Independent radio station champions local music
WITH pubs and restaurants closed, theatres and cinemas likewise, many of us are struggling for ways to fill these ever-lengthening evenings.
And while Tony Bergin might not be able to convince your favourite musical venue to reopen its doors, he can, for a few hours each week, bring the best in local music right into your home.
Creator of independent radio station New People’s Movement Radio (NPMR), Tony is passionate about showcasing homegrown talent and hosts two shows a week which focus solely on artists from Wexford.
‘It’s an idea I’ve had for many years, I listen to an awful lot of radio and music and I realised nobody was doing Wexford-only stuff. I had tried setting it up before but ran into difficulties,’ says the Wexford town man of the station which aired for the first time late last year via SHOUTca.st, an internet radio server.
‘Every Monday and Wednesday night I play local artists from 7 p.m. to a little after 9 p.m. The very first show lasted only about 20 minutes but it’s gradually grown over time.
‘I got in touch with Mick Egan and he said he’d send me on a few names and numbers of local artists. He ended up sending me half the directory,’ Tony laughs.
Before he plays anyone’s music Tony always reaches out to the artist, personally requesting permission to play their music on his channel.
And having formed ties with some established musicians he now receives daily correspondance from up and comers hoping to have their tracks played on his channel.
‘I’m delighted when young people get in touch, and would love to have more up and coming musicians send in their stuff,’ he says.
‘If you’re living in Wexford or from here I’ll play your music, and it can be any genre, I play all sorts.’
Tony admits he’s been taken aback by the level of talent in his home county, talent which includes musicians creating new material on a daily basis.
‘Even though I love music I was never really involved in the scene so to speak. So when I started receiving all this music from local artists it blew me away.
‘The talent here is something else. There’s one guy called John Stewart who sends me a new song almost every day and it’s always of the highest quality,’ says Tony.
For now Tony is focusing on the music, on providing an outlet for local talent, a way for them to have their voices heard in their home county. But in the future he hopes to have interviews and guest DJs on NPMR, to expand and develop the station into something more.
To listen to NPMR go to its Facebook page and follow the link posted in advance of each show.
Tony takes requests during his Wexford Musician’s show via Facebook or on 089 250 9283
If anyone would like to have their music played on NPMR, they should contact Tony on npmwex@gmail.com and attach their track(s) in an MP3 format.