Radio Free Hipster Ep. 118: The Who Knew Mixtape

So apparently the concept of a bunch of guys getting spectacularly drunk and recording it on the internet is inherently flawed.

Yeah, I know; I'm as surprised as you!

When I started Drunken Podcasting Month some 4 years ago I knew it came with some risks, and the chief among those - aside from, y'know, liver damage - was a unique set of technological hurdles. Even when dead sober, a Skype call can be positively fraught with problems.

This year the boys and I managed to hit that perfect level of intoxication wherein the conversation was fun and fierce, but, sadly, not all of the recordings of that evening's festivities survived intact. I salvaged most of it, but not quite enough to do the episode justice.

Therefore I present to you this unexpected mixtape show. It's not what I wanted, but I reckon it'll do.

The musical selections are, if I do say so myself, superb, and I'm pretty sure if you just get sloshed while listening to it you'll have as much fun as we did.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 118: The Who Knew Mixtape [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 90.5 MB Running Time: 57:01 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
Were Beefy and Spellah drunk when they recorded this track? Probably not, but they should've been.

Track 1: Illbotz - "Jesus Gave Me Water (But What I Wanted was a PBR)"
I've been waiting forever to play this one!

Track 2: Toolshed - "Irish Car Bomb Pt. 2"
This is another track I've been saving specifically for Drunken Podcasting Month.

Track 3: Hypnotic Clambake - "Tie Dye"
Matt made this very special song request. That explains the distinct hippy undertones. ;)

Track 4: Community dialog / DJ Le Clown - "Evil Whisky Bar"
I've been watching a lot of Community lately. If you haven't been, shame on you!

Track 5: Mikey Mason - "Too Fat To Troop"
At some point I began working food-related songs into the drunken podcast. I don't remember why, exactly, but in my defense I was probably drunk.

Track 6: The ThoughtCriminals - "Liquid Happy (Live)"
I played the studio version of this cut a few episodes back, but I thought this live take worked well within this show.

Track 7: Community dialog / YTCracker - "I Got the Product"
You can buy drugs on the internet! For reals!

Track 8: Mary Prankster - "Breakfast"
Another one of Matt's selection. Mary is sort of a DPM tradition.

Track 9: Torrentz - "Cereal (A Day in the Life) [feat. Mr. Spastic, Klopfenpop, C0splay, and Marc with a C]"
I know some folks disagree, but I love Marc's weird twee pop part at the end.

Track 10: Marc Gunn - "Monahan's Mudder's Milk (Firefly Song)"
This one's for Church. I'd played it previously on my GeekDad podcast, but this is its Radio Free Hipster debut.

Track 11: The Doubleclicks - "Worst.Superpower.EVER."
Apropos of nothing, I really like The Doubleclicks. A lot.

Track 12: Edison - "Armetis versus the City"
My pal Larry sent this one my way. It is an ideal track for those in need of chill music.

Track 13: Soup or Villainz - "Keyz"
This one's just in here for fun. It's SoV's take on crunk. And it is fuckin' infectious.

Track 14: Alex S. - "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Intro (Alex S. Glitch Remix)"
Jarod passed this one my way for inclusion in the ep. It's another great example of music from the brony community.

Track 15: DJ Paul V. - "Tequila Lip Gloss"
A repeat track from way the hell back in episode 39.

Track 16: Southside - "Cheeseburger (with Billy the Fridge)"
Another food song. This one by two of my favorite Seattle acts.

Track 17: Community dialog / nYgel - "Closing Time [Semisonic]"
nYgel continues to make some of my favorite pop remixes.

Track 18: Ilysabeth - "Fluttershys - MLP Fireflies Parody"
Church specifically asked to end the show on this one. In our original (drunken) conversation, he also waxed poetic about bronies and Friendship is Magic. It was epic.

Even though their contributions didn't make it into the show-proper, my sincerest thanks go out to Matt, Church, Jason and the lovely ladies of Social Knitworking. Thanks to you folks this was the best Drunken Podcasting Month celebration yet, and my only regret is that I couldn't share it with the rest of the nerd world.

Next up are my twin Halloween-themed episodes in October and my annual holiday and year-end wrap-up shows in December.

What will November hold? I have no idea. So feel free to hit me up with your suggestions and requests and whatnot.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 82: The Voight-Pop Test

Why is it that even my free-form podcasts seem to find their own thematic cohesion?! Is it me? Am I so OCD that I simply can't live in a world where my music isn't connected by gossamer strings of context?

Yeah, probably.

But I hope you'll excuse this predilection and simply dig the show. It is proper diggable.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 82: The Voight-Pop Test [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 45.2 MB Running Time: 49:18

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
Pop goes the Spellah, 'cause the Spellh goes pop.

Track 1: Kevin Figueiredo – "Heartless (Rock Remix)"
You've seen this guy, right?!

Z's 1st interlude: "Unlike the last edition, this one is more of a free-form show."
This year the plan is alternate themed and non-themed shows. We'll see how that works out.

Track 2: Rai Kamishiro – "HollowWw"
I'm working on a review of Electric Sheep and Ultraklystron's Romance Language 2. Expect both in February.

Track 3: Maja – "Hollow"
I sometimes wonder how much shit I miss by not watching anime.

Track 4: Chiptots – "Take on Lover"
Right now I'm trying to figure out whether I should do a very late "my favorite songs of 2009" post, or simply try and get permission to include those songs on a downloadable mixtape.

Track 5: Sci-Fried – "Level UP!"
If there is any justice in the world, Sci-Fried will be at Nerdapalooza 2010!

Track 6: Southside – "Wake Up"
I'm still giving this one available for free.

Track 7: Marc with a C – "Drunk Classic Rock Fans"
Speaking of reviews, I should have a write-up of Marc's Retro Lo Fi by month's end.

Z's 2nd interlude: "Ain't it perdy?!"
Shael Riley is the shit.

Track 8: Party Ben – "Poker Face (Just What I Needed)"
My kids love Lady Gaga. How weird is that?

Track 9: My Parents' Favorite Music – "Robit"
R.I.P. MPFM. :(

Track 10: Supercommuter – "Death Math"
Seems like I unwittingly lapsed into a robot-themed mini-set here.

Track 11: nYgel – "World @ Large"
nYgel remains one of my favorite remixers.

Track 12: Blade Runner dialog / John Anealio – "Rachel Rosen"
"My name is Rick Deckard, I'm in my hover car / I'm a bounty hunter for the city".

Z's 3rd interlude: "My collection of mint-in-box Gummi Bears figures."
Sadly, this is a lie.

Track 13: Benjamin Bear – "Bad Romance"
Big ups to MadHatter for turning me on to this one!

This was one of those shows that came together almost effortlessly. So effortlessly, in fact, that it's being released nearly a week ahead of schedule!

Please let me know what you think, and please continue to share the show with your friends. Even without iTunes support, I seem to be gathering a respectable following, and it's completely because of word of mouth.

Thanks so much, y'all!

The Gruesome Twosome

Next on our whirlwind tour of the notable YouTubery of uber-late '09 is a brand new video from MC Lars. It's his "O.G. Original Gamer" from the phenomenal This Gigantic Robot Kills LP. This one was directed by my homey Nigel Wallace, who many of you know as producer par excellence nYgel.

It was shot after last year's Nerdapalooza in scenic Orlando, and, in addition to co-vocals by our own MC Frontalot, it features another all-star cast of extras including int eighty, YTCracker, Emergency Pizza Party, ZeaLouS1, KABUTO THE PYTHON and Steffo from My Parents' Favorite Music. And there are more. Oh-so many more! This shit is like nerdcore Where's Waldo.

Rounding out the production end are Camera Operator Al Krakosky and Director of Photography Dan Reinecke. I think the trio did a helluva job, and I can't wait to see what else they have up their collective sleeve.

The only question remaining: who's gonna shoot a video at this year's 'Palooza?

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.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 61: Dare Not Speak Its Name

A certain oft-cited religious text tells us that love is patient, kind, and neither envious nor arrogant. What it doesn't say is that love is volatile, complicated, and, more than occasionally, messy.

That's why we have music.

Songs put a human face on what is a fairly spiritual concept. Sometimes that face is content. Sometimes it is incensed. And sometimes it is Patrick Swayze.

Each of these bases is covered herein.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 61: Dare Not Speak Its Name (hosting provided by Antisocial) Size: 49.5 MB Running Time: 54:06

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"

There's a lot of love in this song.

Track 1: Shael Riley – "I'm Yours" / Say Anything... dialog
I actually heard Shael's cover long before I ever came across the Mraz source material. Therefore, I tend to associate it more with him than the original artist.

Z's 1st Interlude: "I wanna know what love is."
I want you to show me.

Track 2: Switchblade Kittens – "Valentine's Day Massacre"
The Kittens recently released their 3rd album, Rebel Princess. Check it out.

Track 3: Party Ben – "All the Single Ladies in Mayberry"
You probably won't see fat dudes on YouTube dancing to this version, but you should.

Track 4: The Grammar Club – "Girl Trouble"
Will The Grammar Club's follow-up release be on par with their debut EP. My sources say yes.

Track 5: Snoopy Come Home dialog / Zen Albatross "No More Oceans"
I really wanted to drop this Charlie Brown sound bite into the ep. Thankfully, it played well into this fantastic track from Zen Albatross.

Track 6: Schaffer the Darklord – "Nerd Lust (Peeved Remix) (live)"
Whether you made the trip to Orlando or not, I highly recommend picking up The Nerdapalooza Tapes. It manages to catch a ton of highlights from a weekend made entirely of win.

Track 7: MC Lars & YTCracker – "Nerdcore Players"
A true player does, indeed, always wrap it up.

Z's 2nd interlude: "For extra credit on this subject, check out YTCracker's 'Hardly Tell.'"
This episode's background music is nYgels' instrumental remix of the aforementioned song. You can grab it on his latest release.

Track 8: Jonathan Coulton – "Shop Vac"
There's just really no way to describe how amazing this song truly is. It's one of JoCo's best.

Track 9: DJ FOX – "Hypnotized Gypsy"
This one was included to help me get in my requisite level of smut for this edition.

Track 10: Metaforce – "Stepmom Fox"
This track also helped on that front.

Track 11: The Whomping Willows – "In Which Draco and Harry Secretly Want To Make Out"
Slash-fic Wizard Rock. I'm kind of surprised we haven't gotten a veritable avalanche of such songs.

Track 12: Ted and the Gooch – "Screw You"
This was a last-minute addition, and I think it caps the set well.

Z's final interlude: "Totally useless insights into the phenomenon of coupling."
I should really incorporate that phrase into my business cards.

Track 13: The Four Eyes – "Dirty Dancing Medley"
This was one of those songs I heard and I knew I had to save for the Valentine's ep. Love me some Four Eyes!

I don't for a minute think that this show will ever teach anybody anything about any subject, particularly love. But it's fun to operate under that pretense.

There's this basic human need to try and pass oneself off as an enlightened expert in matters well beyond one's grasp. I call this the Dr. Phil effect.

Still, while I can't teach you anything about life, love, or relationships, I genuinely think that music – that art – can. Maybe that makes me an idealist or a hopeless romantic, or simply just a run-of-the-mill dumbass, but it's a belief to which I fervently cling.

The romantic verse is a subtle language all its own through which information, especially uniquely personal information, can be disseminated to the rest of our tribe. So whether it's the metaphysical poets or The Grammar Club, it pays to take note. How else can we learn to appreciate each other's passions, or the raw power of each other's heartbreaks?

Nerd News in Brief

I know, I know; you just can't get enough of my delightfully rural voice.

And how could you? I mean, I only record, what? Four podcasts a month?

Thankfully, there is a solution.

You can catch me drawling my way through a piece of short fiction written by my good friend Church on a recent edition of Starship Sofa's Aural Delights podcast.

It's a stark look into the future of digital music distribution. And no, it's not slash fic.

• Eat it, Picross!: Zen Albatross – known to some as the micro-musician in Shael Riley's live band – recently posted a really interesting piece over at Racktboy. It's about how Mario Paint kicked off his career as a digital artist, and it's damn well worth a read.
• Fireproof: And speaking of, here's some footage of the guys playing in the MAGfest Jamspace. The rendition of "Bank Holiday" in the second vid is especially cool. Also, this year: no fire alarm.
• Nerd Girls Wanted: Female roleplaying gamers are currently being sought for help with research for a forthcoming book on the subject. This celebration of female contributions to gaming culture needs your help, so head over to Geek's Dream Girl for the full skinny. And yes, guys, we can help too.
• The Balmy One: Big ups to my pal Joey for worming his way into a recent Popular Mechanics post on Guitar Hero/Rock Band hacks. His work comes in at number 7, and shows how to use the Rock Band drum kit as a midi controller in FL Studio.
• My Peeps: And also on the subject of worming one's way into the big time, Church has yet again hit Techdirt. The producer of the film adaptation of The Watchmen recently posted an open letter explaining why Fox – who has stymied the project in every way imaginable – shouldn't make any money off the finished product, but why they inevitably will anyway.
• Lost-core?: Also from Church comes this Washington Post article about concept band Previously On Lost. They get bonus points for having a band name that explicitly explains their purpose. Church even found the related NPR interview, for those who dig that sort of thing.
• I Hardly Even Know Her!: Bangor-area geeks, take heed! This weekend you must attend SnowCon at the Black Bear Inn and Convention Center. Running from 9:00 AM to midnight Saturday, January 17th and 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Sunday the 18th, this homespun con features tabletop gaming, film screenings, and even some live VGM from The Sides Scrollers. Peep the official site for more info.
• In Which Schaffer Wants to Make Love to Me: Announced last week, and hinted about before the fact, is the live event compilation CD The Nerdapalooza Tapes. This collection of cuts from last summer's festival is currently available for preorder for a mere $10, which also grants you immediate access to the MP3 version. I scored an early release last month, and I gotta say that the recording quality is pretty amazing. Plus it manages to hit a lot of the high points from that lost weekend.
• The Sound of the DJ: One of my favorite nerdy producers, the ever-prolific nYgel, has just released a collection of b-sides. The cleverly named Self-titled presents a collection of older originals, remixes, and instrumentals that have yet to grace your ear hole. Plus, it'll give you something to groove to while nYg works on his forthcoming mixtape.
• Find Me Online, Search c64: And speaking of new old music, my boys Dual Core have just made available a pair of non-album tracks on their site. Peep a 2007 collab with the great ZeaLouS1 and the band's intro for the Lotta Linux Links podcast for free right here. Then, immediately thereafter, begin making plans to attend this year's iteration of Washington DC's ShmooCon, as the boys will once again be performing.
• Super, Like Schneider: And while you're checking out all the free goodness, don't neglect this new video from Maja. It's a remix of The Game's "Superman." Check out the vid, and then proceed to his site for a free MP3 download. I've also been assured that Maja is currently writing new material, and plans to hit the studio later this year to begin recording his sophomore release.
• Alive and Wily-fied: Random has dropped a number of interesting teasers of late relating to his new Mega Ran 9 concept album. The biggie, however, is this sneak preview of the phenomenal "MegaLude 9." Listen. Watch. Post comments.
• Early and Often: Please take a moment to vote for The Protomen in Deli Magazine's Best of Nashville 2008 poll. They are your constant heroes. Also, who the fuck else are you going to vote for? You don't even live in Nashville!
• Ninjas and Vampires: And on the subject of other fun things to do, have you tried out Scrub Club's heavily-nerdified text adventure RPG yet? It's called Burst Nexus and is, of course, free to play from your bestest friends in the whole Midwest.
• Dancing Nerds and Gratuitous Monitor Humping: And taking us home this week is another piece of greatness from the Scrub Club family. It's a video for MadHatter's "Overheat" from our brothers and sisters at PBC Production. Much of it was recorded at this year's MAGfest, and features a ton of hilarious cameos. Plus, the song itself fucking slays.

WWYTD?

I typically like to end the year in one of two ways; either by thanking all those who contributed to the success of Hipster, please! and the greater nerdy music scene in the preceding 12 months, or by simultaneously congratulating and challenging our meta-community.

This year I said fuck that shit.

First off, the usual suspects – folks like Matt and Church, Dennis and Denika, Hex and Ant, Beefy and Soc, Snake Eyes and Doc Pop, Baddd Spellah and DON VITO – know how much I appreciate them. They understand that this project exists no less by their whim than mine, and, though I seldom remember to say it outright, I'm pretty sure they know that I am eternally thankful for all they do. And further, whether you send me music, help out with comps, offer artistic support, or just read this blog on occasion, you are my kung fu action hero, and I am genuinely in your debt as well. I reckon that's a given.

Secondly, we've been doing this dance for so long that I am positive everyone knows my steps by now; I am a proud but minuscule part of the greater whole of music-minded geeks, and, while I revel in the progress we've made, we could sure as hell use a little more inter-scene support and artistic interdependence. Our energies are better expended there than in looking for some "big break" from the ever-fickle mainstream. We are our own greatest strength. But that too should be obvious.

Because I tend to focus on these broader issues, I am often slow to crown a "Nerd of the Year" or a "Most Valuable Player." This is partly because I understand that the success of one depends on the work of many, and partly because it simply doesn't seem like my place. This is the year I make the exception.

So, rather than take this post into the familiar territory described above, I am going to forge new ground by saying what I am fairly certain everyone else is thinking: that 2008 belonged to YTCracker.

When I look at my favorite songs, events, or projects from '08, Bryce Case, Jr. is the silver string that runs betwixt them. When I scrutinize all that was good and pure and truly geeky about the year, he seems to be a party to the overwhelming bulk of it.

He was featured in what I consider the most entertaining of G4's "It's a Nerd's World" promo spots and was interviewed by Web geek Martin Sergeant. He contributed to a number of the best tracks of the year, including "911 AM (Rudy Giuliani)" with Doc Pop and MC Lars, "Fantastic Four" by Dual Core, nYgel's "1to3for," and both the 8-Bit Boys and Sinister Six projects. His own Nerdy South Records released exemplary albums in the form of Beefy's Rolling Doubles and his Serious Business EP, which boasted yet another best track of the year, "I am a Pirate." He toured with fellow heavy-hitters Lars and Frontalot, and he took part in arguably the biggest single musical event in nerdcore history, Nerdapalooza 2008.

And that, my friends, is just the shit I can think of off the top of my head!

I have long since abandoned my aspirations to rip people off help out my fellow humans as a motivational speaker, but, if you take anything away from this post, please let it be this: YTCracker, after all these years, all his triumphs and failures and ups and downs, still has love for this nerd game.

He works with established and up-and-coming artists with an equal measure of DG swagger, and thereby elevates both himself and those around him.

Sure, he's always going to have that hacker side that likes to cause trouble, but he also has a nurturing, almost paternal instinct that leads him to chip in, help out, and simply share the wealth of his credibility.

An easy high-point of my year was when, at a local show, YT gave me and Hipster, please! a shout-out on stage. He didn't have to; it didn't serve him to do so, but he gave some lyrical dap because that is what YT does. He gives respect. Even when it doesn't necessarily behoove him to do so.

So with 2009 already breathing down our collective neck, I only ask that everyone from the realms of nerdcore hip-hop and beyond take a little YTC with them into the awaiting proceedings.

In the words of my boy Beefy, ask yourself "What would YTCracker do?"

Holla at P.Nis for more info.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 58: Lest We Forget

The end of the year means one thing to me: obligation. There are a number of tasks that I, as a fake Web journalist, am honor bound to perform before the ball drops and scores of drunken party attendees share awkward and shameful smooches. The first of these is my year-end podcast, which I present to you now.

I liked the idea of an end-of-year wrap-up show, but elected to save that for January. Instead, we're gonna run out 2008 with a good, old-fashioned free-form playlist. You see, a lot of the songs I wanted to play this ep. are, y'know, old, so promoting them as the "best of the year" seemed misleading.

Still, there're some excellent tracks represented herein, and I can honesty see you grooving to 'em as the clock winds down.

Enjoy.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 58: Lest We Forget (hosting provided by Antisocial) Size: 45.6 MB Running Time: 49:50

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
All I can rightly ask for is another year with Beefy and Spellah!

Track 1: DJ Topcat – "More Than On Point"
This is from Best of Bootie 2007, but, oddly enough, it was mid-2008 before I really got into the track.

Z's 1st interlude: "Some random jewels you might have missed."
There's a dreadful hiss behind my spoken interludes this episode. Sorry about that. I am having mic difficulties.

Track 2: Scrubs dialog / Beefy – "You Can Call Me Beef"
Doesn't the Turk/Kelso dialog work well in the intro? I think so.

Track 3: I Hate You When You're Pregnant – "Gary Sinise"
This is from the 2nd IHYWYP demo, circa 2003, so "new" doesn't exactly describe it. Awesome, however, does.

Track 4: audiobytes for autobots – "143 CHP"
N.W.A. vs. the Jackson 5. This is a thing of beauty.

Track 5: Snake Eyes – "Never Say What They Mean"
Buy Snake's Golden Country Hits. It will assure peace and prosperity in the new year. I think.

Track 6: Warp 11 – "Spock Me Shock Me"
Here's a 2000 classic from Warp 11's 1st studio album. I recently realized that I've thus far neglected to play these Trek rockers.

Track 7: KABUTO THE PYTHON – "The Face Kicking Song"
KABUTO DOES NOT LIKE HIS RAPS ON THIS SONG, BUT I DO.

Track 8: 8 Bit Weapon – "Defender of the Crown (Royalty Remix)"
This is from 8BW's Confidential 2.0 album, which I am currently reviewing. I'm serious this time.

Track 9: MisterB – "Kept My Job!"
Anthony and MisterB like to use their Letters vs. Numbers podcast as a bully pulpit from which to generate beef, but I ain't gonna beef with 'em. Them's my boys.

Z's 2nd interlude: "Tragedy has reared its knobby head."
Goddamn, but I can turn a phrase!

Track 10: The Four Eyes – "Jackpot"
I misspoke in the 'cast itself; this song is from The Four Eyes'2004 album Rock and Role Playing.

Track 11: Year 200X – "05 Ghosts N' Goblins (Intro – Level 1)"
I'm also reviewing Year 200X's We Are Error. Not to ruin a potential albums-of-the-year post, but it's probably the best game rock CD of 2008.

Track 12: This is Spinal Tap dialog / Austrian Death Machine – "Get to the Choppa"
This year, the vocalist for metalcore outfit As I Lay Dying actually did something great. This is it.

Track 13: The Grammar Club – "Red Cyclone (vocal version)"
Whenever I play a Grammar Club track, I have an odd compulsion to play solo work from its members. Thusly, the background music for this edition is Shael Riley's "We Sell Potions and Shit Here."

Track 14: nYgel – "Have You Seen Rain (ft. TYT)"
Both nYgel's Free to Good Home and T.Y.T.'s Jelly Brain are must-owns from 2008.

Track 15: Atmosphere – "Yesterday"
After my father passed, my friend Glenn Case directed me to this Atmosphere cut. It actually helped a lot.

Z's final interlude: "The great Captain Dan of Scurvy Crew fame and the fine folks from Brilliant Gameologists."
Yep, got these guys 'n' gal on-tap for special episodes of RFH. Excitement. I has it.

Track 16: Dual Core – "Orbit (Remix)"
Fun fact: No less than 65% of my recent reminisces regarding this year's Nerdapalooza directly reference the fun I had hanging out with int eighty.

That's all I've got, folks. I am tapped. I should be back mid-January with my picks of 2008 podcast, and then again later that month with the Cap'n.

I'm currently working on my written year-end wrap-up, and suffice it to say it's a break with form. Look for that later this week to see what I mean.

Thanks for listening, and for another fun filled year of full frontal nerdity. I hope you'll join me again in 2009.

Nerd News in Brief

Project for Awesome launched last Thursday at YouTube. It featured videos not of skateboarding dogs, drunken party girls, or irate television hosts, but of real users talking about real issues.

It's nice to think that even YouTube, that bastion of time-wasting ridiculousness, can take a few moments a year to talk about charities in need of donations. It kind of makes me wonder if I should occasionally turn this blog into an engine for change.

Someday that might happen, but today ain't it.

Today let's simply enjoy another mindless Nerd News in Brief!

• Last Minute Gift Idea: Still short a gift for the impotent Jedi in your life? Why not treat him to this t-shirt so that every 2-bit bounty hunter and wannabe Sith Lord in the sector knows his secret shame?
• Like No Other: What would you do if I told you that Just Another Lazy Podcast was returning to the (fake) airwaves? Would you scream and soil yourself? Fine then; I won't tell you.
• Totally Glitched: The venue for the European premiere of Nerdcore For Life and its related concert has been announced. The event will occur at Amsterdam's Club Panama, and tickets are available now.
• The 2nd Time Around: Rhyme Torrents Volume 8 CD 2 is also now available for download. It features some tight work MC Lars, Random, Grandmaster Pink, nYgel, and many more. It's cover art features KABUTO and, like, some other dudes.
• You Will Be Crushed: Some more nerdy hip-hop newness also arrived in the form of Id Obelus's The Inevitable Crushing EP. Id prides himself on having a style that's a bit beyond the ordinary with regard to content, flow, and presentation, but whether or not you've felt his previous releases I'm gonna have to highly recommend that you check this one out. It's got an energy all its own, and it has joined The Digital Gangster LP on my list of superlative late-comers for 2008.
  
• Pirates vs. Wizards: And also on the subject of new music, we will shortly be treated to freshness from both Captain Dan & the Scurvy Crew and RiddleTM. Yep, we're covering all bases.
  
• Knitting Nerds: Jason of Geek Studies passed on a link to Geek Central Station, an amazing blog dedicated to geeky crafting. It's this kind of stuff that makes me lament the fact that I am totally incapable of creating such nerdery. Quick! Someone knit me a Little Sister and Big Daddy!
• Payment Due at the Time Services are Rendered: Random took a little time away from his Mega Man 9 project to breath new life into an old classic. What's not to love about Ran covering Eric B and Rakim's "Paid in Full?" Nothing.
• The End of an Era: Jesse Dangerously recently blogged that CD Baby has the last known physical copy of Eastern Canadian World Tour 2002. Yep, the last of the Mohicans. And Jesse says he's decided not to press anymore, so get it while you can!
• Survey Says!: Quick poll – what's of more interest to you, A) a WoW-themed restaurant or B) a Star Trek-themed casino? If you answered B, you are very old. Just like me and Church.
  
• Back on the Road: Once again the Geek Comedy Tour is coming to town. Assuming that, in your case, said "town" is the greater DC area. The rest of us will just have to get our geek comedy the old fashioned way: by watching Robocop as a Rap Musical.
• Spit Wack on the Mic: Pinky hooked me up with a link to this bit from D*Face's aPOPcalypse NOW doumentary. It features a little music from our old friend MC Frontalot around the 2 minute mark, and is awesome throughout.
• SPUN: And speaking of Front, the Godfather of Nerdcore was recently named Artist of the Day by SPIN. Sadly, he is no longer indier than thou.
• For the Cause: You can hear exclusive tracks from Frontalot, Beefy, The Grammar Club, The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets, Jonathan Coulton, and many more on the newly released Child's Play CD 2008. Not exactly the flashiest title in the world, but it tells you what you need to know; it's great music for a great cause.
• Ladies Night: In the event that you've recently taken to living under a rock, a pair of particularly talented geeky artists – both of whom happen to be of the female persuasion – are getting some much-needed attention. The first is Alaskan songstress Marian Call, whose Got to Fly album is thematically centered on Firefly, Serenity, and Battlestar Galactica, as well as the nerds who enjoy them. Meanwhile, ukulele ninja Molly is currently laying the ultimate smackdown on YouTube thanks to an intoxicating blend of inspired covers, impressive co-conspirators, and undeniable charm. And of course, Matt is hopelessly in love with both.
• Out to Do You In: Thanks to reader Oli (who actually found the site via the namedrop in Beefy's track "Disconnected") for turning me on to Euro geek rockers The Do You Inverts. They write songs about Gears of War and Too Human. And are fuckin' amazing.
• Santa in his Prius: Taking us out on this delightful pre-Christmas weekend is the new video for MC Lars's "I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas." It features Jaret Reddick of Bowling For Soup, as well as a cameo from Trogdor the Burninator at the 2:25 mark. Freeze-frame it and see!
  

Nerd News in Brief

By rights, I should be decorating the house for Halloween today. Sadly, I am currently in the throes of the kind of virus than only someone with young children can contract.

The whole family's got it. We are now bound by blood as well as mucus.

Which, now that I think about it, is pretty goddamn Halloweeny.

Go us!

• Nerd Ink, the Continuing Adventures: How can you out-geek a Hello Kitty Boba Fett tattoo? Only with the power of the Hawkman!
• Divine Intervention: In what can only be interpreted as a sign from the Geek Gods, the Online Hip-Hop Awards have extended their nomination season. So vote for Random some more!
• Church Submits the Following: A doctorial student from Purdue examines the "hyperhwiteness" (and, to some degree "hypermaleness") associated with nerd culture. Meanwhile, MIT seeks to shed its geeky image by any means necessary. Me? I went to community college, so I am thankfully far below this level of critical analysis.
• WTS: funky49 is looking to sell some music and gaming tech on eBay. If you're currently in the market for an Atari 2600 or a Yamaha TX7 synth, he will fucking hook you up.
• Bend it Like Blip Fest: Highly Liquid is now selling a kit that allows you to add a MIDI input to a classic Casio keyboards. Circuit benders and chipheads rejoice!
• The Real GWB: After a fairly long wait – yeah, like I have room to talk – The Geekly Weekly crew is back with another podcast. This edition includes talk about the new DSi, the Ig Nobel Prizes, the Stephen Colbert/Spiderman crossover, and music from my man ZeaLouS1. Give it a listen.
• We're a Happy Family: And if you're looking for some fresh musical hotness, check out the newly released Nerdcore Family Vol 1. It features MC Topher, T.y.T., 'Moans, MC Lars, nYgel and many more of your favorites. It's also free, so you've got no reason not to love it.
• Stolen Glasses and Pilfered Usernames: And speaking of MC Lars, he and YTCracker recently made an appearance on Revision3's Internet Superstar, the web talkshow hosted by Martin Sargent. He's the American Tom Green. Talk covers everything from their new album (slated for a November 1st release) to how YT scored such a sweet Gmail account.
  
• Zombies! Chaos! Cleavage!: Call is zombie erotica. Call it rancid cheesecake. Call it… disturbing. Whatever you call it, My Zombie Pinup is an interesting diversion. With blood. And boobs.
  
• Sins of the Father: And taking us home this week is the trailer for the new James Potter fanfilm series The Elders' Crossing. It's based on the writings of G. Norman Lippert and is scored by none other than Nina of The Butterbeer Experience. Behold the face of fandom!

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 52: Just Drunk Enough

It's simple podcast math: The more individuals involved in a podcast, the longer it is. Further, the more you drink, the more you talk. These truths are invariable.

Thusly, this podcast is long as shit.

I'm serious.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 52: Just Drunk Enough [hosting provided by Antisocial] Size: 55.2 MB Running Time: 1:20:31

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
I hear Beefy was totally sloshed when he recorded these vocals. Maybe.

Track 1: Space Ghost Coast to Coast dialog / Mary Prankster – "The Bottle's Talking Now"
Matt picked out this most fitting intro track.

1st drunken interlude: "A fake holiday season of my own imaging."
In honor of Drunken Podcasting Month, Matt joined me via Skype and Church contributed via chat. They simply couldn't stand the thought of me drinking alone!

Track 2: Southside – "Vibrate"
Church mentioned that this song should be played before the feature presentation at movie theaters. I concur.

Track 3: Optimus Rhymes – "Obey the Moderator (Remix)"
You can check out the OR video footage I mentioned here.

Track 4: Strange Brew dialog / The Sprites – "Modern Gameplay"
Complaining about new school controller design isn't exactly unusual, but The Sprites sound good doing it.

Track 5: Strange Brew dialog (cont.) / Hayseed Dixie – "I Believe in a Thing Called Love"
I picked this one out. Surprising, no?

Track 6: The Mudbloods – "I Wish You'd Be My Witch"
It's hard not to love The Mudbloods. This song is the reason why.

2nd drunken interlude: "Will you drink to that?"
Of course they will. These boys will drink to anything!

Track 7: Jonathan Coulton – "I Feel Fantastic"
Didn't Matt do a great job introducing this song? Seriously. If I paid him he'd totally get a raise for that.

Track 8: Beefy – "Minimum Wage Slave"
Beefy no longer works two shitty minimum wage jobs, but he's still down for the common man.

Track 9: Doug Stanhope – "He's Just Drunk" / Computerization – "Collars"
Wait, are we implying that it's oaky to get drunk at work?

Track 10: Fountains of Wayne – "Bright Future in Sales"
Yes, I believe we are.

Track 11: Dual Core – "Unplug"
Nobody sings the programmers blues quite like int eighty.

3rd drunken interlude: "There were a lot of work songs in that set, wasn't there?"
Can you tell we're getting sloppy here?

Track 12: Eddie Murphy – "Drinking Fathers" / PC Speaker – "Scheduled Rhymes"
According to PC, nerds have the best drugs.

Track 13: Severely Snaped – "Petrified"
It's like a Black Sabbath cover band fronted by Severus Snape. Don't gimme that look; you're just pissed 'cause you didn't think of it first.

Track 14: No Kill I – "Tranya"
A repeat from episode 20.

Track 15: Eddie Murphy – "Drinking Fathers (cont.)" / myf – "Homebrew"
I am amazed at the number of people who don't know how to pronounce myf's name. It rhymes with "stiff."

Track 16: Catchlove – "Legacy of the Fallen Wizard"
Let it be known: there is no "the."

Final drunken interlude: "Y'all are now my official unofficial co-hosts."
They are. For realsies.

Track 17: nYgel – "1to3for" / Space Ghost Coast to Coast dialog
Feist + YTCracker? You wouldn't think it would work, but it does!

And there you have it, folks: my first official Drunken Podcasting Month podcast. I'd like to make this a yearly celebration, but only time will tell whether or not the concept strikes a chord with the general populace.

I'm hoping to get in another drunkcast before month's end, although my vacation plans may complicate matters. Still, if you want to hear more of my friends and me swearing, making gross generalizations, and otherwise babbling incoherently, just let me know.

We'll be glad to oblige.

Either way, thanks to Church and Matt for pitching in. Gentlemen, it was a pleasure!

The Best Things in Life

Writing reviews is hard.

It really is. You have to listen to the same songs over and over again with the specific intent of uncovering which succeed on multiple levels and which ultimately fail. It's a bit of a daunting task. But I continue to do it. Mostly because people ask me to nicely.

nYgel sent me a pre-release copy of his new mixtape Free To Good Home a while back. It wasn't totally complete, but the meat of the album was in there. In the ensuing weeks I've been treated to additional and revamped tracks, and a more sharpened listening experience over all.

Yet even from those earliest days, even from those less polished versions, the album proved to be an exhilarating experience.

In it's finished form it's truly the kind of thing that one needs to hear to truly understand. But those handful of you who'd like to know my thoughts are free to read on.

1. "First Song 4 Your Mixtape"
   nYgel kicks off the proceedings with a clever reworking of Brand New's "Mix Tape." It has an odd, ethereal feel that highlights the artist’s penchant for the fine art of the bootleg remix.
2. "S@rge (ft. Conyeezy, DJ Zap scratches)"
   The airy intro is followed with a straight-ahead nerdcore number featuring frequent collaborator Conyeezy. I'm a fan of Yeezy, but I admittedly gave him a little grief concerning flow on his contributions to the previous mixtape. So let me explicitly state that this track features one of his best performances to date. His delivery is measured and his swagger properly honed, which serves him well atop nYgel's sharp backing. While the beat is a little simple, the vocals and scratching dress it up nicely.
3. "The Hyphy Dance (ft. T.Y.T., Whore Moans, YTCracker)"
   After keeping things fairly textbook on "S@rge," nYgel again gets a little eclectic on this track, mixing hyper-active clubs sounds with nerdy hip-hop. T.Y.T., Whore Moans, and YTCracker all bring their A games, and it makes for an unforgettable song.
4. "World @ Large"
   By this point in the album, one can't help but notice the release's dual nature: Free To Good Home is both a hip-hop mixtape and a sonic experiment in the field of the underground remix. This song falls firmly into the latter, and takes one of my favorite Modest Mouse tracks in a wholly different direction. Though it's a little long, the only thing this track really has going against it is that it will surely serve to frustrate hip-hop heads who don't generally expect this sort of fare in their mixtapes.
5. "Get Fresh (interlude)"
   Rather than switch things right back to hip-hop, nYgel dwells in the realm of odd electronica for a few minutes more. It's a little strange to have two such lengthy tracks back-to-back on a release of this nature, but, other than possibly undermining a bit of the inertia the album's built up thus far, the song is well-textured and enjoyable.
6. "Rap Fanatic (ft. Jesse Dangerously, Ranger, LogicOne, DJ Zap scratches)"
   "Rap Fanatic" is a blissful return to rap, featuring excellent contributions by each of its featured artists. Once again, the backing sounds a tad thin, but I’ll simply chalk this up as a ploy by nYgel to highlight the featured rappers. While Jesse D and The Ranger both bring really enjoyable verses, LogicOne’s verse is slightly soured by overused vocal effects. And sadly, this song ends a bit too abruptly.
7. "Wicked (ft. Benjamin Bear, Id Obelus, DJ Bizkid scratches)"
   While I love the frenetic beat and I admire the styles of contributors Benjamin Bear and id obelus, this song also suffers from overuse of vocal delay. Still, it's enjoyable, and Bizkid's scratches are probably his most dynamic of the album. Overall it’s an enjoyable song that’s just a little messy.
8. "You Don’t Know About That"
   nYgel again does his best to desecrate a contemporary Billboard chart-topper – this time T.I.'s "What You Know" – to great effect. With a nice blend of sharps hooks, smooth backing, and good old-fashioned pitch manipulation, it’s a fun ride.
9. "1to3for (ft. ytcracker)"
   Easily the album’s thesis statement, "1to3for" is both a masterful cut-up and a legitimate hip-hop track. While some may see it as two songs lashed together, I say it’s the best of both worlds. It’s delightful change-up (between the Feist and YTCracker movements) and masterful use of stereo panning makes it enjoyable despite being a bit on the lengthy side.
10. "Take Your Time (featuring Whore Moans, Legendary Wizard, Conyeezy)"
    Honestly, this track doesn’t exactly kick off with Whore Moan’s best rhymes, but it’s fun and features tons of movement. Plus, it’s arguably a better use of the Jimmy Eat World hook than the original source track. ;) It sounds repetitive after a point and Legendary Wizard’s vocal doubling is a tad much, but Conyeezy comes through with another great contribution. In the end, it's the type of song that manages to make you love it in spite of a few shortcomings.
11. "Happy 2Gether (ft. Whoremoans)"
    Though this lo-fi Whore Moans joint seems a like a jarring change from its forerunner, it too is a keeper. Moans raps kind of fast and the beat is a little repetitious, but the whole track manages to be equally sharp and loose. It spotlights Moans’ exceptional storytelling abilities, and some crazy-ass drums in its final quarter help to kick it up a notch.
12. "Have You Seen Rain (ft. TYT)"
    Fulfilling a similar role as Conyeezy’s "The Wanderer" from Nature’s Outcasts, "Have You Seen Rain" is the emotional core of Free To Good Home. It’s a powerful heartbreaker tinged with hope that’s truly one of T.Y.T.’s best. Sometimes he gets a little ahead of himself with regard to flow – which is, I admit, my only genuine complaint about any of his work – but it comes together in every way possible. nYgel, T.Y.T. , and Fogerty are perfectly matched from the start, and the change-up at the 2:20 mark adds just the right amount of dynamism.
13. "Digital Lyfe (ft. Funky49)"
    An excellent transition leads in to this funky49 joint. While not my favorite selection from his Starblazer album, it’s a great follow-up that ably propels the album forward.
14. "Gayest Shirt (Killsaly remix of nYgel remix)"
    This remix of a remix doesn’t have all the style of The Grammar Club original, but it’s competent and catchy. Plus it features two of my favorite producers and one of my favorite bands, so I’m an easy sell.
15. "Sugar, We’re Slowin’ Down"
    Another amazing transition leads us into a brilliant reimagining of a mediocre radio hit. The way nYgel forces this mall punk number into a ska-flavored offbeat by slowing it down is truly ingenious. It’s a great cut-up with some wonderful glitch elements that may prove too long for some, but not for me. I see it as a testament to nYgel’s ability to wholly repurpose a song to his own diabolical design.
16. "Wake This Up"
    I’ve spent a sizable chunk of this review talking about song lengths, but this track stands out as the album’s longest. It certainly takes Green Day into new territory, but it suffers both because of length and because of its proximity to the all-too similar "Sugar, We’re Slowin’ Down." Still, it’s not without its charms, notably the injection of some totally unexpected mc chris at 3:45 and a very thematic fade-out.
17. "Hardly Tell (nYgel remix ft. Conyeezy)"
    This remix of a song from YTCracker’s new Serious Business EP is a fine note on which to end. It pairs YT’s vocal high end with Conyeezy’s low, which makes for a fantastic contrast. It's the perfect hate song on which to allow the listener to reflect in the mixtape's waning moments, and should prove a fan favorite.
    

In summation, Free To Good Home could be described as having a split personality. It is at once a nerdcore mixtape and a sample-heavy experiment in musical cut-ups, and it does both very well.

It is, in short, the kind of album that's incredibly easy to like.

My only recurrent complaints, things like leveling and pacing issues, are only noticeable when viewing the album as a whole. And even then only slightly so. When listening to it as a regular listener on a track-by-track basis – read: like someone not attempting to review it – you're simply apt to come away with a smile on your face and a few more solid additions to your most played list.

Free To Good Home is a mixtape that shows nYgel's musical growth, spotlights a number of notable contributors, and genuinely deserves your attention. There's something for everyone, and the more open-minded your view and eclectic your taste, the more you'll find to enjoy.

"Be right back, I got to be a man."

Happy Accidents

I sometimes feel as though I stand alone – much like the cheese – with regard to my musical passions.

You see, I like it when, for lack of better phrasing, shit gets mixed up. I enjoy it when my hip-hop incorporates jazz breaks or my geeky rock borders on ska. I like sonic experimentation. It might not always work, but I admire those willing to take the chance.

nYgel is on a similar page. So much so that he's just released his second mixtape Free To Good Home, an album firmly rooted in the concept of combining fresh, new nerdcore with eclectic, sample-based beats from the most unlikely of sources.

How does this musical mad scientist approach his craft? Read on to find out.

-------

You first began to make a name for yourself in the Beastie Boys remix community. Would you say the Beasties are a primary musical influence? What are your other influences?

I suppose you could say they are the primary influence, though my music never really sounds too Beastie. A lot of my music really, to me, doesn't seem to sound like anyone else's. It's not like some genre I'm trying to copy; I have an idea and then I go with it. Some of these ideas come out better than others, but it's usually not based off of anything in particular. Though certain artists do make me wish I sounded like them: people like Ratatat and Justice. I sound nothing at all like them, but they really influence me. Of course other "nerd" music as well influences me. but mostly I usually just want to do something the others aren't.

What was your introduction to nerdcore hip-hop?

Well, I'd have to say mc chris. I only knew about MC P. Pants and such from Adult Swim but, that was it until this kid at my high school had me listen to "Evergreen" in gym class one day. I took my Beastie Boys remixing skills over to the mc chris board. Everyone was pretty accepting of me and my mixes, so I called it home for quite a while. But then I got banned and got called a talentless bad word by this DJ who was losing to me in a remix contest, but that's a different story.

My introduction to real nerdcore came when I mentioned on the BBMB that I was one of the few original remixers to still post, and in that post I mentioned funky49. I suppose funky49 checked out the boards, maybe searched his name, I don't know, and found it, felt flattered, and then told me about Rhyme Torrents.

I went there and was very unimpressed, but continued on. I hadn't heard anything really powerful there and was starting to turn away... until CSHC dropped their first single "Nerdcore is Dying." After that things picked up.

What producers and DJs do you admire within the nerdcore community? How about within the larger sphere of mainstream music?

Wow, that's a hard one. I really like killsaly. He's one of the few I would really like to listen to. I obviously enjoy DJ John and Baddd Spellah (though I hated his "Fett's Vette" remix, no offense if you're reading). DJ Inubito of CSHC I like a lot as well.

As for mainstream music I like the Beastie Boys of course, their other producers like the Dust Brothers, Mario C and Mix Master Mike. Ratatat and Justice I've already mentioned. Danger Mouse due to his work with Gorillaz and Grey Album.

Other DJs beside Mix Master I like are like Shadow and such, but I want to mention this now because he needs some recognition for it: DeeJay Zap does the scratching for my tracks, he's an old friend from the Beastie Boys community and he does great stuff.

Also a guy named dj BC. He's very talented too.

Oh yeah! I'm a big fan of dj BC myself.

Why did you choose the mixtape format as the basis for your recent projects?

Well, under my theory, which is probably wrong, it is because producers/DJs (whatever I am) don't release albums. They drop mixtapes. Also because mixtapes usually are more creative and "risky," I suppose you could say. And I think what my mixtapes can do is either give smaller artists a chance to shine beside bigger artists, or offer bigger artists a chance to sorta have fun. When these bigger artists drop tracks they usually put a lot of effort in them, and, to me , my releases are a place for them to let loose. (Take YTCracker's verse on "Hyphy Dance" for example.)

How would you say Free To Good Home differs from your previous mixtape Nature's Outcasts?

I feel FTGH is a big improvement. I don't know how, but it just is.

It is far more sample oriented, and that was my original idea. I was thinking about how the Beastie Boy's second album was roughly 95% sampled music - which actually caused a number of new sampling laws to come into effect - and I started sampling things. Then I decided I wanted everything on the new album to be very sample oriented. All but a few are like that.

Also I don't have many solo tracks, which I wish I had more of, really. I liked the mixture I got from "Last Call" from NO and wanted more like that. Just not with that many people. That'd seem like I was riding off my previous success.

Mostly I wanted to stand out and improve, but still bring what I brought before.

Both projects feature an interesting mix of traditional hip-hop mixtape fare (albeit with a nerdcore slant) as well as remixed and often heavily re-sequenced modern pop and rock tracks. Are you actively trying to redefine the concept of the mixtape, or are you simply trying to put your stamp on the art form?

Not entirely understanding the real concept of a mixtape, I would say I'm just trying to put my stamp on it. I like to give my work variety. If others are like me then they get tired of hearing the same things over and over, and I feel a lot of releases around the nerdy community fall victim to their own comfort zone. I don't really have a direct example, but I think most people find their style and call it that. I want to continually change up my style and still have it be my own.

Is there an underlying theme or concept that ties all the tracks of Free To Good Home together?

They were all made by me, lol. Really no solid concept, it's just the things I created in my final months in Indiana and a few that were leftovers from NO. Actually, I guess, like I said earlier, it's just about it being a heavily sampled mixtape. That was my hope from the start of it, even though some tracks don't follow this theory.

Mixtapes in general draw on a wide and varied group of contributors, and yours are no exception. Do you typically solicit contributors to rhyme over specific, pre-selected beats, or do you tailor instrumentation to match their vocal contributions?

It changes a lot. Last time I made a lot of beats and just hoped to get some people I really liked on it. This time I had a bit of an idea of who I wanted. Sometimes this was who ended up on a track, but mostly it wasn't.

I try to either make a song that really blends with a rapper's style, or, failing that, I try to put in someone who you wouldn't think of on a track. Then sometimes I get asked to remix tracks, like funky49. I usually reject remixes for various reasons. Mostly I don't have much time. (And now I don't have a program to remix with. Why is Sony Acid NOT Mac friendly?!)

You've worked with a number of notable artists on this album: YTCracker, Jesse Dangerously, T.Y.T., Conyeezy. With whom else would you like to collaborate?

Wordburgler! I tried to work with him on this release, but time was an issue. And MC Lars was supposed to be on Nature's Outcasts, but obviously that didn't happen. Both were time issues. Others I want to work with would be guys like Beefy (again). He turned down a track on this one. I can't remember why he did. Lucy Starkiller I want to work with. Which I sorta am. She was supposed to be on this album too. Frontalot and Shael also come to mind. But really most people I want to work with I got, or tried to get, on this one. In a month or two I'll probably have a few more that I'll want to work with.

If you could only pick one song from FTGH to serve as an example of your work to new listeners, which track would it be? Which song most clearly demonstrates the nYgel sound?

I think the "nYgel sound" is so vague none would demonstrate it too well. I really like all the tracks on the album, but I guess "Rap Fanatics" would work. It has a pretty good beat, nothing too catchy, but solid, and then three great rappers. I think any would work well. But again, my style is so varied in my opinion. Play "S@rge" and "Wicked" one after another and that kinda shows what I mean.

Lastly, nYgel, what truly inspires you?

My girlfriend. And you, Z. I want to be in the Nerd News in Brief and podcast more often.

-------

And so I find that nYgel and I share another commonality, one outside of our shared love of musical eclecticism: we both tread heavily in areas that we do not fully understand.

This is, in fact, sort of a mantra to me: do things that you do not understand.

But unlike my meager contributions, nYgel's musical experimentation charges on through uncertainty toward a kind of natural genius. Toward a brand of musical nirvana that can only come from making the music that you want to hear.

It may confuse neophytes and put off traditionalists, but to me it smacks of authenticity. It bears the true weight of substance.

nYgel, as an artist, is defined by a flagrant disregard for the conventions of popular music, and I, for one, wouldn't have it any other way.