As I’ve talked about before in this space, I’ve been doing a monthly radio show on CKUT 90.3 FM in Montreal for the past few years. Free Kick is a free-form music show which has aired for many years,, and I’m honoured to be a contributor. This year, my appearance falls on the last day of the station’s funding drive. And so I hope that anyone who enjoys tuning in will consider contributing a few bucks.
In the media context, campus/community radio is considered a weird outlier or a quaint relic (when it’s considered at all). I’d like to propose, though, that it actually represents a solid, dependable block in a highly unstable media environment. Paradoxically, even as it’s a place of great variety and diversity — and a springboard for starting careers — it’s also a place where you can tune in to a trusted voice and know exactly what you’re getting. CKUT, like many similar stations, has DJs who have been on the air for 20 years or more.
I’m an “all of the above” type of consumer when it comes to music and media — I listen to commercial radio, public radio, podcasts and streaming services. So I’m not here to put any of those down, just to sing the praises of what’s special about CKUT and stations like it. One of the major differences is that community radio is supported by listeners; that’s where the community part comes in.
So tune in on Sunday March 26 from 11am-1pm EST at 90.3 FM in Montreal or ckut.ca wherever you are; I’ll be sharing the mic with regular host Clara-Swan to spin some tunes and raise some cash for the station. To sweeten the pot, I’ll also be offering some giveaways from artists like PACKS, Murray A. Lightburn, Charlotte Cornfield, Corpusse and Feist who’ve kindly donated some records and merch for the cause.
In WP news proper, I’m getting ready for my studio session in the spring; the new record will be one step closer to completion.
Hope you are all doing well, and hope to see you soon!
xo WP.
yeah Mal!!
Amazing work you're doing, keeping the community radio spirit alive. I loved having a regular dj slot on CKUT while studying at McGill ('88-91), and have so many stories revolving around the unusual folks connected to the channel. And I can't wait to hear your new music :-)