Stick a fork in music videos? No way, my hipster friend.

I was talking to a co-worker the other day about older music videos available on YouTube and it got me really nostalgic about the art form. Even VH1 Classic, which used to play some killer vintage clips on "The Alternative," has abandoned the 24-hour track and now regularly schedules mind-numbing programming found on its big brother station.

So here's my recommendation if you want to a) watch awesome music videos and b) not just settle for music you already know about.

Influential indie music web site, Pitchfork Media, has expanded its online repertoire in a big way. The Chicago-based brainchild of Ryan Schreiber now has a separate 24-hour site, Pitchfork TV, that streams videos, live performances and original programming that's centered on (gasp!) real bands -- not squirrel-faced bisexuals who started out as MySpace "celebrities."

The site explains its objective this way:

"The 24-hour music network was such a great concept. What happened? Given music's nearly inexhaustible supply of notable artists and genres, there are no limits to how deeply it can be explored. But despite all the footage we've seen of high-profile rock and pop artists hitting their creative strides, similar documents of independent artists are far less accessible, if they exist at all.

This content is just the beginning. With one of the web's largest, crispest, and highest-resolution displays, Pitchfork.tv truly invites full-screen viewing. And, with all content available on-demand, we're putting you in control of the music you want, how and when you want to see it. Soon, we'll add personal playlist capabilities, so you can watch all your favorites in a row. And later this year, as part of a massive redesign effort, Pitchfork.tv will integrate with its parent site, presenting innovations and further advancements to the world of online music journalism.

Like Pitchfork itself, Pitchfork.tv is an independent company with no investment dollars or special interests, allowing us the freedom and control to stay true to our creative vision. We've waited decades for a music channel that respects our intelligence and reflects our ideals. Now that the technology is here, we're finally able to do it the way that people who really care about music have always wanted to see it done."

Say what you want about Pitchfork's pretentious music reviews. But these guys are true innovators, and continue to raise the bar for not only independent music coverage, but online journalism and revolutionary Web-based ventures. As someone who has also interviewed Mr. Schreiber, I can tell you that the guy is passionate about putting whatever ad money Pitchfork makes back into the product and other ventures like the Pitchfork Music Festival (where Public Enemy will perform "It Takes a Nation ..." and Mission of Burma, "Vs".) That should be applauded by anyone who appreciates the exploration of new music and ideas.

The site recently finished streaming the Pixies' "LoudQuietLoud" reunion documentary for free as part of its One Week Only series. French band Air's "Eating, Sleeping, Playing and Waiting" is currently up. Also, here are a couple of favorites I stumbled upon while searching the site.

Vampire Weekend: "M79" Live at Columbia University

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds: "Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!"



The Thermals: "Returning to the Fold" Live

-- Thomas Rozwadowski, trozwado@greenbaypressgazette.com