KAOS (FM)


KAOS is a hybrid college–community radio station licensed to the [Evergreen State College] in Olympia, Washington. It broadcasts with an effective radiated power of 1.25 kilowatts, and streams via the internet. The station offers radio broadcasting training to students of the college as well as members of the local community.

History

Dean Katz of The Evergreen State College founded KAOS. When he traveled to Seattle to apply for the station license, his official papers had the radio station's call letters as KESC However, unbeknownst to his adviser and almost everyone else, Katz substituted the initials of the fictional spy agency in the TV show Get Smart. The license was granted under his surprise application, and broadcasts began on January 8, 1973.
The station has been a mainstay in Olympia's local music scene, including a famous early appearance by Skid Row on May 6, 1987 and a Kurt Cobain solo acoustic performance on September 25, 1990.

Programming

KAOS's mission is to present voices that are underrepresented in mainstream media. This includes Native American, Women's, Hispanic, alternative news programs, and independent music. KAOS broadcasts several syndicated public affairs programs from Pacifica Radio, including Amy Goodman's Democracy Now! and David Barsamian's Alternative Radio, as well as original, locally produced public affairs shows. KAOS also features a wide variety of music, including world music, jazz, blues, metal, folk, experimental, garage, psychedelic, electronic, surf, alt-country, prog, free jazz, indie rock, bluegrass, dance, dub, reggae, hip hop, Latino, roots rock, R&B, and more.

Music policy

KAOS instituted an independent music policy in its early years. The policy requires that at least 80% of the music broadcast on the station must be from sources other than the major record labels and their subsidiaries.

Former DJs

Over the years, the station has had many former DJs go onto more considerable fame, Bruce Pavitt, Tobi Vail, Lois Maffeo, Mark Hosler, Arrington de Dionyso, Steve Fisk, Jeff Jacoby, Tom Hood, Calvin Johnson, and John Foster.