Saturday, February 03, 2007
Thank you for 23 great years, Brave New Waves. I will miss you!
BNW's Augusta Lapaix, Brent Bambury & Patti Schmidt
Physical State: creaky
Mental State: bobblehead-ish
Music: Lee Hazlewood - Cowboy In Sweden
Fashion sense: black hoodie, blue pjs
It is with a bit of sadness that I read this article on Montreal's The Hour newspaper about Brave New Waves. If the show would continue it would have been 23 years old this February. CBC Radio Two and Radio One are going through many lineup changes for 2007 and after managing to avoid the CBC axe many times, Brave New Waves is finally getting the boot. I grew up on this show. I mean literally I started listening to it when it debuted in 1984 and I am now into my late 30s. For many Canadians BNW was one of the few places (long before Pitchfork or other internet resources) to find out about the coolest music that was out there. Many indie bands owe a serious debt to BNW as being the place where they could be heard (when commercial radio wasn't going to touch them with a ten foot pole). The hosts of the show, Augusta LaPaix in its early years, Brent Bambury and it's most recent longest-standing host, Patti Schmidt created amazing radio. It was a place to turn to when you felt like hearing truly challenging music and commentary. Most of the bands that I know and play on my Live365 station were first passed to my ears from this program (especially European electronic bands). Some of the interviews with cultural figures were some of the most inspired and informed that I had ever heard. There was an intelligence and respect to the show that made you feel that you were as much a part of it as it's creators. It was also a catalyst to open your mind to alternative ideas. It's unfortunate that CBC has to mess with this rich history. I believe many bands in Canada were inspired either directly or indirectly by BNW. When they needed inspiration all they had to do was listen to the CBC after midnight and become part of a welcoming community of creators and oddballs who didn't fit into neat round holes. I think with the internet offering immediate exposure to under-represented artists now, the need for BNW to break new sounds isn't as important. But as I remember Patti telling me when I interviewed her once, there needs to be a place where all this stuff can be curated (and put into cultural context). BNW did that. CBC says it supports the arts but this is probably the most "arty" they ever got. BNW has endured many long and valiant fights in the dimly lit corners of the CBC. They strived to exist when detractors and bureaucrats didn't "get it." But now they've lost the battle.
I have enjoyed your insight, wisdom, friendliness and inspiration for most of my life, BNW. I will miss you and thanks for the memories. You deserve a proper sendoff and not a whimper. But perhaps you should disappear as innoculously as you appeared in 1984, indie cred still intact. You should be proud of your accomplishments because some of us were listening (and enjoying).
BNW's Augusta Lapaix, Brent Bambury & Patti Schmidt
Physical State: creaky
Mental State: bobblehead-ish
Music: Lee Hazlewood - Cowboy In Sweden
Fashion sense: black hoodie, blue pjs
It is with a bit of sadness that I read this article on Montreal's The Hour newspaper about Brave New Waves. If the show would continue it would have been 23 years old this February. CBC Radio Two and Radio One are going through many lineup changes for 2007 and after managing to avoid the CBC axe many times, Brave New Waves is finally getting the boot. I grew up on this show. I mean literally I started listening to it when it debuted in 1984 and I am now into my late 30s. For many Canadians BNW was one of the few places (long before Pitchfork or other internet resources) to find out about the coolest music that was out there. Many indie bands owe a serious debt to BNW as being the place where they could be heard (when commercial radio wasn't going to touch them with a ten foot pole). The hosts of the show, Augusta LaPaix in its early years, Brent Bambury and it's most recent longest-standing host, Patti Schmidt created amazing radio. It was a place to turn to when you felt like hearing truly challenging music and commentary. Most of the bands that I know and play on my Live365 station were first passed to my ears from this program (especially European electronic bands). Some of the interviews with cultural figures were some of the most inspired and informed that I had ever heard. There was an intelligence and respect to the show that made you feel that you were as much a part of it as it's creators. It was also a catalyst to open your mind to alternative ideas. It's unfortunate that CBC has to mess with this rich history. I believe many bands in Canada were inspired either directly or indirectly by BNW. When they needed inspiration all they had to do was listen to the CBC after midnight and become part of a welcoming community of creators and oddballs who didn't fit into neat round holes. I think with the internet offering immediate exposure to under-represented artists now, the need for BNW to break new sounds isn't as important. But as I remember Patti telling me when I interviewed her once, there needs to be a place where all this stuff can be curated (and put into cultural context). BNW did that. CBC says it supports the arts but this is probably the most "arty" they ever got. BNW has endured many long and valiant fights in the dimly lit corners of the CBC. They strived to exist when detractors and bureaucrats didn't "get it." But now they've lost the battle.
I have enjoyed your insight, wisdom, friendliness and inspiration for most of my life, BNW. I will miss you and thanks for the memories. You deserve a proper sendoff and not a whimper. But perhaps you should disappear as innoculously as you appeared in 1984, indie cred still intact. You should be proud of your accomplishments because some of us were listening (and enjoying).
Friday, February 02, 2007
Peter Bjorn and John my #1 "missed the bus in 2006" moment
Peter Bjorn & John - Young Folks (video)
Physical State: achey
Mental State: sludgey
Music: Peter Bjorn and John - Writer's Block
Fashion sense: blue fleece jacket, blue jean
Yet another album that seemed to pass me by in 2006 but that I've recently discovered is Peter Bjorn and John's Writer's Block. "Young Folks" has to be the coolest retro-poppy song I've heard in awhile. There is so much great stuff coming from Sweden these days. Love it!
Peter Bjorn & John - Young Folks (video)
Physical State: achey
Mental State: sludgey
Music: Peter Bjorn and John - Writer's Block
Fashion sense: blue fleece jacket, blue jean
Yet another album that seemed to pass me by in 2006 but that I've recently discovered is Peter Bjorn and John's Writer's Block. "Young Folks" has to be the coolest retro-poppy song I've heard in awhile. There is so much great stuff coming from Sweden these days. Love it!
