PODCAST: Some Assembly Required (March-April)
Episode 65, Some Assembly Required
March 23, 2008
Some Assembly Required is a weekly focus on sample based music and audio art. Host Jon Nelson explores the world of sound collage via this weekly podcast of his nationally syndicated radio program
Episode 65, Some Assembly Required
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Hosted by Minnesota artist Jon Nelson, Some Assembly Required features sample-based music and audio art by a variety of artists and groups working with bits and pieces of their media environments, giving something back to the cultural landscape from which they so enthusiastically appropriate.
Since its inception in 1999, Nelson has produced over 100 artist features, and interviewed everyone from John Oswald, Steinski and The Evolution Control Committee, to Christian Marclay, Negativland and DJ Spooky, providing a variety of unique perspectives on the nature of this daring and creative style of expression. Visit Some Assembly Required online for more information, including a complete list of interviews, artist features and the weekly podcast. You can also listen to an extensive archive of back episodes here, on mnartists.org.
Highlights in recent episodes:
I think this month’s standout episodes are probably #203 and #016. Episode 203 is full of some great tracks, by some interesting people. Episode 16 features our 2001 interview with the legendary creator of Plunderphonics, John Oswald. I’d start with that one, if I were you…
John Oswald is best known for his 1989 CD, Plunderphonics, the story behind its destruction, and his subsequent Plunderphonic work, such as Plexure and Elektrax. The latter was actually commissioned by the Elektra record label, as a Plunderphonic approach to some of their most well known releases. The album never actually went to press, however, as the label bowed to pressures from one or more of its artists, late in the production process. It wasn’t the first time Oswald’s work was considered too controversial. His first Plunderphonic record was destroyed by the CRIA, thanks to pressure from representatives at Michael Jackson’s record label. Thankfully, he’s continued working, in spite of the frequent discouragement, and in addition to his work as a sample-based artist, he’s also kept busy as a saxophonist and a dancer. Since our interview, which first aired in 2001, he was featured on the cover of WIRE Magazine (2002), and saw the debut of his solo dance opera Spinvolver, in Berlin (2003). Check out the Some Assembly Required interview with John Oswald HERE, for much more information about this prolific and inspirational media artist.
Episode 203 features over a dozen tracks by sample based musicians and audio artists such as DJ Foundation, who lives and works in Northern Iraq. We also feature a Dictionaraoke track by Stark Effect and an excellent Mashup by the Australia based bastard pop producer, team9, who is the featured artist at the SAR Blog this week. Check out Episode 203 HERE, and visit the interview page at the SAR website for links to archived episodes featuring interviews with SAR artists, along with yearly lists of Q&As with close to 100 of the artists we feature weekly on Some Assembly Required.
Thanks for listening!
Jon Nelson
