Tabitha and Kevin?

by Regina Yoast

Dearest OFF! readers, allow us to introduce Tabatha Thompson and Kevin- well, just Kevin- hosts of The Zone 107.1's homegrown music show The Indie Zone.

Since its first airing in June 2003, The Indie Zone has attracted quite a loyal following, partially because it's the only show on the radio dial that features local musicians playing their original music.

"We saw there was definitely a need for some sort of local music show here in Cape," says Tabatha, who moved here from Belleville, Ill. just 10 months ago. "Kevin (who is originally from Tulsa) and I talked about it and discovered we were both very interested in starting a show like this."

They have several reasons for taking on the responsibility of producing the show, the biggest of which is a desire to publicize otherwise obscure local musicians. "We want to get local bands known, that's our goal," says Kevin. "We're really looking to get local music recognized in Cape Girardeau."

The show, which airs from 10 to 11 PM Sundays on 107.1, fills its hour with submitted music and a featured artist every week. Of course local bands from Cape, Sikeston and the surrounding area appear, but bands from as far away as St. Louis and Memphis are played and featured.

"At first I was a little nervous because I wasn't sure how much of a music scene there was here," says Tabatha. "We weren't sure we were going to get enough music. That's why we made it a regional show that included St. Louis and Memphis."

Kevin says they also hope to form a network between the local bands and the St. Louis bands. "We wanted St. Louis bands to come down to Cape and establish some music connections so they can play here and locals can go up to St. Louis to play."

Tabatha also believes the existence of a local music show may spur artists to actually sit down and record their music instead of only playing it in area bars. She points out that a lot of listeners who don't necessarily go to bars still want to hear original music.

While The Zone is generally an alternative rock station, The Indie Zone encourages musicians from any genre to submit their work. "We have rock, we have punk, hip hop and techno," says Kevin. The Indie Zone is open to whatever you're into.

If you're a local musician and you'd like to hear your music on The Indie Zone, send a CD (they won't take cassette tapes) to:

The Indie Zone

901 S. Kingshighway

Cape Girardeau, MO 63703

Or visit www.1071thezone.com