Well worth a listen

PMTeatime, 18th February 2009

By David Whittaker

The title, PMTeatime, didn’t immediately ignite a desire to listen in my 21 year-old male brain.

My mind regressed to long car journeys with my mother, and Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour invading the empty space in my head and planting seeds of doubt in my masculinity.

But for any avid explorer of new music, PMTeatime is well worth a listen.

The show blends all sorts of music with some learned and playful conversation. Female issues and artists dominate the speech, but it is interspersed with some soulful tunes and some good, local music.

So often radio is informal and dominated by corporate contracts to push certain music. It was refreshing to listen to a presenter who is passionate about emerging music and local events, as well as wider issues.

The architect of the show, Milica Lewis (aka The Dutchess), eased listeners into issues such as domestic violence and women’s rights, without the hint of an agenda.

These are difficult topics to discuss on Radio, but with the aid of a guest, they settled into debate which remained informal but informative. For example, did you know there is no rape crisis centre in Exeter? It is this ability to discuss a local effect of a world wide issue that I particularly enjoyed.

As Phonic FM approaches its 1st birthday, it is keen to further develop its image as the alternative sound of Exeter. With its mantra of freedom for all presenters, it often throws up an eclectic selection of music, articles and characters that would be difficult to recreate on a commercial radio station.

Presenters commonly work on a rotational basis, and the independence gifted to them brings an added energy to each show. Or maybe it’s just that they’re locked in a small room in a basement, with complete musical freedom and a bar only a flight of stairs away.

Musical freedom must create more work for the presenters of Phonic FM, as playlists require fine tuning to ensure there is not too much jumping between genres. 

The championing of local and emerging talent on PMTeatime was impressive, and this seems to be a philosophy that is supported by all the other DJs on the station.

The music played was all by female artists, and covered several decades and styles. Few other radio stations can move from a female pop icon, such as Amy Winehouse, into a female singer from Okehampton so effortlessly.

Self-promotion is key for a station such as Phonic FM, and there was some good advertisement for other shows and local happenings. International Women’s Day, on Sunday 8th March, is keenly supported by the station and there are several events going on in the Exeter Phoenix – Exeter’s arts centre and the base of Phonic FM.

The upcoming Vibraphonic festival, canvassing several Exeter venues in March, also promises to be a treat for the music fan.

Phonic FM rightly prides itself of freedom, which is adequately demonstrated on a show such as this, but the encyclopaedic knowledge of local events is something that the producers should also be celebrated for.

PMTeatime, hosted by The Dutchess, is on Phonic FM 106.8 FM every 3rd Wednesday of the month between 4pm and 6pm.