In The Loop

As a "looper", I have the unique privilege of discussing a passion and sharing my love of the built environment over the radio. Strange that someone from Northern California would be doing this, but such is the outreach of this wonderful program. I've met people and discussed MPR in passing, and they ask "Have you listened to 'In the Loop?'". And I say - Yes! I do!

A year ago an amazing, world class violinist, Midori, played at our hometown theater. I've never been that into classical music, but when you see genius in any form it is easy to recognize. For me it is all physical: the way I lose power over my jaw, mouth agape; the lean forward; the chest swell; the investment I find myself making as an audience member trying to send a bit of positive energy back to the performer, wanting to be in the experience. At the end of the show Midori was asked why she dedicated money (lots of it) to play in small communities like ours. She answered that she didn't do it for the love of the music, she did it because the music creates community.

In The Loop is a genius show because it isn't just a show, it is a community. As a result, the show is always in a state of evolution featuring current, up-to-date, newsie commentaries, original songs, and sketches. The show captures many of the responses I often have to the news and expounds and expands on them, which adds to the humor and whit we have come to expect. Most of all the interviews done with everyday people to explore or explain subjects in the news give us radio/internet/podcast/isolated twenty-first century folk a bit of a town square from which we can learn from one another. All tied together with music from The Smarts and a Story Slam on top. The show redefines the term Folkfest every week.

The newest episode of In The Loop, in its newest form, gives us a taste of the nummy num that is yet to come. Right from the get go we're drawn in with a sketch that was just as funny for me as a Tina Fey Palin (okay as funny as one can get with Obama and Bobby J). My only advice is, "You rock boys! Quit apologizing!!!"

Sending some love ~ Jess

For those NPR nerds out there, I really do think it's a cross between PHC and TAL. Jeff and The Smarts sing songs with parodied words written on some recent news item, a la Garrison Keillor. And they also spend a lot of time talking to normal people, a la Ira Glass (btw, Sanden Toten's Glass impression was hilarious!). Some segments are more interesting than others, but I listen almost every week.

I heard about this review module on the podcast itself and I must say, the implementation of the exchange from there to here is what I feel the show is all about. I'm not from Minnesota; have never been to Minnesota; but the show itself makes me feel incredibly involved with your entire production... like I'm part of the team...which makes me want to contribute. Being one on one with Jeff in combination with superb production quality and delightful music result in a very calming experience. I'm a fairly new listener but this is by far one of the most intimate and conversational radio shows I have ever heard. It can sometimes go over the heads of some listeners but I don't think its a secret that the show is aimed towards 18-35 year old/higher education/etc... Thank you for doing what you do; I await and enjoy the podcast every week.