I first met up with Stacy Harbaugh, a.k.a. DJ Shotski, at Mickey’s when she was pondering becoming a DJ. Stacy had a lot of exciting ideas on how to share vintage music with the Madison community and carve out a space for herself as a polka DJ while there wasn’t an existing “scene” for her to become part of, which I could relate to a lot.
Now several years later, Stacy (Shotski) has been rocking it (or shall I say, bringing the oompah) to wide audiences and gaining notable media recognition. She is the host of “Polka Time”, Sundays at 7pm on WVMO-FM 98.7 Monona. We have also played a couple fun gigs together at Olbrich Gardens with our friends Cooper Talbot and Grandma Cyd, combining our eclectic soulful selections. The sparkly ideas we discussed at Mickey’s had actually manifested into something great.
Stacy is a DJ, a highly successful marketing director, cat mom, and all-around incredible person with tons of interesting insights to share. I asked her a few questions about her Polka DJ career, vinyl collecting, and advice for other DJs.
Your radio show "Polka Time" focuses on Dutchman-style recordings from Wisconsin and the upper Midwest. What sparked your interest in this particular genre, and how do you curate your playlist for each show?
S: When I moved to Wisconsin in 2004, it seemed like polka was everywhere. If I went to a beer fest or fall community festival and there was a polka band, I’d have to stop to listen to the music. I didn’t grow up with polka, but the seeds for my love of this music were probably planted somewhere between listening to the Andrews Sisters when I was a kid and exposure to Dutchmen-style polka in Mankato, Minnesota where I went to school. The old-time oompah tunes are such happy, light-hearted music that makes it irresistible to tap your toes.
Playlists for Polka Time with DJ Shotski are sometimes inspired by seasonal themes or recognizing particular artists. People also donate records to the show, and I find albums at thrift and antique stores. There are always stories behind how vintage polka records come to me. Those stories sometimes are the backbone of my playlists.
As a dedicated record collector, you must have some prized gems in your collection. Could you share with us one of your favorite finds and the story behind it?
S: My most cherished album is one by Aunt Sharlene and Cousin Eleanor called Hi… from Aunt Sharlene and Cousin Eleanor. It was recorded in Huilsburg, Wisconsin in 1973 by Sharlene Krueger on accordion and Eleanor Soenksen on drums. Just these two rural ladies who love to play music.
What I especially love about this record is their recording of the Blue Skirt Waltz. Typically sung by men, the song is about stumbling across a polka party, dancing with a nice lady who wore a blue skirt, catching feelings, and regretting not getting her number. When women sang the song, they would often change the gender of the love interest to a man wearing a blue shirt. Not Aunt Sharlene and Cousin Eleanor. They kept the words the same. It’s so charming.
Madison is known for its vibrant music scene. How do you see the local music landscape evolving, and what role do you hope to play in its growth and diversification?
S: We are really blessed to have a variety of venues for live music, great neighborhood festivals that are open to the whole community, and a university that sparks inspiration through education. We’re still facing some challenges after the pandemic. I get the sense that people are opting to stay home more often. I know bar, restaurant and venue owners are trying a lot of strategies to get people in the door.
Audience members and venue owners have responded really well to what I’m doing. I know what I offer is unique. There are very few female polka DJs in the country. There are maybe three or four of us who are doing mostly or only vinyl. There are very few vinyl DJs who are women in Madison. When we get together to play records, we visibly show that it’s not just something that men do. I waited for 25 years to pursue being a vinyl DJ at events and on the radio because I mostly only saw men doing it. I want women to know it’s not some exclusive boys club. Just do it. It’s fun and easy.
Beyond your radio show and work commitments, you mentioned that you spend your free time exploring Wisconsin's natural beauty. How does being immersed in nature influence your approach to music, if at all?
S: Nature is a part of my polka origin story. I wasn’t super outdoorsy until I moved to Wisconsin. When I started camping at state parks, the best part was waking up early to build a fire, make coffee, and turn on the battery-powered radio to find polka music on the radio. It was easy to find up north. The smell of trees, smoke, coffee and the sound of polka are a powerful combination that I wish I could bottle and wear like perfume.
With the rise of digital music streaming platforms, vinyl records have seen a resurgence in popularity. What do you think draws people, especially younger generations, to the experience of listening to vinyl records, and how do you see this trend shaping the future of music consumption?
S: I’m the first to admit that I’m addicted to my phone. Even if my budget gets tight, my music streaming platform is the last subscription I would cut. We all need a break from screens. Vinyl has made a comeback because playing records is a tactile experience that creates a special atmosphere in your living room or at your favorite pub or cafe.
I’m glad to see more people playing physical media at home. I do want to see more venues hiring vinyl DJs and paying them well. Nothing compares to a live band, but vinyl DJs are unique too. Curating a collection of albums takes research, discernment, money and time. Collecting and playing vintage records is such a special way to share artifacts from the last century with an audience. But it can also be a powerful avenue to build community around music. People who get it will find each other.
Lastly, what advice would you give to aspiring DJs and music enthusiasts who are looking to make their mark in the industry, whether it's through radio, event hosting, or record collecting?
S: Being a DJ is not hard. It takes passion, time and commitment. But it’s not hard to learn. Networking with other DJs and finding mentors (like I did with Kayla) helps you get advice and opportunities to try it out. Volunteering at a community radio station is a great way to get experience.
My first time playing records on air was on WORT-FM’s Access Hour, a freeform show that changes every week. Once you try it, build skills one at a time. When I started at WVMO, I recorded the show at home first, then pre-recorded in the studio, then went live. Mastering one skill at a time helped me not get overwhelmed or intimidated by a hot mic on live radio.
Being on a community radio station is also really different from doing a music podcast or streaming on Twitch. It roots you in a community of other local volunteers who want to share music and news with their neighbors.
Lastly, give yourself permission to try it and to make mistakes. There are guys out there who are getting paid to do something that isn’t that difficult. Push for your place at the turntables and you’ll find your groove.
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