Twenty Years of Rhythm Lab Radio: From The Current to AI Innovation

Twenty years. In music time, entire genres are born, evolve, and influence the next wave of artists. In radio time, it's the difference between spinning CDs and streaming algorithms. For Rhythm Lab Radio, it has been two decades of discovering the undiscovered, championing the underrepresented, and building a community that spans continents—all while staying true to the mission that began at The Current in Minneapolis.

The Beginning: Finding Our Frequency at The Current

Back in 2005, The Current was already establishing itself as something special in public radio. When Rhythm Lab Radio first went on air, the landscape was different. Streaming was in its infancy, social media was just emerging, and radio still held the power to break new artists in ways that feel almost magical now.

The show's DNA was coded from day one with a mission that would become our tagline: "Redefining the Urban Sound." We weren't content with narrow definitions of what urban music could be. Instead, we specialized in a boundary-pushing mix of jazz, soul, hip-hop, and electronic music—blending styles that don't always fit neatly into one genre. While commercial radio was becoming more restrictive, Rhythm Lab Radio was expanding, mapping musical territories that mainstream radio wouldn't dare explore.

Those early years at The Current taught me something crucial—curation isn't just about playing good music, it's about creating context. Every track selection was a conversation starter, every set a journey through sonic landscapes that listeners might never have discovered otherwise. Each week, we highlighted new artists or tracks that were experimental, emerging, or otherwise pushing musical boundaries. The Current gave us the platform; we gave listeners the passport to explore what urban sound could truly become.

Finding Home at Radio Milwaukee

In 2007, Rhythm Lab Radio made a pivotal move that would define its next chapter, but it was also a personal transformation for me. I was transitioning from architecture in Minneapolis to a completely different path—becoming one of the first employees at the newly launched Radio Milwaukee (WYMS-FM 88.9). What made this opportunity extraordinary was that Radio Milwaukee allowed me to bring Rhythm Lab Radio with me, recognizing the value of the show we'd built at The Current.

This wasn't just a change of frequency—it was the beginning of a deeper relationship with a station that shared our commitment to adventurous programming and community building. Radio Milwaukee, which launched that same year, proved to be the perfect home for both my career evolution and Rhythm Lab Radio's boundary-pushing approach. The station's mission to create "a better, more inclusive, and engaged community" through creative programming aligned perfectly with what we'd been trying to accomplish since day one.

Being one of Radio Milwaukee's founding team members meant helping to shape not just my own show, but the entire station's identity. Here was a station that understood that music discovery wasn't just about entertainment—it was about connection, education, and cultural bridge-building. The transition from architecture to radio might seem dramatic, but both fields are about creating spaces where people can connect and experience something meaningful.

The move to Radio Milwaukee also meant becoming part of a larger ecosystem of innovative programming from the ground up. The station's commitment to playing at least one Milwaukee artist every hour, its focus on "Uniquely Milwaukee" stories, and its dedication to serving diverse audiences created the perfect environment for Rhythm Lab Radio to evolve and grow. We weren't just a show on the schedule; we became part of a station-wide philosophy that valued curation, community, and cultural exploration.

At Radio Milwaukee, Rhythm Lab Radio found its rhythm as a two-hour weekly show (Fridays, 10 p.m. to midnight Central Time), but also expanded its reach through streaming and archived episodes on Mixcloud. Our mission of "Redefining the Urban Sound" fit perfectly within Radio Milwaukee's commitment to showcasing music that doesn't fit neatly into commercial radio categories.

Over the past 18 years at Radio Milwaukee, both the station and I have grown together. I've evolved from one of the first employees to my current role as Director of Strategy and Innovation, while Rhythm Lab Radio has grown from a weekly show to a multi-platform brand, expanding into syndication, digital partnerships, and now AI-powered innovation. The station's support has been unwavering, allowing both the show and my career to experiment, evolve, and push boundaries while maintaining the core mission that started at The Current. Radio Milwaukee didn't just give us a home—it gave us the freedom to innovate and the platform to lead.

Going National: The Syndication Story

The decision to syndicate came at a pivotal moment in the show's evolution. In 2019, Vocalo in Chicago became our first syndication partner, recognizing the value of adventurous music programming and the kind of contextual curation that was becoming increasingly rare in radio. WXPN in Philadelphia soon followed, laying the foundation for what would become a growing network of stations dedicated to musical discovery.

The timing proved prescient. When the pandemic hit in 2020, stations across the country were seeking quality programming that could connect with audiences during isolation, and Rhythm Lab Radio was already well-positioned to meet that need. What had started as strategic expansion became essential programming during a time when people needed discovery and connection more than ever.

These early syndication partnerships weren't just about reaching a wider audience—they were about proving that adventurous music programming could find an audience everywhere. Vocalo and WXPN understood that their listeners were hungry for content that respected their intelligence, that could transport them to new musical territories, and that provided the kind of human curation that streaming algorithms couldn't deliver.

Syndication meant adapting to different markets while maintaining the show's core identity. A track that resonated with Milwaukee listeners might land differently in Chicago or Philadelphia, but the underlying principle remained: trust your audience to follow you into uncharted musical territory. The success with these initial partners demonstrated that there was indeed a national appetite for the kind of deep-dive music programming that commercial radio had largely abandoned.

What started with two forward-thinking stations grew into a network that recognized the value of human curation in an increasingly algorithmic world. The syndication years proved we weren't just filling airtime; we were filling a void in the musical ecosystem, one that became even more apparent during the pandemic when people craved authentic connection and discovery.

The 10th Anniversary Microfest: Community in Action

By 2015, Rhythm Lab Radio had built something that transcended traditional radio metrics—we had built a community. The 10th anniversary microfest wasn't just a celebration; it was proof of concept. When you spend a decade introducing listeners to artists they've never heard, something magical happens: they start trusting your taste enough to show up in person.

The microfest—a playful nod to Milwaukee's microbrewery culture—was designed to be "small yet refined," bringing together the same genre-defying approach that defined the radio show. As I described it at the time, "Our mash-up includes jazz to hip-hop, electronic to indie and everything in between." The event took place at Radio Milwaukee's then-new studios in Walker's Point, celebrating not just the show's 10th anniversary but also eight years of the show's partnership with its Milwaukee home.

What struck everyone who attended was the diversity of the crowd—both in age and race—something that had become a hallmark of the Rhythm Lab Radio community. Among the 200 guests, you could see the show's impact: bringing together people who might never have crossed paths otherwise, united by their love of adventurous music.

The lineup reflected everything the show stood for. Local favorites Dream Attics opened with their dreamy indie-electronic rock, followed by Taylor McFerrin—the electro-jazz musician, producer, and son of Bobby McFerrin—whose captivating set included keys, improvisation, and impressive beatboxing. Up-and-coming indie darling Natalie Prass, whom I described as "a cross between Janet Jackson and Dusty Springfield," delivered a stunning rendition of Jackson's "Any Time, Any Place." The night concluded with a video DJ set by legendary producer and Stones Throw Records founder Peanut Butter Wolf.

But the microfest was about more than just performances. In partnership with TRUE Skool—a nonprofit organization using urban arts to engage youth in social justice and community service—we created educational workshops for 25 MPS and TRUE Skool high school students. These sessions included a Q&A with Peanut Butter Wolf, business workshops on managing finances as a musician, and an in-depth music showcase with Taylor McFerrin where students witnessed firsthand how he creates and deconstructs his tracks.

McFerrin's advice to the students captured the spirit of what Rhythm Lab Radio had always been about: "Music has to be your true passion first and foremost," "Stick with like-minded people and something good is bound to happen," "Don't be afraid to do something bad, especially while you're young," and "Emulate artists and records you like."

That event crystallized something important: Rhythm Lab Radio wasn't just a show; it was a curatorial philosophy that had created its own ecosystem. Artists, listeners, educators, and young people had formed a network that extended far beyond the radio waves. The microfest proved that the community we'd been building through music discovery was real, diverse, and deeply engaged—a foundation that would prove essential as we navigated the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.

Breaking New Artists: The Discovery Engine

Over the past twenty years, we've had the privilege of introducing listeners to artists months or years before they gained wider recognition. From bedroom producers who later headlined major festivals to singer-songwriters who went on to Grammy nominations, Rhythm Lab Radio has served as an early warning system for musical innovation.

But "breaking" artists isn't really the correct term—we prefer "amplifying." These artists were already creating incredible music; we just happened to have the platform and the audience hungry for discovery. The real magic happened when listeners took those discoveries and ran with them, sharing tracks with friends, attending shows, and becoming part of the artist's journey from the ground up.

The digital age has democratized music discovery in many ways, but it's also created an overwhelming flood of options. Rhythm Lab Radio's role has evolved from simply playing new music to providing context, creating pathways through the noise, and maintaining the human element in an increasingly algorithmic world.

The Mixcloud Community: 7000+ Strong

When we moved to Mixcloud, something unexpected happened—we gained a global audience. Those 7000+ followers aren't just numbers; they're music obsessives from every continent, DJs building their own collections, and artists discovering influences they never knew existed. The comment sections became mini music forums, with listeners sharing their own discoveries and creating a feedback loop that influenced future programming.

Mixcloud gave us something traditional radio couldn't: the ability to let listeners revisit and share specific moments. A track that caught someone's attention during their morning commute could be found, shared, and explored hours later. The platform transformed each show into a permanent artifact, a musical time capsule that listeners could revisit and explore.

The global reach also meant exposure to music scenes we might never have encountered otherwise. Listeners from different countries would share local artists, creating a truly international exchange of musical ideas. Rhythm Lab Radio became not just a show, but a hub for global music discovery.

Pioneering AI in Public Radio: The Super Hi-Fi Partnership

In 2022, Rhythm Lab Radio took another leap into the future with a groundbreaking partnership with Super Hi-Fi, the global leader in AI services for the music industry. This collaboration created something unprecedented in public radio: a 24/7 digital extension that preserved the spirit of curation and experimentation while allowing listeners to tune in at any time, extending far beyond our weekly two-hour Friday night broadcast.

The partnership, which launched at hyfin.org/rhythmlab/, represented more than just technological innovation—it was a proof of concept for how public radio could evolve in the digital age. As I said at the time, "This partnership with Super Hi-Fi is an essential experiment, not just for Rhythm Lab but for public radio as a whole. The new station is a case study in what's possible when you pair public radio's expert curation abilities with the power of AI technology."

What made this collaboration special was how it maintained the essence of Rhythm Lab Radio's mission to redefine the urban sound while expanding its reach. The AI-powered station delivered the same carefully curated mix of jazz, soul, hip-hop, and electronic music that defined the weekly show. Still, it made it available whenever listeners wanted it. It was human curation enhanced by artificial intelligence, not replaced by it—staying true to our commitment to boundary-pushing music that doesn't fit neatly into one genre.

The Super Hi-Fi partnership taught us crucial lessons about AI in radio: technology works best when it amplifies human expertise rather than attempting to replace it. The AI could handle the technical aspects of seamless transitions and 24/7 programming, while the human curator maintained control over the musical selections and overall experience. This philosophy would prove essential as we developed our current AI platform.

Zack Zalon, CEO of Super Hi-Fi, captured the potential perfectly: "Enabling radio stations with our AI-powered scheduling and automation tools provides a whole new kind of scale and efficiency, but most importantly allows music programmers to focus on what they do best: delivering incredible entertainment to their listeners."

The success of the Super Hi-Fi collaboration demonstrated that public radio audiences were ready for AI-enhanced experiences, as long as they maintained the quality and intentionality that made public radio special in the first place. It was a crucial stepping stone toward the more comprehensive AI platform we're building today.

The Challenge: Funding Cuts and the Future of Public Radio

But let's be honest about the challenges. The past few years have been tough for public radio. CPB funding cuts have significantly impacted stations, forcing many to make difficult decisions about programming and staffing. As Director of Digital Strategy and Innovation at Radio Milwaukee, I've seen firsthand how these pressures affect not just individual shows but the entire ecosystem of adventurous programming that makes public radio special.

We had been hoping to bring a producer on board for Rhythm Lab Radio—someone who could help with the deep research, contextual programming, and consistent content creation that the show demands. But budget constraints, compounded by the recent CPB rescission, have made that impossible. For a show that prides itself on discovering emerging artists, providing cultural context, and maintaining the high standard of curation that our 7,000+ Mixcloud followers expect, this wasn't just a logistical challenge—it was an existential one. As someone who had grown from one of Radio Milwaukee's first employees to leading digital innovation, I felt a responsibility to find solutions that could serve not just Rhythm Lab Radio but the broader public radio community facing similar constraints.

That's when the idea for the AI-powered platform began to take shape. What if technology could serve as that assistant producer we couldn't afford to hire? What if AI could help maintain the quality and consistency that listeners expect, while allowing the human curator to focus on what matters most—the discovery of music and the connections? What if we could create tools that other stations facing similar budget challenges could use to maintain their programming standards without compromising their editorial integrity?

Enter AI: The Next Chapter

Which brings us to today, and the most ambitious project in Rhythm Lab Radio's twenty-year history. Building on the lessons learned from our Super Hi-Fi partnership, I'm developing an AI-powered music discovery platform that will serve not just our show but potentially transform how any music-focused public radio program engages with its audience.

The Super Hi-Fi collaboration proved that AI could enhance public radio programming without compromising its integrity. Now, we're taking that concept further. This isn't about replacing human curation—it's about creating a more comprehensive system that amplifies everything we've learned about music discovery, community building, and the power of context over two decades.

The platform I'm developing for the Storyblok Code & Coffee Hackathon represents the evolution of everything we pioneered with Super Hi-Fi, but with deeper integration and more sophisticated capabilities. It combines:

• Real-time playlist integration from our live streams via Spinitron API

• AI-generated content that maintains our editorial voice and standards

• Advanced search capabilities across twenty years of programming history

• Community features that let listeners save, share, and discover music

• Cross-platform integration with Discogs, YouTube, and other services listeners actually use

• Human-in-the-loop editorial control ensures every piece of content meets our standards

Unlike the Super Hi-Fi partnership, which focused primarily on programming and transitions, this new platform addresses the entire ecosystem of music discovery—from real-time content generation to historical archive exploration to community engagement. It's the natural evolution of what we started with Super Hi-Fi, informed by three years of experience with AI-enhanced radio.

Why This Matters: The Future of Music Discovery

After twenty years of curating music, I've learned that discovery isn't just about finding new songs—it's about finding new ways to connect with music you already love, understanding the stories behind the sounds, and building communities around shared musical obsessions.

The AI platform isn't just a technical achievement; it's a love letter to everyone who's ever fallen down a musical rabbit hole because of something they heard on Rhythm Lab Radio. It's for the listener who discovered their favorite artist through our show five years ago and wants to explore everything else we've played by similar artists. It's for the new listener who wants to understand why we play what we play. It's for the fellow music obsessive who wants to dive deeper into the connections between genres, eras, and scenes.

Most importantly, it's a sustainable model for the future of public radio. By leveraging AI to handle the time-intensive work of content creation while maintaining human editorial control, we can continue to provide the deep, contextual programming that makes public radio special—even with reduced resources.

The Community That Built This

None of this would be possible without the community that's grown around Rhythm Lab Radio over the past twenty years. From the early listeners at The Current who trusted us to take them on musical journeys, to the syndicated audience that proved adventurous programming could work nationally, to the global Mixcloud community that's turned every show into a conversation—you've all been part of building something bigger than a radio show.

The artists who've trusted us with their music, often before anyone else was paying attention. The programmers at stations across the country who've made space for our particular brand of musical exploration. The fellow DJs and curators who've shared discoveries and pushed us to dig deeper. The listeners who've become friends, collaborators, and fellow travelers on this twenty-year musical journey.

Looking Forward: The Next Twenty Years

As I write this, I'm deep into building the platform that will carry Rhythm Lab Radio into its next chapter. This milestone should coincide with a hackathon focused on combining AI with content management—because that's exactly what the future of music radio looks like.

The goal isn't to automate curation, but to amplify it. To use technology to create more opportunities for discovery, deeper connections between artists and listeners, and more sustainable models for the kind of programming that makes public radio irreplaceable.

Twenty years in, Rhythm Lab Radio is still about the same thing it was on day one: finding the music that matters and sharing it with people who care. The tools have evolved, the platforms have multiplied, and the community has grown global, but the core mission remains unchanged.

Here's to the next twenty years of discovery, connection, and the endless conversation between artists, curators, and the communities that form around great music. The rhythm continues, the lab keeps experimenting, and the radio—whether it's broadcast, streamed, or powered by AI—keeps bringing us together.

Want to follow the development of the AI platform? Connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Instagram, Bluesky, or subscribe to my Substack newsletter for behind-the-scenes updates on building the future of music discovery.

Rhythm Lab Radio: Twenty years of digging deeper, playing wider, and connecting the dots. Here's to twenty more.