I know they say radio is dead these days. They same the same thing about film too—but last time I checked there were two movies released this year that grossed one billion dollars worldwide. I think the only media form that’s truly dead is the traditional newspaper. Everyone reads their news online because you can customize your news in nearly the same way you can customize your social networking sites.

Okay, what reader actually wants to hear my thoughts on the demise of the traditional media outlets? Hmm… I just waited for a couple minutes and heard the sound of crickets. I don’t even want to see what I’d come up with on this subject.

I mentioned radio to begin this blog. The radio stations in L.A. are absolutely ridiculous. None of them have any consistency. Honestly. Even the acclaimed KISS radio—“Today’s Hits,” found in every major city—plays oldies once in a while. When I want to listen to some oldies and turn on the corresponding station, they play one good song like “Build Me Up Buttercup” and then randomly switch to some type of synthesizer music. It’s infuriating.

It’s one thing to have to drive around to get everywhere in the city. I’m over the fact that you can’t hop on the T and get anywhere in L.A. like you can in Boston. But is it too much to ask for a couple radio stations that have a format? I think not. I was happy when I found a contemporary rock station the other day. They played some Phoenix and then mixed in a little JET—I was in heaven. Then, inexplicably they started playing a hardcore metal death band song. I nearly parked my car in the middle of an intersection and walked home in protest. That was of course until I realized I would have left my car and the radio station wouldn’t have seen—thus meaning my protest would have meant little to nothing.

To be honest, I never had to listen to the radio in Boston. Well, I did listen occasionally—but that was only because I needed to set my alarm to a station that could do the tricky job of getting me up on Friday mornings. However, my point is I never had to listen to the radio in Boston. Here on the west coast, it’s a necessity. Therefore, it’s a problem that most stations play songs ranging from “The Circle of Life” to “Highway to Hell.” I need brands. I want to turn on a radio station and know what I’m going to get.

Ugh. Oh well. I guess it’s good I just went to Best Buy and bought one of those adapters for my Ugh. Oh well. I guess it’s good I just went to Best Buy and bought one of those adapters for my iPhone. That way I can listen to my music all the time. I can go from “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” to “Circle of Life” on my own accord.

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Billy Kirland, City Differences, Culture, Los Angeles, Radio, Study Abroad New Horizons, Running Amuck