Monica Hanns (Against The Tide)
What is it about PBS you find different to all the other stations?
The lack of talk on PBS is different to a lot of other radio stations. Most shows on PBS are committed to the music above all else, they will want to jam pack as many tunes into their show as possible. Also the diversity of music on the station is incredible. The inconsistency of the sounds you hear from hour to hour is what makes PBS so fascinating and enjoyable to listen too.
What is your favourite PBS program?
Stone Love because it’s so unpredictable and awesome. The Score for similar reasons.
What love song would you include in your mixtape?
Little Dreamer by Future Islands. It’s kind of cheesy but totally beautiful.
Out of the people you have met in your role, who would you scatter rose petals for?
All the volunteers that come in and give their time to us on the regular. PBS wouldn’t survive without the love of its listeners and the hard work of its volunteers.
Owen McKern (PBS Program Manager)
How much love do you have for PBS and what does it mean to you?
From a very early age I loved music. Not the music that my school friends were listening to and certainly not the music my older brother listened to. I found Countdown on ABC television just a little embarrassing and commercial radio just didn’t seem to be aware of the sounds that moved me. In high school I discovered an alternative and immediately fell in love with independent community radio. That relationship – with PBS, with community radio and with alternative music, has nourished me, entertained me and sustained me for over three decades.
What is your favourite PBS program?
As the Program Manager at PBS I can’t possibly name a favourite. In some respects they are all like my children – at times they drive me mad but I love them dearly. I’m truly in awe of David Heard who has been serving his community for well over 30 years (our longest running continuous program) but equally proud of Alessia Pegoli whose show The Prosecco Hour is the newest show to be added to the PBS program grid.
What love song would you include in your mix tape?
My favourite song of all time is He Loved Him Madly from Miles Davis’ album Get Up With It. Essentially a jam clocking in at over 32 minutes, the track is a tribute to Duke Ellington who had died a month or so before this recording session. Having said that, including a 32 minute track on a mix tape doesn’t allow much room for anything else!
Why should people become a PBS member and say ‘I Do’?
Our politicians and our mainstream media like to talk about diversity but typically their policies and programming deliver anything but. For over 30 years the community sector has taken it upon ourselves to provide listeners with content they simply don’t get to hear anywhere else. Every week over 90 PBS volunteers give their time to research, plan and program music from every conceivable genre, and from every imaginable musical community. The goodwill and hard work of our volunteers only goes so far however and we still need to pay for equipment, maintenance, electricity, licenses, rent and other ongoing operational expenses. We can’t, and don’t want to run ads from soft drink companies or online betting agencies to pay the bills so instead we ask our community to make the commitment and become members of PBS.
Maddy Macfarlane (The Breakfast Spread)
How much love do you have for PBS and what does it mean to you?
Across the years PBS has always had my back. As life changes, so does location, time schedules, the programs I tune in to, and the methods of listening, but in PBS I find a consistently exciting, surprising and satisfying music alternative on the airwaves.
What is it about PBS you find different to all the other stations?
PBS stands for Progressive Broadcasting Service, and it’s one of only two community radio stations in Australia committed specifically to music. So many music communities and styles are represented across PBS’ programmes, as well as through off-air events like Rock-a-Bye-Baby, Soul-a-Go-Go and Women of Soul. To have so many music styles, visions and musicians feeding into and being represented by one heaving community, PBS, I reckon that’s progressive!
What is your favourite PBS program?
It’s an understatement to say we have such a healthy, loving music scene in Melbourne, and I see PBS’ priorities to local music and its communities as foremost. So it’s Homebrew’s arrow that hits my heart.
What love song would you include in your mixtape?
The Scientists’ Frantic Romantic is such a favourite.
Out of the people you have met in your role, who would you scatter rose petals for?
When Tony Joe White looks you in the eye and says your name, you will swoon! It was lovely to have long chat with the original swamp-fox in the studio earlier this year. I’m also so enamoured by Super Wild Horses, and Ash Naylor has gotta be the nicest fella in town. I would openly shower these talented beauties with petals!
Lyndelle Wilkinson (The Afterglow)
How much love do you have for PBS and what does it mean to you?
PBS FM is my rock. It’s always there and it always has been, well before I was an announcer. The station is reliably fresh and rewarding. I feel humble to be part of the on-air team.
What is your favourite PBS program?
My favourite show… that is a really tough call – as I have about eight or nine. Breaky is very close to my heart, but if I had to choose it would be a toss up between Soul Time with Vince Peach, Boss Action with the remarkable Miss Goldie and I cannot go past P King’s Radio De Janeiro.
What love song would you include in your mixtape?
Lovin’ You Baby – Charles Bradley. The man in a genius.
Out of the people you have met in your role, who would you scatter rose petals for?
Ooooh, probably Dan Warner or Dan Kelly or Dan Sultan. There is just something about that name…
Why should people become a PBS member and say ‘I Do’?
People get to a point in their lives when they have to be honest with themselves and say – “Hey, me. I know I might have my ups and downs, but my radio station is with me in my car, on my phone and in my home. My radio knows me inside, in my good times and bad times. I have a commitment to this station – and I need to tell the world all about it – shout it from the roof tops! I DO!”
