Radio Free Me
by Your Diva, Robin Pastorio-Newman
The other evening, Your Darling, Your Diva, Your One True Love received
an unusual phone call from a stranger. He explained the National Traffic
System was the same U.S. ham radio network that handled disseminating
information in times of disaster like the Trade Center attacks. It was
his obligation as recipient of this message nearest my home to phone and
convey a radiogram addressed to me. He read a message he'd received in
Morse Code over the National Traffic System, inviting Your Pet to a
birthday party. What percentage of the world, one wonders, now knows
when and where this party will take place, and that This Cowgirl should
politely R.S.V.P.?
Speaking of that rotating looming-large, pinned-and-small feeling, the
reunion show series at the Court Tavern has my precisely coiffed head
spinning. In the space of 28 fantastic hours, two completely different,
equally brilliant shows thrilled two audiences. All The Dead
Pilots/Landspeedrecord!/Aviso'Hara/Prosolar Mechanics and Everlounge/the
Raging Lamos/Instant Death last Friday and Saturday were keenly
anticipated by fans of new New Brunswick bands and old New Brunswick
bands. At the moment, all Your Tasty Morsel can say on the subject is
this: people will someday lie and say, "I was there."
More will be said about it, but tonight's Atomic Bitchwax show (that's 11/21/01) simply
adds to the confusion. If you're not seeing these amazing shows, you're
missing out. Reasons to feel optimistic about underground music exist.
You have the map in your hands. DIG!
One way to discover what is not in one's path is to let one's friends
play around with the pre-sets on one's car radio. For a week, say, you
get a feel for what Pal #5 hears, followed by Campañera #2's
preferences. This week, Your Beloved's ears are trained on Harry
Harrison and Cousin Brucie, once the AM radio DJs I couldn't wait to
outgrow. Surprise! Some of those old songs do not inspire horrifying
Are We There Yet? memories, some might even make one mashed potato, if
not for seat belts and traffic regulations. But, on the whole, the
search for intelligent radio goes on.
©2001 Robin Pastorio-Newman