I had to go pick up a replacement part for a breast pump on my lunch break today.  This is what my world has been reduced to in the matter of six weeks.  On the upside, I got to drive one of the best roads in Austin, North Lamar, while listening to the radio.

You’re probably asking yourself, “The radio?”  Yes, the radio.  I drive a ‘94 Camry with a busted tape player, so my only option is the radio (I tried one of those iTunes adapters that transfers the music via radio frequency but they are terrible).

Fortunately, Austin has some of the best radio stations in the country, one of my favorites being 107.1 KGSR.  Their format is what some call Adult Album Alternative, but alternative in Austin means something entirely different than what most people think.  The DJs are calm and articulate, the owners support local/Texas musicians like no other, and the producers are not afraid of pulling out the most obscure songs and give them air time.  More Decemberists and less Modest Mouse.  More Andrew Bird and less White Stripes.

Here is what I was listening to on my way back from the maternity store:

Man, if there is one thing lacking as a result of my new job as child rearer it is my music.  I can’t search like I used to.  I haven’t read Pitchfork in weeks, and I haven’t been over to Waterloo Records to sample what’s new on the shelves since early May.  I need to find a resource for music, and searching iTunes at night after the kid is down just doesn’t cut it.

That’s why I propose that iTunes and the music labels let their guard down and allow radio stations to construct “mix tapes”.  If I were able to go to the iTunes store, put in a quick search for KGSR, and then get their current playlist as a bundled package for $39.99, buddy, you know I would be buying more music. 

Right now, iTunes is offering such mix tapes, but their own staff is designing the mixes and choosing what gets in and is left out.  iTunes needs to open up, and opening up to radio stations (as opposed to the general public) would be profitable for all parties.  iTunes, the labels and the artists could garner huge profits, and the radio stations could remain relevant long after I buy a new car with an iTunes dock.