In the three years of its audible existence, East Village Radio has gone from a weak-signaled illegal operation housed surreptitiously above a pizza parlor, to the defining soundtrack of downtown New York -- streamed online, for the world to hear, from a glassy First Avenue storefront.

They’ve even hired hotshot architect Christian Wassmann to spiff up the control room. “He’s playing with the idea that it’s a live multimedia performance piece,” notes Echo Danon, who directs EVR’s programming, along with fellow New York native Veronica Vasicka.

Much of the online station’s success is due to the onset of podcasting. It’s allowed EVR founder Frank Prisinzano (also the owner of Supper, Frank, and Lil’ Frankie’s Pizza) to end his battle with the FCC -- which once threatened him with a fine and possible imprisonment -- and happily surrender to the Internet. EVR now gets over 800,000 unique visitors a month, and 3,500 shows are downloaded each day.

Being online and commercial-free affords the DJs the ability to do, say, and play whatever they want. Consequently, there’s material for everyone. The 52 shows span the spectrum of sound -- from hip-hop and techno-punk to indie rock and gay-porn talk (courtesy of “Cock Jock” Daniel Nardicio). On Tuesday mornings, Nathan Salsburg, who works for the Alan Lomax Collection, spins incredibly rare folk tunes; on Sunday mornings, Jack Blackfelt plays old jazz on an ancient Calliphone that sounds even more old-timey because there’s only one working speaker.

The roster also contains weekly shows from just about every hip and influential music-maker in town, including Mark Ronson, The Misshapes, Ben Cho, the editors of Fader Magazine, and Andrew + Andrew, who are known to head out on the street and amusingly accost the locals. Then, there are the surprise drop-ins: Q-Tip, Lady Sovereign, Sean Lennon, Princess Superstar, The Sounds, members of Ladytron, and Asia Argento have all stopped by to say hello and spin a few records. Artists Kiki Smith, James Romberger, Marguerite Van Cook, and Lee Quinones paid the station a visit last spring for a show produced in conjunction with The New Museum and their exhibit East Village USA.

“Everyone involved is a music nerd,” claims Echo, who hosts a post-punk, Goth, and no-wave show called Dead Beat. “They’re all psychotic about records – they get into fist-fights over limited-edition pressings. They love music.”

Hear It:
Check out the newly-redesigned site at eastvillageradio.com, where, in addition to the DJs’ podcasts, listeners can share their own. And, for about $6/day, you can sponsor a needy DJ. For more info, email echo@eastvillageradio.com or veronica@eastvillageradio.com.

Check Out:
"Minimal-Electronik Plus" with Veronica, Sundays, 10pm-12am
Early- ‘80s electronic music, including synth-punk, darkwave, and cold wave groups from France, Germany ("Neue Deutsche Welle"), England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Greece, Japan, the US, and Australia.

“Peer Pressure,” with Damian Genuardi from the band The Explosion, Wednesdays 10am-12pm
Vintage punk, Motown, roots, and rock steady.

"Fishguts and Chocolate" with John Pugh from the band !!!, Mondays, 10am-12pm
Rock & Roll, rhythm & blues, reggae, mambo, soul, and backseat baby-making music your grandparents listened to.

See It:
EVR, 21 1st Avenue between 1st & 2nd Sts., NYC.

Asia Argento filmed by Echo Danon and Dan Cain