Glossary of Terms
Terms mentioned during the show for which you may need more information
7” SINGLE
A small-format vinyl record, usually played at 45 RPM, containing two tracks—an A-side and a B-side. The A-side is generally considered the main single, while the B-side is an alternate or lesser-known track.
12” SINGLE
A larger-format vinyl record, usually played at 33 or 45 RPM, often used to deliver extended versions, remixes, or club edits of a single song. Originally popularized in the disco and dance scenes, 12-inch singles typically contain one or more alternate versions, often with significant differences in structure and length.
A/B SIDE
Refers to the two sides of a 7-inch or cassette single. The A-side typically contains the “hit” or promoted track, while the B-side may contain alternate versions, deep cuts, or experimental material. “Flip it Good” on this show specifically engages the B-side of a selected single.
AIRPLAY
The act of broadcasting a track over radio or streaming to listeners. In show documentation, airplay refers to any track played on the show, whether live or pre-recorded.
ALBUM
A collection of recorded music tracks, usually grouped under a shared title and artistic vision. May contain a narrative arc, a filler track, or both. Albums on this show may be played in full, referenced in passing, or randomly deconstructed one track at a time.
BEST OF / GREATEST HITS ALBUM
A release that contains a curated selection of an artist’s most commercially successful or well-known tracks, often spanning several albums or years. These are single-artist compilations designed for general audiences and retrospective listening.
BROADCAST
The act of transmitting a signal outward to a (possibly imaginary) audience. This show is a broadcast. This glossary is, too.
BUMPER
A short audio clip or soundbite used to transition between segments. Often too short to explain anything but just long enough to let you know something’s about to happen.
BLOG
Short for “web log,” blogs were a major force in independent music discovery during the 2000s. Many artists now considered iconic first gained exposure through MP3 blogs and blog-based charts. In the context of this show, blog-era discoveries are treated with the same reverence as crate-dug classics.
CD SINGLE
A compact disc that contains one or more versions of a single song, typically accompanied by one or more B-sides, remixes, or alternate edits. CD singles became popular in the late 1980s and into the early 2000s.
CHOICE
A compact disc originally distributed as part of the College Music Journal (CMJ) New Music Monthly magazine, which was published between 1993 and 2009. Each issue of the magazine included a CD sampler containing a curated selection of tracks, often by emerging or independent artists across a wide range of genres. The purpose of these CDs was to promote new and largely unknown acts to college radio programmers, DJs, and music enthusiasts, serving as a discovery platform for the alternative and underground music scenes.
A selection made intentionally. In this show, choice is rare. When it happens, it means something.
CMJ CD
COMPILATION ALBUM
A music release that contains tracks by multiple artists, compiled around a specific theme, time period, genre, or promotional purpose. Examples include soundtracks, label samplers, or genre collections (e.g., “Best of New Wave,” “Hits of 1987
COUNTRY MUSIC
A genre forged in the fires of banjo plucks, steel guitars, and lyrical repetition of trucks, dogs, beer, God, dirt roads, and “her.” Country music is what happens when melody, nuance, and self-awareness are left at the gas station. Whether you’re boot-scootin’ to something new or crying into your third Coors while some guy named Blake explains how freedom works, it’s all the same song with a different flannel. On this show, country music is considered a natural repellent. If detected in the library, it will be swiftly quarantined and replaced with a B-side from 1986. It has its place—but not here. Not now. Not ever. Yee-haw somewhere else.
COVER ART
The visual face of a record. Sometimes iconic, sometimes baffling. Sometimes both. It never sounds like you expect it to.
CRATE
A container used to hold records. Symbolically, the crate represents possibility, obsession, and the ache of never finding that record again. All real shows begin in a crate.
CRATE DIGGING
A container used to hold records. Symbolically, the crate represents possibility, obsession, and the ache of never finding that record again. All real shows begin in a crate.
CUE
The act of preparing a track to begin at a specific moment. Often involves mental math, physical timing, and a healthy distrust of the record’s listed run time. On this show, cueing is part science, part instinct, part prayer.
CUE BURN
A faint distortion at the start of a vinyl record caused by repeated cueing. Audible history. Every crackle is a receipt of past plays. If you hear cue burn, that track has lived.
D&D DICE
A set of polyhedral dice traditionally used in tabletop role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). The standard set includes seven dice of varying side counts: D4 (four-sided), D6 (six-sided), D8 (eight-sided), D10 (ten-sided), d% (percentile die, marked in tens), D12 (twelve-sided), and D20 (twenty-sided). Each die is used to generate a randomized numerical result corresponding to the number of its sides. [See House Rules]
DEAD AIR
An unintentional broadcast void in which no audio signal is transmitted. Known to cause panic among radio professionals and temporary transcendence among listeners. On this show, dead air is rare, unscheduled, and always memorable. If it happens, consider it part of the experience.
DEAD WAX
The smooth, groove-less space near the center of a vinyl record. A place of calm. Or warning. Nothing lives in the dead wax—except catalog numbers and secrets.
DJ
Short for “disc jockey.” The primary operator, narrator, curator, and occasional chaos agent responsible for guiding the listener through the show’s unpredictable musical landscape. The DJ’s choices, reactions, and memory lapses shape the emotional arc of each broadcast.
DJ REMIX SERVICE
A DJ Remix Service is a subscription-based platform that provides professionally licensed remix compilations to working DJs, primarily for use in clubs, radio, or mobile events. Popular from the late 1970s through the early 2000s, these services delivered exclusive extended mixes, radio edits, megamixes, and beat-intro versions designed for seamless mixing and dancefloor use. Releases were typically distributed on 12” vinyl, CDs, or later as digital files, and were not available to the general public. Well-known services include Hot Tracks, Ultimix, Funkymix, and Promo Only, with many releases now considered rare and collectible.
DOWNLOAD
The act of transferring music from the internet to a device. In the past, this was thrilling. Now, it’s mostly background noise. But in this show’s world, the download still matters—it’s a form of commitment.
DRIFT
What happens when you stop trying to follow the show and just let it wash over you. Highly encouraged.
DROPOUT
A momentary loss of audio. A glitch in the signal. Often accidental, occasionally poetic.
EARS
The primary sensory organs used by listeners to receive and interpret the show. Ears are encouraged but not required—this show also vibes well through speakers left playing in empty rooms.
FADE-IN / FADE-OUT
A production technique where a track gradually increases or decreases in volume. Often used in radio edits or promo versions. Fades are accepted (begrudgingly) on this show, especially on certain DJ Promo CDs.
FADER
A physical or digital slider that adjusts the level of audio input or output. Also a verb, as in “to fade out,” meaning to gradually disappear—emotionally or otherwise.
FEEDBACK
A high-pitched, usually unwanted sound created when a microphone picks up its own signal through a speaker. In music, feedback is chaos as art. In broadcasting, it’s a mild crisis. On this show, it’s a ghost in the wires.
FILE
A digital container for music, metadata, or forgotten MP3s. Files used to feel heavy. Now they feel infinite. On this show, they remain semi-organized and extremely important.
FLIP IT GOOD
A recurring on-air break segment that appears twice per show, each instance selected at random. When activated, it overrides standard format rules by instructing the DJ to play the B-side of the next selected single—regardless of the A-side’s popularity or designation. This rule applies specifically to 7-inch, 12-inch, and CD singles with a designated B-side. The segment’s purpose is to highlight overlooked or forgotten tracks, revealing what’s hiding on the flip side of physical formats. It is not a remix, reinterpretation, or alternate version—just the track on the other side.
FLYING VINYL SINGLE
Flying Vinyl Singles refer to 7-inch records distributed through the UK-based Flying Vinyl subscription service, active from 2015 to 2022. Each box featured exclusive tracks from emerging indie, post-punk, dream pop, and electronic artists, pressed in limited quantities and unavailable through mainstream channels. On this show, Flying Vinyl releases are treated the same as any other 7” single—Side A is played by default, unless a Flip it Good moment triggers the B-side.
GLOSSARY
A structured list of terms and their definitions, intended to clarify language, provide context, and support deeper understanding. In the context of this show, the glossary serves both practical and philosophical purposes: it defines core concepts, explains recurring segments, and frames the show’s unique tone. Some definitions are factual, some are poetic, and others are intentionally excessive. Together, they form a reference guide, an onboarding tool, and a subtle form of storytelling. This glossary is not static—it grows, shifts, and reflects the evolving world of the show.
HEADPHONES
A wearable device used to channel sound directly into the listener’s ears, isolating the broadcast from the surrounding world. On this show, headphones are not required, but highly encouraged for full immersion, maximum fidelity, and avoiding household judgment when you start dancing in the kitchen.
LINER NOTES
Printed materials included with physical music formats, typically containing lyrics, credits, thank-yous, and dramatic insights into the artist’s intentions. On this show, liner notes are invisible but spiritually present—every crackle, remix credit, or label name whispers its own backstory.
LIVE
Performed in real time, with all the flaws and surprises that implies. Not always perfect, but always real. This glossary is live, in its own way.
LOCKED GROOVE
A loop at the end of a vinyl record that repeats endlessly until the listener intervenes. A glitch. A meditative trap. A reminder that some things don’t end unless you make them.
LOOP
A repeated section of sound. May be rhythmic, melodic, or existential. Used in production, performance, and life itself. Some loops are tight. Others never end.
MACRODATA REFINEMENT
MacroData Refinement is a core department within Lumon Industries, where employees are responsible for analyzing large streams of numerical data and isolating “dangerous” numbers based on how they make the refiner feel. Using a specialized interface, refiners sort these emotionally threatening clusters—typically those evoking fear, sadness, or unease—into designated folders without knowing the origin or purpose of the data. The process is intuitive, precise, and spiritually significant. Refiners are expected to maintain full focus, hit quota, and never question the task’s greater meaning. Their work is considered essential, even if its outcome remains classified. You are not food. You are not shoes. You are a refiner. And your work matters.
MASTERING
The final step in preparing audio for release. Clean-up, polish, standardization. This show has not been mastered. And it never will be.
MAXI-SINGLE
An expanded single release that typically includes multiple versions or remixes of one track, often alongside additional songs or alternate versions. Issued on 12-inch vinyl, CD, or cassette, the format gained popularity in the 1980s and 1990s during the height of remix and club culture. A typical maxi-single includes the original version of the song (such as a radio edit or album cut), extended or club mixes, instrumental or dub versions, and occasionally a bonus track or remix of another song by the same artist. Aimed at DJs, collectors, and dance music enthusiasts, maxi-singles were used to promote a track across radio and club formats by offering a variety of play-ready versions in one release.
METADATA
The hidden information behind a track—title, artist, year, genre, maybe even mood. Sometimes right, often wrong. On this show, metadata is folklore.
MICROPHONE
A cylindrical or spherical device used to convert the human voice into an electrical signal for broadcast. In the context of this show, the microphone is both tool and altar. Through it, the DJ speaks, reveals track lists, delivers clues, and occasionally whispers cryptic truths between songs.
MIX
The delicate art of combining audio signals into a cohesive whole. Equal parts volume levels, EQ adjustments, and emotional calibration. On this show, the mix is always a little off—but in the best possible way.
MUSIC
An organized series of sounds intended to convey rhythm, melody, harmony, or emotional expression. Can be recorded, performed live, or accidentally overheard through the wall. On this show, music is the dominant form of content broadcast—though its structure, quality, and cultural significance may vary dramatically.
PAUSE
A temporary cessation of sound. Often used to create suspense, avoid speaking over a fade-out, or retrieve a drink of water. In this show, pauses may be intentional or the result of vinyl queues running longer than expected. All pauses are valid.
PLAY BUTTON
A triangular-shaped symbol universally understood to initiate audio or video playback. Often pressed at the beginning of a track, segment, or emotional journey. When the play button is activated on this show, frequencies are officially considered “live.”
PLAYLIST
A list of songs arranged with purpose… or without one. On this show, the playlist is not a preordained script but a mysterious unfolding, revealed only as the show progresses. Sometimes it makes sense. Sometimes it doesn’t. Both outcomes are valid.
PROMOTIONAL ALBUM (PROMO)
A non-commercial music release distributed by record labels to radio stations and retail music stores for internal use only. These discs are typically marked “For Promotional Use Only” and were never intended for sale. In the context of this show, they fall into two primary categories: Radio Station Promos, which often feature a single track with multiple edits or exclusive mixes tailored for airplay, and Music Store Promos, which usually contain full albums, samplers, or advance copies for staff review and in-store listening. Promotional CDs are treated like compilation releases on the show, with the track selected at random unless otherwise specified.
RADIO
A broadcast medium using electromagnetic waves to transmit audio content to a dispersed audience. For our purposes, “radio” also refers to the spirit of human-curated audio experiences—whether live, pre-recorded, terrestrial, or streaming.
RADIO STATION
A central broadcast entity that transmits sound to a wider audience. In this case, “radio station” refers to a metaphysical location where frequencies converge, nostalgia crystallizes, and randomness reigns.
RECORD LABEL SAMPLER
A compilation release issued by a record label to promote its roster of artists. These samplers typically include tracks by multiple acts signed to the same label and are not intended for commercial sale. They may be distributed at trade shows, in press kits, with magazines, or directly to radio stations and music stores. Samplers often highlight forthcoming albums, singles, or new signings and may include exclusive edits, radio versions, or early mixes.
RECORD PLAYER
A mechanical device that spins vinyl records while a stylus reads the grooves and converts them into audio. Also known as a turntable. Essential to this show’s format and spirit. Not to be confused with a streaming playlist, which never requires balancing a warped 7-inch with a quarter.
RECORD STORE DAY
Record Store Day is an annual event where vinyl collectors and music obsessives line up at independent record stores—often before dawn—in pursuit of limited-edition releases, rare pressings, and colorful variants they may or may not actually need. Held each April (with occasional bonus editions), it’s part celebration, part scavenger hunt, and part ritualized chaos. Releases range from long-lost live tracks to glitter-filled picture discs to the fifth repressing of Rumours—and they’re often gone within minutes. Some fans rejoice, some resell, and some just love the thrill. On this show, RSD releases are treated with equal parts reverence and side-eye, especially if they’re a little weird.
REMIX
A reinterpretation of an existing song, often altering structure, instrumentation, or genre. Remixes may be officially released by the artist or label, or created unofficially by DJs and producers. On this show, remixes are treated as standalone entries in their own right, often selected from 12” singles or CD maxi-singles.
REPEAT
A function in many audio systems that replays a track or playlist indefinitely. Not applicable to this show. We do not repeat. We wander forward forever.
RUN TIME
The total duration of a track or program. In vinyl and radio culture, this determines side length and segment timing. Used here more loosely, since randomness reigns supreme.
SIGNAL
The broadcast itself—a beam of intention, music, and voice that travels through cables, servers, or the atmosphere to reach your ears. The signal is sacred. If it drops, reality feels weird.
SHUFFLE
A playback mode that rearranges the order of tracks into a sequence chosen by machine logic. Not used on this show, as all song selections are left to cosmic chance, dice rolls, or the whims of DJ intuition—which is somehow both more and less predictable than shuffle.
SILENCE
The absence of sound. May be used for dramatic effect, timing adjustments, or accidental moments of existential reflection. In this show, silence is respected, feared, and occasionally embraced—especially when it’s followed by something unexpected.
SONG TITLE
The name given to a specific track. Sometimes relevant, sometimes misleading, and occasionally in parentheses for reasons no one can fully explain. Titles are announced, honored, or intentionally skipped depending on mood.
SOUND
A vibration that travels through the air (or another medium) and is perceived by the human ear as auditory information. In this show, sound is the foundational building block of all content, appearing in various forms such as music, voice, static, and intentional silence.
SURFACE NOISE
The ambient layer of sound produced by a vinyl record as the stylus moves through the grooves. Includes subtle pops, clicks, crackles, and static—often caused by dust, wear, or imperfections in the pressing. While technically a form of audio interference, surface noise is widely regarded as part of the vinyl experience, offering a textured, nostalgic quality that digital formats lack. On this show, surface noise is not considered a flaw—it’s considered evidence that the record is alive.
TAG
A piece of information or label attached to something. Could be a genre. Could be a feeling. Could be wrong. On this show, tags are fluid.
TALK BREAK
A brief pause in music during which the DJ speaks. Used for announcements, observations, rule enforcement, or complete derailment. On this show, talk breaks are sacred and unscripted.
TIMING
The invisible glue that holds segments together. A perfect segue. A graceful fade. A beat drop that hits just right. On this show, timing is important—but not mandatory.
TOP TEN TIME MACHINE
Top Ten Time Machine is a recurring preshow theme in which the DJ presents a curated set of the top 10 songs from this week in a selected year, using original chart rankings from sources like Billboard or the UK Singles Chart. Unlike other segments that rely on randomness or deep cuts, this theme embraces structure and nostalgia, offering a snapshot of what was musically popular at that exact moment in time. The DJ may play all ten songs in order or select freely from the list, depending on the show’s pacing. Some tracks will be instantly recognizable, while others resurface as surprising reminders of the era, making this theme both a historical document and a musical time capsule.
TRACK
A discrete unit of recorded music. Also known as a “song,” though not all tracks contain lyrics or follow a verse/chorus structure. Tracks are the currency of this show, drawn from various formats and selected through a combination of randomness, ritual, and DJ intuition.
TRAP MUSIC
Trap music is a genre built entirely out of hi-hats, sub-bass, and the kind of Auto-Tuned vocal delivery that makes even heartfelt lyrics sound like your phone glitched mid-sentence. It began as gritty Southern rap and quickly spiraled into a slow-motion digital swamp where emotion goes to die and rhyming “Percocet” with “private jet” counts as poetry. It’s not a beat—it’s a warning. It’s not a hook—it’s a hostage situation. And that robot-voice chorus you just heard? That was someone crying out for help through three layers of vocal correction. Trap music is permanently exiled from this station’s airwaves. If a 7” single ever dares contain it, the B-side will be burned.
UPLOAD
The inverse of download. The sending of data into the void, with hope. In some ways, this glossary is an upload. You’re welcome.
VIBE
An undefinable mood, energy, or emotional resonance created by music. Not tied to tempo, genre, or key, but something deeper. If you know, you know. This show runs entirely on vibe.
VINYL RECORD
A flat, circular analog sound storage medium, typically made of black polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Used for decades as a primary physical format for music playback, especially during the 20th century. Played with a needle (stylus) on a turntable. In this show, vinyl is the dominant format, prized for its warmth, tactile experience, and historical significance.
VOICE
The human instrument. Occasionally heard between songs, usually issuing commentary, clues, rules, or spontaneous thoughts. Voices on this show are not automated and may contain emotion, sarcasm, or genuine enthusiasm.
VOLUME
The relative loudness of a sound. Not formally standardized during this show’s broadcast, and subject to sudden increases, especially during 12” club mixes or enthusiastic intros.
YUB NUB
A traditional Ewok victory chant originating from the forest moon of Endor, Yub Nub is performed during times of communal celebration, particularly following acts of liberation or triumph over oppressive forces. The phrase itself loosely translates to “Freedom” or “Hooray,” and is often accompanied by rhythmic drumming, group dancing, and improvised percussion using natural materials. While initially regarded by outsiders as primitive, Yub Nub holds deep cultural significance among Ewoks as a ceremonial expression of unity, resilience, and shared strength. It gained galactic recognition following the Battle of Endor, where it was famously performed after the destruction of the second Death Star.