ICU bed capacity is slim to none in most parts of the state. What that means on a practical level and why adding more beds isn’t really the solution. And as COVID-19 cases continue to surge across the state, the messages about the protection of getting vaccinated and wearing masks continue. But do we need to change what we’re saying or how we’re saying it? And how safe is it to go to a concert right now? Musicians and venues weigh the risks. Plus we’ll take a closer look the infrastructure bill in Washington and how much money could come to Texas. And we’ll examine national identity and sports as we talk with a Texan who competed at the Olympics under the Puerto Rican flag. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
podcast
Respect Nicki Minaj!
This week on The Breaks:
- Fresh is out, so host Confucius Jones explores the legacy of Nicki Minaj after the re-release of her 2009 mixtape “Beam Me Up Scotty.”
- This week’s installment of Random Hip-Hop facts centers around LL Cool J and Jay-Z after the announcement that both of them will be inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.
- Confucius talks about Future’s recent jab at his ex Lori Harvey on 42 Dugg’s song “Maybach, and proclaims that Future complains about women more than Drake does.
- In his Confucius Says segment Confucius acknowledges that the odds are stacked against Black and Brown Austinites, but still encourages them to do the work to fix the problems they see around them, even when it’s hard.
You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.
Music and Activism with Jonathan “Chaka” Mahone
Jonathan “Chaka” Mahone from the Austin hip-hop duo Riders Against the Storm talks about how his experience as a Black musician in the Austin music community led him to create the DAWA Fund and the Black Live Music Fund. He also explains why his music is the reason he is able to continue to serve the community he loves.
Links:
To Support the Black Live Music Fund
Black Live Music Fund – “Thankful” Live Stream Event February 19th
Nelly vs St. Lunatics
In this episode of The Breaks
- Hosts Confucius and Fresh talk about the recent dispute between Nelly and Ali from St. Lunatics.
- Both hosts talk about why they think Pooh Shiesty and Flo Milly will be two of the breakout stars of 2021.
- In this week’s installment of Random Hip-Hop Facts you’ll learn things you might not have known about Lil’ Wayne, Warren G, Outkast and more.
- Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that Prince was intimidated by Michael Jackson.
- In his Confucius Says segment, Confucius encourages listeners not to lose touch with who they are, even in the midst the pandemic.
Listen on The Apple Podcasts App, Spotify or Stitcher
The Breaks are on every Saturday 10pm-1am on KUTX 98.9.
You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.
Biography
We may think we understand history from the classes we took in school. Yet, there is so much more to the events and the players than we memorized in class. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about how biographies add a missing dimension to the psychology of history.
Sliding Into 2021 Like…
On this episode of The Breaks:
- Confucius and Fresh remember MF Doom after the announcement of his death.
- Both hosts talk about the feud between Snoop Dogg and Eminem.
- The hosts discuss Young Thug’s comment that Jay-Z doesn’t have 30 songs that everybody knows word for word.
- In this installment of Hip-Hop facts Confucius and Fresh tell you things you didn’t know about Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, 3LW, Beyonce and more.
- In light of Will.i.am’s comments about not feeling accepted by Black audiences, Confucius and Fresh explore the history of Black Eyed Peas and debate whether they are a Black group or not.
- Fresh puts forward the Unpopular Opinion that Black audiences don’t always respond to acts that are doing things they consider “weird.”
The Breaks are on every Saturday 10pm-1am on KUTX 98.9.
You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.
The Urban Music Fest & Homer Hill
In the latest episode of Pause/Play Homer Hill tells the story of the Urban Music Fest and how it’s been hit hard by the pandemic. You’ll also learn the history of the festival, and hear the challenges Homer has faced in his thirty plus years as a Black Business owner in Austin, Texas.
Urban Music Fest
Mr. Catfish
The City of Austin’s Virtual New Year’s Eve
Check out Andrew Weber’s reporting on Venue Funding in Austin
Jackie Venson Artist Feature
For the first 50 days of quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic, Austin musician Jackie Venson live-streamed hours of musical performances from her home. She awoke at the end of the meditative marathon to a new normal for Austin musicians: no touring, no in-person shows, and no idea of what would come next. But in her calmed state of mind, Venson focused on her practice and her music, and used her platform to stand for Black musicians and Black lives. Last month, she received the honor of playing her first ACL Live performance – a culmination of her patience and perseverance in this uncertain year.
Video by Julia Reihs.
Rewarding Mediocrity (Rebroadcast)
The ups and downs of rewards that praise participation in this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, with Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke.
Jackie Venson and Austin City Limits
Follow Austin musician Jackie Venson as she makes her debut on the iconic Austin City Limit’s TV show. You’ll hear how Jackie has been pivoting during the pandemic, and find out how Austin City Limits has been adapting to taping shows without a live audience.
Listen to this episode of Pause/Play
Listen on The Apple Podcasts App, Spotify
Show Notes Links:
Follow Jackie Venson on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok
Follow Austin City Limits on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
This Song Episode featuring Jackie Venson
Watch The Jackie Venson’s curated Blues on the Screen
Check out Jackie Venson’s Vintage Machine Album
ACL Live Show on November 20th
Austin City Limit’s Television Show
Failure (Rebroadcast)
Failure is a word that carries a lot of baggage, arousing emotional responses that we’d usually rather avoid. But what about success? Why does the thought of success conjure images and feelings of comfort and satisfaction?
This week, Two Guys on Your Head‘s Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke examine how the heights of success and the “training wheels” of failure impact our everyday lives.
The Venues
In this episode, you’ll hear from the owners two Austin venues. Brodie Elkins tells the story of Scratchouse which closed due to the pandemic. Then Maggie Lea and Tamara Hoover talk about how they’ve kept their venue, Cheer Up Charlies, afloat and explain what it’s been like to get ready to reopen.
Listen on The Apple Podcasts App, Spotify
Follow Cheer Up Charlies: Instagram and Twitter
Resources:
National Independent Venue Alliance
David Alvarez Retires
The stalwart engineer for Two Guys on Your Head, David Alvarez is throwing in the towel and turning his attention to the finer things in life.
David has worked at KUT since 1982 and has been the engineer for Two Guys since our first recording back in 2013.
In this edition of the show Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk with David about the role of the engineer and about what he’ll miss about his time at KUT.
Happy retirement David! We’ll miss you!
No Rap at ACLfest?!?
- Confucius and Fresh share their thoughts on the glaring lack of hip-hop acts on the virtual Austin City Limit Festival Lineup.
- Both hosts debate whether or not Gucci Mane is the greatest A&R rep in recent hip-hop history.
- Fresh and Confucius express their surprise at learning that Big Sean’s first advance from Kanye after signing to G.O.O.D. Music was $15,000.
- In his Unpopular Opinion, Fresh argues that Sauce Walka does not get enough credit.
- In his Confucius Says segment, both Confucius and Fresh implore everyone listening to go out and VOTE!
Listen to this episode of The Breaks
The Myth of Happiness
And they lived happily ever after, isn’t just a cliched ending, it’s psychologically destructive.
In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the myth of happiness.
The Pause
What happened to Austin’s live music scene after the shutdown of SXSW?
On March 6th, 2020 the Austin City government canceled SXSW. That decision had an economic ripple effect throughout the city. It also marked the true beginning of the COVID-19 crisis for Austin. In this episode, hosts Miles Bloxson and Elizabeth McQueen explore why Austin calls itself the Live Music Capital of the World. They’ll look at the effect that the cancellation of SXSW and the subsequent shut down of the bars had on Austin through the experiences of some of the musicians, venue owners, venue staff, and music non-profits who make up this live music ecosystem.
Listen on The Apple Podcasts App, Spotify
72 Hours In Newport – Wild Child “Going In”
Episode 4 of “72 Hours in Newport” features Austin-based indie pop band, Wild Child! In this episode our confessor tells us about meeting her long lost half-brother at a party in high school. (Oh, she had no idea he even existed beforehand.) Later, Zac and Kelsey Wilson of Wild Child discuss how boring the ‘end of the world’ is, finding her voice in multiple musical projects, and building community around her.
Wakanda Forever
This week on The Breaks:
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- Confucius and Fresh honor the memory of Chadwick Boseman and explain why his life and work made such an impact on them — especially his portrayal of Black Panther.
- Both hosts discuss the NBA’s strike over the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
- Fresh shares the Unpopular Opinion that Jermaine DuPri is the best star-maker working in the music industry today.
- Confucius points out that sometimes even the most selfless act can still be a tad bit selfish in his Confucius Says segment.
72 Hours In Newport – Band of Heathens – Black Cat
Episode 2 of 72 Hours in Newport features Austin-based Americana troubadours, Band of Heathens! In this episode our confessor recounts some of his grandfather’s best stories – from coming to America in a barrel to wrestling a panther – Are they true? Are they false? Does it matter? Walker and Gordy Quist (of BOH) discuss the power of family origin stories and the making of “Black Cat.”
For a deeper dive into Americans’ origin history, check out this episode of Code Switch on how projects are using DNA tests to talk about race in America. Listen Here.
Investment
It’s true investing is not for the faint of heart, but have you ever wondered why?
In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the psychology of investing.