As we celebrate 20 years of Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative, we thought we would ruminate for a moment or two on how music is selected for the show. It is never easy. There is always more that we want to play than we have the time to fit onto a show setlist. Curating a compelling playlist for any radio show is an art form that goes beyond just picking popular tracks or personal favorites. For an indie DJ, like myself, especially one focusing on alternative or non-mainstream genres, the process involves a balance of passion, research, intuition, and a non-ending effort to understand an audience. So, many listeners have asked how we choose music for Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative, I thought I would create a list of key points and explain how we have been picking music over our 20 year history.

So, take a drink, and let’s jump in. Here’s a personal deep dive into the sometimes chaotic journey of how we select music for this radio show.

1. Understanding the Show’s Identity

The starting point for any DJ is a clear vision of the show’s identity. Being an indie DJ means that here at YTAA we strive to avoid the known names and focus on artists who are making incredible music but are overlooked for oh-so-many damn reasons. We typically try to craft a unique niche to stand out amidst the sea of mainstream programming. Whether the focus is alternative, indie-folk, dream pop, lo-fi beats, underground electronic, or indie rock, this identity serves as a guiding principle for music selection. When we say that we play “Music in all Directions!” this is what we mean.

• Theme: Does the show explore specific themes, like nostalgia, indie holidays, memorial shows for those artists that we lost in the previous year, or emerging artists? We often decide to spotlight unsigned musicians or dedicate episodes to genres like shoegaze or post-punk revival.
• Mood: We often prioritize mood over rigid genre boundaries. Whether the vibe is mellow, energetic, or experimental, the music should align with the emotional tone they aim to create. We might let more than the usual four songs and then radio break pattern because we don’t want to interfere with the groove, flow, or vibe.

2. Know the YTAA Audience

Understanding the audience is pivotal in crafting a playlist that resonates. While we often play music and artists we love, it is not exclusively about us. An indie DJ often caters to listeners who are adventurous, open to discovering new sounds, and appreciative of diversity. This is a critical piece of song selection for us at Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative.

• Demographics: Who is tuning in? College students might appreciate indie pop and fresh remixes, while an older audience might gravitate toward timeless indie rock or alt classics from the 80s and 90s alternative scenes.
• Engagement Patterns: Over the years, we have tried to find ways to interact with the audience through social media, email requests, or live call-ins. Feedback from listeners helps shape future playlists, as we gain insights into what resonates and why those sounds or those artists mean something to the listener.

By understanding an audience, hopefully, we strike a balance between challenging listeners with fresh sounds and offering comfort through familiar tracks. Adventure and comfort may sound like contradictions, and perhaps that is not a problem.

3. Endlessly Scouting for New Music

Fear of missing out on an exciting song is something that drives Dr. J. One of the most exciting yet challenging aspects of being an indie DJ is the constant search for new music. Indie/Alternative music thrives on discovery, and looking for hidden gems means we may listen to hundreds of songs in the week before the show airs.

• Digital Platforms: Streaming services like Spotify, Bandcamp, and SoundCloud are goldmines for discovering up-and-coming artists, even though those services have serious problems and refuse to compensate artists for the art they create. Playlists curated by other indie enthusiasts, labels, and blogs often serve as inspiration for YTAA.
• Music Blogs and Reviews: Sites like Pitchfork, Stereogum, and Consequence of Sound provide reviews and spotlights on emerging indie artists. Niche blogs that focus on specific genres are especially valuable. Writers in local city papers can be worth their weight in gold in helping us find new artists and new music.
• Live Performances: Attending local shows, festivals, and open mic nights allows us to experience new music firsthand and connect with artists in the Dayton community. This direct interaction often results in exclusive tracks or insider knowledge that we can share about the artists.
• Labels and Press Kits: Indie labels like Rough Trade, Carpark Records, Gas Daddy Go, Sub Pop, 4AD, Sofaburn Records, Poptek Records, and Matador Records regularly send promotional material to DJs. Receiving press kits with unreleased tracks gives DJs access to fresh music before it hits mainstream platforms.

4. Balancing Familiarity with Discovery

One of the hallmarks of a great indie radio show is its ability to introduce listeners to new music while maintaining a sense of familiarity. That balance is always a challenge – we like to think of it as familiar without being too familiar.

• Anchor Tracks: These are well-loved songs by established indie artists that help ground the playlist. For example, including tracks from artists like Tame Impala, The National, or Phoebe Bridgers can provide a touchstone for listeners.
• Deep Cuts and Rarities: We often dig into back catalogs of popular bands to find lesser-known tracks, giving fans a deeper appreciation of their favorite artists.
• Spotlighting the Unknown: The thrill of indie radio lies in the discovery of fresh talent. By including tracks from unsigned bands or debut singles, hopefully, we contribute, in some small way to creating an air of excitement and exclusivity.

Balancing these elements ensures the show is approachable while staying true to the indie ethos of exploration.

5. Crafting an Authentic Narrative or Flow

Great playlists tell a story or create a sonic journey. We carefully consider the sequence of songs to maintain engagement and evoke a range of emotions. Not too many fast songs in a row, not too many slow songs. We think of it as creating a wave and movement — ups and downs, fits and starts — that keeps the audience engaged and interested.

• Opening and Closing Tracks: The first song sets the tone, grabbing the listener’s attention immediately. Over 20 years we usually start with a rocking driving tune. The closing track often leaves a lasting impression, so we choose something memorable or reflective, something that feels like it matters. Something that has the effect of a closer.
• Transitions: Songs are placed in an order that feels natural, with smooth transitions in tempo, key, or mood. For instance, an upbeat indie-pop track might flow into a mid-tempo electronic piece before tapering into a dreamy ballad.
• Themes: Some shows revolve around specific themes, like a “Summer Nostalgia” episode or a “Women in Music” feature. Thematic playlists require careful curation to ensure cohesiveness.

6. Incorporating Listener Input

Interactive elements often play a significant role across many of our radio shows. We incorporate song requests or dedicate segments to listener suggestions.

• Requests: Allowing listeners to request songs fosters a sense of community and makes the show more dynamic. This is a sacred duty. It is important for us to do this to ensure these requests fit the show’s overall vibe.
• Shoutouts: Listeners often feel a deeper connection to the show when their recommendations or dedications are acknowledged on air and in social media.

7. Staying True to Personal Taste

Any indie DJ’s personal taste is often the driving force behind their show. And we hope that is true for us. Passion for music is infectious, and when we share tracks we genuinely love, hopefully, it resonates with listeners. Our deep respect and love for local music is a critical hallmark to Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative.

• Signature Style: Do we have a style? Hmmm… this is an interesting question. We often try to develop a signature style that makes the YTAA show distinctive. This could be an affinity for quirky lo-fi sounds, obscure indie, or lush dreamscapes. We love it all.
• Experimentation: We might take risks by featuring avant-garde or unconventional tracks, and it does not always work. While not every experiment will succeed, these moments often create the most memorable radio experiences.

8. Navigating Practical Constraints

Despite their creative freedom, we operate within certain boundaries that influence our choices. Yeah, left to our own devices, we would probably play songs with the occasional swear but we can’t. Or more correctly, we shouldn’t because there are consequences if we do so. Does anyone have a spare $25,000 to cover us for a song… right? Yeah, let’s not do that.

• Time Limits: A radio hour typically includes advertisements, station IDs, and announcements, leaving about 40-50 minutes for music. We must prioritize tracks that fit the allotted time. This is why we rarely play long songs (five minutes or more is our definition here).
• Licensing and Permissions: We often face restrictions on what we can play, depending on the station’s licensing agreements. This can limit access to certain tracks, especially from major or regional labels.
• Technical Considerations: Some tracks may require editing for length, explicit content, or spoken elements in the beginning or ending of songs. Again, we have to ensure every song fits seamlessly into the show’s format.

9. Highlighting Diversity and Inclusivity

This matters. We often champion diversity by including music from a wide range of backgrounds, genres, and cultures.

• Global Sounds: Many indie DJs explore music scenes from around the world, introducing listeners to genres like Afrobeat, K-indie, or Latinx dream pop.
• Underrepresented Voices: Highlighting female artists, queer voices, or musicians of color can enrich the playlist and provide representation often missing in mainstream radio.

10. Staying Current While Embracing Timelessness

Balancing the latest trends with timeless classics is a delicate dance. While we pride ourselves on staying ahead of the curve (if we are lucky), we also appreciate the value of songs that transcend time.

• New Releases: Every Tuesday afternoon we regularly update the station libraries with the latest tracks, ensuring YTAA shows feel fresh and relevant.
• Evergreens: Some indie songs never lose their charm. Revisiting tracks from influential artists like The Replacements, R.E.M., or Uncle Tupelo can add depth to a playlist.

Conclusion: We are doing our best but wish we could play more.

Choosing music for an indie radio show is both an art and a science. It requires personal dedication, creativity, and a deep connection to the music. For us, every playlist is a reflection of our identity, a bridge to an audience, and a celebration of the vibrant, ever-evolving world of indie music. By blending passion with thoughtful curation, we hope to craft shows that are not just entertaining but deeply meaningful experiences for listeners. Thank you for sharing your valuable time with us over these 20 years. It means the world to us here.