Introducing “Pick It Up” Ska Radio Show on WECB Emerson

Pick It Up Radio | Boston Ska Show | Emerson College

Pick It Up Radio | Boston Ska Show | Emerson CollegeOne might wonder why bother with radio or podcasts in the days of Spotify and Google. If I can search for the song I want to hear and listen to it on-demand, why would I need a DJ to play it for me?

I can think of three very crystal clear reasons:

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  1.  These services, while accessible to local musicians in some ways, certainly gives preference to established and mainstream acts.
  2. Sometimes you might just not know what you want to listen to
  3. (This is the big one) Sometimes you want need recommendations.

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DJs are a source for music. They’ve been charged with the sacred task of selecting  songs for the enjoyment of the crowd, big or small, live or recorded, in person or over the air. We haven’t stopped making mixes or suggesting music to each other, we’ve just changed how we do it. If you’re anything like me, you crave new music and new bands, be they new to the scene or just new to me. In short, tell me what to listen to.

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Review: Sammy Kay and the East Los 3 – “Love Letters”

Sammy Kay and the East Los 3 | Love Letters

Sammy Kay and the East Los 3 | Love LettersSammy Kay and the East Los 3
“Love Letters”
2013, Big Tunes / Panic State Records / Whatevski Records
RIYL: Westbound Train, The Slackers, JR Thomas, Tom Waits

The title “Love Letters” conjures  up images and ideas of a romantic time and space. When was the last time you put pen to paper to express your love, going through through six drafts before you got the words just right? Sure those moments being lovestruck were exhausting in their own right, but they were inherently fun. There’s a special kind of perseverant energy that goes into that kind of love. The kind we need because we’re all so jaded. That’s the aesthetic of this record, the first full length from solo artist Sammy Kay released October 29, 2013.

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Pre-Order New Deal’s Gone Bad Record “Heartbreaks And Shadows”

Chicago’s Deal’s Gone Bad has completed the recording of their latest record, “Heartbreaks And Shadows,” a follow up to their 2007 record “The Ramblers.” This will be the second of their records featuring the distinctive voice of Todd Hembrook. The band’s next step is pressing and distribution of the record and they’re looking to their fans, friends, and the good people at Big Tunes to fund the record.

For those not familiar, Big Tunes is a crowdfunding platform akin to Kickstarter, but it’s geared specifically to music projects which means both the artist and the fans come out ahead. It’s also run by the same good people that run Whatevski Records, so you know they really get ska, rocksteady, and reggae music.

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Bim Skala Bim Releases Back Catalog Direct to Fans Digitally

Bim Skala Bim, Boston Ska Est. 1983

Bim Skala Bim, Boston Ska Est. 1983

Boston Ska Pioneers Bim Skala Bim have made a large chunk of their back catalog of LPs available to fans through their Nimbit Music digital store. Fans can rest assured they’re buying directly from the band, and Nimbit is based in Framingham, MA to boot. The band advertised that their full catalog was available. I’m no expert on the band and I picked up most of their LPs on eMusic way back, but a little research confirmed my hunch that there were still some singles and EP material not available through the store. Nonetheless, there are 11 albums available on sale for between $7 and $12 an album and you can buy the tracks individually if you prefer. You could just as easily get many of these tracks from iTunes but Nimbit gives you 256 kbps mp3s and no DRM. Just head to the store and click on the “shop” tab.

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Have Nots Release Single in Tribute to Band Member’s Father

Heartland | Have Nots | Boston Ska

Heartland | Have Nots | Boston Ska

The relatively dormant punk/ska band Have Nots released a single at the end of 2013 entitled “Heartland” on their bandcamp page. The announcement was made on their Facebook page noting a birthday dedication to lead singer Jon Cazutik’s father who would have been celebrating his 100th birthday. This heartfelt punk jam grabbed me immediately and fans of the band will appreciate it.

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Stray Bullets and The Pomps Play Matinee Show in JP

Moonstomping Matinee | Facebook Event

Moonstomping Matinee | Facebook Event

Cold got you down? Feeling overall frozen? Come by Midway Cafe in JP for a hot toddy (note: I have no idea if they make hot toddies).

Stray Bullets will be headlining a Moonstomping Snowstomping Matinee Saturday, January 18 starting at 4pm. The show is all ages and $10 also gets you well-rounded punk and ska bill with Jason Bennett and the Resistance, The Pomps, and The Warning Shots.

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