A Peckham-based DJ has won a scholarship to appear on BBC Radio 1.
Martha Pazienti Caidan, 28, was told about veteran BBC Radio presenter Annie Nightingale’s “wonderful” scholarship earlier this month. It has been set up to celebrate and elevate women and non-binary people in the electronic music scene by giving them with a national platform to showcase their talents.
Martha has her roots in community radio and documentary making, and likes to craft a narrative over the course of her radio shows.
She said: “I think about curating the songs to build a narrative that runs throughout the programme and guides the listener through new sounds from the world of electronic music.
“I’ve learnt most of what I know about presenting and interviewing from listening to Annie Nightingale. I particularly admire her journalistic approach to music radio.
“The scholarship is a wonderful sign of recognition from Annie that I think will give me the confidence to continue pursuing broadcasting.”
Annie Nightingale, who first joined Radio 1 over 50 years ago, said: “I was the first ever female DJ on radio and am now the longest serving presenter of any gender.
“Ever since I began, I have wanted to help other young broadcasters passionate about music to achieve their dreams on the airwaves, and now, we can put that on a proper footing.”
Martha added that one of the main struggles facing women and non-binary people in the DJ industry right now is safety.
“Clubs aren’t always the safest places to be,” she said. “It can be hard to relax and have the opportunity to concentrate on enjoying the music.
“That’s one of the reasons I started Tempo, a run club for DJs & musicians where we spend time together outside of the club setting.”
Tempo is a community of musicians and DJs who go running together every Tuesday at Peckham Levels.
Martha’s health is currently the biggest thing holding her back in her career.
She said: “This year I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and subsequently, Graves’ disease which is an autoimmune condition.
“I’m learning about how much my body can cope with, and how to fit in all the things I want to do. It’s frustrating sometimes but it’s something i’m learning to respect and manage.”
The other two DJs selected for the scholarship are artist and DJ LCY from Bristol, and Australian DJ, songwriter, and music producer Annabel Hartlett, known by her stage name Godlands.
Each act will appear in a special edition of Annie Nightingale Presents on Radio 1.