Getting airplay off me is not quite the equivalent of getting Zane Lowe's MOST MASSIVE HUMUNGOUS RECORD IN THE UNIVERSE AND THEN SOME AT THIS VERY MOMENT EVAH! Getting airplay on my show is little more than an encouraging pat on the shoulder. Okay, some very influential people do listen to the show. Bands have forged interesting links & got deals & big gigs on the back of airplay on the show, but those incidences are relatively few and far between.
And they're not anything that I should even attempt to steal a sparkle of credit for.
So why am I mentioning it?
I probably want credit for not seeking credit.
Beware the falsely modest and most self-effacing, they have the biggest heads of all.
I'm writing this to underline the nature of my relationship with those of you who are musicians.
I am the pecky bird on the back of the elephant, the sucky little fish hitching a ride on the belly of the shark.
Without you elephants and sharks, I am nothing: a big hollow gas bag who is becomingly increasingly unimpressed and embarrassed by the worthless consonants that drop out of his mouth like pellets out of a rabbit's arse.
Having said that, if you are kind enough to send me music, I will be kind enough to offer you a [very] honest opinion on it.
Some people question that part of my role.
"If you claim to the the 'Voice of Welsh Music' then you have to represent *all* Welsh music."
I'd like to think that this show doesn't stylistically disenfranchise anyone. I'm happy to play, and I'm eager to hear, anything.
Anything that is good.
And here is the other rub. This is the biggest rub of all. A bunion of Snowdon-like proportions that just won't quit.
"Who are you to say whether something is 'good' or not?"
Good question.
*Very* good question.
What are my qualifications to sift through and offer blunt criticism on the hard work and dreams of others?
Who the f**k do I think I am?
A low-rent Simon Cowell?
I didn't elevate myself to this position. I was placed atop this molehill by people who thought my passion for music in all of its forms would serve me well in this role.
But I was plonked on the molehill a good few years ago.
Do I still merit this, er, lofty position?
I can't answer that. I tell you this much, though, if I didn't think I was doing my best to fulfil the role, I would vacate the muddy peak immediately.
What I can offer you, the people who pay my wages, is a promise that I will be dedicated, diligent and honest.
The show is a constantly evolving beast. It will never stay still. To confuse the metaphor I used earlier, it is a shark. If it stops going forward, it dies and sinks to the bottom of the sea.
The last 12 months has seen some fascinating new voices and contributors to the programme: Ann Matthews, Peppermint Patti, Marcus Warner, DJ Fuzzyfelt, Lews Tewns, *KC* -- as well as the show's stalwarts: Soundhog and the newly-resurrected Huw Williams [currently my favourite part of the show -- why didn't we do this earlier?]
But I am keen to hear new voices.
Lisa Matthews from the Welsh Music Foundation will be joining us soon to answer, with authority, those logistical / business questions that bands have: [i.e. do I need to register with PRS / MCPS? How do I do it? Will it cost me money? ]
And, within the next couple of months, we'll have a very interesting and, hopefully, incredibly useful new section to the show starting [details coming soon!].
There are exciting times ahead, for sure.
Welsh music, which I've stupidly glossed over so far, is more vibrant and interesting than it has been for many years. My best of year show this Christmas is going to be extremely hard to compile. I have an iTunes playlist with the year's essentials and it is already 5 hours long.
Anyway -- I just wanted you to know how thankful I am.
Truly.
Any ideas you have would, as always, be gratefully received.
©Adam Walton
2010
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