Radio has had a profound influence on my life. I remember as a tween, in my basement after a particularly violent hurricane, feverishly tuning my hand-held transistor radio for signs of life. Somewhere out of the ether came Duran Duran’s “Hold Back the Rain,” a deeper track from the album Rio, not usually played on the air. The station was WLIR, and it became my constant companion through middle and high school. Through it, I discovered bands like The Smiths, Big Audio Dynamite, the B-52s and a larger world of new music. Later, as I expanded my horizons, I started tuning into the local college station, WXCI in Danbury, CT. I began to follow the disc jockeys, learning their personalities and preferences. I chose to attend this college solely because of the radio station, understanding that I could become part of this world and have the music vaults at my fingertips.
There is a distinct difference between commercial and public radio, aside from the advertising and pledge drives. Because commercial radio is beholden to advertisers and record companies, they make their money mostly by appeasing the behemoths of the record industry. By adopting the Top-40 model of play, they stick to a formula of playing popular songs. If you feel like you’re listening to the same ten songs over and over again, it’s because you are. On the other hand, independent stations allow DJs to choose their playlists. Some have newer songs in rotation to maintain continuity between the various DJs and their preferences. Some do not. These radio stations can generally be found away from high-profile frequencies, in the middle of the dial (on the old, pre-digital radios).
The next time you turn on your radio, try something new. Tune into the frequencies clustered to the “left of the dial,” in the lower digits, the low 90s. You’re bound to find something new. If you’re looking for someplace to start, here are some of my favorite music stations.
RADIO STATIONS
90.7 WFUV
Fordham University’s noncommercial, member-supported radio station has been in existence for sixty-five years. As such, it has served as an important source of “music discovery” for listeners throughout the five boroughs. Every single DJ on WFUV not only loves music, but is an encyclopedia of knowledge. Each one plays a variety of contemporary, new, local, and world music, sometimes making connections that are mind-blowing. Listening provides a musical education. On the weekends they also feature three separate Irish-themed shows, even one that teaches Gaelic. Tune in weekdays at noon for their all-request mix-tape (call in early to make your own request) for a truly eclectic mix of people’s tastes around the city.
91.1 WFMU
WFMU is the longest running freeform radio station in the United States. That statement should be intriguing enough. What keeps this station running? Its tongue-in-cheek devotion to the eclectic, unique, interesting, and intelligent. Every DJ brings something completely different, and each show can vary by the DJ’s whim. And this is a beautiful thing. WFMU’s program guide (and programs) is legendary. The schedule changes twice a year (in October and June) and is open to new ideas, if you have a proposal for a show. It provides everything from world music, topical call-in shows, the occasional cooking show, and an amazing mix of personalities. Just dive in and listen because as one program, Dark Side of the Soul, is described as “an emotional trainwreck in fluffy, bunny slippers,” expectations should be cast to the wind.
99.5 WBAI
Proclaimed “Free Speech Radio,” New York City’s own WBAI hosts a diverse collection of shows. Their …And You Don’t Stop (Friday nights 8.–10 p.m.) promises to be “the Epicenter of Hip Hop and Rap.” Host Chuck D of Public Enemy plays a mix of old-school and brand new music. If hip hop’s not your thing, you can find a wide range of other music shows devoted to reggae, big band, soul, and just about any other type of music you might find interesting.
WQXR 105.9
WQXR is the classical music sister station to our beloved WNYC. With a focus on the live music, WQXR offers a New York centric spin to this format. Live performances are broadcast from the Frick Gallery, and listeners can also hear performances from the New York Philharmonic and Carnegie Hall. There are a number of shows focusing on music discovery, including a Classics for Kids airing Saturday mornings. Every Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Saturday from the Opera broadcasts a new opera from some of the world’s most renowned opera companies.
SHOWS
The Alternate Side
powered by WFUV
91.5 FM Weekdays 6 a.m.–12 p.m.
This specialty show focuses on indie rock—old standards like The Cure, The Stooges, and Sioxsie & the Banshees, as well as new music from acts like Interpol, Alt-J, and The Antlers. With in-station performances by touring bands and updates on upcoming albums and NYC appearances, these DJs keep you updated on what’s new with the music scene with a nod to the music that influenced it. You can catch The Alternate Side live from 6 a.m.–12 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at 91.5 FM, and 24/7 online at
www.thealternateside.org.
NYC’s Soundcheck
93.9 FM Weeknights at 9:00 p.m.
John Schaeffer hosts this nightly talk show about music, featuring interviews and live performances. His discussions veer from the traditional music topics and instead dig deeper into music as we interact with it. In his “Pick Three” segment he asks guest musicians and non-musicians to choose three of their favorite songs. “Vanished Venues” visits the stories behind some of the city’s beloved, but disappearing music venues. Each show offers something engaging, humorous, and thought-provoking.
INTERNET RADIO
As with most things, the Internet has completely opened the global radio market. Using apps like TuneIn and iHeartRadio, you can access just about any station on the planet. Most radio stations, public and commercial, have links on their home sites that allow for listening right on your tablet or computer. Locally, Newtown Radio (www.newtownradio.com) out of Bushwick focuses on the absolute latest music to be found. Expanding your horizons, Little Records Radio (www.littlerecords.net), an independent station based out of Baltimore, focuses on underground rock from the ‘80s and compiles amazing, eclectic playlists.
These stations and shows are merely suggestions, and just touch the tip of the radio iceberg. Colleges around the five boroughs, NYU and Kingsborough College for example, boast fantastic radio stations with shows rotating each semester as fresh students join their ranks. The NYC radio dial is peppered with stations playing music from around the world. The sounds and view-points expressed are as diverse as the city itself.
