The Music Shows

Invariably I consider specialist music programs to be my preferred field of radio programs.  As a self-confessed “music nerd”, I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity of listening to a varied triad of specialist music programs.  I listened to Monday, June 15^th’s edition of ‘The Daily Planet’ and Saturday, June 20^th’s edition of ‘The Music Show’ on Radio National, along with Monday, June 22^nd’s edition of ‘Makeshift Swahilli’ on PBS.  All three programs specialise in differing genres, all of which I found interesting and engaging.

‘The Music Show’, hosted by Andrew Ford, specifically focuses on a range of classical music and composers.  The program was primarily constructed of interviews with notable musicians and music critics, including classical pianist Stephen Hough about his performance at the Second piano Concerto of Tchaikovsky in Sydney, electronic composer and sound artist Paul Gough about the release of his first album in five years, and music critic and author Alex Ross about 20^th century music and the contents of his most recent book “The Rest is Noise: Listening to the 20^th century”.  Featured in the program was also a live performance by Japanese shamisen player Noriko Tadano.

‘The Daily Planet’, currently hosted by Andy Copeman whilst the program’s regular host Lucky Oceans is on leave, specialises in a unique array of world, traditional and innovative music. Artists featured throughout the program included Australian musician Rafael Godoy with his tribute to the work of his Columbian grandfather, and Quebec musician Eric Mongrain known for expanding the normal definition of the guitar into a percussion instrument, as well as a string instrument.  The program’s feature album was from Brisbane duo “The View from Madeline’s Couch” with their incorporation of the vibraphone into the very particular Brazilian music idioms.

Divergent in nature, ‘Makeshift Swahilli’, hosted by Adrian Ockerby, specialises in “noisy, adventurous underground rock”, along with other correlated obscure and unconventional genres.  The program also has a strong focus on local music of the aforementioned genre, regularly playing demos, self-released or unreleased recordings and small label releases, as well as providing the listener with information about upcoming gigs from local artists.

Notable differences in each program’s presentation style and structure were observed from my listening.  With its inclusion of reasonably lengthy interviews, ‘The Music Show’ was the only program to feature interviews.  Conversely, without interviews, ‘The Daily Planet’ and ‘Makeshift Swahilli’ provided listeners with a greater quantity of music.  Unsurprisingly, profound professionalism on behalf of the presenters was exhibited in ‘The Music Show’ and ‘The Daily Planet’, as opposed to the disorganised, amateur nature of ‘Makeshift Swahilli’, complete with inordinate “ums” and “ahs”, paper shuffling and near inaudible mumbling.

Despite the somewhat unsystematic presentation of ‘Makeshift Swahilli’, all three programs did nevertheless exhibit considerable knowledge in the specialised genre, even if conveyed in a desultory dilettante-like manner.

AM Breakfast programs – 774 ABC, 3AW and Radio National

I evaluated and compared three AM breakfast programs, all aptly titled ‘Breakfast’.  I listened to Thursday, June 25^th’s edition of ‘Tracy Bartram’ on 774 ABC, Friday, June 12^th’s edition of ‘Ross Stephenson and John Burns’ on 3AW, and Tuesday, June 23^rd’s edition of ‘Fran Kelly’ on Radio National. 

Considerable distinct variations between programs were observed from my listening.  Whilst ‘Breakfast with Tracy Bartram’ and ‘Breakfast with Ross Stephenson and John Burns’ exhibited customary jocular breakfast program conversation, ‘Breakfast with Fran Kelly’ primarily focuses on current affairs.  Topics featured throughout the program included NASA’s return to the moon, irregularities in Iran’s political vote count, and new training initiatives helping people with mental illnesses to seek employment.  Also featured throughout the program were interviews with the likes of Climate change minister Penny Wong on the topic of the Emissions Trading Scheme, Shadow minister Joe Hockey about the Utegate scandal, and Health minister Nicola Roxon on a range of topics including Alcopop taxes and the spread of Swine Flu throughout indigenous communities.  As a somewhat austere breakfast program, Fran Kelly’s program was in stark contrast to the “upbeat”, “light-hearted” natures of the other two breakfast programs.

Conversely, ‘Breakfast with Ross and John’ and ‘Breakfast with Tracy Bartram’ typifies your standard breakfast radio program, complete with “call-ins” and “humorous” personal anecdotes.  Whilst ‘Breakfast with Tracy Bartram’ has the tendency to be a somewhat “slow-moving” program, complete with lingering topics and the ability to bore listeners effortlessly, ‘Breakfast with Ross and John’ was quite the contrary.  Whilst not exactly my program of choice, 3AW’s breakfast program nevertheless presents itself as a somewhat animated, vivacious and fast-paced program.  I found a more extensive array of topics on the program, of which included debating the meaning of the word “hero”, new found rumours on a segment entitled the “Rumourfile”, and a new found discovery made by Japanese scientists that protecting hair from ultra-violet light by wearing a hat can prevent it from turning grey, on a segment entitled “Happy Facts”.  Interviewees throughout the program included executive director of Quit Victoria, Fiona Sharkey, on abandoning the term “smoko” and replacing it with the term “quito”, London reporter Malcolm Stuart about a bus passenger that was driven around London and remained on board overnight after he died of a heroin overdose, and reporter Bob Tarlow from Los Angeles about a fisherman from Florida who caught an air-to-air missile released by an F15 fighter jet.

In contrast, topics and interviewees featured on ‘Breakfast with Tracy Bartram’ were quite limited.  One particular “call-in” on the topic of useless facts and information continued for an exceedingly long time, in which I found considerably vexing.  Interviewees featured throughout the program included an Australian Children’s Trust volunteer in Marysville promoting school holiday programs in order to support the community after the ‘Black Saturday bushfires’, and ‘Wicked’ musical performer Lucy Durack about the musical’s one year anniversary.

Whilst I believe that all three AM breakfast programs would primarily appeal to both the 40-54 and the 55+ demographic, I do however believe each audience would differ vastly character wise.

Sport – AFL Football commentary – 3AW Vs. 774 ABC

As quite the football adversary, I nevertheless, under duress, listened to selected broadcasts of Round 10’s AFL action on 3AW, with Rex Hunt, Nathan Buckley and Dennis Commetti, and 774 ABC’s ‘Grandstand’, with Gerard Whateley, Quentin Hull, Dan Lonergan, Glenn Mitchell, and Roger Wills.  Invariably, I find all football commentary monotonous and alike, complete with obtuse machismo and superfluous colloquial language.  Nevertheless, slight variation between the two broadcasts was discernible.

Not far from a one man’s show, 3AW’s broadcast was overshadowed by commentator Rex Hunt, complete with inordinate and belaboured, yet unconvincing humour.  For many though, lame nicknames for players and unpleasant shrieking nearing the end of a match as ‘’the singing fat lady’’ is entertaining and stimulating.  Whilst providing a less animated form of commentary, fellow commentators Nathan Buckley and Dennis Commetti balanced out the commentary enlightening listeners with match, player and team information and statistics.

Conversely, I did find 774 ABC’s ‘Grandstand’ to provide a far more ‘listenable’ commentary.  Whilst maintaining a standard form of football commentary, ‘Grandstand’ provided listeners with a comparatively lucid broadcast.  Humour was present throughout the commentary, but in a much more temperate manner than that of 3AW’s broadcast.  Jokes made by commentators were usually of a more factual nature, providing an informative style of humour for listeners.

Whilst I considerably preferred 774 ABC’s football commentary over 3AW’s, both broadcasts nevertheless provided listeners with adequate information, facts and statistics concerning the match, teams, players and AFL football per se.

Triple R, Triple J & PBS Breakfast programs

Invariably, I find ABC and independent radio breakfast programs a fresh breath of air when measured to their commercial counterparts.

I listened to Friday, May 22^nd’s edition of ‘Breakfasters’, with hosts Fee B2, Sam Pang and Michael Williams on Triple R, and Wednesday, May 27’s editions of ‘The Breakfast Spread’, with hosts Lyndelle and Matt on PBS, and ‘Robbie, Marieke and The Doctor’, with hosts Robby Buck, Marieke Hardy, and Lindsay McDougall on Triple J.  A small number of variations between programs were observed from my listening.  Whilst ‘Breakfasters’ and ‘Robbie, Marieke and The Doctor’ exhibited customary jocular breakfast program conversation, ‘The Breakfast Spread’s’ primarily focus is featuring a diverse collection of music, from Reggae and Blues, to Jazz and Electronic genres.

In contrast to the other two breakfast radio programs, ‘The Breakfast Spread’s’ music variety is accompanied by very little conversation, with the exception of gig guide updates, the odd in depth back announcement of artists and songs played on the program, and the encouragement of listeners to subscribe as station members.  Featured throughout the program was also a CD and DVD giveaway to listeners subscribing as station members before 7 o’clock.

Conversely, ‘Breakfasters’ and ‘Robbie, Marieke and The Doctor’, employed humorous and entertaining conversation throughout the programs.  However, whilst Triple J’s breakfast program made regular use of ‘in jokes’ that most likely would have no meaning to the unfamiliar listener, ‘Breakfasters’ utilised a sharp humour, that featured conversation about the economy and the federal budget.  Featured in the program was also an interview with a school teacher, who had recently won the Victorian Education Excellence award for most outstanding secondary teacher throughout Education Week, as well as an interview with broadcaster Tony Wilson about the release of his children’s book ‘The Princess and the Packet of Frozen Peas’.

‘Robbie, Marieke and The Doctor’ featured interviews with the likes of Chris Taylor, from the Chaser’s War on Everything about the program’s new series, a member from Melbourne band ‘Children Collide’ about their upcoming performance at Triple J’s music festival, The One Night Stand in Sale, as well as an interview with Tasmanian Manga (Japanese comic) artist, currently in Melbourne for the Emerging Writers’ Festival.

‘Call-ins’ were also featured in both breakfast radio programs.  Breakfaster’s on the topic of favourite fictionary military figures, and Robbie, Marieke and The Doctor’s on the topic of ‘mad skills’, where callers share their personal specialist skills.

I do feel that Triple R’s and PBS’s breakfast radio programs would appeal to a broader audience, most likely that of the 18-24 and 25-39 demographics.  Yet, I feel that Triple J’s breakfast program, along with the utilisation of simple humour and the music played throughout the program would appeal to a more limited audience, most likely that of the 18-24 demographic.

Talk Radio – Derryn Hinch Vs. Lindy Burns

I listened to Wednesday 20^th May’s edition of ‘Drive with Derryn Hinch’ on 3AW, and Thursday 21^st May’s edition of ‘Drive with Lindy Burns’ on 774 ABC Melbourne.  I view the two as contrasting drive-time talk radio programs, especially in such areas as the presenters’ and program’s styles, topics and program content.

Through my father’s avid listening, I do happen to be somewhat familiar with Derryn Hinch’s drive-time program.  As a controversial figure, Hinch draws upon contentious issues to generate a divisive ‘hard-hitting’ news style program.  Through previous listening, the odd caller taking an opposite stance on an issue may be insulted, dismissed and hung up on.

Throughout the May 20 program however, major topics included whether there should be restrictions on what bets can be placed with betting agencies taking punts on how bad our unemployment rate will get, and the hospitalisation of 11 people after exposure to leaking drums of toxic material in Wonthaggi.  A few lighter topics were featured in the program also, one of which included the disappearance of Australian slang words from society.

I did find that throughout the two hour program, a very large portion was devoted to commercials, which by listening to the program via podcast as I did, you have the beauty of skipping such tediously pesky commercials.  But as your everyday listener tuned to the radio, enduring the recurrent stream of commercials would exceed my forbearance in next to no time.

Conversely, ‘Drive with Lindy Burns’ was a lot more casual and conversational.  In contrast, not quite as many topics were featured throughout the program, but instead they were of a much more light-hearted nature.

The main topic featured throughout the program was fashion.  Lindy Burns spoke to experts in the field, including the Sunday Age fashion editor, on the topic of the new trend of fashion swaps.  With the global financial crisis, this new trend is emerging for fashion enthusiasts to save money and put to good use unused items of clothing.  Fashion swap meets are regular events in which unwanted clothing items are exchanged for desired articles.

I do feel that both talk radio programs would appeal to both the 40-54 and the 55+ demographic.  However, I do believe that Lindy Burns and her light-hearted conversational topics would be more appealing to the female population. On the contrary, it is Derryn Hinch’s heated debate-filled program that would appeal more to the male population.

The World – BBC Vs. NPR

Whilst the politically independent BBC World Service and public radio network NPR are set apart by vast disparities between them, both networks nevertheless share and fulfil a similar purpose of offering cultural matters, world news & current affairs to listeners.

I listened to Monday 4^th May’s edition of ‘All Things Considered’ on the NPR Network, and Friday 1^st May’s edition of ‘Outlook’ on the BBC World Service.  After reading up on ‘Outlook’ as a program with human interest stories behind the headlines & ‘All Things Considered’ as a combination of news, analysis, commentary and interviews, I did believe that I had selected two equivalent programs.  Listening to both programs subsequently altered my original perception.  To begin with, I found considerable differences between the two programs in the presenters’ broadcasting styles.  Whilst ‘All Things Considered’ presenters Robert Siegel, Michele Norris & Melissa Block exhibited an engagingly laid back style of broadcasting, ‘Outlook’ presenter Mathew Bannister employed a more formal and ‘news-esque’ style of broadcasting.

  I found a more extensive array of story types and lengths on ‘All Things Considered’.  The program was constructed of fifteen different stories, ranging from 2 – approximately 15 minutes in length, and covered a broad spectrum of world news and issues, politics, legal affairs, media, health & science.  Throughout the program, major topics included future plans to rebuild the southwest Chinese village of Beichuan, after the 7.9 magnitude earthquake hit the village exactly one year ago, along with further updates about the Swine Flu outbreak and the closure of 533 public and private schools in the U.S to prevent further spreading of the disease.  Featured in the program was also a two and a half minute segment devoted to the recitation of letters from listeners.

Conversely, I found ‘Outlook’s’ format to be more rigid than that of ‘All Things Considered’.  The stories featured throughout the program were not as varied and engaging.  Whilst the program itself was considerably shorter, the program only featured three topics, including an interview with the son of executed Nigerian activist Ken Saro-Wiwa about his continuing struggle for justice, and a report on the controversial changes in mental health-care being introduced in Egypt.

Overall, I found ‘All Things Considered’ the most entertaining, insightful and enlightening program of the two.  With such diversity exhibited throughout the program, along with the interesting topics covered, I found this to be a very enjoyable listening experience.

The Presenter – Late Night Live with Phillip Adams

I listened to Thursday 30^th April’s edition of Late Night Live with Phillip Adams on ABC Radio National, and as an unfamiliar punter to the program found it quite insightful and enlightening. 

The program is presented by renowned broadcaster and journalist, Phillip Adams and focuses on current world issues.  The presenter’s leftist stance is recognisable throughout the program on most issues, along with many of the guests featured on the program.

Despite Adams’s cultivated persona, he does make regular use of slang words, such as ‘blower’ for the telephone when speaking to guests over the phone, and the referral of his listeners as ‘Gladdies’ and ‘Poddies’.  The term ‘poddies’ referring to his podcast listeners.  Throughout the program, Adams’s brings across a mildly ironic, and at times tongue in cheek humour that I found to be engaging and entertaining.  I do feel that a program of this particular style would be more appealing to an older audience, most likely that of the 40-54 and 55+ demographics.

The program was divided into three segments, each with their own introduction of a short instrumental piece of music.  The first segment featured an update of the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka involving the Tamil Tigers, and featured an interview with Australian spokesman for the UN’s humanitarian coordinator in Sri Lanka, Gordon Vice.

The second segment of the program featured a discussion about the Solomon Islands Truth and Reconciliation Commission.  Adams’s also spoke with the Executive Director of the Solomon Islands Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Dorothy Wickham, a journalist with an in-depth knowledge of the violence that racked the islands between 1997 and 2003.

The program finished up with its third segment, featuring a much more light-hearted and personal discussion with Tasmanian born author and regular guest Peter Conrad about why he sees himself as a castaway on Tasmania.

Drive-time radio – Hamish & Andy Vs. Roy & HG

With their vast discrepancies, ‘Hamish & Andy’ and ‘The Life’ with Roy & HG are what I deem to be polar-opposite drive-time radio programs.

Ex-hosts of Triple J’s ‘This Sporting Life’, iconic comedy duo Roy & HG left ABC Radio at the end of last year to host new drive-time program ‘The Life’ on the Triple M radio network.  As with previous works, their program primarily focuses on sport and is a parody of Australian’s obsession with sport.  Roy & HG employ a satirical sense of humour throughout the program, appealing to an older audience, most likely that of the 40-54 or 55+ demographic.  Both play equal parts to the duo, Roy playing the role of an erudite commentator, and HG as the flamboyant announcer.

Conversely, on Fox FM’s drive-time radio program, comparatively new comedy duo Hamish Blake and Andy Lee make use of ‘humorous’ and ‘entertaining’ anecdotes, stories and interviews throughout the program.  As opposed to Roy & HG, the pair utilise a slap-stick, classroom clown-esque form of humour that I invariably find lame and unamusing, but nevertheless appeals to countless drive-time listeners, as the program persistently rakes in the ratings to make them the highest-rating radio series in Australia.  However, in contrast to Roy & HG’s drive-time program, I do feel that the program would appeal to a younger audience, most likely that of the 10-17 or 18-24 demographic.  The combination of both comedians being aged around their mid-20’s, the style of humour they employ and the music that is played throughout the program is what draws me to this conclusion.  Another prominent discrepancy between programs is the roles and contributions of presenters.  Where as Roy & HG serve equal roles to their duo, I feel that Hamish & Andy’s program is basically a one man’s show, with little output from Andy, and the ability of his counterpart Hamish to outshine and overshadow him.

Breakfast Radio – Hughesy & Kate Vs. Pete & Myf

As an unfamiliar punter to both programs, I can straightforwardly say I wasn’t convinced by either of the two breakfast radio programs.  I find both comedians Dave Hughes and Peter Helliar generically bland and lame, and their female counterparts just all round irritating. 

Nevertheless, on air everything seemed a tad more suave between Nova’s Dave Hughes and Kate Langbroek, as opposed to their breakfast rivals Peter Helliar and Myf Warhust on Triple M.  The laughs were more genuine, they took a different stance on issues raised, and a sound relationship between the two is recognisable to the listener.  From my listening, Hughes and Langbroek primarily relied upon the use of ‘humorous’ personal anecdotes throughout the program, enabling a down to earth connection with the audience.  As a commercial station repetitively playing the latest chart-topping hits, it was refreshing to hear a lack of commercials, adhering to their ‘never more than 2 ads in a row’ slogan.

As a comparatively new breakfast radio program, things seemed a tad more callow and awkward between Peter Helliar and Myf Warhurst.  At times things seemed quite forced between the pair.  Forced laughter was customary throughout the program, as was the tendency of both presenters to agree with each other too much, giving the program a strained and unnatural feel.  Of course, lame jokes also frequented the program on Helliar’s behalf, including unintelligent jokes and conversation about the recent outbreak of Swine Flu, including an interview with a supposed ‘pig with swine flu’.  And in true Triple M style, they stick with their generic ‘Rock’ agenda, in which of course includes far too much football conversation and far too many football personalities. 

Your own choice – Favourite Radio Program Review

Unsurprisingly I chose to review my preferred radio program in that of Triple J’s ‘Soundlab’ with Fenella Kernabone.  ‘The Soundlab’ attempts to delve into what could be deemed the deep and multifaceted end of music.  With a strong focus on electronic and experimental music fields and all correlated sub-genres, ‘The Soundlab’ endows the listener with an eclectic and interesting array of sounds. 

Along with the program’s timeslot of 11pm – 1am Sunday evenings, Fenella Kernabone’s voice and laid back presentation style compliments the subdued collection of sounds for the wakeful listener.  ‘The Soundlab’ also keeps the listener up to date with upcoming tours and shows by relevant artists and features interviews with Australian and international artists. 

Triple J’s ‘The Soundlab’ is a radio program that I tune into quite readily and frequently, and features an enjoyable agenda to fall asleep to every Sunday evening.