No, this is not the name of some relatively unknown band or artist. It’s a reference to Radio 1190, KVCU in Boulder (University of Colorado). Some claim that the best music, independent or otherwise, is on the AM dial, on this station.

While this seems a bit of a stretch, the folks there must be doing something right, because the station celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. This writer grew up on rock-and-roll tunes coming out of a small radio tuned to an AM station. In the early 1960s, around St. Louis, Missouri, that station was KXOK, AM 630. Johnny Rabbit was the on-air personality.

So I guess it’s not a real stretch to expect AM radio to put out some good tunes still. Many of the regular visitors to these independent music pages will get a mild thrill from visiting www.radio1190.org, and checking out just what some good minds can do.

For example, the Web site’s CD of the Month for September is the full length debut by the Kasai Allstars entitled “In the 7th Moon, the Chief Turned into a Swimming Fish and Ate the Head of His Enemy by Magic.” I like the sound of that!

Various judges and comparison have named 1190 KVCU the best radio station around. Others have dubbed it the best “new music” radio station. In either case, it might be worth checking into.

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Tags: music, independent air, indie, independent music, indie music