Vic Chesnutt Dead at 45

Very sad to record Vic's passing here, just a few weeks after touting the strength of his new album, At the Cut. Vic reported to Terry Gross in a recent NPR interview that he no longer felt the suicidal impulses which stalked him earlier in his life, but death's a dog that never gives up the hunt for long. Vic had financial and health problems which could drive anyone to despair. Vic Chesnutt, dead by his own hand (prescription meds overdose) at age 45. RIP.

NY Times Obituary

File-sharing, Piracy, and Freeloading

For those still pondering the differences between anarchy and theft, here's a nicely written column on the ethics of music sharing from Tiny Mix Tapes.

Excerpt:

So while computer networks are functionally means of sharing and copying information, when we enter a torrent search for Ducktails (the artist, not the show), we’re not doing either one of those things in cultural reality. We’re ostensibly accessing an online store where the complete history of recorded music is offered for free. Most of the time, the content is not being offered with permission from the artist or producer. It is effectivelystealing. Cory Doctorow or the EFF can hide behind technicalities and inconsistencies of copyright law (of which there are many) and claim that universal guilt somehow translates to universal innocence and a justified free-for-all, but that does not excuse ignoring basic responsibility for one’s actions. If people want to steal, that’s their choice. At least own up to what’s really going on. The term “file sharing” further muddies an already murky debate.

Full text:

Revisiting “The Myth Of DIY” and the Tragic Logic of Freeloading by Chris Ruen

Ian MacKaye Interview

Listeners to the show know about my admiration for Ian MacKaye (Minor Threat, Embrace, Fugazi, The Evens). MacKaye, closing out his fifth decade in 2011, remains as relevant as ever. Take a listen to the interview below from The Sound of Young America (Public Radio International, 12/04/09) and see if you don't agree.





Ian MacKaye Interview | The Sound of Young America

Vic Chesnutt on Fresh Air

I talked (and blogged) about Vic Chesnutt a couple weeks back. Vic's new album, At the Cut, is getting some much deserved play and interest, and the mainstream press is taking note. One of the killer tracks from the new album,"Philip Guston," was featured recently on my show (CDH #13, 11/23/09).

Vic and Guy Picciotto talked with Terry Gross on a recent edition of Fresh Air (12/01/09).

Hip-Hop in Dakar

NY Times ran an extremely rich and informative piece on the music scene in Senegal.  Great multi-media presentation.  Lots of tracks to sample, slideshows, and embedded video.

Especially interesting, I thought, was the section on Senegalese hip-hop. For those who want a taste, be sure to check out Nomadic Wax, an American label which has put out a handful of interesting compilations documenting the current hip-hop scene in Dakar.

Nomadic Wax has also co-produced what looks like a very interesting documentary on youth, hip-hop, and politics in Africa.

Democracy in Dakar trailer:


Democracy in Dakar Trailer from Nomadic Wax on Vimeo.

Along similar lines, you might like to pop over here for a giant trove of African hip-hop podcasts.

Muslim Punk Rock!

Can't wait to get a look at Taqwacore, the new film about Muslim punk rockers.