Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

So, I'm Kate, I'll be your Blast Music Reporter for the next eight weeks here in Leeds. I'll try and keep you all up to date with some of the best music Leeds has to offer. I feel pretty lucky to be doing this and I'm raring to get started!

A brief introduction - I'm 30, and live in Rothwell. I haven't lived in Leeds all that long, just over a year. I moved from Oxford - in an endeavour to escape the rat race, also needed a change of scene. Some of my family are from Leeds, and I spent many a happy childhood holiday on the various beaches Yorkshire has to offer. So, Leeds seemed like an obvious choice to relocate to.

Why Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Blast?

Back in Oxford, I'd had a bit of experience writing music reviews for the local paper as well as being heavily involved in music promotion and out on tour with various bands. So, when I moved to Leeds, I wanted to get involved in something similar. Blast seemed like the perfect opportunity. When I saw the advert on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ website, I really thought I had absolutely no chance what so ever of getting the position, but thought I'd go for it anyway, and here I am a month later sat at my desk at the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ!

Blast is a great opportunity, not just for me personally, but also for Leeds. Gone are the days of record deals and grey men making decisions on what you should be listening to - this is your opportunity, just as much mine, to get your band, your music, your opinions heard! Get involved in local music. I would love to hear from anyone who has anything to say on the music they love in Leeds.

First day

After an intense couple of days at Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ 'Boot camp' in Bristol I was all prepared and raring to get stuck in! After a little bit of a false start - courtesy of a dose of swine flu - I have finally started!ΜύI feel a little bit like a rabbit in the headlights at the moment, but I am sure I will settle in pretty soon. I've had a brief look round the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ office, and know where the tea is - so I'm good to go!

What next?

I plan to make the most out of this opportunity. I love music, every kind of music! Leeds has so much to offer, it has a vibrant, diverse and welcoming attitude to music. I have a host of exciting things I'll be reporting on over the next couple of months. I want to try and bring as much new and interesting music your way and cover all aspects of the Leeds music community. So feel free to get in touch and stay tuned!