Radio with Pictures

New Zealand-born DJ, radio host and television personality, Zane Lowe, 35, is piloting an initiative by BBC’s Radio 1 to make radio a visual medium, with Lowe’s antics being filmed by no less than six television cameras at any time. Lowe is pivotal to Radio 1 “the bridge in the schedule between the daytime and specialist output, somehow incorporating a spectrum of music ranging from pulsating rock to electronica and grime” ó which is why he was chosen to pilot the visual adventure, along with breakfast show presenter Chris Moyles. Initially however, he was far from convinced by the idea. “I like the idea of mystery in radio, and I took a bit of convincing on this TV thing,” he says. “I’m trying to not be too conscious of the cameras. Every now and then you might throw a shape or do something to acknowledge that it’s there, but I try not to.” A star in Britain, he hopes the internet will spread his insight internationally. The music business could do with the support. “People say they don’t make records like they used to,” he says. “I’m trying to say, ‘Well, actually they do’.”