The Best Songs I’ve Heard on the Radio this Semester So Far (in my incredibly biased opinion)

Ever since taking over as co-general manager at the beginning of the year, I’ve found myself listening to the radio way more than before. It’s on when I walk to class, do my homework, and eat chips and salsa in my Ridgeline suite. There are so many amazing shows that have introduced me to so much great music, and I wanted to share some favorites from the last few months.

That being said, this list is SUPER, SUPER, ABSOLUTELY TOTALLY BIASED!!!! Most of the radio shows I listen to are either my friends’ shows, or at very, very specific times. For example, you will see that this list is super wednesday night heavy - that’s because I do my TA hours then. I’ve barely scratched the surface of the wide, wonderful world of radio shows we have on air this semester, and I encourage you to make your own list! Friendly reminder that any dj can post to this blog - so reach out if you’re interested :)

Also here’s a spotify link to make life easier:

The Surfer - Vampire Weekend

Honor Hour - Honor

One of the many things college radio is great for is a reminder. Vampire Weekend was one of my favorite bands in high school, but when their album came out last year, I didn’t get around to listening to it on the week it came out and I eventually forgot to check it out. If it wasn’t for hearing this song on Honor Hour, I would have forever missed out on these playful keys, that gentle bassline, and those fuzzy, fuzzy, drums. I can’t even imagine living in that world. Thank you, Honor Hour.

Billy - horsegirl

Ski-mo - chaz witter

Chaz introduced this song as his “theme song” and intro’d his own show while it was playing. It immediately set the tone for the punky hour ahead, and was so much fun.. He inspired me to start doing the same on my own show, and every time I hear Billy I feel like I’m in the opening credits of something super cool. I am grateful to you, Ski-Mo

#Certified - G La Sosita

Unka Samm’s Variety Hour - Sam, Sam, & Sam

This song is ridiculous in the best way - It’s full of so many different ideas, sounds, and an unrivalled sense of energy - much like Sam, Sam, & Sam’s insane wednesday night show, which is one of the few radio shows to get a genuine belly laugh out of me every week. Listening to this song on spotify almost feels empty without hearing 29 “Adrian, describe our friend group’s”, 15 “pluggs”, and too many “this is Hector bro’s” to count. Godspeed and God bless you, Unka Samm’s Variety Hour.

Dreams Go - Poliça

Chewing Gum - Jude Kuykendall

I’ve never been able to catch Jude’s show live, but every Sunday I do my homework to the playlist and I am blown away every time. Jude has a supernatural ability for finding the exact songs I needed to hear but would have never found on my own, and I feel like that’s a mark of a very special radio show. The first time I heard “Dreams Go”, I was filled with an overwhelming sense of jealousy that I didn’t have anything that good for my show for the week - a feeling that is a constant when listening to Jude’s show playlists. You inspire me, Chewing Gum.

My Old School - Steely Dan

Burning Down The House - Dylan O’Connor

I don’t know anything about Steely Dan. Actually, I know two things about them: I know white people love them, and I know Dirty Work is cool af. But they are a band that has always been a musical blind spot for me, and I feel the same way about a lot of the bands that Dylan plays on his show. It’s always fun to get exposed to stuff I don’t normally choose to listen to myself, and find new favorites at the same time! I’m listening and learning, Burning Down the House.

Golden Time of Day - Maze, Frankie Beverly

Ahh Ha Ha - Alpana Bakshi

This one just goooeeeeeesssssssss. Effortlessly beautiful, silky smooth, and never fails to put a smile on my face. Hold on?! Am I talking about Frankie Beverly or Hugh and Alpana? I can always count on their show for tunes like these and even better conversation. I encourage everyone to call into their favorite shows! You might get to absolutely destroy Alpana in a Wikipedia race to connect Broccoli to Shohei Ohtani. Thanks for the ego-boost, Ahh Ha Ha.

I’m a Lady - Santigold

Goob and Goobette - El Fahey & Skiles Roberts-Salvador

THE GOOBAVERSE IS VAST AND EVERY STAR HOLDS A SECRET. JOIN GOOB NATION. BECOME A GOOBANATOR. JOURNEY THROUGH THE GOOBY WAY. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT. I also love this Santigold song. She used to work at the airport with Sky’s dad. #GOOBLORE #PHILLY! Keep on goobin’ in the free world, Goob and Goobette.

Peace Frog - The Doors

Freakquency of Change - Addie Lentzner and Rafaela Botti

This show might feature some of the most committed and enthusiastic DJ’s on WRMC, and one of them is still in high school! It’s Matt and I’s weekly soundtrack to our meetings with our faculty advisor, and it’s always fun to talk about the future of the radio, while listening to the future of the radio. They tackle important issues, and always leave something fun in the proc lounge. Thanks for the cake, Freakquency of Change!

I Have the Moon - Lush

evil boyfriend registry : the pre-raphaelite brotherhood show - Shepherd Lea

I always manage to tune in to Shepherd’s show halfway through. I’m not a big history buff, I am almost always utterly devoid of context, and I very rarely could tell you what’s going on - but I could listen to this show for hours. Shepherd has such an engaging and exciting way of telling stories, and their playlist selection is elite. Guitars soar and swirl around a dreamy, pillowy soundscape in “I Have the Moon”, and it’s wonderful music to get cozy to -  with a blanket and some hot choccy for sure. I salute you, evil boyfriend registry. 

Mineral - M.D 

Skunk Hour / Radio Amor - Cole Chaudhari

Cole sits across from me in our thesis Carrell, which is a fun coincidence because I would classify Skunk Hour as the ultimate Carrell radio show. I wrote an awesome essay conclusion to this Mineral song, and his selected bits of poetry, old news clippings, and general worldly insights are great little nuggets for my brain to munch on during study breaks. In freshman/sophomore year, people would sometimes mistake me for Cole (in the dark). I’m glad he has a good radio show because otherwise that would be awkward. Merci beaucoup, Skunk Hour / Radio Amor. 

Wonder - Sweet93

Call for Help - Ellie Trinkle

Ellie played this on the day of our first snow and I was like wow this is what it’s all about. I was searching for the best snow music all day, and all I had to do was turn on WRMC 91.1FM to instantly find a lush, sparkling soundtrack to our Middlebury winter wonderland. And then all the snow melted in like 5 minutes but let’s not talk about that. Thanks for the help, Call For Help!

There are so so so so soooooo many shows I haven’t gotten around to listening to yet, and even more that I want to hear, so look forward to more installments of this! Also want to give a huuuuge shoutout to the weekly emails from our MD’s - which have been an amazing source of new music this semester for me. Until then, I want to hear from everyone else! Have I missed your all time favorite radio show? Do you feel snubbed and want to show how stupid I am? Do you hate this idea and want to write about anything else you want? Reach out if you want to make a blog post - we would love to hear from you! And if your idea is more visual, make sure you submit to FM-PHASIS! It’s our amazing zine, and we are always looking for submissions at go/fmphasis25.

lots of love,

dj proclate milk (aka neel)