Teamwork

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

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

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

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

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

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

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'

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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!