British DJ’s in focus: Ashwyn Smyth

We had been studying up lately on a DJ, his present and his story from 2013. It’s price repeating and refreshing that materials right here as an perception into a bit historical past and to the DJ, Ashwyn Smyth, whose present continues in the present day. Ashwyn has continued to be very energetic in British Blues since, not the least in his position within the UK Blues Federation and as a member of the Unbiased Blues Broadcasters Affiliation.

Listed here are the phrases from 2013:

Blues DJ’s: Ashwyn Smyth of Digital Blues.

First, the actually essential stuff – the right way to hearken to the present and different particulars (@2013):

When: each Wednesday between 21.00 & 23.00 UK time on Gateway 97.8, Group Radio for Basildon and East Thurrock. Repeated at 20.00 UK time each Sunday.

Ashwyn shares with us the story of his present, under (bear in mind, that is 2013):

“Digital Blues has been described because the voice of the Blues for Essex, each for the Digital Blues radio reveals and for its presence on the Essex and UK blues scene for the final ten plus years.While most likely finest recognized for producing and presenting radio programmes, Digital Blues and myself as its creator, had been very energetic on the blues scene, notably in Essex all through the primary decade of the twenty first century.

“What began off as try to advertise radio reveals turned a greater than 500 robust mailing listing, plus an internet site which was receiving greater than 10,000 hits p.a. and which was maybe finest recognized for the Gig Information, described on the time as the largest blues gig information on the net, which carried full particulars of blues gigs in and round Essex.

“However the web site additionally carried blues information, native, nationwide and worldwide, opinions of gigs, CDs and DVDs, adverts for bands searching for musicians and musicians searching for bands in addition to a big assortment of helpful hyperlinks.

“In 2010, because of internet hosting issues, the web site fell fallow and outdated for a while however late in 2011, because of a few nice guys at Webcrate, the positioning was resurrected, in a considerably less complicated format, and the gig information is again together with particulars of the radio reveals and the all essential playlists.

“The brand new web site has drawn many very beneficial feedback, for instance.

‘Only a fast phrase to say how a lot this specific Blues fan appreciates the effort and time you set into each these newsletters and the web site – and the way informative they’re! We’re very fortunate on this neck of the woods to have such a fund of knowledge on native gigs and there’s definitely no excuse to overlook any as a result of nobody advised us!’ – MW, Billericay

“Out on the stay music scene, Digital Blues organised plenty of very profitable charity festivals which raised substantial funds for the Helen Rollason Most cancers Care Centre charity in addition to selling gigs at venues such because the well-known Essex Arms in Brentwood.

“I additionally compered at plenty of blues weekends at varied areas across the UK and was for plenty of years, the resident MC at presumably the premier blues venue in Essex, the New Crawdaddy Blues Membership in Billericay. I’m nonetheless intently concerned with the Membership operating their mailing listing and producing a weekly publication. I additionally often MCs there when I’m within the UK.

“I used to be additionally invited to MC the ultimate of the 2011 and 2012 New Brunswick Battle of the Blues on the 100 Membership in Central London (2011) and The Storage in Highbury, North London (2012)

“I’ve additionally been a contributor to each Blues Issues! and Blues in Britain in addition to being invited to jot down sleeve notes for CDs for acts corresponding to Dangerous City Blues, the Shakey Vick Band and Ramon Goose. I additionally co-produced, with the late Ray Bartrip, two Essex Delta Blues CDs which sought to advertise Essex blues acts and which had been despatched to promoters and radio reveals across the UK and Europe and had been instrumental in gaining wider recognition, and gigs, for most of the acts concerned.

“Digital Blues radio reveals commenced in June 2001 and, till June 2006, had been produced as web radio reveals with occasional FM outings on periodic RSL transmissions on a South Essex based mostly radio station. The reveals featured many new releases, usually from artists receiving their first radio airplay anyplace within the World, in addition to tracks each historic & fashionable.

“Specifically, the reveals supplied publicity and radio play for Essex based mostly bands and artists, usually that includes stay performances in addition to publicising native gigs and venues.

“Digital Blues additionally offered The Blues Banquet, a stay, weekly feast of blues & actual r’n’b that includes studio friends taking part in stay on two RSLs for a Basildon based mostly radio station throughout this era. In March 2006, Digital Blues programmes had been broadcast stay on FM each week within the Brentwood & Billericay areas and had been additionally accessible as podcasts. Sadly from June 2006 Digital Blues ceased to have an FM presence after a disagreement with the administration of the station carting the reveals.

“Early in 2009, Digital Blues was approached by IndieTalent.ca, a effectively revered and burgeoning Toronto based mostly web radio station, and requested to provide and current periodic reveals for them that includes one of the best of indie blues expertise from across the World. The programmes had been accessible till July 2010 when the station was offered and IndieTalent.ca ceased transmission.

“After virtually 40 years working within the Metropolis of London, I’ve now retired and I’m based mostly in a small rural hamlet within the Limousin area of France the place I document the reveals in a small studio in my dwelling set amidst rolling fields within the peace and tranquillity of a primarily agricultural area. I’m nonetheless actively concerned with the UK and Essex blues scene, albeit at a distance, and I’m always scouring the world looking for new artists. I’m steadily turning into concerned in a really small method within the, admittedly restricted, native blues scene.

“Digital Blues produces and presents two fully totally different Digital Blues radio programmes totalling three hours weekly and the reveals search to supply most selection in each respect. The reveals have a daily band of listeners world wide and this has been enhanced by the current introduction of podcasts of all weekly reveals.

“Playlists for all Digital Blues radio reveals are posted on the Playlists web page of the Digital Blues web site and are additionally reported to the Roots Music Report for inclusion of their blues airplay charts.”

What they are saying about Digital Blues:

‘Some nice units… the world wants extra reveals like yours’ – Randy Chortkoff, CEO, Delta Groove Data

‘Love listening to your present, you do a terrific job of blending in nice blues and never simply mainstream however Indie artists too.’ –  Michael Poppe, Poppyseed Promotions, Nashville

‘Once I catch your present you all the time play such nice music Ash! Certainly :)’ – KCOR listener by way of Fb

‘Mr. Smyth, you might be simply method too cool… Lovin’ this music you might be taking part in !!!’ –  KCOR listener by way of Fb

‘Thanks for the high-quality programming! It actually jogs my memory of radio within the ’60s & ’70s right here within the USA. Kudos.’ – Richard Black, Musician, New York

A bientot!

ASHWYN

Pattern playlist:14 August 2013 (Artist, Monitor, Supply, Label):

Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa, See Noticed, Seesaw, Provogue Data

The Slide Brothers, Reward You, Robert Randolph Presents the Slide Brothers, Harmony Data

Southern Hospitality, Variety Lies & Whiskey, Straightforward Livin’, Blind Pig Data

Watermelon Slim & the Staff, Tomorrow Night time, Bull Goose Rooster, NorthernBlues Music

Moreland & Arbuckle, The Satan & Me, 7 Cities, Telarc Worldwide

Eric Bibb, Music, Deeper within the Effectively, DixieFrog Data

Heritage Blues Orchestra, Don’t Let No person Drag Your Spirit Down, And Nonetheless I Rise, Raisin’ Music

Buddy Man that includes Beth Hart, What You Gonna Do About Me, Rhythm & Blues, Silvertone Data

Buddy Man that includes Gary Clark Jr, Blues Don’t Care, Rhythm & Blues, Silvertone Data

The Swamp Cats, Cadillac Stroll, The Swamp Cats Stay!, Swamptone Data

Thomas Ford, Bottle Up & Go, Breaking Every little thing However Even, OUF Data

Seasick Steve, Hold On Keepin’ On, Hubcap Music, Polydor

Gary Clark Jr, Ain’t Messin’ Spherical, Blak and Blu, Warner Brothers

Paul Lamb & Chad Strentz, The Underdog, Goin Down This Highway, BluRoots

Cherry Lee Mewis & Max Milligan, Meet Me At The Station, Cherry Pickin’, Cherry Jam

Lewis Hamilton, Whiskey Boogie, Ghost Prepare, Lewis Hamilton Music

The Mustangs, Retail Shuffle, Velocity of Love, Trapeze Music & Leisure

Roadhouse, Gods & Highways & Previous Guitars, Gods & Highways & Previous Guitars, Kross Border Rekords

Candye Kane, Au Revoir Y’All, Coming Out Swingin’, DixieFrog Data