Category Archives: Music

Pirate Radio Station BOCHF (Boards of Canada HF) back on air

QSL from BOCHF

QSL from BOCHF

Again this morning at 2:20 UTC–and last night, during a very active night of pirate radio activity–BOCHF crept onto the airwaves, this time on 6,920 kHz USB.

Yesterday, BOCHF played the Boards of Canada album Tomorrow’s Harvest; this morning, they played their album In a Beautiful Place Out in the Country.

And how did it sound?  Combining the music of the Boards of Canada with the sonic texture of the shortwave ether is a winning combination, in my opinion. Thanks, BOCHF!  But don’t take my word for it: take a listen yourself.

Click here to download the full broadcast as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

By the way, I recorded several other pirate stations last night–look for them in upcoming posts!

Arturo Sandoval listened to VOA “every single day”

220px-Arturo_Sandoval_photoThe Voice of America provided Cuban jazz trumpeter, pianist and composer, Arturo Sandoval with a source of inspiration through Jazz. In a recent interview with NPR, Sandoval stated:

“We used to listen every day, every single day, [to] Voice of America. [It] was a shortwave radio program, and they play everything in jazz music. That was the only way we have to hear that kind of music and to be connected with the music we love. I was in the obligatory military service for three years when the sergeant [caught] me listen[ing] to the Voice of America, and then they put me in jail because I was listening to the voice of enemies.”

Click here to listen to the full interview on NPR.

Shortwave Radio Recordings: Voice of Greece

greeceFor your listening pleasure: a recording of the Voice of Greece made Tuesday night, August 20th, starting at 23:00 UTC.

This broadcast begins with my favorite Voice of Greece station ID, then, following a little Greek commentary, resumes with an eclectic mix of music.

This is one of the few broadcasts I’ve heard with a substantial dose of non-Greek music. Click here to download the full recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

Shortwave Radio Recordings: Voice of Greece 8-14, but no signal last night

greeceI’m a little concerned: last night I couldn’t hear the Voice of Greece on 9,420 kHz. Not even a carrier.

Though I’ve noticed they’ve had intermittent transmitter problems in some broadcasts (you can even hear it in the first minutes below) they haven’t gone off the air this long in recent memory. Not even when they were ordered to stop broadcasting. I fear that when the new Greek national broadcasting service emerges, their international arm may be cut. Their budget is tight and I imagine their shortwave service will receive strong scrutiny.

I would appreciate any news and reports from listeners. If you hear VOG on the air, please comment with frequency and time. [Update: Check out this post from Christos.]

In the meantime and for your listening pleasure: one hour and forty three minutes of the Voice of Greece. Recorded Wednesday, August 14, 2013 on 9,420 kHz starting at 00:00 UTC.

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

All Night Flight: Weiskopf takes us on an audio journey

ANF_WebI’m a big fan of practically anything that Myke Dodge Weiskopf produces.

We’ve mentioned Myke numerous times on the SWLing Post; based in Los Angeles, California, he’s a radio producer, historian, broadcast artist, multi-instrumentalist, sound recordist, and composer.

Recently, I noticed that one of Myke’s audio mixes, ALL NIGHT FLIGHT, was featured on the über-cool experimental radio broadcast platform, Radius.

In Myke’s artist statement on Radius, he describes this mix simply:

This edition, produced exclusively for Radius, is a 73-minute distillation of the inaugural «ALL NIGHT FLIGHT» performed, created, and mixed live by Myke Dodge Weiskopf in the desert of Joshua Tree, California, on 20 July 2013, 10 PM – 5 AM PST.

I have embedded this mix below, but encourage you to check out Radius for his detailed mix description and Myke’s homepage for details on ALL NIGHT FLIGHT and his other interesting projects.

So, go ahead: put on your headphones, relax in your listening chair, and let Myke take you on an audio journey…

Shortwave Radio Recordings: Radio Australia’s Jazz Notes

Sydney_opera_houseIf Radio Australia ever stops broadcasting on the shortwaves, one program I will certainly miss is Jazz Notes.

Jazz Notes showcases the best in Australian jazz, often featuring new and original recordings made in ABC’s studios. The show is hosted by Ivan Lloyd and has been offered on Radio Australia for several years.  I listen to the show Wednesday mornings at 9:30 am EDT.

Click here to download the full recording of Jazz Notes as an MP3, recorded yesterday (May 29, 2013) or simply listen via the embedded player below:

Shortwave Radio Recordings: Voice of Greece

greeceFor your listening pleasure: almost three hours of music–ranging from modern to folk–and a little Greek commentary, from the Voice of Greece.

Recorded today, May 13, 2013 on 9.42 MHz starting around 01:52 UTC.

Click here to download the full recording, or simply listen via the embedded player below: