13 replies to this topic

[Earwolf Admin]

This week Jeff Weiss and MC Nocando explore the epidemic of Sad Robot Music. The duo talk about Kanye West being the Christopher Columbus of the Sad Robot, how T-Pain branched the Sad Robot into R&B, and ask who will kill the Sad Robot. Dam-Funk, the ambassador of modern Funk stops by to talk about the origin of Funk, what lead him to the Funk, which artists are funky, and plays some tracks of his latest EP “I Don’t Wanna Be A Star!”

[Kristopher Mills]

Wow that song was lame!

[Chalkdust]

I am enjoying this show quite a bit... was Nocando subtly auto-tuned during the sad robot discussion, or was I imagining it? Clever if so, concerning (for my mental health state) if not.

So I was going through my music collection today and realized that Nocando appears on a track from one of my favorite hip-hop artists, Busdriver (google searching reveals several other collaborative projects between them I'd never heard of! I am so out of the loop). Any chance you could get him in studio? He's one of the most unique guys I've ever heard, with a sensibility that would be right at home on this show. Lots of sardonic commentary on the hip-hop scene densely packed into most of his songs.

[BenFromSD]

Totally auto'd during that segment. Pretty funny, mildly irritating. Am I the only dude who likes Drake?

[CD338]

Chalkdust, on 01 November 2012 - 11:51 AM, said:

I am enjoying this show quite a bit... was Nocando subtly auto-tuned during the sad robot discussion, or was I imagining it? Clever if so, concerning (for my mental health state) if not.

So I was going through my music collection today and realized that Nocando appears on a track from one of my favorite hip-hop artists, Busdriver (google searching reveals several other collaborative projects between them I'd never heard of! I am so out of the loop). Any chance you could get him in studio? He's one of the most unique guys I've ever heard, with a sensibility that would be right at home on this show. Lots of sardonic commentary on the hip-hop scene densely packed into most of his songs.

Nocando and Busdriver made an entire album together.. They are Flash Bang Grenada
"10 Haters" google it.



If I recall correctly, they are also toured recently with Open Mike Eagle, as well.

[LemonDropKid]

I liked Dam during the interview parts, but I wasn't really feeling his music.

[Lukas Holmes]

Glad to understand the 'Sad Robot' concept and sad at how popular it is. Only complaint I have and this is a personal thing because I have a friend who does this too, PLEASE stop saying 'Real talk' so much.

Love the show.

[Brett Morris]

As an audio engineer and artist myself, I'm happy to admit that this was the first time i've put auto-tune on a track. Fortunately it was tongue in cheek!

Anyway, I wish I could express just how friggin lazy the auto-tune "sad robot" effect is. I can't believe it's been used this much as a "artistic" production decision ever since that Cher song. It's the easiest thing in the world to do, you just drag and drop the effect onto the vocal track and it's done. to me, it's the equivalent of the lens flare effect abused so much when photoshop first came out in the 90s.

That's just my opinion.

[LemonDropKid]

Brettster, on 02 November 2012 - 01:33 PM, said:

As an audio engineer and artist myself, I'm happy to admit that this was the first time i've put auto-tune on a track. Fortunately it was tongue in cheek!

Anyway, I wish I could express just how friggin lazy the auto-tune "sad robot" effect is. I can't believe it's been used this much as a "artistic" production decision ever since that Cher song. It's the easiest thing in the world to do, you just drag and drop the effect onto the vocal track and it's done. to me, it's the equivalent of the lens flare effect abused so much when photoshop first came out in the 90s.

That's just my opinion.

As also both of those things myself, I pretty much agree. I can see a couple of takes on it though:

The cynical side: It's a cheat code to sounding "of the times" without having to take a risk with a new production technique that people aren't used to. It ensures that you won't have people scratching their heads and responding to you as if you are some outsider artist, because you safely sound like everyone else. This of course also means you won't be setting any new trends, because you sound like everyone else.

The optimistic to the point of being naive and obtuse side: Autotune is the new populist choice to make, because people trying to hook up in clubs or bump something in their cars aren't trying to hear some experimental overture, they just want something they can connect to right away out of familiarity!




I'm on the cynical side.

[Sweets and Meats]

Awesome!

[Manateerex]

LemondropKid, on 02 November 2012 - 03:45 PM, said:

As also both of those things myself, I pretty much agree. I can see a couple of takes on it though:

The cynical side: It's a cheat code to sounding "of the times" without having to take a risk with a new production technique that people aren't used to. It ensures that you won't have people scratching their heads and responding to you as if you are some outsider artist, because you safely sound like everyone else. This of course also means you won't be setting any new trends, because you sound like everyone else.

The optimistic to the point of being naive and obtuse side: Autotune is the new populist choice to make, because people trying to hook up in clubs or bump something in their cars aren't trying to hear some experimental overture, they just want something they can connect to right away out of familiarity!




I'm on the cynical side.

It's a tool, nothing less or more. Sure, there's a "cheat" element to it, but there's some amazing stuff like 808's and Pluto ( or lollipop and Cashin' Out for that matter ) that it plays an integral part in- and that I think are very ahead of their time production wise. I do agree that it's over used, and used lazily, but probably not anymore then any other trend in pop-production.

Enjoyed the podcast a lot, though was surprised there was no time spent on Carter 3 era Wayne? The Lollipop remix might be one of the best Sad Robot Songs of all time!

[Brett Morris]

Just to be clear, I'm not against such production choices, or making people's voices sound like sad robots. but FFS the auto-tune thing specifically is just so lazy and easy, i'm not sure non-audio people realize. there are so mind blowing production tools and techniques that can be done and are still there to be tinkered with and discovered. find some new way to make the voice sound like a keyboard, or a robot, or whatever.

i mean, i love melodyne. it allows you to really get in there and customize what you're doing. i'd rather hear people go wild with that, show some effort to at least put a new twist on it, not just plop auto tune in there.

i don't really feel that strongly about it, but it just kinda struck me how stupidly easy it is. i can't think of another plugin i use, where i literally don't have to tweak a single setting for it to sound like the top radio songs.

[crunkthemilkup]

There exists a struggle between content and delivery where it's almost impossible to find the balance, but when it's had, holy shit, it's great. I guess all music is kind of situational that way. Something that's perfectly horrible can sound perfectly great sometimes. It's all up to mood and biochemical reactions that way, I suppose.

You guys know anyone who just sounds like shit, but actually writes lyrics that fuck with you sometimes?

thanks and sorry,
Sam
Sam

[Bruce Reid Robinson II]

Nocando kills.

You guys should do an episode about how regional rap is disappearing, I would rather listen to Nocando or Busdriver than anything that the Dungeon crew is putting out these days. Why is that?

P.s. - I'm from the dirty and spent a lot of time in ATL growing up.