Radio Free Hipster Ep. 5: Turn That Frown Inside-out

I am too old to be emo. It’s just not pretty on a fogey like myself. When stuff gets me down, I either get A) sad B) surly of C) drunk. It’s just more age appropriate. The great thing about those responses is that you can logically progress through each in a prescribed order. Queue visual aid:

drunk -> surly -> sad

sad -> drunk -> surly

surly -> sad -> drunk

Sometimes I let little things grate on me. I know Internet arguments are a fact of life. I also realize that they are the smallest of potatoes when compared to all the genuine, unabashed strife in the world. Still, it chaps my arse. When it comes to nerd music, specifically nerdcore, I really do think that we should all get along pretty well. I mean, we’ve been shunned by damn near everyone else, so why not revel in the love of your tribe, right? But I reckon that can’t always happen. People, not just nerds, but human beings, can be petty, territorial, and reactionary. And even the best among us find it hard to walk away from an insult or insinuation without retaliating.

I reckon my point is, though I can’t stand beef, bitching, and bickering, I don’t blame folks for voicing their displeasure. I sometimes wish we could maybe not be so harsh and insulting with our words, but again that’s just how stuff goes sometimes. When shit gets started we naturally want to be the one who finishes it. Strongly. Firmly. Whether or not our approach is “constructive” or not is the last thing on our minds.

I want Hipster, please! to be inclusive, rather than exclusive or divisive. I want it to be a place where we can lump nerd music together for the sheer fun of lumping it together and worry about hashing out which flavor it is later. That being said, I’ll often talk about (or play) two artists in close proximity to each other whom, while musically or thematically similar, are miles apart in there views and personal philosophies. Sometimes they’ll even have a genuine dislike for one another. But I try not to dwell on that. I don’t expect anyone to like all the music that I cover and I certainly don’t expect everyone to like all of the musicians that I cover. I just want to present them and their music in as positive a light as possible for the enjoyment of fans new and old.

I hope I’m doing a good job at that, but I don’t know. You never really know how folks feel about you until you piss ‘em off.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 5: Turn That Frown Inside-out Running Time: 45:57 Size: 42 MB

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 5: Turn That Frown Inside-out Show Notes

Intro track: Oddioblender – “Eli the Indie Rockette”
Oddioblender has strong electronic roots, but he’s been edging ever-closer to nerdcore for some time now. In addition to dropping rhymes on this new album, he’s provided beats for many geek MCs. I hope to hear the Blondie cover that he and MC Router did sometime before I die! ;)

Z’s 1st interlude: “Recurring Rhyme Torrents Feuds”
Because of this newest round of feuding both Beefy and Router have decided to no longer come around the RT BBS. They've both been nothing but cool to me, and they were the first artists to contribute to Radio Free Hipster. It’s not like I suddenly can’t talk to ‘em or goof off with ‘em anymore – Christ knows they keep the channels of communication open – but I can’t help but feel as though things’ll be less fun without them around.

Track 1: Del the Funky Homosapien – “If You Must”
This one’s for you, mcoyster. Hope you dig it.

Track 2: Djpretzel – “Hillbilly Rodeo”
How did I not play this track in Ep. 2? Once again; poor planning on my part. NES meets redneck madness. djpretzel was the first non-nerdcore (or at least non-nerdcore-related) artist to be interviewed for Hipster, please!

Track 3: Shael Riley – “The Music of My Groin”
Not sure if Shael will appreciate the designation “all-purpose absurdist dork rock,” though Roach found it appropriate. Also not sure he’s gonna like the fact that my drawl adds a second syllable to his name.

Track 4: funky49 – “Shake Your Rump (Trading Spaces remix)”
funky49 has a ton of sweet tracks. You should check ‘em out. He’s a nice cat. Did I mention that? The intro for this song works well with Shael's groin.

Z’s 2nd interlude: “Redneck limbo”
That first set was what I like to call my Nepotism Set: songs for (and by) people who’ve said nice things to (and about) me. The moral of the story is, if you send me an amusing email I will most likely mention you on my podcast.

Track 5: Headphone Souls – “Such Great Whispers”
Headphone Souls does excellent mash-ups. Unfortunately, Headphone Souls doesn’t always tag ‘em. :(

Track 6: Smooth E. – “Wait (Til You See Her Kid)”
Suburbanhomeboy.com What more can I say? ;)

Track 7: MC Frontalot – “Goth Girls”
I play a lot of Front on my podcast. He’s perhaps the only nerdcore artist that I’ve played more than MC Router! I should present him with a plaque or something.

Track 8: Jay-Zeezer – “Surf Wax Off Your Shoulders”
“Dirt Off Your Shoulders.” Not “Brush Off Your Shoulders.” And it's "Surf Wax America." Not "Surf Wax." I can’t even say a simple title correctly. What’s wrong with me?

Z’s 3rd interlude: “DJ Taintmeat”
I’m serious; the next time I make one of my barely passable mash-ups I shall tag it DJ Taintment. Genius!

Track 9: The Muppets – “Manamana”
I think I should end every episode with Statler and Waldorf. They are the ultimate critics. Fuck you, Roger Ebert!

And so ends another podcast. Music has the preternatural ability to lift the spirit, to elevate the mood, and to cleanse the mind of frustrations and idle turmoil. It also has the ability to bore and annoy. I hope this episode provided a bit more from column A than from column B. Lemme know. Thanks so much for listening.