Alternative Stations That Still Break New Music?

[louis_p]

I'm hoping someone can recommend a good alternative station that still focuses on music & band discovery. I miss the days of 99X in the 90's & early 2000's when they were "breaking new sound" and "playing your next favorite song". The station was very proactive at engaging listeners of diverse backgrounds, and it seemed like the DJs could almost predict what the listener community would like and would know when to pull songs from rotation before burnout.

Once 99X started going down the toilet (the Cumulus takeover), I moved on to XM Radio and Ethyl. The station filled the void for a few years by playing a wide variety of artists and songs across the spectrum until Ethyl was euthanized by the SiriusXM merger and their Alt Nation garbage.

Seems like the few remaining stations are playing it safe by rotating same overplayed top alternative & active rock hits from the 90's with the occasional "modern pop/rock hit" thrown in. Just an example, I've checked the playlist for Philly's Radio 104.5 (recommended on this board) and only 6 of the last 50 songs are post-2015. Also, Soundgarden - Spoonman, Third Eye Blind - Semi Charmed Life, and Linkin Park - What I've Done have each been played twice in the past 6 hours.

The experience 99X and Ethyl gave me is something that I have not been able to replicate since. I've tried Spotify but their algorithm recommends music that's too obscure or recommends bands with the same manufactured sound. I felt like I spent more time skipping songs and curating playlists. I miss the days when I could push a button and at least 80% of the music would be something my ears would enjoy.

Are there any good alternative stations left? Hopefully, I'm not looking for a unicorn.

 

[TheBigA]

Are there any good alternative stations left? Hopefully, I'm not looking for a unicorn.

As I often say, it sounds like more of a music problem than a radio problem. As you say, the music is either too commercial or too obscure. I have a friend who programs a non-commercial alternative station. She prides herself on breaking a lot of new bands. That's what she lives for. She has a small but dedicated fan base who seeks out what she does. The station is owned by a college that is supportive to this mission. But it's very likely that her music will be too obscure for what you're looking for.

 

[louis_p]

That sums it up perfectly TheBigA. There’s no middle ground between the obscure college station that plays everything under the sun and the burnt-out ballads that the corporate stations have been playing for the past 20 years.

I gave up listening to alternative around 2010 and started getting into hip-hop when I stumbled on Power 106. I was quickly drawn to how station keeps the music fresh while not burning out on currents and throwbacks, jumping into remixes and throwing in some EDM, and just how engaging and personable the DJs are that I feel like I could have a beer with them. For most of my life, I was one of those stereotypical white guys that argued that hip-hop and rap should not even be classified as music since it involves little creativity beyond someone talking with a synthesized beat in the background. You know a station is doing something right when it introduces new people to the scene without selling out.

I’ve tried listening to different flavours of rock formats and everything sounds so watered-down and predictable. DC101, KROQ, Alt 98.7, WKQX sound like someone hooked up an iPod to the sound board 15 years ago and barely updated the playlist beyond 200 songs. I’m surprised anyone would choose to tune in and listen to the same repetitive playlist for the next 20 years. The only exception I’ve found was KFOG (RIP) where I made 10@10 a routine for several years. I’ve tried Cities Minneapolis for my AAA fix. Not bad for an iHeart station but it’s no KFOG.

 

[TheBigA]

I gave up listening to alternative around 2010 and started getting into hip-hop when I stumbled on Power 106.

That's why I say what some people see as a radio problem is in reality a music problem.

 

[Delete My Account]

102.7 WEQX Manchester (VT) & Albany (NY)

Independent in ownership & music selection for over 30 years. Plays the most new music of any commercial alternative station I can think of.

Honorable Mentions:

102.5 WWCD "CD 102.5" Columbus
96.5 KRBZ "The Buzz" Kansas City

 

[louis_p]

Thanks for those recommendations Andy. I checked out the playlists from WEQX and CD102.5 and both seem to include a decent variety of new and some deeper album cuts from established artists. I’ll definitely check them out and report back.

95.5 The Buzz seems to be more mainstream rock from the 90’s and early 2000’s although more variety than other Entercom stations. Here in Canada, Radio.com stations can only be streamed on wifi. Not sure why Entercom made this idiotic decision to restrict access to their streams outside of the USA when iHeart is heavily promoted here.