No New CCP This Week… But Wait! In Related News: “EPIC PIEcast” Features Matt Storm!

Hello CCP fans! Due to a certain NYC “blizzard” (and we use the term loosely), we were unable to record this week. Fear not though! We’ve rescheduled, and our episode featuring Kita St. Cyr will air a week from today. But that’s not all! Recently, Matt had the honor of being a guest on this month’s EPIC PIEcast hosted by former guests, entrepreneurs, and comrades-in-mics, Schaffer The Darklord, Charles Stunning, and Nelson Lugo. Reversing Matt’s role as CC: Autographs host, he’s in the hot seat this time, first tasked to explain why he started Crash Chords and why he keeps doing it, and finally to discuss… music! Go figure. So go ahead and supplement your analytical withdrawals now with this bizarre and informative listen!

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Ep. #14 – Feat. Sulfur

Dishing out another serving of nerdcore for our referentially-inclined fans, today’s interview demands a certain callback: In CCA Ep. #8, Matt had the pleasure of speaking with Mikal kHill of the two-piece rap group, ThoughtCriminals. Now, Matt completes his cross-examination of the duo by taking on its other member, Sulfur. Like Mikal kHill, Sulfur keeps the tradition of nerdcore alive with his own solo career, and with his new EP, Enter the 36th Chamber — a work that entirely concerns the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Discussing this, his love of gaming, and dropping some hints at an upcoming full-length, get the full scoop on Sulfur’s many talents with today’s interview.

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Ep. #13 – Feat. MC Lars

Keeping with the theme of nerdcore, Matt sits down—yes, sits down—with one of its legends, MC Lars, in this rare face-to-face interview held in the confines of his very own tour van. Following a concert with MC Chris and Spose, this jam-packed interview covers Lars’s origins in the nerdcore community and his approach to songwriting and sampling. Featuring additional commentary on up-start musicians, many hailing from the unheralded YouTube generation, Lars’s advice is sure to inform and inspire over the course of this lively chat.

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Ep. #12 – Feat. kristybee!

Today Matt welcomes kristybee!, a solo nerdcore rapper from Virginia Beach and member of the rap group, The Nerdlucks. Another musician priviledged to work with some of the best in the industry, kristybee has exchanged collaborations with the one-and-only Schaffer the Darklord. She was featured in his single and music video, “Boys” (from the album Sick Passenger), and he in turn was featured in her song, “Ramona Flowers vs. The World”, which will appear on her new album slated for release in 2015. Join in as Matt learns how kristybee! was introduced to the community of nerdcore and hear about her tour with Mikal kHill. Also enjoy a pointed digression on the movie, comic, and soundtrack of the highly influential Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

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Ep. #11 – Feat. SkyBlew

Perhaps underrated in the dark corners of music criticism is the importance of spreading positivity in the medium. Thankfully this necessity is not only considered, but passionately realized by today’s guest, SkyBlew, the 23-year-old rap prodigy who lives by the slogan, “I don’t rap… I paint the Sky Blew.” With the release of his new record, SkyBlew’s UNModern Life, he conveys this philosophy in a variety of ways, from the album’s smooth tones and warm imagery to his heartfelt lyrics about overcoming setbacks. With Matt, SkyBlew discusses the theme of positivity and how surprisingly rare it is across multiple genres. He also celebrates his passions by dabbling in nerdcore, which he expresses to Matt along with his influences, his aspirations, and a deep love for anime. All this and how the artist got his start in today’s uplifting interview!

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CCP Ep. #121: An Evening with Circadian Clock

As we’re nearing the end of the year, we’ve made this week’s episode a special one. For only the second time in CCP history, we devote an entire episode to a full-band interview in lieu of our usual album analysis. Peering deep into the local NYC rock scene, we unveil to you the vibrant and hair-raising ensemble known as Circadian Clock. With their trescendent melodies, backed by a formidable punch, Circadian Clock is poised to take NYC by storm, having released an EP last year called Someone Out There Loves You After All and a music video for their single, “Brightside”. They are currently working on an LP, slated for release next year. Rarely confronted by a band with such extensive and expansive musical roots, join us in hearing how these veterans of live performance forged their tight and incomparable sound.

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Ep. #10 – Feat. Erik Neff

This week on Autographs, we bring you the one-on-one between Matt and the Dallas-based Country Rock artist, Erik Neff. Not long ago in Crash Chords history, Neff’s debut LP, At the End of the Day (released Nov. 10th), was featured in a written (and raving) record review titled “Subtle Revitalization” by writer and CCP co-host, Steve Nagel. To prod behind the art, Matt interviews Neff on how his sound has molded over the years, on his touring ambitions, and on the mutual benefits of having a music and modeling career. Also listen in for Neff’s take on covers, and finally on—you probably didn’t guess it—football!

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Ep. #9 – Feat. Ryan McCombs of SOiL

The “two-time” lead singer of the band SOiL joins Matt today, namely, Ryan McCombs. Formed in 1997, SOiL’s latest album, Whole (August 2013) is the first album since 2004 to again feature the vocals of the reincorporated McCombs. Ryan, who had left the band in 2004, discusses this departure, his interim work with the band Drowning Pool, and his eventual return to SOiL. Matt also prods into Ryan’s infuences and his vocals origins, finally spurring a discussion on the changing landscape of the Metal and Heavy Rock scene.

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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. #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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