Eclectic Mix Podcast: Life Is Like a Box of Chocolates
George Smyth launched Eclectic Mix podcast in July 2005. When I first came across his podcast a few months ago, I was immediately struck by the diversity of the music he presents each week on Eclectic Mix. George's podcast reminds me of a quote from one of my favorite movies, Forrest Gump. "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." I never know what new artist or musical genre George will feature and that's the best thing about Eclectic Mix - its unpredictability. George lives in Columbia, Maryland, which is about halfway between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. With what I suspect is a bit of dry humor, he considers himself a "Baltimoron."

(Indie Mosaic Music) What made you decide to begin Eclectic Mix podcast?
(George) When I was in college (35 years ago) and for a time thereafter, I recorded LPs I had purchased and gave the cassettes to my friends so that they could be exposed to the music I loved. I had a chance to expose them to music they had not heard before. When I heard about podcasting, I realized that I could do this again, and instead of offering the music to my friends one at a time, I could offer it to anyone in the world simultaneously. This realization came at a time when I found out that there was surprisingly innovative music available by independent artists (my interest in popular music had faded when the major record labels bought out the independents in the early '80's).

(IMM) Although the music of the podcast is certainly diverse, do you have a favorite genre?
(George) Classical music. If there had been enough independent Classical artists looking to offer their work when I initially thought of starting a podcast then I would have gone with that single genre. Unfortunately, this still is not the case, but fortunately, it gave me the chance to continue to explore types of music I might not have otherwise thought to listen to.

(IMM) How do you go about selecting musicians for the podcast?
(George) The majority come either through submissions or Magnatune. The latter makes things exceptionally easy by offering a podcast. Although it is not offered on a regular basis, I listen to just about all of them, and when I hear an artist whose music I wish to feature, it is a simple matter to download a perfect (.wav) copy of the recording. Submissions that point to MySpace are easy for me because I can listen to a group of the artist's songs and make a decision. Ariel Publicity makes it easy in that they offer a website where I can request a CD. The bottom line is that with so many submissions coming my way, making it easy for me to decide and get enough music for my show is key.

(IMM) Do you have a musical background?
(George) Yes, I have played a multitude of instruments during my lifetime, and spent two of my college years as a Music Theory and Composition major. Music has always, and will always, be a major part of my life.

(IMM) What would you like listeners to come away with after listening to the podcast?
(George) I would like them to open their mind and listen to music they may not have thought to listen to. Although some music featured on the podcast can be considered standard "Indie Rock," the majority of music on the show is not music you would expect to hear on the radio. Wonderful music can be found on so many forms that it is unfortunate that the music monopoly has narrowed many people's tastes to the pedestrian choices of "American Idol" commonality or the same Rap music we have all heard for the past 20+ years. Monopolies stifle creativity, but independent artists can choose to follow their own path. All of the music I feature is not for everyone, as I do not concern myself with a lowering to the smallest common denominator, but I hope that listeners give what is offered a try, as they just might discover music that is outside of what they thought they might like. I want them to come away with an adventure after listening to my podcast.

(IMM) For the fun of it, here's an "off the wall, non-music related” question. Do you prefer coffee or tea and why?
(George) That's an easy one - coffee (unless I am eating Chinese food in a good restaurant). I like taste to be something that announces itself with pride, as opposed to being hidden in hot water.