A podcast from the QI offices in which the writers of the hit BBC show huddle around a microphone and discuss the best things they've found out this week. Hosted by Dan Schreiber (@schreiberland) with James Harkin (@eggshaped), Andrew Hunter Murray (@andrewhunterm), Anna Ptaszynski and an assortment of other elves.

Head to www.qi.com/podcast for bonus extras

Noisia comprise Dutch producers Thijs, Nik and Martijn. Largely regarded as one of the most distinctive, powerful acts to emerge in bass music, their production techniques are referenced and praised across the entire electronic music scene. Their extensive body of work also includes the game Devil May Cry and the Foreign Beggars collaboration I Am Legion.

Ashtar Command
Ashtar Command is the name of a music band/brand comprising Chris Holmes, Brian Liesegang and newest addition Cory Nitta. The band has released one album: “American Sunshine”, the first in a series. In addition, songs from the band have featured in a number of feature films, television series (including Grey's Anatomy, the O.C., Ugly Betty, the new Percy Jackson-Sea of Monsters, Adrien Grenier's critically acclaimed and number #1 documentary "How to Make Money Selling Drugs" etc.), television commercials (from Nissan to Microsoft and beyond), and video games, such as Rockstar Games’ Red Dead Redemption Original Soundtrack (for which they were nominated for video game song of the year), Capcom's upcoming Dead Rising, EA's FIFA Soccer 2013, and EA's upcoming new Sim's game and much more. They have recently played a large role in contributing to Disney's/Harmonix's Fantasia: Music Evolved, as well as producing the end title track to the new "Percy Jackson, Sea of Monsters" 20th Century Fox film. In addition, they have also acted as official DJ’s and remixers for Sir Paul McCartney over the last few years.
Brian and Chris met while attending the University of Chicago, studying philosophy, religion, music, and science. They later assumed the name of the band from a topic that continued to be referenced on a UFO-themed radio show hosted by Chris, where guests ranged from Bigfoot hunters, to members of Heaven’s Gate, to Communion author Whitley Strieber. It just seemed various guests on this show kept mentioning this “Ashtar Command” thing... And Ashtar Command slowly revealed itself to be an alien governing force, sort of an intergalactic U.N., one that has been entrenched in human societies around the globe for over a thousand years. The lore of Ashtar Command is that its mission is to assist the fate of the human race in a time of crisis. Think evolution by enlightenment. And it was with this metaphor that they conceived of a band that could contain a multiplicity of meanings and musical output. From a dulcet love song, to layers of relentless guitar and drum bombardment, to modular synthesizer tapestries, to large orchestral arrangements and back again, they found that that the concept of Ashtar Command could encapsulate a wide variety of sonic and thematic impact without having to paint itself in a corner, and it could all coexist and contribute to the greater good under the umbrella of Ashtar Command.
The project features a remarkable group of guest artists. Working in identical studios in Los Angeles and Chicago respectively, the duo sent songs back and forth thereby growing fleeting ideas into full-fledged songs.
The group enlisted musicians that seemed to suit the individual songs – people they had worked with or been friends with for years.
They were joined by guest vocalists Joshua Radin (whose debut album was produced by Holmes) on “Mark IV,” Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros (“Save Me”), Har Mar Superstar (“That’s How It Is”) and Rachel Yamagata (“Blister of the Spotlight”). The
dreamy “Rosa,” already in heavy rotation at Los Angeles’ KCRW, is one of two tracks featuring Priscilla Ahn, while Z Berg’s crystal clear vocals provide a stunning counterpoint to the throbbing groove on “Gravity.”
Other guest artists include: Matt Walker (Filter, The Smashing Pumpkins, Morrissey, Garbage) on drums, Solomon Walker (Morrissey) on bass, Mike Garson (David Bowie) playing piano, drummer Joey Waronker (Beck, R.E.M.), Oliver Kraus (Beth Orton) on cello, Stewart Cole (Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros) on horns, and the latest and new third member of the band Cory Nitta (songwriter / producer/ programmer for everyone from Katy Perry to Dallas Austin).
On Chris Holmes: released his major label debut Dan Loves Patti under his Yum Yum moniker, an album that Rolling Stone said “more than holds it own in comparison with influences as the Beatles, and Beach Boys circa Pet Sounds.” He has since toured and recorded with The Smashing Pumpkins and Felix Da Housecat, co-produced tracks for P. Diddy, worked on Billy Corgan’s solo album and written with Rachael Yamagata and Mandy Moore. Also an established DJ, Holmes appeared on URB’s “Next 100” list and was handpicked by Sir Paul McCartney to open for him at 2009’s Coachella Fest and to tour the world with him in 2011 and 2012, even having the honor to DJ Sir Paul's wedding reception last spring. In addition Chris has toured with Radiohead, Atoms for Peace, and Daft Punk.
On Brian Liesegang: began in Nine Inch Nails, working on the multi- Platinum, GRAMMY®- winning albums Broken and The Downward Spiral. He subsequently co-founded the two- man band Filter writing, performing and producing hit singles like “Hey Man, Nice Shot” and “Jurrassitol”, and “Trip Like I Do” (with the Crystal Method). They were nominated for “Best New Band” on the MTV Music Awards. They went on to sell millions of albums, toured with The Smashing Pumpkins, Ozzie Osbourne, Korn,and others. They also wrote songs and contributed the driving singles to various platinum soundtracks. He subsequently worked with Billy Corgan on his Future Embrace album and world tour.
On Cory Enemy, Born Cory Nitta, is a 29 year old Music Producer, Song Writer, Composer, and Electronic Music Artist from Los Angeles . He grew up in Ridgecrest CA, a small desert town near Death Valley. He moved to Los Angeles when he was 19 and has resided there for the past 10 years. Cory started producing music when he was 15. Since moving to LA and infiltrating the music industry on several different fronts, Cory has been successfully producing and writing music for many commercially successful artist such as : Will.i.am, Lady Gaga, Chris Brown, TLC, Carly Rae Jepsen, 30 Seconds To Mars, Far East Movement, Katy Perry, Ellie Goulding, Steve Aoki, Dizzee Rascal , Felix Da HouseCat, N.A.S.A., Sky Ferreira, David Guetta, Bonnie Mckee, Uffie, Passion Pit, and Jason Derulo to name some. Cory was a Major Contributor on 3 Grammy nominated Projects, and in 2013 he was awarded a Juno for Album of the year, Carly Rae Jepsen. Cory was signed as a producer and artist and mentored in 2007 by Super-Producer, Dallas Austin. Dallas Austin and Cory Enemy now together form their own production team. Cory himself also mentored several producers teaching them how to produce music. His most notable protégé is Dillon Francis. Cory And Dillon self-released an EP called "Ultra". After deciding to put his artist career on hold while he pursued commercial music production, Cory has recently re- emerged into the EDM world, releasing a music collaboration with "trap artist" , Brillz, and Releasing official remixes for A-trak and Bro Safari. Cory has several new releases
schedualed in the upcoming months. Cory is currently Collaborating for these upcoming releases with the artist: Etc Etc, Oliver, Dillon Francis, Adam F, Dizzee Rascal, Dustructo, Brillz, Bro Safari and Blood Diamond. In 2013 Cory Collaborated with music producer, Brian Liesegang and a 96 piece orchestra to create the ending credits song to the 20th Century Fox Film, "Percy Jackson, Sea of Monsters".
http://www.ashtar-command.com/

Comedy Dynamics is a comedy production and distribution company. Its independent archive, the largest in existence, is available only on planet Earth.

In which you (human listener) get to (but don't have to) hang out with (that is to say, listen to) comedian Myq Kaplan (pronounced "Mike Kaplan," I know! I agree with the way you feel about it!) as he hangs out with (that is to say, talks to) other humans in ways that are meaningful, fun, both, or neither. (But probably not neither.)

Management: 
Paulette Varelas - paulette@mlennial.com
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