Glasgow Q&A: Radio Buena Vida
Suz O’Neill and David Fleming are the co-founders of community internet station Radio Buena Vida, currently celebrating its first year of broadcasting out of Govanhill record shop Some Great Reward
What do you like about Govanhill?
The buzz. There is always something happening. There are loads of great small independent businesses in the area who really support one another and it feels like a real hub for creativity.
How important is community?
As a community radio station, it is vitally important for us. We broadcast from the window of Some Great Reward, our local independent record cafe and them offering a home for the station means we can connect with the local community every day we are on air. About half of the residents and guests on the station live within about a one-mile radius so although we can be listened to online around the world, we are really engaged with our immediate local geographic community which is bursting with great music.
How has the Glasgow music scene influenced you?
In so many ways. We feel lucky to have lived in a city that has always welcomed local and international talent across so many genres of music and with a real DIY ethos. This ethos has inspired and influenced how we run the station and how we programme the music and artists.
Do you have a favourite Glasgow artwork?
We are really loving the boldness and brightness of Molly Hankinson’s murals. There’s one on the wall of Shawlands Continental that’s part of the Shawlands Mural Trail but they can be found across the whole city. Check out her work @mollyhankinson.studio
What makes Glasgow unique?
The people and their spontaneity and of course how much it rains…
What are you working on right now?
Birthday party planning! It’s been a year since we first started broadcasting and we are throwing a party to celebrate across two venues in Glasgow on Saturday 27 November. It’s a two-part party starting in The Old Hairdressers from 6 to 10pm and then moving across to Stereo from 11pm to late featuring a selection of the local, national and international guests who have been on the station over the past 12 months including a B2B from DJ Fett Burger and Telephones, Edinburgh-based DJ/selector Hiba, Glasgow-based DJ/Producer KTAB and Radio Buena Vida residents Hot Towel, Cùrlach, Optimistic Soul and Farnaz. Tickets are available here.
Some Great Reward, 520 Victoria Rd, Glasgow; somegreatreward.scot