Shawn Stewart has worked at 3 of the best radio stations in America. She began her career at the adventurous, eclectic alternative outlet Rev105 in Minneapolis. From Minnie she moved to Philly, where Shawn made the transition to Public Radio at the legendary home of The World Café, WXPN. Shawn landed in Seattle and hosted her very first shift on The Mountain on the first day of the new millennium. By that April, Shawn was on the air every weekday and handling Music Director duties. Along the way, Shawn has written and produced numerous nationally syndicated radio shows, hosted an ill fated television show for Spin Magazine, taken a yoga class taught by Sting, and interviewed everyone from David Bowie to Allen Ginsburg.
In March of 2007, Shawn left The Mountain for an extended vacation. She vacationed from her vacation at the Bonnaroo Music Festival where she interviewed 40 bands in 4 days including Ben Harper, Warren Haynes, John Butler, Fiest, Richard Thompson, Lily Allen and pretty much the whole darn roster. The remainder of her time off was spent searching the globe for kind powder, big waves, and the perfect pop song. Here’s the first of those songs, discovered in, of all places, a dark movie theatre in Queen Anne. Check back from time to time for more of Shawn’s discoveries!
Update! I’ve been invited back to Bonnaroo ‘08 to interview all the bands. Wow! Jack Johnson, The Raconteurs, My Morning Jacket, and more. Basically, it’s like a non stop Mountain Music Lounge with every band on the roster. And I talk to all of ‘em. Yes, occasionally I get nothing more than rock star attitude (hello, Spoon??) and withering disdain (Elvis Perkins, but hey, my dad pushed his father into a pool when they were kids. Bad lead in, by the way…), but it’s an amazing experience I promise to share with you. Check back for all the backstage shenanigans starting June 12.
And, at long last, another perfect pop song discovered via my obsession with former Seattle band Band Of Horses. This is a solo project by ‘Horses member Tyler Ramsey. It’s exquisite. Tyler Ramsey - "A Long Dream"
Here's my Desert Island Discs:
I admit, I've got commitment problems. What devout music fan doesn't? This list represents my latest crushes, my summer flings, my flirtations...
Wilco – Sky Blue Sky Heartbreak? Growing up? Disillusionment? Sounds like a bit of a downer for a summer album, right? Well, right, actually. Be brave, friend. If you can bare the raw poetry of this deeply felt album, you can survive the dog days of summer, winter, spring and fall.
The Clash – London Calling Ok, this one actually is a perennial favorite. When all other music sounds stale and I'm curled under my desk in the fetal position, this is the disc you use to lure me out.
Stevie Wonder – Songs in the Key of Life
Summer Soft, Love's In Need of Love, Sir Duke, Have A Talk With God, I Wish, 2 discs, a full discourse on love and relationships AND astute political and social commentary, and you can dance to it. It was ambitious even for Stevie! They really don't make them like this anymore.
To check out the rest of our air-staff's Desert Island Discs, click here.
