The Sound of Silence: Saving Internet Radio, and My Fave Internet Radio Stations
It seems today that we are on a threshold of decisions to be made concerning digital technology, the internet, and its place in our modern world. One of the most exciting aspects of this-that we are constantly charting new waters and forging new paths-is also the scariest, because it is the choices we pioneers make now regarding those paths that will gravely affect us and future generations. We can't afford to stumble progress at the starting gate. Unfortunately, for many people change equals fear; this is especially true for those behemoths who have long ago set their paths on the status quo, and fear that changing course now will leave them with nothing. Sadly these powerhouses tend to dig in their heels at change, causing those of us pliable to new paths to suffer. There is a brave new world awating us, and they would have us shut the blinds and pretend it doesn't exist. I know I am rambling and mixing metaphors here, but I am truly anxious for how the future of radio, movies, television, and all the other artistic venues I desperately love will be affected by this fight between progess and regress.
But today's battle in this long war deals with the glorious venue of internet and digital radio. Today, hundreds if not thousands of online stations are silent, in order to draw attention to a bill making its way through our legislative system. Instead of playing music today, they are asking all of us to call our representatives and ask for their support on the Internet Radio Equality Act. This act will protect independent and niche online radio stations from having to pay ridiculous fees and royalties for playing music, while the regular broadband radio stations get away with no similar fees. Those extra royalties and fees will cripple online radio, forcing most stations to shut down instead of forcing their listeners to pay to make up the costs; this in turn will silence the diverse, unique, and revlutionary music that online radio currently plays.
Guess who imposed these new sacntions on online radio in the first place? Yup, the recording industry. I for one think it's ludicrous to gouge online radio, simply because the RIAA is afraid of it, and hasn't figured out how beneficial online radio has been to getting new and groundbreaking music out there. They are messing with the future of how people hear and discover new music, and I for one and sick and tired of the RIAA directing the modern evolution of music in such a narrow-minded, spiteful fashion. They are a broken machine, and it's time they figured out to heal themselves, instead of having the government nurse their wounds and delusions.
What can those of us who listen and love internet radio do? Simple; call your senator and congressperson and tell them to support S. 1353 (in the senate) and H.R. 2060 (in the House.) Our representatives will have a chance to vote on whether to protect internet radio or not, and we need to let them know that this is a cause worth sponsoring. SaveNetRadio.org has a link here, where you type in your zip code and it gives you all the contact numbers you need to start calling. You just call the number, wait for someone to answer, and tell them to support the internet Radio Equality Act (I gave them the bill numbers too.) That's all! You can go off on how important this bill is, if you want, but that's not necessary.
And don't say it doesn't matter, no one will pick up or care. When I interned in DC after college, I roomed at GWU with a bunch of other interns. More than half of the guys I hung out with were aids to senators and congressman, and one of their vital jobs was to answer/read every phone call, e-mail or letter from a constituent, and get that information back to their boss so they would know how their costituents wanted them to vote. In spite of much of our government being royally screwed up, one of its bright spots is that you CAN talk to a representative and know your voice has been heard. They WILL hear you, and if they hear enough of you saying the same thing, it just might sway them into changing their vote and thus changing history. And this is too important and historic of a bill to just sit back and hope they vote the way you want.
In honor of the occasion, I am going to list my five fave internet radio stations. Listen, love, and let them persuade you that saving them is indeed a noble cause. All of them can be found on iTunes or through the links provided. There are other good ones like Pandora and such, but these are the stations I'm always listening to.
1. Virgin Xtreme
A spinoff of sorts from Virgin Radio, this is the place I go to to hear the newest hard rock and alternative music from Britain. It has a harder edge than Virgin Radio-its classic tracks feature the Pixies and Placebo instead of the Rolling Stones and Bowie. Always a fun time.
2. Radio Paradise
One of my coworkers introduced me to this station, and ow it's one of my faves. Truly the most eclectic station around; alternative mixes with bluegrass, jazz, world and classical in a tasty and delightful concoction. Some of my fave new music I heard here first.
3. Virgin Radio UK
One of my first internet radio loves. This is where I first heard Snow Patrol, Keane, and Gnarls Barkley MONTHS before the American stations even knew they existed. And lots of Beatles and other good classic tunes. In short, a perfect radio station for work that won't put me to sleep.
4. X96
A local alternative/hard rock station that is simply fantastic. And I actually think the morning show, Radio From Hell (RFH) is pretty funny. You can hear the station online, and get RFH via podcast at iTunes or a blog.
5. WOXY
WOXY is really good, and has several spinoffs, including a Christmas station that puts you in the holiday spirit without making you gag.
There you go, lots of radio fun. We have until about the 15th or next month to get the word out, and after that internet radio might cease to exist as we know it. Unless, of course, we do something. I am one of the laziest people when it comes to grassroots stuff, so the fact I am even posting this is a minor miracle. But as I've said above, this is a battle that deserves our support. Let's hope that next month we have something to celebrate, no?
But today's battle in this long war deals with the glorious venue of internet and digital radio. Today, hundreds if not thousands of online stations are silent, in order to draw attention to a bill making its way through our legislative system. Instead of playing music today, they are asking all of us to call our representatives and ask for their support on the Internet Radio Equality Act. This act will protect independent and niche online radio stations from having to pay ridiculous fees and royalties for playing music, while the regular broadband radio stations get away with no similar fees. Those extra royalties and fees will cripple online radio, forcing most stations to shut down instead of forcing their listeners to pay to make up the costs; this in turn will silence the diverse, unique, and revlutionary music that online radio currently plays.
Guess who imposed these new sacntions on online radio in the first place? Yup, the recording industry. I for one think it's ludicrous to gouge online radio, simply because the RIAA is afraid of it, and hasn't figured out how beneficial online radio has been to getting new and groundbreaking music out there. They are messing with the future of how people hear and discover new music, and I for one and sick and tired of the RIAA directing the modern evolution of music in such a narrow-minded, spiteful fashion. They are a broken machine, and it's time they figured out to heal themselves, instead of having the government nurse their wounds and delusions.
What can those of us who listen and love internet radio do? Simple; call your senator and congressperson and tell them to support S. 1353 (in the senate) and H.R. 2060 (in the House.) Our representatives will have a chance to vote on whether to protect internet radio or not, and we need to let them know that this is a cause worth sponsoring. SaveNetRadio.org has a link here, where you type in your zip code and it gives you all the contact numbers you need to start calling. You just call the number, wait for someone to answer, and tell them to support the internet Radio Equality Act (I gave them the bill numbers too.) That's all! You can go off on how important this bill is, if you want, but that's not necessary.
And don't say it doesn't matter, no one will pick up or care. When I interned in DC after college, I roomed at GWU with a bunch of other interns. More than half of the guys I hung out with were aids to senators and congressman, and one of their vital jobs was to answer/read every phone call, e-mail or letter from a constituent, and get that information back to their boss so they would know how their costituents wanted them to vote. In spite of much of our government being royally screwed up, one of its bright spots is that you CAN talk to a representative and know your voice has been heard. They WILL hear you, and if they hear enough of you saying the same thing, it just might sway them into changing their vote and thus changing history. And this is too important and historic of a bill to just sit back and hope they vote the way you want.
In honor of the occasion, I am going to list my five fave internet radio stations. Listen, love, and let them persuade you that saving them is indeed a noble cause. All of them can be found on iTunes or through the links provided. There are other good ones like Pandora and such, but these are the stations I'm always listening to.
1. Virgin Xtreme
A spinoff of sorts from Virgin Radio, this is the place I go to to hear the newest hard rock and alternative music from Britain. It has a harder edge than Virgin Radio-its classic tracks feature the Pixies and Placebo instead of the Rolling Stones and Bowie. Always a fun time.
2. Radio Paradise
One of my coworkers introduced me to this station, and ow it's one of my faves. Truly the most eclectic station around; alternative mixes with bluegrass, jazz, world and classical in a tasty and delightful concoction. Some of my fave new music I heard here first.
3. Virgin Radio UK
One of my first internet radio loves. This is where I first heard Snow Patrol, Keane, and Gnarls Barkley MONTHS before the American stations even knew they existed. And lots of Beatles and other good classic tunes. In short, a perfect radio station for work that won't put me to sleep.
4. X96
A local alternative/hard rock station that is simply fantastic. And I actually think the morning show, Radio From Hell (RFH) is pretty funny. You can hear the station online, and get RFH via podcast at iTunes or a blog.
5. WOXY
WOXY is really good, and has several spinoffs, including a Christmas station that puts you in the holiday spirit without making you gag.
There you go, lots of radio fun. We have until about the 15th or next month to get the word out, and after that internet radio might cease to exist as we know it. Unless, of course, we do something. I am one of the laziest people when it comes to grassroots stuff, so the fact I am even posting this is a minor miracle. But as I've said above, this is a battle that deserves our support. Let's hope that next month we have something to celebrate, no?