Where Are They Now? Mary Lucia Writing a Book

Mary Lucia

Radio DJ and personality Mary Lucia, aka Looch, left local airwaves two years ago in April to the dismay of many of her fans who tuned in daily to hear her playlists, cultural commentary, pet updates, and “No Apologies” surprise song pick at 4 p.m.

Born in Newton, Massachusetts, Lucia lived in Minnesota and New York City growing up. She started acting on stage and doing voiceover work and returned to Minneapolis in 1994 to work as an evening host on the new REV105 station and, from there, she says she worked “a stream of radio gigs.”

Among her career highlights, she includes “making Noel Gallagher laugh, having my own secret Prince story, and maintaining a healthy sense of rebellion in pushing the boundary of how something is supposed to be done.”

She ended her 17-year career as afternoon host with 89.3 The Current on April 22, 2022, calling it a “heartbreaking decision” in one social media post, explaining, “I’ve been concerned with equity and fair treatment of all of my sisters at the station.” Her departure led to management and on-air talent changes at the station. Previously, in 2015, Lucia took a leave of absence from the station to deal with a stalker who was convicted and sentenced to five years of probation. (In October 2023, DJ Jade Tittle announced her departure from The Current, citing the same man’s harassment as part of the reason.)

Lucia continues to live in Minnesota—with frequent visits to New York—and is finishing her memoir, “What Doesn’t Kill Me Makes Me Weirder and Harder to Relate To .” As she explains: “The escalator pitch is my story of being a public figure having a daily radio show while being stalked by a man I’d never met. This went on relentlessly for three years. Life and work are still happening all around you and the absurdity that you’re expected to maintain a level of professionalism and be entertaining to boot. Good luck with that.”

She adds, “I have a very dark sense of humor. If I’m not laughing, I’m dying. I knew that I would have to write about my experience. The trauma changed so much about me that I didn’t want to change. Creative catharsis through storytelling is what I do best.”

Lucia also wrote a column for about a year under her brand, Popular Creeps, for the arts and culture publication DISPATCH before it went on hiatus last year. She explains the chosen moniker: “Many years ago, the wildly talented artist Chris Mars put out a solo record, ‘Horseshoes and Hand Grenades.’ ‘Popular Creeps’ was a song title. Asking his permission, it has been the name of several of my radio shows and other ventures over many years. I connect to those two words as an identity. It also feels like a friendly nod to Chris.” Mars was the drummer for Minnesota band The Replacements.

As for what’s next after the book is completed, Lucia says, “ My superpower—if you believe in those—is there isn’t a single person I can’t talk to. I’ve loved the interview portion of my career and am always looking for new ways to showcase that passion. A live talk show with an audience is what I’m currently trying to make happen.”

MORE LUCIA LOGIC

• I dread everything but regret nothing.
• I love wearing dead people’s clothes.
• Unripened fruit is the only time I feel violent.
• I smile and say hello to every dog I meet, completely ignoring the owner.
• The laziest answer a person can give is, “That’s before my time.” Life didn’t begin the day you were born.
• Read a book.

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