Indie 88 Toronto: The Rickroll Ends and the Real Business of Music Starts
At 12noon today, the week-long Rick Astley marathon ended and Indie 88 got serious. It sounded like this.
While the station will still be in a testing phase for the next couple of weeks (it’s all about transmitter patterns, burning in studio gear and sorting out various technical issue), what you hear now at 88.1 Mhz in Toronto and at www.indie88.com is pretty much what you can expect.
Over the next month or so, a number of special guests will be dropping in to play their favourite music. Some will be recorded and others will do their thing live. Best follow @indie88Toronto on Twitter to keep up to date
And here’s the answer to a future trivia question: What was the music played in the first hour of Indie 88’s life as a radio station?
Arcade Fire – Ready to Start
MGMT – Electric Feel
July Talk – Paper Girl
Pixies – Where Is My Mind?
Broken Social Scene – 7/4 (Shoreline)
Broken Bells – The High Road
Spoon – I Turn My Camera On
Yeah Yeah Yeah’s – Sacrilege
Cage the Elephant – Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked
Clash – Rock the Casbah
Hannah Georgas – Robotic
Atlas Genius – Trojans
Johnny Cash – Hurt
Austra – Lost It
White Stripes – We’re Going to be Friends
Talking Heads – Once in a Lifetime
New Pornographers – Moves
If you’re intriged, good. And if you’re around tomorrow at 4pm ET, tune in. I have something for you.
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The Globe and Mail has this story on Indie 88. Love the headline.
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Cool MetaFilter find from Rupinder on Indie 88
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Here’s the offiical press release from the station on the occasion of its launch:
Indie88 Hits Toronto Airwaves
TORONTO, ON (Wednesday July 31, 2013) – At noon today, Central Ontario Broadcasting launched its newest radio station, Indie88. After “Rick–Rolling” the city of Toronto, playing only Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” to test the transmitter, Indie88 launched on-air with Arcade Fire’s “Ready To Start”, as requested by fans of the station through social media and email.
“We asked our listeners which song we should launch with,” said Program Director, Adam Thompson. “The overwhelming majority asked for Arcade Fire’s “Ready to Start,” so, that was our launch song!”
Indie88 is giving listeners a new sound on Toronto airwaves. The mandate of Toronto’s First Indie Station is to offer a wide array of music and to continually listen to the audience in playing what they like. The playlist will evolve based on feedback from the community. Indie88 continues to encourage listeners to choose the music by signing up online at Indie88’s new website, which also launched at noon today (indie88.com).
“Musically, Indie88 will span the last four decades, and will focus on a blend of Indie Folk, Indie Pop and Indie Rock,” said Adam Thompson. “Heavy emphasis will be placed on emerging bands from Toronto.”
In the coming weeks, listeners will be introduced to a new feature titled, “Throne of Glory” where a variety of celebrities, both local and national, will take over the Indie88 airwaves. Each guest will get the chance to play their favourite songs for an hour. Some of the Throne of Glory guests include: Matt Good, TSN’s Dave Hodge, Joel Plaskett and legendary broadcaster, Dave “Bookie” Bookman. The first “Throne of Glory” will kick off with Alan Cross on August 1, 2013 at 4:00pm (EST). A full listing is available online at www.indie88.com.
“Given where things are with music in Toronto today, Indie88 has the potential to become the gathering place for the Toronto music community, the place to go hear what is new and what is next,” said Indie88’s music Guidance Counselor, Alan Cross. “The station can become inextricably intertwined in the cultural fabric of the city between musician and music fans. Who wouldn’t want to be part of this?”.
Indie88 is Giving Great Music a Home. Tune in on your FM dial at 88.1 or online at www.indie88.com.
ABOUT CENTRAL ONTARIO BROADCASTING/INDIE88:
Founded in 1988, Central Ontario Broadcasting is an independent broadcasting company that operates three radio stations: Rock 95 and 107.5 Kool FM in Barrie, and Indie88 in Toronto. Indie88 (CIND-FM) was granted its license to operate on the 88.1 frequency by The Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) on September 11, 2012. Indie88 is Toronto’s first Indie station and committed to providing a platform for emerging Canadian artists and all their fans. To experience Indie88, tune in to 88.1FM and www.indie88.com.
For more information:
Venus Santos
Promotions Manager
Indie88
647-886-3776
www.indie88.com
Twitter.com/Indie88Toronto
Facebook.com/Indie88Toronto
Instagram.com/indie88Toronto
Been listening since noon. So far, I really like what I hear. Keep it up!
FINALLY – a station for the rest of us!!! BRAVO!
Nicely done, Mr. Cross. I look forward to many hours of listening.
Fine start!
Well I am impressed with the content. I had it on in the car for awhile (turning off my satellite radio). Unfortunately reception in north Mississauga is not that great.
A surprise tomorrow when I am at work! Really? How can I listen on my iPhone?
I've been a loyal Edge listener for 15 years, but lately it's been the same 20 pop songs repeated with a few of the good ol' songs that I grew up with. I can't tell you the last time I heard Radiohead, Dave Matthews or The Cranberries. The same Hip songs were only played to help meet the Can-Con requirements. I've missed music. Really missed it. I have been wishing for a station that was just like my iPod on shuffle, and I finally feel at home with radio. So many great artists get their time. And you know what… My first hour listening I heard Radiohead an Dave Matthews. Thanks for giving us a place to call home again.
I absolutely agree with Jen! I've been listening to the Edge for over 20 years, and it just sucks now. They replay the same stuff in a 1 hour loop and I can't believe some of the stuff they are playing. I thought it was just me getting old, but I'm glad to hear that it's not just me! Keep it up! Thank you!
One of the freshest things that happened on the Canadian air waves ever. Guys keep it fresh and different. Go against predictions and main stream, keep surprising us and you'll win.
I ve been listening to the egde for almost 20years ,but lately its pop rock,and most of the djs suck.so far 88.1 sounds awesome!!!