WEBVTT
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I'm Christine.
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And I'm Christina.
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In 2024, I moved to Texas from LA.
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And to keep in touch, Christine and I started a weekly game where we each pick a song that fits a chosen theme.
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This game deepened our understanding of each other and the songs that shape us, inspiring the podcast you're listening to now.
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Each week we share our pics, swap stories, and dig into tracks you might love, and a lot of the time have never heard of.
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Welcome to Stereothematica, your favorite atypical music podcast.
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Hello, Christine.
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Hello, Christina.
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I know that you're a world traveler.
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I am curious, what's the most electrifying city you've ever visited?
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Um, that's actually an easy one for me.
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Let's hear it.
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I'm gonna say Seoul, Korea.
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Oh wow.
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Yes, I love Seoul.
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I it was probably the first city that I've ever been to where I felt at home immediately.
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Interesting.
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What about it made you feel at home?
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Um so much try to sort out here, but I do think it's it's about the psychology of the city.
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I think that's where my connection comes into it.
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It's it's filled with contradictions being a divided nation, of course, first of all.
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You feel the sense of longing.
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And I I kind of feel this throughout Korea, but especially in Seoul.
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And it's it is it's truly electrifying.
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You have like the the downtown, just like the big buildings, the architecture, the the very modern architecture, and the lights and the the smells of all the good food.
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But then you also have these like national landmarks from like the 1300s, and you have nature in your midst.
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You have the Han River, you have one of my favorite places is the um Chungetan Stream.
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It's this like stream that goes through downtown Seoul and it's about a seven-mile path.
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You walk along, and it's just so lovely.
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And you have the buildings around you, and you just feel so alive.
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And and yeah, I've I've been there a few times, and it's always I've you know, it's always been because of work.
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So I had a very comfortable experience.
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Nice, and so now so maybe that helps it, but there's something about just that first instance.
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I think the first time I was there was 1997, and I was like practically a kid, 24, and just felt so like wow, this is home and just so comfortable.
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And it's yeah.
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Um, have you ever been to I've never been to Seoul, and I wasn't expecting to hear you say that it felt like home.
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That's really cool.
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What about you?
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Do you have a a favorite, most electrifying?
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Yes, my most electrifying city experience that I've had was also in Asia.
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It was in Tokyo, Japan.
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And I just went for the first time this past year.
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I can't believe it's almost been a year now.
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It feels like it wasn't that long ago because it was so exciting.
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Like once, and I will say I had a beautiful moment on the train from the airport into Tokyo.
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I know that people say, like, and you know, I'm southern, I love to talk to people.
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I know Japan is supposed to be a very like kind of keep to yourself type city.
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But I was sitting on the train, and the man sitting next to me, he kind of waved at me and said, You know, have you been here before?
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And I said, No.
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And he said, if you look out the window right now, you'll see Mount Fuji.
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And it was sunset and it was absolutely beautiful.
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And I honestly almost started crying because, like, what a beautiful welcome that was.
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Yeah.
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And a really peaceful moment because then when I got off the train to go into the city, I was wow, just shocked by the electricity, the crowds of people going through the Shibuya scramble, like the walk to my hotel, which was like my sister, God bless her, picked the hotel that had the big Godzilla head on it.
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Oh and like just being in that true wild, chaotic energy.
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It was rattling.
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And it's so funny because, like, usually I love energy.
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I mean, it was it was almost too much for me, but in a very exciting and fun way.
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Yeah.
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Like, so it was very, very memorable.
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And I think if I were to go back to Tokyo, I'd probably pick a less energetic part of town to stay in, like a more chill area.
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But it was a really fantastic experience to just feel like an electrical surge to to walk through just such an interesting part of the city.
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No, that is fascinating, but I feel like you hit on something that I'm feeling with with Seoul is that that electric feeling, sometimes like as exciting as it is, it can make you feel more relaxed.
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Maybe it's that that movement.
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I don't know.
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There's something that buzz weirdly is calming.
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Yes.
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Actually, I want to talk about that because this brings me to our show theme.
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Oh, yeah.
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Yeah.
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And actually, I picked this theme because very recently I was on a trip to New York City, and there was this moment when I was riding the subway, and I just like was feeling so just energized and excited by my time being in New York that I was like, I've got to put on the exact right song right now.
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And it couldn't be any song.
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It had a very specific song in mind to match my mood and the energy all around me.
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And that song was I Feel Love by Donna Summer from her 1977 album I Remember Yesterday.
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If it weren't completely breaking our norm, I would have just played the whole song right then because it's so good.
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And I know you're a fan, Christiane.
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So tell me about your experience with this song.
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Well, it makes me feel love.
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Like it's so it's it's so propelling, but then you got the warm vocals, and you just feel so like at peace with the world.
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Like it's lovely.
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Absolutely.
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I love it.
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I do too.
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And it's it's so funny because like to your point earlier, when I put that track on while I was riding the subway, obviously I was wearing headphones.
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I was not doing the rude thing of playing music out loud, but never.
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It made me smile so broadly, which, as we all know, is not a very New Yorker thing to do.
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But I don't have to pretend to be a New Yorker when I go there.
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I get to be a tourist, and that is like you said, like that energetic feeling of like calm.
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I don't have anywhere to be usually.
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I'm I'm usually just kind of wandering, I'm riding the subway, I'm taking detours down streets that look interesting.
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I'm cutting through Central Park.
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And that day when I put the song on, I listened to the whole eight minutes of the extended cut, not the radio version.
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And then when I emerged from the underground station, I was met with like just a beautiful sunny day pulsing with life and people commuting all over the US's biggest city.
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And it was really fun, and it really made me feel like plugged in to the city in that moment.
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Oh God, I'm sure.
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It's no, I I it's weird how New York has that thing too, where it's I I used to travel there quite a bit and always would feel so relaxed.
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Really?
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Even though it was like, you know, so intense so much, but like it just feels like oh, not not quite at home, but just so like whatever happens, happens.
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Totally.
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I'm so with you.
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And I think that's what's fun about being an outsider when you go to New York because I don't know, maybe once you get there.
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I I do know I have a friend who one time I went to visit her in New York, and I just like looked up the tall buildings and I was like, I'm in New York, like yelled, and I could tell she was like dying inside.
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But for me, I was like, who cares?
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I'm never gonna see any of these people ever again.
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No, that's the best.
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So it's very fun.
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But I also need to thank you because you shared a podcast with me in preparation for this episode, and you actually shared it with our listeners too, back in episode 65, our Pride episode.
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Yeah, it's the BBC Soul Music Podcast episode all about Donna Summer's I Feel Love and the way it made listeners feel and a bit about the song's creation.
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So I'm gonna relink to that episode because it's so beautiful and special.
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And I have to say, I love the idea of the BBC Soul Music podcast.
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I had never listened to it before you shared it with me because it's all about pieces of music with emotional impact.
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Yeah.
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How did you discover that podcast?
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Our friend Joe.
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Yeah.
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Oh.
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And he actually, I think he told me about it.
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It was when the I Feel Love episode came out.
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So last year.
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And we were just, you know, we talk about music from time to time, and he told me about it.
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And I'm like, oh my God.
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And then I remember listening to it, crying, and then texting him, oh my God, it made me cry.
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I love that.
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And and a few like you gotta, it's it's one of those shows you have to be in the mood for to listen to because it does get pretty like tugging at the heart strings.
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And and you you will like go on a journey, so you gotta be in the mood for that.
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Okay, maybe the drive home from work, if not the drive to work.
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Exactly.
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Yeah, yep.
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Nice.
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So it's it's a great episode, and it it does dive into the emotional impact of the song and a little bit more about its creators.
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And I do think what I absolutely love, and what's incredible about this song is on top of Donna's beautiful otherworldly voice, it's that futuristic synth track that sends listeners on a trip through space and time.
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I was shocked to realize when I was preparing for this because like time is such a challenging concept.
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This song is nearly 50 years old.
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It's crazy.
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And it is crazy.
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It still sounds like something we might hear in a sci-fi movie in the distant future.
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Yep.
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Like, I think that we have to give that to, of course, Summers collaborators and song co-writers, Giorgio Moroter and Pete Bellot.
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They are musical geniuses, as some might argue.
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And Maroter is considered to be the father of disco to Donna Summers' mother of disco.
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He is also a pioneer in electronic dance music, with bands like Daft Punk, Blondie, The Human League, and many others crediting him as a major influence.
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So Pete Ballot, while occupying much less of the spotlight, because he was shy and shied away from a lot of that attention.
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He was credited with originally spotting Summer's Gifts.
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And the three of them actually worked together on the 1975 Love to Love You Baby, which turned her into an international star.
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So this song, though it was released in 1977, was what some thought of as the beginning of the 80s and the tone setter for other genres such as Italo Disco, House, Trance, and Techno.
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And in it, Reynolds said, quote, in the wake of I Feel Love, Giorgio Moroter became a name producer, the disco equivalent of Phil Spectre.
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He even appeared on the cover of Britain's leading rock magazine, New Musical Express.
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The Moro hit factory was widely considered the Motown of the late 70s with Donna Summer as its Diana Ross, end quote.
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So I mean, definitely saying something about the time and how this song like just kick-started their the awareness that people had of them.
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And as I think you already know, Eno, our buddy Brian Eno was a big fan of this song.
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Yeah.
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And in the article, there's an anecdote about him bringing the single to Bowie while he was in Berlin saying, This is it.
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Look no further.
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This single is going to change the sound of club music for the next 15 years.
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I think he was right.
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Yo, for sure.
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It's so cool to just think about that excitement, especially from a musical prodigy like Brian Eno and Bowie.
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Yeah.
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And so many others.
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And so many others who hear it and they're they're like, hold on, my life has changed.
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Yeah.
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Because I did read that Marauder, I mean, he had, of course, a major, major influence on music and produced a numerous pop hits such as Call Me by Blondie, Take My Breath Away by Berlin, Flash Dance, What a Feeling by Irene Kara.
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And one of my personal favorites sparks their number one in heaven.
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But I'm not going to talk too much about that.
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Okay.
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Yeah.
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Right?
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Right.
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And I just don't want to spend too much time talking about Marauder, just in case someone else might want to discuss his work.
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But I do want to thank him for his impact on the music that I love.
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Supposedly Bronsky beat front man Jimmy Somerville became a singer when he heard Donna Croon ooh in I Feel Love.
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And I just love that thought of being like, oh, she's doing this thing that I want to do.
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Like, I'm going to go out and do that.
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Yeah.
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And then I'm curious if you've heard Daft Punk, of course, list him as a major influence.
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And they created a song called Giorgio by Moroter on their album Random Access Memories that features Motor speaking over their track.
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Are you familiar with that?
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I haven't no.
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Okay.
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I will link to it because it's very interesting.
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It's kind of him talking about his background.
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And then it like launches into a full-on like daft punk track.
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So very cool.
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And of course, we cannot forget the greatness that is Donna Summer.
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While she had incredible support from Maroter and Balat, her singing and creativity made her not only a disco icon, but a standalone superstar.
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She, I think, really doesn't get the credit she deserves.
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But I think if she were alive today, she would be celebrated and revered and brought back to perform for a new generation.
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Oh, definitely.
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And her music still is.
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It is, yeah.
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Like we hear it, I think it's like woven throughout pop culture so often.
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It's just, it's interesting that Donna Summer, I don't know.
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I feel like she hasn't gotten the staying power that she could have.
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But I do think there might be a little anecdote as to why.
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For a long time, Donna was seen as a gay icon because disco music, a lot of her songs would be playing at gay nightclubs, you know, heterosexual or mixed nightclubs.
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And then there was a rumor, and I cannot confirm or deny this, but there was a rumor that she made derogatory homophobic comments during a concert about the gay community, and it spread like wildfire, essentially severing her ties with the gay community.
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Wow, I had no idea about this.
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Me neither.
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And I was curious about it.
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So I went looking.
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So I found a blog post from one of the folks that was featured in the BBC Soul Music Podcast, Mark King.
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His blog is called My Fabulous Disease about living with HIV and AIDS.
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And he talked about discovering Donna at the only gay bar in his area of Louisiana in the late 70s when he was a teenager.
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And it was a really moving part of that BBC Soul podcast.
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I know I'll get choked up just because I love it.
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So Mark King defends Donna.
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And I actually went looking.
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There's a lot of articles out there sharing that she wrote a letter to act up trying to dispel the rumor.
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So I hope it doesn't tarnish her legacy.
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But she really wanted to make sure people didn't associate that context with her.
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That's good.
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And back to my city beat.
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Even though you could listen to this song literally anywhere and enjoy it.
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I think I mentioned to you I was out last night and I heard it come on and I got very excited.
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Uh-huh.
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Even just at like a small brewery in San Antonio.
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There is something about New York City's disco history that really makes it feel right at home there.
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So much so that in 2016, Casablanca Records hosted an interactive I Feel Love event in Bed Side to celebrate and honor Marauder and Disco, where he and Studio 54 DJ, Nikki Ciano, DJ'd for a much younger crowd than those original club goers to Paradise Garage, Studio 54, and the other legendary NYC disco venues.
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But I found an article about that and it looks so fun.
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I wish I could have gone.
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Oh God.
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Yeah.
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I I is I wonder if there's any like clips on YouTube about that.
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That is a good call.
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Yeah, I have to look into it.
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So let me stop here because I do want to segue into your City Beat song.
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So, Christine, what have you got for us?
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Okay, I I I truly don't know where to begin.
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So maybe I'm going to start with an apology, not just to you, but to all Sparks fans, and specifically to Ron and Russell Mail, the brother duo, who are, of course, Sparks, regular listeners, and certainly you, Christina, remember my somewhat lack of enthusiasm when you shared your experience at Hollywood Bowl seeing Sparks in 2023.
00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:34.640
This is a big moment for me.
00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:35.200
Yeah.
00:18:35.359 --> 00:18:36.960
Um, would you like to say anything?
00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:42.240
Not like I hate to say I told you, so just a little bit of a glad you're coming around.
00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:43.279
It feels good.
00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:44.640
Okay, good, good, good.
00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:52.319
Now, to be clear, I was touched by your experience and the story you told about what it meant for Sparks to play at the bowl.
00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:53.039
Thank you.
00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:58.240
And look, I I did research by re-listening to that episode.
00:18:58.559 --> 00:18:59.039
Nice.
00:18:59.279 --> 00:18:59.519
Okay.
00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:02.160
Our iconic concerts episode.
00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:05.200
And I have to say, I wasn't that bad.
00:19:05.839 --> 00:19:14.960
I I did call them old and I might have um referred to them as the sparks a few too many times.
00:19:15.359 --> 00:19:21.119
This actually reminds me, I feel I went looking to check and see if it was wings or the wings.
00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:22.880
And you see both.
00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:29.680
And so I want to apologize to you because I did I did question your the wings comment.
00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:31.200
No, I appreciate that.
00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:31.759
Okay.
00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:36.720
But honestly, I think I just didn't understand sparks back then.
00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:38.960
I wrote them off as like rock opera.
00:19:39.359 --> 00:19:43.759
They were too in my mind, again, they were too too theatrical and cute.
00:19:43.920 --> 00:19:46.319
But the truth is, I didn't know shit about sparks.
00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:56.319
So not much longer after that episode aired, more than a year ago now, I shared how I was pleasantly surprised one day when I was driving in my car.
00:19:56.640 --> 00:20:05.119
And on Apple Music Discovery, there was this like very electronic, like UFOs landing on Earth and sending out signals.
00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:05.680
Yes.
00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:08.240
But in this warm and tickly way.
00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:10.640
And I immediately felt the sense of calm.
00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:15.119
Then the snare drums come in and it gets super synthé and exhilarating.
00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:19.599
Then after about a minute, the vocals enter and I'm like, is this Bronsky beat?
00:20:55.440 --> 00:20:56.559
So much to talk about.
00:20:57.680 --> 00:20:58.880
So many connections.
00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:15.519
But before things get too out of control, uh, my pulse of the city song is Tryouts for the Human Race from Sparks on their 1979 album, Number One in Heaven, co-written and produced by none other than Giorgio Meroer.
00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:19.839
Christina, what did you think of my pick and the timing of it?
00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:23.039
And just share your thoughts, your grievances, whatever.
00:21:23.359 --> 00:21:25.920
Zero grievances, just all pure excitement.
00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:28.319
I am so glad that you've come around.
00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:43.039
Also, really cool that we get to talk about two different Marauder songs on this episode because, like, I think, of course, he was so advanced, but like what an incredible like this song is so good.
00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:44.640
And so good.
00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:46.400
Completely agree with you.
00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:50.640
That opening is so freaky and spacey.
00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:59.440
And like, I definitely feel like not only space, outer space, but I'm like maybe the deep depths of the ocean, or like I'm in a submarine.
00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:00.480
Yeah.
00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:03.440
It does, it gives a really good city pulse.
00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:03.839
Yeah.
00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:05.519
So great job.
00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:06.079
Thank you.
00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:06.480
Thank you.
00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:10.960
Well, I really wanted to find the perfect song for this because I'm gonna say it.
00:22:11.119 --> 00:22:12.880
I think this is one of my favorite things.
00:22:13.119 --> 00:22:13.359
Yeah.
00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:16.880
Yay! Yeah, it's so filmic and self-aware.
00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:20.480
And and you know how I love to imagine myself as a character in a movie.
00:22:20.640 --> 00:22:21.039
Yes.
00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:29.359
And then your pick, of course, was like such an inspired choice that really shows how music compels you, I think, to accompany it.
00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:31.440
Like sometimes you don't have a choice.
00:22:31.599 --> 00:22:32.640
It it picks you.
00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:39.200
And even though you you intentionally picked it, I feel like you thought you did, but maybe it really picked you.
00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.240
Entirely possible.
00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:42.000
And then you were along for the journey.
00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:48.000
And and I feel like that's what you want, like to be along for the journey, no matter what city you're in.
00:22:48.240 --> 00:23:04.480
So tryouts popped into my head when you first shared the theme because I have a playlist called Bounce in Your Step, which is my favorite music to walk around, like walk around the city in my neighborhood, oftentimes.
00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:21.039
But it's exactly a year to this day that tryouts has been the opening song on that playlist because it opens you up to this like world, just the world, in such a fresh way, even though it's almost 50 years.
00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:22.960
So yeah, almost.
00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:29.359
I mean 1979, but still that's closer to 50 years than while we're talking about bouncing your stuff, yeah.
00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:30.079
Your playlist.
00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:30.880
Yes, yeah, yeah.
00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:37.200
I have to ask, is walking in LA on the no, it's not, but but maybe I could put it on.
00:23:37.680 --> 00:23:41.839
I'm inappropriate since I mean, like she says, nobody walks in LA.
00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:43.039
Yeah, that okay.
00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:44.160
I'll think about it.
00:23:44.400 --> 00:23:45.039
Think about it.
00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:47.759
I actually just added, I feel love.
00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.960
I'm like, how did I forget that?
00:23:49.359 --> 00:23:51.359
Nice, yeah, that's because that's a good walker.
00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:54.720
I've maybe alluded to other songs, ease on down.
00:23:55.119 --> 00:23:55.519
Oh, yeah.
00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:57.039
Yeah, that's like told me about that one.
00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:58.079
Which I love.
00:23:58.400 --> 00:24:01.359
A literal, like I cannot not bounce in my step.
00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:02.960
Do you do a little like slide?
00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:04.799
I do sometimes.
00:24:05.119 --> 00:24:05.759
Yes.
00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:14.079
I think it would be a fun exercise, like just a game of sorts, to like listen to your various playlists.
00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:18.480
Like I would listen to mine, and people have to guess what song walking to.
00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:20.720
Maybe we should do a video.
00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:22.640
We can do that maybe one day.
00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:23.039
Yeah.
00:24:23.440 --> 00:24:31.279
So truly, I could be listening to this song in the entire, I will say it, no-skip album in any city.
00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:38.240
And even though Sparks are just two brothers from LA, they feel like one of the most international bands.
00:24:38.799 --> 00:24:45.359
And and I honestly, like you mentioned it in the episode um iconic concerts that they're from LA.
00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:48.240
But like up until then, I just assumed they were British.
00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:49.440
Yeah.
00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:49.920
Okay.
00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:50.880
No, I know.
00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:51.680
I I don't know why.
00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:53.359
Just they have that feel quality.
00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:54.480
That quality.
00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:54.720
Yeah.
00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:55.759
And so interesting.
00:24:56.160 --> 00:25:07.279
This album in particular, with that opening track, is at once energizing and comforting, which is exactly the vibe I need to get me through being in public, period.
00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:25.599
And so, so like the first time I listened to this, and maybe several times thereafter, and even up until now, I'm thinking the song is about an alien life form, like a vapor coming down to earth, and they're trying out to be humans.
00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:26.480
Oh, I love that.
00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:26.960
Yeah.
00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:29.519
So um, naturally, that resonated with me.
00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:38.319
Like you're walking through the city and you're you're a little self-conscious, and all like if you feel like all eyes are on you, you're constantly being judged.
00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:44.960
And sometimes I feel like I'm trying out to be human because I feel like an alien so much of the time.
00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:47.680
So, of course, it made sense, even this part.
00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:23.359
And then I find out that this song was written from the perspective of sperm.
00:26:23.599 --> 00:26:24.720
Did you know this, Christina?
00:26:25.119 --> 00:26:26.400
This I did not know.
00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:30.960
Now, like truly, I think Ron and Russell are aliens.
00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:34.640
So it's funny that you say that, like, oh, I would have assumed they're British.
00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:38.160
I'm like, I would have assumed they were from the other space.
00:26:38.400 --> 00:26:38.640
Yes.
00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:41.599
But like the sperm thing makes so much sense.
00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:42.559
No, I know.
00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.440
I totally.
00:26:43.599 --> 00:26:58.079
And in a weird way, it still fits how I originally thought about it because like being human is alien, and this kind of helps make it feel less weird, or maybe like makes your alien energy feel less alien or less spermy.
00:26:58.559 --> 00:27:07.039
And I mean, when you think about it, the whole creation, the life, the humanity thing is kind of sci-fi when you really a thousand percent.
00:27:07.839 --> 00:27:10.160
I was awake last night thinking about this.
00:27:10.319 --> 00:27:12.400
Yes, like existential thoughts.
00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:20.319
Like how how we came to be and and why this is and kind of even just more like I made me, you know what I mean?
00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:22.000
No, it's so weird, yeah.
00:27:22.400 --> 00:27:27.119
So no, they were they were definitely onto something, and honestly, you might be right there.
00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:31.359
I think they are aliens and they knew what they were talking about.
00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:32.079
Totally.
00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:36.000
Okay, so there is so much to say about this band.
00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:44.559
And if there's anyone curious, please go back to the iconic concert episode because Christina will give some background about Sparks.
00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:50.400
I also want to mention there's a really good documentary, Sparks Brothers.
00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.279
Oh shoot.
00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:52.720
Oh, I've never seen it.
00:27:52.880 --> 00:27:53.680
I need to watch it.
00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:55.279
Holy moly, no.
00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:57.599
Okay, you need to like you need to watch that.
00:27:58.480 --> 00:28:00.000
I have a link to it in the show notes.
00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:00.400
Nice.
00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:03.599
And it's$3.99 to rent, like at various platforms.
00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:04.720
It's totally worth it.
00:28:04.880 --> 00:28:10.880
I actually paid twice to watch it because it's it is long and I go to bed early and I get tired.
00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:13.279
But um, so yeah, I paid like eight.
00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:15.519
It's still cheaper than a night out at the movies.
00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:16.559
Totally worth it.
00:28:16.640 --> 00:28:18.799
I would I probably will just buy it.
00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:19.759
It was so interesting.
00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:34.720
But you got like all the stars, the usual that are in these music documentaries Beck, Weird Al, Jason Schwartzmann, Jane Wheedlin, Nick Lowe, and John Taylor, and the bookworm himself, Michael Silverblatt.
00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:38.880
And they're all talking about the Sparkses, or see, I said the Sparkses.
00:28:39.119 --> 00:28:42.240
They're all they're all talking about Sparks' monumental impact.
00:28:42.400 --> 00:28:44.640
Of course, I had to mention Michael Silverblatt.
00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:47.839
You had talked about the bookworm.
00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:51.920
The bookworm theme song, which he actually commissioned them to do it.
00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:58.240
And he's actually he said that they are his number one band of all time.
00:28:58.880 --> 00:29:09.519
And you might not like a book he likes, you might not like, you might have different opinions about a lot of things, but if you don't like the sparks, you're not gonna be on Michael Silverblast's good side.
00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:12.319
Oh my god, I love that.
00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:14.160
Yeah, it's it's so good.
00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:17.599
Just like you get a lot of interesting tidbits like that.
00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:25.519
And actually, I will share the episode where then sparks were on Bookworm talking about like how they write a song.
00:29:25.839 --> 00:29:26.160
Oh, yeah.
00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:27.119
So really cool.
00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:31.279
But um, I want to share just a few little fun facts I learned from the documentary.
00:29:31.680 --> 00:29:38.240
One thing people kept saying over and over was they're everyone's favorite band's favorite band.
00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:38.720
Cool.
00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:44.240
Just basically, if you're a music person, a musician, they're gonna be your favorite band.
00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:48.720
Todd Röngren pretty much put them on the map.
00:29:48.880 --> 00:29:54.079
He produced their first album, as the band was called at the time, Half Nelson.
00:29:54.319 --> 00:30:00.480
And it was Russell's girlfriend at the time, Miss Christine, who I I know you know from the GTOs.
00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:00.960
Yes.
00:30:01.200 --> 00:30:13.279
Yeah, she was actually Rungren's ex-girlfriend, and she shared Sparks's or Half Nelson's demo tape with Rungren, and he loved it, produced it.
00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:21.279
It still didn't do very well, but then they changed their name to Sparks Brothers, which eventually turned to Sparks, and the rest is kind of history.
00:30:21.440 --> 00:30:21.759
Yeah.
00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:30.400
But back to the connection to your pick, like most people around that time, Sparks 2 was totally blown away by I Feel Love.
00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:34.000
They even said they had an epiphany when they heard it.
00:30:34.799 --> 00:30:40.880
Um, and then around that time, a journalist asked them, so what's what's the next thing you're going to be doing?
00:30:41.119 --> 00:30:45.359
And I think it was Russell who said, Oh, we're working on an album with Giorgio Mero.
00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:54.480
And turns out this journalist was friends with Marauder, and she said, Oh, that's funny because he never mentioned that because it wasn't true.
00:30:54.640 --> 00:30:54.960
Oh.
00:30:55.680 --> 00:30:56.960
They were totally manifesting.
00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:59.519
They were manifesting, and that's so LA.
00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.319
I know, I know.
00:31:00.559 --> 00:31:00.960
I love that.
00:31:01.119 --> 00:31:08.480
And so, long story short, she got them together and out came this masterpiece, which became a blueprint.
00:31:08.640 --> 00:31:17.119
I know, for like 80 synth pop, including Duran Duran, Erasure, Pet Shop Boys, Human League, and of course, Bronsky Beat, who you mentioned.
00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:17.920
Hell yeah.
00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:23.839
Now, Jimmy Somerville wanted indeed to become a singer after hearing I Feel Love.
00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:37.200
But did you know that in 1984, Somerville with his band, Bronsky Beat, and Mark Allmond did a medley of I Feel Love, Love to Love You, and then John Layton's Johnny Remember Me is mixed in there.
00:31:37.440 --> 00:31:38.240
I did know that.
00:31:38.319 --> 00:31:39.200
Have you seen the video?
00:31:39.359 --> 00:31:41.200
Yeah, it's so good.
00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:42.880
Mark Allman's face.
00:31:43.119 --> 00:31:44.720
Oh my god, he's really funny.
00:31:44.960 --> 00:31:46.640
The eye contact.
00:31:46.799 --> 00:31:47.680
It's so good.
00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:48.079
I can't.
00:31:48.319 --> 00:31:50.000
But also, I love the surfing part.
00:31:50.160 --> 00:31:50.799
Yeah.
00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:52.160
It's so crazy.
00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:53.839
It's it's wacky.
00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.640
It's really good.
00:31:55.279 --> 00:31:57.119
Well, we got a link to it, please.
00:31:57.359 --> 00:31:58.079
Oh, for sure.
00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:58.480
Okay.
00:31:58.720 --> 00:32:06.640
And then in 1997, Somerville sang lead vocals on Sparks' own cover album, Plagiarism, which is hilarious.
00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:08.319
That's me.
00:32:08.640 --> 00:32:10.640
He sang number one song in heaven.
00:32:10.880 --> 00:32:12.160
Oh, I need to hear this.
00:32:12.400 --> 00:32:13.759
It's it's really good.
00:32:13.839 --> 00:32:18.400
But of course, like that's that's why I'm hearing Bronk Bronsky beats when I first heard him.
00:32:18.640 --> 00:32:22.079
Because I'm like, he's he's been influenced by Sparks.
00:32:22.160 --> 00:32:23.680
So of course he's going to sound like them.
00:32:23.839 --> 00:32:25.200
But um that's cool.
00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:28.559
So yeah, that was just kind of exciting to learn all that.
00:32:28.720 --> 00:32:36.480
And I'm learning about these albums as I'm watching the documentary and plagiarism, just like, dude, have you seen the album cover for that?
00:32:36.799 --> 00:32:37.119
No.
00:32:37.839 --> 00:32:52.559
Oh, they look like so it's got Russell and Ron's face, and they look like Calvin Klein models wearing underwear, but they're like, you know, it's not their bodies, and they basically are doing like covers of their own songs.
00:32:52.799 --> 00:32:54.319
Oh my god, it's so funny.
00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:55.839
It's it's it's terrific.
00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:56.799
It's just too much.
00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:58.319
Oh, that's so good.
00:32:58.559 --> 00:32:59.440
They're so funny.
00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:00.559
They're so funny.
00:33:00.720 --> 00:33:01.839
I'm so sorry.
00:33:02.079 --> 00:33:02.799
I'm so sorry.
00:33:02.960 --> 00:33:03.680
I didn't need you.
00:33:04.160 --> 00:33:05.519
Okay, I'm just glad you're coming around.
00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:12.079
Of course, I'm sure you saw the the music video for number one wait trials for the human race.
00:33:12.240 --> 00:33:12.799
Yes, yes, I did.
00:33:12.880 --> 00:33:13.119
Okay, yes.
00:33:13.599 --> 00:33:15.039
That is also hilarious, too.
00:33:15.200 --> 00:33:15.680
No, oh yeah.
00:33:15.920 --> 00:33:20.319
And it makes me want to be a werewolf in a suit and bolo for how long.
00:33:20.799 --> 00:33:21.039
Yes.
00:33:21.200 --> 00:33:24.000
Okay, I yeah, I I I feel like you could pull that off.
00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:24.400
Yes.
00:33:24.640 --> 00:33:25.759
Yeah, I think I could pull it off.
00:33:25.920 --> 00:33:26.319
Oh, yeah.
00:33:26.400 --> 00:33:27.680
You definitely have to do that.
00:33:28.079 --> 00:33:28.319
Good.
00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:37.440
So, okay, one more connection between our songs that I need to mention is that the legendary drummer producer Keith Forcy played drums on both our picks.
00:33:37.839 --> 00:33:40.319
And I just love his drumming so much.
00:33:40.400 --> 00:33:42.319
It's such a propelling force.
00:33:42.640 --> 00:33:51.119
But Forcy was working closely with Moroter, but then went on to write and produce many of his own projects, including the Breakfast Club soundtrack.
00:33:51.519 --> 00:33:51.920
Yeah.
00:33:52.240 --> 00:34:03.759
And with Moroter producing, Forcy also drummed on Bowie's Cat People Putting Out Fire, which I share as the last bridge to our last connection.
00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:04.559
Bowie.
00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:05.759
That always comes back.
00:34:06.799 --> 00:34:07.440
Always a Bowie.
00:34:08.320 --> 00:34:13.199
And so supposedly Bowie also said Sparks was the music of the future.
00:34:13.440 --> 00:34:16.000
He said that about I feel love.
00:34:16.800 --> 00:34:24.480
And it's funny because I don't know if you remember, but Bowie, in the course of our podcast, has said this about Devo.
00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:30.000
And and then I'm just like, let me double check some of these things.
00:34:30.079 --> 00:34:34.719
And I couldn't confirm that he actually said that specifically about Sparks.
00:34:34.880 --> 00:34:37.599
Somebody in the documentary did say that.
00:34:37.840 --> 00:34:38.559
So who knows?
00:34:38.639 --> 00:34:40.239
I mean, they're not getting fact-checked.
00:34:40.400 --> 00:34:40.639
Right.
00:34:40.800 --> 00:34:44.480
I think he did actually say it about I Feel Love, but through Brian Eno.
00:34:45.199 --> 00:34:54.480
But somebody on Reddit actually asked the question: how many artists did David refer to as the future of music?
00:34:54.960 --> 00:34:55.599
Wow.
00:34:55.840 --> 00:34:57.039
Do we have a number?
00:34:57.280 --> 00:35:01.280
There was not a number, but we got Velvet Underground, which makes sense.
00:35:01.440 --> 00:35:01.599
Yeah.
00:35:01.920 --> 00:35:04.639
Human League Devo was another one.
00:35:04.880 --> 00:35:06.719
Of course, Donna Summer.
00:35:07.039 --> 00:35:08.880
And someone mentioned Lord.
00:35:09.519 --> 00:35:09.760
Yeah.
00:35:10.239 --> 00:35:12.639
I usually do kind of remember Bowie talking about Lorde.
00:35:12.719 --> 00:35:13.440
Oh, interesting.
00:35:13.679 --> 00:35:16.000
But not necessarily the music of the future.
00:35:16.320 --> 00:35:16.400
Yeah.
00:35:16.639 --> 00:35:18.320
Kendrick Lamar, possibly.
00:35:18.400 --> 00:35:19.760
I who's really into that.
00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:23.679
And I honestly feel like it's not Bowie being cliche.
00:35:23.840 --> 00:35:25.840
It's just meaning like this music is timeless.
00:35:26.159 --> 00:35:27.679
The future goes on and on and on.
00:35:27.920 --> 00:35:28.800
So he's not wrong.
00:35:29.199 --> 00:35:29.440
No.
00:35:29.599 --> 00:35:30.480
So good for him.
00:35:30.639 --> 00:35:30.960
Yeah.
00:35:31.280 --> 00:35:36.480
I just feel like I'm very excited to learn more about sparks.
00:35:37.599 --> 00:35:39.360
So yay!
00:35:40.400 --> 00:35:41.679
My work is done.
00:35:41.920 --> 00:35:43.360
We can end the podcast now.
00:35:43.760 --> 00:35:44.079
I think so.
00:35:44.880 --> 00:35:47.920
Maybe I meant like the whole no, I'm kidding.
00:35:48.079 --> 00:35:48.800
That's amazing.
00:35:48.960 --> 00:35:50.719
That's it's so fun to have those.
00:35:50.880 --> 00:35:56.320
I really want to thank you for having an open heart and mind for our friends Ron and Russell.
00:35:56.480 --> 00:35:59.519
But also I love just having those revelations.
00:36:00.000 --> 00:36:06.639
And very cool that our city pulse is got a beating heart for Giorgio.
00:36:07.199 --> 00:36:07.760
Very much.
00:36:07.920 --> 00:36:08.239
Yeah.
00:36:08.719 --> 00:36:11.039
Just okay, one more thing about the sparks.
00:36:11.119 --> 00:36:13.039
That was funny when I was watching the video.
00:36:13.280 --> 00:36:15.920
All the comments, so enjoyable to read the comments.
00:36:16.079 --> 00:36:21.119
But somebody said, I love sparks so much, I pray for them at night.
00:36:21.440 --> 00:36:23.599
Oh, that's beautiful.
00:36:24.000 --> 00:36:30.559
I would say it's their mom, but since they're like in their 80s now, I don't pray, but I want to pray for sparks.
00:36:31.119 --> 00:36:32.320
That's very sweet.
00:36:33.119 --> 00:36:38.320
Christine, uh, I just since we're like wrapping up, could I give you some unsolicited advice?
00:36:38.559 --> 00:36:39.440
I think I need it.
00:36:39.599 --> 00:36:39.840
Yeah.
00:36:40.079 --> 00:36:41.760
Could you check your voter registration?
00:36:42.480 --> 00:36:44.159
You and everyone who's listening.
00:36:44.480 --> 00:36:47.519
And this might be too late for some states.
00:36:47.599 --> 00:36:51.519
And I'm looking at you, Texas, because our deadline was October 5th.
00:36:51.679 --> 00:36:56.639
Uh, and clearly I don't know how this works outside of the US for our international listeners.
00:36:56.880 --> 00:37:03.599
But since our midterms in the US and local elections are coming up, there's no time like the present to make sure you can vote.
00:37:03.920 --> 00:37:09.840
This is especially good advice for anyone who's recently moved or is worried about that pesky voter purge.
00:37:10.159 --> 00:37:10.559
True.
00:37:10.719 --> 00:37:14.880
And there are actually 22 US states with same-day voter registration.
00:37:15.039 --> 00:37:17.920
But don't wait to go to the polls in case there's an error.
00:37:18.079 --> 00:37:22.480
Go to vote.org to see if you're registered and get lots of other useful info.
00:37:22.800 --> 00:37:27.039
And if you already have your mail in ballot, please don't wait until the last minute.
00:37:27.199 --> 00:37:28.719
Fill it out and drop it off.
00:37:28.880 --> 00:37:29.440
It's easy.
00:37:29.679 --> 00:37:30.480
Hallelujah.
00:37:30.719 --> 00:37:31.920
Advice over.
00:37:32.480 --> 00:37:35.760
Christine, what's on deck for our next episode?
00:37:36.000 --> 00:37:40.320
I think it's time to get into vocal variations.
00:37:40.960 --> 00:37:42.320
Oh, okay.
00:37:43.920 --> 00:37:46.239
Thanks for listening to Stereothematica.
00:37:46.320 --> 00:37:50.719
If you like what you're hearing, please consider a review, a rating, or sharing with a friend.
00:37:51.039 --> 00:37:55.119
And follow us on Instagram where you can share your favorite City Pole song.
00:37:55.280 --> 00:38:00.559
And we've got that infinite Spotify playlist linked in our show notes for your enjoyment.
00:38:00.719 --> 00:38:06.159
And we also update Stereythematica.com each week with more fun.
00:00:04.080 --> 00:00:05.120
I'm Christine.
00:00:05.360 --> 00:00:06.480
And I'm Christina.
00:00:06.719 --> 00:00:09.279
In 2024, I moved to Texas from LA.
00:00:09.359 --> 00:00:14.640
And to keep in touch, Christine and I started a weekly game where we each pick a song that fits a chosen theme.
00:00:14.880 --> 00:00:21.039
This game deepened our understanding of each other and the songs that shape us, inspiring the podcast you're listening to now.
00:00:21.199 --> 00:00:27.600
Each week we share our pics, swap stories, and dig into tracks you might love, and a lot of the time have never heard of.
00:00:27.760 --> 00:00:32.320
Welcome to Stereothematica, your favorite atypical music podcast.
00:00:35.679 --> 00:00:36.960
Hello, Christine.
00:00:37.200 --> 00:00:38.240
Hello, Christina.
00:00:38.479 --> 00:00:40.320
I know that you're a world traveler.
00:00:41.200 --> 00:00:45.600
I am curious, what's the most electrifying city you've ever visited?
00:00:46.560 --> 00:00:48.479
Um, that's actually an easy one for me.
00:00:48.719 --> 00:00:49.280
Let's hear it.
00:00:49.359 --> 00:00:50.960
I'm gonna say Seoul, Korea.
00:00:51.280 --> 00:00:51.759
Oh wow.
00:00:51.920 --> 00:00:53.280
Yes, I love Seoul.
00:00:53.359 --> 00:01:02.880
I it was probably the first city that I've ever been to where I felt at home immediately.
00:01:03.600 --> 00:01:03.840
Interesting.
00:01:04.159 --> 00:01:06.000
What about it made you feel at home?
00:01:06.560 --> 00:01:15.840
Um so much try to sort out here, but I do think it's it's about the psychology of the city.
00:01:16.480 --> 00:01:19.519
I think that's where my connection comes into it.
00:01:19.760 --> 00:01:26.159
It's it's filled with contradictions being a divided nation, of course, first of all.
00:01:26.799 --> 00:01:28.400
You feel the sense of longing.
00:01:28.799 --> 00:01:34.799
And I I kind of feel this throughout Korea, but especially in Seoul.
00:01:35.359 --> 00:01:37.920
And it's it is it's truly electrifying.
00:01:38.000 --> 00:01:48.319
You have like the the downtown, just like the big buildings, the architecture, the the very modern architecture, and the lights and the the smells of all the good food.
00:01:48.640 --> 00:01:57.840
But then you also have these like national landmarks from like the 1300s, and you have nature in your midst.
00:01:58.000 --> 00:02:04.959
You have the Han River, you have one of my favorite places is the um Chungetan Stream.
00:02:05.120 --> 00:02:10.800
It's this like stream that goes through downtown Seoul and it's about a seven-mile path.
00:02:10.960 --> 00:02:13.039
You walk along, and it's just so lovely.
00:02:13.520 --> 00:02:16.560
And you have the buildings around you, and you just feel so alive.
00:02:16.719 --> 00:02:23.360
And and yeah, I've I've been there a few times, and it's always I've you know, it's always been because of work.
00:02:23.680 --> 00:02:26.800
So I had a very comfortable experience.
00:02:27.199 --> 00:02:33.360
Nice, and so now so maybe that helps it, but there's something about just that first instance.
00:02:33.439 --> 00:02:44.479
I think the first time I was there was 1997, and I was like practically a kid, 24, and just felt so like wow, this is home and just so comfortable.
00:02:44.960 --> 00:02:46.800
And it's yeah.
00:02:46.960 --> 00:02:54.479
Um, have you ever been to I've never been to Seoul, and I wasn't expecting to hear you say that it felt like home.
00:02:54.639 --> 00:02:55.439
That's really cool.
00:02:55.759 --> 00:02:56.479
What about you?
00:02:56.719 --> 00:02:59.439
Do you have a a favorite, most electrifying?
00:03:00.080 --> 00:03:05.360
Yes, my most electrifying city experience that I've had was also in Asia.
00:03:05.439 --> 00:03:06.960
It was in Tokyo, Japan.
00:03:07.439 --> 00:03:10.400
And I just went for the first time this past year.
00:03:10.560 --> 00:03:12.639
I can't believe it's almost been a year now.
00:03:12.879 --> 00:03:17.039
It feels like it wasn't that long ago because it was so exciting.
00:03:17.280 --> 00:03:26.400
Like once, and I will say I had a beautiful moment on the train from the airport into Tokyo.
00:03:26.639 --> 00:03:30.319
I know that people say, like, and you know, I'm southern, I love to talk to people.
00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:35.120
I know Japan is supposed to be a very like kind of keep to yourself type city.
00:03:35.520 --> 00:03:44.240
But I was sitting on the train, and the man sitting next to me, he kind of waved at me and said, You know, have you been here before?
00:03:44.319 --> 00:03:45.039
And I said, No.
00:03:45.199 --> 00:03:49.680
And he said, if you look out the window right now, you'll see Mount Fuji.
00:03:50.240 --> 00:03:53.039
And it was sunset and it was absolutely beautiful.
00:03:53.199 --> 00:03:57.520
And I honestly almost started crying because, like, what a beautiful welcome that was.
00:03:57.599 --> 00:03:58.000
Yeah.
00:03:58.240 --> 00:04:17.439
And a really peaceful moment because then when I got off the train to go into the city, I was wow, just shocked by the electricity, the crowds of people going through the Shibuya scramble, like the walk to my hotel, which was like my sister, God bless her, picked the hotel that had the big Godzilla head on it.
00:04:17.519 --> 00:04:23.279
Oh and like just being in that true wild, chaotic energy.
00:04:23.439 --> 00:04:25.199
It was rattling.
00:04:25.439 --> 00:04:28.959
And it's so funny because, like, usually I love energy.
00:04:29.120 --> 00:04:35.519
I mean, it was it was almost too much for me, but in a very exciting and fun way.
00:04:35.680 --> 00:04:35.920
Yeah.
00:04:36.079 --> 00:04:38.480
Like, so it was very, very memorable.
00:04:38.720 --> 00:04:46.399
And I think if I were to go back to Tokyo, I'd probably pick a less energetic part of town to stay in, like a more chill area.
00:04:46.560 --> 00:04:57.439
But it was a really fantastic experience to just feel like an electrical surge to to walk through just such an interesting part of the city.
00:04:57.759 --> 00:05:10.879
No, that is fascinating, but I feel like you hit on something that I'm feeling with with Seoul is that that electric feeling, sometimes like as exciting as it is, it can make you feel more relaxed.
00:05:11.040 --> 00:05:12.480
Maybe it's that that movement.
00:05:12.639 --> 00:05:12.959
I don't know.
00:05:13.120 --> 00:05:16.480
There's something that buzz weirdly is calming.
00:05:16.800 --> 00:05:17.439
Yes.
00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:21.680
Actually, I want to talk about that because this brings me to our show theme.
00:05:21.920 --> 00:05:22.480
Oh, yeah.
00:05:22.720 --> 00:05:23.120
Yeah.
00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:44.319
And actually, I picked this theme because very recently I was on a trip to New York City, and there was this moment when I was riding the subway, and I just like was feeling so just energized and excited by my time being in New York that I was like, I've got to put on the exact right song right now.
00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:46.079
And it couldn't be any song.
00:05:46.319 --> 00:05:50.639
It had a very specific song in mind to match my mood and the energy all around me.
00:05:50.800 --> 00:05:57.519
And that song was I Feel Love by Donna Summer from her 1977 album I Remember Yesterday.
00:06:13.759 --> 00:06:20.160
If it weren't completely breaking our norm, I would have just played the whole song right then because it's so good.
00:06:20.319 --> 00:06:21.839
And I know you're a fan, Christiane.
00:06:22.000 --> 00:06:24.000
So tell me about your experience with this song.
00:06:24.319 --> 00:06:26.000
Well, it makes me feel love.
00:06:27.439 --> 00:06:39.839
Like it's so it's it's so propelling, but then you got the warm vocals, and you just feel so like at peace with the world.
00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:41.279
Like it's lovely.
00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:42.240
Absolutely.
00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:43.439
I love it.
00:06:43.680 --> 00:06:44.319
I do too.
00:06:44.480 --> 00:06:52.160
And it's it's so funny because like to your point earlier, when I put that track on while I was riding the subway, obviously I was wearing headphones.
00:06:52.399 --> 00:06:56.000
I was not doing the rude thing of playing music out loud, but never.
00:06:56.319 --> 00:07:03.439
It made me smile so broadly, which, as we all know, is not a very New Yorker thing to do.
00:07:04.319 --> 00:07:08.160
But I don't have to pretend to be a New Yorker when I go there.
00:07:08.240 --> 00:07:15.040
I get to be a tourist, and that is like you said, like that energetic feeling of like calm.
00:07:15.279 --> 00:07:17.439
I don't have anywhere to be usually.
00:07:17.519 --> 00:07:24.399
I'm I'm usually just kind of wandering, I'm riding the subway, I'm taking detours down streets that look interesting.
00:07:24.560 --> 00:07:26.399
I'm cutting through Central Park.
00:07:26.720 --> 00:07:33.600
And that day when I put the song on, I listened to the whole eight minutes of the extended cut, not the radio version.
00:07:33.839 --> 00:07:45.279
And then when I emerged from the underground station, I was met with like just a beautiful sunny day pulsing with life and people commuting all over the US's biggest city.
00:07:45.600 --> 00:07:52.480
And it was really fun, and it really made me feel like plugged in to the city in that moment.
00:07:52.720 --> 00:07:54.319
Oh God, I'm sure.
00:07:54.560 --> 00:08:04.399
It's no, I I it's weird how New York has that thing too, where it's I I used to travel there quite a bit and always would feel so relaxed.
00:08:04.560 --> 00:08:04.800
Really?
00:08:05.040 --> 00:08:15.839
Even though it was like, you know, so intense so much, but like it just feels like oh, not not quite at home, but just so like whatever happens, happens.
00:08:16.079 --> 00:08:16.560
Totally.
00:08:16.720 --> 00:08:17.680
I'm so with you.
00:08:17.759 --> 00:08:24.240
And I think that's what's fun about being an outsider when you go to New York because I don't know, maybe once you get there.
00:08:24.399 --> 00:08:35.759
I I do know I have a friend who one time I went to visit her in New York, and I just like looked up the tall buildings and I was like, I'm in New York, like yelled, and I could tell she was like dying inside.
00:08:36.000 --> 00:08:37.679
But for me, I was like, who cares?
00:08:37.759 --> 00:08:40.159
I'm never gonna see any of these people ever again.
00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:41.360
No, that's the best.
00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:42.879
So it's very fun.
00:08:43.120 --> 00:08:54.639
But I also need to thank you because you shared a podcast with me in preparation for this episode, and you actually shared it with our listeners too, back in episode 65, our Pride episode.
00:08:54.799 --> 00:09:04.720
Yeah, it's the BBC Soul Music Podcast episode all about Donna Summer's I Feel Love and the way it made listeners feel and a bit about the song's creation.
00:09:04.960 --> 00:09:09.519
So I'm gonna relink to that episode because it's so beautiful and special.
00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:13.759
And I have to say, I love the idea of the BBC Soul Music podcast.
00:09:13.840 --> 00:09:21.759
I had never listened to it before you shared it with me because it's all about pieces of music with emotional impact.
00:09:21.919 --> 00:09:22.159
Yeah.
00:09:22.320 --> 00:09:24.159
How did you discover that podcast?
00:09:24.480 --> 00:09:25.600
Our friend Joe.
00:09:25.840 --> 00:09:26.240
Yeah.
00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:26.720
Oh.
00:09:27.200 --> 00:09:30.080
And he actually, I think he told me about it.
00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:33.200
It was when the I Feel Love episode came out.
00:09:33.279 --> 00:09:34.639
So last year.
00:09:34.879 --> 00:09:40.000
And we were just, you know, we talk about music from time to time, and he told me about it.
00:09:40.159 --> 00:09:41.440
And I'm like, oh my God.
00:09:41.600 --> 00:09:47.360
And then I remember listening to it, crying, and then texting him, oh my God, it made me cry.
00:09:47.679 --> 00:09:48.639
I love that.
00:09:49.279 --> 00:10:01.039
And and a few like you gotta, it's it's one of those shows you have to be in the mood for to listen to because it does get pretty like tugging at the heart strings.
00:10:01.360 --> 00:10:05.679
And and you you will like go on a journey, so you gotta be in the mood for that.
00:10:05.919 --> 00:10:08.720
Okay, maybe the drive home from work, if not the drive to work.
00:10:09.039 --> 00:10:09.279
Exactly.
00:10:09.440 --> 00:10:09.919
Yeah, yep.
00:10:10.799 --> 00:10:11.360
Nice.
00:10:11.840 --> 00:10:20.639
So it's it's a great episode, and it it does dive into the emotional impact of the song and a little bit more about its creators.
00:10:21.120 --> 00:10:36.799
And I do think what I absolutely love, and what's incredible about this song is on top of Donna's beautiful otherworldly voice, it's that futuristic synth track that sends listeners on a trip through space and time.
00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:43.360
I was shocked to realize when I was preparing for this because like time is such a challenging concept.
00:10:43.679 --> 00:10:45.600
This song is nearly 50 years old.
00:10:45.919 --> 00:10:46.320
It's crazy.
00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:47.840
And it is crazy.
00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:52.240
It still sounds like something we might hear in a sci-fi movie in the distant future.
00:10:52.399 --> 00:10:52.799
Yep.
00:10:53.200 --> 00:11:02.240
Like, I think that we have to give that to, of course, Summers collaborators and song co-writers, Giorgio Moroter and Pete Bellot.
00:11:02.639 --> 00:11:05.440
They are musical geniuses, as some might argue.
00:11:05.519 --> 00:11:11.840
And Maroter is considered to be the father of disco to Donna Summers' mother of disco.
00:11:12.559 --> 00:11:22.240
He is also a pioneer in electronic dance music, with bands like Daft Punk, Blondie, The Human League, and many others crediting him as a major influence.
00:11:22.480 --> 00:11:29.200
So Pete Ballot, while occupying much less of the spotlight, because he was shy and shied away from a lot of that attention.
00:11:29.519 --> 00:11:33.039
He was credited with originally spotting Summer's Gifts.
00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:40.879
And the three of them actually worked together on the 1975 Love to Love You Baby, which turned her into an international star.
00:11:41.039 --> 00:11:54.159
So this song, though it was released in 1977, was what some thought of as the beginning of the 80s and the tone setter for other genres such as Italo Disco, House, Trance, and Techno.
00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:36.000
And in it, Reynolds said, quote, in the wake of I Feel Love, Giorgio Moroter became a name producer, the disco equivalent of Phil Spectre.
00:12:36.159 --> 00:12:40.639
He even appeared on the cover of Britain's leading rock magazine, New Musical Express.
00:12:40.799 --> 00:12:48.000
The Moro hit factory was widely considered the Motown of the late 70s with Donna Summer as its Diana Ross, end quote.
00:12:48.240 --> 00:12:57.759
So I mean, definitely saying something about the time and how this song like just kick-started their the awareness that people had of them.
00:12:58.000 --> 00:13:04.240
And as I think you already know, Eno, our buddy Brian Eno was a big fan of this song.
00:13:04.559 --> 00:13:04.799
Yeah.
00:13:05.039 --> 00:13:10.879
And in the article, there's an anecdote about him bringing the single to Bowie while he was in Berlin saying, This is it.
00:13:11.039 --> 00:13:11.840
Look no further.
00:13:11.919 --> 00:13:15.840
This single is going to change the sound of club music for the next 15 years.
00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:16.879
I think he was right.
00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:17.919
Yo, for sure.
00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:26.720
It's so cool to just think about that excitement, especially from a musical prodigy like Brian Eno and Bowie.
00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:27.360
Yeah.
00:13:27.840 --> 00:13:28.720
And so many others.
00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:33.840
And so many others who hear it and they're they're like, hold on, my life has changed.
00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:34.320
Yeah.
00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:49.919
Because I did read that Marauder, I mean, he had, of course, a major, major influence on music and produced a numerous pop hits such as Call Me by Blondie, Take My Breath Away by Berlin, Flash Dance, What a Feeling by Irene Kara.
00:13:50.399 --> 00:13:55.519
And one of my personal favorites sparks their number one in heaven.
00:13:55.679 --> 00:13:57.519
But I'm not going to talk too much about that.
00:13:57.759 --> 00:13:58.000
Okay.
00:13:58.080 --> 00:13:58.240
Yeah.
00:13:58.960 --> 00:13:59.200
Right?
00:13:59.360 --> 00:13:59.679
Right.
00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:06.720
And I just don't want to spend too much time talking about Marauder, just in case someone else might want to discuss his work.
00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:10.240
But I do want to thank him for his impact on the music that I love.
00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:18.879
Supposedly Bronsky beat front man Jimmy Somerville became a singer when he heard Donna Croon ooh in I Feel Love.
00:14:19.200 --> 00:14:23.840
And I just love that thought of being like, oh, she's doing this thing that I want to do.
00:14:23.919 --> 00:14:25.200
Like, I'm going to go out and do that.
00:14:25.440 --> 00:14:25.759
Yeah.
00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:31.279
And then I'm curious if you've heard Daft Punk, of course, list him as a major influence.
00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:39.279
And they created a song called Giorgio by Moroter on their album Random Access Memories that features Motor speaking over their track.
00:14:39.440 --> 00:14:40.000
Are you familiar with that?
00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:40.879
I haven't no.
00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:41.360
Okay.
00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:44.399
I will link to it because it's very interesting.
00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:47.120
It's kind of him talking about his background.
00:14:47.200 --> 00:14:50.879
And then it like launches into a full-on like daft punk track.
00:14:51.279 --> 00:14:52.000
So very cool.
00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:56.080
And of course, we cannot forget the greatness that is Donna Summer.
00:14:56.320 --> 00:15:04.000
While she had incredible support from Maroter and Balat, her singing and creativity made her not only a disco icon, but a standalone superstar.
00:15:04.320 --> 00:15:07.679
She, I think, really doesn't get the credit she deserves.
00:15:07.840 --> 00:15:14.000
But I think if she were alive today, she would be celebrated and revered and brought back to perform for a new generation.
00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:15.279
Oh, definitely.
00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:16.799
And her music still is.
00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:18.559
It is, yeah.
00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:24.799
Like we hear it, I think it's like woven throughout pop culture so often.
00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:27.840
It's just, it's interesting that Donna Summer, I don't know.
00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:33.120
I feel like she hasn't gotten the staying power that she could have.
00:15:33.360 --> 00:15:37.679
But I do think there might be a little anecdote as to why.
00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:49.519
For a long time, Donna was seen as a gay icon because disco music, a lot of her songs would be playing at gay nightclubs, you know, heterosexual or mixed nightclubs.
00:15:49.600 --> 00:16:04.559
And then there was a rumor, and I cannot confirm or deny this, but there was a rumor that she made derogatory homophobic comments during a concert about the gay community, and it spread like wildfire, essentially severing her ties with the gay community.
00:16:05.039 --> 00:16:06.240
Wow, I had no idea about this.
00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:07.120
Me neither.
00:16:07.279 --> 00:16:08.559
And I was curious about it.
00:16:08.639 --> 00:16:10.000
So I went looking.
00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:16.960
So I found a blog post from one of the folks that was featured in the BBC Soul Music Podcast, Mark King.
00:16:17.200 --> 00:16:22.320
His blog is called My Fabulous Disease about living with HIV and AIDS.
00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:31.600
And he talked about discovering Donna at the only gay bar in his area of Louisiana in the late 70s when he was a teenager.
00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:35.200
And it was a really moving part of that BBC Soul podcast.
00:16:35.440 --> 00:16:39.039
I know I'll get choked up just because I love it.
00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:41.360
So Mark King defends Donna.
00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:42.559
And I actually went looking.
00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:48.000
There's a lot of articles out there sharing that she wrote a letter to act up trying to dispel the rumor.
00:16:48.159 --> 00:16:51.200
So I hope it doesn't tarnish her legacy.
00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:56.960
But she really wanted to make sure people didn't associate that context with her.
00:16:57.279 --> 00:16:57.759
That's good.
00:16:58.159 --> 00:16:59.840
And back to my city beat.
00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:04.559
Even though you could listen to this song literally anywhere and enjoy it.
00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:09.200
I think I mentioned to you I was out last night and I heard it come on and I got very excited.
00:17:09.279 --> 00:17:09.599
Uh-huh.
00:17:09.920 --> 00:17:12.720
Even just at like a small brewery in San Antonio.
00:17:13.599 --> 00:17:19.519
There is something about New York City's disco history that really makes it feel right at home there.
00:17:19.839 --> 00:17:42.880
So much so that in 2016, Casablanca Records hosted an interactive I Feel Love event in Bed Side to celebrate and honor Marauder and Disco, where he and Studio 54 DJ, Nikki Ciano, DJ'd for a much younger crowd than those original club goers to Paradise Garage, Studio 54, and the other legendary NYC disco venues.
00:17:43.119 --> 00:17:46.160
But I found an article about that and it looks so fun.
00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:47.920
I wish I could have gone.
00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:48.799
Oh God.
00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:49.519
Yeah.
00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:53.119
I I is I wonder if there's any like clips on YouTube about that.
00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:54.240
That is a good call.
00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:55.680
Yeah, I have to look into it.
00:17:56.079 --> 00:18:00.319
So let me stop here because I do want to segue into your City Beat song.
00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:03.440
So, Christine, what have you got for us?
00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:07.359
Okay, I I I truly don't know where to begin.
00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:32.319
So maybe I'm going to start with an apology, not just to you, but to all Sparks fans, and specifically to Ron and Russell Mail, the brother duo, who are, of course, Sparks, regular listeners, and certainly you, Christina, remember my somewhat lack of enthusiasm when you shared your experience at Hollywood Bowl seeing Sparks in 2023.
00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:34.640
This is a big moment for me.
00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:35.200
Yeah.
00:18:35.359 --> 00:18:36.960
Um, would you like to say anything?
00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:42.240
Not like I hate to say I told you, so just a little bit of a glad you're coming around.
00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:43.279
It feels good.
00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:44.640
Okay, good, good, good.
00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:52.319
Now, to be clear, I was touched by your experience and the story you told about what it meant for Sparks to play at the bowl.
00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:53.039
Thank you.
00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:58.240
And look, I I did research by re-listening to that episode.
00:18:58.559 --> 00:18:59.039
Nice.
00:18:59.279 --> 00:18:59.519
Okay.
00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:02.160
Our iconic concerts episode.
00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:05.200
And I have to say, I wasn't that bad.
00:19:05.839 --> 00:19:14.960
I I did call them old and I might have um referred to them as the sparks a few too many times.
00:19:15.359 --> 00:19:21.119
This actually reminds me, I feel I went looking to check and see if it was wings or the wings.
00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:22.880
And you see both.
00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:29.680
And so I want to apologize to you because I did I did question your the wings comment.
00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:31.200
No, I appreciate that.
00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:31.759
Okay.
00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:36.720
But honestly, I think I just didn't understand sparks back then.
00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:38.960
I wrote them off as like rock opera.
00:19:39.359 --> 00:19:43.759
They were too in my mind, again, they were too too theatrical and cute.
00:19:43.920 --> 00:19:46.319
But the truth is, I didn't know shit about sparks.
00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:56.319
So not much longer after that episode aired, more than a year ago now, I shared how I was pleasantly surprised one day when I was driving in my car.
00:19:56.640 --> 00:20:05.119
And on Apple Music Discovery, there was this like very electronic, like UFOs landing on Earth and sending out signals.
00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:05.680
Yes.
00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:08.240
But in this warm and tickly way.
00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:10.640
And I immediately felt the sense of calm.
00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:15.119
Then the snare drums come in and it gets super synthé and exhilarating.
00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:19.599
Then after about a minute, the vocals enter and I'm like, is this Bronsky beat?
00:20:55.440 --> 00:20:56.559
So much to talk about.
00:20:57.680 --> 00:20:58.880
So many connections.
00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:15.519
But before things get too out of control, uh, my pulse of the city song is Tryouts for the Human Race from Sparks on their 1979 album, Number One in Heaven, co-written and produced by none other than Giorgio Meroer.
00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:19.839
Christina, what did you think of my pick and the timing of it?
00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:23.039
And just share your thoughts, your grievances, whatever.
00:21:23.359 --> 00:21:25.920
Zero grievances, just all pure excitement.
00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:28.319
I am so glad that you've come around.
00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:43.039
Also, really cool that we get to talk about two different Marauder songs on this episode because, like, I think, of course, he was so advanced, but like what an incredible like this song is so good.
00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:44.640
And so good.
00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:46.400
Completely agree with you.
00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:50.640
That opening is so freaky and spacey.
00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:59.440
And like, I definitely feel like not only space, outer space, but I'm like maybe the deep depths of the ocean, or like I'm in a submarine.
00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:00.480
Yeah.
00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:03.440
It does, it gives a really good city pulse.
00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:03.839
Yeah.
00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:05.519
So great job.
00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:06.079
Thank you.
00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:06.480
Thank you.
00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:10.960
Well, I really wanted to find the perfect song for this because I'm gonna say it.
00:22:11.119 --> 00:22:12.880
I think this is one of my favorite things.
00:22:13.119 --> 00:22:13.359
Yeah.
00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:16.880
Yay! Yeah, it's so filmic and self-aware.
00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:20.480
And and you know how I love to imagine myself as a character in a movie.
00:22:20.640 --> 00:22:21.039
Yes.
00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:29.359
And then your pick, of course, was like such an inspired choice that really shows how music compels you, I think, to accompany it.
00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:31.440
Like sometimes you don't have a choice.
00:22:31.599 --> 00:22:32.640
It it picks you.
00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:39.200
And even though you you intentionally picked it, I feel like you thought you did, but maybe it really picked you.
00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.240
Entirely possible.
00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:42.000
And then you were along for the journey.
00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:48.000
And and I feel like that's what you want, like to be along for the journey, no matter what city you're in.
00:22:48.240 --> 00:23:04.480
So tryouts popped into my head when you first shared the theme because I have a playlist called Bounce in Your Step, which is my favorite music to walk around, like walk around the city in my neighborhood, oftentimes.
00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:21.039
But it's exactly a year to this day that tryouts has been the opening song on that playlist because it opens you up to this like world, just the world, in such a fresh way, even though it's almost 50 years.
00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:22.960
So yeah, almost.
00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:29.359
I mean 1979, but still that's closer to 50 years than while we're talking about bouncing your stuff, yeah.
00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:30.079
Your playlist.
00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:30.880
Yes, yeah, yeah.
00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:37.200
I have to ask, is walking in LA on the no, it's not, but but maybe I could put it on.
00:23:37.680 --> 00:23:41.839
I'm inappropriate since I mean, like she says, nobody walks in LA.
00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:43.039
Yeah, that okay.
00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:44.160
I'll think about it.
00:23:44.400 --> 00:23:45.039
Think about it.
00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:47.759
I actually just added, I feel love.
00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.960
I'm like, how did I forget that?
00:23:49.359 --> 00:23:51.359
Nice, yeah, that's because that's a good walker.
00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:54.720
I've maybe alluded to other songs, ease on down.
00:23:55.119 --> 00:23:55.519
Oh, yeah.
00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:57.039
Yeah, that's like told me about that one.
00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:58.079
Which I love.
00:23:58.400 --> 00:24:01.359
A literal, like I cannot not bounce in my step.
00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:02.960
Do you do a little like slide?
00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:04.799
I do sometimes.
00:24:05.119 --> 00:24:05.759
Yes.
00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:14.079
I think it would be a fun exercise, like just a game of sorts, to like listen to your various playlists.
00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:18.480
Like I would listen to mine, and people have to guess what song walking to.
00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:20.720
Maybe we should do a video.
00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:22.640
We can do that maybe one day.
00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:23.039
Yeah.
00:24:23.440 --> 00:24:31.279
So truly, I could be listening to this song in the entire, I will say it, no-skip album in any city.
00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:38.240
And even though Sparks are just two brothers from LA, they feel like one of the most international bands.
00:24:38.799 --> 00:24:45.359
And and I honestly, like you mentioned it in the episode um iconic concerts that they're from LA.
00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:48.240
But like up until then, I just assumed they were British.
00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:49.440
Yeah.
00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:49.920
Okay.
00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:50.880
No, I know.
00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:51.680
I I don't know why.
00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:53.359
Just they have that feel quality.
00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:54.480
That quality.
00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:54.720
Yeah.
00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:55.759
And so interesting.
00:24:56.160 --> 00:25:07.279
This album in particular, with that opening track, is at once energizing and comforting, which is exactly the vibe I need to get me through being in public, period.
00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:25.599
And so, so like the first time I listened to this, and maybe several times thereafter, and even up until now, I'm thinking the song is about an alien life form, like a vapor coming down to earth, and they're trying out to be humans.
00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:26.480
Oh, I love that.
00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:26.960
Yeah.
00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:29.519
So um, naturally, that resonated with me.
00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:38.319
Like you're walking through the city and you're you're a little self-conscious, and all like if you feel like all eyes are on you, you're constantly being judged.
00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:44.960
And sometimes I feel like I'm trying out to be human because I feel like an alien so much of the time.
00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:47.680
So, of course, it made sense, even this part.
00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:23.359
And then I find out that this song was written from the perspective of sperm.
00:26:23.599 --> 00:26:24.720
Did you know this, Christina?
00:26:25.119 --> 00:26:26.400
This I did not know.
00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:30.960
Now, like truly, I think Ron and Russell are aliens.
00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:34.640
So it's funny that you say that, like, oh, I would have assumed they're British.
00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:38.160
I'm like, I would have assumed they were from the other space.
00:26:38.400 --> 00:26:38.640
Yes.
00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:41.599
But like the sperm thing makes so much sense.
00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:42.559
No, I know.
00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.440
I totally.
00:26:43.599 --> 00:26:58.079
And in a weird way, it still fits how I originally thought about it because like being human is alien, and this kind of helps make it feel less weird, or maybe like makes your alien energy feel less alien or less spermy.
00:26:58.559 --> 00:27:07.039
And I mean, when you think about it, the whole creation, the life, the humanity thing is kind of sci-fi when you really a thousand percent.
00:27:07.839 --> 00:27:10.160
I was awake last night thinking about this.
00:27:10.319 --> 00:27:12.400
Yes, like existential thoughts.
00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:20.319
Like how how we came to be and and why this is and kind of even just more like I made me, you know what I mean?
00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:22.000
No, it's so weird, yeah.
00:27:22.400 --> 00:27:27.119
So no, they were they were definitely onto something, and honestly, you might be right there.
00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:31.359
I think they are aliens and they knew what they were talking about.
00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:32.079
Totally.
00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:36.000
Okay, so there is so much to say about this band.
00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:44.559
And if there's anyone curious, please go back to the iconic concert episode because Christina will give some background about Sparks.
00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:50.400
I also want to mention there's a really good documentary, Sparks Brothers.
00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.279
Oh shoot.
00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:52.720
Oh, I've never seen it.
00:27:52.880 --> 00:27:53.680
I need to watch it.
00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:55.279
Holy moly, no.
00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:57.599
Okay, you need to like you need to watch that.
00:27:58.480 --> 00:28:00.000
I have a link to it in the show notes.
00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:00.400
Nice.
00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:03.599
And it's$3.99 to rent, like at various platforms.
00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:04.720
It's totally worth it.
00:28:04.880 --> 00:28:10.880
I actually paid twice to watch it because it's it is long and I go to bed early and I get tired.
00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:13.279
But um, so yeah, I paid like eight.
00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:15.519
It's still cheaper than a night out at the movies.
00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:16.559
Totally worth it.
00:28:16.640 --> 00:28:18.799
I would I probably will just buy it.
00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:19.759
It was so interesting.
00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:34.720
But you got like all the stars, the usual that are in these music documentaries Beck, Weird Al, Jason Schwartzmann, Jane Wheedlin, Nick Lowe, and John Taylor, and the bookworm himself, Michael Silverblatt.
00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:38.880
And they're all talking about the Sparkses, or see, I said the Sparkses.
00:28:39.119 --> 00:28:42.240
They're all they're all talking about Sparks' monumental impact.
00:28:42.400 --> 00:28:44.640
Of course, I had to mention Michael Silverblatt.
00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:47.839
You had talked about the bookworm.
00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:51.920
The bookworm theme song, which he actually commissioned them to do it.
00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:58.240
And he's actually he said that they are his number one band of all time.
00:28:58.880 --> 00:29:09.519
And you might not like a book he likes, you might not like, you might have different opinions about a lot of things, but if you don't like the sparks, you're not gonna be on Michael Silverblast's good side.
00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:12.319
Oh my god, I love that.
00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:14.160
Yeah, it's it's so good.
00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:17.599
Just like you get a lot of interesting tidbits like that.
00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:25.519
And actually, I will share the episode where then sparks were on Bookworm talking about like how they write a song.
00:29:25.839 --> 00:29:26.160
Oh, yeah.
00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:27.119
So really cool.
00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:31.279
But um, I want to share just a few little fun facts I learned from the documentary.
00:29:31.680 --> 00:29:38.240
One thing people kept saying over and over was they're everyone's favorite band's favorite band.
00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:38.720
Cool.
00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:44.240
Just basically, if you're a music person, a musician, they're gonna be your favorite band.
00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:48.720
Todd Röngren pretty much put them on the map.
00:29:48.880 --> 00:29:54.079
He produced their first album, as the band was called at the time, Half Nelson.
00:29:54.319 --> 00:30:00.480
And it was Russell's girlfriend at the time, Miss Christine, who I I know you know from the GTOs.
00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:00.960
Yes.
00:30:01.200 --> 00:30:13.279
Yeah, she was actually Rungren's ex-girlfriend, and she shared Sparks's or Half Nelson's demo tape with Rungren, and he loved it, produced it.
00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:21.279
It still didn't do very well, but then they changed their name to Sparks Brothers, which eventually turned to Sparks, and the rest is kind of history.
00:30:21.440 --> 00:30:21.759
Yeah.
00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:30.400
But back to the connection to your pick, like most people around that time, Sparks 2 was totally blown away by I Feel Love.
00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:34.000
They even said they had an epiphany when they heard it.
00:30:34.799 --> 00:30:40.880
Um, and then around that time, a journalist asked them, so what's what's the next thing you're going to be doing?
00:30:41.119 --> 00:30:45.359
And I think it was Russell who said, Oh, we're working on an album with Giorgio Mero.
00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:54.480
And turns out this journalist was friends with Marauder, and she said, Oh, that's funny because he never mentioned that because it wasn't true.
00:30:54.640 --> 00:30:54.960
Oh.
00:30:55.680 --> 00:30:56.960
They were totally manifesting.
00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:59.519
They were manifesting, and that's so LA.
00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.319
I know, I know.
00:31:00.559 --> 00:31:00.960
I love that.
00:31:01.119 --> 00:31:08.480
And so, long story short, she got them together and out came this masterpiece, which became a blueprint.
00:31:08.640 --> 00:31:17.119
I know, for like 80 synth pop, including Duran Duran, Erasure, Pet Shop Boys, Human League, and of course, Bronsky Beat, who you mentioned.
00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:17.920
Hell yeah.
00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:23.839
Now, Jimmy Somerville wanted indeed to become a singer after hearing I Feel Love.
00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:37.200
But did you know that in 1984, Somerville with his band, Bronsky Beat, and Mark Allmond did a medley of I Feel Love, Love to Love You, and then John Layton's Johnny Remember Me is mixed in there.
00:31:37.440 --> 00:31:38.240
I did know that.
00:31:38.319 --> 00:31:39.200
Have you seen the video?
00:31:39.359 --> 00:31:41.200
Yeah, it's so good.
00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:42.880
Mark Allman's face.
00:31:43.119 --> 00:31:44.720
Oh my god, he's really funny.
00:31:44.960 --> 00:31:46.640
The eye contact.
00:31:46.799 --> 00:31:47.680
It's so good.
00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:48.079
I can't.
00:31:48.319 --> 00:31:50.000
But also, I love the surfing part.
00:31:50.160 --> 00:31:50.799
Yeah.
00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:52.160
It's so crazy.
00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:53.839
It's it's wacky.
00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.640
It's really good.
00:31:55.279 --> 00:31:57.119
Well, we got a link to it, please.
00:31:57.359 --> 00:31:58.079
Oh, for sure.
00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:58.480
Okay.
00:31:58.720 --> 00:32:06.640
And then in 1997, Somerville sang lead vocals on Sparks' own cover album, Plagiarism, which is hilarious.
00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:08.319
That's me.
00:32:08.640 --> 00:32:10.640
He sang number one song in heaven.
00:32:10.880 --> 00:32:12.160
Oh, I need to hear this.
00:32:12.400 --> 00:32:13.759
It's it's really good.
00:32:13.839 --> 00:32:18.400
But of course, like that's that's why I'm hearing Bronk Bronsky beats when I first heard him.
00:32:18.640 --> 00:32:22.079
Because I'm like, he's he's been influenced by Sparks.
00:32:22.160 --> 00:32:23.680
So of course he's going to sound like them.
00:32:23.839 --> 00:32:25.200
But um that's cool.
00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:28.559
So yeah, that was just kind of exciting to learn all that.
00:32:28.720 --> 00:32:36.480
And I'm learning about these albums as I'm watching the documentary and plagiarism, just like, dude, have you seen the album cover for that?
00:32:36.799 --> 00:32:37.119
No.
00:32:37.839 --> 00:32:52.559
Oh, they look like so it's got Russell and Ron's face, and they look like Calvin Klein models wearing underwear, but they're like, you know, it's not their bodies, and they basically are doing like covers of their own songs.
00:32:52.799 --> 00:32:54.319
Oh my god, it's so funny.
00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:55.839
It's it's it's terrific.
00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:56.799
It's just too much.
00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:58.319
Oh, that's so good.
00:32:58.559 --> 00:32:59.440
They're so funny.
00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:00.559
They're so funny.
00:33:00.720 --> 00:33:01.839
I'm so sorry.
00:33:02.079 --> 00:33:02.799
I'm so sorry.
00:33:02.960 --> 00:33:03.680
I didn't need you.
00:33:04.160 --> 00:33:05.519
Okay, I'm just glad you're coming around.
00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:12.079
Of course, I'm sure you saw the the music video for number one wait trials for the human race.
00:33:12.240 --> 00:33:12.799
Yes, yes, I did.
00:33:12.880 --> 00:33:13.119
Okay, yes.
00:33:13.599 --> 00:33:15.039
That is also hilarious, too.
00:33:15.200 --> 00:33:15.680
No, oh yeah.
00:33:15.920 --> 00:33:20.319
And it makes me want to be a werewolf in a suit and bolo for how long.
00:33:20.799 --> 00:33:21.039
Yes.
00:33:21.200 --> 00:33:24.000
Okay, I yeah, I I I feel like you could pull that off.
00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:24.400
Yes.
00:33:24.640 --> 00:33:25.759
Yeah, I think I could pull it off.
00:33:25.920 --> 00:33:26.319
Oh, yeah.
00:33:26.400 --> 00:33:27.680
You definitely have to do that.
00:33:28.079 --> 00:33:28.319
Good.
00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:37.440
So, okay, one more connection between our songs that I need to mention is that the legendary drummer producer Keith Forcy played drums on both our picks.
00:33:37.839 --> 00:33:40.319
And I just love his drumming so much.
00:33:40.400 --> 00:33:42.319
It's such a propelling force.
00:33:42.640 --> 00:33:51.119
But Forcy was working closely with Moroter, but then went on to write and produce many of his own projects, including the Breakfast Club soundtrack.
00:33:51.519 --> 00:33:51.920
Yeah.
00:33:52.240 --> 00:34:03.759
And with Moroter producing, Forcy also drummed on Bowie's Cat People Putting Out Fire, which I share as the last bridge to our last connection.
00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:04.559
Bowie.
00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:05.759
That always comes back.
00:34:06.799 --> 00:34:07.440
Always a Bowie.
00:34:08.320 --> 00:34:13.199
And so supposedly Bowie also said Sparks was the music of the future.
00:34:13.440 --> 00:34:16.000
He said that about I feel love.
00:34:16.800 --> 00:34:24.480
And it's funny because I don't know if you remember, but Bowie, in the course of our podcast, has said this about Devo.
00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:30.000
And and then I'm just like, let me double check some of these things.
00:34:30.079 --> 00:34:34.719
And I couldn't confirm that he actually said that specifically about Sparks.
00:34:34.880 --> 00:34:37.599
Somebody in the documentary did say that.
00:34:37.840 --> 00:34:38.559
So who knows?
00:34:38.639 --> 00:34:40.239
I mean, they're not getting fact-checked.
00:34:40.400 --> 00:34:40.639
Right.
00:34:40.800 --> 00:34:44.480
I think he did actually say it about I Feel Love, but through Brian Eno.
00:34:45.199 --> 00:34:54.480
But somebody on Reddit actually asked the question: how many artists did David refer to as the future of music?
00:34:54.960 --> 00:34:55.599
Wow.
00:34:55.840 --> 00:34:57.039
Do we have a number?
00:34:57.280 --> 00:35:01.280
There was not a number, but we got Velvet Underground, which makes sense.
00:35:01.440 --> 00:35:01.599
Yeah.
00:35:01.920 --> 00:35:04.639
Human League Devo was another one.
00:35:04.880 --> 00:35:06.719
Of course, Donna Summer.
00:35:07.039 --> 00:35:08.880
And someone mentioned Lord.
00:35:09.519 --> 00:35:09.760
Yeah.
00:35:10.239 --> 00:35:12.639
I usually do kind of remember Bowie talking about Lorde.
00:35:12.719 --> 00:35:13.440
Oh, interesting.
00:35:13.679 --> 00:35:16.000
But not necessarily the music of the future.
00:35:16.320 --> 00:35:16.400
Yeah.
00:35:16.639 --> 00:35:18.320
Kendrick Lamar, possibly.
00:35:18.400 --> 00:35:19.760
I who's really into that.
00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:23.679
And I honestly feel like it's not Bowie being cliche.
00:35:23.840 --> 00:35:25.840
It's just meaning like this music is timeless.
00:35:26.159 --> 00:35:27.679
The future goes on and on and on.
00:35:27.920 --> 00:35:28.800
So he's not wrong.
00:35:29.199 --> 00:35:29.440
No.
00:35:29.599 --> 00:35:30.480
So good for him.
00:35:30.639 --> 00:35:30.960
Yeah.
00:35:31.280 --> 00:35:36.480
I just feel like I'm very excited to learn more about sparks.
00:35:37.599 --> 00:35:39.360
So yay!
00:35:40.400 --> 00:35:41.679
My work is done.
00:35:41.920 --> 00:35:43.360
We can end the podcast now.
00:35:43.760 --> 00:35:44.079
I think so.
00:35:44.880 --> 00:35:47.920
Maybe I meant like the whole no, I'm kidding.
00:35:48.079 --> 00:35:48.800
That's amazing.
00:35:48.960 --> 00:35:50.719
That's it's so fun to have those.
00:35:50.880 --> 00:35:56.320
I really want to thank you for having an open heart and mind for our friends Ron and Russell.
00:35:56.480 --> 00:35:59.519
But also I love just having those revelations.
00:36:00.000 --> 00:36:06.639
And very cool that our city pulse is got a beating heart for Giorgio.
00:36:07.199 --> 00:36:07.760
Very much.
00:36:07.920 --> 00:36:08.239
Yeah.
00:36:08.719 --> 00:36:11.039
Just okay, one more thing about the sparks.
00:36:11.119 --> 00:36:13.039
That was funny when I was watching the video.
00:36:13.280 --> 00:36:15.920
All the comments, so enjoyable to read the comments.
00:36:16.079 --> 00:36:21.119
But somebody said, I love sparks so much, I pray for them at night.
00:36:21.440 --> 00:36:23.599
Oh, that's beautiful.
00:36:24.000 --> 00:36:30.559
I would say it's their mom, but since they're like in their 80s now, I don't pray, but I want to pray for sparks.
00:36:31.119 --> 00:36:32.320
That's very sweet.
00:36:33.119 --> 00:36:38.320
Christine, uh, I just since we're like wrapping up, could I give you some unsolicited advice?
00:36:38.559 --> 00:36:39.440
I think I need it.
00:36:39.599 --> 00:36:39.840
Yeah.
00:36:40.079 --> 00:36:41.760
Could you check your voter registration?
00:36:42.480 --> 00:36:44.159
You and everyone who's listening.
00:36:44.480 --> 00:36:47.519
And this might be too late for some states.
00:36:47.599 --> 00:36:51.519
And I'm looking at you, Texas, because our deadline was October 5th.
00:36:51.679 --> 00:36:56.639
Uh, and clearly I don't know how this works outside of the US for our international listeners.
00:36:56.880 --> 00:37:03.599
But since our midterms in the US and local elections are coming up, there's no time like the present to make sure you can vote.
00:37:03.920 --> 00:37:09.840
This is especially good advice for anyone who's recently moved or is worried about that pesky voter purge.
00:37:10.159 --> 00:37:10.559
True.
00:37:10.719 --> 00:37:14.880
And there are actually 22 US states with same-day voter registration.
00:37:15.039 --> 00:37:17.920
But don't wait to go to the polls in case there's an error.
00:37:18.079 --> 00:37:22.480
Go to vote.org to see if you're registered and get lots of other useful info.
00:37:22.800 --> 00:37:27.039
And if you already have your mail in ballot, please don't wait until the last minute.
00:37:27.199 --> 00:37:28.719
Fill it out and drop it off.
00:37:28.880 --> 00:37:29.440
It's easy.
00:37:29.679 --> 00:37:30.480
Hallelujah.
00:37:30.719 --> 00:37:31.920
Advice over.
00:37:32.480 --> 00:37:35.760
Christine, what's on deck for our next episode?
00:37:36.000 --> 00:37:40.320
I think it's time to get into vocal variations.
00:37:40.960 --> 00:37:42.320
Oh, okay.
00:37:43.920 --> 00:37:46.239
Thanks for listening to Stereothematica.
00:37:46.320 --> 00:37:50.719
If you like what you're hearing, please consider a review, a rating, or sharing with a friend.
00:37:51.039 --> 00:37:55.119
And follow us on Instagram where you can share your favorite City Pole song.
00:37:55.280 --> 00:38:00.559
And we've got that infinite Spotify playlist linked in our show notes for your enjoyment.
00:38:00.719 --> 00:38:06.159
And we also update Stereythematica.com each week with more fun.
