It’s Wednesday night, and in Athens, Georgia, on Bainbridge Island, and here and there all across the US and the world, people are listening in to KZSM 104.1/KZSM.org, waiting to hear the song they submitted to “It’s What’s New,” 7-9 p.m. The show features all the music sent in to KZSM during the previous week. Hosts Rob Roark and Levy Nause still scan social media posts for new music, though after just over a year of broadcasting, some artists have become regular contributors.
Listeners enjoy an unlimited range of music: the Atlanta-based band Starbuck had a top 40 hit in the 70s with “Moonlight Feels Right”; RENU is a woman-fronted, Austin- based R&B/Acid Jazz band; the Goldstars are Chicago’s garage/punk pulpers; John Sokoloff’s music is inspired by his Russian-American heritage; Larkspur Vega blends Americana roots with cinematic textures. And that’s just a sampling.
The hosts especially enjoy doing the show because of the connection
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they feel with the artists and their personal stories. For instance, John Sokoloff’s song “Loving Patty” recalled a crush from age 11. “[I] suddenly remembered the long-ago innocent love and felt the weight of all the years that have passed,” he wrote.
The extensive process of vetting and organizing the new song submissions benefits from a younger perspective. Levy Nause serves as an intern on “It’s What’s New.” He’s the third Texas State sound and recording technology student to work with the show. “My internship at KZSM overlaps with many of my passions in the program and is allowing me to develop and showcase my technical and musical knowledge simultaneously, which is very exciting for me,” he reports.
For our interns, radio adds a new dimension to the skills they are acquiring at Texas State. Levy has found speaking on the air and producing a radio show “more natural” than he anticipated. “I feel like this has been a great opportunity to work on my live public speaking skills,” he adds.
“I love hearing all the stories and inspiration behind the tracks people submit,” Levy says. “As someone who makes music, it is very fulfilling to receive feedback on how much it means to independent artists that we can help give them exposure to new audiences and elevate their tracks.”
“It’s What’s New” offers exposure for the artists, new expertise for our interns, and a unique listening experience for you.
