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Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesTop Five Songs the Republicans Could Use for Their Convention
So far, the 2016 Republican Party National convention in Cleveland has been, to borrow a phrase from Jay and Silent Bob, “clown shoes.” Failed insurrections. Plagiarized keynote speeches. Guest appearances by Scott Flippin’ Baio.
Now it’s been revealed that the band Queen would rather the GOP not use their song “We Are the Champions” as soon-to-be nominee Donald Trump’s entrance music. Just another in a long line of artists and bands who do not want their music associated with this particular party.
What would be some appropriate music to use for this occasion? In the spirit of bipartisanship, I want to help. So here are some suggestions based on what I've seen and heard and read about the state of the GOP these last few months, with an important caveat to whoever it is running operations for the convention - YOU MIGHT WANT TO GET PERMISSION FIRST.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesThis Week at CHIRP Radio (Week of July 18)
Upcoming Events
- CHIRP Radio presents the latest edition of the First Time Series “First Taste” at Martyrs’ on Thursday, July 21st
- Kickstand Productions and CHIRP Radio present The Coathangers at Beat Kitchen on Saturday July 23rd
- CHIRP Radio will be at Wicker Park Fest on Saturday July 23rd Sunday July 24th
- CHIRP Radio will be at the next edition of Classic Album Sundays, featuring Massive Attack's 1998 record Mezzanine, at Saturday Audio Exchange on Sunday, July 24th
New Media
- First Time - First Deal by Tamale Sepp
- Will Koch examines how music makes mood in the 2014 horror film “It Follows”
- Friday MP3 Shuffle: Happy Birthday Trevor Horn edition
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesFriday MP3 Shuffle: Happy Birthday Trevor Horn Edition
[photo by The Times UK]
The UK newspaper The Times named him “The Man Who Invented the ‘80s.” Looking at his accomplishments as a musician and producer, it’s not hard to see why Trevor Horn fits that description. US music listeners probably know him best as the lead singer of the Buggles, whose song “Video Killed the Radio Star” was the first video ever played on MTV and about as close as anything to being the starting signal for the ascendance of video pop culture. That is just one chapter in a prolific career. In addition to being a founding member of The Art of Noise and producer of one of the greatest synth-pop albums ever made (ABC’s The Lexicon of Love), here’s 10 other artists and bands he’s performed with and/or produced: Paul McCartney, Cher, Yes, Grace Jones, Seal, Pet Shop Boys, Simple Minds, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Genesis, Belle & Sebastian. You get the idea. It’s Mr. Horn’s birthday today - play the MP3 shuffle to celebrate. Take your MP3 player, press the “shuffle” button, and share the first 10 songs you hear...
William Lennon writesCHIRP Radio Movie Collection: It Follows (2014)
[The CHIRP Radio Movie Collection documents great movies that feature musicians or the use of music in storytelling.]
The Plot: After being drugged and assaulted, a young woman is stalked by a shape shifting killer.
The story is simple by design. A mild-mannered community college student (Jay, brought to life by Maika Monroe in an exquisitely understated performance) goes out on a date. She’s drugged, and wakes up bound to a chair in an old parking garage. Her date, now her captor, informs her that she’s been infected-from now on, she’ll be hunted by an unknown, malicious force.
The only cure is to extend the chain of betrayal a step further and pass the infection on to someone else. Her pursuer (who we’ll call “The Follower”) is amorphous-it can look like anyone, so despite the fact that it takes several actors to portray its many faces, the one who brings it to life the most memorably and consistently is the composer, Rich Vreeland, AKA Disasterpiece.
William Lennon writesPitchfork 2016 Is Almost Here!
So far, it’s been a rough year for these great United States. Without delving too deeply into the darkness that’s enveloping us all anyway, suffice to say that a big beautiful summer festival is just what we need to take our minds off things. So, let us salute the three (hopefully) sun-soaked days of Pitchforkfest coming to Chicago in July.
On the first day of the festival (Friday, July 15th), native Chicagoans Twin Peaks will serenade us with their signature brand of jangly throwback rock. In case you’re not familiar, Twin Peaks are a gang of babyfaced stoners that play like The Rolling Stones would if they had been conceived in a post-REM world. Performing clearly isn’t work for these guys, at least not yet, and it’s hard to imagine a better band to day-drink to.
On the same day, Beach House will temper our escapist headbuzz with some meditations on life, the universe and the merciless drone of time, delivered as usual in a series of luscious, 5 minute pop songs. As far as we know, Eric Wareheim isn’t directing their stage show, but considering what he did with the video for "Wishes" we sort of wish he was. (Still, it’s Beach House. It’ll be great. I mean, have you listened to Depression Cherry?)