Radio stations focus on local bands
Area radio stations reach out to local bands and groups
Lou Emory
Issue date: 10/25/06 Section: Arts & Entertainment
- Page 1 of 3 next >
Start tuning into local radio stations to hear the promising sounds of the Capital Region. For any band, hearing their song on the radio is a stepping-stone in the giant process of getting signed to a music label and living the dream. One way local bands get heard is by circulating their CDs to local radio stations.
"Unfortunately, most of the radio stations won't play locals, and when they do it's at the most obscure hours of the night," said Matthew Elia, a saxophonist and senior at The College of Saint Rose.
Currently, there are four different channels where local bands can get their music played on air: WRPI 91.5 FM, WEQX 102.7 FM, WHRL 103.1 FM, and WZMR 104.9 FM. Each channel has its own procedures and guidelines for local bands to follow when submitting their CDs. Aspiring artists can find these procedures and guidelines by visiting the station websites.
While many bands are rising in the Albany music scene, only a few are in Gino D'Addario's position. If a listener calls in and asks for a local band's song, he makes sure their request is played that night or during the next weeks' show.
"The radio show is going pretty well so far; it's still in its infancy and I'm still learning a lot about local musicians," said D'Addario. "Believe it or not, Myspace has been a great help. I've found five bands in the past month or so, and have put them all on the air. Most bands are thrilled at the idea of being heard on a weekly show, and I'm happy to be the guy to make it happen."
Channel 102.7 FM's local show, "EQX Posure," is hosted by Jason Irwin and airs on Sundays from 7-8 p.m. Irwin plays local and regional acts on the show, as well as some interviews, but mostly sticks to playing local bands and getting their music out there.
Elia and Jason Bonafide play for Public Access, and have been featured on a number of local stations.
"Everybody else does like 15-30 minutes with one band, which is cool. The "EQX" show is the only one that plays a lot of bands [for] over an hour. It's not as in-depth, but they treat it more like their normal programming," said Bonafide, a senior at The College of Saint Rose.
"Unfortunately, most of the radio stations won't play locals, and when they do it's at the most obscure hours of the night," said Matthew Elia, a saxophonist and senior at The College of Saint Rose.
Currently, there are four different channels where local bands can get their music played on air: WRPI 91.5 FM, WEQX 102.7 FM, WHRL 103.1 FM, and WZMR 104.9 FM. Each channel has its own procedures and guidelines for local bands to follow when submitting their CDs. Aspiring artists can find these procedures and guidelines by visiting the station websites.
While many bands are rising in the Albany music scene, only a few are in Gino D'Addario's position. If a listener calls in and asks for a local band's song, he makes sure their request is played that night or during the next weeks' show.
"The radio show is going pretty well so far; it's still in its infancy and I'm still learning a lot about local musicians," said D'Addario. "Believe it or not, Myspace has been a great help. I've found five bands in the past month or so, and have put them all on the air. Most bands are thrilled at the idea of being heard on a weekly show, and I'm happy to be the guy to make it happen."
Channel 102.7 FM's local show, "EQX Posure," is hosted by Jason Irwin and airs on Sundays from 7-8 p.m. Irwin plays local and regional acts on the show, as well as some interviews, but mostly sticks to playing local bands and getting their music out there.
Elia and Jason Bonafide play for Public Access, and have been featured on a number of local stations.
"Everybody else does like 15-30 minutes with one band, which is cool. The "EQX" show is the only one that plays a lot of bands [for] over an hour. It's not as in-depth, but they treat it more like their normal programming," said Bonafide, a senior at The College of Saint Rose.
Be the first to comment on this story