A Brief History of Toronto’s Indie 88

n July 25, 2013 when Toronto-based radio station Indie88 went live upon the FM frequency and began playing Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” on loop, listeners could tell that the station meant business. Correct that – I’d venture to guess that listeners really didn’t know what the station meant.Soon enough, the picture would gain some clarity when on July 31 the Astley chain was broken, and Indie88 officially began its ‘soft launch’ with Arcade Fire’s “Ready to Start.” A symbolic choice, naturally, but not just because of the song title – let’s think of the band behind it.

Arcade Fire is one of those polarizing bands that have deep indie roots, but at the same time win big-time awards; sell a bunch of albums; and fill arenas. Some indie circles hold them in high regard for where they came from and what they do, while others would argue – based on whatever evidence makes sense to them – that the band is notindie. This is the same uphill battle being fought by Indie88.

On a weekly, daily, hourly, minutely, secondly basis, those at Indie88 are doing their best to cater to a market that, in the opinion of station Guidance Counsellor and renowned Canadian radio stalwart Alan Cross, has been “underserved in certain segments,” especially music with the indie spirit.

When Riffyou.com spoke with Cross, as well as Indie88 Program Director Adam Thompson, both agreed that classifying indie in a way that appeases everyone isn’t an easy feat.