Welcome to the Gutsy Radio newsletter! We‘ll keep it short and sweet letting you know about all the amazing music and DJs you can find on gutsyradio.org.

Gutsy Radio is a decentralized community radio station featuring music, talk, performance, and experiments broadcast live from around the United States. Each program is curated solely by its DJ, host, or performer. We present an eclectic and exciting variety of ad-free shows every night of the week and weekend mornings.

End-of-Year Marathon!

We’ve had a great 5th anniversary year! Thanks to our supportive listeners and a $500 gift received this month, we only need to raise $2,000 (less than half of our annual operating expenses) in December. All donations go directly to paying for the broadcasting service and required music licensing. Gutsy Radio is a 501c3 non-profit and your donations are deductible.

Every little bit helps! A small donation or purchase of Gutsy merch are much appreciated. Keep listening and help us raise $2000 by December 31!

Click here to donate

Bite-size Album Reviews

Dream Into It by Billy Idol — The opening song reveals a more mature, more contemplative Idol. Released in 2025, Dream Into It is more of a “statement” than a song and sets the tone for everything to come.  Both nostalgia and wisdom from age pepper all of the songs on the album. “77” should have been the opening song — one for “the kids,” featuring Avril Lavigne, trading off verses. “Too Much Fun” has got the “Rebel Yell” danceable rock beat, as does “Gimme the Weight” and “Still Dancing,” that are classic Idol. There are also cameos from Allison Mosshart and Joan Jett, something for the old fans and hopefully the new. “People I Love” seems to be the most real song on the album from both an emotional and a musical perspective. Yet, the hooks and the real banger of a single are largely absent except for “Still Dancing”, which he saved for last.  And that’s how he will probably be remembered – still dancing. REVIEW by DJ Kitty, host of Kitty Litter

God’s Gonna Give You a Million Dollars by Shallowater — It’s easy to be enticed by a name like that, which reads like a promise. On first listen I heard a shaky, haunting voice reminding me of Sparklehorse with a slightly youthful wistful soar. Shallowater’s music is a heavy and loud type of slow emotional alt-rock embedded with a Texan country undercurrent. This is a perfect autumn album for me, embodying both the endless rain cloud hanging over my town with the bright yellow orange breaks of change in the air. Pastoral pedal steel twang meets walls of loud fuzzy guitars. This is an album I see myself listening to every year around this time, not to be missed! REVIEW by DJ Patrick, host of Raincloud Radio

Cutthroat by shame — South London band shame released their fourth studio album Cutthroat in September, and it has become one of my favorites of 2025. With their intense, guitar-driven post-punk sound, shame stands alongside bands like Dry Cleaning and Fontaines DC who are bringing fresh energy and originality to new music. Cutthroat mixes some spoken-word  (sprechgesang) tracks reminiscent of The Fall with more melodious singing, showing a range of style and delivery that keeps you intrigued from track to track.  REVIEW by DJ Terry, host with Yulia of the DTLA show

Life's Too Fast by High Fade — The three-piece Scottish band High Fade can be described as funk rock mixed with classic rock, indie, and even a touch of jazz fusion. If that's your groove, Life's Too Fast won't disappoint.  The album consists of ten tracks of tight, raw, energetic, and authentic jamming, thanks to the band's decision to use a live recording method, rather than the typical multitrack approach. Add to this High Fade's almost telepathic connection between the members, and what you have is a solid funktastic album that is guaranteed to get your head bobbin'. REVIEW by DJ Nikk, host of The Bruised Ego Show

Welcome our newest DJ!

Fran in New York is our newest Gutsy DJ! His show, ROCK AND ROLL HOUSEPARTY, starts on 11/29 at 5 pm ET and will be live every other Saturday from 5–7 pm ET.

Hop onto our Discord server (server name: Gutsy Radio; go to the #on-air channel) to let him know you’re listening during the show!

See the rest of our Gutsy schedule here

Top 5

This month, we present DJ Claudia’s Top 5 Songs for Fall. Tune in every other week on Sundays from 7–9 pm ET to hear an expertly-curated set of eclectic music.

1. 🍁 October All Over by Unwound, 2021
   Leaves Turn Inside You is a beloved post-hardcore album and I think of it as a fall album. It captures elements of fall’s droning listlessness and walks you through the season’s sharper edges. A great headphone album to listen to on a walk or on your commute home when it’s already dark out.

2. 🍁 No-one In the World by Locust, 1996
   The sun sets early. The nights are a series of long, plaintive, sensuous repetitions with a difference. This breakbeat trip-hop track with minimal lyrics evokes this trance of fall to me.

3. 🍁 Swallow Flight by Jeanette, 1988
   Elegant, jazzy and spectral. Feels like a radiant fall morning walking through leaves.

4. 🍁 Body’s In Trouble by Mary Margaret O’Hara, 1988
   A gorgeous poem about uncertainty and inaction. There’s something fall-like about stumbling around in a state of impotence and reveling in the stuckness.

5. 🍁 Denim by Wormwood Star, 2025
   The sun is sharper and more direct in the fall. This track is moody angular and bright and it’s been on repeat for me lately.

Playlist of the Month

Listen at your own risk! DJ David in NC featured ear worms on a recent show. Take a listen over on Mixcloud to hear songs with huge choruses, unforgettable melodies and prepare to be humming along the next day. Catch David’s show every other Tuesday from 9–11pm ET.

Adam Ant - Goody Two Shoes
Pezband - Angelique
Devo - The Girl U Want
The Producers - She Sheila
Queen - Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Spoon - Trouble Comes Running’
Rick Springfield - Jessie’s Girl
Jellyfish - Baby’s Comin’ Back
Sweet - Ballroom Blitz
Gnarl’s Barkley - Crazy
Paul Carrack - Don’t Shed A Tear
Phoenix - Napoleon Says
The Monkees - Going Down
Big Country - In a Big Country
Human League - Don’t You Want Me
Thompson Twins - Doctor! Doctor!
Men Without Hats - Safety Dance
Dora Jar - The Scab Song
Darwin Deez - You Can’t Be My Girl
The Temper Trap - Fader
Say Hi - Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh OH
Nolä - Smile and Wave
Panic At The Disco - When the Day Met the Night
Genesis - Paperlate
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets - Keen For Kick Ons
Hippo Campus - Way It Goes
Jake Bugg - Messed Up Kids
The Hold Steady - Sequestered in Memphis
Pete Yorn - Undercover
Ben Folds Five - Emaline
Bleu - Singing In Tongues
Black Crowes - Soul Singing

. . . Blips . . .

🍗 Need a soundtrack for cooking or eating? Check out Gutsy’s archive of Thanksgiving mixes!  Listen on Mixcloud

✨ NEW release! Gutsy DJ Micah E. Wood, co-host of Employees of the Month, released a stellar new album: You Me and the Reign

📚 The book co-authored and designed by DJs Mark & Sandie, Meggs’ History of Graphic Design, 7th edition, recently published by Wiley, covers a lot of ground — including the history of album cover design!

Gutsy, Too! kicks off our broadcasting Monday through Friday from 5–7pm ET. Hand picked from our growing archive of over 4,200 shows, re-listen to all the variety that makes Gutsy Radio great. The schedule is listed each week on Instagram and gutsyradio.org.