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CYBERJAMZ:
LIKE ITS NAME SAYS!
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Singing, producing, PRing, reviewing… The list of our WMC’ 08 daily features would no doubt be incomplete without mentioning those airing the (good) vibes. We’re glad & proud welcomin’ webradio head Sammy Rock, in charge of Cyberjamz…
Cyberjamz has no doubt a name which speaks to itself. Let us know how the running of a webradio differs from a said ground airing radio? The advantages such a solution offers and, on the other hand, its disadvantages?
The role is quite different in that in traditional radio has a select format that must be followed vs. online and satellite radio. The programer is more flexible to express themselves and there are no FCC regulations to follow, no commercials and more freedom of speech. Less formatting and more music: this is what I love about online and satellite radio.
Those havin’ a bit of knowledge as far as Internet is concerned should pretty well understand what I’m sayin’ when pointing out the need of a consequent bandwidth at supposedly subsequent costs in order to offer the maximum of comfort to the listeners. How do you deal with this matter in front of an economical situation speakin’ of which the least we can say is that it still remains far from being stabilized by the time we speak?We all (programers) chip in every month at a low cost to maintain stablity for bandwidth of which is more than any other Internet Station that I know of. The cost is the least of our concerns, it’s all about content. We are still in a changing world of technology, so broadcasting these LIVE shows day in and day out still has a drawback in that the Internet is not perfect. It’s not like having Satellite capabilities. Even with bad weather, Satellite goes out. We try to maintain low cost by charging the programers a minimal charge every month. Right now we running 2 CPU’s with unlimited connections and bandwidth.
With a vaste majority of the ground airing radios left into the hands of corporates, it’s then no surprising how there’s not anymore space left for the music we support as opposed to the reputedly commercial stuff. Is it to say that this is this reality which has led you to give birth to your venture?
Yes and here is the reason why I created one of most listened to Internet radio stations. Cyberjamz Internet Radio began when "some" people were discussing the possibility of the death of dance music in general. In order to prove that our musical culture was and is still alive, an outlet was needed for DJ’s to express themselves, continue our musical journey and connect the true house music people back to their roots of music. Hence, I created Cyberjamz Internet Radio http://cyberjamz.com
Don’t you ever fear that the situation might become identical once the advertizers, then unevitably the investors will decide to put money on Internet?
No I don’t. In fact I welcome advertisers, investors and sponsors (Most are in the music industry), to support and help us move forward with the music we love. I am very picky with the sponsors we have now.
What about your global audience nowadays, in terms of age, location, supposed expectations, reactivity?
Our global audience has grown since the creation of Cyberjamz Internet Radio, from the USA to Japan, Spain, Italy, Australia and many more tuning in. It’s just amazing how the older and younger supporters are still involved and love our station. Most importantly the music.
Those last years/months have seen the progressive arrival of ventures like yours adding to the competition. How would you define your motto, that special thing that makes you unique? In other words, one reason to choose Cyberjamz rather than another station…
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You’ve recently launched your own label ? Have you seen this as a natural extension of your activities, a sort of diktat of the current times with the necessity of expanding them? Then last but not least, has the fact of running a webradio been of any help on the way people may welcome your releases?
Definitely. Lauching Cyberjamz Records has reaped the rewards of having a label tied to the station. Lovers of music and supporters now can put both the label and site together as one, therefore making record sales a bit better. I also noticed since I’ve done this that many other webradio stations followed in the same footsteps, which makes me chuckle a bit, but then again people don’t call me a pioneer (which is flattering) for nothing. I’m always thinking of making new projects from updating the site, to having Channel 2 (coming soon), anything that can contribute to the success of programers, artists, producers,labels and especially consumers. Finally, I want to add something I wrote about this as a part of another interview: Internet is a fantastic way to convert the unconverted. An opportunity to express and share our love for music with people that otherwise cannot attend dance clubs or are working and would love to hear music via the internet. These shows are not pre-recorded ; therefore you are listening to a live feed from broadcasters/DJ’s from all over the world. This is what makes Cyberjamz Radio special. The industry has now taken notice of our station and the ways of the cyber-world. Also the music industry now understands the power of the internet; therefore their music can be heard by a much larger audience than regular radio, especially if we support in the genre of Dance Music.
With this said, the music industry has now embraced the fact that internet radio stations like Cyberjamz can and has made a difference in sales. We help them to promote and prepare a better marketing tool for their upcoming releases by allowing us to market their product before it hits the stores. This is something Cyberjamz Radio is very proud of. We are here to serve and protect our musical culture by keepin’ house music traditional.
Time has endly come to speak of Miami before living. Its impact on your activities? What to expect from you there and in a few months time…
Networking and presentation of new music is the main focus for me personally. It’s a fantasitc way to connect with your supporters and put a face to a name. So many people from around the world that has either played or just come into our chat room on a daily basis make the WMC worthwhile.
V/A: The Best Of Cyberjamz (Unreleased Mixes) LP (Cyberjamz Records)
SOUL OASIS presents NEF NUNEZ – Vibrant (Cyberjamz Records)
INDAMIXWORLDWIDE.COM: Only the best, No time for the rest!
INTERVIEW
