I'm not sure that it's totally necessary to do a massive thread-esque thing
on this, but...
I agree that there are only a few US labels going on re: techno/electronica
oriented radio. You look in CMJ etc. and see Hardfloor, Seefeel, blah blah,
which can all be accessed via major, e-z-axess labels and distribution. Nothing
wrong with a lot of these releases...just the same stuff keeps showing up
on "RPM" lists...Astrelwerks and Net stuff. Respect to these labels like these.
But where's the harder to find stuff and why aren't stations getting it?
Our station (91.5 WOBC, Oberlin OH) has a lot of interesting music, and I really
think this is greatly dependant on music direction and coordinators taking a
genuine interest in the sounds and going for it. Therefore, we've gotten some
good stuff...I don't know if it's all my favorite, but still...Organico, lotsa
Cajual, Definitive, some Probe...last year some Accelerate...Stickman, etc.
We also get wierd shit like the ASH Scanner cds, Solielmoon (nice collection of
Muslimgauze and Hafler Trio), Extreme...tons of 7" records too...locals...
I think this is because we have folks who are dedicated to the station and new
sounds working there... Sure they are "cooler than thou" (is this a nationwide
college radio phenomenon?) but they get the job done ;-)
Good shows also depend on personal DJ involvement. If you have the financial
resources and access to outlets of fine music, there is no reason not to haul
your own to the station if you care about your show...and, I imagine, if you
care about spreading the word. I know "spreading the word" may not seem like
an important concern and have missionary-era overtones, BUT exposure = audience,
and it always helps a "scene" to have people buying records. This will also
bring other djs into the works...WOBC was where I first heard DBX...and this
will expand exposure exponentially. This should have some positive effect, b/c
the more djs spin "hard to get" music, the more stations will demand to get the
stuff. Theoretically, this should interest non-major distributors and labels
and more underground/experimental/whatever music can be heard. Theoretically.
Hope this made sense and keep radio alive...how 'bout an NPR techno/electronica
show? Does anyone want to put one together with me..?
-morgan geist
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"VOLTS-R-US" 91.5 WOBC Sat. 10-midnight, amongst other activities...
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