Broadcasting live–Friday, Aug. 2, 2013–8:00 p.m. Pacific at http://twirlradio.listen2myradio.com:

August 2, 2013
Categories: Twirl Radio Events . . Author: The Lids . Comments: Leave a comment

It’s not very often that we get to say this, but Twirl Radio turns 600 today! That’s pretty old. We started this ride over 15 years ago, in January, 1998. Our mission then and now is the same–to bring you “the finest music from the rock era”. And I mean that.

Today, we go big. Big heat: it’s going to be over 100 degrees here in Sacramento. Today’s show is going to go into overtime–we’ll take 3 big hours–4:00-7:00 p.m. Pacific. And–3 big interviews for you, representing a wide swath of Twirl territory. We’ll feature Sam Phillips, The Taters, and Vegas With Randolph on today’s show.

Sam Phillips is somebody I’ve been a fan of for a very long time. In fact–one of her songs showed up on the very first episode of Twirl, on January 17, 1998. We’ve played songs from her legendary albums The Indescribable Wow, Martinis & Bikinis, and Omnipop over the years. She’s about to release her latest effort, Push Any Button, and we’ve been playing sneak previews from it over the past month. It’s wonderful, and we’ll chat about it on the show. It’s due out in August, and you can preorder now, CD, vinyl, or digital, at www.samphillips.com.

Those of you who have listened to my show for a while know that I often refer to The Taters as “the unofficial house band of Twirl Radio”. The boys from Richmond, VA are among the funnest bands you’ll ever find. In fact, they are so fun that I willingly violated the rules of grammar in the last sentence to bring you the word “funnest”! Their albums and live shows combine the best of originals and inspired covers. We’ll chat with 75% of the band today (Craig Evans, Brad Tucker, and Chris Mendez) about their new live acoustic album Taters Party, and they will perform a song for us live on the show! www.thetaters.com.

Vegas With Randolph produce what one reviewer described as “thinking man’s party music”. It’s thoughtful power pop, with equal parts of intellectualism and fun. The Washington, D.C.-area band have put out a couple of great albums, and are currently putting the finishing touches on release #3: Rings Around The Sun.  Today, we’ll chat with principal songwriters/vocalists Eric Kern and John Ratts. They’ve been kind enough to slide the VWR vault open a crack, just enough to let us WORLD PREMIERE two tracks off the next album. And pay attention during the interview segment, because there is a contest afoot! Vegas With Randolph wants to give you free stuff, so you’ll want to go to this link to answer the contest questions during the show: http://www.reverbnation.com/page_object/page_object_blogs/artist_486374?blog_id=9734886.

And as for me, I’d just like to acknowlege Access Sacramento, for enabling me to create the kind of radio show that I’d want to listen to, even if at times, I was the only one listening. Special thanks to our radio program director Shane Carpenter, and our outgoing Executive Director, Ron Cooper, who both encouraged me over the years to do this show. Sure, it’s my First Amendment right to express free speech, but more importantly, it’s just a whole lot of fun to do so! Thanks for listening.

–Mike Lidskin, Sacramento, CA

June 29, 2013
Categories: Twirl Radio Events . . Author: The Lids . Comments: Leave a comment

An annual tradition–the Twirl Radio Awards, also known as the Twirlies–is on the way! This two hour special will happen on Saturday, February 2nd, 2013, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Pacific time, at http://www.twirlradio.com (right here!). It will be hosted by me, Mike Lidskin, and the effervescent Amber Alexander.

The Twirlies are a celebration of all that is good and right in the world–namely good indie music. We will be honoring those who made the great music that I got to feature on Twirl in 2012. Albums and songs that came my way and received airplay in 2012, qualify for a Twirlie.

Many bands, musicians, and Twirl Radio participants will be competing for this coveted award. So what is a Twirlie? It’s a beautiful, yet imaginary award. It’s handed out live on the air, to fake applause when fake envelopes containing winners names are ripped open. The show may be a simulation, but the honors are real! We’ll also be revealing our Top Albums and Top Songs lists for 2012 on this show.

You won’t want to miss any of this action, or the chance to hear me wearing my elegantly appointed fake tuxedo t-shirt. Remember–the Twirlie Awards are only on Twirl Radio, February 2nd, 2013! See you there.

January 27, 2013
Categories: Twirl Radio Events . . Author: The Lids . Comments: 3 Comments

Hey friends!

Today’s the day we get together and try to do some good. Hurricane Sandy was several weeks ago, and is out of the news cycle, but the need for help remains. A good portion of the East Coast of the United States suffered through what is now being called a “superstorm”, with the Northeast–places like New York City and New Jersey–being ground zero. There are people who’ve lost everything, and are still displaced, in the most densely populated part of our country.

The good folks at Woody Radio and Pop Garden Radio, and me at Twirl Radio are pooling forces once again to raise awareness and gently encourage listeners to donate to the relief efforts. My show today, 12/1/2012, will be devoted entirely to that.

We’ll sweeten the deal. Several of the artists whom we play on the show have offered up goodies for you. If you donate $20 US or more to one of the relief charities, I can hook you up with a CD (or another fabulous prize), and I’ll mention what they are during the show. Anybody that donates to the relief efforts during today’s show will get mentioned on the air today (unless you specify that you don’t want the publicity). Even if you donate $1, that will help.

Here’s what you do:
Donate to one of the suggested charities below, or pick another one that you know of that is doing Sandy relief work. Forward to me the confirmation email, or just let me know how much you gave, and tell me what address to send your gift to. The email address to send this to is: twirlradio@gmail.com. (I’m interested in tracking how much of an impact the radiothon had.)

Here’s some donation suggestions:
Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org
(Also, a really easy and high-tech way to donate $10 to the Red Cross is by texting the word “Redcross” to 90999.)

Salvation Army: http://www.salvationarmyusa.org

These sites also have phone numbers, in case you’d prefer to talk to somebody. And finally–a more targeted list of aid organizations can be found on the event page for this radiothon on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/115251235303745/?fref=ts.

Or–instead of donating money, if finances are tough–you can always raise awareness on your social media of choice. Post a link to these charities or this event on Facebook. Tweet about it. Whatever you can. Let’s show the world that we take care of our own.

Now lets go have some fun and do this thing! Today, 4-6pm Pacific, http://www.twirlradio.com!

December 1, 2012
Categories: Twirl Radio Events . . Author: The Lids . Comments: Leave a comment

Update: here is the podcast from that magical night of music. Enjoy!
Skip Heller/Claire Costa, David Houston/String Theory, Sal Valentino show, Luna’s Cafe, Sacramento, CA (6/30/2012) (length: 1:41:51)

Today on Twirl Radio, we’re going to have another live “Twirl Radio Presents” session! This will be the on-air “after party” for the regular Twirl Radio show.

What do I mean? Well, we will be doing a regular radio show today, featuring some of the finest indie and well known, but quirky, music available. But afterwards, we’ll be broadcasting live from Luna’s Cafe, in downtown Sacramento. The bill reads like this: Skip Heller and Claire Costa, who are no strangers to my listeners. They’ll be playing a set of Skip’s great Americana and country catalog, and featuring Claire’s wonderful vocals.

Then–David Houston and String Theory. David’s been making great music here in Sacramento for longer than a lot of us can remember. He’s masterful on both sides of the board–if he isn’t singing, writing, or playing, then he’s helping somebody else make their perfect record. Accompanied by a 4 piece string quartet (the best quartets usually have 4 members!), he holds court at Luna’s on the last Saturday of every month.

But wait–there’s more! Sacramento is home to a legendary pop star who got his start way back in the 1960’s in the Beau Brummels. I’m referring to none other than the legendary Sal Valentino! Oh yeah–you know him, you love him. He released a wonderfully romantic and great-sounding album a couple of years ago entitled Dreamin’ Man. And Sal’s going to join the show tonight. This is a rare opportunity to hear this great artist live, so get yourself down to Luna’s if you’re in Sacramento, or get yourself right here to Twirl Radio tonight at 9:00 p.m. Pacific, if you’re not able to go to the show. We’ll have a great time!

July 5, 2012
Categories: Twirl Radio Events . . Author: The Lids . Comments: Leave a comment