Seattle's KEXP to join Radio New York

This month's Paste asks, "Does Seattle's music scene still matter?"

New York certainly thinks so. After making eyes at the West coast, in one month Radio New York 91.5 FM will broadcast Seattle's KEXP-produced programming under the moniker Radio Liberation (Thanks, Brooklyn Vegan).

What does this mean for Emerald City artists like the Cave Singers or Minus the Bear? Seattle's station will be able to reach another 14 million terrestrial (i.e. not Internet-based) listeners in New York. Those who dare to commute in taxi-land will be able to hear three-hour drive-time music shows, The Morning Show with John Richards, nightly world music shows and weekly Kevin Cole broadcasts.

While the general manager of NYC Media Group's sentiments that "Radio is the next great frontier" seem a bit anachronistic and KEXP-fans' reactions are mixed, the sea-to-shining-sea link can only mean good things for labels like Sub Pop and Barsuk and coastal citizens itching for some new tunes.

The countdown begins!

Related links:
KEXP.org
Radio New York
Paste: Rust Never Sleeps: Three Reasons to Not Count Seattle Out Yet

Got news tips for Paste? E-mail news@pastemagazine.com.