September 30th marked 34 years that 4ZZZ has called 264 Barry Parade home! In the early days, 4ZZZ only occupied the 291 St Pauls Terrace side as Barry Parade was still in use by Coronation Press/Printing - the Queensland branch of the Australian Communist Party.

We have a rich history and legacy, and our building is a really important part of that! Not many community radio stations are lucky enough to own the building they occupy, yet at 4ZZZ our iconic colourful building has been a home to many stories, different communities and a place we are extremely proud of.

Yesterday also marked 34 years of Queer Radio and by extension Dykes on Mykes, originally known until 1996 as The Lesbian Show. Both shows were formed out of the 'Gaywaves' collective that had been broadcasting on 4ZZZ since the early 80s, and rotated week in week out as a three way split - Queer Radio (male focus), The Lesbian Show (female focus) and Queer Radio (all the rest of our broad and brilliant rainbow community).

When 4ZZZ moved from Coronation Drive in Toowong, Queer Radio was the second program to air from the Barry Parade/St Paul's Terrace building.

Happy 34 years to Barry Parade, Queer Radio and Dykes on Mics!

Today on Talking Zeds, Costa Zouliou spoke with legendary producer and engineer Lachlan Goold, more commonly known around the city as Magoo.

Magoo's fingerprint is all over the sound of Magandjin/Brisbane including producing and working with bands like Custard, Regurgitator, and Pangaea.

They spoke about where Magoo's sound journey began, working with limitations and what options you have at your disposal in the studio, the switch from analog to digital and recounted many stories including recording Not From There from outside the studio to get the right take in the cold!

It was an amazing chat with two individuals who have had such involvement, engagement and experience in Australian music since the 90's.

Talking Zeds airs every Thursday from 10am-12pm with different hosts discussing all things community, interest and variety. Thank you Costa for this amazing week of Talking Zeds!

Listen back here...

The Anti-Room x Season Three Takeover gig last Thursday with Margaret, Wisher and Muah was a special night full of community! We loved Muah's 17-minute song and Margaret's cover of Vogue by Madonna too.

Thank you to Jack Montague who hosts The Anti-Room (airing Tuesdays 9-10am) for curating the lineup, the wonderful bands that played, and our volunteers who worked the night.

We're very excited for the Season Three x 4ZZZ Takeover nights which operate as a $5 ticket to see three local bands as curated by a 4ZZZ show on the last Thursday of the month. A shoutout to Nick and Josie from Season Three, without them these nights would not be happening!

Stay tuned for the next Season Three Takeover announcement and thank you so much to everyone that went along!

Expressions of interest for Pass the Mic training have now opened! This is a free community radio training program for First Nations folks run by 4ZZZ and the CMTO.

Become a qualified 4ZZZ announcer and learn everything there is to know about making radio in the process!

The training course is held over four days across two weekends on October 31st, and November 1st, 7th, 8th at 4ZZZ (Fortitude Valley) on the lands of the Turrbal, Jagera and Yuggera people.

Numbers are limited in this training group, and trainees will be selected on a first-in-best-dressed system.

Thanks to the Community Broadcasting Foundation (CBF) & the Community Media Training Organisation (CMTO) for supporting this training program.

Apply here...

Last Thursday from 3pm-6pm, 4ZZZ was set up at Goolwal Goolwal BIGSOUND for an outside broadcast celebrating First Nations music!

The afternoon was hosted by Tabatha, our First Nations Community Engagement Coordinator and host of Soul-Jah Sistars and Kihi of Indigi-Briz. They brought several artists to the airwaves including Coloured Stone, Roger Knox and Tasman Keith.

It was a very special afternoon of storytelling, inpiring conversations and amazing music. Thank you to Tab and Kihi!

4ZZZ is a finalist for the CBAA Award for Excellence in Community Engagement!

The nomination is for our 50th Anniversary Programming and Events! Last year, 4ZZZ had countless panels, exhibitions, music gigs and events in celebration of the 50th year of the station. From ZED50, to Zed Talks discussing First Nations and Queer broadcasting, bush walks, boat parties and more!

This award nomination goes to all our volunteers, staff and community members that worked tirelessly to make sure all the events happened, to those that attended an event or have been apart of the station's journey in some shape or form.

A shoutout to other community radio stations that are also finalists in the category including:

• 40th Birthday Events Series - 3MDR 97.1 FM
• Where Communities Speak for Themselves - 3ZZZ
• CAAMA Radio x TikTok Live: Expanding Community Broadcasting CAAMA Radio
• Celebrating 50 Years of Broadcasting - Let's Celebrate - 3MBS Melbourne 103.5FM
• Heart For The Homeless (Perth) - Sonshine (98five)

Thank you to all of our community, listeners and volunteers!

Thank you so much to everyone that came out for Sounds Like Community Radio on Wednesday! It is truely one of our favourite days of the year, particularly the opportunity to celebrate all that is community radio with stations across Australia and the artists at the centre of it.

Out in the carpark and Studio 3, we got to revel in the bands at the heart of commuity radio from around Australia including Milly Strange, Djawarray, Public Figures, Say True God?, Super Hotel and Joey Leigh Wagtail.

A massive shoutout to Daria from The Arrivals Lounge and Exit Stage Zed and Claire from Right Here Right Now and The Hangover for hosting the afternoon across the airwaves. They had moving and really beautiful conversations with different community stations across Australia all about community, connection and music. 

Last week during BIGSOUND, 4ZZZ was apart of the AMRAP Listening Sessions where artists were able to meet music directors and volunteers from community radio stations and learn about how to get their music heard.

Our amazing music department wizard, Daria, represented 4ZZZ at the session and helped countless artists learn about our music processes, how to submit music and get heard across our 102.1FM airwaves.

Thank you so much to Daria! If you missed the session and want to learn about how to submit your music to 4ZZZ and get in touch with our music department, click here!

Our incredible longtime volunteer and announcer, Dr. Heather Anderson is a finalist in the Women in Music Awards for the Music Journalist Award!

This category recognises a female or gender-diverse music journalist, blogger or editor who has made a creative contribution and courageous impact in truth telling and innovative reporting in the Australian Music Industry.

Dr. Heather Anderson’s book, People Powered Radio, is central in capturing the oral and archival histories of 4ZZZ. The rich and deeply researched book documents the lasting contributions that 4ZZZ has made to promoting independent music, producing alternative news and fostering community.

This achievement is a real testament to the importance of Heather's book and the hard work, love and passion that went into People Powered Radio.

Huge congratulations to Heather!

That Sound over The Fence Festival was such a lovely day full of community and amazing music with bands that we know and love at 4ZZZ! 

Thank you so much to Jack and Branko from Zang! Records for the amazing festival, all the incredible bands that played, 4ZZZ volunteers that worked the event and everyone who attended.

All profits from the event were donated to 4ZZZ. Your support keeps us alive and on-air, broadcasting local music that you wouldn’t hear anywhere else!