Tash Thomas

I’m the RTRFM Development & Audience Engagement Manager, contemporary jazz aficionado and born & bred West Coast Eagles fan with a mean kick on goal to match (footy boots have now sadly been retired!). I also DJ under the alias, Cash Promise.

The Sound Alternative • The Sound Alternative • The Sound Alternative • The Sound Alternative •

About

Get to know Tash Thomas

I grew up playing the flute and listening to sad guitar music in my teenage years (and later on, house and techno once I could go clubbing!). My Dad’s love of music was ever-present in my childhood, introducing my sister and I to the pop music of his earlier years including George Michael, Oasis and Led Zeppelin.

While living in London in my 20s, I was exposed to a world of sounds – jazz, soul, RnB, global and way more electronic stuff. It blew my mind! Fast-forward to present day hosting my own radio shows – my goal is to showcase diversity and bring eclectic styles into my sets, often with jazz & jazz-adjacent sounds as the anchoring. Being able to share beautiful, interesting and challenging music with this wonderful community is such a joy, and one I hope I’ll have the privilege of doing for many years to come.

How did you become involved in the station?

I was living abroad in London throughout my 20s and found myself back in Perth unexpectedly in March 2020, as many folks did with the pandemic outbreak! I wanted to find some new pals and a connection point to Boorloo’s grassroots music and arts scene, so I applied to volunteer at RTRFM, and started helping out on the reception desk once a week. I’m now a full-time member of staff, and a present regularly on the Giant Steps programme

Tell us about your most memorable gig, either attending or playing at?

Kamasi Washington performing at the Love Supreme Jazz Festival (Glynde, UK) in 2016. This was right at the tipping point when the now historical release, The Epic, was beginning to reverberate throughout the globe, and Kamasi was rising into stratospheric (jazz) fame.

The wall of sound and unbelievable musicianship from the band shook me and arguably, was the turning point for me becoming a bonafide jazz convert.