Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
What do you know now that you didn't know in September?
Dear Future WISE Student,
Every step i've taken throughout the course of WISE has changed my characted. Not to be cliche but it really boosted up my self confidence. I learned how to DJ. From the very beginning, i wasn't able to speak into a microphone either on the radio or at an event. After my first even I was told how confident i actually sounded on the mic (the whole time i thought i sounded broken and scared.) Right then I just felt so much better. After that things just kind of took off. I "learned" (through practice) to speak live on the radio. My confidence then transferred to the music I'd play at dances- I was no longed nervous about people's opinions.
I learned a lot about how to simply DJ, but also about myself and my peers. DJing for them was always eventful. It is not clearer to me what certain groups expect to hear when they go to a certain event. I learned how to deal with people in the best ways possible specific to each situation. I'm now more outspoken and lively, as well as realistic. WISE brought me down to Earth, it literally made me wiser.
Every step i've taken throughout the course of WISE has changed my characted. Not to be cliche but it really boosted up my self confidence. I learned how to DJ. From the very beginning, i wasn't able to speak into a microphone either on the radio or at an event. After my first even I was told how confident i actually sounded on the mic (the whole time i thought i sounded broken and scared.) Right then I just felt so much better. After that things just kind of took off. I "learned" (through practice) to speak live on the radio. My confidence then transferred to the music I'd play at dances- I was no longed nervous about people's opinions.
I learned a lot about how to simply DJ, but also about myself and my peers. DJing for them was always eventful. It is not clearer to me what certain groups expect to hear when they go to a certain event. I learned how to deal with people in the best ways possible specific to each situation. I'm now more outspoken and lively, as well as realistic. WISE brought me down to Earth, it literally made me wiser.
Best Of Both Worlds
Yesterday I went with two friends to an all day concert called 'K-FEST'. It was a huge concert with 10,000 people put on by a radio station in the Hudson Valley. It was great. It had a lot that I aspire to be some day in it. There were actual bands that played the majority of the time, but in between sets, DJs would play and mix it up, and speak to the crowd to get the riled up. It was great.
The last act was Ludacris, and he went around one by one introducing his band, as well as his DJ and gave them all little solos to "show what they got". His DJ blew my mind. Scratchingggg! One thing I have yet to do, but still would very much like to! It was so cool! It was amazing, I hope I can be that great one day!
*In case you were wondering...
My two friends and I managed to get through a crown of 10,000 people to the very front row. I saw all the action! Setting all the different bands up, and then the DJs (and other artists) up close!
Slam Poetry!
Carrie's presentation was amazing! She had great eye contact, and movement (which was great for her specifically because she stated that movement was a huge part of slam poetry). I really liked when she talked about how in the beginning she thought that she sounded bad, this is exactly how i first felt when i had to speak into the microphone as a DJ, both on radio, and live.
Her poems blew me away, so did her confidence. She didn't have a single tremor in her voice, or "ums". It was altogether fantastic! Great job Carrie!!
Her poems blew me away, so did her confidence. She didn't have a single tremor in her voice, or "ums". It was altogether fantastic! Great job Carrie!!
Have fun, be safe and respectful.
So Mr. Holl and I DJ'd Junior Prom together a couple weekends ago. It was an interesting time. To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to it all that much simply because I know how the kids in my school react when they don't get to hear the song they want. I was asked by the same kid four time to "play something faster" and each time i would respond with "we don't really get to choose the type of music. if you guys are dancing too inappropriately, we can't play other music." but when he kept coming up to me over and over again i began to just cut him off before he could finish a sentence with "Go away." which went on also for about four time until Mr. Holl told him he had to walk away.
Then, about half way through, Ms. Little told us to shut the music off. She gathered the (very angry) kids around and talked to them. She told them that she had seen a boob, and a butt, and that the dancing was far too inappropriate and if they didn't stop the dance would be shut down. She told them that they wanted the kids to have fun, but be safe, and also respectful. Some of the kids continued to have fun while others thought that they were (literally) too cool for school, and decided to spend the rest of their night sitting in the lobby.
There were a couple slip ups, I accidentally played an un-edited version of 'Teach Me How To Dougie' but Mr. Holl was able to help me out a little on that with the volume levels, and to be honest I don't even think the adults noticed because they were so focused on the dancing!
A lot of kids left that night upset, which is slightly upsetting to me. Not so much because I think it was my fault, but because it makes me sad that kids my age can't have fun unless they're doing highly inappropriate things. Oh well, I guess they'll learn.
Then, about half way through, Ms. Little told us to shut the music off. She gathered the (very angry) kids around and talked to them. She told them that she had seen a boob, and a butt, and that the dancing was far too inappropriate and if they didn't stop the dance would be shut down. She told them that they wanted the kids to have fun, but be safe, and also respectful. Some of the kids continued to have fun while others thought that they were (literally) too cool for school, and decided to spend the rest of their night sitting in the lobby.
There were a couple slip ups, I accidentally played an un-edited version of 'Teach Me How To Dougie' but Mr. Holl was able to help me out a little on that with the volume levels, and to be honest I don't even think the adults noticed because they were so focused on the dancing!
A lot of kids left that night upset, which is slightly upsetting to me. Not so much because I think it was my fault, but because it makes me sad that kids my age can't have fun unless they're doing highly inappropriate things. Oh well, I guess they'll learn.
Monday, May 16, 2011
My Current Obsession
'After Midnight VIC Live Mix' - Pretty Lights
Like the original, LOVE this remix.
Words Hold The Weight We Give Them
I was recently put into an uncomfortable position at a high school lacrosse game where two of my friends decided that it would be funny to make a sign with what many would consider to be "inappropriate" words on it. I had nothing to do with it, nor did I support it, but I still couldn't help but feel it was ridiculous how offended people get just because of simple words.
I do realize that when a word is used to insult an individual, it can hurt, but when they are used simply to add emphasis, what's the big deal?
This drives me insane in music. I have come to terms with the fact that I can't say certain words in certain situations, such as in class, those same words are also going to be edited out of everything I hear on TV, radio, or songs at school dances. I just don't understand it.
It is clearly generational. I have put a lot of thought into this. When my generation was growing up, reaching maturity, we were told that 'the F word' was the worst word you could say. We couldn't say "shit" "ass" "hell" "bitch" and the list continues. Because of this, we wanted to say them more! So we did. We said them so much, that they lost any and all weight that they held in the beginning to make them offensive.
So now, to my generation, these are just words. Perfectly acceptable for a casual conversation. Not to sound like a uprising, rebelling teenager, but an adult telling me that I can't "swear" means absolutely nothing to me. The word "swear" or "curse" in of itself is an outdated concept. So why, could somebody please tell me, if we, the youth of America, the ones that adults are attempting to shield from this language, are going to hear, use, and EMBRACE, these words anyway, why can't they be in our music?
Kids are going to learn these words anyway, so why not let them embrace them? It causes no harm. By exposing younger children to these words, it makes it so that they are just like any other word, just like "gross" "ugly" "fat", words that yes, can cause harm, but are perfectly fine when used anytime but to be offend to a specific person. By letting kids learn these words, we are numbing them from the pain we create by adding such a heavy weight to words.
Unedited music is a right that every artist should have. To have their music, their creation, heard as they envisioned it. And I believe that it is every individual's right to hear that music as it was envisioned. The day we stop defining specific words as a "swear", is the day "swears" will cease to exist.
I do realize that when a word is used to insult an individual, it can hurt, but when they are used simply to add emphasis, what's the big deal?
This drives me insane in music. I have come to terms with the fact that I can't say certain words in certain situations, such as in class, those same words are also going to be edited out of everything I hear on TV, radio, or songs at school dances. I just don't understand it.
It is clearly generational. I have put a lot of thought into this. When my generation was growing up, reaching maturity, we were told that 'the F word' was the worst word you could say. We couldn't say "shit" "ass" "hell" "bitch" and the list continues. Because of this, we wanted to say them more! So we did. We said them so much, that they lost any and all weight that they held in the beginning to make them offensive.
So now, to my generation, these are just words. Perfectly acceptable for a casual conversation. Not to sound like a uprising, rebelling teenager, but an adult telling me that I can't "swear" means absolutely nothing to me. The word "swear" or "curse" in of itself is an outdated concept. So why, could somebody please tell me, if we, the youth of America, the ones that adults are attempting to shield from this language, are going to hear, use, and EMBRACE, these words anyway, why can't they be in our music?
Kids are going to learn these words anyway, so why not let them embrace them? It causes no harm. By exposing younger children to these words, it makes it so that they are just like any other word, just like "gross" "ugly" "fat", words that yes, can cause harm, but are perfectly fine when used anytime but to be offend to a specific person. By letting kids learn these words, we are numbing them from the pain we create by adding such a heavy weight to words.
Unedited music is a right that every artist should have. To have their music, their creation, heard as they envisioned it. And I believe that it is every individual's right to hear that music as it was envisioned. The day we stop defining specific words as a "swear", is the day "swears" will cease to exist.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Interview with Anthony From The Deli
Questions to ask Anthony:
-when did you first become interested in radio/ why?
-when did you first become interested in radio/ why?
-what was your first radio experience?
-what was your first PAID radio experience?
-could you go though the process of how songs get chosen to be played?
-what do you look for in a good radio host?
-in your opinion, what makes a radio station "good"? management, equipment, etc.
-do you like Top 40 or would you prefer something else?
-what has to be done for every new day?
-what are the "must knows" for someone like me?
-what is your advice for somebody who would like to become seriously involved in radio?
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Get It, Mairen!
This past Saturday night was my friend Becca's birthday and to kick off the night, myself and my friend Caroline came up with something to do. This past week when I was at Z, Anthony was announcing a contest to win VIP tickets to a black light party at The Haunt. It sounded fun to me so when it was time for the contest, I told Caroline to call in and she got the tickets! One for Becca and then I let her have the other. So we started our night off at The Haunt and Corey (Z95.5 Program Director) was the DJ. I said "hi" and talked to him a bit and told him about Becca's birthday, and then he gave her a shout out! Then my friends went to dance on stage so naturally I followed, and as soon as I get up he yells into the mic "GET IT MAIREN!" and then let me speak live on the radio! Oh so fun!!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
My Current Obsession
'Ghosts on a G6' - Basic Physics
My friend introduced me to Basic Physics, it's all mash ups! As it is I already love Deadmau5, so this mash up is right on my level!
M.L.I.A. (My Life Is Awkward)
Awkward Decisions...
So far I have DJ'd the original Fund Rager, then what is now know as "Fund Rager Part 2". "Fund Rager Part 3" is tonight (I'm not DJing, my friend Nick is), and earlier this week I was asked to DJ "Fund Rager Part 4." Having done this twice before, in the same CSMA setting, from 8-11, I wasn't very interested. I couldn't picture myself being able to handle watching my peers "dance" like they do at these events for three more hours. It's disgusting.
I asked Mr. Holl what he though about it and he agreed that there wasn't a very important experience which I'd be missing out on seeing as I had done the EXACT same twice already. And as it turns out Mr. holl is busy that entire night so there would be no way for me to get equipment and I wouldn't have his help to set up and take down.
So far I have DJ'd the original Fund Rager, then what is now know as "Fund Rager Part 2". "Fund Rager Part 3" is tonight (I'm not DJing, my friend Nick is), and earlier this week I was asked to DJ "Fund Rager Part 4." Having done this twice before, in the same CSMA setting, from 8-11, I wasn't very interested. I couldn't picture myself being able to handle watching my peers "dance" like they do at these events for three more hours. It's disgusting.
I asked Mr. Holl what he though about it and he agreed that there wasn't a very important experience which I'd be missing out on seeing as I had done the EXACT same twice already. And as it turns out Mr. holl is busy that entire night so there would be no way for me to get equipment and I wouldn't have his help to set up and take down.
FIVE WEEKS?!
In class this week we talked about the year winding down, and what that means for my WISE experience. I need to figure out how I want to make my presentation. Power point? Or maybe this program that I used in English Media last year that is similar to Power point but a little less boring. I've got a lot to think about!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Get A Grip
In terms of my project, resilience plays into my independence. I have to find my own music, and I have to hear negative opinions from people. I have to push myself into this mental position every time I DJ: I know I'm playing good music, other people are having a good time, if you don't like my selection then you can get out. I have to put myself in a place where I can deal with criticism and that's how I do it. I want to be great, and you don't get to be great without change, I wish kids my age could understand that.
I've noticed that kids in my grade actually like the music that isn't just hip hop with a beat so hard it crawls up inside of you and MAKES you move, but the 8th grade- 11th graders don't know how to dance with anything without that beat. Maybe it's a maturity thing, I'm not really sure (not that my grade (myself included) is exactly mature...) But these 8th graders dress up to go to these dances like they're going clubbing, but what I think is that if you're not old enough to GET IN to a club, don't dress like you're going to one, so if those are the people that complain about my music, it doesn't hold much weight for me.
I've noticed that kids in my grade actually like the music that isn't just hip hop with a beat so hard it crawls up inside of you and MAKES you move, but the 8th grade- 11th graders don't know how to dance with anything without that beat. Maybe it's a maturity thing, I'm not really sure (not that my grade (myself included) is exactly mature...) But these 8th graders dress up to go to these dances like they're going clubbing, but what I think is that if you're not old enough to GET IN to a club, don't dress like you're going to one, so if those are the people that complain about my music, it doesn't hold much weight for me.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
So Typical...
So the dance on this past Tuesday didn't exactly go as planned...
In the beginning everything was going well. The set up was going according to plan. Mr. Holl even brought me the two 12in. speakers AND the two 15in. speakers to be even louder! This time, I set up on the higher stage so that the kids could have the lower stage to dance on without getting in my way. So everything was up and ready!
As usual, it took a little while to get going, but it got there. My friend, Megan decided to come and keep me company. About half an hour in we see a girl (who we then realized was 13 years old) grinding on some random guy, after trying to figure out who it was for a minute, Megan exclaims, "That's my camper!!" The grossness only got worse.
Then, this one kid kept coming up to me trying to look at my iTunes and essentially be the DJ, himself. I kept telling him to just "go away" and made a 'shoo fly' gesture. He also asked me if i had music "to make girls shake their ass" then asked for Reggae... I told him that all I had was Bob Marley and to go away. He did. (This kid was later seen practically having sex on the wall with the 13 year old camper (Stay Classy, Ithaca!)) But these things are all part of the job. Radio has taught me to just tell everyone that you will play their music, even though you probably won't.
So everything was basically on track. My friend came up and informed me that there were cops present. (I guess we made a mark on Ithaca with the last one) Megan and I were dealing with drunk kids coming up and talking to us, falling trying to get on the stage, attempting to take off their shirts, and us trying to not puke at what we were seeing our peers do. It was honestly embarrassing, it got the point where I was doubting wanting to go to our senior prom because this was so degrading and groady. But, it was what it was.
Then around 10:10, with just less than an hour left to go, Erin (the girl's who dance this was) abruptly turns on all of the lights and tells me to cut the music. I did. When I asked her why, she explained to me that a girl, a junior in our school who is actually in my math class, drank so much that she got sick and had to go to the hospital so they had to shut down the dance. Oh yeah, people were pissed. Telling me to turn the music back on as I was packing up, and refusing to leave. Trying to start their own beats, dumb shit. I was annoyed to say the least. Granted, I was slightly happy that it was over early, but I was pissed that these kids wouldn't listen to anyone and were just being assholes. Finally Mr. Holl got there (as i texted him at 10:10 to ask him to come early to help me take down because of what had happened) and we just did our thing and took down equipment ignoring the moans and groans. Kids were still clogging the doorway as we made our way out! It was ridiculous.
But we got out. Avoiding the trail of vomit coating the floor and then the sidewalk outside. The next day, I got on Facebook and had an invite to yet another CSMA 3 hour 8-11 benefit dance, this time with my friend, Nick, being the DJ. I don't know if I'll go to this one, as I only went to the other two because I was DJing, but I guess we'll see. Let's just hope we don't make the papers.
In the beginning everything was going well. The set up was going according to plan. Mr. Holl even brought me the two 12in. speakers AND the two 15in. speakers to be even louder! This time, I set up on the higher stage so that the kids could have the lower stage to dance on without getting in my way. So everything was up and ready!
As usual, it took a little while to get going, but it got there. My friend, Megan decided to come and keep me company. About half an hour in we see a girl (who we then realized was 13 years old) grinding on some random guy, after trying to figure out who it was for a minute, Megan exclaims, "That's my camper!!" The grossness only got worse.
Then, this one kid kept coming up to me trying to look at my iTunes and essentially be the DJ, himself. I kept telling him to just "go away" and made a 'shoo fly' gesture. He also asked me if i had music "to make girls shake their ass" then asked for Reggae... I told him that all I had was Bob Marley and to go away. He did. (This kid was later seen practically having sex on the wall with the 13 year old camper (Stay Classy, Ithaca!)) But these things are all part of the job. Radio has taught me to just tell everyone that you will play their music, even though you probably won't.
So everything was basically on track. My friend came up and informed me that there were cops present. (I guess we made a mark on Ithaca with the last one) Megan and I were dealing with drunk kids coming up and talking to us, falling trying to get on the stage, attempting to take off their shirts, and us trying to not puke at what we were seeing our peers do. It was honestly embarrassing, it got the point where I was doubting wanting to go to our senior prom because this was so degrading and groady. But, it was what it was.
Then around 10:10, with just less than an hour left to go, Erin (the girl's who dance this was) abruptly turns on all of the lights and tells me to cut the music. I did. When I asked her why, she explained to me that a girl, a junior in our school who is actually in my math class, drank so much that she got sick and had to go to the hospital so they had to shut down the dance. Oh yeah, people were pissed. Telling me to turn the music back on as I was packing up, and refusing to leave. Trying to start their own beats, dumb shit. I was annoyed to say the least. Granted, I was slightly happy that it was over early, but I was pissed that these kids wouldn't listen to anyone and were just being assholes. Finally Mr. Holl got there (as i texted him at 10:10 to ask him to come early to help me take down because of what had happened) and we just did our thing and took down equipment ignoring the moans and groans. Kids were still clogging the doorway as we made our way out! It was ridiculous.
But we got out. Avoiding the trail of vomit coating the floor and then the sidewalk outside. The next day, I got on Facebook and had an invite to yet another CSMA 3 hour 8-11 benefit dance, this time with my friend, Nick, being the DJ. I don't know if I'll go to this one, as I only went to the other two because I was DJing, but I guess we'll see. Let's just hope we don't make the papers.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
My Current Obsession
'Pocahontas' - Shawty Lo
To be honest, I don't even remember which of my many sites I found this around, I think it may of been one of my random YouTube findings, but I am most definitely playing this tonight- JAM!
ohhh how i love the interwebs
Found yet another site for free music downloads!
HowFlyHipHop.com !
I now have 5 major websites that I visit very regularly to stay up to date on this genre of music, as well as YouTube, the radio, and word of mouth from my friends!
HowFlyHipHop.com !
I now have 5 major websites that I visit very regularly to stay up to date on this genre of music, as well as YouTube, the radio, and word of mouth from my friends!
It's About That Time Again
The 19th has arrived, and that means... *drum roll please*... DJing tonight!!
There's less than 5 hours until the dance and I'm currently still downloading more and more music...
I've got 4 1/2 hours of NEW music as of now, normally I would say I should have more just in case, but I am absolutely so in love with the music I already have that I highly doubt I'll be skipping songs tonight.
Super excited!
There's less than 5 hours until the dance and I'm currently still downloading more and more music...
I've got 4 1/2 hours of NEW music as of now, normally I would say I should have more just in case, but I am absolutely so in love with the music I already have that I highly doubt I'll be skipping songs tonight.
Super excited!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
"please burn me a CD!"
Just a little thing that makes me feel good- when people want me to make the mixes :)
This past Friday night, I was at dinner with a big group of friends before heading to the movies. I met two new people that night (I love meeting new people)
On the way to the movies, as half of the group piled into the back of my car, I plugged in my iPod, and turned on the playlist for the event on the 19th (as of this past friday only had about 2/3 of the music it has now). As my friend, Becca, sat in the passenger seat and started jamming out and dancing (as much as you can while seated), one of the people I had JUST met an hour before just bursts out of her quiet and shy bubble, "You have GOT to burn me this playlist!!!!" I broke out in a huge smile. I loved it.
Today, (two days later), I was sitting on my couch with yet another friend who randomly just said "Make me a mix!... Please." So I did.
Every time I find a new song, I want to share it with someone, anyone! I usually do this by getting the YouTube link and sharing it on a person's Facebook wall, but tonight, I seemed to be running out of people! I LOVE the fact that sitting down in front of my lap top for HOURS on end finding, listening, and downloading music, is considered part of my ENGLISH homework! I love WISE!
This past Friday night, I was at dinner with a big group of friends before heading to the movies. I met two new people that night (I love meeting new people)
On the way to the movies, as half of the group piled into the back of my car, I plugged in my iPod, and turned on the playlist for the event on the 19th (as of this past friday only had about 2/3 of the music it has now). As my friend, Becca, sat in the passenger seat and started jamming out and dancing (as much as you can while seated), one of the people I had JUST met an hour before just bursts out of her quiet and shy bubble, "You have GOT to burn me this playlist!!!!" I broke out in a huge smile. I loved it.
Today, (two days later), I was sitting on my couch with yet another friend who randomly just said "Make me a mix!... Please." So I did.
Every time I find a new song, I want to share it with someone, anyone! I usually do this by getting the YouTube link and sharing it on a person's Facebook wall, but tonight, I seemed to be running out of people! I LOVE the fact that sitting down in front of my lap top for HOURS on end finding, listening, and downloading music, is considered part of my ENGLISH homework! I love WISE!
My Current Obsession
'Summerbreak' - Fatman Scoop (feat. DJ Alidin)
Came across this on hiphopearly.com- absolute JAM.
goal *CHECK*
So, as you know, I am DJing a dance party for another student on the 19th. When I was first approached to do this event, I made a goal for myself: I wanted to have COMPLETELY new music. I didn't want to play a single song that I played at the 'Fundrager'. As of tonight, I have 3 hours and 40 minutes of new music for the event on the 19th! While the event is only 3 hours long, I still intend to find more music. It's always important to have more music than you'll actually be able to play, hours more. Simply because you're going to decide that you don't want to play certain songs that you had originally planned on playing. BUT, I still have enough NEW music to get through if I don't skip songs! I'm honestly surprised that i've found that much new music in three-ish (?) weeks since I was asked to do this. I can't wait!
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