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NEWNOIZE: MUSIC/POLITICS/LIFE
Local, Live and Dead

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?

The Last DJ

POSTED May 22 2009 @ 11:04
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Look


I’m hiring these guys…

POSTED May 05 2009 @ 15:51
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Listen
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

Radical wednesday clip.

POSTED Feb 25 2009 @ 11:37
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Pretty much what I would want to make if I worked at the Onion…

POSTED Feb 10 2009 @ 9:40
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quoteSometimes you’re Ahab, sometimes you’re the whale.
— The Baseball Toaster is, sadly, now done.  An incredibly well-written swan song of a post (if you’ve got 30 minutes to spare…). (via clopezho)
POSTED Feb 04 2009 @ 10:40
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POSTED Jan 05 2009 @ 23:51
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I had to post this… I just had to. 

POSTED Jan 05 2009 @ 23:44
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This seems like something Sharky may be responsible for….

This seems like something Sharky may be responsible for….

POSTED Dec 12 2008 @ 11:23
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All I want for Xmas…

All I want for Xmas…

POSTED Dec 11 2008 @ 15:36
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POSTED Dec 10 2008 @ 12:53
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This is pretty neat- The 43 second bit is classic. GOD- I need to be in political marketing… It is probably my dream job.

POSTED Dec 10 2008 @ 9:47
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At last….

At last….

POSTED Dec 09 2008 @ 16:15
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POSTED Dec 02 2008 @ 16:10
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