Minnesota Public Radio's new radio service KCMP launched this morning January 24, 2005. Nicknamed "The Current," the station's format features an eclectic array of music, including local bands that may have received limited airplay on commercial and other Twin Cities public radio stations.
Some involved in the local music scene that focus may help boost the audiences for hometown bands.
[MUSIC PLAYING] BRANDT WILLIAMS: With that crescendo, host Craig Curtis signed off and signaled the beginning of something new to Minnesota Public Radio.
SPEAKER 1: It's 9 o'clock, and it's time to have some fun.
[ATMOSPHERE, "SHHH"]
(SINGING) OK
All right
BRANDT WILLIAMS: KCMP music director/host Thorn Skroch christened the new service with, "Shhh," an ode to Minnesota by local hip hop group Atmosphere.
(SINGING) I wanted to make a song about where I'm from
You know
Big up my hometown, my territory, my state
But I couldn't figure out much to brag about
Well, prince lives here
We got 10,000 lakes
But wait
BRANDT WILLIAMS: Program director Steve Nelson says the artists and song's subject matter made it a no brainer as a first song. Nelson also says the decision to feature songs and live, in-studio performances by local artists also wasn't hard to come by.
STEVE NELSON: I think it's really crucial for a town, especially a town like the Twin Cities, which has such a wonderful musical history, to have a station that supports local music throughout the day, every day.
BRANDT WILLIAMS: Nelson says the inclusion of hometown bands echoes Minnesota Public Radio's strategy with its classical service, which supports local classical music performers and venues.
STEVE NELSON: Look at our partnerships with, say, the Minnesota Orchestra. This is another way of doing that with new kinds of music.
BRANDT WILLIAMS: Of course, there are several well-known Minnesota musical acts that don't have a problem getting airplay anywhere, like Bob Dylan, Prince, and the Replacements. However, there are many more lesser known bands that deserve equal attention, says Chris Riemenschneider. Riemenschneider, a music critic for the Star Tribune, spent the morning listening to CMPs launch.
CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER: I just heard a track by the Owls back to back with one of the Jayhawks classic songs. So I mean that was pretty great to hear.
BRANDT WILLIAMS: Riemenschneider says he's hoping to hear more local music than he's heard so far, but he says he's been excited by some of the musical selections. Riemenschneider says there are plenty of radio-ready local bands that deserve the exposure, but he's not sure if airplay on KCMP will result in bigger audiences for local performances.
CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER: It's like a really hip, cutting edge indie movie that's been suddenly is in wide release to suburban theaters. Are people going to show up to the theaters? That's the big question.
BRANDT WILLIAMS: Some Twin Cities music venue owners and managers say they welcome more radio attention to local bands. Jeff Moritko runs Mayslacks in Northeast Minneapolis. He says the majority of the bands who play there are local.
SPEAKER 2: Yeah, a while back we had a partnership with KLBB when they were doing something like that. I don't know if you remember that. They were doing some their club crawl or something they called it, Friday nights they'd be to different venues. And they actually used to broadcast live from here. And they were dialed into a lot of the local artists, and that was really well received by the local musicians.
BRANDT WILLIAMS: Local music is also a staple on non-commercial Radio stations like KFAI and KUOM, and there are shows on commercial stations that feature homegrown talent. But Moritko says the more the merrier. He says on average, he gets about 200 to 300 people on Thursday, Friday. And Saturday nights. Moritko would like to maintain his numbers, especially in the wake of a Minneapolis smoking ban that will go into effect this spring. Moritko thinks the ban will hurt attendance, so any help they can get from radio exposure will be welcome.
SPEAKER 2: If you can't get your people into the club and you're-- a lot of the times, things are built on cover charges, it's going to be difficult.
BRANDT WILLIAMS: KCMP officials say they've been encouraged by the response they've received so far. Besides being able to raise enough funds to pay for itself, Steve Nelson says there are other ways to gauge the success of KCMP. For one, he'd like to see the station help local musicians get their due. Brandt Williams, Minnesota Public Radio.
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