Monday, 12 November 2012

#LeedsPlaylist - CultFix 02 - A Celebration of Geek Culture



CulturallyFixated have recently starting contributing to the wonderful LeedsPlaylist !

Find out how to get involved yourself HERE!

CultFix 02 - Otaku

Spotify:



Picture from tinterweb! 

OTAKU – A Japanese term that refers to people with obsessive interests.

I decided that I wanted to put together a playlist that celebrated Geeks and the Culture that’s evolved around it. 

I was a bit nervous to begin with. Not sure if I was ‘allowed’ as I barely consider myself to be a geek at all – maybe on the peripherals – so I started to research to make sure that I didn’t leave out anything vital. 

After deciding that there were at least 8 categories*** to start from, across at least 5**** distinct genera’s; I set to work. Some hours later – while debating the inclusion or lack thereof of a particular topic***** – I had an epiphany. 

It probably doesn’t matter that I’m not a *proper *Geek – and who decides that anyway? 
It probably doesn’t matter if I don’t cover *every single aspect* of a fandom that’s larger than life and then some. 

There are many others who will have *better *knowledge about everything than I. 

But I’m the one making this playlist! After swotting up for a 10 track playlist for at least half a day – I’ve probably assured my own suitability! 


Song List - Geeky Songs – My Personal Favourites! 
01 – Bare Naked Ladies – The History of Everything – SCIENCE; EVOLUTION
02 – Beastie Boys – Ch-Check it out – STAR TREK
03 – Mouldy Peaches – Anyone Else But You – GAMER 
04 – Thomas Dolby – She blinded me with science – SCIENCE 
05 – Devo – Through being Cool – SF; ANTI-COOL 
06 – Marian Call – I’ll Still Be A Geek After Nobody Thinks It’s Chic – GEEK; ANTI-COOL 
07 – Tenacious D – Wonderboy – COMICS; SUPERS 
08 – Random – Grow Up – GEEK 
09 – Chemical Brothers & John Williams – Galvanize the Empire – STAR WARS
10 – Felicia Day & the Guild – I’m the one that Cool – GAMER 

(I have a feeling that I’ll be returning to this theme in the very soon for a second CD. With stuff like Pinball Wizard, Nerd Girl, Roll a D6, Ramble on… I might just do a separate Superman based one.) 

*   Categories    – Comics; Games; Tv; Films; Books; Science; Computers; Attitude.

** Sub-Genera’s – Anthems; Mainstream; Metal; Nerdcore Rap & Hip Hop; Gamer.

***Steam punk?

Song List - Geeky Songs – My Personal Favourites! 

01 – Bare Naked Ladies – The History of Everything – SCIENCE; EVOLUTION 
Brilliant song and regular podcast listeners will know that there is a protocol to singing along! 

02 – Beastie Boys – Ch-Check it out – STAR TREK 
Coz it rocks. 

03 – Mouldy Peaches – Anyone Else But You – GAMER 
One of my favourite songs - disovered while watching Juno - one of my favourtie films. 

04 – Thomas Dolby – She blinded me with science – SCIENCE 
Coz how could you make a list without it?! 

05 – Devo – Through being Cool – SF; ANTI-COOL 
The perfect antidote. 

06 – Marian Call – I’ll Still Be A Geek After Nobody Thinks It’s Chic – GEEK; ANTI-COOL 
THIS! I want this song as a blankie for when I'm asked why I like SF again! 

07 – Tenacious D – Wonderboy – COMICS; SUPERS 
I so rarely get the opportunity to include Tenacious D in playlists - a shame because I do love em! 

08 – Random – Grow Up – GEEK 
NEVER! 

09 – Chemical Brothers & John Williams – Galvanize the Empire – STAR WARS 
Please find on YouTube HERE. I couldn't find this on spotify. Such a good track 

10 – Felicia Day & the Guild – I’m the one that Cool – GAMER 
The BEST SONG EVER! And the video is AWESOME! (Find on YouTube HERE) If you don't know who Felicia Day is - remedy this immediately by subscribing to Geek and Sundry HERE !)

Whether I'm a Geek or not is the sort of thing that bothers me at 3am after a bottle of wine. 

WHY I R GEEK –
·        I am a passionate fan of the WHEDON – a superior being and writer.
·        Love me some BOOKS. Blog about them, pod about them, book club about them.
·        Love me some TV/FIL-UMS too.  Blog (ish) about them, pod about them, watch em constantly!
·        PRIORITIES – I would rather buy books, comics or DVD’s than food or clothes. Even in a one or t’other situation. 
·        Addicted to social media and t’INTERWEB. I don’t know if this necessarily translates as geeky – but it’s how I find the YouTube videos and links that mildly amuse my mother and convincing her that I’m bang up on trend. (HA!)
·        I CON. Yup, pay money to meet people who star in my favourite shows. Not because they are famous (heaven forfend!) but because they are part of the worlds I spend so much time visitng!
·        I’ve quite happily spent hours looking up potential songs for this PLAYLIST – surely a qualifier in and off itself?

WHY SO NOT A GEEK –
·        I don’t wear glasses of any sort – let alone BLACK RIMMED ONES (get the offensive stereotype out of the way first eh?).
·        Ever tried to discuss geeky things when you CAN’T REMEMBER NAMES – I have noun issues. It’s a trial. Pain in the neck IRL, but absolute torture when with fellow passionistas.
·        I don’t GAME (though I’d love to give it a go!) as I have no co-ordination skills whatsoever. Play lots on my phone though. Does it count? That’s a genuine question by the way – does it count?
·        I love COMICS, but can only afford to purchase pre-existing-multi-fandom titles (though am on a first name basis with my local – counts for something right?).
·        I’ve only built one COMPUTER out of random parts and I had help. Lots of it.
Though I used to love maths and NUMBERS; years of admin work has me totally calculator dependent (Sailors Often Have Curly Auburn Hair Till Old Age – though apparently I can still remember some trigonometry shortcuts) even for the easy stuff.



Tweet: @LeedsPlaylist

Don't forget to tweet using the following! #LeedsPlaylist!!

Visit our 'on #LeedsPlaylist' Page!

Saturday, 13 October 2012

Sunday, 23 September 2012

Maintenance!

Hi Everyone, 

The site will be down for a few weeks - we're having a big sort out. 

But don't worry, we'll still be podding and will keep you posted once we're back in business!

Chat soon, 

Niamh

Monday, 6 August 2012

Apologies!


First off, I have to apologise on behalf of both members of the Culturally Fixated team.  We have not managed to get together to record for ages! That is mostly my fault, I went and got married, and honeymooned, and this seems to have taken up all my time!
We promised to get back to doing, what we laughingly call, our best as soon as possible.  In the meantime, here is a lovely picture of us at my wedding.  Don’t we look pretty? 


Thursday, 12 July 2012

#LeedsPlaylist - CultFix 01 - 'Our' Shows



CulturallyFixated have recently starting contributing to the wonderful


Basically tweeters from across the city are sending the wonderliciously-infected @Wandapops playlists which she then shares with the world! AWESOME!

Find out how to get involved yourself HERE!

CultFix 01 - 'Our' Shows!

OK, this is a very 'me' heavy playlist! I think we should all encourage Steve to make one too!

Spotify:

Track Listing:
01 - Bad Things - Jace Everett - TRUE BLOOD
02 - I know You know - The Friendly Indians - PSYCH
03 - The Big Bang Theory - Bare Naked Ladies - BBT
04 - This Life - Curtis Stiger - SONS OF ANARCHY
05 - Superman - Lazlo Bane - SCRUBS
06 - Woke up this morning - Alabama 3 - SOPRANOS
07 - DEADWOOD THEME - James Parks
08 - ANGEL THEME - Darling Violetta
09 - Nara - E.S. Postumus - COLD CASE
10 - X-MEN THEME - cartoon







Detailed Song List
01 - Bad Things - Jace Everett - TRUE BLOOD
Just a fun song to open with. I'm used it for a few years as the ringtone for himself!

02 - I know You know - The Friendly Indians - PSYCH
Couldn't find the exact version but there was no way I could possibly NOT include our theme shows theme song!
One of the coolest things about Psych is how flexible the whole show is - from the actors and scripts right down to the sets and music. Like Weeds, this theme has been amended and changed many times to reflect the mood of that weeks episode.
Awesome.

03 - The Big Bang Theory - Bare Naked Ladies - BBT
Every time we mention this show, we talk about our sing-along rituals - the song is just that catchy dammit!

04 - This Life - Curtis Stiger - SONS OF ANARCHY
Slowing down slightly, I'm including the theme of one of the most musically rewarding shows airing today. I've already blogged about how AWESOME the LP's for each of the first three seasons are, so suffice to say - I haven't moved on.
Yet.

05 - Superman - Lazlo Bane - SCRUBS
EARWORM ALERT!
Who doesn't love this song? People who didn't like Scrubs - that's who. This song perfectly captures the spirit of the show it helmed.

06 - Woke up this morning - Alabama 3 - SOPRANOS
Probably the song that made me an OCD collector of soundtracks. This was easily the coolest theme song on tv for YEARS.

07 - DEADWOOD THEME - James Parks
For it is cool and wonderful and awesome. What more do you need?

08 - ANGEL THEME - Darling Violetta
OK, so I had to include one Whedon theme. Was actually hoping to use the Ballad of Serenity but couldn't find it on Spotify. Was pretty happy in the end as this song put me in mind of the next, which is a track I just adore.
Besides - this song is fantastic - I couldn't find the full version but the moment you hear the opening haunting strains - you are put in the perfect mood for the Vampire with a soul. And puffy hair.

09 - Nara - E.S. Postumus - COLD CASE
This is one of those songs that still appears on new releases despite being several years old. Why? Coz it's terrific - a mix of classical and rock and dance and everything in between.

10 - X-MEN THEME - cartoon
There. Are. No. Words.
I LOVE that the films have picked up and continued using this theme from the cartoon series in the 90's. Proper sense of Life/Marvel continuity.



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 Visit our 'on #LeedsPlaylist' Page! - COMING SOON!

Monday, 9 July 2012

The Avengers: Special Features



You tube videos:


The Avengers Soundtrack:


01. Live to Rise - Soundgarden
02. I'm Alive - Shinedown
03. Dirt and Roses - Rise Against
04. Even If I Could - Papa Roach
05. Unbroken - Black Veil Brides
06. Breath - Scott Weiland
07. Comeback - Redlight King
08. Into the Blue - Bush
09. New Way to Bleed - Evanescence 
10. Count Me Out - PusherJones
11. Wherever I Go - Buckcherry
12. From Out of Nowhere(Faith No More cover)- Five Finger Death Punch
13. Shake the Ground- Cherri Bomb


The Avengers Score:


Track Listing:
01. Arrival
02. Doors Open From Both Sides
03. Tunnel Chase
04. Stark Goes Green
05. Helicarrier
06. Subjugation
07. Don't Take My Stuff
08. Red Ledger
09. Assault
10. They Called It
11. Performance Issues
12. Seeing, Not Believing
13. Assemble
14. I Got a Ride
15. A Little Help
16. One Way Trip
17. A Promise
18. The Avengers  

Cult Fix S03EP06 - Soul Sista - GUEST!!

Presenting - for your listening enjoyment...

Episode 3.06 
Soul Sista!!! - GUEST!! 


The one where CultNeeve is joined by the totally fabulous and groovalicious @WineforBreakfst




Otherwise known as Julia. The Wonderful. 

- Author, blogger, tweeter and full time AWESOME...person (Sorry...ran of steam a bit there!) Julia joins me for a wonderful chat about all sorts of everything.

Whad'ya mean you need more details?!?

Fine. 

We talk weather, wine, strippers, bodice rippers, shades of grey, cheese, Magic Mike, Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, Spartacus, Game of Thrones, Violence on the screen, Sex - just for the sake of it, dating, declaration of love, Transatlantic Society for Cheese, Tullamore, whiskey, lions, Zimbabwe, writing and everything in between!

Tis epic. 


* * * * *

In theory - this was  a recording devised to give Steve a bit of a break and a proper honeymoon - however by the time we were able to record, he was actually home. Hopefully we'll be getting together to dissect the summer in the only way that matters - on tv - soon!


Episode 3.06 - Soul Sista!!! - GUEST!!
   
   
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Mobile Link - Episode 3.06 - Soul Sista!!! - GUEST!!


 

* * * * * APOLOGIES * * * * *

Remember how last time I was really loud and Steve was inaudible? Well, I had a play with the settings. 
This time round, I'm considerably quieter than our guest. 

This is not really something I should apologise for!!!

Subscribe on iTunes here - iTunes

Visit Julia's website here - Wine For Breakfast!

* * * * * DANGER! WILL ROBINSON - DANGER! * * * * *

Usual language warnings apply. 

Fancy more of our inane chatter? You'll find us on twitter as @SteveCult and @Drneevil


Wednesday, 20 June 2012

The Reed Diamond Sequel

Culturally Fixated is delighted to welcome back our good friend and previous guest star (DRUM ROLL PLEASE) - TV's favourite 'likable dick' (his words - not mine!) - the delightful, spectacular and loquacious Reed Diamond!

* * * * * APOLOGIES * * * * *

From the team that brought you such wonders as the 'it sounds like they were recorded underwater' episode - I have to apologise for the poor sound quality of the episode. 

The music is set way too loud (I couldn't figure out how to turn it down. I tried. Seriously I tried.). Steve is barely audible throughout, Reed is set at a solid medium volume and I'm horribly LOUD!!! (I couldn't figure out how to turn it down. I tried. Seriously I tried. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH I TRIED)

But the chat itself was a ton of fun for us and I hope that the patient among you will enjoy it. 

ONTO THE EPISODE...

So, it's Reed. There's no telling where a conversation could be heading but naturally we talk Franklin and Bash, Joss Whedon, Much Ado About Nothing, Joss Whedon (again), Bones, David Boreanez (whom we might have failed to actually name during that part of the chat!), Superheroes, comics, Ireland, Leeds, York, cheese...actually we might not have mentioned cheese...

We even managed to briefly touch on Cabin in the Woods, The Avengers, Memphis Belle, fops, Desperate Housewives, steam trunks...

What? We're chatty people?

Listen!

On the go - The Mobile Link!



Reed Diamond - Christmas Special!
Reed Diamond - our 3rd chat - HERE!
Reed Diamond - our 2nd chat - HERE!
Reed Diamond - our 1st chat - HERE!

Say hi to Reed on Twitter. Don't be shy - he's delightful @ReedDiamond

Subscribe to Culturally Fixated on iTunes!


Fancy more of our inane chatter? You'll find us on twitter as @SteveCult and @Drneevil



   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   
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Saturday, 28 January 2012

Lindi Ortega Concert!

I'm literally just in the door. 

This evening I went with a mate to the Cockpit, one of Leeds' funkiest music venues. I'm fairly confident that they have fully kit out stage rooms - but we weren't it one of those! We were in this tiny, oddly shaped, freezing cold attic! With a corrugated style roof. 

We were there to see the remarkable Lindi Ortega - a Canadian singer songwriter. She appears elf-like, then astounds with a phenomenal vocal range and the most implausible volume from such a petite frame. 

On top of that; she's hilarious! From the moment she stepped onto the tiny stage, she owned it. Accompanied by only a guitar; she played most of the songs from her new CD, as well as covers of Janis Joplin (Mercedes Benz) and Johnny Cash (Delia). 

I can't tell you how great she is...but I can show you...


Every song packed a punch. Every one sounded distinct with powerful lyrics and that voice...oh my gosh...that amazing amazing voice!

If you get the chance to see her, take it! Book it the second you see tickets available. You. Will. Not. Regret. It.


There were two warm up acts - the excellent 'In fear of Olive', a Yorkshire based quartet with a sort of revivally-rock-folk thing working very well for them.
I really enjoyed their set and have a feeling that one day in the not too distant future I'll be bragging about how I once saw them in a teeny tiny venue and how I threw the bassist completely by asking for a CD!

The second warm up group were the Clifford Village Band. Though they were very enthusiastic and the two leads seemed to have decent vocals - there were some real sound issues and with the instruments dominating. Which included flutes and a saxophone looking thing.

To be honest, I was left a bit cold (and not just from the venue). The lead singer had a very manic sort of energy that the rest of the band did not seem to share at all.

Additionally; they kind of provided their own harmonies while Lindi was singing. Which was...creative yes, but also a touch on the annoying side.