**SCROLL DOWN FOR POSTAL ADDRESS UPDATE.
Podwireless is an expanded version of ye olde fRoots Radio (RIP), a monthly two-hour podcast of new releases from the world of folk, roots and associated weirdos that began in 2002 as a service for the readers of fRoots magazine (RIP). Since the magazine's closure in 2019 it has continued in much-expanded form. It's now often to be found in the top 5 folk, roots, acoustic and world music podcasts.
Before
that I’d done many years on ‘conventional’ radio, starting on local radio in
Surrey in the early 1980s, presenting various series for BBC Radio 2, Capital
Radio and the original World Routes on Jazz FM, depped for Andy Kershaw
on BBC Radio 1, and had a 12 year stint presenting Folk Routes on the BBC World Service. You can read more about that
and find some links to ancient programmes delivered in my scarily youthful
voice at https://www.ianaanderson.com/broadcast
Podwireless is also re-edited to include some local gig relevant tracks each month for broadcast on Cambridge 105 Radio as Folk Routes, and also goes out in its original form on a number of internet radio stations worldwide.
The
aim of pretty much everything I’ve ever done in broadcasting has been to give
exposure to music that enthuses me, much of which gets very little other chance
for airplay. I try not to talk too much, and have always provided playlists to
help listeners track down records they’d like to buy. In my BBC World Service
days I used to get a bonkers mailbag from all over the planet, sometimes – I
was told – more than the pop/rock music request show got. Virtually all of it
was enquiries to ID something I’d played and to give a source for it. That’s all
so much easier since they invented the interweb, and what this playlist & links site is for.
Please always include the best web link to the release, artist or
label so that I can include one of those in the online playlists, to point potential customers to the right source. Bandcamp links are favourite. And all I really
need is a simple biography – what the biz calls a “one sheet”, not reams
of reviews. Save a tree!
Q: How do I get my album considered for Podwireless?
A: **The old Bristol PO Box has now ceased operating. The address to send CDs to for consideration is now:
Ian Anderson
Podwireless
Ian Anderson
Podwireless
32 Leys Avenue
Cambridge
CB4 2AW
UK
If you’re really not sure if the music you make is suitable, you can
email me at podwireless@outlook.com – but why not just give a programme a
listen so you can judge for yourself?! And it shouldn’t need saying, but I do
give special attention to small independent labels.
Please note that I focus on new releases, and, if released physically, preferably from finished CD copies with full notes and
packaging. Unless it’s a
digital-only release (obviously!) or overseas postage costs are prohibitive from your location I prefer to avoid the extra faff of
downloading and filing (and then promptly losing)
digital tracks – and I can't play vinyl. I do play digital preview tracks – WAVs please, not mp3s – before physical CDs are manufactured, but please remember to send a finished copy when available – I only consider proper CDs for the annual "Best Of…".
Q: What are your programme dates to consider?
A: Podwireless is released on the last day of the month before it's dated, and recorded a week before that, i.e. the February Podwireless goes up on 31st January and is recorded around the 24th January. So if you're aiming to get a record considered for inclusion in the release date month, think ahead!
Q: Podwireless seems to be free. How is it funded?
A: It’s a labour of love and public service netcasting which runs entirely on donations of spare change from supporters – see the Tip Jar link at the top of the column on the right, or go to https://www.paypal.me/unmanage . Suitable CDs to play (see above), teacakes and coffee are also vital!
Q: Podwireless seems to be free. How is it funded?
A: It’s a labour of love and public service netcasting which runs entirely on donations of spare change from supporters – see the Tip Jar link at the top of the column on the right, or go to https://www.paypal.me/unmanage . Suitable CDs to play (see above), teacakes and coffee are also vital!
Q: Clearance and permissions for playing?
A: By sending a CD or digital files to Podwireless, it is assumed that you are automatically granting permission for one or more tracks to be played for promotional purposes. Our main platform Mixcloud states that they pay royalties though how they calculate what, to who and how is not clear. Let's just assume that you're happy to get a free promotional play or two. After all, it's not like Sp*tify streams will buy you any hot dinners!
Q: Before I send you my CD, what sort of music will you actually play?
A: As a simple
guide, music, however ancient or modern, that has roots in a
folk tradition from somewhere out there. Neither the instruments or level of technology employed nor an
artist’s nationality are particularly relevant. For example, neither the act of
playing an acoustic instrument or singing in English have
a major significance either way. It ain’t how you do it, it’s what you do!
Why not listen to a show or two first?!
Why not listen to a show or two first?!
Q: I’m an acoustic singer songwriter. That’s surely OK then?
A: Possibly not,
unless your music is strongly influenced by a tradition. The musik biz
categorises anybody with an acoustic guitar who writes their own songs as
‘folk’. Which is fine, call it whatever you like, but Podwireless may
not have space for it.
Q: Hey dude, I do "Americana." Do you play that?
A: A little, but with
so much great local roots music to cover from around a world that is fighting
back against global cultural imperialism, plus the explosion in self-published
CDs in the wealthy nations, I simply can’t shoehorn everything in. I play what
you could call local, regional or traditional American musics: country blues,
Cajun, conjunto, old-time, Appalachian, musics of established immigrant
communities, but only music made by current writers which is clearly rooted
in such traditions. I don’t really have space for music that has no sense of
roots, place or community: for example singer/songwriters who are essentially
just playing acoustic rock music with a country twang, mainstream Nashville
country, blues rock, amorphous music that could come from anywhere. And spare me
the stuff about dolphins . . . Sorry!
Q: Does my CD need UK distribution for you to include
it?
A: No. Podwireless
is listened to worldwide and the chances are that your CD can be bought somewhere in
the world over the interweb, probably via Bandcamp if you're on the ball. Don't forget to include those buying links! Getting a play in Podwireless might even help
gain UK distribution and open the doors to becoming known here.
But please note if you are sending CDs from abroad, please put the value
at which you are declaring them for customs as the basic manufacturing cost, e.g. from
USA two dollars per CD, not the full retail price. Otherwise it will incur a
customs charge and I won’t be able to accept the item from the post office. You
should also write on the outside of the package that it is a free promotional
sample.
Q: Bribery? Payola?
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