For our inaugural episode, we welcome Oriana Leckert and Matt Ruby. With the dawning of “free” four year college in New York State, we discuss the value of a college education, some of the particulars of the plan and who it may or may not benefit, and an alternative to college called MissionU. We also welcome Charles Hinshaw, a Senior Video Producer here at BTR, with his thoughts on the recently released movie, Colossal, directed by Nacho Vigalondo and starring Anne Hathaway, Jason Sudekis, and Dan Stevens. Along the way, we’ll also hear the story of Morticia, a woman who moved to New York to find acceptance she couldn’t find back home and we’ll hear from Molly Knefel’s take on Betsy DeVos and public education weeks into her tenure s US Education Secretary. Finally, we’ll hear a preview of an episode of BTR Live Studio for next week — “More Romantic,” by the band CLOSENESS.
Music composed and show edited by Hansdale Hsu.
The March edition of Spotlight on the City features bands and musicians from Birmingham, Alabama. | listen
Whether you're a metalhead or not, this NYC trio will have you wrapped up in its soothing dark thrashers. | read
Bartees Cox is a songwriter and producer who spent years playing in bands in Brooklyn before making the move to Washington, DC, where his solo project, Bartees Strange, took focus and grew - from an album of reinterpretations of The National’s music to his stunning full-length, genre-bending… | watch
Ben details his experience of contracting the coronavirus back in late February/early March of 2020, before lockdowns shut NYC down. He also shares how the city and local indie rock scene he’s a part of reacted to the pandemic. | watch
Aliah Sheffield is the singer/songwriter also known as Nikkie Aliah. Her song, “Earth is Ghetto,” recently went viral and she chatted with Nikkiesha about what led her to her viral moment, her musical inspirations, and what she hopes and plans to do next… oh, and tequila. This podcast is… | listen
The Helen Keller hoax possesses the toxicity of a traditional conspiracy theory even if it doesn't quite fit the definition. | read