15 January, 2015. 13:15
CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | Contact
The increasingly irrelevant “Youth Radio Network” Triple J has once again been rescued from an obscure start to the new year with the annual social media buzz surrounding the upcoming “Hottest 100”.
The countdown, which is a chance for “Triple J listeners” to get together and vote for the countries favourite 100 homegrown and indie songs from the previous year, is always a big opportunity for the ABC radio – with millions tuning in across the country on Australia Day.
While the Australian calendar pencils the public holiday in by the aforementioned title of “Australia Day”, most Triple J announcers refuse to acknowledge its mainstream title – opting to refer to it as “Hottest 100 Day” or “Triple J Day”.
This year, the countdown has been once again hijacked by not Triple J listeners, but by run-of-the-mill social media users. Something that is sure to result in a sub-par, extremely commercialised list of songs that most of the voters have never heard on Triple J.
While Triple J acknowledge that the entire concept has been ruined by the shameless self-promoting of fair-weather fans who decide to use social media to air their opinions regarding their individual opinions of 12 months of radio airplay – they also find it exhilarating that people still listen.
Triple J’s manager, Chris Scaddan, spoke to the Advocate today about JJJ’s disintegration in quality over the last few years.
“It’s happened all the way through. No one gives a fuck about Australian music, nobody goes to live music gigs, no one wants anything to do with indie music… I don’t even think people listen to us… hence why The Doctor (former Triple J announcer, Lindsay McDougall) lasted so long,”
“It started early last decade, remember when the number one spot went to Nelly (Hot in Hurr) – and 2013 was that smug piece of shit Macklemore.. I mean if that’s what the people want – we can’t stop them from voting. This isn’t North Korea,”
Scaddan went on to explain that while Triple J may not be relevant in today’s youth culture – the Hottest 100 ensured he and his were employed each year.
“Every time they talk about cuts, they look at us. Abbott and Turnbull were coming for us… but in all honesty… this shit saves us every year. I don’t care if Taylor Swift wins this year, I don’t care if Justin Bieber wins… so long as the Triple J remains as it’s always been: A youth-oriented vehicle for left-wing propaganda and the glorification of recreational drugs.”
While Mr Scaddan has stated that for the majority of the country, the Hottest 100 results end up being a win-win situation. It appears like the “diehards” are left out in the dark.
38-year-old art therapist Keeley Grant, a self-confessed Triple J loyalist, says she doesn’t know what’s going on.
“What the hell is this. Whatever happened to good old Aussie bands like Frenzal Rhomb… you know? Resin Dogs… Silverchair!? This mainstream stuff is so mainstream!”
“I’m stuck here in Lismore with no reception, no nothing. I can’t use the internet like the rest of the kids. I’m just stuck listening to whatever these 18-year-olds from Sydney think is cool,”
“I’m the last of a dying breed. I’m a Triple J listener!”
