‘Jedi Art’ uses the force of public radio

Politics, poetry, music and “the philosophical and sociological effects of drinking beer through a straw” are some of the things that can be heard on Laura Wylde’s Student Radio show “Jedi Art.”

“Jedi Art” began in the winter of 2000 when Jenny Mae McDougle and Laura Wylde joined forces. When McDougle’s radio program “Pandora’s Box” ended, she wanted to break away from the confining atmosphere of academia in radio. So, she asked Wylde to join her on a new radio program that mixed music, skits, editorials, politics and humor.

“I wanted to do something that was less academic, less editorial, and do more skits. I wanted to be able to talk about all of the same stuff, but without such a dark edge to it…We wanted to talk about politics,” McDougle said.

“Politics and poetry,” Wylde added.

McDougle and Wylde worked together on the radio program until McDougle graduated last year. Together, their unique chemistry made the show a success.

“When Jenny and I were together, we just had a second grade-sense of humor that really played off each other well,” Wylde said.

Now that McDougle has graduated, Wylde produces the show alone. Wylde is a passionate advocate for a better political environment.

Not only does “Jedi Art” promote political awareness, but the show also encourages listeners to become more involved.

“We are interested in the politics side of how the media is, and what local events or worldwide events that are going on…No matter what kind of politics it is or what avenue it is…the closing remark is ‘you need to act.’ And, you being the listener, and me being who I am, and everybody being human, we need to take this and find our own truths with what’s going on politically and worldwide and act accordingly and act responsibly,” Wylde said.

“I have a little journal that says ‘Be the change you want to be in the world.” And so…it starts with a fundamental personal change.”

Although Wylde is graduating this month, she plans to continue “Jedi Art” next semester. As for Wylde’s long-term career plans, she hasn’t ruled out radio as a job option.

“I think it would a great deal of fun. The only thing though, is that it’s really nonsensical, really eclectic, unfocused. And I think that if I were to take it into a career, be it like news radio or producing features for a local radio station or something like that, it would have to be a lot more…focused,” Wylde said.

The thought of radio as a career is something that McDougle has also pondered, although, she doesn’t know if commercial radio suits her best.

“I think it would be better left off as a hobby. I think as a career it is a whole different thing. Even if you got up to the point where you were producing, like writing and producing features and stuff like that, I still think it would be restrictive…I don’t want to be like Magic 93.1…I’m completely going a different direction…I might freelance audio stuff, but that’s as far as I would think of going with it,” McDougle said.

“…DJs are sent CDs that they have to play and they have a strict outline format with no creativity. It’s completely like a cookie cutter form. And that’s bad,” Wylde said.

“Jedi Art” is fortunately on the opposite spectrum of commercial radio. Rather than spewing out a pre-packaged plan of popular music and the same old DJ dialogue, “Jedi Art” gives the listener an active and memorable listening experience, and Wylde encourages listener feedback. Imagine what would happen if you called the producer of a mainstream local radio station to offer your suggestions? You might not get such a warm welcome. Fortunately, Wylde is open and willing to new ideas from her listeners.

Listen to “Jedi Art” the first and third Thursdays of each month at 8 p.m. on AM 730.

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Some of Student Radio’s programming available on AM 730:
“Too Much Distortion” hosted by Levi Chick
Friday @ 9 p.m.
Anything and everything heavy metal

“Like My Style” hosted by Aaron Bell
Monday @ 8 p.m.
Funky fresh beats

“Ten-9″ hosted by Annie Love
Tuesday @ 9 p.m.
Eclectic alternative

“Abecedarian Airwaves” hosted by Dan Krejci
Wednesday @ 8 p.m.
Alphabetical picks and funky vibes

“Where’s My Boogie” hosted by Jeremy Wren
Wednesday @ 9 p.m. (first and third wed.)
Dance, techno, industrial and beyond

“Jedi Art” hosted by Laura Wylde
Thursday @ 8 p.m. (first and third Thurs.)
Where art meets the microphone

“Levels Up” hosted by Travis Owens
Thursday @ 8 p.m. (second and fourth Thurs.)
Underground sounds and more

“Havana Caf

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4. BSU Public Radio gets new addition
5. Student Radio Schedule – Summer 2002