Analog Smile - Michael Millard (Director - 35000 Watts: The Story of College Radio)

On this episode of Analog Smile, Sherry speaks with Michael Millard, the director of 35000 Watts: The Story of College Radio. 35000 Watts is the untold story of college radio brought to life by the students behind the mic and the bands they made famous. It’s the story of the youth and music culture that originated, and later flourished, on the airwaves of American colleges and universities, establishing a new generational voice and a new path to success for many alumni and artists. Highlighting an era where college radio’s influence was at its peak, 35000 Watts: The Story of College Radio also examines its humble beginnings and how it evolved to create hugely impactful experiences for local and regional communities, students finding their voice, and the musicians seeking their shot at hitting it big. The film dives deep into the music that was the heart of college radio programming, exploring the symbiotic relationship between artists creating music that did not fit into commercial radio formats and the student-run radio stations that were more than happy to play it. The film features interviews with iconic big-name acts and smaller regional bands who lived their rock-and-roll dream for a short while, as well as discussions with former college radio alumni who spin on about their role in college radio and why college radio is still relevant in today’s media-saturated landscape. Despite this positive impact, college radio stations seem to be forever locked in a battle to justify their existence and stay on the air in an increasingly crowded landscape. Threats can come from any direction and every station has a handful of heroes who have fought to keep their stations from shutting down. The stories they can tell about their efforts are sometimes worthy of entire films on their own. Without the efforts of those who started college radio stations and kept them alive, we might never have seen the talents of David Letterman, Billy Crystal, Howard Stern or Bob Odenkirk. We might never have heard the music of R.E.M., The B-52s, U2, Pixies or The Cure. These artists and entertainers, plus many more, all found their audience first on college radio. This film is a celebration of the independent spirit that created so many culture-defining stations and kept them on the air for generations. 35000 Watts: The Story of College Radio delves into the ongoing impact and legacy of those who were at the epicenter of this radio revolution. They chat about the documentary, the college radio experience, and much more! Please visit Kickstarter to donate or 35000watts.com for more information.