There's a lot of radio love in the air...

... And it hasn't been lost on me I promise!

This week, the radio world of Mel Lewis has expanded faster than the support for Cheryl Cole's rivalling sausage roll on Facebook. Figured it only right to keep you up to date with how your favourite Radio DJ is getting on :p


For this weeks Blog, we have a sneaky look at the new Le Martells T-shirt design, a round up of this weeks Sonar Sessions (inc tracklisting- of course) and my hottest tracks of the week. But first... Remember when Solent went Global?

Student Radio Chart Show



It's been a bloody good month for team Radio Sonar. Along with two outside broadcasts and being crowned Steve Lamacq's Student Station of the Week, Sonar were chosen to host the one and only nationwide student chart show! Exciting huh? So...

We all went national! Radio Sonar were given the fantastic opportunity to wow the student world with their broadcasting techniques and both myself and Jamie Miller were at the forefront of this fiery experiment. An interview with Groove Armada didn't go as well as we had hoped, but the show was a blast and hiccups were only minor. I'll post info on the chart as soon as it's podcasted. Watch this space. In the meantime, check out the Teenagers in Tokyo video above. 'Peter Pan' is number 18 in the student chart this week but I LOVE this track. Let me know what you reckon kids.

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RAGE ANNOUNCE DATE!
Following their digital=only Xmas Number One and self-destruction of Simon Cowell's X-Factor Xmas dreams, Rage Against The Machine promised a free UK date to say thanks for this "wonderful dose of anarchy". And they- unlike Cowell's promise of success to X-Factor hopefuls, have lived up to their word. Details you ask? Well, be free 6th June. And ready to travel to Finsbury Park. But it's not that easy. All tickets will be allocated by ballot which you can register yourselves for NOW at www.theragefactor.co.uk. Lines close Feb 14th at Midnight (Valentines present?) and those lucky enough to get a ticket will be told at 9am Feb 17th. 2 tickets per person. Get registering!

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Thursday 11th January







With a week taken out by the Sonar Sessions gang, we had a lot of making up to do for the audience. Hangovers in tow, Lucy and I prepared a show full of fantastic banter, hot new tracks and interviews with women.

Polly & The Billets Doux

BBC Radio favourites Polly & The Billets Doux lent their lead singer (that's Polly) to Sonar Sessions for a quick chat prior to their Hamptons gig in Southampton that evening. I caught up with the front lady to discuss the wonders of being in a band, how they got to where they are and why chatting to me was as much of an acomplishment as hearing Terry Wogan play their music (honestly). I'll get the interview up and running on here in the next couple of days but until then, I recommend you have a listen to 'Follow my Feet'. The band are about to embark on a UK tour. Be there or square...

Teenagers in Tokyo
A brief convo with Samantha from TIT also featured on this weeks Sonar Sessions including NME Daily Download track 'Talk to the Fire'. You can get following the band on Twitter (see our mention!) at www.twitter.com/teensintokyo If you like Aussie accents and sexy electro synth, this is for you.

Le Martells
NEW T-SHIRT!










Jamie- lead frontman from Le Martells popped into the studio to show off the band's new T-shirt and say hello prior to their launch! It's a squashed Cherry isn't it? Let us know if you like the shirt- and go buy a limited one from Hamptons TONIGHT! (Fri 12 Feb) The band will play their first ever headline slot at Hamptons and it is going to be very busy indeed. The T-Shirt- A fiver? That's cheaper than a beer in Norway.

Pin Me Down

The side project of Bloc Party's Russell Lissack (the one that looks slightly like a lesbian...) Available as a free download on the NME Daily Download Blog. Urgh- it's brilliant. Check out the Bloc influences in the chorus. Black Moustache vocalist isn't too bad either...



Tracklisting:

3oh!3 & Katy Perry ('s vagina)- Starstrukk
Example - Won't Go Quietly
You Me At Six - Kiss & Tell
Paramore - Decode
Young Guns - Winterkiss
Adelaide - Nova Scotia
Ellie Goulding (Jakbwob remix) - Starry Eyed
Rhianna - Rude Boi
Teenagers In Tokyo - Talk To The Fire
Polly & The Billets Doux - Follw My Feet
Chase & Status (w/ Plab B) - End Credits
The Goldtones - Turquoise
Pin Me Down - Time Crisis
Marina & The Diamonds - Hollywood

... And my favourite of the night



GRIMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEY.

Oh, and to end...



Love you all :)

Sonar Sessions- 28.01.10

A slightly belated blog entry to catch up on last weeks Sonar Sessions- I know you've missed it :p www.radiosonar.co.uk 7:30-9 EVERY THURSDAY

Haunted Stereo

We were joined on Radio Sonar by 7-some Haunted Stereo this week. The band (EP Cross The Sea is out now and available in Southampton's HMV or iTunes etc) joined us for a couple of tracks and a quick hello! Here's a preview of their cover of Elastica,



Tracklistings:

Ellie Goulding- Starry Eyed (Jakwob remix)
You me at Six- Underdog
Nine Black Alps- Buy Nothing
Simian Mobile Disco (Feat Beth Ditto)- Cruel Intentions
Alexisonfire- Young Cardinals
Fightstar- City on Fire
Paramore- Looking Up
Mimi Soya- Should Have Called in Sick
Lucy T- Untitled
Adelaide- And They Said
Young Guns- Winterkiss
Jumping Ships- bad Outweighed The Good
The Valiant- Make This Work
3oh3! (feat Katy Perry)- Starstrukk

Hottest Track:



The Safe Harbour are worth checking out on the net- www.myspace.com/thesafeharbour
Future guests: 4th March

Fancy getting involved, email sonarsessions@radiosonar.co.uk

Love you x

Music is at the core...

... Or the heart? However you look at it, the Southampton scene was in dire need of a band-driven boost and the launch night of Mo'Live lived up to all expectations. Not one for the faint hearted, this new venue (hidden behind Honda, opposite Ikea for any queries) fills the void Soton has needed for so long and to celebrate- the South Coast's finest played to the masses. Evening highlights: Not Advised covering MJ's 'Man In The Mirror', Burn The Fleet's Convey and Co starstruck by the audience interaction and Bury Tomorrow closing the night with stage charisma only seen in upcoming artists and critically acclaimed rockers. Granted, drinks prices were at their highest and Oceana's bouncers didn't go down too well with the gigging faithful but for a sneaky fiver, this was a night you would be gutted to have missed. And to add, the club hosts roller disco nights if the music is elsewhere, worth a crack.

Show Tracklistings- 21st January 2010

This weeks Sonar Sessions, listeners were treated to a Mel Lewis (that's me!) New Music Takeover to welcome you into 2010 with a mighty bang! In case you missed it or fancied catching up on the tracks you heard, check out the list below and check out vids on Youtube.







Nine Black Alps- Buy Nothing
The Soft Pack- Answer Yourself
Subfocus- Could This Be Real
The XX- Basic Space
Enter Shikari- Solidarity
Tiego (Feat Tegan & Sara)- Feel It In My Bones
Fightstar- City On Fire
Casiokids (Axeman Remix)- I Fot Hose
Simian Mobile Disco (Feat Beth Ditto)- Cruel Intentions
The Safe Harbour- I Remember
Now, Now Every Children- Not One, But Two
Paramore- Crush Crush Crush
Marina & The Diamonds- Hollywood
Young Guns- Weight Of The World
Bury Tomorrow- You & I
The Drums- Surfing

As Suggested by Jamie, Le Martells:
Ellie Goulding (Jakwob Remix)- Starry Eyed



Played exclusively on Sonar Sessions two weeks back, this remix is what Dubstep is all about. Jakwob may be rather unknown on the scene but no doubt- this will fire him straight to the top.

As suggested by Dan, New Decibels:
Rage Against The Machine- Killing In The Name Of.



Rage may not be new music, but their recent Christmas top spot has sent Social Media bloggers and music industry lovers absolutely NUTS. Scheduling a free UK gig for 2010 is on the horizon and by God, we're excited aren't we?!

... More new Music

Chapel Club
Featuring as part of Zane Lowe's first podcast of 2010, Chapel Club combine influences from Joy Division, The Cure and most prominently The Smiths, these new kids on the block intrinsically link indie-goth with melodic melody. It ain't half bad you know...

The Goldtones

We caught up with the boys recording their debut EP at Solent University Studios and celebrating the launch of their music careers with TwentyTen Records! This is a quick preview of opening Ep track 'Night Time lies'. Check The Goldtones out on MySpace: www.myspace.com/thegoldtonesuk and jump on the Twitter bandwagon! www.twitter.com/thegoldtones. Next gig? Saturday 30th January at SolentSu. Cheap drinks & entry, join us there from 8 :)



You can follow all updates on TwentyTen releases on Twitter- www.twitter.com/twentyten2010

...And to end- Plans for the show!


Sonar Sessions will play host to a live session from upcoming Soton-bred band Haunted Stereo. Signed to Sotones, we'll see if we can fit them all in our diddy studio for a great performance and cutting-edge interview to celebrate 'Cross The Sea' being sold in HMV and a fantastic weekend at Hamptons!

Any requests for this weeks show; send them our way! sonarsessions@radiosonar.co.uk

Love you xx

I have been busy- looking ahead to Sonar Sessions- Mel Lewis New Music Takeover!

... And we're all considering getting naked. Due to recording commitments, my co-host for Radio Sonar's Sonar Sessions will be out of the studio this week giving me free reign to single-handedly destroy the reputation Sonar Sessions has built up. Or... provide listeners with the best new, unsigned, unheard of music for 2010. Your cup of tea? Read on...

The chosen ones
To make the show more appealing to the un-trained eye, I have been busy catching up with some of the South Coast's best bands to find out who they think will hit the big time in the brand new spanking year. First off- I vote:


A recommendation to myself originally, Young Guns are gonna be the BOMB this year, touring as part of kerrangs! relentless trek of the nation. 'The Weight Of The World' is a brillaintly catchy and ferocious rock track, destined to blow both your brain and emotions into tiny pieces. Comment your thoughts.

Jumping Ships

Brighton based boys Jumping Ships have been making the headlines recently, featuring in both RockSound mag and the prestigious New Musical Express (NME). Michael took some time out of studio song-thrashing to chat to me about the band's new single and their plans for 2010. He also left me with a handy music tip-off. Hear the interview live on Thursday's show, but check out his hot tip for the New year here...


Moving up and away!

As a slight random tangent, I've been busy in other ways this week. Amidst interviewing bands, IOW legends and fashion graduates, I've been shopping. Bar a Tesco delivery, check out what really matters...MUSIC. Get Loaded in The Dark is a repeat of NYE with a twist. Alternate location, as of yet unannounced line-up and a new found time to celebrate could lead to a very different experience. If I don't blog after Easter- this is why. I am probably dead from party poisoning.

My Predictions?
Joker, Axeman and Herve will probably make an appearance. Maybe The Klaxons? Don't hold me to it...



To add... The Safe Harbour
An absolutely brilliant band with sought-after merchandise I now own! Get your hands on this T-shirt and the bands fantastic EP for a grand total of 7 English pounds. Check out the feisty female front-led artist on their MySpace and decide for yourself (definitely a 2010 tip) www.myspace.com/thesafeharbour

So for the show...

We have a line-up to kill for, boys from bands recommendations coming out of our ears and interviews with Lucy T and IOW festival big wig John Giddings. We'll be talking Jay-Z, Pink, The Strokes and naked chatter banter. If I play your request, will YOU get naked?




And I know you're all wondering...

WHY THE NAKED STUFF? To be fair, so am I. But listeners are pushing the revolt. Naked requests all round. Oh and I've got a couple of stalkers. Must be making it. Names revealed next time...

Next Blog...

The Goldtones studio show and gig warm-up

How did Mo'Live go down?

Tracklistings for New Music Takeover (21 Jan)

Naked chatter banter.

Anything else that cropped...

Love you x

Radio Sonar on BBC 6 Music!

Southampton Solent University's very own radio station Radio Sonar received its first ever play on BBC 6 Music this evening- featuring as Steve Lamacq's student radio station of the week! And guess what, Sonar Sessions were given a cheeky little mention by Head of Sport Dan Windle.

To celebrate, I thought I'd link you to one of the highlights for both Radio Sonar and Sonar Sessions. This is one half of the team (me!) interviewing Scott Mills after he received his honorary degree from Solent University for his contribution to the Arts.



Check the BBC 6 Music website for further updates and a way to listen to the show Radio Sonar received rave reviews on once it's uploaded. I'll link you when it does anyway, just 'cos i'm nice like that.

Elsewhere...

Following on from earliers post regarding our return to the airwaves as Sonar Sessions, it would be rude not to give our fantastic guest a little blog-space.

Kieron Cox

Southampton Solent University student Kieron Cox lost his radio virginity on Radio Sonar last night (Thursday) performing a cover and a brilliant original number. His EP is due out in the next coming weeks on TwentyTen Records (www.twitter.com/twentyten2010) and will be available to purchase from their website- coming soon! In the meantime, you can check out his MySpace: www.myspace.com/kieroncox and keep an eye on our Sonar Sessions page to hear his interview on air.

It's getting hot in here...

... So a perfect reason to get naked? This young lady promised a naked party if Sonar Sessions played her request: Tiesto ft Tegan and Sara. For those bloggers amongst us, my tracklisting suggests we definitely did. Did she get naked? We will never know.















Oh, and just one more thing...

This is absolutely brilliant. Download download download (legally of course)



Keep tuning in for more great music suggestions and naked parties. Tweet any requests: www.twitter.com/sonarsessions

Love you x

Sonar Sessions- First of 2010!

Hi guys,

With Sonar Sessions back up and running, It's important to note at the minute that music is definitely worth ranting about. DJ's and magazines around the country are announcing their top tips for 2010 and it's only fair I do the same. We'll be bringing them to you slowly on Radio Sonar but for the first show back- presenters Lucy Keys and Mel Lewis (that's me) brought you some banging new music you HAVE to hear in the coming months.

Now, Now Every Children














This pop-punk band recently supported Paramore on their biggest tour of Britain to date, opening the show alongside bands Paper Route & You Me At Six. I strongly recommend you check out 'Not one, but two' This wouldn't look out of place on the Juno soundtrack. Wait for the surge of big band midway through and the eerie lyrics.


SubFocus



Jumping on the Radio 1 bandwagon, you would be a fool to ignore SubFocus in 2010. Having performed and wowed crowds at 'Get Loaded In The Dark' Brixton Academy on New Years Eve, Subfocus has well and truly landed and his brilliant new single 'Could This Be Real' is worth more than one listen. You can also check out the Joker remix, but this time round- Subfocus already has that base covered.

Tiesto ft Tegan and Sara

Beyond 'The Con', Tegan and Sara have produced music out of this world for harmonic electro hearts out there. This recent collaboration with Tiesto explores the beauty of their lyrics with a new sense of genre direction and well, a general romantic melody. This is 'Feel it in my bones', a request on Sonar Sessions.




Playlist

Death Cab- New Year
Subfocus- Could this be real
The Noisettes- When You Were Young
The Safe Harbour- Peter...
Biffy Clyro- That Golden Rule
The Smiths- That Charming Man
Lady Gaga- Bad Romance
The XX- Crystalised
Them Crooked Vultures- Dead End Friends
Ellie Goulding- Starry Eyed (Jakwob remix)
Little Boots- Remedy (Wideboys stadium edit)
Tiesto feat Tegan and Sara- Feel it in my Bones
To Catch A Theif- Not Guilty

My biggest highlight for this week was this dub-infused Ellie Goulding Remix. Let me know what you think. Any requests, get tuning in next week! www.radiosonar.co.uk



The future?

2010 truly looks incredible for the music industry with albums and sondtracks exploding onto the scene. Dub will well and truly cement itself in the industry. On next weeks Sonar Sessions, I'll be bringing even more New Music from The Drums, The Soft Pack, Burn The Fleet and Nine Black Alps. Miss it and Miss out. Peace.

Until then:

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/sonarsessions