Fluorescent Dreams Wax Cylinders - A terrible, hidden secret...

10:58 - A terrible, hidden secret...

I have a terrible, hidden secret. One that I only feel safe telling to you.^*

I try to come across as a rational, deep person. As far as radio goes, I try to come across as someone who donates to the local NPR-station, who would never let Clear Channel ever touch my car's radio.

I... I... forgive me, for I have sinned. I... have a radio-preset in my car that's tuned to a Clear Channel station. And... I love it.

KCNL, the station broadcasting at 104.9 in the Bay Area, has always had problems finding its niche. It became a Spanish-language station at the beginning of this year, naming itself "Romantica 104.9", playing, well, romantic music. Later this year, it became "Enamorada 104.9". Both bombed on a radio dial that's filled with similar music.

This summer, they changed their music style again. And this time, it clicked with listeners. They filled the station with Spanish-language remixes of 80's and 90's rock, incredibly upbeat dance music, and power ballads in Spanish. It's been a breakthrough success, connecting across the English-language and Spanish-language markets.

For me, it's a powerful and fun mixing of cultures: I hear techno music with accordions, remixed versions of old favorites, and cheerful songs from all over Latin America.

If you're not in the Bay Area, they stream live.

Take care, all!

^* ...and everyone else on my friends list, and everyone who subscribes to my RSS feed, and everyone who comes across this in friendsfriends lists or by Google or...