Phoning It In is BSR/88.1FM’s (Providence, RI) quaint live performance call-in radio program — broadcasting for nearly three and a half years. The programs’s 345 shows have featured an exhausting lineup of artists, from resptected genre luminaries like John Darnielle – The Mountain Goat’s affinity for lo-fidelity music (ala Nine Black Poppies or the The Coroner’s Gambit) is the allegedly the impetus for the program’s very existence — to microrelease cd and cassette experimental artists like (VxPxC) and Steven R. Smith.
“lo-fi is the right fi: dj talksonthephone calls up all your favorite musicians for live over-the-phone performances and awkward conversation.”
Phoning It In is a radio program whose flagship show is broadcast on 88.1fm BSR in Providence, RI (where it’s hosted by Gabe) and whose satellite show is broadcast on 88.1fm WMBR in Cambridge, MA (where it’s hosted by Nadav). You can listen to every single past show from both stations in the Archives. — about it
More interesting than the actual music performed, in many cases, are the awkward exchanges between host and guest. For obvious reasons, the artist is in a difficult situation, juggling the phone for performances and scrambling after a set into playful banter. Phone conversations between strangers are often awkward to begin with, but the circumstances magnify that effect. It’s this unexpected element that really captures the spirit of the lo-fidelity aesthetic, better than simple phone crackle or chopped sound-levels ever could. Diane Cluck (myspace), the show’s latest guest, is the best example of that unexpected, disarming nature of the concept.
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Cluck’s performance is also notable for the new, developing material she shared. Since her releases on Important Records (Oh Vanille/Ova Nil and Macy’s Day Bird / Black With Green Leaves), and 2006’s Monarcana, we’ve heard nothing new from Cluck. I’ve only had a chance to listen to a few other shows, but have been throughly impressed thusfar.
Considering the show’s longevity, I expect plenty of my peers have been enjoying this show for some time. Still, there may be people out there who don’t know about this show yet, and would could managed to get excited about Diane Cluck or Avarus exclusives.
recommendations – Diane Cluck, Micah Blue Smaldone, (VxPxC), Ilya Monosov, Turner Cody, Mudboy & Yomul Yuk, Caethua, Larkin Grimm, Natural Snow Buildings, Dialing In, Matt Valentine & Erika Elder, Marissa Nadler, Tara Jane ONeil, Excepter, Jana Hunter, Daniel Higgs (Lungfish), Avarus, Elephant Micah, Jacob Smigel, Fursaxa, Davenport, Mike Tamburo, Castanets, Steven R. Smith (Hala Strana), Daniel Johnston, Thanksgiving (Adrian Orange), Mount Eerie, The Mountain Goats
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