On International Women's Day 2022 #endthebias it seemed the perfect opportunity for Annie Voller TV Presenter, news broadcaster, journalist, and co-founder of nobarriersradio.com to catch up with Paula Frost one of our wonderful female broadcasters and radio presenters to find out what it means for her to broadcast on a professional radio station and break through the gender bias in radio and media.
DJ Paula Frost is a live DJ and radio host based in London. She's filled floors around the world, touring Japan, New Zealand, Croatia, Italy, Russia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. Paula headlined Vietnam's Reggae Beach Festival, London's Camden Roundhouse twice and is set to perform at NEC Birmingham Stadium this summer for 5000 people. She also has a music degree and a music diploma with distinction from ACM.
Q. Hi, Paula and Happy International Women's Day. Can I ask you, what does it mean to you to be breaking through the gender bias in Broadcasting and Radio?
It's great but not something I personally worried about much. I was always a tomboy and as a kid, I refused to wear dresses and always asked for the boy's toy in McDonald's. I started drumming at age eight and loved skateboarding and going to gigs. I guess I was never a typical girl so I didn't think twice about pursuing a career in a male-dominated industry. I think it's good to have tunnel vision when pursuing a dream and just be the best you can be.
Q. Was it your career goal to be a Broadcaster / DJ?
As a kid I had a 'Talk Girl' and would record my radio shows and do lots of accents with my friends. I always loved spinning records and playing instruments.
Q. Did you undertake any media /training or specialist audio production courses before creating your show?
Yes I received a music diploma at the Academy of Contemporary Music with distinction and went on to do a music degree. I also did internships at radio stations, record labels (Rough Trade/ Beggars Banquet) and magazines (NME/Uncut). I also top up my knowledge regularly with online courses and recently learned sound production.
Q. Has your show and broadcasting now opened up a new career or further paid opportunities for you?
Yes I was taken on by a live agent because of my show and this was a big step for my music career.
Q. Here on nobarriersradio.com you create a Reggae, Punk, Ska Hybrid show. What was your inspiration to create a niche show?
My passion was for searching out underground culture and weird/different styles of music that you can't hear on mainstream radio. I also wanted to interview bands, get into festivals free and receive new releases before the public, so having a show made that happen!
Q. Do you feel that niche shows are under-represented in professional radio?
No, I think that because anyone can broadcast from their bedroom now through the internet, we are flooded with shows- but GOOD HIGH-QUALITY niche shows such as those on www.nobarriersradio.com are rare! So it's good to find some DJs and Broadcasters who do it right ! and here at www.nobarriersradio.com people get that opportunity and the support, professional guidance and expert media skills from Annie Voller and the wider team that makes this such a unique and magical place for broadcasters and presenters and listeners.
Q. How important is it for radio stations to broadcast niche and varied genre shows and is there a real appetite for it?
It's vital because mainstream radio only caters for a small demographic and there are billions of people out there wanting something real, honest and different. Community-minded radio provides a wonderful unique listening experience free of large corporate agenda, and that is a beautiful and essential service and powerful, dynamic freedom of speech platform.
Q. And my last question Paula, What does the opportunity to broadcast your show here on No Barriers Radio mean to you personally and professionally?
It means everything to me and I take it very seriously. I have had fans send me homemade t-shirts, records and lovely letters. I've had fans of the show tell me they've bought music on my recommendation and I'm proud of that. Being a radio presenter gives me a platform to steer people onto music I'm excited about and also helps me to support myself by getting live gigs. I have had so many great experiences doing my show and the best of all has to be the interviews. I've met many musicians who've become good friends after a radio interview. It's all about human connection and getting through this life with a dance and a smile because music lifts you up.
And like any good media broadcast interview, Annie finished by asking Paula the obligatory tongue in cheek question ' Any films or books you are promoting then'? Paula laughed and said ' No films or books just yet, but following on from my critically acclaimed debut EP ' Oxygen Tank' launched in 2020, I am releasing my new album 'Mesmeric Sound System' in 2022.'
Paula Presents The Way Out Radio Show here on nobarriersradio.com
