It’s been a helluva year at the Sound Alternative.
We celebrated 40 years on air, had our biggest Radiothon ever, threw a dozen events across the year showcasing hundreds of topnotch West Australian musicians and bands.
We marched in the Pride Parade for the first time in 15 years. We welcomed the return of a dedicated programme for indigenous voices, stories and music in Moorditj Mag.
And our 350-odd volunteers have kept the station on air 24-hours a day, every day of the year.
Writing this on International Volunteer Day, it’s overwhelming that RTRFM is home to so many amazing people that are willing to give up their time to keep the station running.
They present world-class radio, spend hours planning and researching, produce content, answer phones, pull pints at RTRFM events, sit on our board and heaps of other jobs every day. They’re amazing!
RTRFM’s lil’ mixtape vibe: Jas Hughes’ Top 5 Christmas songs (that don’t suck).
Jas Hughes has been taking you on different drives home on Drivetime (5-7pm weekdays) for four years, and she bloody loves a good Christmas song.These are her five fave Christmas songs that you’ll actually want to listen to when you’re cooped up with the family this festive season.
'The Thought That Counts' - The Lucksmiths
Let’s ease into our Christmas cheer playlist with an indie-pop gem from Melbourne outfit The Lucksmiths about being away this time of year and feeling a bit out of place.'Another Christmas At Home' - Eux Autres
Keeping our toes festively tapping California band Eux Autres describes my Christmas at home perfectly: “Where the champagnes on tap.” Even if you prefer your beverages with less bubbles, this song will keep you feeling jolly.'Happy Christmas (The Christmas Song)' - Toots and the Maytals
Love a good Christmas-themed song, but feel they are to often conjuring images of winter wonderlands? Toots and the Maytals have you covered with a song best suited for spending the day on the beach with a cold drink in your hand.'This Christmas' - Donny Hathaway
Soul music lends itself particularly well to festive tunes, but this is my favourite of the bunch. A perfect reflection of the hopefulness and joy that comes with the season, and as an added bonus it can be danced to (once you have downed a couple of those Christmas champagnes).'Christmas Wrapping' - The Waitresses
A song that should be on every Christmas playlist (and often is) ‘Christmas Wrapping’ may start with a ‘bah humbug!’ but this tale of a solitary Christmas Day turned into an unexpected, romantic possibility ends with cheerful promise and is the holiday classic we deserve (and that saxophone!).The most played tracks on RTRFM in November
- Simone & Girlfunkle - 'Gary Song'
- Abbe May - 'Love Decline'
- Odette Mercy & Her Soul Atomics - 'Baby'
- Boatshow - 'Toxic'
- Childsaint - 'Used Up'
