The Friday Night Parkdale Special

29/06/2024

I haven't had the capacity to do a live-to-air, but there will be an episode coming to a podcast near you in the next 36 hours! Because Pride - how could I not?

09/05/2024

I read an article on Now this morning about how the internet is ruining rap beefs, and I had to laugh because it feels like such a "millennials and their avocado toast" complaint. Maybe the author wasn't given enough space to share a fuller quote and to discuss it in depth, but if you're going to cite a statement like that, it would be nice to go beyond "here's the problem", and "here's why it's a problem", but also "here's what could be a fix". I'm sure the person being quoted has lots of thoughts on it, and it's a shame that the article didn't go deeper. Made it pretty clickbaity, instead of a thoughtful discussion that could have been productive.

Basically the author's source says that because casuals can drop in and out, they don't contribute anything to the culture, which sounds pretty gatekeepy to me. And on the one hand, I get it--hip hop's roots are Black, and the dilution and appropriation of Black culture is problematic, to say the least. But what does having a wider audience take away from it? How can non-Black listeners contribute to the culture, shy of becoming rappers themselves, which is arguably more appropriative?

My guess is that the source would want people to understand the cultural context of the work, and because the internet doesn't prioritize understanding (just clicks), people aren't pushed to look deeper. Having studied English lit in university, I get it. I have a copy of Oscar Wilde's "Portrait of Dorian Gray" that has sidebar annotations, and it's bonkers how much gets lost without understanding the subtle references Wilde works into his lines. It'd be like reading Shakespeare without annotations--"' sail, a sail', what does that mean?"

The best parts of the tracks that come out of these beefs are the lyrics that refer to other tracks and beefs--it continues a long literary tradition that you can find in letters to the editor in the 1800s (e.g. A Modest Proposal), in poets creating metaphors that they continue across volumes of work (Plath and her tulips), and in fiction writers being self-referential (like how a number of Stephen King's books tie together--Gerald's Game, Bag of Bones, Rose Madder, and the entire Dark Tower series). And going through the tracks to spot the references, being able to understand what's being referenced, and having that fuller context absolutely makes the work richer. Some of the wordplay requires some background knowledge for full understanding.

So yeah, while I don't know as much about modern hip hop (autotune is the auditory equivalent of chewing on steel wool for me), and my knowledge of West Coast beefs is a little lighter, I do know a bit about the older East Coast stuff. If you want to learn about the history of rap beefs, go back to "The Bridge" and "Roxanne" in the early 80s. Those are probably the two earliest. Even "Ether" is a good place to start, if you don't want to go all the way back--it's considered by many to be a high water mark for diss tracks, to a point where "ether" became a verb as a result of the track.

On this week's episode, we dive into diss tracks, particularly those from the early 80s to the early aughts, and talk a bit about the various rivalries in hip hop and gangsta rap. Fair warning, the lyrics can be homophobic and misogynistic, and there's a ton of swearing, including a bit from me. So....

29/03/2024

I put it off for a while because I wasn't ready to do it, but I finally did post on the memorial episode for Ben. You can listen to it here:

We're coming out of hiatus briefly to do a show dedicated to Ben Przybylinski, a dear friend of the show who passed away too soon on February 19, 2024, on the eve of his celebration of life, to keep him with us just a little longer. Alannah Myles - Black Velvet Genesis - Follow You Follow Me Howlin'...

28/02/2024

It's been a while since I've had the capacity to do a show, and the radio silence might have continued were it not for a very good reason to make some noise.

Last week, someone who was very dear to me and many of my friends passed away. His family is holding a Celebration of Life on Friday, March 1st. Because our community is so far-flung, many of us won't be able to attend, myself included.

As he was a sometimes-listener, it seems fitting to bring the show out of hiatus for a night to pay tribute to Ben Przybylinski, and continue the celebration for a few more hours.

So if you haven't already got it out and ready, grab your loudest Hawaiian shirt, a coconut and some shark gummies, and tune in this Friday at 8pm ET.

18/11/2023

Hey all. You may have guessed by now that the show's hiatus has become semi-permanent, and sadly, you would be correct. My new job, much as I love it, doesn't leave enough time for me to do justice to the kinds of topics I want to cover on the show, and I wouldn't feel good about a slapdash effort. The subjects - and you - deserve better.

I've shut down the show's Patreon and cancelled some of the key services I was using to run the show, but I'm leaving the website alone for now, and I won't be shutting down this page. There may be times when I decide I have time to play, and when I do, I'll let you know here, though it'll likely be on Twitch instead of through the radio link on the website.

I want to thank you again for your support and patronage over the years, and I also want you to know that this is not my last creative endeavour. I may come back to the show down the road if time allows, and in the meantime, I have another project that I'll be undertaking - self-publishing, which is something I've wanted to do for a very long time.

If there's interest in hearing about it, I'll set up a page for it and link you all to it once things start moving. Right now, it's in the early development stages - I've got material and software, and now I just need to learn how to use the latter so I can incorporate the former.

Regardless, you'll hear from me again.

Be well, and stay safe.
-Joyrider.

15/09/2023

What's this? Is the show back? Well, not quite.

Here's the situation: I start a new job on Monday and I don't want to make any promises about how much time I'll have available for anything, at least not until I get a feel for things.

That being said, I got Jackie Wilson in my head the other day and went down one of my favourite sonic rabbit holes, and I decided that I'd like to do a show before I disappear again. Nothing too intense (as much as I still want to go back and finish up Quiet Storm, and I'm kicking myself that I didn't have capacity for a 50th anniversary of hip hop show - would have been the perfect time to go even further back and do that West Coast roots of hip hop episode!), just some fun deep cuts to make you boogie.

If you want to refresh your memory, the initial episode on Northern Soul was #65 (https://www.podbean.com/ea/pb-jcbrv-106b2dc). If not, I'll probably do a brief recap tonight. Either way, I'll see you tonight at 8pm ET at theFNPS.com/radio-fnps!

15/09/2023

What's this? Is the show back? Well, not quite.

Here's the situation: I start a new job on Monday and I don't want to make any promises about how much time I'll have available for anything, at least not until I get a feel for things.

That being said, I got Jackie Wilson in my head the other day and went down one of my favourite sonic rabbit holes, and I decided that I'd like to do a show before I disappear again. Nothing too intense - as much as I still want to go back and finish up Quiet Storm, and I'm kicking myself that I didn't have capacity for a 50th anniversary of hip hop show (would have been the perfect time to go even further back and do that West Coast roots of hip hop episode!), I don't want to overcommit myself. I just want to play some fun deep cuts to make you boogie.

If you want to refresh your memory, the initial episode on Northern Soul was #65 (https://www.podbean.com/ea/pb-jcbrv-106b2dc). If not, I'll probably do a brief recap tonight. Either way, I'll see you tonight at 8pm ET at www.theFNPS.com/radio-fnps!

01/07/2023

The show may still be on hiatus but that doesn't mean you can't check out some tunes appropriate for today.

From the archives: Episode 16, "Our Home On Native Land". https://thefnps.podbean.com/e/the-friday-night-parkdale-special-episode-16-canada-day-07-03-2020/

24/06/2023

It's been a bit; sorry about that. I honestly haven't had anything in the tank for creative work. However, I'm thinking I might do a Twitch stream tomorrow night. Not trance, just a mix of stuff. If I do, it'll likely be the usual bat-time.

20/05/2023

Your Honour, while the defendant has expressed (loudly and repeatedly) that the gate so recently added to the booth entrance is a hindrance to his pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness, I would like to remind him that his grievances are addressed differently under the Canadian Charter and that he is welcome to pursue a Charter claim should he wish to, but that the matter at hand is regarding his involvement in the damage which necessitated the installation of said gate in the first place, pursuant to the earlier judgment of this court.

The defendant has brought this appeal based on the assertion that he's not responsible for the damage to the cables or to the floor within the booth area, and while the prosecution accepts the veracity of that assertion, that was never in question. What is and has been the essence of the case all along is the remaining scratch damage, some of which can be observed at the right of the frame (submitted previously as Crown's exhibit 18). This is only a portion of the damage, Your Honour (as illustrated in exhibits 25 through 227), and while the defendant is not responsible for all the scratch damage, he has been witnessed in the act of creating at least some of said damage, as we heard from several witnesses for the Crown. Leniency was granted in the past, but that leniency may have been misplaced, as by his behaviour since, he has given no indication that he intends to change.

In closing, given the defendant's recidivism and lack of remorse or accountability, the prosecution feels the only reasonable course of action is to exclude all feline co-hosts at all times from the booth area, and we humbly request that Your Honour uphold the previous judgment of the creation and retention of an exclusion zone, and throw the book at his furry behind.

19/05/2023

Tonight's show is part one of two on a man with a delightfully baffling vocal range, and it's also a birthday episode! (Not mine.) Tune in at 8pm ET: http://thefnps.com/radio-fnps

13/05/2023

Last night's show, a memorial episode with info on naloxone and overdose prevention, is now up as a podcast. Check out out here: https://thefnps.podbean.com/e/the-fnps-episode-152-in-memoriam-05-12-2023/

[Image borrowed from CT Department of Public Health's "NORA" website.]

09/05/2023

Programming notice for May 26th.

A quick heads-up that there will be no live broadcast on May 26th - Information Society is coming to town, and I've been a fan since the 80s and never had a chance to see them live, which is a thing I intend to rectify! The show will instead be released straight to podcast over the weekend :)

07/05/2023

This week's show on Shibuya-kei is now up as a podcast! Fun tunes for gloomy weather. Check it out here: https://thefnps.podbean.com/e/the-fnps-episode-151-shibuya-kei-05-05-2023/

05/05/2023

If you liked the Citypop episode, and you loved the music of Katamari Damacy, PREPARE YOURSELF because tonight is all about Shibuya-kei! Tune in 8pm ET: www.thefnps.com/radiofnps

05/05/2023

New blog post on the website regarding Patron perks, particularly some updates to the show's calendar!

Patrons, I have been remiss in adding content to the Patreon page. As someone with ADHD, I think I need to make a list of all the various media platforms I need to tend to for the show, and cycle through them to keep things fresh. Otherwise, I just focus on the key ones, and others lie fallow, which...

01/05/2023

This week's episode looking at some legal cases regarding sampling is now up, and you can check it out here: https://thefnps.podbean.com/e/the-fnps-episode-150-grand-upright-vs-warner-bros-04-28-2023/

30/04/2023

While the broadcast didn't happen on Friday because I had to go to a funeral early on Saturday, the episode will experience further delays as there's been a death in the family. It may not be long, I may need the distraction of work, but I need to step away at least briefly.

Apologies and thank you for understanding.

28/04/2023

A reminder, in case it didn't cross-post correctly earlier in the week: There is no live broadcast tonight (family thing). The episode will be up as a podcast as normal, though, so keep an eye out for that. It's going to be a brief look at sampling - seemed fitting after three episodes on Clyde Stubblefield and The Funky Drummer :)

28/04/2023

It makes me happy that even at a distance, even from a blurry photo, I know that's a Prophet synth. Thanks, Mr. Smith.

22/04/2023

Last night's show, our third and final episode on Clyde Stubblefield's Funky Drummer, is now up as a podcast, and you can check it out here: https://thefnps.podbean.com/e/the-fnps-episode-149-the-funky-drummer-pt-3/

21/04/2023

Tonight is our last installment on Clyde Stubblefield and the Funky Drummer, and it's going to be a bit of a grab bag of pop, house, and rock, with a smattering of r&b, industrial, and alt-dance. Tune in for the broadcast at 8pm ET (www.thefnps.com/radio-fnps), or check it out over the weekend as a podcast!

15/04/2023

Last night's show - the second installment on The Funky Drummer - is now up as a podcast! If you're an old school raver, you'll enjoy this one. https://thefnps.podbean.com/e/the-fnps-episode-148-the-funky-drummer-pt-2-04-15-2023/

14/04/2023

After a week off to go see some live music, we're back, and we're continuing our look at the Funky Drummer tonight with its impact specifically on breaks and drum and bass. If you're an old school raver, you're going to hear some old-pal faves, and maybe even discover some new tracks that will become faves! Tune in 8pm ET at www.thefnps.com/radio-FNPS !

08/04/2023

No show tonight; I'm at a concert (that isn't Depeche Mode)!

01/04/2023

Last night was our first episode on the Funky Drummer - we're focusing first on its impact during the golden age of hip-hop - and if you didn't tune in, you can check it out on your regular podcasting platforms or at this direct link: https://thefnps.podbean.com/e/the-fnps-episode-147-the-funky-drummer-pt-1-03-31-2023/

31/03/2023

Tonight, we're finally diving into the sounds of The Funky Drummer! This is going to be a multi-parter on the scale of the Amen Break, so settle in for a few weeks of different genres that owe it all to the inimitable Clyde Stubblefield. 8pm ET, thefnps.com/radio-fnps