MY JOURNEY

 

I got a tape player for Christmas in 1988 and recorded a compilation of songs from the radio; This was my first mixtape. I started writing at age 9 when my mum got me an exercise book, only I misunderstood and thought I had to draw keep-fit poses.

While studying Maths at university, I presented a morning show on student radio called the 'S&M Show' "For those of you who are masochistic enough to be up this early": it was at 9 am.

In 2002, my future husband took me to Glastonbury, his eighth. I'm now on my fourteenth(?).

I started working at HMV to pay student rent and forgot to leave when I graduated: I blame the discount. While I was there, I became addicted to live music. Best gig attended so far? Mogwai in Coventry Cathedral. I also started my own electronic music club night, which was fun and mostly filled with my mates.

In 2007 I started working at a local arts cinema, again it was for the freebies - they should've just paid me with tickets. It also allowed me the flexibility to travel to DJ; I commuted into London a lot, and there were many late nights. At this point, my writing was all journalling and Ginsberg-inspired "poetry".

In 2009 I worked in an entrepreneur forum serving coffees and baguettes to people who would probably create the next amazing innovation; meanwhile, I played music at gay weddings and college piss-ups.

2010 brought my "innovation" in the form of my first daughter. I used maternity leave to learn to play the guitar and watch many films. When my second daughter came around, I figured I would put on gigs as it is easier than buying tickets (it's not). Because I am a masochist and looking after two small children while putting on gigs wasn't enough, I started studying for a second degree at Open University. This time Social Science!

In 2016 I put on Silver Apples at a local venue and had to do a radio show to promote it: here began my return to radio.

My friend had a few too many beers one night and admitted that he liked country music. After the initial shock, we decided to accept his lifestyle choice and got tickets to the Black Deer Festival. Before you knew it, I was reviewing Americana bands for an Americana UK magazine, where they would later make me News Editor.

A few years ago, Cambridge 105 suggested I could help the local community, so I returned to presenting and started in local journalism. Since then, I've started my own music blog, helped the LDWA create a blog, and done the odd bit of freelance writing; there is so much to look forward to! And I'm still learning; this time, it's for my Journalism diploma.