WTUL DJs – Stoned to the Bone?

I really love listening to WTUL. I love their variety. I love their local music. I love their Indie. I love that I can hear a Spanish version of “Desolation Row,” followed by Interpol, followed by Rebirth.

Now if the DJs could give it a little more effort that would be greeeaaat.

I realize these are college kids and their ilk (never the most excited bunch) but perhaps they could just give us a bit more enthusiasm and, I don’t know, substance, because they often sound just dumb.

Perhaps I am compelled to this way of thought due to the repeated use of the word, “uh.” Aren’t these kids communications majors or something? How are they going to get voice-over work sounding like a burn victim? I know there are other avenues in music where you don’t have to use your voice but how about the integrity of the broadcasts? Do they think we care if they are hungry and Jimmy (listeners have no idea who Jimmy is) will bring them a bag of potato chips when he gets off work?

I’m not down with Clear Channel eliminating DJs the way it has in recent years but if this is the alternative, what’s the loss?

I should let it be known that this doesn’t apply to ALL WTUL DJs. I have heard some sharp ones who knew their shit and did good interviews and had information on their artists and made adept references to their influences. It’s great to hear that.

Then other times I hear this…

“Hey everybody this is Katie and you are listening to WTUL New Orleans. Uh, that was Bjork singing “Human Behavior.” Before that you heard uh, R.L. Burnside with ‘2 Brothers.’ Before that was uh, let me see if I can find it…not sure. I’ll ask Jimmy when he comes back. I was hungry so he’s getting me some Subway. What’s next? Oh yea, events calender. Tonight we have Walter Wolfman Washington at The Maple Leaf, West Bank Mike at the Old Point, Kermit Ruffins at Vaughans, The New Orleans Jazz Vipers at Donna’s and uh, a few more but I lost the other sheets. Oh good, here comes Jimmy with my sandwich. Here’s TV on The Radio with “Let the Devil In.”

Smoke another one Katie.