Maximum Fun - A public radio show about things that are awesome.

The Sound of Young America in Mashable

Jesse Thorn — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:54:31 -0700

I'm proud that Mashable has featured TSOYA as an example of how community arts organizations can and should use social media.

Here's what Emily Goligowski wrote:
The culture show The Sound of Young America has gained traction and donations by finding low cost ways to promote “a radio show about things that are awesome” and secured a national syndication deal with Public Radio International in the process. What began with an interview show that Jesse Thorn produced in his college dorm room has grown into a set of MaximumFun.org forums, podcasts recorded at comedy festivals around the country, and a lighthearted blog. The burgeoning content network still maintains Thorn’s personality and authenticity (as evidenced by Tweets (@youngamerican) that were among the most introspective upon Michael Jackson’s death) in ways that many online self-promoters lose in building their brands.

You can read the whole article here for more organizations using social media in cool ways.

Pandering in Real Time

Jesse Thorn — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:34:29 -0700

New Live Poll Allows Pundits To Pander To Viewers In Real Time

A last word on Michael.

Jesse Thorn — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:31:13 -0700

I didn't watch Michael Jackson's funeral on TV, or even try to get tickets to watch it live. I've always loved his music, but I didn't need another spectacle. Mostly, I just feel sad about it.

One thing, though, has made me more angry than sad.

Here in Los Angeles, every politician under the sun has taken the opportunity to complain about the cost of ensuring the safety of folks attending the funeral. By some estimates, it cost a couple million dollars. I'm vexed that these politicians are taking this moment of sadness and trying to twist it into a moment of hostile, hateful political opportunism.

Every year, the Lakers play 40 basketball games that fill the Staples Center. The Kings play another 40 games that do the same. Fans pay to attend these events, and that money does not go to pay for the infrastructure they use, it goes to the private businesspeople who own and operate the teams and the venue.

Every year, there are countless block parties, parades, concerts and protests that draw members of the public. Every one of those events has infrastructure costs: police, emergency services, roads, public transportation.

Cities support public events. Our police department has a budget to pay for ensuring the public safety, whether people are walking to the grocery store, celebrating Pride, going to a sporting event or mourning at a funeral. That is as it should be. This is the most basic function of local government.

Like many localities, Los Angeles is in the midst of a financial crunch, but providing basic services is not a choice, it is what government does.

I heard the police chief, Bill Bratton, on the radio today. He's an eloquent man and a surprisingly straight shooter. He said that if Los Angeles thinks it's a world-class city, it needs to be prepared to support once in a generation events. I couldn't agree more.

Pharrell - Frontin (DJW Remix)

Jesse Thorn — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:32:55 -0700

Sometimes folks ask me about DJW, who does the music for TSOYA (with the exception of the theme song).

He's a great guy, he's from Massachusetts, he set the dance floor off at MaxFunCon... not much else to say. You can check out a few of his remixes on his zebox page.

Above: a fan-made video for DJW's remix of Pharrell's "Frontin'".

Podcast: Coyle & Sharpe Episode 66: Other Than Standard Methods

MaxFun Intern — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:29:21 -0700

Show:

Coyle and Sharpe

http://media.libsyn.com/media/coyleandsharpe/theimposters066_otherthanstandardmethods.mp3

Coyle and Sharpe have a way for the Giants to achieve victory.

Welcome to season two of Coyle & Sharpe: The Imposters! In the early 1960s, James P. Coyle and Mal Sharpe roamed the streets of San Francisco, microphone in hand, roping strangers into bizarre schemes and surreal stunts. These original recordings are from the Sharpe family archive, which is tended by Mal's daughter, Jennifer Sharpe. You can learn more about Coyle & Sharpe on their website or on MySpace. Their recent box set is These 2 Men Are Imposters.

On this episode: Coyle and Sharpe have a way for the Giants to achieve victory.

Listen Now

Download This Episode (Direct MP3 Link)

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Discuss the show on the forum

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Alan Partridge Hates Farming

Jesse Thorn — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:21:45 -0700

Steve Coogan as buffoonish television and radio host Alan Partridge makes spectacularly unfounded accusations about farming to a farmer, played by the great Chris Morris.

Joell Ortiz f. The Kickdrums "How to Change"

Jesse Thorn — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:03:15 -0700

It took me a while to figure out what was special about Joell Ortiz.

He's got heart.

Elephant Larry on Attack of the Show

Jesse Thorn — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:30:29 -0700

Video Game - E3 2009 - Attack of the Show

Our pals from Elephant Larry and our pal Kevin "Sprinkles" Pereira join force like Voltron for a segment called "Kings of Dot Comedy" on Attack of the Show.

Ep. 104: Hello Baby

MaxFun Intern — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:53:56 -0700

Show:

Jordan, Jesse, Go!

104

http://media.libsyn.com/media/thornmorris/jjgo090706_ep104.mp3

Guests:

Scott Aukerman

Guest Scott Aukerman joins Jesse and Jordan to talk about things that are ruined by fans of those things, and more.

Guest Scott Aukerman joins Jesse and Jordan to talk about things that are ruined by fans of those things, and more.

Download This Episode (MP3 Link)
Discuss the episode on the forum
Subscribe in iTunes / Podcast Feed

ACTION ITEMS:

* Tell us about things that are ruined by their fans.
* Come up with a codeword for MaxFunsters to say to each other.

CONTINUING ACTION ITEMS:

* Do you have a dispute Judge John Hodgman can solve on a future broadcast? Email it to us! Put Judge John in the subject line.
* Need advice? ASK JUANITA!
* Share your Momentous Occasions and Moments of Shame!

Call 206-984-4FUN to share your thoughts on these ACTION ITEMS.

Our theme music: "Love You" by The Free Design, courtesy of The Free Design and Light in the Attic Records

Bill Withers, Soul Legend: Interview on The Sound of Young America

Jesse Thorn — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:33:25 -0700

Show:

The Sound of Young America

http://media.libsyn.com/media/tsoya/tsoya090706_billwithers.mp3

Guests:

Bill Withers

Bill Withers is the singer-songwriter behind soul classics like Ain't No Sunshine, Lean on Me, Use Me, Just the Two of Us, Lovely Day and more.

Bill Withers in "Soul Power" from Jesse Thorn on Vimeo.

Bill Withers is the singer-songwriter behind soul classics like Ain't No Sunshine, Lean on Me, Use Me, Just the Two of Us, Lovely Day and more. Withers retired from the music industry in the mid 1980s, and with the exception of a few songs penned for other artists, has stayed out of the public eye. He's featured in the new documentary and concert film Soul Power, which follows a music festival in Zaire in 1974. The film hits theaters in New York and LA on July 14th, and opens across the country thereafter.

Listen Now

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