Radio

Matt on 3AW “Remember When”

In trying to promote the Champagne Comedy Podcast, I reached out to Philip Brady via Simon Owens, who made cameos on The Late Show a few times, often stealing the spotlight and being the butt of the joke.

We were up to one episode to review of The Late Show where allegedly Philip did a ‘pressed fruit bowl’ against the window of a mini van for a sketch, and I invited Philip to come on the podcast.

But he flipped it and invited me to phone in onto ‘Remember When’ on 3AW.

This is that call – the full version. A shortened version featured in the podcast.

Vale Philip Brady.

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Hot Tomato Gold

So… I’ve been very busy lately.

I helped put this new digital station together by creating all the station imaging: Hot Tomato Gold. Streaming online via iHeartRadio and on your DAB radios if you’re based on the Gold Coast.

Part of the press release, available on Mediaweek:

The Hot Tomato Broadcasting Company has announced the launch of Hot Tomato Gold and CADA via DAB+ radio on the Gold Coast, as well as through the iHeart radio app.

Gold Coasters will also be able to listen to 1029 Hot Tomato through their DAB+ radio, waking up with Galey, Emily Jade & Christo for Breakfast and driving home with Moyra and Big Trev weekday afternoons.

Hot Tomato Gold is a new format that will play the Gold Coast’s Greatest Hits from the 60’s to 90’s, putting the Gold back on the Gold Coast.

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Nominated Again

The pandemic has taken a toll on many people and the economy, so it’s been a stressful year or two.

However, some light has shone and I’ve been nominated for a ‘Best Achievement In Production’ award for the 2021 Commercial Radio Awards.

I am truly stoked to be part of this line-up – just to be nominated after two years worth of hectic events is truly an honour. This is my third solo nomination, having been nominated in 2017 and 2018 – and was lucky enough to win that year.

The awards were on hold for 2020 due to the pandemic, and delayed for 2021, so the awards night itself will not happen until February 2022. I will share my entry once the event is completed.

For the full list of nominations, click here.

December 2021 UPDATE: The event was cancelled and they announced the winners online at the start of December. Unfortunately I didn’t win, but you can listen to my entry here.

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Geeking Out over Silent Bob

One of the perks in radio is meeting people from various lifestyles and entertainment to help promote their wares.

In this case, I overheard a conversation from the rival breakfast show that they were interviewing one of my favourite movie directors Kevin Smith (aka Silent Bob).  My eyes lit up and I started giving the talent ideas and questions to ask. I was then told that I was ‘geeking out’ so I stopped and agreed, and walked back to my production studio to continue my work.

 

About 10 minutes later, their assistant barged my door open and told me to walk with him. Next thing you know, I’m lead into the on-air studio for a pre-recorded interview with Smith on the phone. I had joined in mid-way through the chat.

This – is the awkward and geeking out result.

 

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Archive: Spiderbait Interviews circa 2004

While cleaning out my computer, I found this audio grab floating around. Turns out it was one of the interviews I’ve done with one of my favourite bands I’m a tad obsessed with, from 2004.

Spiderbait were doing a tour to promote their at-the-time newly released album Tonight Alright. I had never seen them live before, and my first gig was seeing them perform at University of Wollongong with a few friends. A few days later, an announcement of more shows were happening, at Penrith Panthers Leagues Club and Sweeney’s At Scenic Hills Riding Ranch.

Of course, I attended the shows.

At the Panthers gig, while waiting to go in, I noticed Whitt and Kram casually hitting the pokies and having a beer before they were doing their set. As I was in community radio at the time, I thought this was the best time to approach them to see if I could arrange an interview down the track. The guys were more than happy to chat, so Whitt gave me his number to contact them later on. I was over the moon! I called Whitt 3 days later, and organised an interview with my dodgy mini-disc recorder and tiny microphone at their next gig near me – Sweeney’s. But this time, they were supporting Hoodoo Gurus so there was a lot of noise.

Unfortunately for me the day before, I developed laryngitis and lost my voice. I was going to use my friend Katherine as a backup, but she told me not to sing/talk during the concert. She was right. I gained some of my vocal tones back… just not enough when I did the interview. Being extremely determined, I pushed on anyway. For the embarrassment and entertainment, here’s the uncut version. Whitt, Janet and occasionally Kram walking by (it was his birthday so he was moving around).  Warts and all.

A few months flew by – Black Betty had hit Number 1 on the ARIA charts, the album went gangbusters, and the Hoodoo Gurus / Spiderbait tour was wrapping up. One of the last shows was going to be held at Penrith Panthers again, so I thought I’d do a ‘catch-up’ interview with Whitt and Janet to see how the success was. With mini-disc recorder in hand and questions prepped, everything was sweet. What was meant to be a 5 minute interview, went for about 20 minutes. I had only asked 2 scripted questions, and the rest was me improvising the interview and getting down-right personal and fan-boying out. It was going to be fantastic.

But something went wrong.

In order for the mini-disc recorder to work, I had to hold my thumb down hard in the middle of the player. After chatting with them for so long, my thumb went numb and I lost grip, wiping the entire recording. I shat myself – I panicked and was about to cry. I explained to them what had happened. They were due on stage in 2 minutes. Whitt patted me on the shoulder and said “Don’t stress! Fix it back up and we’ll start the interview again. Easy!”

“No it isn’t! This recorder is a piece of crap… It’s over.. I don’t want you to be late for your show!” I replied, feeling devo.

“You’ll be fine! Turn it back on and we’ll chat more!” said Janet, nice and calmingly.

So I started it back up again, frustrated, holding my thumb on the cover, and started again… with this raw uncut audio as the end result.

After the interview, I thanked them again and went into the concert hall, knowing that everything will be right in the world, and I’ll look back on this in an amusing way.

Legends.

Keeping warm with Spiderbait out the back of Sweeney's at Scenic Hills - 2004
Keeping warm with Spiderbait out the back of Sweeney’s at Scenic Hills – 2004

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