I am posting this anonymously until I gauge similar public sentiment on this one.

I just attended a session today and I have to say that for the fans this is a definite downgrade from the midtown studio. The audience is completely separated from the performance by a glass booth, and the DJ's are doubly separated from the fans. The great thing about the Tv & Radio Museum location was the free social interaction and intimate setting for the bands, the DJ's and the KEXP listeners who take time out of their day to get to the location and support the bands and the station. This is completely lost at Gigantic Studios (a misnomer if I ever heard one). We hear the performance through a muffled monitor and if we are lucky a band member comes in and plays a piano song amongst the audience. We are viewing the band through a plate glass window as opposed to sitting in the room with them when they play and talk.

I understand this session week is for the bands' promotion primarily, but I would love to know why the venue was changed. As a longtime attender of the shows in midtown and a proud member of KEXP I need to express my slight disappointment at what I just experienced.

don't miss "up the empire" tomorrow. they're great. the song "careful what you say" is one of the best songs i've heard in a while.

Listened to The Teenage Prayers this morning at 10am. Sound was a little rocky getting started, I guess that's what they get for being first up, but they still sounded GREAT! I LOVE THOSE GUYS!!!

Listened to The Teenage Prayers this morning at 10am. Sound was a little rocky getting started, I guess that's what they get for being first up, but they still sounded GREAT! I LOVE THOSE GUYS!!!

Listened to The Teenage Prayers this morning at 10am. Sound was a little rocky getting started, I guess that's what they get for being first up, but they still sounded GREAT! I LOVE THOSE GUYS!!!

the tuesday show at the delancey is "friction" a monthly show that used to be at rothko but moved to the delancey temporarily due to rothko's structural issues (will be taking residency at sin-e in june). come out early for our open sparks bar from 8pm-9pm.

flyer: http://crackersunited.com/blog/wp-content/may16thFrictionflyer2.jpg

thanks anon! from what you describe it sounds like a waste of effort to skip work to go down there.

oh it's not that bad. i was there today and had a blast. naturally i didn't get to any last year, so i'm sure it was 100 times better at the museum of tv & radio, but it's not like it was torture to see a free show from some great bands.

and yes they are still right in front of you. and ok there is glass that separates you, but it's not like you can't see.

plus, i'm sure the bands appreciate having people down there, regardless of the setting.

i hear the complaints about the separation of band and listeners, but don't make it a reason to stay away from the kexp showcases. kexp is doing a wonderful thing for many an unknown local band and listeners alike. if you go with the right attitude, it will be a great experience. the gigantic studios decision seems to stem from a desire to create the best recording for each band. it really sounds beautiful in there (don't forget; philip glass had a hand in designing that space). it's a rare treat for bands to have access to a live recording setup like that (imagine paying top$ for an hour at such a space). i will say- we record at our space all the time, and nothing ever sounded as good as that room. give it a chance and it will reward. thanks kexp.

The comparison was from a listener's perspective based on the exceptional experience we have gotten used to at TV and Radio. I would be the last person to begrudge the bands their shot at a finely recorded session, and I remain a loyal KEXP fanatic. In fact, after the session I was talking to a member of the Diggs across the street, and my comments were to the effect that for the bands and the DJ's the setting is clearly better than the single room in midtown; but after attending 7 sessions over the past 2 years you get kinda spoiled.

No, it's not that bad, Rachael, you are right; and it's still a unique experience; but anyone who has experienced both venues would notice the difference, and it's worth an open discussion of which KEXP should be aware. The station is there to cater to both the listeners/members and the bands, and it needs to be a quality experience for both.

That being said, the Mugs sounded great and it was a privilege to see you guys in such a small setting, regardless of the specific circumstances. Congratulations on a great set.

fair enough. but if I have to take time off at work it's not exactly "free" for me. I'd still rather be *in* the room.

if anyone's interested in my spot for WAS, let me know.

anonymous people are the nicest.

maybe folks should ask the bands if they can hang in the room. i'm sure most would be happy to make that happen. since we're all burning precious vacation days to make it to these shows there's no reason not to have it (y)our way.

rock over london, rock over chicago, rock over nyc.

Hey Jerry, I'd be interested in your spot for WAS if it's still up for grabs. I'll e-mail you.

Saw Goldfrapp there last night...even behind the windows, it was totally close enough.

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