Just a reminder: We do not accept AI music submissions (e.g. Suno, etc) as SomaFM is a human-centered radio network. We especially hate AI agents repeatedly submitting AI music to us. If you're a developer, don't do this.
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SomaFM
@somafm@sfba.social
mastodon 4.7.3Listener supported, commercial-free radio broadcasting 30+ channels from San Francisco to the world. Since 2000.
4985 Followers
20 Following
38 Posts
Joined November 13, 2022
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Just another FUCK YOU to TuneIn for the intrusive ads they're adding to hardware players now. Use our free apps with no ads. Or use a player that lets you put in a streaming URL (which we post on each channel's home page).
TuneIn was just sold for $175 million, and of course none of that was shared with the people who actually produce the content, pay the royalties and streaming costs. They provide a directory, that's all.
If AI slop hadn't poisoned all the regular search results so badly, no one would need to ask AIs to answer questions that a simple web search would have answered a few years ago.
"Progress" 😩
Some heavy downpours coming through SF this morning... #sfwx #sanfrancisco
(TL of the KPIX Salesforce Tower cams)
Wondering why a nightly maintenance program didn't run last night -- only to notice it was scheduled to run at 2AM and there was no 2AM last night! #daylightsavingstime
"DEFCON and Vaporwaves are highly underrated stations. Excellent operation you have over there. Thanks again" -- T
Happy (and relieved!) that Artemis II has returned successfully!
"I've been listening to Soma FM for several years. A few weeks ago, my dog passed away after a long illness. I read a study showing that dogs prefer soft rock and reggae to other musical styles, so I decided to tune in to Left Coast 70s and Heavyweight Reggae (two channels I never listened to before) whenever I was with him in his final weeks. Thank you so much for making our last weeks together a little better. I've set up a monthly donation, and I'll order a mug as a keepsake." -- Dan
One of the things we miss most about physical media is that it’s no fun to give someone a digital file. I Personally miss the joy of giving someone a CD of music I love, or a DVD/Blu-ray of a movie that really moved.
 E-mailing a link or download code just isn’t nearly as fun
We are aware of the bug that keeps the Now Playing Artist-Title from displaying on Android Auto; and we fixed the bug almost 2 weeks ago, but we're still waiting for Google to approve the update. Please be patient!
"SomaFM is like comfort food for me... Sometimes I just need somebody else to "take the wheel" on music, and Soma does it not only with elegance, but with taste. Thank you all for doing what you do, and you're one of the few bastions on the internet that I still feel like I can trust. Love y'all." -- listener in Albuquerque, NM
"Dear Elise:I have been listening to your curated music on somafm for two decades and time is nigh that I express my gratitude. You have introduced me to countless artists whose music is squarely in my heavy rotation. More importantly, during my darkest days, your music made me feel less alone. My world, if not the world, is better because of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." - Dien
There is a special place in hell for sites that pre-check the “sign me up for spam” button
Tuesday (tomorrow) is Cinco de Mayo, so we are celebrating Mexican-American culture on our specials channel, featuring an eclectic mix of our favorite Mexican and Latino music, old and new, traditional and alternative. Tune in and it will feel like a party!
You can listen here:
https://somafm.com/player24/specials
The regular programming on Specials (which includes Surf Report, Afternoon Jazz, Wavepool, and more) will return Friday.
Very sad to learn the passing of Robert Kaye, founder of MusicBrainz. Not only we he extremely smart, but he was one of the nicest and friendliest people in the music technology space. He will be greatly missed.
https://blog.metabrainz.org/2026/02/24/robert-kaye/
Today on Drone Zone it's Long Form Sunday, featuring works by: Phase47, Jani R, Eguana, Bing Satellites, Robert Scott Thompson
http://somafm.com/dronezone/
Getting down to the end of the month, so we're doing a little quiet fundraising drive. Any donation helps: https://somafm.com/donate/ We take credit cards and Paypal. Thanks for making SomaFM possible for over 26 years now!
"Drone Zone is my near constant work companion. I've always loved atmospheric and ambient music, and I love nearly everything you play. For variety, I go to Deep Space One and when in a rowdier mood Underground 80's which makes me nostalgic for the New Wave band I was in during the 80s." -- Stephen
"Can't believe I never found this site before in all the time I've been online. Loving the genres here, they're definitely a lifeline getting me through university work right now! Thank you all!" -- Amelia
Was not expecting Ninja Tune to sell out. I guess Matt Black and Jonathan More are getting older and ready to slow down. Still, did not expect Ninja Tune to end up with a company that (seems to have) made all their money on Smooth Jazz...
https://djmag.com/news/ninja-tune-acquired-us-music-company-concord
More consolidation in the radio/music industry, which certainly won't benefit their listeners:
Today on Drone Zone it's Long Form Sunday, featuring works by: Steve Roach, Louigi Verona, Aglaia, Oophoi
http://somafm.com/dronezone/
Drone Zone Long Form Sunday continues with long-form tracks from: SPARTALIEN, Hildur Gudnadottir, AUME, peter savage, Howard Givens & Craig Padilla
http://somafm.com/dronezone/
Today on Drone Zone it's Long Form Sunday, featuring works by: Steve Roach, Louigi Verona, Jaja, Shane Morris, Robert Rich
http://somafm.com/dronezone/
Please tell me the Nine Inch Nails after party is at DNA Lounge tonight. @dnalounge@sfba.social
SomaFM is back in the DEF CON Chillout Lounge– just off the Atrium 1st floor, south west corner next to Registration. Join us from Thurs-Sunday with SomaFM DJs including kampf, Rusty, Merin MC, djddead and Synth-ack providingthe perfect soundtrack for hacking or relaxing. Stop by and say hello, and pick up a 2026 limited edition sticker. We'll also be broadcasting live on https://somafm.com/live/ – Oh, did we mention, we have stickers!?
Drone Zone Long Form Sunday continues with long-form tracks from: Another Neglected Hobby, Perpetual Ocean, Jaja, Autohypnosis
http://somafm.com/dronezone/
Today on Drone Zone it's Long Form Sunday, featuring works by: Jeff Talman, Steve Roach, Loneward
http://somafm.com/dronezone/
Reminder if you're having issue listening with Alexa / Amazon Echo devices:
Try saying "Alexa end early access" and our skill should work again. We are working on an update that's compatible with future Alexa updates. All their AI "enhancements" they're testing have completely broken lots of skills :(
Today on Drone Zone it's Long Form Sunday, featuring works by: Louigi Verona, theAdelaidean, Remote Vision, Cousin Silas
http://somafm.com/dronezone/
Drone Zone Long Form Sunday continues with long-form tracks from: SPOOL, Esa Ruoho, Phobos, Robert Rich
http://somafm.com/dronezone/
Today on Drone Zone it's Long Form Sunday, featuring works by: Another Neglected Hobby, Steve Roach, Louigi Verona, Michael Mantra
http://somafm.com/dronezone/
Drone Zone Long Form Sunday continues with long-form tracks from: Scott Lawlor, Robert Rich, Phobos, Martin Sturtzer
http://somafm.com/dronezone/
Drone Zone Long Form Sunday continues with long-form tracks from: Zenas (Prime), Robert Rich, Perpetual Ocean, Max Corbacho
http://somafm.com/dronezone/
"...one more listener from Sweden :-) Mostly FolkForward or SpyLounge. Nice to find masterpieces which usually will not be broadcasted elsewhere." -- Robert
Watching Worship on the Coachella feed. Does it really take 4 dudes to work some CD decks? The spectacle is the visuals and lighting design tho.
Sad news in the Ambient Music community today. Loren Nerell, a good friend to SomaFM as well as an amazing ambient and world musician, has passed away unexpectedly. We will miss you so much, Loren, but your music will live on. #ambient
Anyone having issues with our FireTV app? Someone reporting problems, but we can't duplicate and our logs show plenty of people using it OK.