Blog

Local 107.3FM To Launch Radio Camp For Youth

This August, Local 107.3FM is launching its very first Radio Camp for youth on the UNB Saint John campus!

We are inviting youth (9-14) to join us from August 21st to August 25th, 2017 to speak their minds, to own their truths, and to feel empowered through creating media. Our facilitators will provide exciting, engaging, and informative workshops on a wide range of topics – from improvisational theatre to sports broadcasting!

Radio Camp is being made available AT NO COST to participants.

To register or view more information, please visit our Radio Camp page. Never hesitate to contact our Community Outreach Coordinator, Julia Rogers (julia@cfmh.ca), should you have any questions about Radio Camp.

August 9, 2017
Local 107.3FM Picks Up Two National Community Radio Awards

From June 7-11, 2017, Local 107.3FM joined over 100 delegates in Abbotsford, BC to represent community radio stations from all across Canada at the National Campus & Community Radio Conference. Along with several days of panels and workshops, the week’s events included the National Community Awards. With 20 categories receiving over 200 topnotch submissions, competition was certainly fierce from producers all across the country. It is with ecstatic fervor that we can announce that for the first time ever, we took home two separate awards. These awards will sit alongside previous national awards for Best Small Station (2002) and Community Development (2012).

Best In Creative Production
Michael Mohan/Abigail Smith/Mike Specht/Sadie Donahue

Judge’s Comments: “Beautiful, simple production. Haunting. Reminds me of WireTap.”

Funded by the Saint John Community Arts Funding Board, local photographer/filmmaker and St. Stephen native Michael Mohan was chosen as Local 107.3FM’s first-ever artist-in-residence in August 2016. Working with Local-FM staff, Mohan created a fictional call-in show titled “Loveline” in which film, radio, and memory overlap. You can view the trailer for the accompanying short film here. There were pieces about this project on The East and CBC.

Best In Syndicated Radio Show
!earshot 20 (Anthony Enman & Brian Cleveland)

Judge’s Comments: “Interesting to discover Canadian Artists – Great hosts.”

Produced from Local 107.3FM, !earshot 20 is a nationally-syndicated radio program presently airing on over 30 campus and community radio stations across Canada (from Halifax, NS to Kamloops, BC). The program features a countdown of !earshot’s top 20 most played albums on campus and community radio stations in Canada, musician interviews, entertainment news from Exclaim!, and more.

June 22, 2017
Best of Saint John Music Awards 2017 – Winners!

The 9th Annual Best of Saint John Music Awards took place on Saturday, May 27, with the 13 trophies going to a wide range of different local artists. The event took place at the beautiful Sanctuary Theatre in front of a lively, full audience and included performances by Kylie Fox, Brent Mason, and Burgundy Drive. The evening was capped off with an afterparty at Taco Pica and preceded the night before by an artist round table at Five & Dime.

Please see below for a full list of winners.

Special thanks to Picaroons Traditional Ales, the SOCAN FOUNDATION, and Chuck Teed.

(more…)

May 30, 2017
2016 Releases By Saint John Musicians

Do you need a refresher on 2016 releases to vote in this year’s Best of Saint John Music Poll? Here’s what we’ve collected and recall. Did we miss a release? E-mail brian@cfmh.ca

1995 Zellers – “family restaurant”

Adam Washburn & The Elements – “Lift Me Up”

Bad People – “You’re This Close”

Balaclava – “Tour Demo EP 2016”

Brother Faye – “Brother Faye”

Bustin’ – “Crystal Clouds”

Dye Pack – “Make A Mess”

Elephant Skeletons – “The Traveller pt.I”

FWLR – “Outsider”

Heavy Seas – “Mirage”

Isaiah Lightning – “Starry Crown”

Jessica Rhaye – “Song In Me”

Papal Visit – “A Little Further Down The Flame”

Right Shitty – “Bachelor of Arts”

Shrimp Ring – “Humanity’s Last Hope”

SIRR – “BEGAT”

SIRR – “LIAR CAKE”

The Boyer Bunch – “Not Singin’ The Blues”

The Honeyboys – “The Honeyboys”

The Not So Dandy-Lions – “Rough Translation”

The Tasty Wangs – “The Tasty Wangs Go Goth”

Tomato/Tomato – “I Go Where You Go”

Tooth & the Fang – “Void, moving without having moved.”

Usse – “Cancelled Crop”

Usse – “In Through Beyond/Maximilian, Help Me”

Yes/Now – “Yes/Now”

March 20, 2017
Top 107.3 Most Played Albums Of The Year 2016

Since 2007, staff at Local 107.3FM have compiled and released the 107.3 most played albums of the past year. Better late than never, here is the most played albums of 2016! This list is influenced directly by the plays of our many volunteer DJs and are also directly impacted by your requests. Thanks for continuing to support local, Maritime, and Canadian music.

We added 305 albums to our library and charted 289 albums in 2016 on !earshot, the national campus and community radio report.

The 107.3 most played albums of 2016 on Local 107.3fm were:

– 100% Canadian artists
– 43% Maritime artists
– 30% New Brunswick artists
– 22% Saint John artists

1. Tomato/Tomato – “I Go Where You Go”
2. Nap Eyes – “Thought Rock Fish Scale”
3. Earthbound Trio – “Ditch Flowers”
4. Right Shitty – “Bachelor of Arts”
5. Motherhood – “Baby Teeth”
6. Tooth & the Fang – “Void, Moving Without Having Moved”
7. Walrus – “Goodbye Something”
8. PAPAL VISIT – “A Little Further Down The Flame”
9. Various – “It’s Always Sunny In New Brunswick”
10. Hard Charger – “Bad Omens”
11. The Pack AD – “Positive Thinking”
12. Erin Costelo – “Down Below, The Status Quo”
13. Supermoon – “Playland”
14. Wintersleep – “The Great Detachment”
15. 1995 Zellers – “Family Restaraunt”
16. SIRR – “Liar Cake”
17. Cellarghost – “In The Whiteout”
18. Brave Radar – “Lion Head”
19. Jessica Rhaye – “Song In Me”
20. Dylan Menzie – “Adolescent Nature”
21. Shrimp Ring – “Humanity’s Last Hope”
22. Hooded Fang – “Venus on Edge”
23. Laura Sauvage – “Extraordinormal”
24. Like A Motorcycle – “High Hopes”
25. Towanda – “Playthings”
26. Bad People – “You’re This Close”
27. Little You Little Me – “I’d Watch The Day Til It Died”
28. Black Mountain – “IV”
29. Beauts – “Waves/Wash”
30. AA Wallace – “In Alpha Zones”
31. Hand-drawn – “loafin’”
32. Holy Fuck – “Congrats”
33. PUP – “The Dream Is Over”
34. Heaven For Real – “Kill Your Memory”
35. Various – “CiTR Radio 101.9FM Pop Alliance Vol. 4”
36. LE MATOS – “Chronicle of the Wasteland”
37. The Tasty Wangs – “The Tasty Wangs Go Goth”
38. Reversing Falls – “Reversing Falls 2”
39. Penny Blacks – “Moleskin Weather”
40. Ghost Vines – “Ghost Vines”
41. Kat McLevey – “Evergrown”
42. Sheik – “Go Away From Yourself”
43. Usse – “In Through Beyond”
44. Dye Pack – “What A Mess”
45. Jay Arner – “Jay II”
46. Basia Bulat – “Good Advice”
47. REPARTEE – “All Lit Up”
48. Tanya Tagaq – “Retribution”
49. Usse – “Cancelled Crop”
50. Weaves – “Weaves”
51. Rococode – “Don’t Worry It Will Be Dark Soon”
52. Wooden Wives – “Workers! Strike Down These Enemies Of Victory”
53. The Apex – “Underbelly EP”
54. Paupière – “Jeunes instants”
55. Shotgun Jimmie – “Field of Trampolines”
56. Bad People – “Live At The Bourbon Quarter 7/14/15”
57. Dilly Dally – “Sore”
58. Operators – “Blue Wave”
59. ttwwrrss – “ttwwrrss_3”
60. Crystal Castles – “Amnesty”
61. Lisa LeBlanc – “Why You Wanna Leave, Runaway Queen?”
62. Dark for Dark – “All Dressed”
63. BADBADNOTGOOD – “IV”
64. Hannah Georgas – “For Evelyn”
65. Learning – “Dirger”
66. Rae Spoon – “Armour”
67. Solids – “Else”
68. Tim Hecker – “Love Streams”
69. Weird Lines – “Weird Lines”
70. Beauts – “Beauts”
71. betterhalf – “cute doom e.p.”
72. Sarah Neufeld – “The Ridge”
73. Bart – “Holomew”
74. SIRR – “Begat”
75. The Radiation Flowers – “The Radiation Flowers”
76. ELEPHANT SKELETONS – “The Traveler Pt 1”
77. Peaches – “Rub”
78. Programm – “A Torid Marriage of Logic & Emotion”
79. Rah Rah – “Vessels”
80. The Dirty Nil – “Comfort”
81. Blank Banshee – “MEGA”
82. Jaguar Knight – “Jaguar Party Edits Vol. 2”
83. Monomyth – “Happy Pop Family”
84. Ought – “Sun Coming Down”
85. Stegosaurus – “PUMMELLED”
86. SUUNS – “Hold / Still”
87. The Zorgs – “Chew On It”
88. Elaquent – “Less is More (Lo Definition)”
89. Gawker – “Demo 2016”
90. Jons – “At Work On Several Things”
91. MINOTAURS – “Weird Waves”
92. The Submissives – “Do You Really Love Me?”
93. Various – Fixture Records 4″
94. ZAUM – “Eidolon”
95. Andy Shauf – “The Party”
96. Autumn Still – “When It Was”
97. Beard Springsteen – “Downer Punks of Fredericton”
98. Brother Faye – “Brother Faye”
99. Code Pie – “Pop Cycle”
100. DIANA – “Familiar Touch”
101. Fake Tears – “Nightshifting”
102. Fox Opera – “Nowhere Native”
103. Plants and Animals – “Waltzed In From the Rumbling”
104. TV FREAKS – “Bad Luck Charms”
105. What Seas, What Shores – “Spiritual Nap Machine”
106. Fossil Cliffs – “Enter The Realm”
107. LAL – “Find Safety”
107.3. Michael Feuerstack – “Adult Lullabies”

March 16, 2017
Quality Block Party

Local 107.3FM are proud sponsors of the upcoming Quality Block Party!

A new celebration of independent New Brunswick culture and talent, the Quality Block Party will bring together some of New Brunswick’s most talented artists for five days of music and mayhem during the 2017 East Coast Music Award Week in Saint John: April 26th-30th.

Reflecting on the breadth and passion of New Brunswick talent, this block party offers a supplement and added experience to the ECMAs to those living in Saint John and to friends visiting from away.

Music, art and speaker performances will take place all week in multiple Uptown Saint John businesses found on the Quality Block on Germain and Princess Streets. The amazing line-up already includes:

Julie Doiron, Motherhood, Little You Little Me, Galpines, The Squirts, Janowskii, Keith Hallett, Bad People, CHIPS, The Waking Night, Reagans Rayguns, Jane Blanchard, The Hypochondriacs, Owen Steel, Young Satan In Love, Beard Springsteen, Nerve Button, Right Shitty, Some Dads, Penny Blacks, Graeme Kennedy, Cellarghost, Math Class, Butcher, ER and the Other, Wrote, 1995 Zellers, plus more artists and events to be announced.

We can’t wait to bring you more details along the way!

March 2, 2017
15th Annual Homelessness Marathon Schedule

Pleasantly countering the above promotional material, the ever-expanding 15th Annual Homelessness Marathon schedule now runs for 13.5 hours from Wednesday, February 22nd at 7pm Atlantic to Thursday, February 23rd at 8:30am Atlantic. Please find the full schedule below

7pm CiTR (Vancouver, BC): Profiles of folk who live and work in the Downtown Eastside live from Megaphone Magazine; along with discussion of the opioid crisis and the resilience/activism with which the community has faced it.

8pm CICK (Smithers, BC): A compilation of interviews from people living on the street and those who provide services to them.

9pm CJSR (Edmonton, AB): Intimate portraits of individuals in academia who have experienced homelessness.

10pm CJSR (Edmonton, AB): Exploring displacement, specifically the challenges faced by newcomers to Canada and the displacement of Edmonton’s homeless population.

11pm CKUT (Montreal, QC): A discussion featuring the voices of women of colour on homelessness and communities of colour.

12am CKUT (Montreal, QC): An open format space for people to share their experiences.

1am Local-FM (Saint John, NB): The FEMCORE Collective interviews local figures about the role of gender in homelessness. Abigail Smith speaks with Jennifer Megeney from the Coverdale Women’s Centre, and Diane Kerns and Julie Dingwell from AIDS Saint John.

2am CFCR (Saskatoon, SK): Laundry List – Women & Gender Topics

2:30am CFCR (Saskatoon, SK): Civically Speaking – Local Saskatoon Civic Politics

3am CHUO (Ottawa, ON): Interviews with people currently experiencing homelessness in Ottawa.

4am CKXU (Lethbridge, AB): Interviews with support workers involved in Lethbridge homelessness initiatives.

5am CFUR (Prince George, BC): Interviews with people working on the front line and people who have, or are presently, experiencing homelessness. Includes a feature on Prince George’s Street Humanities Program.

6am CFUZ (Penticton, BC): Focusing on themes of “Sharing When You Have Nothing” and ‘Keeping Your Dignity When You Are Ostracized.”

6:30am Groundwire: A collaborative production of community radio producers across Canada present a collection of pieces relating to homelessness.

7am CFCR (Saskatoon, SK): Laundry List – Women & Gender Topics

7:30am CFCR (Saskatoon, SK): Civically Speaking – Local Saskatoon Civic Politics

8am CFCR (Saskatoon, SK): Snake Mountain Mixtape – Open Music Show

February 22, 2017
15th Annual Homelessness Marathon

On Wednesday February 22nd, 2017, Local 107.3 FM in Saint John, NB will host the 2017 Homelessness Marathon. Having aired the annual overnight radio marathon for a number of years, we are proud to take the opportunity to organize this year’s broadcast.

This year marks the 15th annual Homelessness Marathon, a yearly overnight radio broadcast shared on campus and community stations from coast to coast, creating linkages and raising awareness of homelessness in Canadian communities.

The Marathon began in 1998 in Geneva, New York and the 19th annual Homelessness Marathon was held in January at WMPG in Portland, Maine. The concept moved north to Canada 15 years ago with CKUT-FM in Montreal as the host station who took the reins for 11 years. The marathon has begun rotating hosts across Canada in recent years including Edmonton, Kingston, and Abbotsford.

The 2017 marathon will air on 17 broadcasters representing 6 provinces and will feature local and national programming including 30-minute to two-hour segments. Topics will include the displacement of homeless populations, organisations and community members who provide resources, and in depth portraits of individuals who have experienced homelessness.

This year’s broadcast will last 11 hours, starting on Wednesday February 22nd, 2017 at 7 PM (AST) and running until Thursday, February 23rd at 6 AM (AST). Regular Local-FM programming will be pre-empted for the entirety of the broadcast, airing instead public forums, pre-recorded stories, and other content from community broadcasters.

January 31, 2017
Local-FM Volunteer Awards 2017

Local-FM was very happy to hold its first annual Volunteer Awards 2017 on January 14th at the Five & Dime located in Uptown Saint John! Eleven awards were delivered to our volunteer base, nine chosen by staff and two voted on by the public. Enjoy some photos from the event below as well as a list of the awards winners:

Best Spoken Word Program
The Sky Above (Ed O’Reilly)

Best Open Format Music Program
Bedroom Dancing (Jennifer Megeney)

Best Specialty Program
Vox Humana (Robert Selby)

Best New Program
Tuning In With Mandy-Lynn (Mandy-Lynn Donovan)

Best Cultural Program
Multicultural Potluck (Olena Gryshchuk, Helen Dehtiar & Renata Britez)

Legacy Award
Reverend William “Bill” Phillips (“Friday At One”)

Best Syndicated Program
The Velvet Studio (Luke Smith & Sebastien Plante)

Volunteer of the Year
(tie) Robert Selby & Ed O’Reilly

Listeners’ Choice “Best Open Format Music Program
5th Element / Dustin Howe

Listeners’ Choice “Best Spoken Word Program
FEMCORE / Various Hosts

(Photos by Michael Mohan, 2017)

January 16, 2017
The KWIR Holiday Survival Guide!

Greetings Local-FM & KWIR Radio Friends!

This year on Local-FM’s “KWIR” program, I offered a Holiday Survival Guide for queer-identified individuals. As you likely know, the Holiday season can be particularly challenging for people of the LGBTQ+ community. Many people are not “out” to their families, many are “sort of” accepted by their families, and still others are completely rejected by their families. In this post I will give you a basic survival guide for making it through the Holidays with your families (or on your own!). This list is a compilation of ideas I’ve learned through the years for myself plus some that were suggested to me by friends. I hope you find this list helpful and if you have any queer-identified people in your life and you know they are struggling please feel free to share this list with them!

Happy Holidays from KWIR Radio! xo Stephanie Tierney

THE LIST

1. Start with some self-care!

In the time leading up to your Holiday visit (whether that’s a day or a week or more), do a bunch of stuff that you love and brings you emotional comfort. Exercise, read some books, write in a journal, meditate. Recharge your social batteries by hanging out with your best friend(s), or alternately take some quiet solitude or even take a nap (always good for recharging!). Treat yourself to a new haircut, get your nails done, buy a new article of clothing. If you have a partner get in some extra cuddles and quality time together beforehand. The better you feel emotionally before the Holidays the better chance you will weather the Holidays with family and come out happy-ish on the other end!

2. Prepare yourself!

If you know there are family members who don’t accept you for you obviously it’s best to minimize your time with them.
– Mentally prepare some answers for some of the dreaded questions you may be asked. Having some witty retorts to some of the potentially invasive questions is a solid plan. You don’t have to have cue cards clearly, but being ready for what’s potentially coming will do wonders for your confidence and will allow you to set the tone during your visit.

3. Form alliances!

If you are feeling overwhelmed or don’t have another queer-identified person in your family, having at least one friend or family member that you know “has your back” can make a huge difference between feeling overwhelmed or feeling content. Connecting with these family allies beforehand can also be a solid idea.

4. Set boundaries!

Just because you have “come out” to your family doesn’t mean any aspect of your queer life is up for discussion. You may have an overly curious cousin who insists on knowing how you get dates or what you do in the privacy of your own space. You are free to divulge as much or as little as you like. If things get weird just state that you are not interested in discussing the things being asked and move on (or excuse yourself for a breather!). Communicating boundaries beforehand is not a bad idea as well. It may help keep everyone on the same page.

5. Find Your Escape Hatch!

– Sometimes getting a little space away from everyone calm help calm the nerves. Take some time to breathe. If things escalate it’s never a bad idea to excuse yourself and catch your breath. The bathroom is always a place to escape! A short walk around the block is great as well. Offer to go get needed supplies from the corner store for the gathering. Smokers have an easy out, but KWIR Radio does not endorse the taking up of smoking for Holiday relief.

6. Pre-arrange with friends if you need a “text buddy” (or “call buddy”)

Having a few friends at your fingertips can make you feel happier. Knowing that if your family becomes overwhelming you have a friend to reach out to can give you a great deal of confidence. Taking that walk around the block and being able to hear a trusted friend’s voice can be very soothing.

7. Bring A Buddy!

If you are in a relationship you can bring your significant other or if you are single bring a special friend who will have your back. Bringing another queer-identified friend is always a cool thing to do – not only will they “get” you but they may actually be alone at the Holidays and looking for a place to go! Plus, as an added bonus oftentimes family are less likely to start trouble when there are outsiders present! Your guest may ensure everyone is on their best behavior.

8. Know When to Get Out When You’ve Had Enough!

Showing up is a huge step, but know that you only have to stay as long as you want to. If you’ve hit your wall and need out, never feel bad making the decision to leave. There are always reasons to leave, though you don’t have to make excuses if you’ve honestly just had enough.

9. You Don’t Have to Explain Yourself! (for trans folks)

Similar to not having to discussions about how queer people get dates, etc – you don’t have to explain your gender identity or expression if you are not comfortable with that. This is a concept that is common in trans lives in that you don’t have to divulge your HRT regimen, why you chose to wear what you wore to Christmas dinner, or if you plan on having gender affirmation surgery. It’s not up for discussion unless you feel comfortable with it and with the person asking!

10. Having A Different Kind of Christmas!

The common idea of the Holidays is that we spend time with our biological families, but that’s not the only way to enjoy this time of year. If you know that some of your other queer-identified friends are alone for the Holidays plan some activities that create a different kind of family – a family of friends! This can be getting together for food and social time or it can be a series of activities that bring you together over the Holiday time. Movie theaters never close too – so a double-bill with your buddies can be fun too. Your friends who support you are your family too – they’ve been with you through hard times and you’ve likely helped them out in times of need. Honor that bond, and feel happy knowing you may be helping them from being alone over the Holidays as well.

11. Music/Movies/Books That Make You Feel Happy (for extended stays at your family’s house)

Making a nice long playlist of songs that make you feel happy and having it available is awesome! I like 80s pop hits, Motown, and stuff that just makes me feel happy. Close the door and do a little dance. I know it may sound silly but it can do wonders for your mood. After the party is over and you’re tucked away in your own space (or on that pull-out couch), put on a movie that makes you happy and will take your mind off of things. Stand-up comedy is also a good release. Laughing rules! Alternately, bring along a good book to keep you company.

12. Remind Yourself That You’re Fabulous (Often)!

DO IT!

13. If It’s Your First Time Home….!

The reality is that you may have come out to your family before the Holiday season has rolled around. You may be going home for the first time in a sense, as your real self. This can be a really challenging time. Especially if the news of your coming out hasn’t trickled down to all of your extended family (and they decide to visit!). There is no easy way around this one. Be yourself, brace for some awkwardness and do your best. Who knows, you may end up finding allies in your family as a result of coming out. Make yourself the most comfortable you can be is the key here. Oftentimes if your family sees you sticking to your guns and being happy in your new path it will help them to see how important your happiness is to them. For me, I was out for a year without seeing my parents. When I finally gave them the ultimatum that it was acceptance or me walking away they made efforts to really see me. Once they saw me in person they were calling me by my new name and using my correct pronouns. I’m not saying this will happen instantly for all, but remaining true to yourself and showing your happiness can really change the way your family sees you. It won’t always be easy, but it can get better! (Also, I gave my grandmother a pass on the misgendering for many instances, but eventually she got to using the correct pronouns). Sometimes patience and perseverance can be powerful tools.

14. You Are Not Alone!

Know that you are not the only one going through this stuff. In fact, if you live in a larger centre there are likely LGBTQ+ community centres with gatherings happening over the Holidays. Do some research and see if there is something happening in your area and if there’s not don’t be afraid to create something! There may be local bars or clubs in the area you are visiting. If you are staying with family or visiting family and your parents/relatives are cool, you can also invite your queer-identified friend over for dinner. I had a friend do this for me two Thanksgivings ago and it meant the world to me. There may even be queer drop-in centres looking for volunteers – reach out to local LGBTQ+ community groups for more info! On a side note – if you are away and things get too intense renting a hotel room to get a night away is also an option.

15. Remind Yourself That This Is Temporary!

Keep your visit in perspective. This is not a forever kind of arrangement. It may be a day or a week but in the grand scheme of things it’s very minor. Find things you can enjoy while you’re in this space. Again, a 20 minute walk can change your whole perspective – it’s a reality! If it is an extended visit take some time for yourself and go explore.

16. Wine!

I’m not condoning the consumption of alcohol, but every now and then a glass of red wine can just take that edge off. If you are driving obviously drink responsibly. KWIR wants you to be safe!

17. You Don’t Have To Go Home For Christmas!

If you know your experiences at home and with family are guaranteed to be awful don’t be afraid to go it alone (or with friends). This goes back to self-care and ensuring that you are happy. If you are going to be alone by choice please prepare yourself – it can be very lonely. Having ideas for keeping yourself occupied is really not a bad idea. (My experiences here). This can go back to having happy music, binge watching Stranger Things one more time, taking naps, hot baths, walks, visiting the cinema, calling a friend, reading, creating music or art, or any thing that makes you have butterflies in your belly. Take care of yourself. If things go South and you are not coping please reach out to the resources I am about to give to you. Be well and know that you are truly not alone.

Be well & Happy Holidays!

December 21, 2016