In these days when our new musical discoveries are guided more and more by algorithms, the human touch of the radio DJ spinning selections of the nuggets they’ve sifted from the seemingly endless selection of new releases is more important than ever before (though as a former radio presenter myself, I would say that).
We caught up with Paul Barker, who hosts Backstreetradio on independent online station Mad Wasp Radio (once home to The Joyzine Radio Show) to find out how he got into the world of internet radio.
How did you first get into presenting a radio show?
I was playing drums in a band called The Slow Day, in around 2019, we’d been really busy and we were just beginning to get some success when lockdown happened. As there were no practice rooms open, there was no way we could continue during COVID. So I needed something creative to do to replace my band. My wife was finishing off a law degree, so I had time to kill.
I’ve always wanted to do a radio show, so I thought, now I have the time to do it, I can! Plus it would be a kind of service, to cheer people up during lockdown and I thought it would be a good way of promoting new music, as I’ve played in bands for many years and I knew that getting airplay is really difficult.
So I brought a microphone and mixer and started uploading the shows to mixcloud, I’d create a show every week and I was surprised to getting around 100 listeners.
Whilst promoting the show, I followed Madwaspradio on Twitter – Madwasp MD David Preston happened to listen and he was impressed enough to offer me a slot!
What are some of your formative memories as a radio listener?
I have a memory of being on holiday in Anglesea when I was a child, I had a small radio which was a hand-me-down from my elder brother (who was far more into cars and aeroplanes). I carried it around with me all the way through the holiday with it held to my ear.
The two songs I have a memory of hearing were “Turn it on again” by Genesis and “Geno” by Dexy’s Midnight Runners, (which would have made me 5 years old). When I hear both those songs it takes me back to that holiday, (I later became a fan of them both!)
It wasn’t long before my parents brought me a walkman, with a pair of headphones to save them having to constantly put up with the sound of a tinny sounding radio on long car journeys!
Are there any presenters or shows that have influenced yours?
When I was a child I always listened to the top 40 on Radio One on Sunday nights whilst having a long bath, ready for school on Monday morning. So long in fact, that the top 40 would finish at 7pm and Annie Nightingale’s request show would come on. At first I didn’t know what to make of the eclectic mix of alternative tunes she used to play, but I soon became quite fascinated, plus she had a great way of making you feel that she was talking directly to her listeners, kind of like a cool friend telling you about a great new tune in the pub. I soon started having my bath later and listening to Annie instead of the Top 40. Of course I was truly gutted to hear of her recent passing.
Another huge influence was the Mark Radcliffe and Lard show, when it was on Radio One between 10pm – 12am in the 90’s. Not only did they play incredible music, they were genuinely hilarious and had all kinds of interesting guests, not just Musicians, but poets, comedians, journalists and film stars. This “anything goes” attitude has definitely inspired Backstreetradio. Recently a friend of mine said to me “Your show reminds me of Mark and Lard”, I was truly flattered !!!
How would you describe your show for anyone who’s not heard it yet?
I play the best in Independent and alternative music, both old and new which includes, Shoegaze, Grunge, Indie, Electronica, Post Punk, Post rock, Dream Pop, trip hop, synth pop plus anything else that’s good, passionate and sometimes downright bizarre!
As well as this there’s self deprecating banter from myself, live sessions and randomly generated music items. Plus there’s also interviews, not just with bands but anyone who has something interesting to say or promote. In the past I’ve had an author promoting his book about social work, someone telling the story of him delivering aid to Ukrainian refugees and my friend’s Dad hosting a pub quiz!!
Who are some of your favourite new artists we should be looking out for and why?
Battery Farm – Amazing Punk band with meaningful lyrics and an amazing live show.
Voldo – Ayreshire based collective, who play loads of different styles of music, all of it with a lot of soul and passion.
IX – From Sweden, brilliant dark pop. Hard to believe this lady is only 17 years old!
Last of Eden – Brilliant Post Rock band from Huddersfield,
Bethlehem Casuals – Kind of like a young Dexys, with brilliant musicianship and bags of energy.
Hadda Be – South London based indie band. Big on melody.
Whitney Tai – From Los Angeles, she is going to be a big star, she’s got the look, sound and voice!
Furrowed Brow – Charismatic Manchester based Post Punk/psychedelic/new wave band. Kind of like The Fall with make up!
Goodbye Charlemagne – Genuinely hilarious songwriter and comedian from New York, writes songs in many different genres!
Last Of The Fallen Angels – Newcastle based trip hop collective. Brilliantly atmospheric.
Where and when can we hear the show?
You can hear backstreetradio at www.madwaspradio.com:
4pm Sunday
12am Tuesday
7am Wednesday
Plus on Mixcloud – https://www.mixcloud.com/paul-barker15/
We asked Paul to share a playlist of 10 tracks to give us a flavour of his show:
1. New Order – Ceremony: Joy Division song that was New Order’s first single, I thought the record shop had given me the wrong tape when I first heard it on “Substance”
2. Mogwai – Ritchie Sacramento: My favourite band in the world! From their Number one Album!!
3. Furrowed Brow – Outdoors Man: Great stomping tune from glamorous Manchester post punkers
4. Levitation- Gardens Overflowing: My favourite band of the 90’s, from an album than came out 23 years after is was recorded!
5. Last Of Eden – Secret Societies Rule the World: If Mogwai had a fight with Public Service Broadcasting
6. Daughter – Swim Back: The best band to come out in recent years, plus Elena Tonro is a truly wonderful lyricist.
7. Throwing Muses- Bea: Kristin Hersh is one of the greatest song writers ever, and a lovely person !
8. Voldo – Big Ina: Brilliantly funky number with a very serious message.
9. The Chameleons- Second Skin: The most underrated indie band of all time – as voted for by my loyal listeners
10. Talk Talk – Happiness is Easy: The grand masters! You can hear their influence in countless bands!
Follow Backstreetradio on Facebook / Instagram
Article by Paul Maps
Keep up to date with all new content on Joyzine via our
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Mailing List