What's Left Of The Dial? WFMU

WFMU is a Jersey City, New Jersey based radio station that is a rarity in this day and age, it’s on the radio and actually worth listening to- a station that is both independent and free form. Originally part of an academic institution, it went rouge when the college closed around it and morphed into a non-profit, listener-supported example of how to do things right.

As is the case with all non-corporate, fully independent companies, it keeps just a few salaried employees with volunteers to flesh out the humanity needed to run a business of its size. Also, like all other similar companies, they need to conduct PBS-like pledge drives to force the funds for it’s annual budget out of the pockets of the very people who feel WFMU's existence is a necessity- the listener. After over 20 years of doing just that, WFMU has it down to a science. As opposed to slowly doling out the pain and continuously and consistently asking for money throughout the year, ‘FMU has reduced this guilt making pleading to just a two week window in late winter for it’s annual fundraising marathon. Sure, they have other revenue producing events throughout the year like the Manhattan based record fair and a silent fundraiser that keeps it exactly that- quiet and off the air- but this annual marathon is exactly what keeps them on the air. Without a successful marathon, there would cease to be a WFMU.

When the mighty ‘FMU finds itself on its knees begging for its existence, Jersey locals and Hoboken legends- Yo La Tengo- seem to always be around to lend them a hand. For a good long while now, YLT have given their time and encyclopedic knowledge of music over to WFMU’s airwaves for a one night only, unique performance. A full setlist of nearly on-the-spot listener requested covers sent into the station by any means necessary and for any price as long as it’s at least $100. Essentially, WFMU is given the power to transform Yo La Tengo for one night into a jukebox that only takes $100 bills or higher.

This arrangement has become an expected and highly anticipated tradition of the marathon, so much so that listeners know that their minimum $100 pledge/song request doesn’t come with any guarantees it will get on the air. Having been in the room this year, I can confirm that having your song played is definitely like winning the lottery. (Well, maybe the odds are more in the ballpark of winning $50 off a scratch off and not the whole millions fantasy thing.) This year, it all went down on a Wednesday night instead of the usual TGIF night spot, to accommodate YLT’s jaunt through Australia starting later that week. As last year's version of this night was a “live from Germany” over the phone situation, 2014 was a glorious return to the ‘FMU studios for YLT. From the tight quarters of the studio made even tighter with the overflowing mass of humanity vying for a view of the band, it appeared the ‘FMU staff missed having them in the studio last year too.

Joined for this performance by band-friend Bruce Bennett who supplied more guitar, vocals and musical brain power to the core trio of bassist/vocalist James McNew, drummer/vocalist Georgia Hubley and Ira Kaplan mastermind/vocalist, they had set up in a corner of the studio near a window looking over a snowy parking lot. They huddled together going over a multitude of white paper slips with song titles written on them by volunteers manning the phones. The night consisted of mini-sets of four to five songs each with more of those white papers being handed to the band after each one. As the DJs that night continued their plea for more pledges to roll in between mini-sets, the sounds of the band trying to remember the right chords, melodies and bass lines for the next batch of songs become the distant soundtrack to the pleading for more cash.

It was a rare treat to be in a small room as a professional band scrambled to identify, remember and assemble a song or even memory of a song in their heads. While there were many examples of this throughout the night, some of the more memorable were watching Georgia take vocal cues from Ira and James while trying her best to put together the lyrics to “Thirteen” by Big Star, watching James teach Ira the chords to Poison’s “Talk Dirty To Me” and the effort to make Paul McCartney’s “Live and Let Die” anywhere near what it should be without a string section. Also a highlight in itself was Georgia’s ability to get out from behind her drums after a mini-set, discuss the upcoming songs and be good to go live on the air without even once taking a practice beat on her actual set. Simply put, just the gained insight into their band dynamics was worth the trip to New Jersey alone. While not surprising at all, it was interesting to see each member take the lead an equal amount of times during the many band discussions with no friction or bullshit between them during a somewhat stressful time- mostly smiles, laughs and good vibes all around.

Honestly, how could anyone in that room or through the radio not feel the same positive atmosphere? A sense of community was being built right through the airwaves combining the efforts of Yo La Tengo, WFMU and the listeners themselves. WFMU’s best and brightest’s requests were being filtered through YLT’s mind to create a varied, fun and eclectic setlist. Roughly 30 songs were played in total followed by a 10 minute medley referencing multiple song requests that might have been gotten to had the band been able to play on throughout the night until the morning sun. Highlights of the night included stellar takes on “David Watts” by The Kinks, Velvet Underground’s “What Goes On”, Pere Ubu’s “Heart Of Darkness”, The dB’s “Black & White” and a Crazy Horse-like extended jam on Neil Young’s “Hey Hey My My”.

A completely unique experience thanks to WFMU- an institution that many of your favorite bands and best friends probably endorse wholeheartedly already. (If not, maybe it’s time to reassess your friends and favorite bands.) The best part is you still have time to make a difference and donate. The website WFMU.org lays it all out for you and makes it really easy to pledge your allegiance. The WFMU marathon continues through Sunday, 3/9, so be sure to listen via the dial (91.1 in NJ/NY) or stream it online at WFMU.org.