A Sense of Community in your Speakers
The importance of the radio, and why you should be listening to it.
BY HARRIET BENNETT
Growing up riding around in an early 2000s Honda Odyssey, I was never able to hear my favorite songs coming out of a bluetooth speaker. Driving to the farmers market, the mall, or anywhere my family would go, we would be listening to the radio. Even when we finally got a new car, so used to listening to the radio as we were, the bluetooth feature was seldom touched.
When I got my driver’s license, however, I discovered the joys of having control over what music is played in the car. I enjoyed listening to what I wanted when I wanted–but things started to get repetitive. Always listening to the same playlist to and from school, I longed for the feeling the radio would give me. I had grown accustomed to the radio and its somewhat unpredictable nature. Always keeping me guessing as to what was coming next, the radio provided me a way to discover new music. Different stations with their different genres felt so perfectly tailored to my taste that I questioned why I ever stopped listening. Sure, I could just put on a random playlist or the music suggested to me by Apple (yes, I use Apple Music), but somehow the radio seems to know what I want to listen to so much more than any algorithm.
Growing up in the greater Twin Cities area, I listened to 89.3 “The Current” as a kid. The amount of new music I’ve discovered from this radio station is immense. One song I discovered while driving one day was “Bernadette” by Reina del Cid. Whenever I hear that song now, I always associate it with the sunny drive I took that day. Other artists I’ve heard a lot on “The Current” are Bad Bad Hats and Hippo Campus, both of which I was a fan of before hearing them play on “The Current”, but the radio station allowed me to discover more of their music and become an even bigger fan.
Listening to the radio on the way to high school or home from work, I got to know the DJs–which one played the music I liked the most, who was on at what time, etc. It felt like I knew these people and their music tastes, which would go on to form my music taste. Though I do enjoy the occasional pop station listen, and I’m not one to turn off the holiday station when November rolls around, there’s something really special about a radio station playing music you really like and music that’s new to you. It’s important to note that the radio is not always going to play music that you enjoy. But that’s what you sign up for when you listen to the radio. By listening to the radio, I was able to discern between the music I did and didn’t like, further developing my music taste. The point is, the radio has been such an integral part of forming my music taste, and it’s not too late for it to become a part of your life, too.
Listening to the radio can make you feel more connected with what’s happening in the area around you. This can be especially helpful if you’re an out-of-state student and want to know about concerts happening in the area, and maybe even score some free tickets. Sometimes the hosts will cover news or current events in the world or the area the station reaches, informing you of things you otherwise might not have heard about.
With streaming services and their popularity, one would think that maybe not a lot of people listen to the radio. However, in 2020, 83% of Americans were listening to the radio each week, with older generations listening to the radio a bit more than younger generations. Yes, that’s a lot of people, but when you think about it, why aren’t more people listening to the radio? Radio connects people to their communities, provides them with new music and novel news stories, and feels more personal than listening to Spotify or Apple Music. Plus, it’s free! These streaming platforms have a wide range of music that allows you to listen to what you want at any time, but there’s something special about hearing your favorite song on the radio instead of through a streaming service.
If you’re looking for some new music, don’t turn to streaming services. Listen to the radio! With a sense of community coming through your earbuds or car speakers, listening to the radio will provide you with something you never knew you needed.
Sources:
https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/fact-sheet/audio-and-podcasting/