Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 70: Pajama Jams

Almost by definition, all episodes of Radio Free Hipster are about underrated and under-recognized artists. Nerd music is fringe music, and with that mystique there comes a disproportionate amount of anonymity. So when I tell you that this edition is dedicated to "slept-on" acts, try not to laugh.

If the bulk of our culture's music is unknown, then a subset of it is criminally so. Ignored, more often than not, even by our own. For every mc chris that pops up when the mainstream casts an eye our way there is a Metamystiks. For every Jonathan Coulton a Glenn Case. For every Minibosses a Spheres of Chaos.

I could go on and on, but I won't. Instead, I'll let the show speak for itself.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 70: Pajama Jams [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 45.4 MB Running Time: 49:35


Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy) "
You can't sleep on Baddd Spellah!

Track 1: Metamystiks Inc. – "Rock Well (feat. Baddd Spellah)"
Though not officially released, this track leaked on Navi's new mixtape. It is the hotness.

Z's 1st interlude: "Goddamn, I say!"
Not exactly my customary opening line, but MMI tends to elicit that reaction from me.

Track 2: Snake Eyes – "Stairway to Hell"
Perhaps I should've saved this one for Halloween, but I think it's a great example of what Snake does with found sound.

Track 3: The Ranger – "Soi Nana (feat. MisterB)"
As I said in-show, this one sure ain't for everyone, but it's another epic tale from the seedy side courtesy of one of my favorite Aussies. Plus, its darkness blends so well with Snake Eye's supernatural angst.

Track 4: The Red Wings – "Go K.K. Rider" / Finding Nemo dialog
"Why are you sleeping?"

Track 5: Optimus Rhyme – "Super Shiny Metal (killsaly mix)"
Matt got to me ks at Nerdapalooza. It's one of the many things I begrudge him from that weekend.

Track 6: Glenn Case – "Georgia's Hands"
Glenn falls into the same category as Shael Riley; I simultaneously adore and resent both due to their impeccable ability to pen the kinds of songs I've always wished I could.

Track 7: nYgel – "The Wanderer (feat. Conyeezy)"
Should I ever take my geeky ministry on the road, 'Yeezy will be my deacon.

Z's 2nd interlude: "Yummy goodness for your ear-holes."
Once again, I implore you to download Stratospheria.

Track 8: Whore Moans – "Don’t Feel a Thing"
My favorite thing about Moans is that he is the same person in real life that he is in verse; manic, self-absorbed and totally random. And in his case, those are all actually very endearing qualities.

Track 9: James Bernardinelli – "The Hollow Earth"
Perfect Jimmy is the one member of Uncle Monsterface I have yet to meet. But I will befriend and collect him, just as I have with all the others. A la Professor Slughorn.

Track 10: Sticks Downey – "I am Going to Destroy You."
Let it be forever known that Wockenfuss has more beats than Dwight Shrute.

Track 11: Kirby Krackle – "Ring Capacity"
This is KK's summer single. Which means it's freely available. Which means you should go sign up for their mailing list to download it. Now.

Track 12: Marian Call – "It's Good to Have Jayne by Your Side"
"Boy, it sure would be nice if we had some grenades, don't you think?"

Z's final interlude: "I'll promise to listen closer if you will."
The best thing about this exercise is realizing cats that I'm sleeping on. Yep, it cuts both ways.

Track 13: Metaforce – "They Sleep"
I recently received a demo cut of the new Metaforce album Feared Science. Not sure if I like it as much as Rain City Blooze, but there's definitely some amazing stuff on there that'll make its way down the pipe soon.

Don't think me too juvenile, but the bulk of my interaction with my friends is spent in what I like to imagine as a kind of sparring. We pick on each other, razz each other, insult each other. But it's all in good fun.

And occasionally we may even slip up and say something genuinely nice.

Example: recently Matt said that Radio Free Hipster exists less to play your old favorite songs than it does to expose you to new shit you'll like.

If that's true – and despite our regular jabs at each other, Matt has proven himself to be overly complimentary in the past – then I reckon I've done my job.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the love once again, Z. You're right about that track not being for everyone. It's actually cost me friends who strongly disapproved of its content. Friends who didn't know me well enough, obviously. Anyway, I'll continue to KEEP IT REAL, even if it makes me look bad at times.

Thanks again for your support :)

Josh said...

Well done Z! I started listening back in the winter, and every episode has been solid! There are so many gems scattered throughout the Radio Free Hipster back catalog, and I really enjoy discovering them all.

Keep up the good work!

Z. said...

And keep it real you do, Ranger.

Thanks, Josh, for both listening and for the nice words. It's a pleasure to have you along for the ride. :)

Anthony said...

i am proud to say LVN has played half these slept on folks! woot for repping the underdogs!

Also, the fact that elfonso was not on this episode continues my assertion that they are the best and most under appreciated band in the nerd genre!

Z. said...

Elfonso would've been a fine choice, Ant. Sadly, I think I've pretty much already played all the stuff I have from them. :(

DV said...

Finally finished it. Another great podcast.

I enjoyed the first half significantly more than the latter half. More uptempo, catchier, had my fingers tapping. The latter half slowed things down and was less my style (maybe just because I always listen while driving...). Thanks especially for Stairway to Hell and Metamystiks.

Z. said...

Thanks for the love, DV. I tried to make sure I didn't just do a fast rocking set and an isolated mellow set, but there is a definite slow-down mid-ep. Man, it's like I do this shit subconsciously!

Oberon the Fool said...

Dude, that Silent Hill / Zeppelin mashup by Snake Eyes is totally off the hook. Thanks for bringing another pile of gems to the forefront for us to sort through, Z.

Z. said...

Snake is a damn genius, Oberon. And don't mention it. :)