Mikelyn Rochford is a college instructor, host of a superb web radio show on the Stationhead app, as well as one of my favorite contemporary visual artists on Instagram right now. If you listen to her show, The Ninth Wave, for even just a few minutes, her vast music knowledge and widely expansive tastes become immediately apparent. With this in mind, we of course had to feature Rochford on Liner Notes. Check out her responses below:
RCU: What was the last song that you listened to?
MR: “Lift” by Marisa Anderson. Portland represent!
RCU: What was the last album you felt obsessed with?
MR: Kadhja Bonet’s Childqueen. It feels both perfectly retro and newly arrived from the future. And so funky.
RCU: Which artist do you most want to listen to on a Friday night?
MR: Almost certainly Silver Apples, doubly so if it’s an energetic Friday night.
RCU: Which artist do you most want to listen to on a Sunday morning?
MR: Sunday mornings are perfect for Arthur Russell.
RCU: What record do you wish more people knew about?
MR: I recommend Brigid Mae Power’s The Two Worlds to everyone in the world. I also wish more people knew about and loved Dave Bixby’s album Ode to Quetzalcoatl.
RCU: What’s your favorite album to drive to?
MR: It changes constantly, but lately it’s been Diane Cluck’s Oh Vanille / ova nil.
RCU: If you could pull a Groundhog Day and relive one concert that you’ve previously attended over and over again, what would it be?
MR: I’ve been fortunate enough to see her a few times, but specifically Joanna Newsom’s String/Keys Incident 11/25/19 show at Herbst Theater in San Francisco was an unparalleled experience. She’s my favorite artist, and hearing rarely performed older favorites like “Only Skin,” “Swansea,” “Go Long,” and “Sadie” solo was divine. Honorable mention: Julia Holter performing Aviary at Portland’s Doug Fir Lounge (the greatest venue of all time).
RCU: Which artist, living or dead, do you wish you could have a conversation with at a bar over drinks?
MR: Kate Bush, the original social distancer. Big Boi alleges she’s a cognac drinker, too.
RCU: What’s the music doc/concert film that you’ve probably seen the most?
MR: Kevin Barker’s The Family Jams! Following that legendary Devendra Banhart/Joanna Newsom/Vetiver tour in 2004, with appearances from so many other amazing musicians too.
RCU: If we blasted a follow up to the Voyager 2 gold record into space, and you could choose just one song to put on it, what would it be?
MR: I think I’d like to launch the classic “This Time Tomorrow” by The Kinks up high to show outer space what a perfect song sounds like.
You can find Mikelyn on Instagram @baby.birch, and her artwork is available at @Mikelynrochfordart. Meanwhile, you can tune in to her show, The Ninth Wave, on the Stationhead App Wednesdays and Sundays at 6:30 Pacific Standard Time (search for username Ninthwave).
-KH
Record Crates United 