Bent By Nature - Ep. 4: Almost Magic (with Syd Straw)

Lost Notes: Groupies

KCRW

Music History, Documentary, Society & Culture, Music

4.7 • 721 Ratings

🗓️ 18 November 2021

⏱️ 19 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

It’s September 4, 1986. And Deirdre has just met a kindred spirit in singer Syd Straw. Like Deirdre, Syd traveled in good company. You could pick out her voice on records by Los Lobos, Rickie Lee Jones, Was (Not Was), and more. As an early member of the indie supergroup The Golden Palominos, she was a feature on Deirdre’s playlists long before she became a regular guest.

Most artists that appeared on “SNAP!” will tell you how comfortable Deirdre made them feel. That absolutely resulted in fantastic on-air performances. But Syd and Deirdre took that to a whole new level. If Deirdre had an official partner-in-crime, it was Syd Straw, who appeared on the show five times. She would sing with a band, or over backing tapes that she brought with her, or she would just guest DJ. And no topic was off limits. They had their own wild chemistry: funny, fearless, and more than a little bent.

In 1989, Syd struck out on a solo career which eventually took her to New York City. But even now, Syd is rich with memories of the pioneering DJ and friend whom she called “The Godmother.”

Transcript

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0:00.0	I'm Deirdre O'Donoghue. I make an attempt at running this show Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights from 10 p.m. to midnight. And about 13 minutes from now, we will have performing alive for you, Peter Halsappell, Eileen Markell, and Sid Straw. Hi, Sid, welcome to KCRW. You're too kind. Hi.
0:17.6	Well, I'm shorter than you are. I have no choice.
0:20.0	I don't understand that comment, Deutri, but there's much that I don't understand.
0:30.4	It's September, 1986, and Deirdre has just met a kindred spirit in singer Sid Straw.
0:36.9	You're reading my mind. It's almost frightening.
0:39.3	We're just on the same page. That's all.
0:41.3	Like Deirdre, Sid traveled in good company.
0:44.3	You could pick out her voice on records by Los Lobos,
0:47.3	Ricky Lee Jones, Was Not Was, and many, many more.
0:50.3	As an early member of the indie supergroup, the Golden Palomino's,
0:54.8	she was a feature on Deirdre's playlist long before she became a regular guest.
0:59.6	You remember them. I do remember them. How could I forget them at all in any way, shape, or form?
1:05.1	I know. Now, most artists that appeared on Snap will tell you how comfortable Deirdre made them feel,
1:23.7	and that absolutely resulted in fantastic on-air performances.
1:28.0	But Sid and Deirdre, they took that to a whole new level.
1:31.4	If Deirdre had an official partner in crime, it was Sid's draw, who appeared on the show five times.
1:37.3	Snap on KCRW. I'm Deirdre O'Donohue, my guest, guest co-host.
1:42.1	Your guest cohort, yeah.
1:43.8	We're probably breaking a law somewhere.
1:46.1	I certainly hope so.
1:48.5	Hey man, I'm making moves, and I am so much stronger than you.
1:55.1	I am so much stronger.
	...

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