Monday 12 September
One visualises a radio station to be big in structure, full of lots of people each doing their little bit. In reality 6 Music is a small structure, barely containing a room full of people who exude energy, passion and a capacity to make things happen. This is clearly more than just a job ...
OK, so that's my plug for 6 Music. As to my experiences on Day One, I have been introduced to lots of people whose names I have remembered (hopefully). Of course, my first day was precluded with the usual housekeeping of the work placement, that being security and setting me up at my desk and generally finding my way around the building without wandering into studios thinking it's the Ladies. I have also done some work on future campaigns at the BBC, doing web research and the like. Lust For Life, which afforded me the opportunity to win this week at 6 Music, was such a campaign; part of the BBC's wider remit to offer support, advice, and avenues to information and learning. At least, that's my take on it.
Most awe-inspiring today was sitting in on Canadian band Star doing a pre-recorded session in the hub. They measure out a lilting mixture of guitar and soft vocals and haunting violin and a touch of goofiness that makes them a joy to listen to. I had the great pleasure of meeting them, getting my picture taken with the band, and generally hanging out. I was not starstruck (no pun intended); I was very cool. That said, I did say 'I love Canada - it's great', which though being a truth that should be universally acknowledged by everybody, could be argued to be uncool.
Time to finish up with a cup of tea and a blog and the dying moment of the Ashes series. A great beginning to my week.
Back to topTuesday 13 September
I happily spent my morning with the 6 Music News team. The voices that are so familiar on the news became real people, and the elements that go to make up one's general consciousness of music and entertainment news was broken down into logical steps of news gathering and checking, pulling strands from outside of the BBC and from interviews and news wires within the organisation as well. I discovered that those one minute music news clips heard in the time it takes to gulp down half a cup of tea are a finely honed work of journalism, research and broadcasting. Huh, I really must stop gushing.
Anyway, I clipped some pieces from the tabloids that looked interesting (apparently Sinead O'Connor doesn't hold back when talking about her friends), and pulled out some audio clips of Gideon Coe 's interview with band Deus in the hub this morning.
Next I was set up in the music news studio with a bulletin to pre-record, just for fun, you see. I'm not sure whether it is better to be live without the luxury of getting it wrong, or to pre-record and have the luxury of recording again, and again, and again, and ... well, let's just say that I think that I am not likely to be threatening anyone's job in here any time soon.
Post lunch (part one) I sat in on the 6 Music weekly playlist meeting, during which staff debated (sometimes in quite animated terms) why they think certain tracks should stay on the playlist and some should go; why some tracks should get a chance to be played and other tracks just don't cut the mustard. This was a fascinating insight into what they mean when they talk about music that matters. I should also note that at times I found it difficult to sit still and not interrupt. After all, everyone has opinions. Like one of those conversations that you have down the pub after several pints, arguing the virtues and shambolic vices of pet favourite/pet hate bands ... well, this was a bit like that, but without the inebriation.
After lunch (part two) I got to sit in on a communications meeting let by Ric Blaxill, Head of Programming, looking at future projects, and how to make the most of promotions, campaigns, and the airtime available from the broad BBC network of radio, TV and online. A good meeting, which allowed me to see the breadth of ideas and projects and the long-term planning that goes into bringing them to fruition.
More blogging at the end of day two. Today has been another great day. I suppose if yesterday was the day to settle in, then today has been a day of opinions, and plenty of them. TTFN
Back to topWednesday 14 September
Should mention first that yesterday post-blog I met Tom Robinson. He is a very nice man; indeed the sort of person one would like to take down the pub for a natter and a pint or two. I may get a chance to sit in on his show before my week is up, which would be a joy. I heard Imogen Heap's session on Tom's show when I got back, and thought it sounded fantastic.
Also last night, back from my hard day in the office, I began my homework, listening to the new album by Broadcast,
Tender Buttons. More on that later.
So to today. I got in early to write up notes on
Tender Buttons, feeling very virtuous as I carved my finely wrought sentences for the 6 Music
Album Of The Day webpage.
I sat in on a couple of team meetings, sharing news across all the 6 Music team, listing competitions, promotions and campaigns planned and in various stages of togetherness. They are already planning Christmas. Jeepers.
Then back to my desk and the album review. I finished up my academic treatise on Broadcast's third album, and then on checking with the Interactive team, discovered that I had about seven hundred words too many. So I painfully pulled it all apart and wrote it again. It is amazing to discover that so few words can suffice where one thought that so many were necessary.
Franz Ferdinand stopped by for a short while in the midst of all this. I'm appalled to say that I was so engrossed in writing my album review that I didn't leave my desk. Well, it was either that or my wish not to hang around on the fringes. Being in my late twenties, I don't consider blushing like a fifteen year old to be that attractive. I have a healthy sense of self-preservation. Maybe too healthy.
The review now done (thank god), I have a little time to read the paper and do my daily blog before sitting in on Nemone's show, of which I shall speak tomorrow.
Back to topThursday 15 September As I mentioned yesterday, I finished off yesterday by sitting in on Nemone's show. Just for an afternoon there I was, sitting in with the girls, looking at Jordan and Peter André's wedding pictures, drinking tea and eating muffins. Absolutely bloody fantastic. They were incredibly sweet and generous, and very tolerant of me in the corner dancing to all the music that reminded me of underage teenage clubbing in the nineties. Oh, those were the days.
This morning I met up with Vic McGlynn and her team, and was given the distinct honour of putting together the questions for the ZEROES OR ZEROES quiz. To anyone who has ever experienced the giddy heights of power that come with compeering a pub quiz, this is cooler still. I chewed my pen, I stared at the ceiling, I furrowed my brows. I plummeted the depths of my musical knowledge and came up with some questions. Turns out, a little later on, sitting in on Vic's show, that my hard work is entirely lost on Alison from the Isle of Man, who gets nil points on the quiz. Ah well, never mind.
Back to my desk, a bit of a chin wag, bit more blog work, and then I go nosing round the studios, and come across Ms Dynamite visiting the studio, and bless them, 6 Music let me sit in on the interview. Ms Dynamite is so absolutely thoroughly nice. She talks with an emotional intelligence and with great passion about her music and her family, which I would defy anyone not to be endeared by. I liked her a lot, and look forward to her new album. What a lucky girl I am.
Late afternoon, Nemone et al invite me back to sit in on their show again. They did ask whether they could keep me here, with which my heart swelled. I did offer to live under the desks, but I fear I would have to return home to Reading eventually. Anyway, the conversation in the studio is on a bit of a buzz today. Topics covered have included dropping objects down the toilet, halitosis in attractive men, recreational ghost-spotting and getting drunk in inappropriate places. I love them already. More studio time to come post daily blog. Looking forward to my early start tomorrow, when I hope to sit in on the breakfast show with Phill Jupitus.
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Friday 16 September I spent most of my journey in this morning listening to my MP3 player, which for reasons inexplicable to me is currently stuck on random Billy Bragg tracks. Maybe this was a pertinent precursor to sitting in on the Phill Jupitus Breakfast Show, playing the marvellous Billy as frequently as he does. Phill's humour was on fine form this morning while I sat quietly and watched the show and drank tea, trying to perk myself up from my unfeasibly early start.
A little later, in an eminently civilised manner, I read the papers and drank yet more tea and watched the rest of the 6 Music staff filter in, before doing some user research for the Interactive team on the 6 Music website. Being a 6 Music competition winner, who entered the competition via the website, without which I would not have the pleasure of relating my tales to you this past week, I cannot recommend the website highly enough.
Following chocolate washed down with more tea, I sat in on Gideon Coe's show, which today included a session from David and Cassie Berman from off-kilter American indie band the Silver Jews. They sang a couple of songs, the second of which, a duet written by Cassie, was hauntingly lovely. It should also be noted that David Berman is a very funny man. I liked them enormously.
And...oh my god, I have just got very very tired. It is curious how it only becomes clear how much one survives on adrenalin and the energy generated by being in new surroundings until the energy disappears. I would now like to curl up under my desk with a warm blanket. I'm not sure whether another cup of tea would help. I might have to find out.
Time now to wrap up my week of blog. I have had a superb week, an extended taster session of shows, departments and challenges. My sincere thanks to 6 Music for inviting me in. They have been very sweet to me, and very generous. It will be strange next week to be listening from home again, now I have met so many of these people, now that they are no longer just voices. Strange but good.
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