2366648027_a8b32b842c_o.jpgHollow Earth Radio listeners, and not to mention HER founders and volunteers, received some not-so-great news earlier this week: the online community radio station will lose the house and basement where it currently broadcasts its free-form programming—playlists not dictated by some higher power—this May.

The unfortunate news prompted co-founder Garrett Kelly to reach out to listeners with a blog post on the station’s website, asking the all-important question: “Do you think you could help?” Co-founder Amber Morgan reports that so far listeners have replied with a few leads, but nothing they can act on has come through just yet. And even the wider-reach of The Stranger’s Line Out post (also from Monday) has produced zero results.

Thankfully the situation doesn’t appear to be sounding alarms quite yet, or at least that’s the impression one gets when speaking Morgan. In fact, despite the threat of homelessness, things for HER really seem to be on the way up. Morgan, who has a background in sociology and has worked in the non-profit sector for seven years, knows a thing or two about applying for grants, coordinating volunteers and many-a-chore that goes into running non-profit radio. “This month we got non-profit status,” Morgan tells Sound, “and I’m meeting with a lawyer today to talk about applying for tax exemption status.” HER is also wrapping up its month-long (mid-February to mid-March) fundraiser. Total funds raised so far? Just over its goal of $3,600. And yes, that figure contains the correct number of zeros. According to Morgan $3,600 is the dollar amount needed to run the radio station for one year. “What we are doing is cutting edge, yet very do-it-yourself as we use a relatively cheap setup that gets the job done. We are just coming up with ways to use technology to our advantage to create community and share music with as little money as possible.”

Operating mainly on the blood, sweat and tears of about 40 volunteers—25 of which are DJs—HER serves a unique role in the Seattle music scene. “A lot of the DJs and volunteers involved with Hollow Earth Radio are entrenched in the music community of Seattle and the Northwest,” says Morgan, “and this connection allows for rich programming that totally connects you to what’s going on here.” And what is going on? Well house shows for one thing, and HER is right there in the middle, streaming the live performances for all to hear. Says Morgan, “All we need is a wireless connection, our lap top, a mixer and a mic.”

All of this is moot, however, if the radio has nowhere to live come May—this is especially disheartening considering the goal of the one-year-old venture. Says Morgan. “We decided to start an online radio because, while we support awesome alternative community resources like house venues and pirate radio stations, we have also been disappointed by how short their life spans tend to be.”

For a taste of Hollow Earth Radio’s Reel-to-Real archiving project, check out Morgan and Kelly’s recently released found sound album, Analog America: A Four Course Meal of Found Sound.

To purchase the album go here. Stay tuned for Sound’s take on this collection of conversations, monologues and music.