WXYC

A summary of this month's Global Music Show

2012-01-27T13:45:00.003-05:00

The Global Music Show for the month of January was kicked off with two tunes from Japan, and from there progressed through other Asian songs from Korea, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, and the Philippines. From beginning to end the show was informational and engaging, and that probably attests to the guest, Dr. Eric Henry, that brought all of these songs to the attention of the WXYC listeners. Guest is an understatement, expert is more suitable.

Dr. Henry obtained his PhD in Chinese Literature at Yale in 1979. He knows Chinese fluently, Korean, a quality amount of Tagalog, and Vietnamese. His knowledge in the Vietnamese language derived from his service in the United States Army from 1968-1971 where he engaged in a one-year intensive course in Vietnamese at the Defense Language Institute at Fort Bliss, Texas, and a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam.

Dr. Henry was a professor at Dartmouth (1980- 82) and at the University of North Carolina (1982- 2011). His publications include; Chinese Amusement: The Lively Plays of Li Yu (Archon Books, 1980), various articles on early Chinese history and culture in the Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies and other journals, and articles on Vietnamese literature and historical legend in Vietnam Forum, Crossroads, the Michigan Quarterly. In the summer of 2004, Dr. Henry led an eight-week student research seminar in Vietnamese music in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

The songs that made up the show on January 25 were translated mostly by Dr. Henry and the others by hired translators.

For more information about the songs that were played for the “East Asian Popular Music” Global Music Show e-mail info@wxyc.org. The entire show will be available in the form of a podcast from the Global Studies website.

Better Know a DJ: Ari Hires

2012-01-24T14:53:00.010-05:00

1978

…So ladies and gentlemen, I regret to inform you that you’re meant for something greater,

Something greater than loose leaf pages and chasing paper.

You gotta look outside of yourself and outside of time. Stretch your necks if need to.

And when something great comes along, be sure to let ‘em know – it’s on.

The lanky speaker with notably good hair left the stage with a period the audience could feel like loaded seeds lodged in their chests. Ari, a weekly attendant at open mic Tuesdays at Busboys and Poets, a restaurant, bookstore, and performance venue in Washington D.C., at once felt inspired and overwhelmed. Ari was a reticent young lady growing up in Lorton, Virginia, 15 minutes south of D.C. with an avid interest in journalism, culture, and the people of Papua New Guinea. A supportive wallflower, always drawn by the wordsmithery and conviction of local spoken word artists and poets, she managed to make the trip up every week when she could. Who knows? Maybe she’d brave up and make it up to the stage one day. What would she speak of? Perseverance? Hair and beauty ideals? The contagiousness of Celia Cruz? Wishing she could have gone to Soul Train to see Cheryl Lynn sing “Got to Be Real”? The awesomeness of giraffes – woah!

Ari’s vision faded to white, and Busboys and Poets froze in its tracks. The hot coffee some barista was pouring his patron suspended itself in air. Peaking from a rip in the still fabric of the restaurant, radiant among a washed out, frozen environment was a long necked figure, awkward superficially, but made wholly beautiful from this new supernatural environment. He spoke.

Ari, I am your spirit animal.

“!” said Ari to the giraffe.

You have been chosen, From the big savannah in the sky, we’ve been watching you. For being the only person in the world who recognizes the greatness of our kind, we reward you. I hereby imbue you with the boldness and fierceness of THE GREAT GIRAFFE.

“!”

Use your new abilities for good!

The megalomaniacal giraffe faded away, and time resumed. Ari looked down and noticed that her wardrobe had changed. Suddenly, she was a supafly diva, and she felt like one.

Ari looked over to the left and noticed that the coffee-pouring barista was off in his aim. The drink was hurling towards someone’s lap. Using her newly-garnered special giraffe powers, she stretched her neck and nudged an empty tea cup with her head to intercept the wayward pour. The rest of the restaurant and the barista were too busy still swooning over the last poet’s words to notice.

The patron, however, was thoroughly impressed.

“I’m thoroughly impressed,” he said. “What’s your name?”

“Hotter than Coffy, Nobler than Cleopatra Jones, Meaner than Foxy Brown. I’m the diva queen Ari Hires, Now whatchu doing in my town?”

[woah! Where’d that come from? Is this the power of THE GREAT GIRAFFE?]

“I’m Agent Wasp. I work for the CIA. I see you have great talent. The government needs you to take care of a threat to national security.”

“Quit talking jive, brotha. You're sounding like old President Kennedy. Don’t tell me what I can do for The Man. What can The Man do for me?

[This is awesome! Just go with it, go with it!]

“This assignment will have you posted as a DJ. Seems like that’ll be your type of thing. You down?”

“I can dig it.”

“Follow me to CIA headquarters. We’ll brief you there. Oh, and from here on, you’ll be known as Agent Hi_Res.”

"Groovy."

At CIA Headquarters:

The room was manic. Giant blinking computers spewing out encoded paper were being attended to by buzzing swarms of assistants who would then run around and relay the information elsewhere. There was hardly any room to walk, yet Agents Wasp and Hi_Res made their way to a clearing in the center of the room.

“I’ll be brief,” began Wasp. “There’s a terrorist witch with unimaginable power performing soul transmigrations and sending people on nonconsented vision quests. Luckily, but perhaps strangely, she’s been targeting only student DJs at WXYC.”

“Isn’t that that radio station over in North Carolina?”

“That’s right. We want you to go undercover, find, and incapacitate this witch. We believe you have enough sass to resist her witchcraft. There is one problem, however. She resides in the year 2012, thirty-four years in the future.”

“Say what!? How do you turkeys expect me to fight witch crime 34 years in the future?”

“We are prepared. You see, there is another sorceress, but this one is one of us. Her name is Queen Enchantress Beyoncé. She’s a member of the Illuminati which has in the future allied itself with the CIA, especially in the issue of wayward sorceresses.

Agent Hi_Res was briefly overtaken by the seeming greatness of Queen Enchantress Beyoncé. “Wow, Queen B is one bad motha-”

Agent Wasp continued, “In 2006, she discovered the perfect choreography for amazing feats of time travel. She recorded it in a music video which ostensibly is meant for entertainment, but is rather an instructional video to CIA special operations agents future, past, and present.” Agent Wasp diverted his gaze to one of the standard-issue assistants buzzing around. “Stetson! Prepare the reel!”

Some guy presumably named Stetson did as he was told, and a large blank screen lowered in front of Agents Hi_Res and Wasp. Lights dimmed. The reel rolled.

This was what illuminated the screen.

After a few moments, Ari admitted, “Right on! This is the best jam I ever heard!”

“Indeed, our researchers have confirmed that this is the best jam ever.”

Agent Hi_Res was indeed already seemingly entranced and grooving.

“Your mission, Agent, is to memorize and perform this choreography to be transported to Chapel Hill 2012 where you will assume the role of student DJ. We have prepared a story for you to better integrate yourself in your future home. When asked why you became a DJ, you will respond, ‘I wanted to be a DJ because I love music and surfing air waves. It's my way of teleporting to multiple places at one time. I'm sort of obsessed with transportation.’ In its own way, it is a wry truth with you now becoming a time-traveler. You will continue, ‘I've always wanted a "Different World" kind of college experience where I was the Lisa Bonet in my own way, and XYC is that, but what sealed the deal was at the 80s Jam where I had a dance off with a mysterious, lanky DJ with the awesome hair and golden dance moves.’”

“What’s A Different World? Who’s Lisa Bonet?”

“We figured you’d ask; we’ve also prepared this cultural and technological primer to get you acclimated to 2012.” Wasp handed her a laptop from the future with Wikipedia and Youtube tabs open. “Your mission will begin tomorrow morning. Good luck and God speed.”

Agent Hi_Res spent the night studying the intricacies of Queen Enchantress Beyoncé’s moves, and by morning, she was an expert on all things modern and post-modern. She began to get bodied.

By the time she was doing the Naomi Campbell Walk, a white cyclone had begun spinning around her. She was separated from her surroundings. By the time she was snapping for the kids, the cyclone had dissipated and she realized she was in the control room of a radio station, presumably WXYC in 2012.

2012

After finishing up the Get Me Bodied spell-dance, she had her game face on. She checked the advanced computer-device in front of her. It was 10 AM on a Thursday, and she was alone here at the station. This must be her shift! She scoured around for a song to play and ran across a song by Corinne Bailey Rae called Put Your Records On. Hi_Res decided it would be her theme song.

Upon playing her song, she sat in the control room chair, hands firmly on the knobs and sliders of the mixer. Fittingly, she felt firmly in control.

She remembered what she was here for. Something great.

I am The Queen Diva DJ Hi_res. Bring it, witch. It’s on.

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

Y'all suckas can catch DJ Hi_Res pumping out jamz every Thursday from 10 AM to noon at WXYC 89.3 FM.

Pictures for the general populace (in which the new DJs are especially included)

2012-01-22T22:44:00.034-05:00

Now’s the worst time to be introduced to XYC from the inside, and I'm afraid newcomers won't have a proper grasp of the glory of the radio station. As I pointed out a few months ago, our poster-plastered walls were stripped sadly bare (archives of our old posters can be found at our tumblr). As Jon pointed out a few months ago with a superior camera, The Union where we are located is going through an overhaul of renovation and construction. WXYC and STV downstairs are the last functioning relics of the area. The Union workers have graciously danced around us, but now’s the time they must work in the station. With that, the station’s been in a bit more disarray lately. To protect our records & CDs, they’ve kindly raised plastic coats over the shelves. It’s an aesthetic travesty and it makes the music a hassle to get to, but it’s ultimately a good thing, right?

Here are some photos of the modern station:

Above: a view from underneath

Above right: Billy noticed this - The light in the rock room was just a week ago fully suspended from its four corners, I dunno what happened since, but now it's only two. Sooner or later...

Right: The Jazz/HipHop vinyl room doesn't even have a functioning light anymore.

For memory's sake, here was the station on an average good day half a year ago (photo by Elizabeth Shelton):

These days, the best décor we have (and I'm not joking, I actually like this) is this poster taped to the listening closet door:

Curiously, this poster isn't a poster for Unicorn Hard-On, which is currently setting fire to our singles in rotation AND which you could (and should) check out below.

Unicorn Hard-on - Persian Cats by tangledhares

Ah well, one day, we'll be pretty again.

Why You should Apply to be a DJ

2012-01-13T02:53:00.011-05:00

Let’s be honest here, WXYC is a frat. You go through initiation processes (i.e. “hazing”) of being a new DJ, you meet a bunch of like-minded (albeit, weird) folks, and eventually, you’ll probably start living together or talking the same or doing each others’ hair and getting in each others’ general business. Here at XYC, we consider ourselves so deeply indebted to the Greeks, that if not for the sheer, immutable essence of variety, we would play Diamanda Galás, Iannis Xenakis, and Yanni 24 hours a day.

mMmm

But I guess, we have our differences too. Instead of tossing the ol’ pigskin on the lawn, you can toss old, valuable records in The Union* (Ultimate game of ultimate frisbee?). Instead of seeing salmon or khaki slacks supporting pressed polos, you’ll probably find more thrift store fashion (as our über-stylin’, fearless, femininity-bending station manager can attest).

Rather than getting front-of-the-line consideration at dad’s law firm, you'll get front-of-the-line (free!) tickets to various shows in the area.

If you’re interested in rushing, Tuesday, January 17 we’re having an open house from 5-6PM in our lavish home, the abandoned warehouse that is the under-construction back of the Union (room 3420 for enquiring minds, but these days, that number doesn’t matter much). Afterwards, there’s an interest meeting at 7 on the steps of Carroll Hall where we’ll explain our objectives, and you’ll get an application in which you sign up for a short interview time (more on that later…maybe).

But all of that you could have figured out here in this handy Facebook event.

So if you like a bunch of various kinds of music (Yes, there’s more to life than Yanni), and have a voracious appetite to learn more. C’mon down. Be a DJ!

Also, you’ll probably definitely love it.

Go Greek! Go W Ξ Y C !

*We don’t actually advise this.

Why I Love the 80s, pt. 3: Prince

2011-11-30T23:20:00.007-05:00

That's all.

*swoon*

(P.S. - You're going to the 80s Dance this Saturday. If you're lucky, you'll see ^this guy^ there.)

Why I Love the 80s, pt. 2: 4AD

2011-11-29T22:34:00.007-05:00

Alright so this doesn’t have a significant amount of relevance to the dance aspect of the 80s Dance (which you will be attending). The only significant dance single they put out was Pump Up the Volume, which, don’t be mistaken, is actually a great, influential song. Otherwise, 4AD was a haven for brooding stargazing art kids who, as you might imagine, may not place as much emphasis on big beats and the club scene.

So if you don’t know, 4AD in a nutshell is a record label founded pretty much in 1980 and spearheaded pretty much by one Mr. Ivo Watts-Russell. The label was responsible for a good amount of British “alternative” classics in the 80s (The Birthday Party, Bauhaus, Cocteau Twins, personal favorites of mine Dead Can Dance, etc.), and American “alternative” classics in the 90s (Pixies, Red House Painters, The Breeders). These days they bring you “alternative” classics from The National, tUnE-yArDs, St. Vincent, Gang Gang Dance, et al.

But what was special about 4AD in the 80s, at least to me, is that there’s a unique, nebulous bleakness and majesty in 4AD records that resonates with the closet goth in me. It’s not just the music, but the visual artwork and sleeves provided by the team of Vaughn Oliver and Nigel Grierson (collectively known as 23 Envelope) were always perfect representations of the music therein and perfect mood pieces to an era. Personally, I’m partial to the sleeve design for Cocteau Twins’ Treasure if only because it strangely reminds me of a video game I played growing up (Chrono Cross for you wondering minds). Nevertheless, it’s a great design for a great album. Coincidentally, there’s a song titled “Ivo” on Treasure. Check it.

In any case, even if I may not be dancing to a good amount of 4AD stuff, I’ll just as gladly spend a night bawling myself dry (replenishing those tears only with a faithful companion box of wine) with a This Mortal Coil record on.

Thank you, Ivo Watts-Russell.

Thank you.

Why I Love the 80s, pt. 1: Hip Hop

2011-11-28T18:37:00.007-05:00

Look folks, the WXYC 80s Dance is coming up (Saturday, December 3^rd 9PM Cat’s Cradle GO!), and I will unabashedly say that my favourite decade is the 80s for a plethora of reasons. “What are those reasons?” I can hear your collective shrill voices ask. Well, counting down the days ‘til the 80s dance, my ambition and I will post something each day that I love about this ~*~*\_magical_/*~*~ decade.

Why I love the 80s, pt1: Hip Hop

No, hip hop didn’t magically start in the 80s, but the decade did see hip hop gain all sorts of traction, becoming a huge cultural phenomenon. This you already knew. Many books could be and have been written Basically, this post is for me to say one thing:

Hip Hop is beautiful.

Here’s why!

Personally, I’m a junkie for all things of cultural relevance (which essentially means everything), and the Hip Hop movement was fundamentally revolutionary in cultural terms. It gave “urban youth” (this mainly means black kids in The Bronx & Harlem, at least at the time) a voice and a presence in society at large, exposing a whole other side of America that had never really seen the light of day.

From how I see it, black popular music was born from a rigid business-oriented model, namely Motown/Tamla, and while Motown was very much necessary as a means to get a black foot in the door, its exploited artists and assimilated style had no way of connecting with “urban youth”. Finally, Hip-Hop came along. There was no business here, no tricks, no flamboyent hair, no awkward choreographed dance routines, no pining for the love of someone who for whatever reason isn’t yours. Nah man, that’s weak. This was, as I gather, for the people by the people. It was a sort of self-nourishment for alienated communities. The b-boys, MCs, DJs, and graffiti artists it inspired were driven away from the destructive alternatives of gangs and such, and in turn, their products drove others from street corners and into clubs. Counteracting the stagnant, self-defeating nature of ghetto neighborhoods, there was finally something creative that the people could call their own.

Mention Kurtis Blow, Doug E Fresh, Run-DMC, Slick Rick, Eric B. & Rakim, The Jungle Brothers, Boogie Down, etc. to any 80s urbanite, and watch their face light up. This isn’t nostalgia. It was a revolution that _obviously_ is still driving a big part of America.

All of this, but I’ve yet to say that Hip Hop is a bunch of ass-shaking FUN.

Come check some FRESH BEATZZZZ at the 80s Dance.

P.S. I have no beef with Smokey Robinson or The Temptations...

Better Know a DJ: Grant Bisher

2011-11-17T12:55:00.007-05:00

“Look at this loser,” I thought when I first met Grant Bisher.

He was sitting across from me at a table in Lenoir while his (cooler, funnier, and frankly better looking) older brother was live DJing to Lenoir’s hungry masses, each consumer occasionally taking time away from demolishing their chicken fajitas and sushi to nod in approval when Rihanna started playing. I, however, could neither eat nor feel like the only girl (in the world), not with this guy in my vicinity. Apparently, the feeling was mutual. I caught a few stink eyes that night. I was hoping he had just caught a reflection of himself in the window behind me.

Later, I learned that Grant was hired as a new DJ this Fall, and ever since I had been wondering how we could let this lanky plebeian spin for us.

In my curiosity, I arranged a chat with Grant. Maybe we could bond over the Better Know a DJ series. Perhaps, there was an interesting mind behind the off-putting demeanor. We found some time at our old meeting/stomping/battlegrounds – the Top of Lenoir. Between our snarls I threw around some softball questions.

Hey so, what’s your favourite band?

Foster the People!

[I’m judging you so hard right now]. Well, that’s interesting, but I suppose also expected. Next question: Considering we’re in Lenoir right now, what’s your favourite food?

Pasta the people!

Um…how about your favourite Disney character?

Mufasa the People!

[This guy must be deranged] Actress?

Jodie Foster the People!

[Or is this a joke?…It better be a joke. I wonder how far he can take this.] Do you have a religion?

Rasta the People!

What do you do in your spare time?

Foster the peephole!

I had had enough of trying to deal with this backwards nobody. Still curious as to why Grant was the horrible person he was, I visited Grant’s better half, his dog Kipper. I had learned from Grant’s associates that he had an intensely close, almost spiritual relationship with Kipper. I followed Grant home (from a distance – Grant is too repulsive to be followed closely), and met his pet. Admittedly, this dog was quite amicable, serene, and supercute. I knelt down and couldn't help but ask, “How could a bumpkin be the owner of such a majestic creature?”

mmrrgkg

“What’s that? You’re the real Grant Bisher, and the one walking around in the human body is actually Kipper the dog? How’d that happen?

…[squeal]

So let me get this straight: You were walking your dog through the woods, getting in touch with your German roots and re-enacting the story of Hansel and Gretel (you were Hansel, Kip was Gretel) when you ran into a witch. The witch was pissed over the inaccurate, offensive portrayal of witches in that old children’s tale that you seemed to glorify, and in an act of retribution, she exchanged your and Kipper’s souls so that you may more positively reevaluate how you judge humans by making you an incarnate of ‘man’s best friend’? But how does that explain the Foster the People fixation?

Grarwwoof[mumble]

You went on a road trip once with Kipper and “Pumped Up Kicks” was all that was playing on the radio the whole time? Kipper seemed to enjoy it, and now Foster the People is his favourite band largely because it’s the only band he knows, and now he thinks that radio is synonymous with “Pumped Up Kicks”? Well, I can’t blame him, it’s such a damn catchy song; I hate it.

Hhhmbf

So have you learned your lesson? Do you hold witches in kind regard these days?

…

Wow! You want to burn the witch who did this to you? So harsh! I suppose you haven’t learned anything. I guess that’s why there’s still a hideous dog-boy parading about…Well, good luck.

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

Catch all the Pumped Up Kicks you could ever want between 10 AM and 12 PM on Tuesdays.

Tonight's TNF and Big Freedia

2011-11-10T10:27:00.005-05:00

'ello,

Since I'm the one using the blog most these days, I might as well plug my Thursday Night Feature happening TONIGHT (11/10/11) from 9-midnight. The show's going to highlight LGBTQ music...Yes, this is a really broad topic for a TNF which concerns me a little. I'm not going to get the nooks and crannies of queer history, but I'll at least try.

Speaking of queer, there's this somewhat new (at least outside of New Orleans) phenomenon called Sissy Bounce. It's essentially Bounce music (chanting, booty-hopping, dance music) behind the context of queer performers. One such performer who has been hitting WXYC hard as of late is New Orleans's very own Queen Diva and rotation alum Big Freedia. She'll be rocking The Casbah in Durham tomorrow (11/11/11). I know a good number of DJs, me included, who will be in attendance, so if youre down for some friction, I recommend you come with us.

And yeah, I'll be bringing that jam out tonight and probably bouncing my skinny ass on the turntables while it's playing.

Recap:

Queer music TNF tonight (9-midnight) followed coincidentally by my normal show (midnight-3 AM). Essentially, I'll be doing six ours of LGBT music.
BIG FREEDIA tomorrow. Casbah. GO!

Better Know a DJ: Billy Marinello

2011-11-03T23:14:00.012-04:00

Welcome to the first in a series of posts in my Better Know a DJ series. I have a feeling many listeners (and a good number of DJs) don’t know who the people spinning throughout the day are. In this series, I aim to explore the lives behind your favourite self-confident disembodied voices. These are all based on interviews. Trust me.

First up, our business manager and regular DJ, Billy Marinello:

Billy Marinello was prancing along the brick walkways of campus in the direction of the Student Union carelessly pondering life’s big questions. How much popcorn should I buy at the grocery for the next episode of Doctor Who? How does my hair look? Whatever happened to plug-in love? In his careless wandering, he bumped into something and soon realize he’d gone far off-course. He had ended up in the middle of the woods. He’d bumped into things before. He’d been in forests. However, these trees seemed almost omnipresent, shivering with an intensity he’d never seen before. The mirage of woods seemed to give way to a shadowy figure directly in front of him. Billy unfortunately did not run into a tree. Billy had crossed paths with a witch.

She was a standard image of a witch – dull skin, flowing black shadowy clothes, etc. She had been out in the woods, picking herbs for her next magical concoction, when she had sensed an especially misanthropic aura nearby. This aura was Billy’s. Billy had spent a good chunk of his young life under a policy hating everyone. No one really knows why. Spastic declarations “I hate everyone” or “I hate everything” would escape him regularly like taglines. No one ever really took him seriously, but that probably only made him more strangely vengeful. Anyway, the witch was disturbed by Billy’s bubbling evil, and decided to coax a change in Billy’s demeanor. To learn to accept and integrate himself with the world, he would need to first be closer to nature. This intimacy is lost on most human beings, so she turned Billy into an antelope.

A hazy sequence of what seemed like stage pyrotechnics accompanied the awkward morphing of his bones accommodating his new lithe, quadrupedal body. Billy was rightfully confused. “This strange lady is probably going to be added to my hate-list,” he thought. Eventually, the billows of fog cleared and Billy found himself inhabiting the body of an antelope on a savannah underneath an ominous grey and furiously storming sky. He wanted shelter.

Billy pranced among the slippery grasses of this savannah until he found a cave which he then dashed towards. Inside, he was relieved for only a moment. Viscous, muddy runoff that had accumulated on the edge of the terrace overlooking the cave had decided that it needed a change of scenery. The thick clay fell over the entrance, and Billy had found himself trapped by the mudslide. Billy turned from the former exit and saw in the dimming light an large furry figure rising groggily, likely disturbed by the events happening outside the cave. Their eyes met, and Billy could sense within the pair a violent, carnal desire. Billy was trapped in a cave with a steadily approaching hungry bear.

Without many options, Billy pranced to the edge of the cave and cowered in fear. In a less pressing situation, he would have pondered the logic of a bear living in a savannah, but these are times when one reflects back on one’s life, so that’s what Billy did.
Billy recalled his youth. He grew up in a Navy family and dabbled his childish feet in many parts of the world. He had experienced many cultures and met many people until he had settled in Charlotte some five or six years ago. It suddenly hit him that all the people he had met and all of the scenes he had been privy to, in some strangely mechanical way were all beautiful.

Billy recalled his times as a DJ for WXYC. He was hired in Fall 2010, and had enjoyed it on multiple levels. When asked why being a DJ was so appealing to him, his response was, “It feels great to be in the control room and to assert your reign of music, imposing your will on the unsuspecting masses.” In the cave, the dominating bear was inching closer. Was I doing this for the wrong reasons?

Through his ambition, he became the business manager of XYC, managing the budget and pocketing a few bucks on the side to feed his concert, electronics, and effects pedal addictions. These toys and these experience seemed to make his now rapidly shortening life worth living.

He then reevaluated his love of and taste for music. No doubt, it was a great, fond foundation in his life, but why?
When asked what he looks for in music, he would have said, “I want to feel pain”
“No, take that back,” antelope Billy rejected. He could see now see through his misguided thoughts. “No, I look for integrity and sincerity and people who actually care and put some amount of life and emotion in their music.” Artists such as
Ben Frost, Jónsi, James Brown, William Basinski, Swans, Flipper and Diamanda Galas came to mind

Care, emotion, life…these seemed like ingredients to something, something greater than its parts, the force behind everything. Words came to him. Albert’s words. He too wanted to join the army with Martin Luther King, Jr. and Gandhi. He wanted to fight for love.

The ravenous bear was just a few inches away, and as he was cowering still, for some reason, the only song that came to mind was Barbara Streisand's Papa, Can You Hear Me?

Papa, can you hear me?

Papa, can you see me?

Papa can you find me in the night…?

And as the jaws of death were descending upon his limp frame, a revelation came to him. He exclaimed in his own antelope language,

“I DON'T hate everyone.”

The bear and the dubious night dissolved into a cold mist lifting itself towards a clear sky. Billy looked up and watched his fears fly aimlessly away. Then, he looked down. His two feet were were planted solidly on the floor of the Student Union. He had a show to do.

Catch Billy M. 5-7 PM every Saturday this semester.

The End of Days

2011-11-03T21:01:00.002-04:00

What it looks like to DJ at WXYC these days, beyond the white walls.

Oh, and by the way, we have a Tumblr

2011-11-02T21:23:00.005-04:00

Yeah, we double-blog it at XYC. The tumblr will be inundated periodically with archived scans of our old posters.

For the uninformed, over the summer most of our great, historic posters covering our walls were taken down due to fire code regulations. These days, our walls look like this:

(spacy, pasty, antiseptic office space 4 sale)

So that all is not lost, and we can revel in the nostalgia of the olden days, we thought it would be a good idea to save all the posters and feature them on their own tumblr.
Mind you, for the time being, this will continue to be the actual blog. Just go to the tumblr to see cool pictures of the Partridge Family.

http://wxyc.tumblr.com/

Welcome to the New old Blog

2011-10-23T15:16:00.005-04:00

A step up from the old new blog.

Once again, my name's Nel and I will be your general blog editor. What exactly that means, I don't really know, but I would make a conjecture that various other DJs and I will be at least periodically informing you all (dear readers) of the goings on around the station, special programs coming up, and cool things happening in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area. There's also a slight chance that this will devolve into a bunch of somewhat random musings fresh from the delightfully crazed heads of our various DJs.

There's a slightly smaller (but equally exciting) chance that this will become another blog devoted to posting cute pictures of cats.

In any case, we urge you to subscribe and check back frequently.

Fusion Youth Radio

2011-10-16T11:33:00.007-04:00

We here at WXYC are excited to announce that today at 5pm will be the first episode our newest specialty show, Fusion Youth Radio! Fusion Youth Radio is the result of a partnership between the Marian Cheek Jackson Center (http://www.jacksoncenter.info/), the Sacrificial Poets (http://sacrificialpoets.com/), and WXYC.

FYR, is a youth-produced program which will incorporate young people conducting interviews, discussing points of interest in their communities, broadcasting audio documentaries, inviting guest poets onto the show, and more. FYR is rooted in the idea that our youth must take active roles in shaping the futures of our communities.

Fusion Youth Radio will air biweekly at 5pm on WXYC. Tune In!

For more information, please visit:

http://www.jacksoncenter.info/initiatives/fyr/

Where Is Hip Hop? Episode 62 w/ Randy Roper x Nanci O...

2010-10-20T07:55:00.001-04:00

Looking through our past episodes, T.I. has been talked about more than any other rapper. We're 62 episodes and 1.5 years in, so that's saying a lot. On this week's episode of Where Is Hip Hop?, Randy and I talk about The King Of The South being sent back to prison for 11 months.

Back on episode 7 of Where Is Hip Hop? T.I. was going in right around the time Gucci Mane was getting out. Back then we wondered what would happen with Grand Hustle, would it flourish or flounder? Beyond the music repeat prison sentences does nothing for T.I.'s image so this time around we also discuss it's impact to endorsements, other business ventures plus more.

BET released it's Top 10 Rappers of The 21st Century list so we go in on that too. Here's a hint, after that good and terrible Hip Hop Awards, BET redeemed themselves, a little, with this list.

Where Is Hip Hop? Episode 62: T.I. Goes To Prison........Again

**********************************
WHERE IS HIP HOP? will give you information on the current state of Hip Hop in the world today as seen by Randy Roper aka Randy Exclusive, Music Editor of Ozone Magazine and Nanci O. We talk about who is hot and who is not, interviews, how we feel about certain albums and the direction of Hip Hop culture in the world today.

Think of us as the Roeper and Ebert of Hip Hop.

Get ready to be EDUCATED, INFORMED and ENTERTAINED.

Where Is Hip Hop? Episode 61 w/ Randy Roper x Nanci O...

2010-10-05T22:46:00.001-04:00

On this week's episode of Where Is Hip Hop?, Randy and I talk about the biggest hip hop festival in the Southeast. A3C goes down this weekend in Atlanta and entails 3 days, 250+ artists, b-girl/b-boy battles, producer showcases, plus much more.

On Saturday Randy will be moderating the "What Is A Mixtape?" panel with DJs Green Latern, Burn One, Trackstar and others. There's alot going on during A3C and the full weekend of events can be viewed here.

Where Is Hip Hop? Episode 61: A3C Hip Hop Festival

**********************************
WHERE IS HIP HOP? will give you information on the current state of Hip Hop in the world today as seen by Randy Roper aka Randy Exclusive, Music Editor of Ozone Magazine and Nanci O. We talk about who is hot and who is not, interviews, how we feel about certain albums and the direction of Hip Hop culture in the world today.

Think of us as the Roeper and Ebert of Hip Hop.

Get ready to be EDUCATED, INFORMED and ENTERTAINED.

October Backyard Barbecue Shows

2010-09-30T11:40:00.002-04:00

The Backyard Barbecue is WXYC's local music show. Tune in Sundays from 8 to 9 PM to hear live sets and interviews from North Carolina bands like these:

Oct. 3 | Transportation | Odessa Records band with new album Amusement Park out on September 28th.

Oct. 10 | Mandolin Orange | Carrboro folk duo busting out some new material!

Oct. 17 | Monsonia | Raleigh / Carrboro ROCK. New album 33.3 out in mid-October. BBQ vets!

Oct. 24 | Bustello | Metal Flake Mother, Sex Police, and Pressure Boys alums with a recently released debut album out.

Oct. 31 | Celebrate Halloweiner with the Evil Weiner Halloween Record! (Or go check out their live set at The Cave, if you're local)

Curren$y Concert Recap (Video)...

2010-09-29T21:08:00.002-04:00

The Hot $pitta stopped through Greensboro, NC earlier this month (September 3rd) for a near sold out show at Festival Park located downtown. Yours truly captured some footage plus had a jamming good time. $pitta definitly puts on a show!

You can visit the Nanci O Is Hip Hop YouTube Page for other concert recaps, video interviews plus more!

Where Is Hip Hop? Episode 60 w/ Randy Roper x Nanci O...

2010-09-22T07:01:00.002-04:00

Back on Episode 56, we told ya'll Kanye isn't playing fair for the rest of 2010.

Since that time, Pusha T signed to G.O.O.D. music, The Pink Panther and The Hip Hop Pig Pen released a track dissing 'Ye, Kid Cudi and Wale got into a back and forth (but quiet as kept them ninjas been screaming on each other since last year), Amber Rose and Melody Thonton are reportedly beefing over him, and 'Ye shot a 40 minute movie in Prague. Prague? Where they do that at in hip hop?

Where Is Hip Hop? Episode 60: Kanye Is Doing THE ABSOLUTE MOST Right Now

**********************************
WHERE IS HIP HOP? will give you information on the current state of Hip Hop in the world today as seen by Randy Roper aka Randy Exclusive, Music Editor of Ozone Magazine and yours truly. We talk about who is hot and who is not, interviews, how we feel about certain albums and the direction of Hip Hop culture in the world today.

Think of us as the Roeper and Ebert of Hip Hop.

Get ready to be EDUCATED, INFORMED and ENTERTAINED.

Global Music Show Presents Persian Music: From Traditional to Modern

2010-09-20T09:20:00.002-04:00

Guest Shahla Adel (UNC Asian Studies) presents "Persian Music: From Traditional to Modern."

Tune in at 9 PM Wednesday september 22, 2010

WXYC Featured in Daily Tar Heel

2010-09-17T14:32:00.003-04:00

Music after midnight

By KRISTINA WEEKS | The Daily Tar Heel

Updated: September 13, 2010, 12:52 AM

Nice article on WXYC including some video.

Keith Fullerton Whitman at Hopscotch

2010-09-17T12:46:00.005-04:00

At Raleigh's inaugural Hopscotch festival this past weekend, experimental wizard beardo Keith Fullerton Whitman calmly introduced his set by thanking the organizers and the other bands, inviting the audience to take a seat with him on stage, and nonchalantly stating, "I'm going to play some synthesizer music for you now." Did he ever. Underwater video game bleep stereo panning deep bone vibrating drone cloud...

You can hear the four minute grande finale here. ENJOY

Tshe-Tsha Boys, Shangaan Electro, and clowns.

2010-09-16T17:30:00.010-04:00

At some point this summer, when I was falling asleep at the control board in my post-lunch stupor, something pretty awesome snuck into our rotation bin. Since then, over the past 2-3 months, WXYC DJs have been sharing little nuggets off of it on a daily basis. Shangaan Electro: New Wave Dance Music From South Africa is yet another quirky compilation added to the thousands in the XYC library, and one of many beauties from our summer playlist. But, this CD sticks out for me. And part of it has to do with my fear of clowns. Firstly though, Shangaan Electro has warped my appetite for mbira. If Dumisani Maraire had recorded on a strict diet of eight-balls and nodoz he wouldn't even come close to the bpms Shangaan brings to the mbira. Fast mbira is pretty hot. Additionally, there are some pretty disturbingly soothing vocal antics to observe. Tiyiselani Vomaseve has a song called "Vanghoma", which I think translates to Awkward Bellows from Surly Gruff Old Dudes Induce Cardiac Arrhythmias in Innocent Schoolgirls. But more importantly, the cover of this compilation gives us a hint of what Shangaan Electro is all about...

Clearly, this music is about dancing obese clowns, old and young, doing some really obscene shit in public. If you have a clown phobia like I do, I'd recommend leaving now. The Tshe-Tsha Boys have two tracks on Shangaan Electro, but one track by them that is missing from the compilation explains everything you ever needed to know about Shangaan Electro in video. Now go buy it already.

Just Tryna Holla

2010-09-05T11:22:00.001-04:00

Luv U. Happy Sunday.

Monthly Old-Time Jam Re-Starts this Wednesday

2010-08-29T13:22:00.004-04:00

The Monthly Old-Time Jam is starting up again this Wednesday, September 1st at Nightlight! Doors open at 5pm, jam will start around 6. This coincides with the beginning of Nightlight's extended hours--featuring delicious Open-Eye coffee (buy one get one free!) and wireless internets.

Come on out with your fiddles, banjos, guitars, mandolins, washboards, jaw harps and more, or just come to hang out and listen, drink a beer, sip a coffee, tap your foot, check your e-mail. All levels welcome. Support the Nightlight & tip your bartender!
Facebook invite here.

OLD TIME JAM
first Wednesday of every month
5-8pm
at Nightlight

Hopscotch Ticket Give-Aways

2010-08-19T12:39:00.006-04:00

Greg Lowenhagen and Grayson Currin from the Independent Weekly already came on the Backyard Barbecue to give away two pairs of weekend passes to the Hopscotch Music Festival, but the BBQ will also be giving away tickets to the two headlining City Plaza shows right up until!

Tune in the next two Sundays (August 22nd and 29th) from 8 to 9 PM for the chance to call in and win a pair of tickets to see Public Enemy on Saturday, September 11th at the City Plaza in Raleigh. And on Sunday, September 5th, we're giving away 2 pairs of tickets to the Friday (September 10th) City Plaza show (The Rosebuds, Broken Social Scene, and Panda Bear) and 3 pairs of tickets to Saturday's Public Enemy show, featuring The Love Language and No Age.

In the meantime, keep yourself busy by checking out our fall schedule or listening to archived sets from local bands (like our newest recording by Chapel Hill noise-maker NUSS).

August 12: TNF : Featured Artists Announced...

2010-08-07T14:48:00.002-04:00

King Mez

P.Wonda

Thursday August 12 it all goes down once again. I'll be doing a new installment of "Hot, Dope, Fresh" ... the latest in hip hop and R&B along with classic forgotten about gems.

The featured artist interviews for the night:

Greenboro, NC's P Wonda and

Raleigh, NC's King Mez.

Both artists' buzz have been steadily inclining, P- Wonda's "B*tch I Do Numbers" has been going HAM in the clubs this summer and King Mez had a stellar write up in The Independent Weekly back in June, so I'm excited that both of them will be stopping by the studio that night!

'Lauryn Hill: Past, Present & Future' (Mixtape)--Miss DJ Gemz...

2010-08-07T14:44:00.001-04:00

One of my favorite DJ's, Miss DJ Gemz just released a mix of old, new, and rare Lauryn Hill tracks. If you're unfamiliar with Miss DJ Gemz, she's the official DJ for The Tri-City Suns Basketball Team (DC), DJ'ed our SOHIPOTOME women in hip hop events back in March, and does DOPE remix projects:

"I wanted to share my newest project by my friend SJ and me. It features some of our favorite Lauryn Hill tracks, some of which you probably have heard, others which you might not have. The main focus was to showcase her voice and powerful lyrics."

Download Lauryn Hill: Past, Present & Future or listen to it here.

Where Is Hip Hop? Episode 54 w/ Randy Roper x Nanci O...

2010-08-07T14:39:00.002-04:00

Where Is Hip Hop? is a weekly segment Randy Roper and I started over 1.5 years ago. Below is a breakdown:

**********************************
WHERE IS HIP HOP? will give you information on the current state of Hip Hop in the world today as seen by Randy Roper aka Randy Exclusive, Music Editor of Ozone Magazine and Nanci O. We talk about who is hot and who is not, interviews, how we feel about certain albums and the direction of Hip Hop culture in the world today.

Think of us as the Roeper and Ebert of Hip Hop.

Get ready to be EDUCATED, INFORMED and ENTERTAINED.

*********************************

Yes, Randy and I talked about Rick Ross last week, but Bawse's official first week numbers had just been released. On this week's edition of Where Is Hip Hop?, Randy and I looked at the why and how of what occurred with Rozay's first week.

Sidebar: Randy predicted 200,000, I was thinking more like 150,000.

If you're late, Teflon Don moved 176,000 units in it's first week out. If you're even more late, although Rozay moved that many in 7 days, Eminem still had the #1 album in the game, 5 weeks post release, with Recovery.

So while Rick Ross has *some* folks running around hollering they're BMF, Big Meech, Larry Hoover, Eminem has the crossover appeal on lock (Rhianna, anyone?). And as noted, man titties doesn't sell records. In other words, Bawse doesn't have a female fan base or a crossover market. So if Rozay wanted to cross over, we discuss the artists that may help (even though it may hurt his street cred). Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry and the like. Last, we speculate on how Teflon Don can break the one million records sold mark.

Where Is Hip Hop? Episode 54:

**********************************

Instrumental music with strange intensity: Savage Knights on-air interview

2010-08-04T21:39:00.006-04:00

Local multi-instrumentalist and composer Crowmeat Bob stopped by the WXYC studios on Monday Aug. 6 for an on-air interview, and played some of his own music and favorite free jazz cuts.

Download the interview.

Savage Knights playing a show on Aug. 10, at Nightlight with Vampire Squid from Louisville, Prehistoric Horse from NY, and Phantacist from Carrboro.

Dexter Romweber and the New Romans on Aug. 19th at the Station,

Archive.org is my favorite vice.

2010-07-29T09:13:00.012-04:00

A lot of my workday is spent on Archive.org, watching and capturing old 16mm educational films much like this Sparkling Gem of a video, featuring a jumpsuit-wearing safety superheroine from space:

Archive.org also has a great audio resource section on their website, chock full of interesting little things to listen to. Here are some of my favorites:

The Conet Project: WXYC used to have this compilation, and I played the hell out of it. Creepy recordings of spy / number station broadcasts.
Netlabels: "This collection hosts complete, freely downloadable/streamable, often Creative Commons-licensed catalogs of (1500) virtual record labels" such as:
Mirakelmusik: For fans of the Maurizio Bianchi single that's been getting a lot of play on WXYC this summer, I've been streaming his Mokushi XVI album all morning.

Have fun committing time theft today !

Howl for Jesus (or something like that)

2010-07-28T17:00:00.004-04:00

Every year, WXYC polls all one million (give or take) of its DJs to figure out the best releases of the year. Last year, it was Raekwon da Chef's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...Vol. II. The year before that, it was Animal Collective's Merriwhether Post Pavillion. This year, I think it's safe to say that this guy's album is going to be the album of the year. Hands down. All we need now is someone to hook this this up with the Virtuous Woman people.

Dumistrescu Conducts the Hyperion Ensemble

2010-07-28T15:50:00.004-04:00

one my many joys in life is watching youtube videos of conductors and this is one of my favorites. iancu (we actually have some of his stuff in our library!) normally is a pretty funky looking dude, and when his hands start waving, his expressiveness can't be topped.

on another day i'd end this post with a david keenan joke.

Lau Nau + Kuupuu

2010-07-27T17:54:00.006-04:00

Improv collab. of two Finnish free-folk ladies, both oft-heard on XYC.

Lauryn Hill - Repercussions

2010-07-26T10:38:00.001-04:00

Is this an ACTUAL new Lauryn Hill song? Is this even good? Does it matter? Now that she’s basically the William Forrester of hip-hop, anything that comes from the Lauryn Hill camp has to be treated as Internet Gold.

It seems like Ms. Hill is gearing up for a comeback, what with the whole her headlining Rock The Bells thing, plus she’s actually talking to reporters again, and now this. Though, again, nobody really knows whether this actually new, or just some long-lost song from the vaults that’s only now getting leaked. Listen to it while you can, because you can bank on her people demanding pretty much every leaked iteration of this song to be removed from the internets. As for whether her people will then demand that the internet be set on fire for even implicitly allowing this to occur, it’s anybody’s guess.

And just for the record, this song is kind of the shit.

The Pop Group Are Getting Back Together!

2010-07-26T07:57:00.004-04:00

After disbanding for no reason (there probably was a reason) in 1981, The Pop Group have decided to give it another shot and have reformed to do some live dates, plus record an album if they can keep their shit together for long enough.

If you ain't already know, The Pop Group were a seminal post-punk band that got going right about as punk started happening, which makes them either (a) really, really ahead of the curve, or (b) not actually post-punk. Despite not being able to play their instruments particularly well, they managed to crank out two gems in "She Is Beyond Good And Evil" and "We Are All Prostitutes," plus a killer, noisy debut album, a pretty okay follow up and a split single with The Slits before the group disbanded due to internal differences. Their lead singer Mark Stewart ended up working with hellof dudes like Trent Reznor and other people who I can't think of right now, plus he kinda-sorta started trip-hop, so he's to be credited (or blamed, depending on who you're asking) for that.

Catch them in Italy and the UK this year (because you are definitely in Europe right now), or just gush to your friends that this super-obscure British band is getting back together even though you don't really know all that much about them (this is basically what I am doing), or if you actually like them, you already knew this was happening, which basically renders this blog post moot. Oh well, these are still some pretty good songs.

Don Carlo Gesualdo

2010-07-23T18:14:00.005-04:00

Here's a nice, short (abridged) biography of the late Renaissance composer Don Carlo Gesualdo, which I found here. To summarize, he's an insane, awful man, who on multiple occasions attacked his spouses. His story is disturbing, almost matching the madness in his compositions:

[Carlo] Gesualdo’s passion for music began at a very young age, as with Mozart, and as a child he had no interests outside his lute and harpsichord and singing, apart from an interest in the other young boys that he sang with. As the second son he could indulge his interest as the running of the estate would fall upon the shoulders of his brother, Luigi, and not himself. But in 1584 his elder brother died and it became incumbent upon Carlo to produce the necessary heir. The bride chosen for him was his cousin Donna Maria d’Avalos and they married in 1586...Futhermore the marriage was not for love but procreation. A son was required to continue the line and to prevent the estate reverting to the Papacy. Donna Maria had already been widowed twice before the age of thirty, having been first married at the age of fifteen, and importantly, had already produced two children so was demonstrably fertile (she is also claimed to have been beautiful and charming). The requisite son, Don Emmanuele, was rapidly produced and within a couple of years the Prince had lost interest in her returning to his young men and music.
...[Donna Maria] would find a new love-interest in the form of young Don Fabrizio Carafa, Duke of Andria, himself married and father to four children.
In order that they could meet and indulge themselves thay had to bribe the many servants who were in constant attendance and affording no privacy; but they managed a two-year passionate affair before wind of it got to Prince Gesualdo. They were not so much discovered as betrayed by Don Carlo’s uncle, Don Giulio, who had himself approached Donna Maria and been rebuffed on many occassions. "...But when whispers came to his ears concerning the loves and pleasures of Donna Maria and the Duke of Andria, such was the wrath and fury which assailed him on discovering that the strumpet did lie with others, that straightway he revealed all to the Prince."
All might still have been well with Don Fabrizio suggesting that they should cool things as he was aware that knowledge of their dalliance was spreading, but Princess Donna Maria declared that she was not afraid of discovery and if he was then he should be a lackey not a Prince. She would rather suffer the sword than his betrayal. Thus he agreed that they would, if necessary, die for their love. Don Carlo laid a trap for them by announcing that he was departing on an overnight hunting expedition; and hunt he did by smashing down Donna Maria’s bedroom door discovering the pair in flagrante delicto (well they were actually asleep post-flagrante delicto) whereupon he set upon and murdered them both and ordered that their naked bodies be exposed to the public. The next day all the city flocked to see. Donna Maria’s stab wounds were mostly in her belly "..and more particularly in those parts which she ought to have kept chaste" and the Duke had even more grevious wounds. It is even reported that whilst the corpes were exposed a San Dominican monk ravished Donna Maria’s inert body.
Because of his rank Gesualdo was never brought to trial for these murders but it would seem they did affect him deeply and were possibly the start of a manic depressive mental illness. In atonement he, like Macbeth, razed the forest around his castle so that his shame could not be hidden by it and he built a monastery with a chapel for which he commissioned a painting showing himself, the wicked uncle, Don Giulio, the corpses of Maria and her lover...
...In spite of having murdered his wife another one was soon found for him. The Duke Alfonso II d’Este of Ferrara did not have an heir and wished to prevent his estate reverting to the papacy. He proposed that his cousin, Eleonora d’Este should marry Gesualdo to circumvent this. Gesualdo was persuaded, not by any beauty of Eleonora whom he had never met, but by the musical riches at Duke Alfonso’s court who was himself fanatical about music. In February, 1594 they were married in courtly splendour and the union was celebrated in many odes, sonnets and madrigals. The next couple of years were very productive for Gesualdo and he composed the four books of five-part madrigals for which he has become known. Every day the court musicians would assemble after dinner and sing for a couple of hours accompanied by an amazing range of instruments described by the chronicler Girolamo Merenda as including cornetti, tromboni, dolzaine (?), piffarotti (?), viole, ribecchini, lute,guitar, harp, clavicembalo, and an archicembalo which had several keyboards and a capacity for producing microtones.
Don Carlo Gesualdo may have become a great musician but he was not a good husband and conducted several affairs (dallying with both sexes) and there were rumours that he was cruel to his new wife, who by now had born him a son, Alfonsino. In 1596 he returned to Gesualdo without his wife and child intent on setting up his own musical court. The next year Duke Alfonso died and with him the musical tradition at Ferrara, and Eleonora and Alfonsino rejoined Don Carlo at Gesualdo. Don Carlo was already ill with asthma but he rapidly became afflicted with a manic depressive illness leading to a deterioration in his behaviour exhibited in sadism and masochism. He began to illtreat his wife, beating her and ignoring her and flaunting a pretty new mistress. Yet whenever Eleonora went away he would long for her and beg her to return only for the violence to start again. Don Carlo became so deranged that he felt he could have no peace unless he was beaten three times a day by a team of ten young men. He "...was unable to go to the stool, without having been previously flogged by a valet kept expressly for the purpose." He found it soothing to receive blows to the temple and other parts of the body...

Rusko ft. Amber Coffman - "Hold On"

2010-07-23T05:44:00.004-04:00

Maybe it’s just me, but Rusko seems like kind of an asshole. Actually, it’s definitely just me since Rusko is a musician who I have never met before and I shouldn’t be casting disparagements upon his character. Or, it’s because he makes not-very-serious music within the context of a genre (dubstep) that, as a general rule, takes itself VERY seriously. Or or, maybe it’s because he executive produced that God-awful M.I.A. album that is basically an insult to complex thought that I kind of feel obligated to defend, if only because Pitchfork hated it (I have very complex feelings!).

I guess my point is that despite all that (and the despite the fact that “It Takes A Muscle” is actually really, really good), I can’t stop listening to Rusko’s song “Hold On.” The song is almost a subversion of dubstep, employing the wonky sub-bass that typifies the genre and throwing it at your face at an alarming rate, layering some gurgly synths up on top of that, and taking Amber Coffman of the Dirty Projectors and employing her as an auxiliary house diva for the win. Feel free just to let the audio play and turn your Internet Attentions elsewhere, because that's what I did.

For the double win, peep the 12th Planet remix, which stretches the song out, giving it a Southern Rap stomp that would make Pimp C proud.

Speaking of which, Free ~~Pimp C~~ TI ~~Gucci~~ Weezy!

WXYC Likes Pie

2010-07-21T09:59:00.004-04:00

Weezer vs. Y Fuego Mod

2010-07-19T22:34:00.010-04:00

Well how about that... I actually kept a promise (for once) and here I am, following up to my previous post with another installment concerning the (more recent) shenanigans that XYCers get themselves into.

Shall we roll with it? Ok. Ok. Here we go >>>>

I don't get out much. No, I mean, really -- most weekend nights you'll find me cooped up in my beautiful apartment, drinking German beer and reading J.G. Ballard short stories. This past weekend I was doing just that... cool breeze, fresh bowl of fried rice, and a rare Saturday night show from WXYC's longtime (soon retiring) program director Kellen C (who, by the way, runs an excellent basketball-themed [sort of] blog).

Due to a scheduling snafu, there was a blank spot in the schedule following the show. It turns out that there is a cure for the (WXYC) summertime blues. Enter Y Fuego Mod, noise project of Music Director Jonathan W and new DJ Jon O. Fresh from a gig earlier that night in Greensboro, they took control of the airwaves and kept WXYC pumpin' the jams for 6 HOURS. They even treated the listening audience to a live performance right out of the XYC control room.

Banging on what looks to be a scrap A/C vent and not without the implementation of some power tools (those poor microphones!) and a skipping record, our radio heroes brutalized the airwaves with some primitive-industrial noise. Here's a clip to share with mom and pop:

download

But then the night took a strange turn, the duo proceeded to sing along to Weezer's "Surf Wax America." Why Weezer?... why that song?... I don't know... but the end product was charming and totally fucked. What we have here is a true testament to the ever-present influence of Indie Rock on the WXYC DJ, a decomposing manuscript of teenage Summers and high school car ride sing-a-longs before the days of existential angst and heady coming-of-age lyrics.

download

It's OK that they can't remember the lyrics... even the best of us have trouble with this sort of thing. At least they went for it... and doesn't it kind of make you want to give the Blue Album a quick spin, just for old times sake? You know, sing along to Buddy Holly or Say It Ain't So at the top of your lungs? OK, maybe not, but the band does seem to be a karaoke fixture these days...

As the Summer schedule proper quickly comes to a close and WXYC transitions to the dreaded "sign-ups" period, I hope to catch more DJ sing alongs and general in-studio improvisation.... I mean, come on, when else is someone in another state (or country for that matter) going to laugh comfortably from their armchair at your wrecked nostalgia?

-dvd

WXYC Goes Viral

2010-07-06T20:51:00.008-04:00

Greetings everyone from the light at the end of the (Holland) tunnel! That's right, beautiful Jersey City is my home away from home for the Summer. Even though I can still pick up great free-form radio on the FM dial, I've found myself tuning into WXYC's webcast quite regularly. There is no better cure for a scorching hot Sunday morning (damn you urban heat-bubble) than a cold beer and a little OCS on the stereo.

As will happen during the Summer months, the WXYC blog seems to be.... well, completely neglected. In an effort to keep it somewhat up to date, I've decided to do a post or two in my own bland and underwhelming style. Bear with me here, as we delve into the WXYC history books...

From turn of the millenium WXYC 'zine Signal to Noise, Barry Summerlin explains the WXYC computer virus and its possible origins as a prank on our darling rivals over in Durham:

If anyone has the goods on the WXYC computer virus, no one's talking. Antivirus software maker McAfee says it was first tipped to the WXYC virus, which only affects PCs running the DOS operating system (i.e. Macs, machines running Unix, Linux et al are in the clear), in October 1992. The WXYC virus -- actually there's a whole gang of them cited in various online virus directories: Stoned.WXYC, WXYC.A, WXYC.A*, WXYC.A-O and WXYC.B, possibly more -- is a fairly common derivative of one of the most common computer viruses, Stoned.

Stoned family viruses corrupt the master boot record of a hard drive (usually by hiding a computer's startup instructions, eating some memory and replicating themselves onto any non write-protected floppy disks accessed) as well as a floppy disk's boot sector (which, when booting a computer from an infected disk, corrupt the master boot record of a hard drive, and the cycle continues).

The original Stoned virus contains the text "LEGALIZE MARIJUANA!" in the viral source code (the behind-the-scenes (screens?) instructions that run the virus, which would not display on a terminal). About once every eight times one reboots a 'Stoned' computer, the text "Your PC is now Stoned!" will be displayed. The WXYC virus is similar, writing "WXYC rules this roost!" on the screen 1 in 7 times that an infected computer is booted. The text "JAM WXYC" is contained in the viral code.

Other Stoned virus derivatives (there's about 100) pay homage to such WXYC-pertinent topics as the Jesus and Mary Chain (Stoned.J&M.C), Frank Zappa (Stoned.Zappa; on Dec. 4th (Frank's death date), it displays "Dedicated to ZAPPA..."), and the Chinese government's student massacre at Tienanmen Square (Stoned.Bloody; on June 4th displays the text "Bloody! Jun. 4, 1989").

The WXYC listing at IBM's antivirus site Inside The Lab notes that "WXYC is the call sign of a university radio station in the Eastern United States; the virus first appeared on the campus of a nearby rival university." This is somewhat corroborated from this virus alert from the February 1996 issue of Connections, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences' internal newsletter: "A PC virus was found at NIEHS. The virus came to NIEHS on a diskette from Duke University. The virus is a master boot sector virus that will state 'WXYC rules this roost' upon bootup of your PC."

The odds are pretty long against anyone 'fessing up to the WXYC virus, especially in print. North Carolina considers "introducing, directly or indirectly, a computer program, (including a self-replicating or a self-propagating computer program) into a computer, computer system, or computer network" a Class 1 misdemeanor, the most serious classification of misdemeanor; if actual damage from the virus exceeds $1,000, it's a felony in North Carolina, which could land our geek in the pokey.

Paul Jones, Director of UNC MetaLab, reports the WXYC virus remains "in the wild," which is geekspeak regarding a virus that remains in circulation. WXYC-B and tons of other viruses are available from mint-hpvac.com/virii/virii.html, if you make a good case ("ONLY those who need these files for researching viruses will get a reply."). On the offchance the WXYC virus resurfaces on your PC, current antivirus software from McAfee, Symantec's Norton line et al will detect and make short work of it; a specific fix for the WXYC virus is available at ftp://ftp.edu.tw/PC/simtelnet/msdos/virus/qwxyc.zip

...I hope you all enjoyed this little blast from the WXYC vaults, and who knows, you might have even learned something. As we learned today, those who don't learn from the past are doomed to spend 90 days in jail (but she was helping the kids?!). Till next time...

-dvd

WXYC DJ on UNC Student Television!

2010-04-13T17:32:00.002-04:00

An interview with WXYC DJ Brian Heim (left), aka Rhetoric, on UNC STV. DJ Kyle R. is interviewing him. Click here!

Things That Go Bump In The Night

2010-03-08T10:28:00.005-05:00

About a month ago I had out my EMF meter and saw some unexpected readings on the display. I pulled out my IR thermometer to take a measurement, but before I could even turn it on I began to hear strange noises. I always have my audio recorder handy, and I immediately pressed the record button. What I heard truly astonished me, and if I hadn't been able to preserve those sounds on tape I wouldn't have believed my own ears. Until now I was afraid to play my recording for anyone. But the world needs to know.

Like a voice from beyond the grave, I captured 45 minutes of the left-for-dead FEEDBACK FARM!

Play

or Download (21MB MP3).

Clara Rockmore, theremin virtuosa

2010-03-04T17:53:00.005-05:00

During my radio show last week I noticed that Art of the Theremin by Clara Rockmore is currently in rotation at WXYC. From Mississippi Records (who reissued the album):

"This LP, originally recorded and released by Delos International in 1977, features the eerily beautiful theremin accompanied by piano (played by Nadia Reisenberg.) A record of stark simplicity and emotional intensity. Mississippi is proud to present the first ever vinyl reissue of this material."

Art of the Theremin was produced by Robert Moog and features Rockmore's sister, Nadia Reisenberg, on piano. It's a beautiful album and I'm really excited to hear it on the radio! (NOTE: If you happened to catch the Inside Track on Monday night, we played this album in its entirety!)

March in Thonburi by MPY

2010-03-03T17:03:00.001-05:00

"March in Thonburi is an experimental short, created over two years by Michael Paul Young. After relocating from Baltimore to Bangkok, Thailand, in 2007, Young sought to expose how the many sensory influences of his adopted country have affected him. The result, March in Thonburi, embodies a richsensory journey through an urban cultural atmosphere from the perspective of a stranger in a strange land."

Gangstarr's Guru undergoes successful surgery

2010-03-03T10:13:00.002-05:00

A nice follow up to some bad news: Gangstarr's Guru had a massive heart attack this past weekend but underwent successful surgery and seems to be recovering well according to a report at AllHipHop. This is good news for fans of Guru, Gangstarr, and hip hop in general. We should figure out some way to celebrate. OH I KNOW HOW:

Old Time Jam

2010-02-26T14:07:00.005-05:00

WXYC DJ Emily Hilliard recently started a monthly Old Time Jam at the Nightlight in Chapel Hill. Last night was the first one and it was a big success! I saw lots of fiddles, guitars, banjos, a mandolin, an accordion, a baritone ukulele, a washtub bass & MORE!

If you play old time music you should come out next month. Musicians of all skill levels are welcome to play! The bar is open and there is also a ping pong table, so even if you don't participate in the jam you can come hang out and listen to the music!

OLD TIME JAM

last Thursday of every month

6:30-9pm

at Nightlight

wxyc got soul

2010-02-18T19:00:00.004-05:00

Tonight on WXYC veteran DJ Jason Perlmutter will host his 8th annual Carolina Soul Thursday Night Feature!

From Jason-

"Tune in for a broad range of soul music made in North and South Carolina in the 1960s through the 1980s. The first two hours will offer danceable '60s and '70s releases, while 11pm will mean it's time for '70s and '80s slow jams, a few of which may come from the soulful gospel scene."

ALSO...

Tomorrow night (Fri. 2/19) I'm hosting a Soul/Funk/R&B DANCE PARTY at The Station in Carrboro! It's free and all ages are welcome! I'll be playing all types of soul- Motown, Northern Soul, Southern Soul, Memphis Soul- pretty much anything goes. Hope to see you out on the dance floor!

DJ Mark Katz in the news!

2010-02-17T17:59:00.002-05:00

Read it here:

http://www.chapelhillnews.com/news/story/55264.html

February

2010-02-17T12:34:00.002-05:00

WXYC DJ Kevin Clark takes a dissociative stroll through the local stomping grounds.

wxyc is everywhere

2010-02-17T12:03:00.004-05:00

Bathroom @ The Smell in Downtown LA

Time for the music...

2009-11-08T18:23:00.008-05:00

If you haven't heard yet - WXYC HAS A NEW FM BROADCAST! We're VERY excited about the new signal, pumping fresh and clean at 1100 watts! We made the switch a little before 10am this past Friday, November 6th, 2009. Howie H. (our Chief Engineer) has been working on this project since the mid 90s and I know he was overjoyed to finally hit the ON button (look at that wry smile!). Lauren B. (former station manager) was on-air for the switch and got things started off with Queen's "Radio Ga Ga". As for myself, I put the old signal to bed and luckily had a small digital camera with me to record the intense action. Not without its minor hitches, this is a true radio drama. Enjoy!

Girl Talk Live on WXYC!

2009-10-27T20:46:00.005-04:00

If you weren't near your radio (or computer) last Wednesday night you missed the live broadcast of Girl Talk on WXYC. Thankfully, this unique event was recorded and has been archived here for your listening enjoyment.

Yes, for some reason none of the boys could make it to the Feedback Farm, and Steph and Julianna were left to woman the ship. Hear them giggle and talk about all things girly (like clothes and make-up and boys).

And now it's even easier:

Play

or Download (24MB MP3).

Party All Night

2009-10-17T13:55:00.004-04:00

Ever wonder how our magnificent late night DJs always sound so refreshingly awake at 4am? Recently, our very own Noel C investigated the phenomenon for a piece originally aired on local AM station WCHL 1360. Here's the scoop!

Four on the Floor

2009-10-15T16:31:00.003-04:00

What's more exciting than the release of a new Grand Theft Auto game? Well, only the posting of the last IV Feedback Farm episodes!

If you haven't heard the Farm in a while, here's your chance to catch up. While one of these episodes was airing, a friend walked into the room and commented, "Is this the Feedback Farm? I thought they had gone downhill, but this is good!"

From August 26th, we have an episode about Garbage (19MB MP3). Sorry, only 40 minutes of the episode were captured. The other 20 minutes ended up in the trash.

On September 9th, the Farmers got all warm and fuzzy with an episode about Friends (26MB MP3).

Two weeks later, on September 23rd, the airwaves once again crested, this time with a programme dedicated to the Ocean (26MB MP3).

Finally, on October 7th the Farmers were abuzz with Coffee Talk (24MB MP3).

Enjoy at maximum velocity, but be sure to turn on the radio in your stolen car on October 21st at 9pm WXYC time for the next installment of the Feedback Farm!

The Cure For What Ails You

2009-08-21T13:29:00.008-04:00

My my my but health care has become quite the divisive issue in the United States, no? Perhaps it was to be expected, but when you really think about it, is there some good reason that we should be able to drive on the highways for free but not be guaranteed medical treatment if we need it? I wonder how many of the people who are against the idea of universal health care would agree that their own mothers should be denied treatment if they couldn't afford it?

Well, I could go on, but I'll let the Feedback Farmers do the talking instead. Click here (60MB MP3) to hear last week's programme on health care.

Be sure to tune in Wednesday, August 26th at 9pm WXYC time to hear the next Feedback Farm episode, which is on a related topic: Garbage.

Blast from the Past

2009-08-01T02:28:00.002-04:00

What's old became new again on the most recent episode of the Feedback Farm. How much more retro could the Farmers be than to do a show about dinosaurs? Exploring every facet of our prehistoric brethren with one foot in the past and one foot on the loop station, the programme presented the subject matter in that way only the Feedback Farmers can.

If you'd like to hear the show, have your scrawny dinosaur arm drag the mouse and click here (55MB MP3).

Four-Play

2009-07-11T00:35:00.006-04:00

Oh holy isht! It wasn't long ago that I typed the "greatest post in the history of blogging" and expressed my desire that I never fall three Feedback Farm episodes behind on the WXYC blog again. Well, due to some factors within my control and a few beyond it, this time around I've outdone myself and fallen no less than six episodes behind.

Unfortunately, one of the factors beyond my control was the utter implosion of my hard drive. This hardware failure prevents me from presenting to you the April 22nd and May 6th episodes of the Farm, in which Shakespeare and Pirates were respectively (if not respectfully) featured. Those episodes are gone forever. Unless that listener from Paraguay happens to have them on his hard drive. Mr Paraguayan, if you're out there, email us at wxycfeedbackfarm at gmail dot com.

Anyway, I DO have four episodes for you this morning.

1. From May 20th (57MB MP3). In which the Feedback Farmers define "condiment" and rank the world's top 10. Now I see why the Farmers asked me to post that hot dog & mustard tshirt photo.

Do you know the 6 characteristics of a condiment? Do you know the difference between a main dish, a condiment, a flavorful lubricant, and a topping? What's the number 1 condiment of all time? Do you care? Then give it a listen.

2. From June 3rd (57 MB MP3). When condiments are around, meat can't be far away. Take a bite. Hot dogs not discussed this evening because they were discussed at another time. Tasty.

3. From June 17th (63MB MP3). In which the automobile is taken apart piece by piece and completely rebuilt. Poorly attended by the Farmers themselves, and those who bothered to show up don't even regularly drive. Perhaps that tells you what to expect from this car wreck of a show.

4. Lastly, from July 1st (54MB MP3). Following the sudden, tragic death of pop superstar and cultural icon Michael Jackson, the Feedback Farmers paid him their last disrespects. The show progressed much like Jackson's career: strong in the first half and then it fizzled out.

6/25/2009 Thursday Night Feature: Anime Themes!

2009-06-24T11:20:00.010-04:00

Full speed through the stingy night!
I'm not interested in treasure anyway
A romance in the pocket, and
You wanna be my friend?
We are, we are on the cruise! We are!

-First opening song to One Piece

It's pop music, eastern philosophy, sci-fi, and lyrics that probably didn't make sense even before they were translated. It's anime theme music--nothing else comes close and WXYC is the station to give it its just moment in the sun! This Thursday at 9pm prepare for 3 hours of the highest energy jams to get fan subbed and leaked all on the internet.

Death Note Opening 2:

One Piece Opening 1:

Fullmetal Alchemist Openings 1-4:

Heart of Sword Ending:

Naruto Ending:

Lupin 3rd (78):

Lupin 3rd (02):

Will post more up to & during the show! See you at 9pm tomorrow (6/25)!
-Luke M

Teamwork

2009-05-19T23:37:00.005-04:00

The Feedback Farmers asked me to post this photo to the blog. I'm not sure why.

They also wanted me to tell you to tune in to WXYC on Wednesday, May 20th at 9pm WXYC time. 89.3FM in the Chapel Hill area or wxyc.org!

Digging up Carts Pt. 2

2009-05-12T12:38:00.004-04:00

And we're back... this time I've got 2 more gems from "Into the Ground". First off, the :45 second intro bite for the show circa 1992-93. Second, a cart tape that was simply labeled Monster Battle. I'm not sure what it was used for, but it features some great tape work.

-dvd

Into the Ground Intro 92-93.mp3

monsterbattle.mp3

Digging Up Carts Pt. 1

2009-05-06T15:56:00.005-04:00

Now that finals are over and I have some time to kill, I'd like to share with you all some old school WXYC audio goodness fresh from the carts.

This first installment comes from an old show (not that old, I'm sure some of you still remember it) called "Into The Ground". I'll be posting a lot more recordings from this classic 'xyc "talk" show, but for now, enjoy these!

-dvd

Into the Ground Sports
itg-sports.wav

And if you thought that was a little too aggravating...
waves.mp3

Feedback Ranch

2009-04-14T20:46:00.004-04:00

Last Wednesday there was a showdown at the Double-U (XYC) Corral. The Feedback Ranchers (nee Farmers) took a journey on horseback through the dusty plains, arid deserts, and precipitous mountains of the American West. Exploring the music, films, characters, and tropes of a time gone by, the Ranchers produced a fitting homage to a period that continues to pique our imaginations. Saddle up and join the Ranchers on their tour of the wild west by clicking here (28MB MP3).

All the real cowpokes click here for a bonus track (5MB MP3).

They Sold The Farm

2009-04-08T23:17:00.002-04:00

The Feedback Farmers sell out! OK, probably not news to anyone who's been paying attention, but they made it official on the last programme.

Poor Steph traveled all the way to Austin, Texas, to attend the South by Southwest music festival (aka "South By"), and while there she conducted interviews and prepared a special report for WXYC. But when she tried to broadcast her recordings, the boys thwarted her at every opportunity.

Apparently, while Steph was out of town, her testosterone-fueled fellow Farmers were lining up advertisers to pad their pockets, and the show was continually interrupted by commercials. Commercials are annoying in their own right, but beyond that you had to feel bad for Steph whose hard work didn't receive the respect it deserved.

Why she puts up with them is another mystery not to be solved.

If, for some strange reason, you actually want to listen to this advertisement-laden episode (perhaps you're in the market for...everything?), you can download it here (27MB MP3).

Starstruck

2009-03-14T00:31:00.006-04:00

I was hoping to get this posted last night, but who could have predicted that the Syracuse vs UConn game would go into SIX overtime periods? And, after that wrapped up, who could have predicted that the building across the street from me would catch on fire, both further distracting me from blogging and keeping me up into the wee hours?

Well, probably a person who's into astrology could have predicted it, that's who! Since I'm not such a person, I defer to the Feedback Farmers to expound on the topic.

Which they did in stellar fashion on Wednesday night. Steph explained what astrology is all about and successfully volleyed the naysaying of Andrew B, PJ, and Kevin. (Andy K and Bryson couldn't be bothered to show up.) Local opinions on the topic were mixed, though most people seemed to think astrology is more fun diversion than science. You can relive the otherworldly programme in all its heavenly glory and decide for yourself about astrology by clicking here (30MB MP3).

Sound Opinions on WXYC

2009-03-01T12:04:00.004-05:00

A week or two ago, hosts of rock music talk show Sound Opinions Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot stopped by Chapel Hill and gave a talk on the Future of Music: how the internet is disrupting the entrenched system of Commercial Music, what everyone's going to do about it, what the audience thinks, etc. Attendees were frequently overheard saying how it went well, though there were some accounts of a mysterious heckler bumming people out towards the end. If you weren't there, it's a good thing that Jim and Greg were nice enough to stop by the station for this interview with Andy K and Andrew B earlier that day, which addresses most of the same issues as the talk.

Feast Or Farmin'

2009-02-26T08:28:00.007-05:00

It's unprecedented (and hopefully it will never be repeated) that I've fallen so far behind in posting past Feedback Farm episodes, but it's been 4 weeks since a new programme hit this blog. In an effort to catch up on my homework in the most efficient way possible, I present here not 1, not 2, but 3, yes 3 Feedback Farm shows--all in 1 blog post!

From way back on January 28th we have the episode in which the Feedback Farmers gave you the Best of 2008 as they saw it. Being intensely myopic, they saw no further than their own show and thus counted down, sort of, the 10 best Feedback Farm episodes of last year. Imagine the level of chaos present during a normal episode, multiply that by 10, and that's what you've got here. Click this link to hear for yourself (27MB MP3).

Two weeks later the Farmers took to the airwaves and web once more with a show about sports. This was appropriate as the programme took place during the UNC vs Dook men's basketball game (Carolina victory, 101-87, hell yeah), but because of this coincidence the show was heard by absolutely no one. Here's your chance to listen to this "lost episode." Click here to download (30MB MP3).

Hoy Hoy! Finally, last night the Farmers talked on and about Alexander Graham Bell's world-altering invention, the telephone. 6 hours of phone calls in 60 minutes; just about par for the show. Download the programme here (30MB MP3).

Enjoy the shows. They should keep you busy for two weeks when the Feedback Farmers return for another befuddling episode.

WXYC Featured in Blue&White This Month!

2009-02-09T19:41:00.003-05:00

Blue & White wrote about WXYC in its February issue. I personally apologize for any stupid things said during this interview. It was 6 in the morning, sorry!

Blue & White: Read it Online!

Walking on a Dream

2009-02-03T17:21:00.004-05:00

Quite pleased to see one the members of PNAU out and about spreading the talent. New project of his (with another) called Empire of the Sun is apparently lighting the eastern hemisphere (the English speaking part at least) ablaze. No U.S. release date has been announced, but keep your bananas pealed.

Here is the single Walking on a Dream making it's rounds. Enjoy.

In The Grooves Of This Blog Post Is The Sound Of John Cage

2009-01-14T23:53:00.003-05:00

The Feedback Farmers must have thought they were being all intellectual by choosing to put on a John Cage Extravaganza. But it was barely 16 minutes into the hour and PJ was called a moron. This was long before he devilishly advocated for Max's position on the composer, so it's still hard to believe that the caller could have figured out so quickly that PJ is in fact an idiot. Perhaps the caller was a repeat listener. On second thought, that's even harder to believe. I suppose that's another mystery not to be solved.

Anyway, John Cage was an interesting character. His career was long and varied, and the Farmers tried to summarize the man in 60 minutes. Perhaps a bit too ambitious. But it was interesting to hear them perform a few of Cage's more conceptual pieces. Despite the show's shortcomings, which you can determine for yourself, the phone rang off the hook. Apparently, 16+ years after his death, John Cage still piques people's interests and tempers.

Download the programme here (30MB MP3).

To Protect And To Serve

2009-01-10T21:29:00.003-05:00

The police are out there, doing their thing. What they do is sometimes controversial, sometimes appreciated. The Feedback Farmers examined the role of the police in their most recent programme, which wasn't all that recent. December 17th, 2008, in fact. Check it out anyway. You can download the show here (28MB MP3).

Be sure to tune in to WXYC at 89.3FM in the Chapel Hill area or at wxyc.org worldwide on the Internet this Wednesday, January 14th from 9pm until 10pm. The Farmers are back from their long vacations and ready to kick off the 2009 radio season! Be there!

Song of the South

2008-12-04T02:13:00.007-05:00

It was Civil War on the Feedback Farm last night as the Farmers took on the South. Vast, unique, diverse, full of history and potential, the topic was probably more than anyone could handle in 60 minutes. And even playing 4 hours worth of material in the course of 1 hour they didn't get to everything. I mean, they never even mentioned NASCAR, debutantes, or Cheerwine! (Not to mention Kentucky Nip*!)

Well, they tried. And it was great to once again hear the voice of WXYC-alum Nelson G, even if that voice was just barely audible.

It was surprising that the phone rang so many times during this particular programme. The Farmers themselves tried to come up with an explanation as to why, especially during what was supposed to be a big, close basketball game (final score, #1 UNC 98, #12(?) Michigan St 63), so many people called tonight compared with recent weeks.

Maybe people were listening to the radio instead of studying for finals?

Maybe the callers were boning up for their exam on Southern history and culture?

You can download the programme here (28MB MP3).

*According to the bottle, Kentucky Nip is "Smooth as a Southern gent, and sassy as a Southern belle." Gotta love it.

1-800-MAKE-MUS-ick

2008-12-01T21:17:00.007-05:00

Maybe there was once a time and a place you might be able to do a little diddy on your daddy's cell phone-or maybe even the phone on the wall. Those rotary phones were kinda musical too weren't they? In any event, I once remember having the distinct opportunity to play 'Mary had a little lamb' using the very few butttons that were once on phones. Maybe you can try it yourself. here it goes...(dead serious try it)..

6545666 555 6 88

Ok the only part that doesn't work too well is the last two 8s but see for yourself. Also that is only the first part of it. You get the point though

Tekmology as Ali G would say has made a gargantuan leap since. So I am one of those people that got caught with the iPhone virus. I am doing just fine however. With this thingymagicgy I can make my own songs without that 6545666 shit to remember. I can play an octave on a keyboard, a set of drums, or a host of other noises. I can even do a turntable scratch with this application that goes by the name of MixMeister Scratch. The only application I have really used has been the iDrum. iAbhor whenever iShows up before everything iSee, but this program is pretty cool. You can program in what becomes 16th notes at whatever interval you would like and can either make a syncopated beat that would make your grandma shake, or a basic 4/4 banger. Of, course there is no soul inside the 8 gigs of memory.

A lot of issues are raised by the rise of these applications. Will these be the new instruments? What if a performer gets a call while he's playing a drum solo on his blackberry? Might they even supplant some whizz dj/producer's laptop? Nobody knows for now. A few years down the road, I'd sure as hell like to find out.

Tragic Kingdoms

2008-11-20T10:44:00.004-05:00

Sam Cooke once famously professed that he didn't know much biology. Well, apparently neither do the Feedback Farmers. That didn't stop them from trying to explain it, though.

Last night's show was a wild ride through the realms of bacteria, other more bad-ass bacteria, protists, fungi, plants, and animals. Give 'er an ear here (27MB).

P.S. A belated welcome to Farmer Andrew Bryson, who journeyed deep into the Amazon with little more than a backpack in search of the fungi segment heard on last night's programme.

F-F-F-Fear the F-F-F-Farm

2008-11-20T09:20:00.003-05:00

A few weeks ago, WXYC had a scare when its website disappeared from the face of the Internet. During that time the blog was also down and therefore as you are probably aware, I was unable to share the on-air scare that is the Feedback Fair, er, Farm.

But now you can relive the terror of the November 5, 2008 Feeback Farm as the Farmers explore your deepest fears. Click here to download the show (28MB MP3).

Not for the f-f-f-faint of heart.

Vote Early & Vote Often

2008-10-23T02:40:00.011-04:00

The Feedback Farmers said that October 2008 would be a high water mark for their feeble show, and I think they were right. Coming off last week's programme on the Economic Crisis the Farmers put together 60 more mostly listenable minutes in their pre-election extravaganza. If they keep this up I may have to roll up my pants to keep my shins dry in the cresting deluge.

Have you decided who you're going to vote for? Still trying to make up your mind? Hoping that the Feedback Farm will resolve any remaining questions you have about the candidates?

Well, the biggest criticism I have of this episode of the Farm is that, like Sarah Palin, it was weak on the issues. The collages were better than usual, but the listeners expected insight and endorsements to help them make up their minds as Election Day (Tuesday, November 4th!) draws nigh.

Still, to give credit where it's due, I was able to listen to almost the entire show, which has only happened a few times before. See how much you can get through. Download the programme here (28MB MP3). If nothing else, it'll motivate you to VOTE! As the Farmers said, vote for whomever you like, but VOTE!

PS Kevin Clark tie-dyed with a terrorist.

Stock Markets Down, Feedback Farm Up

2008-10-09T08:29:00.003-04:00

You can never be sure how the Feedback Farmers will perform, but after last night one might theorize the quality of their programme is inversely related to the Dow.

Taking on the many facets of the financial crisis, the Farmers actually put together a halfway decent show. They even seemed to find a new fan in their first caller of the evening. Or maybe it was just Peter Joseph slyly trying to get free advertising for his film Zeitgeist, the Movie.

If you're worried about your money, frustrated by the $700 billion bailout of Wall Street, concerned about not being able to get a much needed loan, or just want to learn more about economics, there are, of course, better sources for cogent commentary. But if you don't have time to do a lot of research and want to get the most bang for your buck (who doesn't in these times?), click here (28MB MP3) for 5 hours of information in 60 minutes. That's economy.

Live Hip Hop Comes to the Cat's Cradle

2008-10-08T19:38:00.002-04:00

It's a Saturday night and a couple of thousand people are cheering as our Tarheels destroy UConn in a game of football. Not so far down the way a handful of people are spread throughout the floor at the Cat's Cradle, listening as opening act Mosadi Music appropriately opens the show with their vocally smooth and instrumentally abrasive hip hop. Poet and lyricist Shirlette Ammons trooped onwards alongside her band mates, giving an amazing performance to a sparse crowd. Guitarist Chris Boerner was especially impressive with his guitar solos, which were reminiscent of Eddie Hazel, guitarist for Parliament-Funkadelic. The rhythm section served as a backbone for Shirlette's machine gun vocal delivery. They closed out the set the same way they started it: strong and with a vibrant intensity. It was a shame that so few people actually got to watch them.

This was an important night for the Urban Sophisticates, since it was their CD Release Show for Classic Material, their third studio release. The floor got more crowded as the football game let out, and Urban kicked into the set with their usual intensity. Urban's live show definitely stands strong to the reputation, delivering a selection of both old and new songs, alongside a few surprise covers. Front-man Benton James eased through each tune as his brother, Aaron, offered soulful crooning intermittently throughout the night. The band, including a trumpet, trombone, bassist, guitarist, and drummer, crowded the stage and served as the perfect vehicle for Benton's smooth, laid back vocal style.

All in all, the show was amazingly fun and the only disappointing aspect was the fact that more people didn't get to see it.

Mosadi Music: http://www.stumphole.com/ ; http://www.myspace.com/mosadilive

Urban Sophisticates: www.urbansophisticates.com/ ; http://www.myspace.com/theurbansophisticates

Vote for WXYC!

2008-10-06T14:05:00.004-04:00

Hey! Voting for the mtvU Woodie Awards is going on right now, and voting is open for WXYC in the "Best College Radio Station" category. You can vote an unlimited amount of times, and voting is open for our region until Sunday, so let's get a head start!

Here is the link to vote. No registration is needed, only one simple click and your vote has been gathered! This is the round that will help us move on to finals, so all votes are appreciated.

http://woodies.mtvu.com/nominees/college_radio

There is also a comment area - if you have an anecdote about why you love the station or something particularly interesting pertaining to WXYC, be sure to share it!

P.S. Every time you vote, we smile exactly like this ->

Thanks so much!

Not Quite First Class

2008-09-30T01:01:00.009-04:00

As has been heard in the past, the Feedback Farmers love to host a birthday party. So when they heard the US Postal Service was turning 219, they jumped on the opportunity to fête our nation's mail system.

Of course, in typical Feedback Farm fashion, the party was about as exciting as a barrage of junk mail. Things started off slower than Parcel Post, and the first time they turned on the microphones they seemed as nonplussed as a soldier who has just received a Dear John letter. (I realize that using nonplussed in a sentence is nearly as pretentious as using vis-à-vis (which reaches the pinnacle of pretense when the effort is made to include the grave accent diacritic), but, really, how often does one have an opportunity to use the word?)

From there, the show dragged on for the balance of the nine o'clock hour. Although the Feedback Farm only lasts for sixty minutes, trudging through a programme with this crew can sometimes feel like an eternity. It's too bad they can't follow in the footsteps of their guests of honor for the night, the USPS. How wonderful it would be to be able to say that "neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these DJs from the SWIFT completion of their appointed rounds."

Don't believe me? Download the episode here (26MB MP3).

Processing + Audio = Remarkable Visuals

2008-09-24T21:37:00.003-04:00

Processing is an open source programming language for people who want to program images, animation, and interactions. I've seen it applied in a bunch of situations, but my favorite iteration (and the iteration most relevant to this blog) is when it is used to program relations to audio.

For example:

A video compiled using Radiohead's "Weird Fishes / Arpeggi"

From the author: "it is Processing from start to finish. There is no post processing (oooh, a literal pun!) or editing after the fact. I import the audio data from the analysis, augment it with the direct FFT data from the Sonia analysis, press play, and after it is done, I have the finished piece."

Next, a video by the same author, flight404, with Helios's "Sons of Light and Darkness" as the audio source

If you're curious, this guy helped develop what would eventually become the new iTunes visualizer (featured in iTunes 8)

Finally, a slightly more impressive application of the software is featured in this video from the Milan Furniture Fair in April of 2007. The floor seen in this video is designed to respond to the audio being emitted by the Kef Muon Speakers (which are purported to have "the best sound quality in the world")

So there you go. Processing at its finest. Did I mention it's free software and apparently easy to use?

WXYC has been nominated for a Woodie Award

2008-09-24T14:15:00.002-04:00

WXYC has received a nomination in the category of Best Campus Radio Station from MTVu. More info:

Best Campus Radio Station

For the first time ever, mtvU is honoring 20 pioneering college campus radio stations committed to bringing students the latest indie and emerging music. Lauded for championing artists before they achieve mainstream success, these student-run radio stations represent the new music vanguard long since abandoned by traditional FM radio. The top stations were chosen based off accolades from CMJ College Radio Awards, Princeton Review Nominations, and independent questionnaires completed by a cross-section of record labels. One station will bring home the inaugural Woodie for Best Campus Radio Station, as voted on by their peers.

Radio Woodie - (Best Campus Radio Station)

For the station out there breaking the latest, emerging music, acting as pioneers in the industry.

Nominees:

KALX, University of California, Berkeley

KZSC, University of California, Santa Cruz

KSSU, Sacramento State University

KZSU, Stanford University

KCSU, Colorado State University, Fort Collins

WSOU, Seton Hall University

WERS, Emerson College

WICB Ithaca College

WBSR Brown University

WUSB Stony Brook University

WUTK University of Tennessee

WRAS Georgia State University

WEGL Auburn University

WWVU West Virginia University

WXYC University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

KSLU St. Louis University

KUOM University of Minnesota

WGRE DePauw University

WDBM Michigan State

WITR Rochester Institute of Technology

Copied from http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/whos-getting-a-chunk-of,550523.shtml

The winner is selected by online voting on the MTVu website. Finalists are selected by a week-long regional vote. The blog will be updated with more information once full voting procedure and info is revealed.

Founding Pink Floyd Member, Richard Wright, Dead at 65

2008-09-15T13:57:00.007-04:00

Founding member and keyboardist for Pink Floyd, Richard Wright, died today at the age of 65 after a long battle of cancer. Be sure to pull out that old vinyl or play some Pink Floyd on your ipod in memory of a true innovator.

Source:
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hWIGm5l-yoyRo6pTklrXqJB3BnmA

Speaking of Poetry...

2008-09-13T00:32:00.005-04:00

People tune in to WXYC and don't necessarily realize that the DJs they hear have talent that goes beyond merely spinning records.

Take DJ Kevin Clark, for example.

Perhaps a lucky few of you heard his live, free-stylin' rap a few weeks ago. If you did, I'm sure you were impressed. He did a dam fine job impromptu and under pressure.

If you missed his performance, no problem. Simply click here (3MB MP3) to hear. Enjoy. WXYC DJs are encouraged to play this on the air. Often.

Iambic Pentameter, etc

2008-09-13T00:22:00.005-04:00

The Feedback Farmers tried to get all high-brow last week but instead got in over their heads. They don't know much when it comes to the finer things, and they sure don't know nothin' about POETRY. And anyway, I thought it was a MAN from Nantucket. I don't even know what the next line would be if it was a GIRL from Nantucket.

Hear with your own ear here (29MB MP3).

PS I vaguely remember deleting a file from my hard drive I didn't think I needed. I am coming to the realization that that file was the Feedback Farm Back to School Special. It's never a great loss when a Feedback Farm episode is lost to the aether. This programme was no exception.

Going for Gold

2008-08-14T00:17:00.003-04:00

Posting in world record time, here's a recap of the Feedback Farm programme from mere hours ago.

Filling in for Bret D (who recently relocated to Chicago or San Francisco), the Feedback Farmers guest-hosted a special edition of SportsRap by covering the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, live from Beijing. With in-depth, behind-the-scenes looks at the athletes, the events, and all the scuttlebutt from the Olympic Village, the Farmers' insightful commentary made clear the reason they were chosen to take the helm of SportsRap full-time beginning this fall.

Click here (30MB MP3) to hear.

PJ wanted me to add the following: Sorry Bret, somehow the interview with you was completely blank! And sorry Steve, the phones wouldn't work so we couldn't get you on the air to talk about your experience training the US Olympic field hockey team!

Trippy Autechre Vid Delivers

2008-08-13T23:12:00.006-04:00

Rabid Autechre fans have always described the venerable duo as composing "architecture for sound," roughly. It sounds pretentious, but the title track video to the group's 2002 EP "Gantz Graf" nailed the synesthetic fix perfectly: Alex Rutterford, the video's director, admitted swallowing a hard dose of hallucinogenics before starting work. If you don't believe me, see for yourself:

And if you're left pining for more delicious sound squiggles, director Lucio Arese gives us possibly Gantz Graf's direct followup, though he has no official ties to the band or their label. A sound production all around:

Happy Hour

2008-08-01T00:27:00.001-04:00

This past Wednesday, the Feedback Farmers gave us an intoxicating 60 minutes of radio.

No, actually, this past Wednesday, the Feedback Farmers stumbled and slurred through an hour on the air that would have been best experienced while inebriated. That's more accurate.

The topic was alcohol, and you know what they say about drunks: they flock to inane radio programmes. I hope this is true, at least, because then we'd finally have some explanation for the idiocy that seizes WXYC every other Wednesday at 9pm.

You'd have to be completely wasted to click here (29MB MP3).

Free Club Tix

2008-07-31T12:38:00.003-04:00

It's practically a breeze to socially engineer your way into any club by pretending you're the DJ. Observe.

Learn how to hack at 5min.com

We Pledge Allegiance

2008-07-06T22:36:00.002-04:00

The Feedback Farmers and John Wayne pledged their allegiance to the U S of A on the last episode of the Farm. Also making cameo appearances were a gazillion residents of the Triangle who chimed in about what they like and, gasp!, what they don't exactly care for about this country.

WXYC was contacted by the Department of Homeland Security following the airing of this program. The nice people wanted to know the names of the people who were interviewed for the show. If you contributed, fear not--the station refused to turn over the names. However, we have decided to comply with Viacom's request to turn over the names and IP addresses of anyone who downloads the archive of this show. Click here (29MB MP3) at your own risk.

Farced in Flight

2008-06-21T21:54:00.002-04:00

The Feedback Farmers soared through the last episode with samples, interviews, and songs about flying. Yes, flying. As in airplanes, airports, airlines. All in all it was, according to PJ's mom, "an interesting choice of topics" and, according to Dale, "Pretty good--it didn't blow me away, but it was pretty good."

As an added bonus, Cole drove through town on his way back to DC from Myrtle Beach and paid the Farm an in-studio visit. Cole has never flown in an airplane. Could not have picked a better episode to crash?

Hear it for yourself here (29MB MP3).

Public Service Announcement from WXYC

2008-06-09T19:52:00.004-04:00

Just a timely reminder,

FOUCAULT
is
A UFO CULT

Fill 'Er Up

2008-06-07T15:43:00.003-04:00

The Feedback Farmers (sans Bryson) explored the rising cost of gasoline on their most recent radio programme. The entire country is in a transportation crisis with the steady increase in the cost of a barrel of oil. At this writing, oil is $130 a barrel and gasoline is nearly $4 per gallon nationwide. By the time you read this it might be $6 or $8 a gallon. Is that a good thing? How will rising fuel prices affect our lives? Listen to the show here to find out all this and more.

Oh, Bryson couldn't make it because he couldn't afford the gas to get to Chapel Hill from Charlotte.

Recipe for Disaster

2008-05-22T15:15:00.002-04:00

1 cup samples
1/4 oz. effects pedals
2 cups commentary
5 lbs. (dry) technical difficulties
1 pinch of credibility (optional, to taste)

Pre-heat your favorite audio software to 89.3 FM. Then be sure to get out your deluxe whisk set and pick a monosyllabic spice-throwing mantra in anticipation of this week's Feedback Farm!

Last night, with help from professional and (many more) amateur foodsmiths alike, the Farmers whipped up a batch of audio delights and helpful(?) guidance on the subject of COOKING. Click here (28MB MP3) to begin.

(Thanks for the text, KC.)

XL

2008-05-09T17:17:00.002-04:00

Now I suppose one doesn't tune in to the Feedback Farm in hopes of hearing "good radio," but the Farmers took radio to a new nadir with the most recent episode. Personally, I suspect they weren't actually prepared for the promised show about cooking, so they spent 60 minutes yammering about 40 years in the life of Farmer PJ, who apparently had a birthday recently. Well whoop-dee-doo.

And while PJ repudiates accusations that he was behind it all (listen to his feeble exclamation of surprise toward the end of the programme), he sure played along quite happily at his fete, didn't he?

Really, if these folks can't get their act together and responsibly use the invaluable outlet they have at their fingertips, they should be tossed out on their ears. Somebody else would put the airwaves to better use. The Feedback Farm is a Radio SHOW, not a birthday PARTY.

If you missed the nonsense, you were lucky. If you click here (28MB MP3), your luck will shortly run out.

Political Party Hardy

2008-04-25T08:28:00.005-04:00

There's nothing like a presidential election to remind you that America is doomed, but last night the Feedback Farmers got mildly political anyway, taking stabs at both sides as well as some innocent Young Democrats, callers, and historic recordings in their typical endearing way. Since the North Carolina Democratic primary arrives May 6, along with a barrage of advertising and mediocre bands, the nomination war between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton was the main topic of discussion, though McCain and his alleged "chipmunk cheeks" cropped up, too.

If you missed the programme, it's available in one whopping nugget of an MP3 file, downloadable here. (26 MB)

DJ Wicky Wick was not in attendance during the show, and thusly I blog-post this episode instead.

Buchla Buchla Boo

2008-04-16T11:38:00.003-04:00

If the folks behind My First Sony truly had any interest in holding my attention past age 7, they would have done everything in their power to slap their name on the Buchla Music Easel and maybe I wouldn't be the schlub I am today.

The Music Easel was one of the many brainchildren of Don Buchla. It combines nearly every sound generating element found on a synth: a keyboard, multiple oscillators, cartridges, reverberation, envelope filters, as well as a variety of modular components. In fact, a majority of its charm stems from its interconnectivity. The only way he could have made it more over the top would be to graft on a baboon's heinie.

I stumbled across a great video of Charles Cohen going to town on the music easel. If the video is any indication of the Music Easel in raw form, it's even somehow producing sound in stereo. Here's the blib from the site and then the video:

/ / / / / Viewing with headphones or a stereo source is highly recommended / / / / /

This colorful video features sound artist Charles Cohen improvising on a 1970's Buchla Music Easel. This extremely rare instrument is one of Don Buchla's 200 series. Buchla (a pioneer of audio synthesis) only manufactured 14 of these units. The entire film was edited from an hour-long set of free improvisation, with audio was taken directly from Charles' mixing board.All of the photography and editing was produced by Alex Tyson, a sound and video artist from Pennsylvania. The film was shot in 16:9 720p High Definition format, using a 35mm LensBaby 3GPL

CHARLES COHEN AT THE BUCHLA MUSIC EASEL from Alex on Vimeo.

Feedback Fashionistas

2008-04-09T23:54:00.002-04:00

Does your closet contain anything you should really just throw away? Are outmoded styles keeping you from getting that promotion at work? Do you just plain need fashion advice?

This week the Feedback Farmers (in their expanded form) welcomed spring with a look at this season's hottest new fashions. Yellow is in, leggings are out. Waists are going higher, pant legs are wider. Strap on your gladiator sandals and click here (28MB MP3) to listen to the latest episode of the Feedback Farm!

Hot Diggity Dog!

2008-03-31T10:48:00.002-04:00

Frankly, hot dogs are a pretty curious food. Thusly inspired, the most recent
episode of the Feedback Farm was about all things wiener. By the end of the hour, the Farmers managed to encase their listeners in an array of collage and discussion that can only be described as intestinal and dubiously sourced, albeit protein-rich. New Farmers Steph, Andy, and Bryson joined the posse.

Download the programme here (28MB MP3).

This blog-entry guest written by Feedback Farmer/wanted criminal Kevin Clark.