KCMU gets new name, new digs
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Next time a local band plays live on Tom Mara's radio station, he can keep on working in his office. That's a big switch. Until recently, Mara, the executive director of Seattle's KCMU-FM (90.3), had a workspace that doubled as a live studio in Kane Hall's basement on the University of Washington campus.
But KCMU's studios are relocating to a much larger, technologically wondrous studio in KZOK's former digs at 113 Dexter Ave. N. Mara's office will be just that - an office.
This is but one of many changes the nearly 30-year-old "listener powered" public station will undergo thanks to a new partnership with Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.
On Monday, KCMU will shed its old call letters - and its lovably crunchy globe logo - to become KEXP-FM, a joint venture of the station, the UW and Experience Music Project, Mara and EMP officials said yesterday.
The UW remains the license holder for the independent radio station, which first broadcast in 1972. Last year it moved to Kane Hall from its longtime quarters in the Communications Building.
The latest changes will boost its broadcast signal from 400 to 720 watts, clarifying reception.
KEXP-FM will continue broadcasting live over the Internet with an uncompressed audio stream but will also attach to Internet2, an education network that links 180 universities around the country. An uncompressed audio stream is compact-disc quality, much higher than a regular FM broadcast signal - the station is the first to use this technology over the Internet.
At the new Dexter Avenue North location, DJs will use state-of-the-art digital equipment, have access to a 16-track studio for live performances and broadcasts, enjoy a new phone system to support multiple listener call-ins and relax on stylishly retro furniture.
"It's so thrilling to offer all of this to listeners after all these years of support," Mara said. "They really deserve this."
The station's upgrade comes as part of a partnership with EMP and support from the Allen Foundation for Music. As part of the agreement, the new studios will be rent-free.
In addition to financial contributions from listeners, the foundation plans to donate up to $600,000 over four years to KEXP-FM and the UW.
The UW's School of Music, KEXP-FM and EMP will work together in supporting music education and public programs such as technology-research programs and artist residencies.
"Our mission at KCMU is something that we share with EMP: to enrich people's lives with music. We're not concerned with Arbitron ratings. ... This gift from the Allen Foundation will broaden our role as a radio station," Mara said.
Lest the faithful tremble at this news, rest assured that everything Seattle listeners love about KCMU will stay the same: John in the Morning will still ease listeners into their days, DJ Riz will remain to float them off to sleep with "Expansions," and Leon Berman, self-proclaimed "Proctologist of Rock 'n' Roll," will keep on shakin' the shack Fridays. It will still be, as its slogan says, "where the music matters."
Looking at the station's future working with EMP has made Mara positively giddy.
"Sometimes I have to take myself into an empty room and squeal a little while," he said.
Melanie McFarland can be reached at mmcfarland@seattletimes.com.