JOY supports local and LGBTI artists
Georgia Delves takes a look into JOY’s daytime music sound and how JOY supports not only LGBTI artists but is also dedicated to playing great Australian artists.
From the outset, JOY has prided themselves on creating an all-inclusive platform to allow the LGBTI community to have a voice, the freedom of expression, the celebration of culture and all the while have indirectly created an innovative new-wave of radio.
JOY is a community station that strives to support LGBTI musicians as well as other independent artists reach new heights with their music – something they are most proud of.
Music broadcasted weekdays on the station aims to capture the feel of mainstream radio, but utilising a much larger pool. Differing from commercial radio, JOY plays 35% Australian and 15% queer content every day. This is in comparison to commercial radio stations, who centre their broadcasts on 85% of American and European music. It’s evident when it comes to fostering a sector for home grown talent, JOY is at the forefront for providing many Aussie musicians with a greater opportunity for air-time.
When creating the weekday playlist at JOY, music director Chris Jameson is a busy man, responsible for its eclectic and highly identifiable sound. Receiving somewhere around 250-400 emails weekly from small publicity teams and independent artists directly, particularly for those from the queer community, Chris seeks to create a line of communication between each; providing feedback on the music’s suitability for the station and if asked, also providing a critique.
This feedback is a rare find within the fast-paced world of radio, but one Chris says is a “strength” of his work and “important” to make time for. Sifting through the masses, he categorises the music suitable for general play and directing others to the presenters of the suitable specialty show. Chris notes that for example Q Country is the only metro based country music program in Australia.
In the ever-changing times of commercialised pop music, JOY is there for the consistent and faithful support of musicians. Making the charts alone within the realm of commercial radio is a difficult task. However, in seeking support for a sophomore album or follow-up track this can prove to be even more of a testing process.
“Look at a band like Sneaky Sound System, 10 years ago they broke the record for the longest charting single by an Australian artist on the ARIA Singles Chart, and yet their latest single ‘I Ain’t Over You’ – which is at least as good as anything they’ve done before – but can they get any airplay on commercial radio? They’re simply ignored,” Music Director Chris Jameson said.
Commercial stations churning out the next mass-produced pop hit fail to give support to a deserving artist that may seem somewhat irrelevant in the grand scheme of Americanised play listing.
Chris says:
“JOY provides the support for artists that are equally worthy of commercial recognition but unfortunately for whatever circumstance they do not receive it”.
“For example, look at Jason Singh. As lead singer of Taxiride, he achieved a number one, gold certified, debut album and in 2002 a platinum selling single with ‘Creeping up Slowly’. Jason’s 2014 solo album Humannequin and in particular the lead single, ‘Hold on Forever’, given appropriate airplay, would have been a worldwide smash hit. Instead only the wise listeners of JOY and few other select community radio stations got to appreciate it,”
Through carefully and diligently selecting the fun and varied music JOY is known for, it is evident the station is one cultivated by passionate music lovers, understanding and all-embracing people; embodying the real meaning of a community radio station.
Spanning from 3-10 June, JOY’s annual Radiothon is an opportunity to support the station who support home grown talent. It is a chance to sign up, renew memberships, show thanks and ultimately strengthen the voice of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities across Australia.
Be sure to give big this Radiothon season to the station driven to support the LGBTI community.
RECENT POSTS
Jocelyn Bishop is awarded the Influencer of the Year!
Jocelyn Bishop who has been a JOY presenter since 2022 and who has found her home on Monday morning Breakfast ...
Sircuit Ghost Dust – Interview with Tavonga
Did somebody say scandal?!? Brett, Tim & Nige are joined in the studio by Melbourne drag queen Tavonga who reported ...
Sircuit Ghost Dust – Interview with Tavonga
Did somebody say scandal?!? Brett, Tim & Nige are joined in the studio by Melbourne drag queen Tavonga who reported ...