Rants and Raves

Liz Warner is among a long lineage of Detroit radio hosts whose prolific perspectives have impacted music and culture globally. For three decades, various iterations of her radio show, "Alternate Take" has introduced, inspired and reminded scores of producers, DJs, music aficionados and novices alike with a wildly eclectic cross section of sounds and deep cuts.

Tune in as we take a deep dive as to why Detroit is so sonically distinct to our souls and ears. And explore Liz’s approach to curating her legendary show, which is unrestricted by the limitations of genre. In this era of significant technological change, we also hypothesize on what the future of radio might look like.

Be sure to check out Alternate Take on WDET 101.9 FM on Thursdays, 8-10pm ET. It’s also aired again on Saturdays 10-midnight ET and can be streamed live and on-demand at WDET.org.

Have an insatiable appetite for all things rave? Subscribe to the Rants and Raves newsletter on Substack for columns and audio emailed directly to you. And to listen in on future interviews with nightlife legends, follow Rants and Raves on your favorite podcast platform.

Music x Claude Young Jr / Logo x Michael Magnan

Numbers can add up, but say very little. So why do we often hear music described solely as BPM these days? A description distilled to tempo alone obscures the intricacies of melodies, harmonies, texture and tonality that moves us. Music reviews certainly don’t start and end with “the track is 142 BPM.” Summing up our feelings as digits does a disservice to the depths of our perception.
What BPM Doesn't Tell You

Have an insatiable appetite for all things rave? Subscribe to the Rants and Raves newsletter on Substack for columns and audio emailed directly to you. And to listen in on future interviews with nightlife legends, follow Rants and Raves on your favorite podcast platform.

Music x Claude Young Jr / Logo x Michael Magnan

Parties provide access to sonic portals- unparalleled encounters of the personal kind. And these tumultuous times just beg of us to amp up and eek out every inch, centimeter and iota out of our time twirling amidst uncertainty. Moments spent synchronizing mind and body to music can recalibrate and recharge, bettering our ability to cope with the chaotic world off the dancefloor.

Tapping into ourselves while deluged by non-stop doomsday newscycles and trapped in the throes of anxiety is by no means an easy task. Which is why intentionality- what we do before, during and after the party- matter more than ever.

Host Tovah Feinberg is joined by guest S’aint Panic, a multifaceted artist and proven Jack and Jill of all trades- whether behind the booth, producing the boots down and/or at the door. We delve into how we can improve upon what we gain through these experiences as individuals and in turn, the immense impact that has on us collectively. In need of a tune-up?! Tune in to “Cock-a-Doodle-DO It With Intention.”

Have an insatiable appetite for all things rave? Subscribe to the Rants and Raves newsletter on Substack for columns and audio emailed directly to you. And to listen in on future interviews with nightlife legends, follow Rants and Raves on your favorite podcast platform.

Music x Claude Young Jr / Logo x Michael Magnan

Hollywood usually misses the mark when it comes to portraying raves accurately. Which sucks but...can also be pretty funny. “Reads by Rants and Raves” is where I share my takes on films and shows. This piece encapsulates the very first time I spotted raves appearing in pop culture.
And it was on no other than on an episode of Beverly Hills 90210. Tune in to hear what kind of kerfuffles ensue when the pretentious posse forays into their first (and perhaps only) rave.
"The dressed to the nines-0210 crew enter the rave. David, who’s flush with whiskey remarks, “it’s trippy” much to the chagrin of the group. Full stop. The gang wants to know- is he on acid?! "
"The needle on the record figuratively stops as Brenda’s black boot steps on a syringe. They glance up and see a couple smoking crack and go from horrified to mortified. Well, that’s what they said they saw. I looked closely a few times and it appears to me like a mini bottle of booze being waved near a crack pipe with no hint of smoke or flame."

Have an insatiable appetite for all things rave? Subscribe to the Rants and Raves newsletter on Substack for columns and audio emailed directly to you. And to listen in on future interviews with nightlife legends, follow Rants and Raves on your favorite podcast platform.

Music x Claude Young Jr / Logo x Michael Magnan

Berlin and NYC. Two cities with reputations of knowing how to get down. And two very different ways of doing things when it comes to bathrooms and baggies. Just why is that? Listen in for my hypothesis.
Bathrooms and Baggies

Have an insatiable appetite for all things rave? Subscribe to the Rants and Raves newsletter on Substack for columns and audio emailed directly to you. And to listen in on future interviews with nightlife legends, follow Rants and Raves on your favorite podcast platform.

Music x Claude Young Jr / Logo x Michael Magnan