Every Monday, Ariel Sehr and Sophie Schwadron spend their lunch hour on the air discussing two of their favorite things: the beauty of friendship and the R&B phenom R. Kelly. This one-of-a-kind combination talk show-musical
homage to the King of R&B tackles issues of friendship, with past themes including friend- crushes, the art of texting, and “purrental units do [‘s] and don’ts--- or, when you like your friend’s parents better than your friend.” And yes, their shows are always rife with punster magic.

“This show gives us an excuse to ask all those questions we have always wanted to ask, through a specific lens (R. Kellz obviously!)” explains Sehr. For the two sophomore DJ’s, their show is the point at which friendship and R&B brilliance intersect in often-profound ways. “Coincidences and mishaps come full circle for those who believe in the power of friendship,” says Schwadron.

In-depth dialogues about the joys and pitfalls of friendship are coupled with relevant songs from R. Kelly’s oeuvre. For example, a recent show centered on long-distance friendships featured “I Believe I Can Fly,” Kelly’s touching ballad from the motion picture Space Jam, a cinematic favorite of Schwadron’s and Sehr’s.

The Friendzzz Show has already developed a loyal following, with a vibrant Facebook group of 118 members. Some of these real-life Friendzzz have made guest spots on the Show, and two guests even formed a friendship on the air, with help from Schwadron, Sehr, and of course, R. Kelly. Their ultimate goal is to get members of the Kelly family on the show. Says Sehr, “We are currently working on getting in contact with Ms. Kelly (R. Kelly’s mom.) She’s our second dream interview after Ira Glass."

Article by station staffer Sarah Holtz

The Hip-Hop Shop

DJ Riles P. (Riley Koval ‘12) and DJ Ape (Colin Westcott ’12) are an energetic DJ duo on WMCN’s The Hip-Hop Shop. The show has gained quite a following on and off campus, playing a wide array of artists from Doomtree and Atmosphere to Kanye West. Both DJs are fanatics of the local scene and enjoy hosting these artists on their show for interviews and in-studio performances.
After their fantastic show on November 17 with St. Paul Slim, one of the Twin Cities up-and-comers, the Liner Notes chopped it up Koval and Westcott. Check it out here.

Keep listening to WMCN, your personal paper-writing soundtrack, until December 12th

29 November 2010 :: Live Twin Cities Hip-Hop on WMCN

We've had three live hip-hop performances in the last week. Check out the photos from live performances by St. Paul Slim on the Hip Hop Shop, and Muja Messiah and Analyrical on the Hip Hop Providers.

Also: the charts and a review of Dawes at First Ave by station staffer and Grand Ave Freeze-Out host Jonathan Bernstein in The Liner Notes.

23 November 2010 :: Off-Air for Thanksgiving!

We'll be off air for break. Find some way to amuse your ears until Monday, then come right back to us!

(Mostly because you'll want to hear Muja Messiah on the Hip Hop Providers from 4 to 5 the day we're back!)

8 November 2010 :: 3 Artists we love

First, the picture on the left: Want tickets to Haley Bonar's November 13th show at the Music Box Theare in Loring Park, Mpls? Since you do, you'll call in from 6 - 8 during Grand Avenue Freeze-Out tomorrow (11/9).

Second, the picture on the right: Twin Cities folk duo The Ericksons will be on from 5 - 5:30 on November 16th for a live in-studio performance and interview. Listen online, on the radio, in the station or in the Campus Center. (Possibly while you're having a Cafe Mac early-bird special dinner!) Their website is here. And if you can't wait until the 16th, they have a show at the Astor Cafe in Minneapolis on the 12th.

Third, the picture in the middle: No explanation needed. The whole WMCN staff watched it over the weekend. All 12 of us, all 32 minutes.

We also love: The Liner Notes. Featuring a review by DJ Eliza Summerlin of the new Matt and Kim album.

25 October 2010 :: Breaking for Fall

We'll be off the airwaves from October 28th - 31st. Post-Halloween we're back with a vengeance. With more stuff like free ticket give-aways: call into the live DJ request line between 5 and 8 tomorrow night for free tickets to Mark Sultan and Deer Tick at the Triple Rock on October 29th! And more sick in-station performances, like this freestyle by TC hip-hop duo the The Wise Guyz.

And our latest charts and a review by station staffer Molly Sullivan of a Guided by Voices/Times New Viking show at First Ave are right here.

18 October 2010 :: Even More Liner Notes!

Our latest charts, a review of the new Halcyon by Deerhunter, and info on free tickets to a mystery St. Paul show. (Hint: the frontman's name rhymes with "Tames Turfy.") Click here for the Liner Notes.

12 October 2010 :: More Liner Notes!

News about in-station performances, reviews, events. Right here.

11 October 2010 :: Fall 2010 Schedule is up

Our Fall 2010 chedule is online! Check it out. While you're at it, check out the first edition of the Liner Notes, our station newsletter, for reviews, charts, and other WMCN news. (Like our Neil Young listening party this Friday in JBD from 7:30 - 9:00. Food, drink, and Neil Young!)

1 October 2010 :: Listen via webcast

As of last Wednesday, the webcast is working again! (Thanks for the new computer, Macalester ITS!) Now you can listen online (click on the big radio over to the right) OR the old fashioned way, on 91.7 FM in St. Paul. You can also hear WMCN in the Campus Center Tuesday and Thursday nights and Sunday afternoons. (Thanks for playing us, Cafe Mac!)

27 September 2010 :: WMCN back on the air for Fall '10

We've been on air for a whole week! As in through radio waves. We're still working on getting the webcast back up. We'll let you know when it happens.

In the meantime, St. Paulites and Mac students, dig out your radios. 91.7 FM

(Image courtesy of Roadsidepictures on Flickr)

21 February 2010 :: WMCN on the Air

We're back on the air as of Monday, Febraury 22.

Check us out at 91.7 FM on your radio dial or on our webcast.

1 February 2010 :: Apply to WMCN

WMCN wants you!

To apply for a radio show, please follow this link.

Applications are due February 8th at 10PM.

Looking for old news? WMCN news archive.

Want to have an event announced on WMCN? Fill out our PSA form! Just send the completed form to wmcn@macalester.edu, SPO it to WMCN, or drop it at the station door. Expect immediate results!