» Fellow WPRBer Julia tipped me off to a panel on the history of broadcasting in Philadelphia at the Atwater Kent Museum that was totally worth ditching my lunchtime gardening for. It was definitely more of a wax nostalgic about the glory days than anything else, but cool nonetheless. The panel (Jerry Blavat [!!!!], Karin Phillips [KYW], Tom Moran [WIP/WPEN], Tony Brown [WDAS]; moderator Dean Tyler [WIBG/WPEN]) all bemoaned the rise of The Format and the diminishing power of DJ’s, equally criticized statistical methods of evaluating performance (ie, ratings) and consultants, and blamed technology of sapping away radio’s power on younger generations. Julia and I (the two youngest members of the audience not with a relative) asked questions; Julia about newer broadcasting technologies (satellite/internet/podcasting) maybe giving radio the kick in the pants it desperately needs (Greek chorus consensus, a resounding “no”), mine was about the lack of opportunities available to young folks (the defense was “Oh, we have internships” — underacheivers pls try hrdr k thx). Once again, it seems like what’s ailing radio boils down to a generational divide in regards to technology. Still, a good way to spend the early afternoon.

» Early evening was dominated by Marisa & Kara’s reading at Mew Gallery in the Italian Market. A good crowd came out, though I think it would have been nice to see some younger folks. The authors read sections on Sassy’s crushworthiness and eventual demise (OMG IT FOLDED?). But I think the biggest surprise was a former Dirt contributor in attendance (Hugh?). I think the general consensus is that it holds up really well. Sometimes I wonder if seeing a magazine where its writers wore multiple hats (photographers, designers, etc) was an influence on my own interdisciplinary attitude.

» Pitchfork panned the new Hail Social album; Marc Hogan’s review nailed the unsettling, empty feeling it gives off. In a bizarre twist, I think the band sounds better in a live setting with their flaws laid bare for all to see, but I bet HS will be the first to argue otherwise. Anyway, if you live in this town, you’re not going to take Hogan’s review lightly. Well, at least they cared to review it.

» I have been digging White Denim, a garagey rock combo from Austin (not to be confused with Allentown label of the same name), these days. I hear very, very faint touches of Big Boys in these guys, which can’t be a bad thing at all:

White Denim, “Darksided Computer Mouth”

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 8th, 2007 at 7:43 pm and is filed under general, local, music.