Radio Crystal Blue

158 episodes listed below

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Freeform indie music with archival warmth.

The gist

Radio Crystal Blue tracks active songwriters and bands with the patience of a local record-store regular and the memory of an archive. Episodes mix new releases, tour listings, artist history, personal asides, and long stretches of music chosen to feel connected rather than random.

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About Radio Crystal Blue

Radio Crystal Blue is a freeform music program with a long memory and a working calendar. Its center is independent and adult alternative music, especially songwriters and bands that are still recording, touring, submitting music, and showing up in rooms across North America, the UK, and beyond. Dan Herman is the recurring named voice, and his style is conversational rather than packaged. He introduces artists through album titles, town names, web addresses, instrumental credits, venue schedules, and stray remembered connections that pull the music into a larger personal archive. Short notes become longer arcs. A song from Ottawa can lead into a career sketch, a festival mention, and a reminder that the artist has been making records since before YouTube and Spotify. A Warren Zevon tribute compilation becomes a multi-episode thread, with Long Island geography and individual contributors given room to breathe. The show also keeps returning to its own history. Anniversary countdown episodes rank artists by years of chart and airplay data, while regular editions remind listeners that the program has been running since 2000 and has built a deep bench of favorites. Its freeform ethic is not random. The selections are meant to fit by relation, feeling, genre, or accumulated association, which gives the episodes a loose but recognizable shape. Radio Crystal Blue is also practical in a very old-web way. It names artist sites, gives airplay submission details, notes where full-length versions can be heard, and points to Mixcloud, the Internet Archive, RSS feeds, and social posts without turning the housekeeping into a sales pitch. The music range is broad: anti-folk, folk, rock, blues-steeped vocals, experimental lap steel, shoegaze-adjacent textures, ska-punk memories, tribute records, and modern songwriter narratives all appear in the same orbit. Some moments carry heavier subject matter, including death, grief, violence in song material, and occasional drug references from live recordings or artist anecdotes. The overall effect remains warm and steady. It is less a countdown machine than a long-running set of shelves, with new releases placed beside old loyalties and tour dates tucked into the margins.

Made for: For listeners who like independent music discovery with context: artist histories, release notes, venue dates, scene memory, and full songs allowed to take up space. It especially suits patient fans of adult alternative, folk, anti-folk, songwriter rock, and long-running radio culture.

What sets it apart: Radio Crystal Blue stands apart through its combination of freeform programming and meticulous artist advocacy. It does not just play unfamiliar music; it situates songs inside careers, towns, websites, tours, past airplay, and the show's own years-long archive.

In their own words

Freeform radio with music and news of indie/touring songwriters and bands. Twin Vision, veteran radio promoters, says Radio Crystal Blue is "...the longest-running adult alternative Internet station."

As heard by us

Based on 6 episodes we listened to · September 2026

Dan Herman connects independent songs to artist histories, personnel, tour information and Radio Crystal Blue's own accumulated memory.

Radio Crystal Blue lets songs lead, then gives them coordinates. Dan Herman moves through independent releases with artist backgrounds, album notes, personnel credits, venue dates and web addresses, turning each selection into a practical trail for further listening.

Read our full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Dan Herman wound up in a band's video; he might know your next favorite song, too.

Press play if you want

  • an artist countdown with Dan's memories of seeing and booking musicians
  • new songs from someone who also tells you where the artists are playing
Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
indie and emerging artiststour dates and venue listingsnew album focus segmentsartist websites and airplay submissionsanti-folk and songwriter scenesWarren Zevon tribute recordingsTop 100 all-time artist countdownMixcloud and Internet Archive access

Talks about

Best episodes of Radio Crystal Blue

Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.

Radio Crystal Blue 4/12/26 part 2Apr 13, 2026

A freeform roundup where touring routes and song connections give wide-ranging music a shape.

Radio Crystal Blue treats freeform radio as music with room to wander, but not as a shapeless drift. Dan Herman moves through songwriters, bands, indie music, touring artists, and online discoveries while coming back to the need for related artists, related genres, and a working…

Radio Crystal Blue 3/31/26 part 1Apr 2, 2026

A loose radio set that pairs indie songs with album notes, festival dates, and station lore.

Dan Herman guides Radio Crystal Blue through a loose stretch of indie and emerging music, easing from station talk into songs by Jamie Andrews Anderson, Chris Delmhorst, John Langford, and Jennifer Tefft and The Strange.

Radio Crystal Blue 3/21/26 part 1Mar 22, 2026

A warm indie radio dispatch where anti-folk history, new music, and touring notes sit naturally together.

Radio Crystal Blue plays like a spring note from an indie music archive, starting with Sprinkle Genies and the anti-folk history around Latch before widening into newer songs and artist updates.

Radio Crystal Blue 2/4/26 part 1Feb 4, 2026

Dan Herman folds support links, new music, and shoegaze into one loose hour.

Radio Crystal Blue moves with an easy broadcast rhythm, as Dan Herman points listeners to archive.org and Mixcloud before circling back to a first airing of a new album by a world-class songwriter.

Radio Crystal Blue 1/23/26 part 2Jan 23, 2026

A loose January broadcast that balances scheduling notes, track credits, and a few forward-looking plans.

Radio Crystal Blue opens with Dan Herman setting the frame for a middle-of-January show aimed at around January 23, then folds in practical notes about saving, downloading, and sharing the program through RSS, podcast platforms, Mixcloud, and the Internet Archive.

Radio Crystal Blue Top 100 All-Time Artist Countdown show #2

A countdown entry where one DC band's history carries as much charge as its chart position.

This Radio Crystal Blue Top 100 All-Time Artist Countdown installment treats the chart as a long view of an artist's body of work, moving through entries ranked 90 to 81 by annual placement from 2003 through 2024.

Radio Crystal Blue Top 100 All-Time Artist Countdown show #4

A memory-rich Radio Crystal Blue countdown where Girlyman's songs lead back through venues, history, and personal archive.

Radio Crystal Blue's all-time artist countdown turns a ranked list into a walk through remembered rooms. Dan Herman lingers on Girlyman, moving from the 2004 debut Remember Who I Am and "Even If" to a show with Nate, Ty, and Doris at Fez under Time Cafe in New York City.

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Episodes

  1. 1

    Radio Crystal Blue Top 100 All-Time Artist Countdown (#50-41)

    ·1h 15m
  2. 2

    Radio Crystal Blue 7/13/25 part 2

    ·1h 51m
  3. 3

    Radio Crystal Blue Top 100 All-Time Artist Countdown (2003-24) show #1

    ·1h 15m
  4. 4

    Radio Crystal Blue 7/2/25 part 1

    ·2h 2m
  5. 5

    Radio Crystal Blue 7/2/25 part 2

    ·1h 41m
  6. 6

    Radio Crystal Blue 3/31/26 part 1

    ·1h 59m
  7. 7

    Radio Crystal Blue 3/31/26 part 2

    ·2h 35m
  8. 8

    Radio Crystal Blue 3/21/26 part 1

    ·1h 43m
  9. 9

    Radio Crystal Blue 3/21/26 part 2

    ·2h 15m
  10. 10

    Radio Crystal Blue 3/11/26 part 1

    ·2h 18m
  11. 11

    Radio Crystal Blue 3/12/26 part 2

    ·1h 45m
  12. 12

    Radio Crystal Blue 2/28/26 part 1

    ·2h 3m
  13. 13

    Radio Crystal Blue 2/28/26 part 2

    ·2h 9m
  14. 14

    Radio Crystal Blue 2/16/26 part 1

    ·2h 53m
  15. 15

    Radio Crystal Blue 2/16/26 part 2

    ·1h 45m
  16. 16

    Radio Crystal Blue 2/4/26 part 1

    ·1h 53m
  17. 17

    Radio Crystal Blue 2/4/26 part 2

    ·2h 17m
  18. 18

    Radio Crystal Blue 1/23/26 part 1

    ·2h 47m
  19. 19

    Radio Crystal Blue 1/23/26 part 2

    ·1h 51m
  20. 20

    Radio Crystal Blue 1/11/26 part 1

    ·2h 38m
  21. 21

    Radio Crystal Blue 1/11/26 part 2

    ·2h 21m
  22. 22

    Radio Crystal Blue 12/12/25 part 1

    ·1h 35m
  23. 23

    Radio Crystal Blue 12/12/25 part 2

    ·1h 51m
  24. 24

    Radio Crystal Blue 12/2/25 part 1

    ·1h 51m
  25. 25

    Radio Crystal Blue 12/2/25 part 2

    ·1h 59m
  26. 26

    Radio Crystal Blue Top 100 All-Time Artist Countdown (10-1)

    ·1h 26m
  27. 27

    Radio Crystal Blue 11/22/25 part 1

    ·2h 22m
  28. 28

    Radio Crystal Blue 11/22/25 part 2

    ·1h 40m
  29. 29

    Radio Crystal Blue 11/12/25 part 1

    ·1h 55m
  30. 30

    Radio Crystal Blue 11/12/25 part 2

    ·2h 23m
  31. 31

    Radio Crystal Blue 10/18/25 part 1

    ·2h 3m
  32. 32

    Radio Crystal Blue 10/18/25 part 2

    ·2h 2m
  33. 33

    Radio Crystal Blue Top 100 All-Time Artist Countdown (30-21)

    ·1h 25m
  34. 34

    Radio Crystal Blue 9/30/25 part 1

    ·2h
  35. 35

    Radio Crystal Blue 9/30/25 part 2

    ·2h 31m
  36. 36

    Radio Crystal Blue Top 100 All-Time Artist Countdown (40-31)

    ·1h 22m
  37. 37

    Radio Crystal Blue 9/23/25 part 1

    ·2h 23m
  38. 38

    Radio Crystal Blue 9/23/25 part 2

    ·1h 44m
  39. 39

    Radio Crystal Blue 7/13/25 part 1

    ·2h 5m
  40. 40

    Radio Crystal Blue 9/14/25 part 1

    ·2h 28m
  41. 41

    Radio Crystal Blue 9/14/25 part 2

    ·1h 43m
  42. 42

    Radio Crystal Blue Top 100 All-Time Artist Countdown (60-51)

    ·1h 16m
  43. 43

    Radio Crystal Blue 8/31/25 part 1

    ·2h 15m
  44. 44

    Radio Crystal Blue 8/31/25 part 2

    ·1h 42m
  45. 45

    Radio Crystal Blue 8/22/25 part 1

    ·2h 4m
  46. 46

    Radio Crystal Blue 8/22/25 part 2

    ·2h 40m
  47. 47

    Radio Crystal Blue 8/12/25 part 1

    ·2h 1m
  48. 48

    Radio Crystal Blue 8/12/25 part 2

    ·1h 39m
  49. 49

    Radio Crystal Blue 8/2/25 part 1

    ·2h 48m
  50. 50

    Radio Crystal Blue 8/2/25 part 2

    ·1h 47m
  51. 51

    Radio Crystal Blue Top 100 All-Time Artist Countdown show #3

    ·1h 12m
  52. 52

    Radio Crystal Blue 7/23/25 part 1

    ·2h 3m
  53. 53

    Radio Crystal Blue 7/23/25 part 2

    ·1h 36m
  54. 54

    Radio Crystal Blue 6/22/25 part 1

    ·1h 59m
  55. 55

    Radio Crystal Blue 6/22/25 part 2

    ·2h 37m
  56. 56

    Radio Crystal Blue 6/12/25 part 1

    ·2h 10m
  57. 57

    Radio Crystal Blue 6/12/25 part 2

    ·1h 53m
  58. 58

    Radio Crystal Blue 5/31/25 part 1

    ·1h 59m
  59. 59

    Radio Crystal Blue 5/31/25 part 2

    ·2h 17m
  60. 60

    Radio Crystal Blue 5/23/25 part 1

    ·2h 9m
  61. 61

    Radio Crystal Blue 5/23/25 part 2

    ·1h 33m
  62. 62

    Radio Crystal Blue 5/12/25 part 1

    ·2h 16m
  63. 63

    Radio Crystal Blue 5/12/25 part 2

    ·1h 42m
  64. 64

    Radio Crystal Blue 4/30/25 part 1

    ·2h 16m
  65. 65

    Radio Crystal Blue 4/30/25 part 2

    ·1h 54m
  66. 66

    Radio Crystal Blue 4/20/25 part 1

    ·2h 12m
  67. 67

    Radio Crystal Blue 4/20/25 part 2

    ·1h 53m
  68. 68

    Radio Crystal Blue 4/10/25 part 1

    ·2h 18m
  69. 69

    Radio Crystal Blue 4/10/25 part 2

    ·2h 2m
  70. 70

    Radio Crystal Blue 4/1/25 part 1

    ·2h 6m
  71. 71

    Radio Crystal Blue 4/1/25 part 2

    ·2h 11m
  72. 72

    Radio Crystal Blue 3/23/25 part 1

    ·2h 15m
  73. 73

    Radio Crystal Blue 3/23/25 part 2

    ·2h 58m
  74. 74

    Radio Crystal Blue 3/11/25 part 1

    ·2h 14m
  75. 75

    Radio Crystal Blue 3/11/25 part 2

    ·2h 13m
  76. 76

    Radio Crystal Blue 3/2/25 part 1

    ·2h 3m
  77. 77

    Radio Crystal Blue 3/2/25 part 2

    ·1h 52m
  78. 78

    Radio Crystal Blue 2/19/25 part 1

    ·1h 58m
  79. 79

    Radio Crystal Blue 2/19/25 part 2

    ·2h 3m
  80. 80

    Radio Crystal Blue 1/30/25 part 1

    ·2h 3m
  81. 81

    Radio Crystal Blue 1/30/25 part 2

    ·2h 23m
  82. 82

    Radio Crystal Blue 1/16/25 part 1

    ·2h 38m
  83. 83

    Radio Crystal Blue 1/16/25 part 2

    ·2h 36m
  84. 84

    Radio Crystal Blue 12/16/24 part 1

    ·2h 11m
  85. 85

    Radio Crystal Blue 12/10/24 part 2

    ·2h 10m
  86. 86

    Radio Crystal Blue 11/26/24 part 1

    ·1h 59m
  87. 87

    Radio Crystal Blue 11/26/24 part 2

    ·2h 7m
  88. 88

    Radio Crystal Blue 11/14/24 part 1

    ·2h 19m
  89. 89

    Radio Crystal Blue 11/14/24 part 2

    ·2h 4m
  90. 90

    Radio Crystal Blue 11/4/24 part 1

    ·2h 1m
  91. 91

    Radio Crystal Blue 11/4/24 part 2

    ·2h 16m
  92. 92

    Radio Crystal Blue 10/23/24 part 1

    ·2h 35m
  93. 93

    Radio Crystal Blue 10/20/24 part 2

    ·2h 49m
  94. 94

    Radio Crystal Blue 10/15/24 part 1

    ·2h 2m
  95. 95

    Radio Crystal Blue 10/15/24 part 2

    ·2h 15m
  96. 96

    Radio Crystal Blue 9/29/24 part 1

    ·2h 30m
  97. 97

    Radio Crystal Blue 9/29/24 part 2

    ·1h 51m
  98. 98

    Radio Crystal Blue Top 100 All-Time Artist Countdown (20-11)

    This penultimate episode of Radio Crystal Blue's 25th anniversary miniseries counts down artists 20 through 11 in their all-time top 100 artist countdown.

    ·1h 21m
  99. 99

    Radio Crystal Blue Top 100 All-Time Artist Countdown show #4

    Dan Herman hosts the fourth episode of Radio Crystal Blue's Top 100 All-Time Artist Countdown, celebrating the show's 25th anniversary.

    ·1h 28m·5 clips
  100. 100

    Radio Crystal Blue Top 100 All-Time Artist Countdown show #2

    Dan Herman hosts the second installment of Radio Crystal Blue's Top 100 All-Time Artist Countdown, covering artists ranked 90 through 81 based on chart placements from 2003 to 2024.

    ·1h 14m·5 clips
  101. 101

    Radio Crystal Blue 9/17/26

    Sep 17, 2026·4h 16m
  102. 102

    Radio Crystal Blue 9/3/26

    Sep 3, 2026·4h 16m
  103. 103

    Radio Crystal Blue 8/19/26

    Aug 19, 2026·3h 43m
  104. 104

    Radio Crystal Blue 8/3/26

    Aug 3, 2026·4h 2m
  105. 105

    Radio Crystal Blue 7/19/26

    Jul 20, 2026·4h 6m
  106. 106

    Radio Crystal Blue 7/5/26

    Jul 6, 2026·4h
  107. 107

    Radio Crystal Blue 6/21/26

    Jun 21, 2026·4h 34m
  108. 108

    Radio Crystal Blue 6/5/26

    Jun 9, 2026·4h 28m
  109. 109

    Radio Crystal Blue 4/12/26 part 1

    Apr 13, 2026·2h 2m
  110. 110

    Radio Crystal Blue 4/12/26 part 2

    Hidden gem

    Radio Crystal Blue with Dan Herman is a thrice-monthly freeform show that keeps its playlist structured around related artists and genres rather than randomness.

    Apr 13, 2026·1h 37m·7 clips
  111. 111

    Radio Crystal Blue 3/31/26 part 1

    Hidden gem

    Dan Herman opens the set and lets it breathe.

    Apr 2, 2026·1h 59m·8 clips
  112. 112

    Radio Crystal Blue 3/31/26 part 2

    Apr 2, 2026·2h 35m
  113. 113

    Radio Crystal Blue 3/21/26 part 2

    Mar 22, 2026·2h 15m
  114. 114

    Radio Crystal Blue 3/21/26 part 1

    Hidden gem

    Radio Crystal Blue's March 21, 2026 part 1 moves from anti-folk history to a Warhammer novelty song, spring tour dates, and labor-focused indie commentary.

    Mar 22, 2026·1h 43m·7 clips
  115. 115

    Radio Crystal Blue 3/12/26 part 2

    This episode of Radio Crystal Blue features a collection of music from active songwriters and bands, including a tribute to the late drummer Gary Burke, while providing updates on show availability and future programming dates.

    Mar 12, 2026·1h 45m
  116. 116

    Radio Crystal Blue 3/11/26 part 1

    Mar 12, 2026·2h 18m
  117. 117

    Radio Crystal Blue 2/28/26 part 2

    Mar 2, 2026·2h 9m
  118. 118

    Radio Crystal Blue 2/28/26 part 1

    Mar 2, 2026·2h 3m
  119. 119

    Radio Crystal Blue 2/16/26 part 2

    This episode continues coverage of a Warren Zevon tribute compilation, featuring cover songs from Long Island artists and introducing the track 'Splendid Isolation' by Brian Gallo.

    Feb 17, 2026·1h 45m
  120. 120

    Radio Crystal Blue 2/16/26 part 1

    Feb 17, 2026·2h 53m
  121. 121

    Radio Crystal Blue 2/4/26 part 1

    Hidden gem

    Dan Herman opens by calling Radio Crystal Blue the Internet's longest-running adult alternative station, now in its 26th year.

    Feb 4, 2026·1h 53m·2 clips
  122. 122

    Radio Crystal Blue 2/4/26 part 2

    Feb 4, 2026·2h 17m
  123. 123

    Radio Crystal Blue 1/23/26 part 2

    Hidden gem

    Dan Herman opens with a date check and a quick note on the program's timing.

    Jan 23, 2026·1h 51m·2 clips
  124. 124

    Radio Crystal Blue 1/23/26 part 1

    Jan 23, 2026·2h 47m
  125. 125

    Radio Crystal Blue 1/11/26 part 1

    Jan 12, 2026·2h 38m
  126. 126

    Radio Crystal Blue 1/11/26 part 2

    Jan 12, 2026·2h 21m
  127. 127

    Radio Crystal Blue 12/12/25 part 2

    Dec 12, 2025·1h 51m
  128. 128

    Radio Crystal Blue 12/12/25 part 1

    Dec 12, 2025·1h 35m
  129. 129

    Radio Crystal Blue 12/2/25 part 1

    Dec 2, 2025·1h 51m
  130. 130

    Radio Crystal Blue 12/2/25 part 2

    Dec 2, 2025·1h 59m
  131. 131

    Radio Crystal Blue Top 100 All-Time Artist Countdown (10-1)

    Nov 28, 2025·1h 26m
  132. 132

    Radio Crystal Blue 11/22/25 part 1

    Nov 22, 2025·2h 22m
  133. 133

    Radio Crystal Blue 11/22/25 part 2

    Nov 22, 2025·1h 40m
  134. 134

    Radio Crystal Blue 11/12/25 part 2

    Nov 12, 2025·2h 23m
  135. 135

    Radio Crystal Blue 11/12/25 part 1

    Nov 12, 2025·1h 55m
  136. 136

    Radio Crystal Blue Top 100 All-Time Artist Countdown (20-11)

    Oct 19, 2025·1h 21m
  137. 137

    Radio Crystal Blue 10/18/25 part 2

    Oct 17, 2025·2h 2m
  138. 138

    Radio Crystal Blue 10/18/25 part 1

    Oct 17, 2025·2h 3m
  139. 139

    Radio Crystal Blue Top 100 All-Time Artist Countdown (30-21)

    Oct 7, 2025·1h 25m
  140. 140

    Radio Crystal Blue 9/30/25 part 2

    Oct 6, 2025·2h 31m
  141. 141

    Radio Crystal Blue 9/30/25 part 1

    Oct 6, 2025·2h
  142. 142

    Radio Crystal Blue Top 100 All-Time Artist Countdown (40-31)

    Sep 27, 2025·1h 22m
  143. 143

    Radio Crystal Blue 9/23/25 part 1

    Sep 23, 2025·2h 23m
  144. 144

    Radio Crystal Blue 9/23/25 part 2

    Sep 23, 2025·1h 44m
  145. 145

    Radio Crystal Blue 9/14/25 part 1

    Sep 14, 2025·2h 28m
  146. 146

    Radio Crystal Blue 9/14/25 part 2

    Sep 14, 2025·1h 43m
  147. 147

    Radio Crystal Blue Top 100 All-Time Artist Countdown (#50-41)

    This episode is part of a countdown celebrating Radio Crystal Blue's 25th anniversary, featuring artists 50 through 41 based on airplay charts and including music and background on each.

    Sep 14, 2025·1h 15m
  148. 148

    Radio Crystal Blue Top 100 All-Time Artist Countdown (60-51)

    This episode features numbers 60 through 51 of Radio Crystal Blue's Top 100 All-Time Artist Countdown, celebrating the program's 25th anniversary with artist histories and music selections.

    Sep 4, 2025·1h 16m
  149. 149

    Radio Crystal Blue 8/31/25 part 1

    Sep 4, 2025·2h 15m
  150. 150

    Radio Crystal Blue 8/31/25 part 2

    Sep 4, 2025·1h 42m
  151. 151

    Radio Crystal Blue 8/22/25 part 2

    Aug 22, 2025·2h 40m
  152. 152

    Radio Crystal Blue 8/22/25 part 1

    Aug 22, 2025·2h 4m
  153. 153

    Radio Crystal Blue Top 100 All-Time Artist Countdown show #4

    Dan Herman introduces a special series counting down the top 100 artists featured on Radio Crystal Blue over its 25-year history to celebrate the show's anniversary.

    Aug 13, 2025·1h 28m
  154. 154

    Radio Crystal Blue 8/12/25 part 1

    Aug 12, 2025·2h 1m
  155. 155

    Radio Crystal Blue 8/12/25 part 2

    Aug 12, 2025·1h 39m
  156. 156

    Radio Crystal Blue 8/2/25 part 1

    Aug 2, 2025·2h 48m
  157. 157

    Radio Crystal Blue 8/2/25 part 2

    Aug 2, 2025·1h 47m
  158. 158

    Radio Crystal Blue Top 100 All-Time Artist Countdown show #3

    This episode is part of a series counting down the top 100 all-time artists based on Radio Crystal Blue's annual chart rankings from the past 22 years, focusing on artists ranked 80 through 71.

    Jul 28, 2025·1h 12m