Breaking Radio Silence
Photo personnel: Isa Montes Source: Elena Peng
After curating a track list all day, you step into the cozy studio, throw on a pair of headphones and put on the show you’ve been anticipating for days. For many KSCU DJs, this is their favorite hour of the week.
For the past few quarters, the station has received significantly more DJ applications than they have spots available, signifying a growing demand for community and expression by means of music.
“I think we’re at a time where students really appreciate expression through music, and the ability to have a designated spot where your perspective is shown to a wide audience is really valued right now,” said KSCU general manager Anabelle Oldham.
Whether it’s the cyclical nature of trends, an increased demand for connection through music or a combination of the two, KSCU and college stations around the country are undergoing an exciting revival.
Last spring quarter, the station received a staggering 140 applications to fill its 120-show schedule, according to Sports Director Thomas Dunn, a remarkable shift from before quarantine, when the club was struggling to fill their schedule with student DJs.
In the aftermath of isolation, students are now longing for the creative outlet that KSCU offers.
“I think student radio and the popularity of it is not something that’s unique to Santa Clara,” said KSCU scheduling manager Carson Killer. “But I will say we do have a very strong community here.”
As for why KSCU finds itself at the center of this demand, one can look to the investment of time and energy from a passionate staff. In recent years, the staff has put in immense effort to bring back on-campus performances, sports broadcasting and an overall community aspect to the station that is worthy of garnering such interest.
Outside of new logistical challenges, the increase in engagement has put the station in the brightest spotlight it has seen in a long time.
Both Oldham and Killer emphasized KSCU’s ability to bring about a new, accessible and immersive music scene for the Santa Clara community, one Santa Clara hasn’t seen since Benson hosted “The Smashing Pumpkins” in the California Mission room about 30 years ago.
“We have a faculty advisor who has been with KSCU for a long time, and he remembers when we only had like four or five student DJs,” said Oldham. “It’s pretty crazy to think about how different it is.”
With such a diverse display of music tastes and talents, the station has fostered an environment where students feel comfortable sharing their creative perspectives. Whether it's as a listener or as a DJ, engaging with KSCU gives students the opportunity to connect with each other through their passion for music.
“I think that’s a really cool and powerful thing about radio,” said Killer. “Maybe the person playing right now has your perfect song, and you would have never heard it otherwise.”
Alongside this growth has come new potential for the station to expand its role as an outlet for student musicians.
“I think something we’ve amped up through hearing what people want is to have more opportunities for students, and especially student artists,” said Oldham.
KSCU has shifted its focus in this direction by planning more live on-campus performances and ticket giveaways to local shows in a push to make “The Underground Sound” a more interactive experience.
With this move, the station is on the lookout for student musicians looking to perform, learn and meet other passionate people, all while growing as artists. In an upcoming concert at the Forge Garden, KSCU will present five all-student musical acts, and they hope to organize plenty more of these events in the future.
“I think it’s really cool to create a space for fellow students to put themselves out there and demonstrate their talent,” said Oldham.
To listen to the many DJs of “The Underground Sound,” tune in to KSCU.org or 103.3 FM in the South Bay.