""Heat Rocks" is basically The Lesson, The Podcast."
I helped create a podcast I think you'd like.
It's called Heat Rocks. It's pretty straightfoward. Oliver Wang (DJ, culture scholar, hip-hop journalist, OKP) and Morgan Rhodes (music supervisor for Ava Duvernay) interview one artist, critic or journalist about one classic album.
The first episode features Joi, and it's a conversation about Betty Davis' "They Say I'm Different." It's a particularly favorite of Oliver's, too - he wrote the liner notes for the Betty Davis re-issues.
Or just search for "Heat Rocks" in your podcatcher.
Would love to know your thoughts about the show... it's basically created for you, personally.
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
8. "RE: Subscribed. Will listen on the way to work tomorrow" In response to Reply # 1
thanks pal, always appreciate your support. Hope we'll see you in the bay sometime soon.
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
6. "RE: thanks for doing Joi - sounds like a great start" In response to Reply # 2
I just emailed Vernon Reid
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
5. "RE: subscribed...big up, jessie..." In response to Reply # 4
Thank you!
shout out to Kurt Manwaring. Secondary shout-out to Terry Kennedy.
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
10. "I'm gonna check it, but..." In response to Reply # 0
I would like more topics per episode and a section for news/upcoming artist and albums. first, I thought it was just gonna be an interview, but I was pleasantly surprised that that was not the case.
11. "RE: I'm gonna check it, but..." In response to Reply # 10
Definitely not a news show. Trying to do one thing and do it exceptionally well.
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
13. "taygravy is up next" In response to Reply # 0
...
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
19. "RE: You mean Intro's album, right? But yeah, it's a great episode." In response to Reply # 18
Hah! I do. That's what I get for posting this literally while I was in the studio recording another podcast .
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
29. "RE: Me and Kari Orr started a podcast together" In response to Reply # 22
that's awesome. tell me if I can help in any way.
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
24. "Who do you want to hear on this show?" In response to Reply # 0
??
Musicians... writers... scholars...?
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
27. "RE: William "Billy" Beck of the Ohio Players" In response to Reply # 25
Great ideas. A few I had on my brainstorming list but a few I didn't.
Any ideas for women?
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
26. "I personally like hearing from musicians" In response to Reply # 24
I find it fascinating to hear about artists talk about albums that were influential to the creation of their musical identity.
A few off the top: Thes One. Yeah, I know he does the intro music, but I think he'd be great at this. J-Zone. He's very good at talking about far left-field, often very ignorant, albums that he loves. ?uestlove is a kind of a no-brainer.
28. "RE: I personally like hearing from musicians" In response to Reply # 26
Thes will definitely be on eventually, he's long-time pals with Oliver.
Two types of people I'm especially trying to think of:
1) People where casual listeners' ears would perk up, or they might tell somebody about it. Not necessarily just "Beyonce" or whatever, but more like... I dunno... Biz Markie. 2) Women. So many dudes on my list, definitely trying to add women.
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
44. "Women Guest Suggestions" In response to Reply # 24
Pam The Funkstress (of The Coup, DJ-ed parties for prince during his last year) Shelia E Yo-Yo Snow The Product Kitty (a.k.a. Kitty Pride) Jean Grae Jhene Aiko Syd Jessie Reyez Gavin Turek MC Lyte K. Flay Kehlani Lizzo Nelly Furtado Rayana Jay Sabrina Claudio Sevyn Streeter SZA Trina Eve
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
34. "First, a "thank you"..then some recos" In response to Reply # 0
Been rockin with you since I first discovered Put This On! years back (pre-beard haha) and then found Bullseye accidentally.
Now this? You're an ill dude for doing all that you do for the culture, brother. And thank you for helping men feel good about getting dressed up as well.
Also, and let this be known, your interview with DJ Quik is the single greatest interview I've ever heard with him, and I was jumping up and down in my car as the conversation went on as you were the first person that I felt really respected the man for all that he's done and didn't come with some lazy, half-hearted bullshit like so many other interviewers have done (*cough cough @Microphone Check FEEL FREE TO SPEAK IN A TONE LOUDER THAN A WHISPER, BELOVED HOSTS! cough cough*)
As for interviewee recommendations for "Heat Rocks", here's my list (which is heavily LA-focused with the exception of Gilles Peterson):
- DJ Quik - Battlecat - Tokimonsta - Jimetta Rose - Gilles Peterson - Dam Funk - Exile - J.Rocc, Rhettmatic, Mr. Choc (or any of the Beat Junkies) - Mochilla (B+ and Eric Coleman) - Terrace Martin - Raphael Saadiq
Much love, and keep on rockin', Jesse!
-------------------------------- Drop knowledge, not names.
Color in Flight Network Launching January 1st, 2018
35. "RE: First, a "thank you"..then some recos" In response to Reply # 34
Somwe great ideas, thank you! Did you hear Terrace Martin on my show recently? He was a blast to talk to. That guy is a charmer.
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
41. "RE: can you get this on Stitcher?" In response to Reply # 40
Stitcher runs ads against our content without our permission or any licensing agreement, and they're owned by a competitor.
Can I suggest an alternative podcastcher? Folks on Android really like Pocket Casts and Podcast Addict. I have iOS and I really like Overcast.
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
79. "Just peeped this one" In response to Reply # 45
I was late to this podcast because... I don't know.
But it was a good listen. Having not heard Ill Camille it was nice to hear a snippet of her song. After the podcast I loaded up Spotify and listened to a few of her songs. Dope stuff.
I appreciated the hosting duo. They both obviously have a firm grasp on music journalism but when between the two of them they both brought up aspects that the other didn't. And usually those nuggets were novel concepts or at least thoughts about the album I never considered.
At first hearing the opinions of Ill Camille didn't jibe with me. As the conversation unfolded it was nice to hear from a musician, especially from a musician whose music was directly influenced by Common and also revered on a personal level.
I will subscribe to this and run through some of the other episodes soon.
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
49. "^^^Up because I'm listening to the Vernon Reid episode" In response to Reply # 0
Listening to him get REALLY in-depth on Jimi Hendrix's "Band of Gypsys" album is absolutely fascinating. Like O-Dub says, dude basically gives a verbal dissertation on the ins and outs of "Machine Gun." Great episode.
53. "RE: ^^^Up because I'm listening to the Vernon Reid episode" In response to Reply # 49
Yeah Vern is f'ing awesome.
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
50. "my fav episode was the Sade one" In response to Reply # 0
breaking down Love Deluxe. the conversation felt so in-depth and yet still easy for the casual listener to enjoy
i listen to a LOT of podcasts, and Heat Rocks has quickly become one of my after-work go-to listens. it's a nice way to end the day and drive home. and then i usually will listen to the discussed album once i'm home
i also thoroughly enjoyed the Jimi Hendrix "Band of Gypsies" episode. so much great insight.
listened to the TLC "CrazySexyCool" episode last night. again a lot of great insights.
my ONE criticism (and this is just my personal opinion) is that i find Morgan Rhodes hella irritating to listen to. plus i feel like she doesn't offer as much as Oliver Wang and the guests do.. but that's just me
great work on the show. i hope it continues for a very long time, and i recommend it to a lot of my music-head friends as well
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
58. "Just listened to the Vernon Reid / Band of Gypsys episode" In response to Reply # 0
And I have to say his analysis of that album has to be some of the best music criticism that I've ever heard. It makes me look at that album in a whole new light.
I will contend that Maggot Brain is the best guitar performance of all time, but after listening to Vernon's take on Machine Gun (said the whole song is a vet's soundtrack for creeping through a rice paddy--wow!) I have serious pause.
-------------------------------------- I ain't NEVER seen a hungry, happy muthaf*cka!
Heavy Ro' Jay Rock - Redemption Roc Marci - RR2 Travis Scott - Astroworld Taz Arnold - rAd americA
62. "RE: YOOOOO!!!! THIS IS SO DOPE!!!" In response to Reply # 61
so glad you're enjoying it. Tell somebody! We need audience!
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
63. "I love listening to people talk about albums they are passionate about" In response to Reply # 0
especially when it's an album that isn't typically regarded as a "5 star classic" or a personal favorite. It's cool to hear a different perspective and to hear what someone liked about it that you might not have. A refreshing reminder that music is subjective and all that matters is how it sounds to you and makes you feel, and not to concern yourself with the hivemind or critical response to it.
65. "RE: the Off The Wall and HIStory episodes were hella dope" In response to Reply # 64
>now if i could just get Morgan Rhodes to be less grating on >this show... fml she can be annoying AF
How is she annoying?
I’m asking out of curiosity, not defense. I’m only 15 minutes into the first joint with Joi.
I can’t wait to listen to the Intro episode with Phonte. I discovered that album a bit late and it’s one of my favorites from the 1990s. Kenny Greene was a BEAST. Found out he wrote one of my favorite Mary J. Blige songs. Whew!
-- "Music is not to be possessed; it's to be shared.” - James Mtume
"Just stay loose, keep it raw, and bang ya drums out sometimes." - Madlib
66. "RE: the Off The Wall and HIStory episodes were hella dope" In response to Reply # 65
In my experience, all women hosting shows get notes from dudes asking them to stop being annoying. It is a cost of doing business.
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
69. "Cut Chemist on Cymande!" In response to Reply # 0
Seriously how could you possibly be subscribed to this forum and not want to listen to Cut Chemist talk about Cymande? I mean SERIOUSLY.
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
75. "RE: New episode has Me'shell Ndegeocello talking "Purple Rain"" In response to Reply # 74
I loved hearing Meshell talk about Purple Rain. And I loved talking about the Coup. Excited to hear how it sounds.
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
78. "RE: I'm loving this pod" In response to Reply # 77
Thank you for listening!
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
Printer-friendly copy 
Email this topic to a friend
The Lesson
#/media/File:Firefly.png)
