Sunday, November 30, 2008

Dimento X-Mas Mashup: DJ Joyride

| More

A couple of years ago I was asked by Dave Roepke from the Fargo Forum  to create a holiday music Mash-up for a story he wanted to run about how dj's are keeping their music fresh season-by-season. Below is a reprint of the article and a link to my submitted recording, Dr. Demento's Xmas Mashup. Christmas is coming... as are Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the rest. Happy holidays.

REPRINTED FROM THE FORUM:
It’s mix & mash

Holiday songs get new spin
By Dave Roepke droepke@forumcomm.com 
The popularity of mash-ups – songs formed from tracks or snippets of other songs – is made clear to DJ Joyride every Friday night on his weekly radio show [The F-M Experiment].

“That’s when I get the most phone calls,” says Joyride, whose real name is Nicholas Goodroad. “Mash-ups have been getting a lot of play lately.”

Goodroad says DJs like them as well because they’re an easy way to introduce listeners to the techno and other beat-centric music they love. They hope to draw people in with the pop song and hook them on the underlying rhythm.

The same can be done with Christmas music. It’s popular for big-city club DJs to create complete Christmas-themed sets, Goodroad says. The Forum asked local DJs and a veteran mixer to do just that, albeit on a smaller scale.

Go online to [link removed] to check out these Christ-mashes. They describe their choices below:


DJ Joyride Dr. Demento's Xmas Mashup

“I do like holiday music. I get really into it,” Goodroad says.

But he wanted to tap into a sound that wouldn’t be on a typical Christmas mix. A Dr. Demento version of “All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth” fit the bill. 


The childlike ditty formed the base for the first half of Goodroad’s piece, with “The Little Drummer Boy,” performed by Dave Koz featuring Rick Braun, in the background and an introductory passage sampling Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”


Picking up the pace a little to match the tempo, the end portion of the track Goodroad titled “Demento Xmas Mashup” melds Dean Martin’s rendition of “Let It Snow” with beats from Latryx’s “Lady Don’t Tek No” and a brief chunk of “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice.

“I took the [most interesting] pieces from each song and constructed them like a puzzle,” Goodroad says.


Mason Loke - Concrete X-Massive 

Loke is an English/Music Composition student at Minnesota State University Moorhead who has mixed for about seven years.

“I got a sampler and found out I’d probably been missing something in my life,” he says.

Asked to produce a Christmas mash-up, the first thing that sprang to Loke’s mind was the first six measures of “The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” a number from The Nutcracker ballet.

“When I think Christmas, I think ‘The Nutcracker,’ and that’s my favorite movement,” he says.

Loke added a live drum and bass beat behind the sample, as well as some piano to flesh out the crackly “toy” piano of the original recording.

“I’d describe it as a remix of those first six measures,” Loke says of his track, “Concrete X-Massive.”


DJ Guy Jean - [RECORDINGS NOT AVAILABLE]

Mark Weiler, who performs as DJ Guy Jean multiple nights a week at Fargo clubs, contributed two mash-ups for the project.

The more obviously mixed of the pair is a dark, dreamy combination of Elvis Presley singing “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “Aftermath,” a classic track from British trip-hop artist Tricky.

It’s more difficult – at least until the scratching kicks in – to hear what’s mashing with what on Weiler’s second selection. Like Goodroad, Weiler employed “Lady Don’t Tek No” by Latryx. The holiday portion is a rendition of “Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer” performed by The Temptations.

Readers can reach Forum reporter
Dave Roepke at (701) 241-5535 


DJ Joyride's Submission: Dr. Demento's Xmas Mashup - http://icedbreaks.com/snd/Dimento%20XMas%20Mashup.mp3
Mason Loke's Submission: Concrete X-Massive.mp3 - http://icedbreaks.com/snd/Concrete%20X-Massive.mp3

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Spinning Indie 50 State Tour: Stop 6 - North Dakota Station KNDS

| More

KNDS Recognized by Spinning Indie 
This article re-published from Spinning Indie. (click to see original)



It's time for the another stop on the Spinning Indie 50 State Tour. The goal of this project is to do interviews with folks from college radio stations from each of the 50 states in order to highlight fascinating stations (and their tales) from all over the United States.

So far I've traveled (virtually) to Arkansas, Wisconsin, Kansas, Louisiana, and Alaska.

For the 6th stop, today we visit Fargo, North Dakota to learn more about KNDS, which is an interesting hybrid of a college and community station. Students from North Dakota State University and members of the community fill the DJ shifts at the 4-year-old FM station. Prior to that time, North Dakota State University students had their own radio station called "Thunder Radio", which was an Internet-only station from 1999 until 2004. Community organization "Radio Free Fargo" joined up with "Thunder Radio" in order to apply for an FM license. Now, both groups work together as a cooperative to program KNDS.

Thanks to Program Director Randal Black (aka "the 30-Year-Old Freshman") for taking the time to speak with me about KNDS. In his interview he explains the ins and outs of the partnership between the community and the college, talks about the challenges of getting the word out about the station, discusses the dearth of indie radio in North Dakota, and chats about some of the shows that are unique to his station.




Spinning Indie: In searching for a college radio station to profile in North Dakota, I was struck by the small number of true college radio stations. The left end of the dial seems to be filled with NPR affiliates and religious stations. Is it tough to be one of the few outposts of independent radio?

Randal: The toughest part is gaining a sizable audience. It would be fair to say that - because of the regional disposition - most people aren't use to the type of entertainment that KNDS provides, but it is a point we revel in. We pride ourselves on being an alternative to local radio fare. The funny thing is I don't feel we're doing anything truly revolutionary in broadcasting; for example, most of the music we play is essentially the same music that you would hear on similar stations in larger markets. But in a community the size of Fargo, ND, it's perceived as something of an anomaly.


Spinning Indie: KNDS is a unique station in that it's a collaboration between a student (Thunder Radio) and a community (Radio Free Fargo) organization. What brought the two groups together into a partnership?

Randal: Bills. The people that spearheaded Radio Free Fargo believed that their idea of broadcasting would be beneficial to the community so they tried to figure out ways to bring it to fruition; partnering with the local university was a great way to accomplish their goal.


Spinning Indie: Do you consider the station to be a college station or a community station?

Randal: It is a community station. The primary owner/operators are not part of the university system. Our partnership with NDSU (Thunder Radio) is just an extension of our presence in the community.

Spinning Indie: It's my understanding that you're a low-power FM station. What made you apply for this type of license? What frequency do you operate on and how far does your signal travel?

Randal: I had nothing to do with the acquisition of the license or why they chose to go LP. I believe it was mainly because of practicality. As far as the frequency, KNDS broadcasts on 96.3 FM. Before July of 2008, we did broadcast on 105.9 FM but were granted a change in frequency by the FCC. In a twist of fate, the FCC really did a lot to bolster LPFM in 07-08.

Spinning Indie: How do the 2 groups (Thunder Radio and Radio Free Fargo) specifically work together. Does each group program their own portions of the schedule? How do you divide it up?

Randal: Essentially, it's an every-other-day schedule. RFF gets Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays; the student side takes the other days. Each group has its own Program/Music directors and, yes, each group also designs its only schedule. But we obviously have the same Station Manager and have a common purpose so it's not a "your side, my side" mentality.

Spinning Indie: Do you have any specific programs/specialty shows that are unique to KNDS or stand out as being different from anything else on radio?

Randal: One of my favorite shows on KNDS is broadcast on Sundays called "Radio Rangoli". It's a program that only plays Indian music, and is such a benefit for our station because it allows representation of a culture within our community that would otherwise be overlooked by local broadcasting. Peace Talk Radio on Saturday mornings is a fun and informative show that - as with the aforementioned program - allows for representation of a voice that wouldn't be heard in other local media.

Spinning Indie: Does the Music Director oversee music adds for all types of shows at KNDS? Is there certain music that DJs are required to play? Is there anything that DJs aren't allowed to play?

Randal: The Music Director position is not a very prominent position at KNDS, simply because of the station's entertainment being directed by two groups. As Program Director for KNDS I take on the duty of adding new music to our rotation, essentially "steering the course." The Music Director tracks and charts the adds and does the reporting.

One of the best aspects of KNDS is that we allow the DJs to create their own sets and doesn't require them to play any certain type of music. Although we do ask our DJs to refrain from playing popular music that may be heard on other local stations. That's about our only restriction.

Spinning Indie: How does your MD decide what music to add? What's your philosophy about indie vs. major label? Do you add material by major labels? If yes, why? If no, why?

Randal: The CMJ charts are a big guide for our station but it essentially comes down to "what do the people of our area want to hear." And, yes, we definitely add music from major labels. Because of our region, we are the only station that broadcasts the new Beck or the new Hold Steady or the new Kings of Leon. We feel that it is our duty to fill a cultural gap that exists in local media, so that would require us to play some majors.

Spinning Indie: Do you add and play vinyl? cassettes? MP3s?

Randal: We have the means to play vinyl and MP3s, but I would safely say that 99% of our our adds come from promotional CDs.

Spinning Indie: Do most students know about the station? Do a lot of students listen to the station? Is the staff/DJs mostly students?

Randal: Sadly, I think they may know about it but don't really tune in. Our station is a nice mixture of students and community volunteers but the majority of KNDS' audience is from the community-at-large.

Spinning Indie: When will your new website be up? What can we expect?

Randal: I wish I knew the specifics of that but the Station Manager is more involved with the Web Designer than I am. Soon is all I can hope.

Spinning Indie: How much of the schedule is automated programming? How do you come up with the music for that?

Randal: We try for as little automated programming as possible but it's very beneficial during the late hours/early mornings when there are no DJs. Anything's better than dead air! I think I've explained how I come up with the programming.

Spinning Indie: Do you listen to other college/community radio stations? Who do you admire?

Randal: I wish I could say that I do but I don't have any time! I admire any community radio station that serves to enrich, enlighten and entertain its audience.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Ep.45: Ugly Sweaters Hour 1

| More

[ 600 ]
Kraftwerk - Metroid Theme
Emo - In The Back Of The Car
Freddie & Linn - L.I.N.N.
Prefuse 73 - Detchib
Bjork - In The Musicals (From Selmasongs, soundtrack to Dancer In The Dark)
Hanne Hukkelberg - Northwinds
Basement Jaxx - Always Be There

[ 630 ]
Crystal Distortion - Khan U Dig It
Major Klempt - Shy Walker
Lady Sovereign - Fiddle With The Volume
Eero Johannes - We Could Be Skweeroes
Daft Punk - Harder Better Faster Stronger (Justin Faust Remix)
Metronomy - Heartbreaker (Diskjokke Remix)

Listen to episode 45: Ugly Sweaters Hour 1
(right click to save)

Ep.45: Ugly Sweaters Hour 2

| More

[ 700 ]
Madonna - She's Not Me
Rhythm Scholar v. Queen - Another One Bites The Dust (blasted mashup)
DJ Topcat - Beat It, Superman (mashup)
Nas - Hero
==== Essential MJ: Liberian Girl ====
Eero Johannes - Katt Witt 700 Watts
Stalker - Radios Et Announceurs

[ 730 ]

New Young Pony Club - Ice Cream (Heatwave Remix feat. Rubi Dan)
Smith & Mighty - Closer
DJ Baktatr - Living Levels (local: myspace.com/baktatr)
Gorillaz - Dare (Soulwaxx Edit)
DJ Beware + MC Gringo - Tamborzao Con Scratchy
Simian Mobile Disco - We Are Your Friends (bmore rehash)
Mochipet - Get Your Whistle Wet feat. The Hustle Heads

Listen to Episode 45: Ugly Sweaters Hour 2
(right click to save)

Friday, November 14, 2008

Ep.44: No Title Yet... Hour 1

| More

Listen to Hour 1: No Title Yet
(Right click to Save)
 
[ 600 ]
Dil Da Rog Muka Ja Mahi (The Cheb i Sabbah Shining Star ReMix)
Dubbel Dutch - Majesty
===Joyride MiniMix===
==  Nelly - Grillz
==  Akufen - Chariots
==  Ying Yang Twins - Hit The Floor
==  Bjork - Alarm Call (Dom T remix)
==  St. James
==  Beck - Ghost Space
==  Funkstorung - Testerossa
================
[ 630 ]
In Over Your Head - Exclusive mix
*Roots Manuva - The Show Must Go On (New Album: Slime & Reason)
REQUEST=== F.L.O. - Come Get It
Walter Meego - Through A Keyhole
*Tittsworth - Bumpin (new album: 12 Steps)
Datashat - The Message

Ep.44: No Title Yet... Hour 2

| More


Listen to Hour 2: No Title Yet
(Right click to Save)

[ 700 ]
GFS Productions - Ain't No Sunshine
Jamiriquai - Canned Heat (Calvin Harris Remix)
Colette - Get You Over
Madonna feat. Kanye West - Beat Goes On
Santogold - Creator (Scottie B Remix)
The Chemical Brothers - Let Forever Be

[ 730 ]
== ESSENTIAL MJ ===
=== Michael Jackson - Jam
========
Sam Sparro - Black & Gold (Phones Hard as Diamonds Remix)
Terry Lynn - KingstonLogic
REQUEST== Green Velvet - Shake and Pop(Mark Grant Remix)
The Martin Brothers - Dum (Dubbel Dutch remix)
Fannypack - Baby

Monday, November 10, 2008

Morning Joe full of profanity... MSNBC Fails Viewers.

| More

Joe Scarborough, of MSNBC's Morning Joe, woke me this morning by shouting FUCK YOU through the television set. No, he didn't abbreviate it, he said the whole word. Was I offended? Not at all.

But-- Consider the viewership on MSNBC at 7:10AM. I hope that he keeps his job, I enjoy his program.

AND THEN... he tells adults to "Get Over It"... Ha! Here's to greater readership.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Ep. 43: Winter is Coming Hour 1

| More

You'll find a harder edge this week on Hour 1. We'll soften things for Hour 2, but rest assured that the quality of this programming will never drop.
Featured this hour: 
[ 600 ]
Bomb The Bass - Smog
Milanese - Starkiller (LIVE in Birmingham) via PercussionLab.com
DJ C & Zulu - Gods & Robots mixtape sampling
[ 630 ]
DJ C & Zulu - Gods & Robots continued...
Workout Riddim - 3 Cuts...
Assassin - Money
Katy Perry - Kissed a Girl
Aidonia - In Her Belly2008
Rodney P - Fading
Yak Ballz - Chaching (Clap Your Hands)

Ep. 43: Winter Is Coming Hour 2

| More


Softening things for the second hour... 

Listen to Hour 2: Winter Is Coming
(Right click to Save) 


[ 700 ]
DJ C - Since You've Been In The Club (Mashup from Mashit.com)
Mathhead - Broken Glass (Annie Lennox Mashup)
DJ C (Ft. Chris Isaak, The Supremes, Switch, & Stereotyp); Set Me Free From This Wicked Game
DJ Kentaro feat. Spank Rock - Free (Armani XXXChange remix)
Fannypack - Hit It
DJ Topcat - Beat It vs. Crank Dat
Woody B - I Got Some Bucks On It

[ 730 ]
Essential MJ - Keep It In The Closet

REQUEST: ATrak - Say Woah (Craze Remix)
Terry Lynn - KingstonLogic (new album: KingstonLogic2.0)
Dances With White Girls - Girlsbug(Throneofblood.com remix)
Kanye West - Love Lockdown (Nu Era remix)
Los Campesinos! - Death to Los Campesinos!