Music has long been known to bring people together. For the WKNH members it has given them not only a community but a family.
WKNH is the campus radio station where anybody, regardless of major, can apply and get a radio show where they can play whatever music they want (as long as it’s clean) and talk about anything that they want.
According to WKNH’s co-general manager and junior criminal justice major Ecram Tedrose, her love for radio has existed for a long time. “I love music and when I was younger I used to listen to the radio a lot and I always thought the radio hosts had such good energy and they were always playing good music. I also liked the call-in shows and loved the advice they would give. I always imagined myself doing that kind of thing because I have terrible stage fright… [I can be] behind a radio in someone’s car and I don’t need to show my face and can just talk about whatever I want. It’s the most freeing thing, in a way,” said Tedrose.
The history of college radio is a big part for fellow co-general manager and junior studio art and communications major Emma Connelly. “I guess what I like about WKNH is honestly just the history behind college radio in general. It’s always been a freeform place to express new ideas and new art that you wouldn’t see commercially because we don’t do sponsorships, so we can promote new artists who we’re not paid to,” said Connelly.
WKNH treasurer and junior communications and Holocaust and genocide studies major Jacob Allen said he was drawn to radio because of his love for music along with the kind community. “They were originally tabling at one of the student involvement fairs and it was one of the only clubs that had to do with music. I love music so it just sounded like it would be perfect. [WKNH is made of] a diverse group of people and they were really welcoming and I knew instantly it was something I wanted to be a part of,” said Allen.
For Allen, the familial feeling is strongest when everybody works together to do something. “I’ve learned how important everybody’s role is, in not just a club or an organization but any group in general. [I’ve learned] if everyone does their part how cool everything can come together and how you feel like a community and family,” said Allen.
Ecram said she also really enjoys this part, specifically putting together the Rock in the NOC (Night Owl Cafe) events. “I think my personal favorite part of WKNH [is] a new thing we started [called] the Rock in the NOC. We look for local bands that aren’t too popular that we can afford and we have them play live in the NOC for free, and it’s just cool music. It’s just a really fun part even though we plan it, talking to bands and seeing how far they traveled and they’re so excited.”
You also cannot talk about WKNH without the shows. According to sophomore journalism major Shawn Belden, this is a good creative outlet for him. “I like doing the shows because it’s fun encapsulating all the music you want to play for the week, and then when you’re actually doing a show it’s so much fun and you get to showcase different types of music and have interesting talks with people,” said Belden.
Allen also enjoys this creative aspect. “My favorite part is probably working with all the DJs. It’s just so much fun and also you can be so creative with it. You can play whatever songs you want, as long as they’re clean, from a wide variety of genres,” said Allen.
Rock in the NOC occurs once a month with the next event happening Friday, February 28. In the meantime you can check out the following shows: It Gets Worse Tuesdays at 8 p.m., Frog in a Well Wednesdays at 9 p.m., Campfire Bonding Thursdays 8 to 10 p.m., and Beldonianland Fridays at 11 a.m.
Note: Times for It Gets Worse and Frog in a Well may be subject to change.
Cristian Valentin can be contacted at cvalentin@kscequinox.com
