The OICB Radio & TV Career Tips Blog

How To Be a Guest DJ on CincyUnderground.com

We want you to come be a guest DJ on CincyUnderground.com.

Some of our favorite terrestrial alternative stations do this, so we figured, why not us?  Right?

I mean, if CincyUnderground.com is TRULY dedicated to building the unsigned indie music scene in and around the Cincinnati, OH area - then we need to be hearing from more than just the bands...

We need to hear from the FANS of the bands.

We need to hear from the music snobs.  No, not the super jaded ones - the ones that live to discover new music and share it with folks. 

You know who you are.  Is that you?

If so, how about signing up to come in and drop some of that knowledge on us?

You won't need to worry about a thing.  We'll have someone right there with you running the equipment.  All you need to do is talk.

Here is what we'd like to hear if you sign up to be a guest DJ:

• Your top 5 favorite local bands (or more if you got 'em)
• Play some of their songs (we'll get their permission)
• Your favorite venues in town.
• Aside from music - what are your favorite places to eat or hang out in Cincinnati?

What do you say?

Come on!  We'd LOVE to have ya.

GO HERE to sign up to be a guest DJ on CincyUnderground.com

Get Into Broadcasting And Work With Unsigned Bands

By Dave Huffman
Ohio Center for Broadcasting
huffman.d@beonair.com
twitter:  @davemhuffman

For close to 7 years or so I made a living as an indie musician.  I traveled the country, recorded five albums, stole a spot in a movie, didn't have to clock into a "day job",  and "made it" on a small regional level.

All along the way, I ran into people who were vying for a spot in the industry from managers, booking agents, audio engineers, and yep - radio and television personalities.

And boy was it refreshing to run into or do an interview with someone who was extremely passionate about not only the  music, but the entire local scene surrounding it. 

That passion usually bleeds into the interview through great questions, the band reacts from there with great answers...in other words, great content is made.

I mean, it probably seems kind of obvious, right?  I know I'm not breaking new ground or blowing your mind right now, but I'm not sure if a lot of people really think of the broadcasting school route as a way to get their indie music fix. 

Currently, OICB has sports stations o'plenty - you've heard us mention those.

But we also have a barrel full of unsigned music stations where you can cut your teeth working with and lifting up the local music scene. 

AND IT'S REAL STUFF.  This isn't just for practice.

Some of our stations:

• Undergroundcolumbus.com
• CincyUnderground.com
• MileHighUnderground.com
• WindyCityUnderground.com
• TheEdgeOnAir.com

Yea, you can probably see that we like the "Underground" moniker ;)

While working shifts on these stations, you start to build your skills in all things on air and off air - but you also get to stumble upon new music everyday.

And a lot of it is REALLY good music that our students/staffers handpick for airplay.

I'm serious.  Really good.

5 Ways To Get Your Indie Music Fix in Broadcasting School

1.  In-Studio performances

From performing right in the radio or television studio to performing at one of the OICB Sessions, you get experience miking up and running a live in-studio stripped down or acoustic performance.

2.  Interviews

Ah, the art of the interview.  From bands to phoners, to fans at the shows - you get plenty of experience here.  And you pick up plenty of insight into the mind of the act.  Most divulging their songwriting secrets or "how they made it", if you can think up the right questions.

3.  Discovering new music everyday

Did I already mention this like 10 times?  Yep.  I think I could get away with another five times though.  Our stations play it all, from hip-hop to some jangly alt. country.  If you like it, chances are you might find that "next big thing" just by doing what you love and working your air shifts.

4.  Emcee'ing Live events

Every so often we will break out of the studio and take our events to the live stage.  In the past things like OCB Sessions LIVE were good examples of this.  Basically our in-studio event present at a live venue with multiple bands and 300+ people in attendance.

5.  Remote Broadcasts from Shows

Sometimes rather than actually hosting the events, we will set up a table at the venue and broadcast live from that spot.  It's fun.  You still get show access, backstage to gather some content from the acts, plus you can really mix it up with the fans and talk about your show and maybe stumble upon another act or two that the station should be wrapping their heads around.

At one of our broadcasting schools currently?  Find the point person on your campus and get signed up for an airshift and possibly a future event.  It'll most likely be one of the marketing/promotions reps.

Not at one of our broadcasting schools? 

Click here to get more information how YOU can get started training toward a career in radio, working with and discovering unsigned music.