EMW Meets Polly Lakes, Wales' very own Female Radio presenter

Move over Fearne Cotton and make way for Mrs Polly Lake. EmpowerMe Wales catches up with the welsh beauty, who's 23 years old, is married and presents on 3 radio stations! She takes time from her busy schedule and chats to EMW....

Hey Polly,

Can you tell us a bit of info about yourself and how old you are....
where your from?

Hiya, I'm Polly, I'm 23.. born and bred in the lovely city of Cardiff! I live in Cardiff Bay with my husband although work in London and Swansea as Radio DJ! Go figure... I can't seem to leave the place! :P

Whats your job? what station and times are you presenting? I'm a Radio DJ and present music based shows on Nation Radio south Wales, The hits Radio and National Radio Station Absolute Radio!

What's the best thing about being a presenter? Well, the best has to be... listening to my favourite music everyday! There really is nothing better than being on air, maybe a friday afternoon, with a big rock classic.. although I'm on my own in the studio, you can tell the people listening are just loving it! Happy days!


What's the best job you've had? Defiantly when I've been on the Radio... within radio though, would be interviewing the bands, introducing acts onto stage etc...

What's the worst? When I used to wash dishes in a kitchen when I was 15! That sucked!

What advice would you give to a young person wanting to get into presenting? I would start off at a community radio station or hospital radio, get in touch with the programme controller and tell them about your passion to be involed and ask them if you could come in and do a little demo!
I started on community Radio Afan FM in 2008 and treated my Weekend breakfast shows as if I was Chris Moyles.. I would prep up to my eyes balls, read the papers and made sure I knew about every piece of music I played out! It's SO important to rip off your audio, you can ask the programme controller to do it for you! Listen back to it and make sure you are happy with what you are doing! In no time you'll have your self a neat demo to send out! And then... PESTER time!

Can you do it full time? Yes! for example you could do a daily drive time show, or you could do it part time, a weekend breakfast show!

Is being a presenter a glamourous lifestyle? Nah, not really, you can rock up to the studio in no make up, jeans and a t-shirt! Its not like TV.. no one see's you! (Apart from the webcams) If you're invited to events though, thats fun for us DJ's as it's an excuse to dress up!

Is there an age limit? No, I started at 21, which is a little old! My husband who also is radio DJ knew he wanted to be on air when he was a kid, and had his first show at 16!

Who are your role models? I have so many! I look up to a lot of people for different reasons!

Do you need any qualifications? I have a GCSE's and BTEC sports dipolma! I have nothing in the way of qualifications used to get my job! Just a big gob and a passion for music!

What are your future plans? Just keep moving on up...

How would your friends describe you in 3 words? Probably a little bit nuts, hopefully always happy and smiling and maybe over energised!

What thing can you NOT leave the house without? Mobile!!! How people lived in the 80's must have torture!

If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you like to have with you and why? Laptop, McDonalds (free wifi for the laptop) and a Greggs the bakers! :)

You can catch Polly on Nation Radio, The Hits and Absolute! Good luck to you Polly!! xxxx

EMW Meets Laura Davie, the female singer from new up and coming band Whytel

Can you tell us who you are?
I'm Laura Davie and i am the female vocalist in an Alternative Hip Hop band called Whytel.

How long have u been a band?
It was a year in October - and what a busy year it has been!

Whats the style of your music?
We call it Alternative Hip Hop, but it is basically a blend of rap/indie/pop/rock - multi-genre! Hip hop artists like Tinie Tempah use a live band when you see them in concert, we just use a live band constantly, that's our sound!

Where abouts in wales are you from?
4 of us are from Newport, but our Bassist James is an honorary Welshman, even if he does live in Newbury. We all met in Newport though. Through school and Uni.

Who are the band members?
So as well as me, we have Lee who is the MC, Dan on Guitar, James on Bass and Joni B on Drums.

how does it feel being the only girl in an all boy band?
Tiring! No it's fine. I feel like I'm the boys mum sometimes when i have to get them organised, but it works. I am dreading the day when i have to share a tour bus with them though.

What are your dreams for Whytel for the future?
Does it sound cheesy if i say "at the top of the charts!"? I suppose that's where everyone wants to be. It's a difficult business though and we have been really lucky with some of the experiences we have already had I would be happy if we get to the point where we can give up the day jobs and just gig constantly and make our fans happy.

Who are you role models/icons?
I think we all have completely different ones. As for musical influences for example, i know that we all listen to completely different genres, which is why we can all offer so much when we are writing our music. But in regards to Role Models in my life, I'm a Daddy's girl and would have to say him. I've always thought that if i can work as hard as him and provide for my family in the same way he has for us, i will be a happy person with a happy life. I'm immensely proud of him and he has always been there for me when I've sung, taking me to auditions where i didn't get anywhere and letting me cry on him afterwards.

Your touring around London, can you tell us more about that?
After the last year we have had with really high profile support slots with the likes of Tinie Tempah, Chiddy Bang, Professor Green and Plan B, we figured that the only way to progress was to start gigging in London. We had been approached by a few promoters in the area and I now live and work in London too so it made sense to start building a fan base down here. All bands want to progress and the bright lights of London were too much to ignore.

How do we get hold of your music?
There are lots of ways. Our debut EP is on Itunes, you can also listen to it on Spotify and there are links to our Merchandise site on our My space. Alternatively, come to one of our gigs and you can buy an EP from us personally.
Whats your proudest moment so far?
Probably when we won Battle of the Bands 2010. There are photos of before the announced the winners and after, and you can tell we were not expecting it.
There have been lots of highlights though. One of the best moments I've ever had was when Plan B's band recognised us backstage at Beach Break Live where we were both playing and invited us to watch the whole set from the side of the stage. That's one of our targets now, to be on that main stage and to have our friends watching from the wings.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to form a band or get started?
Don't let anyone tell you you can't do it. I gave up on singing for a few years. I let school and Uni and then finding a "grown up" job take over, when all i really wanted to do was sing. I would also say practise. A Lot. Before i joined the band, the boys had been together for a while and it shows. They can tell exactly what each other are thinking, Dan will start to play something and James will come in with something else that matches perfectly and Jon will start and all together it sounds like they have been playing that song for years. It's incredible to watch.

Whats the best thing about being in a band?
The adrenalin rush of being on stage. When you see people smiling at you and enjoying your music, there is nothing better.

What item can you not leave the house without?
My phone, i feel like i have lost a limb without it. Luckily (fingers crossed) i have never lost a phone in my life! Also i will never leave the house without eyeliner. I'm pale and fair haired so without defining my eyes, i look really ill.

How would your friends describe you in 3 words?
Bubbly, Funny, Caring.

Thanks Laura, all the best with Whytel and the future xxx

For all the latest Whytel news, be sure to add their Facebook Fan page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Whytel/166559624066

You can also take a look at their MySpace page and listen to some of their tracks:
www.myspace.com/whytel

They will be playing a number of gigs in both London and Wales so be sure to keep an eye out on listings. xx

EMW Meets The 17 year old sensation, Aleighcia Scott.....

Move over Alicia Keys and make way for a new Aleighcia,

Empowerme Wales has caught up with someone who we think is a rising star indeed.

We interview the gorgeous Cardiff girl,Aleighcia Scott the 17 year old, who we think definitely has THE X F FACTOR!

Hello Aleighcia,

How would you describe your style of music?
The style of my music originated with soul/r&b/reggae/hip-hop but with times changing and new styles of music occuring, i have now also expanded to funky/house/pop music too

Have you always sung?

I've always sung, my youngest memories are from around three years old, but have only gone heavily in to focussing on my music the past five years or so, then making my own YouTube page around three years ago which proved to be successful

What are your future dreams?
Future dreams are in performing and singing, I hope to be a successful recording artist, or be a West End/Broadway performer.

Who are your musical influences?
My biggest icon is Alicia Keys, as I feel her flow and soul in to music is so unique and definitley heart felt. Other influences include Aretha Franklin/Etta James/Whitney Houston

Where can we hear you?
You can view my music either at www.youtube.com/aleighcia or onwww.myspace.com/aleighciascott

Whats your proudest moment so far?
My proudest moments include Radio cardiff's best local artist 2009, 1st place in Wales Has Talent and recieving a call back for 'Thriller Live' in London's West End

What advice would you give to a young person who dreams if becoming a singer?
Advice to anyone who wants to sing, is to love what you do, everything else will follow if your heart is in it

What couldn't you leave the house without?
I couldn't leave my house without my phone or my songbook!

How would your friends describe you in 3 words?
I would say I'm loud, outgoing and caring :)

You can catch Aleighcia in action on www.youtube.com/aleighcia or onwww.myspace.com/aleighciascott

EMW Catches up with a Miss Cardiff Finalist Kirstie Mclean

EmpowerMe Wales Caught up with the lovely Miss Cardiff Finalist 2010 to hear her story on entering the competition, what happened on the night, and her ambitions for the future...

Hey Kirstie can you tell us a bit about yourself.....

Hey, my names Kirstie Mclean, I'm 17 and am studying health and social care, sociology and religious studies.

How did you get involved in the competition?
I entered online, I had to fill out a form and send two photo's of myself.

What made you become involved in Miss Cardiff?
Friends of mine from school done it before, and i thought id like to do that, and always like the idea of modelling.

How does it work, once you’re selected? What happens next?
Once you're selected you would get and e-mail/letter to tell you that you are through to the semi final, then you would go for an interview and have your photo taken by the judge, there wasnt a specific number of how many would get through. Then if you succeeded you would get another e-mail or letter to say you're through to the final, you would have to go to a dress stop (vibe) in Pentwyn to try on one of their dresses and have your photo taken, we would raise money for the joshua foundation (a prize went to the girl who raised the most money).

What the night like?
The final took place on the 8th of October 2010. The night was brilliant, the atmosphere was great and the other competitors were lovely and friendly made the day less nerve wrecking haha.

How was the experience for you?
I loved it! The whole inner beauty thing and being able to doll your self up in different outfits was fun, especially since I do a lot of sport like football. Some people never get to do them selves up like that so it was a nice change :) It was a good way for me to boost and gain a bit more self confidence and it did, at first i was really nervous, but once i went out on the cat walk the first time, I wanted to get back out there again and again.

Would you do it again?
I would definitely do it again, the experience was brilliant, i really enjoyed my self, It would be nice to win, but even if i ddint i would do it again and again just for the enjoyment of it, at the end of the day it's not all about winning. I want to do it again next year, and by then i should be fully recovered so hopefully it will give other people with the same problem a bit more motivtion to get better.

What are you ambitions for the future?
I am hoping to be a primary school teacher I've applied for universities in Cardiff for an education and early development couse, or if not a primary school teacher I'm considering a mental health nurse if I'm strong enough to listen to other peoples issues with food. While I've been ill I've missed my sport so now I have the idea of competing in the Olympics in the 800m, but ill need to do ALOT of training. There's loads I'd like to do really, its just getting around to doing them :)

Who are your role models and why?
ermm I'm not quite sure haha, I have a few favourite actresses and actor's like Jennifer Anniston, Kiera Knightly, Jonny Depp, Adam Sandler, ermm and a few others. I don't know why, I think its the characters they play :P

Thank you Kirstie and good luck with your ambitions for the future xxx

If you are interested in taking parting in Miss Cardiff 2010, see www.misswales.co.uk x

We're in the press! Interview with Creative Boom!

Interview: Cas Germain, founder of "EmpowerMe Wales"

EMPOWERME WALES is an initiative set up for young women in Wales. Its founder, 23 year old Cas Germain, takes time out to tell us about what inspired and motivated her to set up this organisation.

So how did it all start? Where did the idea for EmpowerMe Wales come from?

The idea started when I heard the statistic that "Wales has the highest rate of teen pregnancy in Western Europe"

I've also worked with women in Cardiff Women's Aid and wanted to come up with something where preventatives could happen for example teen pregnancies or young women having knowledge about domestic abuse. That is not to say young women shouldn't get pregnant, nor is it saying all men are involved in domestic abuse, but the more "empowered" an individual is about their lives and feel good about themselves the more self and social awareness one has.
There fore by being a young women and working with lots of different people both in media and social, I thought of EmpowerMe Wales. A non profit, initiative for young women to grow and look out for themselves, by deciding and helping them do what they want as opposed to being dictated or told what to do, through positive mediums. For example a clothes swapping event- cheap clothes and helping the environment at the same time, as well as helping other people such as Cardiff Women's Aid in our Case.

Can you tell us about your own background and career?

I graduated in September 2009 with BA (hons) in Media and Sociology at Goldsmiths London. I wanted to pursue my 2 passions, the radio aspect being the media side, and people and empowerment of young people, being the sociology.
2 days after my finals, I started a marketing internship at Kiss 100 in London, and worked with Neil Fox at Magic as a producer for his breakfast show before being the breakfast show presenter at Radio Cardiff for the summer of 2009. I then did a short stint at Bro Radio before training at Red Dragon FM.
As well as having a passion for radio I wanted to work with people, especially women so I started volunteering at Cardiff Women's Aid, as well as organising events to raise awareness of Cardiff Women's Aid and help everyone out, by organising a clothes swap which is EmpowerMe's 1st event. I am now the Radio Coordinator for The Independent Foster Care Services Wales, empowering young people and adults and the whole community by running a radio station and letting them take control of the air waves.

What's been your proudest moment so far?

Mine personally so far is getting the job as Radio Coordinator at the Independent Foster Care Services Wales. Where I get to promote a good cause, and empower young people and the community around me in radio.

Anything exciting ongoing or in the pipeline?

Raising the profile for EmpowerMe Wales through 4 pillars. Education, Entertainment, Exercise and Environment. Would love to do talks in schools about Domestic Violence in teen relationships and empowerment through beauty.

Where do you hope EmpowerMe Wales will be in five years time?

Hopefully people will be familiar who we are and will be a functioning initiative where young women feel happy and confident in themselves and lives through ideas we have and they go onto pursue.

What advice would you give to aspiring young entrepreneurs out there?

Any idea or any thing you want to do or have, just go for it. Don't let anything or anyone hold you back and no matter how hard things get, personally, spiritually, mentally or emotionally, just don't give up. If you believe it anything is possible, its all up to you how you want your life to be.

Taken from Creative Boom- "Creative Boom Cardiff is a regional online magazine about the creative industries in Cardiff and the rest of Wales and covers everything from fashion, music, film and photography to art, design, animation and marketing."

http://www.creativeboom.co.uk/cardiff/2010/06/18/interview-cas-germain-founder-of-empowerme-wales/

Our First Event!! A Clothes Swap

It's clothes swapping time!!

Empowerme Wales has organised its first clothes swap!! Date for your diary: Saturday 3rd July Penylan community centre Penylan Cardiff, (Next to Roath Rec, on the corner of Ninian Road) Time: 12-4pm!! Small price to pay: £3
For those of you who are not familiar with this craze, do let me explain.... It started on in the US where people would bring their unwanted items and swap with other people for a whole new wardrobe. Since making a storm in the US it's now in Cardiff. How it works: you come along at 12pm with your bag of clean clothes, no underwear or bikinis for obvious reasons!! :P We then sort them out until 1pm. Then at 1pm you have full access for 3 whole hours to your new wardrobe!! Enviromentally friendly, fun and most of all for a good cause! What more could you ask for!! Proceeds go to Cardiff Women's Aid. Looking forward to seeing you!! Cas xxx
" Be the change that you want to see in the world" Ghandi

Welcome, who we are and why we're here

Hello Im Cas and welcome to EmpowerMeWales.....

EmpowerMeWales is an initiative set up for young women in Wales.

Set up to EMPOWER young WOMEN in WALES to ENRICH and ENLIGHTEN their lives, through EMPOWERMENT.
WALES has this HIGHEST rate of TEEN PREGNANCIES in Western EUROPE, and I feel as a 23 year old Welsh lady, that the more young people FEEL GOOD about them selves, the more OPTIONS they will feel they have and the more CONFIDENCE they will embrace in order to move FORWARD and make the appropriate CHOICES in their lives, for what's best for the individual.

“Be the change that you want to see in the world."Mohandas Gandhi

• It's based on four principles:-
  
  
  
• Empowerment through Education:- Educate ones self, in terms of life, be it learning a new skill, learning to better oneself.
  
  
  
• Empowerment through Exercise:- Fitness, nutrition, ways to look and feel better.
  
  
  
• Empowerment through Entertainment: Becoming involved in an many events, be it:-backstage or on stage, writing, creating, talking, blogging, and photography, anything that empowers you through fun.
  
  
  
• Empowerment through the Environment: caring about the world we live in, ways one can save their CO2 footprint, ways of living in a greener world.

• If you would like to get involved in your community :-
  



• Find us on facebook: EmpowerMeWales
  



• Or add us as a friend: EmpowerMeWales we'd love to hear from you.
  




• Or contact empowermewales@gmail.com for more information.
  Enrich Enlighten Empower...........
  xxx