The Unblinking Ear Podcast 10/1/15

It's been over a month since the last Unblinking Ear Podcast. Yes, we somehow managed to skip all of September. Not because we haven't been busy.

We did not one but two fill ins on WFMU (who have just begun their annual silent fundraiser so go give them some money) during that time.

Additionally,Unblinking Ear Records released the debut solo album from Zoltars frontman Jared Leibowich, Welcome Late Bloomers. It's available on cassette and digital and, if we do say so ourselves, is rather fantastic.

Finally, we've been working on our first ever CMJ showcase! (Unofficial, of course. There's no way I'd be allowed to go legit.) It's happening the afternoon of Saturday, October 17 at Union Pool and will feature the Gotobeds, Big Quiet, Snowmans of Love and a secret surprise musical guest, who I promise, will not disappoint. DJ Nate K will be spinning tunes before and in between bands and Pat Byrne will host, making us smile and perhaps making us think a little (though probably not).

That's a lot for you to mull over as you as listen to this podcast. (And we've got more big announcements coming soon.) You'll be happy to know that due to the layoff, a lot a good tunes have piled up for the past month and this episode is all killer, no filler. We're all about quality, not quantity here at Unblinking Ear HQ. (Actually, we're mainly about not making any money.)

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The Unblinking Ear Podcast 3/13/14

(Above: Austin's biggest attraction. Photo via Hearts Bleed Radio) I'm afraid this edition the podcast is being posted a week later than originally scheduled/planned due to circumstances in my professional life well beyond my control. However, since I'm not attending this SXSW fest (conference? showcase? synergetic business opportunity?) in Austin this week for the umpteenth consecutive year, you get to hear a collection of new music (and reissues) presented in a succinct, non-overwhelming capacity that will not leave you with an STD.

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The Unblinking Ear Podcast: Repeating Myself

(Above: a man who knows his repetition.)

Ever since I began doing this podcast two and half years ago, it's been a sort of unofficial policy that I'd never play the same artist twice. (The exception being new releases, naturally.) I figure with such a wealth of music out there, why would I subject listeners to the same artists over and over when I could be introducing them to something new? Variety is the spice of life, they say. I even compiled a list of all the artists I've played with the intention being a spotting groups I hadn't yet played who would be worthy of inclusion.

Well, latest podcast, I made a bit of a blunder. I not only played an group I'd already played, but played the exact same song as well. And you know what? None of you called me on it. Perhaps, everyone is fine with the commercial radio policy of giving particular tunes 200 spins a week.

So from now on, I'm going to relax this policy just a bit. There's still a wealth of great bands I've yet to play. I'll get to them eventually, I'm sure. In the meantime, if you think hearing the same bands on this podcast once every year or two is terrible monotonous, you just let me know.

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The Unblinking Ear Podcast: In Lieu of a Review...

...here's some actual music.

Yes, it's a Tuesday. And perhaps some of you thought I might be featuring a new release. Certainly, one or two were worth mentioning. However, you probably know about them already and I generally prefer to devote this space to records that are a bit more under the radar (or, alternately, records about which I think have something particularly interesting to share.) This is sort of ironic considering that this blog is probably much more obscure than the bands themselves.

Or maybe it's just a cynical attempt to generate Google hits with timely material and offer a little quid pro quo to the publicists who keep generously sending me albums. That's something to think about as you listen to the music below.

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53 Years Ago Today...

...Mark Edward Smith was begat into this existence, making the word a much more colorful and rewarding place/





Despite the evidence in the right hand corner of the above that it has happened, it's worth nothing that I've never seen a Fall video on 120 Minutes on VH1 Classic. Not that I watch 120 Minutes on VH1 Classic all that often. Though "not all that often" is still more often than I'd like to admit.

How She (Almost Accidentally) Wrote "Elastic Man"

(The face that gives Simon Cowell nightmares.)

From the old news but new to me department (from UK tabloid the Sun, link courtesy of Failed Pilot):

THEY may share the same surname but that’s it for similarities between angelic Britain’s Got Talent teen FARYL SMITH and gnarled FALL frontman MARK E SMITH.

So imagine Universal Records’ surprise when they received the first shipment of Faryl’s debut CD from the pressing plant.

A cock-up in production meant that instead of delicate balladry in the honeyed tones of their recently signed youngster, what actually ended up on discs bearing her artwork and info were the grumblings of Mark and his fellow Manc veterans’ 2008 album Imperial Wax Solvent.

Needless to say, Universal chiefs weren’t best pleased.

My spy tells me: “They had ordered hundreds of copies and they were staggered by what was on it.

“They have had severe words with the pressing plant.”

I suppose there's some kind record collecting nerd fantasy that thousands of tween girls would hear Mark E and the Fall and have their minds blown and suddenly "get it" ala Mona Simpson and Joe Namath's hair. I'll admit it's a pretty silly thought to entertain but it's also one of the pretenses under which I publish this blog.

Hence:

The Unblinking Ear Podcast Episode III: Reference of the Niche

Episode I: The Fat, Glum Menace and Episode II: Attack of the Drones are still up. (Is Mad Magazine hiring writers by any chance?)

Thanks to SILive's Marooned blog who gave the podcast a ringing endorsement. And special thanks to "broface," whomever that might be. (I have my suspicions.)

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