Picture: Dan Ring
Show: Missing Links, Tuesdays 1-3pm
I joined MainFm earlier this year. I’ve hosted radio programs in the past, been a guest on a few others. Community radio is great, especially in regional areas where access to a diverse range of music is often limited. I’ll always remember being about 12 years old. At the time I lived on a 500 acre flower farm in the Dandenong Ranges. One day, while I was flicking along the radio dial, I heard this wild sound. I immediately released the pause button on the black cassette I had waiting and taped the song, leaving it to record until the presenter announced the song title. A French group called The Dogs. The station was RRR, my life was changed forever.
In recent times I was DJIng live in Melbourne. Co-hosting regular and one off DJ events. A little further back to the late 1980s and 90s. I played drums in a few noisy Garage Punk bands. We played all the fun venues of that time, Punters Club, Tote, The Club etc.
Missing Links. A celebration of Garage, Punk Rock and Indie Pop. A couple of months. I’m driven by a desire to share the music I love. It’s great having to curate a show each week, it inspires me keep searching for kicks, for new sounds and dust off a few ol’ faves.
I’ve remembered how much I enjoy presenting a radio program. Through volunteering at MainFm I’m reminded what an incredibly creative and diverse community we live in.
One night driving home from Melbourne, I remember hearing Shake Appeal. I couldn’t believe my ears! That there was someone out there playing Garage and Punk on the radio in Castlemaine. From there I discovered all the other great shows on MainFm. It’s A Jangle Out There is an excellent way to spend a Thursday evening.
To me, the phrase ‘community radio’ means freedom to choose. Connection.
Stand-out, memorable moments include people texting in to say things like, Hell yes! I love The Mummies or this reminds me of The Fall. It’s beautiful.
I use Instagram. Find me at missinglinksradio. Each Tuesday morning before my show I pop up a little post to remind people of the show time and where you can stream it. It’s great, I get people listening from all over the country and internationally too. The internet is great tool.
Yeah Hup!
Cheers, Dan! I love Missing Links!