SOMA FM: Groovy Internet Radio

There are literally tens of thousands of internet radio stations, not to mention the hordes of physical radio stations that pepper the country.  In the not so distant past the only radio you'd likely listen to was what you had available to you locally.  In the last ten years XM radio made its debut and suddenly 100+ stations were available everywhere in North America (for a small monthly fee).  But in the last five years internet radio has come to the forefront of the listener's attention. One station has more of my attention that any of the others; Soma FM.

I discovered Soma FM's Channel Groove Salad nearly 10 years ago and immediately loved it.  Not only they play at least 75% of the sort of music that I already liked, but the new stuff was just as good.  It's a great mix of downtempo and smooth jazzy beats, I couldn't get enough, and still can't.  But my obsession with Groove Salad should not be the only thing you read about Soma FM.

Soma FM now has 24 regular stations and 3 seasonal, here's a few that I have listened to

• Secret Agent - Lounge/ Jazz with a James Bond style
• Drone Zone - Drone style
• Indie Pop Rocks - Indie
• Lush - Trip Hop 
• The Trip - Trance
• Doomed - Industrial / Ambient
• Underground 80's - Early 80's UK technopop
• South by Soma (Music from SXSW artists)
• BAGeL radio - alternative rock
• Dub Step Background - Dubstep

The greatest thing about Soma FM, in my opinion, is not the mere fact that they have amazing music playing 24 x 7, but the fact that it is all commercial free.  Only occasionally will you hear Rusty Hodge or Big Earl come on and do a short announcement. It's really quite amazing that such a huge amount of music can be completely commercial free, but if it wasn't for all the work that Rusty and the team at Soma FM has done over the years, the idea would not exist.  Mr. Hodge set a precedent for the ability to broadcast music over the internet without commercials in November 2002 with the Small Webcaster Settlement Act of 2002.  This enables small webcasters to negotiate a lower rate with SoundExchange.  

I can't say enough of how much I enjoy Groove Salad and that Soma FM exists.  What Internet Radio Stations do you listen to?