Tucked inside the SEC is one of the most quietly iconic creative spaces on campus. KBVR-FM, Oregon State’s college radio station.
“College radio has kind of always been at the forefront of what’s new and cool,” says Station Manager Amelia Bouck. “KBVR-FM is all about supporting local and up and coming artists. It’s really important to me to support all the cool stuff that’s happening in our community that wouldn’t get to have a platform otherwise. Our slogan is ‘keep KBVR weird’, which both applies to what we play and also who’s in the booth playing it.”
With around 140 student DJs, the station’s identity changes every term. Each DJ brings their own taste, personality, and style into the booth, shaping what gets played and what KBVR becomes.
The overlap between music and fashion shows up naturally here. When asked whether the music they listen to shapes the way they dress, Amelia answered, “1 billion percent. I think it’s really funny you can pretty much always tell exactly what music I’ve been listening to based on how I dress. My music taste shifts between 60s and 90s for the most part, so I’m either dressed like a Beatles groupie or I’m dressed like I’m on my way to see an Elliott Smith concert.”
KBVR’s vibe fits right into DAMchic Encore. Both celebrate individuality, experimenting, and expressing yourself through sound and style. And if anyone is thinking about joining the station, Amelia keeps it simple: “Just do it. We need all kinds of people. It is such a great outlet and a great way to find new music and make new friends.”
60 years later, KBVR is still student run, still curious, and still keeping OSU weird in the best way.
