Distortion, a 100% rock and Gers radio station created by a group of friends on the same wavelength

Rock and a host with a singing accent, that's what you can listen to by tuning into frequency 96.0. Some Gers residents are well aware of this unique radio station, unique in the department, even in the entire region: Radio Distortion. Its particularity? It only broadcasts rock and a few derivatives, going from metal to blues or punk. A daring mix that explores the full diversity of rock 7 days a week, 24 hours a day without advertising.

Something to delight riff enthusiasts during their journeys through Auch. Who is behind the microphone and the broadcast? How was this community radio station born? La Dépêche du Midi went behind the scenes of the Auscitain studio to learn more about this rock station.

Passing through rue Victor-Hugo, it is impossible to miss this antenna of around thirty meters, at the foot of which a building houses three community radio stations: Gascogne FM, Atomic and Distortion. In a small room, behind his computer, Pierre orchestrates the musical programming and broadcasts. He carries out interviews and receives new releases on CD or PC. He is the only employee and saw the creation of the radio, but also that of the association.

A story of friendship above all

Before broadcasting on the airwaves, Distortion is above all a group of friends who share a passion: music and more particularly rock.

In the 90s, the band met at concerts organized in partnership with the L'Isle-Bouzon festival committee. “The band also wanted to do indoor concerts in winter. It was a challenge that they took on by founding the Distortion association,” says Pierre. They thus started in the events industry with almost five concerts per year.

“At the time, there was a show on a radio called RDM, in Plieux. They spent their evenings playing records, opening beers and laughing,” recalls Pierre. One of them, Thierry Malf, the current president of the association, then set himself a challenge: to create his own rock radio station in 2008. To do this, it was necessary to put together a file with the CSA (currently the ARCOM). “That’s how we got the frequency in Auch.”

As a “musical discovery radio”, Distortion must naturally comply with a few requirements, including rigorous ethics, 1 hour 15 minutes of news flashes and the broadcast of 1,000 new titles per month. “I receive a lot of emails per day, I have to sort through what we receive so that it fits with our identity.”

A pace that does not frighten Pierre, who keeps a notebook carefully filled with all the new musical entries, most of which come from emerging artists that he introduces to the public of rock lovers.

Community radio stations under threat?

And for all this to work, funds are needed. Recently, the news has reminded us of this, with this stone thrown into the pond: community radio stations were threatened. In a bill, the government wanted to take 29% of their subsidies from the Local Radio Expression Support Fund (FSER).

A massive blow for radio associations. Finally, after backpedaling, they breathe again, but are not out of the woods. “You have to pay the charges, the rent, the electricity, the subscriptions, the equipment and the employees. Without the support fund, it's simple, you have to lay off people, and there it's more complicated to run a radio association. The fact remains that the government can force its way through 49.3… we don't hope, but we will see”, worries Pierre.

In the meantime, the rock spirit is not about to capsize the Distortion ship which continues to broadcast.