WFMU's Beware of the Blog

Radio News You Can't Use

I apologize, it's been far too long since I've used this blog to geek out on radio news. A few recent happenings have drawn me out of this whole "working in radio" thing and into talking smack about it on the internet for a few minutes!

First up: Webcasting Royalties
In case you haven't heard, webcasters and SoundExchange (the web streaming arm of the RIAA) have renegotiated terms for webcasting royalties. Instead of accepting SoundExchange's initial offer of web performance royalty rates that would surely put webcasters out of business, webcasters threw a fit (we were part of the fit), held rounds and rounds of negotiations, and over a year later accepted a new rate scheme that would only nearly put them out of business. These new terms, which for large webcasters is a minimum of 25% of annual revenue, have been lauded by some. However, if you look at typical performance royalty rates for satellite radio (6.5% in 2009), or ASCAP/BMI royalties for terrestrial radio (roughly 1 - 3%), that 25% figure starts to look bloated. Luckily for WFMU, NFCB and CPB made separate negotiations with SoundExhange including more affordable rates, and we are covered under these terms.

New FCC Chair
The Obama administration's nominee for FCC Chair, Julius Genachowski, was recently confirmed by the Senate. After outgoing FCC Chair Kevin Martin thoroughly angered congress and the public with scandalous antics like that Details magazine spread, relaxing media consolidation rules, and "losing" an important study on media ownership (and all the while leading the fight against broadcast indecency) Genachowski has some mopping up to do. The good news is, Genachowski has heard of the internet: he believes in net neutrality and might actually re-do the FCC's website to make it a little less 1996ish (more on the Genachowski team here). The bad news is, Genachowski leans towards the gestapistic view of broadcast indecency (he supports enforcing fines for fleeting profanity), and the FCC's main proponent of 1st Amendment protections, Jonathan Adelstein, will be leaving the commission soon.

Climax Golden Twins - Tues July 7th

Coming up on The Antique Phonograph Music Program on Tues July 7 will be Rob Millis and Jeffery Taylor aka Climax Golden Twins.

They will discuss their musical output, their Dust to Digital rare international 78 series "Victrola Favorites," and current release "Take Me to the Water: Immersion Baptism in Vintage Music and Photography 1890-1950."

Mac and Climax Golden Twins will play records and talk about the dogged pursuit of 78s. Tune in, turn on and listen to them drop steel needles.

Also be sure to check out this recent live set by Climax Golden Twins (via Issue Project Room & Free Music Archive).

Click here to subscribe to the Antique Phonograph Music Program's podcast via iTunes.

Patent Quiz

After the unfortunate passing of Michael, everything from His favorite pill combos, to His child custody problems, to His music publishing issues, to His preferred brand of toothpaste have been dismembered, torn, and tossed into the final press to eek out any remaining dregs of data for the (us?) media vultures.

During this whole circus, you may have discovered that the guy from Toto actually wrote "Human Nature" (thanks Doron). Or perhaps you came across Michael's patent for "Method and means for creating anti-gravity illusion" (thanks Listener Colin & Ron) - PDF here, diagram below.

My buddy Dennis also sent along a few other patent documents filed by notable folks: images are below the jump, see if you can put a name to the images.

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Kurt Gottschalk's Brother Lucy Podshow

Kurt Gottschalk, the esteemed host of WFMU's The Brother Lucy Show, is taking a break from his Thursday morning web-only slot and will instead deliver the goods directly to your MP3 player.

The Brother Lucy Podshow premieres today with what might be seen as a desperate bid for popularity. But the Fiery Furnaces aren't just really, really hip. For the first of a summer of free concerts delivered to your computer or MP3 player, The Brother Lucy Podshow with Kurt Gottschalk presents The Fiery Furnaces, recorded live at Socrates Sculpture Park on August 26, 2007.

Click here to subscribe to the Brother Lucy Podshow in iTunes or hit WFMU's podcast page for more options.

WFMU Summer Schedule kicks off Monday

We hope that your summer is full of margaritas, BBQs, flip-flops, tube tops, sand in unlikely places, and of course, freeform radio!

WFMU's Summer 2009 Program Schedule takes effect Monday morning, June 22nd at 6am, and will be in effect until October 12th. You can see the Summer 2009 schedule in handy-dandy table format here, or as an unwieldy big-ass list right here.

If your favorite show is not on the schedule, don't fret: DJs and shows often rotate in and out in order to keep things fresh and give new people a chance.

WFMU Archives: a Real Audio-free Future

Beginning July 12th, WFMU's new archives will no longer be available in 20k Real Audio, and this change will affect archive listeners on a dial-up connection. Going forward, all new archives will be available in the higher quality 64k AAC+ format, which sounds fantastic with our new Pop-Up Player. If you listen to our 128k MP3 archives, fear not, no changes are being made in that dept.

How will the change affect your archive listening? (Read more)

If you have DSL, cable, or a T1 internet connection:
For Pop-Up AAC+ archives to work, Javascript must be enabled (info here) and you need Flash Player plugin 9 or higher. Pop-Up archives can only be played inside your web browser (they load in a pop-up window, try one out here). You can still listen to our 128k MP3 archives using external programs like iTunes or Winamp (although these archives expire after 4 weeks, as they have done in the past).

If you have a dial-up connection:
Due to the higher quality and higher bit-rate of our new archive format, your internet connection speed will not be able to accomodate archive listening going forward. Rest assured that we will continue to offer our live streams in Real Audio and Windows Media, at bit-rates appropriate for dial-up connections. All of WFMU's Real Audio archives prior to July 12, 2009 will remain available on our website for your listening pleasure, but new archives going forward will no longer be offered in Real Audio.

WFMU's Fatburger Takeover

If you missed out on Joe Belock and Todd-o-phonic Todd's hilarious and artery-clogging remote broadcast from Fatburger in Jersey City, you can regorge on the magic by checking out the archive, a short video of the event from NJ.com, and a greasy slideshow of visual highlights (thanks Cynthia).

Special guest appearances by Mark Moran of Weird NJ, Georgia and Ira of Yo La Tengo, the Longo brothers, Robert Piersanti, and Jersey City youth rockers!

Belly bombs away!

Drew Friedman launches new website

Expert illustrator and longtime WFMU art contributor Drew Friedman recently launched a new website featuring his fine art prints (with the help of Irwin Chusid and Barbara Economon).

For those of you who may not be familiar with Drew's work, he was the creator of WFMU's semi-grotesque mascot, the Old Codger, contributed illustrations for our Crackpots & Visionaries cards, and designed a WFMU t-shirt and bumper sticker. Drew and his brother Josh Alan once guest-hosted for Kaz on WFMU in the 1980s, as well.

Dave the Spazz calls Drew "one of the funniest stipple cartoonists of the '80's and '90's is now one of the funniest illustrators of the 21st century. His work is as hypnotizing as Basil Wolverton's at his best. Drew Friedman is the Albrecht Dürer of liver spots."

More WFMU DJ Off-Mic Activities

Not only can you catch Dave the Spazz rubbing shoulders with Mick Collins and the Paul Green School of Rock kids tonight at BB King Blues Club in Manhattan... a few other DJs have some upcoming off-mic events this week that are worth checking out.

HotRod DJs tonight @ the Lamp Post in Jersey City (352 2nd St), 9pm-2am... Free!
 
Maria Levitsky celebrates the opening of her photography show, "Building Photographs," at Deborah Berke & Partners Architecture Gallery (220 5th Ave, 7th Floor) in Manhattan tomorrow evening (Thurs 5/21), 6:30 - 8:30pm.

Small Change DJs at the Down & Derby roller disco party at Studio B in Brooklyn (259 Banker St) this Saturday with DJ Ayres and Rok One, 10pm onward (RSVP here for discounted admission).

  

Mick Collins to appear at School of Rock Benefit tonight!

Rock hero Mick Collins (from the Dirtbombs!!!!) will be joining Dave the Spazz and the Paul Green School of Rock kids for the WFMU Benefit tonight at the BB King Blues Club in Manhattan!

Tonight marks the second and final night of performances hosted by Dave the Spazz, who has handpicked music to be performed by local branches of the Paul Green School of Rock and the SCHOOL OF ROCK ALLSTARS.

The kids will compete for rock glory, as Dave selects the winning school. Expect a chimpified, sonic soiree of overmodulated, toe-stubbing rock and roll music as performed by junior high and high school kids! Plus a special guest appearance by Mick Collins! Don't miss it!

Wednesday May 20th - 8pm
BB King Blues Club
New York, NY
$15 advance and door

ISSUE Project Room's 6th Anniversary Party

On May 19th, Brooklyn's excellent non-profit performance space, ISSUE Project Room, will be celebrating their 6th year of kicking ass and taking names in the experimental music, film, literature, and art scenes (and also on the Free Music Archive).

The 6th birthday party/benefit for ISSUE Project Room takes place at Galapagos in Dumbo Brooklyn (16 Main St), and WFMU's own Fabio will be representing on the ones and twos. Other notable highlights on the bill include:

- The Pinch of the Baboon (JG Thirlwell, Ed Pastorini, Oren Bloedow and Ben Perowsky)
- Elysian Fields
- Mountains
- members of Excepter
- “Straight and Narrow” (1970), Film screening by Tony Conrad with soundtrack by John Cale and Terry Riley
- Robot Movie by Jim Sharpe with Soundtrack by Lary Seven

On top of this, IPR will reward a prize to the person who shows up in the best Holy Mountain-inspired costume, so you know there's potential for this party to be way better than Halloween. Purchase tickets here, and you'll get $10 off if you use the promotional code fidelio - have fun!

Bang on a Jam 2009, hosted by Billy Jam

In case you missed the crazy-fun Bang on a Jam noisefest on Billy Jam's show last week, you can download the whole segment here:

Bang on a Jam - 2009 (MP3) | Playlist

Who made all that racket? Billy Jam, Station Manager Ken, Jason Sigal, Doron, Scott Williams, Jeff Mullan, Mike, Nick The Bard, and Bill Bowen, that's who.

Bang on a Jam began in 2008 after Billy was underwhelmed by the annual Bang on a Can festival in NYC. Clearly the Can has been upstaged by the Jam!

WFMU Accepting Car Donations

Donate your broke-down jalopy to WFMU!

We are now accepting donations of used vehicles from any state in the U.S. and in any state of disrepair.

It’s a great way to help your favorite freeform radio station, get a tax write-off, and most importantly, get that junker off your front lawn.

Call 1-877-411-DONATE to arrange for vehicle pick-up through the Center for Car Donations (it’s free and benefits WFMU).

See WFMU's obsession with old junky cars here, here, and here.

Billboard Magazine archives on Google Books

Just spent some time flipping through old issues of Billboard Magazine via Google Books. Turns out the goog has scanned and posted full issues of the magazine, dating all the way back to 1942.

Though it's mainly an industry mag, you'll find tons of gems like goofy old ads, lots of bad hair, an article about piracy/copyright in just about every other issue, anti smut campaigns throughout the ages, and a nice overall documentation of the rise and demise of the record industry.

Megapolis Audio Festival, Boston : April 24 - 26

Heads-up Bostonites, a cool DIY audio arts festival is headed your way: Megapolis, April 24-26.

"Artists, documentarians, musicians, and fans come together to share secrets on producing and presenting challenging audio works online, on-air, and on the stage."

Tons of cool sessions are planned: learn about field recording, circuit bending, illegal art, activist films, sound art and collage, audio production, radio wizardry, electro-acoustic instrument building, and more! Folks from the Third Coast Audio Festival, free103point9, WZBC, WYPR, WNYC, Mecca Normal, MIT, and tons of other groups and working artists will be representing.

On top of all this wonderment, Jason Sigal and I will make a mind-blowing presentation about the Free Music Archive on Sat Apr 25, 11:30am-1pm (@ Public Radio Exchange, 3rd Floor, 50 Church St., Cambridge UPDATE: venue change.... Nelson Mandela room at the Democracy Center, 45 Mt. Auburn St).

Hope to see you there!

Megapolis Schedule | Ticket Info | Blargh

Slap Chop remix

Everyone's favorite TV gadget huckster Vince Offer got a bad rap after that bloody tongue-biting incident with a prostitute a few weeks back. But even after that circus came and went, some in the FMU office had never heard of Vince's pet products, Sham Wow and Slap Chop.

And because sophomoric jokes about nuts never get old, here's a slap chop musical remix for you by the Working Mothers (MP3). Thanks Dennis!

WFMU's Free Music Archive: Jump in!

Hey folks, in case you haven't had your ear to the pavement, WFMU recently launched a new site, the Free Music Archive!

The FMA is a fantastic resource of free, legal, and (most importantly) good music downloads. WFMU teamed up with audio curators like KEXP, Dublab, KBOO, CASH Music, Issue Project Room, Phoning It In, and even a fantastic internet radio station in Israel (Halas.am) to offer up wonderful and free music for the masses, and we expect the site to grow even larger and better with time.

Most of the songs offered on the Free Music Archive are licensed using Creative Commons, which is a more flexible version of copyright. The CC licenses used in the Free Music archive allow for non-commercial use with attribution (by-nc). This means you can download songs for free under two conditions:

1. You aren't making any money off of whatever you use the song for (listening on your ipod = ok, e-mailing the song to a friend or posting on your non-ad-driven blog/podcast = ok, using the song in your company's shoe commercial = not ok).

2. You credit the artist.

Some songs even allow for remixing (under the share-alike clause). Anyway, enough about the rules, go forth and explore!

As I was poking around on the site, I came across a great live set by the band Weave, which I found in Dublab's portal of the Free Music Archive. Since I originally hail from the northern sector of California, I am by nature skeptical of anything to make a peep from the state's lower half. I swallowed my pride and took a listen to Weave anyway, and loved what I heard: melodic yet slightly dissonant and hopping post-punk tunes with fun sing-along multi-lady vox. Fans of Liliput, the Slits, the Shaggs, Vivian Girls, and early B-52s, take note! Take a listen to Weave's live set right here, and download away!

New Podcast: Bitslap with KBC

Those of you who have been loitering in our hallways for a decade or so might remember an ex-WFMU DJ with a penchant for x-mas mixtapes who went by the name KBC. More recent FMU fans who frequent our record fair may have come into contact with this jolly creature generously foisting x-mas CDs upon the masses. Some of you blog folks may recall the fine day we offered up 101 versions of "Stairway to Heaven" (partial responsibility can be pegged upon KBC).

WFMU is happy to announce the return of KBC with a new podcast called Bitslap!

Subscribe via iTunes  |  Archives  |  Other subscription options

Bitslap features "old crazy music," silly comedy bits, lobsters, antiques, and probably some x-mas faves. Get up on it, and be sure to check out WFMU's full selection o' great podcasts on this page.

WFMU Teams Up with the School of Rock!

Paul Green's School of Rock Presents:
WFMU Benefit!

Join us for 2 nights hosted by Dave the Spazz, with his handpicked music performed by local branches of the Paul Green School of Rock and the SCHOOL OF ROCK ALLSTARS.

For each show there will be groups of kids from local schools performing songs of Spazz' choosing as part of a contest; Dave will select the winning school. The School of Rock Allstars will then take the stage and blow you away!

Expect a chimpified, sonic soiree of overmodulated, toe-stubbing rock and roll music as performed by junior high and high school kids!

Hope you can make it to one of these nights:

Friday May 15th - 8pm
Asbury Lanes
Asbury Park, NJ
$10 advance and door

Wednesday May 20th - 8pm
BB King Blues Club
New York, NY
$15 advance and door

Mayyors Live at SXSW 2009

Sacramento is a small place. It's called the "city of a beer" by a website that was once dedicated to documenting the city's inbred band scene. A crazy ex-stunt driver in Sacto used to get away with hosting giant rock-and-roll junk-car crashing parties on his property once a year. A pal of mine discovered an underground drunk boxing league operating in a neighbor's backyard a few doors down from his house. You get the picture.

Mayyors hail from Sacramento, and needless to say, they are inbred. In a good way: aggro, volatile, and missing a chromosome. Their set at the WFMU/Aquarius Records 2009 SXSW showcase was full of loud, sweat-drenched, noisy punk. Assaulting guitars and vox backed by jumping drums hooked the crowd, and soon everyone was sloshing around in a chummy, punch-you-in-the-face sort of manner. Eventually, the bloggers-with-large-fancy-cameras retreated to the further reaches of Spiro's, giving Mayyors singer John Pritchard the opportunity to leer and spit at hungry onlookers from the floor of the venue. Video here.

Check out some songs (links below are MP3s), this set absolutely punished!

Warming Up | Airplanes | White Jeep | (unknown #1) | (unknown #2) | (unknown #3) | (unknown #4) | (unknown #5) | (unknown #6) | (unknown #7) | (unknown #8) | (unknown #9) | (unknown #10)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 license.