We spoke to a true champion of female artists and Northern dance music
In a world that seems to be almost completely populated with male podcasts, chomping over bro politics.. There are a few content creators out there who are looking to showcase the kind of thing we love at Broke. DJ, Presenter, Journalist and all-round creative force Niamh Ingram is looking to break this mould with her new podcast “Belta”. Recently hosting artists such as Effy and Ewan McVicar – it’s a podcast that focuses on the northern sector of the music industry as well as showcasing all the different artists, personalities, genders and faces of artistry in 2023.
We spoke to Niamh about the podcast, life and what’s next on her horizon
Hey Niamh, how’s your summer going so far?
Thanks for having me! It’s going great, thanks. Lots of exploring, dancing and relaxing.
We love the work you’ve been doing with Belta. What gave you the spark to start this podcast?
I appreciate that, thank you! Pretty soon into my time working within the electronic music space, I realised that there was very little coverage or plaudits given to people from and/or based in the North, with most attention and focus upon southern areas, especially London. That’s cool – those spaces have brilliant talent which also deserves celebrating – but I wanted to create a space where people who are from lesser represented, or covered, areas, can get their flowers whilst simultaneously prove to others in the area that it is possible to be successful if you’re based elsewhere.
Who have you had on the podcast so far?
Heaps of fun names! My first episode was with Gracie T, she is brilliant. I’ve most recently had Ewan McVicar, which was a super insightful chat into his relationship with mainstream and underground cultures having emerged from the latter. Other names have included Melé, Effy, Ammara, Sammy Virji, Rudosa and Arielle Free and Sarah Story from Radio 1. I’ve also had industry folk on, including journalist Aneesa Ahmed and PR whizz Lydia Laws.
Your podcast has an emphasis on Northern music culture. What do you think is a limiting factor for why electronic DJs and producers from the North are underrepresented?
I think initially geographically, the distance from many spots in the north to London are so far, and even if linked by train, tickets are SO expensive – especially against the backdrop of the current cost of living crisis. There is also such a media centricity towards areas that aren’t up north that quite frankly, people just don’t become aware of the abundance of talent that is rife in the north — something Belta is trying its best to change.
What aims are you looking to achieve by creating this podcast?
I suppose I answered this before, but I created Belta to provide a space where folk in electronic music from the north can be celebrated and appreciated. We have talent that deserves to be shouted about!
Anyone else you have in mind to hop on the podcast as a guest?
Ewan was a big one for me, as I was really interested in diving into his musical history. I’d really like to get La La on, I think she is killing it right now, as is a producer and DJ from Newcastle called Jacklyn. She played De School in Amsterdam recently, and I’m all over it. I’m also keen to get some more industry workers on, to provide some insight that a lot of people mightn’t be aware of.
Did your surroundings growing up in Leeds and the North-East influence your own taste in music and how?
Oh, 100%! The North East is very much associated with faster styles of music and they are something I absolutely eat up. I’ve been in Leeds for a few years now, and it has a real affinity with bassy sounds at the minute which are fun and I enjoy dipping my toe into.
I understand you are a presenter, DJ and Mixmag Weekend Editor. That’s a lot on your plate, am I right?! Have you found each one has helped aid each other?
It’s a fair bit, but I love it! I could never do just one thing, I love flitting about. Music journalism will always be my first love; as cliché as it sounds, I have written ever since I was tiny – my prized possession when I was younger was a little typewriter – and I’ve also gone to heaps of gigs thanks to my parents who are obsessed with music. The two loves came together naturally, but I also love a chat, so I very much view presenting bits as simply another format to express opinion, discuss and analyse. DJing is naturally helped by being so immersed in my journalism and presenting, too: I’m always coming across through music via PR pitches and promos, but also my own digging. I’m a bit of a fiend with Soundcloud and Instagram, and you can’t beat a good record store.
What have you got coming up over the next few years – any targets or goals you want to tackle?
I’m really just going with the flow, which sounds a bit crazy as anyone close to me knows I am a notorious planner but I’ve found that the best opportunities emerge when you least expect it. As long as I’m able to articulate people’s stories, art, and can also express my own, I’ll be happy. More writing, presenting and DJing please!
Where can people check out your work?
You can check out Belta on any of your usual podcast platforms by giving it a search, or the best spots to find me are my Instagram @n_iamhingram and website niamhingram.com 🙂