A new presence in Seattle’s broadcast media arrived Monday with the launch of Jet City Stream, an online radio station devoted entirely to the local music scene.
The station, which you can access here, exclusively streams local artists past and present and music from touring artists who are coming to town and after giving its initial launch offerings a look it appears to have the tools to become a prominent player in the local music community.
Unlike commercial radio Jet Stream Radio isn’t following a specific format of music. Instead it is using the city’s diverse music scene as its platform. This means you’re going to hear rock, pop, hip-hop, jazz, electronica and just about every other genre of music that’s been created in Seattle. Think KEXP without the FM broadcast and an extreme emphasis on local and that’s pretty close to what Jet City Radio is offering listeners. I gave the station a listen for a few hours and was pleased to hear the likes of Pickwick, Damien Jurado, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana and Steve Miller.
Located in the former Rainier brewery in the SoDo district, the station’s home not only houses radio studios but also includes a recording studio for artists and a rooftop performance space. One unique aspect of what Jet City Stream offers is its partnership with Rogue Island Studios that will allow unsigned and signed artists to use the recording space to master full-length recordings. The station also has plans to host concert series and events that will raise funds for local music programs.
To help foster the local vibe former 107.7 The End music guru and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Marco Collins. Collins is the station’s director of new artist development and serves as one of three DJs at the station. He hosts a four-hour block of music between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. five days a week. Other on-air DJs include former KBSG and KJR DJ Heidi May and former Spin TV host Shawn Stewart.
Check out this video of the construction of the station below along with a sampling of what else I heard during a few hours of listening. And here’s a link to submit your music to Jet City Stream if you’re a local artist looking for some airplay.
Dave Matthews Band “Satellite”
Eddie Vedder “You Belong to Me”
Foo Fighters “Skin & Bones”
Queensryche”Man Down”
Elvis Costello “Shipbuilding”
Sunny Day Real Estate “Seven”
Sol “Stage Dive”
Rusty Willoughby “Too Early”
Beck “E Pro”
The Shins “Simple Song”
This is such a great idea and something Seattle and every other big music-generating city needs. Kudos to the genius who thought of this and all the people who helped make it happen. I’ve been starving for something to make me love listening to music again. The same-old, same-old terrestrial radio stations, even if they got rid of their commercials, would still only be perpetuating the unending cycle of Top 40 crap. Satellite radio promised it, but didn’t deliver. I’m not a religious person, but I feel the need to testify: “Hallelujah for City Stream!”