I am Ashley Elsdon

someone who's doing some things

Tag: Radio

Don’t listen to enough radio really

Resonance FM live to air at the East Tower of BBC Television centre

Posted by on in Events, Music, PlacesLeave a comment

On Wednesday I was lucky enough to get a ticket to a completely unique event at the building site that was BBC Television Centre. Resonance FM were running an evening of live broadcast from the east tower, which is due to be demolished in a month or so.

I found it to intriguing to not grab a ticket and go along. But I didn’t exactly know what to expect. At best I’d say that I’m an occasional listener to Resonance. I enjoy it when I do listen, but I couldn’t give you a clear idea of what their schedules look like. So it was a real adventure from every perspective.

Getting there was quite easy although the entrance wasn’t entirely obvious even though Resonance had given excellent directions. Once in we had to walk through the site and up in a very slow lift to the 9th floor.

The broadcast began at 6:30 with “The World in London”, which was extremely enjoyable and I learnt a lot about the Notting Hill Carnival. It featured live music by veteran Calypsonian Alexander D Great and steel pan virtuoso Debra Romain. Following that was a live performances by Howlround: a new musique concrète commission of Robin The Fog, using sounds recorded exclusively in TV Centre. Then Encounter with John Escolme, exploring the modernist design of TV Centre with contributions from architect Arthur Hayes and tv producer Emma Cashmore. Then the Resonance Radio Orchestra with Dudley Sutton, presenting a site-specific radiophonic extravaganza featuring the cult TV actor, and that was completely amazing.

I hadn’t really appreciated just how much of an emotional resonance the site would have for me before I got there, but the experience was actually very profound, very moving for a lot of reasons that I haven’t entirely thought through as yet, but I will.

Anyway, I wanted to share the pictures and a few thoughts too. It was a special evening.

Laurie Anderson Wise Women on BBC Radio 6 Music

Posted by on in Listening, PeopleLeave a comment

I’ve been listening to this show on and off since it was broadcast on Christmas day last year and it really is worth listening to. Not only are there some very interesting pieces that she’s included, but it gives you a rare insight into what sorts of music Laurie Anderson finds moving.

It’s easy enough to find on iPlayer Radio if you’re interested.

The OP-1 Antenna

Posted by on in Creative Process, Music, SoundsLeave a comment
OP-1 Antenna
OP-1 Antenna

I’ve always wanted to try out the FM radio on the OP-1 for sampling, but, until now, I’ve not had the actual antenna to do this. Not so anymore!

OP-1 Antenna
OP-1 Antenna

This is an awesome Christmas present, a tiny box with delicate tissue paper inside.

OP-1 Antenna
OP-1 Antenna

And nicely wrapped up inside was the FM antenna. Small, neat, functional. Just what you’d expect from Teenage Engineering.

OP-1 Antenna tissue paper
OP-1 Antenna tissue paper

But the tissue paper itself was a revelation! It is beautifully printed with all the OP-1 accessories. Really nicely done.

OP-1 Antenna tissue paper
OP-1 Antenna tissue paper

And here’s the antenna sitting on the tissue wrap.

OP-1 Antenna
OP-1 Antenna

And finally in the OP-1 itself.

I’ve only had a brief try with this in the OP-1. Recording some random FM radio and using it as drum samples. It’s pretty good though, so expect a few strange OP-1 drum kits in due course.