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.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 129: Straight Down the Middle

As I type this I am not playing Mass Effect 3. That likely goes without saying, but it's an important point. Because I want to be playing Mass Effect 3.

Instead I'm writing podcast notes for you, my friend. Much in the way that when I sat down to record and edit and mix the show itself I wasn't playing Mass Effect 3.

All I'm saying is that I care enough to compromise my gaming for your amusement. I don't need your pity or your gratitude or anything; I just figure it's never a bad idea to tell folks that they mean something to you.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 129: Straight Down the Middle [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 58.9 MB Running Time: 44:51 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah - "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
My podcast theme song could beat up your podcast theme song.

Track 1: Klopfenpop - "Stillwield (Klopfenpop vs. Jonny Nero Action Hero)"
I really dig this track. It's got a different feel for Klopf—sort of a spoken-word kinda thing—and I love how it plays off Jonny's chiptune backing.

Z's 1st interlude: "Really happy that you are."
Thanks so much for listening! I feel like I don't say that enough.

Track 2: Adam WarRock - "Active Squad (feat. Beefy, Mikal kHill and Kabuto the Python)"
Mordin died in my game. I don't reckon that's spoilery, as your play-through might be completely different. But in mine he is dead. It was a noble sacrifice, and I miss him.

Track 3: Nosaj Thing - "Fog"
This one's for Larry. For some reason it reminds me of the Mass Effect 3 home screen, which I guess explains its placement.

Track 4: DJ Le Clown - "Do You Really Want to Tchiki Boom?"
I'm only just realizing that a significant portion of my listeners likely have no idea who the fuck Culture Club is. #old

Track 5: Service Lab - "BouncingHead Volleyball"
There's a strong electric groove in this one. I dig it.

Track 6: King Pheenix - "Bottle It (feat. Dale Chase)"
I'm kinda hoping Dale and KPX form some sort of hip-hop duo side project. I love how well they play off each other!

Z's 2nd interlude: "Hip-hop and electronic-music focused set."
I usually try to mix things up, stylistically-speaking, but this time around stuff seemed to gel into two distinct sets.

Track 7: Finntroll - "Trollhammaren"
Again, I blame this one on Steve. And also on the fact that I just found out I can watch Trollhunter for free via Amazon Prime.

Track 8: Alestorm - "Keelhauled"
Church turned me on to this one. He knows I dig metal and pirates.

Track 9: The Aeronauts - "My Marvelous Toys"
You might remember these guys from my recent "Steampunk Boba Fett" post.

Track 10: The Doubleclicks - "The Way I Glow"
This one is actually the counterpoint to the Molly Lewis track I played a couple shows back.

Track 11: The Boom Bang - "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLEZ"
This is not my first atonal "Ninja Turtles" cover.

Z's final interlude: "Specialty metal."
That totally needs to be a thing.

Track 12: Shael Riley and The Double Ice Backfire - "Area Dolls Guy"
If you missed Songs from the Pit the first time around—which may be the case, as it was a cassette-only release in its original iteration—you need to snag this one. Hell, even if you do have the original, this one offers lots of expanded material.

I feel like I should be writing something thoughtful about how I usually piece together shows and how this one was a little different, but I reckon I've already elucidated enough on that. So instead I will simply bid you adieu.

Have a great St. Pat's! And if you're down for some multiplayer, holler at a scholar!

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 124: The Closer

Ah, the final podcast of 2011. You've been a longtime coming.

(That's what she said!)

I always try and pull double duty with my year-end show. I want it to showcase some great cuts from the previous 12 months that I neglected to play at the time of their release, but I also want it to give you a little dose of party music for your New Year's debauchery.

Hopefully this show fits both bills.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 124: The Closer [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 61.4 MB Running Time: 47:00 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
Who will you kiss at midnight: Beefy or Spellah? We got some Mystery Date shit goin' on over here, y'all!

Track 1: Jonathan Coulton - "Sticking it to Myself"
JoCo is the man now. Thus the sticking it to himself.

Z's 1st interlude: "Nerdy thrashers."
I finally got to see Anthrax play live this year. Achievement unlocked.

Track 2: Anthrax - "Earth on Hell"
I can't imagine the refrain of "so say we all" was included by mere happenstance.

Track 3: Community dialog / POWERLIFTER - "Level 14 (PANTHERHAMMER)"
Let me tell you what POWERLIFTER digs: parenthetical subtitles.

Track 4: The Bossfights - "Eye of the Rising Sun"
An amazing cut from a wonderful album.

Track 5: KABUTO THE PYTHON - "My Baby Left Me (for Skyrim) [feat. STD]" / Skyrim dialog
KABUTO's got them gamer rap blues!

Track 6: Threv - "SMW (Ghost House B-Boys Mix)"
Nophi's Eightest Bits is a freebie download over at Bandcamp. Get on that shit.

Track 7: Wugazi - "Nowhere To Wait"
"Hittin' straight to the chest like a Primatene mist!"

Z's 2nd interlude: "My favorite movie of the year."
If you haven't seen The Muppets yet you are part of the problem.

Track 8: Kobi LaCroix - "CNR"
Twenty-Six and a Half is a fitting tribute to the king of comic geek rock.

Track 9: Parry Gripp - "Do You Like Arby's?"
Yes, Parry. Yes I do.

Track 10: Ken Ashcorp - "20% Percent Cooler"
Our final brony track of 2011 isn't a remix of the show's original soundtrack.

Track 11: Helen Arney -"Animals (feat. Professor Elemental)"
Yep, that's chap-hop legend Professor Elemental backing up Helen on this comically erotic little number.

Track 12: Kirby Krackle - "In Another Castle"
Admittedly, this one's a bit similar to their classic "Zombie Apocalypse," but it's still a delightful musical romp.

Track 13: Adam WarRock & Mikal kHill - "Out of Gas (feat. Jesse Dangerously)"
The Browncoats Mixtape is also free. I can't imagine you haven't already snatched this one up.

Z's final interlude: "Before SOPA kicks in and shit like that is punishable by death."
That is merely a slight exaggeration.

Track 14: "Weird Al" Yankovic -"Party in the CIA"
Longtime listeners may remember that I ended my first show of 2010 with a "Party in the USA" mash-up. There's an odd symmetry there. Possibly symbolic, even.

That's all I've got left in me for the year, folks.

I mean, you'll probably get my year-end review post – wherein I choose my nerd o' the year – later this week, but musically I am spent. I'm an old man, internet.

You may notice some (amateurish) scratching on a couple of dialog samples in this episode. I bought my 6-year-old an ION Discover DJ rig for Christmas, so I figured I'd play with it myself a bit. Perhaps I will continue to experiment until I'm actually passable at such things. Or maybe I'll never touch it again.

Only time will tell. And at this point we have nothing but time.

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.

Land of the Lost

Recently I came to the startling realization that if I respond to an email, the person on the other end will, nearly without fail, write back – further contributing to the catastrophe that is my inbox. What I'm saying is that this shit is a vicious cycle.

The same goes for album reviews. I get a new disc, listen to it and write up my thoughts, and then, goddamnit, another album arrives on my doorstep!

I'm being facetious, of course, as the last thing I want is for people to stop recording and releasing music. I mean, what would I do with my spare time then?

Still, there are always albums that, as good as they are, tend to fall through the cracks. They are projects that, though they become a steady part of my musical diet, I often fail to expound upon in a timely manner. Thus every once in a while I am forced to comb through my playlists and highlight the releases I have neglected to promote with the requisite gusto.

This is one of those times.

What follows is a bit of spring summer early autumn cleaning on my part. It focuses on a trio of albums that managed to hit hard and make distinct impressions on me over the first half of 2011. I just sort of forgot to mention how awesome they are.

My bad.

Robots. Lasers. Awesome.

Nathan Meunier is, among other things, my journalistic homeboy. He is also a bit-popper with a distinctly grimy lean. His Robots. Lasers. Awesome., which I've been sitting on since March, proves as much by kicking off with the dark and aggressive "Doomlaser" before slowing down into the vaguely dub-tinged "Chasing Satellites."

From there the album goes off on a number of odd and interesting tangents, but driving chiptune melodies punctuated by even sharper guitar hooks are the order of the day. Whereas joints like "Iterate" channel The Cure into lo-fi electronica, "Nerd Rock" instead paints itself as a retro game soundtrack with traditional musical accompaniment.

The album slowly builds across 8 tracks to the amazingly evocative closer "Portal of Solitude" – it's rather desperate and somber, and, like the rest of Robots. Lasers. Awesome., manages to communicate real emotion despite a total absence of lyrics.

If you're looking for a solid instrumental soundtrack to your workday, some late-night driving music or if you just wanna explore a new hybrid music act, give Nathan a listen.

Villainz for Hire

Viet Vu reached out to me about Soup or Villainz's Villainz for Hire back in April, and it admittedly took a while to grab me. After a few listens, though, I began to grok the group's dynamic; SoV exists somewhere between the smart-ass swagger of Southside and the self-effacing nerdery of Death*Star. It's a strange position, sure, but one that only they can fill.

Vu's lyrical high-end was the initial turn-off, but once it got its hooks in me I realized a very prevalent blend of aggressive punches and comical follow-ups that even now puts me in mind of Childish Gambino. Remison, his coconspirator, holds shit down on the other end with hints of both West Coast and Deep South styles in a Midwest spit that is always on-point. Individually they've got talent, but together they are a two-headed geek rap juggernaut.

"Game to Play" and "The Code" represent fine examples of the Villainz's own take on gamer rap – a well that they seem all too willing to visit – with the latter boasting ample amounts of soul thanks to in-house hook machine Danyeal McIntosh, who also adds a shot of sultriness to the surf guitar-inspired "Gamer Tag." The VGM thing isn't their only trick, though, as the group takes on everything from relationship woes ("Only Option") to anthemicly braggadocios bangers ("Soup or Crazy)" across the breadth of the release.

The album's become a go-to release for me – especially "D.K.," which, though it makes for a slightly unsatisfying closer, has a chorus that's nothing short of irresistible – so I definitely suggest you give it a spin. Cheap-asses can also cop a half-size EP version of this disc for free from Scrub Club which features, among other tasty cuts, the project's blistering, if unfortunately short, "Intro."

The Lost

More recently Thomas from Hand'Solo Records hooked me up with the latest from long-lived Canadian hip-hop clique toolshed. Originally a loose collective of MCs and DJs, the toolshed of today is a more streamlined affair. Consisting of old friends Chokeules, Psybo and Timbuktu, it's now a hip-hop power trio in the classical sense.

Originally recorded after the release 2006's Relapse, the basis of The Lost is material from the titular lost album with a twist. Tim worked his production magic to incorporate new remixes and collabs in with the classic material, and the final result is a perfectly enjoyable slice of intelligently constructed rap that's also unafraid to appeal to the baser nature of your inner teenage hell-raiser.

Opening strong with "Peppercorns" and "Rock N Rule," the guys dive headfirst into funk-rock hooks and razor-sharp cuts. Guest stars abound on the phenomenal (and aptly named) "Round Table," and Ghettosocks' turn of "Hit 'Em With His Running Shoes" stands out as the kind of cameo that would shame most host artists. Thankfully the toolshed is composed of sterner stuff.

As flexible as they are talented, the 'shed excels at both bringing the proverbial pain to the idle youth – on not one but two different mixes of "Clubsuck" – and keeping the part alive with proper drinking anthems – "Irish Car Bomb Pt. 2" and its late album analog "Irish Tiger Balm Pt. 2." And their feats of instrumental strength and verbal stamina don't stop there.

Clocking in at 16 tracks of hip-hop for heads of all stripes, the album never misses, but that's not to say I don't have my favorites. "Flavor Saviors (remix)" brings in shades of BDP that can't help but satisfy, and the closing salvo of "Dream Team (Bix rmx)" and "Final Round (original version)" stand out as some of the strongest selections to come out of the always impressive Hand'Solo catalog.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 115: Urban Arcade

It’s the first day of school down here in my burg. I'm not sure if that's relevant save to say that the summer season is fast coming to a close.

Consider this another dose of warm-weather music for that ass.

As I assume your ass still requires warm-weather music.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 115: Urban Arcade [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 63.4 MB Running Time: 47:41

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
My theme song could beat up your theme song.

Track 1: Kirby Krackle - "Booty Do Math (feat. Adam WarRock)"
I really can't overstate the fact that this is my jam.

Z's 1st interlude: "So many definite articles."
I guess you could say I was talking the shit. #clever

Track 2: Adam WarRock - "Andrew Garfield at SDCC"
I had my qualms with a Spidey movie re-launch, but it's really hard not to love this guy.

Track 3: USK - "Cheap Jungle"
This may well be the first time I've featured a solo Japanese chiptune artist.

Track 4: Parks & Recreation dialog / DJ Dain - "Black POWER 2000 (Dan Forden, Brian Schmidt & Steve Ritchie vs. Kanye West) [Clean]"
Confession time: I still haven't listened to My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy in its entirety.

Track 5: R_Garcia - "SMB2 (Underworld Theme)"
Big ups to Larry for hipping my to the Eightest Bits comp from Nophi. Also, did I pronounce it as "no-fee?" Fuck!

Track 6: Chokeules - "Fumes (hotbox remix)"
Toolshed. Backburner. Represent.

Z's 2nd interlude: "It might just renew your faith in the internet."
I'm serious. Watch it.

Track 7: Kabuto the Python and B.C. - "Tali (Em Version)"
The N7 EP was originally slated to be a full-length, but catastrophic hard drive failure is a motherfucker.

Track 8: Supercommuter - "#1 Kyabajo (feat. Rachel Haden)"
I have a review written of the new Supercommuter. I hope to have it polished up later this week or early next.

Track 9: MC Frontalot - "Critical Hit"
If you pre-order the new Frontalot you can download the digital version now. What's not to love?

Track 10: Heath McNease - "Turtle Van Damme"
Because you can never have too many TMNT tracks.

Track 11: SJ Tucker - "D&D"
This one is yet another great find by my boy Church Hates Tucker.

Z's final interlude: "My 3-year-old daughter's favorite new song."
If I had a nickel for every time she ran through the den screaming "ponies, ponies ponies, swag…"

Track 12: Swagberg - "Pony Swag (feat. Maros)"
It saddens me to realize that Mitch Hedberg isn't alive to hear what really happens when you remix a remix.

Drunken Podcasting Month draws nigh, and I honestly don't know if my liver can take it. But I'll do it for you, internet!

I'm actually hoping to do something a bit different with this year's drunkcast, but only time will tell if it shakes out as planned.

Expect at least one other (reasonably) sober podcast before then, though. And I'll likely pair September's aforementioned drunkcast with another specialty show.

Señor Superlatives

Last year I framed my post-Nerdapalooza coverage as a mock awards show. You know, for lulz. But folks actually seemed to dig it. In fact a screen shot of said post actually popped up on the monitors during the Sci-Fried set at this year's festival.

(Did I mention that them's my boys?)

So, as this blog is really just rote cleverly disguised as good-natured spontaneity, let us commence with dispensation of these wholly fictitious and delightfully sardonic awards.

/lights dim

The Chicken Salad Out of Chicken Shit Award: Scrub Club
The Scrub Club set at the pre-party should have been a disaster. It was a steamy southern Friday night performance in front of a heavily jetlagged crowd that had started drinking the moment their feet touched the ground. Practically the entire label was expected to perform in a slot time that could've easily been a tight fit even for a single act. Oh, and MadHatter's plane was delayed. Seriously delayed. But instead of folding, the crew dominated. In a rapid-fire set that not only showcased each of the Scrubs in attendance but actually saw the crew welcome some new blood, in the form of Torrentz and Soup or Villains, to the family, the Club once again made their mark on central Florida.

 

Pass the Mic: Insane Ian, Devo Spice, the great Luke Ski and Carrie Dahlby
While Dual Core's trademark freestyle session was off the proverbial chain at Nerdapalooza 2011, theirs was not the only guest-heavy set at the festival. The Funny Music Project crew managed to come correct across a trio of humorous sets that showcased both their immutable stage presence and their artistic cohesion. Even with copious notes I have trouble separating my memories of the FuMP's trio of top-shelf performances because each act featured so heavily across all three.

The Seamless Transition Award: Marc with a C and Sci-Fried
When I asked Sci-Fried's Dammit Jim what his band and geek rock troubadour Marc with a C had planned for Saturday's Power Hour, he just grinned. A performance that was, by the guys' own admission, nearly six months in the making proved an early highlight of the event. A glorious Marc with a C set wrapped with a rocked up version of his Alro Guthrie-esque "Nerdy Girls" with Sci-Fried serving as the backup band, and then Sci-Fried returned the favor with phenomenal live version of their collaborative track "Foiled Again." Marc also reappeared later to help cover Weezer's "Hash Pipe" as part of an appropriately raucous send-off.

Cover Song of the Year Decade: Sci-Fried/The Protomen
I think my cover song challenge has been irreparably broken. Between Sci-Fried's own pair of closing cover tunes (the aforementioned Weezer joint and mc's "Fett's Vette," for those who missed it) and a series of larger-than-life rock classics spread between both Protomen sets (my favorite of which had to be Sunday's "Total Eclipse of the Heart,") I'm afraid it will never be the same again.

Hit Me Baby, One More Time: Captain Dan
The talk of the town after Captain Dan and the Scurvy Crew's late afternoon set on Saturday was less about the performance itself and more about the tech, specifically Dan's new hands-free mic. Many an MC called him out on this unorthodox new addition, but I think we all know it was the ninjas doing the bulk of the smack talk. While it did admittedly make the Cap look a bit like an overzealous employee running a Long John Silver's drive-through, it also freed him up for more stage antics. Ere go I will call it an overall win.

Blow up the Small Stage: Illbotz/Adam WarRock and Tribe One/Dual Core/Mega Ran and K-Murdock
Like its predecessor, Nerdcore 2011 boasted a pair of stages: the larger NOS-sponsored main stage and a smaller GeekDad stage set around the corner from the main conference hall. The big stage was, for the most part, home to the more rock-centered acts while the GeekDad stage boasted the hip-hop. A few acts, however, seemed wholly unaware that they were on the "little stage." Roanoke's Illbotz, comic shop hip-hopper Adam WarRock and perennial favorites Random and Dual Core blew that fucker up with energetic sets that could scarcely be contained by the room's meager geography.

Them's My Boys: Adam WarRock/Stevie D
I joke that I go to Nerdapalooza to hang out and that the music simply provides for that primary activity a nice soundtrack. Sure, that's only partly true, but it seems like each year I spend the bulk of my time – both while watching performances and after hours – hanging out with a widening circle of friends. This year Adam WarRock and Stevie D joined the ranks of my true homies alongside previous Nerdapalooza acquisitions int eighty and Sci-Fried.

The Preternaturally Chill Award: The OneUps
I was a little intimidated by the prospect of meeting VGM legend and super producer Mustin, but I was delighted to find him to be an easily approachable, almost unbelievably chill individual. I can't properly quantify how much time he and I spent just talking between sets, but it would likely have to be calculated in hours. His band, The OneUps, brings that same sort of effortless cool to their performances. Even on a bill opposite brilliantly aggressive VGM acts like Arm Cannon, those guys truly shined.

Best Stage Banter: Inverse Phase
Already handicapped by holding down the chiptune scene almost entirely on his own, Inverse Phase was further stymied by receiving a lunchtime slot on Sunday. Everyone was hungry, tired and hung-over, but those who made their way to his performance found themselves treated to a uniquely enjoyable set of covers, originals and audience participation. His rousing game of Name That Tune will live forever in the annals of Nerdapalooza history.

Breakthrough Artist: Shinobi Ninja
Nerdapalooza 2011 introduced me to a number of new artists. Koo Koo Kangaroo filled a gap left by the longtime absence of Monsterface and Math the Band, while Beebs and Her Money Makers brought beards, kazoos and a dash of Florida ska-core to the table. My favorite, however, was blistering Brooklyn rock/hip-hop fusion outfit Shinobi Ninja. They offered not only one of the finest performances of the show, but also provided an ideal backing track during GeekDad Curtis's tattoo session.

Hosts with the Most(s): Schaffer the Darklord and Nelson Lugo
While they will always be primarily remembered for bringing many-a scantily clad woman to the Nerdapalooza stage, STD and Lugo managed to keep the train rolling all weekend long with an intoxicating blend of humor, insight and charm. They also do bar mitzvahs.

A Winner is You: Beaker
Those same gents hosted a weekend-long ThinkGeek raffle at Nerdapalooza 2011. From which my boy Beaker won practically everything. Remember, kids, you can't win if you don't play.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 112: Steal Big Steal Little

My thoughts on music sampling are as follows: Take what you need, be never deny it. I reckon that is tantamount to steal but don't lie which, while not exactly biblical, is a pretty measured statement of morality.

There are those among us who would say that mash-ups, that sample-heavy mixtapes, that unauthorized remixes in general are the basest form of musical expression. And to those people I give a hearty fuck you. To my mind, it's like saying that re-purposing sound chips as instruments or re-orchestrating your favorite TV theme is somehow artistically bankrupt. It's like saying that borrowing from the past negatively impacts the future.

And that's some bullshit.

So enjoy the following collection of dirty cheats and their filthy illegal music. Because, just like their predecessors, they are merely building on the music that came before. They're just a bit more honest about it than those ancestors.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 112: Steal Big Steal Little [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 68.3 MB Running Time: 48:09

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
Is there unauthorized sampling in this theme song? Only my hairdresser knows for sure. 

Track 1: The Reborn Identity – "American Days are Over"
The Reborn Identity does some of the most engaging and understated mash-ups I've ever heard. 

Z's 1st interlude: "Despite the fact that it is an integral part of our national identity."
The notion of representative democracy? Stolen. Personal liberties? Stolen. The very land I am standing on? Wait for it – stolen. 

Track 2: MC Frontalot - "Good Old Clyde"
I actually included this one way the hell back in episode number 48. 

Track 3: Positive Attitude - "Killin' My Boner"
Surely the strangest thing to come out of Akron, Ohio since DEVO. 

Track 4: Mastgrr - "Cooking by the Book (Lil Bigger Mix)"
The word "infamous" comes instantly to mind. 

Track 5: A-1 - "Family Matters"
Gonna take this opportunity to once again pimp A-1's After School Special. It is the very epitome of a tightly themed modern mixtape. 

Track 6: DJ Tripp - "Dynamite Pressure"
The importance of including an "Under Pressure" boot shouldn't be lost on most of you. 

Track 7: mc chris - "MC Chris Ownz Paper Planes (M.I.A. Remix)"
Originally included in Radio Free Hipster Ep. 68. 

Track 8: K.Flay - "ON the bridge"
I still jam out to K.Flay's MASHed Potatoes. 

Z's 2nd interlude: "So think about that shit."
Did the whole Verve affair change the way I feel about the music of the Rolling Stones? No, but it continued to erode my faith in the traditional music biz. 

Track 9: Illbotz - "Tales of an 8th Grade Dooshnut"
"Used to call me Shitty McShitShit from Shitville and Shit, shiiiiiiiiiiiiit!" 

Track 10: DJ Fox - "Club Can't Use Somebody"
Am I the only one that thought "Club Can't Handle Me" was another goddamn Black Eyed Peas song? 

Track 11: Kabuto the Python - "American Song"
While I love the hell out of this track, I do reserve the right to be offended on behalf of various European hip-hoppers. 

Track 12: Antisoc - "A Completely Original Song"
Thanks to my buddy Tim for suggesting this one. I think it wrapped up this set quite nicely. 

Z's final interlude: "It did prepare the modern musical palate for the backlash that is the current mash-up phenomenon."
The more oppressive the IP-versus-fair-use debate gets, the more widespread and inventive bootleg remixers will become in response. 

Track 13: Jay-Zeezer - "Surf Wax off Your Shoulder"
This one is, if you can believe it, from way the hell back in episode 5!

Common knowledge holds that good artist borrow while great artists steal. I would argue that all artists do both, be it consciously or otherwise.

The trick is to wear your influences on your sleeve, to – and I'm saying this a devotee of the Modern Language Association – cite your sources. This blog is, for example, a little Lester Bangs, a pinch of Seanbaby, a dash of Bill Hicks and a great big ol' goddamn chunk of Jerry Holkins. I would never deny otherwise.

More to the point, this podcast is really just a glorified hybrid of Beefy's classic Just Another Lazy Podcast and my UK brother Tim's Radio Clash. (Okay, and maybe a tad bit of Wolfman Jack.) So if I ever find that someone has stolen my format or shtick please remind me to kindly shut the fuck up and take it.

The true strength of the internet, my friends, is that it allows us all the chance to steal quickly and more discriminately. And as digital culture evolves we shall surely morph into more perfect thieves, beautifully repurposing the old to fabricate the new.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 107: Ballyhoo

It's funny the things you notice after a podcast has been completed. For example, the songs in this particular episode contain lots of derogatory terms. I mean lots.

I'm sort of famed – well, as famed as one can be with such a small but loyal listener base – for playing rather ribald content, but I actually considered scrapping this show when I realized how much potentially offensive language was used in the selected tracks. In the end, though, I realized both that most of these songs and artists aren't likely new to you and that you folks tend to have an incredibly thick skin when it comes to musical debauchery.

I mean, how many complaints did I get about mc chris's freaky Japanese maid fetish? Zero.

So I guess what I'm saying is enjoy this episode. In spite of yourself.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 107: Ballyhoo [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 43.6 MB Running Time: 47:40

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
The RFH theme song is 100% free of ethnic slurs and hate speech. Just so you know.

Track 1: Shael Riley and the Double Ice Backfire – "Skyway"
I decided to start the show with Shael's tuneful take on the Apples in Stereo. 

Z's 1st interlude: "Some of the featured tracks are really tight and, moreover, really mellow. While others harsh and loose."
As a result, this one won't likely be judged my best mix. 

Track 2: Fishy – "Game On (~Opening~ Demo)"
I am currently playing Pokemon Black. Obviously, it doesn't fuck with the age old formula, but I gotta admit the first game of the 5th Pokemon generation has some nice new bells and whistles.

Track 3: Mashup-Germany – "Sexy Bitch in Memphis"
The lyrics to "Sexy Bitch" boast some of the most unintentionally hilarious phrases uttered by modern man.

Track 4: The Grammar Club – "No Homo"
There's something about the ham-fisted way in which Beefy's narrator tries to reconnect with his old friend that makes this song more than the simple joke track it could easily be interpreted to be.

Track 5: Untested Methods – "Just Dance"
Untested Methods actually gave you a present for his birthday.

Track 6: The ThoughtCriminals – "Liquid Happy"
Damn – I shoulda saved this one for Drunken Podcasting Month!

Track 7: Voltaire – "The USS Make Shit Up"
Church sent this one my way, and I simply had to share it.

Track 8: A-1 – "Doug (Funnie Bitch)"
Another fine selection from A-1's After School Special.

Z's 2nd interlude: "It's a chiptune interpretation of 'Blood of Cuchulainn.'"
I humbly suggest that you celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a little Shamroctoroc.

Track 9: MagiTek – "Dynamite Kid"
The new Magitek is a lot of fun, but this instrumental in particular hit me just the right way. 

Track 10: mc chris – "IG-88 (killsaly remix)" / Star Wars dialog
killsaly recently followed up his Warrior Class mixtape with the cleverly titled Class Warrior.

Track 11: John Anealio – "Mr. Roboto"
Check out John's new freebie The Robot EP.

Track 12: Benjamin Bear – "Bloodclot"
I know by this time everyone else has already moved onto Ben's new album Tuesday, but there's something to be said for the rough and imprecise nature of Everything Left.

Track 13: Adam WarRock – "Hopeless Savages"
I am also still loving WarRocks' Oni Press Mixtape. My only complaint – needs more Blue Monday and Barry Ween!

Z's final interlude: "I think genres are, as a rule, often more for fans and the media than for the artists themselves."
I have been making a concerted effort not to sermonize of late, but little rants like this sometimes creep out before I can beat them back into submission. 

Track 14: Childish Gambino – "New Prince (Crown on the Ground)"
"Yeah, I stay fly like a pelican / Get new kicks everyday like an ottoman."

I also notice that this episode has some weird audio artifacts – some popping and crackling that I somehow missed in post-production. My voice sounds a tad rough too, although whether that's a legitimate sound issue or the lingering effects of flu is anyone's guess.

Still, if anybody wants to donate to the buy-me-a-new-computer-before-this-one's-totally-fucked fund, feel free.

The late March edition of Radio Free Hipster will likely not come until... well, April. Moreover, it will (hopefully) be my annual Podswap episode. I'm currently trying to convince one of my many talented podcasting peers to helm the show on April 1st, as is tradition.

I have no doubt that you'll be pleased with the outcome, whatever it is.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 106: Just Because

For those of you that don't follow me on Twitter, I described the recording of this particular episode as "the biggest fucking pain in the ass" I've experienced in a great while. It's important to note, however, that this was solely because of difficulties with my spoken interludes. (I'm beginning to wonder if my laptop is not long for this world, but I'll save that panic for another day.)

The song selection, on the other hand, was a breeze. I mentioned in passing that I was taking request, and many of you let your voices be heard. Thankfully, these requests seemed to flow well with the tracks I already had earmarked for the show, and I'm pretty pleased with the final product.

Please let me know if you feel the same.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 106: Just Because [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 43.4 MB Running Time: 47:28

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
Because you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Track 1: Kirby Krackle bumper / Kirby Krackle – "On and On"
Much love to Jim and Kyle for the intro bumper!

Z's 1st interlude: "Here's a brand new track that needs no introduction."
On account of it supplies its own.

Track 2: Mike Relm – "SCOTT PILGRIM 'Threshold 8 bit' vs. Ludacris 'How Low'"
Both Luda and @DataVortex are based out of Atlanta. Coincidence? I would imagine so.

Track 3: Harry and the Potters – "Horcruxes"
@kdnewton wanted some Wizard Rock, and I was more than happy to oblige.

Track 4: Parks and Recreation dialog / ZeaLouS1 – "Next Gen 2. (feat. Dr. Awkward)"
Several people asked for something from the new ZeaLouS1… as if I wasn't gonna play that shit anyway!

Track 5: crashfaster – "time"
crashfaster's disconnect EP is phenomenal. Any and all chiptune fans need to check it out.

Track 6: Powerglove – "The Simpsons (feat. Tony Kakko)"
Blame the inclusion of this delightful piece of lunacy on @Proz.

Track 7: mashmike – "I Want You 2 Want Me (Rihanna and Drake vs. Cheap Trick vs. Fat Joe vs. Busta Rhymes)"
How could I not play a Cheap Trick mash-up?

Z's 2nd interlude: "I'm not gonna bore you with any more talk."
The fact that my recording rig was moments away from going tits-up may or may not have contributed to this.

Track 8: Action Adventure World vs. The Plasmas – "They Kidnapped The Princess (Intro)"
@btypemusic asked for some Action Adventure World. I gave him The Plasmas at no additional cost.

Track 9: Being Human dialog / Beefy vs. Mikal kHill – "Sidekick (kHillmix)"
Been sitting on this little beauty since last episode.

Track 10: Chipocrite – "Bizarre Love Triangle"
As featured in a certain wildly popular YouTube vid.

Track 11: oki – "Bizarre Bottom Girls"
This seemed to be the only logical follow-up.

Track 12: Terp 2 It – "Backpack"
New listener David mentioned he was a fan of Terp, so I promised I'd toss him into the mix.

Z's final interlude: "Closing us out today is a special treat."
I get a lot of pre-release versions of upcoming albums, but it's rare the performers actually let me share 'em early.

Track 13: Sci-Fried – "Invasion"
You don't expect a southern geek rock band to bust out an electronic tribute to War of the Worlds, which is yet another fine example of the genius of Sci-Fried.

And that's another show in the bag.

It's kind of strange when I spell it out like this, but while the podcast creation is much more involved now than in its early years I have to admit that I enjoy it in spite of the hardships. Even more now than then, in fact.

I sometimes wonder what I'll do when I retire from this particular project, but I know I'll always want to do something along the lines of Radio Free Hipster.

Well, as long as there are a couple of people still interested in listening. ;)

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 105: C'est L'amour

I typically try and drop a holiday-specific episode a few good days before the event itself, but when I realized I could potentially release my regular Valentine's show on Valentine's Day I figured I'd go for it.

Unlike previous years, where the theme has been love in a larger sense, this time around each one of the song titles contains the actual word "love" or some apparent derivation.

Clever concept or lazy song selection? You be the judge!

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 105: C'est L'amour [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 42.4 MB Running Time: 46:19

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
I love 'em both! 

Track 1: DJ Moule – "Good Love, Good Rock"
Led Zeppelin vs. Joan Jett vs. Does It Offend You, Yeah? vs. Peaches

Z's 1st interlude: "Perhaps even more literally than in years past."
I'll give iTunes one thing – it does make searching for song titles containing a certain word a breeze!

Track 2: The Remus Lupins – "Lovely Lily"
Not my favorite vocal delivery from Alex, but easily one of the band's best instrumental performances.

Track 3: the1shanti – "I *heart* Olivia Munn (ElekTro4 Remix)"
From Tru Statement Entertainment's F?@K LOVE.

Track 4: Q-Unit – "Old Fashioned Outta Control Lover"
Q-Unit's Greatest Hits was the first proper mash-up album I ever downloaded in its entirety.

Track 5: Super Bad dialog / OxygenStar – "I Used to Love Her"
Rather than my typical romance movie sound clips, this time around I went for more of a bromance thing.

Track 6: Sprites – "I Love You, You Retard"
From their phenomenal Modern Gameplay album.

Track 7: I Love You, Man dialog / Hellostereo – "Digital Love"
"Digital Love" may be the ultimate nerd love song.

Z's 2nd interlude: "And now we are gonna head right back into the music."
A listener recently told me that I keep my between-set commentary short and to the point. I'm actually pretty proud of that fact.

Track 8: Illbotz – "Give a Little Love"
Perm's Charlie Sheen line still cracks me up!

Track 9: Ookla the Mok – "Guggenheim Love"
And I followed that up with yet another great comedy track.

Track 10: Maroon 5 vs. Marvin Gaye – "This Healing Love"
This particular mash-up was shared with me by my good friend Glenn Case.

Track 11: Warp 11 – "Replicate My Love"
Warp 11 remains the most delightfully filthy act in Trek Rock.

Z's final interlude: "And that is some bullshit."
For those not familiar with the game, all of the background music for this episode comes from Animal Crossing. K.K. Slider FTW!

Track 12: HDninja – "No Love Song"
Since I mentioned how I felt HDninja was under-appreciated last ep, I decided to include them in this show as well.


These lovey-dovey editions are always greeted a certain amount of ambiguity depending on how each individual listener views the subject of romance and it's place in this particular holiday. That's why this time I went more with love as a lyrical device than as an inspirational concept.

Maybe it worked – maybe it didn't. I'm pretty pleased with how it came out, and I hope you dug it too.

But either way, consider it my Valentine's gift to you. You know, 'cause of my undying love and whatnot.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 104: Easy Listening

My second podcast of 2011 is an odd mix. It's partially about my fears of growing older – this year's birthday seemed particularly trying, for some reason. It's also somewhat about my childhood fascination with radio, coupled with the disdain I feel for the medium in adulthood. But I think mostly it's just about the marvels of modern music.

I don't imagine my own contributions will amount to even a footnote in the history nerd music, but, be it a paragraph or a whole goddamn chapter, I can't help but believe that the artists and styles I touch on will be remembered by the more studious of future scholars.

And so I present to you what will one day be the equivalent of oldies radio (if an admittedly geeky strain), but is presently just another chapter in the continuing saga of nerdcore.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 104: Easy Listening [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 44.3 MB Running Time: 48:23

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
The radio static motif in the theme song is particularly telling this time around.

Track 1: The Reborn Identity – "Rebel Stereo"
This song really helped me settle on the theme for this edition of the show.

Z's 1st interlude: "Not at all radio friendly."
Maybe one day mash-ups will be accepted as viable options for radio rotation. Though I'd imagine a more realistic future will see terrestrial radio dead and buried.

Track 2: mc chris – "NJ"
Part of me wants to believe that this track is Snipeyhead's ringtone.

Track 3: HDninja – "cKc"
While not necessarily slept on, I don't think HDninja get the attention they deserve.

Track 4: DJ Stroke – "The Girl at the Snowy Rock Show"
A good bootleg can combine a bunch of unremarkable source tracks into a musical juggernaut. Case in point.

Track 5: killsaly – "Final Fantasy 2 Overworld Map"
I haven't played any killsaly in a while, and I thought this one had a certain radio sensibility to it.

Track 6: Random and Lost Perception – "Aerith"
Though I'm not a huge fan of Final Fantasy VII, Ran's Black Materia is currently on repeat around my house.

Track 7: Skyway Flyer – "Peeking Through"
Once again I must give the nod to Matt for the phrase "post-WRock."

Track 8: Red Key Riot – "Hybrid Moments"
A solid cover of what is likely my favorite Misfits song.

Z's 2nd interlude: "A fine time to be alive."
And don’t you forget it! 

Track 9: Pete Miser – "Hit Me on My iPhone"
I think this was the first Miser track I ever heard. With the recent Verizon announcement it once again seemed relevant.

Track 10: Brandon Patton – "Rockets"
Brandon makes two kinds of songs – perfectly-metered pop nuggets and big ol' messy rock 'n' roll songs. This is the latter.

Track 11: Dale Chase – "Double Take"
Dale never ceases to amaze me. Interestingly enough, he is just as chill in person as he sounds on wax.

Track 12: The Consortium of Genius – "What a Friend We Have in Cthulhu"
The COG can pretty much nail any musical genre they set their sights on. Even gospel.

Track 13: Selfhelp – "Mooncat & the Girls (feat. Thesis Sahib, prod. by Middlesex Wrestling Team)"
Selfhelp is another one of those artists that continually surprises me. This song is a perfect example of both how and why.

Track 14: Molly Lewis – "Three is a Magic Number"
The only thing I like more than Schoolhouse Rock songs are Molly Lewis covers.

Z's final interlude: "I am certain that all will be revealed."
Well, was it?

Track 15: Jonathan Coulton – "When I'm 25 or 64"
There ain't no mash-up like a JoCo mash-up 'cause a JoCo mash-up don't stop.

Recently I realized that, while the intensity of my love for music hasn't waned as I've grown older, my understanding of it and perhaps even its unique importance in my life has shifted as I've aged. As a teen and, perhaps more tellingly, an early avid listener, music was about that necessary flavor of rebellion that marks  the search for identity. Music and musicians represented quantifiable paradigms, easy go-to examples for who and what I wanted to be.

As an adult, however, music has become less an expression of want and more an expression of self. I see shades of myself in lyrics or a pleasant hint of personal familiarity in melody. Music genuinely helped to make me the man I am, and now I can truly enjoy it as a fully realized individual.

On one hand I begrudge the kids of today with their instant access to all the music I had to scavenge for as a youth, not to mention the multitude of listening opportunities the likes of which I couldn't even dream. But at the same time I can't help feel overjoyed at the thoughts of the odd and dejected kids of today using technology to find their own voice and to find each other.

We oldsters are from an age of analog and vinyl, walking dinosaurs made of cassette tapes and AM radios and scavenged concert tees. We are one step away from obsolesce, but the web will keep our bones well preserved for future generations.