By: Audrey Atkins
In the heart of Birmingham, a radio revolution is not-so-quietly taking place. From its eye-catching studio in the front window of Saturn, Substrate Radio is redefining the way the community experiences music, talk shows and community engagement. But that’s not all. Since it first went on the air 10 years ago, Substrate has emerged as a beacon of musical diversity, inclusivity and grassroots empowerment.
At the heart of Substrate is its owner, Jason Hamric. A Birmingham native, Hamric is a mastering engineer, radio host, musician and a fervent advocate for the power of music to bridge gaps and foster unity. “We’re trying to reach out to everybody in our community,” Hamric said. “And that means everybody in our community.”
Hamric started the station at his dining table in his East Lake neighborhood home, but soon moved to a space in the nearby Woodlawn community. After several years there, he spent a short stint at a recording studio in the suburban town of Homewood before landing the station in its current, high-profile location on 41st Street South in Birmingham’s hip Avondale neighborhood.
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