South by Southwest (SXSW) attendees are furiously mapping out a busy schedule of live music, panel discussions, films, and parties in Austin as the festival kicks into high gear this weekend. Radio fans will have plenty to choose from, including numerous panel discussions and meet-ups as well as podcasting-related broadcasts and events. This year, numerous […]
As a solid Generation Xer from the college radio cohort I remember quite clearly the alternative rock craze of the 1990s. In the wake of Nirvana’s breakthrough on the top 40, followed by fellow Seattle bands like Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, major labels went on a signing spree looking for any band with a smidge […]
In a matter of hours the CMJ Music Marathon will get underway in New York City. Although it’s expanded from its college radio roots into a larger event with music showcases featuring around 1,000 bands, a film festival, artist-focused panels, and even gaming sessions this year; there is still a noticeable radio presence at the […]
As we reported back in January, all the big radio hoopla at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show as about the incursion of internet audio services like Pandora into car stereo systems. Things have been quiet on that front until I noticed an article in the New York times last week that asks “Will the Internet […]
Well, the geeks are getting ready to flee Austin to make way for all of the radio folks streaming in for the music portion of this massive festival of technology, music and film that is South by Southwest (SXSW). As in years past, radio stations have both a visible and audible presence; hosting shows, doing […]
Although college radio as a rule is much more diverse than commercial and public radio stations, there’s been a trend in the past decade for many stations to create a more focused identity surrounding a specific style of music. In some cases this is done with the help of professional consultants and paid staff members; […]
Last week I was in New York City for the 29th annual CMJ Music Marathon. From the beginning, this industry conference was a way to connect college radio DJs, label representatives, and musicians. With panels during the day and music performances at night, it’s an action-packed week designed for music discovery on a grand scale. […]
The commercial radio industry’s reaction to last week’s Boston Globe article reporting on the relative dearth of young listeners can be fairly summed up, as “Nuh uhhhh! Not true!” Despite radio’s collective denial, I had this reality reaffirmed for me this past Friday. I had the opportunity to speak with a group of high school […]
I’m actually amazed at how noncommercial radio has become the site of so much innovation in the medium in the last decade, and how commercial radio is getting left in the dust. On the music side we have Seattle’s indie rock KEXP and New Jersey’s freeform WFMU which both have significant internet listenership along with […]
