Featured Spotlight Station, Feature

Featured Spotlight Station: Free Melanin Sounds Radio

Live365's "Featured Spotlight Station" this week is Free Melanin Sounds Radio! We spoke with Mary Muse about their setup, what listeners can expect to hear, and the station's favorite songs. Check out the interview below!

What brought you to Live365?

Free Melanin (FM) Sounds Radio, as an integral part of Noire Life Media, does its best to do excellent research and vetting. The selection of an internet radio platform was done with careful consideration of our needs: inclusive licensing; professional radio quality sound; national & international reach; unlimited audience potential; app exploitation; media streaming software compatibility/enhancements; monetization (commercial freedom); technical support; personal customer service; statistics; and a great price!

Fortunately, all of Free Melanin Sounds Radio's professional broadcasting needs are provided, at a great price point, right here at Live365.

What's your studio like?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, to follow the safety precautions, our 8-person team functioned virtually from several locations. Our equipment includes Blue Microphones Yeticasters; beyerdynamic Pro and Beats headsets; 4-channel headset amplifiers (to accommodate future guests); various MacBooks and Window-based PCs; and a variety of amplifiers and DJ/sound recording equipment to facilitate quality broadcasting on a professional platform. The most unique element of our studio is the blend of creative radio personalities, who are skilled media artists with a passion for: people, community, news, information, radio, television, film, music, arts, print media, and marketing. The combination of educators, performers, writers, poets, psychologists, social workers, and artists who are part of Noire Life Media allows us to provide versatile and unique programming!

What can listeners expect when they tune in to your station?

Noire Life Media, via FM Sounds Radio, provides informative and melodic entertainment by means of: jazz, hip hop, R&B/soul, poetry, inspirational notions and gospel music, plus a number of daily podcasts that provoke interesting conversation on many social topics. From "Funny and Sunny" to how to overcome "Rainy Days and Mundane Mondays," Free Melanin Sounds Radio will make you smile, think, dance, and sing along! Tune in to FM Sounds Radio for a variety of fun entertainment, community news, and social reviews.

What has been your favorite moment as a DJ/Station Manager so far?

Sharing the joys and lifetime memories that a song or work of art provides to an audience are the absolute BEST MOMENTS EVER! It's amazing how music and the arts cross all types of physical and social barriers. As the Program Director, my best moments are filled with compliments of excellent music selections. When the fanbase ranges from the dancing, giggly 2-year-old on up to the reminiscent 80-year-old, it truly doesn't get any better than that!

What is the best concert you've ever attended, and why?

Erykah Badu & Bilal! These two artists provide an organically honest performance that allows the audience to participate and feel the essence of their artistry. Their bands, background vocalists, and lights, tech, and sound crews were so tuned in to the audience and artists' experiences. Quality sounds carrying unique artistry, THE BEST!

What artist (dead or alive) would you love to see live, but haven't had the chance to see?

Stevie Wonder! To speak with someone who has witnessed the industry for so many decades, remained an icon, and touched the world with his art would be an amazing moment in time and media experiences!

We asked for some of the station's favorite songs. Here's what they had to say!

  • If It's Magic - Stevie Wonder
    Profound & timeless writing

  • My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It) - En Vogue
    Classy, sexy, and chill

  • Superstar - Luther Vandross
    Classic vocals with superior writing

  • September - Earth, Wind & Fire
    I went to their concert when I interned at WRTI FM (Temple University Radio), and I met Maurice White & Philip Bailey that night.

  • With A Child's Heart - Michael Jackson
    I imagine this to be Michael's vision of the childhood his family exchanged for fame and fortune.

  • Feel Like Makin' Love - Roberta Flack
    Mellow, jazzy vocal expressions that flow with ease and passion

  • Pick Up Your Feelings - Jazmine Sullivan
    The 21st century's female expression beyond women's suffrage/women's liberation

  • You Were Meant For Me - Lalah Hathaway
    Smooth, soulful sounds delivered with ease and purpose

  • Blessed (feat. Damian Marley) - WizKid
    The best of reggae, jazz, rap, hip hop, and gospel wrapped in verses and pros

  • I Want You Around - Snoh Aalegra
    Neo-soul sounds with flavor, poise, and presence


Listen to Free Melanin Sounds Radio on Live365.com, like them on Facebook, and follow them on Instagram!

Live365 Broadcasters! Want the chance to be featured? Fill out the form at the following link: Featured Spotlight Station Submission Form. (Duplicate station entries will only be featured once. You must have a Live365 Broadcaster account.)

Ready to start your own station? Contact one of our Product Consultants today.

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About Michelle Ruoff

  • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania