On a beautiful Sunday evening, light coming in sideways across the asphalt, nearing the Spanish border as we drove from Provence to the Costa Brava, I happened across Radio 3 from Spain. The Sonideros program was just starting, moving from early 70’s Kenyan funk band, Matata, to Maceo Parker, then the Tom Tom Club, and later to Samba Touré and Thomas Mapfumo. I felt like I’d found Freeform’s Spanish cousin there on the highway.
For the following week, driving between the gorgeous coves and beaches of the Costa Brava and down into Barcelona, I was able to explore more of the station’s diverse programming. Like Freeform, it’s commercial-free and offers different shows covering a variety of genres. Shows can be downloaded and streamed from the website.
Sonideros is directed by Rodolfo Povoda, but features four other DJs, sharing music along various themes. Other great shows include:
–Música con Subtítulos from Elena Gómez y Ricardo Aguilera — which featured an excellent show on borders (La Frontera), seemingly inspired in part as a response to the disturbing separation of immigrant families along the US southern border in recent weeks
–Duendeando from Teo Sánchez, which explores flamenco
Whether or not you understand Spanish, the station has great appeal. Sharing an eclectic, catholic approach, like Freeform, Radio 3 offers endless opportunities to discover new music.