Nerd News in Brief

We're currently staring down the barrel of PAX weekend.

I'm not going, but I'm not jealous of those of you who are. Fuckers!

Okay, maybe I'm a little envious.

Still, since everyone else is in full-on PAX mode already, I'm gonna shy away from the subject a bit. I mean, y'all know the deal. But I just want to say if anyone comes around selling cookies while you're in line for an event, buy one. It's for a good cause.

• How Did We Get Here?: In his continuing mission to educate and enlighten, Church has found the following: A Short Illustrated History of the Nerd. Take a gander, and relive the history of our tribe.
  
• Risking His Life: A new video for Wordburglar's track "The Route" from his Burglaritis album has made its way onto YouTube. Check it out to get the skinny on the life of a Halifax paperboy. It ain't all sunshine and Arby’s coupons.
  
• More Mainstream Nerd Fascination: mc chris recently announced that he will be filmed at his September 7th show for a 60 Minutes piece on "nerd culture and nerdcore." Given mc’s anti-nerdcore stance of late, it seems an odd pairing, but I don’t reckon we can expect a man to turn down an appearance on 60 Minutes!
  
• HOLY FUCKING SHIT!: In what can only be described as great news, my pal Random‘s track "Granny Smith" (from his new release The 8th Day) was chosen as the underground track of the week at Hip-Hop Linguistics. In what can only be described as the new biggest news ever, Ran has also just announced that he will be opening for Common on September 13th at the Marquee Theater in Tempe, AZ. Yes, Common! And to sweeten the deal, Ran is pressing a limited edition Mega Ran 3.0 including new artwork and remixes that will be sold at the gig for $5.
  
• "Would you like french fries with that?": Another artist revisiting his old material is Captain Spalding. Cap has parodied his own Team Fortress 2 anthem "I'm Your Medic" as "I'm Your Sandvich." Even with the added carbs, it's still a good time.
  
• Number 1 with a Bullet: I have already spent some quality time with nYgel's newly released mixtape Free To Good Home. It is imminently enjoyable. So much so that I'll be reviewing it in the near future. In the meantime, check out the accompanying vid for his remix "Sugar, We're Slowin' Down." The delicate combination of deer people and mall-punk has never been more entertaining.
• The Joys of Secrecy: The concept of the clanDestine project is simple: release a new track under an alias. It’s an interesting undertaking for those looking to experiment, or simply gauge to audience reaction to a song itself rather than the name attached to it. So what’s your pleasure? Grignak? Deemeetree? Inspector Madshit? Why not check ‘em all out?
  
• Don’t Turn Your Back on the City: The Protomen have just released a demo for the recently leaked "Breaking Out." The song is described, in typical Protomen fashion, as "the opening track for side II of Act II (our upcoming sophomoric release). It debuts the second of the two themes of the album; the counterpoint to the whole of side 1. If side one is a Spaghetti Western gone Robocop, then side two is Streets of Fire gone Logan’s Run. A dirty 1980s future where Spandex is tough and an alleyway knife fight is the only justice a man needs." Uh... yeah.
  
• Fucked Up… In a Good Way: Shael Riley and The Grammar Club recently got a little love from Destructoid (along with a number of other ReMixers). The entire post is actually really entertaining, and it spotlights a number of great tracks you may’ve missed. (djpretzel’s "Hillbilly Rodeo" anyone?) So take a look. Hopefully followed by a listen.
• Wizards vs. Vampires: Last week Matt hipped me to this post at the ‘Pedia referencing an MTV.com piece on the feud between the WRock and Twi-rock scenes. (Personally, it seemed a little half-baked to me, as the first Twi-rock band I ever heard was actually fronted by a WRocker, but I digress.) Church then countered with two more references to the fan rivalry that proved a bit more character-driven. All this cranking over the best nerd fic series on which to center one’s musical creativity brings up a number of interesting questions, but, unfortunately, Lords of the Rhymes were unavailable for comment. ;)
• Trock You Like a Hurricane: In a quasi-related story, the answer to the question how could I love Wizard Rockers RiddleTM any more than I already do has been answered with the response if they started a Time Lord Rock band, you stupid bastard. Behold The Geek Chic Band (otherwise known as Victoria and Georgia) with "The Doctor." It makes my hearts skip a beat.
  

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 51: End of Summer Clearance Sale

Where has the summer gone?

And consequently, when, exactly, will autumn arrive in earnest?

Don't get me wrong; it's cooling down here in the south, but the specter of sweltering days and clammy nights still skulks about our humble hills. It simply waits for us to become comfortable. So that it might catch us unaware.

This late August edition of RFH is similar. It waits for you to settle into a groove, and then it catches you with your guard down. BOOM crazy pop remix. BAM emo-prog-geek-rock. BLAMMO acoustic cover song.

But still, I hope you find this auditory pummeling to your liking.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 51: End of Summer Clearance Sale [hosting provided by Antisocial] Size: 42.5 MB Running Time: 46:25

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
This song is like a cool drink on a hot afternoon.

Track 1: DJ Mashup – "Franchize Boys at Large"
Did you lean with it? Did you subsequently rock with it? No, I didn’t think so.

Z’s 1st interlude: "My end of summer spectacular."
Because, honestly, I reckon we all need more spectacular things in our lives.

Track 2: Beefy – "Olly Olly Oxen Free"
There’s a really simple charm to this track that I can’t help but dig. Word is, it’s actually got some age on it.

Track 3: Katy Perry – "Hot N Cold (feat. The Former Fat Boys) "
FFB do a lot of these bootleg rap remixes, and I’m actually a big fan of ‘em.

Track 4: Chef - "Simultaneous"
I, for one, was a lot more distressed over the loss of Isaac Hayes than the passing of Bernie Mac.

Track 5: Brad Sucks – "Fake It"
It looks like the fan video project for this track is complete, but Brad still wants more submissions.

Track 6: id obelus – "Unlucky"
This song really gets me excited about id’s new album.

Track 7: Kris Straub – "Paint the Line '88"
"Look into the dragon’s heart / Razor in the stingray spine / Ate a whole party sub / Paint the line."

Track 8: MC Router – "Greetings in Braille"
Apparently Router caught wind that I had misplaced my copy of "Unwired," so she sent me her entire discography, including this little gem.

Z's 2nd interlude: "They gave their lives for ping pong. They gave their lives for America!"
Honestly, I love when continuity makes its way into Penny Arcade. The results are always inspiring.

Track 9: Phoenix Jukebox – "We Goin' Down"
I tend to get a fair amount of hey-listen-to-this emails, and I'm glad I do. Otherwise I might miss cool shit like this.

Track 10: The Grammar Club – "Code Monkey"
If I'm not mistaken, this was the Club's last track with Glenn Case. It's a real beauty.

Track 11: Coheed and Cambria – "Blood Red Summer"
I know I'm gonna take a lot of shit from Coheed fans, but I really find a lot of their music rather pretentious. But hey, I ain't judging you. Different strokes for different folks, as they say. And besides, I find this to be a delightful little pop number.

Track 12: The Four Eyes – "Holiday Road"
Another delightful cover from our friends The Four Eyes! Don't it make you wanna head off on a road trip?

Track 13: Optimus Rhyme – "My Piroshky (reprise) (Remix)"
A moment of silence, if you please.

Z's final interlude: "The world is a dimmer place without Optimus."
And I mean it.

Track 14: YTCracker – "Summer Girls"
Having finally met YTCracker, I finally understand what folks like Beefy have been saying about him: amazingly nice guy.

With any luck I'll be recording my first ever Drunken Podcasting Month 'cast over the weekend. And, with a little more luck, I won't be doing it alone.

I've invited Matt and Church to sit in with me, and hopefully they'll both be able to play. Because, y'know, drinking alone ain't nearly as fun as doing it with friends.

In the meantime, thanks for checking out ep. 51. I hope you found a little something to help keep your spirits up as the days get shorter.

A Farewell to Kings

Last month I said that I wouldn't believe that Optimus Rhyme had broken up until I heard it from Wheelie himself, and, sadly, two weeks ago I did. Apparently I wasn't the only fan in denial, as the guys have just released an official statement confirming their dissolution.

Dearest Autobeat Allies,

After 8 years of making music together, Optimus Rhyme is calling it quits. We have had a glorious time battling those evil Wackacon forces and now feel our mission is complete. Thank you for coming to the shows, buying our albums, spreading the Autobeat Gospel, and, again, coming to the shows. Meeting many of you in clubs across the country was unforgettable and we hope to cross paths again.

We have a final batch of songs that we will have out by year’s end. We’ll keep you posted on when and where you can find them. In the meantime, come celebrate the finale with us at the High Dive in Seattle (513 N 36th St G, Seattle, WA 98103 (206) 632-0212) this Thursday night, August 28th. We will be sharing the stage with longtime friends The Goondocks, the Godfather of Nerdcore MC Frontalot, and heir apparent Beefy. Doors at 8pm, music at 9pm.

xoxo,
grimROCK, Powerthighs, Stumblebee, & Wheelie Cyberman

Optimus Rhyme was and continue to be a primary musical inspiration for all of my projects here at Hipster, please!, and their presence will be sorely missed. Thankfully, as the guys part ways we are all but guaranteed no fewer than 4 distinct musical entities to arise from the ashes. Moreover, they have now officially willed their empire to my pal Beefy, and with Autobeat Allies The Goondocks and Ultraklystron still holding down the homestead, Seattle is in good hands.

If you are in Sea-town this week pre-PAX, it is imperative that you check out their final gig. I won't be there, so please cheer extra loud for me. And in the meantime, let's all take a moment to reflect on the impeccable musicianship that will forever be Optimus Rhyme.

Nerdcore Rising at PAX

In addition to Nerdcore For life, the MC Frontalot documentary Nerdcore Rising will also be screening at this year's Penny Arcade Expo. Sure, Front and Negin could've just announced this through mundane, terrestrial means, but instead they went big and filmed this earth-shattering promo. Enjoy.

Better Than Monopoly

Beefy is what you might call a polarizing artist.

That being said, some folks have been anxiously awaiting his newest release since its official announcement so many months ago – a particularly vocal segment of these individuals have questioned me about its progress at every turn – while others probably wouldn't accept it for free.

And that's okay. Believe it or not, the world is big enough for both of these groups.

Most people, however, are just looking for interesting music. To these people I present my pre-review review. It goes a little something like this:

If you're looking for a well produced, fun, and sometimes challenging album with a sound that's cohesive but not tedious, Rolling Doubles is for you.

If you'd care to read my track-by-track breakdown, it's below.

1. "Olly Olly Oxen Free"
   "Olly Olly Oxen Free" opens with a sharp guitar lick that all but defines the more rock-centered slant of the album. At less than a minute and a half you scarcely have time to get into the track before it's over, but it sets off the album in a fashion all its own, and has proven, at least for me, to be an easy favorite. It exists to let everyone know that Beefy has come out to play, and it certainly accomplishes that.
2. "You Can Call Me Beef"
   Leaked ages ago, "You Can Call Me Beef" centers on a similar guitar hook to its predecessor. The call-back vocals could prove a bit much for some, but I think they work with Beefy's new rock star shtick. The guitar is coupled with hyperactive snare work that adds to the dynamism when layered against Beef's flow, which is as measured as ever.
3. "Tilt"
   Songs about pinball are a bit of a rarity in modern music, and while no one will mistake this for The Who's "Pinball Wizard," it does a good job shifting the album's tone. Router's rasp and a number of Beef's trademark stream-of-consciousness one-liners punctuate the track nicely, though, in truth, I prefer Mr. Thompson when he's rapping in a lower register. The heavily compressed pre-chorus (before the "Tilt" chant), however, is very satisfying.
4. "Table Top"
   From the lyrics to the flow to Tanner's expert production – boasting instrumentation that occupies an interesting space somewhere between guitar rock and old school chiptunes – this love song to game night is easily one of Beefy's best tracks. It manages to be both a sing-along anthem and to throw in enough verbal curveballs to keep the attentive listener interested. It's the kind of song that proves to be a highlight on this (or any other) nerdcore album.
5. "Play With Me [f. Bethzilla]"
   While relatively solid on its own merits, "Play With Me" suffers by its position on the album. "Table Top" is simply a hard act to follow. Outside of that, it's another fun loser love anthem from the house of Beef. Bethany's contribution is interesting, as is the production, but the whole song seems a bit pale in comparison to some of the album's more vibrant selections. Truthfully, this song, with its unexpected female vocal accompaniment, is a bit reminiscent of Dual Core's "Take it Back" from their Lost Reality release.
6. "Ball Pit"
   "Ball Pit," on the other hand, is perfectly placed as well as performed. Its glitchy intro belies its smooth verse beat and oddly poignant lyrics. Songs so steeped in nostalgia are often too syrupy and superficial, but Beefy manages to tap into a childhood slice of life that most fans, particularly those who came from less than rosy circumstances, can surely relate. There's some odd core of brutal truth that powers this understated number about a birthday at Chuck E. Cheese. It's cheer tempered with a touch of hopelessness as adulthood mourns the loss of innocence.
7. "Disconnect [f. YTCracker & The Former Fat Boys]"
   Beefy's made a number of stellar contributions to other artists' albums of late, so it's nice to see him rewarded in kind. "Disconnect" turns the melancholy of "Ball Pit" into borderline nerd rage with the help of YTCracker and $ucksex of Former Fat Boys. It also namedrops Hipster, please!, making it the best goddamn song in the world.
8. "Last Minute Gig"
   Beefy shines at story songs, and "Last Minute Gig" is exactly that. It has a fun, techy groove and a simple premise that easily charms. There's a subtle mc chris reference in there for fans in the know, and the chorus is sure to be a crowd-pleaser in the northwest. Lyrically, it's not his most challenging work, but it's fun. And fun is its own reward.
9. "Clueless"
   This song is not a musical tribute to the 1995 Alicia Silverstone film of the same name. Sorry to disappoint. It is, however, a one-minute monster that would sound perfect on your next nerdy mixtape. Beefy and Tanner are both in rare form, and it could easily be the thesis statement for this release.
10. "Turn Your Radio Off"
    Another foray into the glitchier side, "Turn Your Radio Off" is a familiar – but accurate – damnation of radio culture. Hardcore heads will surely be none too pleased to hear a nerd from Pasco's treatise on the evils of pop-rap, but that doesn't make Beefy's argument unsound. It has a much harsher sound than has been heard up to this point on the release, but it's Tanner's subtle insinuation of those same cut-and-paste production tricks that Beefy warns against that truly gives it teeth.
11. "Minimum Wage Slave [f. Shael Riley]"
    Despite it's flirtation with rock and electronica, Rolling Doubles is sorely lacking a danceable, poppy track. Until you hit "Minimum Wage Slave." The combined might of Beefy and Shael always yields interesting results, and this is no exception. While "work sucks" tracks are certainly not uncommon in the realm of nerdcore, this one has a nice give-and-take between its two lyrical contributors. Tanner delivers a great blend of both traditional and nontraditional backing. And again, my only real gripe is with Beefy rhyming in a manner slightly higher than is his comfort zone.
12. "Dork Date"
    While the lyrics are a little fast-paced for Beef, the chorus of "Dork Date" is an anthem all its own. Cocky Beefy plays well against the awkward MC from cuts like "Play With Me," and a squeaky, creaky beat moves things along swimmingly. Old fans should keep their ears open for a brief reference to Tube Technology's "wonderfulamazing."
13. "1337ology [f. MC Router]"
    Beefy's flow in this one is unique in that he blends both speed and smoothness in equal measure. Doc Pop and Tanner, who both contributed to the beat, manage to make an otherwise boastful track a little creepy and oddly surreal. And MC Router, in one of her final rap offerings, starts off on a high point but noticeably struggles mid-verse. Also, um, does anyone else hear a slight element of Missy Elliot's "Get Ur Freak On" in there, or is it just me?
14. "Story Time"
    Thus far I have refrained from referring to tracks as "personal," as this element of lyric writing is all but synonymous with Beefy's style. Now, however, I will state the obvious; "Story Time" is the type of uber personal reminiscence that is no less than heart wrenching. If you have any questions about the changes in Beefy's personal life since Tube Tech, this song answers them. Musically, this one looms large and menacing, which fits it to a T. It ends the album proper, but, of course, there's more.
15. "Table Top [tanner4105 Remix]"
    Tanner's remix of "Table Top" doesn't start off as strong as the original, but the rock accompaniment behind the verse is appropriately ferocious. It's a really interesting musical change of pace that fully embraces the album's rock leanings.
16. "Play With Me [dj John Remix f. Bethzilla]"
    Yes. This remix features the talents of the dj John. And while I did feel the original was enjoyable (if slightly misplaced) this reinterpretation is simply phenomenal. Everything, from the beat to Bethzilla's sing-song chorus, seems brighter and more electric. It is, in short, a fantastic note on which to end.

While I didn't mark quite as much experimentation with flow as in some Beefy's other, more recent releases, there is much more focus on overall musical experimentation inherent in Rolling Doubles, and I really found that refreshing. Tanner's influence is felt throughout the album, and this, at least to my ears, is a very good thing. Tanner is a talented producer with a genuinely compelling feel for the uncommon, and, particularly at this stage in Beefy's artistic development, I think they're both helping to compound each other's musical creativity.

Admittedly, on some levels I think I may have actually enjoyed the ramshackle, mixtape appeal of Tube Technology a bit more, but there is surely a level of cohesion on Rolling Doubles that must be applauded. Moreover, it undoubtedly features a number of Beefy's best songs to date, which, even on its own merits, is a triumph.

In summation: good album, high production value, fun lyrics, a nice build-up, and a few extra surprises. It's tough not to recommend this one, especially at $8,.

That's my opinion. Do with it as you will.

"Gotta check out Hipster, please! goddamnit!"

Some Songs Can Last Forever: A Few Words with Beef Thompson

There's just something about the end of summer. As the air starts to cool and the autumn breeze begins to blow, I can't help but think back.

The slow change of seasons makes me wistful.

The universe itself seems to feel the same, as August has seen me conduct two follow-up interviews with a pair of my favorite previous subjects. The first was with Random, a spirited cat I finally met face-to-face just a month prior at Nerdapalooza. The next, which you will (hopefully) read below, is with Beefy, who holds the dubious honor of being the second artist ever featured here at Hipster, please!

Unlike Ran, I've never met Beefy in person. But still, I think of him in friendly terms. It feels, in all honesty, like I've known him for years. This could be due to the fact that, though we haven't conducted an official interview since, the two of us have kept in regular contact in the 26 months since we first discussed his life as a burgeoning "Internet Celebrity." Or it could simply be that I, like many of Beefy's fans, know him from his music. Or rather, know him through his music.

Beef returned to the wholly metaphorical hot seat to talk about his artistic evolution, his new album Rolling Doubles, and that uniquely honest quality that makes his music so dangerously personal.

Read on to learn more.

--------------

In the 2 years since our last sit-down, you've released a number of albums and EPs, the foremost of which being 2006's Tube Technology. In your opinion, what was the main difference between that album and your preceding releases nerd. and The Whitesican EP?

Whitesican and nerd. were kind of like practice. I wanted to make some songs so I stole beats from Soundclick and put it out with the hopes that some people would dig it. I liked Tube Tech because it was the first time I had worked with people like Doc Pop and Snyder and it was the first time I had production I didn't have to steal. That's not to say I didn't steal at all, but it was the first time I started working with other amazing artists in the community. It wasn't the best album in the world and it felt more like a mixtape without a more consistent theme, music-wise, but I think it was a big step forward at the time.

You tend to write songs rooted firmly in your personal life, and it's hard not to note that several of the core collaborators from that album – and, indeed, a number of the songs' subjects – are no longer in your life. Does that make Tube Technology hard for you to listen to?

Kind of, which sucks because I really like the music. It feels like a waste of a beat. I listened to Doc's beat for "The Legend of Jones McFly" and I just kept thinking I'll never do this song live again. I hate "wonderfulamazing." I'm going to remake "GP." But I like to think music is made for the time and some songs fall away, but some songs can last forever. I'm going to hear "Chun-Li" for the rest of my damn life LOL. I think for my next free project I'm going to reuse some of those beats though. Can't get some of them out of my head.

You followed its release with another pair of EPs in 2007: Pale in Comparison: A Series of Cover Songs by Beef Thompson and The Adventures of Beef Thompson: Private Dick. Who is this Beef Thompson character? Did the name somehow represent a further evolution of Beefy as an artist?

Beef Thompson is a name I used back in the day when I was using Morpheus and Napster and there was that constant fear that the RIAA would bust you for downloading, so I thought that least I could do was give a fake name. But that started growing and it's how I like to introduce myself now. I like to think that Beef Thompson is the confident, cocky guy I like to pretend to be when meeting new people. It's my mask at shows. But when I'm at home or at my mom's or ya get to know me, I'm just good ol' Keith who is shy and insecure and who thinks his music sucks. But I like for the music to be confident and I like to put on a show, so Beef's the rapper. Now excuse me while I see a doctor for my apparent split personality disorder...

2007 also saw you take part in your first tour with Doctor Popular and MC Router. How was the Mediocre Tour experience? Would you like your next tour outing to be similar?

Doing those shows was amazing. We rocked it with Optimus Rhyme, The Goondocks, FSR, Monzy, and I swear to god a guy named Doctor Proper. The shows were a blast, but the planning sucked and it taught me a lot of things about going on the road if I'm lucky enough to do it again. No planning in just two months and no driving from Seattle to Oakland in one day!

In addition to your close working relationship with Doc and Router, you've performed and/or collaborated with producer Tanner4105, recently defunct Kennewick rockers From the Dust, international rap duo Dual Core, and (the aforementioned) nerdcore icons Optimus Rhyme. How have these experiences influenced your musical growth?

Tanner is probably the biggest influence I have musically. The music he gives me speaks to me. I never write faster than when I'm writing to a beat from Tanner. From the Dust broke up which sucks, but it's ok since I'll still be working with Al Craddock (singer/guitar) and Ryan Tidrick (drums) on a new project we're excited about. I'm on the new Dual Core album on a track with Wheelie and YTCracker that I'm in love with. Every time I work with these people I want to step up my game. If it's just me and a stolen beat I tend to get lazy. If I'm going to use one of Tanner's beats or work on a track with YT, I have to do my best to shine and let the others working with me know that they're not wasting their time on me. I hope to con Dual Core, Wheelie, YT, and a few others to rock out with me on the next album.

You're also a member of geek music supergroup The Grammar Club along with the likes of Shael Riley, DJ Snyder, Adam!, and, until recently, Glenn Case. How did that project come together, and what can we expect in the Club in the future?

Shael and I did "Miss Information" for the first Rhyme Torrents and really enjoyed the process and the end result and figured why not do it more? Then we tried Tri-Forc3 and that didn't work out, so Shael and I originally planned on just being a duo and working with Baddd Spellah. When that didn't pan out due to Spellah being too busy owning the world and already doing 80 other projects, we slowly started recruiting others like Glenn, Snyder, and then Adam! Shael really is the head of that project. I come in, write and record, and take a bunch of credit, but Shael is writing all of the music and his lyrics, working with Adam and our new instrumentalists, and basically acting as the group's director. I love him for it 'cause it's a lot of work but he makes it look easy. We're working on our new album right now and doing it like we did the last one. Shael and I pass scratch tracks back and forth, then he takes it to Adam and they start perfecting. It's bizarre being in a group where I haven't met any of the other members, but I think the result is pretty great.

Your forthcoming solo album is being released under the name Rolling Doubles, as opposed to its original title 20-sided Rhymes. What prompted you to rename the project?

I'm notorious for renaming my projects. Tube Tech went through about a billion names before I asked Joe Dunn to do the artwork. Once there's artwork then it's final! I also decided that while I love D&D, I didn't have a song about it on the album and it felt like the title could be used for something else. Thankfully... that's gonna happen! Rolling Doubles in most board games is the ultimate in nerd "skill" and I hope listening to my album gives people the same feeling as when they get those double sixes!

Tube Technology was notably released under the banner of YTCracker's Nerdy South Records label. Will Rolling Doubles be a Nerdy South release?

Rolling Doubles is going to be a Nerdy South release and my first sellable item with YT. I love that dude. He has shoes with individual toes! He's been the most helpful person I've meet thus far in this community and I swear to god is one of the nicest people I've ever met. He made it rain on Chicago for crying out loud!

Is there an underlying theme to the new album? Some unifying concept?

Rock out and have some fun! Tanner and I were very rock influenced with this album as one can tell from "You Can Call Me Beef" and "Table Top." You'll hear what I think is a great blend of rock and electronica as well as a great hip-hop feel. Thanks to Tanner and Doc (aka: Drown Radio), Rolling Dubs feels like an album where as Tube Tech felt like a bunch of tracks thrown together... which it kind of was. It was kinda cool that on tracks like "Turn Your Radio Off," Tanner seemed to kind of match Doc's feel while still making it a distinct tanner4105 track.

You've already leaked a number of tracks through MySpace, The 61, and podcasts, but I'm sure fans are more concerned with what you haven't leaked. What sort of surprises do you have in store?

I love to leak my stuff. Reminds people that I'm still alive. But one of my favorite tracks on the album is "Disconnect" because YT and Ben of The Former Fat Boys really bring it and it's just a fun ass song about not getting a connection. There are songs out there on the internet like "Tilt" and "Turn Your Radio Off" that some have heard but a lot of people haven't yet. And even though she thinks nerdcore is dead and has fallen off the face of the net, Rolling Doubles will have a track with MC Router on it which some might dig. There's the album version of "Play With Me" that Tanner did and I love, "Last Minute Gig," and my favorite cut of the album "Minimum Wage Slave" with Shael. I can't wait for people to finally hear some of these. I've been sitting on "Olly Olly Oxen" Free for years now!!

Do you feel this album is as personal as Tube Technology?

I think so. My songs are always about how I feel or what I'm into at the time or just stuff about me. I think the last track on the album, "Story Time," is one of the more personal songs I've done. I wanted to have a good time with this album, but I'm not a character and my solo work tends to be honest and personal, and I think that is still present here.

I know it seems passé to ask, but is there a particular track from Rolling Doubles that you're especially proud of?

Like I said, I think "Minimum Wage Slave" is my favorite. I had written a chorus for Shael to sing, but he always feels uncomfortable singing other people's words, so he wrote his own chorus which I love. The beat Tanner created had a kind of White Stripes sound that I loved and I knew I wanted to make a track about how shitty it is working two jobs and still not making rent. Sadly since it's taken so long to get this out, I no longer work two gigs for minimum wage, but the feelings are still true.

You play a big role in the Nerdcore For Life documentary, and, as such, have been afforded much publicity because of its steady success. How do you feel your current situation would differ had you not been a part of that film?

I think it would be more or less the same. N4L is getting press, but there are still only a handful of people who have actually seen it. I think that if this thing starts blowing up or if it starts having even bigger, higher profile screenings, there's no limit to what it could not only do for me, but for nerdcore as a whole. But until then, I'm still just a dude who works a 9 to 5 who makes music whenever possible.

A pivotal moment of the doc occurs when you take the stage with Optimus Rhyme at PAX 2007. Sum up that experience in three words.

Oh. Em. Gee!

The filming for that documentary also led to a meeting between you and cinematographer/From the Dust drummer Ryan Tidrick, also an associate producer of the film. What specific role has Ryan (and your ensuing friendship) played in your artistic development?

Ryan and I are doing big things. Tidrick is a fantastic drummer but his real passion is film and I'm a big fan of such things as well. For the past two week I've been writing a script for a series of web shorts we're going to start filming in the next few weeks with Al. We're also working on a bit of a side musical project to make sure he keeps active as a drummer and writing music, but for now our heads are wrapped around writing and producing the new project.

I understand that your music and various other projects keep you busy, but do you still make webcomics?

I stopped doing webcomics when I realized I wasn't exactly great at it. I still doodle on my tablet from time to time and maybe when things calm down I'll be able to dedicate more time to it, but for the foreseeable future there probably won't be any comics coming from me for a little bit. I would like to make little comics like Doc Pop does and give them out at shows though.

This question is wholly selfish, and I apologize: Are there any plans to resurrect Just Another Lazy Podcast?

There was, and it's possible it could still happen, but it's unlikely. It's hard to find another person who shares the kind of dynamic with me that Jones did. I've been thinking about starting one with my roommate Tuna, but right now I'm so busy with work and music and keeping my lady friend happy that I'm rarely at home. But I do hold out hope for a reboot to JALP. I miss the Faithful 7 so much!

We miss you too, big guy!

In the past two years you've made a lot of changes. You've changed jobs. You've made changes to your living arrangements. You've made new friends, and had new experiences. You've evolved as an artist. But what about Beefy is still the same?

I think what's stayed the same and what will always stay the same is that I'm just a chubby kid who wants to make ya smile. I'm an outgoing geek with rhymes just trying to entertain. I've been growing up, getting smarter and wiser and a lot of personal things have changed in my life, but I still live on the net. I still play videogames whenever possible, and I still talk for hours with my friends about whether or not the Chun-Li movie will be any good. But some of my changes have been for the better, and some of it has been shocking if you consider that I've actually watched an anime or two that I actually liked. Change scares me, Z. It scares me!

--------------

I'm currently wrapping up a full review of Rolling Doubles, so I'll save my impression of the album for another day when I have the luxury of elucidation. For now, just let me say that, though Beefy is still very much Beefy, he has continued to grow in interesting ways as a songwriter.

But this is a piece about the man, not the music. As admittedly hard as it may be to separate the two.

Surely no one captures the spirit of the oft-termed "second generation" of nerdcore more than Beefy. While artists like founding father MC Frontalot, DG YTCracker, and the recently defunct Optimus Rhyme represent the first genuine face of nerdcore, Keith Moore represents an interesting offshoot and a promising future.

That's not to say that Beef is without his critics, as along the way he's made both allies and enemies in equal measure. But love him or hate him, it's hard to deny that he makes nerdy music a lot more exciting.

In a world of banality, Beefy is nothing if not interesting.

Do Not Pass Go

I don't generally do dedicated album release posts, but since a number of people have asked me about this one over the previous months, I figured I'd pass it on.

Beefy's long-awaited Rolling Doubles is now available for download at Amazon MP3. The album costs $7.99 in its entirety, and individual tracks are 89 cents apiece. What's more, you can even use those Pepsi Points you've got lying around to score the likes of "Table Top" and "Disconnect (ft. YTCracker and The Former Fat Boys)" on the free.

I'm currently polishing up an interview with Beef and a full album review, both of which should be posted within the next few days. Hopefully.

In the meantime, head on over and check out the release for yourself.

THAC0 = To Hit Armor Class Obama

First, let me tip the hat to Church. I cribbed that title from him.

Okay, by this time we've all caught wind of the McCain staffer who slammed the "pro-Obama Dungeons & Dragons crowd [who] disparage a fellow countryman's memory of war from the comfort of mom's basement."

I'm also going to assume that you've been hipped to the fact that this isn't the first time Goldfarb has used D&D as his go-to insult:

"If the shareholders of The New York Times ever wonder why the paper's ad revenue is plummeting and its share price tanking, they need look no further than the hysterical reaction of the paper's editors to any slight, real or imagined, against their preferred candidate," said McCain campaign spokesman Michael Goldfarb.

Goldfarb compared the editors to a blogger "sitting at home in his mother's basement and ranting into the ether between games of Dungeons & Dragons."

Now, as a blogger and a D&D player and what will surely be one of 8 Obama votes from South Carolina, I take offense. No one games in the mother's basement anymore. Shit, man, we've moved up to the sun room! During the daytime you've got ample light so as to read your source books, and at night the nocturnal sounds of suburban America add an ethereal feel to the proceedings. Get it right Mike!

That being said, I hope you'll all join me in purchasing one of Dennis Culver's "Pro-Obama Dungeons and Dragons Crowd" t-shirts so we can identify each other at the polls.

And remember to roll a perception check before you enter the voting booth; there may be lurking Kobolds.

Nerd News In Brief

I stand corrected; there are no Bigfoots in Georgia.

Anyone familiar with my love of pseudoscience and all flavors of hokum surely must realize how excited I was over the prospect of a real live dead Bigfoot in my own general locality. But now it looks like just another scam.

Still, I think anyone who's ever hit up a show at the 40 Watt can agree that there's some kind of mythical creature loose in GA.

Though it could just be a particularly hirsute townie.

• In Case You Missed It: Glenn Case is a machine, a one-man musical mechanism that spits out wicked tracks. Case in point: in recent weeks Glenn has produced 2 separate album-a-days. No foolin'! Download So, Be Yourself and Waterfall of Consciousness today, and enjoy the musical madness.
• Genitals: Though I've already mentioned this in the latest RFH, I thought I'd toss a little love in the direction of Nina and Sangriaa re: their new Vagina Deep in Podcast project. It's funny, geeky, sexy slice-of-life 'cast that demands your attention. No vagina required.
• And Now Cleavage: We also have a new helping of nerd ink, compliments of the former MC Router. It appears as though she's added health and mana potions to her chest piece. Check it out.
• I Got the Music in Me: At long last, the instrumentals from Random's Mega Ran album are available for download. Pick them up at Capcom music and community site Capcom Unity, and then make me some fresh mash-ups. Please.
• Song Fighters: Congrats to Emergency Pizza Party and my boy funky49 on their recent win at Tampa's Song Fight! Live. You can check out their winning track "Calico Alley" and the tale of its creation over at funk's site.
• iTunage: And speaking of funky49, you can now purchase his latest release Starblazer on iTunes. And you probably should.
• Wait… Pitchfork?!: Let me join Ant and Doc Pop in urging you to check out the chiptune documentary Reformat the Planet for free over at Pitchfork. Yep, you can watch the whole thing for free. But only for one week, so get to crackin'!
• It's Magical: Another doc that's currently making the geeky rounds is We Are Wizards, and its theatrical release has finally been announced. The film opens in NYC at the Cinema Village on November 14, 2008, with other cities sure to follow. Hit the 'Pedia for further info.
• Get elevated: Also new on the documentary front is the release of the official Nerdcore Rising soundtrack. All 15 tracks of nerdy goodness ship for under $13. I also hear it cures warts. I'm just sayin'.
• You Know the Rules: And wrapping thing up, Church Barack Rolled me. And all I can do is share my pain.

Nerd News in Brief

This week’s NNIB is a bit later than usual. Because of the dreaded technical difficulties!

*DUM DUM DUUUUUUUUUUUUM*

It’s hard sometimes for me to grasp how wholly shackled I am to my PC, and, indeed, to all technological trappings. Of course, the universe elects to totally fuck my shit up from time to time so as to remind me.

Oh universe, you’re such a cad!

• Spell Chek: Obviously tired of hooking me up with new nerd ink to feature, Church instead sent me this list of fabulously misspelled tattoos. Remember, its only funny because it’s not you.
• Your Greatest Battle: MC Frontalot has announced the official release date for his next full-length, Final Boss, as November 1st. He’s also dropped news concerning a national tour with MC Lars to coincide with the release. Exciting, no?
• Too Much Nerdy: You can expect new albums from Beefy and uber producer nYgel slightly sooner. As in, within the next few weeks. Yes, Beefy’s Rolling Doubles and nYg’s Free To Good Home mixtape are both nearing release. I’ll have interviews with the artists and reviews of the albums as soon as I can get my metaphorical shit straight.
• Join the Alliance: In other event news, Anthony has just turned me on to the Chiptune Alliance Tour, a series of shows throughout the UK featuring the talents of Anamanaguchi, Random, Sabrepulse, Firebrand Boy, Syphus, Henry Homesweet, We Are The Future, Spheres of Chaos and Unicorn Kid. A couple of the scheduled event dates for late August are as yet unattached to venues, so hit up Sabrepulse if you can help in that regard.
• They Really Are: And don’t forget the 4th annual I Am 8-Bit music and art show currently going on in Hollywood. The event runs until September 7th, and is sponsored, in part, by our friends at Capcom.
• Do it for Ran: And speaking of, one of Random’s contacts from Capcom, a cat named Shawn, just created a Capcom Music site. His Royal Randomness cordially requests your joinage of said project. So do your man a solid and check it out.
• There Can Be Only… Two?: If you like your nerdy rhymes with a side of old school battle rap, you should make your way to Rhyme Torrents for the forthcoming 2-on-2 Rap Battle competition. Teams include everyone from international duo The Ranger & T.Y.T. to the pride of the UK Category & MisterB. Think of it as the Olympics. With more rap and less pesky nationalism.
• This week on COPS: A recent gig at B Natural in Ofallon, MO featuring our own Whore Moans boasted an amazing closer: the local police force. Yes, and if you look closely, you can see Johnny Law creeping into frame in this video of Moans’ “Mecha Mechanics.” Good times.
• The Last Boy Scout: On a personal note, I’ve recently found out that I qualify for a merit badge. Well, two, I guess.
• DJ Spock: And taking us home is another great find from Church. It’s a cleverly edited Star Trek vid provided by CBS itself. Live long and prosper.
  

Drunken Podcasting Month

I love faux holidays. (Fauxlidays, if you will.)

They are the Styrofoam packing material of the modern calendar. Meaning, of course, that they help to protect and insulate the all-too infrequent real holidays that liven up an otherwise drab year.

Moreover, I've always wanted to start my own. Not for personal glory or untold wealth, but for sheer shits and giggles.

The question was what. Followed immediately by when.

And then, while listening to a moderately belligerent MisterB on the pair of Nerdapalooza special editions of the Letters vs. Numbers podcast, I was struck with a revelation:

Alcohol and podcasting go hand in hand!

It's an outright truth, an undeniable fact. Most podcasters - myself included - tend to drink on the mic. And there's nothing wrong with that; it limbers the vocal cords and sharpens the wit.

But what if we had a season specifically dedicated to podcasting under the influence? What if we had an officially designated month for drunkcasting?

And so, it is with great pleasure that I invite my friends and fellow 'casters to join me this September in celebration of the inaugural Drunken Podcasting Month.

Your task is simple. Record a podcast at least once during those 30 days. Drunk.

If you want to get a little tipsy, that's cool. If you want to get totally shit-faced, that'll do as well. Your choice.

Hell, if you wanna record multiple drunk podcasts during the month-long celebration, that's fine too. It's your liver.

All you really need is an urge to podcast, a functional means to record and disseminate said podcast, some booze, and, of course, to be a legal drinker in your principality.

I'm sure this isn't gonna rival Talk Like a Pirate Day or anything, but it could provide some interesting entertainment options. It's my simple hope that a few of my friend's from the podasting community will join me in the alcohol-fueled revelry. And maybe a few podcasting backsliders will use this as an opportunity to return to the fold. (I'm looking at you, Beefy.)

So buy a bottle, find a friend, and fire up your microphones. Drunken Podcasting Month is coming. And it's totally gonna be a thing.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 50: The People and What They Want

You guys are the greatest!

I mean that. That's not meant to be pandering or sharply ironic; it's just intended to express my gratitude.

This podcast and this blog stay afloat because, for whatever reason, you folks keep coming back for more. And while I don't wholly understand what it is about my hillbilly ways that continually attracts your interest, I feel fortunate that something does.

Thanks for giving me something to do with my spare time, and for proving that even a lowly nerd can find likeminded individuals through the power of the internet.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 50: The People and What They Want [hosting provided by Antisocial] Size: 45.7 MB Running Time: 49:56

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – “Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)”
If this episode is all about special requests, consider this one mine.

Track 1: unknown – "Smurfs Theme (Techno Remix)"
This one is for funky49. He is, apparently, a Smurfs fan.

Z's 1st interlude: "Each song I play is a special request from a special listener."
Meaning, essentially, that you guys did my job for me this time around.

Track 2: 2 Skinnee J's – "Irresistible Force"
This one is for Alex. And also for ADeadHeart; she didn't ask for it specifically, but I know she digs it.

Track 3: Attackslug – "Earth Defense Force"
As requested by DON VITO, the glue that holds RhymeTorrents.org together.

Track 4: Superpowerless – "Swimming With Sharks"
MisterB requested some Superpowerless. I obliged. We cool like that.

Track 5: mc chris – "DQ Blizzard"
This one is my personal favorite classic mc chris track. It's going out to my brother Shael Riley in NYC, long-distance dedication style.

Track 6: Truckasaurus – "Supercopter"
Krys actually requested MC Router's "Unwired" or some Truckasaurus. For some strange reason, I couldn't locate my copy of the former.

Track 7: Dual Core – "Fantastic Four Remix (feat. Beefy, Wheelie Cyberman, and YTCracker)"
La Bete requested some "obscure Dual Core." That's sort of a tall order, so instead I gave him this great remix from the new Lost Reality album.

Z's 2nd interlude: "DJK, otherwise known as Ken Denmead."
You can hear more of Ken's work at his site.

Track 8: No Kill I – "Captain's Log"
For my pal Church; he's our obligatory Trekkie.

Track 9: The Hungarian Horntails – "The Cave"
I couldn't find the exact Horntails track that Snidget wanted, so I substituted this one.

Track 10: Ultraklystron – "Fashionable"
Antisocial says this is his favorite Ultraklystron track. I can see why.

Track 11: Chromelodeon – "Polygon Sun"
With the dissolution of Optimus Rhyme, I join Anthony in the My Favorite Band Broke up Club. We meet the first Tuesday of the month.

Track 12: IllGill – "Hatin'"
This one's for Thugmasta J of Magitek. It's always nice to see east coast artists give some love to those on the west.

Track 13: Marc with a C – "Classic Country Wasn't Multitracked"
mCRT is all up on Marc with a C's musical jock. As well he should be.

Z's final interlude: "Check out Radio Free Hipster's sister podcasts."
Just as there are a number of other blogs that I consider to be in a similar vein to my own Hipster, please!, so are there other podcasts that I consider tonic to the nerdy musical message of RFH. There's HipTrax, of course and Letters vs. Numbers, the Gamewave podcast, and new addition Vagina Deep in Podcast. There are countless others, but those are the ones that came immediately to mind.

Track 14: The Grammar Club – "Alternate Ending"
This was an anonymous request. I like that. it gives us that air of mystery we've been longing for!

And there you have it folks: 50 episodes of Radio Free Hipster. I know it's really just a drop in the bucket compared to bigger podcasts, but it's quite an achievement in my eyes.

Next episode will be a return to (free) form, but hopefully I'll have some nice surprises in September. There've been a number of requests for a dedicated chiptune/VGM podcast, which should be doable, and I'm also going to try and get Church and Matt to help me celebrate a new grassroots holiday I'm calling Drunken Podcasting Month.

If you're a podcaster and would like to participate it's a simple two step process:

1. Get drunk.
2. Record a podcast.

I reckon it might catch on.

Timelord Rock!

Church knows. He knows I've go them 10th Doctor blues.

With David Tennant, the 10th 11th 10th and 11th Doctor, off being all Shakespearean for the time being, we Who-heads are left with hole in our lives where season 5 should be. But Church was quick to point me in the direction of one motivated fan who's helping us all bridge the gap between a Who-less present and that glorious future with Trock.

Timelord rock was conceived by YouTuber Nerimon, and is, in the style of WRock, tailored specifically toward rabid fans of the franchise. His band Chameleon Circuit has launched (what I, at least, hope to be) the Trock revolution with a pair of tracks, the first of which can be viewed/heard below.

When you're done with it, be sure to check out the video responses. Then pick up a guitar and write me a song about Frema Agyeman. Please.

Nerd news in Brief

2010 can not get here fast enough.

Yes, an east coast PAX has been confirmed! Of course, I am proper excited.

The question is: will I be able to make it? Short answer: hopefully.

I reckon we can assume that "east coast" means NYC, and, while that's still pretty damn far away, it is a lot closer than Sea-town. Plus, it'll probably be an opportunity to see folks like Front, Myf, and Schaffer again, as well as connect with guys like Matt, Church, and Shael face-to-face.

It sounds too good to pass up.

• mc chris hearts PAX: In other PAX news, mc chris recently apologized to fans via the Penny Arcade PAX forum for dropping out of this year's concert. He even went so far as to offer free "mc chris hearts PAX" t-shirts for attendees to wear to the event on his behalf.
• Stuck on You: Also up for gabs are these handsome Nerdcore For Life "laptop stickers." While they aren't free, the price is quite reasonable: just Paypal $2 to Nerdcoreforlife@gmail.com to get four stickers. Act now and you can get in on the "stick a sticker on something cool and maybe get a free Nerdcore for Life T-shirt" contest by photographing whatever smooth, flat surface you affix your NC4L sticker to and emailing said image to the same address by September 1st.
• For Sale by Owner: Ant has finally announced that the Welcome to World 2 comp is now available for online purchase. Discriminating buyers can even check out the free b-sides album Music EXP before taking the plunge.
• Get Your Fix: Nerdy piano pop mastermind Sugar Fix has recently unleashed a new track. It's called "Days Like This," and it's a delightful slice of traditional pop with the slightest hint of geeky hopelessness. Listen and learn.
• Have Dulcimer, Will Travel: Wizard Rocker (and enthusiastic Hipster, please! supporter) Snidget is currently on tour throughout the northeast. Is she coming to your area? If so, show up and give her some love. And cheer extra loud for me!
• They Are Family: Raleigh NC's News & Observer posted a pretty interesting piece on WRock last month (which Church sent to me weeks ago, but I just recently found floating around the bottom of my inbox.) It's an interesting write-up that focuses on the scene's strength of community, and also makes references to Filk and Trek rock.
• Nerdcore in Middle English: Matt found this hip-hop take on the Canterbury Tales' General Prologue. He shared it with me because I love shit like this. I share it with you fully knowing you probably don't. Your lit teacher, however, will find it fascinating.
• Nerdcore goes functional: Nate sent me a link to this rap piece that properly explains the science behind the Large Hadron Collider. It features the vocal stylings of Kate McAlpine, whom, I believe, Church has claimed as his latest girlfriend-who-doesn't-know-it-yet.
• Sounds of the Past: Speaking of Nate Trier, he let me know that he's currently looking for geektastic "audio plays" – that is, mp3 conversions of old records, tapes, or CDs concerning superheroes and other such nerdy stuff – for a new musical project. So if you've got any audio relics from your childhood that you wouldn't mind sharing, hit him up over at MySpace. Contributors will get shout-outs in the liner notes, so you've got nothing to lose.
• Meanwhile, in the Future: The Protomen will be bringing their unique Mega Man rock opera to a number of notable events throughout the coming months. Catch them August 16th in Baltimore at 32-Bit Genocide, August 29th-31st at DragonCon in Atlanta, and September 10th-14th at Next Big Nashville.
• BeakTube: And wrapping things up is another find by my buddy Matt. It's got Muppets. Lots of Muppets.

Humor and Hope: Catching up with Random

When I interviewed Random a scant 10 months ago, he was riding high on the success of his Mega Ran concept album. But even as that project gained considerable momentum, Ran refused to rest on his laurels. Even then he spoke of collaborations, mixtapes, and a new full-length scheduled to “hit in August 2008.”

Fast-forward to the present and you’ll find Ran in a similar state; Mega Ran is still very much alive in the hearts of fans old and new, his recently released EP Patches & Glue has received widespread acclaim, and a staggering number of other creative contributions have kept Philadelphia’s finest proper busy in the time between.

Now we stand mere days away from the August 8th drop date of the album he prognosticated in our last interview: the appropriately entitled The 8th Day.

What can we expect from this album, and where will Random go from here? We touch on these questions and a number of others below.

--------------

When last we spoke, your Mega Ran concept album was a hot topic among nerdcore aficionados, gamers, and hip-hop heads. How is the album doing now? Is it still selling well and generating buzz a year after its initial release?

It's still doing well, to my surprise. It's always a treat to get an unexpected check in the mail! It's like I want to keep moving and get past it and push my newer stuff, but it keeps pulling me back. I get calls for interviews and shows, and it's usually about the Mega Ran album. Mega Ran isn't all I am, just one of the many sides of me. It's by far the most popular thing I've ever done, which puts me in a tough position because you want to do what people want... but every artist believes that their new stuff is better than the old stuff. I don't want to be pigeonholed and just known as “the Mega Man rapper,” but I was watching an interview with Richard Roundtree the other day (an actor whose most notable role was the 70's cop Shaft), and he was saying that his dad told him that most people go through life and live and die, and aren't known for anything... So I'm just thankful to be known for something.

Much to the surprise of everyone in the community - you, perhaps, most of all - Capcom elected to officially license that release. An international game publisher with a lengthy pedigree of top-shelf titles actively embraced the work of an underground rapper; has the weight of that sunk in yet?

It really hasn't. It’s pretty amazing when I think about it. I mean, I used to sit at home and play these games, and now years later I'm able to work with the people who make them... it's unbelievable. I used to read about Comic-Con, dreaming of going, and then I'm there. I never in a million years would've guessed that something like this would happen.

Recently, it was announced that Capcom's Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix would boast an alternate soundtrack by game music community Overclocked ReMix. What do instances like these mean in the grand scheme of videogame culture? Are publishers and developers realizing the untapped potential of independent music?

I hope so. Companies like Capcom are really good at keeping their ear to the 'net and staying on the cutting edge of what's bubbling out there. That's a huge accomplishment. I was just thinking that about a month ago when I visited OC Remix. They have some incredibly talented musicians over there, and I wondered how long it would be that this kind of talent would go unnoticed by the big guys. Fans are what keep these gaming franchises alive, so it's only right to enlist their help and recognize their talent. This could easily become the norm in the videogame industry.

The Mega Ran track “Grow Up” was recently used in the MMORPG documentary Second Skin. How were you approached with this offer? Was there any trepidation about lending the song to the film's soundtrack?

I got an email from Victor Pinero, co-director of the film, and he told me how much of a fan he was of my work. When he explained the premise of the film, I thought it was definitely something I'd like to be a part of. Upon watching the film, I was blown away. It’s a very powerful piece. I don't even play World of Warcraft much, but I can certainly relate to the characters and the problems they faced in the documentary. They flew me out to Austin for the premier screening at SXSW, and it was amazing. The theater was packed, the film got a standing ovation, and MY music was playing during the end credits! It was an amazing experience.

Because the song originally used Mega Man samples as the backing, you asked fans to remix it with original beats. Which mix found its way into the film?

That's a funny story, because originally, Peter (of Pure West) asked me to work on a remix because we didn't have any official paperwork stating that Capcom said it was OK to use the music. So I put the word out for a remix, and folks came through like gangbusters. I got some incredible submissions from folks, like Antisocial, Fingaz and Jonato7. I sent those submissions to Peter, and while he liked them, he was attached to the original, much like I was. So while I was collecting remixes, Peter was hounding and harassing Capcom for a license to use the original version in the film. Finally, they came through, and granted Mega Ran an exclusive licensing agreement allowing me to pretty much do what I want with the music and images. Before that agreement, it was pretty much a verbal OK that I was working on. They were fine with me selling the music and stuff, but they told me that an official license would take forever. I have to say thanks, because if it wasn't for Peter's persistence, I don't know if it would've gone through.

Since Mega Ran, you've released a number of other notable projects. What can you tell us about the American Gamer mixtape?

That was something I wanted to do for a while: a remix album. I decided to take the acapellas of Jay-Z's American Gangster album and put them to some beats sampling videogames. I got a lot of help from some great producers: Pac0naut, K-Murdock of Panacea, Ravage, Macross and more. It was a little scary because it was the first project I had done without DN3, my main mixing engineer and DJ. But it went well. We've gotten a few thousand downloads and a lot of good feedback. That opened the doors for some other projects as well.

What other projects?

Glad you asked. K-Murdock and I are working on a project called Forever Famicom, in which the Mega Ran character returns for some 8-bit goodness. K-Murdock on the beats, and me on the rhymes. We're a few tracks in and I have to say, I'm excited. Look for that next year sometime. Pac0naut and I are also in talks for some videogame influenced hip-hop in the near future.

There was also talk of a Marvin Gaye tribute. Did that album come to fruition?

Yes. In April of 2008, I released 4 tracks that were each Marvin Gaye tribute songs as free downloads. I am a huge fan of Marvin Gaye's music, but while working on this project, I learned a lot more about Marvin the man. He was a very complex man, but I think that comes with being a genius. When I decide to do a theme project, I have to become who I'm studying, so I immersed myself in Marvin's music, interviews, concert footage, everything. I think I'm going to do something like this every April. I chose April because that's the month he was born and died in.

Most recently, you released the eleven-song Patches & Glue. Was there a unifying theme or concept to that EP?

Yes, the Patches and Glue album was all about the way I grew up, and what inspired me to keep going. I grew up on a small, closely knit block called Woodstock; we affectionately called it “The 'Stock.” Everyone knew everyone and everything that went on there. The old saying goes “it takes a village to raise a child,” and I was certainly raised by a village. So the album reflects that mentality. It's all about humor and hope. I think if you have those 2 things, you can achieve great things in life.

You've announced that your newest release The 8th Day will be drop on August 8th of this year. What can we expect from this album?

It's by far the boldest, riskiest project I've ever done. And this is coming from an underground rapper who made a whole album about Mega Man. It's another theme project, centered around the meaning of the number 8, which is the number of new beginnings. God made the earth in 7 days, so on the 8th day life began. It's symbolic because I feel that the rest of your life is your “8th day.” My biggest pet peeve is complacency. I know a lot of people who are just... lazy. Laziness is what keeps our country behind the curve; it's what makes us eat so much fast food. I hope that this can inspire people to get out and live their lives to the fullest... to do, see and try something new. I say it's a risky project because it's very experimental musically. There are some tracks that have a more conventional Random sound, but many incorporate new instruments and production styles. There's some house, alternative rock, underground hip-hop, mainstream hip-hop... everything. It's like a ride in a rocket ship; it starts off really fast and scary, then once you get used to it, you get comfortable and enjoy it. Then you barf when it's over. There are plenty of guest artists, including MC Frontalot, LMNO of The Visionaries, Naledge of Kidz in the Hall, and many more.

Recently the track “Exhale” (featuring Naledge) was leaked over at Fake Shore Drive. Can we expect any other preview tracks in the weeks leading up to the album’s release?

Yes, you can. In fact, Z, for being such a great guy, I'd like to give you another track from the album to leak. I've leaked about 3 tracks so far to different websites and on my blog, just to see the reaction they'd get, and give people a small glimpse into the album. But believe me; no one song can totally capture the feel of this album, because it's all over the place. You have to sit and listen to it in its entirety to “get it.”

What an honor! Thanks so much, Ran! (NOTE: You can download said leak via the link at the end of this post.)

August 8th of this year also marks the first day of the Summer Olympics, so let’s do a little stretch for a related metaphor: If The 8th Day was an Olympic event, what sport would it be?

Wow… Good question! I'd say it's a decathlon, but instead of 10 events, its 8 events. Each one uses a different nerve, and at the end, you'll be worn out. Definitely not for the weak of heart. The first half of it is all speed and power, then it slows down and it's about technique and patience at the end.

An octathlon? Okay, I can dig that.

You're one of the few non-regional artists who appeared at both southeastern Nerdapaloozas. How did this year's event compare to last?

I had a blast at the 2007 'Palooza, but 2008 blew it away on so many fronts: the venue, the size, the presentation, the tater tots… everything was leveled up from last year. I can't even imagine what it'll be like next year. It’s really cool to be able to see the growth of something like this.

What were some of your favorite performances at this year's festival?

The best thing about it was that so many artists gained a fan in me at the festival. I'd heard some of the folks' music before, but it's a whole new thing to see them live. Shaffer the Darklord, Myf, and Dual Core were some of my favorites. Z1 always brings it, and I had the opportunity to catch Frontalot before. I'd have to nominate DJ Snyder as the MVP of the festival; he was so helpful with so many people. Great guy, too.

True. My pitch for next year is Snyder-Palooza: DJ Snyder cuttin’ over everyone’s sets! ;)

One of the unofficial “events” of Nerdapalooza '08 was the spontaneous VIP pass swap. Whose ID did you leave the festival with? Do you know who has yours?

I wound up with you, Z. and it's still hanging on my wall as we speak. I have a collection of lanyards from gigs, and it's quite extensive, but yours is right on the top.

About a week after the event, Maja told me he has mine.

I feel honored! Do you have any other gigs lined up for the foreseeable future?

I do: 8/1/08: Los Angeles, CA, The Airliner
8/2/08: Los Angeles, CA, The Warp Zone with IllGill and Zealous1
8/14/08: Tucson, AZ: Sports on Congress

I also want to say that Johnie of Cartoon Mogul says that my video for “Fly” should be done very soon, and we'll probably put together a video viewing party of some sort... should be fun. Goodness knows I've been waiting for this for a long time.

With the summer winding down, are you again looking forward to another school year behind the teacher's desk?

I am... I usually have an action packed summer at the start, and then once it starts to wind down, I get really bored. I need something to do to keep me excited, so I usually start working on more music. But, I've promised myself that The 8th Day is my last full-on solo project for a while. Hopefully I can stick with that. But this year, school should be different as well; my school had to change locations this past year because of some size and funding issues. So, it's only fitting that after I finish an album about new beginnings, I have to embark on my own new journey. It's the way of the world, I guess. But like any good hero, I never back down from a challenge.

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I had the pleasure of meeting Random at Nerdapalooza, and I have to say that the demeanor he projects in verse – that of a good-natured, optimistic nurturer – is exactly how he comes across face-to-face. Whether he was peppering his tight (but never inflexible) set with audience interaction, relaxing at the bar with fans, or freestyling with the bill’s other heavy-hitters, Ran always conducted himself as if where he was just so happened to be the best place in the world. In a manner that seemed to say that whatever he was doing was simply what he was meant to do. There’s a certain calm about him, an otherworldly solemnity tempered with wit and approachable affability.

We like to talk about the rapper’s rapper, the musician’s musician, but what I witnessed in Random was truly the artist’s artist. Everyone in that cramped venue, from the cats crowding the stage to the folks working the bar, felt Ran’s set. Even the guys gearing up for their own were moved by the power of Random Beats.

That strength of character, that artistic integrity that has so defined his career, is surely just as evident in The 8th Day as it is in earlier works like The Call.

As promised, here is a clip from that soon-to-be-released EP. It’s called “Reset Button” featuring our own MC Frontalot and produced by Samik. And while I can’t promise it’ll encapsulate the raw power of the live experience, I can tell you that it will give you another taste of what Random really is all about.

Download: Random - “Reset Button (feat. MC Frontalot)”