I play dirty records on the radio.
Filthy secrets: only in the Shotski Lodge.
Is this how clickbait works? If so, welcome to the Shotski Lodge! I play vintage polka records from Wisconsin and the upper Midwest on the radio and at events.
Confession: I play dirty records on the radio. Some of these albums are DUSTY. I can wipe them off with a microfiber cloth, but a lot of my polka records are overdue for some TLC.
The polka records in my collection come from a ton of different places. I buy them from thrift stores, antique stores, and yard sales. People donate records to the cause (the cause being my mission to get more people to listen to vintage polka music). People give them to me at my gigs, drop them off at the radio station, or pass them hand-to-hand among record collectors until the polka bands find me.
They come from different places, but also in wide-ranging conditions. Some are dusty. Some are pristine. Some have come broken in the mail (always sad). And while I’d never judge the origin of kindly donated records, some have come to me with grey dirt, black mold, and what is surely cat pee.
I know that every one of these records was created out of love. It was a love of music that made musicians gather in a room to record songs they’ve played at weddings and funerals. It was a love of music that made the guy who pressed “record” on devices, that led to the pressing of this record, designing its cover, and tucking it into the mail or on a display stand to sell to someone who loved polka. That someone chose this record. And whether it eventually came out of grandma’s basement or a thrift store — no matter what condition it was in when it came to me — I accept it as being one in a long line of people who love this music.
So when I wash these records that need some tender loving care, it’s a blessing.
That said, I did the math and it’s going to take me about 24 non-consecutive hours to wash all the polka, not including dry time and supply runs. I’ll need to stock up on more distilled water and rubbing alcohol. A labor of love like this is perfect for February when there’s snow on the ground. And polka music on the radio.
p.s. a correction from the video: the event at the Grumpy Old Men festival features Busch Light Curling, not Coors Light.
p.p.s. the album cover art Substack I mentioned is this one:
Polka Time: Where and when to listen
LIVE - February 16 Anti-Valentine’s show
Sunday, 7 p.m. - WVMO-FM 98.7 Monona
Streaming - Rebroadcast of last week’s Valentine’s show
Saturday, 8 a.m. - WHYS-FM 96.3 Eau Claire - support WHYS
Saturday, 3 p.m. - WRJQ Goodtime Radio - support WRJQ
Saturday, 6 p.m. - WPCA-FM 93.1 Amery - support WPCA
Saturday, 7 p.m. - WVMO-FM 98.7 Monona - support WVMO
Sunday, 7 a.m. - WOJB-FM 88.9 Hayward - support WOJB
Sunday, 8 a.m. - WILW-FM 96.3 Waupaca
Sunday, 9 a.m. - WOCT-FM 101.9 Oshkosh
Sunday, 4 p.m. - WLSP-FM 103.5 Sun Prairie - support SPMC
Thanks to these community and volunteer-powered stations for keeping vintage polka on the air waves.
Events
Saturday, February 22 — Polka Dance Party at the Grumpy Old Men Winter Festival, Wabasha, MN
If John Gustafson and Max Goldman are your vibe, you will love this dance party at the annual Grumpy Old Men festival in Wabasha, Minnesota. DJ Shotski will team up with Twin Cities dance instructor Miss Shannon to share an all-Minnesota polka music set and teach people how to dance the polka. Dancing shoes and buffalo plaid encouraged.
Find the dance at The Transfer Building, 128 W 2nd St, Wabasha, MN from 3-6 p.m. on Saturday, February 22.
Saturday, June 8 - Trek 100
Since 1990, Trek bicycle company has been hosting a charity ride, raising over $22 million for the MACC Fund. Bike riders take on beautiful, rural Wisconsin trails and rest at party stops along the way. One rest stop will be a polka party with DJ Shotski!
Send this link to your friends who love a long country bike ride: https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/trek100/
Saturday, September 13 - Gemütlichkeit Days
Jefferson County, Wisconsin has thrown a party to celebrate its German heritage since 1971. This year will be no exception as the community gathers for polka music, dancing, games and the welcoming spirit of Gemütlichkeit.
Join DJ Shotski in the GDays biergarten for vintage polka from Wisconsin and the upper Midwest from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Dancers welcome.
The event is held at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds at 503 N. Jackson Ave., Jefferson, WI. In the event of rain, the event will move inside a fairgrounds building. Thanks to generous local sponsors, GDays is free.
What’s next for DJ Shotski?
I’ve got some public and private events in the works, but if you know someone who needs vintage vinyl or polka jams for their next party, drop me a line at djshotski@gmail.com.
Readers like you keep the Shotski Lodge open
The Shotski Lodge is a reader-supported publication. Support from subscribers like you gives me the confidence to pursue my mission to get more people to listen to vintage polka and vinyl records, including through this free e-newsletter.
Become a Shotski Lodge member - Substack offers paid subscriptions for people who want to be patrons of the Lodge’s mission.
DJ Shotski’s Venmo - skip the subscription and give via Venmo where transaction fees are lower.
Hire me for a gig! - your community needs a polka party. Email me at djshotski@gmail.com if you have a venue or an event that needs a vinyl DJ.
Donate records - the answer to free records is always “yes,” though I’m backed up on processing donated records at the moment. I hope to be caught up by spring 2025. Email me at djshotski@gmail.com with a description of what you have to share.