Tell us about yourself and your creative background
I was born in Swansea and moved to Spain when I was 3. Moving back years later I noticed my brother would always be playing music around the house and I knew straight away that I wanted to work in the music industry somehow. The feeling from listening to music was just something else. I first started producing music in my bedroom but (fortunately) that came to a swift end. However, it left me with a missing part in my life, I still wanted to be in the music industry but didn’t want to produce music. Then, when listening to Chris Moyles on BBC Radio 1, something clicked, I knew exactly what I wanted to do, I wanted to work in radio.
So, I started to volunteer for Radio Cardiff which then led on to my apprenticeship with BBC Radio Wales. After this apprenticeship, I went on to work in production for Nation Radio, KISS FM UK and even BBC Radio 1.
So, what’s your Creative First?
My Creative First would have to be presenting my very first radio show.
I presented my first radio show on Radio Cardiff after a year or so of volunteering, helping out in the background, making teas and sitting in on shows during my weekends. It was always my dream to present a radio show for Radio Cardiff and I couldn’t believe my luck that I was offered to do a show on the community station when I was only 17.
I was asked to host a show called ‘Youth Beats’, focusing on all the youth news in Cardiff. It was such a rewarding show, showcasing work from fellow young people in the capital. Fast forward 6 years I’m still hosting for Radio Cardiff and I’m so thankful for that very first show that I hosted.
What was the biggest challenge you faced?
The biggest challenge for me was learning to talk slower. Which you think for someone who wanted to do radio that would be the first thing you would check about yourself before wanting to present, but I didn’t want to let my quick voice slow me down! Thankfully though, through lessons when I was younger and making a conscious effort to talk slower I managed to come across clearer on-air. Getting my presenting style right has given me the opportunity to present shows and events ever since.
Can you share tips for others who would like to host their own radio show?
The biggest advice from me would be that you can host a radio show and/or a podcast whenever - and wherever you are! All you need to make your own podcast or even send demos to a radio station is your phone’s microphone. If you wanted to step things up you can get a cheap microphone online that can plug in to your laptop, download Audacity for free online and away you go. Getting behind a microphone and learning how you sound is something you can do right now and I highly recommend it!
Why choose Cardiff for your creative first?
When I first started looking for radio stations to volunteer for, Radio Cardiff stood out to me. Also, of course, living just outside of Cardiff in Bridgend, it made a lot of sense. But not only that, I love the city of Cardiff and wanted to be in it a lot more often so Radio Cardiff simply just made a lot of sense.
Creative Firsts feature
Want to be featured? Email us at creativecardiff@cardiff.ac.uk if you have a Creative First (first time industry experience) to share with our community.
