BRISTOL LIVES
Q&A
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ccording to DJ Kam Kelly, SAM FM is the best radio station out there for Bristol. We’re on board with that; its classic indie offering and superior commentary is miles away from the Smashy & Nicey local-radio norm, and tops anything else within a 100-mile radius. Maybe even further. As we’re sure you know, Kam does the breakfast show; they do say he’s a bit of a flirt . . . Describe the SAM FM offering in five words Real Music. Best Banter. Bristol. Please finish the sentence: “Local radio will always be important, because….” ? . . . it will always be in people’s lives. I made the mistake of leaving Bristol when London came calling in 2005. Ever since then I have been trying to come back. There is no other city that matches its atmosphere, excitement and general Bristolness. Without local radio, how is that kind of feeling supposed to be reflected to Bristolians? [Apart from via this mag, obv] How did the station develop into the SAM we know and love today? We listen to our listeners, and want to give them the very best, so we are always looking for new and better ways to do things. If listeners express a particular like or dislike for something, we’ll do more or less of it; it’s the most democratic station I’ve ever worked for. We believe real music really matters, so we work hard to make sure we play better music than everyone else. What kind of hours do you work? Sorry, I don’t understand the question. What does the word ‘work’ mean? Best thing about the job? I fell in love with Bristol when I was working at Galaxy back in the day. The best thing about presenting the SAM FM breakfast show is that I have been able to come home. And the worst? The hours are pretty brutal but I really haven’t got that much to complain about. Plus, they accommodate afternoon drinking. Describe the office vibe during the early shift What’s lush is being in an office (albeit an empty one at 5am when I get in) that’s full of people. In most local radio stations now, there’s a skeleton staff, with empty desks and no atmosphere. Our office is constantly buzzing, and I’m pretty sure that’s due to the Celador [the owners of SAM FM] work ethic.
KAM KELLY Hey, listen up to your local DJ You better hear what he’s got to say How many people work in the Bristol station, and what’s the breakdown of roles? Somewhere between 15 and 20 work here. There are digital folk, marketing, news, sales, programming, production and another department that’s unique to Celador Radio: the KEM (Kam Ego Massaging) department employs 30 (exhausted) people. How would you sum up the unique SAM character and style? I genuinely wouldn’t know how to put it in to words (which is pretty great for a guy who uses the English language as one of his main tools of the trade). It’s everything I wanted it to be in the city that I wanted to be back in. If it’s half as much fun to listen to as it is to work there, then I reckon it’ll continue to thrive. You, Downsey, Damien and co deliver a superior, slick DJ offering that’s miles away from the awkward local radio stereotype. Is this something you’re especially proud of? That’s ridiculously kind of you... Damien says that about me too, so he’ll be stoked that someone’s said that about him, bless him. What is your own role in the company? My role is what it’s always been, really: I’m a bloke on the radio who lucked out – again! Of course, my other role is Alice Crocker’s tea
106 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
boy. It’s ridiculously specific. Seriously, it’s the kind of tea that’d make builders go: ‘too strong for me, mate’. Its consistency makes mud seem like water. She’s hardcore... and only I can do her tea right – well, at work anyway. Is it true that you’d flirt with a lamp post? Nah, everything on radio is a little exaggerated. It’s a long, drawn-out answer, to be fair; there aren’t enough column inches for it, but I can explain it over cocktails tonight. I’m thinking Corn Street . . .? OK, Milk Thistle, 8pm. How important is social media to you and SAM? Social media is massively important to the conversation between us and our listeners. Facebook/samfmbristol and twitter @samfmbristol are the most popular ways for our listeners to get in touch with us. We’re quietly thrilled that SAM is doing the Bristol Life Awards after-show bash on 27 April. What can we expect on the night? A ******* good party!
The Kam Kelly Breakfast show on SAM FM 106.5 Weekdays from 6am For more www.samfm.co.uk/bristol