Our cat

We have a pretty wonderful cat, and life is always better when there is a cat in it. He snores, very loudly, and also likes to sleep under the bedcovers with us. He has complete control over the whole house, and he knows the very best spots, which he claims as his own.

He is now sleeping on the back of our sofa, on my very nice lambswool blanket, which is covered with a cushion made for him with his name appliqued on it (don't go there... my sister made it). I just looked at him and he turned his head upside down and clenched his paw over his face. Awwwwwww!

He's nearly 16 but we have only had him since Oct 2006 when his owners went to live in Australia and they were concerned about him surviving the journey. He's an old fella but he's pretty sprightly, especially at this time of year. He likes to play in the garden, and when he's had enough he curls up in one of his favourite places, a cardboard box on top of the freezer in the garage - it's over 6 feet high and a great vantage point. It's wonderful to pop your head out the back door and see two black ears poking out of the top of the box.

He's my beautiful boy.

Jessica 6 in the 1920s

You can now download my 1920s show as a podcast, available here

This month's show includes selections suggested by Tracy Shaffer Miller and Randy (Berkeley, CA).

Artists include Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five, Ma Rainey, The Carter Family, Helen Kane and The Reverend Edward Clayborn.

The full playlist for the show can be found here

Next month I'll be visiting 1975 - if you have a request, please contact me via Twitter

Enjoy!

Jessica 6 in 2002

You can now download my 2002 show as a podcast, available here

This month's show includes selections suggested by Jean Francois Marchal, and fellow DJ Christopher Laird. Bands include Moloko, Liars, The Roots and Reverend Horton Heat.

The full playlist for the show can be found here

Next month I'll be visiting the 1920s... if you can help me (please!) contact me via Twitter

Enjoy!

More British Sea Power

Last night I went to see British Sea Power (again!)

Someone I work with had bought tickets for him and his friends to see them at Rugby Library, and some of his friends couldn't go, so he offered me and mine the two tickets! It's a bit of a trek from where I live, but it had to be a resounding YES... so after work yesterday I toodled over to Rugby in my magic bubble car (actually it was far more boring than that, using the A14 and M6) and enjoyed my first gig ever in a public library.

As many people will know, in the UK there are serious threats to the funding for public libraries, and there is an organisation called Get It Loud In Libraries, who have been around for a while, who organise and promote gigs in libraries. British Sea Power are one of the latest bands to join their roster, doing gigs last night at Rugby, and tonight at Westminster Library in London. With lyrics such as '

The show was fantastic, the people, as always, were great, and I bought even more merchandise! I couldn't resist the Heron Addict bag (I already have the t-shirt) and I also bought another mug.

The setlist was just about the same as the Cambridge gig, and once again the sound was fantastic - when they start a song there is so much power to it that you can barely believe they are creating all that sound on stage. It is breathtaking.

AND...Christopher Laird will be presenting the British Sea 'Power Hour' on RadioNowhere on Monday 14th March at 9pm UK Time - don't miss it!!

There is something quite magical about watching a band surrounded by precious books, in a setting that exemplifies for me what is so important about social justice. I don't use my public library as much as I should, but at particular times in my life I have relied on libraries a great deal - when I was unemployed, and periods when I was short of money, I used the library all the time. I am a probably a bit more comfortable (and complacent) these days with internet access at home and a bit more cash to buy books when I want them, but at other times in my life, access to (truly unaffordable) computers, books, CDs, DVDs, and newspapers has been a huge influence and very welcome resource. I have discovered so many new authors without having to spend any money at all - that sounds like a pretty good deal. We should truly treasure our libraries - I know I'll be visiting mine more often and re-living that excitement of seeing thousands of books that could all be mine (even if only for 4 weeks at a time!)

Jessica 6 in 1967

You can now download my 1967 show as a podcast, available here

This month's show includes The Beatles, The Mothers of Invention, Martha & The Vandellas, Nina Simone, The Doors, Pink Floyd, plus many more.

The full playlist for the show can be found here

Next month I'll be in 2002 - if there are any songs you think I just must play, please contact me via Twitter - I'd love to hear from you!

Enjoy!

My brain is exploding

Life has been very absorbing lately, interesting for me, but rather too absorbing to allow me to post to my blog. I'm studying a couple of courses this year, as well as working full-time, and also trying to keep up with a monthly show for RadioNowhere. Life is busy!

I've just spent the last 5 days analysing data and writing up a project which in real life probably no-one will read, and none of the recommendations will be implemented. Joy.

And I have another essay on something criminology-ish due next week and I am two weeks behind on my reading... and I'm sitting here writing a blog post - can you see why I'm behind?!

Anyway, the highlight of the last few days has to be recording my 1967 show which goes out on Tuesday - I think there's something there for everyone. I know I'm biased, but I know I'll enjoy it! It will be available for podcast soon after broadcast, but I will also put a link up here (although I only noticed tonight that I got last month's ready and then never posted it - oh dear)

I love British Sea Power

I spent a wonderful night last night with Christopher Laird at the Cambridge Junction, meeting and chatting to one of my ALL TIME favourite bands, British Sea Power. Wow, I just love how life turns out sometimes.

Despite it being disgustingly cold, and (as usual) having a woefully inadequate 'coat', and the Junction being stuck out of the way of everything except crappy food places - and a Tesco Express - it was a grand night out.

Not only did I get to chat with the lovely Scott/Yan (centre left) and his brother Neil/Hamilton (centre right), who are just so down to earth and friendly and funny - honestly - I also got to see another one of their stunning live shows. They are amazing on record, and if you haven't heard their records BUY THEM ALL NOW, but live they do come into their own. With their self-created videos in the background (they were working on them backstage before the show) and the intricate and intelligent lyrics, which are so unique they remind me of Cardiacs, and their stage presence, layers of sound and musical qualities, they are hard to beat as a live act. Their version of Apologies to Insect Life (in my top 3 songs of all time) made me a very happy girl.

They have a fairly intimidating presence, but not at all in person. As I have loved them for a while I was of course slightly in awe, but they were just taking the piss out of each other the whole time, seemingly quite shy but also super friendly and happy to talk to us about our small, independent station.

They also have the best merchandise (which they said pays their electricity bill!) and if you haven't seen it, visit their website for a look. I am a sucker for good merchandise, and came home laden with lovely things (if you're interested, vinyl versions of 2 of their albums, a t-shirt, a set of badges and a mug).

Christopher Laird will be using his interview with the band for a special show on RadioNowhere, and I might even force my way on that show, if I get the chance! I'll post nearer the time with the details.

BSP will be on tour all over the place for the rest of this year, so if you have the chance: GO GO GO!