Electronic music doesn’t exactly flood American airwaves. This is, it doesn’t unless you’re listening to the radio in Portland, Oregon or the nearby small town of Hood River. Since 1997, Area 54, Tim Requa and Mike VanSisseren, have blasted Western Oregon with 100,000 watts of house, downtempo, chillout and dance music. One of only a few electronica shows in the United States, Area 54 has been sending Oregon dance music fans into ecstasy since 1997.

Area 54’s roots in radio and love of music go back to when they were kids. “Electronica is the soundtrack” to Tim’s life. His obsession began at the age of seven with his dad’s Tangerine Dream album. Mike’s tastes are a bit more eclectic. From a childhood fascination with Kiss, to early Depeche mode, to Kiss remixes, Mike’s music collection runs the gamut.

The duo’s radio experience began over twenty years ago. Tim spun records at his college record station. Mike’s first brush with the airwaves was a bit saucier. For five years, he ran a pirate station from his bedroom in his parents’ house in Holland. At the tender age of seventeen, he opened the door of his house to unsmiling Dutch FCC enforcers. Somehow, this didn’t keep Mike from emigrating to the United States in 1983.

Tim and Mike’s original radio show aired on The Dalles’ (Oregon) Q104 for four hours on Sunday nights. Sold to the station by persuasive Mike as a “smooth jazz” show, Area 54 introduced a huge audience to electronica. Fascinated local residents spent their Sunday nights relaxing to Thievery Corporation, Stereo MC’s, ATB and Underworld. Fans overwhelmed station telephone lines, requesting artist names. Repeated calls prompted Area 54 to set up an electronica section at the CD store in the 6500-resident town of Hood River.

Dumped by Q104 in 2002, the duo partnered with gleeful competitor station K105. Soon after, Portland station KNRK called, begging Area 54 to record a weekend show. Quickly hitting number one in its time slot, the show caught the attention of NRK’s managers. A nightly show followed – chillout every day of the week in Portland. Record labels noticed the difference; “Music that we play on our radio shows, especially in Portland, has shown an increase in sales,” says Mike. It’s not just about sales, though. According to Tim, when the duo plays their music over the airwaves, “we can make a bigger difference, be a bigger influence … and turn more people on to our sound all over the world.”

While their radio popularity grew, Area 54 came into their own as club djs. Playing to packed rooms in Hood River, they perfected house and chillout sets. These gigs, along with increasing radio time, led to calls from Portland clubs, event organizers and bands needing opening acts. Area 54’s resume includes opening for Goldfrapp, DJing extreme sports contests, and spinning music in all sorts of strange places, including on a glacier for a snowboard contest. The awe-inspiring setting couldn’t save the day for Area 54 when a snowboard competitor blew a jump and landed on the duo’s decks.

Radio DJ’s at heart, Tim and Mike have grown to love playing out. For Tim, “there’s nothing like playing to a hyped crowd and throwing down fat breaks or crazy music to set the mood. The immediate feedback is great. Sometimes on the radio, you think you are the only person listening.” Mike agrees: “Playing music on the radio is really kicked back and relaxed – it’s and ebb and flow thing. Playing out is different. There’s a lot more direct input from the crowd. That’s the challenge but also the most rewarding part.”

Partying alongside listeners appeals too. “Once in a while I’ll hear someone who blows my socks off, and I’ll get into dancing and listening to what they’re playing,” says Mike. Tim’s approach is a little different. “Usually I join the party on my way to the bathroom between songs,” he jokes. A people-watcher by nature, he says “the DJ has the best seat in the house. Behind the decks is best!”

The duo has a bit of advice for electronic music lovers. In their opinion, DJ culture has become commercialized. Everyone plays the safe songs. Acocording to Mike, “When you’re just hanging out, [DJs] play stuff they’re listening to, and it’s so much better than what they play out!” He’s hoping listeners will “experiment and try something new.” His advice? “Listen to music online, buy music online. When you discover something new that just blows you away, it’ll make your day!”

What does the future hold? Area 54 has big dreams about where electronic music and the radio show will take them. Mike’s: “Traveling and exploring the world and playing music!” Tim’s: “We would love to be on the radio in every major market,” while keeping their original format. That format? “Two guys playing music for each other while the rest of the world listens in!” You can listen in as well. Check out Area 54 on their website, Area54.com, and on KNRK’s website, knrk.com.