'WHOEVER I LENT MY NORD MODULAR TO /MSG ME ASAP'

November 2, 2001 2:09 PM

'WHOEVER I LENT MY NORD MODULAR TO /MSG ME ASAP' is an extremely funny fake chat log between the bright stars of the IDM/techno music world. If you're familiar with the music of Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, Plaid, and the like, and if you've ever used IRC, then you'll probably get a kick out of this.
posted by 40 Watt (28 comments total)

OK, I read through this whole damn thing (it's so freaking long, that's quite an accomplishment), and I found it to be about half funny, half stupid. It's a decent link for those who are into electronic music, but most people aren't going to get about 80% of the references in there, especially the more obscure artist mentions like Richard Devine and Arovane.

Anyway, my favorite joke was the reoccurring bit about Boards Of Canada saying "Orange," but then again, I'm a big dork.
posted by almostcool at 2:24 PM on November 2, 2001

I just sent this to all my geek electronic music composer friends. They'll love it. The rest of MeFi might not.
posted by arielmeadow at 2:36 PM on November 2, 2001

But everyone can laugh at the bJORK bits

I'd never heard of Boards of Canada (is this another Scottish band that seems to be bigger abroad than in the UK (like B&S, afaik) or am I just old and clueless?) - just been googling for them. Thanks for the pointer.
posted by andrew cooke at 2:38 PM on November 2, 2001

Wow. This was pants-wettingly funny. It would have been funny to see more of the german idm soopastars in there, like Funkstorung and Mouse on Mars. And maybe some of the Pork crowd.

<Fila>calm down, rich...
posted by andnbsp at 2:48 PM on November 2, 2001

wow. absolutely classic. and who said there wasnt anything new on the net.
posted by manero at 2:51 PM on November 2, 2001

Anyway, my favorite joke was the reoccurring bit about Boards Of Canada saying "Orange," but then again, I'm a big dork.
almostcool- No, I think that was my favorite part as well. That and Autechre accusing Arovane of stealing their act...


I realize only a fraction of MeFi is going to get this, but I found so funny I had to share.
posted by 40 Watt at 2:51 PM on November 2, 2001

They could have added some of the young hecklers of the genre and gotten things even more stirred up. Toss in some smart ass remarks by Kid 606 and Cex as well. Maybe a little Panacea for some gabber perspective and stir again for more fun. Of course then it would be even longer...
posted by almostcool at 2:56 PM on November 2, 2001

I think everyone ignoring moby was classic.
posted by starduck at 2:57 PM on November 2, 2001

Although I sprayed snot all over the keyboard while reading this, I'm disappointed at how many places I've seen it. Seems like every random fratboy knows about my favorite musicians now. Guess it's time to find another obscure Belgian composer who sounds like a bucket full of ball bearings. "My favorite album of the year? Oh, you wouldn't like it...it's very difficult." Only thus will my self-esteem be restored.
posted by lbergstr at 2:59 PM on November 2, 2001

Ah, I just thought of what would have been even funnier. If Brian Eno would have come on at the very end and given Richard D. James the boot. Who's with me?
posted by almostcool at 3:01 PM on November 2, 2001

lbergstr--The day the frat boys start listening to Merzbow is when you'll know there's been a line crossed somewhere. His "Pulse Demon" or "Rainbow Electronics" are quite possibly some of the most difficult listening albums ever made.
posted by 40 Watt at 3:06 PM on November 2, 2001

What I've heard about Merzbow scares me. People say things like "earbleed". However, if that's what it takes to stay underground, I guess I'll just have to deal. Enjoyment is a shallow reason to listen to music, this is about cool.

It's me I'm making fun of, by the way.
posted by lbergstr at 3:44 PM on November 2, 2001

where was ?ziq?
posted by atom128 at 4:30 PM on November 2, 2001

I love how any conversation or thread about IDM turns into a name dropping contest.

"I'll see your Arovane and raise you one Funkstorung."

"That's all well and good, but what would you say to a Kid 606 and a Cex???"

"MERZBOW!!!" (*gasp!*)

I'm disappointed at how many places I've seen it. Seems like every random fratboy knows about my favorite musicians now.

This shit is exactly what I hate about many IDM heads. I was here first. They're MINE. MINE MINE MINE. Whatever. If it was about the music, you'd be proselytizing it, but instead it's about how special and in-the-know you are and (more importantly) we aren't.
posted by z00td at 4:32 PM on November 2, 2001

Well duh zoot, that's what they're doing, proselytizing it, when they say "have you heard about Cex?"

By acting like their music is special, they are trying to get others interested in it.

And like punk was any different.
posted by mitchel at 4:55 PM on November 2, 2001

I think everyone ignoring moby was classic.

Ditto.
rdj kicking everyone out gets a bit tiring in the long run...
posted by XiBe at 5:22 PM on November 2, 2001

That was quite humorous. Bjork trying to seduce everyone into working with her made my night. I gotta ask, as an earlier mefi'er did, where was U-Ziq?
posted by Darke at 6:00 PM on November 2, 2001

ziq was of course busy auctioning off his pony tail on ebay.
posted by afx114 at 6:46 PM on November 2, 2001

that's what an average day in the chat area of soulseek's app is like. not funny, just more teenage jerk-offs.
posted by mb01 at 8:50 PM on November 2, 2001

<BT> The latest beat goes like this.. - BD, BD, BD, OH, SDBD -

yeah, I laughed.
posted by ookamaka at 9:00 PM on November 2, 2001

zoot, i was kidding. read my second message.
posted by lbergstr at 11:40 PM on November 2, 2001

Funny as this is, it's even more effective if you read it using the intended interface.
posted by SiW at 12:58 AM on November 3, 2001

I didn’t catch some of the references and still thought it was funny. Don’t know who Leftfield is f’instance. Best laugh I had all day, actually.

Its also nice to know I’m not the only one on the planet who can’t stand 99% of everything Bjork does. From the Sugarcubes to Dancer in the Dark.

Also: 808 State never have and never will get any respect, the poor bastards.

“<rdj> at least he's not fucking whoring himself to madonna
<daprodigy> woah, hey now!, ease off on on the boss lady
<worbit> YEAH DAMMIT YOU LEAVE HER OUT OF THIS
<Ctlmethod> Orbit man, I can't believe you did that, you are such a sellout
<rdj> am I going MAD or did the crystal method just call someone ELSE a sellout??
<rdj> we haven't seen a sellout of your caliber since... since....
<|\/|oby> ........ I once did a 7 remixes of "go" by unrinating onto a turntable
<rdj> Yeah, him”

Man, so many bands got sucked into Mad Onna vortex. Remember Music for a Jitled Generation? Remember Firestarter? DAMN YOU MAD ONNA.

sad + true = funny
posted by raaka at 3:11 AM on November 3, 2001

You're not alone, raaka. I think Bjork is WILDLY overrated too. It's rubbish for the most part.
posted by mmesker at 7:47 AM on November 3, 2001

raaka - leftfield are popular here in the UK (they're a UK duo, i think). crossover/commercially successful house. leftism and rhythm & stealth are the two albums i know. a couple of samples here (the first is more typical, iirc the second picks up just after that excerpt ends).

it's odd - that list had a few people i didn't know and some i had to think hard about before recognising, but i'd never have guessed leftfield would be the difficult name for someone else. for a uk reader they're one of the obvious names (same league as daftpunk, sasha, prodigy).
posted by andrew cooke at 11:22 AM on November 3, 2001

It's getting harder and harder to find CDs that fail their CDDB lookups. (sigh)
posted by Foosnark at 1:49 PM on November 5, 2001

Its also nice to know I’m not the only one on the planet who can’t stand 99% of everything Bjork does.

I like the idea of Bjork much more than I like any of her work. She's really sort of an alternative version of Madonna.
posted by kindall at 2:27 PM on November 5, 2001

kindall: Isn't that the other way 'round? Exhibit A: Madonna's "Bedtime Stories."
posted by allaboutgeorge at 4:20 AM on November 6, 2001