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January 15, 2009

R.I.P. Indie 103.1 Sad news breaking today for Los Angelinos with a hate of Clear Channel hegemony and a love of terrestrial radio. The trusted voice of Indie 103.1 said goodbye to their channel, marked by the sounds of Sinatra's "My Way," as the frequency flipped to some sort of Spanish-language format. The Indie crew will soldier on in some manner at indie1031.com. To new beginnings.

Posted at 4:27 PM




51 Comments

it's a sad day in cdplayerless los angeles

Posted by: ahh at 01/15/09 4:43 PM  | Reply
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That's it! I'm done with terrestrial radio! This was the best thing on the air. Man, I am really bummed about this. I guess free wheeling formatting with Jonsey's Jukebox, Henry Rollin's Harmony in my Head, etc...is not meant for mass consumption. That's a real shame. I just listened to the station on the way into work today. I wish I'd know it would be the last time. I would have savoured it a bit more. Wow, this truely sucks!

Posted by: Travis at 01/15/09 4:46 PM  | Reply
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Nooooooo!!!!!!!!! I have never read sadder news in my life! Indie was one of the few radio stations that I could turn to in my not-so-modern automobile. All I have now is KPFK, and that is a somewhat lonely feeling.

Posted by: 96teardrops at 01/15/09 4:46 PM  | Reply
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I'm pretty sure the station was actually owned by a sister-company... so Indie 103-1 was, in fact, the bastard stepchild of Clear Channel. Dicky Barrett said some pretty unflattering things about the station and its management when he left/was fired. I don't remember the details.

Posted by: lifeindeadtime profile link at 01/15/09 4:49 PM  | Reply
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That sucks. They were the best station out here. My car's iPod interface has crapped out so Indie 103.1 was a great alternative. Guess I'll be tuning into Frosty, Heidi and the gang full-time now.

Posted by: Sh*t at 01/15/09 5:19 PM  | Reply
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I couldn't believe when I heard that this morning. It's dead air right now on 103.1, but at least the station is still streaming. However, the thought of no Jonesy's Jukebox makes me very sad

Posted by: hellsbells53 profile link at 01/15/09 5:30 PM  | Reply
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I do not live in LA, but a couple of years ago I also lost a radiostation, so I know how people feel. I'm sorry for your loss.

Posted by: Benjfier profile link at 01/15/09 5:41 PM  | Reply
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Now all the sheep will turn to KCRW for their music and all the smart kids will notice it's harder to call into KXLU again. Oh well!

Posted by: mikey at 01/15/09 6:22 PM  | Reply
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SOOOOOOO SAD! WHY GOD WHY??!!! It was the best station ever, I discovered so many bands from that radio station, I only listened to Indie instead of the testosterone K-ROQ who would never in a 100 yrs put lou reed or joy division.

R.I.P. Indie

Posted by: joker's lady at 01/15/09 6:29 PM  | Reply
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"Suck it up, buttercup" http://tinyurl.com/a6fxgp

Posted by: FattyJoe at 01/15/09 6:31 PM  | Reply
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i grew up in LA. i'm in my mid-30's. Indie103 wasnt groundbreaking, nor a surprise of its demise. Stations have a history of coming and going in LA. Who gives a fuck. If you want to listen to music - get off your ass and go buy a record. Support the bands that are struggling to sell records and stay afloat - without having to have a day job. Also, supporting your local scene (or whatever you wanna call it) is essential. spend some time at a live show.....screw radio.

Posted by: Tom Lykiss at 01/15/09 6:56 PM  | Reply
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My car does not play records, so let me be

Posted by: lasadface  in reply to Tom Lykiss's comment at 01/16/09 12:25 AM  | Reply
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Hmm. They haven't "flipped the switch" just yet, they're playing bad signal punk rock and an annoying "Indie1031 is totally dead" announcement. Can't you guys hear it up there in NYC? But yeah, it's dead.

Posted by: Totally false - but close at 01/15/09 7:02 PM  | Reply
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I bid you a sad farewell Indie 103.1, you will be sorely missed. Your farewell is as our introduction: random, surreal, unexpected, one day on the streets of LA..

Posted by: Jason in the 626 at 01/15/09 7:07 PM  | Reply
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Wow... thats really awful news. What am i gonna listen to now?

Posted by: Ed profile link at 01/15/09 7:18 PM  | Reply
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This is a dark day indeed for L.A radio. You could hear stuff like the Pixies ,New York Dolls and Richard Hell's 'Blank Generation ' in the middle of the day. All the specialty shows were very well crafted.,too. I love KXLU but it only has a radius of about 15 miles or so. This is a sad pop-cultural loss.

Posted by: Insect Surfer Dave at 01/15/09 7:18 PM  | Reply
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I second that "Suck it up, Buttercup" emotion; with extra emphasis on SUCK IT. Indie was Clear Channel/Univision cashing in under a different name. There was NOTHING "independent" about TRENDIE 103.1. Yes, they played decent music. All the better to sell to you with. College radio was, is, and will always be the TRUE independent radio. Now maybe all the stupid ass trendy hipster emo kids will find some other music to latch onto.

Posted by: bubba-fatt at 01/15/09 7:32 PM  | Reply
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The best radio is whatever you feel is best. I am listening to Indie online right now and its crap. The songs they are playing are all KROQ quality. I will miss ya Steve Jones.

Posted by: Jared Jingle at 01/15/09 7:43 PM  | Reply
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It is too bad. We were lucky entrevision kept them on as long as they did. Entrevision was, however, putting pressure on staff to mainstream the station for quite a while. It has struggled to maintain its integrity, but management had the final say, Driving in LA will be a little more unpleasant without them. Please stream the station at home and work if you can. Maybe Chuck P. and the kids can build something out of its ashes. Stream at www.indie1031.com

Posted by: jazzhole profile link at 01/15/09 7:55 PM  | Reply
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oops, my bad. It's Entravision not Entrevision. How about Canal Claro?

Posted by: jazzhole profile link at 01/15/09 8:22 PM  | Reply
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Radio as we know it is on it's death bed. before long most all stations will face this same fate, the medium is no longer profitable. There is a chance we will see some sort of Free/paid satelite radio thing pop up in the not to distant future, but for FM, say your parting words to this format while they are still here. before its too late. Give me Indie music blogs, my ipod and I'm set. plus, aside from the rarity Howard Stern, Radio DJ's are like the scum of the earth.

Posted by: Brian at 01/15/09 8:32 PM  | Reply
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Brian, there is so much wrong with your post.

What you wrote is about as asinine as saying TV is on it's death bed because of the internet.

There will always be radio. Yeah agreed that FM's going the way of AM... it's been a slowly dying method of broadcast since the emergence of digital, since digital is so much clearer and more accessible. HOWEVER it's only a natural state of evolution that radio stations will start going digital. Just like TV stations are doing now. I honestly don't know why you would think otherwise. Do most businesses just roll over and admit defeat in the face of advancements in technology? Radio stations aren't run by a bunch of cavemen you know.

Besides, it's not just the listeners who keep radio [& TV] alive, it's the advertisers. And advertisers like mediums that allow commercials. It's just a fact. Unless you want to start paying more for satellite once the competition of terrestrial radio peters out [according to your prediction], chances are commercial-free satellite will be on it's way out too. There will never be "free" satellite radio without commercials, formats, and catering to a specific demographic. Once again, you'll have radio; albeit in a different format.

I'm sorry you apparently hate radio so much. You're entitled to your opinions, but you should probably sit down and think, find out some facts, before spewing vitriol on the internet and trying to pass it off as the cold hard truth

Also, the fact you think Howard Stern is an exception, but all other radio DJ's are "scum" is hilarious. Shock jocks like him are what's wrong with radio. Hands down.

Posted by: massromantic  in reply to Brian's comment at 01/15/09 10:14 PM  | Reply
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Sirius here I come!

Posted by: Robert at 01/15/09 9:02 PM  | Reply
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sirius isn't what it used to be either, btw.

Posted by: grace6697 profile link at 01/15/09 9:24 PM  | Reply
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THIS SUCKS! I knew something was wrong when they started that Prince shit. I drive all day on my job, I will be totally lost, only a music moron would listen to kroq, and where are the college stations someone mentioned, I know most cities around the country have them, but I have never heard any mention of any in So Cal before, which I always thought was strange. kroq is behind this, they have been jealous since day one. Clear Channel SUCKS! I'll miss Jonesy the most, his music, his guests and when he laughed he made me laugh. I hate when people say suck it up, its no big deal, its because of people like this that all the good things going away, IT'S UGLY!

Posted by: Rich at 01/15/09 10:29 PM  | Reply
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I was hoping it was all just a cruel joke, but I guess not. I have been in LA for years now and only recently stumbled on Indie. No idea what I will listen to now.

I need to get a longer ethernet cable so I can stream on my way to work.

Posted by: Dave at 01/15/09 10:43 PM  | Reply
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What the hell am I supposed to listen to now? K-roq, i think not.

Posted by: caitlin at 01/15/09 10:48 PM  | Reply
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This is truly depressing. Now I will never listen to Indie 103.1... it was never that great, just the best thing on the air. If you think I'm going to be tuning in to Jonesy's Jukebox on the internet you have to be kidding me. If I want to listen to "Kids" followed by "Sex on Fire" followed by "Kids" followed by "Sex on Fire" I can do that on my itunes. Oh well, it's sad to think I no longer have that fm option on the days I forget to bring CDs in the car.


CIA Superior: What did we learn, Palmer?
CIA Officer: I don't know, sir.
CIA Superior: I don't f&%kin' know either. I guess we learned not to do it again.
CIA Officer: Yes, sir.
CIA Superior: I'm f#%ked if I know what we did.
CIA Officer: Yes, sir, it's, uh, hard to say
CIA Superior: Jesus F%*king Christ.

Posted by: Cornelius at 01/15/09 11:55 PM  | Reply
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Dude, this totally sucks. I listened to Indie all the time, despite some sucky programming here and there. They were still the best 'alternative' pop station LA had to offer. Total bummer, dude. And I remember the days in the mid-80's when KROQ wasn't the lame station it's been since the '90's, "KROQ! The rock of the '80's!!"

Posted by: maNooshi profile link at 01/15/09 11:55 PM  | Reply
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Yeah, it sucks that music media has been reduced to profit numbers, guised by the defense of moral values. Any of these tools that actually profit from this should be ashamed...but they won't

Posted by: bobeeb at 01/16/09 1:22 AM  | Reply
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I remember when indie hit the airwaves, it was like a gift. I was ecstatic. Last night the music was so good they even played The Chameleons, I sat it my car and just listened to 103.1 and, when they went to commercial break I ran inside so hear what was next. Indie wasn't perfect but it spoke to me, it brought back fond memories of the days when independent and alternative music was truly that. When you were a follower of it there was a special kinship, because very few listened to this amazing music that wasn't played on mainstream radio but passed on through college, pirate radio and the mixed tape. My heart breaks for the demise of 103.1. I will miss Henry Rollins, Jonesy, Watusi rodeo, check one two ( which hauled me into many a club) and most of all I will miss never being able to tune into a station who plays Husker Du, Love and Rockets, Autolux and so many many more so dear to my heart.

Posted by: Raye at 01/16/09 2:56 AM  | Reply
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This news reminds of me of when WDRE in Philly shut down. It still stings to this day. :(

Posted by: Mark profile link at 01/16/09 6:28 AM  | Reply
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So true. I still miss DRE.

Posted by: B  in reply to Mark's comment at 01/16/09 3:02 PM  | Reply
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Good riddance. How many unsigned bands did Indie 103.1 ACTUALLY play? Very few. If they would have stuck to playing unsigned and royalty-free bands, they could have stayed on the air. There is nothing "independent" about Indie 103.1.

Posted by: B at 01/16/09 1:42 PM  | Reply
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can't indie become a real independent radio station more left of the dial. Yes, that sounds like a great solution

Posted by: ithurts at 01/16/09 3:06 PM  | Reply
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I miss Jonesy so much it hurts, a lot.

Posted by: very missed at 01/16/09 3:08 PM  | Reply
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First Escalante now this.

Posted by: fanoftheuniverse at 01/16/09 5:06 PM  | Reply
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i recently moved from la and hated every minute of it. the only redeeming quality had been indie and now its gone.

Posted by: John Doe at 01/16/09 5:37 PM  | Reply
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what other radio station would play the new animal collective cd from front to back on a sunday night?! man, i'm soo sad.....

Posted by: jess at 01/16/09 6:33 PM  | Reply
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I don't think it would be that difficult to re-charge Indie 103.1, they had so many great things already in place. You just need the money: http://surfingonsteam.blogspot.com/2009/01/indie-103-can-exist-heres-how-you-do-it.html

Posted by: scott at 01/16/09 11:00 PM  | Reply
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please, just listen to kcrw 89.9 in LA, way better than independent 103.1

Posted by: fanboy at 01/17/09 1:49 AM  | Reply
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Excuse me, kcrw is nice and all but they have 60% soothing talking, 40% soothing mood music so that is not a good replacement!

Posted by: Danielle profile link  in reply to fanboy's comment at 01/17/09 4:23 PM  | Reply
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89.9 is only better with Morining Becomes Eclectic. The rest is boring.

Posted by: heywatchit  in reply to Danielle's comment at 01/20/09 7:54 PM  | Reply
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This nation (or is it only LA?) is going to shit. No more 103.1, no more record stores, magazine racks overcrowded with Tigerbeat and US Weekly... ahhh. If it wasn't for my holy savior Obama I would lose all hope!

Posted by: Danielle profile link at 01/17/09 4:19 PM  | Reply
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Indie 103.1 online is supposedly just one person they retained. Its over.

Posted by: seasick1 at 01/20/09 1:41 PM  | Reply
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When Indie 1031 first arrived it seemed like a breath of fresh air compared with KROCrap. (There was a time, kids, when KROQ was actually cool. No, seriously.) More and more it came to be Indie was just the same handful of mediocre indie songs played over and over like any other commercial station. So, yeah, it was the best we had. But that's not saying much.

How can I get KEXP played in my car?

Posted by: porter at 01/20/09 5:18 PM  | Reply
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indie 103.1 ain't independent folks. its another corporate baby shrouded by the big guys to sound 'indie' or 'alternative'. they catered to the taste of hipster douches.

instead of listening to those damn radio guys, form your own opinion, find the music you like. OH MY GOD: like go to shows?! not read pitchfork?! actually find a new band, not someone like joe escalante find it for you?!? no more pretending to your friends that you discovered -insert band name here- at -insert obscure venue here- before they were super famous... le gasp!

listen and support a band because YOU like them, not because joe escalante found them and they're sooo new and underrated.

Posted by: ohdarling at 01/21/09 1:22 AM  | Reply
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dude..., get off your high horse. and I liked escalante for his humor, so s*ck it

Posted by: dude  in reply to ohdarling's comment at 01/21/09 9:53 PM  | Reply
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This is a real loss for radio at least for commercial radio. It seems weird to me that so many of you seem to be commenting about how "it's all over now" or "there's no hope left for radio" but this is a bit unresourseful for a bunch of music lovers in my book. Commercial radio is not something to depend on, try looking into the world of public radio. There are many great stations across the country that play more music with no commercials and bring you music that you would have heard on indie 103.1. Most stations like KEXP, WFPK, WTMD, WXPN and Minnesota Public Radio has a channel called The Sound. All great place to check out great music plus many of these stations have iPhone applications that allow you to stream the station or check them out online. I know it's not much to offer for people driving in their cars but I just wanted to spread a little optimism for all of you who are down about this.

Posted by: Tyler at 01/21/09 1:38 PM  | Reply
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public radio is the shit

Posted by: chris  in reply to Tyler's comment at 01/22/09 5:57 PM  | Reply
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i guess now we'll all have to get SATELLITE radio and listen to SIRIXM U...... i hate outer space.

Posted by: NUGATU at 01/22/09 10:48 AM  | Reply
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