Podcasts on History/The 250th Posting

So this is my 250th posting on this blog. I must admit, when I started this about 5 years ago, I never thought I would of have made it this far. What started out as a simple exercise to help me shake the rust off my writing to better prepare me for grad school, has turned into a fun and enjoyable exercise for myself. This blog has actually helped me better development some of my ideas in audio and podcasting.

Which leads me to what my main focus of this posting. About two weeks ago I came across a very interesting article about the 'The Ten Best History Podcasts'. It was posted on a website I frequent on a regular basis.

What I really liked about this posting is 1) It doesn't say this is the best, or that is a best, because at the end of the day it is all subjective. And 2) the author does a great job of describing what each show is about. I actually went out and started listening to a few of the aforementioned shows. Overall not bad. I have to really give them a proper listen, but overall I think I found a few new programs to go to for inspiration.

Here's a link to the article: http://uproxx.com/life/best-history-podcasts-right-now-to-listen-to/

One Final Post on My Podcast

The past few posts I've written have primarily focused on my brand new podcast that I've created called "The Looking Glass". I'm really pleased with how the first few episodes have turned out. I feel that I've been able to capture the true feelings my guests have towards their particular hobby/interest.

I'm currently finishing up the next episode which will focus on the old WWF Hasbro action figures. Just like the guest, these action figures have a special place in my heart too. Putting this episode together, memories of me playing with these old figures continually pop into my head.

I'm remembering how I used to book my own storylines with these figures, and create elaborate wrestling shows. It's been a very pleasant experience remembering what these action figures meant to me growing up, and I really hope those feelings come forth in the latest episode.

To many people these action figures are more than just toys, they are connections to their childhood. And that's a really cool thing.

In The Zone on my Podcast

Lately I've been in the zone in regards to my podcast. Last week I finally released my third episode, and this week I've begun post-production on my 4th episode. It's going to follow the story of independent pro-wrestling manager Joey Eastman, and how he developed the hobby of collecting old WWF Hasbro action figures.

Listening back to the interview tape last night as I was pulling clips really blew me away. I currently believe this may be the strongest episode in my series thus far. Joey really opens up, and shares some incredible stories. There is a real sense of emotional connectedness when Joey talks about why this collection means so much to him.

I can't wait to see how the final project sounds. It should actually come together fairly easily. I'm also hoping to begin production on the fifth episode no later than the end of August. It's never to early to begin planning ahead with the start of a new school year just over the horizon.

The Latest Episode of My Podcast

I'm very pleased. This past Wednesday, I released the latest episode of my podcast entitled: "The South Side Film Buff". If you haven't had a chance to listen, give it a shot. I think it turned out really well.

Seeing Coldplay Live

Coldplay performing at Solider Field in Chicago.
Photo Credit: Me

On Saturday July 23rd, I was able to see for the first time ever, British rock mega-stars Coldplay. It's a common joke amongst my friends is that whatever recent concert Peter has been it, it's the greatest concert he has ever seen. Well it some come as no surprise that I will say the same thing about this most recent concert.

However, this concert was different. The more I revisit it in my mind, the more I believe that it truly might be the greatest concert I have ever seen. There were so many factors that cause me to think this, but I would like to focus on three.

1. Coldplay sounded incredibly. They brought such a high energy to their performance that I quite frankly did not expect. They had 45,000+ people dancing and singing along with every song. Additionally, the band sounded like a band that has played together for 20 years. They are very comfortable in their abilities, and know they are good. I own four live records by Coldplay, and they always knew they sounded great, but the recordings never catch the energy that you experience when you see them in person. The energy added so much to the performance.

2. The visuals. Everyone in attendance was given a wristband. If you are familiar with the old comic strip Dick Tracy, and his two way communication radio wrist watch, that is exactly what these wristbands looked like. When it came time for Coldplay to hit the stage, all of the lights were turned off in Solider Field. Then the wristbands switched on, and began to flash in sync with Coldplay as they performed. For a few minutes, the wristbands were the only light in the stadium. I'ver never seen anything like it. You would of thought that wristbands may of been a distraction to the performance, but they were not. They added an element of visual stimulation that made each song a truly unique performance.

3. The weather was unreal. Before the show, there was a severe thunderstorm that caused the two opening acts to be canceled and the show almost delayed. Then about two thirds through Coldplay's set, the heavens opened up again, and poured non-stop for the next few hours. This caused the set to be cut short, but not before Coldplay was able to play one more song.

To end their set, in the pouring rain, Coldplay performed A Sky Full of Stars, which is one of their more upbeat anthems from 2014's Ghost Stories. The crowd went insane. People were dancing in the rain, as I was. I've never experienced anything like it. I feel like it may be on of the closest things I will ever come to to a perfect moment. As Coldplay played, I looked up to the heavens and watched the rain come down. I then looked around and saw nothing but smiles and pure joy for anyone who stayed to the very wet end. It's something I will never forget.

I highly recommend if you are ever interested in seeing Coldplay live to do it. It is a wonderful experience.

An Album a Night in Its Entirety Part 2

Over the course of 1 week, I listened to all of these records

Two weeks ago I wrote about an experiment I was conducting where I would listen to one album a night in its entirety. The list of the records I was going to listen to were:

Moby: Animal Rights
Green Day: Dookie
Rogue Wave: Out of the Shadow
Zaz: Self-Titled
Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros: Streetcore
Beck: Mutations

I completed my task within a week, and then I began to process what the experience was like, and what I took away from the experiment. Here are my findings.

The Music

• I really liked the selection of albums I chose. They were all albums I haven't listened to in a very long time. In the case of a few of them, it had been years. 
• Dookie is ridiculously good album. 
• Joe Strummer's Streetcore has a very interesting sound to it. The best way to describe it, is a mix between punk and reggae.  

Attention Span

• There were times that I was able to soley focus on the music, and then there were times where I surfed online while I listened to the music. I don't feel either one was better or worse. Although I like the idea that I was able to listen to an entire record not being distracted. BTW the record I was able to do that with was Animal Rights by Moby. I feel that part of that reason was because I am currently reading Moby's Memoir Porcelain. 
• To expand on the whole not being distracted piece. That's currently a big deal for me because I feel like my attention span is getting smaller and smaller. So I am making a concentrated effort to focus more. 

Mood 

• I felt like I was in a better mood all last week when I conducted this little exercise. I find that if I watch too much TV or Netflix that I more easily become melancholy. Plus I felt like I accomplished something, and surprisingly it gave me some good musical ideas that I'm going to try and incorporate into my podcast the Looking Glass.
• It was a really nice reminder of variety of music I have in my collection. Going from electronic to gypsy jazz to pop punk to punk to alternative to indie rock was a really cool experience. 

Overall, I liked this so much that I am going to try and keep it up. I have Coldplay's concert this upcoming Saturday, and to prepare for that, I've been listening to a record a night by them. Tonight's is Myolo Xyloto (I'm working backwards). It's not that bad of a record as I remember it to be. 

Prophets of Rage

The Prophets of Rage, which is Rage Against the Machine minus Zach da la Roche, Chuck D from Public Enemy, and B-Real and DJ Lord, released their first official single earlier today! The vibe of this song is fantastic. While it would still be beyond amazing to have Rage Against the Machine properly reunite, this is the next best thing. With the state of politics today, Prophets of Rage is on its way to become a very important band.