I've moved!

Hi! You can now find me on www.getfrank.co.uk!

shoooooting!

This is me pretty much right now...not that pretty is the operative word.

I'm in co director Tim Keeling's house waiting for the shower so I can sort my hair out. We've got to be on set at 7.40am. I'm bit worried cos that means leaving in 25 mins so I need the shower asap!!! We're doing a short sequence today, I don't say much to be honest, I do have a nice 'go, RUUUUUUUUUN!' line so I'm looking forward to having a bit of a scream!

You can check out my abbey blog www.abbeyonart.blogspot.com if you like!

Frank.

YAY

i have been cast as Abbey in internet zombie movie for definite. Whoohoo!

I have a busy day today. 2 and a half hours of practical followed by interviews with Clare Edwards of Gigbeth and Lyle Bignon of the Birmingham Town Hall. Luckily my boyfriend is coming down to chauffeur me round!

Frank.

Radio rankings

So burnfm did not recieve any nominations for this year's SRA awards.

Looking at the list the front runners seem to be URN (nottingham) and Smoke (westminister?)

Part of the reason for this is money.

Last year we had to go off air after three weeks because we hadn't the money for air conditioning. 

I think one of the reasons our studio is small and ill equipped in comparison to other stations is due to our lack of radio course at the uni. Smoke fm is run by students who study radio and Nottingham is probably the same. Leeds has it's own paid sabbatical station manager.

Of course part of it is down to dedication and, speaking for myself here, I am SO dedicated to Burnfm.com. I've spent the summer working at myspace radio, bbc radio and 4talent to get experience to help further this year. I really want to get Burn off the ground and up there with the best.

The thing is, the SRA should consider the size of stations. On it's list of members it says the members for each station (which are wrong for Burn) and the transmission data. If they are so concerned with these details then they should be considered when selecting nominees. A station with say, 500 members has a larger talent pool/time for broadcast than one with less than a hundred. Each of those members will pay subscription fees which pump money into the station. Students are more likely to pay if the station already looks good/has benefitted from members'/student union money.

Some uni's also are more willing to accomodate their stations. At the moment I'm not sure where Burn stands so my current plan is to try and improve relations with the uni and see where it goes...

Photos and Abbey...

I've decided to change my profile pic to something more fun. As you can see i've had a bit of dutch courage and a whale of a time! Wanted something Birmingham/current rather than Kent/old.

For the time being I've had to change my blogger name to Abbey. This is because I've set up a viral blog, 'Abbey on Art' to coincide with the filming/promo for Internet Zombie Movie. Hat Trick Television, who are making mini webisodes  have asked for permission to show my blog in their webisodes and/or possibly in the half hour long documentary that is going to be made for BBC Three. (Oh my goodness!) It looks like I'll be playing Abbey in the film which will be incredible. I'll be filming from the weekend of the 18th and the following weekend. (Which leaves minimum time for editors...gulp.)

In radio land my poor station manager is ill so I helped lead today's committee meeting. We're looking at promotion, training and schedules. The schedule will hopefully be finished by sunday. I'm worried about Rhubarb as I don't think that realistically, I have time to commit to it. I'll try and settle in and see what happens but I know I need to focus first and foremost on Burnfm.com (and my degree which I'm beginning to enjoy again.)

Frank.

Currently I am in love with...

Aqueous Cream BP - if you've ever seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding, it is the Windex of my world at the moment. Also a mighty fine bargain!

Chris Walker - Actually forces me to sing. And is taking me to see Forced Entertainment at the Warwick Arts Centre with their new show Spectacular. And bought me a locket.



Subkicks - Just confirmed for Gigbeth. Addicted within one listen. They sound hot.

Culture Deluxe - Site I now review for. Just got Los Campesinos' new album to review and am off to review Ladyhawke, Electrilickers, Deluka and Deaf Oh Eff tonight at 444 Club from 8pm at the Rainbow, Digbeth.

444 Club - Just awesome.

Fuzz - As I am nicking her computer right now.

Frank.

wrong and sorry

I wrote a response to a blogger vis a vis Gigbeth the other day.

Unfortunately it was on the Gigbeth blog when possibly it should have been here, or perhaps no where.

Basically I responded to a blog which said that Sugarhill Gang and D Ream would be more in place at Gay Pride than Gigbeth so I responded by saying that Sugarhill Gang were at Bestival etc... Perhaps this would not have seemed out of term, but then I hinted at the blogger being a Simon Cowell type, this was completely wrong on my part and I am ever the idiot for saying it.

Right now I feel awful because I feel like I have let everyone at Gigbeth down and I hope the festival is not affected because of it. With the blog I find out the acts pretty much as everyone else does and then I report on it accordingly. There's still over a month until the event and not everything is confirmed, with promoters who work with the festival still having not announced their final lineups.

I've been passionate about music in Birmingham since I moved here just over a year ago and Gigbeth really gives the scene a boost. I can't believe I've been foolish enough to scupper that.

I've been blogging since, well this blog and the Gigbeth blog started and as of yet, have had no 'code of conduct' to adhere to. Previously its been as my perogative simply to report on the positives and I should have stuck to that. My passion clearly got the better of me in this case. Maybe I got carried away with trying to be a journalist. On Gigbeth this is not my job.

I hope that people will come and judge the festival themselves, not via my one silly, naive and remarkably short post. 

Burn is back...and hotter than ever

For my tales of the open mic night I went to on thursday check out my gigbeth blog, www.gigbeth.com.

It was such an amazing evening and I made a good friend in Chris Walker, who gigs part time with Duke Special. Apparently he was watching my videos at rehearsal when Peter (mr Duke himself) had a watch. Chris told me they tried playing it in a different time signature....oh lordy!

On friday we had a record number of people turn up to our Burnfm freshers meeting. The response was incredible so now I must trawl through applications and put teams together for the broadcast beginning on the 20th October. It's so exciting to see people getting as passionate as I am.....ahhhhh!

Tonight I'm having the evening off, going to a pub quiz in Selly Oak.

Hooray!

Frank x

Zombies, Jazz and Crashing Servers

Yesterday I had to pre record my Rhubarb show because the server went wrong, however when the station goes on automation it should be played on rotation with other pre rec shows.

I have decided that the show will be called The Temporary Show and each week will have a different theme. Yesterday's theme was Birmingham and Bestival and featured music from both. In future I hope to have someone with me so that I can talk further on the subject too.

This morning I rather excitedly looked on the Internet Zombie Movie forum to find that I'm the only person to have been shortlisted for the main female role of Maddie. There may still be other suggestions but I've got my wee fingers crossed. It would be so much fun plus....glam Halloween party! Hello!?!

Today I'm off to interview Mary Wakelam, the general manager of Birmingham Jazz. Mary is a sax player who has won an urban music performing arts bursary from the BBC. The interview will be for Created in Birmingham but Birmingham Jazz is curating a stage at Gigbeth so no doubt I'll be asking her some Gigbeth related questions too!

Later I've got a committee meeting with Burnfm.com. The new studio is blue and does not have enough glass for my taste however I'm sure we'll soon settle in. I spent too long yesterday filling out a Journalism Training Scheme application form and totally forgot to design the application for Burnfm.com mainstream shows...whoops!

Better get on with it...

Frank. x

Rhubarb Rhubarb...

Tomorrow is my first morning show on Rhubarb.

it's the perfect time for me because no one will be listening so I can start shaping the show and then perhaps move to an afternoon/evening slot which is what I am now considering.

Who was I kidding when I asked for a morning slot...I am a student!!!

I want to create a show that mixes a mainstream style with more specialist music...yes basically BBC 6Music! I also need to see how I feel presenting a show which relies on me as well as the music, whereas my Specialist show was very much about the production values...this will require more presenting effort on my part.

Hopefully I will be on air from 9 til 10am

You can find the feed on www.rhubarbradio.com

Frank.

Curating is grating

Well it's not really...

I'm just finding it quite hard!

Catherine Bray of 4Talent Central has asked me to help curate the stage at Gigbeth but I'm having issues finding a band to supplement headline act Einstellung.

Einstellung are a shoegaze band with indie credentials: no lead singer but no fanastical synth either. Their Myspace features 4minute edits of songs that can last up to half an hour. This is actually far more listenable than it sounds however!

I've found a band called Spacemen 3 who I think may fit the bill, they've got a vocalist but a suitably low key feel to their music so I'm going to pitch this to 4Talent and see what they think....

Frank.

Finding Danny Wallace

I've been back in Birmingham for over a week now and have been lagging on the blogging front due to Virgin Media not being very cooperative with the ole broadband...but now its here! It's arrived!

Yeeeeeesssss

BBC iPlayer here I come!

Last weekend I sampled the delights of ArtsFest in Brum, interviewed the Riptides and filmed works of art balanced on the eyes of needles. Or at least tried to!

Yesterday I interviewed Birmingham based legend, the photographer Steve Gerrard who created the first website to take me on, Birmingham Live! We talked about the site and what the new site will be like, the interview should hopefully be posted on CIB when the new site is up and running.

Right now I'm studying my empty diary, there's not much to it currently! Couple of parties/uni events but not much in the way of interviews/work. It's a shocker, but maybe downtime is good....downtime however, is not good when you're in a house on your own with no housemates or anything constructive to do.

Perhaps I shall visit Sainsburys later...although that does involve spending money.

Rubbish!

Frank.

Oh the reason for the title of my piece is that I just finished reading Danny Wallace's novel, Friends Like These. It was tres hilarious and now I want XFM work experience on Danny's Saturday show, my reasoning is that as it is a saturday I could visit a show during term time, whereas I'm not sure when I'll be able to take the Alex Zane work experience. Darn and darned it! No reply no far....

Back to School...

I wanted my last piece for BBC Kent to be a bit more personal than previous pieces so I decided to go back to my old school, Maidstone Girls Grammar (MGGS) to report on House Arts.

Every year the three house leaders of the six houses have to recruit volunteers from their houses for various events such as sports day. Arguably, House Arts is the most important event on the house calendar with a lot of work going into it during the first 6 weeks of the academic year.

In 2006 when I was house leader of the Vikings, we put on a production of Pygmalion. It was 25 minutes long and featured students between 11 and 18. It was literally my baby, I worked on the script and design ideas over the summer and then directed, produced and had a small last minute role in the final performance. The judge described it as 'the most professional piece' of the six. It was literally a seven year long dream come true when we won the event. I think I may even have shed a tear or two!

House Arts works on a three year cycle, with one year drama, the next dance and after that singing, before it comes full circle. The 2008 competition is about singing and I don't envy the house leaders one bit. For some of them, sheet music will be a completely foreign language, like not being able to read Chinese.

Today I met some old teachers and interviewed them about the competition and deputy head/superstar Mr Harris assembled Head of music Mr Chapman and the 18 house leaders in a room for me! After what felt like an informal press conference with me running around dictaphone in hand, I got to have a more personal chat with the new Vikings House Leaders (they're awesome!) and realised how, despite many material changes, the school heart that I loved still remains.

Post 'conference' I spoke to the Head Teacher, Mrs Smith and deputies Mr Horstrup and Mrs Creaney (also a former english teacher of mine.) I've offered my help should they need it concerning work experience etc. I also popped up to have a brief visit with Mr Down, one of the most fabulous teachers ever who was another of my english teachers. Down to personal reasons, I had difficulties last year but Mr Down pushed me and without him I would not have my A grade English A level, (the same with Mrs Harris Tanzer of drama who I also got to have a lovely chat with.)

Tomorrow is my last day at the BBC Kent office as Blast reporter. These last three weeks have flown by and I can't wait to get back to Birmingham, however I shall miss it a lot. It's opened so many doors and also my eyes. If I should choose it, a future in the media is within my grasp, I just have to work for it.

Frank. 

X

From the Bestival Bog.

As I type this I can hear Grace Jones, one of Rob da Bank, curator of Bestival's, handpicked special guests. Earlier today The Specials were another unannounced act. Rumours abound that tomorrow will see Metallica play to the mud soaked crowds.

Today has been brighter for me. Yesterday saw myself, 4Talent Commissioning editor Catherine Bray and the rest of our 'entourage' pitch up in the wet, drizzly darkness. On account of my status as a 'competition winner' I was refused a press wristband which scared me into thinking I wouldn't be able to access my potential interviewees! I felt a bit desolate to say the least, having travelled for many hours by car and catamaran to get to the Isle of Wight site, only to have my planned press status refused. However this morning, with the aid of 'wet suit lubricant', Catherine was able to slip her wristband off and wriggle it onto me.

With my renewed press 'glow' I get on reporting occasions such as these, I swam through the mud through to the backstage press area. My aim was to find some 4Talent friendly acts and I believed that Kitty,Daisy and Lewis, whom I had down as the equivalent of a rockabilly Waltons, fit that bill.

Along with parents Ingrid and Graham, KDL blasted out classic retro tunes such as 'Goin' up the Country' and self penned tracks such as 'Buggin' Blues.' Kitty and Daisy come onstage and sing unaccompanied with sweet female attitude and on finishing announce Dizzee Rascal style 'Awrite, weeeir Kittee Day-zee an' Lewisss.' This certainly dispelled any former image I had of them. They expertly manouvre through a highly musical set.

Charismatic as they are onstage. offstage it seems that KDL do not favour interviews. Second up to the bat I wince as I hear the family trio complain about the previous interviewer from Bestival radio who apparently asked 'stupid questions.' I'd seen them ask him if the interview was going to be about music so this was the topic I decided to stick to. I tried to keep things upbeat and casual and soon you'll be able to hear the results on the 4Talent magazine podcast...

Next I interviewed Anthony and Rich from XXteens. The guitarist and lead vocalist were good humoured and rather down to earth. From their colourful, explicit record artwork I was cetainly expecting a couple of Swedish beardos, however the two young Londoners weren't filthy in the slightest

Lastly I managed to grab the 'Two Sams' of Castle Donnington's Late of the Pier. I'd noticed, prior to Bestival that they took a high amount of interest in new music, however during the interview I was hit with a wave of fatigue and completely bypassed the topic. All four of the guys are extremely down to earth and also not very tall...I was expecting them to be six footers, I don't know why....

Outside bits of coloured tape fly around as if Grace Jones as begun a ticket tape parade. Today the costumes have come into their own with a multitude of sailors and octopusses a plenty sticking to the '30,000 freaks under the sea' dress code. Rob da Bank, who has made fleeting appearances in the backstage area has a pair of googles on his forehead, however this may be for practical reasons!

One of my highlights of the day so far has been the kazoo band passing through the main arena playing a Queen song with military precision despite the mud. The other, which is easily guessed if you know me, was watching the Mercury award nominated Laura Marling performing on the mainstage. As a member of the press I got to wander across the empty main arena as she and her drummer Marcus Mumford of Munford and Sons soundchecked. I think she surely deserves to win at tuesday's award ceremony. Watch out for one of her newer songs, Rambling Man, its a good 'un!

Off to Bestival

I've been having a bit of a 'mare trying to sort out interviews for Bestival. Laura Marling's PR, who was very nice, called me today to say that shes flying in to play and then flying out again quickly so won't have any time, darn.

I've got an interview with Kent dreamy pop band It Hugs Back for BBC Kent which should be cool as I've been trying to pin them down for 2 years...

Really excited as I emailed Castle Donnington's Late of the Pier about an interview and they actually got back to me saying it would be cool which is great...hopefully it won't be too hard to pin them down! They're perfect for the 4Talent podcast, up and coming, talented and young, plus midlandesque. (Well, from the Midlands anyway.)

I think the biggest issue is that I've had to use my gmail instead of my bbc email and it just doesn't look official enough. People have probably ignored my requests...

However, as long as I get to meet Kitty Daisy and Lewis I'll be happy!

Frank.

Last day on the Dominic King show

I've got 2 weeks left as Blast reporter however today was my last day working on Dom's BBC Kent show.

Today we had a body painter whose blog is www.newsfromclaudiabroad.blogspot.com, I think she's austrian I'm not sure, but she did some fun painting on Dom's arm and was lovely too (she even bought her mother along who looked so young Dom mistook her for Claudia, the artist's sister!)

I've had such fun working on the radio. I love the callers we get. Some, in the affectionate sense, are completely barmy! I've got to know some of our regular contributors too.

One of my achievements I think is being accepted generally. When I first started on the phones people didn't know who I was and wanted to speak only to Steve, the producer. It's taken a few weeks but now callers know my name which is nice. I've also got to go into the studio and converse with Dom a bit more these past few days.

I'll still be heard on the radio for the next couple of weeks as I'm currently used by promotions producer/presenter Phil Harrison who likes to use me to record webtrails. I also recorded a special Olympics competiton trail (our only competition in 8 months.) Hopefully they'll use me in future!

At the moment I'm trying to get hold of PR companies for Bestival. We want to interview Alexa Chung because she is going to be DJ-ing at the event and of course Laura Marling (my 'target' so to speak, in a non sinister way! I just think shes awesome.)

Right I'm on a train so I'd better post before I lose signal!

Frank.

4Talent awards

For some reason I have decided to enter the 'multitalented' catagory of the 4Talent awards (deadline is on friday.)

This may seem odd to some who believed I would enter the journalism catagory- and others who might have expected me to put myself forward in a radio capacity.

The reason I have gone for a more 'risky' catagory is because the majority of my writing is blogging. I worry that people will look at my BBC Local journalism and think "What?! She's written a piece about a you tube star and is going to dickens world?!" It's hardly the stuff of Guardian/Observer proportions.

This is not to say I am not proud of it. I believe that my work for BBC Kent has been balanced and carefully thought out. There is a distinct format to BBC Online and I have done my best to fit in with it. This means keeping my work within certain word limits, short paragraphs etc...

You can view it here: www.bbc.co.uk/kent/blast.

I have also become 'Blast poster girl' and on the site my face is the link you have to click on to find out more about the Blast reporter scheme!

Also, I was not sure if blogging counted towards journalism so I decided that journalism and blogging were separate catagories.

I also entered due to my numerous interviews, presenting on screen and on air. I haven't done a whole lot of presenting and my BBC Blast stuff has only been edited into a two minute clip so far (you can find it on my facebook if you're my friend) but hopefully a longer version will be shown on BBC2 at some Godforsaken hour!

I have also entered due to my music. I have a youtube channel, www.youtube.com/frankielovestoday and www.myspace.com/getfrankmusic.

So the recordings/performances might be sketchy (I need a band!) but I'm working on it. I've been playing uke for a month so will hopefully get better. I have classical roots but can't afford the maintainence of singing lessons, so I'm using my voice differently now.

I think I completely forgot to include createdinbirmingham.com in my 'sell' which was very very silly of me as I think my interviews on there are strong...if a little long! (with the exception of my polar bear interview, which was written.) The CIB stuff Chris Unitt has got me to do has used voice, text and video so a nice 360 of formats.

I will be working with 4Talent at Bestival so even if I don't win hopefully I'll get to write for the next bi-annual 4Talent magazine...and even better attend the so called 'champagne fulled ceremony!'

I also wrote to BBC Blast's web team today and suggest they feature a blogger as one of their writing experts (people like Malorie Blackman) as blogging is a great and easy way for young people to get their work noticed. It's got me where I am today, and that's in a short amount of time too.

Frank.

Mental pacing...

...back and forth in my head!

Still waiting to find out If I'm staying as the myspace dj for a second week. It's been hard so far as I've been faced with comments from people 'missing joe' and wanting him back. However he was voted off, it's not my fault (yet people want answers and unsatisfied, they think I am the cause.)

Some people have been really nice however. When people have said less than favourable things I decided to tackle the situation by directly messaging them and asking them how I can improve/ what they don't like. This has actually had a positive response. It's quite scary facing up to people who don't like you! I always get nervous opening their replies but it seems bravado on the myspace page does not carry over into personal messages. This is nice. This is good.

Joe, the former co host, lasted for 6 weeks. I've listened to the first half of his first show and I have to say that mine is certainly not worse. Both are funny (yes I thought my show was funny. Possibly because I have the memories of being there, so maybe it wasn't, I dunno.) I just hope that people listen and actually think, 'Well I miss Joe, but she deserves to stay.' because voting me off won't bring him back.

He had 6 weeks to get better and better, I'd just like another shot, see if people warm to me you know???

ANYWAY

Wednesday sees my first 4talent assignment, an interview with Sunday Best/ Bestival creator Rob Da Bank. I'm not sure what to expect but i'm going to be supervised as I record so its scary stuff. Got to do my research on this one!

Frank.

Myspace radio

Hello!!!

just found out i'm the next Mars Planets DJ....www.myspace.com/frankiesmellsgood

Myspace radio is the 1st of my top friends. 

Can't believe it. I'm a replacement cos someone has had to drop out so dunno if I was lined up or i'm literally a last minute makeshift guest...well never mind!!!

I get to work with Alex Zane as well. So going to try and blag work experience hah!

frank x

underage fest...

Me (left) and Rachel, the Blast Oxford lady.
With Lee and Stef from Gallows on the Gibson bus...putting on an 'ard' face by the way!
Custom gibson encrusted with Swavoski crystals....mental. If you're going to see Gallows at Reading watch out for it, it's going to be on load to Stef for the show.

So underage fest, lots of young people wearing amazing clothes gathering in Victoria park.

Rachel and me were filming some stuff that will hopefully go out on BBC 2's Blast TV. I did some fashion spots with kids from the crowds (including a guy dressed as a hotdog.) Between us we also interviewed members of Ox.Eagle.Lion.Man (Fred the singer scraped lippie off my tooth?!) Gallows, Foals, Dizzee Rascal, Poppy and the Jezebels, Glasvegas and Bombay Bicycle Club.

I found the filming actually quite fun, especially the fashion stuff. Not to say I'm the next Zayzee...hopefully i'm better! haha! Just kidding!

At one point we were setting up for an interview by some hay and MTV started putting up a sign basically to move us out the way. (They were overage which was not the point of the fest. We only got to go because a)I'm 19 so only a yr overage and also because we were escorting a young blast panel member.) As soon as we moved they took down the sign. Bastards.

However...job done. Rachel has the footage, can't wait to see it!

Frank.

Sneaking in...for being overage!

I got a really cool email when I was working at the radio on friday morning...

I've been invited by Time Out mag to the press tent at Underage festival (14-18 years)

I'm 19...actually too old! Yet I guess I'll be one of the younger journalists there. Funnily enough certain bands are going to think I am stalking them as multiple acts I've see/met/interviewed before. Infact Chatham band Underground Heroes have been at the last two festivals I have covered, and yes, they will be there on Friday!

It might seem a bit boring, but I'm actually grateful that the festival is a one dayer, 11am-8pm which sounds pretty heavenly to me right now! I'm even planned my outfit! (Hence the picture on the left!)

Kids nowadays are so effortlessly cool that I have to fit in!!!

Currently I'm researching a piece on You-tuber Ben Loka as he lives in the same town as me andI'm waiting to hear back from a seventeen year old photographer who has had a photo gallery posted on the BBC website.

fingers crossed

Frank.

De Niro or Al Pacino?

Today was my first day on the phones on the Dom King show.

I had a caller telling me that the streetlamps in his road had been left on for three months, a man who wanted to know the Cray Wanderers result and a lovely seventy year old lady called Betty who thought Al Pacino was a very sexy man!

Oh yes! An eventful day...

Basically there was a debate on the show about who you'd save out of Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. Hence Betty's call. I also got to speak to lots more, including a gent from Biggin Hill who didn't recognise my voice and was kind enough to wish me luck!

I also interviewed the BBC Kent Introducing team and sat in on a meeting. Jacob, their 17 year old producer is a really dedicated, talented guy. He puts together packages and scripts and helps with the playlists for the show. I wish I could have been involved when I was his age. He'll go far for sure. In fact I think he has even set up a blog...

Let me look....

Aha! Here we go

Ah...to rest

Frank.

Sometimes its hard to be a woman

So I was covering an event last night and something happened that has not happened before.

I felt a bit of an outcast. I mean, I've felt like one before but that can be due to my own wierdness, or 'quirks' as kind people call them. 

Yesterday I felt that it was because I'm female. 

It's something that was quite wierd because I've not experienced it in the music/journo world thus far. I think I dealt with it, maybe not 100 percent productively but as much as I could. If one person doesn't respond to you well, no matter how warm and friendly you naturally are/try to appear, go and find someone else who will! Perhaps that person who has had previous reservations will change their mind and if they don't then take your talent elsewhere.

Sometimes I wonder if I should change what I wear, my appearance etc... I don't wear jeans which is pretty much BBC uniform but that to me is because of practicality. I have sensitive skin, jeans make me itch! Also, I don't think I'll ever find a pair of jeans that fit me perfectly. However, dresses suit me fine. I'm not a 'Barbie' (not that anything is wrong with being really girly) but it strikes me that if you appear feminine, sometimes people take offence. 

For example, at Lounge on the Farm I had a bright pink two man tent purely because it was the cheapest tent in the shop that I could find, ten pounds. I had the festival next day and it was the only one left. When I was sat in the tent at the festival campsite I constantly heard people going past my tent making silly, childish remarks about it. Since when did people care enough to get all 'NME' on my tent!

When I returned home after the event last night I felt quite exhausted with the whole 'keeping up appearances' element of the evening. I could have flung myself onto my bed and let everything out but I decided to 'take the evening with a pinch of salt' and have a good read instead!

Frank.

The Dominic King Show

Today was like my starter day for the radio. I basically shadowed Steve the producer and learnt more about how the show operates etc... On monday I'll actually be answering phones and calling guests etc etc... gulp!

After the show I went up to the newsroom to do some Blast type stuff/email etc etc when a guy came to talk to Jo, one of the Online journos, about the webtrail. Each week a voice over is recorded and broadcasted on the radio (a trail) about whats on the BBC Kent website. As I was to be mentioned at the end it the script ended up as "And, I, Frankie Ward will be"...yep I got to do the voice over. At first I did it too fast, or stumbled over hard-to-read words (it was quickly handwritten with words omitted that I jotted down) but in the end, I think we got a good take and hopefully it will be used from tomorrow...hoorah! Hopefully I can get some audio for the Blast site...

Frank. x

On the telly

Hey,

if anyone has read my blog for a while I wrote a post about being on TV.

Well clips from the episode have now gone online, one is 

and the other is here 

and the other is here

Frank.

Mercury Nominations and having a blast

...Laura Marling has to win! 

Today I wrote two pieces for my Blast page, a diary and a piece on Lounge on the Farm.

www.bbc.co.uk/kent/blast

At training I met Ashley Partridge, another Blastee and I have persuaded him to start a blog,

Its www.ashleypartridge.blogspot.com

Us Blast kids eh? We're gonna take over the world!!!

Also at BBC Kent I'll be helping out on the Dominic King show from 10am-1pm. I suppose you could call it unpaid BA (Broadcast assistant) work which was what I really wanted to do when I got the Blast position. It's going to mean lots of long bus journeys and getting up early but its so worth it!

ahhhhhh!!!

Frank.

Especially for you...

Today I was meant to see my friend and overdose on chocolate...however I got a text asking me if I could do an interview with Jason Donovan....how could I refuse?!

The Dartford festival is obviously near the Dartford tunnel, just outside of London. It's actually quite a nice town with a nice park which provided todays venue. The lineup consisted of tribute acts...with Donovan the headliner. I suppose they could have got a tribute act for him as well but it was nice to have the real thing I'm sure!

There wasn't really an easy way for me to get to Dartford from Maidstone but luckily my mum was going to Bluewater so I tagged along for two hours going from sale to sale and then headed to the park. Jason arrived around five so we waited over half an hour (mum came too!) and then met him. We were joined part way during the interview by a young lady from the local paper, which to be honest, was great because she wanted to know the same stuff as me so I asked my questions and she asked the ones I forgot to ask! I kept the interview pretty low key but did broach the subject of the cancelled soap Donovan starred in, Echo Beach. It's sister comedy show Moving Wallpaper has been recommissioned but he will not be starring. However, if he was affected by this question he did not show it and was graceful with his answer... he feels its a pity but he's got his new record deal now etc etc.

He also spoke of the album saying it will consist mostly of 50/60's covers (ballad style.) He and a friend brought a guitar along to the show with him which made his entrance all the more exciting!

After the interview we went outside in the sun to get a photo, however so many people started taking photos that Jason got a bit flustered and soon ducked back into his tent. My mother on the other hand got excited about the presence of comedian Joe Pasquale who was really rather pleasant and agreed to let her take a photo! He had also said hi to me when he entered the drinks marquee, rare for someone with any sort of celebrity status, (he's in the Dartford panto at the end of the year.)

So tomorrow I'll overdose on chocolate! And on Monday its off to BBC Kent to try and blag a position as an unpaid BA (broadcast assistant) as well as my Blast Position. (I'm gonna keep asking...might as well, Blast is only two days a week...I want four!!!)

Until next time

Frank.

My first comment

I got a comment, (the titles pretty self explanatory)

my head just floated out the window!

joking, the comment actually didn't really make much sense to me, but it was very much appreciated...

I have had a reader!

Frank.

video from my hotel...courtesy of la beeb...

Made this video for the BBC Blast site...but its a bit too long so I've stuck it on here instead...apologies for the cheesy intro but I've gotta get some practice in eh?!

Loungin' on the Farm

So this weekend I popped over to Merton Farm in Canterbury, Kent to cover Lounge on the farm festival for BBC Kent.

The festival is a well kept secret, not marketed widely and an event that largely relies on word of mouth...but after the weekend there I believe that word will spread like wildfire. The festival, now it in it's third year has clearly defined principles of promoting Kent produce and establishing Kent on the music map. The organisers are also opening a venue in Canterbury called, funnily enough, The Farm to try and pull in

 acts that normally skip Kent and just play London instead.

This was also my first event where I was doing photography so whilst I wait for a new battery (it wasn't my SLR but my Dads.) I have my fingers crossed about how the pics will turn out...as I ran out of power I had to shoot the last band, The Coral on my 5.0 megapixel digicam!

So basically in comparison to the shambles of Z008 I had an AMAZING time. I got to interview at least 20 different acts, some established, some up and coming. I even managed to catch up with Johnny Foriegner who I've wanted to meet for ages and they gave me a beer. It was good times. I think after I met the Coral (they came out when I was 12 and I'm now 19) It kinda sunk in and I had to run away to let it all sink in!!!

On the saturday evening I was due to interview the New York Dolls but things were running a bit late. Tom from BBC Kent Introducing went before me so I managed to blag an interview with Blaine from the Mystery Jets and we had a nice informal chat and as I'd just bought a Ukele he and Will signed it for me...

When I was talking to Blaine I asked how they got Laura Marling involved in the recording of 'Young Love' as I'm a huge fan of hers, I also wanted to know how they perform the song live without her. It turns out that either Will sings the song on his own or they get a girl from the audience to do it....

and that is how I blagged my way onto the main stage infront of up to 1,000 people singing 'Young Love'!!! I got to watch the gig from the side of the stage and push Will on concealed in a gigantic amp case (rock and roll eh?!)

I admit that I was nervous before I went on, would people boo me or, as I hadn't come from the audience, believe that I was 'with the band.'

The band had to have two songs cut because of the curfew time the cow shed (yes it was a big barn!) had been given so I was on sooner than I expected. I literally walked on intro-free, stood and waited to sing whilst trying to look as it I fit in and then sang!

I now understand why acts always mention their monitors etc because at first, I couldn't hear myself at all..infact I couldn't for most of it but I just tried to keep going as if nothing was wrong. The biggest issue was the height of the microphone being too tall for me, but, not wanting to move it I did the whole thing on tip toes!!!

Other highlights of the weekend included seeing one of my favourite new acoustic acts, Kal Lavelle (and her thanking her family 'and Frankie' at the end of her set,) shooting Johnny Foriegner (pictures!), meeting my new photographer friend Lizzie (superstar!) interviewing Los Campesinos and then later them talking to me like I was just a normal person, not an annoying press person, the med-veg kofta pitta thing I ate, Dani Groombridge, a 14-year old superstar in the making who played the 'School of Rock' tent and came running up to me mintues before her battle of the bands final asking me how to rescue her voice (So I ran and made her salt water and felt proud of my good deed.) 

I'm going to keep writing about this subject for ages I bet but i'll pop photos up soon and provide links to other stories about it.

Frank. x

Punch Me

...no not literally!

Tomorrow (at 9am no less) I'm interviewing Ammo of Punch records so I'm currently doing research...or at least I will once I've finished fiddling with clothes/my room/music.

I'm meant to be going out tonight but that means I need to pack for Kent (Lounge on the farm festival this weekend for BBC Kent) asap so I can just get up in the morn and get to Gibb street with all my stuff so I can get the train from New street to Maidstone straight after...its hectic being me you know...just as its probably hectic being you (whoever you may be.)

Yesterday I continued my run of 444Club gigs at The Rainbow when I met up with Simon Harris to 'sort his life out.' He basically has a solo project, a gypsy/folk band called 'the brightsize gypsies' and a band that plays events like weddings. The problem is he's not sure how to get things off the ground so I'm going to help him with things such as mailing lists etc...He does lots of stuff in Brum but some of it is quite removed from the rest and he's finding it difficult to keep up with it all I think. I just hope I can help!

Frank.

I got a golden ticket....

Ahhhhhh!

So excited!

I won the Oxfam 4Talent glaso comp where you had to send a reply to Oxfam 4Talent's twitter 'What gets your knickers in a twist'...

I said 'Interviewers asking artists who they're doing, not what they're doing.'

And it worked!!! I officially love twitter now! (mine is www.twitter.com/frankieloves)

So my prize is to head of to Bestival in September and do an interview for a podcast which I'm really excited about, I just hope I can make a lasting impression!

Next week I'm off to Lounge on the Farm to do some interviews with more bands, I'm really really hoping to get Art Brut, I met them before and they were absolutely lovely. I also know that my friend Ben is playing in a band called Wheeler Street so it will be great to check them out and get them to give us a few words for the BBC.

At the moment i'm looking round the bombshell that is my new room and wondering what the best way to sort it would be. I still have a few things to move from my flat and interviews a plenty to transcribe, however tonight I'm not going out and it feels odd. Someone help me out please?!

Frank.

Zoo twothousand

I'm soggy and sat in the 'press tent' at ~Kent's Z008 fest.

its a contraversial issue to be honest but the whole thing is an absolute blunder.
Basically the first day opened four hours late and bands had to be moved around etc... I eventually found out that the stage crew hadn't been paid and were striking. Also, Mark Ronson had not been paid his performance deposit (as other bands had not) and had to be paid with a bin bag full of coins (lets face it, his fee would hardly fit in a Tescos carrier bag now would it?)

On the second night the second stage, the Tap and Tin tent, also went down (A stonkingly good Gallows headlining set the night before had people climbing up the support beams) and I was frantically trying to find out whether Young Knives were still playing. Meanwhile a huge number of bands were striking back stage due to a lack of payment and leaving. Allegedly The Rascals turned up with Alex Turner in tow and then left again. Frank Turner also cancelled (he even posted a blog on his myspace about it.)
After no arranged interviewed via the PR company on Friday I had been gathering notes in my book from bands I managed to grab and chat with (such as Fighting with Wire and The Holloways.)
Luckily the PR people finally pulled through for us and I got to interview members of British Sea Power, headliners The Cribs and most amazingly of all...Ash! (The bassist got straight to the point of having not been paid but said they'd come from NY so it was pointless to not play.)
I also found out that Young Knives actually were playing after being told they weren't on site and ran over after Ash's amazing set to catch them. I even got an interview but as I tried to write it down it's going to take a lot of work to read my nearly illegiable scrawl.

Today its soaking. Karina, my BBC Blast mentor got to interview Funeral For A Friend and I met up with Maker, The Holloways, Marner Brown, In Case of Fire (lovely guys) and Mexico Falls.
So now I'm in the press tent waiting for a call from Chatham band 'Underground Heroes,' and also waiting to find out about whether The Hives will be doing interviews...

Frank.

Supersonic

At the moment I'm in the Custard Factory Kitchen with Sebastian Hau-Walker discussing ideas for distribution for Supersonic Festival on the 11th. We're looking for places to put leaflets/give them out/stick up posters

If you've got any ideas or want to help then please drop Sebastian a line at

sebastianhau-walker@hotmail.co.uk!

Frankie.

whoops...

Aurora Plastic Monster are Norweigian! Whoops sorry about that.

but they're cool

I had a kinda 'rock n roll' evening and discovered I still like heavier styles! (not because the high society's guitarist was beautiful...oh no I'm a pro!) but because it was just a fun evening. I will let you know when the review is up...

ah its the wee minutes of tuesday morning.

Better go to bed then!

Frank.

continued from below

So I thought of something to say!....and then I forgot!

The brumlive photographer I'm working with tonight is the lovely-seeming (I'm making assumptions having never come face to face with her, but her myspace is cool and she sent me a nice message) Kate Snape.

I must say I'm also quite jealous because she's my age (19) and she's photographed loads of really cool bands so I'm looking forward to have a natter between acts. Also she taught herself and developed her own style of photography only a year ago so it gives me hope that I, one day, will actually be able to operate an SRL camera....or is that SLR...I think it's SLR!!!

(Ask me what you like about mics, recordings, gaming, music, sound etc but I'm awful with camera knowledge.)

Tonight the first support act is Birmingham based Kate Finch who has got an acoustic-punk feel to her music. I'm looking forward to seeing her live because I think that she'll sound fresher on record...would be interesting to see if she ever plays with a band when she's live too.

Also playing are two full bands with punk-rock stylings, The Kamikazes and The High Society.

I'm having a listen to The Kamikazes right now and I'm getting really excited...It's gonna be a high octane gig I think...I'd get out my skinnies if I had them!

Unfortunately I haven't...(I'm the girl who bought skinny jeans 2 sizes too big to avoid muffin top...and therefore lost the skinny effect) So its another dress I think! (with some customisation of course!)

So if you're there tonight please say hi, Ill probably have a button headband on my person. It's my current signature

Frank. x

Manic free monday

Today i'm off to go an review Aurora's Plastic Monster for Birmingham Live! I think they're american so I'm quite looking forward to comparing a US act to the wonderous bands of birmingham! I also have to keep transcribing........

To be continued (when I have something to actually say)

Frank.

lazy sunday- the movie!

Desperate boredom=talking to onself

Lazy Sunday

I'm not afraid to admit that I had a little cry today...

Max died on Hollyoaks! I knew it was coming but it was so brutal...

Anyway I realised that I should make a list of all the things I need to do and publishing it will make sure I do it!!! I've literally been lain out on three squashed together staff room type 'studenty' chairs in front of T4 from 11-4 and Its counter-productive. I know I'm meant to be giving myself a 'day off' but suddenly that seems like a bad idea. I was always the kid that got the course work done on the day it was given out...get it out the way, be prepared etc...

SO to the list

1.transcribe I Will Attack interview

2. transcribe Tom Peel interview

3. Transcribe Anyone for shark? Interview

4.T-S One Night Only

5. T.S any other interviews I've got left...ooh Jimm Zombie!

6. Write to Lee of Ditto Music,

7. Begin e-interview with Polar Bear (Didn't manage to get interview yesterday, hes a busy bear!)

8. Begin e-interview with the Retro Spankees

9. Ask Poppy and the Jezebels for e-interview!

10. Being 444 club e-interview

(I love E-interviews...at least I think I will, I've not actually done it before but it's less typing and easier to edit, I suppose it will lack the spontaneity of dictaphone/msn but it gives bands to double check what they want to say about themselves- which is good for them!)

11. Clean room

12. Get big boxes (from Maccy D's across the road???)

13. Buy milk.

14. Go gym

15. Pack for moving

16. Research 7inch cinema before interview.

17. play some guitar and I haven't for far too long. (whoops)

.......not going to be such a lazy one after all!Only problem is I've left it too late to get started!

Frank.

Busy saturday

Ah... so my saturdays are now spent working! Darn, I knew qutting Sports World was a mistake!

just kidding...I've done a spot of writing this morning and today I'm off to interview Polar Bear at the MC's For Life at the Custard Factory. He's an amazing poet/MC who is about to go to London with new one man show "If I cover my nose you can't see me." Colin Murray even played his poem 'Jessica' the other night which you can find if you click the link above. I'm a bit nervous...it's harder than with some bands because I haven't got a ticket so I've been repeatedly listening to his stuff on myspace and it's really good. Quick witted and funny.

Tonight I'm off to see Birmingham band I Will Attack... (who I can't find a link for) 

one of the members sold me my MacBook so I said I'd pop along and have a watch. I might not stay for the other act because I'm absolutely exhausted...we'll see!

Frank.

444Club...Club Paradise more like!

Its the rather wee hours of the morning and I've just time for a quick blog before bed!

I'll do a proper one for Gigbeth tomorrow.

First a rave about Carlo of 444Club...genius! The two lady DJ's played fabulous retro music between the acts and got everyone in a mood for a good time. Tom Peel played an acoustic set that got more and more energetic as it developed, Finding Calcutta provided a little maturity and then Anyone for Shark? smashed it with a funk tinged hammer! Kate Goes and the Retro Spankees (For links for the bands see previous post) provided energetic, crazy, original music that made me want to dance like Phoebe from friends runs....except on the spot!

Great people great times....and an odd occurance where Pete Ashton turned up...it wasn't odd that he was there but that he had a crazy drunken lookalike!

I know where I'll be on Friday nights from now on!

Frank. x

Created in Birmingham

Hey,

The lovely, efficient Chris Unitt has put up a rather unglamorous video on Created in Birmingham I made basically making my excuses for not being able to do many interviews.

However...this will soon change.

An interview with Lee from Ditto music should be up soon followed by an interview with Jenny and Lisa, the rather amazing Capsule team who are two of the most dedicated people I've ever met in Birmingham.

Going on TV wasn't too far off what I expected. The studio was small and hot but the team were busy and friendly. None of them get paid for what they do and as it was only the 6th show they really seem to be managing it well, I'm sure it will get less chaotic as it goes. You can read my 'TV Diary" here.

Tonight i'm off to the Rainbow in Digbeth to see Tom Peel, Finding Calcutta, Anyone for Shark?, the brilliant Kate Goes and The Retro Spankees. Its from 8 til late and a bargain at £4 so if you can get there you've got no excuse to not go! Its being hosted by the 444Club who host a gig night there every friday night.

I'll also be interviewing Anyone for Shark? and The Retro Spankees. You can read my interview with Kate from Kate Goes here.

I'll report for duty shortly

and also thankyou to everyone who has sent me lovely messages after the CIB video, they were much much appreciated!

Frank. x

Ditto music

I got a call on the way back from the Radiohead gig (which was, predictably amazing...I had to stay at a friends cos it finished after my last train) It was from Lee at Ditto Music, who I'm meant to be interviewing tonight and it turns out I'm being interviewed on the show which I had no idea about!

So I'm going to go on and try not to stutter and look cute! What outfit to wear eh?

Firewires....and Radiohead

So its time to make the blog less about me and more about what I do...!

After what I'm sure will be an exciting trip to get a firewire from the apple store (mac to mac...all the best writers have macbooks these days so I've decided to get one and see if people take me seriously!) I'm off to Victoria Park, London for Radiohead. Its one of the few gigs this year that I've forked out my own student loan cash for! So it better be worth it....

Just kidding, its RADIOHEAD! I'm rather excited about it, but no so excited about not knowing when its due to finish so I couldn't book a train ticket...costly stuff! I'm interested to see how Victoria Park shapes up as a venue as well as the second Underage Festival takes part there in August and I'm hankering for access!

Frank.

Gigbeth

Gigbeth is launching a streetteam...with me at the helm.

If you're interested then join the facebook group and drop me a line at frankiepromotes@googlemail.com

Incentives will be published soon..............

Hey.

So this is me bored.

Oh yes, when I'm bored I like to wrap various things around my head and make like a fool infront of mac photobooth!

As this is my first post I'm not sure whether to write about myself so I'

ll 

let you know where to find me....

On Twitter

On Myspace

You can find what I do at:

Birmingham Live! (For reviews)

Created in Birmingham (For interviews)

Burnfm.com (I'm Programme Controller)

Gigbeth (I'm their resident blogger)

This summer I'm also the BBC Blast Arts & Culture reporter for Kent which I'm really excited about and I'll keep returning to Birmingham to stay on top of the music scene so I'll blog about who I'm meeting and what it involves!

Also I like to play dress up so I might slip in the odd outfit photo! (Like the feather boa boredom!

Frank.