Sunday, December 26, 2010

Rokhausen

Rokhausen

Seattle's Rokhausen was born in New Jersey and got started in music by taking the noises he recorded in his parent's garage and mixing them together using their old computer. That's about all I can find out about him, aside from the fact that he has a track on Motown Meltdown, Volume Two! So, let's focus on the compilation...

Taking advantage of a little known collection of discs which were intended for Karaoke and feature the actual backing tracks heard on more than a few classic Motown records, the Motown Meltdown series is built entirely upon these pilfered godsends.

Each of the source records ("The Motown Master Recordings Karaoke by Singing Machine") contains eight songs by the original artists, with separated stereo channels. On one side you hear the classic Motown hit's instrumental, and on the other the vocal. That is a pretty amazing find for any sound collage artist (not to mention a mashup artist) and the results are all over the place in a very good way. Check out Motown Mashups 2 HERE.

I wish I could tell you more about Rokhausen specifically, but for now just check out his track in Episode 261 of Some Assembly Required. Without further ado, here's the SAR Q&A with Rohausen...


*Name:Rokhausen

*Are there any additional names used to describe this project: Dijet Bidet Spret, The Flaming K Holes, Bristol Pete: The Human Bassline

*Do you use a pseudonym? As of May 23, 2013, no.

*Members: Tony

*Founding Members: The Tonies

*Tape manipulations, digital deconstructions or turntable creations: I use computers!

*Another genre descriptor:
Breakcore: land of a thousand, masturbatory edits. Electronic rok music. Dumbstep. B.O.R.O.N.

*Location:
Currently loafing about in Seattle, WA.

*Original Location:
Neu Juhzee

*What is your creative/artistic background:
Data entry

*History: Christ, it's been... 17 years now!? I was about 13 years old when it started. I totally screwed up our family computer trying to get the sound working for some crappy game about dinosaurs. I was told that I'd be grounded until I fixed it. And that's how I really got to know about our computer's sound card and what it can do. Around that time my parents bought me a guitar but I was more content to go out to the garage and bang on things with a tape recorder, then dub it back onto the computer for editing. I was using this application in Windows 3.11 called Pocket Recorder to mix and edit. The results were really awful and a lot of fun. Really awful.

*Born: I was born in a suburb outside of Newark, NJ when Lipps Inc's “Funkytown” was dominating the Billboard charts.

*Motivations: I do it to keep myself amused, busy, and comfortably estranged from most of what's going on in the world around me.

*Philosophy:
I once had this American Literature professor who'd hang out at the local bars around town. He almost always showed up late for class, giving some excuse that involved taking his kids to a public pool. He'd sometimes give us assignments that were impossible to complete in a satisfactory manner, while not telling us that he was grading on a generous curve (ie: read Moby Dick and write a ten page paper on it in two days time). During lecture he'd entertain us with long swaths of silence, inexplicably break into the “Happy Birthday” song, and flippantly comment on the quality of his bottled water. All of this drove a lot of his students absolutely bananas. I began catching onto his routine at some point, and while drinking with him in a bar one night I asked him why he played this sadistic game with his students. He stared at the bottles behind the bar and in a tone of utter sincerity he replied, “I wake up every morning, I splash cold water on my face, and I look in the mirror and ask myself... How can I f*** with people today?”

*How would you like to be remembered: As the Mothman.

*Web address:
http://www.rokhausen.net
http://www.soundcloud.com/rokhausen

http://www.myspace.com/rokhausen



www.some-assembly-required.net

Episode 261, Some Assembly Required

Episode 261, Some Assembly Required

01 DJ Tripp – “Just Stop Believing”
02 Gitar – “TV Dinners”
03 Realistic – “Trademark massage”
04 DJ Lobsterdust – “Love City”
05 People Like Us & Ergo Phizmiz – “Harpo Boulevard”
06 Escape Mechanism – “House Of The Haunted Ink Bottle”
07 Girl Talk – “Don't Stop”
08 Rokhausen – “Since I Decided to Go”
09 Splatt – “Hedvig Nagila”
10 Go Home Productions – “Don't Hold Back, Sweet Jane”
11 The Tape-beatles – “Another Blue Night”
12 The Orb – “Little Fluffy Clouds”
13 Osymyso – “It’s All About Fun, Right?”
14 Wayne Butane – “Dr. Entozoan And The Pressed Ham Caper (segment)”
15 Tristan Shout – “We Are All Made Of Dead Stars”


Use this address, for your pod software:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/some-assembly-required/JSpD

Saturday, December 18, 2010

SAR Christmas Episodes

Merry Christmas from Some Assembly Required!


- (2010) NEW SAR Christmas Episode
- (2005) SAR Xmas Mix







www.some-assembly-required.net

DJ Angelo

DJ Angelo

The UK's Angelo Tun (DJ Angelo) has been mixing, DJing and tutoring turntablists for over a decade. He's been featured on the BBC and performed around the world with artists such as Krafty Kuts, The Scratch Perverts and DJ Yoda. Check out his Christmas scratch track on our 2010 Christmas Special HERE.

He's won numerous DJ competitions, including the Gemini Extreme V National DJ Competition (twice), and was the very first turntable specialist at djtutor.com. His free video tutorials on subjects such as scratch technique and beat juggling have become some of the most watched tutorials on YouTube. The artist has also worked professionally with companies such as MTV, Nokia and Red Bull.

Without further ado, here's the SAR Q&A with DJ Angelo...


*Name: DJ Angelo

*Are there any additional names used to describe this project: My full name is Angelo Tun.

*Members: Just me (and my turntables!)

*Founding Members:
Me!

*Tape manipulations, digital deconstructions or turntable creations:
Turntable Creations - I’m a turntablist, party DJ, producer/remixer, DJ Tutor, videographer…….video-game enthusiast! After soon getting bored with mixing and blending music, I explored turntablism which satisfied my desire to use turntables to the fullest, and I discovered ways of harnessing the turntable as a musical instrument. I now try and represent the entire art of DJing and have tried my hand at club DJing, DJ battles, producing mixtapes, conceptual turntable compositions, music production, performing with other musicians, teaching DJing etc.

*Another genre descriptor:
I describe my sound as “Feel Good Fusion” because when I perform live, I cut and blend a lot of different genres to create good vibes for my audience. Aside from the turntablism, I first and foremost enjoy rocking parties and I try to embody everything that a DJ should be as an entertainer.

*Is there a story behind your name?
It didn’t take too much thought! When I was younger, I did use the name “Scratchmo” for about a year before I decided it sounded ridiculous, so just opted for my name to keep things simple!

*Location: I’m based in the UK , currently living in the Midlands, near Nottingham.

*Original Location:
I’ve lived all over the UK , starting out in Brixton, London.

*What is your creative/artistic background:
Since I was a child, I’ve always been into music and technology so when I discovered DJing, I immediately knew it was something I wanted to do. I’ve also really been interested in video since my father bought a camcorder when I was 7 years old. After school, I studied a Media Technology degree at university and now I guess I’m able to tie all of my passions together.

*History: I’ve been a DJ for about 14 years in total but only went full-time at it 5 years ago.

*Born:
I was originally born in Rangoon, Burma but my family emigrated to the UK when I was a baby.

*Motivations: I’m motivated to make a significant impact with people from all over the world, and use the art of DJing to communicate and promote positivity. Having been a DJ for years, I’ve experience first-hand just how powerful music is as a universal language, and the direct relationship it has with human emotion. Turntablism has the ability to convey this on a higher level… I honestly feel that I was destined to be a DJ because, it’s something that came very naturally to me and I’ve loved it since I was at school. Even though I may have ventured on other career paths, I could never contain my love of music and my passion for entertaining people.

*Philosophy:
I’m passionate about keeping the “lost art of DJing” alive and showcasing turntablism to bigger audiences and bigger platforms. Despite technology hurtling forward at a great pace, turntablism has and always will be about human skill, creativity, and dedicated years of practice - a culture that surely deserves respect! In recent years, I discovered my ability to teach and inspire others and I now produce popular turntablism tutorial videos for DJ Tutor and YouTube, as well as hosting numerous community DJ classes and workshops. This helps me to share important information about the artform I know and love, to a new generation of DJs. Reaching my own potential is a personal goal and so I always encourage my students to be the best they can be.

*How would you like to be remembered: I would like to be remembered as a genuine all-round DJ entertainer, who drew his inspirations from pioneers such as Grandmaster Flash, Jazzy Jeff, DJ Craze, and DJ Kentaro. In turn I hope to have inspired new DJs to discover turntablism and to continue elevating the artform.

*Web address:
www.djangelo.co.uk


www.some-assembly-required.net

Episode 25, Some Assembly Required

Episode 25, Some Assembly Required

01 Christian Marclay - “Maria Callas”
02 Philip Strong - “Plunderphile”
03 David Shea - (untitled)
04 Mr. Meridies - “Remember”
05 Lecture on Nothing - “Potato”
06 Stock, Hausen and Walkman - “Stripper”
07 Christian Marclay - “His master’s voice”
08 The Bran Flakes - “Fun land five”
09 Magwheels - “Impossible to accept”
10 DJ Shiro - “Science friction”
11 Negativland - “The gun and the bible”
12 Dktr - “Shut me up”
13 Double Dee and Steinski - “Jazz”
14 Surface Noise - “LTO (distended remix)”


Use this address, for your pod software:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/some-assembly-required/JSpD

Sunday, December 12, 2010

The Big Announcement

Happy Holidays...
Check out our Special 2010 Christmas Episode HERE.

As you may know, the 12th Anniversary of Some Assembly Required is just around the corner. January 24, 2011 will mark the end of one dozen years of programming. The news today is that it will also mark the end of the show, as I've decided to make the twelfth year the last.

It was a tough decision, made over the past summer as my wife and I became parents for the first time. I'm looking forward to taking all the special attention this program has taken for so long, and giving it to my family.

Thanks to everyone who has shown us kindness over the years. This is an unusual program, and the level of its small success has been amazing, especially considering how far off the radar so much of it has been. It's not as true now as it was in 1999, but sound collage is still a genre which smacks of the underground, and I'm very proud to have been able to expose so many people to it.

Some Assembly Required has been in syndication as well, since 2001, where it quickly went from those 1st three stations in Monticello, Chicago and Minneapolis to well over sixty, just a couple of years later. The number of syndicating stations has fluctuated over the past decade, but we've been at least two dozen strong since 2003. I'd call that a success, especially when considering the often challenging nature of our programming, and the largely unimaginative character of most stations on the radio.

Thanks again for your support and for all the email. It's been great getting so much feedback, from all around the world. With a little encouragement I'm sure I could be convinced to produce an annual update or two. We'll see how I feel after a year off. If you've got something nearly 100% sampled which you'd like me to hear, I'll be maintaining my new Post Office Box indefinitely and would look forward to hearing new sound collage for a long time, I'm sure.

Stay tuned for the final episode in January and don't forget to take a listen to the new Christmas Theme. The Special 2010 Christmas Episode is available HERE.

Thanks for listening!
Jon Nelson


www.some-assembly-required.net

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from
Some Assembly Required!


I couldn't wait until Christmas Eve to upload this week's episode... It should start airing around the country closer to December the 25th, but for now you can enjoy it here as a Podcast.

As I said when uploading the first Xmas Mix, in 2005, Christmas is pretty much the only holiday I still get excited about, and I've been working on this episode for the past couple of months actually, trying to get it just right. I think it turned out pretty good. Check it out HERE.

It's been five years since the last Christmas Theme! In fact, the Podcast began on December 21, 2005 with the first Xmas Mix (Still Available HERE) and I started uploading actual episodes a couple of weeks later, in January (2006). So, next month will be the 12th Anniversary of the show AND the 5th Anniversary of the Podcast. Yeah!

It's been a great five years on the web, and twelve on the air...
Thanks for listening and Merry Christmas,
Jon Nelson


- (2010) SAR Christmas Episode
- (2005) SAR Xmas Mix


www.some-assembly-required.net

Solcofn

Solcofn

Solcofn's Phil Russell has been making music for about a decade. The Washington DC based artist also produced DC101's "Flounder's Mashups" from 2004 - 2008 and has continued to be involved with the radio program. You can hear a good example of his take on Bastard Pop in our 2010 Christmas Episode (#260) HERE.

Russell is also a remix producer and musician, with releases on online label's Corpid and Kusic. You can check out at least a couple of his albums and a load of links to mashups at his website.

Without further ado, here's the SAR Q&A with Solcofn...


*Name: Solcofn

*Are there any additional names used to describe this project: No

*Do you use a pseudonym?
Solcofn

*Members: Phil Russell

*Founding Members: Me

*Tape manipulations, digital deconstructions or turntable creations: Digital Deconstructions is pretty cool. I just make mashups and original music. Nothing too fancy and I don't have a fancy name for what I do...I just do it.

*Is there a story behind your name?
There was a band called soul coughing and I was a huge fan. All I could get on my license plate for my car was solcofn and over the years people started a nick name of sol and it just stuck. I've been using it for years now.

*Location: Washington D.C.

*Original Location:
Military brat, so I moved around a lot over the years.

*What is your creative/artistic background: I took a year of Piano and three years of Drums when I was younger. That really helped out when doing mashups and original music later on in life.

*History: I have been making music in various forms for well over 10 years now. I started doing digital music in the late 90's, making odd sound collages or compositions with a friend and then I branched of on my own.

*Born: I was born in San Antonio, Texas in 1975.

*Motivations: The mashups were a way for me to have fun and put my own take on tunes that I loved or hated. The original music was a way for me to vent my feelings. It helped a lot!

*Philosophy: As far as the originals go, I want my music to take you on a journey. If you feel that you have been taken on a trip away from your day to day troubles, then I have done my job.

*How would you like to be remembered: As an honest and good person who just wanted to provide some happiness in an often dreary world.

*Web address:
www.solcofn.com


www.some-assembly-required.net

Episode 260, Some Assembly Required

Episode 260, Some Assembly Required
(2010 Christmas Special)

01 Divide & Kreate – “Blitzkrieg Santa”
02 Wayne Butane – “A Very Special Wayne Butane Christmas (segment)”
03 Voicedude – “Carol Of The Burgers”
04 samflanagan – “Frosty DMC”
05 Whimsical Will – “Christmas Cut-Up (1985)”
06 People Like Us – “Jingle Bells 1”
07 Divide & Kreate – “Jingle Jane”
08 DJ Angelo – “An Alternative Christmas Message”
09 Kittinfish Mountain – “Frosty the Snowman”
10 The Bran Flakes – “Here Comes Santa”
11 Wayne Butane – “A Very Special Wayne Butane Christmas (segment)”
12 People Like Us – “Silent Night”
13 Martinn – “Brave Bells Of Scotland”
14 Buchanan & Goodman – “Santa & The Satellite”
15 Buchanan & Goodman – “Santa & The Satellite Part 2”
16 King Of Pants – “Alala Falala Hasselhoff”
17 ATOM - “You Should Be A Freaky Christmas, Baby”
18 Wayne Butane – “A Very Special Wayne Butane Christmas (segment)””
19 Solcofn – “Nude Christmas”
20 dj BC – “Imagine Santa”


Use this address, for your pod software:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/some-assembly-required/JSpD

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Christmas Cheer

A few Early Recommendations for Christmas Cheer...

I've got my 2010 Christmas Episode all ready to go. It's going up this weekend - Stay tuned! [update: Now Available HERE]. In the meantime, here are some Xmas Collage Albums which are definitely worth checking out...


The Found Sound Orchestra - "CHRISTMAS MIDGETS"
I'm still kicking myself for missing out on the Found Sound Orchestra's NEW Christmas Album, "Christmas Midgets". Formerly known as team9, The Found Sound Orchestra is taking all of their mashup skills and pushing them in just a slightly different direction these days. This album is destined for greatness! Check it out HERE.


Various Artists - "SANTASTIC V: SNOW, MAN!"
I got ahead of myself this year, I was so excited about doing another Xmas Mix, and this is another album I missed in the process. This is a really good series, and you can find all five of them linked to from DJ BC's website. Check it out HERE.


"Kittinfish Mountain's Christmas Conundrum"
There are so many I could list, but I'll stick to just these three for now. Released in 2006, Kittinfish Mountain was totally new to me. A sugar rush of sound collage, this should round things out nicely... Enjoy! Check it out HERE.



Stay tuned for the Some Assembly Required Christmas Special - Available This Weekend...

Thanks for listening,
Jon Nelson


www.some-assembly-required.net

Friday, December 03, 2010

Episode 43, Some Assembly Required

Episode 43, Some Assembly Required
(featuring our 2002 interview with People Like Us)

01 People Like Us - “Caciocavallo”
02 People Like Us - “Oompah Pumpah”
03 People Like Us - “Repeat to fade”
04 People Like Us - “More plunderblunders”
05 Over the Edge - “Bright giant love balls and roll call”
06 People Like Us - “If someone touches you”
07 Over the Edge - “Nice music”
08 Cyclobe - “I believe in mirrorballs”
09 People Like Us - “Dolly pardon”
10 People Like Us - “Whistle song”


Use this address, for your pod software:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/some-assembly-required/JSpD