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A podcast about music, and politics as told by musicians who sing about politics
Episodes
Thursday Jul 25, 2024
Thursday Jul 25, 2024
Looks like the talking heads in the media have gotten their wish, and Kamala Harris is the Democratic nominee to go against Trump in the fight to preserve democracy from the outstretched arms of the pro-fascistic Donald Trump. This vivid narrative is the one that will be echoed until early November when Americans will race to the polls in the world's most important popularity contest. The irony is, the nominees are far from the most popular kids on campus.
Many people in left media, while constantly calling for Biden to step aside due to his evident physical decline showcased in the first presidential debate, are also not so sanguine on the nomination of Harris as Biden's replacement. They cite her poor showing in the 2019 presidential election when she was part of a crowded field of Democrats positioned to stop the populism and excitement of the Bernie movement. Harris didn't last long in that race, but she presents a different challenge for Trump. He won't be able to berate Harris as he did Hillary Clinton, a woman who, while in her role as First Lady, was a despised figure by many. Trump's attacks on Harris will come off as virulent racist, which, while rallying the more fringe elements of his base, will also galvanize the more liberal elements of the electorate who were previously checked out of the race to see two octogenarians.
As we move closer to the election, the dynamics between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will continue to evolve. The narratives, strategies, and voter responses will shape the outcome of this highly consequential election. Stay tuned as we keep you updated and provide deeper insights into this historic race.
Thursday Jul 25, 2024
Thursday Jul 25, 2024
Looks like the talking heads in the media have gotten their wish, and Kamala Harris is the Democratic nominee to go against Trump in the fight to preserve democracy from the outstretched arms of the pro-fascistic Donald Trump. This vivid narrative is the one that will be echoed until early November when Americans will race to the polls in the world's most important popularity contest. The irony is, the nominees are far from the most popular kids on campus.
Many people in left media, while constantly calling for Biden to step aside due to his evident physical decline showcased in the first presidential debate, are also not so sanguine on the nomination of Harris as Biden's replacement. They cite her poor showing in the 2019 presidential election when she was part of a crowded field of Democrats positioned to stop the populism and excitement of the Bernie movement. Harris didn't last long in that race, but she presents a different challenge for Trump. He won't be able to berate Harris as he did Hillary Clinton, a woman who, while in her role as First Lady, was a despised figure by many. Trump's attacks on Harris will come off as virulent racist, which, while rallying the more fringe elements of his base, will also galvanize the more liberal elements of the electorate who were previously checked out of the race to see two octogenarians.
As we move closer to the election, the dynamics between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will continue to evolve. The narratives, strategies, and voter responses will shape the outcome of this highly consequential election. Stay tuned as we keep you updated and provide deeper insights into this historic race.
Wednesday Jul 24, 2024
Wednesday Jul 24, 2024
Welcome to today's episode, where we journey back to the year 1982—a pivotal year in music history. This was a time when genres were in flux, new sounds were emerging, and the music industry was undergoing significant transformations. We'll explore the coming end of disco, the rise of heavy metal and hip hop, and some fascinating developments in Japanese music. We'll also examine the political climate of the time, the impact of MTV and music videos, and the exclusion of artists of color from this new visual medium.
### The Music of 1982
**The Decline of Disco:**
By 1982, the disco craze that had dominated the late 1970s was waning. The backlash against disco, epitomized by events like the infamous Disco Demolition Night in 1979, had taken its toll. While disco's influence lingered in pop and dance music, it was clear that the genre's heyday was over. Artists who had ridden the disco wave began to either evolve their sound or fade from the spotlight.
**The Rise of Heavy Metal:**
Heavy metal was on the ascent, with bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Ozzy Osbourne leading the charge. The genre's aggressive sound and rebellious spirit resonated with a generation looking for something more intense than what mainstream rock offered. Metal's rise was part of a broader movement towards harder, more complex music that also included punk and hard rock.
**The Emergence of Hip Hop:**
Hip hop was also beginning to gain traction. While still primarily an underground movement, 1982 saw the release of seminal tracks that would lay the groundwork for the genre's explosion in the mid-1980s. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's "The Message" was a groundbreaking track that highlighted the social issues facing inner-city communities, proving that hip hop was a powerful new voice in music.
**Innovative Japanese Music:**
In Japan, the music scene was vibrant and innovative. Artists like Yellow Magic Orchestra were blending electronic music with pop, creating sounds that were ahead of their time. Meanwhile, city pop, a genre that combined jazz, funk, and R&B, was becoming popular. Japanese musicians were not only pushing the boundaries of traditional genres but also influencing global music trends.
### Political Climate of 1982
The early 1980s were marked by significant political and social changes. In the United States, President Ronald Reagan's administration was characterized by conservative policies, economic changes, and a strong stance against the Soviet Union. The Cold War was still a dominant force in global politics, affecting cultural and artistic expressions around the world. Economic policies were shifting towards deregulation and tax cuts, which had mixed impacts on different segments of society.
In the UK, Margaret Thatcher's government was implementing neoliberal economic policies, leading to significant social and economic changes. These policies sparked resistance and protest from various groups, including labor unions and youth movements, which were often reflected in the music of the time.
### The Rise of MTV and Music Videos
**MTV's Impact:**
MTV launched in August 1981, revolutionizing the music industry by making music videos a crucial part of an artist's success. The visual aspect of music became as important as the sound, changing how artists promoted their music and connected with fans. Videos like Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and Duran Duran's "Hungry Like the Wolf" became iconic, setting new standards for production and creativity.
**Exclusion of Artists of Color:**
However, MTV faced criticism for its lack of diversity. Early on, the network primarily featured white rock artists, excluding many artists of color, particularly in genres like R&B and hip hop. This exclusion was symptomatic of broader racial biases in the music industry. It wasn't until Michael Jackson's breakthrough that MTV began to more regularly feature black artists, a shift largely driven by the massive popularity and undeniable talent of Jackson himself.
### Conclusion
1982 was a transformative year in music, marked by the decline of disco, the rise of heavy metal and hip hop, and innovative contributions from Japanese artists. The political climate of the time influenced these musical shifts, while the advent of MTV changed the way music was consumed and promoted, albeit with significant racial biases that needed addressing. As we look back, we can see how these developments laid the groundwork for the diverse and dynamic music landscape we enjoy today.
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
Monday Jul 22, 2024
Monday Jul 22, 2024
Get Katherine's book here: https://uncpress.org/book/9781469677255/live-from-the-underground/
Welcome to our show! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with professor and author Katherine Rye Jewell about her fascinating new book, "Live from the Underground," which explores the rise of college radio. Unlike typical homages to white indie rock and obscure fringe artists, Jewell provides a materialist historiography that examines how college radio helped shape the music landscape.
In "Live From the Underground," Jewell writes:
> "College radio offered an ideal venue for these attitudes. It could never overtake commercial radio, remaining scarce and subaltern. Pop culture rejects sought sanctuary at these stations by the 1990s. Protected by institutional homes and noncommercial licenses, these stations operated on the public’s airwaves for educational purposes. Such missions offered useful cover for DJs seeking the weird, the unheard, or underappreciated. Such music might never reach, or actively defy, mainstream audiences. Many participants were content with remaining on the outside, in the underground. Stations developed devoted listener bases of engaged music fans and lured college students who didn’t quite fit in on campus. Community DJs turned to college radio, too, seeking purchase on the nation’s airwaves—or at least however far the usually low-wattage collegiate signal reached.
> By the early 1990s, college radio had earned a national identity that evoked generational dissatisfaction with pop culture even as it remained deeply conversant with it. These signals did offer alternative voices to willing audiences. Yet college radio’s collective status as an alternative, or counter-hegemonic, medium is debatable. Virtually all elements of the college radio model—educational mission, anti commercialism, funding mechanisms, organizational structures, professional practices, content, or audience relationships—were contested in one way or another after the 1970s. Some stations explored the furthest fringes of musical expression, but these were missions shaped historically and through conflict. Numerous DJs sought careers in the news, music, and media industries. Not all stations devoted programming to music lacking broad commercial appeal, but these signals and their participants also shaped the nation’s landscape of collegiate radio. College radio’s status as an alternative medium is thus tenuous, even if in aggregate or individually these stations possessed disruptive potential."
Our guest today, Katherine Rye Jewell, is a historian and a professor at Fitchburg State University. Her work delves into the intersection of business, politics, and culture. Please give a big TIR round of applause for Katherine Rye Jewell!
Sunday Jul 21, 2024
Sunday Jul 21, 2024
Jason and Mac discuss the rise of popularity in women's athletics, and the possible need for a new Black national anthem. Enjoy.
Thursday Jul 18, 2024
Thursday Jul 18, 2024
Kuba talks more project 2025, the CRÜE watches McDonalds fight videos.
Thursday Jul 18, 2024
Thursday Jul 18, 2024
Welcome to today's episode, where we dive into the political theater and imagery that shapes our current landscape. The recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump has, unsurprisingly, become a galvanizing moment for his fervent fanbase—notice I say fanbase, not the Republican Party. The zealous MAGA crowd envisions Trump as he envisions himself, almost as if a 50-year career in the pop culture spotlight has induced a group hypnosis on millions. Image has always been central to Trump’s persona, evolving from a billionaire playboy to a no-nonsense reality TV boss, and now, to his final form as an anti-elite warrior for the working class.
From the 80s and 90s as a gregarious hotel magnate to his stint as a pro wrestling hall-of-famer and television character, Trump's presence on "The Apprentice" aired on NBC for 13 years before he transitioned from Hollywood to the White House. One thing has remained constant: Trump has always stayed in character, often to his professional detriment.
His latest persona as a defiant "Washington outsider" was immortalized this past week with an iconic image: a fist raised in the air, shouting "fight" to his supporters. This moment wasn't deep faked or photoshopped; it was a genuine snapshot emblematic of our current epoch. Images tell the story, and we fill in the blanks with our imaginations or lived experiences—whatever helps us sleep at night.
In contrast, Joe Biden continues to be scrutinized publicly for signs of cognitive decline. Both men represent the oldest presidential race to date, yet Biden has garnered bipartisan media attention for his often stammering speeches, raising questions about his candidacy. This scenario is reminiscent of another television president, Ronald Reagan, who also stumbled during debates and forgot critical issues like the Iran-Contra affair, yet won his second term by a landslide. Why don't we remember Reagan as the same doddering old man that we see in Biden? Does any of this matter when electoral politics often resemble team sports, where loyalty to the team trumps individual performance?
Will Donald Trump be able to leverage this assassination attempt into a second presidential victory, or is this simply another marketing opportunity for a shallow huckster who sees everything, even an attempt on his life, as a money-making venture?
Wednesday Jul 17, 2024
Wednesday Jul 17, 2024
Tuesday Jul 16, 2024
Tuesday Jul 16, 2024