Learning Everyday / #228 - J. Robbins
Figured out something by accident while editing this last episode...
Hi, thanks for subscribing. Going to try and give a little more insight into the episodes and more of what’s going on in music. Many miss the social posts and will be easier to talk about all the exciting things coming to Washed Up Emo and the brand this fall. I can’t wait to share when we announce, some were years in the making.
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New episode is out with J. Robbins!
You may know him from Jawbox or Burning Airlines or one of the countless bands he's produced. I had been honestly nervous to have him on the podcast. He had worked with some of my favorite bands and albums, feeling intimidated.
He was so gracious with his time and really did go deep into emo and the name, more than many have done when asked that question on the show. His knowledge and understanding of the word, history, and frankness really gave this episode some more weight. He really understands how to express himself musically and with artists in a studio setting.
One thing not noticed but I realized was that this episode was frankly easier to edit than many prior or even the last almost 11 years. Even being nervous, which hasn't changed, I felt a flow from questions or answers that required only one large edit. Most times I have to edit a lot and 9 times out of 10 it's me that I edit out or figure out where I want to go in the interview. J was absolutely an easy edit and as I was getting to writing the intro, I thought, "why don't I just wing it?"
Usually I write out the intro, remember things I want to point out and fit the music in. This time I just hit record and for better or for worse, that's what you got. I did it in two takes, because the first time, I made a mistake with the mic setting and had to scrap it. I sorta just closed my eyes and said what I felt. Not pretty or perfect but like the interview with J, it flowed out easily.
I learned that I need to let go of perfection with my own voice or interviews. I can edit something now in audio form that you couldn't tell based on how I can manipulate the audio. I am not letting go of the listener having an easy time understanding the story, I'm letting go of my own voice telling me not to ask something or go somewhere with an artist. I tried to do this extensive history with every person I had on and cover everything. Especially now, I'm just trying to do my own interview and if that is liked by someone or I missed a band, so be it. I let it flow and hopefully the person on the other end felt like it was a conversation, not an interview.
New music to listen to…
One thing that is always been overwhelming is the amount of music I get sent via the website and through social channels. I’m going to try and share some of my favorites and find ways to include more in the newsletter and in playlists.
Vulture Feather is a new project of Colin and Brian from Don Martin Three. It’s been on repeat since it was released a week or so ago.
If this isn’t on best end lists at the end of the year, make it on your own list today. Don’t wait for the revisionist article in 5 or 10 years, start now.
Standout tracks “Be Still” and “Monument.” What are your favorites?
More playlists: Washed Up Emo on Spotify
Emo AI Fun
I have been playing with a lot of AI tools and applying emo to them.
I asked one made by Facebook/Meta to make “midwest emo.” This is what it made:
I asked ChatGPT:
What is the cultural impact of American Football's song "Never Meant"?
"Never Meant" is a song by the American indie rock band American Football. It was released as a single in 1999 and appeared on the band's self-titled debut album. The song has been praised for its emotive lyrics and melancholic melodies, and has become one of the band's most well-known and beloved songs. In terms of cultural impact, the song has been embraced by fans of emo and indie rock music, and has been included on several lists of the best emo songs of all time. The song has also been covered by a number of other bands, further cementing its place in the emo and indie rock canon.
Thanks
Tom