Radio Kaos, a haven for music fans
April 19, 2018
By William Carroll
The Mirror Reporter
In small-town Wisconsin, a record store can be a rare site. But here, in Stevens Point, we have access to what many people don’t.
Radio Kaos, our local record store, is one of our cultural landmarks. The store provides high schoolers and college students alike a chance to help themselves grow as people while also building a soundtrack to their lives. Randy Wagner, the owner, said that a record store “is important for all ages” and that he “wouldn’t want to live in a town without a record store.” He said record stores are “how young people find a peer group, find their way in the world. People with like minds.”
It’s clear to see that he’s experienced in what he does, being at it for over 25 years. He understands the angst of younger people, saying that “feelings people don’t like to talk about are in music, and it helps.” He also added that a record store is a different environment, with visuals to intrigue and make you want to explore (such as posters and album covers) and that stores put high school students in the same atmosphere as college students, which can create friendships, and helps them hear new opinions.
The atmosphere of Radio Kaos is certainly an atmosphere foreign in this day and age, separated from the bright, in your face nature of big-box retailers. It’s clear that Wagner cares about his job and his store, being willing to order records that aren’t currently in the store, giving customers suggestions to music they might want to check out. Wagner’s friendliness is an important part, helping people refine tastes and further explore the art. This difference of atmosphere is what really makes Kaos more than just a store for many of its customers, but more like a haven.
Kara • Apr 23, 2018 at 12:51 PM
I am so glad we have a record store right here in Point. My dad has gone to Radio Kaos many times and plays the new ones he gets on our player. I am glad we have a local one and not a big retail one like you said. Great job.
Dylan Konicek • Apr 23, 2018 at 12:43 PM
I had somehow never heard of this place but I love to collect CD’s and now I recently started collecting Vinyl records so I will definitely have to check this place out some time.
Manuel Lupercio • Apr 23, 2018 at 12:41 PM
I love that you wrote about radio kaos as its not well known. Ive stopped in there a few times to pick up some cds as theyre hard to find now a days. Its nice to have a record shop in town.
Kacey Koch • Apr 23, 2018 at 12:17 PM
Being in this record store really is a unique experience to the customers. It was great to hear from Randy Wagner himself in this article!
Hannah Gibbons • Apr 23, 2018 at 10:13 AM
I’ve had the privilege to stop in the stores a couple times looking for some records and I’m absolutely in love with the place. The atmosphere is so chill and laid back, and the employees are very nice. It’s so cool that you did a story on the store, and I loved reading your article. It was very well written and included a lot of information.
Alina Burmistrova • Apr 20, 2018 at 1:07 PM
You, Will, probably read really often, because you possess eloquence. I’ve never heard about a record store to be honest so this article is so informative for me. So, Stevens Point, keep prospering!
Hannah Siegel • Apr 20, 2018 at 12:43 PM
Radio Kaos is one of my favorite places to go. I’ve been going there my whole life with my dad because he collects CD’s and records. Randy’s a great guy once you get to know him too, he’s also really helpful if your looking for a specific album or just looking around. It’s really cool to see an article on it!
Dylan Trigg • Apr 20, 2018 at 12:30 PM
I have never been to a record store before and I had no clue we even had one.
Alyssa Schroeckenthaler • Apr 20, 2018 at 12:29 PM
I never knew about this! It’s really cool that we have a record store right here. My family doesn’t have anything to play records on, but I think it would just be cool to collect them. If they cannot be played, I think they make a really aesthetic decoration.