By Zoe Thompson
I am a self-proclaimed radio geek, and as Station Manager of Brighton University’s Buzz Radio, I am always looking for new and exciting opportunities.
Annie Mac’s tour had a date in Brighton, tickets were sold out, but I googled ‘Annie Mac Management’ to organise an interview hoping someone would reply. Being a ‘radio pest’, you get used to sending emails with no replies.
After two weeks I had given up on this dream becoming a reality. To my surprise a reply popped up in my inbox forwarding me on to a colleague, Sarah, who manages Annie Mac.
I sent another enthusiastic email in the hope that she would be my metaphorical key to open the door to an Annie Mac interview. The week before the Brighton tour date the interview was confirmed, with information and details trickling through slowly.
I invited Isa Oster and Jordan Bellamy along. Isa’s show is closest to Annie’s own musical taste and I wanted to give Isa the chance to discuss music. Jordan is a committed member of Buzz who I knew was capable of handling my stress-induced madness.
Some may imagine a Green Room as an exclusive, glamorous area filled with alcohol, food and celebrities.
Annie Mac’s tour had a date in Brighton, tickets were sold out, but I googled ‘Annie Mac Management’ to organise an interview hoping someone would reply. Being a ‘radio pest’, you get used to sending emails with no replies.
After two weeks I had given up on this dream becoming a reality. To my surprise a reply popped up in my inbox forwarding me on to a colleague, Sarah, who manages Annie Mac.
I sent another enthusiastic email in the hope that she would be my metaphorical key to open the door to an Annie Mac interview. The week before the Brighton tour date the interview was confirmed, with information and details trickling through slowly.
I invited Isa Oster and Jordan Bellamy along. Isa’s show is closest to Annie’s own musical taste and I wanted to give Isa the chance to discuss music. Jordan is a committed member of Buzz who I knew was capable of handling my stress-induced madness.
Some may imagine a Green Room as an exclusive, glamorous area filled with alcohol, food and celebrities.
We were taken into a room the size of a garden shed with a very basic bathroom. Glass of wine in hand, we were introduced to Annie followed by a warning that she was taking the stage in 17 minutes and our pre- planned 15 minute interview would be no more than 10 minutes.
No pressure.
Annie suggested the interview took place in the bathroom, the furthest and quietest place from the door. I produced the show, cut questions, hurried chit-chat, all within a metre of Annie Mac.
Annie had previously expressed her boredom with repetitive questions so I set the challenge of ‘originality.’ It was clear ours were different and she engaged as enthusiastically as we had hoped. Annie took the interview as seriously as any other, regularly miming to get the door shut, and shouting, “LUCY DO YOU RECKON WE COULD SHUT THAT DOOR?” which became our post-interview catchphrase.
We collected some idents to use on Buzz shows and selfies following our Twitter hashtag #SelfiesWithBuzz.
The interview will be uploaded to Soundcloud and to an up-and-coming Buzz Youtube channel.
I have been ignored, rejected and diverted countless times by industry people, but sometimes people are willing to give you a chance –it is always worth asking. Oh! Always end an interview with a game, people love games!
No pressure.
Annie suggested the interview took place in the bathroom, the furthest and quietest place from the door. I produced the show, cut questions, hurried chit-chat, all within a metre of Annie Mac.
Annie had previously expressed her boredom with repetitive questions so I set the challenge of ‘originality.’ It was clear ours were different and she engaged as enthusiastically as we had hoped. Annie took the interview as seriously as any other, regularly miming to get the door shut, and shouting, “LUCY DO YOU RECKON WE COULD SHUT THAT DOOR?” which became our post-interview catchphrase.
We collected some idents to use on Buzz shows and selfies following our Twitter hashtag #SelfiesWithBuzz.
The interview will be uploaded to Soundcloud and to an up-and-coming Buzz Youtube channel.
I have been ignored, rejected and diverted countless times by industry people, but sometimes people are willing to give you a chance –it is always worth asking. Oh! Always end an interview with a game, people love games!