Interview: Winging it with Mary Lucia

Mary LuciaSince 1994, when she debuted as an on-air DJ at the short-lived alt-rock radio station Rev-105, Mary Lucia has been an unabashed booster for underground and local music—particularly during the last half-decade, as one of the most recognizable voices at Minnesota Public Radio indie-rock outpost at 89.3 FM, The Current. In an age when music on commercial radio is largely locked down by rigid formats, The Current’s playlist is marvelously eclectic, heavy on indie big-hitters like Neko Case and Wilco, but also with a hefty complement of Minnesota musicians, and spiced with the occasional dip into Jerry Lee Lewis or Howlin’ Wolf. Though The Current has never reached the ratings heights of mainstream-rock giants like KQRS, it has been (along with smaller left-of-the-dials like KFAI  and the U of M’s Radio K) hugely important in giving exposure to underheard music, helping drive up audiences for deserving musicians, local or otherwise, that would otherwise be ignored in favor of another spin of some Tom Petty song. Mary Lucia embodies the station’s approach—freewheeling and affably conversational, she’s clearly a fan of music, and as enthusiastic about turning her listeners on to something new and great as she’d be with a close friend. In advance of The Current’s fifth-anniversary show at First Avenue Jan. 29—featuring a stellar all-local lineup including Solid Gold, P.O.S., Mason Jennings, Lookbook, and The Twilight Hours—Mary Lucia talked with The A.V. Club about the beauty of mistakes, the pains and pleasures of winging it, and how she got revenge on She Wants Revenge.

Originally published on avclub.com Jan. 27, 2010. Read the complete article.

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