c89.5 rebrands and expands as DANCE 89.5

The iconic c89.5, serving Seattle’s airwaves for over 50 years, is getting a rebrand. DANCE 89.5 came online at 9am this morning on Mornings with Drew Bailey, marking the electronic music station’s first major brand shift in decades. Complete with new callsign, website, and a team that’s younger than ever, DANCE 89.5 promises to be everything you love about c89.5 but with a larger focus.

“DANCE 89.5 is deeply rooted in the culture and sonic identity of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, but as the longest running dance music radio station in the United States (and probably the world..!) this new chapter will allow us to further champion dance music of all shades and sounds in the PNW and far beyond,” says Harmony Soleil, Program/Music Director at DANCE 89.5. “On an international level, we will be advocating for Seattle based artists and communities as well as bringing the world to Seattle with an emphasis on emerging artists and genres from across the globe. We also will continue to be represented at internationally acclaimed industry events such as the Amsterdam Dance Event, Miami Music Week and more.”

The new DANCE 89.5 homepage.

While the branding and focus may be shifting, DANCE 89.5’s team is working very hard to make it clear the iconic pillars of the brand (Seattle-based, student-led electronic music station and nonprofit) aren’t changing. “While our name is changing, our mission remains the same,” said June Fox, General Manager of DANCE 89.5. “DANCE 89.5 reflects who we’ve always been: a station dedicated to dance music, community, and creating memorable experiences for our listeners and students. As Seattle’s Party Radio, we’re excited to continue bringing people together through the music they love.”

What this looks like in practice is largely the same. DMNW reached out to DANCE 89.5 to inquire in particular about the student-led nature of the station, to many its calling card. The pathway for students to learn the ropes of broadcasting remains “at the core” of DANCE 89.5, according to the leadership there. Student hours at the station have been increasing, not decreasing, so it would seem all is well on the education side.

All told, the rebrand looks like a well-rounded, good faith update to Seattle’s favorite dance music station. The mission remains the same, but clearly seen is the opportunity to expand this successful model and impact more of the world. DANCE 89.5 might feel strange at first for those of us in the PNW, but is much sharper and more reflective of what the station offers. The branding itself offers several lively updates to the station’s identity but retains quite a bit of the c89.5 style.

As DANCE 89.5 leaves the launchpad it’s worth remembering that KNHC started over 50 years ago as a tiny PNW broadcaster, and now charges headlong into global distribution. In between they’ve built themselves into an icon of the Pacific Northwest, electronic music, and broadcasting. Spare a thought for the fact that you probably grew up with c89.5, then get charged up by what the future may bring. If it’s been a minute since you tuned in to DANCE 89.5, there couldn’t be a better time to start again.

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Full Press Release

SEATTLE, WA – July 7, 2026 – DANCE 89.5, formerly known as c89.5, today announced the launch of its new brand identity, marking an exciting new chapter for the nation’s longest-running dance music radio station.

The new brand introduces the name DANCE 89.5 alongside the tagline “Seattle’s Party Radio,” a bold identity that more clearly reflects the station’s role as the soundtrack to Seattle’s dance music community. While the name is new, the mission remains unchanged: to entertain, educate, connect, and inspire through electronic dance music.

The rebrand reflects the station’s long-term vision to become a global leader in electronic dance music while continuing to serve the Seattle community that has been at the heart of the station since 1971. As DANCE 89.5 expands through live events, artist partnerships, digital content, and listener experiences, the new identity represents an evolution that reaches beyond traditional radio while staying true to its roots.

For more than 55 years, the station has connected audiences with the latest in dance music while serving as a nationally recognized educational broadcast program. It also remains one of only a select group of radio stations whose reporting helps shape Billboard’s Dance chart, giving it a unique role in the electronic music industry. This new brand builds on that legacy while creating a stronger connection to the music, culture, and community that have always defined the station.

“While our name is changing, our mission remains the same,” said June Fox, General Manager of DANCE 89.5. “DANCE 89.5 reflects who we’ve always been: a station dedicated to dance music, community, and creating memorable experiences for our listeners and students. As Seattle’s Party Radio, we’re excited to continue bringing people together through the music they love.”

Listeners can expect the same programming, personalities, events, and commitment to dance music that have made the station a Seattle institution. The new brand will be reflected across the station’s on-air presentation, digital platforms, live events, marketing materials, and community activations beginning July 7.

Since its founding in 1971, the station has served generations of listeners while providing hands-on broadcast and media training for students. Today, DANCE 89.5 remains one of the few stations in the country dedicated exclusively to dance music programming and continues to innovate as both a public media organization and a cultural leader within the electronic music community.

About DANCE 89.5
DANCE 89.5 is Seattle’s Party Radio, delivering electronic dance music programming to listeners across the Puget Sound region and beyond. From KNHC to c89.5 to DANCE 89.5 – over the years, from humble beginnings as a low-power AM station, KNHC has expanded our reach and evolved our programming, becoming the well-respected name in the world of electronic dance music we are today. DANCE 89.5 is more than just a radio station: we’re a taste maker in electronic dance music, a dedicated community partner, and a hub for the next generation of media professionals.