In Melbourne, a musician doesn’t have to be mainstream, and they don’t have to pander to commercial interests to get a break or to build a sustainable career. There is an underground culture that is big enough to sustain and nurture a huge diversity of music and musicians. And what’s more, community radio is a key contributor to this thriving musical ecosystem.
The role of community radio to expose new sounds to a receptive audience is as important as it’s ever been, but community radio doesn’t just break new bands, it’s an integral part of the infrastructure of the underground.
With rental prices ever increasing, musicians and music lovers are finding themselves living further and further away from the historical hubs of live music. Luckily for us, community radio bridges the physical divide and delivers music into the homes and workplaces of anyone who tunes in.
Broadcasting out of Easey St in Collingwood, PBS 106.7FM has had an amazing year of music programming, with musical highlights from local acts RVG, Cash Savage and the Last Drinks and Jen Cloher. They’ve also hosted an incredible line up of international guests such as Fred and Toody, The Double, Chain and the Gang, and Chastity Belt.
It’s not only musicians that listeners tune in for; community radio announcers are some of the most musically connected radio hosts you’ll find. In a world where new music comes at you thick and fast, there is no doubt PBS’ spam filters are expertly wielded. PBS Music Coordinator, Cam Durnsford says, “We support what’s happening locally because that’s our community; our listeners want to hear music that’s being made by musicians they can go and see in their neighbourhood. Our announcers know some of the best music is being made right here in Melbourne, it’s our job to support that.”
As well as blocking out the noise (unless you’re listening to a noise show), PBS has an important role to play in bringing new and sometimes challenging music to the airwaves. Cam has a few hot tips for acts to listen out for this summer; at the top of his list are Kaiit, Two Steps on the Water and Party Dozen. On the PBS website you can also listen to all the exclusive Studio 5 Live sets recorded throughout the year.
As with all independent organisations, PBS depends on support from its members to survive, and during October they are running a membership campaign. If you’re keen to support PBS, during the drive is a good time to do it, as they have some rather special prizes. A voucher to the value of $1500 from Reid Cycles, two nights accommodation for up to two adults and four children, in a superior cabin at Aireys Inlet Holiday Park, and one double pass to a Falls Festival of your choice.
