Thursday, March 14, 2013

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 147: The Living Bookend

It's hard to live here in modern America and not think about political divisions. Shit, it's practically all we think about.

At the core I believe the real difference comes down to two simple ideologies; those at the farthest point to the left want everything to change, while those at the farthest on the right want nothing to change. And while I lean more toward the former with regard to actual socio-political philosophy, I can be pretty damn right-wing when it comes to my own life—almost staggeringly inflexible.

I am content to do the same things in the same ways not just because it helps to dull my perpetual anxiety, but also because it's easy. Sadly, things seldom stay easy.

Right now things are especially not-easy, so I'm stepping away from some projects for a while. Hopefully just a short while more, mind you, but the podcast—at least as I left it last year—seemed particularly… unfinished.

So let's just call this a better end point, temporary as it may be.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 147: The Living Bookend [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 83.9 MB Running Time: 58:45 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
Not everyone can say they have a Beefy/Spellah-penned theme song.

Track 1: Adam WarRock – "GRWN UP KDS"
I've been bumping this track since the week before the EP actually dropped. Continually.

Z's 1st interlude: "Great big adolescents."
Which is, I should point out, not the name of my Adolescents tribute band.

Track 2: The 88 – "At Least I Was Here"
I started to play the full version, but this truncated cut seemed more impactful.

Track 3: Marcus Coronel – "Bacon Pancakes vs. Empire State of Mind"
For this one I specifically played the full version. Because bacon pancakes.

Track 4: R_Garcia – "Indifferent Times"
Definitely check out No Holds Bard. Garcia always manages to impress, but this one is especially engaging.

Track 5: Illbotz – "Michael McDonald's Crunk Classics (skit)"
If my life is gonna be a Michael McDonald song it's damn well gonna be one sung by Big Perm.

Track 6: Stenobot – "Welcome Home"
I dream of an R_Garcia/Stenobot collab. It would surely be a chip-rock masterpiece.

Track 7: Reel Big Fish – "Ask"
A last-minute addition to the play list, but one I'm definitely happy I included.

Track 8: Anchorman dialog / The Police vs. Jungle Brothers – "Lonely Jungle Brothers"
Call this one a throwback to the earlier days of the 'cast.

Track 9: Dual Core – "Staring at the Last Star"
Don't give me none of that "all the feels" shit; admit that this song made you cry!

Z's 2nd interlude: "Another gorgeous composition."
I never got around to reviewing All the Things, even though I rightly should have. Suffice it to say it's excellent, and you oughta own it.

Track 10: The Grammar Club – "Phonin' It In"
I actually pushed this show back a bit so as not to step on Bioavailable's release date. Didn't wanna let this track slip out before you could actually make it your own.

Track 11: DJ Earworm – "United States of Pop 2012"
This one should have been a part of my year-end podcast, which sadly never happened.

Track 12: Psycosis – "United States of Clop 2012"
See above.

Track 13: melodysheep – "Secret of the Stars"
Neil deGrasse goddamn Tyson.

Track 14: Marc with a C – "Daddy, Make the Sun Come Out"
Marc's Popular Music does some strange and wonderful things, but this track is a personal favorite.

Z's final interlude: "The best thing, the strongest thing about this community—about this culture—is you."
File under: Cheesy But True.

Track 15: Optimus Rhyme – "Daryl Hannah"
"How will you feel with an expiration date?"

Before this goes any further I'd just like to thank you all for your kind words and support over the past few weeks. They've meant a lot. More than you could know.

Now as for what happens around here, well, that's still being discussed. It seems that, while my need for some time off was understood and unanimously supported, my plan to let the land go fallow was, well, less so. I've had a number of allies inquire about minding the blog while I see to moving and whatnot, and even some parties interested in keeping the podcast going in my stead.

And I like that idea. I like it a lot.

5 comments:

Christopher S said...

Nicely done, Z.

Having an unexpected extra episode to enjoy is much appreciated, and it was good to actually hear you sign off rather than just reading it.

I'm going to say once again: thank you for your hard work and dedication, and for 147 amazing episodes. And not goodbye, but au revoir - looking forward to your inevitable triumphant return.

Switch said...

Thank you, Z!

I hope you got my e-mail. Let me know if I can support the continuation of your brand of musical nerdery.

Anonymous said...

Well played sir! Your final (for now) episode had this middle aged beardy-weirdy, Unix loving nerd pretending his eyes were running from hay-fever on his drive to his job at the satellite earth-station in Sydney, Australia this morning.

Thanks for the all good times, Z. And may some Buffy-esque slayer quickly stake all the time and money vampires that are sucking the life out of you.

Bonehand said...

Couple of thoughts on the last episode. Sorry it took so long. I always found my favorite time to listen to Radio Free Hipster was while cooking dinner, and I finally got around to savoring it properly.

1) In a day and age where Thrift Shop is #1, why doesn't Optimus Rhyme rule the planet? I keep forgetting and need reminding: Damn, they were so good.

2) melodysheep – "Secret of the Stars" is exactly the kind of amazing cut I will never hear without RFH.

Thank you for everything, man. Best wishes as you negotiate your trevails. You know where to find me should you need to holler ASSEMBLE!

Brenden said...

Goddamn that first song, I was like, where is that bassline from? I know I know that bassline.

Then I knew it.