Now we are Talking!

:)
ON Sunday afternoon, listening to music on the radio was a treat. Every channel that I switched to, had something different to offer. Variety had finally arrived.

So there was Marathi music and there was Indipop. I could hear Tumhe Apna banaane ki (Sadak) from the 90s or a Devanand song from Guide and I could even listen to Dabanng. Radio One's initiative to promote independent artists also sounded refreshing. The Swapnil Joshi show made me smile (in spite of me being a non-marathi girl) and the back to back music on Fever also did the trick.

After a long time, I could sing along, switch and experiment with my radio set with love and enjoyment, rather than frustration and impatience.

Ofcourse, all of this, on a Sunday. Afternoon. Hope the spread spreads further :)

RJ Mantra bye-bye?

Hey! Bad news... just last week I was about to blog about how Mantra manages to save a dying link in mid-sentence even. And now we come to know that he is going off-air!
Of course, he will be back... but most of the drive-time show hosts who have left their respective shows (which were doing respectably well) and their stations who backed them well... have not succeeded in a come-back on a different channel.
RJ Tarun - kick-ass on Mirchi.. now Massaging on Red fm.
RJ Rohit - building a show on Big - is still starting from scratch on RadioCity.

Another thing to notice here is that competition on the drive sounds all the same! - to begin with, all Male. (except Radio One) Whether its Rohit (City), Suren (Mirchi), Mantra (Red) or Rishi (Fever). And unfortunately, the guy who's decided to step out is the one who had the most to offer in terms of "an identity that stands out from the crowd"

There are rumours galore about Mantra joining another station (at too big a price tag) - but then again, we can only wish the station all the best.
Sometimes, we dont realise, it's not always the jock who is the star of the station, its the station that makes the jock the star. There are various attributes that make or break the jock... which include the station personality, programming focus and brand loyalty.

Point to ponder - would Mallishka still be as strong a jock/style on-air if you take away "Bajaate Raho" from her?

Is the Chorus back?

So the next big hit in Bollywood turned out to be "Pee Loon" from Once Upon a Time in Mumbai. Pritam has kept up his pace to deliver hits.

But what I have also noticed is that there are some things common in some of the recent hits in the industry. Pritam seems to be using it as a formula almost after "Tu Jaane Na" from Ajab Prem Ki. The 'Kaise Bataye' hook became more popular than the part sung by Atif. (without doubting Atif's popularity)

Now with "Pee Loon" and "Tum Jo Aaye" from OUATIM - he seems to have re-confirmed this style. One, going traditional (tabla, harmonium, the works). and Secondly, using chorus as a strong element in the song.

Even the next big song from Dabanng (music to be launched on 5th Aug) is a slow qawalli style number with Raahat Fateh Ali Khan; who has become like a compulsory singer in every album these days. After this one, he will also sing in We Are Family - in the same style as are 90% of his songs. Why do we run after whatever becomes a hit and drain out the freshness completely?!

Anyway, not moving away from where we started, whether its All Izz Well, Uff Teri Ada (KCK), Dhatad Tatad (Lafengey Parindey), Sajdaa (My Name is Khan), Mehengai Daiyan (Peepli Live) - I see the chorus taking enough space on a song to be mentioned in the credits. Remember the back of cassettes in the 90s? "Singer: Kumar Sanu & Chorus" :)

Gaane ka gala mat dabao..

Dear RJs, I know its a problem. I know there are too many ads, too much to communicate and no time at all. But please don't punish my songs for it!

it's not the first time that I am coming across this problem or hear a song being cut randomly in between. When I was on-air - I've struggled with it myself... but now its becoming so rampant, that I felt like writing about it.

I was so enjoying Chhai Chhapa Chhai on a rainy evening and was so singing along - when suddenly the jock must have realised that he needs to play the ads on time and he pulled the song down. As a music manager, I had actually worked out rules in my office to make this as minimal as possible. Because its actually very putting-off. Wrong english, but exactly what I want to say. Putting off. More so, most of the jocks seem to feel listeners don't or won't realise :) ya right.

In any case, some more planning is the simple way out. And its important simply because my primary need to tune in is music. And if that is not being taken seriously or is being mutilated and edited around without aesthetics.. it somehow gives me the impression that my music and I am not important to you. (as a listener) And well, as a radio professional, the only thing thats important is - the listener. Nahi?

Surat nu Mirchi is also Hot ;)

I was in Surat for the past few days and heard some radio briefly. Besides realising that most of the stations are playing retro in this small (yet popular) city... I came across something that I have been wanting to introduce on-air since many years. Some radio-stations did try it on Saturday nights but pulled back this kind of programming, for what I understand to be lack of funds or backing or talent or even time.

It was 8 in the morning and Mirchi was playing 'Gaano ki Ladi' which was basically songs mixed back to back (like a DJ would mix them), except that these were not club / dance numbers. I know its a simple concept. But once again, here comes the emphasis... in radio.. keep it simple - but do it well.
It was done so well that even in my half-dead state (I hadn't sleep the whole night), I was sure I was going to get to my computer somehow and blog about it.
The songs were moving seamlessly into each other, but more importantly they did not bore you. I mean that the genres moved gently from one to another...where I heard Namak from Omkara and Main hoon na too. The station imaging was non-intrusive and yet clear.

Mirchi is not using this programming in Mumbai currently, but I am sure wherever its being tried, the TSLs should touch the roof. My compliments to whoever is doing the production on this one and I know what a pain this must be. But its worth it. I am also sure it must be a nightmare for the music managers.. how are you guys keeping track of whats playing out?! (you know what I mean RCS bhakts ;)

In any case, time to sleep. Thanks for giving my day a radio-happy morning!

Stranger @ Bombay Central

I remember writing something about 'Radio Moments' before and I experienced another one last weekend - which is short and sweet, but worth a mention.

I had to drop mom and brother at Bombay Central station and we were tuned into radio, except that it was actually just playing in the background and we were passive listeners. But then I realised how music just seeps into your system without you realising it. When I stepped out to take the luggage out, my head was humming an old hindi number - Uthe Sabke Kadam - and then suddenly a man came out of his car behind us and he was whistling away the tune of the very same song!
In fact I realised that I was singing it in my head only after I heard him whistle it. I looked at him instantly and there it was - a radio connect! :)

I would like to credit the station the two of us were tuned into together- Radio One 94.3... which by the way has improved its music considerably. The bank has been cleaned up and the songs are making much more sense than the earlier mess. Thumbs up to the effort, whoever made it.

And now - HE is Back too!!

After Hrishi K - its time to get excited about another jock (blast from the past) - it's none other than Anirudh L.L.B. He is back on-air, and he's on BIG fm.

I, for one have never been a big fan of Anirudh or his style myself, but I could not help but smile when I heard the 'Hello, Hi, Aaye-Haaye!' He was without doubt one of the most followed jocks on Mumbai air-waves when he was on RadioCity and then created a big 'ho!!' when he shifted to Big FM. After 2 years of hiatus, the man is back to woo his middle-aged women fans and create enough ripples on the night slot - where Karan Singh and Love Guru and Anmol are already ruling the roost. This slot gets more interesting than ever before to follow now.

More importantly, I feel that there is hopefully a realisation within the industry managers to acknowledge the power of a good Radio Presenter. And by good, I dont just mean 'famous' - but voices and people who have connected to the 'junta' in the true sense. People who never used Radio as a stepping stone or just a medium to earn while they prep to move to radio or films. These are the people who are in radio because they love and appreciate the medium. They know the power and know how to use it.

There have been a few names that stick out when one speaks of Mumbai radio to a common man and Anirudh is definitely one of them. Now we wait and watch if people re-connect with him and if he is able to win back the same loyalty and TSLs. Wishing him - and the good old back - good luck.