Robo Robb

The homies Eric Huffman, Matt Pocket, and Fletcher Sharp joined me this week for a discussion about politics in sports. This is a new segment we started at Robo Robb Radio for 2013. This week the guys discussed the perception of homosexuals in professional athletics and March Madness. Take a listen.

When I first started seeing memes for the Save Wįyąbi Project I was immediately drawn to it. I had never heard of many of the issues that were being addressed by this organization. One day Lauren Chief Elk and Save Wįyąbi began to follow me on Twitter and I started to take even greater notice. Finally, I had to hear about this for myself so I had Lauren on my show. As well as working with Save Wįyąbi Lauren has also organized the San Francisco Slut Walk and is very active in writing and the overall creation of awareness. She works at addressing the inequity within a nation that likes to pride itself on moving beyond the atrocities of chattel slavery and genocide of original peoples. I really dig the work that Lauren is doing and I think you will too. Take a listen and enjoy!

Hip-Hop from it’s inception to this very day has been absolutely key in confronting the hegemonic media. The creation of Hip-Hop challenged the very power structure that Hip-Hop currently assumes it is part of (in control of). When speaking of Hip-Hop we must always understand the political implications of being titled “Hip-Hop”. To make sense of how I view Hip-Hop I would like you to first remove yourself from the music and understand that this culture was built in protest, unlike any other music in the modern conscience. When we disscus the “business model” of Hip-Hop we must also understand that the modern understanding of “business” goes agaisn’t everything Hip-Hop was founded on. Does any business model really have the majority of the Hip-Hop community’s best interest? The power structure that exists in Hip-Hip mirrors that of greater society. The shining examples of success in Hip-Hop are “token” examples of what the supremacist society has “graciously” allowed their most marginalized groups to posses. A real business model for Hip-Hop would involve economic revival for the many.

In reference to Hubert’s tweets earlier tonight: I think it is a shame that a grass roots record store like fat beats is closing. But I don’t we should talk about why fans are not buying music. We should talk about why fans are not affording music. We must always understand first and foremost Hip-Hop and everyone participating in Hip-Hop is participating in politics. When you attend a show or listen to a rap song you are active in politics. We must always put the heart of Hip-Hop before the wallet.

I’m blogged out.. I hope that provides clarity!

Check out the interview with Mu. This is a must hear interview. Remember kids every character you type on the computer is “connected to the Internet connected to the government”.

I had a song stuck in my head when I returned from North Carolina in November. This song started to fade as the months went by and I soon forgot about it. Sugar Glyder is a band from Charlotte, North Carolina. I have been wanting to interview these dudes and dudette since I first saw them perform at the Tremont in Charlotte back in September of 2009. Well I made another trip to Charlotte this past May and finally was able to get them all in one place for a great interview. This interview was conducted at their practice space in the Queen City Underground. When I left the interview I popped in one of the CDs they had given me and voila! There it was the song that was stuck in my head! Take a listen, enjoy and leave some feedback for the group.

Emily, Chris and Daniel playing Scrabble!

I found this on Twitter and thought I would re:blog it. Of course I made some comentary. []*

“Words by Bob Baker
So you’ve just booked an interview on a major radio show or podcast. Congratulations! Your voice and message about your music will reach hundreds or maybe even thousands of listeners. This interview will make a huge impact!

Or will it?

Make the most of your radio and podcast interviews by being prepared. Here are a dozen of the best tips I found from three different online sources.

1) Disable call waiting: dial *70 first and then call the studio number. This disables call waiting for the duration of the phone call. As soon as you hang up, it will be reactivated. [good idea!]

2) Smile, smile, smile! Whether you are on radio or TV … SMILE. You’ll feel better and sound a lot more interesting too. [I fully agree]

3) Know exactly how much time you will have on the air as a guest. Three minutes or 30 minutes? You want to tailor your answers to the time allotted. [great advice]

4) Practice some prepared sound bites before the interview. Communicate your main points succinctly. How do you describe your music? What inspired your new album? What’s so special about your next gig? Practice this out loud. [do not practice to hard. If you sound like you are hitting talking points I will cut you off and ask another question. I hate when artists bring points]

5) Have three key messages. Short ones, not sermons. Sometimes the host opens the door, other times you have to answer a question and segue to a key message. A compelling message will have the host asking for more. But even if you squeeze in only one or two, you’ll get a big return for the time invested. [this is fine but I will not allow a speech]

6) Try to avoid doing interviews using a cell phone or a headset. Both are unreliable. [if you put me on speaker phone or use a blue tooth you will not be allowed to continue]

7) Submit suggested questions ahead of time, and focus on giving your best answers to the questions you have provided. But never assume the interviewer will use your questions. Be ready for anything. [never submit me questions I will throw them out or ask the opposite]

8) Compliment the host when a good question is asked: “That’s an excellent question” or “I’m glad you asked that.” It also helps to draw in your audience. [it's never a bad idea to compliment the host... Our compliment to you is giving you this opportunity]

9) Use the interviewer’s name in conversation. It creates a more intimate connection that the audience feels privy to. And it makes the interviewer feel good too. [good idea]

10) Have a glass of water handy (at room temperature). When your throat is lubricated it’s easier to talk. Plus, the water serves as a “cough button” if needed. [true]

11) Try standing while you speak — even for a phone interview. Your voice will carry further and you’ll sound more animated. [if I'm interviewing you, have a seat it might be a while]

12) Get your listeners involved. For example, before a commercial break, ask them to get a pencil and paper to write down the web site you are about to share where listeners can get your free downloads. Then they’ll have something to write with when you plug your web site later. [Thats fine on commercial radio. I will not be amused if you do this on my show]

I hope these 12 tips help you make the most of your next interview!”

A couple months ago SAC, Daud, Tony and myself sat down at WXOU for a talk about nationalism. Listen to our conversation and please comment and talk with us!

I had a great opportunity to speak with Martin of Gramsci Melodic. Not only is the music satisfying. We got to speak about one of my favorite topics, cultural hegemony (not that I’m some kind of supporter of hegemony… just very fascinated by it). As you can tell by the length of the interview we had a lot to speak about. Hope you all enjoy!

I was recently rummaging through some artist submissions to WXOU and came across this “one sheet”. A one sheet is a valuable tool that you include with your press packages (kits). In your one sheet you should include a bio, press worthy photo, and any other information that might help a music director or journalist select you.

Below is an example of a one sheet sent to the radio station that I work with. While this does do a good job at grabbing your attention is does not do a good job at reaching a main stream audience. I would not recomend sending anything you could not show your mother. If you have anything questionable you should probally run it by a group of friends first. Good luck with your future promotions and keep checking back for more great interviews and commentary!

I first met Brandon at Free Radio Charlotte on the campus of UNCC (University of North Carolina Charlotte). Free Radio Charlotte is a brand new college radio station that Brandon Kirkley is currently working on establishing at the University. I initially was visiting the station to talk to to the General Manager in hopes of interviewing someone for the book I am doing research for. It turns out Brandon Kirkley and the General Manager of Free Radio Charlotte are one in the same. We met later on that month at a coffee shop and Brandon was able to show me a little southern hospitality!