Submit Your Demo

Category: Blog

  • Be Demo Factor’s Class of 2019!

    Be Demo Factor’s Class of 2019!

    I can still remember sitting in that room terrified that I was next. I knew my demo faded in on the end of a Sugababes track (that dates it an embarrassing amount) and the moment I heard it ring round the room at Bath Uni I knew I was about to hear myself do my opening link.

    What I didn’t know is that that day would change my life. In that afternoon (it was an afternoon back then, it was much less showbiz in those days…) I would meet the person who would become my agent, I’d meet a future boss and a really good friend who has offered endless advice, all on the judging panel. 

    So while the whole experience has a side order of absolute terror it is actually worth it, the success rate of past winners going into the industry is very high, but not even that, you’re getting feedback from some of the best in the industry tailored specifically to you. And it might not seem it at the time even if the feedback isn’t good but it will help, believe me. Sometimes bad feedback is better than good.

    Working in radio really is one of the best jobs in the world, there’s nothing quite like it. If that’s what you want to do then Demo Factor really can open the right doors for you. So make sure you get to SRACon in Swansea and become the class of 2019, and I look forward meeting you!

    Best of luck! 

  • Should you enter? Of course you should!

    I still remember being sat in that room in Bath, the faint smell of snakebite wafting from the bar and a sticky floor beneath my feet, I prayed they wouldn’t play my demo because at that stage I was sure it was the worst thing ever confined to a CD (yes a CD – it was ages ago).

    Then the closing bars to a Sugerbabes song rang round the room (a current hit at the time – like I said…ages ago) I knew I was about to hear myself doing a link…..What I didn’t know was that single moment would be the basis for my career, I’d meet my agent, we’d talk about my dream to work at Absolute Radio, he’d introduce me to the boss of that station blah blah blah.

    I could go on but it’s about 8 years in all so I’ll stop banging on about myself. Point being I can’t think of another forum where you can gain face to face access with industry leaders who give you direct feedback on what you’re doing. Also you’re literally in a bar with them afterwards so you can have a more friendly informal chat, it’s perfect if you’re thinking radio is the next step after uni.

    Go for it you won’t regret it!

    Ben Burrell, Demo Factor Host 2018

  • Leicester to Norwich – it continues!

    Is it that time of the year again – where has the time gone since we were in the good hands of DemonFM and De Montfort University at DemoFactor 2017?

    Well, it’s been a year! But it was a night to remember. Possibly the most brilliantly OTT production of the by then 9 shows, and even though SRACon has been to Leicester twice in Demo Factor’s history it was the first time it had an outing there (we took a gap year the first time).

    It was a year of change though, with a new line up of judges, Paul Sylvester (Absolute Radio), Pandora (Kiss), Jordan North (Radio 1), Lucy Winter (Radio 1 Specialist) and longstanding ‘Head Judge’, Chris North (North Media Talent) we also welcomed DF’s first winner, Ben Burrell (Absolute Radio) as host, with two days notice due to our good friend and previous Judge and Host Vicki Blight (Radio Wales) being unwell. Oh and we had a surprise appearance of Guest Judge Greg James (you know who he is). We also added a twist. The Golden Buzzer.

    (To speed things up each demo now has ‘a minute to win it’ – which basically means if no judge buzzes it will stop after a minute. If a judge likes it they have one chance to golden buzz to keep it playing. Which is quite a big deal!)

    But the stars of the show were the delegates and those who were brave enough to enter their demo. The night is a bit rubbish if nobody enters.

    The panel was the usual constructive collective (although it rattled some cages) but on the whole, the night was widely seen as a success. Some entrants were spotted by other industry bods in the room and went on to have meetings, pilots., even work!

    Notable talent spots from the panel were Abi Gibson (DemonFM) who Paul said ‘watch our for Abi, she’s going to be famous one day’, Lydia George, (also from DemonFM) was also singled out with the comment ‘the industry is waiting for you, Lydia’

    Proving that not being played on the night isn’t the end of the world, following DF, Jordan North spotted Chris Ros from the Uni of Bedfordshire, who has since had interest from commercial radio.

    The overall winner, however, was unanimously the brilliant Sylvie Carlos from Verve Radio, London Metropolitan University with judges observing her bright future and how excited they all were to hear someone who’s ‘natural, brilliant at capturing a moment and has a true passion for music’. Paul also did say that she was ‘the Yorkshire puddings to his Sunday roast’ but nobody knew what that meant.

    Sylvie said “Being at Demo Factor was kind of intense, but the good intense! I remember being at my table thinking Paul Sylvester was savage with feedback given to someone and then the next thing I know my demo comes up! Winning DemoFactor was banging. It confirmed for me that this was only the beginning of my presenting journey”

    Here’s to Norwich – We can’t wait!

  • Blog: I’m your new host!

    Blog: I’m your new host!

    Demo Factor is a unique experience for presenters, producers and station managers to not only hear audio from other student radio stations, but to also get a very real insight into how the industry finds and recruits new talent.

    It is the one-stop shop for how to construct links, shows and demos, to get that all important foot on the ladder of the radio industry.

    Having been involved as a judge on the Demo Factor panel since it’s conception at the student radio conference in Bath, it has always been an incredible experience to offer advice and encouragement to new student radio talent. The conference has always been an amazing event that I look forward to every year and it’s so special to work with our Demo Factor team of industry experts; Chris North, Rob Watson, Jocelin Stainer, Paul Sylvester and Adam Catterall.

    With Adam unable to attend the event this year, there are a pair of big, well polished, sharp, funny and caring shoes to fill. I only hope I can do the them justice, as I become your new Demo Factor host for 2015!

    As I step off the stage and into the midst of nerves, Jaeger and the next generation of award winning presenters, there will be an empty chair up on that stage…but who will be sitting in it? We’re looking forward to announcing that soon! Don’t think it’s all on you though, I’ll make sure we push the judges to say what they mean and answer your questions!

    For now, make sure you get your audio ready for the conference. Don’t waste the opportunity of getting live feedback that could save you time, tears and tantrums in the future! Oh and remember…you never know who’s listening as we welcome many industry stars into the room on the night! It could be your time to shine! Best of luck and see you in Exeter! #DevonOrHell

    Vicki

    PS below are some useful bits of advice and/or conversation starters!

    • My memorable Demo Factor moment: Chris North ordering a ‘Woo Woo’, oh and the demo made up entirely of pan pipe music!
    • Favourite drink: Whiskey
    • Radio Hero: Steve Lamacq
    • 3 words of advice: Be Yourself, Be a sponge, Be thick skinned!