24 hours with Maria Mina
Live from Dali
The idea of a radio DJ turning up for two hours to present a show and then going home again is far from the truth. It’s a full time job
When you need to get into the groove on a Monday morning, it is invariably a radio DJ that will help. But does it all run as smoothly as on the TV show Frasier?
Zenith’s Maria Mina is relatively new to the mic, with just six months’ experience, but success with her show ‘Horis Kanones’ (No Rules) didn’t happen overnight. “What people don’t realise is that there isn’t any room for mistakes; you’re live and everyone is listening.” And it’s not just about slapping the headphones on and talking into the mic either, Maria undertook six months of training. “My voice needed a lot of work because you sound completely different on radio. Plus you need to learn how to control it without dragging your speech and speaking too loudly or too quietly.” It was only after she spent six months recording 30-minute slots, Maria was given the go-ahead to host two-hour live shows, from 3pm to 5pm each day.
The studio is housed in a small room with a window looking out to a magnificent view of Dali village. It’s dark though as the curtains are drawn to help Maria get into DJ mode. It’s nearly 3pm and her show is about to start. That doesn’t mean she has just arrived though, she’s been there since the morning. “People often think we come in an hour before the show and that’s it but that’s hardly the case,” she explains. She’s up at 7.45 every morning but struggles to be punctual as she spends so much time doing her make-up. “A DJ always has to look her best,” she giggles.
Apart from the show, Maria is also responsible for the music collection at the station. Contrary to popular belief, not all CDs are given as promo gifts, radio stations spend large amounts on them every year. Maria is in charge of all the CDs that come in. “By 9.30 I start working on arranging the CDs and putting codes on them.
It’s not the best job in the world but it’s something that needs to be done.” She then takes a one and a half hour break until 2.30, has a bite to eat and begins working on her afternoon show.
Zenith is known among Cypriots as one of the best Greek radio stations and although it mostly covers Nicosia, it is a favourite among listeners looking for something other than the latest international pop hits. Thirty minutes into the show Maria has a screen full of text messages from fans requesting songs. And despite the fact that the show has already been planned she makes the effort to play special requests. “All the songs are put onto the system and I can click on any file and open it up,” she explains. Radio DJs do not work with CDs anymore; “it’s too much hassle,” she says, “but we will do it if necessary.” In fact, all the lights and buttons in that small room seem confusing to the untrained eye. And this is exactly why radio shows in Cyprus have nothing in common with the ones you see in the movies. Radio DJs are also considered music producers and have to multi-task during a show. There is no producer sitting in another room behind a window. “That only happens when we are conducting interviews and the DJ needs to be in the room with the guests,” Maria says. “Only then will another producer sit in the booth.”
With music blaring out of the station’s system, Maria presses a button and speaks to her fans. She wishes them a pleasant day and is ready to leave the station by 5.30. She hops into her car, goes to the gym then relaxes with friends for the remainder of the evening before tucking into bed by 12. Although well loved, most of her fans have no clue what she looks like. That’s the beauty of radio.
Horis Kanones with Maria Mina. Zenith radio. 96.4 FM stereo www.zenithfm.com.cy
