TXFM (formerly much missed Phantom) line up

TXFM, just like in its previous guise as Phantom, has to grapple with a few issues.

It has to be sufficiently different from the other stations to make it worthwhile for the listener interested in alternative or indie to tune in. At the same time, it cannot be too obscure during the daytime because it is a very small niche market and it does not want to lose listeners that want their diet of alternative music to be palatable to the ears. So how do you bridge the gap? What we are talking about, during the daytime at least, is accessible music that is rarely if ever heard on other radio stations. I think this is the key.

Another point of difference I believe should be the attitude of the presenters. They should be first and foremost about the music and not into inane chat - there's plenty of that elsewhere. By all means have music-related competitions, as indeed the station does already. In fact, I think most of the presenters are passionate about their music. This will be become even more apparent if the musical content paragraph above is addressed.

Perhaps another important tool is advertising or marketing the station. I would have thought that anywhere or anything associated with the kind of music that TXFM plays would be ideal, for example music publications, music venues and so on. The trick is to give the station name recognition, an identifiable product brand and, last but not least, a "cool" image - the "goto" station for your diet of alternative music. This is a tough one I know - there are so many other non-traditional ways of getting that music.

There is also the question of who the target market is. Is TXFM interested in students, young adults or people of all ages with a healthy interest in alternative rock? This could have a major baring on the music mix too.

All of these issues (and maybe a few others I forgot about!) could make a difference to the listeners it gets and, following from that, what advertisers are interested.

ghostdancer wrote: »

well that's a nice thought, except for the fact that this "accessible" music which has got more and more prevalent over the last few years, has seen them lose sh1tloads of listeners.

it's complete nonsense that people will leave if they don't play Kodaline or Adele or Hozier and play something slightly more obscure instead.
those people don't listen to TXFM in the first place.

if something isn't working, stop doing it, don't double-down.

What I am suggesting is music that is not played elsewhere - music that has an edge but is still accessible. It is a tricky concept - that does not mean a non-stop diet of Kodaline, Adele, Hozier et al. You have reminded me of another component, which is missing during daytime in particular: a wide selection of songs in the mix, rather than playing the same relatively small number all the time.

not since it's become TXFM, no, as she hasn't released anything recently.
in the Phantom days, Rolling in the Deep was probably played every 2nd hour for about a month when it came out. Someone Like You also got plenty of spins.

probably not as bad as Regina Spektor's "All The Rowboats" hourly outing for what seemed like 6 months, but not far off.

Twizzler wrote: »

Delorentos - 'Show Me Love'

That song is complete and utter ass. Rushes to a chorus before it's even begun and the lyrics are repetitive as hell. How many times do they sing the title of the song??

[EDIT]Was just thinking, Sun Kil Moon have announced a gig here and I was wondering have TXFM ever played anything by them or Mark Kozelek? That's the kinda stuff they need to have on

Can we start a pool on where the closure of TXFM will be announced? I reckon February

are they still in the same studios up on the top floor?
don't recall any dead air when it was Phantom...

former legend wrote: »

Bit of a conspiracy theory here but what if TX was allowed to go bust, the licence holder could argue that, well, we tried our best but an indie rock station just isn't viable and can you change my licence to a standard pop station please?

The other four stations with general-ish licences would take legal action in a heartbeat

Claire is back, and every goddamn song is 'gorgeous'. EVERY bloody song. I like her, she seems like a harmless inoffensive kinda person. However she needs some new adjectives in her vocabulary.
Also, I have noticed a serious increase in Beatles music, it makes me yawn too. Never been a fan.
As for Joe and his reading out requests yet playing a song thats the polar opposite... Bah!!!