The Archive Tape Series - Preserving the Culture

Vortex Crew - Major, Matrix, D.A.Z, Devilman, Big D, Stranger, Big C


The Archive Tape Series was created for one reason: to preserve the Birmingham pirate radio story before it disappears.

For me, pirate radio wasn’t just background noise, it was culture, community and creativity at its rawest. To be honest, I feel the Birmingham scene hasn’t been documented the way it should have. These were moments that shaped a whole generation, yet they risk being erased if we don’t capture them now.

That’s why I started sitting down with the individuals who were there - DJs, MCs and station owners, the people who made it happen. The Archive Tape Series is about letting them share their moments, their memories and their stories of that time. The details that don’t make it into history books but live in the minds of those who experienced it first-hand.

This isn’t just about nostalgia, It’s also about education. Giving people who weren’t there a real taste of the era. The hiss of the tapes. The stereo mics wired into old-school stereos. The sets you’d replay until the tape buss. For those who lived it, it’s a reminder. For those who didn’t, it’s an invitation to understand.

This Series runs in parallel with Suren’s garments. Our clothes are built for defining moments and these stories are the cultural backbone that give them meaning. Some exclusive behind-the-scenes content will live on Suren FM, but the Series itself is about something bigger: preserving culture so it doesn’t fade.

Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that culture doesn’t archive itself. You have to capture it before it’s gone.