Dead White Guys #3 - 7/15/12

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Although I didn't play a lot of tracks for this show, I had a lot of fun with what I played. I retrospectively played a lot of vocal music, but I never apologize for that, and I can only hope that you enjoy it. I don't think there was a boring moment for me, and it felt really good to play the full set of 'Das Buch der Hängende Gärten', as well as the entire 'Also Sprach Zarathustra'.

I think I had a really good mix today, and I'm glad that I allowed myself to play longer tracks, which is kind of a self-experiment that I've been trying lately, like with the latest Sounds of the Subcontinent episode I did. I also have been thinking a lot about the way that I actually play the music. It's a hotly debated topic amongst DJs about whether we should talk over music, or whether we shouldn't. There's no wrong way to do it, but DJs can be passionate about what they think is a good way to do it. Personally, as you can hear, I like to speak over music. I think it adds something to the way that I speak, and just feel more comfortable having something underneath me, and makes it sonically more interesting. That said though, I often get very uncomfortable speaking over classical music on a classical show, because I've heard from some listeners that they REALLY hate when I talk over music that they might want to experience as a whole, from start to finish. I can completely understand that, but it is definitely a different way of doing radio than I'm used to.

What do you think? Do you mind when a DJ talks over music? I want to know!

[Artist: Song - Album]

1. Pierre Charial: Capriccio No. 1 - György Ligeti: Mechanical Music
2. London Philharmonic Orchestra: Cantus - 'Song of the Odyssey' - Karl Jenkins: Adiemus 2 Cantata Mundi
3. Emanuel Ax: Variations on "Là ci darem la mano," Op. 2 for Piano and Orchestra (Largo) - Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, etc.
4. London Chamber Singers & Chamber Orchestra: The Indian Queen Acts III, IV, & V - Purcell: The Indian Queen
5. Angela Hewitt: La Verneüille (from Dix-huitième Ordre) - Couperin: Le Grand
6. Jennifer Lane: Das Buch der Hängende Gärten (complete) - Schoenberg: Das Buch der Hängende Gärten
7. L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande: La Valse - Ravel: Ravel's Head
8. Staatsoper Berlin Chorus and Orchestra: Overture & Act I, Scene 1 - Wagner: Der Fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman)
9. L'ensemble Diabolus in Musica: Introït, Kyrie, and Gloria - Dufay: Missa se la face ay pale
10. Vienna Philharmonic: Also Sprach Zarathustra - Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra

Angelus:

1. Schoenberg: I could definitely listen to this all day, and I have no idea way. I really like atonal music, and the Sprechstimme (unpitched speak-sing thing) is so interesting to me as a performer, as well as a listener. I really, really hope you enjoyed this set. I also encourage you to check out the translations/text for it!
2. Strauss: I never get sick of Strauss, and I hadn't heard this piece before. I didn't realize how epic this was, or that this was where that theme that's right at the beginning came from that sometimes you'll hear in commercials/movies I think. 

Diabolus:

1. I wasn't really unhappy with anything, to be honest. I thought this was a great show. Maybe sometimes I'm awkward on the mic, but that's about it!

Enjoy!

Sounds of the Subcontinent #2 - 7/15/12

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SURPRISE! I subbed Sounds of the Subcontinent for David, so now you get to listen to some awesome Indian music from our library. I happened to be at the station doing Radiozilla, when I got a call from David Schlitt, asking if I could sub for him, and if I was in the area. I was literally sitting in front of the console like a boss, so I took it. 

I love this show, because it gives me a chance to play long tracks that I might not otherwise feel like I'm allowed to play on my freeform show, like how with Radiozilla I'm able to play lots of Japanese stuff all together. I can sit back and really enjoy the music instead of running around and trying to fill up time.

[Artist: Song - Album]

1. Zakir Hussain: Nines Over Easy - Zakir Hussain and the Rhythm Experience
2. Tabla Beat Science: Secret Channel - Tala Matrix
3. M. Saeed Chisti: (track 3) - Qari Sage Miran
4. Dissidenten: Jungle Book Part 1 - The Jungle Book
5. Rahul Sharma: Maqam-E-Navaa - Music of the Himalayas
6. Ustad Vilayat Khan (sitar): Jor - Raga Bhairavi
7. Ashwin Batish: Sitar Magic - Sitar Power
8. Jody Stecher & Krishna Bhatt: Blue Mountain - rasa
9. The Cheetah Girls: One World - One World Soundtrack
10. Gour Goswami & Steven Gorn: Rag Marwa/Sunset Raga - The Indian Bamboo Flute

Good stuff:

1. Tabla Beat Science: I really love these guys, and I love the mix of sounds that they create. I could definitely listen to the entire album all the way through.
2. Zakir Hussain: I don't know what it is about this guy, but he brings this really jazzy edge to his songs that I love. 

Not so good stuff:

1. Blue Mountain: This did not sound like Indian music whatsoever. It was in the Indian music section, and it had a sitar on the front, but it was definitely not what I was looking for. I even got a call from a listener about whether it was still Sounds of the Subcontinent or not. *headdesk* Not to self: preview tracks longer than 5 seconds.

See you soon! Thanks for listening!

Radiozilla #4 - 7/15/12

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Le Polysics

Did you know that I really like DJing Radiozilla? I do. It's only an hour, and I still have to read concert information right in the middle of it, but it's really fun. Having the freedom to play all Japanese music for you is something that I wouldn't allow myself on my freeform show, so sometimes I wonder if it still sounds like me, you know? Does it sound like MY radio? I would love to hear what you think about it.

Also, I've come to realize that I play a song by Polysics every single Radiozilla. I also play it on my freeform show. And you know, I think I realized that I'm kind of obsessed with them. Sometimes I can't listen to an entire album in one sitting, but they are the perfect mix for freeform-style radio. Thank you for existing, Polysics.

[Artist: Song - Album]

1. Polysics: Married To A Frenchman - Hey! Bob! My Friend!
2. Asobi Seksu: Coming Up - Fluorescence
3. Koenjihyakkei: Guoth Dahha - Viva Koenji!!
4. Oorutaichi: (track 11) - Jurasy Human
5. Matally: Four Seasons VS YoYo-C - Japan For Sale Vol. 3
6. Thee Machine Gun Elephant: Citroën No Kodoku (The Loneliness of Citroën) - Rodeo Tandem Beat Specter
7. Joe Hisaishi: Kaonashi (No Face) - Spirited Away OST
8. Ken Ishii: Iceblink (main mix) - Japan For Sale Vol. 2
9. The Pillows: Tiny Boat - The Pillows Acoustic
10. Tokyo Jihen: FAIR - 2012???
11. Takemoto Akira: Island in Video Casset - Serial Experiments Lain
12. Gackt: Vanilla - Vanilla

FAIR: 

1. New Polysics album: Yay! More Polysics for you! This new album's really fun, and kind of more of the same style as other Polysics albums, so...it's perfect basically.
2. Spirited Away: Mmmm I'm so glad I found this album in the soundtrack section. I love the music to this movie, and I wish that we had more Miyazaki movie OSTs in the library! Like My Neighbor Totoro? I would kill someone for that.

NO FAIR:

1. Too much online music: In retrospect I realize that 3 out of the last 4 songs were from a computer online, which I don't normally do at such frequency, and especially for such a short show. I'll be more careful next time, although I really did want to play those artists for you.

Thanks for listening! Stay tuned for more updates!

Freestailo #41 - 6/6/12

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Walalalalalala!

For me, this show was a lot more high energy in the start than I usually have, and there was a lot more balance throughout the set than I usually see. Despite a couple of herp-a-derp moments, I really enjoyed listening back on the show as well! Because I don't have a lot else to say, here's the video of the video conversation that you heard on the show. It's just as good visually.

[Artist: Song - Album]

1. Messer Chups: Dark Story - Russkie Wig-Out!
2. Goldfrapp: When Andy Bell Met Manhattan Clique Mix - OOH LA LA
3. Mamani Keita & Marc Minelli: Dimisenoun - Electro Bamako
4. Dr's: Crunch - Rx1
5. Balkan Beat Box: Cha Cha - Balkan Beat Box
6. Chet Baker: It's Always You - My Funny Valentine
7. Asobi Seksu: Sooner - Asobi Seksu
8. Arcwelder: The Carpal Tunnel Song - Xerxes
9. Bakra Bata': What You Like - Steel Drums and Percussion
10. Richard Buckner: Elizabeth Childers - The Hill
11. Ghost: Live With Me - Snuffbox Immanence
12. Carlos Montoya: Tanguillo: Zambrilla - Flamenco!
13. Oorutachi: (tracks 10+11) - Jurasy Human
14. The Avett Brothers: Sixteen in July - Four Thieves Gone
15. Billie Holiday: It's Like Reaching For The Moon - Story Volume II
16. Serge Gainsbourg: Le poinçonneur des Lilas - de serge gainsbourg à gainsbarre 
17. Salif Keita: Tono - Amen
18. Mighty Fire: Sixth Street (Turn It Up) - Mighty Fire
19. Rabih Abou-Khalil: Nashwa - Al-Jadida
20. Air: How Does It Make You Feel? - 10,000Hz Legend
21. Transglobal Underground: Ancient Dreams of the Sky - Psychic Karaoke
22. Mark Franklin: Release to the System - Artificial Intelligence II
23. Alexander Demidov: The Delights of Culture - Modern Soviet Poetry and Humor
24. Endthisday: Killing in the Month of July - Sleeping Beneath the Ashes of Creation
25. Brave Combo: Limbo Rock/Hand Jive - Group Dance Epidemic
26. The Everyday Film: A Silent Leash - Permanent Patients
27. King Cobb Steelie: Rational - Junior Relaxer
28. Jeremiah McDonald: A Conversation With My 12 Year Old Self: 20th Anniversary Edition - weepingprophet
29. L'Orchestre National "A" de la République du Mali: Duga - L'Orchestre National "A" de la République du Mali 
30. The Meters: Good Old Funky Music - Good Old Funky Music
31. Little Brother Montgomery: Tantalizing Blues - Crescent City Blues
32. Clayton Knight: Having a Party - Call Me What U Wanna
33. Georgia Sedlack: Moon River - The Vocal Jazz Collective
34. Aldo Ciccolini: Sonata in D minor, L. 413, Allegro (Pastorale) - Scarlatti: Sonatas
35. Amandine: Firefly - Fat Cat
36. Boom Bip: Popsicle (feat. Nacky Koma) - Seed To Sun
37. M. Ward: Me And My Shadow - A Wasteland Companion
38. The Apples in Stereo: Sun is Out - New Magnetic Wonder

Turn it Up:

1. Chet Baker: I could literally listen to his voice until the apocalypse comes. I think he has the most mesmerizing voice, and his trumpet playing is just as good. Mmmm. Makes me want to curl up in a blanket and read a book. 
2. Apples in Stereo: This was an awesome way to end the set. I'd never heard Apples in Stereo before this, so it was a real treat. 
3. The Avett Brothers: This song was a really nice balance to what was going on during that part of the set, and I really didn't expect something so sweet. I guess I haven't really listened to The Avett Brothers before. 

Turn it Down:

1. Russian Flub: Yeah I definitely didn't mean to play this at first...oh well. Kind of a let down but radio is pretty much never perfect. Hahaha. 
2. YouTube Clip: I'm not gonna say what went wrong with this, but you can probably guess. 
3. General awkwardness: I have no idea why there were weird pauses, and fast talking, and there was one point my voice was totally monotone. 

Until next Friday!

Freestailo #40 - 6/4/12 - Happy 4th of July!

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Oh, hello there.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY, FRIENDS!

To celebrate our independence, and subsequently the independence of being able to put millions upon millions of cat pictures on the internet, throughout this post I'm going to give you lots of American themed cats, like this guy.

This 4th of July, I willfully let WCBN take my entire day from me, and I regret nothing. I woke up early and headed to the Canterbury house where we congregated before heading over to the Ann Arbor 4th of July Parade. "What would WCBN do in a parade?" you might ask. Well, we had a MARCHING BAND! Spreading music the only way we know how: freeform style. As a side note, if you happened to be there and have pictures, please feel free to contact us so we can see them!

After the parade, I met up with my roommates and headed to Starbucks for some free coffee, which I SO DID NOT NEED because I was still hyper from the parade, and continued to be while we got ice cream at Washtenaw Dairy, and THEN STILL once I got home and started to do research for the July 4th Sex & Tell special, which pretty much took me the rest of the day, while I stayed in the air-conditioning of my apartment.

I cannot tell you how much fun my time at the station was this day. Even though I messed up a few times, and there were some frustrating moments, there's something special about sharing music with everyone on a holiday that makes up for it. I've DJed on holidays before, and there's an energy that cannot be contained when the whole world/country/state/city is sharing something like a holiday with each other, and you get to create a living and breathing playlist for it.

This is a cat with a red and white star cello.

About the actual show, although I don't do this very often, I created a playlist beforehand to make sure that I had enough material, but allowed a bit of breathing room in the moment for flub-ups, requests, etc., which seemed to work out really well. I tried to make sure all of the songs were either American themed, or for certain parts I created a scheme of Red-->White-->Blue songs for a bit of literal color. The one thing that wasn't "American" was the V for Vendetta clip, but I think that this movie (and especially this clip) is relevant to all people, and all countries.

Anyway, I really hope you enjoy this playlist, and I hope that you all had a loving, drunken holiday.

[Artist: Song - Album]

1. Kazumi Totaka: Fireworks Festival - Animal Crossing GC OST
2. Richard Tucker and Philip Maero: Dovunque al mondo - Puccini: Madama Butterfly
3. Galaxie 500: Fourth of July - This Is Our Music
4. Rammstein: Amerika - Reise, Reise
5. The Beach Boys: Surfin' USA - Endless Summer
6. Chanticleer: Camptown Races - Our American Journey
7. Funkadelic: One Nation Under Groove Pt. 1 and 2
8. Steve Earle: American v. 6.0 - Jerusalem
9. exileFaker: redshift - Ockham's Chainsaw
10. Kris Ellestad: White As A Feather - No Man Is Land
11. CHOCOLAT: Blue Mint Blue - Japan Not For Sale Vol. 2
12. Robert Shaw Festival Singers: Hark, I Hear The Harps Eternal - Amazing Grace American Hymns and Spirituals
13. Cat Power: American Flag - Moon Pix
14. British Sea Power: Waving Flags - Do You Like Rock Music?
15. Yann Tiersen: La redécouverte - Amelie from Montmarte (Bande originale du film)
16. Anamanaguchi: Helix Nebula - Power Supply
17. Eels: In Gratitude For This Magnificent Day - Tomorrow Morning
18. Nina Simone: July Tree - Four Women
19. The Andrews Sisters: Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy - Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy/Rum and Coca Cola
20. The Sex Pistols: God Save The Queen - The Swindle Continues
21. V for Vendetta: Ending Scene (1812 Overture) - V for Vendetta (movie)
22. Louis Armstrong: Red Cap - Alexander's Ragtime Band
23. My Dear Disco: White Lies (Radio Edit) - My Dear Disco EP
24. Leonard Berstein: America - West Side Story (1957 Original Cast)
25. Tom Brosseau: Favorite Color Blue - Posthumous Success
26. Animal Collective: In The Flowers - Merriweather Post Pavilion
27. Dianne Steinberg, Stargard: Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
28. Asobi Seksu: Red Sea - Citrus
29. T.M. Revolution: WHITE BREATH -MORE FREEZE MIX- - triple joker
30. Damo: Deep Blue - Seven

Good Things:

1. Madama Butterfly: I absolutely love this opera, and I really love this segment of the opera because it is just RIFE with sarcasm and irony. Although the sound is patriotic, the content is a big vulgar, and makes a big statement about how the characters represent America. 
2. Andrews Sisters: I'm in love with this 45", and I'm glad I got to play the other side of it! Honestly, I could play an entire show of just this stuff. Mmmm. 
3. V for Vendetta clip: This is one of my top-5 favorite movies, and I think the ideas of empowering the people to change the government are powerful, and something that we should all take a good look at for our own government(s). 

Bad Things:

1. Wrong Animal Collective Song: I'm not even going to lie to you, I was really pissed when I played "In The Flowers" instead of "My Girls." This was one of the main songs I wanted to sing over the course of the show, and I messed it up. You don't even want the know the things I was screaming in the station.
2. Not Beatles: Also another mistake RIGHT AFTER the Animal Collective mistake, which pissed me off even more. Let me be honest with you: I was positively livid. But things pass, radio keeps going. C'est la vie. 
3. Too much laptop: I thought that I knew where a lot of this music was in the station, but when I got there I couldn't find all of it, and ended up using my laptop for at least a third of the songs on this list. I don't like that, and I'm sorry. It's not fair to you or me or freeform radio. 

Thanks for listening! Hope you had a great holiday. Stay locked in. 

Latin Show #2 - 6/1/12

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Is it possible I've only done one other Latin show besides this?! Apparently so. I will make up for that soon. Also, as a side note, my ex-roommate came to visit me at the station, and I'm pretty sure she had fun, so that's good too. Also, here are some pictures of Los Zafiros, because I said so. 

I got nothin' else. TO THE PLAYLIST!

[Artist: Song - Album]

1. Astor Piazzola: Los Sueños - Sur
2. Nova Lima: Mamaye - Karimba
3. Morelenbaum2/Sakamoto: Bim Bom - A Day in New York
4. Tom Zé: Curiosidade (High Llamas Remix) - Postmodern Platos
5. Inti-Illimani: La Fiesta Eres Tú - Amar de Nuevo
6. Tangosur: Sur - Trio
7. Bio Ritmo: La Mano Arriba - Salsa Galactica
8. Agepé: Ela Nao Gosta De Mim - Collo. Samba
9. Lazaro Ros & Olorun: Toques a Eleguá - Songs For Elegua
10. Ben Tavera King Y Los Jazztecs: El Mercado - Border Crossings
11. Los Zafiros: La Caminadora - Bossa Cubana
12. J-Radical: Buweyah - Brazil Remixed
13. Los Calchakis: Isla Saca - Indian Flutes, Harps and Guitars
14. Zuco 103: Garganteiro - Whaa!

Bueno:

1. Astor Piazzola: I never get tired of this man. He is a genius. 
2. Los Zafiros: I had NO IDEA that there was a doo-wop style group in Spanish! This has to be the best find for the day.

Male:

1. My pronunciation: Sorry if I screwed anything up (I know I did). I don't speak Spanish, but I'm trying to get better at pronouncing it. Sometimes my knowledge of Italian gets in the way, so it probably sounds a little...weird is the only word.

Thanks for listening! Be back this Friday for my regular show!