Perth’s local news, music, arts and culture stalwarts RTRFM are currently gearing up to kick off their annual Radiothon, which runs from friday the 14th until Sunday, 23rd August.

Having been on the airwaves since 1977, RTRFM is firmly embedded in the fabric of the local music scene and has played a key role is promoting the musical talents of countless emerging and established WA acts.

The 10-day Radiothon pledge drive is RTRFM’s main source of income for the year, making up approximately one third of the station’s annual operating costs. As an entirely self-funded station, your support is vital to keeping The Sound Alternative on the airwaves. Feed your independence by subscribing or donating this Radiothon.

Being at the cutting edge of local releases across diverse genres, and to celebrate another year on air, we asked RTRFM presenters to introduce us to the best talent coming out of WA right now, trust us there’s much more than just Tame Impala.

Adam Christou – ‘Out to Lunch’/ Music Director

Methyl Ethel:  “Supernatural languid psych-pop, with great vocal performance from Jake Webb”

Why subscribe to RTRFM? “Keep independent, freeform radio alive for another year.”

Caitlin Nienaber – ‘Breakfast with Caitlin’

Joni in the Moon: “Joni Hogan is an absolute star – enough said!”

Why subscribe to RTRFM? “RTRFM 92.1 broadcasts 24 hours a day 7 days a week and is brought to you by a bunch of people who work hard and give a damn about making Perth and the wider world a fun, creative, happy place to be!”

Chris Wheeldon – ‘Homegrown/ The Mag’

Rat Columns: “Cool, garage-y, jangly guitars with no hype.”

Why subscribe to RTRFM? “Independence is so important to keep free thought alive.

Meri Fatin – ‘Drastic on Plastic’

Felicity Groom​: “Consistently top quality releases, beautiful voice, increasingly imaginative arrangements, great live.”

Why subscribe to RTRFM?“Subscribe to RTRFM because passive consumption is not enough. Subscribe because you want to actively support your community, because you want to ​put your money where your ears are and because you want to keep independent media and independent music alive.”

Mark Neal – ‘Homegrown/ Gutter Press

Flooded Palace: Todd Pickett is a loveable figure in the WA music scene. He’s friendly, charismatic as all hell, and he can pen a seriously heart-wrenching catchy tune

Why subscribe to RTRFM? “RTRFM is the heart of the local music scene; we introduce WA to incredible music, and introduce acts to an audience. Donate some of your hard earned cash, so we can keep doing for years to come.”

Jas Hughes – ‘Drivetime (Fridays)’

Red Jezebel: “A difficult choice but sometimes you have to go with the band that you have loved the longest. Highly underrated, consistently great.”

Why subscribe to RTRFM? “Keeping RTRFM thriving is vital to keeping Perth’s cultural life alive and growing – and where else are you going to hear such diverse playlists so lovingly created!”

Craig Hollywood – ‘Full Frequency’

The Drones: “Like a semi-decent wine evolving with age, The Drones are an act you could listen to over a cheap bag of goon and it would probably still taste alright.”

Why subscribe to RTRFM? “Because RTRFM is one of the last remaining radio stations in Australia that gives you the opportunity to listen to good music.

Apple Bagios – ‘Siamese Dream’

HYLA: “I’m a sucker for reverb and shoegaze, and this song is dreamy as hell! The band has been around for a while, but they’ve really come into their own on their latest EP, Fever Calls Late 
Why subscribe to RTRFM? “RTRFM is absolutely vital to the West Australian music (and arts) scene. Without it, local musicians and bands wouldn’t have a platform to be heard. The station aims to elevate emerging acts through its on-air programming and events, and encourages a sense of community. We’re the glue that holds it all together! Subscribing is essential if you value independent, local music and arts – no one else supports it like RTRFM does.

Zanthus – ‘Behind The Mirror’

Drowning Horse: “As heavy as the most serious thing, but also filled with light and spacey wonder. Even more amazing live!”

Why subscribe to RTRFM? “RTRFM keeps the underground, alternative and bleeding edge above water. RTRFM is the vital pulse of exposure for the future soundscape.”

Toni Yotzi – Full Frequency

Hugo Gerani: “He makes amazing, low-slung deep house with fruit salad drum lines. On the other end of the spectrum, I also love his other project Eleventeen Eston.”

Why subscribe to RTRFM? “You often don’t get to hear the songs – almost completely selected by each presenter – anywhere else in the world. It’s an extremely liberating control of creativity that you get share with a lot of people on a weekly basis.

Jason Cleary – ‘Burn the Airwaves’

The Kill Devil Hills: “We are pretty lucky to have brilliant bands all across Perth most nights of the week now, but Kill Devils have been the most consistently great band in Perth for a long time, both in terms of songwriting and as individual musicians. Each album has been better than the last; and rarely is a live album great, but their ‘Live at Freo Arts Centre’ record is brilliant.”

Why subscribe to RTRFM? “Subscribing during Radiothon is so important to ensure that stations like RTRFM continue operating year to year. There is no ‘fat’ in community broadcast operations, I can assure you. Most importantly though, subscribing to community radio stations like RTRFM shows support for locally produced, locally focused news and issues. Community radio keeps free speech, marginalised issues and independent music in our consciousness and on the airwaves.

The RTRFM’s Radiothon runs from August 14th – 23rd for info and to subscribe, visit: rtrfm.com.au

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