Phonic FM - The only place you'll hear Mozart and Motorhead back to back

Ok folks, this week we’re going to tackle something a little bit out of left field. Instead of a physical place I’ll be spotlighting, I’m going to focus on somewhere you can go anytime of the day, listen to great music, covering every genre and musical cul-de-sac that you’ve never heard of, and is full of interesting and colourful characters. Phonic FM, broadcasting on 107.8 on the airwaves above Exeter, and online, has been championing independent music and alternative style in the city on a daily basis for six years and has given everyday people the opportunity to voice their opinions, share their passions, and stick two fingers up in the face of the desperately nauseating mediocrity that is the commercial pop radio station.

Based in the lower, dungeon like, depths of the Phoenix in the heart of the city this plucky little radio station began life in 2003 when it was given a one month license to broadcast during the annual Vibrophonic music festival, which by happy coincidence is taking place this month as well. So check out what’s happening here: http://www.vibraphonicfestival.co.uk/

From these humble little beginnings a true pioneer in British broadcasting has emerged. This is not a station that is held back by satisfying advertisers and creeping to corporate conglomerates. This is not a station that is chained to popular playlists and the latest teen starlet that has been thrown from the conveyor belt of one hit wonders. This is a station that dances to the beat of its own drum, but not just one drum, a whole cacophony of them. With each show being hosted by an individual, and not just an meaningless voice with a stupid laugh, during the course of a day the rhythm, style and tempo of the output will change dramatically. One moment you’ll be listening to some classical concerto, recorded in Dusseldorf, and conducted by a man with Von in the middle of his name, the next; a reggae, carnival calypso that was taped through a haze of reefer smoke, and the next; a disconnected, abstracted soundscape made by a 13 year old on a laptop. If you’re after some Beyonce you better keep on walking girl.

I was lucky enough to be invited onto the airwaves one Sunday morning by a friend of mine; Anna, who is one of the merry band of DJs that help make this dynamic entity come to life. Her show Anna Presents (https://www.facebook.com/AnnaPresents) takes a relaxed look at life and focuses on the positives of what is going on in life. The show is very much about her. It is unique in that Anna’s own personality and vision is what is given off over the airwaves to the listeners and her passion and interests are what drive it all forward. This is typical of the output from this small, donation funded, community radio station. Every show is built around the hosts, their likes, their loves, their ideas and their energy. It is billed as Exeter’s Sound Alternative, and for once the advertising is bang on the money. Whatever you are into, you will find it being played here. Music, the arts, live sessions from local acts that are recorded in the sound studio next door, and no cheap adverts. All these musically creative minds in one place have also created a hub around which many live venues and acts in the city congregate. The station supports a wide range of gigs, festivals, club nights and musically related evenings out that are far too numerous to mention. But I think its fare to say that the live music culture in the city would be a lot poorer without the championing of Phonic Fm

 

And the best part is anyone can go and have a try themselves. All you need to do is sign up and pay the small annual fee, receive some training to use the equipment in the studio (I’m sure Anna won’t mind me saying that if she can work out how to use it, then anyone can!), and then put your name down for a free slot in the schedule. Then you can play, and talk about, whatever you like, within reason obviously. So if there is a genre of music you love and no one even knows about it, or you are fed up of the same cheesy disc jockeys and their inane banter, then get down there and do it for yourself. Trust me it’s great fun. I did it for 2 years and had a ball. Exeter hasn’t been the same since my show ‘The Church of Noise’ faded from the air waves (a huge sigh of relief was heard across the city I expect!).

Fast becoming both a nationally recognised and globally acknowledged voice in the broadcasting ocean, Phonic FM is a breath of fresh air and something this city should be truly proud of. Many places have community radio stations, but none are as professional and organised as what we have here. A beacon to those who aren’t happy with the same old homogenous, music by numbers, regurgitations that flood our airwaves and fill our radios. They don’t just give us an alternative, but a whole array of alternatives, and damned good ones they are at that. So do adjust your radio sets and open up a whole world of musical diversity.

Tune in on your radio to 107.8fm

or online from their website: www.phonic.fm

and like their facebok page: https://www.facebook.com/Phonic.107.8fm