wordtravelsfast

Every few months I get the itch to get back on the air and spin some music on the old college radio station. And fortunately for me, I’ve great friends still keeping WLFR alive who allow me some air time.

I never prepped for my radio show back in school, it was always “on the fly.” I’d simply decide what my first song would be and that would determine the tone of the beginning, I’d take it from there and see where the music would lead me. Back then, I was on air weekly and I knew what I could rely on in the station’s music library. Now, my personal library is much larger and I’m not as familiar with WLFR’s. Plus, with the online stream, there’s the possibility of many more listeners potentially tuning in to hear what I’m playing and any mistakes I’m making!

Listening back through the recording, I made a couple mistakes, as is bound to happen when you only do this once or twice a year. I get a little rusty. I’m sure I made more, I haven’t finished listening! But I had fun! My only problem is there is never enough time to share all I want to play and I had to cut out a bunch of songs.

Thanks for all who listened!

Here’s what I played:

Paul Westerberg-Making Me Go
The Detroit Cobras-Hot Dog
Hello=Fire-She Gets Remote
St Deluxe-Slip Away (I wanted to play New Wave Stars & thought I’d cued it up properly, but apparently I didn’t! getting settled in at the beginning of the show takes some time)
The Tyde-Go Ask Yer Dad
Ric Menck-Wishing on A Star
Yuck-Georgia
Liechtenstein-Postcard
The Clean-Twist Top

Treecreeper-Last Days
Dolorean-Violence in the Snowy Fields
Yo La Tengo-You Tore Me Down (request for Adam)
AA Bondy-There’s A Reason
Bill Fox-Let in the Sun
Ardentjohn-Home
I’m from Barcelona (Jason Sollenberg)-Sick of Love
The Long Ryders-Run Dusty Run
Glossary-Save Your Money for the Weekend
Vulture Whale-Teedy

Frightened Rabbit-The Loneliness & the Scream
Versus-Shooting Star
Dropkick-Give it Back
The Sneetches-I Need Someone
The Small Change-I Could Tell
The Waxwings-Clouded Over
Standard Fare-Philadelphia

Admiral Fallow-Squealing Pigs
The Bats-The Old Ones
Teenage Fanclub-Sweet Days Waiting
Yo La Tengo-What Can I Say
Velvet Crush-Seen Better Days

Big Star-Thank You Friends (unfortunately, it got faded out by the next DJ who not only showed up late, but has no concept of how to properly transition from one program to the next. The song is only 2 minutes long!! …damn kids.)

Sadly, my friends are struggling to get today’s students involved in WLFR in a way of understanding what non-commercial radio is all about today. I feel it’s more important today than it was back in the early to mid-90s when I was a student. It’s my hope they can keep WLFR alive and well, but I fear for its future. Without the students, it will fade away. I’m not sure I’ll be able to get on air again, there’s little to no room for community members, and even as an alumna of the college and WLFR, I’m not sure that counts when it comes to the politics of college funding for student organizations.

(or why I decided to go see live music the night before surgery)

I should be sleeping.

in less than 3 hours, one of my closest friends will be here to pick me up and drive me to the hospital for surgery. Since February 13th, I’ve been somewhat of a medical mystery.

I was looking forward to that night. I had a ticket for We Were Promised Jetpacks at Rock n Roll Hotel for their first headlining tour of the US. It was the Frightened Rabbit boys who first told me about them. I saw WWPJ a couple times and was most excited to see them when I was in Florida for the Scottish triple threat of them, Twilight Sad, & Frightened Rabbit. After months of touring since I saw them at SXSW, they really developed a cohesive live show.

Anyhow, after a week of massive amounts of snow upon DC metro area, I woke up that February Saturday morning feeling a bit odd. Really just thought I ate something bad, hadn’t slept well, went about my errands since the roads were clear, and I got my car dug out. I got back, felt worse, decided to re-assess the situation after a nap. I needed a nap anyway if I was going to go out to see We Were Promised Jetpacks that night. After 3 hours sleep, woke up to more pain. I called my sister to see if I should go to the ER.

I have a pretty strong threshold for pain. Over the years, I’ve learned I have autoimmune disease(s) and have some sort of pain daily, so I just learn to get used to it. I really wanted to make sure I wasn’t overreacting to something commonplace that I might not have dealt with in life yet, so I called my “big” sister (she’s 6 years older) to discuss. She felt that if I was feeling like it warranted a visit to the ER, I should go. So off I went, spending my Saturday night in the ER instead of seeing a rock n roll show. I was disappointed, but in a LOT of pain too. I thought it might be my appendix.

Since then, I’ve gone through a myriad of tests. I won’t bore with the details. Let’s just say, I’ve been scanned, poked, prodded, scoped, ultrasounded, and x-rayed inside, outside, upside down and all around. I’ve been to more doctors in the last 2.5 months than I really care. As it got closer to the time for me to go to Austin for SXSW, we still weren’t closer to an idea of what was causing the pain. We knew what wasn’t so far.

I decided it was FAR greater for my mental state to go to SXSW despite the pain. I knew I wouldn’t be able to run around like I usually do, seeing as many bands as I could, so I changed what it was going to be for me. I made it about music, people, and me. Music is my therapy, it’s my lifeline. I live, breathe, eat, sleep, pulse it through my veins…

It was a struggle to maintain the SXSW grind, but without having to drive a car, I could manage with pain medicine a little better throughout the day, sit when I could, drink LOTS of water, etc. Ultimately, being there and absorbing the music I love, meeting up with old friends, and making new, did my mind a world of good.

I was getting messages from doctors while in Austin: ‘latest test results show everything’s fine’ yet, pain still there, feeling like something wants to burst out of my lower right side.

Once I got back home, I moved things into full speed, I had such an amazing time with amazing people in Austin that I didn’t have time for this anymore. I pleaded with doctors in tears to please help me figure out something because I can’t deal with it anymore. I asked if they could get me back to the “regular” aches & pains, because I can deal with and tolerate that old pain. More tests, more appointments, feeling like a pinball/ping pong ball…as seemingly doctors play “tag, NOT it” with me.

and finally, we’re down to this. I’m having a “diagnostic” surgery tomorrow. It’s supposedly a routine surgery, non-invasive. a few incisions. a camera gets stuck in my belly button, and things get looked at inside. despite it being routine, I confess, I’m a little nervous and freaked out about it. mostly because I’m afraid I’ll still have no answers. mostly because I’ve been well aware of my own mortality since about age 8 or 9.

Now clearly I knew about life and death before that age. I’d attended funerals and such well before then. But it wasn’t until later that it really hit me one night lying in bed listening to the radio. I’ve had music in my life since day one, if you met the rest of my family, you’d understand.

I’ve always had trouble falling asleep, so I had this boombox radio I kept in my bed. I remember at that time I slept in the front bedroom of the house. I was listening to the radio, looking out the windows at the tall trees staring at me. The song “Time” from The Alan Parsons Project played on the radio. For the first time, I really listened to the lyrics of the song and I just started crying. I couldn’t stop. I thought to myself I could fall asleep right now and not wake up, ever.

That was pretty hardcore for me at that age. I’m not sure I ever mentioned it to my parents, but my Mom always called me an old soul. Ever since then, I’d say I’ve been painfully aware of my mortality and I’ve never been able to sleep easily. I’m not exactly sure what Eric Woolfson was specifically thinking about when he wrote the song. But it hit me a lot differently that night, more so then the pop songs I’d been listening up until that point. I love The Beatles, which was a lot of what I listened to then, but I wasn’t quite getting that sort of awareness from She Loves You.

(I imagine none of this is making any coherence by this point. I’m probably babbling. I picture my old Lit professors running a red pen through it. I can imagine the grammar mistakes I’ve made!)

In the last week or so, even with the benefit of pain medicine that up until now has given me the benefit of sweet slumber I’ve spent most nights alone staring at the ceiling. Doing what I’ve done countless times for the last 30 some years (I am about to turn 38 soon): ponder the significance of my existence.

Try as I might to remain calm, and turn to my faith, which has seen me through many many things (I know it’s not for everyone, it works for me, so thank you very much)…I’ve still been a big ball of nervous energy. And I need distractions.

music is my asylum. my escape. my heaven. my passion. my love. without music, I’d be dead.

even though I probably should have stayed home lying in bed, “resting”, I went to see Frightened Rabbit tonight. Since I first got to see them back in Austin in 2008, the raw emotion of the music has drawn me in, so I couldn’t miss it. The songs aren’t mine, but they’ve become mine in some way.

I was in a lot of pain, and I felt like a loser sitting in the corner of the back of the room most of the night, not talking to anyone. I go see live music on my own all the time, but some nights it feels odd. And it was about a song or two in where I just starting crying for no real reason other than I’m completely freaked out that I have no idea what the hell is going on with me and why I’ve had this fucking pain in my side for the last 2.5 months. I’m afraid of what we might find. eventually, someone I know showed up so I could actually open my mouth and say words to someone. When asked how I was doing, I had to hold back the tears. I’m a bit stubborn that way.

but I’m home again, watching the clock, not feeling the slightest bit tired, but I’m thankful I only have a couple hours to wait on my own, instead of a whole night.

it’s probably not a good idea that I’m listening to Crooked Fingers though. I tend to listen to fit my moods, but maybe I should choose something a little less somber…I heard Badfinger in the supermarket earlier today, maybe that will do….

My parents, on their wedding day as they get ready to go on their honeymoon.

(ps. I hope to update the blog real soon, there’s lots to discuss, just been busy with some health issues)

I was going to provide rankings past a top 10, but decided to keep it simple so here it is:

1. Dropkick-Abelay Hotel
2. Fanfarlo-Reservoir
3. Camera Obscura-My Maudlin Career
4. We Were Promised Jetpacks-These Four Walls
5. Micah Schnabel-When the Stage Lights Go Dim
6. The Tailors-Come Dig Me Up
7. Michael Carpenter-Redemption #39/The Stripped Redemption #39
8. Hello=Fire-Hello=Fire
9. I Was A King-I Was A King
10. Vulture Whale-Vulture Whale (II)

here’s the rest, tied for #11 in alpha order: (there was a lot I didn’t get to buy in 2009)
A Camp-Colonia
Bap Kennedy-Howl On
Brakes-Touchdown
Brendan Benson-My Old Familiar Friend
Broken Family Band-Please and Thank You
Broken Records-Until the Earth Begins to Part
The Clean-Mister Pop
Graham Coxon-The Spinning Top
God Help the Girl-God Help the Girl
Heartless Bastards-The Mountain
Tommy Keene-In the Late Bright
Joey Kneiser-All-Night Bedroom Revival
The Knobs-Breakup & Die (officially released in 2009)
Le Reno Amps-Tear It Open
Liechtenstein-Survival Strategies in Modern World
The Love Language-The Love Language
McGowan-American Regular
Memphis 59-Ragged But Right
Rhett Miller-Rhett Miller
Pains of Being Pure at Heart-Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Pastels/Tenniscoast-Two Sunsets
Joe Pernice-It Feels so Good When I Stop
Reigning Sound-Love & Curses
Ike Reilly-Hard Luck Stories
Spare Snare-I Love You, I Hate You
Swell Season-Strict Joy
The Swimmers-People are Soft
Trash Can Sinatras-In the Music
Frank Turner-Poetry of the Deed
Twilight Sad-Forget the Night Ahead
Two Hours Traffic-Territory
Lewis Wilson-Lift You Up
Yo La Tengo-Popular Songs
Zooey Van Gooey-The Cage was Unlocked All Along

Top 10 songs (although, I have a new favorite song every day):
1. Moving Clocks Run Slow-We Were Promised Jetpacks
2. American Static-Micah Schnabel
3. The Road-Frank Turner
4. Honey in the Sun-Camera Obscura
5. Too Much Too Say-Dropkick
6. Pictures of Her-The Tailors
7. Harold T. Wilkins. or How I Learned to Wait for a Very Long Time-Fanfarlo
8. Lalita-The Love Language
9. Nothing to Hide-Yo La Tengo
10. Can’t Go Back-Michael Carpenter

I saw a decent amount of shows, not many as I’d like to have attended, but I had to choose quality over quantity. I definitely saw more than
three, but the ones that most stood out:

1. Dropkick, The Primary 5 & Attic Lights-Darvel Music Festival, Scotland
seeing three bands I love a lot for the very first time on the same stage. despite being freaked out meeting so many people for the first time at once, it was entirely too much fun in one night!

2. Teenage Fanclub-Belfast
If I had any sense, I would have made it known on the TFC message board I was going to be present for the show as I ended up going on my
own. Not that it stopped me from enjoying every single second of it. hard to believe I’ve been a fan for 18 years now!

3. Frightened Rabbit, Twilight Sad, We Were Promised Jetpacks-Orlando
Three Scottish bands in the US. Amazing night, incredible sets from all three, and I got to combine it with a visit with my Great Aunt.

My friends, Oppenheimer have posted a big news item on their website, and all over their online presence.

you can read it here: Oppenheimer website

Back in, oh, I don’t remember when…but I used to randomly scan local venue sites and check out bands I’d never heard of, and read descriptions, etc. Anytime a UK band would be listed at one of the smaller venues in DC, I’d make a point to check them out and if I like their music try to go the gig. I’ve got a few of friends from Belfast, thanks to spending a few years in a bar in Atlantic City (basically, where I’m from) many many years ago. So naturally, a band from Belfast would stand out. I checked out their music, loved them, and then saw they were playing a gig in Philly with friends too.

I met Rocky, Shaun, & sound legend that he is, Gerry at DC9 and they didn’t think I was a freak. I’d offered up my living room as a place for them to sleep, but they were finishing up a tour that involved a horrible experience for a portion of it with one band that I can’t remember the name of and instead of staying in DC area, they drove back to NYC.

It was the first of many gigs I’d see, and I’d learn that there would sometimes be police involvement. I can’t find the video of the pool party at my friends’ home in NJ a few summers ago, but the police showed up at the end of the party, while Oppenheimer played their last song, and the police officer made it on camera dancing along with us.

Here’s a video from an all ages show at a gallery in Fredericksburg, VA when it was Rocky’s birthday…we went to a local bar and downed many pints before the show, which made it interesting, and then went back afterward. It’s only a portion of “Look Up” and it was before it was released on record:

Then there was the time they played again at DC9, and I was having a bad day, so I left work early, took the next day off, and took metro into the city, knowing I could get a lift in the van back…I spent the last of the little cash I had on 2 drinks (DC is expensive) and while I’m not a wine drinker, really, Gerry had a bottle that he brought in from the van (fuzzy old camera phone photos to follow):

He and I finished the bottle:

I managed to give good enough directions to get us from DC9 to my home without getting us stuck at the Pentagon, but not enough to be able for us to give their friend, Mark (aka Skibunny) who DJ’d that night back to his Dupont Circle hotel, although that could’ve been an entirely different night all together!

Then there was the time they played Atlantic City, and were on their way back from SXSW 2007, and their friends, LaFaro were with them. I knew Fireworks are illegal in NJ, but who was I to spoil the fun, so I took them to the beach where I stood with 3 Oppenheimers, 3 LaFaros and watched the beautiful fireworks. And within seconds AC police were there by bicycle, car and probably other means. poor Gerry took the heat for it all, and thankfully all he had to do was clean up the fireworks and some beer bottles that weren’t ours!

they played Galaxy Hut with our friends, Surefire Broadcast and this is one of my favorite photos from that gig:

I think they played IOTA too…and then I got to see the very first gig of their long tour with They Might Be Giants in Baltimore, and then close to the end of that tour here in DC at 9:30 club, and then again opening for TMBG just earlier this year!

I’ve been in my current place coming up on 4 years and in that time I’ve had a number of bands here. It’s tapered off in the last year & a half, but the Oppenheimers stayed here enough I could almost give them their own key!

I wish I could be in Belfast next week to see them play that last gig, and I wish I had met up with Rocky & Angie when I was in Belfast back in May, but it just never worked out. I know I’ll see Rocky again, not sure what Shaun’s plans are, but I wish them the best of luck! They’re a part of my musical family and I’m glad I could be there as much as I was these past few years!

here’s some more links:
Oppenheimer on Myspace
Oppenheimer on Facebook

I first heard about The Waxwings from Jeremy. I fell in love with Low to the Ground and immediately wrote the band a letter. at the time, they didn’t have anything online, but they had a Detroit P.O. Box, so I did what I used to do before the internet, I wrote them a letter saying hello, telling them I liked the record and if they ever wanted to play a show in Atlantic City, I could set them up with a show at McGuire’s.

I drove myself, Jeremy & Scott up to Khyber to see them. Unfortunately, the first band didn’t show up so The Waxwings had to go on early. As a result, we missed most of their set, except three songs. I remember blushing when I said we drove up from AC. Immediately, they knew who I was by name. perhaps they didn’t get many letters?!

In the Summer of 2000, I found myself working for a commercial alternative radio station. We started a concert series at Hard Rock Cafe and on the first night, I noticed one of the guys from our station holding Low to the Ground. He seemed baffled that I knew who they were. (my musical taste was well above and beyond a good number of people I worked with there, but it was a temporary escape from retail) At any rate, the station was apparently looking to bring them in to play a show. I suggested they play with John Faye Power Trip (now IKE) and a few weeks later it happened!

i still remember when I first heard “Ten O’Clock Your Time” on the station. I was sitting at my parent’s dinner table, having a spaghetti dinner and I practically spit out my food I was in shock.

At any rate, over the years, I’ve watched them release two more records, go through some turbulent times and was able to give them a place to sleep a couple times. When Dean was touring with Brendan Benson, I got to say a quick hello at the Black Cat, but that’s pretty much the last time I’ve spoken with him.

Seemingly, ages ago, a friend of a friend is his manager and I was given the privilege of an advance of the Hello=Fire album. I loved it within the first 10 seconds! I’ve been listening to it off and on, using alternate tags for it since I have last.fm linked, and have been dying for others to listen to it. I take the privilege of advance copies of albums seriously and while I really wanted everyone to hear it as soon as I did, I wasn’t about to spill it. That hasn’t stopped me from raving about it and wondering aloud when the hell it’s being released though!

the wait is over.

It’s being released next week. So far it looks like a UK release only. I haven’t been able to find any further information, but as soon as I do, I’ll be spreading it like wildfire!

And try as I might, Dead Weather isn’t my cuppa. Yes, I’ve watched late night show appearances and bought the record, but more out of support for Dean than anything else!

listen & watch the video, but that’s only a little bit of a taste of the goodness on this record!

I’ll have to write more later, so I’ll be editing this but here’s my play list for last Sunday’s radio show, song title, followed by artist:

Blues Stay Away From Me-The Louvin Brothers
My Darlin’ Hometown-John Prine
Somehow I Know-Mr D
Autumn Fields-Kontiki Suite
Hide Your Mind-Ardentjohn
To Better Days-Magnolia Summer
which william-Hensley Sturgis
Belle vue-The Tailors

American Static-Micah Schnabel
Alphabet City-Two Cow Garage
That’s How I Got To Memphis-Joe Pernice
The Day We Met-Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles
Teddy Boys-Kelly Willis
Doin It For The Country-Redlands Palomino Co
You’ve Got Troubles On Your Mind-The Scuffers
Drunk on the Blood of Christ-Bap Kennedy
You’re Not Coming Home Tonight-First Aid Kit

And Suddenly-The School
Mine Your Own Business-Honeybunch
Picture Perfect-Strawberry Whiplash
I’ll Never Be Yours-Bubblegum Lemonade
The Was-Make Model
Apple+Option+Fire-Hot Lava

Scotland-The Very Most
Swans-Camera Obscura
Anime Eyes-The Awkward Stage

Swim Until You Can’t See Land-Frightened Rabbit
Open Your Mind-Lewis Wilson
I Wonder Why-The Primary 5
Song For The Dead-Sean Jackson
Can’t Go Back-Michael Carpenter
After All-The Hazey Janes
Don’t Dream Of California-Dropkick
Darkest Hour-The Spectacular Fantastic
Rainfall-Apples In Stereo
Cheating a Cheat-The Small Change
Duality-The Martial Arts
Penny-Phony Bone

How Do You Know?-The Lyres
Sooner or Later-The Feelies
Let’s Go Surfing-The Drums
Teedy-Vulture Whale
The Good News-Philadelphia Grand Jury
Nothing to Hide-Yo La Tengo
Stuck for the Summer-Two Hours Traffic
Poison Letter-Le Reno Amps
Take It Upon Yourself-Sloan
Finish Line-Fanfarlo
Pocket Full of Gold-The Swimmers
Ton Of Love-Attic Lights
Don’t Look Back-Teenage Fanclub
Everything Flows-Velvet Crush
Threadbare-The Bigger Lovers

Quiet Little Voices-We Were Promised Jetpacks

In standard fashion, I should be sleeping.

I’ve worked all day and night between the studio and our booth at the county fair. I’m not quite sure why I got back on the computer. probably to look up something, which lead to another thing, and so on. and then I revisited a thread on one of my all time favorite band’s forum about favorite lyrics, and I posted a few from Replacements, Sebadoh, and The Jam, but it was a Swivel Chairs’ lyric that I posted as one of my most favorite. It took me a few minutes to sift through the files in my brain: ‘is it an archers’ song’ ‘no’  ‘silly, girl…it’s TIED NOOSES from Swivel Chairs!’ (slapped myself aside the head!)

I immediately pulled out the Swivel Chairs’ boxed set, “Wet Matches” and started reading what Jay, Jeremy and I wrote for the liner notes. It’s been 6 years since it was released, which means about 16 years that Swivel Chairs has been around!

I’ve decided to write my main entry from those liner notes here to share:

First off, I have to say that no one person in this world can be happier than me to finally have Swivel Chairs music available on CD! Especially now that I’ve moved into the digital age in my car and can no longer listen to my cassettes there. After a recent move, my coveted Swivel Chairs cassettes were piled away until a late-night whisper of a lyric forced me to hunt down every single one of them–through box after box. I then reveled in all the glory of success as I put my head on the pillow, with Walkman attached, to listen to the history at 4am. It’s almost impossible to imagine that more than 10 years have passed.

I remember the early days of Swivel Chairs fondly. That was back when they were strictly an acoustic venture. Craziness ensued, when, gasp!…Swivel Chairs went electric!!! All hell broke loose. You never quite knew what to expect. Would this show include slide projections or video behind them? Would we be treated to fancy attire, with tie? Or, better yet, would we get candy at the next show? One never could tell. I’m thankful to be a part of it all, and on occasion have performed integral roles in various performances. Once in a great while it would involving percussion, or sitting in a chair in front of the kick drum so it wouldn’t run away from Jeremy! How about Bill Seng and I taking over the tambourine or shakers? I was often supplier of blank cassettes, photographer, promoter, chauffeur, and God knows what else…

It’s a bit strange, when Jeremy asked me to write this, I had no idea what the name of the boxed set would be, but it was the opening lines of “Wet Matches” that I heard whispered in the hallway of my apartment that late night. It seemed so real that I turned to see if maybe Jeremy was walking behind me, or if Swivel Chairs were sitting in my living room playing it. That won’t ever happen though, as it seems that song will never see the light of day for a live performance. No it was just my wild imagination taking over again, but maybe someday I’ll get my wish and hear “Wet Matches” live.

As I go through and listen, I can picture Jay pacing back and forth on stage during “Keith Richards” or the comforting waltz of “Scraps of Paper” as the twinkle lights glow at the Common Ground coffee house in Wildwood, NJ.

Then there’s the hot-summer-day shimmy of “And Smile,” which belongs on bright yellow 7″ vinyl. Or, what about the way old-school acoustic hits: “Saved Time”, “Starting to Feel” and “A Way to Smile.” Of course, I can’t forget to mention, my all time favorite Swivel Chairs classic, “Tied Nooses.” Oddly enough, my favorite version of it does not exist on any ‘official’ release. It appears on a not-so-random tape that I begged for way back in 1994 that includes all sorts of Swivel Chairs’ rarities–now available on this boxed set. I could go on forever and talk about each song, each gig, and tell the stories, but that might take too long.

As I reflect on the past 10 years or so, and think of all the gigs, the insanity, the possibilities, and the crap we’ve all gone through…I realize the common thread that brought us all together in the first place…our sincere love for music. I wouldn’t go back and change a single thing. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, without music, I’d be dead.

Jeremy and Jay have collected the history of Swivel Chairs for us here. I am extremely pleased and privileged to have been a part of it, and look forward to what’s in store for the future of the band. I hope to be there for every possible Swivel Chairs moment, whether it’s in person or in spirit. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I hope you enjoy discovering the world of Swivel Chairs, as much as I know I will, while I re-discover it over and over again.

Lauree McArdle
Arlington, VA 20003

It’s interesting that I choose tonight to remember this, and reminisce as it was just Jeremy’s birthday!

The lyric I love from “Tied Nooses” is: ‘well that anxious smile just gave you away in seconds flat, cause you wear your loneliness just like you wear a hat’ (although I wouldn’t be surprised if I got an email from him tomorrow telling me it’s something different)

truth is, I miss my friends. I miss the old times. I miss having new times. I miss being a part of it. I miss hearing advance versions/mixes of songs and getting to hear them grow and go out into the world. I miss being connected.

yet, here I am in a different Arlington apartment, staying awake too late, as I vibrate with the excitement of listening to and remembering an old song. And not being able to go to sleep until I get it all out of my head and I realize that maybe they’re not so far away.

Tied Nooses

Swivel Chairs on myspace

I’ve really been missing my time at WLFR lately and I was anxious to do another show. In a weird coincidence, it had been just a year since I did the last one.

I was going home to NJ for Easter, which also happened to be my nephew, Josh’s birthday.
Originally, I was supposed to do the show Sunday afternoon, but just before I left my parent’s house for the studio, I checked the stream online, and heard dance music. I knew that the DJ on at that time had a Grateful Dead show, so I knew something was awry.

I was leaving the macbook home so I could record the stream, since the college only allows students and faculty to log on to the wireless. I emailed Bill, one of the station managers my phone number and said I was thinking that no one was in the studio and it was on automation, but I was going off to campus to hope for the best.

Unfortunately, the campus was completely empty, and almost deserted. I was able to get into one building, but no where near the studio, plus even if I could get to where the studio is, I’d need an electronic card to swipe at the door to unlock it. Luckily, I spread the word as best I could to let everyone know there was a possibility I’d not be on…sigh.

The entire campus was locked up for the holiday, but the campus police never informed any of the WLFR managers.

Fortunately, I could go on to do a show the next afternoon, exactly a year to the date I did the last fill in show in 2008! too funny! Unfortunately, I set the computer to record the stream at the wrong time and didn’t get any recording of the show. If anyone does have a recording, I’d love to get it from you!

Here’s what I played, and I had an absolute blast playing it!

The Music Asylum April 13 2009 on WLFR:

The Feelies-Let’s Go
Joe Strummer-Johnny Appleseed
Jenny Doveson-I Will Think of it All
Blind Pilot-Go On, Say It
The Swimmers-Heaven
Crocodile-August is Over
Surefire Broadcast-Hey Baby!
Make Model-The Was
Oppenheimer-Only Goal & Winner
Marah-Point Breeze
The Heavenly States-Lost in the Light
Glossary-Almsgiver
The Clean-Someone
Running with Horses-Over Before it Ended
The Love Language-Lalita
I’m from Barcelona-Oversleeping
Marching Band-For Your Love
Frank Turner-Reasons Not to be an Idiot
Attic Lights-Walkie Talkie
Dropkick-Breakdown
The Primary 5-What Am I Supposed to Do?
Uncle Tupelo-Give Back the Key to my Heart
Have Gun, Will Travel-Come All Ye Sinners
Lamont Skylark-Daisy
Two Cow Garage-Skinny Legged Girl
Ike Reilly Assassination-Garbage Day
The Minders-It’s So Hard
The Underclass-Tomorrow is Now
Nushu-Spill
Camera Obscura-I Need All the Friends I Can Get
Mojave 3-Running with Your Eyes Closed
Teenage Fanclub-Ain’t That Enough
The Jam-That’s Entertainment
Swivel Chairs-And Smile

Two hours goes by real quick in radio, especially when you only get to do a show once a year. I hope to do more this year, but a lot depends on when I can get home to NJ. Community & college radio in Northern VA & DC is lacking, at least for community members. I out to a local college here in MD, as they had an open house for DJs. It was highly disorganized and I couldn’t be bothered to wait in line. I left it for the kids to fight for air time.

WLFR turns 25 this October, and hopefully, I can play a role in helping that celebration. I’ll have to dig up all my old “stuff” I have from my time at WLFR.

Stay tuned, I’m hoping to get back in the studio real soon!

Sunday, March 22

The official parties and showcases are over and recovery begins for most. However, there’s an annual Sunday gathering for brunch at Opal Devine’s for many of us. I’ve only gone the last two years, back in 1995 (my first SXSW) I wasn’t on the Postcard list yet. And SXSW was a completely different experience back then!

The 17th floor of the hotel had to evacuate at 4:30am. Climbing down 17 flights of stairs in PJs is not exactly what one wants to do at that hour, especially when you’ve only been asleep for a few:

-Um hotel evacuation not cool at 4:30 am #pcfh wish they would let us know whats going on 5:47 AM Mar 22nd from web
-All because some idiot was smoking in their room, we had to walk down 17 flights of stairs grr #pcfh 5:54 AM Mar 22nd from web (the twitter post times, are East Coast time)

I did find it curious that only the 17th floor had the alarm to evacuate. And it’s not one you can sleep through, it’s got a voice along with the bell and is constantly telling you to leave. But what if it had really been an emergency? the 16 floors below us would be ok? anyway….

We had a really great turnout for brunch, and it’s nice to just sit and relax with no where to go, unless your flight is leaving that day! A few left to catch flights, drive home, etc some went to Waterloo a bit early, and a handful of us stayed behind to talk with the Two Cow Garage boys.

A quick visit to Waterloo Records, although I was just along for the fun. By this time in the week, funds are usually way low for me! I went over to Flatstock with Terry & Wendy and wandered around a bit. I tried in vain to find an early birthday or Christmas present for a friend, but just couldn’t decide on something that would work.

took a few hours to relax in the room, pack up my stuff, and then met up at the Driscoll for a drink or two, off to dinner & drinks at ? a place I can’t remember, but was good food & conversation. And one last drink back at the Driscoll. We all said our goodbyes.

Then instead of walking around the block, me, Dave, Donny & Joe went over the front gate on the porch of the Driscoll and I almost broke my ankle hopping down onto the steps, even with assistance from the boys. I walked it off back to the hotel, hoping it would be fine.

Back in the room, I could barely keep my eyes open & had thought about going out for more music, but decided to sleep instead.

the view from the 17th floor:

Another SXSW complete.
I wonder what next year will bring?!