In the 38 years since its formation as the Student Radio Task Force, KVRX has accrued a vast network of alumni whom have gone on to work and live both in the Austin music scene and all over. As KVRX heads into it's 30th year on the FM airwaves, we'd like to look back on some of the people that have made KVRX what it is today.
Up First: Robin Longman
When were you a part of KVRX?
Robin: I worked for the station when it was still cablecasting as KTSB for 2 or 3 years around 1989-1991. If you had cable TV you split the signal and hook it up to your stereo, and it was also always playing in the upstairs bar of The Cannibal Club (approx. 300 capacity) where lots of underground touring bands would play if they weren’t quite up to playing Liberty Lunch (approx. 1300 capacity).
What aspects of the station were you involved in? Were you a DJ, intern, staff member, something else?
Robin: After a few fill in shifts I was given a 7-10pm slot a couple of days a week. I used my real name but also called myself DJ Babble. I played lots of punk and indie rock, some obscure oldies, and local bands. I was the Music Director for the ‘90-‘91 school year. I also worked at Sound Exchange and Waterloo Records part time during this time frame and volunteered for SXSW.
What was the highlight of your KVRX experience?
Robin: Highlights of my time there were honestly people telling me they enjoyed my show or that I’d turned them on to something they really liked, and getting to interview some bands that came through town (They Might Be Giants, The Replacements)! It was really great to be a part of getting a student-run station going at UT!
What are you up to now?
Robin: After I graduated in Spring ‘92 I moved to NYC and worked for a company called AAM doing college radio promotion. I moved on to an operations-type job at Warner Music Group where I helped coordinate the art, CD components, pressing plant and distribution branches. Boring! But it did give me a view into the logistics of the business. I later worked at a live music club called Brownies on Avenue A (similar to Cannibal Club), then left to book bands for the CMJ Festival. In ‘99 I moved back to Austin and booked bands for SXSW for a couple of years before moving into jobs in Special Education. I’m a Teacher for Students with Visual Impairments now.
Any Austin music recommendations?
Robin: When I go see local bands now, most of them are largely made up of folks I’ve known for years: Cotton Mather, Kirk Smith, The Rite Flyers, The Daylight Titans, The Differentials, The Stayres, Pocket Fishrmen, Hickoids, et al. I’m also a fan of Die Spitz.
Any advice for current KVRX members?
Robin: As far as advice - that’s a tough one. It’s difficult to get a job in the music biz that makes you feel like you’re able to get the good word out there about great underground music, and it can be hard to find a job where you’re paid and treated well! It’s well worth it to give it a try, but even if you don’t work long-term with music you can always make a difference being a fan by going to shows and buying physical media or downloads through platforms that actually pass on a decent portion of sales to the bands.