SSSSSSLOAN is touring !

Teenage shreiks from me today as Albert told me Sloan was playing Coachella festival in CA. I knew that meant they would be near enough to either travel to see them or they just may come back to the desert. Could there be another chance to see them in my own hometown.? That night altered so many things for me, now I get another chance to study up for my future novel. You see, I was so intrigued by a band member, he has inspired an entire novel I am writing in my head. Sometime, I will start writing.. I swear I will. So my facination with Sloan isn't as juvenile as it appears. It really just triggered the story I need to write, semi -autobiographical about being a DJ in the 90's, interaction with bands, the industry and a love story intertwined. It is just Sloan that represents the band of that time period. Well, I will do it, I need to for my sense of accomplishment in the scheme of my life. I wanted to be a writer all my life, just got led a stray and did not like the disipline of english classes. I read that "The Notebook" It was so simple, I swear if I would apply myself I can write better than that junk. Maybe I just want to do it to say I did. Not to pursue a career, I have already had two of those, but to feel like I did something I have always plotted in my head to do. So my novel, yes, I need to begin. Buying my laptop was a start to keep it mine and private for as long as I want to write and edit.
Perhaps Sloan's return will be the trigger to start writing all the things that happen when a 20 year old gets her dream job before she graduates.....

On the Edge

Yesterday my music director at The Blaze(the former KASR) asked me how long this Canadian music obsession has been going on. It was nice to be asked. My answer to him was around 15 I started listening to a show on CKLW in Windsor. It was a show hosted by Charlie O'Brien and a few others (Doug). I did not understand at the time that it was CKLW's way to get their Canadian content taken care of all at once. It was on every night and I would listen while doing homework. I would write down each song and artist then give a comment on it. I detested some of it like Bruce Cockburn or Rough Trade but most were my eye opener to Canadian music.
More soon, my laptop battery is dying too soon again! LMC

8th Street

Today I went to lunch at a place called Four Peaks Brewery and it happens to be next to Mayberry studios. Blossoms/now Robin's studio. It is on the old street that the Sun Club was on which is oddly ironic. There are apartment all along that road which makes sense because there was just empty road before. I must have drove up and down that road a million times in '89-'91 looking to see which cars were at the Sun Club. The Sun Club bathroom was so nasty you would try to avoid needing to go. They had a dance floor, "the disco dance floor" as Robin called it. The best spot to sit was a booth higher to the left on the side, it was the goal to get there earliest to get that spot. I will talk about more about Sun Club days soon, I am too distracted right now. But it was weird going down that road again....!
I have been hearing The Killjoys lately, they are awesome!

Thinking about the years

Sometimes I worry how much I live thinking about the past. I walk the ASU campus remembering my college days with such a smile on my face. Those days were so eventful compared to now. Some days go by when nothing really happens. Those days were so filled with drama, something new and exciting everyday. I suppose I didn't live an ordinary collge life either. I went to see a band 5 nites a week who ended up selling millions of records. Speaking of which, I saw Robin on our anniversary. The blossoms played at the Alice Cooper Christmas show. We were leaving early and walked by the backstage area. He spotted us and jumped out from hiding and scared me. He and Dan got a god laugh at it. He was so happy to see me which honestly warmed my heart. Robin and Doug meant so much to me, still do. The Zubia Brothers have a new CD out and Lawrence has a song where he mention's Doug's suicide. It's kinda weird how it sounds in the song, so blunt.
I also notice I relive my KUKQ days through watching a show called The Alternative on VH1 Classic. It is funny how I remember playing all these songs and ones that Jonathan and Ernesto passed on in the music meetings. I think to this day Jonathan L is the person who said the rottenist things to me in my life. He was so full of himself he couldn't see who worked the hardest for him. It was about who kissed his ass the most. Then to accuse me of not being about the music. My biggest fault in the radio industry was being about the music. I left industry dinners to go see the bands I was flown in to see. Despite my bitter feelings towards Jon L, I had such an amazing time on KUKQ. No one has a first job like that. I have been so fortunate in my life in the opportunities afforded to me. Even now, my job is the perfect job for me now. Still radio but secure. Working with students is the right thing for me. I enjoy them, they keep me young yet they look to me for guidance which is the ultimate compliment
Listening to CJAY in Calgary yesterday and today. They play more classic rock than I prefer but I have heard others like Saga, Tom Cochrane, Adams, and Kim Mitchell. (Mitchell is a DJ on Q107 in Toronto.) I love this tune "Same old song" by BOY, sounds like Grapes of Wrath. Heard "Everything is Automatic" today. Matt has really been revealing of himself personally on his blog lately-very surprising. "Canadian Hwy" by Sam Roberts was on today too. Lots of OLP on all stations.
Hmm INXS on now, that can take us down a whole 'nother road...

DJ calls DJ

Today I need to write a quickie blog but must mention I was listening to FM96 from London, Ontario today. I emailed a request to the midday jock, Andrea Dunn and she somehow tracked down my new office number and called me! I think she was looking for a soundbit for me! I don't know if I was on because the webcast went down and I didn't hear it. I may have been on Canadian radio today!!! MYdream comes true and I don't hear it-;(
Big red on way home as we speak!
Heard today- Pure(Jordy Birch was my interview on my last day on KUKQ), Grapes of Wrath, Moist and Rest of my Life from Sloan- yeah!

New job looks kind like old one

Yesterday was a momentous day in my life as I began my life as a full time employee of Arizona State University. I have worked here since August of 2000 and patiently waited for a full time opportunity to present itself. Dr.. Fritz Leigh, a long time supporter of my career, found a way to tie my advising of The Blaze with additional chores. I will now lead the Cronkite Village, a living learning commuinty for students here in the Cronkite school. While I often reflect on my days at Eastern Michigan, I see how much my parents move to Arizona made my career very different than it would have been in Michigan. Although who knows, maybe I would have been advisor for WQBR by now. I see how my ties to KASR affected so much of my life since. Now, I have a cushy closet office with so many shelves for trinkets, they are going to be sorry they let me move in for fire hazard reasons. I am enjoying the time to work on ideas for the LLC. I know the time will go by fast as school starts in two weeks and I have such a difficult time getting things done when they are back.
Not only did that happen yesterday but the other event I have anticipated almost as long is the completion of my race car. Nov of 2003, I decided to back-half the car to make it safer and more consistant. I have not been the most patient car owner, sometimes feeling like it wasn't a priority to get done quickly. I admit I was a bear to live with sometimes but I know sometimes Dan procrastinates. Anyway, it's done and left Travis' garage yesterday in route to the alignment shop and then home tomorrow. I may be in the car by Sunday depending on weather, and how it handles for Dan and Travis. I can't believe I haven't been in the car for over a year. I am nervous but know it will be old hat once I get back at it for a bit. Me racing again, I was beginning to doubt it.
Listened to CFOX all day today, what a joy. Heard Matt twice, OLP, Age of Electric, Tea Party, Hip and Limblifter. Love it! Need to find all 80's Canadian station to listen to.
I will try to blog more often now-got behind between being very sick several times and holidays.
Read this today "Frown less, you never know who is falling in love with your smile."

Maple Made in Indiana

I am still in Indiana for the Living Learning conference. My maple content today comes two fold. I am listening to my fave radio station, CFOX The Fox that Rocks Vancouver. (I suppose they will hire a"Leah Miller" next to crush my Canadian Dreams completely) So my maple music comes in the form of online radio. Have already heard a new band I liked a lot called BOY. Lame name but had a great pop sound, almost similar to the mighty Sloan. We will address the Sloan thing later in this blog's future. Also just heard Matt Good on their Furious Five countdown. In my current Canadian music world, Matt rules and has since Dan introduced his music to me in 1999. Matt is number one with Sloan a close second. So as maple plays I tell of what happened under a maple tree in IN.
After a long day of conferences, I was terribly annoyed that the shuttle bus was occupied, leaving me to wait an hour to return to the hotel. I wandered the Union for a bit but decided to suck in some more of the brisk midwest air. I spied a lone Maple that had yet to shed it's leaves as the surronding growth. I positioned myself under it and basked in alone time with my thoughts. I was drifting to my Eastern Michigan days with the similar campus feel. I spotted a gal named April that I had briefly met at a cookie break between sessions. She came up and introduced herself again. We mused about simple things as we were both from the West (Utah for her) We then continued to talk for the hour and discovered we both dealt with parental cancer and death. It was honestly a better therapy session than anything you could pay for in grievience counselling. A bunny ran in front of us as we spoke. I missed my bus twice enjoying our difficult but refreshing conversation. We both agreed our meeting was not a coincidence. I made a friend, maybe if only for an hour under a Maple tree. LMC

Indiana wants me

So here I am in Indiana seemingly acting like some kind of business woman or something. Strange journey from going to music industry conventions for years to an educational convention. I am reading the conference descriptions and I am clueless on some of the education business terminology. How did a alterna-girl on the airwaves end up here? When did I have to grow up? Admittedly, I would rather be at a convention that deals with college radio advisement. Some say I could hold that convention based on the ridiculious things I have dealt in my 5 years worth of directors at The Blaze.
It certainly does remind me of days of going to New York for CMJ or NMS. You would need to plan your day based on what time the bands started. Posies played at conferences and Chili Peppers mooned you at key note addresses. Yes, life has changed. Don't get me wrong, I want to learn this LLC stuff so I can do a great job for the people who put their trust in me. If they think I can do it, so do I. It's just a whole different world.
So to just reflect on one convention, CMJ in NYC. I am thinking of the amazing bands I met and saw there like 54-40, The Hip, Grapes of Wrath, Second Self, Young Fresh Fellows, and of course the Blossoms and Posies. I will never forget the two trips for CMJ, both unique, both so memorable for music and friendship!
Ok, off to IU for Living Learning training. Here we go!

Stars of the Much Music Retro channel at least to this Maple programmer! 

The Princess-my heroine since 1977 

Why Mod Maid

My old DJ name at WQBR-Eastern Michigan's campus radio station that basically changed my whole direction in life...Upon entering college I was planning on writing, picking a college that had creative writing as a major so I could write teen heartbreak novels and make millions...right? Funny thing happened on my way to my writing career, my love for music lead me to the college radio station the first day of school. You can already tell where this is heading, major changed, radio my career. I will speak more of 'QBR in my musings to come. Purpose of the post today-why Mod Maid?
I had a winter jacket in 1985 that was Mod Maid brand(prolly from K-Mart?) My former Station manager at WQBR saw it (Dean Glossenger aka Nick Naime) and dubbed me the Mod Maid. Simple name got more convuluted as I began my specialty show on 'QBR. The kids round there loved alliteration and between Dean/Nick (who was N2) and Chuck Cordell (who was C2) they decide I would host the Mod Maid's Mighty Maple Minutes. Yep M2 hosting the longest named specialty show in the history of 'QBR. Mod Maid stuck and I continued to use it at my second college radio home-KASR at Arizona State. There are some who still refer to me by it, it's always been my only nickname beside the one I adopted later in my radio career-"Girl on the airwaves"
Looks like I am getting sick, must pass out since I took Nyquil... Catch ya on the flip-M2

One more thing

Since we now know that Leah Miller can work at Much Music, I think this Leah Miller needs to be the head of programming for this Much Music channel-Much More Retro. At least they began programming with GT... Less Material girl more real Platinum Blondes! Check it out-
http://www.muchmoreretro.com/

Thought it would be fun

I hear this word blog so often, I looked into it further. I found this link through Matthew Good's website, followed it to start my own musings published-Why not! My old boss Jonathan L has a blog for goodness sakes and he had to have me fax stuff for him! I think it's time.

Yesterday I found out that Much Music has a new VJ named Leah Miller. I find it surreal, ironic and down right spooky. How could someone with my name end up with a job I could only dream of my entire life-playing Canadian music for a living. I find it completely bizarre. If only it was me and it was 1987-Leah Miller new Much VJ playing the new Haywire video for you-"Dance Desire" Well, here she is, I certainly didn't look like that in 1987, I wish! Here's Leah-http://www.muchmusic.com/insidemuch/stuff/teamdigitalqanda_leahmiller.asp

To start this blog, another Lee-ah I love- She was Lee-ah not Lay-a in the first flick~!
Catch ya on the flip side! LMC