Music
Tutorials on making music.
The UsCast MixTape – Louisiana Special
May 28th
The UsCast MixTape - Louisiana Special
Listen to this special edition episode where we play the music that puts us in the best mood to heading on our vacation back to Lee’s hometown of Rayne, Louisiana. Back to Louisiana where the best food, best friends, family and entertainment everynight in every direction has ever been! This is a decently long episode that I suggest putting on your iPod or burning to a cd and just enjoying. Please visit all the artists sites and purchase a full album from them because they are all good!
Songs Played on this Episode: (45:49 duration)
- 01 - Creedence Clearwater Revival – Born on the Bayou
- 02 - Wayne Toups – Sweet Joline
- 03 - Rockin Sidney – Don’t mess with my tutu
- 04 - Wayne Toups – Tupelo Honey
- 05 - Wayne Toups – Sugar Bee
- 06 - Wayne Toups – Going back to Big Mamou
- 07 - Lee Benoit – Nonc Lloyd
- 08 - Wayne Toups – Johnnie can’t dance
- 09 - Lee Benoit – Allons danser Colinda
- 10 - Wayne Toups – Please Eeplain
- 12 - Horace Trahan – That butt thing
- 13 - Wayne Toups – Fish out of water
- 14 - Lee Benoit Give him cornbread
Thank you for listening to our show, we just ask that you send us back your input on what you think as well as questions or comments you may have. Send us requests and we will even do what we can to do discussions on the topics you want most as well as find more professionals to interview and talk to as our podcasting adventure goes on!
Email comments/questions/requests uscast@337studios.com
Leave a voicemail and we will play it on the show (337) 935-0133
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Die Antwoord, South African Hip Hop
May 19th
South African rave-rap group Die Antwoord are a lot more than they appear.
Their emergence/sudden ‘viral explosion’ onto the scene might raise a few eyebrows to those who have been following their former group, Max Normal TV. If Die Antwoord’s status quo is about being “zef as fuck” and raving to the grave, it’s a curious contrast to the Atmosphere like nature of Max Normal TV’s self aware hip hop about insecurity.
Particularly interesting is how the 3:30 mark of Max Normal’s “Total Fck Up” absolutely predicts the rise of Die Antwoord. Jokin about doing rave rap to get popular, we get a glimpse of what music looks like when “the mind is gone, but the vibe is on”.
Some ideas that suggest that these folks are making high grade performance art:
- Die Antwoord are sponsored by Puma and Jagermeister
- Dre Skull was asked to produce three tracks for Die Antwoord, none of which ended up getting used. Where did that $$ come from?
- Ninja’s “tattoos” are rumored to not be real because of their inconsistency- notice how what’s on his arm in this interview is strangely absent from this video.
-Yolandi’s tracksuit and the set design of the “Enter the Ninja” video is based on the photography of Roger Ballen, according to the credits of Max Normal’s “Total Fuck Up”. Interesting reference.
But blah, I haven’t even talked about how amazing the LOL Boys Chicago Juke remix of this track is. It’s taking me back to a rave fifteen years ago, which is impossible bec?ause I would’ve been 7 then. (Or maybe all the acid I did as a seven year old affected my memory, who knows?)
But anything that makes me laugh the first time I hear it, and then press repeat the next consecutive seventeen times is impressively crafted, especially the chopped & screwed vocal breakdown halfway through; it’s pretty clear what their influences were for this track. Be on the lookout for their new EP that’s still getting shopped around to different labels – some next generation evil pop dance music on that thing.
You can preview one of their tracks on the superb Dubbel Dutch “Mixin’ It Up” mix for Discobelle.
Popularity: unranked [?]
Making beats on the iPad
Apr 15th
On the heels of the popular GrooveMaker app for the iPhone / iPod touch, IK Multimedia (musicians first) has released GrooveMaker for the iPad. Perfect for that upcoming house party (DJ set) you’ve been planning. If you’re into house, hip-hop and drum ‘n bass style music (mixing loops and samples into endless differing arrangements and combinations) then GrooveMaker is definitely worth having a look at. IK Multimedia’s press release says:
GrooveMaker for the iPad offers the same smart features and streamlined workflow as the iPhone version, but also takes advantage of the new larger multi-touch surface to provide enhanced operation with an integrated, advanced controller.
Users will find a convenient mixer-like environment with large slider controls for volume, pan and master volume of the 8 controllable loop tracks, plus instant access to tempo, solo and mute functions all on the same screen.
Also, GrooveMaker for iPad adds even more control when working with loops, providing a new level of creative flexibility. Users can now switch “snapped” grooves with a single touch, plus control the number of loops that are automatically combined during a random mix. GrooveMaker iPad is the perfect addition to a DJ set, providing unlimited creative flexibility in live remixing and DJ applications.
There are 4 GrooveMaker packs for the iPad available now on the iTunes Store.
Popularity: unranked [?]
Videos: Improving Your Vocal Technique
Mar 11th
The voice is the one instrument we take with us everywhere we go – even into the shower. Yet many of us spend less time working on vocal techniques than we do learning other instruments. Whether you are a lead vocalist, background vocalist, or just record your voice for “special effects”, these videos will teach you to warm up your voice, help you achieve a better vocal sound, and also protect your voice by teaching you to sing with a proper technique. Here is a compiled list of videos from the Tuts Network for your learning pleasure. You could even just watch to see how some people do it if you dont want to learn, there is alot there so enjoy what you like!
1. Singing Lessons: Part 1- Vocal Warm Up Exercises
“This 4 part Singing Lesson video series is a gift from me to all the other singers out there who have shown me such great luv and support. It contains a full vocal warmup with voice exercises that will improve tone, expand your range, and increasing diaphragm control.”
2. Singing Lessons: Part 2 – Freeing Your Voice Range
“This second singing lesson video, we talk about expanding the voice range. These voice exercises will help you sing high notes & have more power and clarity in your singing.”
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Zelda ReOrchestrated
Dec 29th
Russ Frushtick at MTV Multiplayer was following the progress of a musical group that wanted to remake the music in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time with a real orchestra. Today, he reports, they’ve finally finished their work.
The Zelda Reorchestrated project (a.k.a. ZREO) first got started six years ago when a 14-year-old had the brilliant idea to redo all the music in the game with an orchestra. Now, 82 tracks later, the idea is real and you can listen to it yourself.
As of a month ago, we were only short a handful of songs to complete the album, however, many of the songs from Ocarina of Time were not nearly up to par with others, so we decided to go through the album, song by song, and figure out which songs needed to be remade. It started out as five, then ten, twelve. The list grew and grew till we reached a whopping 22 tracks. Today, we release those additional 22 remakes.
Frushtick rightly points out that this work is in no way protected from a take-down notice from Nintendo (though I’m sure the more clever legal minds out there could make a case for fair use). So get it while it’s hot in download form or pop over to Zelda Reorchestrated just to sample their work. Really, it’s pretty neat.
Zelda Reorchestrated [Zreomusic.com via MTV Multiplayer]
Popularity: unranked [?]
VOD: The Muppets Bohemian Rhapsody
Nov 24th

This morning, The Muppets released a high definition viral parody of Queen’s classic song “Bohemian Rhapsody“. The video, which features over 40 Muppet characters, coincides with the release of Queen’s new album. If you haven’t seen the video yet (its been spreading rapidly around the interwebs all morning, click after the jump.
Popularity: unranked [?]





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