antimeria

Because Eamonn asked about podcasts he should check out, here are five I listen to:

1. Stuff You Should Know. A podcast about random cool things, like ninja and crazy government experiments.
2. Uhh Yeah Dude. A news and comedy podcast by two guys in LA. Jonathan is a vegan and recovering rasta, and Seth has some neatness issues and watches a lot of TV. It reminds me vaguely of Car Talk, if Click and Clack talked about jerking off.
3. Fresh Produce. Essentially a radio show, with a mix of deep cuts and current hits and remixes. Pain in the ass to find on iTunes, though.
4. Savage Love. A lot of people probably know this one already, but other people’s sex questions are funny.
5. This American Life. Pretty sure everyone knows about this show, but it’s still worth mentioning.

Anything else I should be listening to?

Tardy to the party, but one of my once-favorite record labels, Definitive Jux, is shutting its doors. From artist/label-head El-P:

In 2000 starting a traditional record label made a lot of sense. But now, in 2010, less so and I find myself yearning for something else to put my energy into. I also see newer, smarter, more interesting things on the horizon for the way art and commerce intersect, and as an artist and an entrepreneur, I’m eager to see them unfold. The evolution of this industry is, in my opinion, exciting, inevitable and it would be nice to see the DEFINITIVE JUX brand be a part of it. In other words, maybe we can turn this hoopty in to a hovercraft.
[...]
I think I speak for all of us Jukies when I say I love making music for you and can’t wait to make more.

Until then, on behalf of everyone here at JUX and from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Although El-P’s I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead is the only Jux LP I’ve heard in years, this is sad news, in a nostalgic/”I’m getting old” kind of way. Aesop Rock, RJD2, El-P, Cannibal Ox, and Mr. Lif were major parts of my high school and college soundtrack, and there was a period of several years where anything with the Jux name was gold–even minor artists like Murs, Camu Tao, and Cage were putting out solid work.

HT: Neil Drumming, guest-blogging for TNC.

In no particular order, five people my age (+/- a few years) who make me feel embarrassed about my accomplishments thus far:

1. Randall Munroe (25), xkcd creator, former NASA contractor, and giver of talks to Google.
2. Ezra Klein (25), political blogger for the Post and American Prospect.
3. Jared Allen (27), all-star defensive end, hunter, and mullet connoisseur.
4. A-Trak (27), world champion turntablist, Kanye West tour DJ, and record label owner.
5. The xx (20), an incredibly- (and deservedly-) hyped band composed of kids who can’t legally drink at their US shows.

As an aside, when looking up Hot Chip’s frontman Alexis Taylor, I discovered the following:

I realize I haven’t actually written much about music lately, but here’s a list of concerts I’m excited for:

1. Dan Deacon at Ottobar
2. Cymbals Eat Guitars at Rock n Roll Hotel
3. Miike Snow and Delorean (mostly Delorean) at 9:30 Club
4. Gang Gang Dance at Ottobar
5. Japandroids and Love is All at Rock n Roll Hotel

Yes, it’s almost a month into 2010, and no, I didn’t actually write anything about the albums. Also, I didn’t capitalize the list, since it was a work in progress. You could say I dropped the ball on this one. On the other hand, I will take the time to link to the Lala album page and include a sample track from each (Update: This obviously took a lot longer than capitalization would have. So, you’re welcome). List after the jump:
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