SMC Radio launched recently and is growing quickly. Owner and founder, Chris Ciniglio, is a man on a mission, and is determined to keep up the momentum.
I asked Chris how it was all going. He quoted, with a smile, Douglas Adams: “Don’t panic!”
The station is mostly dedicated to dance music. Dub, soul, disco, rockabilly, and rock are given an airing too. You can listen to the station here: https://smcradio.co.uk/
Chris Piper, one of the SMC DJs, kindly invited me to guest on his monthly Elektroshok show. It was a thrill to be invited and fun to see how live radio operates.
Please click the link below to hear some of my favourite electronica tunes and, hopefully, some interesting chat about my choices. Highlights, there are many, but expect to hear Boards of Canada, Leftfield, and Dot Allison among other classics.
Meet SMC’s boss: Chris Ciniglio
Q: What is your background in music?
I worked at Dance Juice Record shop in Brentwood in 1986. I had my own record distribution company taking vinyl from the south to the north and then buying records from the north and bringing them down south. 3 Beat Music, Liverpool, and Eastɘrn Bloc in Manchester were great shops. Dave Beer from The Music Factory, Leeds used to be heavily involved with vinyl. He went on to run Back to Basics.
Vinyl Rhythms, Chelmsford employed me as one of the buyers and I owned Badgerbeats in Maldon. I have been DJing for over 35 years playing at Berwick Manor in Rainham, Maxines, Brentwood, Prince of Orange, Chelmsford, The Warwick, Maldon, Ritzy, Romford, Embassy Suite, Colchester and the Maldon Oyster festival (6,000 people) to name a few.
I sat on the Christmas Fayre committee in Maldon where I helped book local artists for the yearly Christmas fayre, which brought around 8,000-12,000 people to Maldon for one night.
Q: What inspired you to set up a radio station?
I volunteered for Saint FM in Burnham for 10 years and had many shows from drivetime to Friday night club nights live mixing. when Saint FM went down, I tried to get an FM licence to no avail, then set up an online radio station … SMC Radio.
Q: How many people are involved with running the station day-to-day?
There are three of us, Jamie Smart (Empirion), Dave East, and myself.
Q: Do you have to sit in on every live show in case anything goes wrong?
Luckily, we don’t have too many issues, but computer systems do have glitches from time to time! But we have some good presenters who know how to restart everything should something go wrong! We do have people listening and engaging people on socials and chats! And we have great listeners that also get involved. For new presenters, I usually shadow them until I feel they are confident enough to be set free!!
Q: Does it rely solely on advertising revenue?
We are still a young station and are building towards getting the right type of advertising. We are in the process of building a new site that will be monetised to bring more revenue outside of advertising. Watch this space…
Q: How do you see it developing?
SMC: SOUND MEDIA CULTURE. We are now on Alexa (Enable ‘SMC’; play ‘SMC’). We would like to expand the magazine side of our website. We want businesses that are focused on music and music culture, urban clothing, go-to places for events, a community of artists for music distribution to come onboard, podcasters, health and wellbeing shows, and so much more…
Q: Lucia Holmes from Sunscreem is heavily involved in the station. How do we go about getting more women, and other minorities, involved?
This is a great question, I ask people whose paths I cross to bring their talent to the station, this is not based on going to find any particular gender or colour … it’s the person! Lucia has played a big part in my life and we have been friends for many years. Lucia was number three presenter on SMC after Giuseppe Morena and myself, so you can see we need all talents. (Editor’s note: if you have any great ideas I suggest you can contact Chris by clicking this link. He is keen to meet creative, entrepreneurial people.)
Meet one of the SMC DJs: Chris Piper
Q: Tell us about your background in music?
At an early age, I learned to play trombone. I even once played a solo at the Royal Albert Hall! I used to always like drums though and started in my first band while at school. When I moved to Chelmsford from London I joined a band in 1977 playing drums. This was with Crispin Coulson. I then joined another band as the drummer.
I then was poached along with the bass player of that band to join a band that was signed to Island Records. That was short lived however and resumed my music career as a vocalist in a local band. We played quite a few gigs around the area.
After that group disbanded, the Nitzer Ebb boys approached me to be their manager. When that ended, I carried on working with a friend on electronic-based music. I started DJing after this time during the 90s.
Q: How did you get involved in SMC?
Via MetroGlow. Chris Ciniglio had already played a couple of MetroGlow tracks and he approached both Crispin and I to start a show. Crispin decided to concentrate on his MetroGlow work and it was decided I would do the show myself.
Q: Who would be your dream guest for your show?
Hard question as there are so many people I admire but probably Brian Eno ultimately.
Q: If you were the Desert Island Discs castaway, which five records would you take with you?
‘Breathe in the Air’ ‑ Pink Floyd
‘Permafrost’ ‑ Magazine
‘India’ ‑ The Psychedelic Furs
‘Rapper’s Delight ‑ Sugar Hill Gang.
‘Heaven’ ‑ Talking Heads.
Chris Piper’s Elektroshok broadcasts on the first Thursday of each month. Sincere thanks to Chris and Chris for inviting me along.
