The Selector w/ The Quietus & Cooly G by The Selector on Mixcloud
A few weeks ago, Quietus co-pilot Luke Turner headed to production company Folded Wing’s studios in Clerkenwell to record a programme for The Selector, the British Council’s music programme that goes out to a cool four million people around the world, spreading the word about music that is made within these isles. On the programme, which you can listen to above, Selector host Goldierocks and Mr Turner discussed tQ’s mission and our Quietus At Leisure films, and played new music from the likes of Zun Zun Egui, Lola Colt, Rozi Plain, Fat White Family, The Bug, Aphex Twin, Esben & The Witch, Dels, Mumdance, and discuss the tenth anniversary of Hyperdub. We discuss The Quietus Phonographic Corporation with music from Grumbling Fur, The Charlatans and East India Youth’s tune from our Minor Characters project. There’s also an absolutely killer mix from Cooly G to wrap up the show.
We spoke to Selector presenter Goldierocks and Folded Wing’s producer of the show, John Cranmer, to find out a little more about the programme and what they do:
Can you tell us about The Selector and what the purpose of the show is?
Goldierocks: The Selector is an international showcase for the best new music the UK has to offer – a weekly ninety minute programme that covers all styles of music, from indie, dubstep, folk, soul, electro and everything in between. It’s award winning and the show features interviews, mixes and exclusive live sessions from some of the most exciting British artists. The Selector presents an overview of all that is exciting and fresh in British music. It avoids many of the mainstream British acts that international audiences might already be familiar with in favour of emerging talent and underground flavours. Produced by award-winning production company Folded Wing the show reflects the brilliance and diversity of British music, has an audience of approx 4 million listeners, and is syndicated on FM to over 35 countries around the world including Mexico, Colombia, Uganda, Hungary, Malawi, Ukraine, Malaysia and China. Uniquely, The Selector is offered to overseas stations both in English and in a ‘Kit’ format. The Kit enables stations to recreate the show in their local language.
How do The Selector tours work? How long have you been doing them for?
G: Live events and tours have really developed as The Selector’s network has grown. Back in 2009 the show was only in nine countries and today it’s in 39. Often when a new station and country get on board they have a launch party, either with me DJing, a UK act playing or both. These have ranged from festivals, club shows to parties in Embassy buildings. As well as the parties there is often activities during the day where I can talk about having a career in the media and give advice to young people who are aspiring to become DJs. Also, we often do some live radio with the partner stations too to promote the show and what the British Council is doing locally.
What’s the most enjoyable part of the job?
G: Working with the British Council has got me to places in the world I could only dream about, meeting some amazing people along the way. Taking brilliant new British music to rest of the world is a real privilege too.
I know the idea of the show is to spread British music around the world, but what music have you discovered to bring back with you?
G: So much stuff. Earlier this year we were in Havana and discovered a fantastic music scene that is developing alongside the established music of Cuba. DJ culture there is becoming strong and there is music everywhere there. People I meet on my travels are always passionate to exchange their music with me and where possible I love to include a bit of local music into my sets to engage the crowds.
Tell us about some of the artists who’ve done sessions for the show
John Cranmer: We’ve had some amazing acts perform live for the show over the last couple of years – British Sea Power, TRAAMS, Nadine Shah and this year’s surprise Mercury Prize winners Young Fathers (the session is well worth checking out). We regularly get feedback from bands who have gained fans in far flung corners of the world, purely off the back of playing live for the show and it always lifts my spirit when I hear that.
And what have you got coming up on the show for the rest of 2014?
JC: Loads of great stuff. Live sessions with Lola Colt, Strange U & Jehst, and Boxed In, plus we’ve got a label feature on Mute Records. We’ve also just launched, for the second year running, our SRA Selector initiative, where we give six UK student radio stations the chance to present their own version of The Selector for six months. To help get them started the Folded Wing team give the students a two day radio production training session, and teach them all they need to know about the show. Last year’s winner, Jack Saunders, got to spend a week at The Selector’s sister station in Mexico City, Ibero 90.9 FM, and Jack now presents his own show on Kerrang! Radio, so the initiative was a real success. We’re looking forward to meeting this year’s lucky six students next week.
