Our Story
SEVEN YEARS OF SPOTLIGHTING DIY AND INDEPENDENT MUSIC IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY
Tape Swap Radio began as a radio show and has grown to include HD video and audio archived online, a concert series taking place at venues throughout the Lehigh Valley, an annual Punk Rock Flea Market, and a stage at the annual Allentown ArtsFest. Founded by Lehigh Valley residents Matt Molchany and Shamus McGroggan in 2013, Tape Swap now includes musician Maggie Mae as radio co-host. The series continues to grow and evolve to serve the Lehigh Valley's independent and DIY music scene.
RECORDING
We bring bands into our Bethlehem recording studio, Shards, to record original Shards Sessions and onto the roof of the Cigar Factory building in Allentown to record original Rooftop Sessions. Our sessions are made up of a four-song live performance and interview. Drawing equally from musicians who call the Lehigh Valley home and those passing through on tours, Tape Swap aims to provide a unique live snapshot of the bands and artists that make up our community’s thriving and vital DIY music scene.
BROADCAST
Tape Swap's radio show is hosted by Shamus McGroggan and Maggie Mae airing one Friday per month, 11 PM to 1 AM, on WDIY 88.1 FM - Lehigh Valley Public Radio. Each show features either a new Shards Session or Rooftop Session rounded out with other music and interviews. To keep up with Tape Swap’s broadcast schedule, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. We also post videos and audio on our website.
LIVE
The Tape Swap Presents concert series takes place quarterly at The Ice House in Bethlehem with additional shows at other Lehigh Valley venues throughout the year. The proceeds from each of our shows benefits a different non-profit or community organization in the Lehigh Valley. In the past five years, 2,000+ attendees have helped us raise $11,023 for worthy organizations like The Center for Animal Health & Welfare in Easton, The Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center in Allentown, and The Homebase Skateshop After-School Skate Program in Bethlehem. Each spring, one of the events Tape Swap hosts is the Lehigh Valley Punk Rock Flea Market. The event began at the Bethlehem Area Public Library in 2018 and expanded to a much larger version hosted at the Ice House in 2019. The LVPRFM showcases vendors of punk and alternative art, clothes, music, and more.
Tape Swap also has its own stage every year at Allentown ArtsFest, a free outdoor arts and music festival hosted by The Alternative Gallery. The Tape Swap Radio Stage is entirely curated by us and allows Tape Swap to showcase the latest bands we've recorded (plus a few new guests every year).
