Three weeks ago 4ZZZ began the December-May block, and we welcomed some new programs to the station, as well as said goodbye to some others. One move was the departure of Monday Sparkzzz from 102.1FM, as announcer Billie Letic makes the transition to Zed Digital with a re-launch of long-time daytime favourite Ozone. Billie has been an announcer on 4ZZZ for eight years, and is our Sub-Band Coordinator. If you are a subscriber band or solo musician she’s processed your music submissions at lightning speed, and has been a huge asset to the station. Community Engagement Coordinator Liz Witt had a chat with Billie about the move.

How did you get involved with community radio?
As a radio and music lover, back in 2017 I was actually searching for a community radio just like Zed and found it by accident on Google search. I had no idea that such a wonderful place and community like 4ZZZ existed before.
The first six months I spent volunteering in the 4ZZZ music department, and my mentor was the legendary Chris Cobcroft. I learnt so much from Chris and am always grateful for all his valuable knowledge passed onto me.

What's it been like hosting several shows across 102.1 and Zed Digital?
During my collaboration with musicians, I have realised that they are the nicest people to collaborate with, because most of them are easy-going and friendly.
Last few years I have been hosting three distinct programs, which is awesome challenge with fantastic experience:

• Subzzz Novo - created for all 4ZZZ sub musicians to give them special platform to be heard
• Monday Sparkzzz - a magazine style of the show focusing on other art forms other than music
• Balkan Beats – apart from Eastern European Balkan music exists for all Balkan music played in Australia and around the world.

I feel that FM shows grant you the opportunity to meet all local and Australian talents and create strong bonds with musicians and artists (even without knowing them in person), while Zed Digital shows connect you with the whole world. For instance, currently Balkan Beats show is being streamed by half of Europe, the whole Balkan and neighbouring countries, even in Scandinavian countries and South America.

You're also our sub band coordinator, what's one piece of advice you'd give an emerging local musician from your experience?
My personal opinion is that music and vocals should touch our hearts. If your voice or tunes are not there yet, never give up, just keep practicing, have more singing lessons, be the best you can be. Music should make your audience feel something, so if you don’t do it from the heart, we can’t feel it.
4ZZZ will be there to support you, but you need to do all the work by putting your blood, sweat and tears into your music.

Anything else you'd like to communicate to our listeners?
Support and subscribe to this unique independent radio 4ZZZ as we all do this for love and passion. Every playlist is carefully crafted from the heart, with lots of love, so that you can enjoy listening.
We are ready to entertain you for another 50 years, are you ready to support us for the next 50 years?

December 7th from 12PM, we're taking to the airwaves to celebrate the top tracks of the year as voted by the listeners. Listen from wherever you're at, or join one of our Super Official Unofficial Listening Parties! 
Don't miss your chance to contribute, head to hot100.4zzz.org.au to prepare your shortlist and vote!

4ZZZ subscribers get some extra perks during the Hot 100 voting. Your votes hold double weight and you can save a shortlist to come back to finish your list another time.

If you're not already a subscriber, you can sort that out right here.

Don't take too long though. Voting closes on Sunday, November 30th at Midnight. Strictly one vote per person.
 

On Wednesday, 3 September from 1 pm - 6 pm, 4ZZZ will throw open its doors to share the unique stories, voices, and music that make community radio so special.

Hosted by CBAA’s AMRAP, 4ZZZ, Triple R, PBS 106.7FM, Three D Radio, Edge Radio, 2SER 107.3 and more, Sounds Like Community Radio invites you to meet your fellow presenters, volunteers, producers, community, music lovers, artists, radio enthusiasts and celebrate the tireless dedication and impact they have on our vibrant music scenes nationally while enjoying a live national broadcast and artist performances.

This year we’ve assembled the CREAM OF THE CROP for your listening pleasure:
BADASSMUTHA
Charlie Needs Braces
Ijale
Last Quokka
Platonic Sex
Roger Knox

Celebrate the people MAKING NOISE in Australia’s music scene- both on and off air!

For ten years Joe Hogar has been a steady presence at 4ZZZ, making radio, hanging out, and is the only volunteer who consistently helps with the vacuuming. So he's basically worth his weight in gold. His weekly program, The Soundtrack Show, has recently celebrated its 500th episode- Liz Witt joined him for a chat about his journey.

How long have you been doing The Soundtrack Show?
Ten years this Saturday night. a bit over five hundred. Five hundred and five? Something like that. 

What were you thinking when you decided to start a soundtrack show?
(During training) they told us to try to play music that we like that we're used to, and I’ve collected soundtracks for years. I thought, “I can put that to use.” My mum used to say to me, when I was collecting records in the early days, “Joe, you can't listen to all those records!” Because my cupboard was filling up, mostly secondhand ones from Skinnies and Rocking Horse in the city. I never had an answer for her.

I’ve listened to Triple Z since 1980. I got into it after [listening to] heavy metal- the usual Van Halens and Black Sabbath and things. Then Triple Z got me into alternative, Punk rock stuff, with The Clash and things like that. The cool stuff. 

Where did the Passion for soundtracks come in?
Well…soundtracks change over the years, but a lot of the time there's at least one really good song on there, that's hard to find if you went looking for the record. So that comes in handy. I’d buy the soundtrack just for two songs, and I’ve still got them all, they did come in handy after all! I wish my mum was still around so I could have had an answer for her. Yeah. But the thing is…I was pretty nervous starting out. Michelle Brown [former station manager] was trying to figure out what to do with me. And I was nervous starting.

I was training on Nothing But The Blues and The Rock n’ Roll show, two of the longest running shows on Triple Z. I think I was ready and Michelle said, “stick Joe on the graveyard on Sunday mornings, then he can play all that weird shit.” I thought, how does she know what I'm going to play?

Anyway, I like the comedy records as well. I was a sucker for the comedy records on Triple Z late at night. Blues, country…I got right into that. Different stages you go through when you record collecting. It all had no intention of doing any radio one day at all. Judy let me talk on her show one afternoon on Subterranean, and I was crapping my pants. 

But was there a part of you that was like, "Oh! I like this…"
It was fun, yeah. It was fun.

If your house was on fire, what's the soundtrack that you would reach for?
Probably from the movie Top Secret. And my Valley Girl record, which I got from England. And-. I forgot about the Get Crazy soundtrack. I have to grab that.

All right, three under your arm and you're out. Is there anything you would like to sell the listeners about your Zed journey?
I've never missed one soundtrack show in 10 years. 100%. And I bet you no one else in this place has ever done that. Or any other damn radio station in this country, possibly overseas, though. 

You can hear The Soundtrack Show every Saturday night/Sunday morning from 12AM-2AM. Congratulations on 500 episodes!

In traditional terms, the 50th anniversary is celebrated with GOLD. While we're not particularly interested in being traditional, this is one we can get behind. Since 1975 we've been broadcasting radical radio to South East Queensland, and to mark 50 years we're releasing a limited edition GOLD 4ZZZ50 tee! 

This AS Colour black tee features a purple and metallic gold print designed by our friends at Inkahoots. It's a celebration of lo-fi digital, DIY bitmap, pop-punk tech, the clash and colour of subcultures blending to form a whole that is more than the sum of its parts.

These shirts are strictly limited- don't miss out!

2025 marks the 50th year of broadcasting for 4ZZZ! From our first broadcast on December 8th 1975, we've been connecting and amplifying the voices of our local community. Keep an eye out for our 50th birthday celebrations that will be taking place in later in the year- a smorgasbord of live music, visual art, panel talks and on-air celebrations awaits!

We're also collecting stories from zedders throughout the years- if you were ever a volunteer, announcer, or staff member we want to hear from you. 

As we reflect on the last 50 years we're also looking forward to the next 50! If you love what we do, there's never been a better time to show your support by subscribing, donating, and listening to Brisbane's realest radio.