9th floor radio

Oakland's Real Radio Station

But you won't find it on the airwaves.

9th Floor Radio is largely the brainchild of Station Manager Melissa Neal. Started in October 2007, 9th Floor Radio grew out of the 20-year-old Peralta TV Station (which recently produced an award-winning documentary about the Black Panthers). Jeffrey Heyman, executive director of marketing, originally wanted to expand Peralta TV’s programming to be more responsive to the wealth of musical talent coming out of Laney’s music program as well as to create a bridge between the college and the broader Oakland community, so he proposed a three-hour TV show.

The problem was nobody in the TV staff really wanted to host it. Enter Ms. Neal, a 2003 graduate from the Fine Arts Division at Mills College, with an emphasis in Electronic Music & video art. Originally hired to work on the Peralta TV website, Ms. Neal managed to secure funding to convert a storage room on the 9th floor of the Laney tower at Laney College. And 9th floor radio (9FR) was born, broadcasting from the top floor of the tower.

In a little more than two years on the air, 9th Floor radio has produced over 60 shows, showcasing the diversity of Oakland’s audio culture (both music and talk shows, as well as everything in between), which is otherwise under-represented in the mainstream media. While about half of the DJs have been students or staff of the college, the other half come directly from the community.

The radio station puts on new shows from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and from 1 p.m. on Tuesdays. Every show is archived, and Ms. Neal hopes to move the station more toward more of “on demand” content and podcasting -- which means you can listen to any show at any time. If you check the website, you’ll find shows like the eclectic-indie-rock Argyll Adventure Tree, which broadcasts live on the 3rd Friday of every month from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oakland DJs Mike and Andy put together theme shows that combine new, cutting edge, music with excerpts from movies and interviews. In addition to a commercial hip-hop show, 9FR has recently begun to broadcast Return Of The Underground (Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.), which focuses on underground hip-hop. V.e.r.a Clique, the collective of 4 DJS who host this show, are always on the lookout for new, and especially local, talent.

For those looking for Talk Radio that has less content restrictions than the commercial AM-talk stations, there’s the monthly The Missing Box (first Fridays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.), hosted by an ex-Laney student who talks about whatever she damn well pleases, and brings in a quirky, and often humorous, array of non-celebrity guests. The most political/topical show is the monthly The Black Hour (3rd Fridays). Host Brother Reggie has been on for a year, and his in-depth muckraking into local Oakland political corruption and police brutality is as controversial as KPFA’s JR Valrey's, and as informative as KPOO’s Prison Radio programming.

Although the current lack of an AM or FM radio frequency may limit 9FR’s potential local audience, one advantage of being on the Internet is that the programs on 9FRadio can be downloaded nationally and internationally. 9FR also serves the Oakland community by hosting performances, parties, shows, and even “Learn To DJ” workshops. The next 9FR-sponsored event open to the community is April 24th.,featuring live music from local bands, and other surprises (at the Rock Paper Scissors Collective, 2278 Telegraph Ave. 6PM, $5 donation). You can also catch 9FR at the Stud in San Francisco on May 14 (399 9th Street,studsf.com/)

If you want to volunteer with 9FR, you can donate vinyl, or other audio equipment. Musicians, poets, and other audio-artists are encouraged to submit music to the individual DJS. 9FR is always looking for volunteers to help with promotional work and event, both on and off campus. While Ms. Neal should be applauded for the amazing work she’s done with limited resources, and believes in working within the “Internet-only” format, if enough enthusiasm can be generated within the community, 9FR might find a place on either the AM or FM dial as well.

Thanks to Chris Stroffolino and Oakbook Magazine