Listen & Be Heard Weekly Archives

Have you heard of [tag]Ozcat Radio[/tag] 104.9FM in Vallejo? If not, you really need to check this out. Oz is a very cool cat for a multitude of reasons. Vallejo finally has her own radio station, and there is something for everyone at Oz. No, really! Ozcat plays everything from rock and reggae to jazz and hip hop, to world fusion, blues, folk, pop and everything in between. Ozcat is independent of the giant mega communications conglomerate so they aren?t restricted to national playlists. With more than 25 DJs on 7 days a week choosing their own music, it makes for a very diverse musical selection.

Ozcat is here to promote local artists! David Martin, the Wizard of Ozcat, started the low-power station last June to help local musicians ?get airplay in a world of increasingly restrictive radio playlists.? The Ozcat website lists nearly 50 local artists whose music plays regularly on the air and has a link urging musicians to send in their music. Very cool.

One of the coolest things about Ozcat is that it?s commercial free! Truly a breath of fresh air in today?s commerce crazed society, you?ll get no commercials interrupting the flow of the great diversity of music they play 24/7. It?s a small station, so if you live outside the Vallejo area, you might not get their signal, but you can catch their live stream on the web at ozcatradio.com.

Because Ozcat 104.9 FM is a community radio station and a non-profit, all-volunteer organization that does not sell commercials, they need your help to keep a good thing going. On Halloween night, Tuesday, October 31, they are hosting the first annual ?Very Eerie Irie Halloween? Party to benefit Ozcat radio, featuring reggae music by Ras Attitude, Ishi Dube, Jah Sun, Serious Dewitness, The Ghetto Celebrities, plus Ozcat?s own ?King David? Martin. The bands are on a ten-city tour starting October 26 in Ashland Oregon and winding through Eugene, Portland, and Seattle before landing in Vallejo for the big Halloween concert. The tour then heads south to play San Diego and Ventura, and back to Northern California for Sebastopol, Arcada, and Mendocino. Complete details on the tour can be found at http://ishidube.com/.

For just $10, the 21+ crowd can celebrate Halloween with 6 acts, a no host bar, and a costume contest at the Vallejo Elks Club, 1020 Alabama Street in V-Town. Doors open at 7, music starts at 8pm and we dance until 1am. Jerk chicken dinners will be available for purchase and your favorite Ozcat DJs will be on hand to meet and greet, so don?t miss this chance to support your local independent radio station and encourage diversity.

Tickets are available at Listen & Be Heard Poetry Caf? at 818 Marin Street in downtown Vallejo. While supplies last, get a free Ozcat Radio bumper sticker with your ticket purchase. For more information, call Ozcat 104.9 FM at 707-554-4097.

Ras Attitude

Serious Dewitness

Ishi Dube

Jah Sun

Ghetto Celebrities

King David Martin of Ozcat Radio