KAOS 89.3 FM is a hybrid college-community radio station founded by Dean Katz of The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. When he traveled to Seattle to apply for the station license, his official papers had the radio station call letters as KESC (for "Evergreen State College.") However, unbeknownst to his adviser and almost everyone else, Katz had other ideas, being a fan of the TV show Get Smart!. The license was granted under his surprise application and broadcasts began January 1, 1973. Since then, the station has been a mainstay in Olympia's local music scene, including a famous early appearance by Nirvana on April 17, 1987 (their second ever) and a Kurt Cobain solo acoustic performance on 1990 (both included on the Nirvana box set With the Lights Out). Today the station, which continues a music policy of at least 80% independent music, broadcasts at a power of 1,500 watts and also streams live via the Internet. The station continues to offer free radio broadcasting training to any member of the community.
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Programming
KAOS's mission is to present voices that are underrepresented in mainstream media. This includes Native American, Women's, Hispanic, alternative news programs, and independent music. KAOS currently broadcasts many syndicated public affairs programs, such as Amy Goodman's Democracy Now, as well as original, locally produced public affairs shows like The Pacific Progressive and No Talking Heads! A wide variety of music is played, including world music, jazz, blues, metal music, folk, experimental music, garage, psychedelic, electronic, Celtic, surf, alt country, comedy, indie pop, prog, free jazz, indie rock, bluegrass, dance, dub, reggae, hip hop music, salsa, roots rock, r&b, and more.
Influential KAOS Programmers
KAOS is community radio in its truest sense. The DJs or "programmers" on KAOS serve as inspiration and mentors for future on-air talent. Here are some of the KAOS DJs who have made a significant impact on their radio listening community: Brooks Martin, Phan Nguyen, Martha Copeland, Kris Craig, gary galbreath, Jenny Jenkins, Diana Arens, Michelle Noel, Domenica Clark, JJ Syrja, "DJ Shannon" Wiberg, Rob Keefe, Paul Pearson ("Paul Shrug"), Ricardo Wang, Duncan Green, Juli Kelen, Scott Stevens, John Ford, Erika Lari, "Free Jazz" Fred Kellogg, Tom Freeman, Vitamin Def's "DJ From Full House", and Carmen Acavado-Perez. Bill Wake is the station's longest running programmer.
Music Policy
KAOS is famous for its independent music policy, devised in KAOS's earlier years by John Foster. The policy states that 80% of the music broadcast must be from an independent record label. Green lines on a record, CD, or tape in the KAOS library represent independent labels and red lines represent major labels. A more recent development includes blue lines for local artists.
Long-running Programs
There are a number of programs that have been around for well over ten years and are currently still on the air. These are some:
- The Classic Hick - Nature Sounds, Commentary, Classical
- El Mensaje Del Aire - Spanish-language
- Retroactive - Roots rock, R&B, Soul
- Hello Olympia - Comedy and Talk
- Free Things Are Cool - Independent rock
- View From the Shore - Native
- Music from the Underground - Psychedelic
- John's Place - Jazz
Former DJs
Over the years, the station has had many former DJs go onto larger fame, such as Calvin Johnson (founder of K Records), Bruce Pavitt (founder of Sub Pop Records), Chris Scofield (founder of Strange Attractors Audio House Records), Tobi Vail, Lois Maffeo, Mark Hosler (of Negativland) Arrington de Dionyso (of Old Time Relijun), and Steve Fisk (producer and musician).
External links
- KAOS 89.3 FM Olympia Community Radio
- Query the FCC's FM station database for KAOS
- Radio Locator information on KAOS
