0860 Podcast with Fracture

Latest Episodes:

S2 EP6: Nicky Black Market - evading the DTI and providing cultural meeting point for Jungle and Drum & Bass at Black Market Records Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

This week on the show, we have the legendary Nicky Black Market. He has a rich history in London Pirate Radio, playing on all the top stations during the 90s, and he continues to play on Kool FM today. He’s as well known as a DJ as he was for being the face of the Jungle and Drum & Bass department at London’s iconic Black Market Records. We cover some really interesting ground, and it becomes clear just how important this particular record shop was.

Black Market Records opened in 1988 and was a pillar of London dance music for 27 years before closing in 2015. Nicky Black Market and the whole Black Market Records family were a massive influence on me. I used to go there weekly—sometimes up to three times a week—to stay connected with what was new. That included buying records, finding out release dates, discovering which clubs were hot, and just hanging out and making connections. Like most great record shops, Black Market was much more than just a place to buy records. It was as important to Jungle, Drum & Bass, UKG, Dubstep, and other genres as any other component in the growth of the music.

I’ll also be answering some listener comments and questions at the end of the show, so keep it locked for that. If you want to get involved, you can join the Discord.

Some footage of 90s Black Market Records HERE and HERE

First record I bought in Black Market Records - DJ SS ‘Rollige’ or as Nicky describes it ‘Omlette & Chips’

My Rinse FM residency archive HERE

Join the Discord HERE to discuss, feedback and suggest anything for the podcast

My new album SLOW860 is out now HERE

S2 EP5: Putting Pirate Radio in a gallery, Ley lines and Jungle in video games Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, I reflect on last week’s 0860 Exhibition, ‘Somewhere About Town,’ held at the incredible Hackney Gallery in East London. The exhibition was a collaboration between my brother Harry and me, celebrating pirate radio culture through a collection of photography, artworks, and artefacts.

The event opened on Friday, November 15th, with a live performance by me and DJ sets from Warlock, Brockie, and MC Det. The show ran throughout the weekend, attracting an eclectic mix of visitors. Some came after hearing about it, while others stumbled across it by chance and were intrigued. It was an amazing experience that has sparked so many ideas about where to take this project next.

The Hackney Gallery was the perfect venue for this show. It’s a very DIY, grassroots, and unofficial space—much like pirate radio itself. It’s run by a group of passionate young people who are building a community and making things happen out of necessity, again mirroring the spirit of pirate radio. The gallery is located just around the corner from the Nightingale Estate in Clapton, where many stations, including Kool FM, Weekend Rush, and Defection, broadcast during the 1990s. Having two Kool legends, Brockie and Det, perform in a grassroots space so close to where they first started out was truly special. I delve into all of this in detail during the episode.

Putting the exhibition together was an intense process, so this week’s episode doesn’t feature a guest. Instead, it’s just me. First, I share a debrief of the exhibition, and then I dive into listener questions on topics such as the era of internet radio, approaching music and culture as an outsider, Jungle and Video Games, and incredible stories of how pirate radio recordings have traveled far and wide to bring people together.

Join the Discord HERE to discuss, feedback and suggest anything for the podcast

Check out the Hackney Gallery HERE and their ‘Under The Hatch’ DJ sessions HERE

My new album SLOW860 is out now HERE

John Higgs - The KLF book HERE

Check out ‘Jack Move’, the video game I scored HERE

S2 EP4: Pete Cannon - Pirate stations in Blackpool and North West and making modern Hardcore music on a 1980s Amiga Nov 06, 2024

Show notes

*****NEWS*****

Join us for a free 0860 exhibition in London: Somewhere About Town

Astrophonica & Utile present an exhibition of artworks, photography, artefacts and performances celebrating Pirate Radio culture running 15th - 17th November at The Hackney Gallery. The private view is on 15th Nov 7-11pm with a live cassette loop performance of Fracture’s ambient Jungle album ‘SLOW860’ and some very special DJ sets which we’ll announce shortly. It’s free and will be a vibe so it would be great to see you there.

Private View 15.11.24, 7-11pm w/ Fracture (SLOW860 Live) and Special Guest DJs TBA

Opening times 16 - 17.11.24 12-7pm

Hackney Galley, 1 Lower Clapton Road E5 0NS

Fracture's new SLOW860 album ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠

A long read on the album is here

On to this week’s guest, the rave aesthetic machine that is Pete Cannon. His work as a music producer spans decades and genres, working as a Hip Hop producer, a media composer and in recent years a Hardcore & Jungle artist. His approach steeped in the DIY history of rave music and his studio is full of many of the bedroom producer tools that lead to some of the most seminal records in the genre. The two main reasons I wanted to get Pete on was the fact that he grew up in Blackpool which, as we learn, had a healthy Pirate Radio and rave scene. There’s been lots of representation of London and some of the more well known stations on this Podcast so it was great to hear about first experiences of rave music through his local stations and Manchester legend Stu Allan. We also talk about his passion for old skool equipment including the Amiga, which seems to be having a bit of a renaissance at the moment with various plug-in emulations becoming available and a recent Bizzy B and Brain Records exhibition specifically about using an Amiga to make Jungle. We start on Pirate and then take a deep dive into production, discussing sampling, breakbeats and the sonic qualities of his equipment.

Follow Fracture on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bandcamp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Music⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beatport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For more information on the project, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠0860.fm

S2 EP3: Eli1ah - Early Grime's use of Pirate Radio and thoughts on the culture today Oct 29, 2024

Show notes

*****NEWS*****

Fracture's new SLOW860 album ⁠⁠here⁠⁠

Join the Astrophonica Discord ⁠⁠here

This week, we have the free-thinking grime historian and modern-day UK music icon, Elijah. He’s a writer, DJ, artist manager, and co-founder of the record label Butterz. With a background in pirate radio, he has evolved into a cultural commentator through his Yellow Squares project on Instagram, which you should definitely check out if you haven't already. He uses this project as a canvas to encourage discussion and challenge industry norms in an open and honest manner. When I emailed him to invite him on the show, he replied immediately, suggesting we do it in two hours. This really put me on my toes and made me put my money where my mouth is—absolutely love it. His approach to the Yellow Squares project reflects his enthusiasm for cultural discussions; he’s very driven and passionate.

I’ve always been a big fan of his work. I primarily invited him on because this podcast has mainly focused on Jungle and Drum and Bass from my perspective, leaving little representation for grime. Elijah is someone who has spoken extensively about grime and how the scene utilized pirate radio.

He is also very vocal about the current state of the music industry and often challenges outdated ways of thinking in a philosophical manner. This is crucial because, while this podcast celebrates the legacy and history of pirate radio, I want these discussions to be beneficial for those who didn’t experience that era. I can think of no one better to facilitate this than Elijah.

We discuss various topics, including his beginnings as a listener and how the grime scene incorporated pirate radio at a time when internet radio had become an easier and safer option. We also delve into his thoughts on the shortcomings of radio today and how a DIY approach is now more important than ever. It’s a truly engrossing conversation that I believe you’ll enjoy.

I’ve been getting some great feedback on the podcast and in particular an email from James Norman, a professor at University of Bristol who was struck by the conversation I had with Bailey a couple of episodes ago about how the concept of ‘the future’ is no longer a source of inspiration for Jungle & Drum n Bass. At the end of the show I read and comment on the email and I encourage you to join the discussion via info@astrophonica.co.uk or on the Discord. Thus creating that ever important Pirate Radio broadcaster to listener feedback loop.

Follow Fracture on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bandcamp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Music⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beatport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For more information on the project, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠0860.fm

S2 EP2: Sweetpea - All night back 2 backs on Rude FM and a continued love of live radio Oct 22, 2024

Show notes

*****NEWS*****

Preorder Fracture's new SLOW860 album ⁠here⁠

Join the Astrophonica Discord ⁠here

Sweetpea is a Producer, DJ, Radio Presenter and Mentor from London who cut her teeth on the legendary Rude FM 88.2 in late '00s. She is another guest on the show that has gone from humble Pirate Radio beginnings to hosting a show on BBC Radio, and someone who has a deep respect for community and the uplifting of others via her work with EQ50 - a mentoring initiative set up to address the imbalance of women in electronic music.

We get into her time on Rude FM and the legendary 'Rush Hour' shows. The clue is in the name but let's just say they were no rules all night back 2 back sessions. Sweetpea now has a show on Kool FM which she is very passionate about doing live as she still gets a buzz out of the interaction and possibility for mishaps and technical issues. I too have a a passion for live radio and in this age of prerecorded shows I think it's important to keep it alive.

Follow Fracture on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bandcamp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Music⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beatport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For more information on the project, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠0860.fm

S2 EP1: Bailey - From playing on Energy FM in a broom cupboard to a 10yr residency on BBC 1Xtra. This man lives for radio. Oct 15, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to Season 2 of the 0860 Podcast....

*****NEWS******

Preorder Fracture's new SLOW860 album here

Join the Astrophonica Discord here

DJ Bailey is an important DJ in the history of Jungle and Drum & Bass, a resident at the legendary Metalheadz Blue Note Sessions in the mid 90s, a 10-year BBC 1Xtra DJ in the 00s and of course has a history in Pirate Radio on Energy 87.9 FM. He’s an experienced A&R and label owner with Instasound and the passion for finding and presenting new music runs deep.

He was one of the first established DJs to support my early music and supported it in his DJ sets in the early 2000s and invited myself and Neptune on to his 1xtra show in 2011 so I was always going to have him up on the podcast.

We discuss how his background in Pirate Radio shaped his career, being a Metalheadz DJ, streaming his own show ‘Straight From The Bedroom’ on UStream, and his move from cutting edge DJ to passionate archivist and story teller. Make no mistake, Bailey still has his finger on the pulse and continues to host a show on London’s Kool FM. This guy lives for radio and shows no sign of stopping.

Follow Fracture on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bandcamp⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Music⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Beatport⁠⁠⁠⁠

For more information on the project, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠0860.fm

S1 EP15: Krust - The Punk DIY ethos, Bristol Jungle music and cutting dubplates and London's legendary Music House Oct 11, 2024

Show notes

On this episode we have the legend that is DJ Krust - an iconic figure the early Jungle and drum and bass scene and part of a wider Bristol collective that has contributed so much to the music including top 10 hits, a mercury music prize and some of the most timeless classic tracks that have defined the genre.

We talk about his early days in Pirate Radio and how the DIY and Punk mentality is something that runs through his career right up to the present date. He discusses dub plate culture and the legendary Music House studio and a topic that comes up in these conversations time and time again - the importance of community. I’m very excited to present to you…. DJ Krust

Come and discuss the episodes and much more on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Astrophonica Discord⁠⁠⁠

Follow Fracture on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Bandcamp⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Apple Music⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Beatport⁠⁠⁠

For more information on the project, visit ⁠⁠⁠0860.fm

S1 EP14: Warlock - Recounting a studio raid on Pulse FM, starting a station in student halls and writing reviews for Ravescene zine Oct 10, 2024

Show notes

Warlock played on the notorious Pulse FM 90.6 in the early 90s but started his pirate radio career before that by starting his own station from his university halls of residence. The main reason I wanted to talk to him was that he was involved in a studio raid in which the police and DTI broke down the studio door and confiscated his records. He’s an amazing archivist that holds memories close to his heart but is also always looking to the future for the next sound with excitement and intrigue. Back in the 90s he was lucky enough to get a test press of Rufige Crew’s seminal Terminator and we discuss what it was like playing it on Pulse FM and the interaction with the listeners. A really wonderful conversation with loads of stories and anecdotes. He’s still active and makes amazing forward thinking hardcore and techno influenced music as Hooverian Blur.

Come and discuss the episodes and much more on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Astrophonica Discord⁠⁠⁠

Follow Fracture on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Bandcamp⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Apple Music⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Beatport⁠⁠⁠

For more information on the project, visit ⁠⁠⁠0860.fm

S1 EP13: Tim Reaper - Making music on trains, Modern Jungle and platforming younger unknown artists Oct 09, 2024

Show notes

A conversation with the prolific and ever enthusiastic Tim Reaper.

He’s known for his immense work ethic both as an artist and as label owner for futureretrolondon and has regular shows on NTS and Jungletrain.

I’ve been wanting to speak to him for some time for many reasons but mainly because he makes incredibly authentic Jungle but comes from a time after the Pirate Radio era. We speak about his understanding of Pirate Radio and the impact it’s had on the music. We discuss the concept of nostalgia and the use of nostalgia when making Jungle music. We also discuss his love for the DIY ethos - it runs through everything he does, including making music on a laptop on the train with Ear Buds, to the way he runs his record label Future Retro London. it’s very grass roots and he uses it both as a platform for showcasing the best in modern Jungle but also to give younger and up and coming producers a place for early releases in their career. He’s very community minded and very DIY minded and authenticity runs through everything he does.

Come and discuss the episodes and much more on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Astrophonica Discord⁠⁠⁠

Follow Fracture on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Bandcamp⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Apple Music⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Beatport⁠⁠⁠

For more information on the project, visit ⁠⁠⁠0860.fm

S1 EP12: Uncle Dugs - From early days as a listener to management roles at Rinse FM Oct 08, 2024

Show notes

Get ready people, we have an amazing episode up next on the 0860 Podcast - The incredible multi-award-winning rave historian - Uncle Dugs. Pirate Radio runs through this man’s veins. From his early days on Conflict in the mid 90s, through to time on Kool London and then with Rinse FM as station manager and now weekly Friday morning show. But, what makes dugs so great is that he comes from a listener background. He was as fascinated and infatuated with Pirate Radio as I was. He still gets excited at the mention of it and was very much into the idea of sitting down for a chat with me for the project. We’d never met but got on instantly due to our shared history - and I think that’s testament to the wide community the Pirate Radio created and nurtured. He talks about his love of Kool FM as a listener and about his time on various stations as a DJ.

Come and discuss the episodes and much more on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Astrophonica Discord⁠⁠⁠

Follow Fracture on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Bandcamp⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Apple Music⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Beatport⁠⁠⁠

For more information on the project, visit ⁠⁠⁠0860.fm

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