At KSLU radio, the DJs and directors like to have fun, but they don’t mess around.
On Monday, they began a 24-hour broadcast at 7 a.m., playing music throughout the night and into Tuesday morning. The broadcast kicked off a week of activities for KSLU DJs and SLU students at large.
“We wanted to let people know that we care about this,” said music director Christine Sanley of the 24-hour broadcast. “We had the KSLU rush at the beginning of last semester . and we’re trying to do that again this semester, to get people coming in to the studio.”
The purpose of the activities is not just to increase involvement but also “to make KSLU cohesive,” Sanley said. The directors want to build a KSLU community-so that, instead of DJs stopping by once a week to do their show, they’ll get involved in other activities and get to know each other.
KSLU DJ Billy Croghan said that KSLU is working to build its reputation on campus.
“We’re sometimes trivialized because we can only be listened to on the Internet or on TV,” Croghan said. “The more people realize that we’re not just people goofing off over the Internet, the more people will listen to KSLU.”
But they’re not all business, of course. “That’s what it’s all about . you’re taking on responsibility, but you’re also having a good time,” Croghan said.
On Tuesday night, KSLU directors and DJs got together for a potluck and trivia night, which was “a really good event for kids to test their knowledge of music,” said mobile DJ team leader and events director Ryan Kohl.
KSLU also wants to reach out to other student organizations, Kohl said. “We want them to know that we can be a resource for them,” as KSLU can run student-organization advertisements in The Amp, or DJs can read Public Service Announcements from organizations on the air. KSLU mobile DJs can also play music at student-organization events, Kohl said. Student organizations can even record their own PSAs for radio exposure on KSLU, for free.
KSLU’s own recording and mixing studio, Billiken Records, is also available for student use.
“We’re more than just playing shows,” Kohl said. “That’s what this whole week is about-having fun and being recognized.”
KSLU events will take place through the weekend, with a dance-off tonight in Salsarita’s from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. This “match your tab” event will raise money for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. KSLU will donate $200 to Relay for Life in the name of the dance-off winner-in addition to all the proceeds from the event. The dance-off is co-sponsored by the Student Activities Board.
Then, on Friday, the St. Louis-based ska legends MU330 will play the Billiken Club with guests Prizzy Prizzy Please and Fallen on Deaf Ears.
Another concert will take place on Saturday, with Team AV Showcase, featuring Baby & Hide, Oso and Piglet.
Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show commences at 8 p.m., on both nights. Both shows are free.
Croghan said that he’s excited about the dance-off fundraiser. “It does tend to be, you come in here and do a routine show . but no one else is doing a dance off. That’s some original [expletives deleted].”
