Pop! & Circumstance

Popcast #578: Guest Post by Sugahblade

Dr. Marnie — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:48:00 +0000

Dear friends,

We here at P&C would like to usher in the bright and hopeful new year by… skipping January altogether! (hmm, now how did that happen? oh well) On this epic first day of February we kick off 2012 with a brand new guest post by a esteemed colleague, sister in law, lover of boots and capes, self-proclaimed color specialist, dirty martini expert, Art Director and designer extraordinaire, expert flower arranger, lover of all things 'ghosty', friend of witches and vampires, lover of animals, mother to Biggie, wife of Lil' Bruder, all-around fantastical free spirit who may sometimes be spotted with a feather or two in her hair, I give you my dear sisterbear, Madame Sugahblade Steffi (aka: Mrs. Z, Steppers, Steph, Pipka, Babe).

This lovely lady has been a long-time supporter of P&C and prides herself on being the first commenter whenever possible. Most bloggers will tell you that this is quite an honor. I am very happy to report that she's recently started blogging herself and her daily musings on life, love and the pursuit of happiness can be found at the lovely Life Of Steph. I asked this talented lady if she might be interested in putting together a guest post for all the kids out there who had no music to listen to for the entire month of January. She obliged with a most pleasant musical tapestry woven with some fine pearls of rhythm, melody and at least one man singing Be My Baby in a very high pitched voice that I have come to deem my favorite song on this playlist. So without further ado, I bring you Guest Popcast #578.

………………..AND NOW A MESSAGE FROM GUEST POPCASTER, MADAME SUGAHBLADE.……………….

Hey babes! Today’s P&C is being transmitted from the Z hive by yours truly Sugahblade and DJ Mike Butts (aka Biggie). We hope you dig the tunes that we’ve carefully selected for you.

Join us on an musical journey that starts out mellow with a haunting cover of Be My Baby by DM Stith and then builds to a power anthem by the flaming head of fire Florence + The Machine. Also be on the look out for the melodic duo Lucius straight out of Brooklyn (thank you Mr. Lovie for turning me onto them). Also check out this video by Keren Ann she rocks it. Lastly, if you haven’t been digging on them already be sure to check out First Aid Kit you won’t be sorry. These two Swedish sisters will knock you off your block with their harmony and sweet lyrics.

So sit back and relax … ahh … erase the gray of your cubicle and replace it with the golden beaches of Mexico and pour yourself a virtual Piña colada.

(Also: This set treats the following: frozen airplane windows, screaming hungry cats, broken hearts, dry patches on your face and chipped red nail polish.)

and: (<–Biggie)

1. Be My Baby: DM Stith
2. Foxglove: Murder By Death
3. High School Lover: Oregon Bike Trails
4. Don't Just Sit There: Lucius
5. Shake It Out: Florence + The Machine
6. My Name Is Trouble: Keren Ann
7. Strangers: Van She
8. Satellite: Guster
9. Rocket Man: My Morning Jacket
10. Santa Monica Dream: Angus & Julia Stone
11. Bye: Elliot Smith
12. Tiger Mountain Peasant Song: First Aid Kit
13. The Girl: City & Colour

(mp3)

Popcast #577

Gina Zee — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:23:36 +0000

Do you need a safe place to go? I'm not talking about a chalet in the Alps or a fort made of couch cushions, nice as both of those sound. I mean a haven free from all the garish red-and-greenery, irritating carols, forced cheer, stress, obligations, crazy extended family members, and empty promises of peace and joy that are ever present 'round this time of year. Of course, there are a few nice things that come with the holidays — the general abundance of sweet treats is a definite plus, and I do enjoy exchanging prezzies with Dr. Marnie — but the rest of it? No thanks. If only there were some sort of magic wand that could make it all go away. (Hitachi? You guys are pretty good at making magic wands. Maybe your engineers could get to work on a prototype?) But for now, let this popcast be your magic wand.

-Gina Zee

1. Lay Your Head on the Rails II: Big Blood
2. The Cult Song: Shannon and the Clams
3. The Most! The Best! The Greatest! Forever!: blackblack
4. I Shot Mr. Lee: The Bobbettes
5. Surfin' Coffin: Japanther
6. Femmes Sous Cellophanes: Edith Nylon
7. Airkiss: Adventures in Stereo
8. Baby Baby You're My Baby: Herman Dune
9. Divine Hammer: Jóvenes y Sexys

10. I Heard You Say: Vivian Girls
11. 7/23: Magik Markers
12. Trouble!: Turbo Fruits

13. Love Is the Slug: Fuzzbox

14. Ask: The Smiths

(mp3)

Popcast #576

Dr. Marnie — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:34:44 +0000

Dear friends,

After a decent hiatus during which I participated in the 50th annual Siberian Pop Music Summit in Vladivostok, I return with a satchel full of tunes that will encourage a generous amount of modern dancing. While discussing the topic with my fellow Popologists, it was concluded that disco beats and lush electronic orchestrations are becoming increasingly popular tools in the fight against depression, diabetes and arthritis. Studies show that the more modern dancing you can participate in, preferably in your living room whilst wearing a pair of fuzzy socks, the happier you will be. Which is why CEO's version of Ave Maria has been included on this week's playlist. I encourage you to find your own modern dancing voice through repeated arm thrusts, dramatic falls on the floor, pirouettes, pliés and jazz hands. I look forward to hearing from those of you who heed my advice. Now I must go and practice my french mime 'hands-on-the-glass-wall' technique. I bid you adieu.

PS: And don't forget -

If ever you should look in the mirror and wonder who it is that you are, and wonder what it is that you came for, well, I know the answer. You're beautiful. You came from heaven. You came down to this place. To fill out the dark corners with your everlasting light. And that's why I love you. We love you.

1. Warm In The Winter: Glass Candy
2. Repatriated: Handsome Furs
3. Believer: John Maus
4. Breaking Down: Florence + The Machine
5. Tangie & Ray: Fruit Bats
6. Oblivion: Grimes
7. Ave Maria: CEO
8. I'm God (instrumental): Clams Casino
9. Cannons: Youth Lagoon
10. Hours (Teen Daze remix): Tycho
11. Sunny Goodge Street: Donovan
12. If You Were Here: Thompson Twins

(mp3)

Popcast #575: Foodcast!

Gina Zee — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:44:54 +0000

Thanksgiving is here! Of course, it's a time of quiet reflection and humble gratitude. Let's take a couple seconds to think about the good things in our lives.

Are you done? Because now it's time to push your stomach to the limit. It's time to stuff your face with all manner of casseroles and sauces and bird carcasses until you are immobile and ill. You may then ask yourself why you didn't stop after your third helping of Aunt Pearl's ambrosia. You will promise never to eat so much again. Then you will start thinking about portion control and dusting off the bike you have stored in the garage and even maybe trying that vegan restaurant you've been scoffing at. But you will forget all that ten minutes later when dessert is served, because there is no way your lizard brain can turn down a good pie.

-Gina Zee, P&C's official Dietitian

1. Banana Split: Lio

2. We All Love Peanut Butter: One Way Streets

3. The Munchers: Quickspace

4. Can't Cook Down: Cavedweller

5. I'm Sorry That I Got Fat: The Wesley Willis Fiasco

6. Jam Eater Blues: The Mountain Goats

7. Pepperoni Eyes: Personal and the Pizzas

8. Pink Soda: Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her

9. Do the Eggroll: Peach Kelli Pop

10. Turkey Sandwich: Mika Miko

11. I Want a Cookie: The Evolution Control Committee

12. Cheeseburger and Fries: King Lollipop

13. First Rhapsody for Knives, Forks and Spoons, Part I: The Central High School Cafeteria Band

14. Alcohol: The Kinks

15. Lollipop: Nimbus

16. Cheese and Onions: Galaxie 500

(mp3)

Popcast #574: Guest post by Lil’ Bruder

Dr. Marnie — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:09:20 +0000

Ladies & Gentlemen,
I am so happy to present a long-awaited guest popcast from a long-time P&C supporter, guest singer for The Falsies at the legendary House of Flowers, part-time 80s Historian, full-time lover of fine wines, actual big brother to Dr. Marnie, life-long partner of Madame Sugahblade and co-guardian of Sir Biggie…. I bring you the beloved Lil' Bruder, little brother to music loving popsters all over the world.

Hip Biscuits For the Short Crowd: A musical journey in two parts.

The other day, I was feeling so famboobled after a long day at work that when I got home I went straight to my stack of feel good biscuits and started throwing them on the platter. One after another they lit up this glow worm and I got to thinking, why haven't I made a tape for all of the cool youngsters I know? So I did it. It took a lot of rewinding and making notes to remake the list ala digital, but here it is: Hip Biscuits For the Short Crowd. Or Hot Biscuits For the Bustlin' Youngster In a Mixed Up Tape. Either way, life has a way of speeding the heck up and we need to slow it down sometimes, any which way we can! So take off your socks, light up a candle or twelve, find a buddy or your favorite critter and see where this takes ya. Like my buddies the Space Monkeys say: "Don't be afraid of the dark, and keep your dreams close to your heart. Cuz I've been around and seen people drown in the depths of success."

Welp, here's to that ethereal life preserver.

Big love,
Lil' Bruder

"Hi. I like records, motorcycles and ray guns."

1. Andy's Chest: The Velvet Underground
2. Ain't Got No Home: Clarence "Frogman" Henry
3. Mah-Na-Mah-Na: Piero Umiliani
4. Hamburger: Philemon Wehbe
5. Green: Ken Nordine
6. Virginia: Marissa Nadler
7. Snowman: XTC
8. Suzy Snowflake: Soul Coughing
9. Forget That You're Young: The Raveonettes
10. Inside My Soul: Space Monkeys
11. Mr. E's Beautiful Blues: Eels
12. You Made Me Like It: 1990s

(mp3)

INTERMISSION
(this would be a good time to go make some chocolate milk and see if your goldfish are hungry.)

1. Home: LCD Soundsystem
2. Love Lust: King Charles
3. Kiss You On The Cheek: Desmond and the Tutus
4. First Person: Jenny Owen Youngs
5. Ruby II: Amy Millan
6. Don't start crying now: Them
7. Michael And His Slipper Tree: Equals
8. Rapture Riders (Blondie vs The Doors): Go Home Productions
9. Hold On Tight: Electric Light Orchestra
10. Präludium Nr.11 F-dur BWV856: Keith Jarrett
11. Spock plays with his mind: Spock

(mp3)

Popcast #573

Gina Zee — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:30:03 +0000

How are you all are recovering from what I'm sure was another wild Halloween? If you're anything like Dr. Marnie and myself, you had fun but are a little worse for the wear. Your legs are probably sore from running from the police and you're a bit scratched up from hiding in your neighbor's rose bushes. (Hopefully you didn't have to spend all night there like we did!) And then, the next day being just another ol' Tuesday, you had to get right back in the swing of things without coming up for air. Today, dear reader, I give you permission to relax. Go ahead, leave work early. Take a bubble bath. Have a glass of wine. Have another glass of wine. Watch some schlocky TV. Have a cocktail. And unwind with this mellow little popcast. You deserve it.

-Gina Zee

1. I'm Sailin': Mazzy Star

2. Is Anything Wrong: Lhasa De Sela

3. This Time It Will: Jeff Hanson

4. I Make Windows: Forest Fire

5. Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard: Julie Doiron

6. Raining in Darling: Bonnie "Prince" Billy

7. A Real Time Here: Lloyd & Michael

8. Why Oh Why: Becky Stark

9. Sprinkle Coal Dust on My Grave: Orville Jenks

10. Deception Island Optimists Club: Laura Barrett

11. Anyone Can Make a Mistake: Confetti

12. Uptown Top Ranking: Scout Niblett

13. Nattöppet: Detektivbyrån

14. Crosses: José González

(mp3)

Marnie back on the radio!

Dr. Marnie — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:37:19 +0000

Dr. Marnie here!

Once upon a time in a magical land of college radio, I went by the moniker Miss Marnie Hotpants and Pop! & Circumstance was not the name of a music blog, but rather an actual weekly radio show. Its been many years since I revisited the underground lair known as KDVS, 90.3fm but I got an unexpected invitation to guest dj on Michael Leahy's (of Cool as Folk fame) show, One on One. His co-host Maggie Cat was out for the night and I had the pleasure of co-piloting the show for the evening. You can catch the archived show here!

Popcast #572

Gina Zee — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:28:23 +0000

If you're not still cowering behind the sofa after Dr. Marine's blood-curdling Halloween popcast, here's another set of tunes to help you decide which costume to wear on Monday. (I'll be dressing as sexy Andy Rooney.)

1. Vampire Victim: Old Time Relijun

2. Dance You Witches (Dance): My Barbarian

3. Werewolves of London: Satanic Puppeteer Orchestra

4. Halloween Song: DQE

5. Friendly Ghost: Harlem

6. The Devil: PJ Harvey

7. Casper the Friendly Ghost: Daniel Johnston

8. Witch in the Club: Quintron and Miss Pussycat

9. Creature: Tijuana Panthers

10. Zombie Song: The Besties

11. My Coffin: Quasi

12. Electric Skeleton: Darren Hanlon

13. Werewolf with a Tan: K-Holes

14. Back in Hell: Reverend Beat-Man and the Un-Believers

(mp3)

Popcast #571: Halloween!

Dr. Marnie — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 06:16:33 +0000

Ladies and gentlemen, this week I offer you some of my favorite spooky songs to help you get in the halloween spirit. Almost an hour's worth of spine chilling tunage to: dance to/make lil' spideys to (see previous post)/make out to/have an office dance party to. So grab that bag of candy corn, fix yourself a glass of alligator wine and hit play, if you dare…. MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

ps: "Its Halloween" by The Shaggs might be the scariest song on this playlist. Please listen with caution.

1. Its Halloween: The Shaggs
2. Dr. Bernice: Cracker
3. Red Right Hand: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
4. Night Time and Morning (first half): Metallic Falcons (feat. Antony Hegarty)
5. Devil Got My Woman: Skip James
6. Black Girl: Snake Farm
7. Strychnine: The Sonics
8. Aisha: Death in Vegas
9. Haunted House of Rock (Westbam mix): Whodini
10. The Ghost of Stephen Foster: Squirrel Nut Zippers
11. Jack the Ripper: The Revillos
12. Bloodshed in the Woodshed: Modernaire
13. Somebody's Watching Me: Rockwell
14. Alligator Wine: Screaming Jay Hawkins
15. Monster: Marie France
16. Spooky: Dusty Springfield

(mp3)

Lil’ Spideys

Gina Zee — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:35:37 +0000

If you like making things or arachnids, then get ready for…

You will need (fig. 1):

- wooden beads

- pipe cleaners

- paint

- paint brushes

- wire cutters or scissors

- glue (hot or cold)

- googly eyes

- other stuff (optional)

1. Paint your beads.

2. Take a pipe cleaner and cut it into four pieces with wire cutters or scissors (fig. 2). If you're going to use scissors, use crappy ones — the wire will eff up the blades. This project is not worth ruining your good scissors.

3. Take a bead and shove the four pipe cleaner pieces into the hole (fig. 3). If you have something that vaguely resembles a spider, congratulations! You're doing it right.

4. Bend the pipe cleaner "legs" so that they look like spider legs.

5. Glue googly eyes on your spiders so they can see (fig. 4).

Tips:

- Skewering your wooden beads on pipe cleaners will make painting them easier. Then rest them in a cup or a vase so they don't touch anything while they dry.

- For longer legs, use two pipe cleaners per spider, cutting each into two pieces.

- Tweezers or needle nose pliers make applying the googly eyes a lot easier.

- Those sparkly pipe cleaners seem like a fun idea at the craft store, but they do not make for a very realistic looking spider.

- Put lil' spideys all over the house to frighten and confuse your loved ones!