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How to Explore Music on Public Radio
by Justin Sanders
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Overview
Where commercial radio receives the lion's share of its profits from advertisements, public radio is supported by a combination of individual donations, taxes, and funding from state and federal government. Public radio broadcasters are not beholden to the interests and target demographics of profit-seeking entities, allowing them to take risks with their programming and air material you can't hear elsewhere. As such, public radio is a wonderful resource for music enthusiasts looking for indie rock, electronica, world music, jazz, and all the other musical genres lurking outside the mainstream. Nowadays, most public radio outlets have moved into digital realms, broadening their listener bases considerably and allowing fans to listen in from all over the world.
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Step 1
Start with National Public Radio, the largest public radio syndicate in the United States, and one of the leaders in the dissemination sdof high-quality independent music. Most analog public radio stations (the kind you listen to on a radio and not your computer) devote at least a percentage of their lineup to NPR programs.
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Step 2
Find out what local station in your area is an NPR member station and tune in. All stations broadcasting NPR are independent, and programming will vary widely from city to city.
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Step 3
Visit www.npr.org/music if your local NPR affiliate doesn't play enough musical programs over the radio to satisfy you, or if you live outside the range of any affiliate. On NPR's website you can tailor your listening experience, hearing concerts and intimate studio sessions by some of the best artists of the day, streaming upcoming albums in their entirety, and downloading fascinating interviews and profiles with musical personalities on the fringe.
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Step 4
Try other Internet radio outlets if you tire of NPR, or wish to seek out forms of musical programming not covered by the organization. Commercial-free public radio of all kinds is available widely on the Internet, through streams, podcasts and downloads.
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Step 5
Visit sites like www.radiofreeworld.com and www.publicradiofan.com for directories of Internet-based public radio outlets and the programs they air. Most states have regional public radio directories online as well, which will help you find local music.
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Step 6
Investigate the colleges in your area for further public radio music options. Run by students, college radio tends to broadcast the most eclectic blend of music available on the airwaves, and even smaller schools generally have a station. It may have a weak signal, but the Web will let you listen to it from nearly anywhere.
