the algorithm’s got me. as much as i try to support local music when i can, spotify (or tidal / apple music) is just so convenient that it is difficult to resist. and as you know, the more you listen to those streaming services, the “better” it gets at predicting what you want to hear. cool. those algorithms are good at serving you new music that goes down smooth. nothing too exciting though, because it doesn’t want you to skip forward (or backward). no, the algorithm is meant to keep you still. chances are, you’ve noticed this on netflix too, and chances are, you’ve also noticed how shamefully boring things get when you let the algorithm choose for you.
mike falcone, guitar/vox for hellrazor and drums for speedy ortiz, is an old school guy. last month, he quietly started a new radio show that comes on in the absolute dead of night. appropriately titled, afterhoursfm airs between 10pm and 5am most nights, commercial free. broadcasting out of danbury, you can catch it live on wxci 91.7fm, or online at https://wxciafterhours.blogspot.com/ via mixcloud. pointedly, falcone is pitching afterhoursfm as an antidote to the “commercialized, algorithmic data-drive idea of what ‘modern rock’ or ‘hard rock’ radio is supposed to sound like.” and if you can’t get on-board with those sentiments, i’m not sure why you’re even reading this blog to be honest.
to give you an idea of what kind of music falcone is curating, a lot of it are cool, raw, modern rock bands. some of them are from connecticut: heele is in the top 20, and others are certified friends of connecticut: halfsour, potty mouth, and sebadoh. and you’ll also get pile, beak, big thief, control top, and dumb. and that’s just the top 20 most rotated artists at the moment! you’ll hear things you know, and you’ll hear things that you’re soon to love. but hey, you’ll also hear some things out of your comfort zone too. and that’s what’s great about afterhoursfm — it’s a balance of curation and exploration.
check out a taste of an archived radio stream below!
