With so many student radio shows, it’s hard to know what is worth listening to. But this week, I tuned in to a familiar favorite of mine, “Sapphic Soundwaves.” Every Friday at 2 p.m., Kiran Tator ’27 and Julia Thomas ’27 host “Sapphic Soundwaves,” which they describe as “two lesbians and their exquisite music taste.” From nostalgic indie tunes to ’80s hair metal and gut-wrenching ’90s rock, “Sapphic Soundwaves” offers a little something for everyone.
This week I caught their fall episode called “Fall….(in love with women).” The episode had a good mix of fall classics like “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None the Richer and “Velvet Ring” by Big Thief, as well as some lesser known autumnal tunes like “Father’s Day” by Weddings Parties Anything and “Driving” by Everything but the Girl. In addition to great music, “Sapphic Soundwaves” offers many opportunities for audience participation, most notably through their “Sapphic Spotlight” segment, where listeners can call in to answer sapphic trivia questions for a shout-out on their Instagram page, @sapphicsoundwaves. “Sapphic Spotlight” offers a break in the episode and the opportunity to learn more about lesbian history.
In an interview with The Olaf Messenger, Tator says that the show began as a way for them and Thomas to bond over music, but throughout the past two years, it has grown into something bigger. Tator describes “Sapphic Soundwaves” as an important sapphic space in their life that they can share with others. “Sapphic Soundwaves” features a great mix of music, audience participation, and entertaining conversation between the hosts, making it a wonderful way to spend your Friday afternoon.
