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The Ongoing History of New Music, Episode 766: A Journey Through the Strange World of Outsider Music.

This may be the weirdest radio program you hear all year.

There are those among us who are driven to make music by song unstoppable and unsuppressible internal force. They make music for the sheer joy of it. The only issue is that, well, it’s…unconventional. And if we’re frank, a lot of it is unlistenable.  But it’s only that way if you don’t listen to it in the same spirit in which it was made.

Outsider musicians are fascinating people who, whether they know it or not, have left their mark on alternative music. We are going to celebrate some of these people on this weekend’s episode. Nothing is wrong with your radio or my equipment. This is exactly how these songs were recorded. I’d be fascinated to hear your opinions.

Songs featured on this week’s show include:

The Shaggs, “Philosophy of the World”

Wesley Willis, “Dave Grohl”

Jandek, “12 Minutes Since February 32nd”

Lucia Pamela, “Walking on the Moon”

Langley School Music Project, “Space Oddity”

Legendary Stardust Cowboy, “Paralyzed”

Grant McDonald “A Billion Bucks”

William Shatner, “Spleen/Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”

The Ongoing History of New Music can be heard on the following stations:

We’re still looking for more affiliates in Kamloops, Kelowna, Regina, Saskatoon, Brandon, Windsor,  Montreal, Charlottetown, Moncton, Fredericton, and St John’s and anywhere else with a transmitter. If you’re in any of those markets and you want the show, lemme know and I’ll see what I can do.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 38019 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

One thought on “The Ongoing History of New Music, Episode 766: A Journey Through the Strange World of Outsider Music.

  • Yes, you definitely need to revisit outsider music. Please make one of those 5 part series you sometimes make.

    Reply

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