The Unusual Sound on Your Radio
Sometimes, in the middle of the night, when I can't sleep, I get on the internet and listen to Resonance FM, a tiny radio station in London. I can usually expect to hear something unexpected: a man calling operators all over the world and trying to track down the phone number for a local zoo... a bunch of machine noises.... the sound of a dinner party... Vietnamese pop music... a woman belching into the microphone...
Resonance is a wonderfully weird and idiosyncratic volunteer-run place. It broadcast a tiny distance. It airs music, field recordings, interviews, and nonsense. Maybe you've listened to it before. If you haven't, I recommend it (104.4 fm if you live in London or resonancefm.com on the interwebs).
I made a short audio love letter to Resonance-- it's an interview with Richard Thomas, the station manager, intercut with sound and clips from the broadcast.
Download The Unusual Sound on Your Radio mp3
Come on, “tiny” is a bit extreme. And yet not extreme enough to be the cause for a show in itself ;)
you’re right. and i used the word ‘tiny’ twice… i guess resonance seems like a secret, tiny thing to me because i live way over here in chicago.
do londoners listen to it all the time?
humbly, americanly, yours,
deetle
Resonance is indeed a fine radio station. My uncle did a documentary series for them a couple of years back. Link might be something like Akrasi or Zero K.
I remember i was staying in london in maybe 2006, and one morning i put the radio on, and there was a man with the most grandiose theatrical voice reading the entire poems of William Blake. It was a fucking strange way to wake up. That’s resonance for you.
i tried to like resonance…i really did. i was told about it by a guy i met at a private view last year, and while we both stared at a rubbish painting, he went into great detail about all its idiosyncratic ways. i could barely wait to get home to tune in. Yet every time i flick it on, it tends to be two guys reviewing records made using solely engine parts or roasting trays. resonance i salut you. but i am not one of you. i know where i am with radio 4. sorry. i tried.
Davo you’re bang on.
I did a radio show with Resonance – lovely people, great fun. Not sure anyone listened though. It boils down to that. How many progs about musical roasting trays can you listen to before you crave for something more commercial? It’s a bit like the dear departed John Peel’s ‘Daffodil’ label. Everyone loved the idea but no one bought the records.
That said we’ve got another show scheduled for March/April, so LISTEN IN – all four of you!