Hey all who happen to read this blog...

It's been a crazy year with school, and I'm hoping that the Summer lets me slow down a bit.  First off, I want to apologise to any bands, managers, publicists, etc. who have e-mailed me, I've been really slow on the responses, and I am sincerely sorry about it.  I'm first a full-time college student, and a kick ass radio dj (I hope) second.  I will try my hardest to get to my e-mail and MySpace messages in a timely manner from now on.

Next, I want to thank everyone who sent their well wishes in regards to my EVVY nomination.  (Emerson College awards, kind of based on the Emmys, I was nominated for best on-air personality.)  I didn't win, but being nominated for a show I built almost single-handedly was really amazing, and I'm thankful for everyone who has supported me along the way.

Last, a belated happy birthday to RadioYou Boston AND the Local Show for two years on the air rocking the HD airwaves. :D  If you haven't already, check out all of the other awesome shows RadioYou has on the air.  Boston has talent, and I'm not just talking about local music. ;)

-Lauren S.

I was reading a bulletin from the official Warped Tour profile asking people's thoughts on crowd surfing. Half the comments were in support, half the comments, well, you know. I thought I would weigh in. (About as much as a 125lb 5'3 female can...)

I'm not the biggest person in the world, and I'm sure as hell not the biggest person in the crowd. I know that. But I've been in enough crowds at enough shows (festival, arena, club, lodge) to be able to boil it down to three cardinal rules:

1. If someone falls, pick them up.
2. Don't start a fight.
3. If you can't take the heat, get out of the crowd.

This isn't based on elitism, ageism, sexism, any ism. This is based on SAFETY. Most shows, we're all in such close proximity that it becomes straight up dangerous to everyone if we disregard these basic rules. ESPECIALLY if you can't handle what people around you are doing. No one is going to fault you if you need to back off. (And if they do, they're an asshole who no one listens to anyway.) If you get overwhelmed, there are any number of things that can happen:
1. You fall over, thus knocking everyone else over around you. Chain reaction! Someone is going to be beneath all of those bodies.
2. You pass out. Enough said.
3. You get injured. Visiting the medical tent is NOT fun. Trust me, I had to do it three Warpeds in a row. (One was for heatstroke, so I guess that would be two.)
The last thing anyone should be doing is staying in a crowd to prove how tough or hardcore they are. I see this most in women (sorry) and scrawny teenage boys. Don't do it. It's dumb. If you feel like you could get hurt, you most likely will.

Now, about crowd surfing. (I include stage diving in this sentiment.) I reiterate rule number 3: "If you can't take the heat, get out of the crowd." Crowd surfing is a natural and expected element of any rock show, especially in a club venue. There are MANY areas of the crowd you can stand in to avoid being kicked in the head or having the responsibility of passing someone along: the FAR sides, and the back. If you decide you want to stake out a spot at the barricade, that is YOUR prerogative, and you should fully expect facial bruising, and being kicked in the head. That is the price you pay for being close enough to touch the band. You are one of the lucky few, appreciate it.
The most important rule: DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT PURPOSELY DROP A CROWD SURFER. Why? As annoying and stupid as you might think crowd surfing is, you had the choice to be in a part of the crowd where a surfer would not be. Being in the crowd obligates you to pass along a surfer. Dropping a surfer can cause serious injuries. Would you want to damped the festivities because you decided to be self-righteous and break a poor kid's neck? It's a good way to get the band to stop playing, or ruin the entire crowd because the EMTs have to push through to get the poor kid.
I've been dropped before. Not purposefully, but I nearly landed on my head. Thankfully, some awesome guy grabbed my arm, and my elbow (rather than my skull) broke the fall. All I have is a rad scar on my elbow to remember it by.

That little anecdote brings me to my conclusion...
Being in a crowd is like being in a big happy family. Look out for yourself, and for everyone around you, and use your common sense. (Most likely the girl pushing herself to the front looking completely battered is trying to be pulled out of the crowd, not get closer for her own selfish needs. Let her through and get security's attention!) That kind of positive attitude keeps everyone safe and happy. Please keep all this in mind and don't be an asshole.

:)

Lauren S.

Just want to give an update from the studio...

I am sitting in an Emerson College studio watching the Pears record some tracks for their upcoming EP, and it sounds awesome for warming up, so you all will hopefully have some sweet new tracks to look forward to in the near future.

(Me sitting in studio is due to my involvement with Wax on Felt Records at Emerson, so you will get some insider news on our artists.) :)

Also another note: I love getting new music! Send me some: Lauren.617scene@gmail.com

- Lauren S.


PS. I turn 21 on Thanksgiving, so any 21+ shows you hold after that date, I can go to, but remember my magic two-week notice rule!

Hey all,

1. No, I'm really not 21. I turn 20 at the end of the month. Yes, I'm excited to exit teenage-dom, but it means I can't get into bars after a certain hour, and I can't get into 21+ shows unless you love me enough to beg the venue and put me on a guest list. (Which in most cases, you don't, unless you know me personally.)

2. Two weeks is the magic time limit. I need two weeks notice if you want me to come to a show, because I most likely will need to request a night off of work, or to re-arrange my schedule. I also need two weeks to receive show/album release dates and music you want aired. I also need reminders, because I am human, I have a hectic student-type life and will forget. E-mail works.

3. I love you for following my updates. (24 views today and 93 for the week!? You mean people actually listen to me?) I try to keep up to date, but the only way to really know what gets played is to listen and bear with me.


THANKS
Lauren

I went in this past Tuesday to record my show, I think it went awesomely... nonetheless, I just got a wonderful phone call to let me know when my show is...

MONDAYS 9PM, starting THIS Monday, May 14th!!

I know my show will air on internet radio, it will be up and running by this monday. The website is RadioYouBoston.com, and the MySpace is Myspace.com/RadioYouBoston .
Unless you have a fancy HD receiver... then it's 92.9-2FM (It is NOT on regular radio, its only HD and internet radio...)

Thanks to all who have supported me up to this point, and for continuing support, friends, family, and new friends who have suggested and given me music to play. I really appreciate your help in getting my show on the air.

I got off of the phone about an hour or so ago with Radio You. I go in next Tuesday to record my first show! It's a bit nerve-wracking, because that phone call made my show real.

I'm still in the process of gathering music, I only have about 36 different bands, and a typical two-hour show is 30-35 songs. I guess my first few shows are going to be the same bands... :/ I have been trolling MySpace looking for downloadable songs. I've been avoiding writing e-mails asking for songs to play because I'm really terrible at writing clear and concise letters. (I ramble, even in writing.)

My other problem is that all of my music is rock. I want to branch out and have a show representing all local music. I have a lot of learning ahead of me.

My last final is tomorrow at noon, so after that, I have no excuse not to sit down and get some e-mails sent. I already had a couple of bands reach out to me to send me music. That was REALLY exciting. I have to make sure I play the songs I got sent. (I have to remember to e-mail a thank you to them, with the air date... once I get it.)

So much to do! So little time before next Tuesday...!!!

(Excitement!!!)

Yes, my career in radio begins before I graduate.

Yes, I am equally nervous and stoked as hell.

I feel better about this one. I pitched it, I know the music, as opposed to the other station where I didn't know anything about what I was playing making me sound so not confident and unsure on the air. (Yeah... bad.)

It's The Local Show with RadioYou Boston. I have yet to get a recording schedule, let alone a launch date, but it's happening. (http://myspace.com/radioyouboston)

I get to work with WBOS 92.9FM, and Greater Media. Yay for networking! :D It's only my freshman year in College, usually this opportunity wouldn't show up until Junior year, and I'd be stuck trying to get on the air at my college station. This is awesome, and I'm so thrilled its happening.

I don't use my MySpace blog, ever, or even my MySpace account. It's here for people to find me. I know my mom will read it, so I will use it to write about my endeavors in Radio, for her to maybe refer it to family and such. For old friends to see what I'm up to these days.

Maybe eventually, I'll turn this into a podcast of some sort. When I'm bored.