Girl To City: A Memoir
Were you a misfit who followed your dreams to New York City back in the twentieth century when Manhattan rents were cheap and crime and creativity were rampant? Maybe you just imagined what it would be like. Based on her memoir, Girl To City follows singer-songwriter Amy Rigby's progression from Elton John fan in the Pittsburgh suburbs to late 70's Manhattan art student; from punk show habitué to fledgling musician to cult artist who caused a sensation with her album Diary Of A Mod Housewife. Each Wednesday, Amy will read a chapter and throw in some music.
Episodes
20 episodes
20. Diary Of A Mod Housewife/Epilogue
August, 1996. The month everything went right.My first solo album. Modern dermatology. A kid who quotes Homer Simpson. The slow realization that the road goes on forever...Songs in this episode:Twenty Questions -
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48:13
19. Welcome To L.A.
1996. New York and Los Angeles. Letting go and finally getting somewhere...Songs in this episode:You're Getting Old - mid-90s demo, A One Way Tic...
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37:29
18. Temp Of The Month
Breaking up is hard to do. The beginnings of Diary Of A Mod Housewife. Temp jobs and uncomfortable elevator encounters.Songs included in this episode:When A Piece Of The Sky Falls - early 90s demo
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36:54
17. You'll Be A Woman Soon
The magic of three; life as a rock mom and the loud majesty of Urge Overkill and Big Muff distortion pedals...Songs in this episode:Down At The Texaco - early unreleased Shams demoAlmost Had Me Convinced - early 90s...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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43:27
16. Outside Looking In
Moving to Williamsburg, back when Brooklyn was...Brooklyn. A day job at Tudor City. The Shams make an album, and a video.Songs in this episode:All I Want original demo -
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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44:44
15. Only A Dream
Adjusting to life post-October 1988. Harmonies and laughs with baby Hazel and the Shams; touring with the Indigo Girls, and an introduction to that sleepy backwater on the other side of the East River: Williamsburg, Brooklyn.Songs in th...
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25:56
14. Matching Mother Daughter Outfit
The last Last Roundup; birth of the Shams and life is a mother.Songs in this episode:Grow Up Daddy - the Shams early demoOnly A Dream - original demo -
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54:00
13. Just A Little Is Enough
Making tracks in...Springfield, Missouri. A visit from a true inspiration. And "good evening, um, Ruston!"? Last Roundup on record and on tour.Songs in this episode: Just A Little Is Enough - Last Roundup,
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32:34
12. Until I Die
Saying "I do," and keeping on doing. Playing for some tough customers (my parents) and going solo at the long term temp job variety show.Songs in this episode:Beer & Kisses - from
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33:24
11. Positively Fourteenth Street
Two girls, two guys, one upright bass, lap steel, three acoustic guitars, banjo, fiddle and a washboard in NYC and Nashville: getting good takes time. And love is a country compilation cassette.Songs in this episode:Playin' ...
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49:00
10. Summer Of My Wasted Youth
It took a while, but in 1982-83 I finally started writing songs and playing music for real, although "real" is relative as the results were pretty primitive. But the energy and intent was there! The first version of Last Roundup; East Village s...
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47:21
9. Like Jean Seberg In Breathless
Back in New York, 1982. Ladies love outlaws until they learn to love themselves. Working a day job and learning the importance of a good cast iron skillet. Discovering country music.Songs in this episode:The We That Never Wa...
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52:37
8. Chasing Raincoats
Life as a London art student & music fan circa 1980-81, in a squat with punk legacy that included first rehearsals by the Raincoats. Fashion illustration attempts; encounters with a past love and a future one, Songs in this epi...
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36:11
7. Dark Angel
1980. He wore a tank top in winter and summer. But I loved him.Songs in this episode:Dark Angel - original demo version + The Shams from QuiltDon...
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23:51
6. Urban Pioneers Wanted
1979: The Clash; a homemade club in lower Manhattan...and my first band.Songs in this episode:Slow Burner - The Old GuysIf You Won't Hang Around - Th...
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45:45
5. The Married Manager
You never forget your first broken heart...or your first trip to England.Songs used in this episode:The Leader from The Sandinista! Project
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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34:26
4. Second Year
1977. Friends, family, fashion illustration and trying to figure out where I fit into it all. Oh, and the Sex Pistols are coming.Songs used in this episode:Yankee Wheels from The Stiff Generation &
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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24:53
3. Girl To City
Art school, black jeans from Trash & Vaudeville, and my first trip to the Bowery with a boy named Bob.Songs used in this episode:Bob live version from Faulkner, Dylan Heinz & Me + studio version
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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37:32