I’ve come to a very strong conclusion about mainstream radio: It caters to fans of oldies, pop and hip hop, but if you are looking for an artist that doesn’t fall into those genres, you’re probably out of luck. There was once a time when I would tune into local radio stations every day to listen to the songs I love; those days are now long gone. Now I am forced to look elsewhere for great tunes. Here is a look at why I’ve given up on mainstream radio, and what would need to happen for me to return.
Death of Philadelphia’s Y100
The radio station I listened to on a daily basis was Philadelphia’s Y100. This was an alternative rock radio station that aired songs that could be heard on other local stations. Y100 met its end in 2005, and I was left searching for another radio station to fill my need for great music. I first checked out the other local radio stations, but simply wasn’t satisfied. When I didn’t find what I needed, I relied mostly on my mp3 player.
The Glorification of Pop Music
There is nothing wrong with pop music, if that is your thing. In my case, pop music doesn’t register particularly high on my radar. For someone who is into the indie scene, it can be very difficult to find the music I want on mainstream radio. Instead, I have other resources in which I can find the best and the brightest new indie acts.
Depending on Other Sources for Great Music
Rather than turn on the radio, I depend on other sources for my music. I rely heavily on Blalock’s Indie Rock Playlist, Pandora and Spinner magazine, along with others. While it is unfortunate that mainstream radio seems to only focus on studio produced artists now, I refuse to give up on the music I love. Now, I just have to find my music elsewhere.
Not Going Back Unless…
I refuse to go back to listening to mainstream radio until they start featuring some of the amazing talent that is coming out of the indie music scene. Extraordinary artists like Laura Marling, Freelance Whales, Beach House and more. I feel like I have outgrown mainstream media, and I am actually pretty happy with finding my tunes elsewhere.
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How Pandora Won Over an iTunes Enthusiast
Online Resources for Indie Rock Fans
The Evolution of Lana Del Rey: Why Does She Sound So Different from Her Lizzie Grant Days?