(Vancouver Co-op Radio / Bandcamp)
Do you know about Vancouver’s Co-op Radio? Tune in on your radio dial to CFRO 100.5 FM!
Now you might be sitting there thinking “You’re writing for Evolution 1079, how dare thee write for a rival radio station??”
Well Co-op Radio is not in competition with anyone! They are a non-commercial, community-owned radio, where every radio dj is a volunteer who just loves radio! This station has been running in Vancouver since April 14th, 1975. It was founded by volunteers from local activist groups, created in order to provide a platform for voices and perspectives often underrepresented in mainstream media. In fact that is their mission. Approximately 20% of its programming is broadcast in languages other than English and French. As stated on their website “We give priority to people from language groups who have no access to media or who wish to provide a significant alternative to existing media outlets for that group.”
In 1973 Co-op Radio was an idea between two different groups – The Muckrakers and Neighbourhood Radio. They were two stations that were passionate about creating alternative press on issues that were being ignored. In their origin year, 231 shareholders of Vancouver’s Co-op Radio presented to the CRTC and received their first licence. Then in 1980 Co-op Radio received recognition and award, the national Media Human Rights Award from the League for Human Rights of B’nai B’nai. What a triumph! Not only was Vancouver becoming the birth hub to amazing musicians in the 70s and 80s, but media was following suit. Further extending the era of creative expression that was happening in Vancouver at this time.
(Vancouver Co-op Radio)
Vancouver Co-op Radio’s original dwellings were in the former Mercantile Bank building in Vancouver’s Pigeon Park (the corner of Carrall and Hastings St.) Because this building had been empty for 15 years, they write on their webpage, “Founders of Co-op Radio had to shovel 2 inches of pigeon droppings off the floor of the building.” Years later they would secure a new transmitter, broadcasting from the top of Mount Seymour and moving their station to the FM dial. Eventually they had to leave their original building and found secure accommodation… 220 metres away! A space by the Portland Hotel society in 2001. In 2012 they adopted a new frequency at 100.5 FM and this is where we know and love them today.
I first experienced Co-op Radio when I was driving in traffic one day, flipping through stations, I’d heard all these songs before. But then I started tuning into Co-op Radio. Somedays it would be reggae, somedays it would be spoken-word poetry, then it would be an Indigenous talk panel. This was amazing! More often than not I would hear something new and different that I loved on the radio.
(Vancouver Co-op Radio)
Then one day I came across this goofy duo that was on every Wednesday from 2:30-3:30pm. They had such silly talks back and forth, and ended every episode with a dance party. Best of all they were playing all Canadian music. My tastes previously were spread across the planet. Finding GOOD MUSIC, not specifically music made from home. So every time a song came on that shocked my senses, it was an added pleasure to realize they were Canadian!
But Kenan and Charlie on No Apologies Necessary also talked about real world issues. No silly banter back and forth like you’d here on corporate radio stations. They used their talk time to address mental health, the drug epidemic, what musicians were doing during COVID, the mental health repercussions with COVID. Even though I tuned in as COVID was happening, they were still conducting interviews over the phone with musicians all confined in their creative dungeons. I wanted to be part of this!
(Fog Fotág / Imgur)
One day I sent them a message. I offered my photography to shadow them for a bit. A friendship was made, and eventually I was invited to host with them. COVID lifted and I started to interview, prepare weekly discussions, source out local musicians and artists. This was exactly what I wanted to be doing – and learning through the standards of Co-op Radio will shine through wherever I go forth.
It’s how I found myself here at BCIT in the Radio Arts & Entertainment Program. I was learning so much that I wanted to make something with what I’ve been learning. Since Co-op Radio is volunteer run, it was not a financially feasible option for my every day. So I found BCIT. Yikes have I been learning a lot here.
When the semester ends I will return to our weekly 2:30-3:30pm programming with No Apologies Necessary, on Wednesdays at 100.5 FM. I will show them what I’ve been learning and how I’ve been helping keep the honour of Vancouver’s history of radio and music.
Since COVID, Co-op Radio has been consistently struggling financially. With yearly fundraisers, and each radio host doing their part to contribute, the future of Co-op Radio looks dire. I implore you to revisit your relationship with this radio station. It has given so much to the city and doesn’t deserve to fizzle out like all these amazing music and art venues we’ve seen come and go.
Find out more about Co-op Radio Station below:
Written by Volante Matheson, Radio Arts & Entertainment at BCIT
Contact: vmatheson1@my.bcit.ca