This week in Southampton three bands released new material that does this area proud.

Dlugokecki, The Rebs and Broken Links have all recorded quality songs that deserve being heard by a wider audience.

But the frustration they all share is that local and regional daytime radio will ignore their music.

It’s true that BBC Radio Solent, Wave 105 and Play Radio have slots giving local musicians air time but you’ll find these at safe moments in the schedule where people have to make an effort to listen.

During the day, however, you’ll hear new music from the rest of the country promoted as fresh and exciting.

In fact the easiest way to spread the look of horror across radio faces would be to suggest that Dlugokecki, The Rebs or even Broken Links should be scheduled into the daily playlist.

Radio’s reluctance is based on fear: fear that the listener will switch stations when they hear something unfamiliar.

This is why most radio stations sound like audio museums.

They celebrate the 80’s as if it’s a recently discovered trend and their ever narrowing taste in music is making many parents’ record collection seem hip and trendy.

But tell a radio station’s news team they can’t report ‘local’ stories, or their sales team to avoid ‘local’ businesses, or that local callers can’t be put on air and there would be wide spread hilarity over your inept attitude towards broadcasting.

Does it matter? Well ask the Liberal Democrats if a little extra airtime helps.