Even for those of us who happen to be in the Radio Boise station during Brion Rushton’s weekly “Strange Feeling” program, he and the show remain a bit of an enigma thanks to the pitch black studio from which Brion’s choice of dreamy, eclectic sounds emanate.
There in the dark, Brion shares curated sets of music that most people would never know about, making each show a revelation. Here Brion pulls back the curtain and lets us in on what informs his aesthetic and fuels his fire…
These records control me:
Danny Brown – Atrocity Exhibition (2016)
Blood Incantation – Starspawn (2016)
Endless Melancholy – Her Name in a Language of Stars (2015)
Lurker of Chalice – Lurker of Chalice (2005)
Koopsta Knicca – Da Devilās Playground (1999)
I think the upcoming production of Hedwig & The Angry Inch at Boise Contemporary Theater is cause for excitement. It features musical direction from Thomas Paul, who in addition to co-hosting the venerable V3, is the top local musician in this yearās Best of Boise issue of the Boise Weekly. (FULL DISCLOSURE: Iāve known heās been the best local musician for the last ten years.)
Hm, I like the idea of a ritual meal. Though it makes me feel like it should involve tannis root — the poisonous herb that the geriatric satan worshippers feed Mia Farrow in Rosemaryās Baby. Iām not sure why. Maybe because I recently watched Rosemaryās Baby. In any event, no, I donāt have a ritual meal.
But as far as regular ritual goes, well, I suppose Strange Feeling wouldnāt be right unless I lowered the lights in the booth and began each show with an aqueous, instrumental rendition of āThis is Romanceā by Hal Kemp & His Orchestra. Without that, Iād have the strangest feeling of all.
Since September of 2011. My friend DJ Steph Coyle of Motherās Ruin first coaxed, then cajoled, then borderline harangued me to get a show. She held a strong belief I could bring an invaluable perspective to this dynamic station. Iām not sure if she still feels that way, but Iām indebted to her encouragement nonetheless.
Thereās this liminal space between consciousness and unconsciousness which occurs as you fall asleep and Iād like to think Strange Feeling is the audio equivalent of that.
I became aware of Radio Boise around 2007 or 2008, back in its webcast days. My friend StephaniePC (of the erstwhile Plimsoll Line) co-hosted a show called Amalgamated Coup with Kathy O and I loved listening to their consummate selections. It amazed me that Boise finally had a landing place for intriguing music and the people who wanted to share it.
If you blindfolded me and had me throw a dart at a board listing all the stationās programming, Iād be happy with whichever show it landed on.
Iām a bit of a recluse so Iām usually home reading a book or out on a solitary run in the foothills. I do play guitar in the band Aelter, but as a group we are also reclusive and only perform intermittently. And even then itās always under a shroud of fog and dim lighting. If you need a posterboy for someone who doesnāt like to appear on posters, Iām your guy.
The Treasure Valley deserves a radio station whose mission is serving the interests and needs of its listenership, not the interests and needs of advertisers and shareholders. KRBX is genuine in its ambitions and volunteering is a way of affirming those values.
When I was a little kid I would sometimes stay the night at my grandparents. Their house was perched on the edge of the Snake River Canyon. Right outside the bedroom window was a wind chime that rung out the notes of a minor chord. 500 feet below, the river ran insistently over Auger Falls, creating an echoey white noise effect. The combination of those sounds enchanted me, forever leaving an indelible imprint on my mind. I think a part of me is always trying to capture a little bit of that enchantment when I host Strange Feeling.
You can check out “Strange Feeling” every Monday, 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. or listen to an archived show anytime
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