Through the Glass: The Soundtrack of True New York
- Eden Rose
- Oct 1, 2025
- 4 min read
A couple of weeks ago, I walked past a glowing booth on First Avenue and could not resist stopping. Behind the glass, a DJ was spinning records, and the energy pouring out onto the sidewalk felt electric. That booth was East Village Radio (EVR), and it immediately pulled me in.
Curious to learn more, I sat down with Brian Turner, the station's program director, to talk about EVR's history, its relaunch in 2024, and why it still feels like one of the most authentic community staples in New York City.
For readers who might not know, how did EVR first get started back in 2003? And why put it in a glass booth behind Lil' Frankies?
Brian Turner: The station came out of the vision of Frank Prisinzano, the owner of Lil' Frankies. He has always been a strong supporter of the arts and wanted to bring something unique to the East Village community. A project manager named Jorge Parriera pitched the idea of setting up a radio station for less than $1,000. They put a low-power FM transmitter on the restaurant's roof and created a small glass booth next to the dining room for live DJing.
It was immediately successful. A New York Times article covered it, which caught the FCC's attention. They shut down the FM side, but EVR went online and stayed that way until 2015. During that time, the booth became a hub for music. Mark Ronson played Drake's demos before they were released. Amy Winehouse stopped by mid-tattoo session. Bands like Duran Duran and artists like Sylvain Sylvain came through.
What kind of moments stand out when neighbors, passersby, or locals interact with the station right there on First Avenue?
Brian: That is one of the best parts. People walking by stop, stare, and sometimes even pull up a chair. You no longer see radio stations set up like this, especially not on a public sidewalk. Heidi Gardner from SNL walked past recently. Philip Glass and Richard Hell both pass by as well. Sometimes they wave, sometimes they come in.
One of my favorite moments was during our Latin show Ritmo. People literally pulled up chairs on the street to hang out and listen. It felt like the old East Village again, with a strong sense of community right outside the glass. The physical presence makes EVR more than just a station. It acts as a cultural marker for the neighborhood.
Your relaunch announcement in 2024 said, "Your eyes do not deceive, here we are, gang." What did it feel like to come back?
Brian: It was indescribable. When I came back to relaunch it, all that was left was the booth. No equipment, no shows, no DJs. We had to build everything from scratch, including a new streaming setup and a new roster of hosts. Now we have about 110 DJs. Some are local in New York, while others contribute from Vermont, Austin, Australia, and beyond.
At first, it was a jumble. We now have a strong lineup that encompasses jazz, hip-hop, soul, experimental, and electronic music. During the day, you hear a wide range of sounds. By nighttime, the booth turns into a party. DJs bring in guests, and the energy spills out onto First Avenue, making people feel that excitement just by walking by. Having a front-facing station is rare. People walking past Lil' Frankies can look right in and see the DJ. That mix of online listeners and in-person energy is exactly what makes it so exciting.
Which new shows or DJs do you think could be the next big chapter in EVR's story?
Brian: We are not trying to fit into what the industry dictates. I see EVR as an antidote to that. The industry narrows who gets through and often decides which six or seven artists will dominate. We are more interested in championing new music that people might not hear otherwise.
Every month, we compile lists of fifty artists our DJs are excited about, along with Bandcamp links for listeners to explore. Some of these artists are not even on Spotify. That discovery element makes EVR unique. Someone can walk in with a demo, and if it is good, we will play it right on the spot.
We have also seen younger DJs, experimental artists, and community groups, such as Girls Club, making the booth their own. Girls Club is a Lower East Side youth collective that often comes into the booth to learn about radio. That is the next chapter. EVR is committed to staying open and inclusive, with space for both the underground and the unexpected.
Wrap Up
Walking away from this conversation, I could not help but think about how rare EVR is today. In an industry dominated by algorithms, viral playlists, and label-driven promotion, this little booth on First Avenue feels like a rebellion. It is not about curating the most marketable six artists of the year. It is about giving anyone with something worth sharing a chance to be heard.
EVR reminds us what makes New York special. It is scrappy, grassroots, community-centered, and unapologetically creative. It brings neighbors together on the sidewalk and introduces listeners around the world to music they might never hear anywhere else. Also HUGE thank you to Brian Turner and the team at EVR for taking the time to meet and have an awesome conversation about not only the studio but the industry!
If you are in the East Village, take a walk by Lil' Frankies and see what is happening inside the booth. If you are not, you can always tune into the livestream. Either way, EVR proves that against all odds, true community radio still thrives in New York City.
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