We rode up on the coat tails of the new dawn for Welsh music that occurred in the early - mid 90's, getting to play very early recordings from 60ft Dolls, Gorkys, Dub War, Catatonia, Super Furries, Helen Love, Funeral For a Friend, Stereophonics etc. We also interviewed international acts like: Oasis [one of their first interviews], Radiohead, UNKLE, the Beastie Boys, Blur, Kristin Hersh, Doves, Ian Brown, Elliott Smith, Public Enemy, the Verve, Stereolab, Chemical Brothers, Underworld, Pulp, the Lemonheads etc.
The show gradually evolved into its current shape -- devoted almost entirely to Welsh music 2 or 3 years ago-- and is a better show now (in my opinion) than it has ever been.
My remit and my only ambition for this show is to help, as best I can, the new Welsh bands that I am fortunate enough to showcase and support.
The best way I can do that is to provide them with an audience and a platform from which their music can be heard and appreciated.
Our listenership figures fluctuate between 5 and 40,000 people [I'm not sure how reliable RAJAR figures are in accurately determining listenership for specialist, late-night shows]. I can tell you that there are a significant number of A&R & industry people who check the show out, which might be useful if you're in a band and you're interested in getting heard by the kind of people who might be interested in your music.
For the rest of us 'normal' folks the show aims to entertain, inspire and enlighten.
I don't play every piece of music that arrives in my inbox. In fact, only 10%-ish of the music that I receive manages to make it on air. The decisions as to what does and doesn't get played are entirely down to me and entirely based on your music. My tastes are varied -- I'll happily play anything from death metal to commercial pop -- if it's inspired and original.
If you are interested in getting played on my show, this is what you would do.
1) Listen to the show to see if it's the kind of show that you think suits your music.
2) Send me a high quality .mp3 [160kbps minimum] of YOUR BEST SONG. That's right, just *1 song*. For your own sake, try and make sure that the tags in the .mp3 [the title and artist information] are accurate. Please include a short factual biography [who you are, where you're from, where people can find out more. Don't make bold and ridiculous claims about your music, please!]
2 i) alternatively, post a CD to: Adam Walton, BBC Radio Wales, Library & Arts Centre, Rhosddu Rd., WREXHAM LL11 1NF -- make sure that your band name & a contact number / e-mail address are ON THE CD ITSELF.
3) Wait a week, or so, then e-mail me if I haven't already contacted you or played you on the show.
4) Please don't take offence at any constructive criticism that is offered to you. It's offered honestly and in good faith.
5) ** GOOD LUCK ** without your [great] music, this show is nothing. I rely on you.
A couple of other suggestions for you: join the Facebook group where you'll find exclusive downloads [session tracks, FAQ's, Words of Wisdom etc.]
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=46471943049
And, to keep up to date with what's coming up on the show & any band-related opportunities that come my way, follow me on Twitter.
http://twitter.com/adamwalton
Thank you for reading, good luck and happy listening.
©Adam Walton
2010
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