Whether remixing on stage at The Union or spinning records in a booth in Baker University Center, disc jockeys, more commonly know as DJs, in Athens bring life to the party.
DJs at the student-run All Campus Radio Network stationed in Baker Center have their own say in what customers of the Front Room and Internet radio listeners hear from week to week.
We're able to play whatever we want to play
so we're essentially the choice makers said Brian Ostrander, senior organizational communications major and the promotions director for ACRN. Every DJ has their own style Ostrander said.
Ostrander and his fellow DJs, including Saker Alexander, a senior education major, come in every day and choose the songs they feel like hearing from the stacks
a room with every possible genre of music available, Alexander said.
After they check the list of songs other DJs have played that day, they are free to add their own touch to the play list. Alexander adds his twist, playing obscure Japanese music and video game music during his show, Music for Geeks.
But during certain times, ACRN lets the listeners choose what they want to hear.
We have rotation CDs that have to be played intermittently
along with rotation shows
Alexander said.
The songs picked for rotation shows are chosen by ACRN music director Ty Owen, along with a panel of student volunteers who review the CDs that arrive in the studio. Whether it stays or goes, however, is up to listeners.
If G? (listeners) really like it
it will stay for several more weeks
Ostrander said. If a lot of (listeners) don't like it
we take it out that week.
ACRN focuses on independent college rock, but makes it a point to play a local artist every hour.
Whatever music they choose, they are still required to pay royalties, the rights to play the song publicly. They get some monetary help from the school, but cover most of the costs themselves.
Both Alexander and Ostrander deny radio is becoming obsolete. Both say that Internet radio has helped boost radio back up.
Radio listening goes in waves and Internet radio does offer a lot of new music
especially our station because we play such a weird range of music
Ostrander said.
Michael Bart, also known as DJ Barticus, says there is plenty of underground respect for radio and DJs even though there have been attempts to outlaw independent Internet radio.
Bart, who used to have a hip-hop show on ACRN, now DJs to create a party atmosphere. Bart DJs regularly at The Union, 19 W. Union St., for Dance or Die and Funk You Up at Casa Cantina, 4 W. State St.
Alexander and Ostrander say the difference between a radio DJ and one like Barticus is the performance.
Radio DJs have a better understanding of the technical aspect instead of the audience's ears
