What, Me Worry?: Finding music outside the comfort zone, radio
Hello again my philistine friends. I'd like to talk to you a little bit about music, considering music plays such a large part in my life, and unfortunately in pop culture with disastrous results.
It's possible I figure, that you would be willing to open your ears to the sweet sounds around you if only there were someone to introduce you to the underground sounds that are better than a punch in the face and a kick in the teeth.
That's right my droogs, the sounds you are looking for are underground, where they have been bubbling and fermenting, and on the odd occasion leaking through the cracks from the subculture where we dwell, to your MTV world. But alas, they are usually just a flash in the pan, a Minor Threat to your “Fido Scent,” “M&M” and “Blech 182.”
These talentless losers are handpicked by producers and record companies for their looks, reputation, bust size, Fruit of the Loom underwear preference and willingness to sing tunes written by someone else, as long as at the end of the day it puts a lot of Polly in ones pocket. They are wanted for anything but their talent to write music. It is understood by those of us interested in at least the past forty years of underground music, that these hacks are created by record companies and supported by the government to keep you all distracted from the larger issues at hand. Namely, that thing called the environment and the imminent destruction of the planet, or the mess we've made of Parliament Hill, as I've said numerous times before.
So where do you find this music you ask? Just open your eyes and ears kids, because the hills are alive with the Sound of Music, and not just in World War Two era Austria either. From my hometown of Kitchener there hails such acclaimed singer songwriters/bands that you've never heard of as Danny Michel, The Miniatures, Paul Macleod and Shannon Lyon.
Although the majority of my musical library consists of Indie artists like these, I pity the fools with musical tastes that do not extend beyond the Indie scene. In my collection, you'll find everything from Bluegrass to Grime, with records from such prolific artists as William Elliot Whitmore, Daniel Johnston, Tom Waits, Antony and the Johnsons, The Pogues, MF Doom, Gogol Bordello, Hank Williams III, Dizzy Rascal and DJ Busdriver. At the turn of the century I had the good fortune of attending an all night underground Toronto Party where I learned to respect the DJ. With artists like DJ Swamp, A Track, Kid Koala, Scribbles and DJ Qbert, who wouldn't?
Now you have the opportunity to attend a party organized by a local DJ right here in London. The fourth “ESL” party will be organized by DJ Busdriver and crew, and held conveniently on April 20 (or 4:20 for those of you who spend too much time on the couch) at the Ice Lounge on Dundas. Busdriver is one of the few people I've met during my time in London that I would give any credibility to concerning music. His tastes are all over the board like my own, as “good” music is what interests him, as opposed to a certain style, ie. Indie, hip hop, country, rock, metal etc.
Busdriver will be spinning the sounds of Dubstep alongside Sek, the UK Connection, and the Gangaholics. Dubstep is a Garage Hybrid that grew from the UK underground scene in the early 21st Century alongside and is closely related to Grime. So if you're interested in Hip Hop, and you're sick of the Radio friendly sounds of “Flippy Skint” and “Poop Duddy,” or if you simply love underground music, and are interested in discovering something new, peel your ass off the couch and head to the Ice Lounge on April 20. See you there.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
It's possible I figure, that you would be willing to open your ears to the sweet sounds around you if only there were someone to introduce you to the underground sounds that are better than a punch in the face and a kick in the teeth.
That's right my droogs, the sounds you are looking for are underground, where they have been bubbling and fermenting, and on the odd occasion leaking through the cracks from the subculture where we dwell, to your MTV world. But alas, they are usually just a flash in the pan, a Minor Threat to your “Fido Scent,” “M&M” and “Blech 182.”
These talentless losers are handpicked by producers and record companies for their looks, reputation, bust size, Fruit of the Loom underwear preference and willingness to sing tunes written by someone else, as long as at the end of the day it puts a lot of Polly in ones pocket. They are wanted for anything but their talent to write music. It is understood by those of us interested in at least the past forty years of underground music, that these hacks are created by record companies and supported by the government to keep you all distracted from the larger issues at hand. Namely, that thing called the environment and the imminent destruction of the planet, or the mess we've made of Parliament Hill, as I've said numerous times before.
So where do you find this music you ask? Just open your eyes and ears kids, because the hills are alive with the Sound of Music, and not just in World War Two era Austria either. From my hometown of Kitchener there hails such acclaimed singer songwriters/bands that you've never heard of as Danny Michel, The Miniatures, Paul Macleod and Shannon Lyon.
Although the majority of my musical library consists of Indie artists like these, I pity the fools with musical tastes that do not extend beyond the Indie scene. In my collection, you'll find everything from Bluegrass to Grime, with records from such prolific artists as William Elliot Whitmore, Daniel Johnston, Tom Waits, Antony and the Johnsons, The Pogues, MF Doom, Gogol Bordello, Hank Williams III, Dizzy Rascal and DJ Busdriver. At the turn of the century I had the good fortune of attending an all night underground Toronto Party where I learned to respect the DJ. With artists like DJ Swamp, A Track, Kid Koala, Scribbles and DJ Qbert, who wouldn't?
Now you have the opportunity to attend a party organized by a local DJ right here in London. The fourth “ESL” party will be organized by DJ Busdriver and crew, and held conveniently on April 20 (or 4:20 for those of you who spend too much time on the couch) at the Ice Lounge on Dundas. Busdriver is one of the few people I've met during my time in London that I would give any credibility to concerning music. His tastes are all over the board like my own, as “good” music is what interests him, as opposed to a certain style, ie. Indie, hip hop, country, rock, metal etc.
Busdriver will be spinning the sounds of Dubstep alongside Sek, the UK Connection, and the Gangaholics. Dubstep is a Garage Hybrid that grew from the UK underground scene in the early 21st Century alongside and is closely related to Grime. So if you're interested in Hip Hop, and you're sick of the Radio friendly sounds of “Flippy Skint” and “Poop Duddy,” or if you simply love underground music, and are interested in discovering something new, peel your ass off the couch and head to the Ice Lounge on April 20. See you there.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
