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| ==History== | ==History== | ||
| The project was conceived by ], and the first show aired on February 1st, 1989, from the ] studios of ]. In early 1990 the show was moved to Australia's oldest and biggest community station, ], where it has |
The project was conceived by ], and the first show aired on February 1st, 1989, from the ] studios of ]. In early 1990 the show was moved to Australia's oldest and biggest community station, ], where it has been based ever since. | ||
| ==Presenters== | ==Presenters== | ||
Revision as of 04:45, 13 March 2008
Radio show | |
| Genre | Ambient music |
|---|---|
| Running time | 90 minutes, weekly |
| Country of origin |  Australia |
| Language(s) | English |
| Home station | 2MBS, Sydney |
| Syndicates | Artsound, 5MBS |
| Hosted by | George Cruickshank Neville Dorrington Marc "Kundalini" Cottee |
| Created by | George Cruickshank |
| Original release | February 1, 1989 |
| Website | www.ultimathule.info |
| Podcast | |
Ultima Thule Ambient Music is a long-running, specialist ambient music radio show which has been broadcast on Australian community radio since 1989. The show has been described as one of the leading alternative music programmes on Australian radio. It is also available as a webcast and as a podcast. As at December 2007, Ultima Thule was the number one ambient music podcast on the iTunes Store.
Show format
Each broadcast is uninterrupted by back-announcing other than near the beginning and end of the show, and consists of a 90-minute musical soundscape created by segue mixing tracks from a number of different artists. The musical content of each show is eclectic and diverse, and can embrace ancient, mediaeval, contemporary classical, ethnic/world, cool jazz, film soundtracks and occasionally even popular idioms, in addition to mainstream ambient, new age music and electronic music.
The duration of Ultima Thule has varied considerably over the years. Initially launched as a 90-minute programme, the duration was expanded progresively to 2, then 3 and finally 4 hours, until settling back into a 90 minute slot from March 2001.
History
The project was conceived by George Cruickshank, and the first show aired on February 1st, 1989, from the Narwee studios of 2NBC-FM. In early 1990 the show was moved to Australia's oldest and biggest community station, 2MBS-FM, where it has been based ever since.
Presenters
Ultima Thule is broadcast in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday evenings between 10.30 and midnight. Since 2001 it has been presented by a roster of three producers on a fortnightly cycle. As of February 2007 these are Cruickshank, Neville Dorrington and Marc "Kundalini" Cottee. Cruickshank presents the show every second week, while Dorrington and Cottee take turns hosting the show in alternate weeks.
Cottee joined the show in late 2006 as a replacement for Mike Watson, who ended a five-year period as co-producer at that time. Watson is also known as the creator of the Ambient Music Guide reference website.
For a short period towards the end 2000, David Bassin, Candace Cappe, Victor Kay and Nev Dorrington joined Cruickshank as co-producers of Ultima Thule. This arrangement was terminated early in 2001, although Dorrington subsequently rejoined the show's on-air lineup late in 2002.
Syndication, streaming and podcast
In June 2003 Ultima Thule was networked to Adelaide by 2MBS' sister station, 5MBS-FM. It is broadcast there on Sunday evenings, also from 10.30pm to midnight.
A third station in the Fine Music Network, Artsound FM, Canberra, began to carry the show in November 2006, broadcasting it on Tuesday evenings from 10.00pm.
In March 2008 it was announced on the the Ultima Thule blog that the show had been picked up for nationwide distribution via the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia's Community Radio Network satellite service - which delivers shared programming to over 180 radio stations in all states and territories. The arrangement is scheduled to commence in May.
Ultima Thule has been available as a podcast since May, 2005, and at any given time 8 shows are available for download in MP3 form through the programme's website. It can also be streamed live from the 2MBS-FM website.
Compilation album
Chasing the Dawn: Ultima Thule Ambient Volume 01, a branded compilation album produced by George Cruickshank, was released as a fund-raiser for 2MBS in early 2006.
It features original and previously unreleased compositions by thirteen ambient artists, including Steve Roach, Tim Story, Robert Rich, and Numina.
The recording reached #42 on the New Age Reporter music chart in August 2006.
See also
- Hearts of Space, an ambient music programme broadcast on NPR in the US since the late 1970s. Hosted by Stephen Hill.
- Musical Starstreams, a US-based commercial radio program produced and hosted by Forest since 1981.
- Echoes, a nightly ambient music show produced by music critic John Diliberto.
- Star's End, a weekly ambient music programme broadcast on public radio in Philadelphia since 1976, hosted by Chuck van Zyl.
References
- "Ambient Visions Presents an Interview with George Cruickshank". Ambient Visions.
- Frank Joseph (2005-05-01). "In the chillzone". Fine Music.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - Judy Adamson (1997-07-06). "Ambient anniversary on the airwaves". The Northern Herald.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - Marius Webb (1996-01-29). "Ultima Thule". The Sydney Morning Herald Guide.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - (See here for scans of the 3 articles mentioned, above).
Notes
- Robert Moss (2007-08-28). "Download This". The Independent. p. 19.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - Andrew Bock (2007-12-20). "Talking to the world". The Age Green Guide. p. 13.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - "2MBS-FM". 2MBS-FM.
- "Ultimathule". Ambient Music Guide.
- "Programs at a Glance". 5MBS-FM.
- "Programming". Artsound-FM.
- "Top 100 Airwaves Chart - August 2006". New Age Reporter.