School of Rock @ WCCBUS
Mrs. Dr. J and I are in Columbus today to learn about Word Press and more for this ‘ol blog we do for the School of Rock w/ Dr. J show! We are excited to learn ways to make the show and blog better.
Stay tuned sports fans.
Drew Murkin Studio Appearance
Join with us in thanking Drew Murkin for playing and hanging out in the WUDR Studios! Special points to him for playing one of our favorites “Moonshine.” Thanks for that Man!
You can find info on Drew at his website: http://www.myspace.com/deadcitydrifters
Do Music Critics Matter Anymore?
How often do we hear about some music critics (Dr. Mrs. J and myself included in that illustrious company) are really not excited about most music that they hear yet still write a review of an album or a song? You read the review and you are not sure if they even liked the music. All too often critics write a review that vacillates wildly between either “hated it” or “loved it.” Its the shades of gray that matter. Not the already know it approach… remember when the ‘Mats made fun of the bands that “played ball” – Saw Your Video!
We disagree with those that say that a particular genre or style of music power “doesn’t even have a market” or “doesn’t even measure up enough to have
a fan festival.” There is music that moves you and well, music that moves you less. But for every song, band, musician, artist that we don’t like… and there are many… there is great undiscovered music that compels you to shake your groove thang. So, don’t care if it is critically accepted. Enjoy the music.
Anyone remember when MTV (then the MTVs) Vh1, Fuse, Direct Music, and many more showed videos and profiled music not some strange collection of odd bits and pieces to see if anything sticks. They don’t care about music they care about viewers, and perhaps that is why critics are becoming increasingly irrelevant.
No one listen’s to the Dean of critics anymore, if they ever did in the first place. Although we remember the glory days of critical writing in Creem magazine, Crawdaddy, early Spin, early and mid period Rolling Stone before corporate profit became the central concern instead of the music. Maybe Pitchfork, Magnet, and a few others can keep the critical bonfires burning but is anyone reading? More importantly is anyone being moved to listen and enjoy music because of it?
Most of the music that matters today has an underground fan base — and being such means it’s only noticed by mainstream music media, when a group has a gimmick (Gwar) or growing fan base (Tinted Windows), cool video (Uh OK) gets together.
As pop music falls lower and lower on the American cultural barometer, less time, concern, and space is being given to it by both print and Television. The salvation might be the independent and progressive blogs which mix culture, passion, politics, and music. These websites remain one of the best places to find recommendations on new and indie music.
Maybe the critics can join the conversation? Except they are going to have to realize that they are just one voice in the choir.
Tim Easton Tour
Tim Easton is on Tour and has an amazing band with him. Dates below come from Tim, if you get a chance to see him live. Do not hesitate!
Thursday April 30 The Hideout
Chicago, IL
Friday May 1 Rumba Cafe
Columbus, OH
Saturday May 2 Summit City
Whitesburg, KY
Sunday May 3
Mountain Stage at Cultural Center Theater
Charleston, WV
Tuesday May 5
IOTA Club and Cafe
Arlington, VA
Wednesday May 6 Mercury Lounge 8PM
New York, NY
Thursday May 7
Johnny Brendas
Philadelphia, PA
Saturday May 9 The Oasis
New London, CT
Monday May 11 The Garage
Winston-Salem, NC
Tuesday May 12 Berkeley Cafe
Raleigh, NC
Wednesday May 13 The Earl
Atlanta, GA
Thursday May 14 The 40 Watt w/ Vigilantes of Love
Athens, GA
Friday May 15
The Strutting Duck
Auburn, AL
Saturday May 16
Will’s Pub – Orange You Glad Fest
Orlando, FL
Sunday May 17 New World Brewery
Tampa, FL
Thursday May 21 European Street Cafe
Jacksonville, FL
Wednesday May 27 Off Broadway
St Louis, MO
Friday May 29 Walnut Room
Denver, CO
Saturday May 30
Benefit for UtahFM.org at The State Room
Salt Lake City, UT
Wednesday June 3 Alive after Five
Boise, ID
Friday June 5 The Mint
Los Angeles, CA
With Alex Livingston on Bass and Sam Brown on Drums!
Check out Album reviews for Porcupine at http://timeaston.com/news.html
Come out and see a show with Tim!
Tim is traveling with the new album and some of his ‘limited edition’ Porcupine 500 Vinyl Series if you are interested.
End of March Show
This week we will play many requests from fans of the School of Rock. We will play Twilight Singers, Golden City, Airborne Toxic Event, Doves, Frightened Rabbit, Frozen Feet, Jason Isbell, Love as Laughter, The Dreadful Yawns, The Alarmists, Emily Strand, The Counselors, Matmos, Tommy Keene, Neko Case, and Bosque Brown.
As always check out the show at WUDR on
http://flyer-radio.udayton.edu
Prince Releases Three Albums in One Day
So what do we think of the latest releases from his purple-ness? Once a glyph and now known by his name of Prince yet again (ok, its been that way for a little while), Prince Nelson Rogers has released three albums in the same day.
What do we think of them?
The album will be available at Target stores March 29. The collection has two original studio albums called “LOtUSFLOW3R” and “MPLSoUND” and a third disc titled “Elixer” by his latest protege, the singer Bria Valente.
Also, is this kind of partnering going to continue between artists and retailers? Prince selling his new music exclusively at Target, while AC/DC sold at Walmart and Guns and Roses selling through Best Buy.
Any thoughts music fans?
Very worthwhile read
Check out this article on “The Cloud.”
Has the concept of physical ownership become obsolete? Some would argue that it already has transformed into streaming services such as The Cloud. For many music lovers who use social media, physical media or digital IP, means nothing. When many of us can be digital DJs with services such as Blip.fm, has streaming music replaced the traditional concept of owning an LP, Tape, CD, or DVD?
Perhaps the issue is more about ‘getting ‘rather than ‘owning’. So long as music lovers can get what they want when they desire it, will people care about the object? Has the idea of pouring oneself over the LP or CD cover or artwork become unimportant? Add to this the idea that storage for gigabyte after gigabyte of music has also become obsolete with streaming… and we have to ask, has the nature of keeping and loving music changed? Have we instead reached the need for Cloud streaming of music where the physical object, artwork, and having vast storage become absurd?
Is “Owning” of music merely a trend that is passing beyond the veil… or is this just the early adaptors loving the new adaptation?
Silence Knows you Can’t Drown Heart
Enjoying another radio show… profiling Julie Roth and Drew Murkin as well as playing some damn fine music. This is our Not St. Patrick’s Day St. Patrick’s Day show. Sorry, we will not suddenly start playing the Pogues, U2, and The Frames. Although there is nothing wrong with ‘em, at the School of Rock HQ we simply refuse to pay homage to this symbolic ethnicity event called St. Patrick’s Day and focus on great music instead.
What will you get instead of a faux Irish accent and beverages food-colored green? Great music from Jason Isbell, The Spinanes, Better than Ezra, The Airborne Toxic Event, Frightened Rabbit, and The Twilight Singers. Plus much more music… Sounds like a fair trade, right?
Our good pal, Atta J. Turk of the Rising Hegemon blog will be stopping by to discuss music and politics. It is also rumored that Mrs. Dr. J may even join us.
Tuesdays 4-6pm School of Rock w/ Dr. J – WUDR – http://flyer-radio.udayton.edu
Back after a week off
The School of Rock is back after a week off… And the show is worth the wait. Brand new music from The Moz, Morrissey delivers with Years of Refusal. And consider a new band that has been strongly (very much so) influenced by Morrissey and his old band mates in The Smiths: The Isles.
We also have new music from Justin Townes Earle with his cover of The ‘Mats classic Can’t Hardly Wait. A profile of Dayton musicians Julie Roth and Drew Murkin will ground the show in local community. We would be convicted of dereliction of duty if we did not point out that Julie’s new CD, I’m Only Temporary, is available on iTunes.
There will also be more ear candy from M. Ward, Robbie Fulks, Gentleman Reg, Tommy Keene, The Fawns, Adele, and Belle and Sebastian. And as always your requests. So, if you are looking for some great new music, check out The School of Rock with Dr. J — we promise great music and a musical history lesson or two.
See you there!
Steven Page leaves Barenaked Ladies
Bummer. Following his high profile arrest for drug charges, founding member Steven Page has left the band to pursue a solo career. One wonders how this will affect the band and whether or not the group’s efforts to record music for children (notably their new album Snack Time) was a factor in the decision.
What do you think of these events?
