Wellington City Libraries

Te Matapihi Ki Te Ao Nui

Search options

Rough Peel Radio

RPR

It’s not every day you get to hear about a new radio station, especially one that plays the kinds of music you won’t hear on other stations, but that’s exactly what has occurred a couple of weeks ago on our very own Cuba Street.

It’s hard to believe in 2016, but, according to a Nielsen report from last year, the majority of American listeners – 61% – still report first hearing new bands through local AM/FM, or internet radio. Interestingly, the report seems to suggest radio music discovery is actually increasing, showing a 10 percent increase over the 51 percent Nielsen reported in an earlier report. So, it does seem that radio is still a well utilised and popular form of media.

There’s no reason to believe that NZ listeners are any different and Rough Peel Radio, now broadcasting out of Rough Peel Music shop in Wellington’s Cuba Street is successfully filling a hole, broadcasting an array of sounds from the less commercial end of the musical spectrum.

Peter May hosts the first RPR broadcast
Peter May hosts the first RPR broadcast

To quote Peter May, who initiated the project, “Rough Peel Radio is broadcasting online and on an FM signal. We’re playing non-commercial indie music, everything including dubstep, EDM, reggae, funk, hip-hop, 80s post punk to post rock.”

 RPR are the first radio station in Wellington, possibly New Zealand, to be broadcasting from a record shop and if you wander along upper Cuba Street, chances are you will see a devout music lover DJing in the front window of the shop. At the moment members of a roster of around 20 DJs are on the decks at various times and in-store interviews and also performances have been occurring quite frequently.

Aaradhna album release
Aaradhna album release


 

Check it out. They’re live now. Tune in to 107.1FM in Wellington Central or stream worldwide at www.roughpeel.fm. For more information, visit their Facebook page or find them at Rough Peel Music.

All photos used with permission.


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *