North Gate Radio

May 1st, 2012

May Day!

Welcome to our May Day show, where we explore the reasons why we don’t officially celebrate workers on May 1st in the United States, but the rest of the world does. We’ll also take a look at the way brains work, both human and feline. We look at how the Internet can change a human brain, and how a trained cat behavior consultant can change the way a cat thinks, too. We’ll also hear from UC Berkeley Neuroscientist Jack Gallant about the technology his lab is developing to decode signals from the human brain. We can’t read your minds, but we think you’re going to like this show!

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Music in this show:
“Fat Cat Keeps Fatter” – Squirrel Nut Zippers
“I Spy” – Guster
“Journey to the center of your mind,” – The Amboy Dukes
“Love Cats” – The Cure
“Mean Eyed Cat” – Johnny Cash
“Mind Eraser” – The Black Keys
“What’s the Ugliest Part of Your Body?” – Frank Zappa

Photo caption: May Day in Wheatley, UK. Photo by Flickr user net_efekt, cc.

April 24th, 2012

The Hoax Show

This week, North Gate Radio is getting our hoax on. We spend some time investigating a medieval medical remedy that’s making a contemporary comeback in the Bay Area and take a look at what’s behind the KONY 2012 poster campaign. We’ll also hear about some local doomsayers that got it wrong before exploring the long history of pranks in the media.

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The show’s producer was Francisco Perez. The assistant producer was Megan Molteni. Ben Manilla is the executive producer. Our hosts today were Alexis Kenyon and Spencer Whitney.

Music featured in this broadcast:

- “Illusion” – Imagination
- “News of the World” – Jam
- “Heroin” – The Velvet Underground
- “Carmina Burana” – performed by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
- “Nocturne in E Flat Opus #9” – performed by Tosco Tango Orchestra
- “Suckers” – Reel Big Fish
- “Of the Mountain” – Dan Deacon
- “A little less conversation” – Elvis Presley (Junkie XL Remix)
- “Abracadabra” – Steven Miller Band
- “Girl, you know it’s true” – Mili Vanilli
- “What fools believe” – The Doobie Brothers

April 17th, 2012

The Entertainment Show

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This week, North Gate radio dwells in the realm popular culture and entertainment. We learn about the surprising comeback of vinyl discs and the surge in comic book sales. We’ll also scout for new musical talents in the Bay Area and dive right into the microcosm of Oakland’s small cabarets, before exploring the astonishing effects music can have on the human brain as a therapeutic method. (more…)

April 10th, 2012

The Health Show

Welcome to the health show on North Gate Radio. We’ll hear about a cell phone app that can bring help before an ambulance gets to an emergency and meet some folks who are taking healthcare to the streets, where homeless people can get access. We’ll also hear how the city of Richmond aims to use a soda tax to curb obesity in young people.

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Segments From This Show:

Vinyl makes unexpected comeback

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There was a point when many people thought CDs and mp3s would lead to the death death of vinyl. But a recent resurgence in the popularity of records has some predicting that vinyl will survive the digital age. (more…)


Image comics on the rise

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Image comics changed the face of the industry with the success of titles like “Spawn” and the “Walking Dead”. At Image, the idea was to create a company where comic creators could bring new ideas to the table. And the creators would own their intellectual property without worrying about being underpaid. (more…)


Band Profile: Dad’s LPs

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The Bay Area is full of emerging talent and one up-and-coming Northern California Band called Dad’s LPs is relocating to the East Bay to be part of the music scene. (more…)


Mixed results for Oakland cabaret laws

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For the past two years, the city of Oakland has loosened restrictions on clubs that offer live entertainment. On the surface, this has allowed the live music and DJ scene to expand in Oakland. But the new rules have produced mixed results, as well as some public safety concerns. (more…)


Music therapy gaining credibility

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Music therapy has been around for more than half a century. Professional music therapists work alongside doctors and nurses to help treat a wide range of medical disorders. But it’s only been in the past decade or two that neuroscience research has begun to validate some of the positive impacts music has on the brain. (more…)


Is Bay seafood safe to eat?

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Laotian Americans in Richmond often catch their dinner right out of the San Francisco Bay. But some say it’s not the safest way to eat. The EPA has issued warnings about fish caught in Richmond’s inner harbor, which can be contaminated with dangerous chemicals like DDT.

Photo caption: A Laotian fisherman. Photo by Alexis Kenyon.