I first became involved in WRBB last year during Summer 1. Two of my friends had latenight radio shows and a few of us would guest DJ all the time – it was great to just vibe, listen to music, hear what songs and artists everyone was into lately, and share gossip and life updates off-air. The atmosphere was just unbeatable.
I became interested in having my own show and applied for one during Summer 2. It was called The Heartline Highway, and it featured songs that people associate with specific memories and/or times in their lives. I accepted anonymous song submissions on Instagram and got a lot of responses. Reading through them all was a reminder of how fundamentally similar we are as little humans living our little lives. Although the songs and the specifics of each memory were different, the emotions present in each one were so wholly human and universal. There were sad ones, happy ones, and ones that were a mix between the two. Complicated, intricate, grey ones. And each and every one was so distinctly memorable because of other people and human connection.
Humans are social creatures, and truly we were made and put here on Earth to love and be loved. Every other emotion is just a consequence of love. Every emotion exists because of other people. There’s a quote I keep seeing on TikTok slideshows that goes “what is grief, if not love persevering?”. And it is so undoubtedly true. Grief, anger, envy, hate, pride, loneliness, joy – they’re all because of human connection, gone right or wrong. Sometimes it’s connection to other people, and sometimes it’s connection to our selves. I enjoyed playing on my radio show these songs that people submitted that encapsulated such personal, vulnerable moments in their lives. I sincerely hoped all my listeners felt less alone knowing at the end of the day, we are just like everyone else. We laugh, struggle, cry, and are happy.
I wanted to give a few song recommendations for you that are near and dear to me too. I hope you’ll enjoy them.
- religion (you can lay your hands on me), Shura
- Hated By Life Itself, prod. Kanzaki Aori
- My favorite cover is only available on Youtube and Niconico I’m pretty sure, but it’s my Mafumafu. He just portrays the tone of the song so perfectly. But my favorite cover on Spotify is by Raon.
- 400 Lux, Lorde
- Juno, Choker
- Wait by the River, Lord Huron
- Come Over, Nolie
- Beneath the Lights, Cool Company
- florida, mxmtoon
- Regret You, HOLYCHILD
- Lady – Hear Me Tonight, Modjo
