Lexicon Issue 006 - Cyber Frequencies

Once bound by regional locations specialist radio stations predominantly used to mean pirate radio. Previously they had not been able to transcend the barrier of their locality and broadcasting reach. However, in the last couple of years that has all changed. The new wave of specialist radio programming is now transmitted across the internet meaning that no matter where you are in the world you will always be able to listen to the most cutting edge music, even if you are thousands of miles away. As well as the pirates logging on to the phenomena of internet radio the new technology has ushered in a breed of solely web based stations too. We thought it time to let you know about them. We bring you the definitive guide to the internet radio station…

Representing the drum and bass and jungle frontline Bassdrive broadcasts live 24/7 from Chicago, USA. They pride themselves on offering superior sound quality over other internet stations. This is a factor which can presently be an issue with other stations but with the advancing of technology and fall in the price of internet broadcasting equipment it’s only a matter of time before this changes. You can tune into an abundance of shows from Stateside artists as well as shows from UK envoys like Dogs on Acid and Core Records.
http://www.bassdrive.com

Catering for a wider spectrum of music but with the hub of the station’s programming resting in house territory London’s CN Soho Live doesn’t believe the hype. You may not recognize a great deal of names but hey kick back and listen, it’s a great recent station all the same and presents an aura of smoothness and professionalism.
http://www.cnsoholive.co.uk

Germany’s 24/7 drum and bass internet radio station dnbradio.net came online a couple of years back. Hosting an equal dose of native and international shows alike this station lets the music do the talking by featuring mixes with just the occasional emcee in the picture. There are pre-recorded mixes as well as native club mixes from international guests. Tune into Daniel Savine (Skunkrock. Offline), Telmo & Lightwood (Santorin) and E.Decay (Rawhill Cru) on the regular alongside club mixes from the likes of Patife, Marcus Intallex, Storm, Teebee, Digital and The Invaderz.
http://www.dnbradio.net

Gaia Live founded by Mr C of The Shamen in 1996 is probably the UK’s first established net station and in the world for that matter. With a diverse outlook on electronic and underground dance music Gaia Live caters for electronica, drum & bass, hip hop, breaks, house, hard house, garage, tec-house, trance, techno, experimental, global, soul, jazz and dub. Catch dnb specials from Reinforced, A-Sides, Emcee Recordings, The Homegrown Entourage representing the finest UK hip hop, oh and did we mention our new six weekly show on there too?
http://www.gaialive.co.uk

Originated in Seattle, on the coast of North West America, Groovetech first spread to San Francisco and now London too. Live broadcasts from the swanky studios in London take in a range of shows across the spectrum of electronic music including: house, breaks, techno, trance, drum and bass, down tempo, experimental, hip hop and roots. When Kiss decided to ditch a lot of their great shows because of more commercial objectives Groovetech found a niche and capitalised on their mistake. They have teamed up with one of London’s great clubs The End to stream live events too. You can regularly tune in to Certificate 18, Hospital Records, Marine Parade, Rennie Pilgrim, Colin Dale, amongst many others here.
http://www.groovetech.com

“Welcome to the world’s first pirate radio station” is the greeting on the Interface Pirate Radio site. Again grabbing all genres of credible dance music by the balls is what they do best here. They’ve had some top names to pass through their hall of fame as well as the most raw and grittiest of underground talent popping up on this Shoreditch based station.
http://interface-radio.co.uk

The world famous dnb station Kool FM is now split between London and the Midlands. Kool’s original base in London is celebrating it’s tenth year on the airwaves and promises to have internet link up anytime soon. This will be a god send for anyone who is frustrated by not being able to tune into the 94.5-94.6 FM frequency outside of Greater London. DJs like Brockie, Mampi Swift, Kane, Probe, Hoodlum, Wagner plus many, many more can be found here. The Midlands net radio site is currently being refurbished but when back you can tune into JB, Spice, Hazard, Devize, Escape plus many more.
http://www.kool945.co.uk (London)
http://www.koolfm.co.uk (Midlands)

As you might have guessed this ones mainly for the house lover as Ministry of Sound keep to their more commercial guns. A selection of house, funky house, hard house, trance, dance anthems and chill out can all be found. Having said this they do have the occasional subversive show like Emotif / Botchit & Scarper’s new residency bringing the best in drum & bass and breaks. Worth a sniff…
http://www.ministryofsound.com/music/radio

Pyrotechnic has been running the last couple of years thanks to Filthy Dirty Rich. Part of the Kool FM DJ family Rich’s station is based by London Bridge and has gained notoriety as one of the leading stations to catch the hottest jungle and drum & bass as well as homegrown hip hop and nu skool breakz. Tuesdays from 5pm you get the chance to hear London’s Kool FM streamed live, which is a treat if you are not in reach of its traditional radio frequency.
http://www.pyrotechnicradio.com

The much anticipated Radio 1 Xtra will be firing from the start of August. It’s hard to believe that the beeb are really doing it - bringing a pure station of black music incorporating R&B, hip hop, UK garage, drum & bass, ragga and “many more less commercial sounds” - but nevertheless it’s upon us and “about time” some of you may protest! Confirmed flagship jocks at the moment include Heartless Cru, L Double, Richie ‘Vibe’ Vee, Diggz and G-Child. Don’t forget you can check out Radio 1 online too.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra

Another one of London’s original pirate frequencies Ruud Awakening branched out from Rude FM to establish themselves as a separate entity in the mid nineties. Realising the importance of touching a new and thirsty audience the Ruud Awakening crew broadcast their diet of drum and bass, old skool and nu skool breaks throughout the weekend.
http://www.ruudawakening.com

UK Rumble is a popular station from the capital and has been since 1999 playing the finest in drum and bass, 2-step, R&B, hip hop and house. Catch Urban Takeover and Renegade Hardware label showcases as well as weekly mixes from Razor, SLB, Bashment K, Junior Buzz, Little Joe and Mello D to name a few.
http://www.scratch-sniff.com/rumble/Rumble3/

Remember this is just a taster of what is out there and indeed what is to come. A new dawn has begun whereby the age old underdog of independent and underground music now gets a chance to take their message to the masses. Go ahead and show your support, it’s nothing short of a revolution out there.