LSU student radio station KLSU hosted its annual College Radio Day celebration on Saturday, Oct. 5, with live music, food, local art and thrift vendors at Tin Roof Brewery from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The event attracted a crowd of music and art-loving folks of all ages, representing a slice of the diverse, local culture that college radio works to protect. KLSU Chief Announcer Lindsey Foles said college radio plays an important part in circulating unique music that isn’t easy to find on streaming platforms or other radio stations.
“It’s a great way to broaden your music taste,” Foles said. “Most of the stations around here are Top 40 or Christian radio or just classic rock, and there’s just not a lot for that contemporary group of music and local artists.”
College radio isn’t just a window into a world of eclectic music. It also plays a big part in promoting local musicians who have smaller platforms than mainstream artists.
“Local artists cannot get on the radio typically just because all these radio stations are Top 40,” Foles said. “They’re not really concerned with spreading the awareness of the local bands that are here. College radio picks up on those local artists and those smaller groups that are amazing, but they just don’t have that nepotism maybe, or they don’t have the money to become popular because they can’t commercialize themselves as much.”
The College Radio Day celebration hosted Lafayette-based bands Rareseed, Kinky Vanilla and The Debtors who each played sets featuring original music. Some listeners sat attentively at wooden tables or on picnic blankets. Others grabbed drinks from the bar or waited in line for sushi or burgers at the food pop-ups.
Shoppers browsed the variety of vendors’ booths selling thrifted clothing, jewelry, vintage-shirts, magnets, paintings and many other goods.
At mixed-media artist Gianna Militana’s booth, prints, books and scraps of old paper adorned her table. She sold collage starter kits, handmade pins and drawings. Militana said her booth was successful because the event drew in an art-enthusiastic crowd.
“It’s mostly my peers who I am able to connect with about art and a lot of people that are creative and like music and art,” Militana said. “That’s what this whole event is about.”
A former KLSU DJ herself, Militana also emphasized the importance of the celebration as a bridge between the student workers and the community they connect with through the radio.
Devoted KLSU fan Tony Caines is one of those meaningful community connections. Caines calls into the station multiple times almost every day to request songs, chat with the DJs and show his continual support for college radio. He uses KLSU as an opportunity to socialize, pass on knowledge and listen to great music.
“It’s important for me to have a radio station that I can interface with,” Caines said. “I like to give feedback to the Disc Jockeys. A lot of them put a lot into it, so for me to give them that personal feedback I think helps to motivate them. I am an older person. I’ve been listening to popular music for 50 years, so I’m able to give younger people the benefit of my experience.”
Caines feels that the Saturday festivities were a perfect way for radio fans to put a face to their favorite KLSU DJs’ voices.
“I think it’s important for listeners to see the DJs in person,” Caines said. “They are able to relate to them on a more personal level. When you meet them in person it gives you a better feel for where they’re coming from.”
KLSU’s College Radio Day celebration successfully honored college radio’s legacy of promoting contemporary music and local musicians and upholding the relationship between the radio and the public.
“You have no idea the people that are listening or the reach you have,” Militana said. “I think it’s so awesome to see the real life connections you can make through music and art.”
