Tucked between the Campus Activity Centre and the Horticulture Gardens, you’ll find House 8, home of TRU’s independent radio station. CFBX “The X” 92.5 FM has been broadcasting Kamloops voices since 2001.
On October 11th, members of the community were invited to House 8 for its Open House. Attendees were given a tour of the space, a detailed history of CFBX, and even had the chance to test out the recording equipment by voicing a station ID.
Tune in from 7:00 a.m. to midnight, and you’ll be greeted by an ever-evolving list of genres ranging from classical to hip-hop to punk. The radio’s music catalogue, some 40,000 volumes strong, includes CDs and vinyl for programmers to select from. They regularly feature local music, with the dual goals of exposing listeners to new sounds and helping smaller artists gain a foothold in an increasingly oversaturated music industry.
The X’s sound differs from what you’ll hear on mainstream radio stations, volunteer Brianna McGee explained. They strive to play tracks “you won’t find in the Top 40.” Instead, the X’s catalogue has a distinctly independent, Canadian bend, including works by Indigenous and French artists.
Being locally focused, however, does not limit the station’s impact. Spearheading the Local Music Distribution Project, the X collects music from local artists to be shared with over 60 radio stations nationwide. Additionally, they feature programming in Italian, German, and Spanish, reflecting the international nature of the Kamloops community.
As of mid-October, the X boasted 85 unique programs. Volunteers from the area, some as young as 12, carefully curate shows to highlight their diverse interests. McGee spoke to the benefits of this approach, compared to commercial radio, saying, “Hearing your classmate over the radio station talking about jazz or the local sports game is just so much more interesting.”
Though CFBX finds its home on the TRU campus, hosting and listenership are open to anyone interested. Their current team ranges from passionate amateurs to seasoned journalists. During the Omega’s visit, the recording booth was in use by two high school volunteers, graduates of the station’s Summer Radio Camp.
“We have a full mentorship process here,” Program Coordinator Steve Marlow explained. “You’re paired up with an experienced volunteer to help you through the first month.”
Mistakes are an expected part of the learning process, and Marlow shared that many volunteers gain confidence through broadcasting. Unlike at commercial radio stations, hosts also learn technical skills, like operating the soundboard.
“It’s an opportunity for everyone to explore what they find interesting … and share it with the community,” Marlow said. “That’s the core of what community radio is.”
Readers can tune into CFBX 92.5FM on their radio or stream through their website thex.ca. Anyone interested in getting involved is encouraged to drop by House 8.