Independent bay area radio guide

Unapologetically Black, KPOO has become a SF institution since its founding in the 1970s as “Poor People’s Radio.” Before KPOO put rap, salsa, and reggae on the airwaves, they'd never been heard on Bay Area radio. DJs are happy to interview local artists or play their mixtapes. And there's labor and abolitionist talk shows, where you’ll hear analysis that really can’t be heard anywhere else. Everything’s joyfully held together by KPOO's station manager JJ.

• kpoo.com
• Studio: 415.346.5376

After dark, KPFA's leftist and liberal daytime talk radio gives way to an eclectic mix of music shows we've featured in our guide.

KPFA, the flagship of Pacifica Radio Network, proved democratically-run, listener-funded radio can work. Unfortunately, financial/legal crises (and spineless management?) have put the jobs of Black and Brown hosts in Houston and LA on the line. We need KPFA and the other Pacifica stations to be a better voice for the supposedly "impossible" futures we urgently need.

• kpfa.org
• Studio: 510.848.4425

Humble and curious, UC Berkeley's student radio has moments of excellence, and is a good place to get your first bearings the world of local radio. There's music playing almost 24/7. Give KALX a try, we think you’ll like it.

• kalx.berkeley.edu
• Studio: 510.642.KALX

KFJC is the free-form station of Foothill College, associated with the Foothill-De Anza community colleges. KFJC doesn’t shy away from playing weird music, hyper-local or international. Sometimes it’s a miss, but when it hits, it hits. If your Spotify playlists are feeling worn out, see what KFJC is spinning.

• kfjc.org
• Studio: 650.941.2500

KCSM, or “Jazz 91,” is a public jazz radio station from the San Mateo Community College District. Most hosts are deeply experienced and connected to current jazz artists, from straight-ahead to latin.

• kcsm.org
• Studio: 650.574.6586

KZSC is the station of UC Santa Cruz, broadcast out of a treehouse-looking building in a corner of the campus. They manage to keep the jams turning consistently, and it’s well worth getting to know their lineup of shows. KZSC also has a phone number where you text the DJs live, and they're delightfully amenable to requests!

• kzsc.org
• Studio: 831.459.4036

BFF stands for Best Frequencies Forever, an online station based in SF's Mission District. They have a really complete lineup of shows, with many gems. It definitely seems more Valencia Street than 24th & Mission; hopefully the neighborhood doesn't follow! Mas en español!

• bff.fm

KKUP is an eclectic station out of Cupertino. Their lineup looks really cool. We haven't had a chance to check it out yet, but you should!

• kkup.org
• Requests: 408.260.2999

KGPC was once called “9th Floor Radio,” when was broadcast from the 9th for of the Laney College Library. It’s still part of the Peralta community college district we all know, but now operates under somewhat more formal auspices. KGPC’s lineup includes seasoned DJs and local personalities who host podcast-format shows.

KGPC uses a newfangled streaming technology we can't tap into. To listen, visit their website:

• kgpc969.org

KXSF is a new kid on the airwaves, trying to stake out a place for community radio on the right end of the dial. (Typically non-commercial radio lives towards the bottom of the FM band.) KXSF feels like it’s still trying to find its place. Maybe that’s not surprising; an entire generation of artists are struggling to find their place in gentrified San Francisco.

• kxsf.fm
• Studio: 415.648.7327