It’s the Time of the Season for Radio
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Written by Kylee Herrick
With the CSU student radio station’s annual Halloween tradition just around the corner, it is time to put the spotlight on the students providing a source of alternative music and entertainment.
***At press time, news broke that WCSB has been taken over by Ideastream. The implications of this transition remain unclear, raising concerns about the future of one of the few truly independent student voices on campus. At press time, there was no confirmation on whether the annual WCSB Halloween Ball will still take place. Stay tuned for further coverage of the WCSB–Ideastream partnership in our next issue.*** The Halloween season has begun to cast its eerie glow over Cleveland. For Cleveland State University students, summer vacations transition into campus costume parties and hair-raising haunted houses.
Those looking for a musically bone-chilling experience may consider attending the annual Halloween Ball on Oct. 25, hosted by Cleveland State’s alternative FM college radio station, WCSB 89.3, at Beachland Ballroom & Tavern.
The event will be free and open to all ages for a night of vinyl spinning and live performances from a number of unique bands: The Mooks, Cowboy Princess Brigade, Hello!3D, Juanita & Juan, Skwerm, Pretty Pretty Awful, King Buu and What Counts.
The event serves as a “thank you” to listeners and donors who have supported the not-for-profit station throughout the year, with Radiothon sponsorship opportunities available to local businesses looking to offer further patronage.
It is a totally petrifying Halloween bash that will satiate any music fan.
Aside from the DJs and live bands, one Cleveland State student fuels the creep factor this year from behind the scenes.
With a flair for art and graphic design, film major and student DJ Trinidad Ramirez has made his mark as WCSB’s new “resident artist” and is responsible for this year’s Halloween Ball poster.
It started when Ramirez submitted a design to the station’s annual Radiothon t-shirt design competition: an annual contest in which one artist’s work is chosen to be featured on purchasable merchandise during the Radiothon campaign.
“Because my t-shirt design was too complicated – I went a little overboard with texture and coloring – (the station’s staff and I) reached a compromise that it would be on the Winter 2024-2025 program guide,” Ramirez says, “which I still have hung on my refrigerator.”
Ramirez was later asked if he would be interested in his own spot on the station, to which he ecstatically agreed.
“I was able to reach out to DJ Schlippy – major shoutout to Over the Hump – and she was kind enough to set up an interview for me to become a member of the station,” Ramirez said. “I started my training off pretty nervous, sweating profusely every time.”
But, his confidence grew and he fell deeply in love with the radio scene.
His apprenticeship ended this past summer break, and shortly thereafter he was asked to begin designing his first artistic project with WCSB – now as a fully-fledged member.
His style is unique and encapsulates the novelty of the alternative radio station, leading WCSB staff to utilize Ramirez creatively while he develops a unique, local identity in the arts scene.
Ramirez says the Halloween Ball poster was the most extensive graphic design project he has created in a while, but he stated he is “excited to be involved.”
The design process starts on his phone with a simple sketch using his finger, before moving to Photoshop to add the eye-catching fonts, pulling everything together.
When asked about his decision to feature a werewolf, Ramirez said “I wanted to work on something werewolf related because each year comes with its own monster hype, such as last year’s craze that went along with the new Nosferatu film.”
Now, with director Robert Eggers’ wolfman-inspired film in production, “It’s the hour of the wolf, baby!” Ramirez said.
Ramirez is extremely excited to attend his first ever Halloween Ball. He never expected an opportunity like this would fall into his lap, but he loves to be a part of something he thinks is meaningful.
“It’s crazy that that’s what I am doing right now,” Ramirez said.
He has a creative drive that will never leave, and the station offers him the ability to express himself musically and visually.
Listeners can catch Ramirez’s show, Wack Sabbath, on Sunday evenings from 11 p.m. to midnight on WCSB 89.3 FM. Those wishing to see more of his artwork can find it on his Instagram: @zingerooni.
“Check it out! It’s a chance to listen to me and get a peek into my mind.” Ramirez says.
Ramirez is not the only student working for WCSB. Each year, students apprentice under current DJs in order to reach membership status and earn their spot on the air. Two students, Brendan Hanstein and Brock Runner, have made their mark on their very own show Rise & Vibe, which started after the pair bonded over a shared love of music.
“Before I came to Cleveland State, I knew colleges had radio stations, and I always thought it would be awesome to host my own show someday,” Runner said.
Runner and Hanstein quickly realized it was fate. Combining everything from funk to Japanese synth, the two have built a routine of spending their Friday mornings together, playing music for their listeners to sit back and enjoy.
The day starts before the sun has peaked above the horizon, while most students are still fast asleep.
“I usually arrive around 3:15 a.m. with a box of donuts in one hand, an energy drink in the other and a bag full of music,” Hanstein said. “Brock will arrive behind me shortly after, and we usually catch up about our last week of shenanigans or what’s going on in the area over a couple donuts.”
Hanstein and Runner keep the energy laid back and loose, splitting their show into two sections where they each get an hour to broadcast the music they have curated for that week.
“We don’t overthink it,” Runner said.
Both Hanstein and Runner see WCSB as an outlet, both creatively and as a way to engage with the community, whether it be other station members or listeners calling in during the show.
“It's such a great way to still be a part of campus and its community,” Hanstein said.
Hanstein and Runner recommend becoming a student DJ to any music fan no matter what their personal tastes may be.
“That’s the best part about WCSB; it doesn’t matter what your favorite genre of music is, you can play any kind of music you want,” Runner explains.
For Hanstein and Runner, joining the station was a no-brainer and a venture they will continue toward after graduation. They also look forward to attending the Halloween Ball for the first time this year and are excited to be involved with the event.
Tune into Runner and Hanstein’s show, Rise & Vibe, every Friday from 4 a.m. until 6 a.m.
The Halloween Ball is a tradition that brings Cleveland to life during the spooky season, providing a space for not just WCSB’s DJs, but for all of the students that support college radio. Join Hanstein, Runner, Ramirez, and many others this October for a night of musical spectacle.
Students who are interested in becoming a member of WCSB 89.3 FM can apply to the station online at WCSB.org – no matter their major or level of expertise – and experience what alternative college radio has to offer.
UPCOMING EVENT:
October 25, 2025 at Beachland Ballroom & Tavern. Doors open at 6 p.m. and live music starts at 7 p.m. Hosted by WCSB 89.3 FM.