On Thu, 29 Sep 1994, MORGAN GEIST wrote:
quoted 1 line But where's the harder to find stuff and why aren't stations getting it?> But where's the harder to find stuff and why aren't stations getting it?
One possible reason is that the labels are too small to be able to afford
sending stuff out to college stations. Also, unless you're in a major
centre most of the people listening won't be the type who go out and pick
up a 12". If you're into releasing full length cd's and compilations
though, it's worth your while to get as much airplay as possible.
quoted 7 lines Our station (91.5 WOBC, Oberlin OH) has a lot of interesting music, and I really> 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...
We get lots of good stuff from some of those labels as well (93.3
cfru-fm, guelph). You're right that it depends on having a good music
coordinator who's into all kinds of music. Are last coordinator was
really into electronic of all types and was constantly soliciting this
type of music with good results. Now our most recent coordinator really
doesnt have a clue and so there's been a steady drop in this type of
material flowing into the station. The best idea, if your station isn't
getting anything interesting in the idm dept, is to take the onus upon
yourself to write the labels and ask them for material. The worst they
can say is no. Also, if you subscribe to cmj, push idm on some of the
other dj's so you can try and chart some of these labels. You'd be
amazed at the goodies that came in once the plastikman album charted at
our station!
quoted 11 lines Good shows also depend on personal DJ involvement. If you have the financial> 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.
Totally! If you're doing a show in this area there's no substitute for
getting involved in buying yourself. I'd say 3/4 of my show is material
i've purchased from small labels. I try and play as much local as
possible too (not hard, since london ont is just down the road!). And
when i announce what's played I always try to mention the label it was on
as well so people can find it more easily if they really like a track.
Anyhow, with all this said, i would like to see the small indies getting
more with the college/community radio scene. If not to send material,
then at least to make connections so dj's can interview the people making
the music.
karl