I joined the MainFM community around 2019, a year or so after moving from Melbourne (that’s a familiar tree-change story!). Well, I am fairly community minded and like to contribute to good causes so that was a motivation to join MainFM. Also MainFM had a good reputation. I love the idea of community radio, all its varied voices and interest groups, and the passions of presenters. And more than that, I did have a background in radio, albeit a little rusty, from having run a breakfast program at 3CR for some years, and then having worked as a freelancer making documentaries and features for quite a few Radio National programs. Some of these were music and arts programs, like Music Deli and Arts National. A tree-change to Castlemaine and somewhat lighter work duties also gave an opportunity to channel my interest and passion for music. This interest had previously been a bit buried under the pall of too many projects, meetings and reports – so it was liberating to rekindle a few of the old radio skills with a lighter touch. I enjoyed getting back into program making and being around the station, so I also joined the MainFM Committee of Management as well as helping out at outside broadcasts. A good mix!
One of the most relevant things I was doing before getting involved at MainFM was enjoying music and dancing. Both reinforce my role producing The Latin Hour at MainFM. Music gets me going, gives me lots of pleasure, motivates and inspires me, and helps me feel at one with the world. That’s a lot of things, I know. I got involved in Latin music, funnily enough, through the gym. One of the instructors was teaching Latin dance and invited me along to her salsa class. I loved it, but it was very hard at the beginning – keeping time with the music, and moving my body in novel ways while also doing all this with a dance partner. The things we do for diversion! I eventually mastered some dance moves, and fell in love with the music. Genres like salsa, cha cha cha, rumba and bachata. The music spoke to me of far off places through an intriguing language, Espanol, and of tropical skies and fun times. I ended up going to Cuba three times in pursuit of dance and music, and started collecting music. I was hooked, and became a junkie for dance events and classes back in Melbourne, and then in Castlemaine. Becoming a DJ for Latin dance events was fun and a good way to share my love for the music. It’s been fun in Castlemaine to help provide the music for dance nights at the Taproom and Theatre Royal, as well as for the Bendigo Latin Festival. Other than the music and dance, I’ve had a pretty diverse career in the media, universities, arts organisations, community agencies and schools, as well as plenty of work in Asian and Pacific countries working on aid programs. Lots of presenting, researching and teaching involved in all of that along with getting a love for other cultures.
My show is the The Latin Hour. Its a show about popular, modern Latin music with an emphasis on dance music – definitely designed to get the body moving and the toes tapping. I started the program in 2019. I’m motivated to make it as I love sharing the catchy tunes and compelling rhythms that make up Latin music. It’s also a bit of a cultural and educational adventure. I love exploring the context of different music, who makes it and why. And telling something about what makes the music special, profiling the performers and the stories behind the lyrics. Latin culture is charming, can be rather full on, and at times politically incorrect – I try to marshal the most appealing music. There are not enough female Latin music performers, but I do try and include some in the lineup where possible.
MainFM is like a friendly jigsaw puzzle, where the pieces are all the eclectic interests, views and passions, and the diversity of people that together make a great picture. For me, I think it makes a picture of a Latin band which is in full flight, and the surrounding dancers are in the groove and very happy. I am sure there are hundreds of other types of pictures, as diverse as is the MainFM community, but they’re all interrelated. Great that my picture and interests seem to fit in well within the mix.
I particularly like the diverse range of music shows across MainFM representing so many different musical genres, tastes and orientations. It’s eclectic; it’s good. One of my favourites is Jump Out Jamaica – it’s a great, innovative program and has eclectic themes.
Community radio reflects many interests, passions and views. As it is community-orientated, it has a values base which is progressive and inclusive. Community radio also helps build cohesion in the community, as well as being empowering through giving a voice and recognition to many.
I loved being involved in the OB for the Town Folk Festival. It was great to be part of the station getting out and engaging with the community, drawing the performers, organisers and others in to be interviewed, as well as broadcasting the music and performer’s stories out to the station’s wider audience.
I use Mixcloud, MainFM’s Mixcloud page is great and broadens the audience for our programs. I also have my own Mixcloud page to promote the program and retain a compendium of all the program’s I’ve made. So it’s a bit like promoting access and use, while also serving as a record, as well as presenting all the show’s output in one place. Promoting the program on the Friends of MainFM and Castlemania Facebook pages is also a strategy. I’m getting better at making visually appealing images for use on Facebook to promote each program.
Go community radio! ¡Vaya radio comunitaria!
For those who’d like to hear some Latin music grooves and also to learn or refresh some salsa dance steps, please come along to Street Latin Dance: Summer Salsa at 7-9pm on Saturday 20th January as part of Mount Alexander Council’s Mechanics Lane Festival. I’ll be providing the music, and Andrea Scott and others will be teaching the steps. All free and fun!
Great to have you at Main FM, Ian! Your knowledge of the music you play is phenomenal. I really loved working with you on the Town Folk festival OB.