West of England Metro Mayor and rookie DJ Dan Norris tried spinning some records when he visited a pioneering Bristol-based community radio station.
The Metro Mayor learnt how Bristol’s Noods Radio is benefiting from a cash injection from the West of England Combined Authority when he toured the station’s HQ and popular local spot for artists Mickey Zoggs café and bar.
Broadcasting from their St Pauls-based home, Noods Radio has been an outlet for the city’s growing indie music scene since 2015, growing into a worldwide station showcasing Bristol’s musical hidden gems and with supporting local producers and performers at the heart of its ethos.
Before entering the DJ booth, Mr Norris met director Leon Pattrick and Izzy who explained to the Metro Mayor how the station is benefitting from specialist training thanks to £3,000 of investment from the Combined Authority, which Mr Norris leads.
The creative duo also explained how the funding will support the work of Noods Radio’s social enterprise company, Noods Levels, helping develop projects for talented local people to help them find their niche in the industry similar to their recent CrossTalk project for creative young people, a full day of talks and workshops from established radio, videography and production professionals.
Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “This isn’t the normal type of ‘spinning’ for a politician, and I might not know my mixing from my beatmatching, but I know an innovative community radio station when I see one. I am delighted that a grant from the West of England Combined Authority which I lead is helping the region’s producers, mixers, presenters and programmers reach their full potential. The West of England is a region of innovation and creativity, and I’m proud to back the talented local people working in this sector”.