As someone who started working in radio because I love music, specifically rock music, I soon came to realise that loads of great bands and songs were slipping by the wayside due to playlist committees' personal music preferences or radio station formats.
Now although there's a need for playlists and formats for certain radio stations (and we can debate this in detail in a few weeks), there's a subtantially large amount of phenomenal music that never gets mainstream exposure.
And that's why I'm so excited about this blogspot! It's not a moneymaking/publicity initiative. It's a platform for like-minded people to read and discuss and share things about rock music or any of its closely related sub-genres. I'll be posting album reviews and band/artist profiles (starting with Dashboard Confessional's 'Alter the Ending' in a few hours). And if you're in a band or represent a band or you just think I should know about a particular band to feature, please email justkoula@gmail.com We all know by the response at annual rock concerts and festivals that there are hundreds of thousands of South Africans who appreciate alternative music yet there's so little airtime given to it. The least we can do is share knowledge!
Kiffness Koula, you're right of course, too many excellent musicians are still in their bedrooms, ripping it up, playing awesome music, but intimidated or deflated by the looming face of the cold industry that determines their fates. I hope this gets some okes keen to share their stuff in a big way, I know I am dying to hear some original music!
ReplyDeleteWell, it's nice to have an honest perspective about a radio station's M.O.
ReplyDeleteI'm still curious as to whether some money or favours exchange hands between record companies and the playlist guys.
When I was there on a visit, management made it very clear, a little bit too clear, in fact, that there was no payola involved in playlisting.
Anyways, looking forward to the reviews and profiles. From what I've heard of "Alter the Ending" it sounds like a great record!
Thank you Koula!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate all your interest and support of SA music.
Looking forward to the reviews and features on rock albums on this site.
All the best to you.
Linda (The Sick-Leaves/OMTD productions).