Music And We
We are organizers, and we love music. We love to talk about the joy that music brings, but also what lay beneath, beside, above and inside. We are not afraid to address the political, the spiritual, or the ideological. We examine what inspires us, and others. Thanks for joining us!
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Episodes
Monday Apr 10, 2023
Monday Apr 10, 2023
(RECORDED ON MARCH 10, 2023) Many music lovers enjoy going out to see their favorite artists live. Some of us music lovers have disabilities, making it not as easy to navigate this world. In conversation with jamilah (who is a below-knee amputee (BKA)) is E.T. Russian (a double amputee for much, much longer); an old friend who reunited, 20 years later.
E.T. and jamilah discuss positive (and not-so-positive) experiences with consent, awareness and acknowledgement; there's also a discussion about the structural improvements made over the years in regards to venues, and the spaces for improvement.
Thanks for listening! For questions, comments, etc. you can reach us here: musicandwejj@gmail.com
Saturday Apr 08, 2023
Saturday Apr 08, 2023
(RECORDED ON FEBRUARY 27, 2023) This episode is finally up! A lot of things have happened since then (in relation to some of the things we discussed here), but the primary subject (sadly in some ways) is perhaps timeless.
jesse and jamilah discuss the formation of what (a couple of days later after this recording) became 'If Darkness Had A Son' (to be released on Metallica's 12th album, 72 Seasons). Also discussed was paris Jackson's interview with Steve-O.
The main subject of this episode was the culture of stanning; the etymology of it as well as the difference between stanning and regular 'ol fandom. Are you a stan of something/someone? Let us know!
For questions, comments, etc. you can reach us here: musicandwejj@gmail.com
Monday Feb 20, 2023
Monday Feb 20, 2023
(RECORDED JANUARY 29, 2023) Music continues to simultaneously fascinate and confound us. jamilah is (positively) surprised at a few of jesse's favorite selections; There is also a discussion about an issue not addressed in mainstream discussions of music- colorism. People see these things as myths, but there are real-world examples (and real-world harm).For questions, comments, etc. you can reach us here: musicandwejj@gmail.com
We also have a Discord page! https://discord.gg/Ke3XyU8W
Monday Jan 23, 2023
Monday Jan 23, 2023
(RECORDED JANUARY 22, 2023) jesse and jamilah are back- and we no longer have to record episodes in different states, which of course makes things much easier. We spend our first (non remote) episode exploring the first two singles from the upcoming Metallica album, '72 Seasons'; jamilah also attempts to make sense of jesse's love of Sananda Maitreya, as jesse critiques Maitreya's various contradictions. We also discuss the subject of wearing t-shirts of bands you don't know, as well as an upcoming Michael Jackson documentary. For questions, comments, etc. you can reach us here: musicandwejj@gmail.com
If you struggling are in need of a voice to talk to, please call 988 (for the national number), or go to https://988lifeline.org/current-events/the-lifeline-and-988/
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
(RECORDED DECEMBER 21, 2021) Jesse and jamilah are very, very jetlagged in this episode, but we wanted to get our thoughts out about MTF (Metallica Turns Forty) before everything left our brains. After never having seen the band live (and just getting into them), Jesse can now say he has seen them twice, while jamilah has officially now seen them three times- the first being December 3, 1991. Jesse got to capture a bit of the essence of the 'Metallica Family' as well.
There was so much happening that weekend, we couldn't possibly cover it all. And being in the moment at the Chase Center, we couldn't possibly catch every detail. There might even be things we get mixed up or wrong here. We hope to watch any replays, so as to catch whatever nuances missed. Either way, it's all love here.
For a deeper explanation about the songs, albums and members, please listen to our previous episode.
For questions, comments, etc. you can reach us here: https://twitter.com/musicandwejj
and here: musicandwejj@gmail.com
Sunday Nov 28, 2021
Sunday Nov 28, 2021
(RECORDED NOVEMBER 26, 2021) It has been a very eventful couple of years since Jesse and jamilah were here! There was a particular event which affected the whole world (and continues to), Jesse wrote a book, and jamilah experienced a life-altering accident. For this episode though, we are switching it up! While we do talk a bit about Prince (and a tiny bit about MJ), our focus for this episode is on... METALLICA! They are getting some love over here. Preparing for the band's 40th anniversary events happening in December, Jesse and jamilah share how they came to know the band, any significant impact and connections made, album rankings, and what they hope to see at MTF.
For a more extensive conversation on some of what we've spoken about, here is a piece jamilah wrote: https://theonewomanapollo.wordpress.com/2021/08/30/a-eulogy-for-a-lost-limb-or-what-metallica-has-taught-me-about-death/
For information on Jesse's book: https://gesturebuttontherapy.com/2021/08/04/paradise-clarity/
For questions, comments, etc. you can reach us here: https://twitter.com/musicandwejj
and here: musicandwejj@gmail.com
Saturday Oct 05, 2019
Saturday Oct 05, 2019
(RECORDED SEPTEMBER 22, 2019) The authors of confusion have always been here. No longer 'hidden in plain site,' they are increasingly coming out of the shadows. Many figures posed as 'woke' are being hired to mislead the masses. There has even been a conversation about the term 'woke' on British television, co-facilitated by none other than Piers Morgan.
They say words evolve and constantly lose their original meanings, while intent still holds weight in the original. We must cease to hold on to 'wokeness' and learn to open our eyes, our brains and our consciousness to stay awake, for the authors of confusion still hide among the masses. To slightly take from Mr. Nelson, a huge part of us must die, in order to live. To take directly from Mr. Jackson, we have to stop existing and start living. These authors of confusion are counting on our fear of death, so that we may continue to hate true freedom, and only depend on an illusion of it.
Physical death (under a system of exploitation) brings world tours, holograms, package deals and fighting families. Ego death (under the same system) brings isolation and discouragement. 'Death' usually implies a transition of some sort; under a system of exploitation there is no consciousness, no karmic awareness. With no acknowledgement of karmic debt, it's easier to exploit one (financially or otherwise) who has physically transitioned. "Some say man ain't happy truly, until a man truly dies..." How one determines the meaning of death is how much one will define happiness.
Sign O' The Times.
Jesse and jamilah discuss how the 'authors of confusion' have come out to play out in various scenarios. Can we have a conversation about true liberation within a context of a system which does not acknowledge our humanity? And can we do it under the framework of 'cultural ambassadors' speaking for us?
Is there a way to honor cultural luminaries or beloved popular culture figures without stealing or not including their humanity (this also includes painting them in a 'perfect' light)?
Is there a way to honor a survivor's story (even if we do not agree with said story)? Does the image of a beloved figure always coincide with their actual actions? Do our perceptions of a beloved figure blind us from questioning the potentiality of them committing violence (even if only done once)? How do we question or hold one accountable without attacking their gender (or sex), mental condition or spiritual practice?
For questions, comments, etc. you can reach us here: https://twitter.com/musicandwejj
and here: musicandwejj@gmail.com
Tuesday Sep 17, 2019
Tuesday Sep 17, 2019
(RECORDED SEPTEMBER 15, 2019) This is a shorter episode; jamilah goes solo (Don't worry- Jesse hasn't gone anywhere, and he was okay with this episode going up)!!! jamilah wanted to take a little time out to focus on some news stories you may not have known. If you regularly listen to our podcast, you know we cover non-music/political news as well.
jamilah also speaks a bit about Leaving Neverland winning an Emmy award. If you listen regularly, we're sure you'll know where that conversation goes.
Though a solo episode, as usual, we hope the information presented was useful to you. Thanks for listening!
Ahjamu's blog: http://www.abetterworld.me/
For questions, comments, etc. you can reach us here: https://twitter.com/musicandwejj
and here: musicandwejj@gmail.com
Tuesday Sep 17, 2019
Tuesday Sep 17, 2019
(RECORDED SEPTEMBER 9, 2019) Obviously an extension of our last episode, Jesse and jamilah continue to look into the notion of the more recent wave of so-called 'edgy' (or even 'edgelord') comedy, and why it's being viewed as edgy... When it's ultimately a reflection of already socially acceptable mores. The majority of successful comedians are heterosexual, cisgender and/or white, and comedy is going to primarily reflect these cross-sections of experiences. There HAVE been comedians who hold privilege (be it physical, gender, ethnic or otherwise) and were able to successfully do comedy regarding marginalized groups... While the marginalized groups were NOT at the expense of the joke. This is possible to do, because it lends to pointing out societal absurdities or injustices.
Is 'edgy' comedy now a means of gaining a 'seat at the table'- especially if it is done by someone who historically (and in the present tense) has been marginalized? Is it a way to 'prove' you have now been accepted by dominant society? Is it a more nuanced, more socially accepted form of 'oppression olympics', while blaming others for doing the same? ('I as a Black man, am still out here getting shot in the streets; and you want ME to recognize TRANS women being murdered??!! You want me to acknowledge you as nonbinary??!! Stop it with this gay agenda!!!')
We also discuss a little more on 'cancel culture'; on Missy Elliot and Mary J. Blige (fortunately) not being appropriated; on Rapsody, women in hip hop and misogynoir; as well as the Jackson/DeBarge dynamic.
Thanks for listening!
Okayplayer piece on Rapsody: https://www.okayplayer.com/music/rapsody-eve-real-hip-hop-review.html
For questions, comments, etc. you can reach us here: https://twitter.com/musicandwejj
and here: musicandwejj@gmail.com
Wednesday Sep 11, 2019
Wednesday Sep 11, 2019
(RECORDED 1 SEPTEMBER 2019) Here's another overview of a seemingly 'controversial' visual work- 'Sticks and Stones'. While most people have defended Chapelle's work wholesale (because you know... It's comedy), there have been very few pieces (either critical or in defense) pointing to the nuances and consequences of 'controversial' comedy. Most responses have been reactionary. Jesse and jamilah dissect the full special (and its two epilogues- NOTE: MASSIVE SPOILERS).
Is it possible for comedy to be funny and not be at the expense of politically and socially marginalized groups of people? Is something truly 'controversial' when it's a reflection of already socially-accepted/mainstream ideas? In this context, is a view only valid when it's socially accepted by the majority? In the 'marketplace of ideas' (if you will), why are those who scream about advocating for 'free speech' ready to shut down any critique of specials such as 'Sticks and Stones' with cries to 'be less sensitive', or supposed pejoratives such as 'SJW' or 'PC'? Under a capitalistic framework, who truly has access to 'free speech'?
For questions, comments, etc. you can reach us here: https://twitter.com/musicandwejj
and here: musicandwejj@gmail.com