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.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 142: Haunted Garage Sale

I've got the spirit, friends. I already have that Halloween spirit. And I'm inclined to share. By way of, y'know, a podcast or two.

We have a lotta ghosts this time around, with some zombies and assorted demons for added flavor. Oh, and also samples from cartoons. 'Cause I am a grown-ass man!

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 142: Haunted Garage Sale [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 73.4 MB Running Time: 50:17 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
They got them treats for y'all.

Track 1: Gravity Falls dialog / Swamp Thing – "All About the Brains"
Mad excited about new stuff from the Swamp.

Z's 1st interlude: "The geeky apparitions of my Halloween Crap-tacular."
They'll haunt your ear-holes!

Track 2: The Grammar Club – "Super Girls 'n Ghosts" / Gravity Falls dialog
Apparently Beefy got bamboozled. Ghost girls'll do that.

Track 3: The Crimson Ghosts – "Hybrid Moments"
Yep, cribbed this one from Chris Haley's Halloween mix.

Track 4: cheekyboy – "Diary of a Madman"
Never: that is when I'll get tired of Gravediggaz remixes.

Track 5: Kavinsky – "Ghost Transistor"
Really thought this creepy piece of retro electronica fit in nicely.

Track 6: The Aeronauts – "Ghost's Song"
For all you steampunks out there.

Track 7: South Park dialog / A-1 – "Goosebumps"
Yet another cut from After School Special.

Track 8: Sam Haynes – "Phantom Creep"
Much love and respect to cheekyboy/Sam Haynes, without which these annual Halloween eps likely wouldn't exist.

Z's 2nd interlude: "More Gravity Falls dialog."
Expect a lot of clips from that show to continue to crop up in this podcast.

Track 9: lukemounlasolomon – "Gravity Falls Harry Potter Music Box Mashup"
Just stumbled across this one and totally loved it.

Track 10: Armcannon – "Bhost Gusters"
This is probably one of the single greatest cover songs of all time. It's Armcannon at their most Armcannonist.

Track 11: Psycosis – "Giggle Ghosties Inc."
I feel like I've been neglecting the bronies of late. So here you go, folks!

Track 12: South Park dialog / Sci-Fried and Marc with a C – "Cannibal"
From the epic crossover event known as Co-op Mode.

Track 13: John Anealio – "Undead Love Song (Acoustic)"
John Anealio singing about zombie cocks always makes me giggle.

Track 14: Death*Star – "The Devils You Know"
Such a hard joint from three of Seattle's finest.

Z's final interlude: "Shake what your monster mama gave you."
Which was this episode's alternate title.

Track 15: dj BC – "Ghost Wobble"
Have I mentioned you positively have to cop The Curse of Monster Mash-Up?

One down and one to go. That means if you have Halloween-y requests, get 'em to me with the quickness.
 
Come to think of it, the post-Halloween/pre-Christmas show playlists are starting to fill up as well, so feel free to hit me with non-spooky song suggestions as well.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 139: Kneesles

Full disclosure: The title of this episode comes from a very old, very bad joke. I just wanted to get that out of the way up front.

This show is a weird blend of brand new material and older cuts I felt like revisiting. The most obvious example of the latter is the YTCracker track, which I sort of have to include because of the relevant Sheriff Blubs sample.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 139: Kneesles [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 55.4 MB Running Time: 41:39 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
It's a song about me. And you can't take that away.

Track 1: Supercommuter – "I Like It! (ft. MC Frontalot, Beefy) [DMG remix]"
"I like it cybernetic, I like it engineered / I like it at the party when everybody's weird."

Z's first interlude: "This little slice of plagiarism."
I dunno, I mean I did cite Beefy.

Track 2: Kirby Krackle – "Booty Do Math (feat. Adam WarRock) [Live]"
Such an amazing performance of this joint!

Track 3: Sean NH – "Betiking Poputok (Rarity vs. Ke$ha)"
Feels like I've been neglecting the brony listeners lately, so here's a mash-up.

Track 4: MC Lars – "Annabel Lee R.I.P"
Extra points for Tegan and Sara.

Track 5: Flip-Flop – "Sanctuary"
This Micro Techno collection is pretty damn tight. You should check it out.

Track 6: Shinobi Ninja – "Ill Ish"
That sample is from Don't Be a Menace, right?

Z's 2nd interlude: "A delightful combination of space travel, illicit drug use and Gravity Falls dialog."
That about covers it.

Track 7: Lenich – "Opening Theme (8 bit)" / Gravity Falls dialog
This cover made the rounds a week or two ago, but on the off chance you missed it here it is.

Track 8: YTCracker – "Take a Knee" / Gravity Falls dialog
As heard on episode 102.

Track 9: Spamtec and Hairetsu – "Isaac Kneeton"
Isaac Kneeton is my new go-to username.

Track 10: Kool Keith – "Livin' Astro"
I thought I'd played this one on the show before too. Turns out not so much.

Track 11: Andrew Allen – "Star Trek: The Next Generation"
Much respect to the SalesGeek for pointing me toward this album! Somehow I missed the original project pitch.

Z's final interlude: "That periodical of our collective childhood."
Okay, that's kind of a lie. I didn't actually subscribe to NP until I was in my 30s.

Track 12: Mega Ran – "Nintendo Power"
A nice new freebie from Random. I'm sad to see the mag go, but such is the way of the world.

I reckon as this episode posts most of y'all are either en route to or maybe even already at PAX or Dragon Con. Whichever you're attending, please wander around the show floor listening to this podcast – even if it's just for a minute.

That way it'll sort of be like I'm there too!

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 134: All Good

You are a good person. You are a winner.

All of you are winners. Even my buddy Captain Dan… though Howard Stern would disagree. But fuck that dude!

You're a kick-ass guy/gal, and you deserve a kick-ass podcast. And this one's just for you.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 134: All Good [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 56.3 MB Running Time: 43:03 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
I try not to be cocky, but I have a pretty damn amazing theme song.

Track 1: John Anealio - "Good"
I'm pulling together a album of 90s covers, and John was nice enough to let me use this cut.

Z's 1st interlude: "Feels like I haven't talked to y'all in a while."
Yeah, it's been a minute, and I've missed you much.

Track 2: MC Lars - "Hey There Ophelia (feat. Gabe Saporta of Cobra Starship & Brett Anderson of the Donnas)"
I really dig this song. Not only am I am fan of Hamlet, but I'm a longtime Donnas fanboy.

Track 3: Psycosis - "Don't Get Banished to the Moon" / "Discord Days"
Brony mash-ups deliver on so many levels.

Track 4: Optimus Rhyme - "Who Me"
Man, GrimROCK is positively fierce on this song!

Track 5: Dethlehem - "Circle of Deth"
Much love to my homies from Dethlehem. The second leg of their tour kicks off soon. Try and catch 'em if they're nearby.

Track 6: Zombie Slayer Diox OST - "Shoot 'Em Up!"
I was playing an awful lot of this 3DSWare title. And then? Pokemon Conquest! It's sort of monopolizing my handheld gaming time at present.

Track 7: Richie Branson - "Space Cowboy Serenade"
Richie's supporting mc chris on his summer tour.

Z's 2nd interlude: "You're the best!"
Yeah, at some point this episode became an affirmation. And I just went with it!

Track 8: Adam WarRock - "The Best"
I love that both Euge and Stevie D have used this cheesy-ass hook.

Track 9: Klopfenpop - "Phoenix Jones (instrumental)"
If you don't recognize the source material, act like you know.

Track 10: Childish Gambino - "I Love Clothes (Deadbeat Summer)"
I finally broke down and picked up Camp earlier this week. Maybe I'll play some new(er) Gambino soon.

Track 11: New Girl dialog / DJ CUTMAN - "Comix Zone Rocks! (Comix Zone)"
I'd forgotten how much I loved the music from Comix Zone.

Track 12: New Girl dialog / Kirby Krackle - "Web-Slinger/Hope-Bringer"
KK's annual summer single, this time about a Marvel-based film.

Z's final interlude: "Fuck it; we'll roll with it!"
"We'll do it live!"

Track 13: Mashup-Germany - "Ante Up to the Other Side"
For an impromptu closer, I think this one works pretty well.

I think maybe the looming holiday has made me a tad... paternal. I guess this show is just a manifestation of my urge to parent the internet at large, to let folks know that shit'll turn out okay. It's silly, sure, but sometimes you just have to let people know you're in their corner.

As we head into summer I find myself wondering -- even more so than usual -- what you lot wanna hear. If you're gonna be doing any travelling, any road-trippin' or long distance air travel, and need some good travel music, just give me a jumping-off point and I'll see what I can do.

In the meantime, enjoy your weekend, and happy Father's Day to all my fellow pops in the audience!

Nerd News in Brief

There was a time when I did these Nerd News in Brief segments with a nigh clocklike regularity, but alas that age has passed. With my recent shift to writing smaller dedicated posts about things like album releases and new videos – coupled with my adoption of services like Twitter and Tumblr, which lend themselves well to short, frequent blurbs – I've sort of abandoned this format. But looking back over my notes from the last couple of weeks it seems like an apt mechanism for the ensuing news blast.

• Dogs and Cats Living Together: Last night I was able to control my Microsoft Xbox 360 with my Apple iPhone. I'm just saying that this is some crazy shit. 
• Spider, Man: Kirby Krackle recently dropped a new single about a soon-to-be released reboot of a beloved comic movie franchise. You can pick up "Web-Slinger/Hope-Bringer Single" right now for a buck, and you may or may not hear it on tomorrow's podcast. #noncommittal
• What a Horrible Night: News from the crew at MAGFest revealed that, among the regular grocery list of kick-ass guests and featured acts, Castlevania composer Kinuyo Yamashita will be in attendance at next January's event. You should probably be there too. 
• I've Been Slimed: Speaking of gamer culture, musical collective Pterodactyl Squad just dropped an amazing new chiptune EP from Slime Girls entitled Vacation Wasteland. With surf rock and reggae-tinged melodies, it's a ready-made summer soundtrack.
• When It's Time to Pony We Will Pony Hard: Okay, that line is actually from my pal Steve, but it's soul-brony number 1, Church H Tucker, that hipped me to the news that musician, motivational speaker and party aficionado. Andrew W.K. will be speaking at the Canterlot Gardens My Little Pony convention in Cleveland this September. Apparently he is Pinkie Pie. 
• From the Ruins: If you dig Dethlehem you likely also dig Diablo 3. But just because you missed the boys on their recent tour stops doesn't mean you're doomed to never hear their epic cover of the Tristram theme. That's what YouTubes are for. 
• Where's My Flying Car: In one last bit of hot new YouTubery, my country cousins Sci-Fried have just dropped a brand new video single. "Looking Back at Today," from last year's Future Tense, was animated by the one and only Betsy Lee (who'll you'll likely remember from her work with Kirby Krackle.) Enjoy!

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 132: One Foot in the Queso

I got them new hits, son! And, okay, maybe one slightly old hit, but still.

Judging by the recent output, spring is apparently a great artistic motivator for most folks. (My lazy ass being the obvious exception.) We've hit another one of those plateaus wherein everyone either has recently released a new project or is preparing too, so this should serve to point you toward a handful of my favorites.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 132: One Foot in the Queso [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 57.0 MB Running Time: 43:07 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah - "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
I still marvel at the fact that I have my own theme song.

Track 1: Tribe One - "I'm Kind of a Big Deal"
As I understand it, Tribe has never ordered a kid's meal.

Z's 1st interlude: "My favorite song right now."
That's my (current) jam!

Track 2: MisCast - "Thunderbrat Blues"
The "Thundercats ho" bit is played out, and yet totally relevant in this case.

Track 3: Marc with a C - "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone"
This is sort of the ultimate cover song.

Track 4: Wordburglar - "Rhyme O'Clock (feat. More or Les)"
Allow me to pimp the video for this one once again.

Track 5: Pokemon vs. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic - "Gotta Make 'em all Evil"
This one came compliments of noted brony AlienBobZ. That fact likely doesn't surprise you.

Track 6: John Anealio - "The Empire State"
This is actually part of a broader world-building project.

Track 7: Pogo - "BooBass"
Kinda makes you wanna watch Monsters, Inc. again, right?

Z's 2nd interlude: "Which might be the best song title ever."
Thanks, Brooks!

Track 8: Ultraklystron - "3 Dollar Jeans (feat. Rai Kamishiro)"
Lyrically this among the album's weaker selections, but I love the bright and snappy production.

Track 9: Adventure Time dialog / The Efts - "Andrew Treat Does Everything Right"
The Efts come through with another endearing little ditty.

Track 10: More Adventure Time dialog / Videogame Orchestra - "Prince of Darkness"
This Carpenter tribute is pretty amazing.

Track 11: Supercommuter - "Unusual Habits (Hanssen Remix)"
Because you can never have too many Supercommuter remixes.

Z's final interlude: "A disproportionate number of songs containing the word 'vagina.'"
A phenomenon I'm sure I have mentioned before.

Track 12: Sulfur - "My Mama Is A G"
This is another one I've been sitting on for months. Mother's Day seemed like an ideal time to bust it out.

Wow, there was a lot of synth in this episode. More than usual even.

It's always weird for me to listen to a show and find little unintentional consistencies like that.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 131: Musical Comedy Is Not Pretty

It takes a special kind of bravery to be funny. I'm serious, so stay with me here.

Comedians, in whatever form, encourage others to laugh at them, which flies in the face of the innate human fear of seeming foolish in the eyes of one's peers. Moreover, these jokesters actively encourage audiences not to take them seriously, which is itself rather counterintuitive to the nature of the artist.

This is especially true for those who play music for laughs. They are often viewed as creatively compromised, accused of hiding behind humor to mask some manner of creative deficiency. They are labeled mere "novelty acts."

But being funny, much like being a superb songwriter or an adept guitarist, takes work. It takes both practice and skill. It takes dedication. And to do all three? Why that takes a very special kind of artist indeed.


Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 131: Musical Comedy Is Not Pretty [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 61.9 MB Running Time: 47:36 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah - "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
Though humor is not their primary mechanism, both Beef and Spellah manage to creatively employ comedy in their music.

Track 1: Prairiebagel - "Ragnarok Blues"
I know this track is really played for laughs, but it's impossible to deny that it's skillfully written and expertly performed.

Z's 1st interlude: "The power of comedy in music."
And also the Power of Grayskull, but that's its own episode.


Track 2: "Weird Al" Yankovic - "Skipper Dan"
I heard some fans say this was their least favorite track on the album. Personally, I thought it was one of the best.

Track 3: Double Down - "This Is the Life"
I'll not lie, I sometimes say Jesse Dangerously when I mean Johnny Dangerously.

Track 4: Mr. B, The Gentleman Rhymer - "Let Me Smoke My Pipe"
Chap-hop at its finest.

Track 5: Adventure Time dialog / Insane Ian - "My Name is Neville"
Ian is a second generation nerd musician. I find that fact endlessly fascinating.

Track 6: Adventure Time dialog / Sci-Fried - "TNG 2.0"
Crusher truly is dynamite.

Track 7: Tom Lehrer - "We Will All Go Together When We Go"
I often wrestle with including classic songs like this, stuff that I assume everyone already knows, but I have to remind myself that someone out there's always hearing things for the first time.

Z's 2nd interlude: "A fuckin' horrible segue way."
Yeah, not my best work.

Track 8: Illbotz - "The Power Glove (Lucas' Theme)"
Only Stevie D could retell the story of The Wizard from Lucas's perspective.

Track 9: Torrentz - "French Toast Tango (feat. Milk-Plus, MC Wreckshin, and Rappy McRapperson)"
Probably my favorite Rappy guest verse ever.

Track 10: Helen Arney - "Statistically I Love You"
Maths are sexy.

Track 11: Donald Glover and Danny Pudi - "101 Rap"
Oh, Community, how I missed you!

Track 12: Steve Martin - "The All Being" / MC Hawking - "Entropy"
A throwback track to episode 18.

Z's final interlude: "Sort of inclined to give them an additional tip of the hat."
Note to self: buy new hat.

Track 13: mc chris - "Discord"/ Betty White, Donald Glover and Danny Pudi - "Anthropology Rap"
I missed it myself, but apparently mc's site was totally ponied up for April Fools'.

I play a lot of funny music on this 'cast, but I rarely spotlight it as such. With the sort of stigma that sometimes gets attached to comedy music, maybe I oughta.

I really have a lot of respect for people who are genuinely funny. It's not an easy thing to do, and I should know; I likely try and fail more often than most.

But that's the strength of humor. When it hits, it hits hard. And there's always a payoff. Then it somehow has the power to make everything, even the pains of daily life, seem just a little less dire. A little more fun.

Straight Out of Ponyville

This year I elected not to do my regular April Fools' Day podswap. Truth be told I'm thinking of skipping Drunken Podcasting Month as well. (It appears as though one of the hazards of a long running project like Radio Free Hipster is that your recurring bits wear a little thin over time.)

Still, I did keep an eye on everyone else's gags. Google and ThinkGeek once again managed to brings the LULz, and things on the musical end faired just as well thanks to the hard work of cats like an oddly country-fried Klopfenpop. But likely my favorite example of yesterday's lyrical shenanigans came compliments of mc chris.

"Discord," mc's latest, actually rivals 2010's epic AFD track "Twin Peaks" as an example of both pure novelty and innovative musicality. This time around he put his own spin on the brony phenomenon, but also managed to inject a little social commentary in there with the humor.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 130: Spring Broke

I fear that the general lack of a proper winter has made the arrival of spring a bit less… awe-inspiring. It's a little hard to celebrate the season of nature's rebirth when nature was, y'know, basically limping along the whole time.

Still, I mark the change of another season because, in ways both subtle and obvious, it influences my listening habits.

That's just a part of my own natural cycle.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 130: Spring Broke [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 61.6 MB Running Time: 46:34 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah - "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
My boy Beefy recently got engaged. Congrats, homie!

Track 1: The BossFights – "Ctrl-Z"
"You can trim off the waste, and what's left? Excess."

Z's 1st interlude: "I am Z."
This is the tentative name of my forthcoming autobiography.

Track 2: Metaforce – "Subliminal (Style Wars Part 1)"
Thunderball of Metaforce/Southside was the original North American voice of Kid Icarus: Uprising's Pit. Sadly, he didn't make his way into the final retail release.

Track 2: Regular Show dialog / r_garcia – "Divergence"
I had no reason for putting that Regular Show sample in there, save for the fact that I find people saying "turd" repeatedly to be fuckin' hilarious.

Track 3: Adam WarRock – "Jane"
I've been sitting on a proper interview with Adam for few weeks now. I'll be sharing it soon.

Track 4: Richie Branson – "White Reflection"
Check out Richie's Wing Zero EP. Even if, like me, you totally couldn't follow the Gundam saga.

Track 5: Dethlehem – "Interlude I - A Mournful Discovery" / "Chasing the Keeper"
These cats are currently prepping for a summer tour. Please donate.

Z's 2nd interlude: "My first band of spring, if you will."
That's a thing, right?

Track 6: Anthrax – "New Noise"
The Refused original has been one of those songs I tend to revisit each spring. Now I do so in tandem with this amazing cover.

Track 7: the Mountain Goats – "Damn These Vampires"
This one's really more of a save-it-for-the-Halloween-show type of song, but I went with it anyway.

Track 8: Insane Ian – "Synthesizer (acoustic)"
Ian hipped me to this one via Twitter just a couple days back. It was exactly the song I needed to round out the episode.

Track 9: Benjamin Allen – "Apple Jack 101"
Yet another brony track that Church sent my way. I figured this show could use some more southern accents.

Z's final interlude: "I pray to all that is unholy."
I ain't even playin'; buy Worship Music!

Track 10: Supercommuter – "We're Watching You"
Wheelie and the crew are taking requests for PAX East. This seemed like something you should know.

I have a few simple rules regarding the manufacturing process of this podcast. The first is to always try and make it not suck. (I can't stress that one enough.) The second is to never be afraid to fuck with the audience.

Last ep. I set up the second set for maximum rockage by leading with a heavy metal rager. This time I used another metal banger but instead switched immediately to a mellow acoustic set.

It wasn't fair, but I admit it was kinda fun.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 128: Club Sammich

Let's get this out of the way up front; this ain't a Leap Year-themed podcast. (I can't even imagine what something like that would entail. Songs about… leaping?)

Instead this is a good, old fashioned crowd-sourced theme-free show. Complete with lots of rappin' and remixes.

If there's a better way to spend your extra day, I'll be damned if I know what it is!

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 128: Club Sammich [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 64.0 MB Running Time: 48:34 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah - "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
2012 provides 24 extra hours in which to ponder the awesomeness of Baddd Spellah. Use it wisely.

Track 1: Illbotz - "Best Damn Fuckin' Rappers in the Universe (feat. Beefy and Adam WarRock)"
The fact that Beefy drops a Golden Child reference right off the bat only makes me love him more.

Z's 1st interlude: "Stepped up and helped me with some song suggestions."
S'true. And y'all're great for it.

Track 2: Ultraklystron - "In the Lab (Remix)"
I keep calling Karl and otaku rapper, but he's really doing a lot more compsci stuff these days.

Track 3: Parks and Recreation dialog / DJ Schmolli - "Titanium 500 (David Guetta feat. Sia vs. The Proclaimers vs. Midnight Oil)"
Okay, I couldn't, in good conscience, not play a Proclaimers mash-up.

Track 4: Kirby Krackle - "Open Up Your Window"
KK and Adam WarRock recently wrapped up a West Coast tour. Apparently it was pretty goddamn amazing, but I can't imagine that surprises anyone.

Track 5: Sweatshop Union - "Bill Murray"
Thanks to @corruptschema for suggesting this one. Such a great track!

Track 6: Glenn Case- "I Offer You the Broadside of My Jaw"
Glenn literally sent this one to me via Facebook the day before I recorded this ep.

Track 7: Childish Gambino - "Heartbeat (DJ Geometrix Remix [Club])"
Lots of house mixes and mentions of clubs this time around. It's a nerd dance party, and you're invited.

Z's 2nd interlude: "This next one, weirdly enough, counts as both."
I love it when a plan comes together. #hannibal

Track 8: Former Fat Boys - "Revenge of the Nerds (feat. MC Lars, YTCracker and Beefy)"
FFB have just released this track with a special anti-bullying video. Check it out.

Track 9: tanner4105 - "Bootleg Fireworks"
If you haven't peeped Bootleg Fireworks yet you obviously don't follow Beefy's interests close enough.

Track 10: Herman Cain dialog / Shofu - "Tm87 (feat. Jok3r)"
@Gretyl wanted to hear some Shofu. Just not this Shofu.

Track 11: JackleApp and Mic the Microphone - "One Trick Pony (The Living Tombstone's Remix)"
Pretty much all my Brony tracks come at the request of @alienbobz or @churchhtucker. This one's for the former.

Z's final interlude: "Little surprises around every corner."
And now I realize that I totally forgot to namedrop this show's background music; it's by the phenomenal Magic Hu$tle.

Track 12: Raybob Industries Inc. - "Pure Imagination"
This one was a bit of an odd closer, but it just felt right. Big ups to @jtreecomics for the request.

And thus ends this month's final podcast. Thanks as always for listening, and special thanks to all who provided song suggestions.

On the horizon are a number of album reviews and interview features. Not to mention the odd new video or album release news. Oh, and there's snark. There's always snark.

Don't act like that surprises you, internet! ;)

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 126: Pink on Both Sides

Spending the better part of two weeks at home with my wife and kids, all three of which are regular Top 40 radio listeners, influenced me (and this episode) in strange and wonderful ways. I didn't realize it at the time, of course, but those sugary radio hits were worming their way into my psyche. The whole damn time.

You'll certainly notice many musical allusions to current pop tracks in this show, but I also managed to work in some nods to classic material. Not to mention some pop-flavored originals.

I do hope you find it palatable.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 126: Pink on Both Sides [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 63.1 MB Running Time: 48:00 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah - "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
If this song ain't a radio rager waiting to happen, I don't know what is!

Track 1: Eric "Erock" Calderone - "You Make My Dreams (Hall and Oates Meets Metal)"
I had originally planned to play Erock's Skyrim tribute, but this one sort of crept into the playlist.

Z's 1st interlude: "I've given you a taste of warped pop songwriting."
Which is a theme that continues throughout the episode.

Track 2: Kreayshawn - "Gucci Gucci (K.Flay Remix)"
Tell me she don't sound like mc chris!

Track 3: Regular Show dialog / mc chris - "hoodie ninja"
As heard in a recent episode of AFV. I shit you not.

Track 4: the modrats - "My Ninja"
Check out their newest release, Rocktarded. It is nerdy and punky and certainly satisfying.

Track 5: Supercommuter - "Natural Immunity (ft. Stumblebee)"
It was recently announced that Wheelie and Co. are headed to this side of the country for this year's PAX East.

Track 6: Mashup-Germany - "Top of the Pops 2011 (What the Fuck)"
I'm always impressed by the level of skill displayed in these end-of-the-year meta-mash-ups.

Track 7: Shael Riley and the Double Ice Backfire - "It's My Party"
Come Downstairs collects a lot of covers of traditionally feminine pop songs.

Track 8: Psycosis - "Pinkie Party Anthem"
Astute bronies will notice that the background music of this episode is also Pinkie Pie-related.

Z's 2nd interlude: "I'm not much of a conspiracy theorist."
I am, however, a theoretical conversationalist. Which is kinda the same thing. Right?

Track 9: Death*Star - "Fifty Dolla Word, Y'all"
I’m really digging A New Dope, Death*Star's sophomore release from last December.

Track 10: Donald Glover dialog / R_Garcia - "Seawater"
Resurgens runs the gamut from chippy IDM to this piece of poppy Coulton-esque perfection.

Track 11: Swagberg - "MMI Joint (feat. Navi)"
Of course I had to pick a Swagberg joint that also features my old pal Navi!

Track 12: Rappy McRapperson - "Pink and Purple"
"It's Carl Winslow / y'all brought the Urkel game."

Track 13: Pogo - "Jaaam"
I'm not sure what I enjoy more: Pogo's cut-up videos, or seeing how fast license holders try and get them yanked from YouTube. ;)

Z's final interlude: "The epic sports… ball… anthem… song?"
Just in time for the Super Bowl.

Track 14: Adam WarRock - "Waka Flocka Swanson"
There's really no valid reason that this is the only rap song about Ron Swanson.

We're getting awfully close to Valentine's Day, and that means the next episode will likely be one centered on love. Or lust. Or relationships.

You know: mushy stuff.

Some folks don't seem particularly keen on those types of shows, but I kinda dig 'em. And, unfortunately, I record the episodes alone so there's no one to talk me down off that ledge.

Still, if that shit ain't your scene, feel free to hit me up with ideas for the other February show. I just know you've got something you wanna hear.

These Are the Days

Last month I discovered that news travels fast in the brony community. Likewise I was reminded, that those folks are, above all else, gracious. So, y'know, thanks for all that traffic and the all kind words, bronies!

And while I imagine everypony has already heard about this one, those of you that don't have an army of the MLP-faithful bending your ear toward the new sounds of Equestria may have missed a recent fan-centered mash-up release.

Discord Days is a full 20 minutes of Gorillaz's Demon Days cast against music and dialog from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic from YouTuber and veritable geek-of-all-trades Psycosis. It's provided as a free download as both a continuous mix and cut into 15 bite-sized pieces. Whatever's your pleasure.

Give the embed below a gander to try this ambitious project on for size, and much love to my pal Jarod for passing this one my way!

Year of the Horse

I am a creature of habit. I toss out phrases like "regular feature" and "annual tradition" a lot around here, and that's because these things, in their own weird little way, give me hope. The fact that this blog has been around long enough for me to have go-to pieces reminds me of how fortunate I am to still be able to do this.

I don't write full-time, I haven't yet arrived at that ultimate blessing/curse of doing what I love to do as my for-real employment, but Hipster, please! and, to a greater extent, my work at GeekDad has allowed me to supplement my income by actually doing something I dig. And I have you to thank for that.

'Cause it's what I do. I'm a thanker.

It's also *ahem* tradition that in this year-end wrap-up I thank longtime backers like Jason, Matt and Church (AKA: The Shadow Council), faithful supporters like Larry and Chris and Jarod, and new-found homies like Euge and kHill.

Which I guess I kinda just did.

It's also required that I hem and haw over what were the standout releases of the year, and this time around that's even more problematic than usual. I mean, I reckon I have my top spot reserved for either Kirby Krackle's Super Powered Love or Supercommuter's Products of Science depending on which way the wind blows at any given moment. But with stiff competition from (aforementioned homeboys) Adam WarRock and Mikal kHill, The Bossfights' phenomenal debut full-length, Illbotz hilarious Pudding is Delicious, that brilliant Weird Al tribute album and significant major label showings from old favorites like Anthrax, there really are no losers in this race.

But what I do most in this little year-ender is spotlight one particular geek that set the tone for the previous 12 months. Sometimes I single out a long-established musical innovator. Other times I point toward the future of our tribe. Mostly, though, I cheap out and pick a whole group of people as my "nerd of the year."

Which I'm about to do now.

As nerd culture becomes pop culture, fandom, long our secret, hidden shame, becomes our currency. Whether in a bar or at the supermarket, I'm just as likely to hear cats rattling off baseball stats as passionately discussing Galactica, and that's an interesting paradigm shift. But, lest you fear that this wholesale adoption of nerddom will somehow sour your loser-makes-good victory of brains over bros, let me point out that 2011's most potent, virulent and widely remarked upon flavor of fandom came from a very unlikely source.

Over the past several months, as the brony ranks have continued to swell, I've heard their little enclave often damned and even more so observed with a sort of stunned journalistic silence. But while I can't claim to be one of them – my casual association with the property likely paints me more as at most a "brony sympathizer" – I am here to say that they are no more confounding (or annoying) than any group of motivated Trekkies, Browncoats, Wrock kids, Juggalos or Volunteers fans. They merely represent a new breed of fanboys that are less afraid to let their geek flag fly, even when it does so in the face of the traditional trappings of masculinity.

In a culture where gender roles are so ingrained that we almost refuse to think about them, the idea of men in their 20s and 30s latching onto a "girl's TV show" for no other reason than they recognize its artistic merits gives me renewed hope. Sure, nerd life has long existing in a space that often avoids some common masculine pursuits – sports, to use one stereotypical example – but the idea of men willfully embracing a series aimed at females represents a small but significant shift.

If nerdism stands for anything, it's the dogged refusal to put away childish things. It's a willingness to cling to the joys and wonder of youth even as we feel ourselves getting older. We are eternal adolescents, reminders that one can grow old without ever growing up. This is personally liberating, but the larger specter of gender disparity stills haunts us as a group.

If we are ever to get past not only our own culturally propagated sexism but that of the greater world around us, we must learn to avoid our own long-laid traps. If we're to raise our daughters to understand that chemistry and coding and Call of Duty are as much within their realm as that of their brothers, then we need to set examples. Even minuscule ones. If we're ever to make the words "geek girls" – surely as buzz-worthy a phrase as "steampunk" or "dubstep" was in 2011 – an obsolete relic of our divided past, then we have to change the way we allow our culture to be defined, from within as much as from without.

A violently promiscuous new Catwoman or a line of fem-LEGOs don't represent steps forward for our nerd sisters; they stand out as further examples of our general miscalculation of what the women, young and old, in our midst both desire and deserve. And if a group of a dozen dudes getting together and combing the hair manes of their pony dolls while talking about the symbolic importance of The Wonderbolts can ever so slightly nudge us in the direction of a community that's somehow a little less dependent on bullshit gender identification – many bronies even refuse to differentiate between male and female members, eschewing the designation of "pegasister" altogether – and a bit more welcoming to nerds of all genders, backgrounds or orientations, then I say go the fuck on, bronies.

You go the fuck on.

In 2011 bronies made news and music and memes and, yes, waves, and they did it all for the love of a cartoon. And if that ain't nerdcore, then I don't know what is.