In this newsletter, I’ve got two playlists for ya, (one for working and one for a lazy morning).
This week, I’m breaking down Radio Episode #11, Magician.
The playlist was inspired by…….
musician Ben Folds’ album recording woes
a poem by Mary Oliver
Willy Wonka’s pure imagination
Plus, a taste of new radio episodes and creative recs for your week.
Next week’s newsletter, I’m going hygge and got the playlists to match.
I’ve been thinking about magic.
It may be because the whole town is already twinkling with holiday lights, which makes every business and household seem otherworldly.
A temporary sparkling escape during dark winter days.
I’ve also been going through my radio episode archives and “remastering” the audio as best I can. (Audio editing is a never-ending learning experience)
As mentioned in a previous post, some of my favorite episodes are the earlier ones. The ideas, the inspiration and the playlists just all seem to spark effortlessly.
A fire inside is beaming bright behind the mic.
Clip from Episode #11 of Electric Radio Club, Magician
Reminds me of that line from a Mary Oliver poem……
If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,
Don’t hesitate. Give in to it.
-Mary Oliver
In Electric Radio Club episode #11, I started the track list off with Almond Milk by Baxter Dury.
Almonds into milk? What a crazy concept!
But that’s the beauty of taking an imaginative idea and turning it into reality. Kinda like Willy Wonka and his Chocolate Factory, it’s a world of pure imagination.
The concept of turning a nut into milk made me think about the “magic” that is created in other everyday things.
Like an instrument.
A guitar is just a guitar until a song comes out of it. And not just any song. A song that means something to you.
I talk about these magic concepts on the Magician Episode which you can listen to on Mixcloud. The tracklist includes songs by George McCrae, Blondshell, Sleater-Kinney w/ Margo Price, The Budos Band, Magic Shoppe and more.
Listen to episode #11, Magician, here on Mixcloud
Not only does it help grow my show, but most importantly, my episode soliloquy is also there to offer you (yes, you!) inspiration for your day.
Your parting gift is the playlist to help you make your own kind of magic!
Mistakes Make Magic
Sometimes I think about moments in music where accidental magic occurs.
I remember listening to this podcast episode on Spark and Fire, with musician Ben Folds, about the obstacles and magic of recording the album, Whatever and Ever Amen. Ben shares the woes of recording the record in a house and improvising during live performances.
If you can break down the formality for a second at any point in a performance, it’s powerful. If an audience is discovering something as the performer is discovering it, there’s nothing better in recorded or performed music is that mutual sense of discovery.
- Ben Folds
When I’m creating art, there are moments when things just flow and there are moments where it feels like I’m trying to squeeze art from my fingertips.
Sometimes, improvising can unearth some pretty magical stuff and make the piece feel more human rather than always remaining in rehearsal mode.
Kinda like the beginning of this track by Ben Folds Five.
I like the idea of things remaining unedited. (except for this newsletter)
Rewind to two years ago,
the response to my new radio endeavor seemed to spark interest in others as well!
In fact, some suggested, they would love to see a video version of the episodes.
So I began to play around with making a mini-radio episode version with videos on YouTube…. completely unrehearsed, mind you.
The only caveat was that I had to link my video explaining the song choices to a playlist of music videos. (I couldn’t include the songs in one video due to copyright) If you don’t click on the playlist link, it tends to cause some confusion.
Watch the mini episode here.
More Magic - This Week’s Recs
Music: Mynabirds in Concert
A couple of weeks ago, I went to what I thought was going to be a secret concert by The Mynabirds, but then the venue started promoting the show. (I get it. Tickets need to be sold.)
A “secret” concert really means that the show takes place in someone’s home or business and it’s not revealed until the day of the show. Which is a fun way to change up the concert-going experience!
A piano performance by The Mynabirds took place at The Church/ArtHouse. I think more rock shows should take place in churches. I’m all about cool mood lighting from stained glass and electric candle alters.
I love the new Mynabirds record, It’s Okay to Go Back if You Keep Moving Forward. It’s fitting because she covers her own songs. If you love something that you’ve already made, why not keep making it more magical?
Back in August, when I hosted an episode of Mixtape Friends, a subscriber shared a story about a Mynabirds song. This is one of my most popular episodes. Listen here.
Support my work:)
Movie: A Trip to the Moon and Hugo
I think perhaps that the real reason people can be cranky is that they cannot create the magic they wish to.
In the movie, Hugo, Martin Scorsese pays tribute to the innovative French filmmaker and actor, Georges Méliès, played by Ben Kingsley.
Kingsley plays a bitter toy repairman whose shop is based at the train station. It is later revealed that the explanation for his grumpiness and what he truly loves to make are motion pictures.
Hugo is three hours long (so Scorsese) but a good winter film to not forget about the magic you love to create.
A Trip to the Moon by Georges Méliès is a silent film but oh-so-magical! Considering the time it was made, the set design and adding color to the film is my kinda magic. A weird fantasy world to escape reality.
My song pairing suggestions while watching this silent film are Track #6, #7 and #8 on The National’s Boxer album.
Misc: Dried oranges in my coffee
In a post by Diana from Sloppyperfect , she asks What little thing is bringing you joy right now? For me, lately, it’s been putting a slice of dried orange which I made myself for over 4 hours in the oven into my morning cappuccino.
I was intrigued.
So the next day, I went out and bought oranges and dehydrated them in the oven.
And now I’m raving about putting dried orange in coffee to everyone.
It’s a little elegant way to start the morning.
All for now!
Stay inspired!
Produced by Joi Katskee, LLC
www.electricradioclub.com