Kolache in one hand, I used the other to tune the car radio to 91.7 FM before heading out of the Czech Stop parking lot and toward Dallas. After two days of live music at Austin's Fun Fun Fun Fest, my traveling companion and I were ready to check out the canned goods offered by KXT, the new local NPR-affiliated music station, on its first day in existence.
Songs we heard included the great (Grizzly Bear's "Two Weeks"), the terrible (Wings' "Band on the Run") and the WTF (Angelique Kidjo's strange cover of U2's "Mysterious Ways.") But -- here's the key -- unlike certain other stations that seemingly play the same 10 mind-numbing pop songs every hour, KXT gives Dallas listeners a commercial-free playlist fueled by an interest in music, not money. (Same can be said for the long-running KNON 89.3, by the way.)
Now, the station's not perfect by any stretch. As sexy-voiced morning host Gini Mascorro rattled off song- and album titles, it occurred to me that I might get weary of the "adult alternative" format. Hip-hop, electro and punk don't have much of a place on the station (at least in its inaugural hours), so it's highly likely that what I call "KGSR Fatigue" will set in for younger listeners. I also hope that the local-music choices continue to move beyond the East Dallas bubble -- KXT's doing an excellent job so far in that area.
While I enjoy the soothing tones of Mascorro and afternoon host Joe Kozera, it'd be nice if they'd put down the song lists and talk a little. Tell us who they are, what they think about the music they're playing and why we should listen.
During today's inaugural in-studio performance session, local singer Sarah Jaffe was interviewed briefly by Kozera about her early live shows, and then she played two new tunes. What we didn't get was an informed intro from the host about Jaffe and her accomplishments in the local music scene. We also didn't hear any of her recorded material mixed in with the live performances. Here's hoping the station spends a little more time with visiting talent in the future. It could make a good and much needed local showcase great.
Lord knows this area needs everything it can get when it comes to musical offerings. [Segue!] Dallas certainly doesn't have a live festival as user-friendly and diverse as Fun Fun Fun, which took place Saturday and Sunday in Austin's Waterloo Park.
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