Now in its fifth year, the Mixcloud Online Radio Awards is the biggest celebration of online radio in the world. Each year, thousands of you enter the awards – either nominating yourself, or nominating the shows, stations and personalities you love.
Submissions for this year’s awards close on Thursday 26 April. Submit your nominations at mora.fm.
But what does it take to win a Mixcloud Online Radio Award?
To help answer this question, we thought we’d shine a light on some of last year’s winners, showcasing the finest shows and personalities online radio has to offer.
First up in the series is the fascinating DR MYSTERY, aka Natasha Maximova, who last year won our Rising Star award for Best Online Music Show. The UK-based DJ and radio presenter can be found presenting her show ‘Into Continental’ on Reform Radio, a brilliant community-led station in Manchester.
DR MYSTERY is quickly building a reputation as a selector with a keen ear for cutting-edge sounds from all over the world. Tune into an episode of Into Continental and you might hear ambient sounds from Japan, Gqom club tracks from South Africa and more fascinating examples of music you’ll struggle to find on conventional radio shows.
We caught up with the mysterious radio star to ask a few questions about her show and to hear her thoughts on the world of online radio:
Tell us a bit about the Into Continental radio show.
‘Into Continental’ is a bi-weekly show exploring unexpected sounds coming from different countries across the world. Every show I choose a particular country and play music only by artists from that country; digging deep into the underground and beyond.
What do you love most about online radio?
With online radio there is more freedom of expression. There are fewer rules. I find these aspects very attractive and I think the content produced by online radio stations is more versatile and caters to all sorts of listeners.
What most excites you about the future of online radio?
Nothing specific. I’m just excited to see what will be the next step in online broadcasting!
Why does something like the Mixcloud Online Radio Awards matter?
The Mixcloud Online Radio Awards are a great way to connect with the world. You find out about so many new DJs and radio shows, and I think it’s a great tool to get your name out there and attract some attention to the art you create.
What’s next for the Into Continental and DR MYSTERY?
Take over the world, ha.
You can follow Dr Mystery on Mixcloud:
Interested in entering this year’s awards? You can also find out more about the Mixcloud Online Radio Awards with our seven reasons you should enter.
