Untitled; 1970

[asymm]

I ended up departing from my university's radio station and have since created my own personal webcast. The show/site is called, "Untitled; 1970" in reference to one of Mark Rothko's later paintings.

It's a weekly show that I plan on driving with conceptual intent in the musical choices I make. I'm hoping to add a little substance to something that people would normally just expect to find arbitrary song choices.

http://untitled.asymm.net

Just give it a listen and let me know what you think. I'm happy with the results and I'm quite eager to move forward and do more.

[Sam]

You have such a radio-sounding voice.

Edit: I just finished listening to your show. It was really good, I'm suprised that I liked the majority of the songs you played.

Also, have you heard the band Sunn0)))? They're alot like early Earth, but denser sounding...they're pretty cool.

[asymm]

Thank you!

I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'll be doing one each week, so if you're still interested they'll always be there. Did you like my theme and the way I used it? It's what I'm trying to use to make my show stand out a little bit.

And actually, yeah, I've been listening to a little bit of Sunn0))) because of how much I enjoyed that Earth record. Since I've only heard the newer Earth record, they're hard to compare so far.

- Anyone else listen to the show? I figured at least JonM would be on my side with the concept at least :D

[Bartender]

I listened. Liked listening to a radio show by someone from MX, and it was nice to finally hear why you seem constantly to be digging Head Over Heels. The Earth song was surprisingly good (had only heard their earlier, heavier stuff before).

Not so sure about the theme. Not that it wasn't good, or a good way to tie the songs together; was just left a little confused about what would happen in future weeks. I'd be listening again to find out, though.

[Naveed Afzal]

I liked this, its ahrd for me to just sit and listen to the radio, but this was able to keep my attention.

I didnt like the first song so much, but i can appreciate it,
I like the song by Mogwai tho, im going to have to pick up that EP, the tune sound sounded very strong.

I didnt catch the name of one of the songs, i couldnt make it out.... it had a female singing (Something "Twins.... music and drums") i couldnt make it out but that was my favorite of all the tunes that played, you've got a nice selection im new to the whole indie music thing, youve given me many a musician to check out.

[Bartender]

That was Cocteau Twins - Musette and Drums.

[Naveed Afzal]

That was Cocteau Twins - Musette and Drums.

thank you. are most of their tunes like that? It seems like good driving music, i go to see alot of bands, and friends, so im on the road alot, and i like music like that... lyrics dont mean alot to me, because ive been listening to Jazz for so long, most of the tunes i like are instrumental.

[asymm]

Thanks a lot guys, I appreciate you guys giving it a chance.

About the theme - my themes will change it week to allow for constant change. The point of the themes is to have a concept to hold everything together. My theme for this first show was relating the music to the painting by Mark Rothko. The confusing part is that the name of the painting is the name of my show and that same painting is also its theme. So, in the future it'll be a little more clear.

As an example, my theme could be autobiographical for my week or finding a song to represent a variety of colours. It's pretty open, the whole goal is to stray away from the arbitrary lists that some radio shows have.

[rbv]

You should put it up as a podcast.

[asymm]

You should put it up as a podcast.
Yeah, I'm going to read up on how to properly set up the RSS, then I'll have that available.

[Sam]

Yea, I picked up that Cocteau Twins album today after hearing the song. I like it alot.

[Zappa]

Just started listening. The painting is beautiful.

[pixiesfanyo]

you have the most stereotypical nerd voice in the world.

(joke trademarked to zappa)

[Zappa]

Yeah, pixies and I were discussing your sparkling nerdiness.

[Zebra]

I enjoyed almost every song that you chose, esp. the Joy Division track. Like a few people already mentioned you have a nice, radio friendly voice and things went smoothly.

[Zappa]

I liked most of the songs you played (aside from the first, the VU, and the J&MC), but I don't think I'll be listening to your next show. Personally, I found that you talked entirely too much. I thought the way you insisted on long-windedly relating each and every song to the painting to be very awkward and superficial. I also have nearly all the songs I enjoyed in my collection, so it was kind of redundant. If I was to go for one of those songs, I'd probably play the album that it's on, because the record will inevitably have more contrast and relief. Your program was intensely one-dimensional, to my ears.

I can tell you put a lot of thought into the song choice, but maybe that's the problem. Letting your gut and heart guide you in matters of art tends to create a more moving result, I find. One of the amazing things about music is the way it can affect you in unpredicted ways. Listening to some Mogwai followed by some Joy Division could at some point, depending on so many other factors, take the listener to a place completely unrelated to some painting or other arbitrary theme. Your show felt so logical and forced.

[asymm]

you have the most stereotypical nerd voice in the world.

Haha, that's a new one. I haven't been told that before.

Sam - Awesome, glad you enjoyed the song.
Zebra - Thanks for listening, greatly appreciated.
Zappa - Thanks for listening man, nice to hear a critique. I suppose I have to ask, how should I be improving this then? I hear what you're saying, but the main issues you're talking about relate to any/all radio shows. If I just played whatever each week, why would anyone care? Here I'm trying to add a contextual frame for what's being played, which I hope will give listeners a little more meat to grab onto. If the show wasn't so structured I think it would be hurting considerably more than it currently is. But, I do understand your complaints, I just believe that a radio show is unable to get rid of some of these.

Overall, it sounds as though you'd prefer to listen to a mixtape or simply a real album. And I'd tend to agree with you, this isn't interesting for everyone. It's mostly something that I enjoy creating that is similarly enjoyable for some to hear.

Thanks again guys, I'm glad so many people have given my show a chance.

[pixiesfanyo]

If I just played whatever each week, why would anyone care? .

John Peel seemed to do fine is this respect.

I think you just need to contrast your sounds. I laughed at your comments alot because right after playing Joy Division you'd be like, and now for some gothic post-punk, and it's like.. that is what you just played? The same with Sonic Youth followed by VU. I think you need to work at finding some songs that aren't all so.. credible. Every band you picked is mostly an music snob highlight. I mean we're all music snobs here, but the only song I felt I needed to listen to on the entire show was Earth, everything else was really predictable. Maybe you need to work on making it less predictable by adding some songs that relate to the topic in some obscure/personal way. Or the topic could be an emotion and therefore it would be less singular in it's definition through music.

[asymm]

Yeah, I can understand that point for sure, pixiesfan. Future shows will stray more away from the big names. As a first show, I did specifically try to keep things somewhat safe - by using names such as these. And while my audience isn't MX, I'll definitely work on this aspect of the show. Thanks.

[pixiesfanyo]

Yeah, I can understand that point for sure, pixiesfan. Future shows will stray more away from the big names. As a first show, I did specifically try to keep things somewhat safe - by using names such as these. And while my audience isn't MX, I'll definitely work on this aspect of the show. Thanks.

Well just not.. "big names" but bands that all have a similar attitude/feel.

When I think of Joy Division fans I think of people that like Sonic Youth and Jesus & The Mary Chain and VU and most of the bands you played. I'm saying shake it up a bit by throwing somebody like.. The Dillinger Escape Plan, or Binary Star in there.

[The NPC]

There needs to be more variation in your show. I too found it to be just like any other college radio show. It was just boring and seemed forced, also you should avoid using certian genre listings. What may seem to be post punk to you may not to another. You don't want to look like a fool, remember when people listen to you they have no problems ripping you apart. Just state what you'll be playing and maybe things about the band or something. Avoid adding your opinion, it's a way to save your ***.