Ep. #8 – Feat. Mikal kHill

Culling through the bowels of Nerdcore, this week Matt takes on the talented Mikal kHill, solo rapper and founder of the rap group ThoughtCriminals. Having collaborated with some of the best in the business, kHill found his stride on his latest album, The Snuggle is Real (featuring the likes of Schaffer the Darklord, MC Frontalot, Adam WarRock and Dr. Awkward). Listen to kHill discuss his foray into the world of nerdcore, the unsung process of beat production, and of course, many asides on gaming as a pastime.

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CCP Ep. #116: Everything Will Be Alright in the End by Weezer

Weeezerrrrr! A staple band from the 90s that has continued to be a bridge between genres, Weezer’s appeal is widespread, their albums anticipated, and their artistic choices hotly debated. Try to set all this aside (but keep it on the table) for our analysis of Weezer’s brand new album, Everything Will Be Alright in the End. As an album that could be said to explain and reassure its listeners, it certainly proves that Rivers Cuomo’s songwriting has firm footing for the next twenty years. Enjoy this hefty discussion, then stick around as we talk about fanship’s impact on an artist’s work.

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CCP Ep. #115: Check Your Head by Beastie Boys | Featuring Schaffer the Darklord

He’s here. He’s in your ears. Highly exalted and frequently referenced, he is: SCHAFFER THE DARKLORD. Yes, today we welcome the talented Hip Hop artist and third & final component of the EPIC PIEcast to our very own show. Schaffer, who has consistently regaled his fans with macabre subjects, nerdy adventures, and cerebral excursions, now takes a tip from the latter as he joins us to discuss a vital influence in his work, the 1992 Beastie Boys LP, Check Your Head. Let’s help to turn the tables on it! Then we cut to an special “away”-interview where Schaffer explores Schaffer, with a little help from Matt. And do keep your ears open for some tastes of Schaffer’s work, including a track from his provocative album Sick Passenger, a track from Remix Passenger, and something terribly appropriate to close us out.

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Ep. #7 – Feat. Hugo Ferreira of Tantric

Hugo Ferreira is Matt’s focus today, the Portuguese-American African-born frontman for the band Tantric. A seasoned Post-Grunge band, Tantric has recently released a compilation record called Blue Room Archives featuring a medley of hits, remixes, and acoustic covers. It also opens with their newest single, “Cynical.” In the interview, Hugo discusses the band’s breakup and reformation, his passion for song-writing, and the state of the music industry.

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CCP Ep. #114: Ohio by [DARYL]

For our third fan request, courtesy of Jose (Nokjaw), we are pleased to analyze the album Ohio by [DARYL]. A throwback of about a decade, Ohio takes us back to the impassioned roots of Indi-punk. With its garage-born atmosphere, we explore the album’s theme, style, and structure. Just another day on Crash Chords! Following that, we discuss the use of common sound effects and textural practices. Why do some things grow stale, while others stay timeless? And who gets away with it?

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CCP Ep. #113: True Blue by Madonna | Featuring Rashmi

A time warp has thrown us today, specifically to a time when “Pop Goddess” could only conjure up one name: Madonna. In welcoming today’s special guest Rashmi, an actress and musician in her own right, she has us take a look at Madonna’s breakthrough album, True Blue. And then we shift to Rashmi herself. Raised in Dallas, Texas, her music is a blend of country folk tinged with the pleasing lilts of traditional Indian ornamentation. Not only do we find out when her style took shape, but we get to hear it for ourselves — as do you! Ears open, everyone.

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Ep. #6 – Feat. Marian Call

This week Matt chats with the singer-songwriter from Juneau, Alaska — and Rennaissance woman of lyrical subjects — Marian Call. After the release of her newest record, Marian Call Sings the Classics Vol. 1, she is well on her way through her Autumn Tour from Portland to Portland. She’ll find herself in NYC on October 19th at 6pm, performing at Rockwood Music Hall at 196 Allen St. She can also be found on MC Frontalot’s new record Question Bedtime, in the song “Mornings Come and Go.” Today, she shares her thoughts on the process of making a new record, with various “nerdigressions” from comic books to Doctor Who.

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CCP Ep. #112: Songs of Innocence by U2

Analyzing a free album may seem a bit harsh, but as Groucho Marx said: “Art is art, isn’t it? Still, on the other hand, water is water. And east is east and west is west, and if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does.” Case in point, we’re doing it anyway. The altruistic album, by U2, is called Songs of Innocence and is available to all (with an Apple ID). Then, a few thoughts on a curious term: “Anthemic Pop.” What’s wrong with feelin’ good all the time?

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CCP Ep. #111: This Is My Hand by My Brightest Diamond

Never at a loss for notes, Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond is at it again, this time with a brazen tell-all album called This Is My Hand. Join us as we pick apart the nuances of this latest work in our weekly review. After this musical onslaught, we took some time to discuss the impact of “person” in an album. Whether invited to place oneself in someone else’s shoes, or to accept a foreign narrative, this simple literary choice guides our experience of the tale… but does it ever affect the intensity of the experience?

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Ep. #5 – Feat. Justin Doyle of ADAGE

Dipping into a slightly heavier rock scene and burgeoning talent, Matt shares his time this week with Justin Doyle of ADAGE. A relatively young band from Winston-Salem, their debut came as recently as August 19th, in the form of Defined, an EP that showcases what they have to offer the world of music. Vying for that coveted listenership (and a lump sum to boot), they’ll be performing in a Battle of the Bands concert at Ziggy’s Main Hall in Winston-Salem this October 10th. Hear about Justin’s musical upbringing, his thoughts on the EP, and even his love for cars — all here on Crash Chords: Autographs!

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