Help Internet Radio Station Particle FM Grow!
Tax deductible
Who We Are
Particle FM is a community-driven internet radio station based in San Diego. We started broadcasting in November 2021 with three shows and have now grown to 28 hosted primarily by people of color, women, and folks from the LGBTQ+ community. Particle FM strives to be a forward-thinking radio station along the lines of Dublab, NTS, and The Lot Radio. Currently all of our shows are broadcasted from the homes of the hosts.
Thanks to the Media Arts Center for becoming our fiscal sponsor and allowing us to start a fundraising campaign. All proceeds will be channeled through their organization to the station.
Our Mission
Particle FM was created out of frustration with the local music scene's lack of diversity. Our mission is to give a platform for pioneering artists and musicians from underrepresented communities in San Diego and beyond to share their wildest tastes in music.
A recent NY Times article with a study from The Annenberg Inclusion Initiative estimated that only 19.8% of music executives in the US were people of color. Another survey from D&AD in London estimates that only 11.4% of industry jobs are filled by Black, Asian and minority ethnic people, and just 11.5% of creative directors in the US are women. Particle FM was founded to help tip the scales and provide an equitable and inclusionary space for artists to gain the tools to succeed in the music industry.
Station Highlights
Heart Station with Hammy DJ is one of the most popular shows on the station. Hammy DJ, or Hana Bae (they/them), is a UCSD alumnus with a taste for IDM, Miami Bass, and other electronic music. One of their most recent shows highlighted music inspired by Pinoy and Asian car-import culture in San Diego from the late 90s to the early 2000s. Their latest broadcast was inspired by the game Moon RPG, even attracting attention from the game publisher Onion Games.
Local cartoonist and host of the event Soap at Whistle Stop, Laurie Piña (she/her), presents Rare Charm, a fan-favorite monthly show on Particle FM. With an exciting approach to radio narrative, Laurie frequently chooses a theme for her radio shows. Whether it's a James Bond-inspired music selection, a sad Valentine's special with listener-submitted phone calls, or a cartoon-themed broadcast, Laurie always finds a way to make her radio shows unique and fun.
Filoso's (he/him) show CONSENT brings some of the most exciting sounds to the station: disco, Tijuana club, house music, and ambient electronica. A distinguished local DJ, host of monthly queer club night Love Hangover at ’Til Two, Filoso is one of our best radio hosts and DJs. Frequently bringing on guests from both sides of the border, his show reminds us that San Diego and Tijuana's music cultures run deep.
Our Goals
- Broadcast radio shows by hosts from underrepresented backgrounds (and allies) to showcase experimental, local, and progressive music outside of the current mainstream.
- Acquire a physical location from which to broadcast to provide people who do not have broadcasting equipment at home the opportunity to host radio shows.
- Purchase low-powered laptops and DJ controllers to loan out to underprivileged, aspiring DJs so they can practice at home and host radio shows.
- Host workshops/panels by established music industry leaders to teach underrepresented artists how to produce music, run record labels, host events, and thrive in the music industry.
Current Operating Costs
- Domain name: $8 per month
- Streaming server: $12 per month
- Broadcast archiving services: $21 per month
- Email Server: $18 per month
- Total Costs: $59 per month / $708 per year
Where The Money Will Go
- Physical space rental fund: $4000
- Computer: $300
- Ikea Trotten Standing Desk (for accessibility): $300
- Cables: $100
- 2 KRK RP5 monitor speakers: $380
- Pioneer DJM-900 NXS2 Sound Mixer: $2300
- 2 Technics 1200 turntables: $1000
- 2 Ortofon Pro S turntable cartridges: $200
- 2 Pioneer XDJ-1000MK2 CDJs: $2800
- 2 Pioneer DJ DDJ-400 Controller (to loan out): $600
- Total Costs: $12,000
Follow Us
Particle FM is the fiscal client of the Media Arts Center San Diego, a California 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 33-0871577. As such donations are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.
Organizer
Christian Gonzalez
Organizer
La Jolla, CA
Media Arts Center San Diego (MACSD, Digital Gym)
Beneficiary