Indie Radio Gets a Booster

In the face of rampant homogenization of radio air waves–business as usual for nearly two decades now–the Free Yr Radio campaign’s second annual tour is set to kick off next month to promote a handful of independent radio stations across the country.

In the face of rampant homogenization of radio air waves–business as usual for nearly two decades now–the Free Yr Radio campaign’s second annual tour is set to kick off next month to promote a handful of independent radio stations across the country. 

Boasting such bands as Mudhoney, No Age, Yeasayer and !!!, who will offer free in-store performances at Urban Outfitter locations, confirmed dates for the tour thus far begins with a foray to Boston in support of WERS 88.9 FM, the award-winning, non-profit station affiliated with Emerson College. From there, the tour will head west to Columbus, Ohio, for a mid-June show in support of Ohio-FM, then on to Seattle, benefiting KEXP, before heading back north to Minnesota for a Twin Cities concert, put on with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, to promote Minneapolis-based news program The Current. Princeton‘s WPRB, WVUM of Miami, KRCL in Salt Lake City and KUSF of San Francisco are also on the bill, as well as two additional stations likely to be added to the line-up in the coming weeks. Austin‘s KVRX to launch the festivities, and they’re working with WVKR of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., for the upcoming CMJ Music Marathon in October.

At last month’s South-by-Southwest, Free Yr Radio collaborated with

Tour rep. Corey Anderson said the partner stations raised about $1 million for independent radio, but that the tour allows each station to decide its own method of fundraising. “The truth is,” he said, “Free Yr Radio simply gives our partner stations the tools to generate awareness or to raise money, and it’s up to each station to utilize those tools to their benefit.”

To cap off the music marathon, Free Yr Radio will release a benefit compilation CD of live performances from the summer trek, the profits of which will be divided among the tour’s benefit stations. Last year’s compilation included indie picks Dinosaur Jr., Grizzly Bear, Man Man and Sonic Youth, with trip-hop/underground rap outfits Dntel and El-P.