The boys from Blues Water Bridge dropped by the station for the first Live in the Lobby of Fall Semester 09. Since it was the first time many of our staffers had been introduced to Mr. Mike, the mixing board, it went a bit slower than usual when it comes to mixing. Just when we thought that everything had gone right, there was an issue with some mics and the speakers and well, the sound wasn’t what we wanted it to be.
BWB, being the awesome band they are, sounded great live in our lobby but for our guests over the air, it probably wasn’t the best we’ve been. Our bad. Rather, the equipment’s bad. Such are the trials of a radio station. That’s why you improvise and hope for the best.
So I played some stuff to tide the Ops staff over while we worked to get the sound running. A lot of our listeners were around for the golden age of Athens music so I pulled out the vinyl and got to swinging. As is my personal custom, I began with Pylon. I (heart) Pylon so that’s the one selfish song pick I get all evening.
Followed up Pylon with some other great female led bands like Oh-Ok and the B-52s. A current running joke among some of the staff here is “Give Me Back My Man.” We all really love the track but it gained immortality status when Mike Mills came up to the station last year and played it on his infamous “Mike Mills Birthday Sled Ride to Hell.” So now, when we play it on air, we have to dedicate it to him in some way shape or form. It just seems right…
After ripping through a few covers, BWB had to leave. I threw on the new Corduroy Road song from ATHFEST 2009. Followed it up with some Hope for Agoldensummer. Never quite sure why they smashed their name all together like that. Doesn’t really matter too much though. Sound great.
College radio’s always been known for playing some…out there…records. Case in point, The Method Actors and Trapper’s Cabin. Fun stuff that you wouldn’t find on your momma’s radio. Or really any radio nowdays. “Welcome” is one of the weirdest things I’ve ever put in the cd player and I dig it so hard. Judging on the reaction from the meebo crowd, it was a hit there too.
Probably the greatest thing about WUOG is the people here. While it is difficult to announce when someone’s playing “Be Kind to Your Web Footed Friends” behind you on a mandolin, or interuppting your song by yelling OW, you gotta love ‘em. Of course, I had to hit him across the head with the Modern Skirts for being so mean. Justice was served.
Looking forward to Efren on Thursday.
Peace OUT
AMJ
