SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED highlighted episodes for August

We featured the usual cross section of sample based music and audio art, over the past month, on Some Assembly Required. Most notably, there's an informal "love" theme, thanks to the artist Fortyone, (Episode 148), some more recent tracks by British sound collagist Vicki Bennett, of People Like Us (Episode 236), and the soundtrack to an excellent video collage (Episode 237), featuring RNC Chairman Michael Steele, thanks to the fine, funny folk at The Colbert Report...

Three of the four episodes this past month feature tracks, old and new, by the artist People Like Us. That's perfect timing as we'll finally be podcasting our 2002 interview with PLU's Vicki Bennett next week. Episode 236 features two newer tracks by the artist, so I'd recommend checking out that episode, for a brief "look" into what the artist has been up to lately. I'm particularly fond of her recent album with Ergo Phizmiz. Check it out HERE.

Fortyone has a knack for some especially thoughtful cut-ups. That's a pretty rare thing in the world of sound collage, I have to admit, given that so much of this type of work is so often focused on commentary or critique. Episode 148 features three especially philosophical tracks by the artist, along the lines of a "love" theme. Check out the Bran Flakes, also in Episode 148, while you're there. They're quite good at their own brand of uplifting sound collage as well...

Finally, Episode 237 features the soundtrack to a recent video collage featured on The Colbert Report. In response to Colbert's "rap challenge," the program's very talented video editors put together a collage of portions of statements made by the current Republican National Committee Chairman, Michael Steele (way out of context, of course). The results are ear popping... Also in Episode 237, check out dj BC's contribution to his "Muppet Mashup" compilation. The Bastard Pop track features samples from Sesame Street and The Muppet Show. Check out "Muppet Mashups" HERE.

Stay tuned as we upload interview episodes next week, and the week after as well. The first is our 2003 phone interview with Vicki Bennett of People Like Us, recorded on the occasion of her performance at The Walker Art Center. Then the following week, our experimental 2009 interview with Don Joyce, of the band
Negativland. More to come...

Thanks for listening!
Jon Nelson


***
About the show: hosted by Minnesota artist Jon Nelson, Some Assembly Required features sample-based music and audio art by a variety of artists and groups working with bits and pieces of their media environments, giving something back to the cultural landscape from which they so enthusiastically appropriate. Since its inception in 1999, Nelson has produced over 100 artist features, and interviewed everyone from John Oswald, Steinski and The Evolution Control

Committee, to Christian Marclay, Negativland and DJ Spooky, providing a variety of unique perspectives on the nature of this daring and creative style of expression. Visit Some Assembly Required online for more information, including a complete list of interviews, artist features and the weekly podcast. You can also listen to an extensive archive of back episodes here, on mnartists.org.

Digital Art, Mixed Media, Music, Performance, Unclassified