Anyone who has visited Los Angeles and listened to the radio, while cruising around on and being stuck on any their incredible, congested freeways, has probably heard the radio station Indie 103. Indie 103 is probably the US's most renowned alternative rock stations.
It was exciting to hear many artists I know and appreciate that generally don't get radio airplay being played on FM radio. It was fun and refreshing to hear a few musicians as on-air personalities. Steve Jones, Henry Rollins & Dickie Barret, of the Might Mighty Bosstones to name a few have all hosted shows. This was just one of the things that made the station great.
I heard the news second hand but yesterday Indie 103 announced on air today that they where ending their FM broadcast “effective immediately” and instead would only exist on the Web.
The statement on their website stated,“Because of changes in the radio industry and the way radio audiences are measured, stations in this market are being forced to play too much Britney, Puffy and alternative music that is neither new nor cutting edge,” the station said in a statement on their Website and an audio blast that aired several times yesterday morning. “Due to these challenges, Indie 103.1 was recently faced with only one option: to play the corporate radio game. We have decided not to play that game any longer. Rather than changing the sound, spirit and soul of what has made Indie 103.1 great Indie 103.1 will bid farewell to the terrestrial airwaves and take an alternative course.”
By moving to the Internet, Indie 103 — which Rolling Stone named the nation’s best radio station — promises to recapture the spirit they had when they first hit the airwaves on December 25th, 2003, instead of “the version of Indie 103.1 we are removing from the broadcast airwaves.” Yesterday they played Frank Sinatra’s “My Way”; several hours later, Sid Vicious’ version blared from radio speakers.
Though the station said they’re going off air immediately, they’re still playing music now, including a pretty awesome block that included Lou Reed’s “Vicious” and Prince’s new “Wall of Berlin.” In fact, Indie 103 made nationwide news recently when Prince deemed the station worthy enough to preview his new songs. A countdown clock currently greets visitors to their Website, with roughly 29 days and 10 hours remaining until the “Indie Revolution” begins.
Another disappointing reminder about how the music industry is more about business than art and the radio industry pretty much the same.
It's not totally devastating for me because I rarely go to L.A.. So I listen on line anyway. Removing itself from the FM dial will probably mean that Indie 103 will probably sound better.
I'm glad they are still around. They are one of the best.
Now, truly Independent.
