Radio performs a surprise attack

I have no faith in Clear Channel. Let’s get that straight. Small, independent radio stations with knowledgeable, quirky DJs have been replaced by formulas and repetition. Radio is commercial real estate for big business. Indie 101.5 broke the mold last year, quietly playing edgier, lesser-known tracks from big time indie alternative artists and genre staples alike. Still, there seemed to be something formulaic about the whole enterprise. Indie is not as dangerous as it once was, and is now very commercially viable. While I was excited about the station, it never felt like what I had hoped it could.

Then a strange thing happened. Two weeks ago I was minding my own business while closing down the bar where I work. The night manager had absent-mindedly left the radio tuned to KTCL and the same standard angst-ridden, below-average punk nonsense was flying out of the speakers when the clock struck eleven. My mind was slow to understand or even comprehend what was happening at first. I thought that perhaps the manager had put in some obscure mix tape made by one of the cooks with an ear for good music. Certainly they could not be playing music this interesting on the radio. Then a commercial came on over the speakers and I was, to say the least, very intrigued. When the show returned Ralphie announced that we were listening to a new show on KTCL called mix tape Thursday. 

Let me assure you that I am qualified to tell you what I think of this new venture. In college I amassed a collection of scholarly research papers with the common unifying theme of hip hop. In folklore I studied the four major aspects (breakers, djs, mcs, and graf artists.) In linguistics I studied the descriptive nature of hip-hop as it pertained to the development of our language as a whole. In philosophy I wrote about the struggle of the disenfranchised as it pertained to the music they created. I did all of this because I love hip-hop culture. I have immersed myself in the intricacies of the word play and I have lost myself in the sheer power of the beats. Let me tell you as a fan of horror rap, mainstream, old school, literary, backpacker, east coast, west coast and everything in between…this show is legit.

Imagine it’s the early 90’s and hip-hop is still climbing the charts. Mix tapes are sprouting up and tracks are being played on indie stations in a few big cities. You and four friends are just relaxing on a Friday night before the clubs start to call your name. Your favorite local DJ comes on and announces he has a new mix tape to play.

The whole KTCL experience is not only that authentic; it feels even more special because it is so unexpected and refreshing in the midst of the supremely predictable rotation of corporate radio. I highly recommend you tune in each and every Thursday at 11:00 p.m. so you can find out for yourself.

Last night’s track listing:
Set 1
1. So Good (Live From The Bar) - Statik Selektah ft Naledge (Kids In The Hall), REKS, CL Smooth
2. Take You There - Pete Rock & CL SMOOTH
3. Trippin Out - Curtis Mayfield (sample)
4. Black Nostaljack - Camp Lo

Set 2
1. Back Again - Reflection Eternal
2. What We Do - Tanya Morgan Ft. Trackademicks (NEW ALBUM TANYA MORGAN "BROOKLYNATI")
3. Make Sure - Lupe Fiasco
4. T Plays it Cool - Marvin Gaye (sample)
5. Poke Her Face - Kid CUDI ft. Common, Kanye West, DJ A-Trak

Set 3.
1. Internet Connection - Reflection Eternal
2. Intimate Connection - KLEEER (Sample)
3. Tonight - DJ Quik
4. Help Is On The Way - Whatnauts
5. Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey) - De La Soul
6. Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey) - De La Soul Mixtape Flute Edition

Set 4.
1. Skew It on The Barbie (A-Trak Remix) - Outkast
2. Elektrik Heat - K-Os
3. Where are they now - Nas
4. Turn Off The Radio (Hai Karate Remix) - Dead Prez
5. Party - Devin The Dude ft. KB & Man Child