I found myself listening to music created by friends in Minneapolis today. It made me miss Minneap very much and so I decided to make a mini-homage to the place and people that made up my home for quite some time. As I continued to feed my nostalgia and listen on I witnessed it begin to hail, stopping and starting intermittently to let the birds fly home. The rain and clouds here produce twinges of my childhood and a familiar comfort of times past that I missed in Minnesota. I feel good about my decision to move home and I miss Minneapolis very much.

I present to you three tracks by my lovely friends and Minneapolites: Indigo and Spikaboxxx, Dol Parts, and Best Friends Forever. I do very much miss seeing them perform.

I organize my thoughts on the backs of press-releases. These lists and brainstorm bubbles sit strewn across my desk. Pictured to to the left is my to-do list for today, which might have been a tad ambitious. I'm taking ambition to mean good things ahead as I've got more energy to start on new projects, which include writing music articles and throwing echolocations release parties. I will keep you posted. Also, I recently picked up the new releases from Sera Cahoone and Man Man, you should too.

I had the pleasure of seeing my friend Thao perform at the Someday Lounge a few nights ago. She and her band have just finished a five week stint with Xiu Xiu and are soon to be heading overseas. After that they'll be touring the US with Rilo Kiley. I recommend you go see them if they come through your city. Also recommended is Thao and the Get Down Stay Down's new release on Kill Rock Stars. You can buy it here.

Here is a fun video for 'see a penny (pick it up)' a featured track on the current compilation.

I have just returned from the mailbox where I found lots and lots of envelopes, from you to me, filled mostly with checks. This is the second time that I have run a renewal since taking over InRadio and it is great for me to see them coming in, as it is an easy way to judge if what I am doing is resonating with you.

It is mostly me, Alice, behind all of this. I thought it about time to introduce myself, as I have read your mail, answered your phone calls and emails and have received thanks from many of you. I decided to take InRadio over last year when the talented and lovely people who started it six years ago decided to put their full effort into a different project. I had been in charge of InRadio for a few years but it wasn't until last August that I found myself the scared owner of a lovely idea and business that had slowly run itself into some money problems.

I believe in Echolocations. I love what I do and I think it is beneficial. Music has so many different amazing qualities: it heals, it inspires, it makes us dance, it courts us, it educates us. I try and share little bits of music that have moved me in some way in hopes that it will move you. I want musicians to be able to support themselves, I want small labels to flourish, I want people to learn through music. I want a lot of things, and I think through Echolocations I achieve a little piece of this puzzle.

I owe a lot of thanks. Firstly, to you subscribers that have offered your kind words, renewals, suggestions. Please know that they are appreciated and heard. It is you who allow me to do this. a.m. o'malley who provides her intelligence, creativity, and hard work in whatever way I need. Keegan who has been a wonderful art director and friend throughout this whole process. My lovely friends and employers at the Little Red Bike who have done whatever in their power to help and support me. My adorable animals who give me love while I work (and try to help with mailings). My ridiculously talented friend Mairead Case who has done favor upon favor in helping me achieve my goals. My parents who continue to give their unconditional support when I know that they would much rather I went to grad school. All of the labels that I have had the honor to work with on a continuous basis. and on and on. I am an extremely lucky person, a fact which I forget sometimes when my plate is so full. Thank you all for enabling me to feel it. I welcome your suggestions and criticisms, all I ask is that you understand that I make mistakes and that I am trying.