The One About iRadio

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My poor wife.  For the past couple of years, she’s been working on a series of novels that, despite being very good, have had a hard time finding love from an agent or a publisher.  She has, however, just secured a contract with the same Australian published that first discovered E.L. James and her Fifty Shades of Grey book.  They’re horrible books that no one should read, but she’s sold a gazillion copies.  If my wife’s books–which are MUCH better written–take off at even one-quarter that extent, I’ll be able to ride on her coattails for the rest of my life.  Oh, and if you’re into erotic chick lit and you want to see how good my wife’s work is, go here and here to see the self-published versions of the first two books in the series.

Why do I bring that up?  Because Joshua Kloke ran into the same problems when he was shopping his book on his experiences as a rabid Tragically Hip fan.  Michael and I talk to him about Escape is at Hand.  If you’ve ever fancied yourself a writer, it’s worth a listen.  (As a sidebar, Michael and I also fight over the true meaning of the Hip’s “Fifty Mission Cap.”  Here’s my side of the story.)

Apple’s iRadio service brings the iPhone up to par with Pandora. How Shazam knows what the hottest song of the summer will be thanks to Big Data. The Honey Boo Boo Generation hits Youtube — and it’s not pretty. And we’ll introduce you to the world’s biggest Tragically Hip Fan and tell you what a 50 Mission Cap really is. Plus: Blasting Bieber into space (it’s just unfortunate Virgin Galactic doesn’t offer one-way tickets)

We also spend time

–deconstructing the announcement of Apple’s iTunes Radio (go here and here);

—predicting the songs of the summer using Shazam; 

–looking at a Game of Thrones theme done a capella;

–another sign of the inevitable coming of the Idiocracy.

–praying for Bieber’s space trip to be one way (send him; keep the monkey);

–and acknowledging the passing of a man who launched a billion T-shirts.

This week’s co-producer is Shane Hammell who bought his way in for a measley $25.  He writes

 Just discovered the show and love it. I live in the small town of Millet, Alberta and work in Edmonton. One commute every week is dedicated to the podcast. I’ve been a fan of Alan’s work for a long time, and enjoy the two of you together.  I’ve really enjoyed my work as co-producer! Truly fulfilling. 

You can be a co-producer, too.  Details here.

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