May we...

OK folks, a bit of an update as by now you are probably wondering-

'What was I supposed to be listening to this week?'

Having taken stock over the last week, looked at diaries, timescales and availability (and calmed down from that sunny Easter holiday period) we have decided on an alternative plan for The Album Club schedule.

The next recording session for The Album Club will be pushed back to the 5th June (with a Moon Fest Theme).

The planned session focused on a Heavy Metal album/Ben Venom exhibition will move to a July slot (his exhibition runs until the 8th Sept) which gives us more time to plug in some of our DJs who specialise in that kind of music, build our promotions and give the poll a good run-in time.

The meeting scheduled for May 8th is still left in the diary as a 'meet up' for volunteers and more of a 'social' in the bar area at MAC Birmingham. Come along and give us your feedback so far, ideas on branding & promotion and see how we might develop The Album Club.

See...there is a plan.

'Thank 'eavens!' as Maurice might say.

New name...same great taste

What's in a name?

Ask Arnold George Dorsey. 

After some feedback and discussion with a number of those wonderful people who have helped us get this far, we are re-branding the show slightly. From May 2019 'The Old Voluntary Album Test' will become 'The Album Club'. 

Things will shift gradually in time for our next meet on Wednesday 8th May 2019 @6 pm.

It's just till these tears have dried...

It was a close one! But following two separate twitter polls and a coin toss the next album for discussion is: 

Back to Black by Amy Winehouse (2006).

All the volunteers who have signed up for the session to date have been sent a briefing about the next steps and their homework for our meeting on Wednesday 10th April 2019 at 6 pm at The MAC (Pinsent Mason Room 1).

But- Don't worry if you haven't signed up yet- you can still come along to watch and get involved.

Have you got an interesting fact, memory or story about this album? 

Let us know and we'll try and work it into the discussion.

Here we go again...

The next 'The Old Voluntary Album Test' session is on 10 April - Switch Radio's album club at MAC for anyone who fancies chatting about music and seeing what goes into making radio. What album should they pick? Email tovat@kingofthebuttons.co.uk to join! https://t.co/TQG0HGqz1f

— Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) (@mac_birmingham) March 25, 2019

Squawking like a pink monkey bird...

It's Ziggy!

With 64% of the votes on our poll the first session of The Old Voluntary Album Test will consider:

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars By David Bowie (1972)

All the volunteers who have signed up for the session to date have been sent a briefing about the next steps and their homework for our meeting on Wednesday 6th March 2019 at 6 pm at The MAC.

But- Don't worry if you haven't signed up yet- you can still come along to watch and we're plotting monthly meetings for more people to get involved.

Time to Choose...

The Old Voluntary Album Test is a new project from 107.5 Switch Radio and MAC for volunteers to discuss albums and learn about radio. First meet is on 6 March - but what album should they discuss? More info here: https://t.co/tV60AQO9yw

— Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) (@mac_birmingham) 14 February 2019

Coming soon...

The old what?

107.5 Switch Radio & MAC Birmingham are developing a new creative project for volunteers who are interested in supporting media & arts organisations across the City. Both organisations have strong track records of retaining and developing volunteers and are now seeking ways to broaden that support across a variety of tasks and roles.

'The Old Voluntary Album Test' aims to create an interactive and social event which will:

• Provide creative project opportunities for existing MAC volunteers.
• Encourage new volunteers for both MAC & 107.5 Switch Radio.
• Support volunteers through training in presenting and production.
• Create content for a regular ‘album club’ show on 107.5 Switch Radio.

How might it work?

The project is in its early stages. As a guide the following is a simple outline of how it might all work:

(A) One Month before the event

A Facebook poll determines the album that volunteers will be discussing.

(B) Two weeks before the event

Volunteers who have signed up to the session will be sent a link to a blog page outlining a Spotify link to the chosen album and key tracks for the discussion (determined by the facilitator and the nominator).

(C) One Week before the event

Volunteers will be asked to submit a five line review of the album (via the blog or email). This will help frame the discussion and provide reference points for the recording.

The event itself...

6 pm Briefing & Outline

Volunteers are briefed and given a run through of how the discussion will be structured and given a cuppa.

James Sandy to facilitate and ‘chair’ the debate which will be recorded for editing & broadcast.

6.30 pm Discussion & Recording

Outline structure:

• Overview of the album.
• Overview of the artist.
• Discussion framed around 4 key tracks.
• Comment invited from submitted ‘5 line’ reviews.

45 mins duration (final edit aim of one hour including tracks).

7.15 pm Breakout Social (Arena bar)

Volunteers are invited to a ‘post event’/informal discussion linked to radio roles, future project Ideas, MAC workshops & events.

Sessions will be supported by colleagues from both MAC & Switch Radio.

Sound interesting?

We are now plotting the first session to be held

Wednesday 6th March 2019 @ 6pm

If you would like to participate in the album discussion, would like more information or to help facilitate the event please contact us via

tovat@kingofthebuttons.co.uk