In this end of the year series, Ears to Feed spoke with some of our favorite artists and bands to see what bands, albums, films, shows, and any other forms of art or activities have helped them to cope through this truly trying year.
In this edition, we spoke with Michael Berdan of Brooklyn’s very own noise-rock heroes Uniform. The trio released their fourth full-length, Shame, back in September via Sacred Bones and it’s remained a go-to listen for releasing any of that world-has-gone-to-shit pent up aggression you may be feeling these days.
As always, the band has found the perfect cross-section between cross-over hardcore and pummeling industrial soundwashes that works like pins through a jean jacket. Forget buying a white noise machine to cancel out your surroundings. Put on some headphones, take a walk, and crank up “Life in Remission”.
Check out Michael’s picks and stream Shame by Uniform below:
1. Engaging with current music
It is a shit time for everyone, but independent musicians and labels have been hit particularly hard. For this reason among others, I’ve stopped using streaming services altogether in favor of purchasing music from Bandcamp, distros, and record stores. Unexpectedly, this action has created a renewed spiritual connection to the music I consume. The fact is I care more about something when I pay for it. Streaming services are built to keep you constantly flipping around, which keeps you from forming a bond of significance with music (say nothing of their predatory attitude towards actually paying musicians). I haven’t been to a show since March, yet I feel more engaged with my scene than I have in years. I owe that to buying records.
2. The physical act of making music
I get very restless very easily. A lack of productivity is terrible for my mental health. Fortunately, I have a small recording setup in my apartment. It’s just a couple of synths and a laptop, which is more than enough for my purposes. I spend most days sitting at a small table and tinkering away at whatever idea pops into my head. I’ve learned more about my instruments and the way I approach music during this pandemic than I’d ever imagined beforehand. It has kept me sane.
3. Walking the dog
A great thing about not being on the road for the bulk of a year has been getting to spend all of this extra time with my family. It’s really been wonderful. My partner and I have this cute old dog named Lou. He and I have always been close, but now we’re inseparable. Me and Lou spend a good amount of time in the morning and early evening every day just walking around the neighborhood and experiencing the outside world. I need it just as much as he does.
4. Television
I’ve caught up on so much tv these past few months it’s unreal! Cool thing is that I’ve barely scratched the surface when it comes to all the shit I wanna watch. TV is infinite. You are never lonely with TV. I’ll take TV over actual face to face human interaction any day. It will never get old. I love TV.
5. Movies
Remember what I said about tv? Same thing applies to movies. A bunch of crazy Twitch channels have popped up since the beginning of the pandemic that run the gamut from high brow to smut (sometimes they are one and the same, but that’s for a different rant). This shit keeps me straight up occupied! I will never get bored! Ever!
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