Episode 34 — Cyphers, Picks and the Art of the Jam

Summary: Recorded around WOMEX in Finland, this episode dives into bluegrass–hip hop fusion with Gangstagrass: cyphers vs. picks, why the banjo works as a “pitched rhythm” instrument, and how improvisation connects traditions. There’s a live acoustic take of “Do Better,” a freestyle, and a late-night bus jam cameo. Also: quick notes on the new site (originofthepieces.com), Wilton’s Music Hall shows, and Universe of Music dates.

What we cover

• Cyphers & picks: Hip hop circles and bluegrass jams as twin improvising traditions.
• Field notes from WOMEX: Cross-trad sessions, learning tunes on the fly, and a bus jam.
• Bluegrass toolkit: banjo, fiddle chop, mandolin backbeat, dobro, upright bass.
• Genre & identity: How industry categories got racialised in the U.S., and making hybrid music on purpose.
• Live bits: “Do Better” (acoustic) + an in-studio freestyle.

Further listening & links

• Gangstagrass — official site
• WOMEX — Worldwide Music Expo
• Bluegrass — overview • Hip hop — overview
• Cypher — hip hop • Jam session — mechanics
• “Jerusalem Ridge” — Bill Monroe
• The Garage — Islington
• Wilton’s Music Hall — tickets
• Patreon — episode extras & discounts

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Full Transcript

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• Excerpt: From WOMEX in Finland: cyphers meet bluegrass picks with Gangstagrass — live acoustic “Do Better,” an in-studio freestyle, and a bus jam cameo — plus why improvisation across genres feels like the same conversation in different dialects.
• SEO Title (≤100c): Episode 34 — Cyphers, Picks and the Art of the Jam
• SEO Description (≤400c): Around WOMEX in Finland, Steve explores bluegrass–hip hop fusion with Gangstagrass: cyphers vs picks, banjo as “pitched rhythm,” “Jerusalem Ridge,” a live acoustic “Do Better,” and a bus jam cameo — plus site updates, Wilton’s tickets and Patreon extras. Full transcript.
• Categories: How We Hear; Genre Tombola

Tags (one per line)

Gangstagrass
Bluegrass Hip Hop
Cypher
Jam Session
Improvisation
Freestyle Rap
Do Better (Song)
Bluegrass
Hip Hop
Banjo
Fiddle
Mandolin
Dobro
Upright Bass
Fiddle Chop
Jerusalem Ridge
Tuvan Throat Singing
WOMEX
Finland
Tampere
The Garage
Islington
London
Touring
Genre Tombola
How We Hear
Origins and Oddities
Wilton’s Music Hall

GPS

GPS: 61.4978, 23.7610

Keywords (optional, for SEO tools)

Gangstagrass, bluegrass hip hop, cypher, bluegrass jam, banjo, fiddle chop, mandolin backbeat, dobro slide, WOMEX Finland, Jerusalem Ridge, improvisation, live session, freestyle rap, The Garage Islington, Wilton’s Music Hall