KRCX Regis Radio: Regis’ Diamond in the Rough and Denver’s Oldest College Radio Station

Photo Source '// Amy Reglin, Lizzie Brown

By: Lizzie Brown, KRCX General Manager and Highlander Reporter

The power is still out around some parts of the Northwest Regis University campus, and this reality carries over to the KRCX Regis Radio Station located in the basement of Clarke Hall. Since we haven’t been able to broadcast and display our talented new hires and DJs yet this year, let’s talk about it station’s history.

KRCX, the oldest college radio station in Denver, was one of the only stations to pioneer an apartment shortwave broadcast that connected to all of the dorms on campus--pretty convenient. Today, the radio streams online 24/7 and features a vast library of contemporary music important to students and timeless classic we all love-- from Snail Mail to Frank Ocean and all the way back to B.B. King. The station has seen legendary visitors in its professional-grade studio such as Ron Beaty, The Revivalists, Suuns, Oberhofer, Admiral Fallow and Bon Jovi.

 But variety means more than music, and KRCX has stuck by that. In 2008 a group from the station went to the convention center to cover the Democratic Convention-- come see our pictures! We are a station that has evolved to the profound sound we are today. Serving to inform and entertain the Regis community, KRCX hosts live campus events and broadcasts music, talk, sports, and community announcements. We are excited for a new year and to carry on a proud tradition of dedication to our students and neighbors in the community. Look out for our Open Mics or stop by the basement of Clarke to get a volunteer DJ application, get away from campus and talk music, politics or whatever you are passionate about. Visit us at http://www.krcx.org/ and reach out!

Regis Sustainability Club Caravaned to Participate in the Denver Climate Strike Along with Millions of Global Demonstrators

Photo Source // Triston Singleton

By: Lizzie Brown, Highlander Reporter

On Friday, Sept. 20, Denverites of all ages, races, and identities skipped school or work to assemble at Union Station and participate in the global climate strike. This was a student-led strike, the #FridaysForFuture movement coordinated and registered more than 5,000 events worldwide and over 4 million people participated according to their website (https://fridaysforfuture.org/news). 

The movement formed after Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old Swedish climate activist, and online sensation, went viral in August 2018 when she used Twitter and Instagram to advocate for political action in the face of our climate crisis while she skipped school for three weeks and set up a one-man picket fence outside of the Swedish parliament building, and spoke at the U.N Climate Action Summit (can be found on NBC, CBS or on Youtube).

 A sizable herd of Regis students and faculty partook in the march as well. Regis’ Sustainability Club handed out fliers the days proceeding the strike and mobilized a group of about 12 Regis students and faculty to ride the bus idowntown; other Regis folks biked and met up before the march began, some met at the Colorado Capitol. 

Ryan Harris, a senior at Regis, discussed his perspective around the climate crisis and his views on the empowerment of individuals within a group using their voices for change.

 “As an individual, you can make a change,” he said. “As a group, we have a microphone and as an individual, we kind of have a whisper, right? So it’s kind of using your individual mindset to be a part of a bigger community.” 

Nikki Best, a sophomore at Regis, talked  about what the climate crisis means to her and how it felt to have the Regis community at the event.

“I’m fighting for government policies to help fight climate change, to make the U.S. reduce carbon emissions,” Best said. “It makes me feel really good; it makes me feel like Regis is wanting to do something about our climate and like I’m not alone.”

Above the demonstration, looking towards the sky, you could see construction workers and folks in parking garages taking photos and hollering hoots of support-- luncheon munchers stared out windows to the street and some passers-by simply raised a fist in solidarity-- point being, no one could ignore the plurality of beating drums and zealous chants ringing throughout Denver as the demonstration marched to the Colorado Capital. As the crowd settled, highschoolers performed songs, Dr. Maria Michael, an indigenous elder, led a prayer. An 8-year-old advocated for policy that limits the production single-use plastic, and the crowd roared for every single one and those to follow. It was an energetic, peaceful and passionate demonstration of the youth drive to sustain, or save, the planet.

Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers

Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers take the stage at Summit Hall Music //Frances Meng-Frecker

By: Lizzie Brown, Staff Reporter and KRXJ Liaison

My peer, photographer, and friend, Francis Meng-Frecker and I arrived at Summit Music Hall Wednesday, October 23, to become acquainted with the music of acclaimed lyricist and band, Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers and their opener Jeffery Lewis & Los Bolts. Frank Lopes Jr, known by his alias Hobo Johnson, and his gang take on the United States and lots of international venues across Europe and Australia on their “Bring Your Mom Tour” to promote their debut full-length album “Rise of Hobo Johnson”, released by Reprise Records this year. Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers made got their first big break at NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts and have been an internet sensation ever since. 

All of his devoted listeners showed up at the Summit in Denver; packed house knew every single lyric, leaving Hobo lots of room for pauses and interaction with his amped audience. From the second Hobo began his set with “See You Again”, his fans lost it and this symbiotic relationship continued to liven the atmostphere until the very end of the night. Hobo Johnson performed as the perfect frontman. His lyrical timing was superb, especially in “Dear Labels”, though his bars usually end at disjunct moments in the song, this is completely intentional and leaves the listener on edge, anticipating more. His band backed him up with ease. Using rhythmic, intelligent and sometimes soothing instrumentals; the continuity between musicians and frontman totally elevated this musical experience.  

Hobo Johnson demonstrated a heightened understanding of musical composition and stage presence; the audience and band seemed to have an implicit understanding that this night was meant to share in “musical therapy”. Both band and audience collaborated in camaraderie, and we felt real heartfelt joys and sorrows to celebrate and mourn together. It was emotional honestly. Everything from Hobo’s lyrics, to the lights, and the band’s changes in tempo was impressive and, more so, they help Hobo ignite emotions in his audience. I left Summit Music Hall that night feeling understood, feeling a sense of solidarity with the complete strangers I just moshed with. It was an intensely fun and wacky concert that I feel privileged to have attended and I plan to party with these self-acclaimed misfits as soon as they come back to town. I recommend everyone who loves emotion-packed music and a really good time do the same and to seek out Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers’ music! 

New Album Feature: Klangstof

(Photo: Klangstof)

By: Lizzie Brown, Staff Reporter

Klangstof is set to drop their new EP “Resume” on November 3rd! Klangstof has had a definitive year and a half leading up to “Resume”; they toured with well-respected artists such as the Flaming Lips, Miike Snow and Jagwar Ma, they were the first Dutch band to perform at Coachella and took home the trophy for Best Alternative Act at the Edison awards. Klangstof is a Dutch indie rock band that excels at combining heavy synth and sharp drums with melodic guitar picking. “Resume” is no exception either; the song flows between potent synths pulsing like sirens and dreamily ambient and drawn out tones with percussion and chords following behind it. If you’re looking for some refreshingly nostalgic and fresh sounding alternative rock, check these guys out: you’re in for a treat.

Get To Know The KRCX Senior Staff

(Photo:  http://www.krcx.org/)

               A little-known gem lies in the basement of Clarke Hall: KRCX, our college radio station that plays music all day, every day, on the quad and athttp://www.krcx.org/. The KRCX team consists of the honorable sponsor and esteemed leader Dean John Hickey, Co-General Manager and Chief Music Director, Connor McNeir, and Co-General Manager, Web Editor and Marketing Lead, Natalie Doggett. I conducted interviews with our Senior Staff members to give Regis students a look into the personalities of KRCX.

Why did you want to become the faculty leader for KRCX?

John Hickey: “I guess for one, I was asked. The chair of the music department needed someone and asked me. I've always been passionate about music so it was an easy choice.”

How has the stations changed since you time as Faculty Leader?

J: I’ve been with the station 20 years and through the years there's been leaps since its started. It used to have hardwire directly to the dorms, that how we reached the students, then we got an AM antenna, then a FM antenna, then streaming and now we’ve in the new station, it's all been big leaps. And I'm waiting for the next; which is getting an antenna built and use our FM license to broadcast.

With that said, is that what you’d want to leave with KRCX or what do you want to leave as your legacy at KRCX?

J: “Since I've started I've had the dream of KRCX to be the voice of Northeast Denver and to have a station that is the voice of the neighborhood not just the campus.”

What’s your fondest memory with KRCX?

J: “That's a tough one after 20 years. Each year brings a new staff and I would say my best memories were with the staff at those times.”

College radio is, sadly, a dying tradition, but in your own opinion, why is it still relevant and crucial?

J: “People may not be listening to college radio as much as they used to because they have so many options available in their pockets. But working in the station and having a radio show for an hour, to use the microphone.  You could be sitting a room with no one there and right when you flip that switch on, you get nervous, you're under pressure. It’s live.

How long have you worked at krcx?

Natalie Doggett:“This is my fourth year, I was hired Freshman year.”

Connor McNeir: “All four.”

What motivated you to join the station?

N: “I have a love for music, [it’s] always been a hobby, listening and sharing music with people. I remember my grandad would blast Good Morning Vietnam to wake everyone up.”

C: “I think when I was on my tour, in highschool, I heard it our side the caf, I think it was James Blake, and I had a family friend work on the station and asked her about it, so I interviewed when I got to schooland got the job.”

What’s your favorite part of the job?

N: “Having my own [DJ] show, you’re able cocoon yourself in the music and get lost in the station, the staff is also a great support system which is really important for a work space.”

C: “Getting all the new music right when it comes out. I think that's what really cool about college radio ya know, that doesn't happen with terrestrial radio really.”

What’s been your greatest accomplishment with the station?

N: “Freshman year I organized my interview with Sheer Water and taking on the responsibility as a Freshman; and as a Senior teaching new people how to run the station.”

If you could create one new addition to vamp up the station, what would it be?

N: “I just want to see more girls on staff, there's the notion that KRCX is a boys club and I want to debunk that. We need to encourage girls to apply and retain applicants.”

C: “That’s a tough one, um I feel our biggest challenge has been interacting with the student body and getting new listeners…that’s just kinda the uphill battle.”

Ok, these next questions are going to be like a pseudo-Lightning Round. Spotify or Soundcloud?

N: “Spotify.”

C: “Spotify. [It’s] not free though which sucks, but the five dollars is worth it.”

J: “Neither”  

What’s your alternative?

J: “KRCX. I’m not kidding. I listen all the time, I even use it at home. I like listening to new music, I don’t need to listen to music I’ve already heard.”

Folk or Bluegrass music?

N: “Tough one because it's a little bit of both, the Oh Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack is a good mix of both.”

C: “[I’d] go folk probably.”

J: “Folk.”

Ambient or Instrumental music?

N: “Ambient, because I can listen to it while I do homework or to go to sleep.”

 C: “Um, instrumental. More like Explosions in the Sky.”

J: “Neither,.”

The alternative?

J: “ Ya know rock, alternative music”

Vinyls or CD’s?

N: “I have more of a CD collection than a vinyl, I only have the Good Morning Vietnam record haha, I also want some classic beastie boys which would be dope.”

C: “I don't have a use for CD’s anymore so I'd go with vinyl because you get the poster and the download with it too.”

J: “Oh that a tough one vinyls are nice. They're nostalgic but they're not as easy to use and I’m sad to say my stereos not set up to my turntable. But I'm thinking about cracking it out. But vinyls are nostalgic, there was room for notes and it allowed artists to be creative more than a CD does .”

Lizzie Brown Staff Reporter

Seven Albums Every College Student Should Know

(Photo: Google Images)

          The college lifestyle is like a whirlwind of excitement, stress, ridiculous adventures and heartache; a muse for all of these emotions is music. Music carries us through our experiences; it lifts us up when we face hardship and joins us in success. As we through this daunting experience of college together, I recommend every college student give these albums a listen. Taking the time to listen to a whole album may seem too much or even boring but albums tell stories. They carry you through someone’s life, some that you might relate to and that inspire its audience. I’d characterize my music taste as eclectic and this list definitely reflects that. However, each of these albums carry their own stories, experiences, genres and each allows the listener to confide in them.

1.Andy Shauf: The Bearer of Bad News: This album is a taste of modern jazz that you didn't know you needed. During the harsh winter on campus, cuddle up with some coffee or tea and let Shauf’s voice and melodic instrumentals transport you to a musky coffee shop on the South side of some sleepy city.

2.Childish Gambino: Awaken, My Love: This is a new and fresh take on funk. Observing  Gambino, pop/ hip-hop artist, transform into complex funkadelic master is extremely interesting and this album takes on the transition gracefully. Listening to this pop-funk album is prime to impress your friends with and to accompany you as you groove around campus.

3.Allan Rayman: Hotel Allan: I guarantee you’ve never heard anything like Allan Rayman. His voice is rich and the instrumentals reverberate in your mind for hours; both captivate its listener and will get you woke.

4.Bob Dylan: Bringing it All Back: It’s time for some folk appreciation. Bob Dylan is a poetic voice of a generation, revolution and nation. This album will transport you back to 1960’s but still holds truths that relate to 2017. The simplicity of his album makes it extremely easy to listen to but be warned, don’t just let the lyrics go unnoticed, stay woke and take these messages to heart.

5.Florist: The Birds Sang Outside: I dont feel feelings, but when I do I listen to this album. Those who relate, and those who don’t, will love this nostalgic piece that makes you feel 8 again.

6.The Velvet Underground: The Velvet Underground: TVU’s third and self-titled album challenged mainstream music and culture in the 80’s and is a classic work that epitomizes the beauty of personal, heartfelt and honest songwriting and performance that creates an awesome album: which assures you you’re ok, everything will be ok.

7.Ms. Lauryn Hill: MTV Unplugged: This is the rawest album I’ve ever listened to. Hill focuses on spirituality, the album includes interludes of Hill sharing many personal stories and insights, but don’t let this deter you because it’s all about facing and overcoming adversity, showing gratitude and finding joy in music.

Chiggity-check these out guys and add some to your musical knowledge.

Lizzie Brown Staff Reporter