Forget: Nov. 15, 2011

We managed not to forget this week's theme, as we transitioned from a show about remembering to a day of forgetting.

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Let's get started before I forget what I'm doing here.

Attack in Black - "I'm Going to Forget" - The Curve of the Earth (2007) 

Bob Dylan - "Forgetful Heart" - Together Through Life (2009)

You might choose to selectively forget information that interferes with your plans.

The Raveonettes - "Forget That You're Young" - Raven in the Grave (2011) 

Cloud Nothings - "Forget You All the Time" - Cloud Nothings (2011)

No matter how hard you try, some things you're bound to keep forgetting.

The Cinematics - "Keep Forgetting" - A Strange Education (2007) 

Pride Tiger - "Forget Everything" - The Lucky Ones (2007)

Forgetting can become more of a tragic affliction than an inconvenience.

SNFU - "I Forget" - If You Swear, You'll Catch No Fish (1986) 

Goddo - "Forget About Forgetting" - Pretty Bad Boys (1981)

Some moments you'll never forget.

Atmosphere - "Don't Forget" - Sad Clown Bad Summer 9 (2007) 

Nas - "Can't Forget About You" - Hip Hop Is Dead (2006)

Our next piece gives us something to forget.

Twin Shadow - "Forget" - Forget (2010) 

Sarah Harmer - "Things to Forget" - All of Our Names (2004) 

Basia Bulat - "I'm Forgetting Everyone" - Heart of My Own (2010)

Let's unify remembering and forgetting to close the show.

Built to Spill - "Forget Remember When" - Carry the Zero (1999)

Remember: Nov. 8, 2011

Following up on the previous week's theme of Ghosts, this week Variations on a Theme presented a theme of Remember. What could our ancestors want any more than to be remembered?

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We start with a blast of nostalgia for days gone by.

Happy Noose - "Remember the Days" - Happy Noose (2011) 

The Thermals - "Remember Today" - Fuckin A (2004)

We transition from memories of times to memories of places.

R.E.M. - "I Remember California" - Green (1988) 

The Jimi Hendrix Experience - "Remember" - Are You Experienced (1967) 

The Black Keys - "Remember When" - Attack & Release (2008)

Some recollections can be painful.

Royal Wood - "Do You Recall" - The Waiting (2010) 

Ron Sexsmith - "Seem to Recall" - Whereabouts (1999)

It can be hard to get memories out of your head.

Clinic - "Memories" - Do It! (2008) 

Handsome Furs - "Memories of the Future" - Sound Kapitol (2011)

For some people, it's very important to be remembered by future generations.

Fucked Up - "Remember My Name" - David Comes to Life (2011)

Ugly Casanova - "Things I Don't Remember" - Sharpen Your Teeth (2002)

It can be hard to remember everything you need to.

Jennifer Castle - "Remembering" - Castlemusic (2011) 

John Mayall - "Memories" - Memories (1971)

Enjoy the memories.

Larkin Poe - "Memories" - Fall (2010)

Ghosts: Nov. 1, 2011

Today's show fell on All Souls' Day, the day after Halloween, so with the veils between worlds at their thinnest, it seemed appropriate to honor the dearly departed with a theme of Ghosts.

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We start with the first question you ask when you see or hear something unusual late at night.

Band of Horses - "Is There a Ghost" - Cease to Begin (2007) 

David Vertesi - "Caroline! A Ghost!" - Cardiography (2010)

Ghosts often serve as metaphors for something you can't let go of.

Laura Marling - "Ghosts" - Alas, I Cannot Swim (2008) 

Stars - "I Died So I Could Haunt You" - The Five Ghosts (2010) 

Freelance Whales - "Ghosting" - Weathervanes (2010)

Let's continue to explore the concept of ghosting.

Mother Mother - "Ghosting" - O My Heart (2008) 

Hot Panda - "The Ghost" - How Come I'm Dead? (2010)

Ghosts don't have to be eerie, even if they surround you.

The Presidents of the United States of America - "Ghosts Are Everywhere" - These Are the Good Times People (2008) 

The Misfits - "Spook City, USA" - The Misfits Box Set (1998)

We continue with the idea of a place full of ghosts.

Tape Deck Mountain - "Ghost Colony" - Ghost (2009) 

Billie the Vision & the Dancers - "Ghost" - The World According to Pablo (2005) 

Ron Hynes - "My Father's Ghost" - Stealing Genius (2010)

It's important to work through your ghosts; otherwise you'll face the same ghost every night.

Wolf Parade - "Same Ghost Every Night" - Apologies to the Queen Mary (2005)

Family (Kootenay Co-op Radio Membership Drive): Oct. 25, 2011

We capped our month of family themes with a show dedicated to the whole Family, in which we called upon our friends and relatives to support Kootenay Co-op Radio.

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Daniel Wesley - "Family" - Daniel Wesley (2009) 

Black Lips - "Family Tree" - Arabia Mountain (2011)

We spoke with Ryan Martin, general manager of the Hume Hotel and Spiritbar in Nelson, about the importance of Kootenay Co-op Radio in the community and why he books independent acts to perform at Spiritbar.

Satellite Stories - "Family" (2011) 

Ziggy Marley - "Family Time" - Family Time (2009)

We also spoke with musician Matt Mint, guitarist for the Wild Turkeys and Kootenay Grass Company, about how Kootenay Co-op Radio supports local acts and why he supports the station.

Kootenay Grass Company - "She Was an Angel" - Road to Whitehorse (2006) 

Feist - "It's Cool to Love Your Family" - Monarch (Lay Your Jewelled Head Down) (1999) 

Babes in Toyland - "We Are Family" - Nemesisters (1995)

Sisters: Oct. 18, 2011

We continued our month of family themes with a tribute to Sisters.

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We begin with a group that appropriately enough contains two sisters.

The Little Stevies - "Sister" - Attention Shoppers (2011)

Holly McNarland - "Sister" - Home Is Where My Feet Are (2002)

Sisters are more than just blood relatives; they're also symbols of caring and compassion.

Leonard Cohen - "Sisters of Mercy" - Songs of Leonard Cohen (1968)

The Psychedelic Furs - "Sister Europe" - The Psychedelic Furs (1980)

Mothers: Oct. 11, 2011

Continuing with family themes, with my mother's birthday just around the corner, Variations on a Theme went with a theme of Mothers.

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Mothers' unconditional love never ceases to amaze.

Cherry Ghost - "Only a Mother" - Beneath This Burning Shoreline (2010)

Elliott Smith - "Wouldn't Mama Be Proud?" - Figure 8 (2000)

It can be very difficult when mothers become embroiled in family conflict.

Plants and Animals - "The Mama Papa" - La La Land (2010)

Tusks - "Mothers vs. Sons" - Tusks (2008)

Brothers: Oct. 4, 2011

He protects and intimidates, annoys and inspires, tags along and leads the way, and he's always got your back. He's your Brother, and he's today's theme on Variations on a Theme.

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The bond of brotherhood is very strong, extending beyond the ties of blood.

Hot Chip - "Brothers" - One Life Stand (2010)

Swollen Members - "Brothers" - Black Magic (2006)

Sisters have very special relationships with their brothers.

Ms. Dynamite - "Brother" - A Little Deeper (2002)

Amy Winehouse - "Brother" - Frank (2003)