I’m going to start this with no hesitation like the guys in Mixed Blood Majority, from the start of the song “Fine Print” the beat comes on thick with a hypnotic feel to it. Then, the vocals come on aggressively with some groove, really riding these beats well. Next, comes “Hallucination Music” which has the
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This piece from Youth Media Project is a touching collection of stories. Each one is short and simple, beautifully written, and accompanied by expertly curated music that matches each story’s tone. I can picture each of these in my mind perfectly — the kind face of a grandmother, the coastline, little girls flitting about in
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After the events in Boston in last week, many of us are needing an injection of hope. And while the topics that the young poets in the Louder Than A Bomb Youth Poetry Festival tackle are often painful, the way in which these young people use words will give you hope. Raw talent, passionate delivery,
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April is Poetry Month, and what better way to enjoy the giant menu of poetry than by browsing PRX’s smorgasbord of options? From Maya Angelou to Walt Whitman to the poets incarcerated at Northern California juvenile facilities. This is a playlist to be savored.
January 29, 2013 in GPRX Blog by Jones Franzel
Have there been moments in your life when you came to a fork in the road?
On the 50th anniversary of Robert Frost’s death, Chicagoans recite Frost’s most famous poem and discuss their own paths taken, and not. From the brilliant producers at Curie Youth Radio.
Photo Credit: Eric Vondy via Compfight cc
January 15, 2013 in GPRX Blog by Jones Franzel
Wolf image via Shutterstock.
Photo: Trenton Good, City High Radio
Hear this remarkable collection of honest, well-produced, and original stories. Big ups to the youth radio groups on the playlist!:
by dylan
January 10, 2013 in GPRX Blog by dylan
Nineteen-year-old Brenda from Minneapolis, Minnesota considers herself an American citizen, but to the US government she is an illegal immigrant. Coming to the US when she was seven, she was carried over the Mexican-American border by her mother. Now, twelve years later, she lives with her mother, stepfather, sister, little brother, older brother and his son. She had to quit school a month before graduating so she could work to help support her family, but has since gone back to finish her education and wants to go on to get a job working with children.
This was a well-crafted and interesting piece, with great interviews and an inspiring story. The only problem I had was after the mother’s interview; it was a little confusing, but it made more since later on in the story. All in all, though, I found this to be an excellent presentation.
by A.D. Quig
January 7, 2013 in GPRX Blog by A.D. Quig
In the winter of 2008, I made the four hour trek from my hometown down to Bloomington. The drive was bleak, the landscape was gray, and the radio signal got pretty weak somewhere between Kokomo and Indianapolis. But I was going to see Eric Gordon and D.J. White at my first Indiana University basketball game. 5 NCAA Championships. 53 All-Big 10 selections. The only undefeated champion season in college men’s basketball. Royalty.
Gordon ended up scoring 28 points, I experienced the best timeout in college basketball, and didn’t have an ounce of vertigo in the balcony of Assembly Hall. In short, the experience made me a lifelong fan.
But with true loyalty comes necessary tragedy. Kelvin Sampson was let go in a recruiting scandal. Potential players fled. My first three years at IU were a hard slog through coaching transitions, dashed recruit hopes, and infuriating losses. But by my senior year, we were on our way up, and the game against #1 ranked Kentucky solidified that Hoosier Basketball was back on top. This story from my alma mater captures some of that electric feeling that fans got back.
This is an emotional, fan-driven episode with fantastic, layered production, solid writing, and great host banter. There’s always a great story in athletics, and #1 Wildcats v. the comeback-kids Hoosiers is certainly one of them. With some more hard information, this episode could fit easily into any long-form sports or human interest programming.
Other than shortcomings in background, the nearly flawless production, great voice work, and clip selection really brought me back. I was immersed in Hoosier hysteria. It took me from an IU School of Journalism classroom to Afghanistan, to the floor of Assembly Hall, to a back corner at Nick’s. Robb and Ryan effectively show how a fan’s connection to a team is almost transcendent (cue Radiolab effects). Great use of natural sound, nicely scattered fast paced transitions, and thoughtful writing. I would have also liked some hard evidence of the impact that that game had on IU, rather than just anecdotal. The Wat-Shot got an ESPY and a drink named after it. We made it to the Sweet 16! We were 1st ranked this season! Home games are packed now! People wear IU gear to ND v Purdue games! It was certainly a big deal. This production team brings it home emotionally, but I’d like some of the harder stuff to back it up. Overall, a fun listen that most NCAA b-ball fanatics and Hoosier fans would drool over.
January 2, 2013 in GPRX Blog by Connor Parker
Imagine having to begin again if you make a mistake. When doing anything, even something as simple as getting ready for bed. “In Preparation For Sleep,” by Sarah Lawrence College Radio, spotlights the difficulties of struggling with obsessive compulsive disorder in a brilliantly artistic piece that is definitely worth a listen.
by dylan
December 26, 2012 in GPRX Blog by dylan
London Teenager Campaigns for Autistic Adults from Deutsche Welle.
London teenager Bella Tommey‘s vision for autistic people to have the job opportunities they deserve comes from her relationship with her younger brother, Billy, who has autism. She recognized that autistics had talents and strengths overlooked by most people and she set out to change their perceptions. Billy’s Café was born. Named after her autistic brother, Billy’s Café is a series of popup cafes where people can meet, mingle and be served by autistic people.
This story had excellent sound quality, great editing and wonderful music to help set the tone. The only major problem I found with the piece was the ending. The story cuts out in the middle of what sounded like the last sentence, but all in all I found this to be an interesting and inspiring story that can help teach people more about autism, and maybe even inspire them to do something good for their community like Bella Tommey has done for hers.
December 19, 2012 in GPRX Blog by Jones Franzel
We asked five of our favorite audio makers to tell us: 1. What’s on you holiday wish list? and 2. What are your New Year’s radio resolutions? Not surprisingly, we got lots of material to inspire us (and to add to our wish lists…)
Catie Talarski
Molly Adams
Jay Allison
Yowei Shaw
Veralyn Williams
December 10, 2012 in GPRX Blog by Jones Franzel
Everything you needed to know about how to make a well-produced vox pop in 3 fun minutes. Thanks Radio Rookies!
December 3, 2012 in GPRX Blog by Connor Parker
November is a month during which we all think about who and what we are thankful for in our lives, and I got to listen to a piece that embodies this spirit. “What We Are Thankful For” by City High Radio gave me a chance to hear what other kids are thinking about this holiday season, all while making me think about the age-old question myself: “What are you thankful for this year?” Everyone can use a little deep thinking like that, as it yields a sense of appreciation that works wonders leading up to the generous and philanthropic month of December. So check out this piece and think about what you’re thankful for this year.
November 19, 2012 in GPRX Blog by Jones Franzel
Deadline extended! Our friends at Radio Diaries and Cowbird are hosting a Teenage Diaries Project, and they’re looking for teen stories about life. Long distance relationships? Gaming? Solitude? Whatever moves you, post your work to the gorgeous Cowbird site by February to be eligible for feature on NPR. Some background:
To commemorate the “sweet 16” of the acclaimed Teenage Diaries project—where young people around the country are given tape recorders to report on their own lives for public radio—we’re aiming to gather at least 300 new diaries written, recorded and photographed by teens.
Get all the details over at Radio Diaries and see some of the stories that have been submitted so far.
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