Great radio programming served as the main inspiration to start this blog a couple of years ago, and radio continues to be the primary source that introduces me to amazing new music every day. I share my favorite discoveries here on SONGbiscuit because I know that finding extraordinary music in an enormous sea of mediocre, uninspiring pop music can be a near impossible expedition.
Likewise, I recognize how hard it is to find distinguishable and authentic radio in an ocean of profit-focused corporations which happen to include some popular songs in between radio advertisements. "Incredibly predictable porridge" is how the late great BBC Radio DJ John Peel described pop music programming, and sadly that description reigns true to this day as stations are continually collected by the bunch into corporate investment portfolios then consolidated into perpetual sameness.
Thankfully, I've found more than a few stations or radio shows around the world that are doing it the right way. I think it's only fair that I share these exemplary stations and shows with you, not only for your enjoyment, but also to potentially help them gain support with a new listener or two. My list was not compiled based on high ratings after all, but rather it's based on my listening to countless hours of their excellent programming. In point of fact, word-of-mouth is the most sincere form of promotion.
Some of these stations are among the dying breed of being truly independent, as in independently owned & operated. Some are publicly funded, largely through listener donations, license fees, and/or government funding. I must note that I have listed some stations with general programming or general playlists that do not even remotely meet the qualities that I'm praising. Rather, these stations have programmed one or two shows that are black sheep in their schedule that transcendently maintain radio excellence.
Although some of these stations are owned by large corporations, most of my favorite radio stations — or at least most of the specific radio shows I've listed — have an indie approach to programming. What I mean by "indie approach" is that instead of simply funneling the most famous artists from the largest record labels onto the airwaves with the goal of maximizing advertising revenue, these fine stations or hosts actually care about the music and artists. They take pride in the music that's played across their airwaves. Just because it's popular doesn't mean it's good.
Every host or presenter that I've mentioned display genuine personalities and unaffected voices. They often have a deep knowledge of musical heritage and the artistry that is required to craft unique music. Heck, believe or not, they might even know at least as much about music as Pandora's song deconstructors and algorithm writers. These hosts are usually in the know, and if they don't curate most or all of the music for their own shows, they at least have meaningful input into what gets playlisted.
As should be expected from SONGbiscuit, the music format of these stations or shows range from indie rock and folk to the many roots and branches of Americana (to borrow from one of the show titles listed). There's even some pop and reggae for a taste of happy salt. To help demonstrate the music format of each station or show, I've included links to a few of my favorite tracks that are representative of their current sound as of May through July of 2012. Many of the songs can be heard on multiple stations of course, but I've tried to list the tracks under the station or show where I happened to hear them first, where they are championed the most, or where the artists may have strong local or regional ties.
For those times when my favorite shows aren't on, I created a Spotify playlist containing all of these songs except for a handful that aren't currently available on the service in the US. Not surprisingly, it turns out to be one of the best playlists I've ever compiled. Perhaps you could listen on shuffle, then reference back to my Accolades list to see which stations and shows are playing the songs you like most. Follow that up by tuning in to determine which personalities you dig the most. Or vice versa if you put a high value on great personalties like I do. And for the record, if you subscribe to Sirius XM satellite radio and you think you're gonna hear this music on any of their channels — you're sadly mistaken. Their playlists are vacuous of most of the artists I've listed, and the magical Pandora is also incomprehensive.
Since my favorite stations and shows are based in cities ranging from London to Honolulu, I obviously listen via internet streaming. Although I do listen on a computer while at home, the vast majority of listening is via my iPhone while I'm at the office or in the car. Many stations have their own apps, or their streams are accessible via radio apps such as TuneIn. For me, the radio app of choice is ooTunes due to the ability to listen to all of my favorite stations in a single app, along with superior recording and preset features. Customer support at ooTunes has also been outstanding and incredibly responsive when I've reported broken streams or requested new station additions.
Regardless of your method of listening, hopefully these radio stations and shows will enlighten and entertain you. Chances are, if you already enjoy the music that appears on SONGbiscuit, then you will likely also enjoy many of the stations that I've given accolades.
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BBC Radio's 6 Music broadcasts over the internet and digitally only, but the station has a loyal listenership that values diverse music and distinctive presenters making it quite popular. Lauren Laverne and Steve Lamacq host two of the most brilliant music-based shows on any station. Besides both of them curating excellent, diverse playlists, Lauren has one of my most favourite voices in radio, and Lamacq's show has the most distinctive and enjoyable music beds of any radio show I've heard. I also often enjoy weekend programmes such as the soulfully entertaining Huey Show, the incredibly eclectic yet cohesive Cerys on 6, and Gilles Peterson. With his roots in London's pirate radio scene, Gilles now broadcasts his passion for the finest and funkiest grooves worldwide with playlists that you don't just listen to — you experience. Commercial-free due to BBC's license fee funding, the station has an overall schedule swarming with first-rate music programmes, so you really can't go wrong by tuning in at any time on any day. SOUNDS: Jake Bugg, Gemma Ray, Tom Williams & The Boat, Ghostpoet |
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2. Xfm — London & Manchester, UK X-Posure is the finest radio show in the world that focuses entirely on the newest music around, across formats. I can't even begin to count the number of amazing new bands or solo artists that John Kennedy has introduced me to, consequently serving as a primary inspiration for creating SONGbiscuit. The move of one of my favs Danielle Perry from Kerrang and Q Radio to Xfm in April of 2013 has cemented Xfm's placement in the top tier of these Accolades. That's not to mention the excellent addition of Jo Good to the schedule, as well as the welcome return of Sunta Templeton. The station often features live sessions from the best indie and modern rock bands on these and other shows. Import:Export is a weekly show that features the genius concept of a simultaneous UK & US Top 10 countdown, with Xfm's Ian Camfield trading notches on the chart with Kat Corbett of KROQ in Los Angeles. Also on the weekends, Lliana Bird hosts a fun afternoon show in the UK, but for me in Vegas she's the first DJ I tune in to on both Saturday and Sunday mornings. Simply put, Xfm ROCKS. SOUNDS: Ben Howard, The View, Melodica Melody & Me, Lianne La Havas |
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3. Paul McLoone on Today FM — Dublin, Ireland (National) Paul McLoone steers Today FM's mostly pop playlist toward a much more favourable direction four nights a week, keeping ahead of the curve with a deadly three hours of the latest alternative/indie music from Ireland and beyond, mixed with a fine selection of classics and Americana. Paul has a respected background in radio show production, and he's also been the lead singer for Northern Irish band The Undertones since 1999, giving him a unique programming perspective. I heard We Cut Corners, First Aid Kit, and Neil Young's "Oh Susannah" on his show first, which is evidence of the range and quality you can expect. His excellent playlists along with his personable presenting style make for unmissable radio. Not long after I listed Paul's show here, he was named the "Specialist Music Broadcaster of the Year" for 2012 by the Irish radio association known as PPI (Phonographic Performance Ireland). See, I told you he was good! SOUNDS: Cold Specks, The Minutes, Little Green Cars, Katie Kim |
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4. Phantom 105.2 — Dublin, Ireland Phantom is the deadliest indie rock station around in my book, featuring some of the sharpest presenters around on a broad range of phenomenal music-based shows like the all-Irish I-CON with Cathal Funge and Derek Byrne's eclectic mix on The Lounge. On weekdays Key Cuts features the latest additions to the station's playlist along with a fine mix of Phantom standbys. I also listen regularly to The Kiosk with Nadine O'Regan, a chat show focusing on arts and entertainment in Dublin, and sometimes live sessions are featured. But if it's Bon Jovi or Nickelback that you're looking for, I can assure you that Music Director John Caddell will be happy to disappoint you. It was John's Key Cuts (now hosted by Richie Ryan) along with James Byrne's show (unfortunately cancelled in September of 2012) that provided two of the three original inspirations for me to start SONGbiscuit. SOUNDS: The Riptide Movement, Miles Kane, Ladyhawke, Royseven, Heathers |
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5. The Ranch (KFWR) — Fort Worth, Texas Did you know that Texas has its own music industry, complete with distinct sounds, record labels, and charts? If not, you're in for quite a treat! The Ranch is the premiere station focused on "the sound of Texas" (as opposed to the Nashville sound of mainstream Country that you're surely more familiar with). If you think you don't like Country music, chances are you haven't heard the sound of Texas. While "indie country" might be a fair description, "red dirt music" is the regional handle. Justin Frazell's Texas Red Dirt Roads (TXRDR) features acoustic sets by the biggest names in the Texas music scene, live from the Fort Worth area every Sunday in the songwriter-circle style. On weeknights, Shayne Hollinger broadens the "red dirt" stroke to include the latest Americana sounds on The Side Show — an instant favorite of mine since its broadcast recently began, and likewise an instant contender as one of the best Americana radio shows in the country. The music's always good on The Ranch, but those two shows especially deserve your attention. SOUNDS: Adam Hood, Lincoln Durham, Reckless Kelly, Whiskey Myers |
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6. The Current (KCMP) — St Paul, Minnesota Although Minnesota may not be the first State many think of in terms of America's hottest music scenes, it does in fact have a history of producing a broad range of great artists like Prince, the Replacements and Bob Dylan. With hot new bands like Howler and Poliça, the Twin Cities of Minnesota continues to boast a formidable music scene with some of the fiercest music fans in America that touring bands love to play for. The Current is listener-supported public radio that caters to those discriminating music fans with knowledgeable hosts and an outstanding playlist focused on the "best authentic new music." I particularly enjoy listening in during Barb Abney's shift, and Mark Wheat is a legend that would have made his fellow countryman and hero John Peel proud. The Current's schedule includes a morning show that actually focuses on musical topics, and there are a variety of quality specialist programs. One of the most notable being The Current Presents — an open-concept slot on Sunday nights that allows for different experimental programming ideas to be aired every week. Brilliant. SOUNDS: POLIÇA, Howler, Zeus, The Mynabirds |
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7. Dan Hegarty on RTÉ 2fm — Ireland (National) Dan Hegarty's playlists include preeminent new alternative and indie music from around the world on late night Irish radio. Dan's show actually originates earlier in the day on the digital 2XM, but then it's rebroadcast late at night on 2fm. For me in Vegas though, Dan's show makes for optimum afternoon radio, with the bonus of minimal advertisements due to RTÉ's license fee funding. Dan honed his craft back at my old favourite station Phantom 105.2, has deep ties to Ireland's music scene, and has been nominated for Best DJ at the Meteor Ireland Music Awards. SOUNDS: Glen Hansard, Funeral Suits, Tieranniesaur, The Cast of Cheers |
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8. KCRW — Los Angeles, California KCRW is a listener-supported radio station based at Santa Monica College with a daytime news talk format supplemented by a variety of music programs at night and on weekends. A musical exception to the daytime news talk comes in the form of Morning Becomes Eclectic. This fine program hosted by the station's Music Director Jason Bentley features diverse anti-genre playlists, live sessions, and interviews with some of the coolest artists that tour through Los Angeles. KCRW's best DJ to commandeer the console, though, is Jeremy Sole with the sweetest playlists of world roots, rhythms, and remixes. Jeremy's playlists educate me and nourish my soul like no other DJ's can. His unique weekly show is tucked away on late Wednesday nights (Thursday mornings, actually). Lucky for me I don't have to drown myself in energy drinks to stay awake for Jeremy's show on a "school night," as I can play it back whenever I'm ready. Although many of the stations listed here archive some or all of their shows to allow for on-demand listening, KCRW has the best media player (and best station-specific iPhone app) that I've used, based on their impressive integration of scrollable track listings that are in sync with both live broadcasts and archived shows, along with full-length album streams before they're released. Besides the shows hosted by Jason and Jeremy, KCRW was also brave enough to give punk rocker Henry Rollins his own show — an outstanding show as it turns out — that is positively worthy of your radio rationing. Henry summons his fanatics every Saturday as he energetically serves up diverse playlists designed to blow up both sides of your brain with awesomeness. SOUNDS: Edward Sharpe, Kimbra, Nick Waterhouse, Sola Rosa |
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Seattle has one of the greatest music scenes in the world, and University of Washington's not-for-profit KEXP holds up its end of the bargain with excellent programming focused on new alternative/indie rock. The schedule also includes a wide range of weekly genre-specific programs, along with an extensive ongoing schedule of live in-studio performances. For me, my workdays aren't complete without a little Cheryl Waters in the mix. Cheryl is the voice of KEXP as far as my listening habits are concerned — I especially enjoy her interview style. KEXP also had unmatched coverage of the Iceland Airwaves music festival last October with live sessions and broadcasts from the musically diverse city of Reykjavik. The station's recent Celebrating Independence series has also been absolutely brilliant. In honor of the Fourth of July, KEXP put a spotlight on music from indie record labels such as 4AD, Sub Pop, and many more. SOUNDS: Father John Misty, Chromatics, King Tuff, Of Monsters and Men |
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10. KNBT — New Braunfels, Texas A pure Americana radio station with the coolest slogan of all time - "Contrary to Ordinary." I make sure to listen to Texas legend Ray Wylie Hubbard as he hosts Roots & Branches of Americana every Tuesday (unless he's touring), and program director Mattson Rainer always treats my ears right while holding up his stated commitment that "every song you hear on KNBT will contain all the qualities we care about in music: intergrity, honesty and heart." SOUNDS: Ray Wylie Hubbard, Justin Townes Earle, honeyhoney, Paul Thorn |
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11. Lightning 100 (WRLT) — Nashville, Tennessee A true indie station (in the business sense) with a playlist focused on indie rock and Americana, and with a reputation for first-plays in Nashville. A small core staff of hosts helps build close relationships with listeners. My "appointment listening" includes their live music shows Music City Roots and Nashville Sunday Night, as well as the Indie Underground Hour on Thursday nights. The station recently bolstered their support for Nashville's local music scene by pledging to play local artists at least once per hour — signed or unsigned, along with a new local music show The 615. This change along with a renewed focus on diverse new music just might make me like Lightning 100 even more. SOUNDS: Dr John, Gary Clark Jr, Norah Jones, Graffiti6 |
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12. Totally Irish on Dublin's 98fm — Dublin, Ireland Totally Irish with John Barker rivals Phantom's I-CON as another excellent radio show fully dedicated to the latest music from the finest new Irish bands on the scene today. The best part is that they're not true rivals — since Totally Irish is on Sundays and I-CON airs on Wednesdays, listeners (and Irish recording artists) get to take advantage of both. I must, however, give Totally Irish bonus points for having a YouTube channel dedicated to videos of the live sessions that are featured on the show each week. SOUNDS: the danger is, We Cut Corners, Gemma Hayes, Lisa Hannigan |
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13. The Ronnie Wood Show on Absolute Classic Rock — UK The Ronnie Wood Show is a cracking good show hosted by the famed Rolling Stones guitarist himself on Fridays. Ronnie plays fine selections of blues and rock music while providing both personal and historical insights. Expect him to riff and sing along to some of the tunes, or perhaps provide accompaniment for his excellent studio guests such as Paul McCartney or Slash. If you live in the UK or Ireland, you get the bonus opportunity to see a televised version on Sky Arts HD. Ronnie's show has also began syndication on some US radio stations, although I believe it may be not the most recent episodes that are being aired here. SOUNDS: Elmore James, Bo Diddley, Amy Winehouse, Ray Charles |
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14. iRequest Live on iRadio — Ireland (Regional: NW, NE, Midlands) About the only pop music radio I listen to is iRequest Live with Barbara Nic Dhonnacha on weekdays, and/or Sunday's Top 30 edition of the show. I like listening to Barbara for a fun presentation of the most popular songs in Ireland, with a seamless bit of the Irish language thrown in to make it the coolest, culturally enriched countdown and request show around. Although I tend to give pop music radio a hard time, Barbara does it right. She wasn't awarded Ireland's Music Broadcaster of the Year in 2011 for nothin'. As for the most popular songs in Ireland, strangely enough the weekly Top 30 typically consists of the latest pop and urban hits by American and British artists. Besides Barbara's shows, iTest with Louise Clarke on Sundays is class for presenting the latest music being considered for iRadio's playlist. Unfortunately, I don't often get a chance to listen to Louise's show as much as I'd like to. SOUNDS: Marina & The Diamonds, Ed Sheeran, Labrinth, Azealia Banks |
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15. The Blues Hour on WBGO — New York City, NY / Newark, NJ WBGO is a listener-supported public station renowned as one of the foremost jazz stations in the world. The Blues Hour with Michael Bourne airs during my weekday lunch breaks in Vegas (3pm in NYC), filling my ears with blues as I fill my belly. Michael's fine selection of new and old blues along with his unmatched firsthand and historical insights spoken through his gravelly voice gives listeners a blues learnin' from one of the coolest cats on the radio. The best part is that it's commercial-free, making room for amazing blues jam recordings, some that will blow your mind for nearly a quarter-hour! SOUNDS: Etta James, Little Walter, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Joe Louis Walker |
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16. The Free For All on WAMU Bluegrass Country — Washington, DC Originating in the nation's capital city, Echo Propp now hosts The Free For All from Nashville on Thursdays and Fridays. Echo programs the finest three-hour playlists of progressive bluegrass and Americana on her show, with rightful claims that she'll get you tapping your foot. Bluegrass Country is a listener-supported station with numerous shows featuring stellar traditional and contemporary bluegrass with hosts that are deeply engrossed in the tight-knit world of bluegrass. SOUNDS: Ray LaMontagne, Red Molly, Good Lovelies, Sara Watkins |
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17. WDVX — Knoxville, Tennessee With a well established reputation as one of the greatest bluegrass stations in existence, WDVX is a listener-supported station that also features other American roots music from the past and present. I love their Blue Plate Special show that broadcasts live music nearly everyday from downtown Knoxville, and their schedule includes a ton of other great specialist shows such as The Vinyl Frontier, the rockabilly-focused Rumble, and the latest addition to their lineup — The Category Stomp on Monday nights. SOUNDS: Langhorne Slim, Little Willies, Punch Brothers, The Black Lillies |
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18. The Unsigned Show on Kerrang! Radio — Birmingham, UK After more than two decades as one of the top magazines in the world dedicated to hard rock and metal, the Kerrang! brand was expanded several years ago to include its own regional radio station. Located northwest of London in Birmingham, Kerrang is the only hard rock station I listen to. I enjoy tuning in during the shows hosted by Kate Lawler and Danielle Perry, but The Unsigned Show with Alex Baker is my biggest draw. Every Sunday Alex presents the highest quality music he's found by artists that are unsigned, on small labels, or that are otherwise up-and-coming. He also hosts a crazy chat show afterward that's worth checking out for a bit of fun. SOUNDS: John J Presley, Exitmusic, The May Birds, Forever Can Wait |
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19. KCCN FM100 — Honolulu, Hawaii Similar to the Texas music scene I mentioned above, Hawaii also has its own music industry microcosm. There are numerous radio stations across Hawaii's islands dedicated to Hawaiian music ranging from traditional sounds to the more contemporary island and international reggae sounds that KCCN plays. I haven't posted much music by Hawaiian artists, but I often listen to KCCN whenever I want some island vibes to help me chill out and reminisce about the fun times I've had in beautiful Hawaii. |
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20. WERS — Boston, Massachusetts Emerson College backs up their slogan of "music for the independent mind" with a playlist featuring indie, folk, rock and more. With an all-student on-air staff that rotates and changes each semester, I don't have any particular hosts or shows that I listen to. However, I make sure to switch to the commercial-free station regularly to discover what the cool kids are listening to, and maybe to catch one of their many live sessions. SOUNDS: Brandi Carlile, Charles Bradley, Great Lake Swimmers, Yukon Blonde |
If you have any comments, or if you have any radio stations or shows to recommend, please submit your feedback to me via Twitter, via email, or here on tumblr. I will post my favourite responses in this space in the near future.
