Lurk Mode

In the mid 90s, I "performed" in a "talent show" at Chapel Hill High School. After an embarrassing debacle involving myself, a cassette single of "Shook Ones, Part II [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoYZf-lBF_U]" and some awkward freestyles, a tall man with dangling dreadlocks took the stage. In a deep baritone, he spoke into a microphone and said the words that would haunt me for years to come: "What's up, Chapel Hill?" By the end of the decade we would come to be good friends and in 2021 he visited my studio and made me coffee from his own signature roast as we recorded a podcast. Lem Butler [https://www.instagram.com/lembutler/?hl=en] has done a lot [https://sprudge.com/us-barista-champion-lem-butler-the-sprudge-interview-98810.html]. Type his name into YouTube and a variety of videos come up, all related to his involvement in the coffee industry. Product unboxings and reviews, footage of him competing in the World Barista Championships [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBTZdrzj4_Q&t=642s], interviews on shows and podcasts (none of which are as cool as this one). But if you lived in the Triangle [https://chapelhillneighborhoods.com/what-is-the-triangle-in-nc/] in the 00s, you most certainly knew (or at least recognized) the big-haired man with the glassy eyes behind his spectacles. He was DJ Pez, and he was spinning in the nightclub that you threw up your Long Island Iced Tea in. And at the one that you were scared to go to. And cutting records at the hip hop show where you were nodding your head till your neck was sore after smoking a blunt in the parking lot. But somewhere along the way, a random job that wasn't supposed to last more than a year would ignite a spark that turned in a passion, a lifestyle, and a career. Lem has since traveled the world as a coffee competitor and educator. Plus he's been known to DJ an industry party or two. He now owns his own curated coffee experience in Black & White Coffee Roasters [https://www.blackwhiteroasters.com]. (Y'all KNOW I don't like flowery words like "curated" but I didn't know how else to put it.) Yes, you can buy coffee from him. While this intro may be serious, this episode is not LOLOLOL. We explore what it means to go from beats to beans* all whilst sipping fresh-squeezed B&W brew and burning one. Pez is a natural storyteller and his voice is a soothing balm to your chapped ears. We bounce from North Carolina to Ethiopia to Amsterdam to Colombia ... it's a wild ride. Meet me for coffee and a cigarette afterward. See you soon. Featuring "Worldwide [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkSKTEVQPPw]" by Tyfu and additional music by Juan Huevos. Shout out Prince [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9tEvfIsDyo], The Time [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2FPQvwhSDY], MA$E [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUhRKVIjJtw], David Lynch [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12QQV3lyYj0&t=94s], and The Pharcyde [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pharcyde]. --------------- Theme Song by Cheers For Fears (Boy In Sleep [https://boyinsleep.bandcamp.com/] and Kent Hernandez [https://www.instagram.com/kentigram/?hl=en]) Artwork by Chris Musina [https://nomasters.net/] If you need podcast services from story development to recording to editing to publishing, Sparse Mansion Media can help. Contact Jon Gregory at sparsemansionmediaLLC@gmail.com for inquiries. *intentional rhyme

Ah yes. In the words of Staind [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=araU0fZj6oQ], "It's been awhile." But I am thrilled to be back with my favorite Ratfluencer from the UK, Lily from Lily's Rat Club [https://linktr.ee/lilys.rat.club]! I can't stress enough how much I love her rat content, because hey, I think rats kick ass. And if you are sitting there thinking I'm crazy, then this is definitely the podcast for you. Lily and I break down why we think rats are cool and lace this podcast with numerous rat facts that will have you re-thinking your position on "sexy slugs" and "serotonin potatoes™". In typical fashion I make some mistakes, like referring to Mrs. Brisby (aka Mrs. Frisby) and her son from The Secret Of NIMH [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cISmv0IGoQQ] as rats, even though they are mice. But there are hella rats in that one so I don't feel too too bad. I also wish I had all the time in the world because I have been on a huge TLC [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TLC_(group)] kick lately (the group, not the channel) and I would totally make a parody of Hat 2 da Back [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPeZfP9TXmY] and call it "Rats and a Cat" ... my dream pet situation that will probably never happen. But for real, that first TLC album [https://open.spotify.com/album/19lVMS3ZOoJi5CdRKvoOiP] is 🔥🔥🔥. RIP Left Eye and Chilli PLEASE CALL ME, I DON'T CARE THAT YOU'RE 50. Also RIP Sid The Rat [https://www.instagram.com/sid_the_rat_/], a very handsome boy whose Insta account led me to Lily's Rat Club. Music sampled in this episode: High Marks (Instrumental) - Living Dead Electric Boogie (The Electric Slide) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jBkoEM0SSE] - Marcia Griffiths Bullet With Butterfly Wings [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-r-V0uK4u0] - Smashing Pumpkins I Think I Smell A Rat [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kfx80H3N1g] - White Stripes Girls in the Hood [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMIycbTSPH8] - Megan Thee Stallion Step On [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFBQ0PH5rM4] - Happy Mondays Ben [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g40WCBaUXR4] - Michael Jackson Under My Bed = Vermin - Living Dead Follow J Waves here [https://www.instagram.com/officialjwaves/]. And be sure to check out Sparse Mansion Media's other podcasts: Bachelor Massacre [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bachelor-massacre/id1553088185] Coronatose™ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coronatose/id1503611620] -------------------- Theme Song by Cheers For Fears (Boy In Sleep [https://boyinsleep.bandcamp.com/] and Kent Hernandez [https://www.instagram.com/kentigram/?hl=en]) Artwork by Chris Musina [https://nomasters.net/]

Whitney Dane is a personal chef based in a rural town outside Chapel Hill, North Carolina and a good friend of mine. Though she was born in Manteo, part of our beautiful Outer Banks (like the TV show [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC68w9tvv6I], only real), she found herself living in South Pasadena, California at young age where she became best friends with an actress by the name of Nicholle Tom [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholle_Tom]. (You may know her from such films as Beethoven [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ki8wHMR-yOI] and Beethoven's 2nd [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNQviC-Z_EM] and shows like The Nanny [https://thenanny.fandom.com/wiki/Maggie_Sheffield] but I prefer to think of her as the the invigorating but troubled Sue Scanlon [https://90210.fandom.com/wiki/Sue_Scanlon] on the OG Beverly Hills, 90210 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverly_Hills,_90210].) As you can imagine, shit got crazy as the bffs grew up and tore through Tinseltown. When Nicholle decides to buy her first house, a chance meeting with a sketchy female contractor results in a gutted house for Nicholle and (supposedly) nothing but good times for Whitney. The whole experience would prove to be traumatic for Nicholle and end with lost money, a damaged friendship, and a possible arrest. In May of 2017, Nicholle went on the podcast Worst Ever Podcast [https://podbay.fm/p/worst-ever-podcast-with-christine-and-alaa/e/1494561600] and told her version of the events. But as with all stories, there is more than one side. And mayyyyyyybe, just maybe, some of Nicholle's details were off. Or were they? Whitney seems to think so. So I said IT WAS TIME TO CLAP BACK. Right here on Lurk Mode. (Editor's Note: on the show I refer to the podcast as Worst Podcast Ever which is totally wrong and totally changes the vibe and for that I am truly sorry. Bad journalism on my part, I am not allowed to play video games for 2 weeks.) Whitney and I talk about the good ol' days and then we break this crazy ass journey on down. Over the course of the episode I realize that Whitney is more than just a Z-list celebrity: she's at least W-list. Maybe V-list? Anyway, she got some stories. So many I had to edit most of them out but at least you'll get to hear her talk about referencing "cum gum" with one of the Mowry [https://www.today.com/popculture/tia-tamera-mowry-haven-t-seen-each-other-6-months-t194001] twins. Cum gum? Oh shit ... Freshen Up [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unZ5QTvivrs]! You got to be of a certain age to remember that shit. Follow Whitney Dane here [https://www.instagram.com/chefwhitneydane/?hl=en]. Check out some hilarious modern content from Nicholle Tom here [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCheL18pzgtDhgDHTB_oXlYA]. Check out the 90210 recap podcast Again With This here [https://www.againwiththis90210.com]. Follow J Waves here [https://www.instagram.com/officialjwaves/]. And be sure to check out Sparse Mansion Media's other podcasts: Bachelor Massacre [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bachelor-massacre/id1553088185] Coronatose™ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coronatose/id1503611620] -------------------- Theme Song by Cheers For Fears (Boy In Sleep [https://boyinsleep.bandcamp.com/] and Kent Hernandez [https://www.instagram.com/kentigram/?hl=en]) Artwork by Chris Musina [https://nomasters.net/]

Eric Steuer is who I strive to be. A lifetime hip hop artist, podcast host [https://www.instagram.com/mandysays/], writer, husband & father, beekeeper, race car driver, cyclops, and all around cool dude*. I knew him back in the Meanest Man Contest [https://www.gold-robot.com/artists/meanest-man-contest/] days but his rap career has never dwindled - from Not the 1s [https://notthe1s.bandcamp.com] to Dos Feeliz [https://dosfeeliz.bandcamp.com] my dude has stayed active. But besides just hip hop we have a lot of mutual interests from the OG Beverly Hills, 90210 to being Rappers Who Run™. It's these commonalities that influenced my decision to have him as my first official guest on Lurk Mode. In the first half of this ep we cover his collaboration with RiFF RAFF [https://planetriffraff.com], interviewing Michael Shannon [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dngOH9G4UPw], the stoned af drops I recorded for a podcast he did in 2009 [https://xlr8r.com/podcasts/meanest-man-contest-s-category-killer-selection/], and my 90210 fan fiction. Then we go deeper than Deep Blue Sea [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSz9MDN-iac] on some 90s Rap trivia. Like, y'all - I went OFF on this shit. It is a frfr longform quizzy ass quiz. So get ready to flex your knowledge or just soak up some game to impress people next time you're at a party and your girlfriend asks you in front of everyone what your favorite Lord Finesse [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCjUvvXHXVw] line is. Normally I like to list all the songs I use in podcasts (not just because I feel like I will be less likely to get shut down if I give credit) but I'm worried that it would spoil the trivia, so I'm just going to link up the tracks related to Eric that we use. Feel free to hit me up if you want to know more about any of the music featured in the quiz. "RAP GAME DONUT SPRiNKLES [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiuGIYJXIow]" - RiFF RAFF & Not the 1s "Broke Down Adhesives [https://dosfeeliz.bandcamp.com/album/broke-down-adhesives-feat-open-mike-eagle]" Dos Feeliz feat. Open Mike Eagle Be sure to check out our boy Debmaster [https://debmaster.bandcamp.com]'s collab [https://hakunakulala.bandcamp.com/album/kubali] with MC Yallah [https://hakunakulala.bandcamp.com], it's amazing! Shout out Lil Debbie [https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/] 😍 *some of these are embellishments --------------- Theme Song by Cheers For Fears (Boy In Sleep [https://boyinsleep.bandcamp.com/] and Kent Hernandez [https://www.instagram.com/kentigram/?hl=en]) Artwork by Chris Musina [https://nomasters.net/]

It's finally here. My "Chinese Democracy". My "Detox". My "The Queen's Gambit". What can I say? Like many a podcast with a twitchy host, this podcast is a gateway into my mind and the things that I like. Rap. Shoes. Television. I don't want to spend forever talking about it because hopefully we'll be growing together. I will say that if you have fucked with any of my projects over the years, from music to podcasts and everything in between, you will probably enjoy the ride. If you have no idea who I am and could care less, hopefully you will be drawn in by the strength of my guests. I don't want to act like this podcast will be about any one thing or will even follow some kind of format. But for now, if you're a #hiphophead, wannabe #hypebeast, #filmdork, or just like sipping your drink in the corner and staring at fools, this podcast is for you. I'll be interviewing  people from the music and film industries and the (f)art world and and doing my own hot takes on pop culture ... like Das EFX [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PU22-fsGA0] without all the "iggedy"s. No topic is off the table, but expect more conversations about "The Bachelorette [https://www.etonline.com/becca-kufrin-reflects-on-having-her-heart-broken-after-garrett-yrigoyen-split-158482]" than politics or office jobs. (Or "The Office" for that matter. Never seen a single episode. Don't @ me.) Our first proper show with hip hop artist and podcast host Eric Steuer will be dropping shortly. Peep his LinkedIn page [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steuer/], shit is off the fuggin hook bruh!! -------------------- Theme Song by Cheers For Fears (Boy In Sleep [https://boyinsleep.bandcamp.com] and Kent Hernandez [https://www.instagram.com/kentigram/?hl=en]) Artwork by Chris Musina [https://nomasters.net] In order to not get sued (I probably will anyway) and because I love all the music I use in these podcasts, here is every jam I sampled in order of appearance: "L A S M [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Dh2CbOwpIg]" - Black Sheep "Risin' To The Top [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ieevQ9RrDc]" - Keni Burke "Take It Personal [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLIoldHh53Q]" - Gang Starr "Shoes [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HjIljJd-o0]" - Kelly "Beverly Hills, 90210 Theme [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDOrOMuo-9o]" - John E. Davis "Make It Clap [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfy9MvMnyCg]" - Busta Rhymes & Sean Paul "Pull Up [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvNZA2fPSks]" - Mulatto "Broke Down Adhesives [https://dosfeeliz.bandcamp.com/album/broke-down-adhesives-feat-open-mike-eagle]" - Dos Feeliz "and you won't be alone [https://getcrevlabs.bandcamp.com]" - Giovanni Marks