Blogs Archive
Junction11 Blog March 2009:
"Epic" the word used to describe our number one song at the moment. Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody" has suddenly creeped back into the chart and regained its number one spot and stuck there yet again. Much to my delight of course as they are probably my favourite band but does that sound bias?? It's no lie that Jess (current Assistant Head of Music) and I bounce with glee - yes glee, when Kings of Leon enters the chart, but why is it so popular? Indeed "Sex on Fire" was probably the song of 2008 and the catchy guitar riffs, memorable lyrics (although practically slightly dangerous) and yet altogether so deep it appeals to nearly every student. This is why radio is so fun - do we keep Kings of Leon on the playlist so they have a chance to be in the chart? Or do we pull it off giving other bands a chance while looking at the pile of requests for 'that Kings of Leon' song…Dilemma much? I guess we'll just have to wait for the next big thing to hit the scene.
Junction11 has been so busy the last few weeks of term preparing for the SRA and we are now ready to send off our ticket request form to book our places at the National Student Radio Conference in Leeds. Not gonna lie, we're pretty excited - exec members and Junction11 members will be travelling hitch - hike stylee (well maybe that's just me) up to Leeds University to throw our belongings in our accommodation and hit the first lot of talks by speakers from the radio industry, time to grab a little lunch then splitting up to go to various talks about the different departments in radio, how to run them, how to get the best opportunities, how to get work experience etc. All very relevant information that we bring back here and try to incorporate with our station to make it the best it can be. 6 course meal for dinner….ok I lie, maybe not quite 6 courses but still and eloquent sufficiency (yes) to build us up for the night ahead - a drink or three with the other student radio station members and a grand exploration of the night life. Excited? You bet we are.
Stand by for all the gossip in next issue and I'm sure that if you tune into your lovely radio station on www.rusu.co.uk/junction11 you'll hear all the banter from the presenters as soon as we get back! Preparations are almost finished for the Societies and Volunteers Ball Tuesday 17th March which, I hear you cry, is St Patrick's Day! Junction11 will be there representing the radio station, handing out awards to the members and drinking the Guinness on tap. Yes, it's going to be a messy one.
Don't forget to tune into Junction11 to hear all the news and chat. www.rusu.co.uk/junction11 GET TURNED ON.
Francesca Mercer - Station Manager
manager.junction11@reading.ac.uk
Station Manager Blog February 2009:
As we approach Week 4 of the Spring term, most people have slipped back into the mundane routine that is uni...going out with no money and yet still coming home absolutely plastered, getting up for lectures at silly o'clock in the morning, going to seminars blagging for England as you try to discuss the most complex theme for the reading you really were going to do last night...and new years resolutions have temporarily been thrown out of the window.
So why, you ask, should you join Junction11 and add to this terrific workload you already don't want to look at? Well, Junction11 is Your Student Radio station...calms the nerves, soothes the soul, excites the brain, you name it. Being part of this huge, nay, epic station gives you so many opportunities not just during university life but also once we're all booted out into the real world. Anyone, yes that's right ANYONE who is a student here at 'Ding uni can have a show.
Fancy yourself as the next Pete Tong or Jo Wiley? You can start right here right now as a student DJ presenting your own show. Join the music team and help bring all the new music to Junction11 and discuss why Sex On Fire is still one of the best and most frequently played song of Junction11 (might have something to do with the fact it was written about me - not going lie)? Interested in web design? You can join the tech team and show off your creative skill in making our website accessible and appealing to all.
There are tons of opportunities and chances you can take here at Junction11 with only a few listed here. As many people may know, we take Junction11 to the SRA (Student Radio Association) every year to listen to various different people who are already in the radio industry giving each and every station tips on how to run and successful radio station, how to present shows professionally, how to obtain the best free gig tickets around, how to construct your own demo tape of your radio material…etc.
The SRA awards which take place in November are what every student radio station looks forward to, not only to win awards for your station but also to be recognised by the industry. Greg James who presents on Radio 1 came from student radio and won the Best Male Award, next thing he knew, Radio 1 were ringing him up and asking him to cover Jo Wiley. This could be you!
Come on down to the Junction11 office in The Hub and you will find me and most of the exec slaving away trying to give Junction11 and the presenters the best opportunities we can give them, and if you fancy joining us and placing your name in the Junction11 history books then by all means come and sign up and soon your voice will be heard across the airwaves online to the world and to all those legends of students who spend their afternoons in Mojo's sipping their pints and listening to the sweet sounds of Junction11.
Log into www.rusu.co.uk/junction11 to hear more and contact us to join, and always remember Junction11 is Your Student Radio Station, so GET TURNED ON!
Safe!
Francesca Mercer - Station Manager
manager.junction11@reading.ac.uk
Station Manager Blog January 2009:
Pandemonium!
Well not quite, but still, Junction11 is as busy as ever as the new term begins with me starting my year as the new Station Manager.
My first and foremost I would like to say a massive thank you to Carl Pendlebury who has been an exceptional Station Manager this past year. During the course of my time at Junction11 and becoming a member of the exec, he has always been there to help everyone out and try to do the best for the station. The exec and I have relied heavily on him to the point at the SRA conference, that we called him 'Dad'. He loves this nickname. So… thanks Dad for all the hard work and commitment you have given to Junction11, I hope I can carry on and build on what you have achieved and continue to make Junction11…………….
A bit about me: Seeing as I am the new Station Manager and many will not know who I am I thought I'd give you a little background into my exciting lifestyle (not). I have been with Junction11 since October 2007 when I first arrived at Reading. I joined the music team and worked my way up to becoming the Head of Music in April 2008. I
With all the troubles we had the last term with the server crashing and online stream not connecting properly I was beginning to wonder whether we would be broadcasting online properly again. However all problems have been solved you can listen live at www.rusu.co.uk/junction11 and not only are we online but you can hear our beautiful presenters every afternoon played out live in Mojo's and 360.
This term will be extremely busy for Junction11 with the Presidential elections, the Volunteer Awards and to create the build up for the SRA conference and awards.
Francesca Mercer - Station Manager