KWVA
Continued from Page 24C
staff expects even more when students return in
the fall.
It is also popular among other radio stations,
including commercial ones, and particularly with
the crowd that started the KAVE.
"We’re not stepping on anybody's toes." said
Foote, meaning that other stations don't feel threat
ened because there will be no competition for
advertising.
Another reason local stations should not feel
threatened is that KWVA fills a deep, black musi
cal void. It plays a volatile mix of music, with
artists such as Cypress Mill. Hob Dylan and
Megadeth all being played during the same hour
The station has about 2.000 CDs to choose from,
along with several hundred records. Almost any
thing is fair game, except for top 40, country and
the most classic of classic rock When KWVA does
play KZEL-type music, it plays something like
Rip This Joint" by the Rolling Stones, not a
dinosaur like "Satisfaction."
Poople can call up the station and request a
song, as long as KWVA has it and it is not obscene,
it will get played, usually one or two songs later.
Obscenity is definitely something to watch out
for. especially at an experimental station, and
KWVA does everything it can to avoid the $10,000
fine the FCC slaps on offenders. The station orders
“clean" versions of questionable songs, and even
words in other languages are checked to ensure lis
teners are not hearing a foreign version of 2 Live
Crew.
Occasionally there is the inevitable slip-up. but
there have been no formal complaints.
Of course, the station is not for everybody. Many
fee! that it is too alternative, too “out there." Many
have complaints about the rap or the metal, two
types of music that receive heavy airplay. KWVA
certainly is not for those looking for the familiar
Derek Walker, a University senior, calls in
requests often.
“The station’s great because it doesn t play the
same stuff you hear constantly — there’s always a
surprise — songs you would never hear on any
other station," he said."The only problem is that
the DJs tend to ramble on."
The reactions vary, not only from D) to DJ, but
from song to song, The station is hard to pigeon
hole simply because it plays such a variety of
requests that you might love it one minute and
hate it the next.
Probably the most common reaction to the sta
tion is exemplified by student lake Panowicz, who
by no means likos all of the music, but appreci
ates them trying new things.”
As for the DJs. they work pretty well together.
i- 1^^ !■ fl IIH I
‘It was a learn-as-you-go
experience.*
Alyssa Jensen.
KIWA general manager
considering how diverse they are Most are in their
early 20s. but a few are as young as 17 and as old
as 30. The station will hire just about anybody,
regardless of radio voite or lack of quirky person
ality
The only wav to get fired is by not show ing up
or knowingly playing obscene music Almost
every one of the 15 to 20 DJs has a core following
of devotees who will < all up and request songs
while they are on the air And almost everyone,
including the core staff, started out w ith zero radio
experience.
"It was a learn-as-you-go experience." Jensen
said.
All of the disc jockeys are volunteers who
receive no pay. but there are six paid staff mem
bers who receive SI 20 a month. Working at the
radio station is difficult and requires a great com
mitment.
The PCC requires that the I)|s write down virtu
ally everything that they do. and there is a lot of
off-air time spent in the office, including a week
ly meeting.
So why not take a less stressful job that actually
pays? It's the love of radio, but it's also the invalu
able experience of working in a station, which is
like an internship, and a way to make contacts for
the future.
KWVA has big plans for the future, the boldest
l>eing not having to constantly bog for money This
situation might be remedied by courting local busi
ness.
There are already three or four businesses that
have expressed interest in underwriting the sta
tion. Jensen believes that it could “maintain what
we have" on $35,000 to $40,000 annually, and the
business funding, if it happens, should provide
much of this
Other plans for next year include a show that
spotlights local bands, a talk show, a sports show
(interview format) and a greater emphasis on total
news.
The station would also like to develop relation
ships with student groups The groups would get
free publicity through public service announce
ments advertising.
The station's 1FC funding ends iti 1994, when
there will he another measure on the ballot for
refunding.
You are encouraged to take a listen, and if you
like what you hear, request a song If you hate the
station, call up anyway and request a song you
like Maybe they'll play it.
Whether you're back from summer vacation or just starting at the
U of O give EWEB a call so we can transfer your water and electric
service to your name if it is not already included in your rent
We’ll come and read your meter. That way you II only be billed o
the services you use.
So call EWEB today. It will give us a chance to transfer your
service and say, “Welcome!"
484-6016
EWEB
Eugene Water & Electric Board
500 East Fourth Avenue
Office Hours: 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Monday through Friday
“30 years of Quality Service”
Mercedes • BMW • Volkswagen
Audi • Datsun • Toyota
l*
—GERMAN
— AUTO
SERVICE,
INC.
j 342-2912 2025 Franklin Blvd. Eugene, Oregon, 97402 j
Qgigz Great
s #!
i*
_I
ti ill ifltlir fill iirrtct