On December 7th, the House of Representatives passed the Better Online Ticket Sales Act, or BOTS Act of 2016. The bill “prohibits the circumvention of a security measure, access control system, or other technological measure on an Internet website or online service of a ticket issuer that is used to enforce posted event ticket purchasing limits.” The bill will now go to the White House for Obama’s signature. Enforcement authority will be granted to the Federal Trade Commission. In 2013 Ticketmaster estimated that 60 percent of the most desirable tickets are purchased by bots. There is some doubt about the effectiveness of the bill, though. Automated ticket bots are illegal, but scalping itself is not. “There is only one way to stop the scalping industry, and that’s to make it illegal,” said Seth Hurwitz, owner of the 9:30 Club in Washington. “Anything else is just Whac-a-Mole, and grandstanding by politicians.” Websites like StubHub will remain in operation and are unaffected by the new law. “Laws don’t stop every crime, but the fact that there are new civil penalties for circumventing the technology that tries to keep tickets in the hands of fans will create a disincentive,” said Daryl P. Friedman, chief advocacy and industry relations officer of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Politicians in Europe are also working to reform ticketing laws. Italy is considering proposals and the British government commissioned a massive report on the scalping industry. The bill passed with bipartisan support in Congress, showing... Continue reading

In difficult times, it's important to focus on what is truly important and meaningful and real for you--in your life, family and friends, work, spiritual or religious practice, and so on. Negative emotions like fear, anxiety, and anger are primal, powerful, and capture our imagination and attention with unpredictable effects--especially when they are caused by events beyond our personal control or influence. While not political, this episode is offered in response to an obvious, pervasive mood of shock and uncertainty following the recent U.S. election. Attentive listening, to music that really rewards the effort, provides experiences that are cathartic, calming, energizing, mournful, and more. Here, the music we recommend and discuss offers some comfort, brief escape, and opportunities to focus on what's most important, right here, right now. Playlist for this episode: John Luther Adams - Become Ocean John Adams - Harmonielehre: Pt. III: Meister Eckhardt and Quackie Steve Reich - Music for 18 Musicians Philip Glass - Prophecies Olivier Messiaen - Quartet for the End of Time: Praise to the Eternity of Jesus Bob Dylan - Forever Young John Corigliano - No. 7, Postlude. Forever Young Funkadelic - Maggot Brain Johann Sebastian Bach - Partita for Violin Solo No. 2 in D Minor: Ciaccona Continue reading

At long last the plague of the live music industry is being dealt with. Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed a new law that makes the resale of tickets obtained using ticket bots illegal in New York. For years we have seen companies use automated bots to buy up large numbers of concert tickets and then sell them through websites like StubHub with a significant mark up. Running ticket bots is now considered a misdemeanor and can carry a fine of up to $1,000 as well as one year in jail. “These unscrupulous speculators and their underhanded tactics have manipulated the marketplace and often leave New Yorkers and visitors alike with little choice but to buy tickets on the secondary market at an exorbitant mark-up. It’s predatory, it’s wrong and, with this legislation, we are taking an important step towards restoring fairness and equity back to this multi-billion dollar industry," said Governor Andrew Cuomo. There is currently a bill working its way through congress related to automated ticket purchasing software that is supported by Lin-Manuel Miranda. In June he wrote on op-ed, “Stop the Bots From Killing Broadway” for The New York Times. Continue reading

On this hangout episode we have an eclectic conversation about the relationships between new technology and the creation and distribution of artistic works. Topics include the newly formed Internet Creators Guild that seeks to educate professionals and amateurs alike on the potentials of internet content creation, the very first recording of music generated by a computer in 1951, the future of virtual reality content, and the experience of watching a new movie released through Netflix. Bon Iver - 22 (OVER S∞∞N) Internet Creators Guild Jon Favreau working with virtual reality Philip Glass - Koyaanisqatsi First recording of computer-generated music ARQ Continue reading

In part two of our three-part series, we examine the development of punk through the 1970s as it transforms from a small collective of like-minded artists into a worldwide cultural phenomenon. First, we look at Iggy Pop and the Stooges' influence on the sound and attitude of punk music. This leads to the New York CBGB scene with Patti Smith, Television, and The Ramones. Finally we see how this style crossed over to England with The Sex Pistols and The Clash. Throughout the episode we explore the musical characteristics and philosophies that formed these bands. The creation of punk as it is commonly known today was heavily influenced by the work done by these six bands. The Stooges - I Wanna Be Your Dog The Stooges - We Will Fall Patti Smith - Gloria Television - Marquee Moon Television - See No Evil The Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop The Sex Pistols - Holidays In the Sun The Clash - London Calling Continue reading

Justin Vernon is a musical force of nature. Between his last album in 2011 and now he recorded tracks with Kanye, James Blake, Mavis Staples, Francis and the Lights, and Colin Stetson, recorded full albums with Volcano Choir and Shouting Matches, produced albums for Kathleen Edwards and The Staves, started the Eaux Claires Festival in his hometown with The National’s Aaron Dessner, opened a studio in the same area, and won a Grammy despite openly insulting the Grammys. After all that activity he’s finally finished his newest album with the project that made him famous in the first place, Bon Iver, and it’s even more opaque than usual. Directness has never been a virtue that Vernon honors. Many assumed that the eponymous Emma from his first album was an old flame. But he later revealed that it was actually a state of mind, a combination of a broken relationship, sickness, and leaving his old band DeYarmond Edison. He obscures meaning to an almost comical degree with the songs titles of 22, A Million. 10 d E A T h b R E a s T ⚄ ⚄ 21 M♢♢N WATER 715 - CRΣΣKS 8 (circle) The titles display a combination of words, numbers, and seemingly random computer symbols. Vernon had to explain to the press how to verbally pronounce these titles at his debut listening party. At first glance they are meaningless, and the lyric videos sure don’t help. Fans will undoubtedly pour over these arcane titles and lyrics for... Continue reading

In a new, ongoing format, this episode of the podcast is a Loose Filter Hangout. We’ll mix this up with our longer-form, special topic episodes, with the Hangouts featuring discussion of the random, fascinating stuff that makes it through our loose filters. This time, we talk about Radiohead, Beyonce, Kevin Garrett, clipping, Stranger Things, Streets of Rage II, Pixelh8, and Twenty One Pilots. You'll find something new to love, guaranteed. Radiohead - Decks Dark Beyonce - Pray You Catch Me Kevin Garrett - Coloring clipping. - Work Work Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein - Stranger Things clipping. - All Black Yuzo Koshiro - Streets of Rage II Pixelh8 - Super Fantatstic Turbo Magical 2 Player Love Game Adventure Called Happiness Twenty One Pilots - Lane Boy Continue reading

My favorite band created a song for my favorite film series. What a wonderful Christmas present. Continue reading

Sam Beam is one of our greatest living acoustic singer-songwriters. GWAR is a band of barbaric interplanetary warriors who ravage the galaxy with a boundless hatred of all things alive. It doesn't seem like a pairing that would work out. But against all odds it produced this beautiful little ditty. Continue reading