AN independent radio station that attracted thousands of listeners during a trial broadcast four years ago is gearing up to hit Guildford’s airwaves again. Kane FM’s directors are waiting for the green light from industry regulator Ofcom to submit an application for a community radio licence. For 28 days during the summer of 2004, the station aired independent music, ranging from hip-hop to techno, to an enthusiastic audience throughout Guildford. During that short period, Kane received 6,800 text messages, 3,000 e-mails and 5,000 votes of support through its website.
“That was to gauge interest and make sure there was an audience out there,” director Simon Foster said.
The station has been off air since its restricted service licence (RSL) expired on August 31, 2004, but its devoted band of volunteers have never given up trying to bring it back. Following that, we collated the information we received and decided to go out and engage with local groups,” said Mr Foster. “That’s a big part of what we’re doing.
“We use our DJs to try and interact with people in the borough who are less fortunate and might be distracted, but the one thing they do love is music.” Ofcom first invited application for community radio licences in 2004, at which point the Kane FM management team had not finished its market research. In July 2006, the regulator invited a second wave of applications, the only drawback being that it would only accept proposals from one region at a time. Potential broadcasters from South East England are still waiting to submit their bids, but are expected to be given the chance to do so within the coming months.
The project has the full backing of Guildford Borough Council, which has awarded the station two grants totalling £7,782 for equipment and other costs. Mr Foster hopes to start broadcasting from Kane FM’s current base at the Lockwood Centre in Slyfield within the coming months. However, his long-term ambition is to move the station to a new home in the town centre.
“I don’t want lots of people wandering around a quiet area at night,” he said. “We’re talking about possible more central sites at the moment.” Once up and running, Mr Foster hopes to build Kane FM ties with other community groups throughout the borough, with the aim of strengthening social cohesion among young people. Plans are already being drawn for a regular feature on healthy eating and Mr Foster said he has around 70 DJs and volunteers ready to get involved.
“As we haven’t been broadcasting for four years, we lost contact with some people,” he said. “We don’t talk to them all on a daily or even monthly basis, but they are all there waiting in the wings with a lot of talent but no platform.” Ian Handy, Kane FM’s operation director, said the station’s output will be a unique blend of the music featuring the best of the UK independent scene. “There’s no service in the country that plays the mix and quality of music that we have – not Radio One, not 1xtra, not anyone,” he added. “We represent the absolute best of what’s happening at the forefront of music for young people across the UK. “It’s made by young people who struggle hard and probably give up a lot of other things in life to dedicate themselves to making music.” The station has seven renowned producers, each responsible for their own genre, who will act as points of contact for any artists looking for radio exposure.
Anyone interested in getting involved with the station should e-mail simon@kanefm.com
A Facebook group Kane FM Limited Operational Staff/Personal Involvement can also be found at http://www.facebook.com/.
“That was to gauge interest and make sure there was an audience out there,” director Simon Foster said.
The station has been off air since its restricted service licence (RSL) expired on August 31, 2004, but its devoted band of volunteers have never given up trying to bring it back. Following that, we collated the information we received and decided to go out and engage with local groups,” said Mr Foster. “That’s a big part of what we’re doing.
“We use our DJs to try and interact with people in the borough who are less fortunate and might be distracted, but the one thing they do love is music.” Ofcom first invited application for community radio licences in 2004, at which point the Kane FM management team had not finished its market research. In July 2006, the regulator invited a second wave of applications, the only drawback being that it would only accept proposals from one region at a time. Potential broadcasters from South East England are still waiting to submit their bids, but are expected to be given the chance to do so within the coming months.
The project has the full backing of Guildford Borough Council, which has awarded the station two grants totalling £7,782 for equipment and other costs. Mr Foster hopes to start broadcasting from Kane FM’s current base at the Lockwood Centre in Slyfield within the coming months. However, his long-term ambition is to move the station to a new home in the town centre.
“I don’t want lots of people wandering around a quiet area at night,” he said. “We’re talking about possible more central sites at the moment.” Once up and running, Mr Foster hopes to build Kane FM ties with other community groups throughout the borough, with the aim of strengthening social cohesion among young people. Plans are already being drawn for a regular feature on healthy eating and Mr Foster said he has around 70 DJs and volunteers ready to get involved.
“As we haven’t been broadcasting for four years, we lost contact with some people,” he said. “We don’t talk to them all on a daily or even monthly basis, but they are all there waiting in the wings with a lot of talent but no platform.” Ian Handy, Kane FM’s operation director, said the station’s output will be a unique blend of the music featuring the best of the UK independent scene. “There’s no service in the country that plays the mix and quality of music that we have – not Radio One, not 1xtra, not anyone,” he added. “We represent the absolute best of what’s happening at the forefront of music for young people across the UK. “It’s made by young people who struggle hard and probably give up a lot of other things in life to dedicate themselves to making music.” The station has seven renowned producers, each responsible for their own genre, who will act as points of contact for any artists looking for radio exposure.
Anyone interested in getting involved with the station should e-mail simon@kanefm.com
A Facebook group Kane FM Limited Operational Staff/Personal Involvement can also be found at http://www.facebook.com/.
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