Great Lake Swimmers

I enjoy artists or bands that have found a great or somewhat unique sound and then explore and capitalize on that sound. Giving me, as the listener, the chance to enjoy and relish each song and the musical journey within that sound. (You can keep the one-hit wonders and bands trying to become the latest trend.)
Over the last year, one band that I've enjoyed the journey with is Great Lake Swimmers. If you listen to one of their songs, the first thing you'll notice is Tony Dekker's haunting and delicate voice. The band recorded their last album in a castle and have recorded in an old performance hall and even an abandoned grain silo. They take a gently played banjo, delicately strummed guitars, and with a mild echo on Tony's voice, produce angelic music. Many of the lyrics have a dream-like quality; esoteric, yet affecting and relative. I hope you'll give them a listen. (Click the link below to hear their 2008 release, Ongiara.)
Ongiara album by Great Lake Swimmers

Over The Rhine - A Storm Boy Favorite

I remember hearing my first Over The Rhine song. I had just peeled off the plastic wrapping that was now resting in the floor of the car. There was a light rain falling as I turned onto the freeway, for a long, restful drive home. The song, The World Can Wait, emanated from the speakers… Piano keys were gracefully played, a woman’s beautiful voice called out, and the music swelled… I was in love.
Linford Detweiler's lyrics have a prose and intelligence that I've rarely found in music, and Karen Bergquist's beautiful voice can deliciously play with each vowel or syllable and seductively exude each insightful lyric. A quality of Over The Rhine’s music that I love, is how their songs can have this great spiritual quality to them, but also convey great sensuality. With their more recent releases, they have chosen to embrace a minimalist and often delicate approach to their music, which only brings the lyrics even more into the forefront.
The lyrics can be playful - “Let’s spend the day in bed; forget all that I said; we’ll eat your favorite pie; ice cream on the side; lie here a la mode; and just stay home.” (“Let’s Spend The Day In Bed” from the CD The Trumpet Child.)
They can also be poignant - “You’re an ache she’s learned to crave; you’re a bleed too dull to ache; but she cuts herself on you every night; she’s just dying to lay down and die.” (“She” from the CD Ohio.)
And very seductive - “The body is a book of matches, a little fire is required of this kindling flame; Ohio Blue Tip Strike Anywhere; strike me anywhere.” (“The Body is a Stairway of Skin” from the CD Film For Radio.)
If you like well written lyrics, sung and performed beautifully… then may I humbly suggest giving Over The Rhine a listen. (Click on the link below to enjoy music from their 2003 CD, Ohio.)
Ohio album by Over The Rhine

A Day in the Life... Pt. 1

This is just a sample of what I (and many volunteer programmers) go through to do a show on KAFM.

While I was initially someone who clutched jealousy to their large stack of CD's and scoffed at people with their white ear-buds and iPods, I have since become an avid user. With it I can play any song from my music selection or listen to new music, and then pick songs for an upcoming show. Such a great convenience. Another benefit is that I can compile the songs I choose into a playlist on my laptop. By doing this it enables me to hear how songs transition into each other, and also to create groups of songs that play well together, because of a similar sound or related lyrics. It is also so much easier to be able to play these songs from my laptop rather than lugging large cases of CD's back and forth. My approach can in some ways create more work before doing a show, but it also makes doing the show so much easier.

Click Here for Pt. 2

A Day in the Life... Pt. 2

I usually get up at 4:30 AM the morning of a show. I get dressed and have a quick breakfast. I try to have all my gear ready and waiting so that I have to do as little thinking as possible that early in the morning. I often walk to the station, enjoying a nice, quiet morning along the way.

I try to get to the station no later than 5:30, so that I can preview new music on the CD rack in the booth. This also allows me to set up my gear and not feel rushed before starting my show.

Click Here for Pt. 3

A Day in the Life... Pt. 3

Favorite on-air snack: a fresh-baked scone or a bag of dry Cheerios. The dry Cheerios may sound a little bland, but I like how they keep my voice clean and create less mess on my hands or the front of my shirt. I once tried to eat an orange, but I accidentally gagged on it and the citric acid ruined my voice for the rest of the show. For the next two hours of the show, I sounded like Wolfman Jack.

Click Here for Pt. 4

A Day in the Life... Pt. 4

While the songs are playing, I type their information into Spinitron on the computer in the booth. By going to the station's web-site, you can easily see every song I played. If there is a particular song you enjoyed, you can find out which artist performed it and which CD it is available on.

Click here for the Spinitron Playlists

Every half hour, I read cards about the underwriters for the station. These are sponsors that help keep KAFM on the air. If you use one of these local businesses, please thank them for supporting KAFM.

Click Here for Pt. 5

A Day in the Life... Pt. 5

It is so nice to basically have the station to myself in the early morning. I can browse through the CD's in the music library, or simply stay in the booth and listen to the music I am playing. Some mornings I can be very tired, and so struggle to stay on top of some of the things I need to do, but I usually just have a nice, relaxing morning surrounded by music I love. I hope that you as a KAFM listener enjoy the music too.

Listen to The Morning Muse (Song Samples)

Song Samples