Episode Transcript
[00:00:13] Speaker A: We get Spotlight with BJ Swinghammer.
Is that his real name? Yes, it is.
[00:00:23] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:00:25] Speaker A: We get Spotlight with BJ Swinghammer.
Is that his real name? Yes, it is.
[00:00:35] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:00:37] Speaker A: DJ Weekend Spotlight.
[00:00:44] Speaker C: Hey, what is going on, everybody?
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening. Whenever you're listening to this, welcome to another episode of Unsigned 518's Weekend Spotlight. I'm your host, BJ Schwinghammer, and yes, that is my real name.
You know, we gotta go, you know, because remember last week was not quite a dead week, but it really wasn't all that thriving.
So I did a lot of extra music and stuff like that and it was a lot of fun. This week is the polar opposite. There's plenty going on. There's plenty going on and there's plenty of information I'm gonna throw at you. Yeah. And we're just gonna go like right into like one of my favorite things. So I don't know if you've heard of the Nightmare Market and Expo that's going on at Proctors on Saturday, but by now you should have. Andy's been talking all about it.
It's gonna be amazing, you know, because when those happen, they're always amazing anyways. But on top of that, Andy is gonna be on the main stage, front and center, interviewing true crime legend Stephanie Harlow.
So on top of everything else that's going on, this amazing thing is gonna be happening on the main stage.
And I'm really excited for Andy, I'm really excited for Stephanie Harlow for getting interviewed because Andy's fucking awesome at it.
So just keep that in mind. Alright? I can't remember what time it starts, but it's gonna be, it's probably gonna be a big like all day thing if, as far as more details, you know, and he's been talking about it. Have you not heard his podcast? You should, you should listen to it. You fools. You foolish, foolish friggin people.
Actually, I'd be genuinely surprised if you're listening to this and not Andy's. That would be. That'd be jackassery.
Don't take offense.
So, yeah, definitely make sure you make it down to the Nightmare Market slash Expo at Proctors on Saturday. It's gonna be absolutely amazing.
And you know, you might see me there. Who knows? Stranger things have happened and will continue to happen, especially these days.
That being said, moving on to Schwinghammer's pick of the week. This one is a little more information based because this is gonna be. This is the whole thing.
You've got a new single that has been released. It's actually part of a greater album, but it's unreleased until the end of the month.
So this is Mr. Pig with milkshake Godfather.
And you know, to quote Milkshake Godfather, the goal of this project was to make 16 songs that all featured another guest rapper trading verses with Mr. Pigs. All artists on this project are from the capital district, except for two, who have close ties to the 518.
So this is. This is not just now this is a project. This is a huge, huge thing. And I have not had the chance, unfortunately, to listen to the entire album, but I have listened to one track. And if this is an indicator of how well done and well produced that this album is going to be, it's a.
It's. It's. It's goddamn impressive.
So this is the name of the album is Trust the Process. And I'm sure a lot of people were approached being like, you gotta trust the process because this is gonna happen and it's gonna be amazing. And from what I can tell, they were absolutely right. So while we're gonna get into this, let's start off by actually listening to the song. So this is Mr. Pigs with Milkshake Godfather. And this is Blessings, featuring Sev Static.
[00:04:25] Speaker D: Hey yo the student now the teacher said he blasted through the speaker had to hit the homie 7 kindly asking for feature we like some preachers know the message always deeper when I step back from the mic Lyrics tight and it's a keeper might be the sleeper to some but I'm the one who puts the parties together when you out and having fun so come experience the vibe you're hype when hearing it the finish line is almost here I feel we nearing it the fear of it not being special I ain't having that the streets of college is the creature from my habitat Some have my back and I appreciate them Looking out always of the city but it's time that I stop booking routes go take it on the road different area codes, other perspective it sucks to bury your bros My flows remain consistent out of commitment you see me setting up and breaking.
[00:05:11] Speaker B: Down equipment huh I see it's like.
[00:05:18] Speaker E: Peace to pigs pushing out quality Keep the heart pumping strong we the arteries it's the body of light, the body of Christ to recognize who would do the stake it bodied on mike so no mercy metaphors left in shambles picking up broken pieces all that's left is handfuls get your own I see the plate you took a seat at best believer Both the table that you eat at keep the feedback the grand architect Stone cutter the dead Rise of Lazarus Lando lakes keep the flow butter Brick by brick Destroyed and rebuild Ate him up to pull a knob Born twice to kill Knowledge gone When I step into the spot this is my world for the moment and we just don't stop I stand firm 10 toes down slow burn Transformed in the fire where the light returns indeed.
[00:06:09] Speaker C: All right, that was Blessings featuring sev static from Mr. Pigs with milkshake, Godfather off the yet unreleased album Trust the Process, which is due out later this month.
And if you would like to get really in on it, there is. And it's probably gonna. The spots are probably gonna fill up really quick. I'm sure it's gonna be goddamn mobbed. You've got a listening party on the 24th of this month at 8pm at Foster House Studios. That's at A10 Broadway in Rensselaer, above stage one dispensary. So just in case you're lacking any ammunition, you know, for the listing party, that kind of takes care of the whole thing right there. So I can't even imagine how incredible that listing part is gonna be. So if you were able to make it to Farstell House Studios and Rensselaer, I highly recommend it. It sounds like it's gonna be a goddamn blast.
And yeah, so you just heard the song, so you know it's coming. It's gonna be fucking great.
So keep that in mind. You should probably go. We should all just probably go.
And as far as going places, so.
So we got the pick of the week. It's incredible. But don't forget that tonight, no fun, Troy. No fun. You know, no fun is always steady. They. They're open just about every goddamn day of the week. And there was always something amazing going on there. And tonight's not gonna be any different. So at 7pm you've got worm Circus, Roblox, Tycoon, Daisy Chain, and When we Dance.
And I wasn't. I'm not too familiar with the bands, unfortunately, but I'm sure I'll get there.
So I decided to just kind of delve into Worm Circus. And there was a song on there called Smothered off their self titled album.
And I. I listened to it and it was fucking great. And I'm like, all right, well, this is. This is like. It was an easy one. So right off the bat, I got a winner from Worm Circus. I think you're really going to enjoy it. Reminds me of a song that I would have heard back at the QE2 in the 90s during like a death metal or hardcore show. It's actually.
I was very much at home listening to this and it's a really well done song.
So without further ado, this is worm circus and the song is called smothered.
[00:08:54] Speaker B: So I'll make you sway Sway for them.
Wash your blood and sway I'll let it all my bones crush all your jagged edges and melt them between my teeth Makes them worth my spend a tail is a malleable place I'll catch all my children the same of your body so waste and I live Anyways, how does it taste?
Why? Eternal freedom.
This case just for you While you let your dis me don't let it change your you.
So watch your blood, sweat, oil my blows crush all your and they'll end between my taste it makes them with my sp until it's a malleable past the taste of my children and fade up your body so waste and I lay any was oh how does it taste?
Tell me how does it taste?
I wanna know how it tastes.
What a beautiful scene it's so horribly.
[00:11:22] Speaker A: Inhumane.
[00:11:25] Speaker B: What a beautiful scene so you do me do you think you deserve this?
Like what you hear for now all that remains is a p I stand in As I walked away d As I did I saw this right by terrifying my outdone now all that remains is a battle I standing l I wonder.
[00:12:16] Speaker C: All right, that was smothered from worm circus off their self titled album from last year.
And you're welcome because that song is fucking great and I love it so much. You know what? Rewind this. Listen to it twice. Go ahead. Just do it.
[00:12:30] Speaker B: All right.
[00:12:31] Speaker C: Have you listened to it? All right, well done.
Sunday. We're skipping over Saturday because Saturday's got, you know, the nightmare market, so nothing else exists on the planet ever.
So Sunday at the tannery pond center in North Creek at 3pm You've got eerie. And you know, I love Erie.
Erie's an incredible fucking band with an incredible team behind.
Behind that sound.
Everyone's a fucking great person and I love them so much.
And you know what? They put out this, the album, the highs, the lows and everything in between in 2024. And I'm still listening to it. And because this is. I'm gonna. I guess. I guess I'm gonna make this part a little bit about me. Because I love him so much, I decided to go to go to one of my favorite songs.
So this is legacy act featuring Sidney worthless.
[00:13:28] Speaker A: Don't wanna be your legacy act. The Thorn in your crown or throne don't wanna be your thirst trap love on the phone I wasn't made to be a lonely rolling stone don't want to be your legacy act the thorn in your crown or throne One day I'll wait to find a clue.
[00:14:01] Speaker B: Of.
[00:14:02] Speaker A: A fading life a distant set of.
[00:14:05] Speaker B: Truth.
[00:14:09] Speaker A: I owe a lot a light to you I'd otherwise be a dozen shades of blue don't want to be your legacy at the thorn in your crown or throne don't want to be a thirst trap lover you track down on the phone I wasn't made to be a gun or a ro.
Don't want to be your legacy at thorn in your crown or throne.
[00:14:48] Speaker B: One.
[00:14:49] Speaker A: Day I'll wait to find the proof that my love was once both special and brand new.
[00:15:01] Speaker B: A whole lot of.
[00:15:03] Speaker A: Life for you yeah, you ran for me when I needed to bloom.
Don't want to be your legacy at the thorn in your crown a throne don't want to be your thirst trap lover you track down on the phone I wasn't made to be this broken and exposed don't want to be your legacy act the thorn in your crown or throne don't want to be your legacy act a thorn in your crown or throne.
[00:16:15] Speaker C: All right, that was Legacy act featuring Sydney Worthy. And, you know, I'm sure you've heard that song like a million, billion times, and you're gonna hear a million billion more because it's such a good goddamn song. But I just. I. I had to do it, so I did it. The whole. The whole album is great, and Legacy act is certainly in, like, my top five on that album. That just. It just blows me the away.
So, yeah, the highs, the lows, and everything in between. If you somehow haven't heard this record yet.
Sorry, dude. Jesus Christ. That's what I get for throwing ice cream on it.
If you haven't had a chance to listen to this album, you should just get right on it. And now I'm not gonna be like, ooh, just pause thing. No, no, just after the. After the episode.
You know, find it, listen to it. It's all over every kind of streaming platform that you can, that you can think about. Or better yet, just reach out to them and grab one of the albums and actually give them money because they goddamn deserve it because they put so much into their music. Anyways, Anyways.
And going into one of my favorite segments ever is catching up with our band show.
Our band show, of course, just takes the people that you love to see are the people that you haven't had a chance to see it. And it gives them the rockstar act, whether they're in the studio and just making them sound so friggin smooth or you know, you get them on stage on the videos and just making them and just giving them the treatment they deserve. You know, it's making them seem like they are the fucking rock stars that they are.
So that is our band show. So we like to catch up with them every week and this week they're actually around sometimes they're not, most times they are. So guys, what is going on this week with our band show?
[00:17:54] Speaker F: Thank you BJ and welcome in to our band show. Patrick W. Huber here, producer and director of an amazing team of recording artists that aims to film musicians in the Hudson Valley area and beyond. Even though we're another week into the new year, I'm still shaking off the party vibes of bringing in that new year. There is only one band that I can think of that's performed on the band show that is instinctively connected to this feeling and that is the Sugar Hold. They stick out in mind because of their shirts that say I've partied with the Sugar hold and the catchphrase, nobody has more fun than the Sugar Hold.
I tend to believe them. They truly don't have an agenda other than to have a good time. They're pure rock and roll. I'm also pretty sure this audience knows them pretty well. You all can confirm it when the bio says the Sugar Hole strives to promote the good times and feelings that make their music so enjoyable. When they were on the show, they reminded us of the fun loving, positive energy that their band is all about.
[00:18:55] Speaker G: Because it just feels like you guys have been playing together for such a long time. It's actually pretty. I mean, I've been in bands too my whole life and the chemistry takes a little while. I mean, I feel like it must have happened pretty quickly.
[00:19:07] Speaker H: But you guys tell me, yeah, we have fun together. Nobody has more fun than the Sugar hold. And that's, that's what we do whenever we get together. That's what we like to do. It was funny when we were in our pre show meeting, you guys asked like, what do you guys like to do together outside the band? It's like, no, we like to play music together. That's what we, that's how we have fun.
[00:19:26] Speaker C: Sometimes we play disc golf.
[00:19:28] Speaker H: Actually we did say that in the pre show. We said that in the meeting. Jesse said some of the guys play disc golf. We do like disc golf.
[00:19:33] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:19:33] Speaker G: Nice. I have no idea how that game works, but you know what I do get a sense of is the chemistry and the friendship. You guys said something that I thought was really nice, really sweet. No pun intended.
You guys buy each other birthday gifts. That's so nice. You guys genuinely care.
[00:19:48] Speaker H: Oh yeah, we do. Excellent. Birthday gifts.
Was it our old drummer? We got a samurai sword one time.
[00:19:59] Speaker G: That's cool. So the budget is fairly.
It's just get a good gift. We're not worrying about the cost here.
[00:20:04] Speaker H: No, it comes from the band fund.
[00:20:06] Speaker G: Band fund?
[00:20:07] Speaker C: Yeah, whatever's left over from the wardrobe expenses.
We got me a Tesla this year. What's that?
[00:20:14] Speaker F: They got me a Tesla.
[00:20:17] Speaker H: One time. Actually, it was before Jesse was in the band, but we got Matt a giant stuffed bass and Jesse worked at a local music store. So we went and grabbed a offender base like box and so we gave it to him, the bass in the box. And then he opened up and we're like, oh, brand new.
[00:20:36] Speaker G: The bass in the box is my favorite. Dr. Seuss.
[00:20:39] Speaker H: There you go.
[00:20:39] Speaker F: Anyway, party's just beginning, boys. The Sugar hold has one song that I deeply feel fits the mood of this weekend as we look ahead into 2026. That is why this week's spotlight is Walk of Shame performed by the Sugar Hole and recorded live on our band.
[00:21:13] Speaker I: Waking up beside you.
[00:21:18] Speaker C: I could just.
[00:21:19] Speaker A: Run and hide but even if your name escapes me I'd still stay here to save me.
On the rock Ashamed.
[00:21:39] Speaker I: On the wall.
[00:21:40] Speaker C: The shame.
[00:21:44] Speaker A: On the wall ashamed.
The shame.
You try to avoid serving coffee.
[00:22:02] Speaker D: I.
[00:22:02] Speaker I: Don'T want a roommate to see Ghost.
[00:22:08] Speaker A: Stone empty shovel walking out like the devil.
On the rock Ashaming.
[00:22:23] Speaker I: On the wall.
[00:22:25] Speaker A: The shame on the wall the sh.
[00:23:03] Speaker B: Sam.
The same.
[00:24:13] Speaker A: Oh man.
[00:24:14] Speaker F: Another amazing performance.
I hope you'll check out all the full videos of this week's spotlighted artist on our YouTube channel. And check out some clips from all our past guests on the Instagram, both at our band show.
Also, for a catalog of all our sessions, check out our website, our banjo.com.
anyway, that's all the music I had to share with you this week. Bj, back to you.
[00:24:44] Speaker C: Alright, thanks a lot, man. I really appreciate it. See, was I wrong? I'm never wrong, especially when it comes to our banjo. They are consistently great. Anyways, and don't forget, you can find them on Facebook, Instagram, ourbandshow.com I of course like YouTube because everything is just right there, front and center and you get to see exactly what they're doing and what they've done, and it's a lot of fun. You can actually lose a good chunk of time just going through everything they've put on YouTube. So have fun with that. And I'm kind of. I'm sorry, because you're just gonna. You're just gonna be like, oh, my God, it's been a day.
And you think I'm joking, but I'm not.
And now it's on to Metroland. Now the Metroland, because it's the Metroland, and the Metro is incredible.
And, you know, every week I do the hot singles in your area, which at the old Metroland was like a single section. You can actually look up like people looking for love.
But TJ Foster of Erie decided to take that and flip it around and turn into singles of music. This week's hot single in your area is Frank McGinnis.
And this is the new single that just came out out the Entertainer.
And it's a really nice way I. I enjoy this song. And I picked this song to give you just a really nice, smooth, easy exit out of the episode. This is one of those songs. It's just a really nice song. Like, if you're in your car, you're gonna be, you know, tapping the steering wheel. You're gonna be, you know, maybe doing a little dance with one of your feet. It's a really nice song, and I think it's a great way to end the music of this episode.
So here we go. Frank McGinnis, the entertainer.
[00:26:32] Speaker I: A boy walks into a gas station while his father holds the door?
A table of working class neighbors shout, Dancing through their grins once more he pours a cup of coffee and addresses his congregation?
They beam and laugh with him as he spins an adept oration.
So the next day in the schoolyard? The kid draws in a crowd for the very first time? He straightens his spine as his voice says clear and loud?
Let me tell you a story?
So I can see if your eyes are twinkling?
Let me tell you a story? Cause I sure would like to get your forehead sprinkling?
Then when I grow up maybe you'll cheer out my name when I walk in.
A girl takes his hand at the high school dance? So to pull him in for a slow song? He holds up a finger and continues to linger as his tale goes on and on?
She marches out the door of the auditorium?
He chases after her but she sat? I don't think I can be the one?
You're a sweet boy and I fell for you But I think you need some time to figure out how to just be true as the guy you are without the applause sign he stood there unsure how to make her stay Till he felt himself say Let me tell you a story so then you'll see that I'm worth being smitten with. Let me tell you a story.
Maybe I can spell buying you and you're sticking with me. But she gently kissed his cheek and said I hope you figure out this is new, you gotta be.
20 years passed and he feels his grasp getting looser by the day.
His friends settled down and they moved out of town so he feared his audience was fading away.
Now he can't help himself from getting his fix from a willing ear and he can't seem to catch himself hogging the air in the room. Desperate for someone to hear all about the character that he tells himself he is.
Even though he feels feels ashamed of the instincts that are his he rambles on Let me tell you a story because hell, I don't know how else to feel special.
Let me tell you a story Or I just might sink into an empty wishing well Echoing all my deepest fears to nobody but my sad self In a cautionary dream he was 80 years old or so it seemed. In a park bench under a spring blue sky he was waving and flagging down the passersby. Cause there's nobody left to dazzle, Nobody left to charm Nobody left to entertain. As he mumbles a lonely yarn.
Let me tell you a story about an old man with the wrong goal. All his days tried to hard to convince the world he was worth a damn when nobody said he ain't. Now he sits here wondering if he exists yet nobody's listening.
He's still searching for a friend that's always been there inside of him I'm still waiting for someone to cheer my name when I walk in.
[00:30:49] Speaker C: All right, that was the Entertainer. That's a new single from Frank McGinnis.
And yeah, that ends the. The music portion of this episode. But there's plenty more. And by plenty more, I mean we're just about done. So I guess I kind of lied to you. So please don't be upset with me or do whatever. I guess it doesn't matter. Physical copies of the Metro and the Metroland is back. It was. It was here and we were. We were really happy. We love the Metro land. We all had youth and we're all much younger and disappeared. And that time between it disappeared and when it came back, we all got kind of like old and like Meh at everything. And we're a lot less meh these days because the Metroland is back in physical form. You can actually just go out and get a copy of the Metroland again. It's the same size. It still has the pages filled with blood, sweat and tears from all the people that make it happen.
And it's still a great read. So you can have a lot of fun reading, reading it. And for some reason, if you're listening to this being like, yeah, dude, I don't, I can't get that.
Just go to con, go to themetroland.com, go to contact us and we can let you know what the closest places that has the Metroland. And if you're listening to this, going, you know what, you know, Swinghammer, I want to be one of those people. I want to carry the Metroland because I give a shit about my local area and the creative things are happening within it. And you know what? That's a really good choice. So once Again, go to metroland.com, scroll all the way to the bottom and it'll say, you know, start carrying the Metro land here, you click on here, you fill it out, you start getting it. It's so easy. It's ridiculously easy. Why have you not done it already? But you know what? I don't judge. It's okay. It happens sometimes, you know, better late than never.
So, yeah, and don't forget Metroland. Now you've got Facebook, Instagram, themetroland.com and the metroland.com has so much information just packed into that website. So if you're ever at a loss for what to do with your evening, your weekend, your month, whatever, just go there. There's so it points you in so many directions as far as the creative force that drives people in the 518. It's, it's, it's, it's so much fun to look at and you will enjoy it immensely, I'm sure. And if you don't, you're not trying hard enough because there's so much stuff going on in the 518 right now. But anyways, you know, I, I, I digress. Ish.
And that's it, that's it. That's it for the episode. So don't forget, don't forget the, you know, the Nightmare Market and Expo at Proctors. Don't forget the listening party from Mr. Pigs with my milkshake Godfather, and this huge project they've taken up on. It's gonna be so much fun. Don't forget tonight at no Fun. You know, don't forget North Creek with Iriat on Sunday. Don't forget any of it. Just keep it all in your head and go out and do the thing.
Yeah, do the thing. You love it. And you know what? If you're enjoying this podcast, which, I mean, let's be honest, if you're listening this much, you clearly are. And thanks, I appreciate it, but there are other podcasts.
I know it seems like it's just this one Swinghammer floating around in this giant space all by himself, but I'm not alone.
You've got Angelina Valente's Two Normal People, which is an incredible podcast. You have unsigned 518 featuring Andy Sculling. And by featuring, I mean he does the whole fucking thing himself.
You've got Mistress of None with Aaron Harks. So you've got some stuff. It's not just me.
You just got a whole team and there's a bunch of stuff to listen to. And the backlogs of just unsigned 518 alone is enough to just keep you in it for a very long time. So check out the other podcasts. We all appreciate it. And you know what I appreciate? I appreciate you guys. I really do. Thanks for listening to me. Thanks for enjoying it. You know, people will sit there and be like, oh, I recognize you, you know, from this. I really like your podcast.
And I don't really take compliments well, but I'm getting there. So I really appreciate it. Thank you so much. Thanks for letting me get into your ears once a week. And I can't wait to do it next week.
So there you go. That's it. Enjoy your Thursday, enjoy your Friday, enjoy your Saturday. Enjoy all it is going forward. We all deserve it.
We all deserve it. And as usual, you stay cool. 518.
[00:35:17] Speaker B: Where's the party tonight?
[00:35:21] Speaker C: Let's take a ride with swinging.
[00:35:23] Speaker B: We're driving.
[00:35:28] Speaker A: It's the weekend spotlight.
[00:35:35] Speaker B: Get ready.
[00:35:37] Speaker D: The Weekend Spotlight is a production of unsigned 518 and part of the Metroland now network of podcast podcast unsigned 518.
[00:35:44] Speaker C: Weekend Spotlight is produced by Andy Scullen and hosted by BJ Schwinghammer. Look for new episodes every week at the metroland.com and everywhere you stream podcast.
