Jonathan Lethem on influence and ownership in creativity

I found a random link to this essay by Jonathan Lethem on how everything is influenced by everything else, and how attempts to control ownership through copyright and such can be futile and counterproductive. It's also largely made up of "previously used" sentences and phrases, conveniently sourced at the end.

I consider the Unpopular Music webcast to be a "second use" creative object, taking the sounds created by Henry Threadgill, The Ex, or Machaut and realigning them into a new sound/time experience. I was also reminded of a time back in my open mic days when the someone introduced his own song as an "original" and then something like "we're quite presumptive to consider this original".

Webcast info for May 28, 2016

I'm out of town for the holiday weekend, so this week we'll be presenting a classic episode from the Unpopular Music archives, specifically the episode from January 10, 2015.

If you don't recall, we here in the Boston area had all come down with Olympic Fever, and it took a good seven months for the antibiotics to kick in.

But, I did come up with the program that was cited as a "recent typical show" when I was presented with the award for music show at the SCATV/BFR awards ceremony later that month.

Another option is the Memorial Day episode from 2014, which also included an 100th birthday tribute to Sun Ra.

Playlist for the Unpopular Music webcast for May 21, 2016

Consistency, or just more of the same -  you be the judge. Actually, there are a couple of recent additions to the Unpopular Music Library, along with some further digs into records I've played before. Enjoyable all the same I think.


See the playlist after the break...

Playlist for the Unpopular Music webcast for May 14, 2016

A somewhat arbitrary selection for your Saturday listening pleasure. The typical jazzy first hour, freeform second hour, this time getting a little poppy towards the end.


See for yourself after the break...

Webcast info for May 7, 2016

from

IIP Photo Archive

Out of town to see Mom (not pictured) this weekend, so no new webcast. In it's place will be either a rebroadcast or selections from an old playlist.  Enjoy!

Update: The December 6, 2014 program is finally being broadcast after (I'm gonna say) five failed attempts!