Airwaves: a late pass

I don't normally blog about albums individually, but I got my hands on one this week that has just blown my mind. The only problem is, it came out years ago. It's an odd collaboration between 2 Brisbane music collectives: Topology and Loops.

Together, with the archives of 100 years of radio transimissions, they've put together a 99 track album called Airwaves. This album features samples (in reverse chronological order) of some of the most important radio broadcasts in our history, put together with a jazz, and at times noodly post-rock, backing track. I sat at work today, enthralled by how it all worked together, at times the samples and the music were at complete opposites, but at times they worked magnificently together, especially the track Gough Whitlam: Well May We Say.

What makes this late pass even worse is that they performed it live less than a week ago at the Powerhouse. GAH! A chance to up my culture, history and general awesomeness and I just missed out.

There's something to be said for music that makes you sit back and really pay attention. Although I'm young, I still found myself listening to this and remembering where I was during some of these historical speeches (even though with me it was only the first few tracks that were relevant).

If you're willing to take a risk with something new and interesting in music, do yourself a favour, get this. And if you like what you hear, and have some management skills, Topology are looking for a new manager. This job popped up in my daily updates today, completely unrelated to the fact that I was listening to the band.

4ZZZ

It's true that I don't listen to the radio often, but when I do I am generally tuned to 612ABC talkback, even if the cricket isn't on. I find Australian radio to be mindlessly repetitive, playing only the most popular playlists day-in and out. I remember working at my old retail job and being able to tell what time of the day it was by what song was playing. I also remember turning it off when music wasn't playing, as the mediocrity of the DJs bored both myself and my customers to tears. During this time I used to listen to JJJ (aka Australia's supposed youth network), but now I find it as repetitive and mind numbing as the rest of mainstream radio. I'll still turn it on if I'm in the car during Short Fast Loud or some other reasonably good show, but that's maybe a few minutes a week.

If I do tune to a radio station, it will be 4ZZZ. It's community radio, but don't let that fool you. It's damn good. It's as if I ran a radio station as in one sitting you can find yourself listening to interviews with politicians, followed by gangster rap, followed by grindcore, followed by Adam Sandler, followed by classical. Because they mainly do what they want when they want which makes it bloody beautiful.

The other day on the way to hiking I forgot my CDs, so Clus tuned it to the Z's just in time for Kids with Class Kick Ass. Never heard of it? If you're awake early on a Saturday you should bloody well listen to it, it's an amazing punk radio show unlike any in Australia.

I had the Z's on last night on the way to the dentist and caught almost the entire show Kickstart my Heart. And I fell in love. The host played everything from Outkast to Against Me! with a choice cut from the new Norma Jean album, which she seems to love as much as I do. Basically, I swooned in my car. Luckily there were no accidents due to the light traffic of the Ekka holiday. I had no idea what I was listening to at the time, but I preceded to look it up online and even found a picture of the host. She's bloody cute and not scene. And she has a good taste in music. And she's on 4ZZZ. Marry me Sarah?

Now where was I going... Oh yeah, 4ZZZ is pretty much the only good radio station left. And they need your help. It's all community funded via subscriptions, which is a small annual fee for great rewards. Next week is their Radiothon, which is their big drive to raise money while giving away good prizes. If you've always been hesitant about subscribing, like me, this is the time to do it. Why? They are giving away great prizes! A gold pass for a year to every show at the Zoo. The exlusive use of the Mana Bar (video game bar in the Valley) and a bar tab for a night. A year pass to the Dendy Cinemas. And much more. So do your part, sign up, maybe win some prizes, keep the radio station going as strong as ever and feel good about yourself at the same time. And keep Sarah on the radio for me.

Not to mention they keep bringing out great shows for all of the local bands for us punters. To celebrate Radiothon/their 35th year, this Saturday night they are having a show at the Zoo called Behind the Banana Curtain.



The show is a launch for Radiothon and their new CD, showcasing the best of local music from the last 10 years. Some awesome bands will also be playing, including SixFtHick and local post-punkers Turnpike (free downloads of their music).