Most terrestrial radio….sucks. But you already know this, because you’re reading Weeping Elvis and not the Billboard Hot 100.
Luckily for the kids these days, learning about good music is not confined to those with elder siblings/cousins/illicit lovers who listen to “college radio” or have access to mimeographed/photocopied ‘zines. And, it definitely doesn’t depend upon the unlikely goodwill of corporations whose teams of radio monkeys throw musical poop at the listening public’s wall because it smells kinda like remanufactured teen spirit.
Thankfully, a handful of radio outlets around the country are still curated by-music-lovers-for-music-lovers, rather than by market-eers looking to attract a demographic that loves drinking Bud Light because that’s what they’ve been told to do. (After all, why choose-your-own-adventure when someone can just tell you what to do, am I right???) KEXP is one of those outlets, a gem which educates and informs both terrestrially in Seattle (90.3FM), as well as via the wonder of a series of tubes. Others worth a listen or two include NPR, the Current, and KCRW.
As with many ventures in life, success usually requires talent amongst other factors. This handy guide from KEXP is designed to help bands, (with talent), figure out the best way to reach these Gladwellian music mavens who can then connect us to as much of the new and the hip as we can handle. Many of the lessons contained therein are applicable to life in general, so even if you’re not a band looking to make it in this cruel, cruel, radio monkey-controlled world, you may still find John Richards’ insights of interest.
