Maria Hanlon has a journey into radio is rooted in a lifelong love of music, shaped by her father’s carefully curated CD collection and later expanded through Brighton’s buzzing nightlife. From early encounters with Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin to being blown away by Caribou in a basement club, music has always been a constant thread in her life.
But it was during lockdown, through a local community station in Bournemouth, that Maria first stepped behind the mic. A decision that has since led her to London, to Voices Radio, and to building a career that blends soulful selections, authentic conversations, and a deep sense of community.
We spoke to Maria Hanlon about her love of radio and how it inspires her to be the best version of herself.
How did your journey with music begin?
Maria Hanlon: My love for music started at a young age, surrounded by my dad’s incredible CD collection. He’s had the same CD player and sound system since before I was born and still uses it every day. His collection (arranged alphabetically and carefully cleaned each month) was my first musical education. He introduced me to legends like Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Luther Vandross. That’s where my passion for soulful sounds began.
When I moved to Brighton for university, my taste expanded into dance music. I’ll never forget seeing Caribou play in the intimate basement of Audio (now Patterns) and being completely blown away. The nightlife in Brighton was amazing. I remember going to Green Door Store every Tuesday for ‘Donuts,’ a Hip-Hop night, Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar (now sadly closed) on the weekend for alternative club nights and Concorde 2 where I saw Loyle Carner for the first time in 2016.
Radio entered my life a little later, during lockdown when I moved back home to Bournemouth. A local coffee shop, Velo Domestique, became the home of a new community station, Lockdown Community Radio, and I got involved while between jobs. Hosting my weekly show quickly became the highlight of my week. I loved sharing music, interviewing guests and learning the ropes behind the decks. It was also where I met an amazing group of local DJs, many of them are now my best friends.
What was it about radio that really enticed you?
There are so many things I love about radio. One being the time you get with your interview guest and the opportunity to ask them questions that you might not usually be able to. I’ve been lucky enough to interview some of my musical heroes such as Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy, Louie Vega, Charlie Dark and Jamz Supernova which were real pinch-me moments. Another aspect of radio that I adore is the community. I have made so many friends at Voices Radio and know there’s always people to ask for advice, hang out with or go to see DJ. As someone who’s not from London, Voices feels like family here in The Big Smoke. And of course, at the heart of it all is the music. Digging deep, discovering new sounds and sharing selections. There’s nothing better.
How did your journey lead to you getting your radio show over at Voices Radio?
A friend sent me a Facebook ad from Voices Radio, which had just launched and was looking for new hosts. I reached out to Toby, one of the co-founders, and he offered me a trial show that same week. I prepped as much as I could, hopped on a train to London and ended up hosting one of the very first Voices shows. Though I didn’t realise it at the time! Thankfully, it went really well and Toby invited me to join the station with a regular slot.
Not long after, I decided to move to London. I picked up different part-time jobs so I could fully commit to my Voices show and throw myself into the city’s incredible music scene. During my time there, I also learned how to DJ, which soon led to bookings alongside my regular radio shows.
How would you describe some of the guiding principles of your show?
I always want my show to feel uplifting and positive. My breakfast show is Friday mornings 9-11am so I’m starting people’s weekends and have the opportunity to help set the tone of their day. I’m also intentional about my guests; inviting creatives I admire and want to connect with or learn more about. I invite my guests on for a 30-minute interview and then a 30-minute guest mix in the second hour of the show. Musically, I focus on Jazz, Soul, R&B, Hip-Hop, House and Broken Beat, blending fresh new tracks with timeless classics.
When preparing for your show, what needs to happen?
With a weekly show, I’m always on the lookout for new music. At the start of the week I have a dig on Bandcamp and then listen to radio shows and mixes on Mixcloud for inspiration. After buying my tracks I import them into Rekordbox and order them so I know how the show will flow and how much time I have to talk. Then I start on the guest prep. I like to research my guests in depth so our conversations feel natural rather than scripted, leaving space for the chat to flow in unexpected directions.
What would you say was the turning point for you in your radio career?
One of the biggest turning points for me was hosting the very first breakfast show on Voices Radio. I felt incredibly grateful that the team trusted me to launch their early-morning programming. It felt like a milestone not only for Voices but also for my own radio career. There’s something uniquely special about breakfast radio. My goal has always been to kick off the weekend, sharing soulful sounds and making listeners smile each time they tune in.
What is one radio show from your archive that defines you?
I’d have to say the Voices fourth birthday special I hosted earlier this year. I included a clip from my very first show, which made it a real trip down memory lane, and featured voice notes from the community. It’s a show I know I’ll be revisiting for years to come.
In your radio career so far, what are some of your proudest moments?
One of my proudest moments so far was being invited to host a live radio show at We Out Here Festival this year. The team asked me as they were big fans of my breakfast show which was so special. I’ve been going for the past four years and it’s hands down my favourite festival. The programming is always outstanding and the energy and crowd are unlike anything else.
I’m also really proud of my time working at the BBC. I worked at BBC Introducing in London for three years and a short stint at BBC Introducing in Kent. Both teams were amazing to work with and I learned so much about production and presenting. It led to me covering both shows which was such an exciting opportunity.
When it comes to building the community around you, what has satisfied you the most?
What I value most is the support everyone shows for one another. I’ve always believed you shouldn’t just promote your own gigs and expect people to buy tickets and turn up without returning the favour. One of the reasons Voices thrives is because of its loyal community of hosts and DJs who consistently show up for each other.
Through joining Voices I set up BEAM, a collective and events series which spotlights women, non-binary, gender non-conforming and trans DJs with my friends Jojo and Lucia. Since then, we’ve given people their very first DJ bookings, hosted panels and curated a variety of events. I’m also active in several group chats that provide support, advice and opportunities to connect in person. Being involved in different communities and collectives has been a vital part of my journey in the music industry. It’s something I’d strongly recommend to others.
“Radio thrives on human connection, storytelling, interviews, shared experiences and carefully curated shows.”
What are your top tips for presenting and putting together a radio show?
The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is to simply be yourself, as obvious as it sounds. It’s natural to admire certain presenters or DJs, but your greatest strength is that there’s only one you. Authenticity and passion are what resonate – both on and off air. When it comes to putting a show together, preparation is key. I like to have plenty of music lined up, detailed notes on each track, thoughtful questions for my guest, and jingles ready to go. That way, when the show begins, I can relax, enjoy the moment and let everything flow without the stress of worrying about what to play or ask next.
Looking forward a little, what do you think the future of radio looks like?
I think the future of radio is looking incredibly exciting. While being on air is unmatched, so many community stations in London now host events, fundraisers, panels and workshops that people can get involved in. Voices is a perfect example. It can be a stepping stone into hosting your first show and gaining studio experience. A space to share your record collection just for fun, or, like in my case, the foundation for building a career.
As the radio landscape evolves, I don’t think anything can replace being live on air. Radio thrives on human connection, storytelling, interviews, shared experiences and carefully curated shows. It’s irreplaceable and more important than ever.
What lessons have you taken about yourself through your radio show?
My radio show has shown me just how passionate I am about championing the music I love. Whether that’s spotlighting emerging talent, celebrating timeless classics or curating sets that capture a mood. It’s also made me realize how much I enjoy interviewing people and hearing their stories. I’m so grateful I decided to try radio during lockdown, because it’s become the thing I love most.
I’ve also learned that music goes beyond tracks and genres – it’s about connection, shared passion and bringing people together. For me, radio is as much about building community as it is about playing records. It’s that blend of creativity, collaboration and passion that inspires me to keep giving it my all.