Functioning for over 15 years, Newtown Radio emerged from a conversation between friends about the shifting landscape of New York’s underground music scene. Since then the station, based out in Bushwick and Brooklyn, hasn’t looked back. Rooted in a DIY ethos, Newtown has served as a space for up-and-coming DJs, artists and creatives to hone their craft, connect with community, and take artistic risks. No gatekeeping, no follower thresholds, just passion and drive. The station now features over 120 DJs and hosts shows by everyone from neighborhood business owners to local legends.
We spoke to Newtown Radio’s Co-Founder Mark Brinda to learn more about the station, its community-first mindset and its deep roots in Brooklyn’s ever-evolving culture.
What is the story of Newtown Radio?
Mark Brinda: I started the station in 2009 with a few friends. We were all hanging out at the iconic (now defunct) LES Bar, Sweet Paradise, which was near my apartment and practically my living room. We were talking about the fact that East Village Radio is the only notable online radio station in NYC but there’s not actually a music scene in the East Village anymore. Everything was and is happening in north Brooklyn, in Bushwick, Williamsburg, Greenpoint. So I moved out there a month later and started the station.
As a radio station, what are some of the principles you lean on?
I feel that Newtown Radio is a space for artists and creators who are trying to build their practice. They can come to get experience, meet people and build a reputation. So whereas other stations are going to extensively check your references or ensure you’ve got some threshold level of a following to give you time, I’m looking at your drive and creativity. I’m willing to give a chance to people who might be earlier in the journey.
You broadcast in the Bushwick and Brooklyn areas of New York. What’s happening culturally right now over there?
I think the world is pretty clued into the role that this area plays in the global music scene. We’re on the cusp of another rotation in preferences, away from undifferentiated Electronic acts that are quite lucrative for clubs but have become so saturated that people have to come up with amazing twists to make it stand out. I think we’re going into another cycle where live performance will be a draw. The economic reality of people not drinking as much is going to have to be reckoned with. Either entry prices are going to rise, other revenue streams will emerge or venues are going to have to go even more DIY because the megaclubs and the midrange clubs are struggling to pay rent without as much revenue from alcohol sales.
How do you engage with your local community?
I would love to do even more of this. To me, it’s all about the real world relationships I can form, not the number of likes or follows. So we definitely try to get the local community involved. Sometimes, businesses will actually host a show.
We have one show, Twenty Sided Radio, hosted by the owner of the Twenty Sided Store, a game store in Williamsburg. Sometimes that’s an important individual in the community. We have a show hosted by the super of the building we’re in – he had a show on Hot97 back in the day and plays old school Hip Hop. He’s someone everybody in the area knows, so when he’s on air, he’s got the door open and is hanging outside as much as he is in the studio. The Scratch DJ Academy down the street has a show where they can feature up and coming DJs from their school. More than anything though, our DJs are playing at local clubs and bars, so whether they know it or not, we’re helping promote their events and give voice to their performers by putting them on air.
What have been the best parts about building the Newtown Radio community?
I love the periodic all-DJ gatherings we have. It’s awesome to see people with different shows connecting and building relationships. That doesn’t happen naturally when you just have a show every week or two, so we have to find ways to bring people together every now and then.
What are your top tips for building a community?
I just try to empower the DJs in our station to take full advantage of the space and bring their own ideas on how we can do more. Whether that’s hosting parties and bringing in bands to perform on air or participating in a charity event and engaging our neighbors – if you’ve got an idea, do it. With 120+ DJs on the roster at any given time, there’s a ton of power in that network if everyone puts energy into it.
What are some of Newtown Radio’s proudest achievements so far?
There’s been some super cool moments over the years. We got to curate and host a summer concert series in the sculpture garden of the MoMa. Iconic people have come into the studio over the years. We’ve put on some epic parties. But I think what makes me most proud, if I’m really honest, is meeting people in the world who know about what we’re doing and appreciate it. Like seeing someone with our tote bag or chatting with a stranger and they’re like, ‘you started that?’ I’m just proud to have created something that has had a meaningful positive impact on the music scene in New York. That was always my aspiration.