BLOG | Eardrum Buzz Radio

- Apr 4

EDBZ Blog #25

I named my station partly because I have tinnitus. I've talked about it before but I've had it for at least a decade and it only got worse after my second Covid shot. It could be linked to high blood pressure or any number of things, but it's not a fun thing to experience day after day. I got used to it, tolerated and accepted it knowing that it will likely never go away. I already have a hard time hearing others' words in my head when someone is talking to me. I have to visualize the letters together in my head or have recently heard the word. I have difficulty hearing certain words regardless.

I love music. In case you couldn't already tell. I'm still struggling with the soundcard in my laptop, trying to tweak it so that the volume isn't so forceful. Maybe it's the speakers? I'm always lowering the volume while listening to music or watching a video. So when the publicists and labels and bands are gracious enough to put me on their mailing list to add music to the station and get on our DJ shows, and the mix/mastering/overall decibel loud volume is bad, I lower the DB's via Audacity or Audition. Sometimes I fool around with the equalization, lowering, or raising certain qualities of the song. I'm not that good with it, nor do I understand the tech side of things in these programs, but it's fun. After a few hours of constant listening to music, my hearing goes flat. That's why I hope for a movement back to dynamics, where certain instruments or parts in a song's mix are higher or lower in volume and space is included in the song structure. The highest peaks of a song file can go up to 100 Db, but everything in the song shouldn't also be constantly at the same level. All loud all the time isn't good for your ears, your hearing, or your energy levels. Your ears need a break, which means quieter parts of songs, breaks, instrumental sections, or anything to let our ears "catch a breath" and recharge.

Before I get too up my own butt about the technical aspects of song mixes or masters, I would just like you all to consider how a song sounds overall, kind of in a meta way. And maybe if you're a musician or someone who puts it all together on CD, digital, or vinyl, be sure to give our ears a break in how the song is finally presented. I love music but miss dynamics.

I've been looking around the internet for information on J Dilla or Jay Dee as he was also known. He did the music for many a hip hop act, from De La Soul to the Pharcyde to Erykah Badu to inspiring drummers and beatmakers for years to come. One recent video I saw was a classical composer who was talking about Dilla with examples of sheet music translations to examples of how he uses Dilla's ideas in his own classical musicians to live bands that have translated Dilla's style, using graphics to make the grooves easier to digest for non-musicians like myself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dsjuPZsNwQ There's a fat book called Dilla Time I should get, hours of his beat snippets released posthumously and guys on Youtube passionately explaining why J Dilla was such a genius.

And I just found this one today and am grooving to it now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BOB1r7Qwo0

And I finally bought Dilla Time.

I'm still finding things to be passionate about, digging deep to further educate myself on interesting aspects and artists and also be entertained.

I recently moved things around behind the scenes on the station. The shows are all the same and at the same times, I still play Post-Punk on Saturdays and more Electronic and Pop tunes on Sundays. But I just smoothed out the flow of the styles a little and I hope your listening experience is altered in a good way. Or maybe there's something you don't like, let me know!

The Store has a few new hats, totes and shirts, and I'm giving the mugs away on Facebook, so look for a post on Monday morning at 6am PDT asking for a picture of you listening to the station and get a free coffee mug!

Thanks for your support!

Bret Miller

I'm on Facebook at: facebook.com/groups/eardrumbuzzradio, facebook.com/EardrumBuzzRadio, on Twitter @eardrum_buzz and Instagram @eardrumbuzzradio. I have an autopost for songs played on Twitter too.

Visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or email me at bret@eardrumbuzz.net and send me your band submissions in MP3 format as well as your requests and keep up with our latest shows! Sign up for our monthly newsletter at the bottom of our website or check out the Blog page on the website.

Become a Patron and help support the station at: patreon.com/eardrumbuzzradio

Other ways to support Eardrum Buzz Radio are via Paypal: paypal.me/eardrumbuzzradio. Every little bit helps and goes towards bills, saving for new gear and purchasing more music for your enjoyment. You can also retweet our autoposts from Twitter @eardrum_buzz and on Instagram @eardrumbuzzradio and repost and share our events on Facebook, post about your new music and releases at facebook.com/groups/eardrumbuzzradio and join us there to chat during our shows.

Thanks to everyone who listens to Eardrum Buzz Radio, chats with us throughout the week and during our live shows and helps spread the word. You are appreciated!

Eardrum Buzz Radio Patreon page: patreon.com/eardrumbuzzradio

LINKS: linktr.ee/eardrumbuzz

LinkTree: linktr.ee/eardrumbuzz PayPal: paypal.me/eardrumbuzzradio

Written by Bret Miller Eardrum Buzz Radio eardrumbuzz.net

Follow Eardrum Buzz Radio: Instagram: @eardrumbuzzradio Twitter: @eardrum_buzz Facebook: facebook.com/groups/EardrumBuzz

Podbean: listen HERE

Spotify: listen to our podcast HERE

Send submissions to: bret@eardrumbuzz.net with "Submission" and your band name in the subject. Please only MP3 files, no WAV files, no Spotify links, just your awesome music!

- Feb 21

EDBZ Blog #24

Music, like much of life on this planet, is a continuum, old becomes new, someone splashes some colors on a classic picture and calls it new, a pretty/handsome/wild personality smashes three known styles together with lots of flesh and flashy outfits and becomes a star. So I chuckle and also take in stride the fact that I've just purchased three albums from my past that I likely wore out cassettes of and sang loudly to. Mr. Mister's Welcome To The Real World so far doesn't sound too familiar, but I'm only on the first track. Uniform of Youth is a pretty good song. I saw them open for Don Henley's Building The Perfect Beast tour in 1984. I might got back and listen to this album from beginning to end but the highlights are the two songs that radio played, and for good reason. Kyrie has a good energy to it and is simple and Broken Wings was passionate and had those futuristic sounding synths. 'Til Tuesday's Coming Up Close: A Retrospective might have a few songs I recognize instantly and a few that will vaguely tickle the back of my mind. Did I see them live? I can't remember. But Aimee Mann has kept at it and her voice often has that sadness to it, as heard in the Magnolia soundtrack. That movie was all about synchronicity so it was magical when the director/writer decided to have all the main cast members sing her song Wise Up at the same time. Listening to this collection I realize I only know the first two songs, Love In A Vacuum and, of course, Voices Carry, thanks to the video on MTV. I'll have to delve into the others as they are good but don't grab my ears like the first two. The third album I got was Boomtown by David & David. The album starts off with Welcome To The Boomtown. I find it amusing in retrospect that even then the duo were cynical. But they were also quite talented and the album went platinum (that's one million album/cassette/CD sales). I don't think I saw them live either. The two members went on to work with many talented musicians including Sheryl Crow and Robbie Robertson. Just look them up on Wikipedia. This one album set up their careers as songwriters and musicians that are still working today. You've heard Leaving Las Vegas? They wrote and played on that song.

What brought on this few minutes of searching for music from the middle of the 1980's? Likely some Youtube thing about bands from that decade. I would be happy to just hear the few singles from the first two bands that more people know of but Boomtown is solid songcraft. Watching Rick Beato try to show some enthusiasm for the top ten most listened to songs on Spotify led me to purchase ORQUÍDEAS by Kali Uchis, whom I've never heard of but sounds quite good with her soulful and sexy vocals, pop-y R&B mixed with Reggaeton and, House dance rhythms and Latin flavored style. Most of the songs on Beato's Spotify list were purely electronic with some human sounding vocals and a few actual songs. Music shouldn't be a background for selling something, whether it's a lifestyle or a product. Music should be art for its own sake. Find those acts and sounds that speak to you whether new or old. Find the next 'Til Tuesday, the next Mr. Mister, the next David & David, those bands and musicians that might actually have long future careers or might have just the few songs that lasted decades in people's psyche.

Listen to Eardrum Buzz Radio, request a song, enjoy music from bands that had that one song or bands that are still going strong today with decades of releases you know deep in your heart.

We've got a new shirt style available at the Store! Tony Burnett's Psychedelic Sun logo is now at Printify: https://eardrum-buzz-radio.printify.me/product/5266575

Sign up at the bottom of the main page at eardrumbuzz.net for these musings to drop in your email or just enjoy them on the site purely by accident. Tell your family and friends to tune in. Buy a shirt, mug or tote at our store. Stay enthusiastic about music and find something new or look back at something old, but never stop searching! And I'm still listening to Boomtown, six songs in and all solid compositions. You can support Eardrum Buzz Radio by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/eardrumbuzzradio where we have discounts on shirts, free mixes and early replays of our Vapour Trail Live shows. For as little as $5 a month you can show your support for independent radio and help keep us going for years to come. I want to thank all our Patrons, without you I'd have less money to buy more music and to keep the website and station going. Butch, Colin, Charles, Lat, En Jay, Clay, Steve, Dave, Whitney, John E, John T, Justin and Patrick: I most appreciate your support for Eardrum Buzz Radio!

Thanks for your support!

Bret Miller

I'm on Facebook at: facebook.com/groups/eardrumbuzzradio, facebook.com/EardrumBuzzRadio, on Twitter @eardrum_buzz and Instagram @eardrumbuzzradio. I have an autopost for songs played on Twitter too.

Become a Patron and help support the station at: patreon.com/eardrumbuzzradio

Thanks to everyone who listens to Eardrum Buzz Radio, chats with us throughout the week and during our live shows and helps spread the word. You are appreciated!

Eardrum Buzz Radio Patreon page: patreon.com/eardrumbuzzradio

LINKS: linktr.ee/eardrumbuzz

LinkTree: linktr.ee/eardrumbuzz PayPal: paypal.me/eardrumbuzzradio

Written by Bret Miller Eardrum Buzz Radio eardrumbuzz.net

Follow Eardrum Buzz Radio: Instagram: @eardrumbuzzradio Twitter: @eardrum_buzz Facebook: facebook.com/groups/EardrumBuzz

Podbean: listen HERE

Spotify: listen to our podcast HERE

Send submissions to: bret@eardrumbuzz.net with "Submission" and your band name in the subject. Please only MP3 files, no WAV files, no Spotify links, just your awesome music!

- Dec 29, 2023

EDBZ Blog #23

On Sunday, November 26, guitarist and founding member of Killing Joke, Kevin "Geordie" Walker passed away. Geordie created some of the most iconic guitar lines in rock and roll, playing his hollow body Gibson ES-295 through most of his career. The sound of his playing has influenced the likes of Metallica and Nirvana as well as many lesser-known acts through the decades. Geordie could play melody and powerful riffs in equal measure. His looks in the 80's and 90's were stylish. Just look at him in the video for Eighties. The band released 15 studio albums and several live releases, compilations and retrospectives. Their live shows are legendary. Their fans are called Gatherers and singer Jaz Coleman always made Killing Joke fans feel like family as we all joined in communion at the live shows.

In homage, designer Mindy Scurto of MK Studios created the latest design for Eardrum Buzz Radio using the debut Killing Joke album cover as inspiration. You can honor Geordie Walker and Killing Joke as well as look great supporting our radio station.

We've got a few more logos and our Goth AF shirt in T's and hoodies for you to look great in the winter chill.

Printify store address: eardrum-buzz-radio.printify.me

facebook.com/MKStudiosgraphicdesign

Here's what I wrote after seeing a post from the duo Distance from Zero (distancefromzero.bandcamp.com) about only going to concerts to see bands you became fans of when you were 14 years old.

theguardian.com/music/2023/dec/05/im-only-seeing-bands-i-loved-when-i-was-14-am-i-in-a-musical-rut-or-is-this-growing-up?

As I read this article I'm listening to Steely Dan's Aja and sipping on coffee, deciding what to do with my day free of work. I wrote for a free music magazine for almost 30 years, saw multitudes of concerts, met some of my musical heroes in person and talked with them on the phone, read about, listened to and scoured the record stores for the latest releases. When I was 52 I decided to start an online radio station and have been turned on to many new sounds and bands, music that I would not have known about if I didn't keep seeking and listening. That said, I do understand the nostalgia, of being taken back to a time and place. I'll be going to the Cruel World Festival in May and aside from a handful of newer bands, they're all from the 80's, though some are still releasing new music and touring. Ride and The Charlatans are in January. Nothing from newer bands coming up yet, but if I have the energy, I'll go to a small club and bliss out to some lesser known though no less wonderful band. I think of what some of the newer bands and their music will last and imprint themselves on me. Are my best days behind? The aches and pains, the gut, the disinterest in socializing that's always been part of me? At least I'll continue to travel and dance and sing to the music in my life and I'll never stop looking for the next good feeling.

Aside from playing Baldur's Gate 3 I've been enjoying making mixes for our Patrons to hear. The latest is a three part mix that started as Synthpop songs from the 80's to today but morphed into New Wave meets modern acts. By including a few songs from mostly teen comedies of my youth, I started to make up a narrative in my head, at least for the second one. If you'd like to hear those mixes and many others, often focusing on one band, consider becoming a Patron. I've got Teen Movie Soundtrack, Teen Movie II: Pink & Black and Not Another Teen Movie Soundtrack already slapped together and ready for our supporters to enjoy.

I really don't like when the clocks change, which they did recently in the States. I've been lucky this time around with not being terribly affected by the change except for being ready for bed at 7pm and wanting to sleep past 8am. The weather is getting chillier though.

For all who thrive in the dark, the nightlife, the clubs and concerts, the restaurants and to just hang out with friends, the longer nights mean more time to enjoy nocturnal activities. But soon jackets will be on and so will pants when not at work. I'm a polo shirt and shorts type of person most days of the year.

One thing you can enjoy with the stars above your head and a friend by your side is the music and our DJ shows on Eardrum Buzz Radio. You can listen 24 hours a day, but our DJ shows just sound better at night. I play most shows in the morning for the UK and European audiences who are half a day ahead of us, but I also replay most of them at night for the US listeners and those into the next day over in Australia. So every weekend show is on twice a day and usually repeated the following week. No excuse to miss out! Check the schedule below the player on the website's main page at eardrumbuzz.net and be sure to set your alarm, put us in your calendar and enjoy our DJ's and library tunes.

By the time you read this I will have gone to Darker Waves Fest in Huntington Beach. It's full of 80's bands, most that still tour, some that still put out new releases. It will be a challenge to see all the bands. Human League and B-52's are on at the same time! Devo, OMD, Violent Femmes, New Order, Tears For Fears, Soft Cell, The Chameleons, Echo & The Bunnymen and The Psychedelic Furs are just some of the older bands with Drab Majesty and Twin Tribes bringing in a younger crowd. Those last two bands are playing early in the day. Wish us old folks luck making it through the day on the beach from noon to 10pm.

Update: We made it through Darker Waves! Though I missed seeing Daanon the whole day. Dave and I heard from a distance sets from most of the bands I listed above, though The Bunnymen were on the same time as the Furs so we didn't move from our picnic tables. Food and booze was plentiful, the lines at the outhouses weren't too long, the sand wasn't too bad and the weather was nice. There could have been half the bands on two stages near together and it would be so much better for old guys like us but it was a good time with lots of singing along to Blister in the Sun, Rock Lobster, Tesla Girls, Love My Way, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Whip It, Perfect Kiss and so many other great songs.

I'll also be seeing Depeche Mode next month, again with Dave. You'll likely hear about that show in the new year. And tickets to see Peter Hook and The Light are on sale now for next year. They'll be playing both Joy Division and New Order Substance albums. I'll be at The Palladium in Hollywood next September. And Cruel World tickets are secured! Go see the lineup for yourself. There's no way we'll see all the bands we want to see (as per usual at these festivals) but who we do see will be incredible.

We always appreciate free publicity too, so if you see an autopost on Twitter or an event on Facebook, please consider sharing and inviting your friends when there's a show you like coming on that week. Finding a larger audience for Eardrum Buzz Radio is a constant goal.

You can support Eardrum Buzz Radio by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/eardrumbuzzradio where we have discounts on shirts, free mixes and early replays of our Vapour Trail Live shows. For as little as $5 a month you can show your support for independent radio and help keep us going for years to come. I want to thank all our Patrons, without you I'd have less money to buy more music and to keep the website and station going. Butch, Colin, Charles, Lat, En Jay, Clay, Steve, Dave, Whitney, John E, John T, Justin and Patrick: I most appreciate your support for Eardrum Buzz Radio!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! Expect some Christmas and holiday-themed tunes in the coming weeks. Be sure to hug your kids, your family, your friends and your pets and enjoy the rest of the year!

Thanks for your support!

Bret Miller

I'm on Facebook at: facebook.com/groups/eardrumbuzzradio, facebook.com/EardrumBuzzRadio, on Twitter @eardrum_buzz and Instagram @eardrumbuzzradio. I have an autopost for songs played on Twitter too. On Patreon you will get exclusive mixes of some of my favorite bands, a discount code for shirts and you'll get to hear Vapour Trail Live a week early, plus mugs, totes and more for the higher tiers. patreon.com/eardrumbuzzradio. Buy shirts and hoodies with three different designs and many color choices at: bonfire.com/store/eardrum-buzz-radio.

Become a Patron and help support the station at: patreon.com/eardrumbuzzradio

Thanks to everyone who listens to Eardrum Buzz Radio, chats with us throughout the week and during our live shows and helps spread the word. You are appreciated!

Eardrum Buzz Radio Patreon page: patreon.com/eardrumbuzzradio

LINKS: linktr.ee/eardrumbuzz

LinkTree: linktr.ee/eardrumbuzz PayPal: paypal.me/eardrumbuzzradio

Written by Bret Miller Eardrum Buzz Radio eardrumbuzz.net

Follow Eardrum Buzz Radio: Instagram: @eardrumbuzzradio Twitter: @eardrum_buzz Facebook: facebook.com/groups/EardrumBuzz

Podbean: listen HERE

Spotify: listen to our podcast HERE

Send submissions to: bret@eardrumbuzz.net with "Submission" and your band name in the subject. Please only MP3 files, no WAV files, no Spotify links, just your awesome music!