10 Questions with Dubai 92’s Harry & Pricey

Andrew ‘Harry’ Harrison and Natalie ‘Pricey’ Price are a radio duo representing Australia in the UAE.

Hailing from Sydney and Perth respectively, they started off hosting Drive on the Dubai 92 and moved to Breakfast on the same network at the start of the year.

They answered 10 Questions with Radio Today.

Who/what inspired you to choose a career in radio?

Harry: Amanda Keller and Andrew Denton on Triple M, Sydney. The morning after September 11, I remember running out to the car while it was sat in the driveway to listen to them rather than watch the TV. I never turned the radio off after that.

Pricey: I was working for a film distributor in Perth and the most fun part of my job was integrating our films into the radio promotions along with 96fm in Perth. I made it my goal to get over to the office that I loved being in most. The noisy sales reps, the music, the huge personalities, the quirky PD (Brad McNally) I just loved everything about being there.

Most memorable on-air moment so far?

H: Asking my mum on-air where I was conceived was definitely a memorable moment I wish I could forget. However, when the floods hit regional Victoria in 2011 and we were on-air, I can never forget that. You learn humility real quick.

P: We eloped and married a Dubai couple (that were sick of planning their wedding) live on the air in Las Vegas in a chapel that was streamed live to their families around the world. That was pretty special.

What was the most awkward moment you had in your early years of radio?

H: Again, bush radio. We had a fictional story going on-air about a guy from a particular suburb that would make all his money smuggling beer cans across the border to SA claiming the 10 cents per can at the collection depot. It was all totally made up. An hour later a guy turns up at the station. Same name, same suburb claiming we’d exposed his smuggling operation and was demanding we pay him for the losses. We hid in the production booth with the lights off until he’d gone.

P: I remember going through quite a huge break up in my first year of radio and my PD at the time wanted me to talk about it on the show. I just found it so hard and very awkward, but when I heard it back, it’s probably the rawest and most authentic I’ve been. At the time it was awful! But the positive feedback and support of listeners (considering I was so new!) was really surprising.

What’s one radio skill that you’ve mastered, and what’s one radio skill that you’re currently working on?

H: Can you ever master anything in radio?! Still working on not f**king it up.

P: I’ve mastered my interview style really well. I have a really casual approach and make sure the interviewee is comfortable with me before we get on the air. The skill I’m working is one off the air, I’m working on developing a great support team to help us deliver the best show. I believe if you have the best and motivated people around you, you can do anything.

How do you prepare for your shift on-air?

H: We all get together in the only room with a coffee machine, we talk about all the shit we can’t talk about in the Middle East and we try to find a way to talk about it anyway. We don’t leave until we know what’s happening every break.

P:  I’m always ON. We have the ABC rule engaged every single moment of our days. Always Be Contenting. We prepare our show the day before and then in the morning we drop in anything that breaks overnight. We bring a bunch of stories or life experiences to the planning meetings then each story is checked if it’s local, topical and relatable to our audience.

How does the person you are on air differ from the person you are off air?

H: I wish it differed! I’m a hot mess on and off the air.

P: I am 100% me on the air. It’s just easier to be yourself. Being yourself on the show comes with it’s positives and negatives but I’m secure in myself and my beliefs so I can handle it. I figure that being my purest self on air will relate to more women. I want women to know that I’m so far from perfect and have the same daily struggles as anyone.

What’s the one piece of advice you were given that you can pass along?

H: “Don’t f*ck it up” – from various content directors.

P: The best advice that I probably use on a daily basis is – If in doubt, leave it out! This comes with living in the UAE and abiding by the cultures and beliefs.

Sum up working in radio in three words.

H: Fun, Anxiety, Privilege

P: Creative. Emotional. Invigorating.

What’s your dream radio job?

H: Sydney Breakfast.

P: I’ve always wanted to be the Ellen K of Australian radio. Co-host on the biggest breakfast show in the country (Sydney) and being the voiceover of the Logies and Acra’s during the ceremonies. Bizarre I know, but just something I think would be cool. I’d like to be the first successful anglo Indian female presenter in Australia!

If you weren’t working in radio, what would you be doing?

H: I’d probably be in a bad pub covers band.

P: I’d be a barista at the closest café to the radio stations begging every exec for a gig! Haha! I can’t imagine doing anything but radio, I’m a nerd.