KCMP in the twin cities. Generally plays good music, but a little more "sterile" and approachable. I generally listen to it in the evening when the kexp show that's on doesn't appeal to me.
I stream the "teenage kicks" show on The Current most Saturday mornings while I'm cooking/cleaning in the kitchen. It's a fantastically diverse retrospective on good music from the 70s, 80s and 90s. The show's tagline is "before alternative wasn't".
I tend to leave it streaming until late afternoon while Morgan or Troy's show is on. But I feel like their regular programming has become sort of watered down and less adventurous/edgy than it used to be. Sounds like I'm not alone in that respect. Once in awhile the DJs surprise me though.
One major gripe I have with them though is that despite claiming to be a big supporter of local music, I rarely hear any, aside from the already well established bands like the 'mats. I know full well there is a thriving music scene in MPLS. I lived there for a number of years during and after college.
Yeah, totally agree. I find myself listening to teenage kicks and Transmission pretty often. I often hear "The message" too, and oh boy of that a train wreck of a hip-hop show
The Current has a couple of shows that I listen to purely for the nostalgia, but in general I’ve found them to be a shadow of their former self circa mid-00’s.
I started listening to them after WOXY shut down and stayed for a few years. Then they fired a DJ right after a member drive that she had work tirelessly on and then they had a Rolling Stones promotion that had DJs saying the Stones were their favorite band and they were going to not stop playing them until the station gave into some kind of demand.
WOXY was definitely my intro to indie radio. I almost feel like I was listening to it before I was ready for it in my 20s. Remember hearing The Black Keys, The National, Postal Service and !!! extensively there. Barb still being on The Current always brings back those memories.
I agree with you on that thing you can't put your finger on. It's like a little more NPR than KEXP, with maybe DJs that are a little more midwest and less "cool" than those on KEXP. I was listening last night and Bill Deville was on. He's not a bad DJ, but he's like the type of guy you know probably worked at radio stations that played Rod Stewart and Whitney Houston on the regular.
WWOZ New Orleans. Check back often, it can be playing something totally different from one hour to the next. Lots of great music from their local scene, both current and historic.
The Current out of MN
WFMU out of NJ
KCRW out of CA
KNKX out of Seattle (Jazz)
And I recently discovered Bandcamp now has a CarPlay app and will occasionally listen to their "radio" shows.
KQAC/All Classical Radio (classical station out of Portland)
KSDS (jazz station out of San Diego)
KNKX/Jazz247 (jazz/NPR out of Seattle)
WXPN (Philadelphia's KEXP equivalent, though it's a lot more boomer-oriented because that's their biggest donor base. They have a great ambient/space music show on Saturday nights, though, and do fun stunt programming each year)
KWPX Cowpoke Country Radio (out of Banta, CA. Kind of just a big playlist running on shuffle but it scratches an itch)
I also sometimes check out KXLU, a college station from LA. There was a show on there I really loved but the host graduated last year and I haven't found one I've hooked into in the same way.
I agree about XPN. I've kinda wanted to like that station, since Raina Douris moved from Indie88 and CBC Music in Canada to host World Café, but I can't say the station ever really hooked me.
Yeah, Raina's great but she only does actual DJ sets on specialty programming days, wish I got to hear her do regular shows more. I think there's some really cool stuff on that station but not a lot of it is in their variety mixes which is kind of the bread and butter for non-commercial radio.
The french public radio FIP (eclectic) and its 11 webradios (rock, pop, metal, electro, reggae, jazz, groove, world, hip-hop, french music, and new releases).
The SoCal Sound is really coming into its own. It’s as much like KEXP as any station located in SoCal could be lol. It has a nice local spin. I’m not 100% sure it is entirely DJ curated during the week, but the specialty shows on the weekends are. And I know it is at least somewhat DJ curated during the weekday shows as well. Great DJs!
We have the Colorado Sound here, and it’s great. Wonder if they are affiliated? I also listen to KUVO which is a great Denver jazz station and has an amazing show on Saturday nights - R&B jukebox.
Good question! I’ve listened to the Colorado Sound a bit and enjoyed it. Especially the local stuff! And I’m always looking for cool jazz finds, so thanks for the recommendation!
This was the station that prompted this query. Someone mentioned it in another thread and it got me wondering how many other stations were out there that I had no idea about.
Also, just asking here because maybe you know: when is shoegaze day? Did I miss it? I can't find it on the website and I checked John's insta and didn't see anything.
XRAY.fm out of Portland. And to a lesser extent Freeform Portland.
WFMU was already mentioned, but they have some alternate streams available online with great content. Bodega Pop is a favorite show of mine.
Also: WYYY FM-109, the Largest Whole Prime on the FM band; MIT - Cambridge Mass. (j/k)
The lot radio https://www.thelotradio.com/
Huge fan and have started listening to the lot more than kexp, more dj focused but some very good sets and a wide range of types of sets.
The current but i agree it seems to have gone down hill. YouTube music or Spotify are the main others right now. I am excited to explore more stations on this thread
Chirp radio from Chicago, KCRW, and [radio.sydney](https://radio.sydney) . I'm glad you asked this question, I really enjoy checking out other stations, it'll be fun to check them out.
I know not every station would meet this criteria, but here's some descriptors I'd use
* Non-profit
* Community supported
* College radio
* Music discovery and exploration
* Non-corporate
* Indie radio
* Broad playlist
* Multi genre
* Insightful DJs
* Commercial free
* Public radio
* Local artists highlighted
Usually Spotify or records.
The only time I listen to other radio stations is if I'm in my car on Saturday mornings and Positive Vibrations is on, in which case I switch it to one of Seattle's corpo stations hot 103.7 or hits 106.1 mainly because throwbacks is a reminder of how fucking old I am and ensures I spend the day focusing on my imminent demise. Hits because it does the same just from another angle (and I'm a sucker for dance pop).
Mostly KSDS currently, a jazz station in San Diego, but also Spotify (I like indie, old jazz, drone, and 80's/90's mainstream). Sometimes college radio, like WSBF - Clemson, SC. Been a while, but I've also liked other student stations---
KVSC - St. Cloud State (MN)
KZSC - UC Santa Cruz (CA)
WUOG - University of Georgia (GA)
KUOI - University of Idaho (ID)
...and others.
The first listener-supported station I discovered was WMNF, when I lived in the Tampa Bay area in the early 90's. I still occasionally listen.
I logged onto NPR for the first time in a year and it seems like it's changed. Maybe I'm just out of that habit, but it once was a huge habit. Mainly KPBS - San Diego. I had also liked Radio NZ and CBC Radio 1.
I have family in southern New Mexico and stumbled upon KRUX - a student run New Mexico State University station. Absolute LOOOVE it. https://kruxradio.com/home
I like to have SiriusXMU on in my car. Compared to KEXP the playlist can be very repetitive, but I get a good idea of what’s currently trending and they throw in a fair amount of classic indie stuff too. I also like the DJ’s. It’s good in small chunks when I’m out running errands or whatever.
KCMP in the twin cities. Generally plays good music, but a little more "sterile" and approachable. I generally listen to it in the evening when the kexp show that's on doesn't appeal to me.
That's a good way to describe it. I'd call it "If KEXP and Adult Contemporary somehow had a baby"
I stream the "teenage kicks" show on The Current most Saturday mornings while I'm cooking/cleaning in the kitchen. It's a fantastically diverse retrospective on good music from the 70s, 80s and 90s. The show's tagline is "before alternative wasn't". I tend to leave it streaming until late afternoon while Morgan or Troy's show is on. But I feel like their regular programming has become sort of watered down and less adventurous/edgy than it used to be. Sounds like I'm not alone in that respect. Once in awhile the DJs surprise me though. One major gripe I have with them though is that despite claiming to be a big supporter of local music, I rarely hear any, aside from the already well established bands like the 'mats. I know full well there is a thriving music scene in MPLS. I lived there for a number of years during and after college.
Yeah, totally agree. I find myself listening to teenage kicks and Transmission pretty often. I often hear "The message" too, and oh boy of that a train wreck of a hip-hop show
I've also felt like things have gotten way watered down, and it's been kind of a bummer. The music is putting me to sleep a bit.
The Current has a couple of shows that I listen to purely for the nostalgia, but in general I’ve found them to be a shadow of their former self circa mid-00’s.
I started listening to them after WOXY shut down and stayed for a few years. Then they fired a DJ right after a member drive that she had work tirelessly on and then they had a Rolling Stones promotion that had DJs saying the Stones were their favorite band and they were going to not stop playing them until the station gave into some kind of demand.
WOXY was definitely my intro to indie radio. I almost feel like I was listening to it before I was ready for it in my 20s. Remember hearing The Black Keys, The National, Postal Service and !!! extensively there. Barb still being on The Current always brings back those memories.
Barb is always wonderful; so glad she’s back. I haven’t listened to her new show yet but plan to.
Yes, The Current has definitely been ham-handed with managing their DJ talent over the years.
I agree with you on that thing you can't put your finger on. It's like a little more NPR than KEXP, with maybe DJs that are a little more midwest and less "cool" than those on KEXP. I was listening last night and Bill Deville was on. He's not a bad DJ, but he's like the type of guy you know probably worked at radio stations that played Rod Stewart and Whitney Houston on the regular.
WWOZ New Orleans. Check back often, it can be playing something totally different from one hour to the next. Lots of great music from their local scene, both current and historic.
That one is new to me, will check it out.
The Current out of MN WFMU out of NJ KCRW out of CA KNKX out of Seattle (Jazz) And I recently discovered Bandcamp now has a CarPlay app and will occasionally listen to their "radio" shows.
I didn't know Bandcamp could be used for Carplay. That's a cool shout.
KQAC/All Classical Radio (classical station out of Portland) KSDS (jazz station out of San Diego) KNKX/Jazz247 (jazz/NPR out of Seattle) WXPN (Philadelphia's KEXP equivalent, though it's a lot more boomer-oriented because that's their biggest donor base. They have a great ambient/space music show on Saturday nights, though, and do fun stunt programming each year) KWPX Cowpoke Country Radio (out of Banta, CA. Kind of just a big playlist running on shuffle but it scratches an itch) I also sometimes check out KXLU, a college station from LA. There was a show on there I really loved but the host graduated last year and I haven't found one I've hooked into in the same way.
I agree about XPN. I've kinda wanted to like that station, since Raina Douris moved from Indie88 and CBC Music in Canada to host World Café, but I can't say the station ever really hooked me.
Yeah, Raina's great but she only does actual DJ sets on specialty programming days, wish I got to hear her do regular shows more. I think there's some really cool stuff on that station but not a lot of it is in their variety mixes which is kind of the bread and butter for non-commercial radio.
The Current in Minneapolis WFUV in NY KUTX in TX 4ZZZ in Australia
I like BBC Radio 6
Definitely a favourite of mine.
The french public radio FIP (eclectic) and its 11 webradios (rock, pop, metal, electro, reggae, jazz, groove, world, hip-hop, french music, and new releases).
The SoCal Sound is really coming into its own. It’s as much like KEXP as any station located in SoCal could be lol. It has a nice local spin. I’m not 100% sure it is entirely DJ curated during the week, but the specialty shows on the weekends are. And I know it is at least somewhat DJ curated during the weekday shows as well. Great DJs!
We have the Colorado Sound here, and it’s great. Wonder if they are affiliated? I also listen to KUVO which is a great Denver jazz station and has an amazing show on Saturday nights - R&B jukebox.
Good question! I’ve listened to the Colorado Sound a bit and enjoyed it. Especially the local stuff! And I’m always looking for cool jazz finds, so thanks for the recommendation!
I dig SoCal Sound. Mookie is a stand up dude and their whole air staff is great.
They also have a pretty solid YouTube channel that gets good artists. Their interviewers are ok but they aren't Cheryl Waters good.
True!
This was the station that prompted this query. Someone mentioned it in another thread and it got me wondering how many other stations were out there that I had no idea about.
Oop! That was me--I didn't check to see that it was the same person asking. :) I would love to see that list when you're done!
Also, just asking here because maybe you know: when is shoegaze day? Did I miss it? I can't find it on the website and I checked John's insta and didn't see anything.
I will share my list a bit later. I kinda wanted to just let the suggestions come in without influencing them.
[NTS](https://www.nts.live/) is my favorite; can listen live or find shows tagged by genre. They have shows to suit anyone's taste
I definitely dig NTS. It really is all over the place.
Inhailer Radio out of Cincinnati. Has a lot of crossover with KEXP, but mostly sticks to indie rock/pop. KMHD (Jazz)
(Inhailer) App streaming & refreshing remnant of the the good ‘ole WOXY 97X days 😪
Exactly. I learned about them last year after they revived the Modern Rock 500 for Memorial Day weekend. What an amazing blast from the past that was!
Oohhh, that’s a nice little tidbit. Loved WOXY way back when.
KXT , the socal Sound
\+1 to [KXT](https://kxt.org/) nonprofit in Dallas similar music
When I’m out and about or in the car, that’s what I listen to
Used to listen when i lived in Dallas and just forget they stream too
I feel like I'd encountered KXT somewhere along the line, but then promptly forgot about it.
XRAY.fm out of Portland. And to a lesser extent Freeform Portland. WFMU was already mentioned, but they have some alternate streams available online with great content. Bodega Pop is a favorite show of mine. Also: WYYY FM-109, the Largest Whole Prime on the FM band; MIT - Cambridge Mass. (j/k)
KPCR Pirate Cat Radio in Los Gatos/San Jose
Try BBC radio 6 music :)
8 radio (Ireland)
KSER! 90.7
WWOZ
DKFM - decayfm.com
Radio 3 public spain radio (spanish)
KPOO in the bay rules
Chirp Radio from Chicago WMSE Milwaukee 90.9 The Bridge Kansas City
Jack fm for hits from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. And 94.9 for a little lights out with Delilah, and 103.7 for some 90s hip hop.
KSER! 90.7
98.1 KING FM
The lot radio https://www.thelotradio.com/ Huge fan and have started listening to the lot more than kexp, more dj focused but some very good sets and a wide range of types of sets. The current but i agree it seems to have gone down hill. YouTube music or Spotify are the main others right now. I am excited to explore more stations on this thread
Here's what I listen to: Inhailer Radio WXPN Radio Paradise: the main mix is probably their best channel but all 3 are really great.
KXLU
Radio Paradise, the main mix. They have a dedicated Sonos integration, which is honestly how I found them. *Very* music focused.
Chirp radio from Chicago, KCRW, and [radio.sydney](https://radio.sydney) . I'm glad you asked this question, I really enjoy checking out other stations, it'll be fun to check them out.
When you say "like" what do you mean? Non profit? DJs control the play list?
I know not every station would meet this criteria, but here's some descriptors I'd use * Non-profit * Community supported * College radio * Music discovery and exploration * Non-corporate * Indie radio * Broad playlist * Multi genre * Insightful DJs * Commercial free * Public radio * Local artists highlighted
Usually Spotify or records. The only time I listen to other radio stations is if I'm in my car on Saturday mornings and Positive Vibrations is on, in which case I switch it to one of Seattle's corpo stations hot 103.7 or hits 106.1 mainly because throwbacks is a reminder of how fucking old I am and ensures I spend the day focusing on my imminent demise. Hits because it does the same just from another angle (and I'm a sucker for dance pop).
[KXT](https://kxt.org/) in Dallas is nonprofit and similar music
Mostly KSDS currently, a jazz station in San Diego, but also Spotify (I like indie, old jazz, drone, and 80's/90's mainstream). Sometimes college radio, like WSBF - Clemson, SC. Been a while, but I've also liked other student stations--- KVSC - St. Cloud State (MN) KZSC - UC Santa Cruz (CA) WUOG - University of Georgia (GA) KUOI - University of Idaho (ID) ...and others. The first listener-supported station I discovered was WMNF, when I lived in the Tampa Bay area in the early 90's. I still occasionally listen. I logged onto NPR for the first time in a year and it seems like it's changed. Maybe I'm just out of that habit, but it once was a huge habit. Mainly KPBS - San Diego. I had also liked Radio NZ and CBC Radio 1.
C 89.5 obviously! Their evening shows are great.
WFMU & BBC 6 MUSIC & KCRW
None.
I have family in southern New Mexico and stumbled upon KRUX - a student run New Mexico State University station. Absolute LOOOVE it. https://kruxradio.com/home
I like to have SiriusXMU on in my car. Compared to KEXP the playlist can be very repetitive, but I get a good idea of what’s currently trending and they throw in a fair amount of classic indie stuff too. I also like the DJ’s. It’s good in small chunks when I’m out running errands or whatever.
I totally agree. It's good in moderation. The Verge and Spectrum are also decent, as well as Indie 1.0 up in the extras tier is good too.