BOMB SHELTER RADIO NEWS ROOM

RADIO FREE USA • BROADCASTING FROM VALLEJO, CA • 24 HOURS • FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM FOR UPDATES @JOSHSHORTUSA • ONLY THE BEST ROCKN’ROLL AND SOUL RECORDS CERTIFIED #1 • ROCK N’ ROLL IS THE STRAIGHT TRUTH ABOUT HOW TO HAVE SOUL - COME TUNE UP THE AIR WITH US ! • CURRENTLY WE’RE BUILDING THE CADILLAC DEVILLE MOBILE TRANSMITTER DONATE TODAY AND HELP US GET IT DONE AND ON THE ROAD •

What is Bomb Shelter Radio?
Bomb Shelter Radio is an Art project that I've be working on for over a decade. Over the years the project has continually inspired me to make my own (Commercial Free) radio station dedicated rare Rock n Roll, Soul Music, Exotica, Mambo, R&B, and more. This quest to dig out rare and forgotten music has taking me all over the world. The exchange of music and culture is the primary motive of the project and the touchstone of my Art practice.

How I started making Radio.
I discovered FM Radio transmission by accident, while working on my Thesis MFA show at UC Davis. During that time I was creating driving simulators which involved remote controlled cars and wireless video cameras. The idea occurred to me that I should make a radio station for my driving simulators. It turns out FM transmitting is the same transmitting technology used in wireless cameras and RC cars. Bomb Shelter Radio spawned out of that exploration and sent me on a path of making radio ever since.

Since 2009 Bomb Shelter Radio has been traversing the country broadcasting pirate radio form various cities across the USA. The Bomb Shelter Radio station takes different forms based on location. To date we have set up site specific installations all over the country and abroad.

In 2016 we started the “Lucille Valentine” Tour making the project more mobile. We transformed a 1974 Chevy LUV into a mobile radio wagon. In 2018 we started the Motel Tour where we broadcast live from motel rooms all over the USA.

Currently we’re doing a 24 hour online radio station to support our other low-powered FM broadcasting actives. We startd the online portion of the station during the pandemic of 2020 as a way to keep connected to our audience, and it has blossemed into an intity all its own.

“Laying down the rubber road to freedom. Catch us if you can!”

After graduating from UC Davis we started making pirate radio installations as part of the radio project. Here is a recreation of a 2012 sign we made at EVERGOLD Gallery as the Annual Artist in Residence.

As part of that installation we made several radios conceiled as everyday objects that were planted around the city.

Reclaimed traffic sign with a transister radio embedded in the light box.

DONATE to Bomb Shelter Radio

HERE

How Your Support is used.

Your support helps me keep this show on the road, literally. One of my major interests with this project is to bring low powered radio and good music to different places across the the United States.
Your donations help me create new objects for making radio. I explore different ways of creating radio through site specific installations, mobile radio projects, like the "Lucille Valentine tour" and the countless objects I've created like: portable FM radio transmitter units and hand made custom radios.
Becoming a MEMBER: ($5 monthly donation) gives you exclusive access to our top secret country/western radio project PALE HORSE RADIO.

What is Next?

Bomb Shelter Radio is notorious for pushing the bounderies of radio. Currently we’re working on a new mobile radio project. We purchased a 1968 cadillac Coupe DeVille and were restoring it and building atransmitter into its trunk.

The plan is to do drive in radio shows at historical landmarks around the country. Currently we’re making the Gators as a way to build funds for the project. For $50+ donations to the station we’ll make a custom on just for you!

This one is the Gator Sheck.
How you can Help?

We’re always looking for venues, museums, galleries and alternative spaces to create BSR installations. These temporary Radio encounters are the backbone of Bomb Shelter Radio.

If you have a conection that might be helpful, or are a gallery owner, or have a venue that needs what we do. Don’t hesitate to contact us.

Below is a cronological timeline of various Bomb Shelter Radio Installations

2019 Bomb Shelter Radio at West Weird Gallery

Jackson Hole has been a home away from home for several years. We’ve brought Bomb Shelter Radio there many times, but this time we built a radio station in West Weird Gallery as part of our arcade project, The Speed Trials Arcade. The radio station was built from materials found around Jackson Hole, and we broadcasted daily during “Happy Hour”, as part of the sound track for the arcade.

2018 Bomb Shelter Radio at the Growlery

The Graowlery is an Artist residency located in San Francisco. Hosting from a historical victorian in the Lower haight neighborhood, we took over the garage and opporated a pirate radio station for one month. We hosted several bands and guest Dj’s. The installation was built from materials gathered from around the neighborhood.

2016-2019 Bomb Shelter Radio “Lucille Valentine Tour”

In 2016 we built the “Lucille Valentine” Mobile radio station. We have created a pop low powered radio experience that teams up with galleries, venues, and community spaces to create week long encounters all over the country. futhur imformation can be found here.

2016 Bomb Shelter Radio Omaha

While a resident at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art, we teamed up with MilkRun Gallery (an All-Ages DIY space) and created a radio station in their project space. Made from materials found around Omaha, the installation was modeled to reference a cross section of a second story appartment. We hosted guest DJ’s, live bands and had a real good time!

2015 Bomb Shelter Radio Memphis

After meeting Jamie Harmon (founder of Amurica), we were asked to create a radio station inside his project space. Made from materials found in Memphis, we created an installation modeled after a truck topper. We lived and opporated a radio station for 3 weeks in Memphis.

2012 Bomb Shelter Radio Tenderloin

Back in 2012 Evergold Gallery brought us on as the bi-yearly artist in residence. The Galley was very small, so I built out the front of the space with loft and radio gear. The back of the gallery was utilized as a venue. We would do radio shows nightly hosting local bands.

2011 Bomb Shelter Radio Mach 2

Just after finishing my MFA school I was awarded the Headlands Center for the Arts Graduate Fellowship. Over the course of the year I revisited and expanded apon my orginal Bomb Shelter Mach 1 “live-in” Radio Unit. I built this project to support a one man radio session for a longer period of time.

2010 Bomb Shelter Radio Mach 1

This is the project that started it all. Check it out here

JOSH SHORT