Radio Free Hipster Special Edition: Parsecs on the Beach (2011 Parsec Awards Sampler)

With Nerdapalooza prep and some personal health issues – nothing serious, folks, I'm fine – I had to forgo your regularly scheduled late June episode of Radio Free Hipster. Thankfully I still had my 2011 Parsec Awards special waiting in the wings.

I am exceptionally proud to receive my third consecutive nomination in the category of "Best Speculative Fiction Music Podcast," and I certainly owe it all to you. Y'all rock! Hard!

For those who don't know, the process has three steps. The first is the open submissions, a hat which you folks are always nice enough to toss my name into. After that there's a verification of eligibility, just to make sure no one was erroneously put into the wrong category, and a call for sample submissions. That's the point we're at now, and hopefully my sampler will be judged worthy for consideration as a finalist, which is the final phase before a winner is chosen.

I managed to actually pull off a win at last year's Dragon*Con, and though I can't imagine I'll do the same two years in a row there's something both exciting and satisfying about making your way to the final round.

I like to share my submitted mini-casts, and this year is no exception. I always try and pull a trio of sample tracks that are both indicative of what I do at RFH and are also some of my favorites from the previous year's worth of shows. This time around I was particularly pleased with the results.

Give the show a listen and let me know if you agree.

Download Radio Free Hipster Special Edition: Parsecs on the Beach (2011 Parsec Awards Sampler) [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 9.23 MB Running Time: 7:22

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah - "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
Because there's no better way to start a podcast, canonical or otherwise.

Track 1: virt - "10th"
A cover of the Doctor Who theme by composer Jake "virt" Kaufman (arranged for Nintendo DS) starts off the proceedings. virt is one of my very favorite chiptune artists/composers, and I thought this one really gave the project some energy straightaway.
Originally included in Radio Free Hipster Ep. 93: Elegant Mess (August 12, 2010)

Track 2: mc chris - "Han Solo"
It's followed up by a parody of Jason Derulo's "Ridin' Solo" from the incomparable mc chris. I've been really jazzed about how many of these parody tracks mc's released of late.There's a not-to-subtle filk element to them that I find quite pleasing.
Originally included in Radio Free Hipster Ep. 96: Drunk and Awe (September 29, 2010) 

Track 3: The Oceanic Six - "Monster Eats the Pilot"
Lastly there's a bit of Lost fandom from the Wizard Rock alumni of The Oceanic Six. I would never have believed that "4 8 15 16 23 42" could make such a powerful and engaging chorus!
Originally included in Radio Free Hipster Ep. 98: From Beyond (October 28, 2010)

Though I won't be interviewing Hex this time around – I took care of that on the latest edition of HipTrax – I will be pulling together a Nerdapalooza-themed show for early July. It'll collect some of my favorite joints from this year's performers, and I'll likely use it as an opportunity to wax poetic about how I perceive the event and its future. Like I do.