Radio Show Review: Radio Active Kids

Radio Active Kids is a programme for kids that also welcomes mums, dads and everyone in between. Every Saturday from 8–10am, presenter Sagan Thacker struts their stuff with an infectious enthusiasm that can't help but make you smile. The show features cool kid-friendly tunes, storytelling, comedy and even a healthy dose of genuine weirdness. It's a rollercoaster ride of frivolity and fun, and if you haven't already tuned in, what are you waiting for?

With so much self-interest dominating the music business, it's refreshing to discover someone who is genuinely giving back to the community. Sagan Thacker, producer and DJ at Radio Active Kids in Asheville, North Carolina, is one of the few selfless souls truly making a difference.

As a teenager, Sagan grew up listening to artists like Dan Zanes and Laurie Berkner and was keen to find what else was out there. Armed with boundless energy and curiosity, they soon discovered countless talented children’s musicians receiving little or no exposure. Recognising this gap, Sagan set out to do something about it, not for financial gain, but to connect with great artists and help bring their work to a wider audience.

What makes Sagan so important is their willingness to play music that many broadcasters overlook. They don't judge artists by social media numbers, and remain refreshingly unimpressed by the hype and spin that often dominate the industry. Their formula is simple, play great music and support passionate creators. You don't have to be famous or well connected to be featured. Sagan is happy to reach out, spread the word and provide a level playing field which challenges the status quo.

They play  music from a variety of genres, from post punk to country, and they firmly believe that children's music deserves great respect. Their music selection avoids the corporate money grab, showcasing intelligent music that doesn’t patronise its audience and instead treats young listeners with respect.

Sagan receives masses of music daily, utilising their master’s degree in library science to catalogue a huge number of songs while rarely letting a submission slip through the cracks. They are a DJ that really believes in their work, with a passion and enthusiasm for showcasing the musical and lyrical diversity of the genre, noting ‘there’s awesome new stuff coming out virtually every week'.

At its heart, Sagan's work is about celebrating the joy of life, while introducing the next generation to the social issues that shape our modern world. Their show doesn't just educate, it provides heaps of fun for listeners, entertaining with warmth, humour and imagination. Their enthusiasm for their craft is showcased in each and every broadcast.

Sagan Thacker is a rare breed. Their focus on joy, communication and community sets them apart in today's world. They possess a generosity of spirit that defies typical expectations, creating a programme that is informative, inspiring and refreshing. They provide magical moments for young listeners, while giving deserving artists opportunities they might not otherwise receive. Most importantly, they genuinely care about their audience, the musicians they support and the wider community. If we had more people like this our world would undoubtedly be a much better place.

I have to say their ethos has inspired me tremendously. It’s a great honour to review a DJ who cuts through the noise, with a big heart and a mission to educate, entertain and inspire. I take my hat off to them.

Sagan Thacker at Radio Active Kids – someone who cares.

Single Review: Party at the Pool – Corinda Crew

'Party at the Pool' is the vibrant debut release from Corinda Crew, a collective of students from Corinda State School in Brisbane who have taken part in a hands-on musical workshop, writing and recording their own original material. The track is lifted from their forthcoming album Dynamite Boom, soon to be available on Bandcamp as well as across all major streaming platforms.

This particular song was composed by a group of Year 6 girls who, armed with little more than an iPad, some rough sheets of paper, and a wealth of imagination, managed to bring this track to life, despite the considerable limitations of a DIY recording process in a noisy classroom. That sense of creativity under constraint is part of what gives the single both its vitality and charm.  

Musically, 'Party at the Pool' is an upbeat, feel-good dance track that’s almost impossible to sit still through. Its lyrics capture the simple but universal thrill of a pool party – friends gathering, sun shining, laughter echoing and the joy of living fully in the moment. There’s an infectious sense of fun that runs through every second of the song.

Vocally, the girls sing in unison rather than in layered harmonies, but this only adds to the track’s sense of unity and shared excitement. The result is a powerful collective voice that radiates both anticipation and energy. Combined with its lively rhythms and enthusiastic delivery, the song creates a sound that feels fresh, uplifting and undeniably genuine.

What stands out most is the spirit behind the project. This kind of uninhibited creative exploration deserves recognition and encouragement. The workshop itself is part of a much broader initiative, with students from Years 3 to 6 experimenting with soundscapes in ways that reflect pure curiosity and imagination. 

As a first taste, 'Party at the Pool' offers an exciting glimpse into what this young collective is capable of. It’s a joyful celebration of movement, friendship and fun, delivered with an energy that feels larger than the stage it came from. Both the single and forthcoming album Dynamite Boom come highly recommended for anyone willing to tap into something refreshingly sincere. I've also heard through the grapevine that there's a further album lying in waiting with additional tracks, but we'll leave that story for another day.

All funds raised from this creative enterprise will be donated to the school itself to improve the facilities for the students. So, all you dear readers around the world, you could really help the kids out here by subscribing to their recently created YouTube channel and garner some international attention. I'm sure the kids would be very grateful, and perhaps even organise another pool party to celebrate.

Corinda Crew – pump up the volume.