| Type | Podcast and online streaming radio |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Availability | International |
| Founded | Jon Chappell, Alex Malloy, She Who |
| Launch date | 21st December 2002 |
| Official website | http://www.koobaradio.co.uk/ |
Kooba Radio is an independent, non-profit, Internet-based radio station focused on alternative rock, playing unsigned bands and artists with independent record labels. Kooba is PRS (Performing Right Society) registered and plays to a listenership in over 20 countries. [1]
Created 21 December 2002, Kooba Radio began its life in South East London, where it is still principally based. Starting initially with founders Jon Chappell (Jonny Yeah), Alex Malloy (The Boy Malloy) and She Who Must Not Be Named, the main ethos behind the station was "if you've signed, you've sold out" with a strong impetus towards the promotion of promising bands hitherto ignored by major record labels. This slogan was abandoned when it became apparent that small labels and bands releasing their music on their own labels were struggling just as much against the rising tide of clones from the music industry and today Kooba focuses on bringing attention to unsigned bands and bands on small labels.[2]
The flagship show of the station is the Jonny and Alex Show, originally featuring the principal founders (Jon and Alex) with the added participation of both occasional and regular guests appearing on a random basis. The content of the show, which often takes on the feel of the zoo format features occasional comedy sketches, irreverent chat, interviews and guest performances from musicians.[3]
One of the many local scenes from South East London which Kooba helped promote was the Basement Rock movement.[4]
The station started out with a once a week show which streamed on-demand over the Internet using SHOUTcast via a link on the website. It has since greatly expanded its listening audience following the advent of the popular podcast broadcast platform[5], going on to be noted in Time Out London's Podcast of the Week in 2006.[6]
The style of music played on the shows is varied and includes alt rock, electro, post rock, punk, post punk, classic rock, metal, folk, pronk, hip hop, rock and roll, comedy, blues, experimental and a myriad of other styles.[7]
By far Kooba's most successful creation is Christathon – Kooba Radio’s annual crucifiction themed pub crawl.[8] The term gained enough notoriety to appear in the urban dictionary, which describes Christathon as An annual gathering in the city of London, where participants dress like Jesus and go on a pub crawl via various religiously named bars and pubs. Nominally to raise money for charity, but in reality, to offend as many cranks as possible.... Although the charitable aspect of the event seems to have taken root in later years with official backing from UK charity Christian Aid.[9]
Christathon went viral in 2011 leading to media attention from timeout[10] and AllInLondon[11].
