When it comes to Nerdcore, most people think of MC Frontalot, and why not? He’s been at the forefront of the genre since its inception. But with the help of podcasts, which highlight the best of Nerdcore across all types of music, and indie labels that focuses on the rap and hip-hop edge of Nerdcore, a deeper cut of the genre is being revealed. The music’s still classified as Nerdcore, but influences range from rock to rap, from chiptunes to hip-hop.
While you would think many would be experiencing a “rising tides raises all ships” situation in response to this movement, for some reason the tide has yet to reach the shores. While there have been instances of where some groups have had a spotlight shined on them (i.e., Anamanaguchi’s “Pop It” being used in a Target commercial, The Protomen being on Warped Tour in 2014) it really hasn’t floated down to everyone else yet.
You have groups who write completely new music about a well known video game subject (The Protomen, Random Encounter), some that take the original music and write lyrics around the story lines (The Megas, MegaRan, Those Who Fight) and then there are those who will take the music and put new stylistic spins on them like Descendants of Erdrick with the prog rock sound, Knight Of The Round with the heavy metal/djent perspective, and Droidekka with the reggae/ska/dub styles.
With chiptunes it’s less about the throwbacks to video games and more about the individual sounds the hardware can make. While some people will be familiar with the tones because of their history (i.e., the 2A03 of the NES, the SID in the Commodore 64) people in the chiptune scene are just treating these systems purely as instruments. If I had to offer an analogs for people to understand it would be like those who want the Roland TB-303 or TR-808 for rhythm patterns that was used in early dance music, or the Yamaha DX-7 keyboard sound that was popular with 80’s New Wave.
Now, pop culture conventions have long been more than about just comics, video games or films. Some of the biggest ones in America have been compared to the Super Bowl, and that makes sense when you think about it: the Super Bowl is a football game but it isn’t really about football. It’s about goofy ads, and half-time musical acts, an excuse to party, and a promotional bonanza. That’s not unlike what happens at Cons.
So, where are the parties at Salt Lake City? A red carpet event sponsored by a radio outlet that still plays ‘Lightning Crashes’ in rotation is not pushing the envelope in 2015 as far as live entertainment goes. Go big! Get Weird Al Yankovic. Reach out to the Kirby Krackle, Danimal Cannon and the Bit Brigade. Locally, hit up VCR5, Atheist and well, me. Visit Salt Lake City along with The Sundance Film Festival did. Myself along with DJ Shanty, Dracula 2 and Rotten Musicians will be rocking the SLC Festival Cafe (35 West 300 South in downtown Salt Lake City) this Saturday 1/31. It’s an all ages show & best of all…It’s FREE. Live for live music.
-Dagobot
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