On a stormy Portland morning a few Saturdays ago, KWVA made history: we attended College Music Journal’s first College Day On Tour. The day was a hyper-condensed version of the NYC CMJ Music Marathon (which Music Director Taylor Jones wrote about here). The venue, Holocene, was packed full of industry types, musicians, and college radio students from all over the NW and Canada, eager to share and meet like-minded individuals. Below, we present what we learned about the collective college radio world and our thoughts on what’s to come.  

Taylor Jones KWVA Music Director; DJ Tesla Radio is not dead. KWVA would not broadcast… Read More

Hailing from the mighty north, we've got DJ Drexel the Code in the spotlight this week! His late night beats are well-informed and mixes are hand-crafted - you're not going to hear anything like it anytime, anywhere else. Get to know him! DJ: Drexel the Code Hometown: Helena, MT. Big Sky livin’! Show title: Something lame that I came up with on the spot when the dudes at Programming came a callin’. Show time and day: Thursday, 2-4AM, Fall 2015 Show description: Slick electronic music, slick enough to shine yo purrty lil soul with. I focus on genres and moods more often than artists…techy drum and bass, deep dubstep, Berlin techno. How long have you been a DJ? Since I cut my hands on a pair of Technics in 2010. Big ups to Alistair for teaching me… Read More

If you've ever tuned in between 10 pm and 12 am on a Sunday, you've likely been hypnotized by the fine tracks mixed by our very own Dez Anthony of Takin' You Higher. Every show is an act of finesse, and there isn't detail he hasn't thought of in consideration for your listening pleasure. Read on to learn more about one of our best live-mix DJ's:   DJ Name & Show: Dez Anthony of Takin' You Higher Show time: Sunday 10pm-12am, Fall 2015 Hometown: Seattle, WA Show genres: A live mix of Hip-Hop, R&B, electronic, soul, and more. Artists commonly played on show: Knxwledge, Flying Lotus, SiR, D’Angelo How long have you been a DJ? Since October 2014 Top 5 albums of 2015: To Pimp A Butterfly –… Read More

While there are many peculiar happenings around the KWVA station, one of the more compelling cases is the phenomenon of the dual DJ. One man, two alter egos: DJ Palette and DJ Satan. Read on to experience the exclusive interview with both Palette and Satan. DJ SATAN   DJ PALETTE Hometown? Palette: Houston, Texas Satan: The seventh circle Show time? Thursdays 2-3 p.m., Fall 2015 Show title? Palette: Palette Cleanser Satan: The Maelstrom Show genres? Palette: Jazz, chamber, pop and electronic tunes that allow for deep relaxation and thought (or dance parties). Satan: The nastiest, dirtiest punk, rock and metal known to mankind. Which artists do you commonly play on your show? Palette: Nils Frahm,… Read More

SEEKING OPPORTUNITY IN NEW YORK CITY MUSIC FESTIVAL By Taylor Jones (DJ Tesla), Music Director at KWVA 88.1 In a town in southernmost Sicily Lived a family too proud to be poor In the year that fever took father away They hastened for American shores Now a mother and her son are standing in line It's a cold day on Ellis Isle And they look to the Statue of Liberty For the boy we have American Life

• Les Claypool, “American Life” (1991)

The College Music Journal has invited music enthusiasts from around the world to meet in New York City for the CMJ Music Marathon every autumn since 1980. Throughout history, people have sought success and the American dream in New York City. The CMJ Music Marathon is a microcosm of this ideal. One week in the city presents endless opportunities for those who participate in the festival. Bands want their big… Read More

Top 5 New Albums of the Week!

1. Doug Hream Blunt - My Name Is Doug Hream Blunt - Luaka Bop 2. Fuzz - II - In The Red 3. Apprentice Destroyer - Glass Ceiling Universe - Castle Face 4. Darkstar - Foam Island - Warp 5. Beat Connection - Product 3 - Anti  

Recent addition to the KWVA menu: DJ Spinitch of Vernacular Veggies. As he would say, "you used to drink from the cup of knowledge... now it’s filled with Spinitch and you’re munching it. Vernacular Veggies.". Read on to get a taste, and check out his curated playlist below! DJ name and show: 
 DJ Spinitch of Vernacular Veggies Show time: Fridays, 2-4 am, Fall 2015 Hometown: Portland, OR Show description: Mostly Hip Hop — one of my first true loves that never disappoints me and stays forever expanding. Gotta show love to the roots though, so you’ll hear funk, jazz, soul/neo-soul, and maybe other sporadic stuff from time to time — a sub-goal of mine is to play at least three cuts on wax each show — my record collection will be spun. What… Read More