100%. She starts broadcasting at 6am every weekday, always with a solid morning playlist and diverse, intriguing interviews with musicians from everywhere. I have no idea how she does it but I’m glad she does.
ARN ONE – PRESENTS ‘ALL CITY’ & ‘LOONEY CHOONS’ / PLAYS AS ARN ONE
How did you first come to RTRFM?
I first got involved with RTR when I was asked to come in as a guest on Snooze Button and Powerjam in 2002 when the station used to live at the University of Western Australia. Since then, I’ve presented Artificial Intelligence, Black & Blue, Rhythm Trippin’, Looney Choons and All City.
How has RTRFM helped you as a musician in Perth?
As a beat maker, some of my beats have been played exclusively only on RTRFM by some of the other presenters on other shows. As a DJ, all those nights trainwrecking on Looney Choons has helped me develop into one of the town’s most versatile DJs.
What’s the best musical discovery you’ve made via RTRFM?
The best musical discovery I’ve made through RTRFM would have to be learning that all modern electronic music has roots in hip-hop, house and techno.
Other than your own program, what show should people subscribe to and why?
People should subscribe to Black & Blue because hip-hop, house and techno wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for jazz, funk and soul.
JAMIE SEARLE – PRESENTS ‘GLOBAL RHYTHM POT’/ PLAYS IN SOUKOUSS INTERNATIONALÉ, GRACE BARBÉ AFRO-KREOL & CRUCIAL ROCKERS
How did you first come to RTRFM?
General Justice invited me onto Jamdown Vershun back in 2001 not long after I first arrived in Perth.
How has RTRFM helped you as a musician in Perth?
Airplay and their fantastic events, I have played at so many them over the years and this year I fulfilled a long held ambition by finally getting to play at In the Pines with Grace Barbé!
What’s the best musical discovery you’ve made via RTRFM?
Modern dancehall via Jamdown Vershun, lots of interesting stuff on shows like Full Frequency and Underground Solution, vintage rock and RnB via Rock, Rattle and Roll – the list goes on!
Other than your own program, what show should people subscribe to and why?
All of the shows are worth supporting , but among my favourites are Rock, Rattle & Roll, Jamdown Vershun, Underground Solution, Black & Blue, Soulsides, Woodstock Rock and El Ritmo. I am always really touched by the passion and dedication of the Homegrown presenters for and to local music.
CLAIRE HODGSON – PRESENTS ‘BURN THE AIRWAVES’/ PLAYS THE SHAKEYS
How did you first come to RTRFM?
I was a listener and fan of the station for many moons and when veteran RTRFM presenter and all-round Perth music legend, Ross Chisholm, mentioned there was a presenter spot up for grabs on Burn The Airwaves. It seemed like one of my punk teen dreams could come true, so I jumped at the chance!
I busily went about getting all of the on-air training and experience I could to put me in the running. I was offered the spot and I’ve been presenting on Burn The Airwaves once a month for just over three and a half years now. It’s been wonderful from a personal perspective as a musician and also professionally, with my industry development work at West Australian Music (WAM) by giving me a much deeper understanding of what’s happening musically here in WA.
How has RTRFM helped you as a musician in Perth?
RTRFM has always strongly supported any new music I’ve released through airplay, giving my work exposure and also offering the important radio nod of approval which many in the industry use as an indication of artists worthy of further opportunities.
Presenting on RTRFM has also provided me with a wonderful excuse to find and curate some of the best offerings in the punk-o-sphere from artists at home and across the globe, always without limitation. And playing this music on air and following listeners’ reactions has tuned my ear to have a much better sense of what resonates with music fans.
So as a musician, reaching the same level of sonic greatness with my own work is a constant ambition, with the influence of the music that I uncover and the mythology that surrounds it also being an endless source of inspiration and motivation.
What’s the best musical discovery you’ve made via RTRFM?
There are so many great discoveries happening all the time, I couldn’t pick just one! I like featuring incredible tracks from bands nobody’s heard of and to showcase these alongside some great local tunes to demonstrate how WA music really stands tall with the best stuff happening overseas. Developing the flow of this within each show and the constant uncovering of obscure music, both old and new, is the part of presenting that I enjoy the most.
Other than your own program, what show should people subscribe to and why?
If not Burn The Airwaves, then most definitely Drastic On Plastic. Not only do the presenters play fantastic music, it’s RTRFM’s show that’s dedicated to showcasing a selection of the station’s excellent female presenters. As with most areas in the music industry women are underrepresented in radio, so supporting the wonderful work of the Drastic On Plastic ladies is a must in my opinion.
From the presenters to the bands, to local promoters, RTRFM provides a space to showcase what we as a music community find important and this helps tie us together. That’s why supporting the incredible work the RTRFM peeps do across the station by subscribing at Radiothon time is an absolute must for every local artist, industry worker or music fan every year!
