Now this is an interesting show, which isn’t to say it is necessarily completely accessible or enjoyable. It should be said that not everything works on this show; however it’s refreshing that something that is genuinely experimental is being played on Radio 4.
It’s a Falling Tree production and is described on the website as:
“A selection of brief encounters – true stories, found sound and radio adventures. A new series for BBC Radio 4, presented by Nina Garthwaite”
Nina Garthwaite
In some ways it’s like ‘This American Life’. Each week has a theme, such as “Divided We Stand” or “Misadventure”, with contributors who narrate tales and ordinary folk telling their own stories. However the style is distinctly British. The pieces bear a similarity to the Hackney Podcast, with a focus on captured sound and, unlike American public radio, usually lack the voice of an interviewer/narrator. The absence of the reflective narrator is used to good effect, creating personal relationship between the listener and the interviewee. Nina Garthwaite has a lovely youthful voice and she does is excellently job of linking the sometimes disparate pieces. The clip below is the introduction to the first episode, 'Misadventures'.
It’s a programme that’s willing to showcase experimental pieces, though it keeps them relatively short and accessible (in contrast to the often over indulgent experimentations found on Resonance FM). However some pieces can be slightly indulgent, having an excessive use on ambient effects, which distract you from the main story as opposed to complimenting it. This is particularly true with the first episode which overlays interview tracks with sounds of birds and other ambient nonsense.
Also, some pieces are a bit too experimental for my liking, such as the third piece from episode two, ‘All you need is a separation barrier’. It consists of someone reading a list of countries and the other nations they border on, all with annoying bleeping sounds and typewriter noises in the background. The piece is pretentious and it’s jarring to hear such an abstract art piece right after a fairly conventional radio story. Below is a short sample.
The pieces that came before were brilliant. A couple spoke about how they met and the adversity they faced when the man was forced into an arranged marriage to his cousin by his parents (a short sample is embedded below). Another piece was an interview with an old man who was a teenage fighter pilot during WW2, who spoke about his objections to the class system during the war and his love of singing. Both stories were lovely and simple, going largely without added sound effects, besides a few pieces of well placed music.
In short, I’m going to be keeping an eye on Shorts Cuts. This programme is helping the BBC catch up with the progress that has been made by American public radio. It is willing to explore new ways of using radio to tell stories and provide space to an array of inventive producers.
Check it out on the Radio 4 website while you still can:
I’d like to write briefly about a short lived show from the days of “Queen Mary FM” old. I came across it again recently whilst looking for the MP3 of my old show. There were quite a few pilots commissioned by Queen Mary Radio when it was starting off and this was my favourite.
It had everything - anecdotes, humour, fantastic music (mopy US indie and folk pop), plus heaps of personality (the “self-hating Jew” and “self-contradictory Socialist”). So it’s a shame that this two part show is all you’ll get of Natalie and Kyle – a pair of Queen Mary students, who are also a romantic couple. Amongst other things you’ll hear tales of trips to America and Hungary, delivered in a reflective self-doubting tone – which is rather aptly summed up in the title.
Here are first two (and to the best of my knowledge the last two) episodes of “Radio Show I Guess”:
Well, I couldn’t just have a big chunk of text, so using my crafty skills of investigative journalism I dug up (what I think) is a photo of the young radio making couple. Judging from one of their facebook profiles, I don’t think they are together anymore. So “I guess” that this radio show, along with the facebook photos swilling around cyberspace, is relic of a relationship that has now passed.
Like a photograph, the radio show has perfectly preserved the dynamic between two people in their youth. A picture is worth a 1000 words, but a radio show captures a whole chapter of the presenters’ lives. It speaks mouthfuls about their musical tastes, their personalities, their emotional bonds and their quirks at a particular moment in time. Perhaps it’s the charming and teasing relationship of the hosts that makes it such wonderful radio – and the fact that it’s a relationship that is now gone makes it rather precious and poignant.
I thought I might write a few reviews of the radio shows and podcasts that I love. The internet has given me access to a staggeringly large and varied array of audio content – so I’m forever spoilt for choice.
One of the shows that I will listen to without fail every week is NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour. Unlike other NPR shows (such as the nationally syndicated ‘Fresh Air’ and “All Things Considered”) this is not a podcast of show; rather it is only available as a podcast.
As a side note, it demonstrates what is great about NPR. NPR produces great shows that are only available as podcasts (such as Alt Latino and All Songs Considered), which are offshoots of the various NPR blogs. It’s an advantage of NPR's funding model, which is a mixture of federal funding, “underwriting spots”, contributions from member stations and listener donations during pledge drives. They fully embrace the benefits of not having to make scheduled weekly broadcasts for a general audience. The podcast format allows the production of great specialist shows with a dedicated fan base, in the same way that specialised blogs have advantages over traditional print media.
Pop Culture Happy Hour is presented by Linda Holmes (warm and smiling) with her three co-presenters Steven Thompson (funny and mildly unintellectual), Trey Grahams (reflective and gay) and Glenn Weldon (chirpy and flamboyantly gay) - plus the producer Mike Katzif makes an appearance from time to time.
They are all writers for NPR’s website and I think that the fact they work as colleagues outside of the show makes them completely comfortable in each others company, giving the discussions a rather playful tone.
The initial idea of the show was for it to be like people having a discussion over cocktails (hence the two martinis on the show's site). It sounds like 4 friends in someone's living room - laughing/joking/bitching about films, TV and music. It’s an arts discussion show that lets the presenters show off their personality.
It's a show about popular culture, so it’s on TV, Film, comic books, blogs and podcasts. Actually I have not watched 90% of shows being talked about, but it doesn’t matter because what makes the show great is the structured banter, which is capable of evolving into diatribes on pet hates and other fun loving silliness. There are standard segments, such as the “What’s making you happy this week”, though they will usually devote half the show to a particular pop culture theme (e.g. Guilty Pleasures).
Anyway, can’t recommend it enough – here's the archive:
I'll be writing more about my experience of investigating the story and the eventful experience of recording the report soon, however I thought I should get the piece on the blog for all to see as soon as possible.
This was the first piece of radio I ever did, back when I was a final year student at Queen Mary. I was over the moon when I found out that there was a radio station being set up, so I immediately pounced on the opportunity to embark on the ultimate ego trip... my own radio show.
Me and 'DJ Tang'
Finally there would be justice in the world, as my exquisite musical taste would be given some much needed air time. Of course I would need a sidekick, so I enlisted the help of my trusty friend Jason (aka “DJ Tang”). The show's concept was that DJ Tang would be “in the dark” about my expertly selected tunes. After hearing it, he would deliver some spontaneous witticisms and we would all have a hearty laugh.
He would be the comic relief, while I would be the brains of the operation!
So here is the pilot of ‘Pop in the dark’:
Download it at: https://sites.google.com/site/mp3hostshauntey/pop-in-the-dark-queen-mary-radio-mp3/popinthedark.mp3?attredirects=0&d=1
In case you’re interested, the (unintentionally numerically sequential) track list was:
The new logo
Sixteen by the Indelicates
Thirteen by Big Star
One by Joy Zipper
Millionaire Sweeper by Kenickie
Queen Mary Radio (‘Quest’) never quite got off the ground that year, despite our lengthy planning meetings, not to mention all the work that went into constructing the new studio (and coming up with that god-awfully camp name).
However, not all was lost, since some bright young things in 2011 managed to revamp the station and relaunch it with a brand spanking new logo.
It’s awesome; they’ve got regular shows and everything. Makes me want to go back to Queen Mary! Check it out at http://www.questradio.co.uk/
This is a largely unedited email I sent to my friends on the 5thMarch about my trip toTokyo, which I had just returned from.Japanwas struck by that terrible earthquake a few days later, which even affectedTokyo. I actually remember getting off the plane and thinking what to do if an earthquake struck. I realised that I would be completely clueless, so it’s a good thing that I didn’t stay a week longer.
This was the only time in my 6 month trip that I took photos. I can’t stand it when people keep taking photos of social occasions and hate the way some people can seem more obsessed with recording their lives than actually living them. However, I thought that I really couldn’t return from weird and wonderfulJapanwithout any photos. I wrote a lot of comments under the photos, because there was a lot to write about. Ah,Tokyo, how I miss you so.
In short, loved it - everything was just fascinating, anything in Japanese just sounds so wacky, there is just so much going on, it was rich in culture - both old and new and great vibes at night. Particularly loved the youth sub-cultures (particularly Rockabilly!) which are distinctly lacking inSingapore.
Though what struck me most aboutJapanwas how calm it was. Narita is about 90 minutes north ofTokyoby train, so it’s a rather different place. The train station in Narita seemed very ordinary and quiet. It was soothing and peaceful to stare outside of the window on the train toTokyoas I whizzed pass the peaceful suburbs.
My guesthouse was in a lovely peaceful area called Iriya – which though being very much off the tourist trail, it is only one train stop away from Ueno park (place of theNationalTokyoMuseumand various Shinto shrines). It was a place that felt like the “realJapan” – a very residential area filled with small ‘mom and pop” restaurants and shops. Again, it completely defied my pre-conceptions of a bustling consumer drivenTokyo. I loved my guesthouse (Sakura Ryokan – again definitely recommend it – about £40 a night), very clean, very big (again completely defying expectations ofTokyo).
TheTokyoof your dreams lies in Shibuya – it’s here that you get the late night shoppers, crowded street and bright neon lights. Shinjuku is more of the same thing – but more compact and almost overwhelming (plus slightly seedier). Another area that is a must see for shopping (you’ll get the more affordable clothes – there’s even a 400 yen shop!!) and general Tokyo-bustle is Harajuku, additionally Harajuku park is a sight to see for the youth groups that gather on Sunday.
My hotel on the second night (and only for the second night) was a capsule hotel in Shinjuku – yes it was a capsule. The size of the capsule was fine (though it was really stuffy and hot), but though putting a way my bags was a bit of a hassle since my luggage was vastly bigger than the narrow locker I had. However, what made it worthwhile was the communal Japanese bath house, which was very soothing after a long night walking the streets of Shinjuku. You get the impression it really is a hangout joint for some of the guys there, particularly in the outside baths where people talked loudly and watched TV – making feel a bit like a local pub.
There’s a brilliant description of the baths in the Shinjuku Green Plaza Capsule hotel information leaflet (it’s a nice example of Japanese English):
“We are pleased to offer "the huge public bath" which has been one of the most preferred cultures among all kinds of Japanese people, men and women, young and old, poor or rich, for thousands of years.
We all love to soak in the hot water containing minerals, humming with our eyes half closed, which is the precious relaxing time for all of our nations. We wish that you visitors will share this bliss with us, but please remember, putting your personal towel in the bath tub is regarded as a very rude manner! Let's keep it clean and comfortable for all of us including yourself. We are sure you will love it, and you might be addicted. The only bad thing about this is that you cannot bring it home even you love it very much!”
One thing that I really found fascinating aboutJapanwas all the adverts. I was really drawn to these Softbank ads that I kept seeing on the metro (lots of trains have these screens pumping muted adverts out to commuters). Of course I didn’t really have idea what was going on in them until I looked them up on youtube. They really are joyfully absurd.
Plus there are loads of beer ads and posters, which are often extremely simple (few gimmicks or punch-lines) and very effective (I was constantly on the look-out for Sapparo, Suntory andKirin). They often consist of smiling attractive people drinking beer or simply just holding out a frothy filled glass). Incidentally, the beer tastes amazing in japan, since it’s usually served real cold with a large frothy head!
People told me that people don’t know any English in Japan. There is certainly some truth to this, though this wasn’t necessarily so. InTokyoyou are rarely going to find someone that speaks fluent conversational English – however most people will know words here and there… often enough to help you out. Additionally, all train stations have English maps, plus (to my surprise) there are often English announcements on the trains. I would be comfortable saying, for an English speaker,Tokyois an easy place to get around.
However if you go toTokyoyou really should speak a bit of Japanese (if anything just to be polite). You have lots of opportunities to practice the phrases, and I found Japanese to be easier to pick up than mandarin. You can find a lot of Japanese mini-tutorials on Youtube.
On the first day the typical reactions to my Japanese were awkwardly polite wide-eyed stares. However after four days most people could understand my “A-go Ha-na-she Mas-ka”, often responding with “a little”.
Here are some phrases which I kept close at hand:
Ot– ter–ra-e: Toilet
Mi–zu: Water
A-go Ha-na-she Mas-ka : Do you speak English (very important! However, this may be a shortened impolite way of asking it)
Ee-Ye-Ri So Gen-Des: I’m English (This phrase could be incorrect as when I said it I often got clueless stares)
OhioGo-zie-e-mas: Good Morning
Sini–ma–sen : Excuse Me (to get someone’s attention, particularly in a restaurant, though I think it can also be used as an apology)
Si-yo-na-ra : Goodbye (though probably more accurately translates as “Farewell”)
Kon-ni-chi-wa: Good Afternoon (though pretty much a general greeting)
A-go Men-yu?: English Menu? (a lot of menus come with pictures)
Itch-chi: One
Ah-re-ga-toe Go-zie-e-mas: Thank you (I used this more than any other phrase)
Hi: Yes (though it also is used in a variety of context, as an acknowledgement similar to “okay”)
E – ey: No
Also, if you are travelling inJapanit is handy to keep a pen and paper on you at all times. Even if people can’t speak fluent English, they can be familiar with written words or the Romanisation of certain Japanese places. A pad of paper can also be rather useful for asking the price of certain things.
Additionally, if you want to travel definitely check out the Japanese National Tourism Office website (JNTO) for information videos and information on the various Volunteer Good Will Guided Tours (I went on 3 (two of which lasted 2 hours), they are mainly on the weekends and they are FREE!). [The Good Will Guides are pictured on the right]
I could really go on for ages about Tokyo (Akihabara electronics district, Muji, the genuine politeness, the neat and tidy atmosphere (though certainly not boring and clinical), Ginza, Edo-Tokyo museum, Asakusa, the fact that Monday is the tourist industry’s Sabbath, Maid Cafés, the fact that food is NOT as expensive as people say it is, credit cards are not accepted everywhere), but I think I’ve gone on long enough.
Simply, if you’ve got the time (4 or 5 nights is just about enough forTokyo) and money, then just go! You’ll find your feet and have fun, even if you go by yourself."
Here’s an edited email I sent friends in early March about my trip to Hong Kong, which I visted in mid-February 2011. I actually felt overjoyed to be outside of Singapore. It made me wonder if I really missed London or if I simply loathed Singapore. As I wrote in the email, it was great to see people I knew again. I still remember getting out of Tsim Sha Tsui station, the weather was about 14 degrees and it felt like a chilly early spring day in London. I think I was literally jumping with joy. Somehow I felt that Hong Kong was a city of endless possibilities in a way that Singapore never could be.
"When I got out of Tsim Sha Tsui Station, I was just over-joyed and I had a smile solidly plastered on my face. As I went to my small box room I was still gleaming as I looked out the window, “I’m in HONG KONG!” - I felt like screaming to myself! (BTW – I would definitely recommend the place I stayed at for anyone planning to travel to Hong Kong. It was called Majestic House, it was in the centre of TST (one of the more happening parts of South Kowloon) and it was less than £30 a night.
If you ever come to Hong Kong you have to go to the south coast of TST at night. You get can the whole of Hong Kong lit up and see the array of skyscrapers that line the whole north coast of Hong Kong Island.
Hong Kong was a lot colder than I anticipated (though of course, nothing compared to winter in England – but hey, I’ve been in Singapore for the past month!).
Whilst walking around causeway bay one of May’s friends pointed out how in Hong Kong the shops layout is really 3 dimensional, as in shops aren’t just on the ground floor – instead you have to look up and all around you, making sure that you can be aware of the shops/cafés that have their signs and premises on the 2nd and 3rd floors of buildings. You can always find these great dessert café tucked away in the obscure places. In the central Hong KongIsland area you get a sense of grandeur, of everything being around you in a place that never sleeps. The food was of course amazing, particularly the Dim Sum. I rarely had any anything that I hadn’t had before, but the food was just familiar favourites done to a higher quality, the flavours were often richer and the textures were more balanced.
Hong Kong is basically Singapore if it was more lived-in, a Singapore with a soul. Exiting the station I realised how much Hong Kong reminded me of London (it was rather cold, considering I’ve been in an equatorial region for the last month!), with its bustling life and glooming skies (this was to remain for the duration of my entire trip).
Of course the main joy of Hong Kong was the fact that May and Christine (people I know! And they’re my age!) are there, and they know other cool people there. It’s hard to remove my joy of Hong Kong from my joy of hanging out with friends. It was particularly cool when we went out clubbing, since there did seem to be a huge community of English speaking Chinese (I was dreading the prospect of being in the dark whilst over a dozen people spoke Cantonese over me). The evening was great and of course I got drunk, I still can’t really remember much that happened on a 2 hour window frame. Though I more or less sobered up around about 5ish and took an extortionately priced taxi back to my place.
The next day I went met up with May and Xing Ni (one of May’s friends – though I’ve met her a handful of times since she studied at Imperial) for Dim Sum. My hang over was more or less kicking in whilst we waited for our restaurant seat – with me just about being able to muster the strength to use my chopsticks.
I did make a day trip to Macau, which I can’t say I particularly enjoyed (on reflection I probably should have made a day trip to the more rural parts of Hong Kong, such as the SouthCoast or the NewTerritories. Unless gambling is your thing, I’m not sure if Macau is really that worth it. It’s not that much of a big deal for me since you can gamble in London and as a foreigner I’m allowed to gamble unrestricted in Singapore (I think Singaporean have to pay a $100 entrance fee to their own casinos!). I went to a casino and I felt like “yeah, it’s a casino”. The Venetian is apparently one of the grander casinos, with Renaissance style frescos on the ceiling and gondolas giving rides in the canal that surrounds the casino. Though I think to really enjoy it you really do have to be into what the casino was made for.
The interesting thing is that whilst Macau has its own currency the casino gambles exclusively in Hong Kong Dollars. In fact virtually the whole of Macau accepts Hong Kong dollars (with the exchange rate being one HK dollar for one Macau dollar). The historical area was fairly interesting, though it pretty much just reminded me of Malacca (another former Portuguese colony in Malaysia). In fact besides the Portuguese road signs, there isn’t much that indicates it was a Portuguese colony a dozen years ago (though I’ve never been to Portugal and apparently there are a good portion of people who are bilingual in Cantonese and Portuguese). The more residential areas of Macau are pretty boring and extremely polluted – you feel giddy and suffocated with the exhaust fumes that surround you.
Hong Kong feels like a cross between Singapore and Macau. Hong Kong has the infrastructure of Singapore and the sense of being a developed financial hub, with the lived in worn-down accommodation, it has the dirt that makes it alive and real. However Macau feels like it has the bustle and worn-out dereliction of Hong Kong, but without the sense of anything really happening there. I imagine it’s what parts of Hong Kong may have been like in the 1930s before it turned into the New York of East Asia.
Anyway, loved my time in Hong Kong – hopefully I’ll be able make more trips in the future (the flight was only £130 return from Singapore!)”
