College radio is known for obscure, cutting edge music, unprofessionally rambling DJs, and buzzing hours of dead air, but Hopkins' very own radio station, WJHU, is trying to be something more. Though the modest Internet broadcast-only station experiences more than its share of technical difficulties, lapses in programming and "casual" DJ performances, the student-run club aspires to become a viable force in the oft-maligned Hopkins arts scene.
Student radio at Hopkins is not a new thing, even though its most recent conception has only existed since 2002. According to http://www.wjhuradio.com, some sort of radio broadcast on campus has been happening since the 1940s.
Hopkins radio metamorphosed from an AMR basement project into a major market FM station over a period of years, forcing the administration to take control away from Hopkins students and filling their spots with paid professionals. Unsatisfied about losing their radio station, insurgent students started another station in the early 90s.
Working with a shoestring budget, WHSR, Hopkins Student Radio, faced technical problems and ultimately hung up the headphones in 2000. Two years later, through the harnessing of the incredible power of the information superhighway, WJHU was reborn as the latest incarnation of a grassroots student radio station.
This past Sunday, the fledgling organization staged Rocktoberfest, a live outdoor concert featuring artists affiliated with the University community. Included in the festivities were Hopkins funk favorites DEFAWNK, local fusion folk band Jayakar and several other acts featuring Hopkins students and members of the WJHU staff.
The show began with Lights Out, an acoustic project of radio staffers Jake Dalpiaz and Bill Gostic. They were followed by the classic rock inflected band, Tartar Control, who burned through the tranquil autumn day with excellent guitar work and old-fashioned rocking and rolling.
Jayakar, a non-Hopkins band save for Peabody student and drummer Shareef Taher, took the stage shortly after and fired up the small crowd with their well-wrought jams and smooth melodies.
DEFAWNK, known for their unimpeachable musicianship and danceable tunes, integrated the vocal stylings of Milton Russell, a JHU shuttle driver whom keyboardist Paul Angelini discovered while hitching a ride. He propelled through songs such as Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" and James Brown's "I Feel Good." The band also debuted a new original song entitled "Chop Shop."
The four-hour mini-festival was concluded by a non-student solo acoustic artist, Anilrock. Anilrock is known for his performances in local bars and clubs.
Conceived as a visible public effort to redefine the image and role of WJHU, Rocktoberfest is only one of the first steps according to station's assistant manager, sophomore Dalpiaz. In fact, the show was merely a call to arms.
"Rocktoberfest was a try-out to see who is around and who is good enough to get on the radio," Dalpiaz said.
The station plans to record performances by Hopkins bands in a location like the Mattin Center and broadcast them live through the station's Internet stream.
Such a program would not only provide another venue for performers but would ideally lend some cohesiveness to the musical community at the University -- allowing those interested to sample bands they may have only heard in passing.
Artists already on the tentative list for the concert series include Jayakar, DEFAWNK and Anthony Blaha and the Goodfellows, with more to come as the project advances. Once implemented, the station will attempt to showcase a band once a month.
In addition to merely broadcasting, there are plans for informal connections with bands through publishing and sound equipment work.
"DEFAWNK have a bunch of new songs that they say they will not play until they go on the radio. We're going to lay these down on a CD and hand them out at a big radio house party," Dalpiaz said.
Also on the platter is a night of stand-up comedy and musical performances to be held at Levering's Great Hall. Making use of the administration's new alcohol standards in the former E-Level, the staff intends to serve alcohol.
The purpose of all of these events and features is to increase the student body's consciousness of the radio as well as providing much needed recreation and artistic enrichment.
The listener base of WJHU is, at this point, extremely limited -- usually confined to friends of DJs. A very popular show may attract 50 to 60 listeners depending on time slot. Late evening slots are coveted and reserved for the most popular shows. Among the most popular programs are broadcasts of Hopkins sporting events, which are listened to by fans and family members who cannot see the game.
To court the affections of listeners, the club wants to have campus dining halls play WJHU instead of other radio stations. In addition, there are plans to broadcast live from Terrace on a weekly basis as was done last year. Promotional items such as bottle openers, condoms and clothing are in the works.
Though the managing staff of the radio wishes WJHU could be a true FCC-regulated broadcasting entity, a limited budget and difficulties in implementation hinder any such plans in the near future.
A young and ambitious organization, WJHU is "always open to new ideas and helping hands," according to Dalpiaz. New DJs are screened and assigned time slots at the beginning of each semester and interested parties are urged to seek more information on the http://www.wjhuradio.com Web site. Additionally, a schedule of this semester's shows, a more comprehensive history and future events are listed.
