Calgary indie, punk and garage rock, no format in sight.
CJSW began in 1960 as a radio club's closed-circuit studio in the basement of the arts building at what became the University of Calgary, moved to AM carrier current and then, in 1972, cable FM, and went on air at 90.9 FM on 15 January 1985 as the city's ninth FM station, boosted to 18,000 watts in 2014. Students voted in a levy to fund it in 1982, its early voices included future CBC Radio broadcasters Bill Paul and Colin McLeod, and a small staff and a big volunteer crew from the university and the city run it.
More than 110 programmes a week in over ten languages keep the music wide open, but indie pop and rock lead, with punk, psychedelic and garage rock, electronic shows, experimental and noise, soul and R&B, metal, jazz and country all holding regular slots. Live sessions, outside broadcasts and interviews keep Calgary's own bands and the Sled Island festival on air.
Cowtown's other soundtrack.
