For some time now, the University of Hartford’s WSAM Radio has been getting local bands from around the area to stop by at the student-run radio station to perform live.

“We try to get at least two bands each week to come in and perform. Sometimes we get three depending on how the week goes,” Alex Fusaro said, who is the business manager of the station. “A lot of them are local, but from time to time, we get a few bands from nearby states. In fact, not too long ago, we were able to get a band from New Jersey to come and perform.”

For a few semesters now, WSAM has been speaking with bands to have them come in and perform in their recording studio, or in some cases, in Commons while students are enjoying their meals.

“We like to have them perform in Commons especially when it’s fairly packed so that the students can see what it is we do when we’re live,” Fusaro said.

Many of these bands range from country to synthpop, so there’s just about something for everyone to listen to. If the bands aren’t playing in Commons, then they are normally in a studio within the station playing with the instruments provided by the station as well as their own.

“We’re hoping to renovate the station so that students can walk by and be able to see inside as the bands are playing so they get a chance to see them perform even if we’re not upstairs in Commons,” Fusaro said.

So far in the semester, WSAM has hosted such artists as hip-hop musician Elisha Richards, alternative rock band Cheem, rock quartet Queen Moo, indie pop band Shiffley, country rock band Kenny Mehler Band, alternative rock band Pinegrove and funk rock band Jungle Fiction, who started on the University of Hartford campus.

WSAM also works with TBDMusic of the Danbury, Connecticut-based production company THATbirdDID. where they videotape the performances and post them on their channel.

So if you want to get a taste of the bands that come in, then head on to their channel and check out a few of their videos. To find more information on the bands that are coming, in tune into 105.3 FM, or go to their website.

The WSAM Recording Studio is open to musicians and artists of any genre. Contact Alex Fusaro at WSAMBusinessManager@gmail.com for more information.