Wednesday MidDay Medley
Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning
90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio
TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

WMM Serves Music of Boulevardia + Chris Haghirian + Krystle Warren

1. “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
   from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / December 20, 1979

2. Friendly Thieves – “Get it Yourself”
   from: “Get it Yourself” – Single / Friendly Thieves / June 7, 2024
   [New single from five-piece alt-funk band, Friendly Thieves who are: Sam Wells on lead vocals, Jamae Breeze on lead guitar, Sam Millard on bass, John Goss on drums, and Ben Baker on saxophone. // Friendly Thieves released their debut album Til Death on October 31, 2023. // From Michelle Bacon’s piece in http://www.bridge909.org: Friendly Thieves describes themselves as if “Alabama Shakes and Young The Giant had a Vulfpeck-inspired love child,” and well, that’s pretty spot on. Their single captures that intersection of vibrant indie-rock energy and exceptional musicianship, with an intriguing funk aroma. // The bands show at ULAH is their only KC show so far this year before the ban sets off on tour to Austin, Chicago, Denver, and Nashville. // Sam Wells released her debut EP, FOR THE DEFLATED on French Exit Records on December 31, 2020. Sam Wells is a Kansas City, based singer songwriter who has shared stages with Betsy Phillips, Kelly Hunt, Andrew Ryan, The Zack Pietrini Band, and The Phantastics. She was featured as a composer and performer in the Kansas City Repertory Theater production of “Ghost Light” performed on the lawn of The Nelson Atkin Museum of Art in October, 2020. Sam has also performed in Troostival (2020), Kansas City Porchfest (2019) and Jamdemic. In 2019, Wells released her debut single “Lesson Learned.” In early 2020 Wells released her second single “Sugar” producer and engineered by Riley Corbin at the Lawrence Kansas Public Library recording studio. It was only a decade ago, Sam Wells sat in her bedroom learning the Corrine Bailey Ray classic “Put Your Records On”. This was all it took to ignite a lifetime love affair with music. With her smooth and sultry voice and the warm tones of a baritone ukulele, she shares stories of love, loss and everything in between. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Sam Wells has lived in Lawrence, but now calls KC home. Sam Wells also contributed to The Black Lives Matter Compilation from French Exit Records that featured tracks from 22 acts from the area, and was released on July 6, 2020. Sam contributed the song, “Dear Black People”. On WMM we featured tracks from: Blackstarkids, Daniel Gum, Crystal Rose, UpKeep, Bream, Heavy Surface, Palace Intrigue, Self Harmony, and Sam Wells. All proceeds donated to One Struggle KC’s Liberation Fund, a Black-led coalition of KC activists seeking to connect the struggles of oppressed communities, locally & globally. French Exit Records launched in 2018, and is an independent music label based out of Kansas City, Missouri founded by Brad Girard. French Exit Records has released albums for No Magic and Raymond, and has organized live events. ]

[Friendly Thieves play at Boulevardia Friday, June 14, at 5:05 on the Visit Missouri Stage.]

10:04 – Intro / Interview with Chris Haghirian

Thanks for tuning into WMM on 90.1 FM KKFI. I’m Mark Manning. Today on WMM we are serving up music from the 9th annual Boulevardia Festival including: The Roseline, Kemet Coleman, Friendly Thieves, Supermassive Black Holes,Laura Noble, Bears and Company, Flight Attendant, Milky Chance, Kate Cosentino, Good Morning Kevin featuring Mura Masa & Big Freedia, Back Alley Brass Band, Paul Cauthen, Stik Figa, Thundercat, Ultimate Fakebook, and Krystle Warren!

At 11:00 am, Krystle Warren joins us for our second hour. Krystle Warren will perform LIVE from the 90.1 FM Studios. Krystle Warren is one of our most played artists and most frequent guests. Now based in France, Krystle Warren is back in Kansas City to play Boulevardia, Saturday, June 15 at 8:45pm on the Elevate Stage, at Crown Center. Krystle Warren will also play the Percheron Rooftop Series tomorrow night on Thursday, Jun 13, 2024, at 7:00 PM on the rooftop of the Crossroads Hotel.

Joining us for the entire show is our special guest, Chris Haghirian host & Producer of Eight One Sixty, heard Tuesday nights at 6:00 PM, on 90.9 The Bridge. Chris worked for The Kansas City Star for over 20 years. Chris studied Journalism / Advertising at The University of Kansas. Chris also studied Photography at Kansas City Art Institute. Chris works for Spray KC. Chris organizes multiple concert series throughout the metro, and music stages for Plaza Art Fair, Innovation Fest, and The Middle of The Map Fest.

Chris Haghirian joins us to share details about Boulevardia, Friday, June 14, & Saturday, June 15, at Crown Center, 2396 Grand Boulevard, with over 70 national, regional & local acts, 23 DJs, 5 music stages, with nearly 50 Brewing Companies, dozens and dozens of Restaurants & Food Trucks, Multiple merchants in the Makers Market, plus a Skating Party, The Silent Disco, and various VIP Experiences.

Boulevardia has become one of the city’s largest showcases of local music with over 60 local performers included in this year’s lineup. Musical performances cross over genres and showcase the rich talent KC has to offer. The 2-day street festival is near the intersection of Pershing & Grand Boulevard, encompassing Crown Center & Washington Square Park. The event features a craft beer & food sampling experience & music, all in a unique urban setting. More info at: http://www.boulevardia.com

Chris Haghirian thanks for being with us on WMM

Bnoulevardia – Friday, June 14

VISIT MISSOURI STAGE
5:05pm – Friendly Thieves
6:25pm – Pom Pom Squad
7:50pm – Hanson
9:30pm – Milky Chance

ELEVATE STAGE
5:00pm – Bobby Watson
6:15pm – Laura Noble
7:30pm – Jass
8:45pm – Bears and Company
10:00pm – Ha Ha Tonka

PROPAGANDA3 PARK STAGE
4:20pm – Dames of The Dead
5:30pm – Infinity
6:40pm – WEDA Skirts
7:50pm – Flat Susan
9:00pm – The Roseline
10:10pm – Starhaven Rounders

HOLLADAY HILL STAGE
5:45pm – Lava Dreams
7:00pm – Kadesh Flow
8:15pm – LYXE
9:30pm – Flight Attendant

MONSTER ENERGY SILENT DISCO
5:00pm – Zimmerman
5:00pm – Sana
5:00pm – DJ EJ
7:00pm – Twinnflame
7:00pm – Dewey
7:00pm – SHEPPA
7:00pm – Jingram
7:00pm – DJ ON10
9:00pm – DJ P (Daniel James Phillips)
9:00pm – Dom Chronicles
9:00pm – DJ Joe & Ice Kole

10:09

3. Laura Noble – “Touch The Sky”
   from: “Touch The Sky” – Single / Noble Nation Records / March 22, 2020
   [Kansas City based Dominican Republic singer Laura Noble has had the opportunity to perform cover and original songs in major cities including Queens & Manhattan, NY, Minneapolis, MN, Denver, CO, Fort Myers, FL, Denver, CO, Atlanta, GA, Baltimore, MD and others. She’s been performing with live bands for 10+ years at festivals, high budget weddings, and corporate events. She has done the National Anthem and God Bless America at major sporting games and events like the KC Royals, Sporting KC and MMA fight tournaments..]

[Laura Noble plays Boulevardia, Friday, June 14, at 6:15 PM on Elevate Stage]

4. Bears And Company – “After The Quake”
   from: South of The Mountain / Bears and Company / April 28, 2013
   [Bears and Company were formed in June 2011. Bears and Company is a progressive/indie rock band out of Kansas City, Missouri. Each member comes from different musical backgrounds and collectively they craft a unique taste for those with open mouths. They are a band that share a story worth listening to, and paint a constant raging tone to illustrate such. This quintuplet is a band that gets in your face and will have you screaming every word in company. They create sound for honest connection, and work restlessly to break any and all resistance. The Bears started when songwriters, Alexander McClain (Guitar/Vocals) and Logan Tyler (Vocals/Bass) got together in the winter of their first and last year of college and began working on the songs and ideas of Bears and Company. Not long after McClain’s long time friend and past bandmate, Allan Latini (Drums) joined the band out of great desire to be a part of a hard hitting project. As a Trio the band played multiple shows, wrote, and recorded an unreleased E.P. and in time decided that it was time to step up their song direction and guitar section. Zach Knoll (Guitar) became the missing piece of the puzzle after a couple sessions. Charisma came completely natural for the four piece and things took off immediately. They began writing their debut full length record, South of the Mountain, in the fall of 2011 and returned to the studio to record with producer Aaron Crawford (The Beautiful Bodies, We Are Voices, Flee the Seen, Now Now Sleepyhead) in the fall of 2012.]

[BEARS AND COMPANY play Boulevardia, Friday, June 14, at 8:45 PM on Elevate Stage]

5. The Roseline – “Aloneness”
   from: Keystone of the Heart / RPH Records / February 2, 2024
   [Keystone of the Heart is the eighth album from the Lawrence, Kansas based band. The Roseline features: Colin Halliburton on lead vocals, Bradley McKellip on guitar, Heidi Gluck on Keyboards & backing vocals, Colin Jones on bass, Jim Piller on drums, and Chase Horseman on Mellotron. Engineered, produced, and mixed by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studios in Kansas City, KS Mastered by Carl Saff at Saff Mastering in Chicago, IL. // Keystone of the Heart, is arguably their most distilled, elegant, and emotionally resonant album of their career. Halliburton describes it as “a protest record which protests the dissolution of a marriage, the slog of existence in late stage capitalism, and grotesque hatred and violence.” While this certainly sounds clunky and heavy-handed, Halliburton knows when to inject some levity and humor. Songs which appear dour and grim in the early verses always seem to find some hope and light by their end. Keystone of the Heart offers pure aural aloe for troubled times. // The Roseline played an Album Release Show at The Bottleneck con February 2, 2024 with Suzannah Johannes and Empty Moon. The band will be traveling back to Scandinavia in March.// The Roseline’s 7th album CONSTANCY was released November 5, 2021, was #1 on WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2021. // The Roseline are a Lawrence, KS, based alt-country, Americana, rock band, formed by Colin Halliburton with friends in 2005. The Roseline released their 6th album GOOD / GRIEF on April 3, 2020. The Roseline released BLOOD on September 29, 2017; and TOWNIE on June 19, 2015. The band has toured the US and parts of Europe. Halliburton has completed two European solo tours thus far, taking him through Poland, Germany, Belgium, and The Netherlands. // . The Roseline founder and principal songwriter, Colin Halliburton, began the project as an acoustic folk trio. It has since evolved into the five-piece heartland rock band of its current form. // Kind foreign press and high charting on the Euro Americana Chart (“Lust for Luster,” “Blood,” “GOOD/GRIEF” and “Constancy” all charted in the top 10) led to a deal in the Benelux with Dutch label King Forward Records. The band also released “Vast as Sky” in 2012 with the Bay Area label Ninth Street Opus (home to Sarah Lee Guthrie and Carrie Rodriguez). Aside from those, the project has largely been a truly DIY, independent venture. // The Roseline has had the good fortune of landing placements in indie movies and major network television shows such as ABC’s “Nashville” and “Resurrection,” as well as USA’s “Queen of the South,” Netflix’s “Virgin River” and MTV’s “Teen Mom.” The band’s work has been featured on NPR, “Pop Matters,” “American Songwriter,” “The Bluegrass Situation” and “No Depression,” among others. Colin Halliburton joined us on WMM on March 25, 2020. More info at: https://roselinemusic.com/%5D

[The Roseline play Boulevardia, Friday, June 14, at 9:00 PM on Propaganda 3 Park Stage.]

6. Flight Attendant – “Therapy Couch (Radio Edit)”
   from: “Therapy Couch (Radio Edit)” / Flight Attendant / June 23, 2023
   [“Flight Attendant delivers an experience,” – Rolling Stone Magazine. Flight Attendant belongs to that breed of rock bands made in Nashville, USA; where their sound is nothing less than a sonic unicorn. Blending sounds of grunge with power-pop hooks, viola and light synth textures, they have begun to create a hypnotic sound and energy all of their own. Glide Magazine says that Lead Singer Karalyne, “Commands your attention like Freddie Mercury working the crowd in an arena.” Flight Attendant band has been compared to Haim and Fleetwood Mac, or as TurnuptheVolume puts it, “Think Warpaint having a dance with Best Coast,” – This “Nashville based eclectic-indie band….is ready for take off”, Velvet Thunder]

[Flight Attendant play Boulevardia, Friday, June 14, at 9:30 PM on Holladay Hill Stage.]

. Milky Chance – “Living in a Haze (feat. The Beaches) (clean edit)”
from: “Living in a Haze (feat. The Beaches)”- Single / Muggelig Records GnbH / Mar. 29, 2024
[They won’t tell you this, but Milky Chance — the unassuming German duo of childhood friends Clemens Rehbein and Phillipp Dausch — are one of the biggest bands in the world. As they get ready to share the idiosyncratic and inventive pop songs that populate their new album Living In A Haze, they proudly boast over 10 million monthly Spotify listeners, an enviable touring resume (including festivals like Coachella, Reading & Leeds, and Lollapalooza), an upcoming schedule of 2023 dates that represent their biggest headline shows of their career, and a global audience stretching from the US and Mexico to the EU, Australia, and beyond. Over the course of their decade-plus as a band, they’ve proven themselves to be an elusive entity: the rare organism that has evolved to survive and thrive in an increasingly precarious music industry. In an era where there’s no shortage of hucksters offering shaky advice to burgeoning musicians, Milky Chance are resistant to offering any kind of careerist insight on longevity. Instead, Rehbein offers a more straightforward philosophical suggestion: “The best thing we ever did for ourselves, artistically, was maintain a real sense of naivety. Maybe it’s because we met so young but playing music together feels just like that: Playing. Whatever we’re doing, we try to let a childlike intuition, serendipity, and sense of discovery lead the way.” Right as the band started, their runaway hit “Stolen Dance” — which just surpassed over 1 billion streams on Spotify — gifted Rehbein and Dausch with a platform far beyond what the duo could have imagined when they first recorded the track on a minimal home setup. But that kind of success breeds pressure from all sorts of stakeholders to recreate a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Not that Milky Chance let that get to them. “While we were vaguely aware that there were expectations to follow-up the success of that first album,” says Dausch, “we were largely able to ignore it. Probably because we were so young and things like playing festivals or going into the studio were still so new and exciting. Most of the other noise passed us by.” While they’re justifiably proud of their studio work following “Stolen Dance” — their 2014 debut Sadnecessary broke them as a global streaming and touring act, while 2017’s Blossom and 2019’s Mind The Moon found them building outwards from an established identity and taking advantage of new resources to collaborate with heroes like Jack Johnson and Ladysmith Black Mambazo — their recent decision to go independent has given Milky Chance a new lease on life. They’ve been able to experiment with their release approach, sharing two versions of their travel-inspired Trip Tapes, official collections of remixes, demos, and covers that originally featured as part of the soundtrack to their viral Road Tripping Radio series. They’ve also been able to further promote ecological sustainability, whether through their Milky Change initiative, which plants trees to offset the carbon footprint of touring, or through implementing more sustainable practices into how they source their merch. However, their new sense of freedom is best exemplified by the freewheeling exploratory verve that runs through Living In A Haze. For some acts, being unleashed artistically might mean endless run-times, dense noise collages, or a more hostile approach to their audience. But Milky Chance’s version of experimentalism is writing the tightest, most groove-forward pop song imaginable — and then going back and distorting each sound into its wildest, most unrecognizable iteration. Take album opener and lead single “Living In A Haze,” an economical haymaker of a track: Its “don’t bore us get to the chorus” structure unfolds with an enigmatic but intuitive logic, going from elegiac triplet guitar figure to a tight, post-Strokes rhythmic feel that provides the ideal musical metaphor to accompany Rehbein’s dreamy delivery. “I wish I was a disco boy,” he sings as the song’s tension finally uncoils with a percussive momentum that beckons listeners to join in. “I should be dancing the pain away.” Milky Chance have gotten so good at recording breezy off-kilter pop songs that, like two basketball players dramatically upping the stakes in a game of HORSE, they are now challenging themselves to do it in as bizarre a way as possible. On Living In A Haze, it sounds better than anything they’ve ever done. Operating from an eclectic moodboard of influences — which, in brief, includes: reggae-pop alchemists like Bob Marley, The Police, and Sublime; a vast array of global pop icons including Burna Boy, Stromae, and Rosalía; the emotive deep house of Fred again…; and the moody, neon-streaked Euphoria soundtrack — Milky Chance pack every song on Living In A Haze with delectable noises and the freight train hooks that have become their signature. Afrobeat rhythms power both “Flicker In The Dark” and “Feeling For You” — on the first providing a canvas on which to liberally splatter earthy acoustic textures and a cartoonishly colorful guitar solo, on the second lending a swiveling counterpoint to Rehbein’s narcotized vocal. The impish and irresistible “Colorado” — which makes a reprise here after a 2021 single release — is a labyrinth of twisting guitar riffs, echoing vocal ad-libs, and funhouse synth fanfares that still demands repeat listens. And “Better Off” is 80s pastiche constructed with both reverence and glee, its goth bassline and new wave keyboards showing that Milky Chance learned all the right lessons when they covered The Weeknd and Soft Cell as part of their Trip Tape series. Recorded at Jazzanova Recording Studios in Berlin with an array of collaborators — including production help from DECCO, Jonas Holle, Tobias Kuhn, Dennis Neuer, and guests including Malian artist Fatoumata Diawara and Canadian singer Charlotte Cardin — Living In A Haze ultimately works because it applies the band’s endless musical curiosity to the propulsive logic of the best club music. “In order to really connect with an audience, particularly in a live setting, music needs a sense of physicality and movement,“ says Rehbein. Milky Chance find unique ways to put this edict into practice, whether it’s the seamless synthesis of Laurel Canyon-steeped folk pop and deep house on “Synchronize” or the refreshingly subtle contours of “Like A Clown’s” poolside filter disco. On “History Of Yesterday,” they marry a UKG shuffle with sunny atmospherics and cascades of reverberating piano that culminate in perhaps the band’s breeziest chorus to date. However, all the studio ingenuity in the world doesn’t take you very far if it’s used on a lackluster song. Luckily, Living In The Haze provides an abundance of proof that Milky Chance are dedicated to mastering their songcraft. Want a compact pop gem packed with yearning and melodic sophistication? They’ve got “Purple Tiger” and its delightful call-and-response chorus. What about a singalong-igniting, lighters-aloft love song? They’ve got the undeniable strummer “Favorite Song.” What about something ambitious that points to heretofore unseen artistic avenues for the band’s future? There’s the sparse, delicately unfolding album closer “Frequency Of Love,” whose sub-bass textures and auto-tune choirs end things with an emotional flourish and teases the promise of Milky Chance songs to come. There’s a creative restlessness that permeates Living In A Haze. Milky Chance seem eager to avoid repeating themselves, lest they become stuck in their ways and lose the joyous spark that drew them together as teenaged music students. Over the past decade, that intrepid spirit has served Milky Chance well. Living In A Haze is not the culmination or endpoint of the band’s musical journey, but another chapter in it — one that vibrates with possibility and passion. It’s a thrilling juncture for band and listener alike.

[Milky Chance play Boulevardia, Friday, June 14, at 9:30 PM on the Visit Missouri Stage.]

10:28 – Underwriting

Thanks for tuning into WMM on 90.1 FM KKFI. I’m Mark Manning. Today on WMM we are serving up music from the 9th annual Boulevardia Festival.

Chris Haghirian joins us to share details about Boulevardia, Friday, June 14, & Saturday, June 15, at Crown Center, 2396 Grand Boulevard, with over 70 national, regional & local acts, 23 DJs, 5 music stages, with nearly 50 Brewing Companies, dozens and dozens of Restaurants & Food Trucks, Multiple merchants in the Makers Market, plus a Skating Party, The Silent Disco, and various VIP Experiences.

Boulevardia has become one of the city’s largest showcases of local music with over 60 local performers included in this year’s lineup. Musical performances cross over several genres and showcase the rich talent KC has to offer. The two-day urban street festival is near the intersection of Pershing and Grand Boulevard, encompassing Crown Center and Washington Square Park. The event features a craft beer and food sampling experience and music, as well as interactive activities, entertainment, and shopping, all in a unique urban setting. More info at: http://www.boulevardia.com

Chris Haghirian thanks for being with us on WMM

Boulevard – Saturday, June 15

VISIT MISSOURI STAGE
1:05pm – Selekto Show
2:25pm – The Phantatics
3:45pm – Kate Cosentino
5:05pm – Post Sex Nachos
6:25pm – Big Freedia
7:25pm – Sass-A-Brass
8:05pm – Paul Cauthen
9:45pm – Thundercat

ELEVATE STAGE
1:15pm – Tiki Brawlers
2:30pm – Danny Santell
3:45pm – Stranded In The City
5:00pm – Zee Underscore
6:15pm – The Whips
7:30pm – Black Alley Brass Band
8:45pm – Krystle Warren
10:00pm Ultimate Fakebook

PROPAGANDA3 PARK STAGE
2:00pm – Supermassive Black Holes
3:10pm – The Swallowtails
4:20pm – The Cowardly Lions
5:30pm – Kirstie Lynn & Galen Clark
6:40pm – Marty Bush
7:50pm – The MGDs
9:00pm – OLE 60
10:10pm – The Burney Sisters

HOLLADAY HILL STAGE
2:00pm – Jamogi
3:15pm – Asia Tsion
4:30pm – IVORY BLUE
5:45pm – Love, Mae C.
7:00pm – Broderick Jones
8:15pm – Stik Figa
8:15pm – Leonard Dstroy
9:30pm – Mary and The Matrix

MONSTER ENERGY SILENT DISCO
1:00pm – BLVDIA Skate Party
3:00pm – SIRQUEEN
3:00pm – Kay Fan
3:00pm – DJ Missy E
3:00pm – DJ Diehard
5:00pm – DJ MOHEAT
5:00pm – TIBERIAS
5:00pm – Yung Maple
7:00pm – DJ EJ
7:00pm – DJ ON10
7:00pm – DJ Dawna
7:00pm – Lana Luxx
9:00pm – DJ Joe & Ice Kole
9:00pm – ASSJAMZ
9:00pm – DJ NE$$

10:34

8. Supermassive Black Holes – “Wiser”
   from: Stop Safely Now / Supermassive Black Holes / October 27, 2023
   [Recorded, engineered, mixed & mastered by Duane Trower at Weights & Measures Soundlab. Supermassive Black Holes are: Alexis Barclay on bass guitar & vocals; John Johnson on electric, acoustic guitar, synthesizer, kazoo & vocals; Matt Davis on drums, piano & vocals; and Chad Brothers on electric & acoustic guitar & vocals. Song written by Chad Brothers. Supermassive Black Holes were formed in 2010 during the legendary Monday jam nights at Crosstown Station. Supermassive Black Holes are a genre-bending psychedelic rock band from KC known for their mesmerizing live performances. Fresh off the release of their new album “Stop Safely Now”, these musical stalwarts are eager to share their latest songs and sounds with lovers of psychedelic and progressive rock music. Their unique chemistry, honed over 13 years of collaboration, pushes the boundaries of sonic expression, creating a listening experience that captivates audiences. They’ve been described as a stoner rock lounge act or punk rock jam band. Their musical style is rich with electric guitar, rock-steady bass and powerful drums, and draws comparisons to bands like My Morning Jacket, Ween, Guided by Voices, and The Stone Roses. ]

[Supermassive Black Holes play Boulevardia, Sat, June 15, 2:00 PM on Propaganda 3 Park Stage.]

9. Kemet Coleman – “Android (feat. FlareThaRebel & Kadesh Flow)”
   from: “Android (feat. FlareThaRebel & Kadesh Flow)”– Single / Kemet Creative / April 26, 2024
   [Kemet Coleman is a Kansas City based musicians and is a member of the Hip-Hop duo COA (Center of Attention) and is the lead singer of the Funk/Rap/Soul band The Phantastics. Kemet is also a core element of The Marcus Lewis Big Band for Brass & Boujee. Kemet is a two time Pitch Music Award nominee for “Best Hip-Hop Act.” Kemet is known for his unprecedented collaborations with UMKC, KC Streetcar and The Kansas City Royals. He is also highly regarded for his impresario role within the Sly James for Mayor Campaign in the 2010-2011 where he created the first ever KC mayoral candidate rap song. A UMKC alumnus, Kemet, created “Gold and Blue” for UMKC’s sports teams, which has garnered thousands of plays on YouTube and has been featured on prime-time television commercials for the university. In 2020 Coleman contributed his song, “The Virus” to the compilation, Kansas City Syzygy, music created by over 25 KC-based musicians in the middle of the map of a pandemic. All proceeds donated to KC Tenants, a local nonprofit organized to ensure that everyone has a safe, accessible, affordable home. Kemet Coleman released, BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL on Aug. 1, 2020. Kenet Coleman released the single “Eyes On The Sr\treet” on May 21, 2021.] [The Phantastics released their single “All That Fine”on May 6, 2022. The Pjhantastics are an 8 member band from KC formed in December of 2010. Kemet the Phantom on lead vocals; Leigh Gibbs on lead vocals; JJ Cantrell on lead guitar & vocals; Danny Florez on electric bass; Ashley Thompson on drums, DJ Mitchell on saxophone; Ryan Jamaal Davis on Trombone and rap vocals; Austin Quick on keyboards. The Phantastics specialize in genre-blending dance floor activators. In 2015, the music group was crowned “Kansas City’s best party band” by the KC Star. Musicianship and diversity are at the core of their success. Rock, Rap, Dance, Funk, Jazz & Soul are all incorporated into their music. “The band that can do it all”, according to I Heart Local Music, has shared the stage with some of music’s most legendary acts including George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic. On Oct. 18, 2019 The Phantastics released LIVE AT THE PLAZA ART FAIR. On Aug. 24, 2018 The Phantastics released the EP, LIFE OF THE PARTY. On Dec. 14, 2013 The Phantastics released their debut album THE CLOSER. Info at: http://www.thephantastics.com]

[The Phantastics play Boulevardia, Saturday, June 15, 2:25 PM on the Visit Missouri Stage.]

10. Kate Cosentino – “Swim”
    from: “Swim” – Single / Kate Cosentino / February 3, 2024
    [One oif six new singles Kate Cosentino has released so far this year. Kare Costentino Well-versed in the art of puns and guitar-shredding, Kate Cosentino’s music is something of jazzy sleekness atop the lyrical precision of witty slam poetry. Whether you saw her rock the stage as a part of Niall Horan’s team for Season 23 of The Voice or saw one of her many goofy social media posts, Cosentino’s fun-loving personality, unique sense of style, and witty songwriting shine through in everything she does everything she does.]

[Kate Cosentino plays Boulevardia, Saturday, June 15, 3:45 PM on the Visit Missouri Stage.]

11. Good Morning Kevin – “Wiggle it (feat. Mura Masa & Bid Freedia)”
    from: “Wiggle it (feat. Mura Masa & Bid Freedia)” / Good Morning Kevin / February 2, 2024
    [New Short Form Series ‘Good Morning Kevin’ Launched on Social Media by ex-Pixar Animator, Andrew Gordon and his new company The Other Studio. Created by Pixar veteran Andrew Gordon, he rewrites the social media script with new characters destined for the big screen. Gordon is renowned for animated personalities like Monsters Inc.‘s Mike Wazowski, moving forward with Good Morning Kevin. His latest venture embraces social media with an animated bear that is launched into outer space by Pete Plainer, the CEO of Kadabra and forced to create viral content through interactive missions. // Big Freedia released the album Central City on June 23, 2023. Raised on Josephine Street in uptown New Orleans, Big Freedia, born Freddie Ross, was raised by his mother, a hairdresser, and stepfather, a truck driver for Coca-Cola. When Freddie was 15, the family moved to a more upscale neighborhood in New Orleans. Freddie—along with his brother Adam and sister Crystal Ross—were immersed in music at home by their mother, who often sang along to her Gladys Knight and Patty LaBelle records around the house. But it was the Baptist church choir where a young Freddie flourished. ”My mother made sure I never missed practice,” recalls Freedia. It’s no wonder that by the time he was 18, Freedia moved from member to director of the choir. Big Freedia is known as the Queen of Bounce, at the forefront of the Bounce rap movement (a subgenre of hip-hop born out of New Orleans and known for its call and response style and lightening speed booty-shaking dance). Though gay and proud, Big Freedia asserts that her (Freedia is a he but uses the feminine pronoun for her stage persona) sexuality has little to do with her music and rejects the term Sissy Bounce (the queer brand of Bounce). “All Bounce is Bounce,” he insists. “There’s no need to separate it out. All types of people—gay, straight, rich, poor, black, white come to my shows. People just wanna get out and shake their azzzz and have a good time!” And therein lies the beauty of Big Freedia: She can rock a pair of dangling gold earrings and light up a blunt and chop it up with the hardest rapper around. She’s not a gay artist, but rather an artist who happens to be gay. Big Freedia has gone from a local New Orleans phenomenon to a national one after appearing on the HBO series ‘Treme’ [as herself] and in 2010, she released her debut EP on Scion A/V Presents: Big Freedia, produced by NOLA producer BlaqNmilD. The EP featured notables “Excuse” and “Almost Famous; other fan-favorites include “Gin in my System” “Azz Everwhere” and “Y’all Get Back Now.” Shefollowed that up by releasing “Nah Who Mad” and “Booty Whop,” and she was featured on Spank Rock’s “Everything is Boring and Everyone is a Fucking Liar” LP, on the track “Nasty.” She was also featured on “Peanut Butter” with RuPaul. Freedia made her network television network debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live! She appeared on “Last Call with Carson Daly,” FADERTV, PITCHFORK TV and has been lauded in press outlets such as The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Fader, RollingStone.com, SPIN, OffBeat, Chicago Tribune.]

[Big Freedia plays Boulevardia, Saturday, June 15, at 6:25 PM on the Visit Missouri Stage.]

12. Back Alley Brass Band – “Second Line”
    from: Last Chance To Dance – EP / Back Alley Brass Band / April 19, 2024
    [The Back Alley Brass Band released their debut full-length studio album Back Alley Brass Band on March 25, 2022. The Back Alley Brass Band is a Kansas City take on a funky brass band. The 10-piece band is a hard hitting music power house that starts a party wherever they play. 
Trumpets: Justin Crossman, Tom Lawlor Saxes: Eric Rothmier, Alex Toepfer Bones: Matt Hubbell, Matt Fillingham, Chacko Finn Sousa: Patrick Yeh Drums: Daniel McDill Aux Percussion: Jeremey ReynoldsMore information at: http://www.backalleybrass.com ]

[The Back Alley Brass Band plays Boulevardia, Saturday, June 15, at 7:30 PM on the Elevate Stage.]

13. Paul Cauthen – “25 Tequilas”
    from: “25 Tequilas” – Single / Velvet Rose Records / September 15, 2023
    [Paul Cauthen is a true force of nature. His ability to captivate audiences with his soulful sound and larger-than-life personality has become lore amongst those that have witnessed it. Also doesn’t hurt to have a generational set of pipes to top it all off. Hailing from East Texas, Cauthen embodies the spirit of the Lone Star State, earning a reputation for doing things his own way. Born into a family of preachers, Cauthen’s upbringing heavily influences his deep-rooted connection to music. With a voice that resonates with raw emotion, he aims to transport listeners, inviting them on a journey through love, heartbreak, and the pursuit of personal freedom. Cauthen’s journey has been one of resilience, perseverance and sheer independence. Turning down major label deals at various points in his career, Cauthen has valued forging his own path and betting on himself over all else. With multiple releases this year including the genre bending Hometeam and raucous Wild Man, Cauthen has continued to explore new sonic territory fearlessly, while unapologetically defying expectations and creating music that resists categorization. As he embarks on the This Road I’m On Tour, his biggest headline tour to date, Cauthen brings his long time live band, the Hot Grease Fire, and a collection of hits and new tracks begging to be played for his hungry audiences. He also brings his trademark dance moves, so make sure you’re ready to get down if you come to a Paul Cauthen show.]

[Paul Cauthen plays Boulevardia Saturday, June 15, at 8:05 on the Visit Missouri Stage.]

14. Stik Figa – “uknowhut (ft. The Expert & Blu) (radio edit)”
    from: “uknowhut” – Single / Rucksack Records / April 12, 2023
    [ On October 6, 2023 Stik Figa released “Say Dat!” as the lead single from the upcoming project with Leonard Dstroy with songs written by Stik Figa. and produced by Leonard Dstroy. // on August 25, 2023 Stik Figa released the 5-track EP THE FORGOTTEN. // On March 15, 2024 Stik Figa released to 7-track EP, SOIL SONGS.// Stik Figa is rapper from Topeka, KS who cut his teeth on the Kansas City rap scene for close to a decade. Making a name for himself as a charismatic performer and premier lyricist in the region, releasing 9 solo albums and multiple collaborations // Later partnering with notable independent hip-hop label Mello Music Group releasing collaboration with L’Orange, “The City Under the City” and straight forward hip-hop album Central Standard Time. More info at: http://www.stikfiga785.bandcamp.com]

[Stik Figa plays Boulevardia Saturday, June 15, at 8:15 on the Holladay Hill Stage.]

11:00 – Station ID

15. Krystle Warren – “Born In The Fall”
    from: A Time to Keep Love Songs EP / Parlour Door Music / August 12, 2011
    [Originally from KC, Krystle learned to play the guitar by listening to Rubber Soul & Revolver from The Beatles. Krystle graduated from Paseo Arts Academy in 2001 and began her musical career in collaborating with area jazz and pop musicians. After living in San Francisco and NYC, Krystle was signed to a French label, Because Music, and moved to Paris to release “Circles” in 2009. Krystle played French and British television programs, including Later with Jools Holland, garnering critical acclaim and traveling all over the world with Rufus Wainwright, Nick Cave, Norah Jones, and Joan As Police Woman. Krystle created, Parlour Door Music, to release “Love Songs: A Time You May Embrace” a recording from a 13-day session in Brooklyn, where she recorded 24 songs live with 28 musicians including her band, The Faculty, alongside choirs, horn and string sections.]

[Krystle Warren plays Percheron Rooftop Series on Thursday, Jun 13, 2024, at 7:00 PM.]

[Krystle Warren plays Boulevardia, Sat, June 15 at 8:45pm on the Elevate Stage, at Crown Center.]

11:03 – Interview with Krystle Warren (and Chris Haghirian)

Thanks for tuning into WMM on 90.1 FM KKFI. I’m Mark Manning. Today on WMM we are serving up music from the 9th annual Boulevardia Festival.

Chris Haghirian is with us to share details about Boulevardia, Friday, June 14, & Saturday, June 15, at Crown Center and Washington Square, with over 70 national, regional & local acts, 23 DJs, 5 music stages.

Chris Haghirian, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

And we are so excited to welcome back to the show, KC born and internationally known singer songwriter Krystle Warren who is back in KC from her home in France. Krystle is one of our most played artists of all time on the radio show. Krystle is also one of our most frequent guests.

Krystle Warren began performing in her native KC at the age of 16. Krystle graduated from Paseo Arts Academy and in 2001 began her musical career collaborating with area jazz and pop musicians. After moving to New York City in 2003 she started busking on the streets and later formed her regular band, The Faculty. After an independent EP DIARY, recorded late night at Electric Lady Studio, Krystle Warren and The Faculty recorded their debut album CIRCLES. Because Music bought CIRCLES and Krystle was signed to the Paris based music label who sent her a one-way ticket. Krystle Warren & The Faculty released the album CIRCLES in 2009. Their epic sophomore release, LOVE SONGS… followed in 2011, and contained twenty-four songs about love and was recorded in New York City over the span of two weeks, with close to thirty musicians. Around this time, Krystle joined forces with one of her musical idols, Rufus Wainwright, on his world tour as opener and bandmate. Krystle Warren then released her solo album THREE THE HARD WAY, in 2017 where Krystle played every instrument. On May 31, 2019 Krystle Warren & The Faculty released heir single “Rising” written especially for Ava DuVernay’s critically acclaimed television mini series WHEN THEY SEE US. When her band’s full length album was put on hold, Krystle released the 4-song EP THE CREW on September 15, 2020. Krustle released the single “Macca” on May 22, 2023, and the single “La Dolce Vita” on March 1, 2024. Her band The Faculty is getting set to release their album, EXTENDED PLAY.

Krystle Warren plays Percheron Rooftop Series on Thursday, Jun 13, 2024, at 7:00 PM. Krystle Warren plays Boulevardia, Saturday, June 15 at 8:45pm on the Elevate Stage, at Crown Center. Krystle will be sharing glimpses of Extended Play, Krystle Warren & The Faculty’s upcoming album release. More info at: http://www.krystlewarren.com

Krystle Warren, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Joining Krystle is Jean Fabien Dijoud also known as “Jeff.”

Welcome home!

Last Summer, Krystle Warren & Solomon Dorsey headlined the KC Folk Fest 2023 on Saturday, May 20, in Washington Square Park, Kansas City, MO.

Krystle has brought along her friend Jeff from France

Earlier this year Krystle Warren & The Faculty released the 6:16 minute single “LA DOLCE VITA” on March 1, 2024.

Krystle Warren’s song, “Macca” was recorded on the heels of sessions for the band’s upcoming full length album EXTENDED PLAY.

Krystle says that the song, “became equal parts: a love letter to (Paul McCartney) and a note of encouragement to me. Which is a wonderful thing if you think about it.”

Following their double album LOVE SONGS (2012) “Macca” was recorded on the heels of sessions for the band’s upcoming full length album EXTENDED PLAY.”Macca” arrived unexpectedly.

“A Pal contacted me to help work on the music for an advertisement he was piecing together. My job was to find a melody and put words to it, so I set up my mic and started trying out ideas. And then POW! ‘ ‘Hang then upon the moon…’ – it sounded so distinctly Paul. Immediately I worried that the client would accept my buddy’s submission; thankfully, they didn’t.”

The “Paul” Krystle is referring to is Paul McCartney.

“He is such a huge inspiration for me. As a songwriter – my love of melody, the little quirks that come out lyrically – that’s all thanks to him. And singing that chorus — it evoked for me those gorgeous ballads he composed in the 80s – ‘Wanderlust,” ‘Tug of War’…There’s a bit of Wings there as well, I think, with a nod to ‘I’m Carrying.’

“What’s wild to me is that, though I decided. ‘This is for Paul,’ it became equal parts: a love letter to him, and a note of encouragement to me. Which is a wonderful thing when you think about it: Paul’s music so often encourages us to keep going, keep trying, and in using his language (so to speak), unwittingly, he was giving me strength.”

11:13

15. Krystle Warren (on vocals) & Jean Fabien Dijoud (on guitar) – “Macca” (LIVE)
    [The single “Macca” was released on May 22, 2023.]

Krystle Warren plays Percheron Rooftop Series on Thursday, Jun 13, 2024, at 7:00 PM.

Krystle Warren plays Boulevardia, Saturday, June 15 at 8:45pm on the Elevate Stage, at Crown Center.

Krystle Warren, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Also with us Chris Haghirian joins us to share details about Boulevardia, Friday, June 14, & Saturday, June 15, at Crown Center, 2396 Grand Boulevard, with over 70 national, regional & local acts, 23 DJs, 5 music stages.

Chris Haghirian, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Krystle Warren & The Faculty Discography

Krystle Warren & The Faculty has released the EP “Diary” on May 1, 2007

Krystle Warren released “The Up Series – EP” on November 10, 2008

Krystle Warren releases the 13-song Album CIRCLES on March 13, 2009

Krystle Warren & The Faculty released “A Time To Keep – Love Songs EP”, Aug. 12, 2011

Krystle Warren & The Faculty released the double album 24-song “Love Songs” released on vinyl in Europe on April 9, 2012 as “Love Songs: A Time to Embrace,” and “Love Songs: A Time to Refrain from Embracing. ” And released on separate digital and CD albums in the United States as: “Love Songs: A Time to Embrace,” on March 13, 2012 and “Love Songs: A Time to Refrain from Embracing” on February 27, 2015

Krystle Warren released the album THREE THE HARDWAY on August 18, 2017

Krystle Warren & The Faculty released the single “Rising” on May 31, 2019

Krystle Warren & The Crew released the 4-song EP, THE CREW on September 15, 2020

Krystle Warren & The Faculty released the single “Macca”on May 22, 2023

Krystle Warren & The Faculty released the single “LA DOLCE VITA” on March 1, 2024

More info at: http://www.krystlewarren.com

From Diary EP to Extended Play A Truncated History of Krystle Warren & The Faculty
From http://www.krystalwarren.com written by Phil Anderson:

Krystle Krystle Warren met Solomon Dorsey some weekend at a high school debate competition in KC. After she had trounced Solomon’s debate partner, the two ended up in an open classroom where they began playing music—Krystle had brought her guitar and was practicing chords, and Solomon, then an accomplished violinist, cellist, bassist, and singer likely had some sort of instrument on him, and even if he didn’t he had his voice.

Due to some specific details we’re not going to get into, Krystle was already living on her own; she was eighteen and he was seventeen. But she had a friend who had an apartment near hers, and this friend was having a party. “Wanna go?” she asked Solomon. And, as Solomon puts it, he has seen or spoken to Krystle every single day of his life since.

So when Solomon decided to attend the jazz program at New School in New York, he asked Krystle, “Wanna go?” And a few months after he moved, Krystle showed up. On her first night in the city, Solomon introduced her to Zach Djanikian, a saxophonist he’d become fast friends with at school. They lived in the same dorm, and Zach and Solomon took Krystle to a practice room in the basement and the three of them played musical games. According to Zach, “We’d sing as many melodies as we could over four open strings of the upright bass, plucked successively. ‘Norwegian Wood’ and the theme to ​Family Matters​ were a couple favorites.”

This led to busking as a trio, and each of them was hustling for gigs. An Italian restaurant that featured live music gave Krystle a regular night, and she often had Solomon and Zach play with her. Zach’s friend from Philadelphia, Ben Kane, would come to these nights, and he brought Mike Riddleberger.

In Philly, Zach was in a band called The Brakes, and Ben Kane was producing an album for Zach’s band in a windowless apartment that he shared with Riddleberger. Kane and Riddleberger had become friends a year earlier at NYU, bonding over their love of D’Angelo’s album ​Voodoo​. Riddleberger says that even though he saw Krystle perform, he didn’t speak to her until after she saw him play with his band, Quintus. Zach had brought her, and she approached him after the show to play in a band she was starting.

The Faculty was formed with Krystle, Solomon, Zach, Riddleberger, and Dave Moore, a keyboardist from Kansas who was at New School, too. While the four boys had classes and gigs, Krystle floated around New York and made a lot of friends. She busked and wrote songs, and, with the help of her band members and Ben Kane, who had an internship at ElectricLady Studios and was sneaking them in at odd hours, Krystle turned those songs into an EP called DIARY.

And it was a diary. The songs were about her daily experiences in this new place and with these new people. “I’ve Seen Days” has a title that implies a reflection, but it’s about how the world is new to her, how she’s “a frightened child” in a new city. “The New Astrologer” is about a new and exciting love, one that remains a good friend of hers. “A Song For Holly” is a letter to family explaining her new quotidien life (“your big sister / out in New York on some subway / your big sister, out trying to get paid”). And “Central Park” is a document of a night she had in Central Park with Zach and his boyfriend (now husband) Jesse, and how she is coming to embrace this new city, these new people, and this new chapter of her life.

If DIARY, the Faculty’s first recordings, is Krystle’s “Songs of Innocence,” then EXTENDED PLAY, the Faculty’s latest, is Krystle’s “Songs of Experience.”

Diary led to CIRCLES, which Ben Kane co-produced with Voodoo engineer Russell “The Dragon” Elevado. Circles was bought by Because Music in France, and Krystle had her next move. She stayed in France even when her relationship with Because ended because she found Vanessa, and Vanessa was worth staying in France for. But Krystle still recorded ​LOVE SONGS in New York, a double album that invokes a Blakean duality with its two subtitles, “A Time to Refrain from Embracing” and “A Time You May Embrace.” LOVE SONGS was produced with most of the Faculty (Zach was on tour with Amos Lee) and a slew of guest musicians in Brian Bender’s Brooklyn studio. Bender’s assistant, Jonathan Anderson, would later go on to replace Dave Moore on keys in the Faculty.

The Faculty has always been a tenuous project for everyone involved because of the distance and the schedules. While everyone remains close friends, the band members are spread across the globe. Krystle in France. Riddleberger in NYC and Zach in Woodstock. Solomon and Jonathan in LA. And then they are all working musicians, touring, recording, and collaborating with an impressive list of artists. Musicians like: D’Angelo, Hercules and Love Affair, Donald Fagen and the Nightfliers, Joan As Policewoman, Jose James, Emily King, Janet Jackson, Ron Sexsmith, The Dixie Chicks, Amy Helm, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, Rufus Wainwright, Kylie Minogue, Sara Bareilles, Natalie Merchant, Kesha, Bleachers, Emylou Harris, Amos Lee, Lana Del Rey, Broken Social Scene, Teddy Thompson, Lakecia Benjamin, Jenny Lewis, that’s less than the half of it.

So they have been busy, and they have gained a lot of experience since the days of sneaking into ElectricLady late night or playing for meager pay and free wine at an East Village Italian resto. And while DIARY and CIRCLES and LOVE SONGS were recorded with everyone in the same room (THREE THE HARDWAY was just Krystle & Kane together), EXTENDED PLAY was recorded disparately and assembled together by the steady hands and ears of Kane and Krystle. There is distance between the musicians in the recording process, but there is still a close emotional connection that can be heard in these songs.

And Krystle is writing with a close emotional connection to the distant past. The songs that make up Extended Play are songs of experience—the lyrics reflect on a crush from high school, a departed musical hero, and others who live in memory. There is nostalgia in ​EXTENDED PLAY and a forlornness. These songs are filled with references, musical and otherwise, to those who have inspired Krystle over the years, from Les Mis​ (specifically the song adopted by ACT UP) to Gregory Djanikian, Zach’s poet father, and Audre Lord.

Krystle describes “When I Look Back,” the last song of ​Extended Play​, as “an apology to my teenage self.” Seventeen years ago she was writing songs about what happened day-of because being young is about immediacy and living in the present tense. Now the songs are about years past because life slows down, and we are allowed the time to “look back.”

But as Krystle sings in “Rising,” “Future lingers while past is present.” She’s writing about the past because we are all our collected histories—or as she puts it in “When I Look Back”: “there’s still something of her that stays.” The future, of course, still lingers, always there waiting for us, for the next move. The album ends with a recording of Audre Lorde’s gravelly voice. She says,

“I’m going on to something else, the shape of which I have no idea. ‘Only thing I know, is it’s going to be quite different. What I leave behind has a life of its own. I’ve said this about poetry… Well in a sense, I’m saying it about the very artifact of who I have been.”

Krystle Warren & The Faculty still have more to come. They have built seventeen years of memories, experiences, recordings, and shows, and with the release of ​Extended Play​, they continue to show a commitment to growing as musicians together, even if apart.

Written by Phil Anderson

Krystle Warren and 90.1 FM KKFI

Krystle Warren has been a LIVE guest on Wednesday MidDay Medley 18 times.

Mark first interviewed Krystle Warren for The Tenth Voice, back 2002. Mark first interviewed Krystle Warren for The Tenth Voice, back 2002. Mark waited several hours, during a winter snow storm, at a huge party, where Krystle played with her band including her longtime friend Solomon Dorsey on bass, in a packed, smoke filled apartment near Community Christian Church across the hall from where Solomon lived, to be given a 2 song demo CD, that contained Krystle’s first recorded music, including a song called “Chanel #5.” Krystle has since gone on to be known all over the world, but still maintains contact with her hometown of Kansas City.

Krystle was on WMM on June 29, 2016 as “Guest Producer” to share inspirations for her new record, THREE THE HARD WAY playing early gospel recordings, that crossed over into Jazz from: Pharoah Sanders, Edwin Hawkins, and The Swan Silvertones. Krystle’s critically acclaimed album, Three The Hard Way was #1 on WMM’s 117 Best Recordings of 2017. Wednesday MidDay Medley was the first to play tracks from Krystle’s album, before it was released. Krystle came on the show months before the release, to share music that was the inspiration for the recording. Released on Parlour Door Music, on August 18, 2017 and Produced by Krystle Warren and Ben Kane. Recorded, engineered, and mixed by Ben Kane. Written & performed by Krystle Warren. Mixed at The Garden, Brooklyn. Mastered & cut by Alex DeTurk at Masterdisk. In 2015 in Krystle Warren premiered new songs from this album at the Middle of the Map Fest in a packed room at Californos in Westport and later at The Polsky Theatre for the Performing Arts Series of Johnsons County Community College. For this record Krystle decided to play every instrument and vocals & back up vocals, “playing bass, drums, lap steel, piano, guitar, and vocals directly to analog tape. She and Ben Kane recorded in Villetaneuse, France, a small town on the outskirts of Paris in a vintage 70s era studio that offered just the right, rich sound to suggest the musical foundation for the record, and to do justice to the duo’s carefully balanced arrangements.” On the Wednesday MidDay Medley radio show in 2016 Krystle shared inspirations for this record, early gospel recordings, that crossed over into Jazz from: Pharoah Sanders, Edwin Hawkins, and The Swan Silvertones.
Krystle was on the show on Oct. 16, 2019 with Brad Cox when she was in KC to present LoveSongs with Owen/Cox Dance Group at Oct 19 & 20, 2019 at Polsky Theatre at JCCC.

We talked with Krystle on September 23, 2020 about The Crew EP where Krystle and friends recorded unique versions of four classic songs with the hope of encouraging the rallying cries of the moment: the movement of the people. Warren embarked on the project after her newest album, with her band The Faculty, was stalled due to COVID-19

On May 24, 2023 Krystle Warren was our Guest Producer playing music that inspired the single, “Macca” from Krystle Warren & The Faculty. Krystle will played tracks from Paul McCartney, Chet Atkins, and Stevie Wonder..

11:26

18. Krystle Warren – “Sunbeams”
    from: A Time to Keep Love Songs EP / Parlour Door Music / August 12, 2011
    [Originally from KC, Krystle learned to play the guitar by listening to Rubber Soul & Revolver from The Beatles. Krystle graduated from Paseo Arts Academy in 2001 and began her musical career in collaborating with area jazz and pop musicians. After living in San Francisco and NYC, Krystle was signed to a French label, Because Music, and moved to Paris to release “Circles” in 2009. Krystle played French and British television programs, including Later with Jools Holland, garnering critical acclaim and traveling all over the world with Rufus Wainwright, Nick Cave, Norah Jones, and Joan As Police Woman. Krystle created, Parlour Door Music, to release “Love Songs: A Time You May Embrace” a recording from a 13-day session in Brooklyn, where she recorded 24 songs live with 28 musicians including her band, The Faculty, alongside choirs, horn and string sections.]

[Krystle Warren plays Percheron Rooftop Series on Thursday, Jun 13, 2024, at 7:00 PM.]
[Krystle Warren plays Boulevardia, Sat, June 15 at 8:45pm on the Elevate Stage, at Crown Center.]

11:30 – Underwriting

11:32 – Interview with Krystle Warren (and Chris Haghirian)

Thanks for tuning into WMM on 90.1 FM KKFI. I’m Mark Manning. Today on WMM we are serving up music from the 9th annual Boulevardia Festival.

Chris Haghirian is with us to share details about Boulevardia, Friday & Saturday, June 14, & 15, with over 70 national, regional & local acts, 23 DJs, 5 music stages.

Chris Haghirian, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Also with us is Krystle Warren, in KC from France with Jean Fabien Dijoud aka”Jeff.”

Krystle Warren plays Percheron Rooftop Series on Thursday, Jun 13, 2024, at 7:00 PM.

Krystle Warren plays Boulevardia, Sat June 15 at 8:45pm on the Elevate Stage.

Krystle Warren, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Boulevard – Saturday, June 15

VISIT MISSOURI STAGE
1:05pm – Selekto Show
2:25pm – The Phantatics
3:45pm – Kate Cosentino
5:05pm – Post Sex Nachos
6:25pm – Big Freedia
7:25pm – Sass-A-Brass
8:05pm – Paul Cauthen
9:45pm – Thundercat

ELEVATE STAGE
1:15pm – Tiki Brawlers
2:30pm – Danny Santell
3:45pm – Stranded In The City
5:00pm – Zee Underscore
6:15pm – The Whips
7:30pm – Black Alley Brass Band
8:45pm – Krystle Warren
10:00pm Ultimate Fakebook

PROPAGANDA3 PARK STAGE
2:00pm – Supermassive Black Holes
3:10pm – The Swallowtails
4:20pm – The Cowardly Lions
5:30pm – Kirstie Lynn & Galen Clark
6:40pm – Marty Bush
7:50pm – The MGDs
9:00pm – OLE 60
10:10pm – The Burney Sisters

HOLLADAY HILL STAGE
2:00pm – Jamogi
3:15pm – Asia Tsion
4:30pm – IVORY BLUE
5:45pm – Love, Mae C.
7:00pm – Broderick Jones
8:15pm – Stik Figa
8:15pm – Leonard Dstroy
9:30pm – Mary and The Matrix

MONSTER ENERGY SILENT DISCO
1:00pm – BLVDIA Skate Party
3:00pm – SIRQUEEN
3:00pm – Kay Fan
3:00pm – DJ Missy E
3:00pm – DJ Diehard
5:00pm – DJ MOHEAT
5:00pm – TIBERIAS
5:00pm – Yung Maple
7:00pm – DJ EJ
7:00pm – DJ ON10
7:00pm – DJ Dawna
7:00pm – Lana Luxx
9:00pm – DJ Joe & Ice Kole
9:00pm – ASSJAMZ
9:00pm – DJ NE$$

11:41

19. Thundercat – “Them Changes”
    rom: Drunk / Brainfeeder / February 24, 2017
    [Stephen Lee Bruner (born October 19, 1984), better known by his stage name Thundercat, is an American musician, singer, record producer, and songwriter from Los Angeles. First coming to prominence as a member of crossover thrash band Suicidal Tendencies, he has since released four solo studio albums and is noted for his work with producer Flying Lotus and his appearances on Kendrick Lamar’s 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly. In 2016, Thundercat won a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Performance for his work on the track “These Walls” from To Pimp a Butterfly. In 2020, Thundercat released his fourth studio album, It Is What It Is, which earned him a Grammy Award for Best Progressive R&B Album. // Raised in Compton and other parts of Los Angeles, Bruner was born into a family of musicians, including his father Ronald Bruner Sr., a drummer, and his mother Pam, a flautist and percussionist. His father played drums for The Temptations, The Supremes, and Gladys Knight, amongst others. After Bruner Sr. got sober from cocaine, the children would watch him play gigs at the Crenshaw Christian Center. Bruner attended Locke High School, playing in the school’s jazz band. His teacher, Reggie Andrews, produced and co-wrote the Dazz Band’s 1982 single “Let It Whip” and collaborated with Rick James. Andrews re-introduced Bruner to Kamasi Washington; the two had originally met as children, through their fathers’ membership in a gospel fusion band. The reunited duo would sneak into jazz concerts, driving around in a worn-down 1982 Ford Mustang to do so. They would later get to play the same venues as the performers they watched. They also did sessions with Bruner’s cousin Terrace Martin in Washington’s father’s garage during this time. // Bruner began playing the bass at an early age, listening to bass players such as Stanley Clarke and Marcus Miller for inspiration. By the age of 15, he had a minor hit in Germany as a member of the boy band No Curfew. A year later, he joined his brother Ronald Jr. as a member of the Los Angeles crossover thrash band Suicidal Tendencies, replacing former bass player Josh Paul. Bruner’s earliest studio album appearances include playing electric bass on Kamasi Washington’s Live at 5th Street Dick’s and The Proclamation. // Erykah Badu was credited with helping Bruner find his stage presence and identity as Thundercat. Around this time, Bruner would play in live bands for Raphael Saadiq and Snoop Dogg, and both would make quips about his playing style. Bruner credited Flying Lotus with pushing him to start singing and making his own projects. // In 2020, Rolling Stone ranked him as one of the greatest bass players of all time. // In 2004, Bruner collaborated with Kamasi Washington, as well as Cameron Graves and Ronald Jr., under the name The Young Jazz Giants. The group later united with Terrace Martin and five other Los Angeles jazz musicians to form the West Coast Get Down collective, with whom they recorded several albums. // Along with his band duties, Bruner is also a session musician, acclaimed for his work on Erykah Badu’s New Amerykah (2008) and fellow Brainfeeder artist Flying Lotus’ Cosmogramma (2010), Until the Quiet Comes (2012), and You’re Dead! (2014). // Bruner was a major contributor to Kendrick Lamar’s critically acclaimed album To Pimp a Butterfly in 2015, and has been described as being “at the creative epicenter” of the project. Longtime Thundercat collaborators Flying Lotus, Kamasi Washington, and Terrace Martin were also major contributors to the album. // Bruner was a frequent collaborator on Mac Miller’s tracks. On August 6, 2018, Bruner played bass during Miller’s Tiny Desk Concert, during which the two played their collaborative track, “What’s the Use?” In 2022, he collaborated with virtual band Gorillaz on their single “Cracker Island”, the first single and title track for their album of the same name. The song was released on April 30, 2022.]

[Thundercat plays this year’s Boulevardia, Saturday, June 15 at 9:45 PM on the Visit Missouri Stage.]

11:44 – More Interview with Krystle Warren (and Chris Haghirian)

Thanks for tuning into WMM on 90.1 FM KKFI. 
I’m Mark Manning. Today on WMM we are serving up music from the 9th annual Boulevardia Festival.

Chris Haghirian is with us to share details about Boulevardia, Friday, June 14, & Saturday, June 15, at Crown Center and Washington Square, with over 70 national, regional & local acts, 23 DJs, 5 music stages.

Also with us is our friend Krystle Warren, back home in in KC from her home in France with Jean Fabien Dijoud aka Jeff.

Krystle Warren plays Percheron Rooftop Series on Thursday, Jun 13, 2024, at 7:00 PM.

Krystle Warren plays Boulevardia, Saturday, June 15 at 8:45pm on the Elevate Stage, at Crown Center.

Chris Haghirian and Krystle Warren Jean Fabien Dijoudthank you for being or special guests

For WMM, I’m Mark Manning. Thanks for listening!

11:53

19. Ultimate Fakebook – “Tell Me What You Want”
from: This Will Be Laughing Week / Sony Music / July 18, 2000
[If rock and roll is dead, somebody forgot to tell Ultimate Fakebook. Not rap-metal or dance-pop or alt-country, but rock and roll: that musical vehicle for the uniquely American sense of freedom; that now middle-aged but still transcendent form with the power to bring to life a dream, a personality, even an entire world view in the space of a three-minute song. Bill McShane, Eric Melin, and Nick Colby – the three members of Manhattan, KS trio Ultimate Fakebook – remember when music could lift you up rather than just beat you senseless. They grew up in Middle America as fans of musicians who seemed more or less just like them, not polished products of some distant entertainment factory. In their good-natured and unassuming way, Ultimate Fakebook are on a mission: to bring back the warmth, humor, compassion, and exhilarating energy of great rock and roll.]

[Ultimate Fakebook plays Boulevardia on Saturday, June 15, at 10:00 PM on the Elevate Stage]

20. Noel Coward – “The Party’s Over Now”
    from: Noel Coward in New York / drg / 2003 [orig. 1957]

For WMM, I’m Mark Manning. Thanks for listening!

Next week on Wednesday, June 19 we welcome Tracy McNeil and Dan Parsons of the Australian duo Minor Gold who talk with us Live about their show Wednesday Night, June 19, at 7:00pm at Waldo Pizza, 7433 Broadway, KCMO as part of The Waldo Folk series. // Also next week journalist, club promoter and punk rock band member Aaron Rhodes joins us to share details about his new band and about what is going on at Farewell KC and Howdy, two East KC clubs Aaron helps keep going. // Nicolette Paige joins us to talk about her cooperative Farm, // and Scott Hrabko is back with more music for his new EP series..

THANK YOU to our incredible KKFI Staff; Director of Development & Communications – J Kelly Dougherty, Volunteer Coordinator – Darryl Oliver, Chief Operator – Chad Brothers, KKFI Accounting & Administration – Shaina Littler

This radio station is more than the individual hosts of each individual radio show. Instead it is about a collective spirit of hundreds of hardworking people, unselfishly setting aside ego, to work for the greater good of community building and the gigantic goal of keeping our airwaves free, non-commercial, and open to all! Congratulations and thank you to all programmers & volunteers who went the extra effort to keep our station alive.

Our Script/Playlist is a “cut and paste” of information.
Sources for notes: artist’s websites, bios, wikipedia.org

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http://www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM
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http://www.bandcamp.com/wednesdaymiddaymedley
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Show #1050