Listener-supported internet radio...
I realized I haven't blogged about SomaFM on the new site here, so let me take a moment to highly recommend this listener-supported streaming music choice. So many of our listening options these days are paid subscription-based or heavily populated with commercials -- but not SomaFM.
Launched in February 2000, this San Francisco-based Internet radio station currently offers 36 different channels, ranging from the deeply ambient to country and metal. They have just about something for every taste, but I'll take a moment to highlight my favorites:
Space Station Soma: This is my go-to channel right here, offering "spaced-out ambient and mid-tempo electronica." I often listen to it first thing in the morning as I enjoy my first cup of coffee, but I also frequently play it in the background while working or I'll replace the in-game music on whatever I'm playing at the moment via the SomaFM Xbox One app.
Groove Salad: SomaFM's most popular channel, this is -- say it with me -- "a nicely chilled plate of ambient/downtempo beats and grooves." They even have a secondary Groove Salad Classic channel if you'd rather listen like it's the year 2000 all over again. We play this one a lot while we're dining or cooking -- which works great with out Google Home. All we have to do is tell it to "play SomaFM" and Groove starts right up.
Deep Space One: When I absolutely want to lose consciousness and descend into the depths of dream, this is the channel I turn to. Deep ambient electronic, experimental and space music.
Heavyweight Reggae: This is one of the newer channels. SomaFM didn't host any channels devoted to Jamaican music for most of its existence, but I've wanted one for a long time. I turn this one on from time to time, but generally get more excited about their block of dub music "DubX: Dubby Electronica" that currently airs on their SomaFM Specials channel from midnight to 5 AM PDT. Here's hoping that one goes 24-7 soon.
The Trip: I sometimes put this one on during a high-energy yoga workout. Otherwise, the tempo is a bit too intense for household listening. But it's a great channel for progressive house and trance.
And there's so much more. I didn't even get into other unique channels like Secret Agent Radio, Underground 80s, Suburbs of Goa or Black Rock FM -- all on my favorites list as well. They also host seasonal channels for Halloween and Christmas.
But don't take my word for it. Go explore SomaFM for yourself, find your favorite channels and consider supporting them as well with whatever you can spare.
By the way, my main interview post with SomaFM founder Rusty Hodge was eaten by the cosmic ghoul, but you'll find a very rough ghost of it right here.
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