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Of course, one man’s difficulty is another’s opportunity. As Jazz Radio, sounds good on DAB building up to its formal launch (it reminds me how its predecessor JazzFM sounded during its test broadcasts before it had DJs and advertising revenue) we hear today that Chrysalis are looking to sell Heart FM and Century FM.

One man who knows all about such goings on is a DJ that’s just jumped ship from XFM to Resonance. Frying pans and fires spring to mind but when I met Nick recently before he took to the decks at the Big Chill House, he was quite philosophical about it all. “Yes, it’s a difficult time for radio. There’s some great people at XFM but they were looking for a more rock orientated output which is the main reason I moved.”

Anyone who’s heard his shows on XFM knows that it was a very eclectic show and a great alternative to Peterson and Forge

Nick told me that as a teenager in Plymouth, there was only Radio 1’s Steve Lamacq and John Peel for his musical education. “At that time, the NME started featuring bands like the Happy Mondays and Portishead, and it was only then I got into what you might call ‘dance’ music.”

Anyone who’s heard his shows on XFM knows that it was a very eclectic show and a great alternative to Peterson and Forge who were the direct competition in the Sunday night time spot. “I looked out to avoid what they were playing so we weren’t all playing the same thing,” but even then he had to play the likes of Dabyre, Tunng,`Cortney Tidwell and Fink (Nick interviewed Fink just after Wyl Menmuir had done his interview).

After 6 years at XFM, he felt it was time to move on and now he follows the OST show with the irrepressible Jonny Trunk (of Trunk Records) that features all types of film, TV and library music. I must admit I’ve a bit of a soft spot for the Artrocker show on Monday’s but there’s loads of good listening like Now’s The Time jazz show with Kevin LeGendre (ex-Radio London and sleeve note writer for, amongst many others, Cosmic Sounds), The Wire magazine’s Adventures in Modern, Solid Steel and the Sounds of the Universe shows.

The Resonance 104.4FM catchment area on normal radio is very small around Central London (Clapham Junction seems to be its limit to me) but through the wonders of podcast/internet you can enjoy it all day long. While it’s supported by patrons such as Eliza Carthy and Robert Wyatt they’ve hit a bit of funding problem (see links below) and are organising a variety of fundraising events over the coming few months. Definitely worth a look are the forthcoming Resonance FM Benefit gigs at the Spitz (Sun 18 Feb to Tues 20th — see below).

Luscombe himself is a regular out on the town promoting the music he loves. He told me “I am a big King Britt fan, and brought him over for the Sister Gertrude Morgan) project. He’s regularly at the ICA and when I saw him he was very keen on the Jazzanova folky side project, Thief so we might be getting to see them in London perhaps. He’ll be DJing Next Saturday 24th Feb at the ICA as part of a Resonance FM fundraiser with ADJ, Pathic, Fari Bradley and Spax (all live. 9pm-1am).

Also keep an eye open for Nick’s Flo-Motion compilations for an insight into his world of atmospheric groove. Otherwise, tune in every Saturday for a further instalment of “hand-picked selections from the cooler side of global clubland to create a quality, eclectic and cutting edge radio experience”.

Links:
http://www.myspace.com/nickluscombe
Flo-motion 24 February 2007 at the ICA www.ica.org.uk The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH. Box Office: 020 7930 3647 “A futuristic blend of uptempo, twisted electronica, minimal techno, electro and dub house”. Featuring DJs Nick Luscombe, Pathic (Pyramid Transmissions). ADJ (Touchin Bass/Pyramid Transmissions), Fari Bradley (Resonance FM), SpaxWax (Resonance FM).
£6.50 / £5.50 Concessions / Free to ICA Members before 10pm
RESONANCE 104.4FM (www.resonancefm.com). Nick Luscombe — Flo-Motion: Saturdays 8-9.30pm
“Please help us to remain on air. Our immediate target is £60,000. Go on help us. Any amount will be more than welcome”.
www.spitz.co.uk
Sun 18 Feb: Resonance FM Benefit featuring: THE CHAP + Limn + Shimmy Rivers And And Canal + DJ Johnny Trunk.
Mon 19 Feb: THE FABULOUS PENETRATORS + Peter Blegvad + Sid Griffin & The Cole Porters + Alexander Tucker + DJs Joe Cushley & Martin ‘Bonanza’ Myers
Tue 20 Feb: Resonance FM Benefit featuring: LEAFHOUND + Thomas Truax + The Rebel + Le Tetsuo. All proceeds go to keeping Resonance 104.4FM on air.
www.samurai.fm
www.trunkrecords.com
Radio One Rewind (1993-1997)
Esoterica: Thursday 11th January 8pm to 1 am The Big Chill House. Nick Luscombe, Nick Stroud (Jazz Not Jazz), Richard E (Further Out Recordings), Phabius (TeamB).