Not a bad episode. My critiques are below:
- Firstly, thanks for releasing it on BTF. Not everyone has iTunes or keeps up with it. So much easier to download as an mp3 file and listen to any place you want.
- Way, way, way too long. 45 minutes is simply too long time for a weekly podcast imho. I would have broken this down into two different segments if it was getting that long (released one half of it this week & the other half of it next week.. while you guys continue to work on your next podcast). That way, there is no major delays/gaps/etc when you release stuff.
- I gave Faizan this same suggestion, but perhaps towards the beginning of your segment, provide an general outline of what you're going to be talking about. This not only keeps you guys more structured in terms of what major discussion points you'll be hitting (and in what order), but also builds anticipation for the listener on areas of discussion that they will like to hear about. Furthermore, in the future if one wants to go back and listen to the podcast, they can skip through and figure out where in the podcast you're talking about a certain topic.
- Another suggestion is to give at least some questions to the interviewees in advance. This way, they collect their thoughts better and possibly write some key points they want to bring up. Also, give them a general idea of how much time they will have to give a response. In some cases, you heard Kush talking more about a certain topic and then Iqwak only talking about it briefly and vice versa. Lastly, you also have to anticipate how much time the hosts (Sulman & Dheerja) will get to respond/add input/etc. With all of these general time guidelines, you'll be able to better gauge the length of each podcast episode.
- Not offense, but Kush seemed a little "star struck" when speaking with Iqwak. Throughout the podcast, I noticed he took note of mentioning Iqwak's talent and even went on to say things that Iqwak was the main people in revolutionizing bhangra mixes after Sher Foundation, which really throws a blow to all the other team mixers who made amazing mixes back in the day.
- Sulman, thank you for mentioning Punjabi Soormays' Surjit Bindrakhia mix!! Amazing tribute performance and amazing mix! Totally agree with your comments about that mix bringing out so many undiscovered/unappreciated songs.
- Surprised nobody mentioned Neet (2nyce) as someone stepping up recently with a lot of talent and helping teams out. One of the questions should have been about their opinion on the best mixers in the circuit right now. A lot of really strong DJ's/mixers were part of the BTF Re-Mixers Ladder (
http://bhangrateamsforum.com/discuss/off-topic/ltltlt-the-official-btf-re-mixers-ladder-2011-gtgtgt/) and a lot were mentioned here (
http://bhangrateamsforum.com/discuss/bhangra-mixes-and-music/to-everyone-im-lookin-for/). You could have also brought up the question about "mix feedback," how crucial that is to mixers, and better ways to go about getting that feedback (i.e. BTF Re-mixers ladder was a good attempt at this).
- The soundboard that Sulman was using got to be pretty annoying on many occasions when you could hardly hear the speaker over the mixes/sound effects. Either play the songs/mixes/effects when nobody is talking OR when nothing of major importance is being talked about.
- What was up with the annoying microphone adjustment sound in many parts of the podcast? One specific instance where you hear what I'm referring to is: 15:26-16:08
- Try out different ideas to ENGAGE your fans/listeners more. You can do this in several ways if you get creative. For example, have a random giveaway for a small "prize" for everyone that does something - like provide feedback

Another big suggestion that help engage your audience is to allow for user submitted questions! At the end of your podcast you can state the topic you'll be talking about next (along with the guests who will be featured next) and allow users to submit their own questions that they would like answered. Then state that you & Dheerja will pick the top one or two questions to be used in the next podcast. Have a segment toward the end of your show called "Fan Questions!" (obviously be more creative and call it something else).. give recognition to the person that submitted the question and ask the interviewers the fan's question(s). These questions don't all have to be serious questions too.. you guys can mix it up and have fun with this fan segment!
*Note: These are all my personal opinions & suggestions, so please don't take anything I said as threatening or bashing. Overall, I like what you guys are doing and would like to to see improvements for the future.*
~ Basim
P.S. - Sorry in advance if anything that I wrote doesn't make sense or is confusing. Wrote this all quickly while on my lunch break
