They Might Be Playing They Might Be Giants

KMSU

Ashley Sudeta

After experiencing the freedom of choice streaming offers, turning on the radio feels like gambling. Will I hear a golden radio hit or Taylor Swift’s latest cash-grab? Most likely the latter. However, one day a year, KMSU (89.7 FM ‘The Maverick’) removes chance from the game and hands the jackpot to They Might Be Giants fans. Each year, the station dedicates a mid-November Friday to “They Might Be Playing They Might Be Giants.” From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., the station plays music by, interviews from, and stories about the band They Might Be Giants.

I tuned in through KMSU Radio’s mobile app and was greeted by the chipper voices of hosts Shyboy Tim and Shelley. They alternated between spinning requested TMBG songs and reading fans’ stories. Listeners tuned in around the world, sending requests from as far away as Belgium and Australia. Still, the broadcast had a delightfully intimate feel. The airwaves were a superfan celebration for people to share their love.

The mix played was phenomenal. It was a blend of TMBG’s hits, deep cuts, and covers; kids’ music and adult songs. While 12 hours is a long time, the combination of popular songs like “Ana Ng” and “Birdhouse In Your Soul” and obscure gems like “Turtle Songs of North America” made it listenable. The broadcast was fairly palatable, whether you wanna rock or you want a rock to wind a piece of string around.

While direct streaming is the most popular way to listen to music in today’s busy, individualistic world, tuning in to KMSU reminded me that music is best appreciated with others. Music isn’t just about songs, but the stories and experiences they carry. TMBPTMBG was a beautiful example of this, and I can’t wait to join the global community of listeners again next year.