Name: Mike Saunders
Show: Educational Sounds for the Hard of Hearing
When are you on?
I am on air on Monday’s from 10pm to midnight. The show is on for four weeks then off for eight weeks in rotation with other shows.
What type of music can we expect to hear on your show?
If you tune into Educational Sounds for the Hard of Hearing expect to hear: Freak beats, wickerman-folk, funky psych, electro-phonic-jazz, exotic bubblegum and trash/retro movie and TV soundtracks.
How did you discover this music?
I began by listening to my dad’s progressive rock collection, the moved on and discovering funk, then hip hop, then Jazz and…well one thing led to another. I’ve always enjoyed playing people stuff they’ve never heard that makes them go “that was weird…but I kinda’ liked it.”
How long have you been DJ’ing?
I’ve been DJ’ing for about three years.
How did you start DJ’ing?
A friend of mine who was involved in Phonic FM recommended it to me, and here I am!
Do you DJ anywhere other than on Phonic FM?
I am part of a DJ collective called Birds, Orphans & Fools – we play regular nights around Exeter specialising in 60’s and 70’s obscurities. We currently have a club night at the Amber Rooms every other Friday and host monthly events at the Phoenix with Manchester based record label Finders keepers/Twisted Nerve called B-Music.
What has been your most embarrassing DJ’ing moment?
I can’t think of anything embarrassing… just the overwhelming fear of doing our first show on (what was then) Vibraphonic! I’d never seen Nick looking so white. We’ve also made some technical cock up but we are fairly foolish and unembarrassable so it doesn’t really bother us.
What has been your best DJ’ing moment?
The Science Fiction Special we did last year on Vibraphonic. We broadcast from a space station and got a lot of comments saying how much people enjoyed it.
Who is your favourite artist?
I just don’t have one specific favourite – there are too many artists I love for different reasons and it depends on my mood. But as you insist I’ll say Frank Zappa, Caravan (an acquired taste), Bo Hasson and The Doors.
What is you all time favourite album?
Again – this is a really hard one. I suppose Hot Rats by Frank Zappa’s got be a high contender though and I’d have to take Zero Time by Tonto’s expanding Headband to a desert Island.
Where do you shop for music?
Anywhere I can find vinyl, Rooster Records, the charity shops (particularly Oxfam down in St Thomas) and of course the regular St Georges Hall Record Fair.
Tags: b-music, birds orphans and fools, Educational sounds for the hard of hearing, Finders keepers/Twisted Nerve, Mike saunders