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If you’ve never caught a Studio Milwaukee Session in person, something you don’t hear in the broadcast version is the crowd warm-up. Usually, our executive director gives a little speech, the DJ who’s emceeing the session shares a few words, and then off we go.
Usually.
Wednesday’s session went in a more unusual (and quite welcome) direction, as Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie took it upon himself to get the audience revved up for his performance. He opted for a “kumbaya” approach, starting by admitting he was feeling a little nervous and then unifying everyone in the room by saying, “We're all going to work together to make this a great broadcast.”
It had the intended effect, as spontaneous applause broke out several times before we went on the air — and then again throughout the session (as you’ll hear). The whole experience had a very “power to the people” vibe, which lined up perfectly with a performance that felt indebted to protest singers from Pete Seeger all the way through Brandi Carlile.
It was true of the set’s opening song, “Revolution Rock n Roll,” and then hit particularly hard as Weiner transitioned to the title track from his upcoming album, Livin in the USA.
“A lot of these stations get blowback for playing songs like this,” he said. “And we're working together — the artists, the radio stations, the community, the supporters like you — to put music out that speaks to things that are going on right now, things that you're feeling, I'm feeling. And it's risky. And so I want to say a special thank you to Radio Milwaukee for playing this song.”
Something worth noting is that, despite the subject matter, the session never felt heavy. As evidenced by his crowd work throughout, Weiner has a lightness and approachability that makes you want to lean into even the most difficult topic. So while the mid-set interview touched on social commentary and his not-so-tough decision to call off a show at the Kennedy Center, it was Weiner’s definition of rock and roll that best encapsulates the Low Cut Connie experience.
“There's so much to be depressed about in this world,” he began. “But we need to find joy. And to me, rock and roll, besides being revolutionary and edgy and countercultural, it's also got to be fun and give us a reason to dance. So I'm hoping that rock and roll, at least the music I'm doing and some of my friends are doing, is going to go back in this direction where we can dance again.”
Studio MKE: Low Cut Connie set list
- “Revolution Rock n Roll”
- “Livin in the USA”
- “Shake It Little Tina”
- “Beverly” (non-broadcast performance)
