MISCmedia for 4/13/00
On the (Virtual) Air

YESTERDAY, we mentioned some of the big-money, big-power shticks being used by Big Media companies in the U.S., to try and hold on to their position of profitability and influence.

It's not just that they're acting like bullies.

They're acting like scared bullies.

As well they should.

The various centralization moves within the media biz aren't happening half as fast as the various decentralization moves within the larger cultural universe.

And your ob'd't MISCmedia site's rarin' to be part of it.

Starting this very day (if everything goes right), there'll a streaming Net-radio station as the newest piece of your favorite popcult site in the world.

MISCmedia Radio will focus, initially, on Northwest indie pop, power pop, punky pop, and ballady pop. (There are many other musical genres I adore, but this is what we're starting with.) We're assembling a massive library with hundreds of Hi-NRG faves, to give you a boost through your computer-workin' day and your home-entertainin' evening.

It's all legal, being run thru a server that's got the proper ASCAP/BMI licenses and everything.

The one thing holding up the project's completion, besides the time investment in assembling everything: Much of my personal music library's on vinyl and tape. If any of you out there in Readerland have an analog stereo hooked up to a computer and can help me get this fabulous tuneage digitized, email me.

For now, though, please listen to what we've got so far by pointing your MP3 player (RealPlayer, Macast, SoundJam, WinAmp, et al.) to http://166.90.148.106:8458. You can also access MISCmedia Radio thru our server supplier, Live365.com. (Just enter "MISCmedia Radio" in the search box.)

Artists and labels that would like their stuff played on the station can send such stuff to MISCmedia, 2608 2nd Ave., #217, Seattle WA 98121. As you might expect, we'll listen to everything but can't promise to play it.

(NOTE: At the time this is being written, a 30-minute test broadcast is currently up on the station's server. With any luck, a full playlist will commence later today.)

TOMORROW: Were the Democrats ever as progressive as Jim Hightower wishes they'd become?

IN OTHER NEWS: Waiting for the threatened big e-tail collapse.

ELSEWHERE:

• The Shakers' garbage shows they were as materialistic as anybody! (Found by Found Objects)....

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS:

• Corporate warriors try to capture even more intellectual property.
• Parts one and two of a poet's fascination with the business press.
• Dave Eggers--Staggering Genius or just another hip-ironic bad boy?
• A drink to fair trade.
• Parts one and two of the clash between the arts scene and the info biz, and how it can be resolved.
• The potential savior of daily newsprint.
• You bet we've got demographics!
• Yet another all-time cool place in transition.
• Shorts about new-wave karaoke and other topics.
• Even Los Angeles worries about losing its civic identity.
• Business without the B.S. would still be business.
• Identity politics, target marketing-- what's the difference?
• Where America no longer shops.
• Learning to appreciate the worst comic in the papers.
• When the Muzak's over.

ARCHIVES:

• 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, and 1986-94 columns
• Reviews of literature & art, monfiction & culture criticism, movies & videos, and music & noise
• Longer articles and essays
• The origin and future of MISCmedia