192 - Won Nein Too

 

All comments, questions, and general feedback can be sent to radiobsots@gmail.com.  Record a voice message and send it my way or leave one at the Speakpipe page!

Visit the BSOTS Linktree for all the podcast and social media platforms.

Had I been more responsible this time around, this episode would have been shared with the world at least a month before Netlabel Day 2026 took place, not as the event is happening.  Here's the inescapable fact about life, though...it just...keeps...lifing.  At any rate, 90% of the show is comprised of Creative Commons licensed cuts, including a mini-documentary in support of the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine, a Playstation-inspired drum and bass joint from MICROMECHA, and a collaboration between Devin Morrison and Moonchild's Amber Navran.  

Give a brother 50 minutes, if you please.  As always, I thank you for your time and your ears.

 

This episode's track list (title / artist / source / license):

1.  Baloney Syrup by Birocratic, G Mills, and K-Magic [Bandcamp] (CC-BY 4.0) (2026)

2.  Halve-Life by Rav x KB x Scuare [Bandcamp] (CC-BY 4.0) (2020)

3.  Thief and the Bell by Mary Sue and the Clementi Sound Appreciation Club [Rucksack] (CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0) (2025)

4.  Re:Generations by Sam Sellers [Bandcamp] (2024)

5.  Gentleman Featuring QuianaNadine by cdk [ccMixter] (CC-BY-NC 4.0) (2025)

6.  The Web We've Built: Documentary by Chris Frieland [Internet Archive] (CC-BY 4.0) (2025)

7.  Pruneface by Tab + Anitek [Bandcamp] (CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0) (2025)

8.  Brie by Shayhan [Bandcamp] (CC-BY 4.0) (2025)

9.  Nu Beginning (Feat. Amber Navran) by Devin Morrison [Bandcamp] (CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0) (2021)

10. Disk Encryption by MICROMECHA [Bandcamp] (CC-BY 4.0) (2025)

Theme music by Cy Tru (edited by Macedonia).  ID drops from Morganics, DarrenKeith, Mr. Ivory Snow, EJ Flavors, and Mr. Fitz a.k.a. Techniken Defunkus.

Other key info:
Macedonia on Mixcloud
Show no. 190 - BUCKWILD: Fun Is Serious Business

Show no. 191 - But First...Music: Netlabel Day 2025
PCP#866… Ports Of Call…(Netlabel Day 2026 Part 1 of 3)
Modern Brews & Beats
Queue Points
They Reminisce Over You Episode 100 - JAŸ-Z: Reasonable Doubt 30th Anniversary
Mood Machine:  The Rise Of Spotify and the Cost of the Perfect Playlist

Music by SoulProdMusic from Pixabay

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

191 - But First...Music: Netlabel Day 2025

 

All comments, questions, and general feedback can be sent to radiobsots@gmail.com.  Record a voice message and send it my way or leave one at the Speakpipe page!

Visit the BSOTS Linktree for all the podcast and social media platforms.

**SCROLL DOWN FOR THE FULL TRACK LIST**

Monday, July 14, 2025 marked my second time around hosting a takeover of the Netlabel Day Radio stream.  For two hours, I got to share a bunch of Creative Commons licensed tracks live from my living room.  I'm always thankful for opportunities like this and I gotta give a shoutout to my big brother and Netlabel Day facilitator Omar Willey for entrusting me with another 120 minutes to go live on the NLD Radio stream.  Honestly, I'm grateful to share music with any and all that are willing to take the time to listen.  I'm always amazed at what I'm able to find within the CC music virtual bins.

Among the featured netlabels are active imprints like blocSonic, Business Casual, Jumpsuit, Flowerpot, Dusted Wax Kingdom, and Monster Jinx.  Thanks to the Internet Archive, I was also able to include works from netlabels that ended their run over 5, 10, or even 15 years ago like Melodica and Subwise.  And whenever I can represent for labels that are indie staples like Stones Throw or Atjazz Record Co., I consider that a bonus.  Other cuts were discovered on Bandcamp, Free Music Archive, and Jamendo.  A little digging goes a long way, resulting in a freeform mix of hip-hop, soul, jazz, rock, and various forms of electronic music.

Some brief corrections:  "Not Myself" by Lovespirals was listed as Creative Commons (some rights reserved) at the time of the broadcast, but now is under full copyright (all rights reserved).  And I announced that "Drifting Dawn" by Abigail Press was released on Trippin' The Rift, which is incorrect.  It was actually released on Melodica, a netlabel from years past that I stumbled upon on the Internet Archive.  And about halfway through the episode, I mentioned Willam Maggos and his podcast Culture War Radio.  Unfortunately, his show is no longer producing new episodes, but I shared part of his CC music manifesto from the podcast website during the livestream as it was a sentiment that I wholeheartedly agree with.  His last post on the Democracy Of Reach website continues that line of thought and is well worth reading.

As this episode unfolds, keep your ears on the alert for verses from Chuck D of Public Enemy and Kool Keith of Ultramagnetic MCs and Dr. Octagon fame.  There's a live cut by APB recorded at the WFMU studios and even a Latin jazz joint that dates back to 1968.  A little something for many, and hopefully served up in a way that makes sonic sense.  If you need an extended session for your next road trip or just some tunes to get you through your work day, I certainly hope that this episode provides what you're looking for.

This episode's track list (title / artist / source / license):

1.  Manual Retro by Night Owl Committee [Free Music Archive] (CC-BY-NC-ND 3.0) (2013)

2.  Snakes by Rephazer [Kahvi Collective] (CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0) (2024) 

3.  Thrive, Despite by A. Billi Free & The Lasso [Mello Music Group] (CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0) (2022) 

4.  Not Myself by Lovespirals [Bandcamp] (2024)

5.  One Of These Days by Alinah Sipps [Subwise] (CC-BY-NC-ND 3.0) (2009) 

6.  Answers by mary sue [bie Records] (CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0) (2023)

7.  Three More Hours (Featuring Ketsa) by Donnie Ozone [blocSonic] (CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0) (2024) 

8.  Alright Anyway Ft. Taelor Gray by Shon Tha Phenom [Jamendo]  (CC-BY-NC-ND 3.0) (2022) 

9.  Don't Call Me by Gwen Rose [Bandcamp] (CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0) (2025)

10. Scenic Route by Jerry Paper [Stones Throw] (CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0) (2024) 

11. Mamaye by Sampology [Jus Like Music] (CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0) (2010)

12. Xamar by Dexter Story [Soundway] (CC-BY-ND 4.0) (2015)

13. How Not to Die (Featuring Chuck D) by Headsnack [blocSonic] (CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0) (2023) 

14. Electric Mind ft. Kool Keith by The Polish Ambassador [Jumpsuit] (CC-BY-NC 4.0) (2022)  

15. Greenery by DarkSunn [Monster Jinx] (CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0) (2024)

16. Untitled by Ras G [dublab] (CC-BY 4.0) (2021)  

17. The Mind Is Not Inside The Head by The Oddvisers [Discordian] (2024)

18. Remains Of The Day by Wizard Of Loneliness [Business Casual] (CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0) (2024)  

19. I Am Not What I Buy by Mr. Princess [Flowerpot] (CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0) (2024)

20. Swarm Of Bees by Dug [Flowerpot] (CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0) (2024)

21. Budding ornithologists are weary of tired analogies by milo [Bandcamp] (CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0) (2011)

22. Faces by Basement Skylights [Dusted Wax Kingdom] (CC-BY-NC-ND 3.0) (2012)

23. Drifting Dawn by Abigail Press [Melodica] (CC-BY-NC-ND 3.0) (2012)

24. VIBRAÇÃO by Alexander Flood [Atjazz Record Co.] (CC-BY 4.0) (2024)  

25. Welcome To The Party by Har-You Percussion Group [ESP-Disk] (CC-BY-NC-ND 3.0) (1968)

26. One Day (Live at WFMU) by APB [Free Music Archive] (CC-BY-NC-ND 3.0) (2011)

Other key info:
Macedonia on Mixcloud
Show #188 - Netlabel Day Radio Takeover (2024)
BSOTS Guest Mix For The Neighborhood Feast
Netlabel Week 2024 Panels
Four Sundays Ago (thoughts on Banjee Boombox ATL)

 

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Shielded By Headphones: Thank You, Andrew

 

Track list:

Bei Bei & Shawn Lee - Make Me Stronger (Featuring Georgia Anne Muldrow)
Damon Aaron - Floating
Nitai Hershkovits - Sattelite Dish feat. Georgia Anne Muldrow
The Skull Eclipses - Take My
Jaubi - Time: The Donut Of The Heart
homeshake - Just Like My
RC & the Gritz - Good Day To You Sir
Cleo Sol - 23
SAULT - Foot on Necks
Leroy & The Drivers - The Sad Chicken
Saun & Starr - Look Closer (Can't You See The Signs?)
Radio Citizen - Everything
Vex Ruffin - I’m Still At It
Salami Rose Joe Louis - Sitting with Thoughts
Bullion - Loop The Loop
Nautic - Freedom of the Floor
Dina ögon - Tombola 94
Shawn Lee - Fade Up (Feat. The Superimposers)
Mizan K - Thru
Khruangbin - Evan Finds the Third Room
Scrimshire - Thru You feat. Georgia Anne Muldrow
fleet.dreams - EKG (Club Mix)
Panama - How We Feel
Nino Moschella - Something Like
Paper Tiger - Weight In Space feat. Shafiq Husayn (Radio Edit)
Little Simz - No More Wonderland
Reverend Sam Dixon - Anyway



The 30th of March came around and I couldn't sit by and continue to feel sorry for myself because I wasn't doing radio anymore.  That never stopped me from sharing music before.  And finding out that Andrew Jervis had been fired from his curatorial and hosting duties at Bandcamp was just the spark that I needed to finally set up shop and hit record.  This trial run is really just an excuse to say thank you to Andrew, to show love for all of the artists and music that he represented for proudly during his time at Bandcamp.  Not only that, but I figured I could also play some selections from the vast catalog of Ubiquity Records.  It's one of my favorite independent labels and also where I first came to learn of the discerning ear and impeccable taste of Mr. Jervis.

I only played a handful of Ubiquity selections during this session, but any time is a good time for the sounds of Shawn Lee, Radio Citizen, Bei Bei, and Nino Moschella.  "Floating" by Damon Aaron is a sleeper hit in the Ubiquity catalog:  dreamy, pastoral soul that's warm and heartfelt.  And that funk joint from Leroy & The Drivers is entirely too tough.  I lean heavy on the Bandcamp side of things and with good reason:  Jervis was the perfect host for Bandcamp Weekly, always putting the listeners on to new sounds and reminding us of choice selections from the past that still hold up today.  The list of artists that I discovered on that show is too long to mention, but this show is jam-packed with them.  Cuts from Cleo Sol, SAULT, Khruangbin, Little Simz, and Jaubi are just a few examples.  Then there are artists that I didn't see coming like Swedish sensation Dina ögon or the introverted R&B/pop song hybrid that is homeshake.  Andrew put me on to Salami Rose Joe Louis years prior to her signing to Brainfeeder Recordings.  And I'm always up for some leftfield gospel to add to my unconventional hymnal, so I had to close things out with Reverend Sam Dixon's "Anyway" (another Bandcamp Weekly jewel).

I can't say with certainty that I'll be back on a monthly basis to do this, but that is my heart's desire.  Then again, this life has a way of reminding me that my creative displays will be shared with the world when it's time and not a moment before then.

The first installment of Shielded By Headphones is here.  And for that, I am grateful.  Hope you enjoy it.

188 - Netlabel Day Radio Takeover (2024)

 

All comments, questions, and general feedback can be sent to radiobsots@gmail.com.  Record a voice message and send it my way or leave one at the Speakpipe page!

Visit the BSOTS Linktree for all the podcast and social media platforms.

**SCROLL DOWN FOR THE FULL TRACK LIST**

On July 14, 2024, I participated in a 51-hour marathon live stream on Netlabel Day Radio.  It was my first time hosting a live radio show since my final broadcast for Bondfire Radio back in late December of 2023, so this was a big deal to me.  Both Sides Of The Surface took over the stream for two hours representing for Creative Commons licensed music from various netlabels such as blocSonic, Mahorka, Silent Flow, Upitup, and Southern City's Lab.  The majority of the selections were found on Bandcamp and the Free Music Archive along with a pair of cuts from Jamendo.  Many of these artists have been played on the podcast before, but at least half of this playlist contains songs that are brand new to the show.  (There are a total of 31 tracks featured and I spent the entire month of March sharing these cuts on my Mastodon page, posting one track per day and occasionally playing catch up on any days that I missed.)



I do have to point out that "Noumenon" by Lovespirals was under a CC license at the time of the live stream, but was changed to "All rights reserved" shortly thereafter, so technically it's the only song on the playlist that's not a Creative Commons tune.  I can't be too upset about that, though:  it's Lovespirals, a duo whose music I've been championing for almost as long as this podcast has existed.  Everything else bears a CC license and ranges from hip-hop to soul to spoken word to electronic to experimental sound collages.  There are also a few live cuts as well, including moments from Laetitia Sadier of Stereolab performing at WFMU's Monty Hall and legendary hip-hop duo EPMD running through their hits as part of the All Tomorrow's Parties Festival.  Other notable artists in the mix include the late, great Nikki Giovanni, Devin Morrison, Rah Digga, and Negativland, plus guest appearances from Oddisee and Del The Funky Homosapien.



There's a lot of variety here and I hope that there's something presented in the mix that you will enjoy.  Thank you so much for listening and a huge thank you to my man Omar Willey of Netlabel Day for letting a brother come through and share some tunes on his radio stream.

This episode's track list (title / artist / source / license):

1.  Meridian Sound (Part Three) (Live at WFMU) by Lushlife [Free Music Archive] (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) (2012)

2.  Zo0o0o0p​!​!​! feat. Oddisee by Kidkanevil [Bandcamp] (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) (2010)

3.  Rose Joint by Shad + Datsunn [Bandcamp] (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) (2024)

4.  The Price by Scuare x sow [Bandcamp] (CC BY 3.0) (2022)

5.  Dark Step by 85 [Bandcamp] (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) (2012)

6.  Angela Davis (Produced by J-Pilot) by Rah Digga [Free Music Archive] (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) (2018)

7.  Noumenon by Lovespirals [Bandcamp] (2024)

8.  Stars by BeatLove [Silent Flow] (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) (2011)

9.  In Matacumbo by Cosmic Analog Ensemble [Upitup] (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) (2013)

10. No Map Territories by Cosmic Analog Ensemble [Upitup] (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) (2013)

11. No by Devin Morrison [Bandcamp] (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) (2019)

12. Propaganda by CM & Tha Silent Partner [blocSonic] (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) (2014)

13. TimesUp feat. Tab by Anitek [Jamendo] (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) (2023)

14. keep_it_real by lojii [Bandcamp] (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) (2021)

15. NO COMPASS by Yung Miss [Bandcamp] (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) (2021)

16. ONE OF THOSE DAYS by Yung Miss [Bandcamp] (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) (2021)

17. Please Listen To My Demo (Live at ATP 2008) by EPMD [Free Music Archive] (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

18. Richter Scale (Live at ATP 2008) by EPMD [Free Music Archive] (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

19. Don't Call Me [Alternate Version] by Ankhle Conscious [Bandcamp] (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) (2024)

20. 30:5 / moonshine ft. chadah-hadassah by Yashiyah [Bandcamp] (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) (2022)

21. In the Spirit of Martin by Nikki Giovanni [Free Music Archive] (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) (2009)

22. Ridiculous Love by Niki J Crawford [Jamendo] (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) (2016)

23. Check Your Math by DJ Spooky [Free Music Archive] (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) (2013)

24. Proto Culture 2.0 (feat. Del The Funky Homosapien) by Mega Ran [Bandcamp] (CC BY 3.0) (2020)

25. Sailing by Cheese [blocSonic] (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) (2018)

26. Turn The Channel, It's Another Commercial by The Bran Flakes [Free Music Archive] (CC BY-NC 3.0) (2010)

27. Richard Nixon Died Today by Negativland [Free Music Archive] (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) (2008)

28. Eternal Recurrence by Moki McFly [Mahorka] (CC BY-NC 3.0) (2020)

29. Staring at Heaven's Gate by CLOUDWARMER [Bandcamp] (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) (2023)

30. Undying Love For Humanity (Live at Monty Hall) by Laetitia Sadier Source Ensemble [Free Music Archive] (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) (2017)

31. Sleeping In The Yard by Artem Bemba [Southern City's Lab] (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) (2017)
 

 
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

187 - Testing The Waters

All comments, questions, and general feedback can be sent to radiobsots@gmail.com.  Record a voice message and send it my way or leave one at the Speakpipe page!

Visit the BSOTS Linktree for all the podcast and social media platforms.

This episode's track list (title / artist / source / license):

1.  Happy Birthday ccMixter by J.Lang featuring Snowflake [ccMixter] (CC-BY) (2024)

2.  Thanks For The Memories (Featuring Belle McNulty) by CM aka Creative [blocSonic] (CC-BY-NC-SA) (2024)

3.  drain the sun by niteffect [Bandcamp] (CC-BY-NC-ND) (2022)

4.  Over by Suhov [Free Music Archive] (CC-BY-NC-ND) (2008)

5.  Whenever You Wanna Call Me by Comfort Fit [Free Music Archive] (CC-BY-NC-ND) (2005)

6.  Out for a Shrink Pink Drink by Apes On Tapes [Free Music Archive] (CC-BY-NC) (2010)

7.  Configurate by Proviant Audio [Free Music Archive] (CC-BY-NC-ND) (2009)

8.  1000 Miles by Bluntspeakers [Bandcamp] (CC-BY-NC-ND) (2010)

9.  Soul Groove! (Patience) by !Mc'Lain! [Jamendo] (CC-BY-NC-ND) (2022)

10. The Holowaka Hides in the Shadow of the Sun by Fields Ohio [Bandcamp] (CC-BY-SA) (2024)

BSOTS BONUS TRACK:

11. Train Rides - In Praise of Black Men by Nikki Giovanni [Free Music Archive] (CC-BY-NC-SA 3.0) (2009)

If you're reading this, it means that you made it out of 2024.  Happy New Year and welcome to Camp Lo-Fi.  I hope and pray that you will be able to experience peaceful moments and great music throughout this year.  I pulled this episode together as 2024 was coming to a close, making this the first sonic statement for Radio BSOTS in 2025.  To kick off a new year of the podcast, this episode and the next episode will focus on my participation in the Netlabel Day Radio live stream marathon that took place in July of last year.  I initially recorded a 30-minute test run for the stream and figured that I should share that with the listeners.  

I gathered together some Creative Commons tunes from indie labels that ended up releasing later works under full copyright as time went on, but they're still imprints that I hold in high regard (namely Tokyo Dawn, Budabeats, and Error Broadcast).  All cuts played during the test run can still be found online via Jamendo, Bandcamp, and the Free Music Archive.  This set of music leans heavy on the sounds of international beat culture, particularly that first decade of the early 2000s where the lines between electronic music and hip-hop production got blurry (and for the better, in my opinion).  Featured selections from Comfort Fit, Suhov, Bluntspeakers, and Apes On Tapes are probably the best examples of this.

Outside of the test run, the show opens with a selection in honor of ccMixter turning 20 years old (featuring the voice of Madam Snowflake - check out the video below for a snapshot of her artistic journey) and closes with an addictive, head-nodding joint from Fields Ohio.  I also get to share some listener feedback this time around.  As a bonus, I couldn't let the episode end without the words and voice of the late, great Nikki Giovanni.  As always, I welcome your interaction and hope that there are some selections within this installment of the podcast that grab your attention and increase your curiosity about other gems that can be found within the world of Creative Commons licensed music. 

Theme music by Cy Tru (edited by Macedonia).  Background music by Techniken Defunkus.  ID drops from Morganics and Jonny Sonic.

Other key info:
BSOTS show #178 - Creative Commons Gems From Public Enemy And Nikki Giovanni
BSOTS show #181 - Creative Commons Sightings Of Kool Keith And DJ Harrison
BSOTS show #186 - Download While You Can
Netlabel Archive
Funkwhale
Castopod
Tha Bloc Report

Background music by SoulProdMusic from Pixabay.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

184 - Jazzy Jeff Among The Copyleft

 

All comments, questions, and general feedback can be sent to radiobsots@gmail.com.  Record a voice message and send it my way or leave one at the Speakpipe page!

Visit the BSOTS Linktree for all the podcast and social media platforms.

 This episode's track list (title / artist / source / license):

1.  Classic (Co-produced by Jazzy Jeff) by Shad + Skratch Bastid [Bandcamp] (CC-BY) (2013)

2.  My Dreams by Ultimate Fantastic [Free Music Archive] (CC-BY-NC-SA) (2017)

3.  Hide by Ohad Slavin [Digital Diamonds] (CC-BY-NC-ND) (2023)

4.  You Are Enough by Niki J Crawford [Jamendo] (CC-BY-NC-ND) (2024)

5.  Ghost Of An Instant by DJ Enki [Bandcamp] (CC-BY-NC) (2023)

6.  Sake Bomb (feat. Jade Gritty & AURC) by Tab [Jamendo] (CC-BY-NC-ND) (2023)

7.  Regal Bounce by Moki McFly [blocSonic] (CC-BY-NC-SA) (2023)

Continuing with the theme of Seven To Consider for any episodes featuring all Creative Commons music just feels right.  Seven songs isn't an overwhelming number of tunes that are likely to be unfamiliar to most listeners.  Hopefully, it's just enough to leave people wanting more.  And as often as possible, I like to include selections that feature recognizable names.  The Shad & Skratch Bastid cut that kicks off the show features a co-production credit from DJ Jazzy Jeff.  Other hip-hop cuts within this episode include the uptempo electronic-enhanced "My Dreams" from Ultimate Fantastic (one could argue that it's slightly hip-house in its approach) and DJ Enki's  "Ghost Of An Instant," which could be a favorite with fans of early work from DJ Shadow and RJD2.

Ohad Slavin's "Hide" is a midtempo hypnotic cut from the Digital Diamonds netlabel that straddles the line betweeen techno and house.  "You Are Enough" by Niki J Crawford is uplifting motivational soul that the world can use right now.  Tab's "Sake Bomb" is one of the highlights of this episode:  a sultry and trippy downtempo song that calls for constant rewinds.  And then there's the drum and bass banger "Regal Bounce" by Moki McFly.  It comes from last year's blocSonic netlabel release Tabernacle Sanctuary Alligator Soufflé, which won the 2024 Creative Commons Community Music Award for Album Of The Year.  If any of these tunes pique your interest about the artists or labels featured within this episode, then my work here is done.

Theme music by Cy Tru (edited by Macedonia).  ID drops from Kahlief Adams and Herb Brooks.

Other BSOTS episodes referenced include:
Show #175:  Does Music Belong In Podcasting?
Show #178 - Creative Commons Gems From Public Enemy And Nikki Giovanni
Show #183 - Life At Camp Lo-Fi:  The Last Nine Years
FLASHBACK:  Both Sides On Bondfire

Other key info:
Bloc Discovery Sessions
Culture War Radio
Netlabel Day
Queue Points

Music by SoulProdMusic from Pixabay

This work is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International

FLASHBACK: Both Sides On Bondfire

 

All comments, questions, and general feedback can be sent to radiobsots@gmail.com.  Record a voice message and send it my way or leave one at the Speakpipe page!

Visit the BSOTS Linktree for all the podcast and social media platforms.

This episode's track list:

1.  The Hot 8 Brass Band - "Homies" (2012) [Bandcamp]
2.  DJ EFN - "Paradise (feat. Talib Kweli, Wrekonize & Redman)" (2015) [Bandcamp]
3.  DJ Vadim And Sena - "Work Hard" (2015) [Bandcamp]
4.  Markis Precise - "Back To Life (feat. Eligh)" (2015) [Bandcamp]
5.  Blitz The Ambassador - "JuJu Girl" (2015) [Bandcamp]
6.  Core Rhythm And Zajazza - "Grown Folk Biz (feat. Homeboy Sandman And Eagle Nebula)" (2015)  [Bandcamp]
7.  Romare - "Nina's Charm" (2015) [Bandcamp]
8.  Semi Hendrix - "Jesus Pressed Mute" (2015) [Bandcamp]
9.  Sebastian Paul - "Birth" (2015)
10.  Public Enemy - "Corplantationopoly" (2015) [iTunes]
11.  Benjamin - "Those Memories (Sneak Up On Me)" (2015) [Bandcamp]
12.  NxWorries - "Link Up" (2015) [Bandcamp]
13.  The Greg Foat Group - "The Hunt" (2015) [Bandcamp]
14.  Mbongwana Star - "Malukayi (feat. Konono No. 1)" (2015) [iTunes]

 

(Please note that this is a revisit of an episode that originally premiered on the BSOTS feed in May of 2016.)

For over eight years, Bondfire Radio was my home away from home, a place where I built community with a number of immensely talented people.  It was the place where I learned how to celebrate the successes of others and how to truly be a team player while championing music from unsigned, independent and major label artists as both a broadcaster and a music director.  Being a part of #teamBondfire was everything to me and I was gutted when it was announced that the station's end was unavoidable.  Our last broadcast day was on Saturday, December 30, 2023, and I truly believe that we went out on top.  That entire day was absolutely magical and I'm sure that a number of us involved are still trying to process what it all meant to us as individuals and as a collective.

With my Bondfire broadcast days behind me, I wanted to revisit an earlier episode from 2016.  In an attempt to bring the BSOTS on Bondfire broadcast experience to the podcast feed, I thought it would be wise to share some of the indie cuts that I was playing on the station during my first year.  It's a fun mix of tunes with some special guests along the way that offers an accurate overview of what my early broadcasts were like.  This one's for my Bondfire family and for anyone that never got the chance to hear my broadcasts live while the station was still around.  Best believe that I am #teamBondfire for life!

Black Pioneers In Radio promo produced by Bondfire Radio co-founder Coole High.  ID drops courtesy of Fave, Kahlee, EJ Flavors, Core Rhythm, and Jonny Sonic.

Background music selections include the following:
"Pond" by Lavender Worm
"Vanity (Instrumental)" by BADLUCK.

Other key info:

The Weeksville Project
Both Sides On Bondfire (pt. 2)
BSOTS on Bondfire archives
Macedonia on Mixcloud

Life At Camp Lo-Fi: The Last Nine Years

 

All comments, questions, and general feedback can be sent to radiobsots@gmail.com.  Record a voice message and send it my way or leave one at the Speakpipe page!

Visit the BSOTS Linktree for all the podcast and social media platforms.

This episode's track list (title / artist / source / license):

1.  Minor Event by Nangdo [Free Music Archive] (CC-BY-NC-SA) (2010)

2.  Where The Love Is (ft. Dale Novella) by Mikal Amin [Bandcamp] (2019)

3.  Stroll by Exmiranda [Jamendo] (CC-BY-NC) (2018)

4.  Home Is Free by Soul Inscribed [Bandcamp] (2020)

5.  Guaranteed (feat. Ace Hashimoto) by Devin Morrison [Bandcamp] (CC-BY-NC-ND) (2019)

6.  It's Not Fair (Feat. Illspokinn) by Core Rhythm & Zajazza [Bandcamp] (2020)

7.  Socks by Shlohmo [Free Music Archive] (CC-BY-NC-SA) (2009)

8.  INSTANT CLASSIC (Intro) / Tip Jar by CM & Tha Silent Partner [blocSonic] (CC-BY-NC-SA) (2021)

9.  Alright Anyway Ft. Taelor Gray by SHON THA PHENOM [Jamendo] (CC-BY-NC) (2022)

This episode is the second of a two-part series looking back on 18 years of Radio BSOTS.  Truth be told, the second half of the BSOTS life span is largely defined by inconsistency on the podcast feed and finding a regular groove on the broadcast side of the equation due to joining Bondfire Radio in 2015.  Being a part of that radio family felt bigger than BSOTS and I wanted to be a team player.  One might say that I ghosted my own podcast, but I came back to the feed when I felt like I had something to say.  And when I couldn't find the right words, I let the music speak.

The selections included in this episode are all from artists that I've played in the past.  Nangdo and Shlohmo both provide some stellar beat business found on the Free Music Archive.  The moodiness of Shlohmo's "Socks" feels murky and disoriented while "Minor Event" by Nangdo plays around with brighter tones and vocal harmonies.  Over on Jamendo, Canadian artist Exmiranda offers up a hynotic, hip-shaking cut in "Stroll" and Shon Tha Phenom turns the power of positive thinking into the anthmemic "Alright Anyway."  Meanwhile, I used to play Devin Morrison's music on my Bondfire broadcasts years before I found out that his work is released under a Creative Commons license.  "Guaranteed" is warm and soulful and feels like the nervous energy one gets when trying to play it cool around someone that they're attracted to.

It was important for me to represent for the music of Mikal Amin, Mtume Gant, and Baba Israel on this episode.  All three of them spoke to me separately about being a part of Bondfire Radio, but long before that, they were all good friends of mine and artists that I had in mind when starting this podcast.  Their recorded output and live performances rekindled my love for hip-hop at a time when I thought that I was done with it.  CM & Tha Silent Partner represent another shining example of hip-hop that can reaffirm or reestablish one's faith in the genre.  Their blocSonics E.P. remains one of the sonic highlights of the blocSonic netlabel's back catalog.  I still can't get over the fact that a clip from one of my early podcast episodes kicks off their follow-up release, blocSonics 2!

The last nine years have been full of highs and lows for this podcast, but I'm just thankful that it's still here.  Although I take some time to tell my story, the music is still the star of the show and I hope that you find a new favorite artist or song as you listen.

Previous BSOTS episodes mentioned include:
Show #144 - Project: Mooncircle
Show #164 - Cupid Hunt's 2017:  grass ain't greener...
Show #175 - Does Music Belong In Podcasting?
Show #179 - In Conversation With Douglas Whitfield (pt. one)
Show #182 - Life At Camp Lo-Fi:  The First Nine Years

Other key info:
Macedonia on Mixcloud
Black Men Win episode with Jason Smith
Friends Of CC Music episode with Jason Smith
In The Mix With Leah B.
The Bloc Report
The Bugcast
Afros & Audio
Black Podcasters Association

Theme music produced by Cy Tru and edited by Macedonia.  ID drops courtesy of Chyll Will, DarrenKeith, and Morganics.  Background music includes "Infinity 2" by Techniken Defunkus.

Music by SoulProdMusic from Pixabay

This work is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International

BSOTS 182 - Life At Camp Lo-Fi: The First Nine Years

 

All comments, questions, and general feedback can be sent to radiobsots@gmail.com.  Record a voice message and send it my way or leave one at the Speakpipe page!

Visit the BSOTS Linktree for all the podcast and social media platforms.

This episode's track list (title / artist / source / license):

1.  Everybody Stopped Calling Me by Friends Or Whatever [blocSonic] (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) (2010)

2.  In Matacumbo by Cosmic Analog Ensemble [Upitup] (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) (2013)

3.  Mango Tree by Chandeliers [Free Music Archive] (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) (2008)

4.  The Shoreline by Big La Vs. Todd [Bandcamp] (2023)

5.  Datenight by Jonny Sonic [Bandcamp] (2010)

6.  Dance To The Drummer's Beat by Dharma [Netlabel Archive] (CC BY-ND-NC 1.0) (1999)

7.  Misunderstood by Lovespirals [Bandcamp] (2023)

8.  Bag Of Nothingness by Comfort Fit [Free Music Archive] (CC BY-NC 3.0) (2009)

9.  The Force May Be With You by Idmonster [Internet Archive] (CC NY-ND-NC 1.0) (2001)

I haven't worked out just how many generations 18 years covers in the world of podcasting, but it's enough to know that it was a vastly different world in 2005.  A world without as many social media bells and whistles, one where few contemplated how artificial intelligence tools could improve their podcasting workflow or how to create episode teasers in the form of audiograms or Instagram reels.  A lot has changed, but some things remain the same.  For me, nothing matters more than the music that I share on the show.  I never wanted to do anything else in podcasting other than champion independent artists and connect the dots between various musical genres through this medium.  

There's a whole lot of music that has been played on this show over 18 years, and it would be foolish to suggest to you that nine songs could cover even a fraction of that time.  However, some of these songs and artists are reminiscent of specific moments within BSOTS history.  The selections from Lovespirals and Big La Vs. Todd represent my connection to the Music Podcasting Consortium, a like-minded collective of avid music supporters and creators that represents my first online community within the podosphere.  Whether Todd Kelley (a.k.a. The Big La) is curating a music mix or in the lab crafting beats of his own, the head nod factor is always priority number one with him.  "The Shoreline" is a calming instrumental piece and one of my personal favorites from his Kneel Before Todd album.  The music of Lovespirals appeared within the first ten episodes of Radio BSOTS and is one of the first podsafe artists ever played on this show.  Their new single "Misunderstood" is a continuation of the ethereal attributes that make their work so special (and besides that, atmospheric drum and bass is the way to my heart).

Over the years, podsafe music resources faded away one by one, but thankfully the Free Music Archive is still around.  Founded in 2009, I've been virtually crate digging through this website since its beginning stages in beta mode, always finding works that have both intrigued and surprised me.  A cut like "Mango Tree" by Chandeliers brings me right back to those early days of searching for music on the FMA.  This one's a total earworm, marrying lyrics and vocals that lean towards folk with an off-kilter funk groove accentuated by the bass, keys, and rhythm guitar.  "Bag Of Nothingness" is another FMA find, where producer Comfort Fit takes the funk and launches full speed into the future,  creating a hip-hop/electronic beat hybrid that stays crunchy even in milk.  

Prior to the FMA's existence, a universe of netlabels brought me in touch with an endless amount of Creative Commons licensed music.  The blocSonic netlabel would have been the first, and I try to represent for their output as often as possible.  The self-titled album by Friends Or Whatever is one of my all-time favorite blocSonic releases and the shimmering brilliance of "Everybody Stopped Calling Me" is just one of the reasons why.  No Type (no longer active) was another netlabel that I came across soon after blocSonic and I fell hard for their focus on experimental electronic music.  The introspective beauty of "The Force May Be With You" by Idmonster is reminiscent of work from labels like Project Mooncircle, the warm chords occasionally disturbed by slivers of voices, clicks, and digital static.  Upitup Records is more of a recent discovery for me, but the music of Cosmic Analog Ensemble has been played on this show well over a decade ago.  He's a multi-instrumentalist that's capable of creating soulful jazz numbers to sample-heavy hip-hop instrumentals that feel like Madlib during his most leftfield moments.  I cannot stop playing "In Matacumbo" and it would be criminal not to share that cut with you.  The same can be said for "Dance To The Drummer's Beat" by Dharma.  It's impossible to keep still when those breakbeats kick in.  Believe it or not, that cut dates back to 1999, proving that the Creative Commons crates are deep and full of amazing cuts that deserve more exposure.  (Seek and ye shall find.)  It was released on Mono211, a label that stopped releasing music 20 years ago.  Thanks to the efforts of those behind the Netlabel Archive for preserving the works of inactive imprints and ensuring that their output won't be lost forever.

And then there's Jonny Sonic, an artist that ended up becoming the unofficial voice of the BSOTS GONE (buck)WILD episodes.  His music is often punchy and insistent, never forsaking the funk in its approach.  I love the horn section on "Datenight" and how Jonny's voice just seems to cut through his big band that's right behind him.  I've been playing his music since at least 2006 and he's the first artist that I reach for whenever BSOTS needs to blow off some steam.  Should you need some music to bring you back from the brink, here's hoping that the selections within this episode can bring some semblance of peace your way.  

Other key info:
BSOTS 149 - Grooves And Gratitude
BSOTS 151 - BUCKWILD:  The Shouting Match Never Really Ended (pt. one)
BSOTS 152 - BUCKWILD:  The Shouting Match Never Really Ended (pt. two)
Queue Points Show #119 - Exploring The Soundscapes
Julien Smith
Lost In The Sauce
Bloc Discovery Sessions

BSOTS theme music by Cy Tru (edited by Macedonia).  ID drops courtesy of Fave, Kahlief Adams, Aspektz, Jonny Sonic, and Darrenkeith.

Music by SoulProdMusic from Pixabay.

This work is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International