I don’t know if you know about WFUV. Based in New York, at Fordham University in the Bronx, ‘FUV is a college station that just happens to kick serious butt in New York City. Why? because they offer an individual voice in a stultifying conservative market. It’s ironic that a town as vibrant and stimulating as New York should produce such formulaic radio, but that is radio market economics these days. WFUV spotted a gap and charged right through. Now, though, there’s another reason to cheer them on, beyond their inventive programming, impressive audience figures and invaluable training and development work.
WFUV have launched a new internet-only service – the alternate side - with a statement of intent that cheers me enormously: ‘New Music. New York. Now.’ This is a public radio service, and the station is supported by the New York State Music Fund. That said, what we now have is a New York-based station that is proud to reflect and champion musical activity in its own community. And because it’s from New York, I’m hearing a slew of fiery attitude-laden inventive new stuff. I’m thrilled. Of course, local radio playing local music is not a novel idea, but in truth, its implementation is tragically rare.
Of course, The Alternate Side is by no means the first such operation on the net. There are hundreds of interesting and alternative radio streams to discover. A sterling local initiative in my neck of the woods is the excellent Rhubarb Radio. But to see something as intelligently assembled and as engaging as The Alternative Side emerge in an area which is a hotbed of creativity, but where mainstream radio has long since abandoned any ideas of localness and adventurousness… just gladdens my heart. I’m excited. Maybe others will be too.
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