Public Radio Music Month: Going Beyond the Singles
Talyor Muse, lead singer of Quiet Company
Taylor Muse of Quiet CompanyThere are so many new music releases each year that – in an effort to save the radio station the “trouble” of listening to an entire CD – record labels typically identify a single or two that stations should consider for their rotation.
So it’s a pleasant surprise for the members of Austin band Quiet Company when fans hear one of their new songs that’s not one of the singles.
“When I hear someone talk about a song of ours they heard on KUT – a song that wasn’t pushed as a single – I think to myself ‘Wow, someone actually took the time to listen to my record and played something they liked,’” said lead singer Taylor Muse, whose band was named “Band of the Year” and who himself was named “Musician of the Year” by the Austin Chronicle last month.
According to Taylor, it feels good knowing there’s no huge corporate entity dictating what public radio stations can and cannot play. “Austin is home to a host of great songwriters and bands, many of which can be heard on KUT,” he says. “As a songwriter, it’s humbling and inspiring to listen to my peers’ work and know that anything you write has a chance to play on KUT.”
That freedom to broadcast the broad spectrum of music available and the sounds that reflect the local community is a hallmark of public radio and Taylor thinks that’s what makes programs like “Eklektikos,” hosted by John Aielli, accessible to listeners. “That freedom of format is what allows John to play whatever he wants, including something from Quiet Company.”
“Our band has been fortunate with the amount of airplay we’re getting with this record, “We Are All Where We Belong,” both on KUT and other stations. More often than not, the people who come to our shows say they heard us on KUT.”
April is Public Radio Music Month. KUT and public radio stations throughout the country are highlighting the partnership between public radio and music. NPR has created a special website, www.publicradiomusicmonth.org, spotlighting some of the work public radio stations around the country — including KUT — are doing to curate local music and introduce you to innovative new sounds from emerging artists.
