I’ve been paired up with award winning chocolatier Anthony Ferguson, of Niko B Organic Chocolates, and together we made a radio show! He made these incredible caramel chocolate apples, whilst playing jazz music and talking all things Halloween. There aren’t many things that chocolate don’t go with, but Halloween, Jazz and chocolate seem to go together particularly well.

If you feel like getting in the Halloween spirit, take a listen!

div>http://www.mixcloud.com/media/swf/player/mixcloudLoader.swf?feed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mixcloud.com%2Flondonfieldsradio%2Fwhats-cooking-niko-bs-cocoa-kitchen%2F&embed_uuid=378e38e0-3e45-4e91-badc-d6c01f2f87d5&embed_type=widget_standard

What’s Cooking? Niko B’s Cocoa Kitchen by London Fields Radio on Mixcloud

OMG IT'S WILL FERRELL!!

In other excellent news, I got a job! Almost exactly a year after I started feelancing, I got a proper contract until July 2012 (at which point I’m not too sure what happens, as the BBC have just announced today that they’re making 2000 job cuts by 2017). But we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Here is the short story of how I got my job. I’d been working more than full time for several months, mainly on the Chris Moyles show, when a Unit Assistant position was advertised. I spent a long time on my application, getting feedback on it, and support from lots of people in the department. Before too long I got an interview- which I thought went OK, but here’s a tip for anyone going for interview. Learn about company strategy and policy. Not just the bits and pieces you pick up here and there on the job, but actually look at what the company’s aims are- both short and long term. So when they ask you about strategy, you don’t say – “Ummm….is that something about Younger, Bigger Quality?”

On the plus side, I had obviously prepared enough answers for the questions I knew would come up, and had good examples to back them up. I finished my interview by saying something really nerdy like “I Love the BBC”, grinning awkwardly, and then half running out of the room.

I must’ve done something right though, as the day before I went on holiday, I found out I had got the position. What a relief!

I am very excited about things like paid leave and a pension, but I’m sure the novelty will wear off somewhat once the reality of working at least 5 days a week, every week, kicks in. Of course, whenever I start to doubt the excellence of my job, I shall just look at the grinning photo of me and Will Ferrell, and think: “It’s not so bad”.

You stay classy San Diego…

A lot has happened since my last post, including flat hunting, lots of new work shifts, training, and plenty of fun times. The most exciting development is definitely my decision to leave the periphery of Herne Hill, and head into the centre, to a house in Whitechapel. I’m living with 4 other girls who are all lovely, and I like my room too. It hasn’t been easy though- I must’ve seen around 20 flats, and met countless potential flatmates, but they either lived on a death zone council estate, or I felt like I had walked into an episode of Nathan Barley. 

My personal favourite, in terms of hilarity, was the commune in Hackney I went to look round, where the members were part of an arts collective who put on ‘totally epic parties bruv’. I was almost swayed by the 3 bathrooms, the large kitchen, and spacious, bright bedroom, but the thought of living with ironic accordion playing, unnecessary glasses wearing, singer song writing, pretentious ballbags put me off a bit. A very hungover dressing gown wearing man-boy opened the door and showed me around. The best bit was that they all introduced themselves using their arts collective nicknames, something along the lines of ‘Don the Intriguer’, ’Saffron Mobile’ and ‘The Larry’. (OK I made those up, but you get the picture). Who knows, it might’ve been fun, but I get the feeling that, having watched Nathan Barley, they might’ve thought it was a documentary.

Now to Moyles. I was warned that I’d find working on the Chris Moyles show difficult, dangerous, nigh on impossible. I was so worried about working on it that in the days preceding my first shift I couldn’t sleep. The morning of my first shift approached, and as my taxi pulled up outside at 4.45am, I felt like I was walking to the gallows as I headed downstairs. Whilst it was difficult and stressful, I felt that it could’ve gone a lot worse and, for a first attempt it wasn’t bad. The most stressful part of it was definitely running out to get all the breakfast orders at 7am, and being back in time to get callers for the Celebrity Raspberry! It’s probably good that I didn’t come out of the shift feeling like the world was going to end, as I’ve been booked for a full week of breakfast shifts in just over a week’s time.

I’m off to explore the sights and sounds of East London today as I try to get to grips with my new hometown. I live in the slightly rough area adjacent to the trendy, unnecessary glasses wearing part, so am unlikely to bump into the Hackney arts collective.

Working as a Unit Assistant is completely different to working as an Assistant Producer. For one, instead of working on one show you work across 6 programs. 2 for Edith Bowman, 2 for Jo Whiley, 1 for Vernon Kay and 1 for Sara Cox. This means writing scripts and freeplay music notes, making music montages, sourcing clips and any other things that need doing in the build up to the shows. Then, during the shows, I monitor the texts and social media sites to see what people are saying, and give any bits that we can use during the show to the presenter. If we need callers for a feature or quiz, I call people to see if they’ll be good to get on air, and put them through to the studio. Apart from this, its running around making bits and pieces, and making sure everyone has enough tea! We’ve had some good comedians in the last couple of weeks, so I got to meet Bill Bailey, Harry Hill and Mark Watson- hooray!

Its not all fun and games though, as there is a lot of admin that needs to be done too- including music reporting- which means listing every song that has been played on each show, and sending it to the relevant people. Its got to be done though.

I’m still really enjoying working here, and I’m learning a lot every time I am in. I seem to make at least one mistake a day, but each time its a new one- I think that’s progress!

Having my Monday and Tuesday free is good because it does mean that I can help out with some weekday Radio 1 stuff when it crops up. Yesterday, I went to Maida Vale studios to interview Gold Panda whilst he was recording a live session there for Rob Da Bank. Bits of it will be used on Rob’s show at 5am. Don’t worry- you don’t have to get up, but it might be worth a listen on iPlayer. Gold Panda sounds a bit like Four Tet, trip hoppy beautiful electronica, with Japanese influences. I really like his song Marriage.

It’s from his new album Lucky Shiner which is really worth a listen.

Lovely holiday in Croatia

Its been a while since I last updated my blog- the weather was still nice, I was still 23, and I was living in uncertainty with what I was going to do with my life. The weather is now terrible, I’ve since turned 24, but I still don’t have much of an idea of what’s going on. Some things never change.

Since my last update, I’ve been on holiday in Croatia for a week, but more importantly, I’ve been taken on as a freelancer at Radio 1. This basically means covering for people when they’re away, or when departments need extra bodies. This has come in many shapes and forms; being an assistant producer for the Friday shows (Annie Nightingale, Annie Mac and Pete Tong), assistant producing on Grimmy, and being a unit assistant in the weekend department. Some of the highlights include getting a birthday present from Annie Nightingale, and not taking Radio 1 off air, i.e pressing the right buttons in the studio!

Whilst this is obviously all great experience, it also means that, due to the fact I can’t rely on getting enough shifts each month, I am reluctant to sign onto a lease, so am still being a lodger. Last month was a great one for work, but November is looking a little more bleak (I am watching tumbleweed blow across large portions of my calendar!)

On the plus side, December’s coming up, which means….Christmas holidays. No, I’m not going anywhere, but many people at Radio 1 will be, which hopefully means more work for me!

There’s still a lot to learn, and every shift I work I find out more stuff that I don’t know, but hopefully piece by piece I will become more useful and a better freelance person! Its also comforting to know that there are some freelancers in the building who are in as much as people on a full time contract, so it is possible to live this way!

Just to be in Maida Vale was an experience in itself; those famous studios have hosted The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix. John Peel’s live sessions were recorded in this very building. In slightly less glamourous style, I sat behind McFly’s drum kit for a photo- that still to come!

The atmosphere in Maida Vale is unlike any I’ve ever been in. It’s odd because all the bands are on floor level, no stages, which lends itself to a very intimate atmosphere. You’re not sure how close to stand to the bands, not wanting to be distracting, or awkward. Also, the artists were not all in one place. Annie was at the desk on one side, and then the bands and DJs played at various points all round the room. All the guests milled around the room, entertained from every side.

There were so many highlights; Coco Sumner performing live with Sub Focus, Fatboy Slim’s great wee set, and of course Paul Weller playing live with Primal Scream. Primal Scream only played for about 20 minutes, but they packed in a full gig’s worth of energy into that time. Annie looked thrilled, what a way to celebrate 40 years of an incredible radio career.

Here’s some photos! Apologies for the crap quality, no flashes allowed! Luckily this is a night I’ll never forget. If you fancy a listen to the whole of the night’s festivities, it’ll be online for a week.

Tinchy Stryder

More Tinchy

Annie and Coco Sumner

Annie and Kate!

Sub Focus and Coco Sumner

Professor Green

Fatboy Slim

Annie Nightingale and Kate Moss

Paul Weller

Primal Scream

For those of you who don’t know, Janelle Monae is a singer/ songwriter from Kansas City. Her debut album ArchAndroid is set in space and is about a robot called Cindi Mayweather who’s made an outcast after falling in love with a human. But this description doesn’t really do her justice. She has this amazing passion, a wide-eyed, earnest intensity that translates directly to the audience. Her dancing is inspired, her signature move the ‘Tightrope’ has caught the imagination of audiences who have seen her brilliant video (2,285,085 hits and counting, although a lot of those are mine!)

She doesn’t need fancy sets, backing dancers, or glittery outfits to hold the rapt attention of every person in room. Instead, the simplicity of the act just draw even more focus upon her prodigious skill. Her voice oscillates between vulnerable and smooth, and vibrant, fierce.

She has the potential to be one of the biggest new artists on the music scene, but she’s playing it cool. A few guest appearances on radio 1 , quite a number of magazine features and a whole host of stuff on the web, but only one UK date. She’s in no hurry to catapult herself, sprawling into the spotlight. Talent like hers doesn’t go away.

Here’s a teeny clip of Sincerely, Jane. Poor quality, not helped by the fact that I was dancing quite a lot at the time!

But I’m getting ahead of myself. First things first, I cannot believe my Radio 1 training is over. My final week end in great style, obviously, and it was wonderful to hear my Katy B interview go out live; here it is:

Katy b interview by annaf

I feel like I’ve learnt so much in my 2 months, not only practical, techinical skills like editing using VCS, music reporting, writing scripts and studio operations, but I have also grown in confidence and gained a better understanding of how an organisation like Radio 1 works. I’ve met some amazing people, all of whom went out of their way to help me out and make me feel welcome, and I got really good feedback from everyone I worked with. Its comforting to know that they would request to work with me again! So its the beginning rather than the end; I have been signed on as a freelancer, and have a meeting with the freelance bookers to try and organise some regular work. It’s all looking very promising.

In the meantime, I’ve been enjoying myself and applying for a jobs. I went to a big warehouse party thing in the Hewitt Street car park for a Carnival warm up party, which was ace! It took a wee while to find, but when we got there, wow! It was basically a huge warehouse divided into 2 rooms, with a plywood bar in each room, and portaloos at the back. Kind of basic, but the soundsystems were huge and it was a great venue for the music. I saw Toddla T & MC Serocee, Doorly, Sticky, Katy B, Princess Nyah, amazing beat boxing from Killa Kela and so many more incredible acts. I was dancing at the front, and got put on mic by one of the MCs. I think I can now put MC onto my CV.

After that I moved into a lovely house in South London, went to Carnival, had a barbeque and applied for more jobs. I have an interview for one on Tuesday, it sounds great but I’ll not tell you what it is just in case it goes badly. If I get it, you’ll hear.

This is not the end! The rookie made it to Radio 1, left, but is going back. I’ll keep you posted.

Two decades on, and Ninja Tune now command the respect and renown that 20 years ago seemed like a dream.  They have signed such successful acts as Bonobo, Amon Tobin, The Qemists, DJ Kentaro and of course, Mr. Scruff. They have representatives at pretty much every major festival. When you say Ninja Tune, people listen, and dance. All of this, and still they seem to have the most fun, the best parties.

They’ll be bringing out the cake and candles on September 20^th, but the series of birthday celebrations start early, a warm up for a couple of months of live music gold. In a move that partly thanks the fans, but largely shows off their immense success, the Coldcut boys and their team will be putting on a number of gigs that promise to be nothing short of spectacular.

It all kicks off in Paris in early September, with a number of gigs whose line-ups would make any discerning electronic music fan feel weak at the knees. Bonobo with DJ Food, Vadim and his usual playmate, Yara Bravo. A week later it’s the dream combination of Mr Scruff, Roots Manuva, Herbaliser, The Infesticons and Juice Aleem. However, the night which promises to provide the real fireworks has to be their London extravaganza. Against the backdrop of the Ewer Street car park, those lucky enough to find a ticket will be treated to a Ninja Tune pick ‘n’ mix of Coldcut, Toddla T with Serocee, Amon Tobin, Daedelus, Roots Manuva, Mr Scruff, The Bug with Flowdan, Kid Koala, DJ Kentaro, DJ Food & DK and Bonobo. They finish this impressive bill with the promise of ‘more’, and you can’t help but believe them.

Despite all the old favourites high up on the bill, this is not just a celebration of past successes. It’s a taster of the new, a showcase of emerging talent, new material, future sounds. Still as relevant now as they were at the beginning, Ninja Tune will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.



Also, she is playing at SW4 festival, Deviation and at the Count and Sinden album launch, so I will definately try and catch her at one them.