Today I went looking for the legendary KEXP radio station. My mission – to hand in CD’s, and buy some ads for the upcoming gigs (Only two confirmed! the other places better hurry up and get back or they’ll miss out on the ad!!)
I like to get myself lost in new places. It’s really the only way to find yourself. So with trusty ol’ Plunky on my back, we set off through downtown Seattle, sleuthing the location of KEXP.
After some miles in the not too hot Seattle Summer sun, (weather here has been AWESOME, by the way,) I found the place.
It turns out I had walked past it. 3 TIMES.
It was in an unassuming cramped little building up the back of Downtown. So I fronted up and chatted to the receptions, barging my way in to the good graces.
I have to say, the folks down there were just superb. So helpful and happy to meet a sweaty stranger. They took all my CD’s that had been specially sorted for all the respective genres of their shows. Sadly I missed out on speaking to the person in charge of the “underwriting” again!! (Underwriting is what they call ads I guess. KEXP is the equivalent at home to RRR and PBS. They let poor people do ads for gigs on it!)
Nevertheless, there was a wonderful woman called Dean who was just delightful to chat with. And get this – she gave me a full guided tour of the station! I was really impressed. The space is incredibly cramped, but they use every square inch to absolute maximum effect. I was most impressed with the comprehensive library in the building. At home, PBS and RRR only have a fraction of a library this size, relying mostly on presenters’ collections. The KEXP library was like a Swiss army knife of vynil and CD’s. It unfolded!
So, I’d like to say thanks to all the folks at KEXP and I hope you guys get back to me soon for those ads!
Keep the music going, well done!
Check out KEXP!
CC Thornley 