Today KWOD (Sacramento Alt radio station) flipped formats to ‘the world’s first 90’s radio station.’ OK- pretty boring stuff. Who really cares?? I don’t really (no offense) like Sac town and the station probably sounded like shit. However, it hightlights a growing problem as small (& large) radio stations flip out of the seemingly non profitable 18-34 modern rock format.
My concern is not that kids won’t find good music anymore… obviously blogs, myspace music and the interweb have changed all that. My concern is for local music scenes across this country.
Now music scenes grow organically and in many directions. Yet one thing has been pretty constant throughout the history of radio: local DJ’s & radio stations (especially in the mod rock format) supporting local bands by a) hosting them at numerous bar/club nights b) playing them on their new music specialty shows c) getting them gigs opening for other acts and d) taking their calls and helping them believe that yes, they really DO have a shot at making a living playing music (however ill advised it is).
I think (D) is one of the most important. How many movies ( from La Bamba to Walk the Line) do you see the struggling yet talented artist listen to their song for the 1st time on the local radio station?? The outright GLEE and ‘wholy fuckness’ of the moment is quite awe inspiring. It also makes bands (and the scene) hungry. They want more. Smart bands will work their ass off to network and be pals with the always accepting DJ/station. In return, stations want to discover their new hometown hero and genuinely want to support what they see as their contribution to the music world at large. It’s a system that actually works pretty well. No matter what, if your band is good, it’s usually the local radio station that finds out and supports you WAY before any BLOG or A&R person. (note: college radio included in this discussion but since they generally have a weaker signal, local commercial radio is still king)
The local radio station/band relationship is something that will be sorely missed as local live radio continues it’s slow trail of tears. I am afraid (and bummed out) that kids in Tulsa, OK or Bend, OR will no longer have radio to help build their scene. The question remains- who will fill this void and how?
I’m hiring these guys…
Pretty much what I would want to make if I worked at the Onion…
Sometimes you’re Ahab, sometimes you’re the whale.
This is an ode to the Drunken Audible…
I had to post this… I just had to.
This seems like something Sharky may be responsible for….
All I want for Xmas…
the new digg-style tool on change.gov where citizens can ask questions and “vote up” which ones that the transition team have to answer. some kind of awesome.
This is pretty neat- The 43 second bit is classic. GOD- I need to be in political marketing… It is probably my dream job.
At last….
I really want my homey C Todd to get this gig.
