I went to Chicago this past weekend and hung out with my cousin and her family plus a friend from L.A. It was nice to get out of Indy for a spell, and I came back feeling refreshed and creative... but I was also spent from all the activities, plus broke from buying new vinyl and travel expenses. I didn't have any real time to throw a podcast together in the manner that I've been doing, and that's fine... This is sort of a solo effort on my part. No guests, no interviews, just me wanting to play music for avid listeners. According to my stats, I'm getting more people listening to the feed via Soundcloud than any other platform so far. I like iTunes and really hope to develop a presence there but I am also very thankful and grateful that anyone is listening at all. So mad props to my Soundcloud peeps following my podcast! My theme this week involves that song that Kirk Van Houten (the father of Milhouse on The Simpsons ) sang when he recorded a demo tape. The song

The Ninth Hour of the Mixtape Preservation Society podcast is up and running. Check the Podcast Links section in the upper left corner for the appropriate links. As I note in my spoken introduction, this podcast has been airing for nine episodes and already we've had to say goodbye to at least three completely different artists in the time it's been in existence. Chris Cornell, Gregg Allman, and now Prodigy of Mobb Deep... what the fuck is going on in music? WE pay proper tribute to Prodigy by making the first track of this hour the classic Mobb Deep cut "Shook Ones". The interview with DJ Greenhouse comes to a close with this hour, but all it has really done is inspired me to have him on semi-regularly. I think the two of us talking about music is the basis for most podcasts, and it takes the pressure off having a different guest each week... because I'm not sure I want a guest each week anyway. Some hours I want to resemble the Prince tribute more than t

This marathon interview that I did with my homie DJ Greenhouse has turned into a three-part series. I know, I could probably whittle it down to 15 minutes... but I don't want to. This shit was meant to be absorbed over a long period of time. It's not fast food; it's a five-course meal. You're supposed to get full off this stuff. You're supposed to unbutton the top button on your jeans after ingesting this. I play another Melvin Van Peebles track ("Salamaggi's Birthday") and another David Sancious cut ("About You") at Greenie's request, but I also get to play some raw You Tube audio from a little-known group called The Toledo Show out of Long Beach CA. If you get a chance, take a look at their videos. They are amazing-- all live recordings of performances that you will have to see in person the next time you find yourself on the West Coast. Greenhouse and I discuss the state of hip-hip and other pursuits; the interview this time aro

Prince is such an integral part of who I am as a writer, musician, and all-around human being that to try and consolidate the essence of what he meant to me in one hour is extremely difficult. Because of his voluminous musical output, assembling a podcast is no mean feat; it is also delicate and fraught with danger, because even in death there is due diligence by many to take down unauthorized use of his music online. Thus, the tribute I have compiled is meant sincerely as a pure homage to an incredible artist. No exploitation is meant, and yet I am also aware that I have to keep a low profile with this lest Soundcloud or iTunes take down the content.  It could happen...  Perhaps saying too much about it will attract unwanted attention but I feel like I owe it to listeners and fellow fans to understand what I'm trying to do. I wanted to make this podcast in April when the first anniversary of his death came around but at the time I hadn't even gotten off my ass t