Radio Free Wausau

Monday Nights on Radio Free Wausau

martinjames — Tue, 13 May 2008 03:15:55 +0000

I’ve become somewhat of a slug since moving my radio show on WNRB-LB to Monday nights. I started out with such ambitious plans to post weekly playlists and for a few weeks back at the beginning of the year I was doing just that. You can actually find them. But then things got busier, I discovered curling late in the season, and then it finally became spring. So what little extra time there is has been sucked up into projects around the house and around the yard. You can come over to see if you’d like. Its trueSo I don’t have any pretentions of posting playlist in this blog entry but I thought I would say something about some of the bands, performers, and music I’ve been privileged to play of late. In the “two hour” mode I get time to think and make selections based on what I’m feeling in the music at that moment and I somethings change around the order of things I so carefully planned out hours or days earlier. But its what makes up a show for me. OK, now for some of the music.

Bob Geldof and the Boomtown Rats
Dire Straits
Radiohead
Magnetic Fields
Snow Patrol
Death Cab for Cutie (including the new CD Narrow Stairs)
Billy Bragg
Vampire Weekend
Frightened Rabbit (awesome band from Scotland)
British Sea Power
City and Colour (aks Dallas Green)
Raveonettes (cool band from Denmark)
Etienne de Rocher
Great Lake Swimmers
New Pornographers
Black Mountain (awesome band from Vancouver)
Okkervil River
Stephen Malkmus
The Weakerthans
The Arcade Fire
Mute Math
Super Furry Animals
Swervedriver
M83

OK–this list could go on and on. But hopefully you get the point. I like music. All kinds. I’d like to thing what I play could be characterized as Independent, Alternative, and Intelligent. Time will tell I guess. If you haven’t stopped by to listen yet please do.
Radio Free Wausau, 93.3FM, Monday from 7-9 pm.
See ya!
Martin James

Radio Free Wausau Moves to Monday Nights

martinjames — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 03:28:39 +0000

After a few months in the 9 pm time slot on Thursday’s I will be moving my show, Radio Free Wausau, to Monday nights starting on March 31. The new time will be from 7 to 9 pm and still in the same place on the FM dial, 93.3 FM, WNRB-LP. What a cool thing it will be to have two hours for music instead of just one. It also gets the week off to a good start musically for me and hopefully for everyone listening.

My only regret is not following Round Trip on Thursday nights and basking in the wake of his weekly musical extravaganza! But I promised to come by sometimes on Thursday evenings and haunt his show for a little while. Getting the new time slot will also serve as an encouragement for me to get back to posting playlists more regularly. I’ve been a slacker for several shows now and will skip the details and promise to be better in the weeks and months ahead.

So stay tuned if you’ve been listening or get tuned in to some great music on WNRB.

Martin James

Catching Up–Playlists from February 7 and 14, 2008

martinjames — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 23:50:10 +0000

On February 7 I introduced some new music on my show including the Push Stars, Alexi Murdoch, Fionn Regan, and Dan Wilson to name a few. My hour of music goes way to fast but I hope those who are tuned in are enjoying the mix and hearing something new and different.

Claire–Push Stars
Breathe–Alexi Murdoch
Snowy Atlas Mountains–Fionn Regan
Easy Silence–Dan Wilson (of Semisonic)
The Way–Will Oldham/Bonny Prince Billy
She Cries Your Name–William Orbit and Beth Orton
Spring Wind–Greg Brown
Brooklyn–Jesse Malin
Angry Words–Willy Porter
Don’t Let It Bring You Down–Annie Lenox
God Shuffled His Feet–Crash Test Dummies
I Am the Mercury–Jimmy Spheeris

Lots of good music. Check it out and buy it when you get a chance.

Ah–music for Valentine’s Day. Always an interesting “holiday” filled with love and heart shaped boxes. This week I took a little bit of a turn toward the contemporary singer/songwriter folk music that I played for many years during a radio gig I had back in Indiana. I’ve introduced some of these performers in other shows but this time most of the hour was dedicated to some very incredible musicians who exist on a level just slightly below the radar of popularity. Many of them have “day jobs” and are trying to make it in the music biz. They share a common commitment to expressing feelings and thoughts with music in ways that often make me shiver. These are only a sampling of performers like this but if you get a chance, check them out. Now for the songs:

Casey, IL–Erica Wheeler
Akasa Wind–LJ Booth
Let Me In–Ellen Cross
Can’t Find My Way Home–Ben Demerath
A Summer Wind, A Cotton Dress–Richard Shindell
Give Me a Reason–Eugene Ruffalo
Searching for America–Janis Ian
Over Yonder (Jonathan’s Song)–Steve Earle
Deep Blue–Peter Mulvey
Rain–Patty Griffiin

Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone. May your life be filled with love and goodness.

Radio Free Wausau Playlist–January 31, 2008

martinjames — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 01:07:16 +0000

This marks the 5th broadcast of Radio Free Wausau, the end of January, and what a pleasure it is to be back on the air. The month has gone fast just like the hour I have on the air. Here is the music:

In Your Town–Jeffrey Gaines
This Morning I Am Born Again–Slaid Cleaves
She’s Too Far Gone–Arthur Godfrey
Death of Ferdinand DeSausseur–Magnetic Fields
St. Francis Dam Disaster Man–Frank Black
American Mary–The National
Down in the Milltown–John Gorka
Story Time–Trout Fishing in America
Workin’ On a Building–Cowboy Junkies
Lawrence, KS–Richard Shindell
Secret to a Long Life–Michelle Shocked

Next time listen for some new music from the Push Stars, Dan Wilson, and maybe the Steve Reich Ensemble. Tune in!

Radio Free Wausau Playlist–January 24, 2008

martinjames — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 20:07:20 +0000

I’m really glad to see that CW is back on the “air” because I think this is a good platform for sharing opinions and viewpoints on topics relevant to our community and also because I like the opportunity to share my playlists and other musically-related thoughts with whoever might be dropping by to read. And if you are curious about what you read, then make yourself a reminder note to turn on the radio on Thursday nights for my show, Radio Free Wausau, which airs from 9:00 to 10:00 pm. And for a real musical treat start listening at 7:00 to catch Round Trip with Neal at the Wheel. All of this fine music can be heard on WNRB-LP at 93.3 FM. We are a community based radio station sponsored by the Wausau Area Hmong Mutual Association. Now for the music

1967–Jim Henry
We Can’t Make It Here–James McMurtry
Ballad of Copper Junction–Jeffrey Foucault
Cigarettes and Chocolate–Rufus Wainwright
Action Adventure–Andrew Bird
Half Acre–Hem
You Could Make a Killing–Aimee Mann
Mexico–Moe
Theme from the Bottom–Phish
It Starts With a Lie–Eric Anderson
Believe–Earl Slick

I had more songs slated for this show but we ran out of time. Have a great week end and enjoy the “balmy” spring weather here in Wausau.

New Exhibits Open at CVA in Wausau

martinjames — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 22:59:03 +0000

A new exhibit opened on Friday evening at the Center for Visual Arts CVA on the ArtsBlock in Wausau. Entitled, Midwest Winter, the juried show opened with a Gallery Gala attended by somewhere between 150 and 200 people. This is the 18th annual Midwest Winter show at CVA and features winter oriented artworks and the many faces of winter that inspire American and international artists. Drawing, painting, photography, and a variety of three-dimensional art highlight the show. This is a really wonderful exhibit and it will be open to the public free of charge during regular gallery hours from now until February 18th. Artwork contributed by CVA volunteers is concurrently being featured in the Loft at CVA. Fiserv Health sponsored the exhibit and Peoples State Bank underwrote the awards. The Center for Visual Arts is located on 4th Street on the ArtsBlock in downtown Wausau.

Radio Free Wausau Playlist–January 17, 2008

martinjames — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 04:32:09 +0000

Tonight’s show addresses the long unanswered question, “…what do Don Peris and Karen Peris of The Innocence Mission, Sufjan Stevens, and Denison Whitmer have in common.*

I Would Never–Blue Nile
Landed–Ben Folds
I Refuse–Sensefield
Had I Known–Poi Dog Pondering
Anchor Drops–Umphrees McGee
Lake Fever–Tragically Hip
Marching Bands of Manhattan–Death Cab for Cutie
Faith Will Carry You–Beth Orton
I Was in the House When the House Burned Down–Warren Zevon
The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts–Sufjan Stevens
Snow–Innocence Mission
Finding Your Feet–Denison Whitmer

*Don, Karen, and Sufjan accompany Denison Whitmer on the last part of the song Finding Your Feet Again

Stay warm and well this week end.

Radio Free Wausau Playlist–January 10, 2008

martinjames — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 05:46:35 +0000

“You snooze you lose, well I have snossed and lost…”–Mike Doughty

Rock ‘N Roll–Lou Reed
I Hear the Bells–Mike Doughty (where the quote came from)
Workin’ On a Way–Kenny White
Slow Show–The National
Broken Radio–Jesse Malin with Bruce Springsteen
Welcome to My Party–Rusted Root
Gutter Broke–Dudley Saunders
Via Chicago–Wilco
Faded From the Winter–Iron & Wine
Mortal City–Dar Williams

Wow, its a tough act following “Roundtrip with Neal at the Wheel” on a night when all the music is “shakin” and the joint is rockin! What an amazing two hours to have to live up to. Tonight’s show was a mix of old and new, rock, folk, alternative. Just plain fun for me. I hope you enjoyed it too. I was delighted to spend a little time after the show at Malarkey’s Pub catching the final few minutes of a funny stand up routine. The place was full and the Spotted Cow was cold and refreshing. Keep up the good work guys! And there’s music there several nights a week.

Radio Free Wausau Playlist–January 3, 2008

martinjames — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 00:54:50 +0000

Songs from the first broadcast of Radio Free Wausau on the air at WNRB-LP:

Show Opening Journey of the Sorcerer/The Eagles
Intervention–The Arcade Fire
Bhindi Bhagee–Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros
Make This Go On Forever–Snow Patrol
Snow Don’t Fall–Townes Van Zandt
I Don’t Know What I Can Save You From–Kings of Convenience
3000 Miles–Ellis Paul
Positively 4th Street–Bryan Ferry
No, Surrender–Justin Currie
Saturday Morning–The Eels
Transit–Richard Shindell
Circle of Friends–John McVey

Tune in next Thursday for more music on Radio Free Wausau with your host Martin James. See you then. MJ

Back on the air on WNRB–LP

martinjames — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 03:43:38 +0000

On Thursday, January 3, 2008 I have the awesome opportunity to return to the radio airwaves to host a show on WNRB-LP here in Wausau. My show, Radio Free Wausau (catchy name, huh?), will air from 9 to 10 pm at 93.3 FM. I’ll feature a blend of contemporary singer/songwriters, indie and alternative rock, and other things as appropriate. You’ll hear performers and groups like Wilco, Snow Patrol, Justin Currie, Richard Shindell, Radiohead, and the Arcade Fire just to name a few. When I moved to Illinois in 2003 I ended a seven-year stint hosting a show on a college radio station back in Indiana. I was never sure I’d get the opportunity again but at a recent holiday party I met some of the WNRB staff and the next thing I know, I have a show. If you get a chance, tune in on Thursday evenings following “Neal at the Wheel” and listen to Radio Free Wausau.