I'm Sleeping

YEA, i'm still here; i'm just sleeping. I've been to lots of good shows and I even survived SXSW (again).
i'll be back after a while... don't you worry

If your bored you should check this shit out...

Shapes Have Fangs - http://www.myspace.com/shapeshavefangs

White Denim - http://www.myspace.com/bopenglish

Diagonals - http://www.myspace.com/diagonalstx

peace

Smokin Happy Hour!

Damn, we sure do miss playing songs for you. I'm sure you miss us too right? Can't get enough of us? Fingers crossed we should be back on the air in 2 Thursdays! So we're celebrating with a Happy Hour at Mowhawk Wed. Jan 30 5p-8p.

RgDg will be guest bartending and serving you smokin' drink specials (can you say $1 whiskey!!!!) and playing tunes about Fire FIRE and more fire! Most Importantly..... our tips will go to KOOP to help rebuild our studios. Please come have a drink and hang out for a good cause! We miss you too.


XXOO,
RgDg

KOOP Radio WILL Return!

Hi all –
You may have already heard the horrible news that the KOOP Radio studios/office were destroyed this past weekend in another fire. KOOP will be off-the air for several weeks while we gather equipment and make plans to begin re-broadcasting, but we WILL return!

You may have also heard now that the Austin Fire Dept. has said that the most recent fire was intentionally set!

We are all shocked and outraged by the knowledge that this most recent fire was an act of violence intended to TRY and silence KOOP Radio. We will NOT be silenced. We will NOT be intimidated or scared, and we will not allow someone (some foul person) to squash the dream of true local, independent radio for and by the community. WE ARE STRONG! We have the volunteers, dedication, skills, determination, persistence, and support of the community to return bigger and better! NOW is the time to stand up against those that want to use violence to TRY and shut us up. SI SE PUEDE!

If you have any information that may lead to the arrest of the scumbag(s) that did this, The Texas State Arson Hotline is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the recent fire at KOOP's facility.

The hotline may be reached 24-7 at 1-877-4FIRE45 (1-877-434-7345).

For more information about KOOP Radio, contact KOOP, (512) 472-1369 or online at www.koop.org . KOOP is accepting donations to help it rebuild. If you don’t have money, donate time, if you don’t have time, donate money.

And always always always, THANK YOU for your continued support.

Viva La Radio de la Communidad!

~RadioActive (Rebecca)

more from 07

Best Album was going to be a shoe-in hands down unanimous vote for Octopus Project's "Hello, Avalanche" and while it is still the top contender, my other local fav Horse+Donkey dropped it's surprise self-titled debut album in a last minute shocker November show adding another difficult decision. While the H+D album is better than I could have ever imagined (since we've been waiting for it for years), the Octopus Project album is a non-stop spinner.

HELLO AVALANCHE is Octopus Projects 4th full length album. It comes only a year after their highly acclaimed collaborative release "House of Apples and Eyeballs" with Black Moth Super Rainbow. This trio has been going strong since day 1 (back in 1999) and continues to bring energy and smiles to every show it plays. I've seen them over 3 dozen times and its amazing how they continue to entertain me every single time; personally it's never gotten old. 2007 came with the addition of (another) brand new guitarist, Ryan Figg, who not only seems a perfect fit for the band, but it also one of the most skilled I've seen play with them. He brings a very "heavy" element to them. Kudos Octopus Project, you are now and may certainly always be one of my "Best of's".

My first encounter with Horse+Donkey was their very first show when they became a trio (guitarist Geno, whom I've never met but heard tons about left to return to El Paso.... why? i dunno). You could say it was love at first sound though. They've been tossing around "we're recording our album" for that long, and longer probably and were surrounded by rumors of being released on I Eat Records label. However, in a surprise and unannounced move, this November they SELF released a full-length album. Boy was it ever a surprise. It contains all my favorite live songs, and a few extra surprises. In its height of success though, comes dismal rumors of a band break. It all sounds like a VH1 behind the music in the making. Good Luck Horse+Donkey, you are as odd as you are talented and that is what makes you so fucking cool.

Let the battle begin....

WOW, 2007 was full of incredible talent. It can be easy to forget all the awesomeness until you are looking back at the details of it all. It will be a hard decision this year.... I'm sorting it out slowly (pausing to reminisce along the way).

Here are the categories we used from last year.... (you can see last years winners here...)

FAVORITE DEBUT BAND/ALBUM
FAVORITE EP's
FAVORITE ALBUMS
BEST LIVE ACTS
LOOKING FORWARD TO 2007

The first categorical battle (best new band or debut album) manifested itself this past weekend when I saw Diagonals and White Denim play a quaint birthday party at OK Mountain Gallery. Here they are, two of my favorite new bands, performing in what was probably one of my favorite galleries this year at E.A.S.T. It was LOUD, it was gritty, it was unconventional, and it was just the punch I needed this December; I LOVED IT. I had an ear-to-ear grin between my busted ringing eardrums. The two bands are so talented with loads of potential and momentum to take them roaring into 2008. It may have to be a tie, cause I can't choose one (can you?).






THE DIAGONALS! (from left Todd (drums), Steve G (vox), Ryan (gtr)... not shown Wiley W (kybd), a new bass player that I forgot his name oops sorry)






**************

WHITE DENIM (Bop - Terry - Mallard)!

Looking back and stepping ahead....

Wow, I can't believe 07 is almost over. F*&#in Sh*t

Well, I would have to say this has certainly been one of the more crazy (and busy) years of life. In a rough estimate I've personally seen over 65 music shows/events (most with 3 bands playing), played in 6ish derby bouts, attended 3 (or was it 4) music festivals, and heard countless hours of local music recorded for my enjoyment. Hey look, I'm still standing (though there was that incident that needed crutches).

In the coming weeks Dg and I will begin reflecting on the "Best of' 07's". If you have any suggestions, we'd love to hear them. We're going to work on getting live music from our fave's in this month.

I think..... 08 is going to rock! There are a couple of new new new bands that I'm really excited to follow in the new year.... Follow That Bird!, The Black & White Years, Ct. Dracula.... Then there are those which we know, but don't play that much... Low Line Caller, Belaire, The Diagonals... and of course my trusty old favorites.... Octopus Project, Horse+Donkey, Lemurs, Peel, Strange Boys....

*sigh* it's a wonderful life (a crazy one, but crazy wonderful)

dulce por las orejas (Ear Candy)

I was thrilled to sub for Ear Candy, a show for "deliciously sweet indie pop", on KOOP while regular host (reigning indie pop diva) Lace Durant was out of town. She promised me a slice of grandma's homemade pie, but she had me at "indie pop". Sometimes I wish I had a freeform show, to be able to play more music I find and enjoy, so this was a chance to break out of my "local scene box" (of course I still ended up playing a local set... haha... i guess you can take the girl away from local but blah blah blah....). It was awesome combing through our music for indie pop. Gina Pina needs to do and oldies show, and she could probably do a world music show too. I played a few older tracks I hadn't heard in a long time, and played a few with people in mind (respectively). It ended up being more of a mellow pop set than anything; the french set was awesome and even warranted a "way-to-go" caller. I had a superb time, again reaffirming why I love radio. (oh and I had around 30 internet listeners, so suck it prp...just kidding!!!).
I forgot to bring a tape or record it, so .... fuck...
Here's the setlist in case you missed the wonder....

Yo La Tengo - Winter A Go Go

Jane Birkin - Harvet Moon

Hidden Cameras - Wanning Moon

Flight of the Conchords - Foux Da Fa Fa

Whizzzz! comp

Ces Bottes Sont Faites Pour Marcher (These Boots Are Made for Walking) - Eileen

Serge Gainsborg - L'Anamour

Smokey & Miho - Blue Glasses

Yellow Fever - Culver City

Peel - Navy Waves

Octopus Project - Queen

Belaire - You Really Got Me Going

Adam Green - Times are Bad

Belle & Sebastian - Get me Away From Here I'm Dying

Viva Voce - Mixtape=Love

Stephen Malkmus - Deado

American Analog Set - Kindness of a Stranger

The Unicorns - 2014

Scout Niblett - Makku Ni Mauro

Animal Collective - Derek

Panda Bear - Ponytail

Graham Coxon - Where'd You Go

Low Line Caller - Over the Counter Kids

Final Fantasy - Adventure.exe

Blur - The Universal

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm pie