Hello magical friends, and welcome to episode 112 of WZRD Radio! I’m your hostwitch Bess and the weather is starting to get nice again here so I’m spending a surprising amount of time outside. I hope you’re getting your regular sunlight too.
We’re introducing a new segment from your favorite Special Correspondent in the Field today, but first, some music.
Here’s How Airplanes Fly and “Astoria.”
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That was “Astoria” by How Airplanes Fly, Swish & Flick’s “Astoria Greengrass and the Pure-Blood Prince,” and “Slytherin World” from Draco and the Malfoys.
And now here’s our Special Correspondent in the Field, DQ!
SCitF DQ: Hello magical friends. This is Special Correspondent in the Field DQ. During this time of year when there aren’t quite as many wizard rock events on which to report and things are a little quieter out there, your hostwitch Bess and I thought that this would be an excellent opportunity to highlight some of the amazing fandom creators who have become near and dear to the hearts of the wizard rock community. And it seems only fitting for this new segment that we begin with a team of fabulous creators who are also wizard rockers in their own right. I am talking of course about the Trolley Witches. The Trolley Witches were started in 2017 by Leah and Christie of the band Hawthorn and Holly, along with legendary wizard rocker Grace Kendall. Although Leah says she’s been a creator for as long as she can remember, and she’s been doing hats and fascinators in the fandom community since 2019.
When asked if they had any favorite products or items that they love to make, Christie says she loves making butterbeer candles and lip balms. Your correspondent has one of those butterbeer candles and has not been able to bring themselves to burn it since they bought it because it smells wonderful and it looks great on my shelf. Leah prefers working with a customer to make a custom item. In thinking about any particularly fun or fond memories and travel stories related to their business, Leah recounted that she once got to make a very fetching custom bow for a dog, which Christie agrees was “so adorbs.” Christie added that she loves when they sold their merch at LeakyCon. Anytime they get to go see their friends, according to Christie, is a great time which is a sentiment that is very keenly felt in the wizard rock community.
The Trolley Witches also have some advice for first-time creators or people who are just starting out with their business. “Keep creating, but competition to sell your creations can be fierce. So you’ll need to find ways to be unique. Don’t get discouraged. It’s okay to try new creations and it’s okay if they don’t work. Nothing is a waste of time if you enjoy yourself.” As of this recording the Trolley Witches don’t have any events coming up where people can come see them but they may have some coming up in April or May in North Carolina, hopefully. And in the meantime, you can follow them on Facebook and Instagram under Trolley Witches. And if you happen to be attending any fandom events, keep an eye out for their brightly colored sign. This is special correspondent in the field DQ saying thank you Trolley Witches for being a friend of wizard rock.
Thank you so much for that report! I can’t wait to see what other wrock friends you find.
It’s time for our second music break, and it’s beginning with Madam Pince and the Librarians and “Astoria Greengrass and the Pissed Off Pince.”
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That block of music started with “Astoria Greengrass and the Pissed Off Pince” by Madam Pince and the Librarians, followed by Undesireable #1’s “Shot 4 Shot” featuring Swish & Flick, and “Slytherin Hearts” by Split Seven Ways and featuring Megan of Tonks.
And now here’s what’s going on in February!
First of all, we might be getting a wrock concert in Chicago, so keep an eye on the Harry Potter meetup group! [link]
And to start off the month strong, there’s going to be a Harry Potter Drag Brunch today, February 1st, in Minneapolis, MN that’s going to raise funds for queer nonprofits! [link]
February 2nd is going to feature our favorite Sunday activity; Harry Potter Brunch! This one is in Saratoga Springs, NY. [link]
The Galleon Guy’s comp of wizarding-themed children’s song parodies is still open for submissions! If you’ve got a clever idea for a cover of “Row Row Row Your Boat” or “The Owl and the Pussycat,” you can message him on Discord or email him at the address I’ll link in the transcript. [email]
There’s going to be a virtual Q & A with Mark Day, who worked as a film editor on four of the Harry Potter movies on February 7th, in case you’ve got some burning movie questions. [link]
Worthwich is coming up! If you’re in Forth Worth, TX from Feb 28 – March 2nd, go be a wizard for the weekend. [link]
If you’re closer to Williamsburg, VA that weekend, go cheer on the Blibbering Humdingers as the 2025 Musical Guests of Honor at ConVivial! [link]
And don’t forget! The performer application for Dragon Con is open through the end of March! Get your wizard rockers to apply. [link]
Also, a Mudbloods member lost their home in the LA fires and have a GoFundMe to help them and their neighbors in the aftermath. [link]
And we had a few new things come out last month, including:
The “My Wizard Resistance” album from The Bookish Hufflepuff, which donates to a whole variety of charities. [link]
Hope and the Howlers debuted, of course, with their “Werewolf” demo. [link]
And The Galleon Guy brought us “Broadway and Broomsticks,” a collection of Broadway parodies. [link]
It’s time for a bit more music. Here’s Brian Malfoy covering How Airplanes Fly’s “Astoria.”
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That was Brian Malfoy singing “Astoria,” “I’ve Been A Very Naughty Girl This Year” from Swish & Flick, and Draco and the Malfoys’ “All the Magic I Got.”
And this is the end of the episode! If you’ve guessed the episode theme, then I hereby charge you with writing a new song to expand the topic. This one was hard to put together!
If you heard your new favorite song, go to the transcript at WZRDRadioPod.com, follow the link, and buy yourself a copy. You’ll get a great new addition to your music collection and a wizard rocker will know they’ve got a fan. And you know what I always say: without our wizard rockers, we wouldn’t be here.
You can support WZRD and the Community Wrock Fund by joining the Patreon at Patreon.com/WZRDRadioPod. There are two, five, and ten dollar tiers that all get the same perks, including early episodes and bonus content, and support the Fund in helping our wizard rockers get their music out there.
You can still guess this episode’s theme on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok at WZRDRadioPod. You can also get in touch by commenting on the transcript or emailing me at WZRDRadioPod@gmail.com.
Until next time, magical friends: I am, yours most sincerely…
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