Sacramento State runs three radio stations on campus KXPR- (NPR) National Public Radio, KXJZ- (CPR) Capitol Public Radio and our all-student run KSSU 1580 AM.

Since becoming a communication studies major, I have had the privilege of meeting many outgoing and interesting people in my classes. Nic Briondo is one guy I met in Fall 2000 and he is a DJ at KSSU 1580 AM. I ran into Nic last month and we started talking about music. He asked if I would like to come into the station and go on the air with him. I agreed and brought some of my favorite tunes.

Briondo has a time slot from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays. He is a communication studies major with a digital media concentration. Briondo is interested in becoming a radio disk jockey and is gaining experience at the campus radio station. He doesn?t receive units or pay for being a DJ. But nonetheless, he loves what he?s doing. His objective is to learn more about music.

“I want to be involved in the music scene somehow,” Briondo said.

“I like being a DJ here because it gives me an opportunity to let people hear local bands and national bands that they might not otherwise hear on other radio stations,” Briondo says.

As DJ, he has had a chance to learn about all types of music genres. His favorites are Portishead, Jawbreaker and 847. He listens to a lot of local music and goes to see a lot of shows. I guess you could say his favorite kind of music is indie-rock.

“Indie-rock is hard to explain. It?s easier to understand by listening to the music? this is indie-rock,” says Briondo as he puts on Portishead. “It?s independent rock, like a mellow alternative. Weezer is indie-rock.”

KSSU is a three-wattage radio station, which allows listeners to tune in when on campus or in the dorms. Although Briondo loves what he does he also is frustrated because of the small amount of wattage available at the station.

“I want people to hear that there is something more on the radio than what they hear,” Briondo says.

If anyone is interested in radio or broadcasting, go down to the station and check it out! It?s on the north side of the University Union. You can petition for a slot, everyone is encouraged to be a DJ. Talk with either David Wilbur or Monica Fernandez at the station, or call 278-3343 for details.

Questions, comments, ideas? Call The State Hornet at 278-7248 and ask for Kathleen Davis.