An Opinion on 101.9 New Rock

[p_herring]

Honestly, this is the best the alternative format has been done in this city since....I don't even know when, maybe DRE? Not that it's cutting edge persay but an FM radio station doesn't need to be in 2012. Anyone who is truly into alternative/indie music is not going to have their needs served by listening to the radio. The station seems to be for those people in their 20's/30's who were young-ins during the alt-rock 90's and still have a mild interest in new music.

Going on Yes and taking a look at the last 10 acts played (Foster The People, Bush, Alabama Shakes, Incubus, Death Cab For Cutie, M83, Sublime, Walk The Moon, Black Keys and, uh, Silverchair) I can't really think of any in there that don't fit the format. Purists might argue that Bush and Silverchair are not "alternative" but it's not 1995 anymore. The grunge-lites of the 90's got dealt with far, far too harshly when you think that the 00's brought on Creed, Nickelback, Puddle of Mudd, etc.

One slightly concerning factor is that I have heard some Staind, Puddle Of Mudd's "Blurry" and some other left-overs from the nu metal era that might turn off some listeners. That being said, along with Trapt, these were all huge hits and are far less offensive than putting in Shinedown, Buckcherry or any other blatantly Active Rock audience into the mix.

A few points of praise:
1) Love how they throw in some slightly left-field cuts like Mazzy Star "Fade Into You". I'm sure once some idiot baby boomer PD takes over, those will be taken out. Let's enjoy it while we can.
2) Points for not being afraid to get slightly heavy (i.e. Alice In Chains, Soundgarden). Some of the more female-focused Alternative stations stay away from that.

A few grievances:
1) I've heard No Doubt played yet have yet to hear their new single, which is probably the strangest lead-off track they've ever put out (sounds like the band has been listening to Santigold like a lot of us)
2) It'd be nice to hear more currents but I like that every 3-4 songs is a somewhat new/current. As opposed to K-Rock and RXP where you'd get lucky to hear one or two an hour.
3) Of the currents not being played, there's no excuse for not adding "45" by The Gaslight Anthem. They're a local band!

 

[mjb1124]

Thanks, p_herring, for articulating my thoughts on the station (and alternative radio in 2012 in general) better than I ever could. I agree with absolutely everything you said. I do think WRXP could stand to play at least a *few* more currents (Gaslight Anthem definitely should be among them, though All Access says "45" got 1 spin as of last night which may mean it was just added), and not play anything more than 5 times a day. A bit more late 70's/80's *alternative* would be nice as well. But other than that, I think they're doing a good job at what they are going for, and do understand that this is not a station for diehard Alternative fans.

 

[chrocket87]

A few grievances:
1) I've heard No Doubt played yet have yet to hear their new single, which is probably the strangest lead-off track they've ever put out (sounds like the band has been listening to Santigold like a lot of us)
2) It'd be nice to hear more currents but I like that every 3-4 songs is a somewhat new/current. As opposed to K-Rock and RXP where you'd get lucky to hear one or two an hour.
3) Of the currents not being played, there's no excuse for not adding "45" by The Gaslight Anthem. They're a local band!

1) "Settle Down" needs to stay on "Fresh" and "Z". Just my personal opinion, perhaps other alternative listeners actually like this song.
3) Gaslight is in the Top 20 of Alternative, there is no reason it is not being played much. However, WRFF just spun it in heavy rotation a week or two ago and this song screams WRFF, so I guess RXP has some excuse to not spin it. My personal favorite song of the moment.

 

[p_herring]

Thanks, p_herring, for articulating my thoughts on the station (and alternative radio in 2012 in general) better than I ever could. I agree with absolutely everything you said. I do think WRXP could stand to play at least a *few* more currents (Gaslight Anthem definitely should be among them, though All Access says "45" got 1 spin as of last night which may mean it was just added), and not play anything more than 5 times a day. A bit more late 70's/80's *alternative* would be nice as well. But other than that, I think they're doing a good job at what they are going for, and do understand that this is not a station for diehard Alternative fans.

Haha, you're very welcome. I hope the station gets some sort of local flare around it, even if it is voice-tracked. Would be cool to have a holiday concert or something but who knows.

 

[FellOutBoy]

A few grievances:
1) I've heard No Doubt played yet have yet to hear their new single, which is probably the strangest lead-off track they've ever put out (sounds like the band has been listening to Santigold like a lot of us)
2) It'd be nice to hear more currents but I like that every 3-4 songs is a somewhat new/current. As opposed to K-Rock and RXP where you'd get lucky to hear one or two an hour.
3) Of the currents not being played, there's no excuse for not adding "45" by The Gaslight Anthem. They're a local band!

1) "Settle Down" needs to stay on "Fresh" and "Z". Just my personal opinion, perhaps other alternative listeners actually like this song.
3) Gaslight is in the Top 20 of Alternative, there is no reason it is not being played much. However, WRFF just spun it in heavy rotation a week or two ago and this song screams WRFF, so I guess RXP has some excuse to not spin it. My personal favorite song of the moment.

A couple of grievances regarding GRIEVANCES:

Currents: there is no reason to be current heavy before there is a jock in place to sell them!. Production stagers are fine but jocks are always a bit more effective in punctuating the point of introduction of something new and different even if it's just back announcing the new/current AFTER it's been set up by a produced piece screaming "ew music etc etc" .The station is already filled with what is essentially un familiar music as is, as the format has not been on air in New york for a long time and the last incarnation of WRXP does not count as it was so far from "alternative" as was pointed out almost daily on this forum. If you'd like the station to succeed where others have failed you dont expect it to come out of the gate guns blazing trying to break new music in a market that has not had an outlet for it in a long time. it may sound simplistic but there are plenty of listeners who are simply not as active in searching out new alternative music as any who are so passionate about it here so to them a lot f the re currents are relatively new or at least not familiar.

Please stop mentioning/comparing Radio 104.5. Philly is not NYC, it has sustained more rock stations more successfully than NYC for many reasons being demographic etc. In addition WRFF has had several years to grow into itself so comparing what it does to The new RXP when it is not been a month old does n make sense, they ave not established THEIR identity yet. By the way WRFF does not play a lot of "AAA", that is a term that people use a lot without even really understanding it. They seem to use it as a catch all phrase for something mellow and somewhat older skewing, for example Mazzy star's "Fade into you" is not AAA, as much as it is a staple of many alternative gold libraries, it WRFF plays things that are like that because the do skew older female where many alternative stations have traditionally targeted men 18-34.

Finally I bit my tongue about it but the idea that someone should do a "variety rock" format that played Train and Daughtry is fairly confused about what constitutes "Rock" to begin with Neither Train nor Daughtry would be considered rock in even he broadest definition of the genre. That is a symptom of what was wrong with the original wrxp in the first place, they tried to straddle too may genres instead of being a clearly defined and having any sort of focus. no matter how much people may complain about a lack of "variety' certain places it is so painfully obvious that it is not what listeners actually want. people want to be able to turn to a well defined station where he know what the product IS. pretty simple. No Doubt is s heavily identified as a soccer mom Hot AC artist now on the other side of the coin while gaslight anthem is a great bad, thy are not a household word outside of those who are already gaslight Anthem fans. for "alternative" to work in THIS market it might just have to be a little more mainstream than in some others. it may not be sexy but that is reality.

 

[Jacko]

As far as playlists, 101.9, and 87.7 in Chicago for that matter, sounds very similar to WBRU/Providence, or maybe WBRU from about a month ago. Yes, 101.9 does need to play the current Gaslight Anthem track, but maybe that's an oversight as 101.9's playlist is a carbon-copy of 87.7's in Chicago. It's like Merlin's alternative Premium Choice. But I think that the foundation is laid and things look promising. From this point, this should be the path...

1) Fix any remaining audio issues and make the station listenable.

2) Hire knowledgeable jocks who know alternative music, especially ones who have an ear to what's going on in the clubs in Brooklyn and other areas. Perhaps some, but not all, of the former 'RXP jocks; definitely not Fram or Pinfield. And definitely DO NOT hire any Hollywood-type jocks like a Kidd Chris or put Opie and Anthony on in the morning. There should be jocks that speak normally and intelligently. Emphasize the new 101.9 as a brand, not block programming.

3) Musical target: A fine balance of what's currently on the alternative chart with what's up and coming, especially local acts. While the station shouldn't be afraid to play the occasional heavier track, for most active rock, stay away from it and leave that to one of the suburban hard-rockers. An awesome local music director would be a plus. Once more of a listener base is established, be willing to be more groundbreaking and play more up and coming artists. Also, keep a broad gold and recurrent library. One thing (among many things) that killed WFNX/Boston was they had a very limited gold and recurrent rotation, and while they were great at breaking new acts, hearing "Under the Bridge" and "Wonderwall" ad nausem can be unbearable.
Music clock -- For 12 songs in an hour:
-5 should be currents (1 local/up-and-coming)
-4 should be recurrent or "newer" gold (2000 on)
-2 should be 90s (and not just grunge)
-1 from before 1990 (The Clash, The Cure, The Ramones, The Smiths, etc.)
Also, look to stations like WEQX/Manchester, VT-Albany,NY, WWCD/Columbus, OH, or WBRU/Providence, RI for "inspiration."

4) Advertising/Promotions: Target a specific set of advertisers whom 101.9 can mutually benefit, while keeping stop sets down in time. Remember, this station is going after those who have pretty much abandoned radio as an avenue to get the music they like. Street teams should be out by the clubs nearly every night, and at big draw shows like the Killers or Coldplay that can attract those scanning away from Z-100 or PLJ from time to time.

Balancing the big names with the up and comers and local acts will be the biggest challenge for 101.9. They may never break a 3 in the 6+ PPMs, but can probably draw a loyal listening audience by staying true to itself and being super involved in the alternative community.

Jacko

 

[leethalweapon]

Currents: there is no reason to be current heavy before there is a jock in place to sell them!. Production stagers are fine but jocks are always a bit more effective in punctuating the point of introduction of something new and different even if it's just back announcing the new/current AFTER it's been set up by a produced piece screaming "ew music etc etc" .The station is already filled with what is essentially un familiar music as is, as the format has not been on air in New york for a long time and the last incarnation of WRXP does not count as it was so far from "alternative" as was pointed out almost daily on this forum. If you'd like the station to succeed where others have failed you dont expect it to come out of the gate guns blazing trying to break new music in a market that has not had an outlet for it in a long time. it may sound simplistic but there are plenty of listeners who are simply not as active in searching out new alternative music as any who are so passionate about it here so to them a lot f the re currents are relatively new or at least not familiar.

I would argue that WRXP should be playing lots of currents/recurrents. The argument that "there has been no alternative station in the market for so long, the music has become unfamiliar", doesn't wash. Media in all forms exposes people to music of all forms. Do you think WCBS would be doing so well if the music it plays wasn't featured in ads on TV or in movies? Music today doesn't "need" radio play to be successful. A well placed "new" song, inserted into a popular TV show or show promo, can boost an artists profile.

 

[FellOutBoy]

Currents: there is no reason to be current heavy before there is a jock in place to sell them!. Production stagers are fine but jocks are always a bit more effective in punctuating the point of introduction of something new and different even if it's just back announcing the new/current AFTER it's been set up by a produced piece screaming "ew music etc etc" .The station is already filled with what is essentially un familiar music as is, as the format has not been on air in New york for a long time and the last incarnation of WRXP does not count as it was so far from "alternative" as was pointed out almost daily on this forum. If you'd like the station to succeed where others have failed you dont expect it to come out of the gate guns blazing trying to break new music in a market that has not had an outlet for it in a long time. it may sound simplistic but there are plenty of listeners who are simply not as active in searching out new alternative music as any who are so passionate about it here so to them a lot f the re currents are relatively new or at least not familiar.

I would argue that WRXP should be playing lots of currents/recurrents. The argument that "there has been no alternative station in the market for so long, the music has become unfamiliar", doesn't wash. Media in all forms exposes people to music of all forms. Do you think WCBS would be doing so well if the music it plays wasn't featured in ads on TV or in movies? Music today doesn't "need" radio play to be successful. A well placed "new" song, inserted into a popular TV show or show promo, can boost an artists profile.

CBS and RXP are apples and oranges CBS music while featured in commercials etc as you stated is also a lot more familiar to begin with as it's all hits that that demo knew and loved as currents. I AGREE that radio (for the alternative demo in particular) is the last place that they are discovering new music. The point is that those who are discovering said music via the internet etc have long ago abandoned radio, so they're not the ones that will keep the station afloat to begin with. So again youre asking the new and probably more mainstream audience to swallow a lot more unfamiliar titles than you even realize. Remember we aren't the audience, the audience is nowhere near this involved or interested in whether the station is breaking new music as we are. again i think eventually they will be more current focused but until theyre actually STAFFED that would be a fairly obvious mistake.

 

[Brooklyndon]

Trapt is hardly nu-metal. And yes how DARE RXP play a former #1 Rock song, #16 Pop song, award winner, and Billboard selected #1 song alternative song of the decade. WHAT WHERE THEY THINKING?!? ???

And what happened to pretty much every rock station in large cities that decade?

Oh yea, that's it, without a doubt fans of hard rock music will turn on RAP music immediately. ;D

In NYC...you are in NYC, not Jacksonville.

 

[FellOutBoy]

As far as playlists, 101.9, and 87.7 in Chicago for that matter, sounds very similar to WBRU/Providence, or maybe WBRU from about a month ago. Yes, 101.9 does need to play the current Gaslight Anthem track, but maybe that's an oversight as 101.9's playlist is a carbon-copy of 87.7's in Chicago. It's like Merlin's alternative Premium Choice. But I think that the foundation is laid and things look promising. From this point, this should be the path...

1) Fix any remaining audio issues and make the station listenable.

2) Hire knowledgeable jocks who know alternative music, especially ones who have an ear to what's going on in the clubs in Brooklyn and other areas. Perhaps some, but not all, of the former 'RXP jocks; definitely not Fram or Pinfield. And definitely DO NOT hire any Hollywood-type jocks like a Kidd Chris or put Opie and Anthony on in the morning. There should be jocks that speak normally and intelligently. Emphasize the new 101.9 as a brand, not block programming.

3) Musical target: A fine balance of what's currently on the alternative chart with what's up and coming, especially local acts. While the station shouldn't be afraid to play the occasional heavier track, for most active rock, stay away from it and leave that to one of the suburban hard-rockers. An awesome local music director would be a plus. Once more of a listener base is established, be willing to be more groundbreaking and play more up and coming artists. Also, keep a broad gold and recurrent library. One thing (among many things) that killed WFNX/Boston was they had a very limited gold and recurrent rotation, and while they were great at breaking new acts, hearing "Under the Bridge" and "Wonderwall" ad nausem can be unbearable.
Music clock -- For 12 songs in an hour:
-5 should be currents (1 local/up-and-coming)
-4 should be recurrent or "newer" gold (2000 on)
-2 should be 90s (and not just grunge)
-1 from before 1990 (The Clash, The Cure, The Ramones, The Smiths, etc.)
Also, look to stations like WEQX/Manchester, VT-Albany,NY, WWCD/Columbus, OH, or WBRU/Providence, RI for "inspiration."

4) Advertising/Promotions: Target a specific set of advertisers whom 101.9 can mutually benefit, while keeping stop sets down in time. Remember, this station is going after those who have pretty much abandoned radio as an avenue to get the music they like. Street teams should be out by the clubs nearly every night, and at big draw shows like the Killers or Coldplay that can attract those scanning away from Z-100 or PLJ from time to time.

Balancing the big names with the up and comers and local acts will be the biggest challenge for 101.9. They may never break a 3 in the 6+ PPMs, but can probably draw a loyal listening audience by staying true to itself and being super involved in the alternative community.

Jacko

I hate to quibble but hiring jocks that are in touch with what's happening in the clubs in Brooklyn? again hipsters wont be listening to the station as they dont bother with radio, the audience that WILL listen is not going to be hipster class Brooklyn club dwellers so tailoring the jock presentation to that which would appeal to people who are not listening?. The larger point being missed here is that the station is in NYC and like it or not the audience particularly for rock is the burbs; be they Jersey, Westchester, Long Island etc. your formula has already made the station "too hip for the room" considering the room is filled with suburbanites. that would be very similar to what Krock of the 90's did and it too would lead to another alt format failure.

As for the stations you cite that should be looked to for "inspiration" again putting aside the reality that this is NEW YORK, none of the stations that you mentioned are particularly good not to mention that they're all small market, small SOUNDING, mom and pop operations that also do not sustain any sort of impressive ratings. WBRU is a COLLEGE STATION and sounds it as it is run by and staffed entirely by students, EQX has always been a non entity because it runs on no $$ and is also in the middle of nowhere, Manchester Vermont is officially nowhere although their signal covers a fraction of Albany. WWCD has never been much of a mover in that format but again it's in Columbus Ohio market number 35? 36? either way nothing you would logically model a station in market number ONE on.

 

[Brooklyndon]

As far as this whole suburbs be unsophisticated and a station must pander to them: it's malarchy. Q104 does not take a least common denominator approach, and WNEW always had a cosmopolitan delivery. It's not like the types of people that will listen to wrxp are different from those two station's audiences.

 

[TheWitch]

As long as the radio signal reaches their ears, that's the alt rock audience they should be aimimg for. They should play new music before it charts. That's one way to make a statement. Hire an alt guru and let them use their ears along with a chart.

 

[WNTIRadio]

[WBRU is a COLLEGE STATION and sounds it as it is run by and staffed entirely by students, EQX has always been a non entity because it runs on no $$ and is also in the middle of nowhere, Manchester Vermont is officially nowhere although their signal covers a fraction of Albany. WWCD has never been much of a mover in that format but again it's in Columbus Ohio market number 35? 36? either way nothing you would logically model a station in market number ONE on./quote]

Yes, WBRU is owned and run by a college, but they do have a couple of advantages. #1, they run it as a commercial station and #2, they actually pull some numbers with it and have some bigger ad buys. The kids there are all employees too, supervised by professionals.

Not bad for college kids being coached by pros. WERS in Boston is a pure noncomm (no advantage of a nice dial position of 95.5 and the revenue with it) but they also draw 160-180k a week with a "real radio" presentation and an environment for real learning.

Most college stations are pure crap. But we in the industry need to stop crapping on the ones that are actually training the next generation in the industry for real. A jock with a WBRU aircheck is more likely to get a real radio job, and have the skills to back it up. Let's celebrate those last few remaining college stations that aren't sandboxes and Facebook with a transmitter, but are real shops whose goal it is to turn out real radio professionals. Professionals who are willing to get that first job for a barely living wage and try and work their way up. What has happened to supporting the "new blood"??? My college station ran a tight top 40 format and the GM was also willing to teach me the engineering side of things... that gave me the foundation to do everything else I've done since. He left a long time ago because the school wanted a "Doctor" to run the program and the station isn't even on 24/7 anymore, much less with any kind of format. What are they learning now? We need to support those stations that nurture kids who still want to get into radio and have a passion and talent for it, otherwise we will be turning more and more of our industry over to machines and people who don't understand the medium. It's not too late, but it will be soon if we don't step up and recognize the efforts and support the efforts of those who still have a passion for training the next generation.

Back to RXP, yeah, what works in Providence won't work 100% in NYC. But there is an element that can work from each station, and that's what needs to be evaluated before the final product happens here. Some research and also a final gut-check of "hey, this is good. This element will enhance the station" or "nope, this won't work here".

I agree that they can't be "too cool for school" and get into hipster music snob territory. That will be the quick death of RXP. But a savvy programmer who can see a trend or hear a hit about to happen will be a good thing for the station. RXP needs to be riding the crest of the wave musically, not bobbing around behind it, and that can only be done with a good local programming team who can use research, knowledge of the market and demo and common sense to program the station. The question is, will Merlin invest in one of those people, maybe two if you count a PD and MD to gain long term returns or will they only be looking to the next quarter and keep it a jukebox with song tags?

 

[FellOutBoy]

As far as this whole suburbs be unsophisticated and a station must pander to them: it's malarchy. Q104 does not take a least common denominator approach, and WNEW always had a cosmopolitan delivery. It's not like the types of people that will listen to wrxp are different from those two station's audiences.

let me clarify Brooklyn,. i did not say or suggest that they dumb it down, I did however take issue with the idea of getting dj's who know what's hot in the clubs of Brooklyn because like it or not the indie hipster thing is not going to fly on the air in New York and more importantly with the burbs cause that aint who will be listening. I have to disagree with you about the audiences too, their audiences ARE different than what RXP will be going after, they are older; RXP sounds so far to be targeting straight up 18-34's like most alt stations. WAXQ? 25-54 and probably a sub cell of 35-54 and completely familiar with almost eery song that Q plays, that's why they listen. As for your examples Q104.3 is very approachable and really rely on their music more than anything else as it is the most tested and researched and established library there is, it's classic rock: hard to miss with that when you have 20 years of heritage as a classic rock station but again they too faltered for a long time before they became the powerhouse that they are now. As for WNEW and their "sophisticated approach", I dont know if I would call it that although I see what you are saying but either way it was the absolutely wrong approach, they were always quite full of themselves yet were never the ratings powerhouse that many romanticize. sure they are a sentimental favorite of an era by gone in both rock and radio but the proof that it did not work is on the air today when you tune into 102.7 and hear Pink and Jason Mraz rather than "rock" which is sort of sad .

 

[TheWitch]

They should hire Dj's that know what's hot and upcoming everywhere, not just one area. Europe included. Yes, know what's happening locally, but introduce what's new elsewhere. That's what I want to listen to on the radio. That's what I do listen to. This is the NYC market. This is where alt rock listeners should tune in to hear the best & the latest.

 

[p_herring]

A couple of grievances regarding GRIEVANCES:

Currents: there is no reason to be current heavy before there is a jock in place to sell them!. Production stagers are fine but jocks are always a bit more effective in punctuating the point of introduction of something new and different even if it's just back announcing the new/current AFTER it's been set up by a produced piece screaming "ew music etc etc" .The station is already filled with what is essentially un familiar music as is, as the format has not been on air in New york for a long time and the last incarnation of WRXP does not count as it was so far from "alternative" as was pointed out almost daily on this forum. If you'd like the station to succeed where others have failed you dont expect it to come out of the gate guns blazing trying to break new music in a market that has not had an outlet for it in a long time. it may sound simplistic but there are plenty of listeners who are simply not as active in searching out new alternative music as any who are so passionate about it here so to them a lot f the re currents are relatively new or at least not familiar.

I agree in that they don't need to be current-heavy but eventually, there should be at least 20-25. Like mentioned, this type of format has been out of the market for nearly a decade (I'm not counting the old RXP or K-Rock's "Great Rock. Period" phase). So, it makes sense that they're still reminding listeners as to who Foster The People, Florence & The Machine, The Black Keys, etc. are. I think we're also saying the same thing when you mention listeners "who are not as active in searching out new alternative music" and that's why I think the station works perfectly. You (the listener) may be a 32-year-old ex Alternative Nation mom with a newborn but you don't mind some newer bands being played in between your 90's favorites.

Please stop mentioning/comparing Radio 104.5. Philly is not NYC, it has sustained more rock stations more successfully than NYC for many reasons being demographic etc. In addition WRFF has had several years to grow into itself so comparing what it does to The new RXP when it is not been a month old does n make sense, they ave not established THEIR identity yet. By the way WRFF does not play a lot of "AAA", that is a term that people use a lot without even really understanding it. They seem to use it as a catch all phrase for something mellow and somewhat older skewing, for example Mazzy star's "Fade into you" is not AAA, as much as it is a staple of many alternative gold libraries, it WRFF plays things that are like that because the do skew older female where many alternative stations have traditionally targeted men 18-34.

Agree here. I think a lot of people don't realize the Alternative chart has gotten a bit softer than it was in 2000-2003 when nu metal took over. In fact, I heard "Give You Hell" by the All-American Rejects on 101.9 the other day and was thinking "WTF?!?!" but then I realized that song actually charted on both the alternative and pop charts (though, if I were a programmer, I'd probably steer clear of that track as it's a bit too CHR-friendly).

Finally I bit my tongue about it but the idea that someone should do a "variety rock" format that played Train and Daughtry is fairly confused about what constitutes "Rock" to begin with Neither Train nor Daughtry would be considered rock in even he broadest definition of the genre. That is a symptom of what was wrong with the original wrxp in the first place, they tried to straddle too may genres instead of being a clearly defined and having any sort of focus. no matter how much people may complain about a lack of "variety' certain places it is so painfully obvious that it is not what listeners actually want. people want to be able to turn to a well defined station where he know what the product IS. pretty simple. No Doubt is s heavily identified as a soccer mom Hot AC artist now on the other side of the coin while gaslight anthem is a great bad, thy are not a household word outside of those who are already gaslight Anthem fans. for "alternative" to work in THIS market it might just have to be a little more mainstream than in some others. it may not be sexy but that is reality.

I'm not sure who suggested that but it's a terrible idea. The kitchen-sink approach RXP took was terrible. Very few Green Day fans want to hear Pink Floyd played next and vice versa. I disagree about the new No Doubt song which I think is their strangest single to date. Sure, they might be perceived as a "pop" act but they started as a ska-influenced Orange County band. I'd think to put it in light rotation, especially if you're already playing their older hits.

 

[p_herring]

As far as this whole suburbs be unsophisticated and a station must pander to them: it's malarchy. Q104 does not take a least common denominator approach, and WNEW always had a cosmopolitan delivery. It's not like the types of people that will listen to wrxp are different from those two station's audiences.

let me clarify Brooklyn,. i did not say or suggest that they dumb it down, I did however take issue with the idea of getting dj's who know what's hot in the clubs of Brooklyn because like it or not the indie hipster thing is not going to fly on the air in New York and more importantly with the burbs cause that aint who will be listening. I have to disagree with you about the audiences too, their audiences ARE different than what RXP will be going after, they are older; RXP sounds so far to be targeting straight up 18-34's like most alt stations. WAXQ? 25-54 and probably a sub cell of 35-54 and completely familiar with almost eery song that Q plays, that's why they listen. As for your examples Q104.3 is very approachable and really rely on their music more than anything else as it is the most tested and researched and established library there is, it's classic rock: hard to miss with that when you have 20 years of heritage as a classic rock station but again they too faltered for a long time before they became the powerhouse that they are now. As for WNEW and their "sophisticated approach", I dont know if I would call it that although I see what you are saying but either way it was the absolutely wrong approach, they were always quite full of themselves yet were never the ratings powerhouse that many romanticize. sure they are a sentimental favorite of an era by gone in both rock and radio but the proof that it did not work is on the air today when you tune into 102.7 and hear Pink and Jason Mraz rather than "rock" which is sort of sad .

I go back and forth on that idea. Obviously, the idea of a jock talking about the hot Brooklyn clubs makes no sense because, 99% of the audience will not be the type that cares. That being said, I always appreciate little anecdotes about various areas of the city, obviously remarks about a concert a DJ may have attended at a certain venue as it relates to the music, etc.

Also Q104.3 NOT taking the least common denominator approach? Their playlist is about as safe as you can get (and that's for CLASSIC ROCK of all things).

 

[FellOutBoy]

I go back and forth on that idea. Obviously, the idea of a jock talking about the hot Brooklyn clubs makes no sense because, 99% of the audience will not be the type that cares. That being said, I always appreciate little anecdotes about various areas of the city, obviously remarks about a concert a DJ may have attended at a certain venue as it relates to the music, etc.

Also Q104.3 NOT taking the least common denominator approach? Their playlist is about as safe as you can get (and that's for CLASSIC ROCK of all things).
[/quote]

I dont think he meant their playlist which you're right is as safe as it gets. I think he meant their jock presentation is not the dummy rock head type ( aka least common denominator) . Then again they are mostly talking about the music which is in some cases almost 40 years old. not really breaking any new ground there but they are obviously doing something right.

 

[Jacko]

The comparison to WBRU was more meant as an example of the type of balancing that 101.9 should take between new tracks, gold, and recurrents, and basically where in the alternative spectrum to place themselves. Yes, New York is much different from Providence, and 'BRU is a college station, but as mentioned before it is a commercial station that bills fairly well for the position they're in. It's hard to find another large-market alternative station for 101.9 to compare itself to as there really aren't many large-market commercial alternative stations. Yes, you have KROQ and KITS, but that's California, not New York. 101.9 should think globally and locally. The former 'RXP were establishing a loyal base and were creeping up in the ratings when the plug was pulled. Hopefully they can pull at least half of those listeners back.

Jacko

 

[Brooklyndon]

In rems of benchmarkin wrxp, I think krock - 2 and last.fm are obvious targets. wfnx might be an example to ape too, as well as live 105.