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WELCOME TO NEO RETRO FM.
24/7 Direct LIVE stream : https://streaming.radio.co/se2e106ac9/listen
Welcome to the Official NEO.RETRO.FM site. The station launched on 6.1.20.
First of all, welcome to the site! It's been a labour of love, and we were excited for the launch of our station on June 1st!
At approximately, 11:50 pm Pacific time on Sunday May 31, 2020, we opened the portal as listeners were introduced to our 24/7 modern music programming, streamed LIVE from Olympia, WA (the place where Nirvana got its start)...
Tell your friends and family, spread the word on social media, and help us celebrate the next phase in our musical revolution!
Well, How Did We Get Here?
This is what happened on the way to the radio station...
In the wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the doors at Free Radio Olympia in Olympia WA had been closed to on-air program hosts/deejays since the restrictions first went into effect in late February 2020. The idea of creating an online radio new music source, as a LIVE project had been discussed and thrown around for a brief period of time before its creation.
The production of the station's foundation took place in mid-May.
Things began falling in place, and the local community showed its support for this latest venture of the DJDP Productions teams.
The departure from F.R.O. was discussed briefly during a conversation between the DJ and the station's director, bringing his 21-month run with F.R.O. to a close.
Fast-forward to the launch of Neo.Retro.FM on June 1, 2020 at Midnight.
NEO.RETRO.FM premiered as a 24/7 modern music station. The inaugural collection of radio programs highlight the hip-hop/rap genres, as well as an easy-listening "chill" set, an electronic /experimental show, and a late-night program that features music by rising stars (regional artists), and tracks by the station's special guests Portugal. The Man, Carole Pope of Rough Trade and resident favorite "house band" artists Mountain Head, Rosborough, DJ Dan, Fitz Of Depression), among others.
The main playlist offers everything from Motown to Punk/New Wave to Pop/Rock to Dance Club classics, and more!
(Pictured: Ryan VonBargen (DJ BombData) & Darren Ervin Fox (DJ D-Phoenix))
THE
NEO RETRO STORY
We would like, if we may, to take you on a strange journey...
NEO.RETRO.FM launched online on June 1, 2020. It promotes itself as an Alternative/Indie station, with emphasis on local and regional artists from across the Pacific Northwest of the U.S.
Its first season hosted special music guests JASON SECHRIST (PORTUGAL. THE MAN), CAROLE POPE (Rough Trade), DREW ARNOTT (Strange Advance), TED OTTAVIANO (Book Of Love/The Myrmidons), BEN RUHL (former Blue Man Group), CARL STEPHENSON (Forest For The Trees/Martian Forest Service), COREY PRYOR (TeneT, Sozo, Newsboys), JORDI DAVIESON (San Cisco), and others.
THE GROOVE ZONE is the banner over all of the programs, operating as a branch of DJDP Productions (a Lo-Fi, low-budget music entertainment company). Overall, it is a vibrant and growing collective of musicians, artists, DJs, music industry players, that are primarily located in and around the south Puget Sound area of Washington State.
It has its branches with satellite locations in Victoria, Perth and Melbourne, Australia; Seattle, Marysville, Aberdeen and Olympia, WA; Boise, ID; and remote undisclosed locations in Colorado, Indiana, and New Jersey as well.
Neo Retro is an entry-level volunteer-basis staff and crew. None of its members have had much, if any, experience in broadcasting, but it is a prime example of what can happen when a grass-roots amateur-level project is organized and produced by creative and talented individuals , such as everyone involved on the exciting venture.
THE NEO RETRO STORY
THE MIDDLE OF THE STORY...
The reports came back with results showing the online radio project had actually surpassed the first goals much more successfully than forecast.
The initiative was achieved two days sooner than the deadline that was set. With not even two days to spare, it was a good close to the project.
During the course of 8 months, the list of celebrity guests welcomed onto the programs finished with Jason Sechrist (Portugal. The Man), Carole Pope (Rough Trade), Drew Arnott (Strange Advance), Mountain Head, Dub FX, Ted Ottaviano (Book Of Love), Jordi Davieson (San Cisco), Clive Farrington & Andrew Mann (When In Rome), Billy Currie (Visage/Ultravox), Corey Pryor (Newsboys/Sozo/TeneT), Debbion Currie (Colourbox), David Sterry (Real Life), Fee Waybill (The Tubes), Ed Tailorpatch (Martian Forest Service), Jez Willis (Utah Saints), and Ben Ruhl (Blue Man Group).
The Groove Zone's venture into self-run radio was a good "test run" in many ways.
The two radio programs that will receive their own full-runs via the various Groove Zone platforms are the "HOOK, LINE & THINKER" conspiracy theory-heavy podcast, and
"THE SESSIONS w/ DJ D-Phoenix", the interview format w/ the resident DJ and various guests.
Prior to the project's completion, both shows had been mainstays on the Saturday evening program schedule, however, at press time, the future dates/times were not yet finalized. They can both be accessed through the Facebook page for
To have access to the future Groove Zone events, visit the attached portal links.
The DJDP Crew
This is the collective team behind the scenes of The Groove Zone radio programs
AMANDA CARIKER
"THE DARKEST HOUR" HOST, CONTRIBUTOR
Amanda is the creator and voice behind the station’s The Darkest Hour. The Darkest Hour is Amanda’s first solo venture, the show combines all the things she loves most: a creepy musical score, storytelling and all things unexplained. She has always had a passion for film, music, and has been singing since day one. At sixteen, she would move from Seattle, WA to work at her aunt’s post production sound company in Hollywood, CA. This would nurture her interest in the art of sound, “Foley was my favorite, I was absolutely fascinated by the process of creating such lively sounds with inanimate objects, and then watching it all come together”. Amanda moved back to Washington in 2008, where she met her husband (Ryan Cariker), “When you have the need to create, sometimes your entire existence becomes about creating; I am just so over the moon that my person is someone I want to and get to create with”, they’ve been married for almost a decade and have shared a life of singing, writing, and producing music ever since. Together they created the indie/pop/electronic duo Forget Me Not (Conducted by Forget Me Not).
The DJDP Crew
These are the rockstars that help keep this musical world of ours spinning in top form.
DJ DUCKIE
DJ. Host of PERMANENT WAVE & DUCKIE SOUP
DJ Duckie has been keeping people on the dancefloor since 1999! He has spun at Crush '80s Video Bar in Olympia, San Patricio Cantina in Seattle's Pike Place Market, and Capitol Hill’s legendary venues the Baltic Room and Mercury. He also held court at the El Norte Lounge for 5 years - playing a mix of new wave, '80s pop, darkwave, and beyond - everything from ABC to XTC, Bauhaus to Voltaire, Duran Duran to Talk Talk. He is very glad to have found a home at NeoRetroFM so he can keep your toes tapping wherever you happen to be. See you on the air!
TY WULF
TALENT LIAISON, CONTRIBUTOR
Ty is the frontman for Rebel Skum from Aberdeen, WA. He and the DJ met in late 2018 through the social network, and through a random turn of events, it was Rebel Skum that opened the Legendary 2019 concert in Olympia in July of 2019.
The band rocked the show that was the tribute concert to Mike "Mikey" Dees, frontman for the iconic Fitz Of Depression.
Ty, Chris Toy and John Johnson brought a raw punk power to their set at Rhythm & Rye Lounge that Lakefair Saturday night.
Ty is also the man behind Maverick IC, a solo project of his whose tracks are on regular rotation on NEO.RETRO.FM.
Ty was instrumental in co-ordinating quite a bit of new talent for airplay and such prior to the station's launch on June 1, 2020.
DJ DEINOSAUR
STATION MANAGER, "BEER FOR BREAKFAST" HOST/DJ
Initially, he was interested in helping out with behind-the-scenes projects, but then DJ Deinosaur found himself with a bi-weekly rockfest of a radio show of his own. The DJ was also nominated as the project's station manager, lending his assistance to the needs of the DJ crew.
The DJDP Crew
These are the rockstars that help keep this musical world of ours spinning in top form.
NINA FLORES/DJ KATHLEEN FAN-A
Season 1 DJ (Boise, ID)
Word of mouth has been one of the main tools used in acquiring the bulk of staff and shows in both seasons.
Rounding out the trio from Boise, ID, DJ Kathleen Fan-A hosted the somewhat short-lived "GRRRL SOUR" radio show for about 1/3 or more of the first season.
She was about to take on longer hours in both her education and career, and so she opted to call it a day with her punk-infused weekly program.
Giving her the best hopes and thoughts for a successful venture, D-Phoenix said goodbye to the Riot Grrrl DJ, and has kept an open-door policy with her, in the event she should ever decide to give it another whirl.
The Unknown DJ
DJ
It's unknown.
The DJDP Crew
These are the rockstars that help keep this musical world of ours spinning in top form.
MISSY DEINLEIN
Property Manager, Program Advisor
Missy and the DJ came from the same circle of friends and high school in Tumwater, WA.
She has a full-time career in the health industry. Trust, respect, and similar tastes are what makes this a special role.
Photo: Missy w/ DJ Deinosaur 2020
DYLAN THALYA
Resident Paparazzi Boss
It was Dylan's eye for stark, bleak cityscapes and night scenes that caught the attention of the resident DJ early in 2020.
After their first meeting, there were a number of ties and associations the two shared unknowingly. Dylan's schedule keeps him pretty busy, but he does break away from time to time to lend his eye and his lens to the project-at-hand.
There is some rockin' music in Thalya's past, but as of this writing, D-Phoenix is still waiting to land him for an interview.
The DJDP Crew
These are the rockstars that help keep this musical world of ours spinning in top form.
SUMMER SWARM
VOICE TALENT, CONTRIBUTOR
Summer is one talented woman from the Olympia area. She's involved in music, art, entertainment, and loves being part of a thriving scene in the capitol city of Washington State.
Most recently, she reached out to the DJ to offer her talents to the mix of on-air personalities that can be heard on Neo.Retro.FM.
Summer's got more surprises in store for listeners, so stay tuned for details.
BARTON HERIGSTAD
ON-AIR TALENT, CONTRIBUTOR
Barton is as down-to-earth and talented as they come. He also attended the same high school as the DJ, was in the same class, but is at the other end of the musical spectrum from what D-Phoenix calls home. This good-hearted country boy represents the great country/western section of our listeners, and continues to entertain local audiences.
He also has done a good amount of voice-over work for commercials, showing even more of his talented self to the world.
MARTY SEDERBERG
ON-AIR VOICE TALENT, CONTRIBUTOR
Marty and the DJ have known each other for over 35 years; both attended the same high school in Tumwater, WA.
Sederberg has applied his vocal talent to some of the on-air ads and promos you'll hear regularly on the station.
He lives in rural Lewis County in Washington State with his partner, and their animals on a beautiful farm about an hour or so south of Olympia.
N.D.O.T.B.
These were the New DJs On The Block aka The Bonus Features DJ Crew!
After some juggling of schedules and staff, about three weeks after the season's launch, things were falling into place. The existing DJ Crew of Amanda Jane, DJ E.T., DJ Wagon and DJ Duckie, were joined by the four new faces in the station's DJ lineup.
DJ CAREFREE (Olympia, WA) Presents
THIRSTY THURSDAYS
Thursdays 9 pm - Midnight
THIRSTY THURSDAY was the new show's title, and the mixmaster behind the boards was Olympia's own DJ Carefree, a very familiar name and face in the local music scene.
He was bringing a continuous non-stop mix of club classics, darkwave and other soul-thumping sounds to the listeners every Thursday night!
THE FREAK-SHOW w/ DJ DIZZY & GRETCHY-POO
(Bi-Weekly) Sundays @ 5 pm Pacific (PST)
When it came time to look for new on-air personalities, the DJ Crew didn't have to look too hard or for long. The two core members of Mr. Finkle's Tragedy (aka Mr. Finkle & The Tragedy), a band associated with the Groove Zone productions occasionally, Aaron and Gretchen were up for the challenge of taking on a bi-weekly show of psychedelic proportions.
THE FREAK-SHOW was the brainchild/baby of the DJ duo. It instantly brings to mind gritty footage of the carnival midways and attractions from decades earlier; and while it does have a sideshow circus feel to it at times, the program also toys with genres like spaghetti-westerns, surf, and neo-psychedelia.
THE FREAK-SHOW w/ DJ DIZZY & GRETCHY-POO was bound to be a listener favorite in no time!
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DJ WILL DaBEAST's BEYOND THE PINES
(Bi-Weekly) Wednesdays @ 8 pm Pacific
Rounding out the new crew was DJ WILL DaBEAST, originally from Springfield MO, relocated to the Pacific Northwest.
Will sat in on recent episodes of the Hook, Line & Thinker podcast as a guest panelist. He's well-researched in the areas of discussion that would be featured on Beyond The Pines.
OUTTA THE VAULT
Here's an audio buffet for you to choose from, featuring a handful of selections to choose from for your flashback fun!
SAM ZITTING Returns to The Groove Zone
July 31, 2020
One of the resident DJ's favorite people makes a 2nd appearance on the radio programs.
Sam came into the public spotlight in 2010, when the documentary he was featured in came to the Tribeca Film Festival and caught the attention of TV mogul Oprah Winfrey.
"Sons Of Perdition" is a captivating true story about the kids who were once members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the secluded off-shoot sect that was controlled by Warren Jeffs.
Sam's story is just one of a hundred similar tales of the countless children who were outcast from or who escaped that messed-up world.
Follow the HOT LIKE SAUCE link to hear the segment.
TED OTTAVIANO of BOOK OF LOVE
October 17, 2020
"I wanna be where the boys are, but I'm not allowed..." are the opening lyrics to the classic 80s club hit "Boy" by Book Of Love.
A rare opportunity arose over the course of the summer when Book Of Love's Ted Ottaviano agreed to do an interview with DJ D-Phoenix for the radio shows.
This particular interview was truly a "bucket list" dream come true for the Olympia DJ.
Follow the I TOUCH ROSES link to hear the interview.
DJ Deinosaur's BEER FOR BREAKFAST
July 25, 2020
DJ Deinosaur was one of the new kids on the DJ block at Neo Retro when his bi-weekly hard rockin' show debuted in late July 2020.
Now, six months later...DJ Deinosaur has proven himself to be a very good DJ/host, as is evident in his radio shows. Occasionally, he will team with D-Phoenix for a show.
Follow the BEER HERE link to hear the premiere episode of "Beer For Breakfast".