Share
![cover art for Episode 216: Black Alternative](https://res.cloudinary.com/pippa/image/fetch/h_750,w_750,f_auto/https://assets.pippa.io/shows/5887ddc188d80d2d4a1f7856/1688998673109-b3a85a48b3c41821cac609f25f040ffb.jpeg)
Discologist
Episode 216: Black Alternative
As of late, the music industry has seen a rise in talented African-American musicians who paint outside of expected mainstream lines for pop artists. In eschewing easy-to-consume tropes for left-of-center jazz, soul, and techno-influenced sounds, performers like Kendrick Lamar, Robert Glasper, Chance the Rapper, Frank Ocean and so many more have created a sustainable and alternative-inspired vibe. However exciting this class of stars may be, it's important to remember that this is a movement that has an impressive historical context as well.
In this edition of Chunky Glasses, Kevin, Marcus Dowling and SIRIUS XM's Director of Music Licensing Casey Rae dive back into history and take a wide-angle look at punk-aimed rockers including Death and Living Color, LA, Atlanta, Miami's rap revolt, Public Enemy, the Judgement Night soundtrack and so much more. If you're looking for a jumping off point to discover the roots of where pop music's black alternative resurgence is arguably headed (again), we've got you covered
- Marcus Dowling
Show Notes- Continue the discussion!
- Reach out to Kevin, Marcus, or Casey (or all three!)
- Contribute to our collaborative Spotify playlist
- Leave comments below!
- Check out Living Colour's Who Shot Ya EP on Spotify or Apple Music!
More episodes
View all episodes
560. In Coversation: Skylar Gudasz
01:18:46||Season 14, Ep. 560On her latest album, Country, Skylar Gudasz continues her signature style of storytelling through song, but with a more expansive, cosmic perspective. While songs like "Truck" and "Mothers Daughter" maintain a familiar feel for fans of her previous work, tracks like "Fire Country" and "Atoll" showcase Gudasz (once dubbed "the Joni Mitchell the South never had") delving into our relationship with the world around us and how we shape it.In this episode of Discologist, Eduardo and Kevin chat with Skylar about the new album, her identification as an artist beyond just a musician, the significance of truth in art, and more.559. The Evolution Of Phish
01:22:49||Season 14, Ep. 559Most people know Phish for their marathon, mind-melting live performances, but on their 16th album Evolve, they are reminding listeners that there was a time, long ago, when the band made good-to-great, possibly even essential, albums. On this edition of Discologist, Eduardo and Kevin are digging into the latest release from the jamband titans, trying to figure out what a band the size of Phish really means, why songs may be more important than jams, and much more.558. Best Of 2024 (So Far)
02:23:32||Season 14, Ep. 558On this edition of Discologist, Eduardo and Kevin are looking back to discuss some of their favorite releases of the year so far.557. In Conversation: Gabriel Birnbaum
01:37:45||Season 14, Ep. 557Gabriel Birnbaum has been in love with music for as long as he can remember. Whether it was his early work on saxophone making free jazz, playing Ethiopian music in Debo Band, his more “pop” leaning work with Wilder Maker, or his career as one of the best music publicists in the business, he’s spent his life positively immersed in sound.On this edition of Discologist, Eduardo and Kevin are talking to Gabe about his latest effort Patron Saint of Tireless Losers, a collection of songs about well-intentioned losers with big hearts that drinks deeply from the sonic well of early aughts indie rock. Tune in to hear all about how the record came to life, how Wilco turned a self-proclaimed jazz-head into a fan of indie rock and more.556. In Conversation: Silverada’s Mike Harmeier
01:07:32||Season 14, Ep. 556Mike Harmeier, singer and chief-songwriter for the band Silverada (formerly known as Mike and The Moonpies) has a knack for crafting country songs that feel timeless (think the heyday of 90’s country/Outlaw Country) but never retro. On Silverada, the group’s new self-titled album, Mike and the band a re continuing in this tradition while managing to move the band, and country music, into some exciting new territory.On this edition of Discologist, Eduardo and Kevin are talking with Mike about his journey as a songwriter, why great songs are the core of his band no matter what name they go by, his love of the Eagles, and much, much more.555. In Conversation: Rich Ruth
01:06:32||Season 14, Ep. 555Mike Ruth, a long-time staple of the Nashville indie rock scene, made a career playing in other people’s bands before he stepped into the spotlight with his own material in 2019 under the moniker Rich Ruth.Over the course of four albums, his sound and identity as a composer has continued to evolve and on his latest release, Water Still Flows (out 6/21 on Third Man Records), Ruth has built upon the success of his “experiments” heard on 2020’s critically acclaimed I Survived, It’s Over to deliver a brash, beautiful, and spiritual explosion of sound unlike anything you’ve heard this year.On this edition of Discologist, Eduardo and Kevin had the pleasure of sitting down with Ruth to talk about the new album, finding the spirit in the art you make, performing as a sideman vs doing his own thing, and much more.554. New music from Lillian King, Alan Braufman, Willi Carlisle and more!
01:28:52||Season 14, Ep. 554On this episode of Discologist, Eduardo and Kevin are spinning new-to-you tracks from Chicago singer/songwriter Lillian King, free jazz from revered saxophonist Alan Braufman, and modern folk by way of Arkansas from Willi Carlisle.PLUS! DOJ is telling Live Nation and Ticketmaster that they just can’t be that into each other anymore, Apple Music drops the ultimate clickbait listicle, and more!553. In Conversation: Ladybird's Pete McDermott
57:48||Season 14, Ep. 553Over the past few years, Milwaukee’s Ladybird have been refining their sound on stages all over town and with the release of their debut album Amy Come On Home, it’s clear that all hard work has paid off. With roots firmly and unashamedly planted in the sounds of Uncle Tupelo and Drive-By Truckers, and a wit that echoes the work of John Prine, the four-piece outfit is just the shot in the arm that alt-country has been waiting for.On this edition of Discologist, Eduardo and Kevin are chatting with chief songwriter and lead singer Pete McDermott about his band, their brand-new album, and much, much more.552. New music from Raye, The North Country, Hour, Castle Rat, and more!
01:35:38||Season 14, Ep. 552On this episode of Discologist, Eduardo and Kevin explore fresh neo-soul vibes from Raye, indie-pop from Washington, D.C.'s The North Country, innovative classical sounds from Michael Cormier-O’Leary’s musical collective Hour, and the electrifying Dungeons and Dragons-inspired rock of Castle Rat.PLUS! Eduardo experienced Phish at Las Vegas’s Sphere and is here to tell you all about it, a showdown between the hype-machine and Cindy Lee, Taylor Swift makes a luke-warm return, Randy Travis delves into the realm of A.I., and much more!