I don’t know about you, but I’m still in total shock and mourning with the rest of the WORLD. There are millions of eulogies and news reports online and so I thought that I could pay my respects here.

In my opinion, the “real” Michael Jackson has been dead for years. But I was hopeful that he’d return one day as the reigning King of Pop and shake his “Wacko Jacko” name. Unfortunately he died just a few weeks short of his comeback.

Over the last 20 years we’ve seen him transform his looks, he’s made us question his personal life and has freakishly masked his family and self from the media because he just wanted to lead a private life. Yes it was weird, but I can’t imagine what it would be like to spend a day in his shoes. I’ve seen the made-for-tv movie about his childhood years and years ago, I saw the ridiculous Martin Bashir interview with him in the early 2000s. That’s the Michael Jackson I felt sorry for and don’t want to dwell on. Let’s celebrate the legendary singer and performer.

If you were alive during the 80s, THAT Michael Jackson changed music with his perfectly produced songs, that voice, his moves… HE WAS A TRUE ENTERTAINER. Everyone loved him. Every kid tried to moonwalk, if you wore a single white glove everyone knew what it referred to and everyone went crazy over him. We went to Disneyland just to watch Captain EO. We blasted his records and turned up the tv real loud when his videos came on MTV. His music videos, they were the BEST. “Thriller” has always been my favorite music video, no matter what. Sometimes if it was playing late at night, I would get scared if the full-version of it was playing. Even when the 90s arrived and MTV was awarding Guns N’ Roses’ “November Rain” the #1 video of all time on their yearly countdown, I never changed my decision. OH and who didn’t LOVE LOVE LOVE singing along to Weird “Al” Yankovic doing parodies of Michael Jackson songs. “Fat” and “Eat It,” I don’t think I’m alone here. Oh and being a voice person, I always loved to mimic his sweet, soft talking voice. Oh and remember the song “We Are the World” he helped write that too.

Michael Jackson was undoubtedly a pop culture icon. I have memories watching tv as a girl of people on the streets all over the world that would cry if he was just near them. I always wondered if I saw him, would I cry too? I cried today.

I even stuck with Michael Jackson through the early-90s with “Remember the Time” and even “Scream” which he did with Janet. So I was listening to New Order and The Cure more, but I loved him too and I bought that HIStory double-disc when it came out and watched the tv special that did the unveiling of that huge statue of him. He was so fascinating to me.

Those are my favorite memories of MJ. My condolences to the Jackson family, his friends and fans that are tore up over the loss of the WORLD’S most famous entertainer.

<3,
djAlisha.

Well hello 1190 Blog-Reading Friend. What’s HIGH FIVE? Five things that I (djAlisha) am loving right now be it music, film, books, tv or a store to visit. So here y’arrrrrrr:

1)When I was in the studio on Wednesday I saw the new Mos Def album sitting out, I hope that is in rotation this week, I cannot wait to hear it. The reviews have been very positive. The new album is called The Ecstatic. Yay!

2)Also while I was in the studio, I got a call after I played a new track from Eels’ rad new album tipping me off that Mark Oliver Everett (better known as “E”) has written a book. Its called Things the Grandchildren Should Know and I hear its amazing. The reviews are so wonderful that it makes me want to trash my current read (which is total fluff) and delve into it. All I know is that E has had one crazy life of his loved ones dying around him since he was a youngster. I love that he channeled all his feelings into making wonderful songs over the last decade(plus+) and am curious to hear his story in novel form. OH and if you ever get to see the Eels live in concert, PROMISE ME YOU WILL GO—MAD LOVE! I also want to read this new graphic novel by David Mazzucchelli and that new novel from Guillermo del Toro who said he wants to make vampires mean again, because honestly, if there were such things as vampires, would they really sparkle?

3)Epic final Hot IQs show, or so I heard. If you were there tell me more. I will for sure miss them as a band. They’re one of those Denver bands that I looked forward to seeing time and again, whether it was here in town or when I was off in another state covering a music festival. Their Halloween show where they were dressed as The Ghostbusters was one of my favorites, maybe 3-4 years ago. And you probably remember 2 of the 3 peeps in the band are 1190 alumni and I’m proud to know them. Hats off to ya guys! They were once The Royal We, then the Hot IQs… now they’re just plain ol’ Denver rock royalty.

4)Have you seen this? I recently saw it was out on DVD, but Netflix doesn’t have it listed that I can find. Is it worth it? I do love teenage Christina Ricci-

…and while I’m asking you if you’ve seen something, how about this? The Wrong Door… a British sketch comedy show? Sounds up my alley, got so-so reviews and I’ve decided to turn to the blog and ask instead of hitting up youtube first.

5)You know who I love? Sid and Mary Kroft. These brothers who are now pushin’ 80 have made some of the quirkiest, f’d up kids shows ever! Kudos to my parents for loving the weird and letting us watch Sigmund and the Sea Monsters and H.R. Pufnstuf reruns as kids. They’ve been on my mind because of the film adaptation of their tv series Land of the Lost that’s out with Will Ferrell. While the Kroft brothers gave their blessing for the film to be made, I know it will fall short for me and my memories of this show as a kiddo. Anywho, a goal is to sometime see if these guys have written a book, if there’s a documentary about them or other media (I’ve heard ‘em on NPR before) just to find out more about them. For you old timers… were they ever friends with the Smothers Brothers? I think they are cool too. I’d like to know more about them as well and see more of their work and celebrate them while they’re still alive.

Here’s news that bummed me out:

Excene Cervenka was diagnosed multiple sclerosis! But she’s a rockstar and in true rocker form, she said that her diagnosis will not stop X’s US tour so the band will go on. They won’t be coming through Denver again since they were just here in April.

Also, I was pretty sad to read that uber-80s hunk (and still a looker) Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode was ailing as well. Well, about a month ago he had cancelled some of his tour dates cuz he wasn’t feeling well, then it was announced that a tumor was found in his bladder. Buts its removed now and he’s back on tour. I’m looking forward to seeing Depeche Mode at Red Rocks in a few months with my faves Peter Bjorn and John.

Thanks for reading. Hope you can tune in Wednesdays 4-6pm to hear me play some awesome tunezzzzzzzzzz,
djAlisha.

The Denver Art Museums current exhibit “The Psychedelic Experience: Rock Posters from the San Francisco Bay Area 1965-1971″ is a joy. Where so many museum exhibits offer well honed journeys through the past, this retrospect of the era that kicked the art of the concert poster into the stratosphere still seems fairly futuristic. It’s a contact high to be sure, capturing the spirit and the time that began in the Summer of Love and ran just past Altamont. They’ve been wise to just focus on this slice of Everything That Happened, so don’t expect a precise retrospect of every album that was released, every band that came and went, every little hit of blotter acid. The poster art presents the hippie era at ground zero with not much more of an agenda than that. The ambient music is a limited playlist, but it blends well into the background. When you see the three posters that were designed for light, you’ll wonder why they didn’t do more. And the recreation of the flower child’s living room has just about everything except a bag of herb on the table. Or maybe it was there and somebody copped it. Regardless, see this exhibit before it wears off in mid-July. Also don’t miss the Denver based Family Dog art, the Fillmore Midwest if you will. Turn on, tune in, drop fifteen bucks. An hour later and you’be be demanding to be sent back in time.

Word up.

Thought I’d do my weekly post on stuff I’m loving right now. Here’s what deserves a HIGH FIVE in my world!

1)New Moby album Wait for Me on Mute Records. I just listened to the song “Division” twice. Its so pretty, orchestral, instrumental, a perfect soundtrack song. It reminds me of being a teen driving in the mountains as I contemplated life listening to Moby’s I Like to Score (yes I am totally dorky, but endearing too I hope). My other favorite album to listen while driving around as a teen was the soundtrack to Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.

2)Valley Girl: More Music From the Soundtrack: I did a lot of cooking this weekend and this was my perfect soundtrack to listen to. If you are a fanatic of the film like me, you were probably ticked off when the re-release of the first soundtrack came out and songs like “Eaten By the Monster of Love,” “Girl’s Like Me” and “Shelly’s Boyfriend” weren’t on there. Thankfully this one came out a year later. I love these songs, I love the movie Valley Girl.

3)New Phoenix record Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix!!! Do you have it? Have you heard us playing it on 1190? Its really great. One of my favorite records by them for sure. I’m loving the song “Fences” – it has a great roller-disco feel. 

4)Grizzly Bear’s Veckatimest. This new record  is the poppiest I’ve ever heard the band to be and I like it! 

5)I finally finished up season one of True Blood and on disc five there were some cool dvd extras including fake commercials for vampires living in this modern world, like a dating site, attorney-at-law help and some other real clever ones. I think my favorite one was the Tru Blood drinking blood commercial. This Blood’s For You:

I’m gonna get all 90s on your ass today when I dj. I do so hope you listen in 4-6pm. Well just a little bit cuz I need some time to play some sweet new jamzzzzzzzzzzz and other favorites of yours as well. Oh and I’m gonna have a magical guest in the studio today who may or may not come on-air with me.

I’ve been hearing a lot of 90s on 1190 lately. Have you noticed it? Well specifically while listening to Allen yesterday from 1-4pm. See his playlist (scroll down to 1-4pm). Its cool, some songs are fun to hear again and reminds me of a time when KTCL was locally owned and others are songs I didn’t like then and they’re even worse today as my musical palette has developed! Like I still like Butthole Surfers and Ween they’re fun to hear once in a while, but I personally don’t like Crash Test Dummies. But that’s what’s great about 1190 you get to hear a little bit of everything and there’s something for everyone.

So I thought I’d let you in on my 90s. Tune in to hear some of my favorites from the decade that doesn’t seem too long ago, but really kind of was.

Oh and I may get a little 1989 on you as well. I can’t get Pixies’ “Debaser” out of my head. I used to drive around town singing the Doolittle album to myself really loud! “GIRL YOU’RE SO GROOVY HO-HO-HO-HO!” I wish a boy would say that to me!!!!! Can you believe Doolittle turns 20 this year? What a great album!

Tune in lovahhhh,
djAlisha.

What I’ve been up to and loving over the last week:

1)Pearl Velo- I’ve been needing to get my road bike a thorough tune-up and so I took it into one of the coolest and new bike shops in Denver, Pearl Velo. The staff is super sweet and they have great style.

2)True Blood: Season One- I’m a sucker for tv on dvd as you can see from #2 and #3, and I finally have time to watch True Blood, the vampire series based on the Sookie Stackhouse books which I have yet to read. I’m on episode seven and so far I’m digging it.

3)Little Britain: Season One- Little Britain is hilarious. Its a sketch comedy show where the show’s two stars transform themselves to parody British culture. Most of the characters are believable, especially the ones played by Matt Lucas… he can go from looking like a teenage girl to being a bitchy “Fat Fighters” meeting leader and even a convincing “slow” wheelchair bound guy.

4)Cocoa Buttermilk Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting- The name says it all. To know me is to know I love to cook and bake and I found this delish recipe online that I’m making for my sister’s baby shower! Get the recipe

5)Loving the new Jarvis Cocker record “Further Complications” out on Rough Trade!

Things that don’t get a high five at all, but wanted to mention:

1)Bye bye Jeff Hanson. The Kill Rock Stars singer/songwriter was found dead in his apartment in St. Paul. He fell and hit his head on the concrete floor. Sad sad sad.

2)RIP David Carradine- his accidental death in his hotel room in Bangkok where he was filming a movie is sad, disturbing and grosses me out (just sayin’). He was great in both volumes of Kill Bill, but I really loved him in Death Race 2000 as Frankenstein. Sheesh, he’s been in a ton of movies and I’m sure his mark in the film world won’t be easily forgotten.

3)Adams County libraries are the first libraries in the country to phase out the Dewey Decimal Classification system. RIP.

This is gonna be a great week, I can already feel it. I’m gonna go to Fort Collins and do a bike tour of the breweries later this week and I’ll be djing on this very radio station Wednesday from 4-6pm. Indeed its gonna be a great week!

<3,
djAlisha.