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 MidDay Medley’s 39 Favorite Singles of 2019

1. NuBlvckCity – “All Night”/”Alive” – Single / NuBlvckCity / 7-12-19
[NuBlvckCity is a KC-based music collective with Kartez Marcel (Addison), a native of Kansas City, Missouri, a Hip-Hop artist, and community program developer, sound engineer, entrepreneur, recording artist, musician, and songwriter. He provides resources to artists and assists with bringing their artistic visions to life, he also serves as the Director of A/V at a large faith-based organization. With Royce “Sauce” Handy he founded We Are Rap a hip hop program for youth. VP3 (Vernon Percy Howard III) is a Music Producer, Songwriter, Singer, Pianist, & Saxophonist. He recently gradualted from the University of Central Missouri where he studied digital media production. Mae C is a singer/songwriter who’s one of KC’s go-to voices and performer’s. Mae C is a KC based singer songwriter who we’ve played several times on the show. Her single “Anxious” was preceeded by her EP, Warning Sign of True Love. Influenced by Hip Hop, Rock, Jazz, Soul & R&B, Mae C is making her mark as an artist in the KC music scene. Royce “Sauce” Handy is a rapper, a songwriter, a beat maker, a designer, a teacher, an MC, a business owner, a social media manager, a husband, a father., a community organizer. He has worked with the AdHoc Group Against Crime, Teens in Transition, Storytellers Inc., Arts Tech, Mid-America Regional Council, UMKC, Rep. Brandon Ellington, Mayor Sly James. He is co-owner of The Rap Asylum, We are RAP, and owner of Melanin Connoisseur.]

2. The Freedom Affair – “Rise Up” / Colemine / June 21, 2019 [7″ Vinyl]
[The Freedom Affair is a project of Chris Hazelton of Sunflower Soul Records and Chris Hazelton’s Boogaloo 7. The band includes members of the Boogaloo 7 with members of Instant Karma and three of the KC area’s leading vocalists. The Freedom Affair is: Misha Roberts on vocals, Seyko Groves on vocals, Paula Saunders on vocals, Cole Bales on guitar, Branden Moser on guitar, Chris Hazelton on bass, Dave Brick on drums, Pete Carroll on trumpet, and Brett Jackson on saxophone. The Freedom Affair and their track “Rise Up” were selected to be part of Colemine Records 3xLP box set, “Soul Slabs Vol. 2” a Record Store Day Exclusive, released April 13, 2019. Colemine Records writes: “The Freedom Affair is a freight train of Kansas City soul! Dirty, funky drums, gritty horns, and the combined vocals of Misha Roberts, Seyko Groves, and Paula Saunders to put this band over the top. Politically charged soul music for the dancefloor!”]

3. Shy Boys – “Dim The Light”/”Brick By Brick” / Polyvinyl / Feb. 15, 2019
[Single release follow up to band’s 2nd album and Polyvinyl debut, Bell House. Shy Boys line-up consists of brothers Collin Rausch and Kyle Rausch, Konnor Ervin, Kyle Little and Ross Brown. Kyle Rausch and Konnor Ervin were already band mates in the indie-pop band The ACBs and Collin had been playing for years in the Kansas City area in various bands. The three shared a love for 1960s era pop rock and soon started writing their own music. In 2014 they released the self-titled Shy Boys on High Dive Records. The album received generally positive reviews and the single “Bully Fight” was featured on Spin.com. In June 2014 the band recorded and released two more singles and one of them, “Life Is Peachy,” was featured on Stereogum. On April 4th, 2018, it was announced that the band had signed to Polyvinyl Record Co.]

4. The Philistines – “Further” / The Philistines / March 15, 2019
[New music from The Philistines, that will be part of the upcoming album Dysnomia. Produced and engineered by paul Malinowski at Massive Sound Studios. The Philistines are a Kansas City based rock band with a psychedelic bent, made up of: Kimmie Queen on lead vocals; Cody Wyoming on lead guitar & vocals; Rod Peal on guitar; Josh Mobley on keyboard, Steve Gardels on drums, and Barry Kidd on bass.]

5. Broken Heart Syndrome-“Dolly (and other unfinished business)”/9-13-19
[Kansas City based supergroup Broken Heart Syndrome, is Matthew Roth (of Schwervon!, Major Matt Mason USA) on songwriting, vocals & guitar, Pat Tomek (of The Rainmakers) on drums & percussion, Dave Tanner (of The Depth and The Whisper) on bass and backing vocals, Todd Granthem (of The Quivers) on keyboards. This recording was engineered and co-produced by Pat Tomek at Level Stage in KC, MO. Dolly (and other unfinished business) is the second official Broken Heart Syndrome release. Matthew Roth writes, “This track was inspired by the autobiography of Dolly Parton. Many years ago, while I was still living in New York, I took part in a very ambitious singer-songwriter night that is put on by my friend Susan Hwang, called the Bushwick Book Club. It’s still going on, as far as I know. Basically, you read a book and then you write a song about it. The book was Dolly Parton’s: My Life and Other Unfinished Business. I was having a hard time tracking down a copy of the book and luckily my friend Diane Cluck just so happened to have it on tape. It was an actual cassette tape. So, yeah turns out Dolly Parton had a pretty amazing life. It was great to hear her voice telling her own story. There were several points where I felt very moved and even connected to her story. I tried to take some of those parts and channel them as inspiration for the lyrics. It’s like a little secret message from me to her. I don’t think most people would be able to tell what the song is about if I didn’t tell them. I’m pretty positive that she’ll probably never hear it but it’s a really fun way to write a song.”]

6. Brandon Phillips & The Condition – “Angel Say No” / “People Talk” / Too Much Rock / April 13, 2019
[The group is inspired by Elvis Costello and the “girl groups” of Motown Records. This is a project of Brandon Phillips (The Architects, The Gadjits, Other Americans) and features an ensemble cast that includes: Adam Phillips, Zachary Phillips, Brent Kastler, Julie Berndsen along with other musicians from other bands. The B-side of this vinyl-only, limited-run record is a hand selected cover of Tommy Tutone’s “Angel Say No”– as near a perfect power-pop deep-cut as one is likely to find in even the dustiest record bin in it’s original version, here re-amplified by a crack rhythm section and wedded to the Ronettes-worshiping vocal style for which BP+C are known. Too Much Rock, is a music site created by Sid Sowder in 1997, to share his original photographs, video, and commentary, of the live music shows he attends. Too Much Rock also hosts a musical podcast. Several years ago Sid Sowder created the Too Much Rock – Singles Series, a collection of 45 rpm 7″ singles, featuring an original song from a band, with a cover song, chosen by Too Much Rock. 500 limited edition copies are pressed by Too Much Rock and given to the band. Kansas City based bands, Schwervon!, Rev Gusto, Josh Berwanger Band, The Uncouth, Hipshot Killer, Witch Jail, Red Kate, and Heidi Lynn Gluck have all recorded for the Too Much Rock Single Series. http://www.TooMuchRock.com ]

7. The Moose – “Through The Rainbow”/”Bell-Bottom Trees” /The Moose/ 11-10-19
[The Moose is an alternative band from Lee’s Summit, formed in 2016 by Jake Hilger, Alex Huffman, and Tyler Frey with Emma Klein and Parker Tozier joining in 2016. The Moose released their debut full length album, The First Real Encounter, on Dec. 21, 2018. The Moose joined us LIVE on WMM on July 10, 2019.]

8. Claire Adams – “Better Luck” / Claire Adams / September 20, 2019
[Musically curious and multifaceted, Claire Adams has spent more than a decade touring, recording and songwriting to hone her melodic instincts and vision. A bassist, guitarist, singer and songwriter, Adams has lent a discerning ear and versatility to a number of projects. 2019 finds Adams collaborating with the KC based string quartet Rewound, jazz pianist Alyssa Murray & drummer Fritz Hutchinson. Recorded at The Blue House in Kansas City, MO. Additional tracking at MARZ Studios in Nederland, TX. Mixed & mastered at Weights + Measures Soundlab in KCMO. Written by Claire Adams, with Claire Adams on guitars, bass, and vocals; Alyssa Murray on keyboards & vocals; and Fritz Hutchison on drums & vocals.]

9. Black Stacey – “Lose The Peace” / Sharaden Staten / May 16, 2019
[This song will be included in Black Stacey’s upcoming EP, “Lose the Peace.” Co-produced/mixed/mastered by Joel Nanos at Element Studios. The track features Julia Hail of Hi-Lux; Christine Grossman, principal violist of the Kansas City Symphony; and Michael Raehpour and Grant Morgan on horns. “The record tells the story of a relationship between father and daughter, and with this track giving the back story and possible end of said relationship, it only makes sense that it’s Black Stacey’s most involved song to date.” We first played an unmastered version of this song on March 13, 2019. Black Stacey is Sharaden Staten, a Missouri native, who release his album “Electric Church” in 2017. Part of WMM’s The 117 Best Recordings of 2017. Sharaden, a 25-year-old, having grown up in the back woods of central Missouri, and couch surfed his way into the KC metro, pairs subtle notes of R&B, funk, soul, and rock; dramatically blending it into a raw eclectic mix. In 2015 Sharaden began writing, recording and producing Black Stacey’s debut, “Electric Chariot”. A project that has given him a solid foundation in the KC music scene, gaining him spots on local radio and the opportunity to work with producer Joel Nanos. More info at: http://www.blackstacey.com.]

10. Serene Fiend – “Unto Myself” / Vitality Records / July 10, 2019
[Industrial pop-rock project from Lawrence, Kansas based Joel Bonner. All instruments programmed and performed by Joel Bonner. Synth solo programmed and performed by Daniel Glascock. Written, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Joel Bonner.]

Special Note: Every year we carry over a single that was released so late in the previous year that we may have missed it in our playlists. This year we carried over a song from last year’s “Best Singles List.” We did this as a tribute to one of our favorite area groups, Lovergurl, that disbanded in September 2019 after the trio announced that their guitarist and vocalist, Heather Andrews was moving out of Kansas City to pursue her career in animation. We love this band, and their music, and the spirit of protest that is righteously infused into all of their songs. We want more bands like this band, especially during these absolutely crazy times we a living through. Look for Lovergurl’s last recording, their EP “Buzzkill” in WMM’s 119 Best Recordings of 2019 during our 4-week series in December.

11. Lovergurl – “Rebel” / Lovergurl / September 14, 2018
[Recorded and mastered with RLT at Audibly Recording. KC based 4-piece band, Lovergurl caught our ear with their synth pop sound and lyrics reflecting social and political messages with hip hop and punk elements. The trio released their EP, The President is a Sex Offender on May 19, 2017. Keyboardist and vocalist, Stephanie Bankston was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. She is a graduate of The University of Missouri. She moved abroad in her 20s, and lived in Seoul, Korea, where she played in a mostly female band called BaekMa (“White Horse”). Stephanie returned to Kansas City in the Fall 2015. Brook Worlledge, is a Kansas City native. She is the band’s drummer and she sings and writes songs for the band. Brook is a defender of the proletariat. Brook’s influences range from The B-52s, The Velvet Underground, and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Lovergurl guitarist and vocalist, Heather Andrews was born and raised in Rhode Island.]

12. No Such Beast – “Drifter” / No Such Beast / June 17, 2019
[Debut single from KC based Indie Folk 5-piece with strings of bass, violin, banjo, guitar, & cello from: Abby Atwood, Adriana Williamson, Colton Pittman, & Olivia Atwood, and lead vocals from Issac Walker.]

13. Kat King – “Song From Spain” / Kat King / February 9, 2019
[Lawrence Kansas based singer songwriter Kat King released her last single “2017” October 18, 2018. She released her 5-song EP “Falling Up” on December 1, 2017. Kat King has been creating music since the 2nd grade. She’s produced one 13-song album and three EP’s, the first one released at the age of 14. ]

14. The Fey – “Lost in My Head” / The Record Machine / August 2, 2019
[New single and follow to the band’s July 13, 2018 EP Strawberry Lemonade. The Fey is a Rock/Soul sextet based in Lincoln, Nebraska. The band has created 3 EP’s under the alias “AZP”, but have recently made a name change to, The Fey. Charles Hull, Founder and Managing Director, Silver Street Records writes, The Fey is: Zach Watkins on lead/backup vocals, keys, percussion; Ishma Valenti on rap vocals; Trey Shotkoske on drums; Michael Rogers on guitars; John Fucinaro on bass, and Ludwing Siebenhor. Additional Backup vocals by Jasmin Ondap and Aly Millanes. Engineered and mixed by James Fleege at Silver Street. Mastered by Doug Van Sloun at Focus Mastering. Produced by Zach Watkins and James Fleege at Silver Street. Album art by Zach Watkins]

15. Mild Cats – “Keep The Cat Out of The Fire”/”Conversation”/Mild Cats/ 2-14-19
[Recorded at Parrot Ice Studios, The Tinsel Room, and a secret attic no one can ever know about. Patrick Keizer on guitar & vocals & keyboards, Christina Silvius on viola, Wade Conyers on bass, Quinn Hernandez on drums, Davy Langerak on percussion, and Josiah Hunter on guitar.]

16. Pala Zolo – “Up Northern” / The Record Machine / February 8, 2019
[Pala Zolo is the instrumental electronic project of Lawrence, KS musician Eric Davis. In Pala Zolo, Davis blends synthesizers and drum machines with live instruments to create his blend of cinematic pop music. He chose the name to pay homage to his Sicilian heritage by naming the project after a small Sicilian village he spent time in while studying abroad in Italy. Pala Zolo allows Davis the full freedom to experiment in ways that are a departure from his main gig as the keyboard player in buzzy up-and-coming rock band Hembree (Thirty Tigers, Oread Records). // The inspiration for Pala Zolo came from a chance meeting with fellow electronic musician, Tycho’s Scott Hansen. One day while working at The Granada Theater in Lawrence, Davis was given the job of being Hansen’s driver. For years Davis had been writing and recording his own demos and was completely unsure of what to do with them. After spending the entire day with Hansen and seeing him perform, Davis realized he could bring his incomplete ideas to life in his own unique way. Seeing an instrumental band perform such an emotionally charged set inspired Davis to finish his songs without traditional vocals and to begin creating his own sound in that genre. // Soon after, Davis set forth to finalize the recordings with his good friend and producer Joel Martin (Y god Y). The two of them spent countless hours experimenting with synthetic and acoustic textures to create perfect soundscapes to compliment Davis’ intricately arranged compositions. In 2018, Davis self-released singles House Plant & 40K, and continued to take Pala Zolo to another level by performing live with drummer Gerardo Rojas. The duo brings the songs to life with live synths, guitars and drums and has been resonating with audiences.]

17. Jake Wells – “Wanted To Love You” / Sound 81 Productions / May 18, 2019
[Kansas City based indie folk singer songwriter. Jake Wells was born in Florida grew up in Colorado. Jake studied Music Composition at University of Northern Colorado. “Jake’s sound evokes an emotionality and maturity much deeper than his age of 22 would imply.” He was named one of Spotify’s top 20. He has performed on stages since he was a teenager. His single releases are currently gaining radio play in the Midwest on several FM stations.]

18. Middlechild – “October 31st” / Oakwood Records / May 24, 2019
[Middlechild is the debut single from Kansas City, Missouri singer Middlechild, which is the Danzell Capers, formerly in the band Brother, who released a single called “Mobbin” that was included in a very fine compilation release series from our friends at The Record Machine called “How To Keep Dreaming: Vol. III,(2016), featuring 28 tracks from bands and artists from the KC, Lawrence, and surrounding areas.]

19. Me Like Bees – “Heartbeats”/ Me Like Bees / August 2, 2019
[Formed in Joplin in 2009 by Luke Sheafer, Nick Bynum, Pete Burton, Tim Cote. In 2015 after completing a leg in Van’s Warped Tour, Me Like Bees finished their new EP with award-winning producer, John Feldmann (Five Seconds of Summer, The Used, Panic! at the Disco, Goldfinger, Good Charlotte, Plain White T’s)]

20. Nick Carswell – “The Wave (A Reckoning)” / Silly Goose / May 7, 2019
[The featured single from “Changing Shades”, a solo project by Nick Carswell.
All music & lyrics by Nick Carswell. Produced by Nick Carswell. Additional mixing by Jason Slote. Songwriter Nick Carswell is originally from Limerick, Ireland, Nick Carswell has been living in Lawrence, KS since 2011. He formed Carswell & Hope in late 2012. The band released their debut album in 2014, coinciding with a two week Irish tour. Nick also plays bass in the electro-pop band Pink Royal and is the force behind Silly Goose Records and the annual MixMaster music conference, now part of the Crossroads Music Festival. Nick Carswell joined us on May 8, 2019 to share details about Changing Shades – Stories of Migration, Confusion & Belonging told in Image & Song in a solo performance of 10 songs, accompanied by lighting, projection and stage design, Friday, May 10, at The Irish Center of KC, 19 West Linwood Blvd. AND Saturday, May 11, at Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St., Lawrence, KS. More info at http://www.changingshades.com.]

21. Momma’s Boy – “Sugar” / Manor Records / May 3, 2019
[Recorded and mixed by Ross Brown of Shy Boys/Fullbloods and mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering. The song features Peter Beatty on lead vocals and lyric writing. Momma’s Boy hails from Kansas City, based band with Quinn Hernandez on the drums, Jared Bajkowski on bass, Peter Beatty’ on guitar, Shaun Crowley on guitar. The band also features three singers, as Peter, Shaun and Jared rotate on lead vocals.]

22. The Dear Misses – “Kansas City” /The Dear Misses/ February 25, 2019
[Kansas City based 4-piece band made up of: Todd Anderson on lead vocals & rhythm guitar, Cody Stapleton on lead guitar & backing vocals, Bret Collins on drums, and Shane Berggren on bass. The band is currently in the studio recording songs for their upcoming release. More information at: http://www.reverbnation.com/thedearmisses%5D

23. Stephonne Singleton – “Want Me” / Glory Blue Music / April 26, 2019
[Co-produced by, Justin Mantooth, and recorded at Westend Recording Studios. Johnny Hamil on bass, Ben Byard on guitar and Adam McKee on drums. Stephonne grew up in KCK. He released his debut album, “Caged Bird Sings Songs About Red Beard.” The album was one of WMM’s 118 Best Recordings of 2018. Stephonne was born and raised in Wyandotte County, Kansas. He has performed in multiple shows for Late Night Theatre. Stephonne told John Long of Camp Magazine “I was surrounded by records, and my parents always had music on.” He expects to move more toward releasing singles rather than entire albums.]

24. Instant Karma – “Tell Me That You Love Me” /Instant Karma/ 6-22-19
[Instant Karma features Cole Bales on vocals & guitar, Cody Calhoun on guitar, Branden Moser on bass, Zach Harris on drums. With Caitlin Walker and Grace Sakoulas Griffin-Spain on Background Vocals. Instant Karma will play their last live show on Saturday, June 22, at recordBar, for SoundMachineKC with Pink Royal, and The Maytags. More info at: http://www.instantkarmakc.com]

25. Scott Hrabko & The Rabbits – “Pretty Good Day” / Scott Hrabko / 11-3-19
[Scott Hrabko’s new single, available online Nov. 3. For this single the Rabbits were Jason Beers, Gary Paredes and Havilah Bruders. On Febrary 14, 2019 Scott Hrabko released the EP Smash Hits From A Parallel Universe with Scott Hrabko on lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic 6 and 12 string guitar, electric guitar, keyboards, & percussion; Jason Beers on bass guitar; Tim Higgins on drums, Marco Pascolini on junior electric guitar. Scott called this release: 4 songs for the new age of anxiety. Scott Hrako & The Rabbits released “Summer” in 2017, and “Biscuits and Gravity” in 2015. Scott Hrabko’s 2013 critically acclaimed solo release, “Gone Places” was said to be 30 years in the making. Singer-songwriter Scott Hrabko has played with KC’s oldest garage band The Original Sinners, as well as various incarnations of the 1980s bands: The Splinters, and The Andersons. In the early 1990s Scott performed as a solo artist in coffee houses with Iris Dement and Howard Eisberg.]

26. Carswell & Hope – “On My Way” / Silly Goose Records / Oct. 25, 2019
[New song from band with a new video. Last year on May 22, 2018 Carswell & Hope released the critically acclaimed EP Exit Plan with music by Carswell & Hope. Lyrics by Nick Carswell. Produced & mixed by Jason Slote & Nick Carswell. Mastered by Michael Fossenkemper @ TurtleTone Studio NYC. Lawrence KS based 5-piece band formed June 25, 2012. The band is: Nick Carswell, Jason Slote, Austin Quick, Chris Handley, and Jordan Tucker. Songwriter Nick Carswell is originally from Limerick, Ireland and has found a new home on the plains of Kansas. Nick has been living in Lawrence, KS since 2011. He formed Carswell & Hope in late 2012. The band released their debut album in 2014, coinciding with a two week Irish tour. Nick also plays bass in the electro-pop band Pink Royal and is the force behind Silly Goose Records and the annual MixMaster music conference, now part of the Crossroads Music Festival.]

27. Oxford Remedy – “Vending Machine” / Oxford Remedy / January 12, 2019
[Lawrence/KC 3-piece band formed in June 2016. Members include: Sydney Aldridge, Kate McKown, and Grace McKown. More indo at http://www.oxfordremedy.com]

28. Jean Claude and the Eclairs – “Glasgow.” /Jean Claude and the Eclairs/ 4-4-19
[Alternative Pop/Rock trio based in Lawrence, KS formed by Cooper Scott, Garrison Krotz and Quinn Maetzold in June of 2016.]

29. Thighmaster – “Aerobicise” / High Dive Records / August 9, 2019
[Debut single from Thighmaster a Lawrence, Kansas based band formed by Maxfield Yoder (formerly of the bands: Dean Monkey & the Dropouts, Plains) on guitar & vocals, Max Lock on vocals, Max Smith on tambourine & vocals, Esteban Gomez –on bass, Jennifer Graham on drums, and Jake Little on guitar.Thighmaster recently signed with KC based label High Dive Records. The band is resurrecting the song-writing demons that have long haunted Mayfield Yoder. Thighmaster truly is garage pop for cool grandparents. Now you too can have shapely thighs in minutes a day. “Aerobicise” was Tracked, Mixed and Mastered by Ross Williams and written by Thighmaster.]

30. Bad Alaskan – “Strange Fruit” / Bad Alaskan / August 17, 2019
[Bad Alaskan is Lawrence, Kansas based musician, scientist, researcher, speaker, activist, teacher, Alex Kimball Williams who also plays in the band UltraVivid. Bad Alaskan writes: “This cover of ‘Strange Fruit’ is the perfect blend of old school & new school; direct reference & innovation; the blues & electronic. I’ve always loved the song & wanted to put my own indigenous spin on it. My classical & jazz training leaks through with solos & alterations to the lead melody. The 1939 recording featuring Billie Holiday’s vocals is my favorite cut of this classic. My variation alters the melody to fit a minor blues scale. The key is raised just slightly to stimulate discomfort, the tempo is more upbeat. Originally when she sang the song, it was always the end of her set, staff in the venue was instructed not to make any transactions. She would sing the song with eyes closed. Due to that devotional, prayer-like feel, I begin my sets with this song if I’m going to include it. I read somewhere that this song reminded her of her father. It lines up with my thoughts on my own ancestors, from what would have been his time. Instruments used are Korg Minilogue, Microkorg (vocoding) & Novation circuit. I always record all my parts at once (no over-dubbing), so please enjoy the “fruits” of my labor! Audio engineer: Ross Williams.]

31. Remy Styrk – “Winter/Summer” / Remy Sryrk / February 28, 2019
[20 year old Remy Stryk lives in Leawood Kansas. Originally from Newark, New Jersey. This multi instrumentalist has been writing & recording music for several years. About this new single Remy tells us “It represents the two major seasons and personifies them to create a feeling of trust, anger, love, uncertainty, inspiration and comfort. I wanted them to be applicable to many people’s situations in life, no matter who they are or what they believe in. This song is about universal feelings that connect us as one and value our ability to feel and express.” Last year Remy released “In Too Deep” one of 5 singles Remy has released in the last 2 years. Remy Styrk released the EP Sunday, on Jan 25, 2018 a follow up to the Aug 12, 2015 full length album, Telling Stories Through The Basement Door.]

32. LyMerrick – “Lay Me Down” / nightSHIFT Radio / February 8, 2019
[One of three singles released by LyMerrick this year. LyMwrrick released six singles last years and was a featured voice on two other songle releases. LyMerrick also released a songle in 2016. LyMerrick was born in North Carolina but grew up in Kansas City, MO since the age of 8. LyMrrick grew up listening to all types of music ranging from gospel, rap, r&b, to classic rock and metal. LyMerrick started singing in the church choir and continued singing in elementary, Middle and High School choirs. After High School LyMerrick began to record remixes and eventually began to make originals which led me his collaborations with “nightSHIFT”.]

33. Akkilles- “By Myself” / David Bennett / November 1, 2019
[Akkilles is the music project of David Bennett. I make music under Akkilles. He also helps other people make music. For this recording: David Bennett on guitars, David Bennett & Ian Thompson on keyboards, David Bennetton bass, David Bennett on synthesizer, David Bennett on vocals, Bryan Koehler on drums. Mixed and edited by David Bennett. Mastered by Dedric Moore. Artwork by Matt Schmitz. Recorded at: Aorist Studios in Kansas City. This one of three single Akkilles has released this year. “Meet in the Middle” was released October 25, 2019. “Feelin’ My Self” was released February 1, 2019. Akkilles released the critically acclaimed debut record “Something You’d Say” on July 2, 2013.]

34. Soultru – “Must Be” / The Record Machine / August 24, 2019
[Drums and Piano by Kierstyn Graham, Vocals by Terrance Banks. Singer, songwriter, poet and emcee Terrance A Banks aka Soultru is a native of Davenport, Iowa and is currently based out of the Quad Cities area of NW Illinois/NE Iowa. Combining his poetic and lyrical talents with a soulful voice, Soultru has forged his own unique sound. Soultru credits a wide range of influences, including Gavin Degraw, John Legend, Yelawolf and Son Little.]

35. Shah – “Wanna Be” / SHAH / May 20, 2018
[19 year-old, singer, songwriter & dancer from Lawrence, KS. Influenced by Chris Brown, Justin Bieber and Kehlani. From a young age SHAH’s been drawn to the stage, modeling, acting, & performing in competitive talent shows. SHAH introduces bold experiments of sounds & lyrics while merging modern-day Pop with nostalgic bits of early 2000’s R&B. SHAH is passionate about addressing stereotypical views of black male artists & hyper-masculinity. He hopes to drive a more compassionate & accepting society by way of his unapologetic image & sound. SHAH is currently working in the studio. For more info: http://www.lifeofshah.com.]

36. Russell Brixey-“Midnight Swim (Feat. Lauren Flynn)”/ R. Brixey / 7-30-19
[Russell Brixey is the musical solo project of Ryan Wallace. Ryan Wallace has played with many groups over the years: Heroes and Villains, The Republic Tigers, and JAENKI. This is his first solo single “Midnight Swim” and features the vocals of Lauren Flynn from the band Olivia Fox. Hear Russell Brixey talk about “Midnight Swim” at http://speakimge.com/interview-russell-brixey/%5D

37. Belle & The Vertigo Waves – “Fear or Faith” / Drop Out Records / 6-7-19
[New single from Belle & The Vertigo Waves, the sonic brainchild of Belle Loux. She resides in Kansas City, MO, and is slowly attempting world domination. Members include Belle Loux on lead vocals, Jeremiah Scott on bass, John Loux on guitar. The band’s debut full length album”Aligned” was released on October 6, 2017.]

38. Los Santos Caballeros – “The Chase” / “The Walk” / Sunflower Soul – Groove King / Nov. 8, 2019
[Engineering by Justin Mantooth & Chris Hazelton, Mixing by Chris Hazelton, Branden Moser on guitar, Colby Bales on bass, Zach Dodson on drums, Nick Howell on trumpet, Brett Jackson on saxophone, Chris Hazelton on organ for “Side B”, Pat Conway on congas & Timbales for “Side A”. This is a project that Cole Bales and Branden Moser conceived a couple of years ago. The idea is that the tracks are part of a soundtrack to a fictional film called Chico is the Man that harkens back to the exploitation films of the 70s (i.e. Super fly, Dolemite, Black Caesar). Side A is the chase sequence, side B the introduction to the villain of the story. This is a collaboration between Chris Hazelton’s Sunflower Soul and Groove King Records]

39. Appropriate Grammar – “King Of Silent Sounds” / Never Records / Jan. 7, 2019
[Music and lyrics by Nick McKenna. Arranged by Appropriate Grammar. Engineered, mixed and mastered by Ted Riderer of Never Records – Kansas City, MO. Photo by Anna Selle. Cover design by Claire Adams and Steve Gardels. Appropriate Grammar is a Kansas City based band formed in July 2010 with Nick McKenna on guitar & vocals, Alex Dunsford on lead guitar, Claire Adams on bass & vocals, and Steve Gardels on drums. This recording was a collaboration between Appropriate Grammar, Never Records and Open Spaces KC. Never Records is a mobile record-making lab, using recording equipment and a vinyl record lathe to cut 2, four-minute records on the spot. New York artist and musician Ted Riederer launched Never Records in 2010 as part of a collaborative project with curators No Longer Empty in the former sales floor of Tower Records’ fabled East Village flagship store. One year later, Never Records had expanded to become a mobile record-making lab, using recording equipment and a vinyl record lathe to cut two, four-minute records on the spot for whoever walks in the door (one copy stays behind in the fast-growing library). Never Records opened August 25, 2018 as part of Open Spaces Kansas City, and runs through October 28th, 2018, in a storefront space in the Crossroads district of Kansas City. The space is located at 1611 Oak St., KCMO. The exhibition was open Wednesday – Sunday, with workshops and special events. http://www.neverrecords.net Never Records is a combination recording studio and record shop, all operating in one building. The sole proprietor, interior decorator, and engineer is New York-based artist Ted Riederer. Inspired by his own redemptive education at a young age inside the walls of a local record store in Rockville, Maryland as well as the field recording projects of Alan Lomax, Riederer devised his unique community art installation in the early part of this century and has been replicating it with regional variations throughout the world since 2010. Performers from a locale sign up for recording sessions ahead of time, with no auditions necessary. Riederer usually offers three hour sessions, during which he mixes on the fly and cuts vinyl right in front of the artist’s eyes once both are satisfied with a particular take. The recordings are free to the artist, the sessions are open to the public, and you can’t buy anything you see. Ted hasn’t lowered prices by cutting out the middleman. He is the middleman. He is not a vertical operation; he is an elliptical one, a constant feedback loop supplying its own demand. Still, everyone takes something home, even if it’s the barest speck of record shop camaraderie inadvertently inhaled. Within the walls of the Never Records shop, visitors can view a gallery of photographs and artwork from previous temporary establishments in the US and UK, as well as flip through stacks of vinyl representing the hundreds of solo folk artists, punk bands, storytellers, jazz groups, and noisicians who jumped at the chance for a free recording session. Black wooden bins hold a curated selection of records from the growing collection, but these aren’t for sale or even trade. The artist or band is allowed to take their own copy home, and another is added to Riederer’s archives, as well as a digital copy. Riederer encourages bands to use the recording any way they want. There are no fees, royalties, or ownership issues. Find out more about Never Records: neverrecords.samexhibit.com/pages/about ]

Tune into Wednesday MidDay Medley throughout December for our 4-week series: The 119 Best Recordings of 2019, on December 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th. This is our celebration of the year in music based on the playlists of this little ole radio show. In 2019 we’ve played from over 400 New & MidCoastal Releases. 145 were National Releases, 255 were MidCoastal Releases, 183 were from MidCoastal full-length or EP Releases, and over 70 were MidCoastal Single Releases. We conducted over 127 interviews with 209 special guests in 2019.