NO MAINSTREAM MUSIC!!!!!!
For those of you who are avid Music-Seeker-outers, or simply have an interest in hearing something different, and/or are a starving musician, or take pride in being a "trend seeker," Independent Radio is a great avenue to seek NEW and INTERESTING artists. Alas, there are currently no independently owned radio stations in the greater Los Angeles area, which is why this makes KUCI 88.9 FM so much greater!
KUCI is definitely a basest for priding itself on discovering underrepresented music and information. Never tolerating playing mainstream music, they are pioneers at discovering "the next band that needs to be heard."
What I love most about KUCI 88.9 FM is that they are, aside from being the voice of freedom for all independent music, as well as those who choose to express a different opinion; the history of KUCI was started as a pirated music station. So, they're history tells it all, and is what encourages expression of all kinds.
My first hands on experience with KUCI, aside from being an avid fan and listener of the station, was when I was befriended by J. Pulaski, who is the host of Innamissions, (one of the many radio programs that airs weekly on KUCI) which airs every Monday 8pm-10pm. Innamissions features a wide array of music revolving around, funk, soul, jazz, hip hop, reggae, and world beat, as well as periodic guest mixes.
Before becoming friends with J.P. all I knew of the station was that it was being broadcast from the UCI (University of California Irvine) campus, and thought that only attending students and faculty were the only ones that could help run the radio station. To my disbelief, and yet stimulating new information, I learned that the station is run by volunteer students AND community members. Not only was I fan, but I was interested in hosting my own radio program. I got right on it!
Volunteer Training...
The volunteer training is a quarter long, and includes hands on training on how to use the broadcasting equipment, info on FCC policies, how to create your own radio show, and even an internship on existing KUCI programs, as well as creating a demo CD to apply for your own program. There is no need to sign up, all you have to do is show up on the first day of class. The only cost is that there is a $10 fee, which covers the cost for the training manual. The length of the course is every other week, for 8 weeks, and about 1 hour long. You are only allowed to miss one class, since the training is so short, besides it would be pointless to miss anymore than 1 day of class. Also, one may look at this as a downfall but, I see it as more of an opportunity to work even more creatively, is that you are not guaranteed your own radio program after having completed the training. Nonetheless, if you are given your own show or not, it is still a great opportunity to be a part of an underground community, and be educated on what it entails to run a radio station. As well as, an opportunity to express yourself!
So, support your local independent radio by LISTENING and STAYING TUNED, LISTEN LIVE ONLINE or VOLUNTEER for TRAINING!
Links For more Information on KUCI 88.9 FM:
About KUCI (History, Training, Philosophy & Mission):
http://www.kuci.org/about.shtml#mission
Schedule of Programs: http://www.kuci.org/schedule.shtml
Home Page: http://www.kuci.org/index.shtml
More Info on Innamissions Radio Program:
http://www.innamissions.com/
http://www.myspace.com/jpulaski
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