Roni O'Brien

At the tender age of 13, Roni discovered the key to her older Brothers bedroom door, Aladdins cave opened the Genie came out of the Lamp and it was a revelation! While all her friends were dancing to Madness she was gripped by The Players Association, Gonzalez and then got 'Swingin' with Light of the World!

Her Soul sessions didn't remain a secret for long; Her lunchtimes became popular amongst friends where they all discovered the latest sounds in Soul and Jazz-funk. She bought her first 7"inch, Geraldine Hunt -'Can't fake the feeling' and gained instant credibility with her Brother and English teacher alike.

She by chance discovered a Radio Station, the signal was weak...and if she hadn't lived on a hill, would never have found it. Radio Horizon and then JFM....quickly became the reason her homework wasn't being done!

At college she quickly took over the role of organising events by hiring clubs like Flicks and the Goldmine and she knew the importance of having the right DJs for the night. Tom Holland, Chris Hill and Robbie Vincent became the icons of her Tribe ‘The Jazzers Incognito’. They travelled the country looking for the best sounds around. Being from Essex mean't they never had to go too far!

She discovered the Caister Soul Weekender, the Lacy Lady and then the Special Branch in Tooley St.
After leaving college she became involved with the fashion industry and it became more and more of a part of her role to organise fashion shows, presentations and provide music for Italian and French Designers, Ferragamo, Jourdan and Dior.
The music never left her and she took over organising the music in all the venues that she worked.
Through this she got the opportunity to present a Radio Show on Solar Radio.
She now has her own show ‘www.insatiablesoul.co.uk’ on the Europe’s premier Soul station www.solarradio.com Sky 0129 every Monday at 10pm.
 
Gigs have included Soul Heaven, Henrys, Club Valentinos, Chelmer Soul, White Hart and  now a residency at The Squire in Romford as well as a regular on the Caister line-up.

The first time she played at Soul Heaven, she was given the Tom Holland treatment!
He accidentally whacked her round the head with her CD case and got a concussion minutes before doing her set.
We  have since been told this is a soul Mafia initiation ceremony. She survived and played her first main room set at the Caister 2005 New Years Eve!

In her secret other life she presents Mon-Fri on The Big Link on a Rock/Pop station Link Fm on www.Linkfm.net 92.2fm

If you can’t wait for the next Caister for some great tunes then listen to Roni’s Show
‘Insatiable Soul’ on www.solarradio.com –Sky 0129 Every Monday at 10pm.
www.insatiablesoul.co.uk

Roni’s Top Tunes

A Touch Of Class-I love you pretty baby
McCrary's-Love on a summer night
Harold Melvin-Prayin’
George Duke-I want you for myself
Manu Dibango-Soul Makossa
Lonnie Smith-Funk Reaction
Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson-I need it
Johnny ‘Hammond’ Smith-Fantasy
B.B.Baker and the Chocolate Co.-Snow blower
Jimmy Smith-You can’t hide love
Jimmy Messina-Do you wanna dance
Al Hudson-Spread love
Bill Summers-Straight to the bank
The Equals-Funky like a train

Roni’s Top Films

Carry on screaming
The life of Brian
Psycho
Devils advocate
The green mile
Whatever happened to Baby Jane
Misery
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Keeping Mum
Son Of Rambow