quagga_r_t_m blog on Absolute Radio

Jo Russell

quagga_r_t_m — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:53:14 +0100

I do not rush to say how much I dislike something. I feel that it is bad taste / conduct to slag people, records, ideas without just cause. I ABSOLUTEly love Virgin radio. I quite litterally HATE other radio stations. Either, (in my opinion), their music is awful or their DJs are awful.

I live in Nottingham, in the East Midlands. One of my local stations is the current employer of Jo Russell, who is moving to Virgin / Absolute. It is a running joke at my place of work (which I agree with) that "Jo & Twiggy" are dreadful and how could they possibly have won ANY awards. I understand that hey are multi award winning DJs. But personally cannot hear this from their show.

If you have ever been unfortunate enough to listen to "Jo & Twiggy" you will understand that a record is played once every 20 mins (atleast it seems that way), as all the duo do is talk talk talk.

I have to admit that Twiggy is the most grating of the two, with his dreadful Nottingham accent. I am from Nottingham and I am ashamed to be associated with this type of voice.

I hope that Jo Russell can excel herself at Virgin / Absolute. And that her "split" will be for the good. I must admit however, that I will not be rushing to hear her programme.

Retrofest (80's music) fans pick favourite/worst songs

quagga_r_t_m — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 13:01:00 +0100

The Boss is dross according to a survey of more than 400 UK music/pop journalists and industry experts.
The survey, carried out for Retrofest, the UK's first 80s music festival taking place in September, showed a number of surprising choices.

While men and women were divided on their favourite songs, they were a lot more unanimous about their hates - Agadoo, Jive Bunny and Cameo's Word Up being the three singles more or less everyone hated.

On the loved list, Prince took top honours for the girls and Take on Me was tops with the boys. It would have been The Smiths as two of their songs made the top five - but not enough individually to topple A-Ha.

The top five female songs were:
Purple Rain - Prince
Don't You Want Me - Human League
Especially for You - Kylie and Jason
The Power of Love - Huey Lewis and the News
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper

The top five male songs were:
Take on Me - A-Ha
Panic/Girlfriend in a Coma - The Smiths
Orange Crush - REM
It's My Life - Talk Talk
Boys Don't Cry - The Cure

Agadoo topped the worst song question, closely followed by Jive Bunny and then Word Up by Cameo.

Thriller was voted the best album with Born in the USA being voted the worst - but it was also number four in the Best Album category.

Retrofest promoter Brad Snelling said: "I'm shocked at The Boss being the worst album - almost as surprised as I am at seeing A-Ha winning the men's vote, but in theory The Smiths won the actual number of entries, votes were just split over two songs.

"There were a lot of votes for different albums though and that will explain it. It didn't take too many votes for any one album to stand out.

"However the single choices were a lot more unified. It's almost as if people know what makes a good single but disagree a lot more on albums. Given that an album - obviously - has more music on it, that's understandable though.

"The survey also shows that guys - for the most part - were more into less-poppy music, but nearly every one of those acts is still on the go, which is a testament to the classic music from the era.

"I think Agadoo being voted the worst song of the era comes from children who had to suffer it year in year out at family parties."

Retrofest is taking place at Culzean Castle, Ayrshire on September 1 and 2.

I entered Christian's Oppurtunity Knocks

quagga_r_t_m — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 21:09:06 +0100

Well, I submitted my mp3 demo of me as a wannabe Virgin Radio DJ. It took me 5 attempts. My wife thinks it's hilarious (Not in a good way). I used an old mixer and an even older microphone. It's a microphone that my dad used to record onto a reel to reel tape recorder in the 70's. I dont have a mic stand, so I balanced the microphone in a kitchen roll tube, wedged it in the top of the ladder on my son's toy fire engine and then bent over hurting my stomach and my back trying to get the right volume on the mic. ie: not too close but not too far away. Then when I listened back either I was too quiet or there was background noise or I just ballsed it up. Anyway, attempt 5 got there. Believe me, I would LOVE to be a DJ on Virgin Radio. The music choice is miles better than ANY other radio station. Oh well fingers crossed. Can't wait to hear myself on the radio, although in once sense, I can wait as I hate the sound of my own voice. I'm sure I don't sound like that? When I hear myself back, it sounds to me like I'm talking down my nose.

Michael Jackson at Retrofest ??????????

quagga_r_t_m — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:52:53 +0100

With regards media speculation over Michael Jackson and Culture Club (with Boy George) appearing at Retrofest at Culzean Castle on September 1 and 2 2007

( www.retrofest.co.uk ) Retrofest can confirm that talks are ongoing with both acts and have been for some time to try and bring them to the event.

Updates on this will be posted at www.retrofest.co.uk and issued to the media when possible.

Thanks,

RETROFEST artists speak up Ford Capri Show

quagga_r_t_m — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 21:29:07 +0100

The line-up for 80s music festival Retrofest just got stronger with the news that Kajagoogoo and Hazel O’Connor will join Kid Creole and the Coconuts at Culzean Castle on September 1 and 2. As visitors to the Retrofest website at www.retrofest.co.uk can see the festival’s line-up is now at 13 acts – with more top names to be confirmed. Now playing are ABC, Hue and Cry, Go West, The Human League, Howard Jones, Four Good Men (members of Simple Minds, Big Country and H20), Bananarama, Kid Creole and the Coconuts, The Blockheads, Jimmy Somerville, Tony Hadley, Kajagoogoo and Hazel O’Connor. But that’s not all. In addition to the aforementioned fairground attractions, the Capri Club of Scotland will also be there, letting people see a number of the classic, iconic cars made famous by the likes of Dennis Waterman in Minder, The Professionals, John Wayne and many others. On the music front, Hazel O'Connor originally shot to fame as an actress, playing the role of Kate in the critically acclaimed film Breaking Glass in 1980, and its accompanying double-platinum selling soundtrack which produced a number of hit singles including Will You, and Eighth Day. A little-known pop fact is that when O'Connor toured the UK in support of Breaking Glass the album, she selected as her opening act a then-unknown local group from Birmingham called Duran Duran. She has continued to be an active creative artist, not only performing – including a recent gig at Glastonbury – but also on stage and TV. Kid Creole and the Coconuts hit the big time with the 1982 album Tropical Gangsters, which hit #3 in the UK and spun off three Top 10 hits - Stool Pigeon, Annie, I'm Not Your Daddy and I'm a Wonderful Thing, Baby. Kajagoogoo were as famous for their often-copied hair styles as their music and their songs are regularly played on 80s hit shows. Kajagoogoo’s Nick Beggs said: “This will be a right good laugh. The line-up’s good, the crowd will be on good form. September can’t come soon enough for us. See you at Retrofest.”Hazel O'Connor said: "Playing at a setting like Culzean Castle will be inspiring for the acts artists as well as the fans as it's an area steeped in the creative history of Scotland, being deep in the heart of Burns' country. I'm really looking forward to it ."A spokesman for Retrofest said: “Too Shy is one of those songs that everyone remembers from the 80s and it’s the same with Hazel’s Broken Glass and every one of Kid Creole’s hits. “We promised the best acts for the best new festival in the UK and here’s the proof. “But we also said that it wouldn’t just be about the music, it’s about the era and the Capri is one of the landmark cars from back then. “It’s a classic car, it’s not naff. You see the attention people give to these cars and you see that it’s about giving a classic the proper respect that it deserves and that sums up the ethos of Retrofest: fun but respectful.

Massive RETROFEST update

quagga_r_t_m — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 17:20:57 +0100

http://www.retrofest.co.uk/line_up.php

3 more groups added to the lineup

Kajagoogoo, Kid Creole, + Four Good Men (ex Simple Minds / H2o)

3 more still tba.

Massive RETROFEST update

quagga_r_t_m — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 17:18:08 +0100

http://www.retrofest.co.uk/line_up.php

3 more groups added to the lineup

Kajagoogoo, Kid Creole, + Four Good Men (ex Simple Minds / H2o)

3 more still tba.

These are the Decadent Days (Retrofest Update)

quagga_r_t_m — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 13:38:36 +0100

Hazel O'Connor added to the line up.

Hope she wears the Breaking Glass costume! Phwoar : )

http://www.retrofest.co.uk/line_up.php

So far (6 more TBA)

The Human League Tony Hadley The Blockheads Go West ABC Howard Jones Bananarama Jimmy Somerville Hue and Cry Hazel O'Connor

Another artist added to Retrofest lineup

quagga_r_t_m — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 22:18:57 +0100

Hue & Cry added to the line up

More still tba

http://www.retrofest.co.uk/line_up.php

GET RETROFEST TICKETS NOW!!

quagga_r_t_m — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 12:12:15 +0000

follow this link to buy tickets NOW!!

http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/pre_sale/t486t2.html

Retrofest update

quagga_r_t_m — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 12:02:00 +0000

RETROFEST ANNOUNCES TICKET PRICES
(AND THERE'S AN EARLYBIRD SALE FROM TODAY)

So far we have confirmed the Blockheads, ABC, Bananarama, Go West, Jimmy Somerville, Human League, Howard Jones and Tony Hadley at the first UK event of its kind.A spokesman for Retrofest Limited said: "We're delighted at securing The Blockheads. They're a band with a great reputation for getting people going and enjoying themselves and that's what we want plenty of at Retrofest - people enjoying themselves."In just the last few days, websites have been clamouring for more details and we're happy to reveal extra information to keep the music fans happy.".... Radio has also announced its involvement and will be promoting the event on air with presenters attending the festival. And ticket prices have been announced for the event.They will be: £45 for a one-day ticket, £75 for the weekend, £150 for a one-day family ticket and £200 for a two-day family ticket. A family ticket will be four two adults and two children aged 14 or under.Camping is also under consideration for the event.Tickets go on sale through Ticketmaster on 0870-169-0100 from Saturday morning, March 24, at 9am but listeners of ....radio (see website, don't want to advertise another station here, as Virgin is the besat),have a chance to book from Wednesday March 21 by dialing 0870 169 0100 or through the station's website.Retrofest is set to be an annual event at Culzean Castle and won't always focus on one era or music.The website, www.retrofest.co.uk, will go live on Friday.

80s music festival Retrofest

quagga_r_t_m — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 21:35:55 +0000

The Blockheads are also confirmed. See details on

www.gowest forum.co.uk/tour_gw.html

and also www.culzeanexperience.org/events.asp

Search for retrofest for more details. Also, contact the OC on the breakfast show to get behind this festival. Contact him for a request on the 80s jukebox and tell him to mention retrofest.

Cheers.

80s music retrofest

quagga_r_t_m — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 20:10:10 +0000

I heard about the 80s music festival Retrofest on an 80s newsgroup. I immeadiatly contacted the poster, who turned out to be the promotions guy. He has subsequently put me on the press mailout list so that I can get upto date info on the festival. He also said that I could use the information in whatever way I wanted. So, I,ve posted on additional news groups. I've contacted MR OC on the breakfast show, as he hosts the 80s jukebox. I've posted the story on the music news at Virgin and as a shoutbox and here as well. I'm going to carry on and hope it all works in order that I can blag some free tickets!? It takes place at Culzean Castle in Ayrshire on September 1+ 2.

About me

quagga_r_t_m — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 14:56:37 +0000

I live in Nottingham and I drive cars for a living. I collect crashed / damaged cars and drive them to the garage. Then when repaired, I drive them back to their owners. I drive roughly 12 different cars a day. All I have to do is a bit of paperwork, drive, sit on my bum and listen to Virgin all day .... and get paid!! woo hoo. It's really frustrating that my tomtom talks to me when someone is saying something important. It never talks to me during the adverts. OR, I arrive at a customers or base (who listen to another radio station) and miss something really good whilst waiting to go out again. I love ALL types of music from all eras. My dad was a DJ whilst I was growing up. So I blame him for the fact that I like evrything. Because of this, I also love Virgin radio, especially Suggs.