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TWiT 133 with Jonathan Coulton and "Rock Bad"
Merlin Mann | Feb 25 2008
TWiT 133: Jonathan Coulton - Functional And Elegant
Here’s a free, direct MP3 download of TWiT 133. Man, I really loved this episode. Jonathan Coulton’s music and performances are inspiring in themselves, but as a fellow (albeit, much more modestly successful) “microbrand,” I have huge respect for how he runs the business of his career. (more after the jump, including why we were all on this episode together in the first place) Jonathan engages his audience actively (on- and off- stage) and he’s crafted an approach to making a career out of entertainment that is nothing short of disruptive. As I said in this episode, it’s my belief that in about 5 years, Jonathan (along with folks like Jane Siberry/Issa) will be seen as Patient Zero in the unravelling of a 90-year-old, sheet music-based business model that’s based on false scarcity and lawsuits rather than engagement and service. That said, Jonathan is also a terrifically talented writer and performer who knows how to scratch his audience’s itch. I’ll admit that one of the entertainment highlights of my year-to-date involved joining a roomful of ecstatic zombie nerds on Friday night for the singalong of “All we want to do is eat your brains!” Also, of passing note in this episode, at least to me: since our last visit, it appears JoCo is now not only a Mac nerd (12” PowerBook), but a sometime Inbox Zero practitioner, and a Kinkless fan. (gulp: we need to get him a license for OmniFocus). Welcome to the Mac family, Jonathan! So. If you haven’t yet had the “pleasure” of seeing why we all happened to be together on TWiT a couple days after it happened: here’s video of our group — which I’ve dubbed “Rock Bad” — failing at the soon-to-be-released Rock Band version of “Still Alive” (despite the yeoman’s work of Veronica Belmont):
But, you should hear me sing “Don’t Fear the Reaper” in Rock Band: I kill. Drums? Not so much. Jonathan’s music can be purchased for digital download from a variety of sources including Amazon.com (in DRM-free MP3s) and iTunes (DRM’d AACs). 6 Comments
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 For the record…Submitted by Andy Bates on February 25, 2008 - 3:05pm.
For the record: No, I was not wearing a bow tie, and no, I did not stand on my chair. The rest of it was pretty accurate, except the forum group was a bunch of people who bought single tickets, but didn’t have anyone to go with. I think there were maybe fourteen of us altogether. And yes, I missed volunteering during the show a year ago, but I think this last show more than made up for it. Great to watch you play drums, Merlin! Your expressions were priceless! »
 Re: For the record…Submitted by Merlin Mann on February 25, 2008 - 4:02pm.
Andy, man. When I saw you up there, my heart soared! I was like, “Hey! I totally know that guy!” You were awesome, man — bow tie or not. That whole room envied your mad skillz. »
 Microbrand?Submitted by wood.tang on February 25, 2008 - 8:02pm.
Is a microbrand anything like a microbrew? Because I often find those filling and a little too hoppy. »
 music plugSubmitted by michaelb1 on February 26, 2008 - 10:02pm.
GTD list: Item 1: Extract myself from JoCo’s rectum. »
 Can't download The Merlin Show 002 (interview, part 1)Submitted by yacitus on February 28, 2008 - 4:52pm.
This was one of my favorite TWIT episodes. Listening to it led me to listen to all the JoCo music I could find, and when I had my fill I wanted to watch The Merlin Show interviews again. Part 1 (002) won't finish downloading on iTunes, so I went directly to http://www.themerlinshow.com/ep/002-interview-jonathan-coulton and downloaded it there. But when I open the .mp4 file, I get "An invalid public movie atom was found in the movie." »
Ditto non-playing JoCo Merlin Show interviewSubmitted by amandafrench on March 2, 2008 - 9:43am.
I too have tried to play Part 1 (002) of the JoCo interview on the Merlin Mann show, and I can only get about 1/3 of the way through (viewing in Firefox). »
About Merlin MannBio Merlin Mann is an independent writer, speaker, and broadcaster. He’s best known for being the guy who started the website you’re reading right now. He lives in San Francisco, does lots of public speaking, and helps make cool things like You Look Nice Today. Also? He looks like this, answers questions, and has something like a life. Merlin’s favorite thing he’s written recently is a short essay called, “Better.” |
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Inbox ZeroThe original 43 Folders series looking at the skills, tools, and attitude needed to empty your email inbox — and then keep it that way. Don’t miss the free video of Merlin’s Inbox Zero presentation. Making Time3-part series on attention management for artists and makers. Read Bad Correspondence, The Job You Think You Have, and One Clear Line. |
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