As
40 Watts From
Nowhere begins, the author Sue Carpenter recalls how she got tired of
having to listen to the same popular songs played on her local commercial radio
station over and over again. This prompts her to start her own radio station in
1995, thinking, how hard can it be? With this somewhat naive and adventurous
attitude she sets up the first pirate radio station to feature music in the San
Francisco area, KPBJ. When she subsequently moves to Los Angeles, she sets up
another pirate radio station, KPLT, again from her small apartment. One of the
many challenges Carpenter faces in setting up a radio station is the
manufacture of a transmitter that can reach a significant population of her
neighborhood. In addition, she has to find DJs to run it. The number one threat
to the station she learns is that by not paying the required radio license fee
to the FCC, she risks being fined $20,000 and/or spending a year in prison.
Despite these risks Carpenter continues to promote her station, and before long
the station has over 100 DJs and is influential in the punk and alternative
music scene in L.A.
40 Watts from Nowhere
is a fascinating, quick read. The author sees the humor in her often stressful
and chaotic life at the station. It is interesting to read how Carpenter and
her DJ friends experience fame and popularity one hand, while understanding the
importance of remaining underground about their station’s actual existence.
No comments:
Post a Comment