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University of Bedfordshire
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
UK, LU1 3JU
"I am now Station Sound Manger at BBC Radio 1."
Matt Fisher had always wanted to work in zoology so was over the moon when he landed a job as an entomologist, studying insects and arachnids. However, 18 months into the role, Matt realised that this wasn’t where his passions really lay.
“I used to work alone and was listening to the radio one day at work and thought ‘I could do that’ so I decided to give it a go,” explained Matt, from Hempstead in Kent. “I wrote hundreds upon hundreds of letters to radio stations all over the country and joined the local hospital radio, where I catalogued CDs and made tea!
“Although I was never given a chance to be on air, I made one of my most important contacts at the station. I met a guy who used to be a presenter and now runs a mobile disco. He taught me simple skills like how to mix records and work a crowd, and when he started running his own station, he gave me my first ever presenting job. I had the graveyard shift but it was fantastic. To know that people were tuning in to listen to me was a great feeling.”
Actually having a presenting job made Matt realise that radio was where his ambition lay and he continued writing persistent letters to various radio stations. Matt travelled up and down the country, carrying out various work experience positions, slowly building his CV and learning all the skills needed to be a radio success.
In 2000, Matt decided to go back to study and do a degree to help him develop more skills. “Luton was my first choice of University,” said Matt. “The main reason was because of Luton FM, the University’s radio station, where we had the option of being station manager as a final project.
“I started a BA (Hons) in Media Performance with Radio in 2000 and throughout the course I kept on pushing and writing to regional stations. I made demo tapes, produced jingles and built up my CV over the three years, and it was during my final few months as a student that I got my first real break.”
Matt attended the annual Careers Fair, held by the University and it was here that he met the assistant editor, Laura Moss of BBC Three Counties radio. Matt’s involvement in Luton FM had impressed the assistant editor who offered him a position making jingles and doing general promotion work.
“This position gave me my first professional break and I am so grateful for the opportunities that Three Counties gave me,” said Matt. “However, I wanted to make the move into commercial radio and kept on pushing local stations like Chiltern FM. It turned out that Chiltern staff actually listened to Luton FM and had heard me on there! They were impressed and offered me a “producer” role within the GWR group.”
It was during his first few weeks at Chiltern that Matt was given the opportunity to host Early Breakfast 3-6am, which soon led to him covering bigger shows like Mid Morning and the Drive-time show, as a stand-in for the regular presenters. “I was petrified,” recalls Matt. “I was excited at the same time but the stations listening figures totally depended on what you say and do, that’s a scary responsibility! But it went well and I loved every minute!”
Matt went onto present the Sunday Breakfast show, between 6am-10am. “I’d covered almost every time slot that Chiltern had" said Matt.
After spending just under a year working at Chiltern, Matt accepted the position of Station Imaging Producer at London's 104.9 Xfm and began working with the multiple Sony award-winning production team.
It wasn't long before he was offered the additional job of producing his first show - Import Export, Friday and Sunday 9-10pm, which has just won Best Weekend Music Show at the New York Achievements in Radio.
Matt then took on more shows including Monday Meltdown and, most recently, The Weekender on Friday and Saturday evenings from 6-9pm.
In addition, Matt has also been busy freelance presenting on stations in Kent and producing for Capital Gold.
Matt said: "I'm loving the job and working hard at getting my very own show on Xfm!"
Interview updated in 2005.
Apply» Faculties & Departments» Bedfordshire Institute for Media, Arts & Performance» Student Profiles» Matt Fisher: BA Hons Media Performance with Radio
