One senior journalism major at the University of Rhode Island has moved up the ranks at Kingston’s WRIU 90.3 within exploring her major.
Carley Lane is the general manager at WRIU. Additionally, Lane hosts The Indie Mix on WRIU 90.3 FM along with her co-host, Olivia Perreault, on Fridays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The show keeps listeners up to date with indie alternative bands and artists.
Lane said that she typically plays her music for one hour of the show, and Perreault fills the other hour with her music. Lane said it allows them to balance and mix their music tastes together. It gives them the chance to listen to different artists and experience new music. Every now and then, Lane brings on the “Indie Mix All Stars” to join their discussions and conversations on air about the latest songs playing on the radio. The Indie Mix All Stars are friends and fellow WRIU executive staff members who discuss their own opinions during discussions brought up on the show.
“I can never pick favorite music because I love Chance the Rapper, but I also really like Dropkick Murphys and Mumford and Sons,” Lane said of her eclectic music taste. Working at WRIU has given her the advantage of belonging to a wide diversity of genres. “We love to spread our music, and discovering music is probably one of my favorite things,” she added.
Lane said radio was an opportunity she wanted to pursue, and joined the station at First Night her freshman year. At first, her show, The Indie Mix, was broadcasted on WRIU’s online sister-station, RIU2 but towards the end of her freshman year the show was moved up to FM Radio. Due to space limitations on FM, however, she was paired with Perreault as a co-host. She mentioned it felt awkward to be partnered up with a complete stranger, but the two became close, and Lane said she soon became comfortable with it.
During her sophomore year, Lane joined WRIU’s executive board, first being elected as RIU2’s Program Director. The following year, she moved up to FM Program Director, and now as a senior holds the title of General Manager at the station.
Lane admits that the thought of being on air can seemed nerve wracking at first, but it is not as scary as she thought it would be. She suggested that any students looking to get involved in radio should “just have fun with it and break out of your shell!” She has learned to become comfortable and said Fridays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. are her favorite time of the week now.
“I came in here so nervous,” Lane confessed. “I thought I wanted to transfer, but my experience at WRIU is so much more than I could have ever thought.”
Lane said that being on air is kind of like having a conversation. Lane and Perreault feed off of one another during conversation, which Lane said makes it a lot easier to host a successful and entertaining show. Lane also mentioned there isn’t much preparation because playing it by ear gives it a more natural vibe. She said that many DJs at the radio look at hosting a show more as having fun than it being a job or responsibility.
For more information on how to get involved at WRIU, contact [email protected]. Tune in to the Indie Mix with Carly Lane and Olivia Perreault on Fridays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m on WRIU 90.3 FM.