WMM Playlist from October 25, 2023

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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, October 25, 2023

WMM presents Lisa Mckenzie & 2023 Farm School KC Youth Music Fest + Supermassive Black Holes + Nathan Reusch & 20 Years of The Record Machine

  1. “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
    from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / December 20, 1979
    [WMM’s Adopted Theme Song]
  1. Brittany Howard – “What Now?”
    from: “What Now?” – Single / Island Records / October 13, 2023
    [Brittany Howard, the 5-time Grammy Award®-winning powerhouse has shared the first single and video off her forthcoming solo album, WHAT NOW is a thriller of a title track offering a taste of what to expect on the full-length. Written & produced by Brittany with co-production from Shawn Everett (Kacey Musgraves, SZA), with whom she has a longstanding creative relationship since Alabama Shakes. Recorded at the legendary Sound Emporium and historic RCA Studio B in Nashville, Brittany’s hometown. The accompanying cinematic & action-packed video was directed by Danilo Parra (known for his work with A$AP Rocky) & produced by Adam Braun (070 Shake, P!NK). //“What Now” takes on a potent urgency fueled by its syncopated grooves, blistering guitar riffs, & fiercely honest lyrics (“I’ve been making plans that don’t include you anymore/My heart wants to stay but I don’t know what for”). “‘What Now’ is maybe the truest & bluest of all the songs,” says Howard. “It’s never my design to hurt anyone’s feelings, but I needed to say what was on my mind without editing myself. I like how it’s a song that makes you want to dance, but at the same time the lyrics are brutal.”// Brittany Howard released the album Jaime on ATO Records on September 20, 2019.]
  1. Friendly Thieves – “Cool”
    from: “You Better Run” / Friendly Thieves / September 23, 2022
    [Friendly Thieves will release their debut album, Til Death on October 31, 2023. // Friendly Thieves released their single “Redbone” on October 4, 2023. Friendly Thieves released their single “Rush” on July 31, 2023. Friendly Thieves released their debut single “You Better Run” on October 28, 2022. The five-piece alt-funk band Friendly Thieves are: Sam Wells on lead vocals, Jamae Breeze on lead guitar, Sam Millard on bass, John Goss on drums, and Ben Baker on saxophone. // 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. The Black Lives Matter Compilation is available on French Exit Record’s Bandcamp page: http://www.frenchexitrecords.bandcamp.com. More information at: http://www.whoissamwells.com. Sam Wells was on WMM on May 13, 2020 and January 20, 2021.]

[Friendly Thieves play an Album Release Halloween Party, Friday, October 27, at 7:00 PM at The Rino, 314 Armour Rd., North Kansas City.]

[Friendly Thieves play MUSIC UNITES, a Benefit for KKFI w/ Calvin Arsenia on Thurs., Nov. 2, 2023 at 7:30 PM on the Drexel Hall Stage at KC Irish Center, 19 Linwood Blvd, KCMO. Tickets are $25 in advance / $30 at the door. All proceeds benefit KKFI. Tickets: http://www.eventbrite.com/music-unites%5D

  1. Calvin Arsenia – “Psycho Killer”
    from: Honeydew / Center Cut Records / June 28, 2019
    [On September 15, 2018 Calvin released Cantaloupe on Center Cut Records. The Honeydew EP contained remixes of three of the songs from Cantaloupe, plus this Talking Heads cover that was performed live in this style at a New Year’s Eve show at The Truman opening for Making Movies who performed the entire Talking Heads album, Remain in Light. The last three songs on Honeydew were from performed in this style at The Nelson Atkins 2019 event “Party Arty.” Honeydew was produced by Jametatone, Simon Huntley, and Calvin Arsenia. // [Calvin Arsenia one of our most frequent guests, who first appeared on WMM on July 25, 2012. Today marks his 21st appearance! KC Magazine has hailed Calvin as ‘equal parts opera, symphony, musical theatre, rock show, all built around its creator: a charismatic 6-foot-7-inch harpist with a 3 and ½ octave range, natural stage command and knack for gilding gold and painting lilies.’ Born in Orlando, Florida, Calvin’s creative journey began when he moved to Olathe, Kansas, teaching himself the guitar, piano, banjo. He learned his signature instrument, the harp, at the age of 20. His passion for stretching the boundaries of musical expression saw him transform a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland’s Fringe Festival early in his career into a life-changing music mission, with an Edinburgh church offering him a role as musical liaison between the church and the city that would change his life. Two years and 300 shows later, Calvin returned to KC reborn as a humanistic songwriter / performer where at 24 he released his EP, Moments, in 2014, and his EP Prose in 2015, and his Folk Alliance exclusive EP Catastrophe in 2016. On February 14, 2017 Calvin released his critically acclaimed full length debut, Catastrophe, with a live show at recordBar in November 2016 that involved a company of 50 people, dancers, stilt walkers. After signing to Center Cut Records, Calvin released the albums: Cantaloupe in 2018, with a sold out gigantic spectical at The Gem Theatre on Saturday, September 15, 2018. He then released, L.A. Sessions in 2019, and the EP HONEY DEW, and the EP Goddess with Quixotic, the Holiday album, ALL IS CALM. In 2020 Calvin collaborated with Mike Dillon on the Soundtrack to “Summer in Hindsight,” a feature-length film created by The West 18th Street Fashion Show that starred Calvin as an actor. Calvin is also the co-creator of the podcast “We Were Christian Kids” created with childhood friend Justin Randall who is a stand up comedian working in New York City and now Los Angeles. Calvin is also the published author of EVERY GOOD BOY DOES FINE, a collection of Poetry & Prose published on October 5, 2021, by Andrews McMeel Universal. Calvin was voted KC’s Best Musician in The Pitch 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. He has been featured in Billboard, NPR.org. Charlotte Street Foundation announced that the recipients of the 2022 Generative Performing Artist Awards are The Black Creatures and Calvin Arsenia Scott.] [Calvin Arsenia played a PARADISE Album Release Party June 23 & 24, at The Emerald, 1715 West 9th St, KCMO, WEST BOTTOMS. Info: http://www.calvinarsenia.com]

[Calvin Arsenia plays MUSIC UNITES, a Benefit for KKFI w/ Friendly Thieves on Thurs., Nov. 2, 2023 at 7:30 PM on the Drexel Hall Stage at KC Irish Center, 19 Linwood Blvd, KCMO. Tickets are $25 in advance / $30 at the door. All proceeds benefit KKFI. Tickets: http://www.eventbrite.com/music-unites%5D

Calvin Arsenia Discography

Calvin Arsenia – Moments [EP] / Independent / April 9, 2014
Calvin Arsenia was 24 when he released this EP after returning home to Kansas City after living and performing in Edinburgh, Scotland. Calvin works as a songwriter, composer, lyricist, producer, and engineer. Calvin Arsenia played live on Wednesday MidDay Medley on October 22. 2014.

Calvin Arsenia – Prose [EP] / Independent / February 3, 2015
Recorded over the course of three live sessions at Edinburgh’s Napier University. Produced by Graham Coe. Engineered by David O’Leary. Music and Lyrics: Calvin Arsenia, with Fiona Reid & Liselot Van Oosterom on Vocals, Graham Coe on Cello, Mark Smith on Percussion, Lyle Watt on Guitar Calvin Arsenia on Vocals & Guitar & Piano. Calvin Arsenia joined us on WMM on March 18, August 5, and October 28.
Calvin Arsenia – Caviar [EP] / Calvin Arsenia / December 5, 2017
Produced for attendees at Calvin’s “Secret Show,” Tuesday, December 5, at Wickstock West, 1324 West 12th Street, in The West Bottoms, and for supporters of his Outlyre Tour. Words and Music by Calvin Arsenia. Produced by Jametatone, Simon Huntley and Calvin Arsenia. Recorded at The Infoaming Vertex.

Calvin Arsenia – Catastrophe {EP] / Calvin Arsenia / February 17, 2016
Limited edition EP, produced for Folk Alliance International, contains demo recordings of original gems that are the blueprints for Calvin’s soon to be released full length debut, coming in 2017. Since Calvin Arsenia came home to KC after living in Edinburgh, Scotland, he has released his EP, Moments, in 2014, and his EP Prose in 2015, and his Folk Alliance exclusive EP Catastrophe in 2016. He has played all over town, including showcases at Folk Alliance International, Kansas City Fringe Fest, The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, and collaborations with bands like My Brothers and Sisters. Standing at 6 foot 5 inches, Arsenia’s powerful vocals span a 3.5 octave range, while playing piano, bango, guitar and harp. Calvin Arsenia is getting ready to release a new album in the fall. Calvin teaches music to elementary students. Calvin is also a graduate of Artist INC professional development program for artists in the Kansas City metro area and across the Mid-America Arts Alliance five state region. Calvin Arsenia joined us live on WMM on February 24, July 13, and November 2.

Calvin Arsenia – Catastrophe [Album] / Calvin Arsenia / February 14, 2017
Calvin Arsenia premiered these songs in a live show at recordBar in November 2016 in a stage show that involved a cpmpany of 50 people, dancers, stilt walkers, special lighting, back up singers, guest artists. Since Calvin Arsenia came home to KC after living in Edinburgh, Scotland, he has released his EP, Moments, in 2014, and his EP Prose in 2015, and his Folk Alliance exclusive EP Catastrophe in 2016. Standing at 6 foot 6 inches, Arsenia’s powerful vocals span a 3.5 octave range, while playing piano, banjo, guitar and harp Calvin teaches music to elementary students. Calvin is also a graduate of Artist INC. Since 2014 we have been celebrating the music of Calvin Arsenia. He has played Folk Alliance International, Kansas City Fringe Fest, The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, The Kauffman Center For The Performing Arts, The Middle of the Map Fest., The Folly Theatre. Calvin recently returned home from a three month US/European Outlyre Tour where he has played San Francisco, Portland, Vancouver, NYC, Boston, Edinburgh, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Switzerlnd, Lyon and Paris. in over 40 shows, with musician and friend Simon Huntley who plays with Quixotic. Calvin is working to release new music from Calvin’s June 11th, Live Recording at Kansas City’s newly restored Greenwood Social Hall, at 1750 Bellevue Ave. in KC. ] [Calvin Arsenia played Big Bang Buffet’s “Black Sheep Rising,” Tuesday, April 11, at 8:00 at The Buffalo Room. A benefit for 90.1 FM KKFI featuring Ron Megee, Lisa Cordes, Jon “Piggy” Cupit, The Sleazebeats, Kristie Stremel, Jen Harris, Maria Vasquez Boyd, Jen Appell, Bill Belzer, Charlie Colborne, Mark Manning, Susan Cedarquis-Brewington, BJ McBride, Michael McQuary, Janet Henry, Ryan Wilks, and Nico Gray.]

Calvin Arsenia – Live at Greenwood Social Hall / Unreleased / June 11, 2017
Solo live performance at Greenwood Social Hall, 1760 Bellevue, KCMO.

Calvin Arsenia – Caviar [EP] / Calvin Arsenia / December 5, 2017
Produced for attendees at Calvin’s “Secret Show,” Tuesday, December 5, at Wickstock West, 1324 West 12th Street, in The West Bottoms, and for supporters of his Outlyre Tour. Words and Music by Calvin Arsenia. Produced by Jametatone, Simon Huntley and Calvin Arsenia. Recorded at The Infoaming Vertex. Since Calvin Arsenia came home to KC after living in Edinburgh, Scotland, he has released his EP, Moments, in 2014, and his EP Prose in 2015, and his Folk Alliance exclusive EP Catastrophe in 2016. n the late Summer and Fall Calvin went on a three month US/European Outlyre Tour where he has played San Francisco, Portland, Vancouver, NYC, Boston, Edinburgh, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Switzerlnd, Lyon and Paris. in over 40 shows, with musician and friend Simon Huntley who plays with Quixotic. Since 2014 we have been celebrating the music of Calvin Arsenia. He has played Folk Alliance International, Kansas City Fringe Fest, The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, The Kauffman Center For The Performing Arts, The Middle of the Map Fest., The Folly Theatre. Standing at 6 foot 6 inches, Arsenia’s powerful vocals span a 3.5 octave range, while playing piano, banjo, guitar and harp. Calvin teaches music. Calvin is a graduate of Artist INC.

Calvin Arsenia – Cantaloupe / Center Cut Records / September 15, 2018.
Calvin’s 2018 national debut, Cantaloupe (Center Cut Records), has been acclaimed for melding diverse textures into an alluring signature sound for the adventurous artist.

Calvin Arsenia – L.A. Sessions / Center Cut Records / September 20, 2019
Calvin performed live at L.A.’s The Mint, showcasing songs on LA Sessions with musicians who collaborated on the album. Says Calvin: “It’s such a special experience to play with them. To be able to perform these songs in front of an audience and do this for a living – to have made a career out of something I love is so amazing – it is an honor that I never take for granted.”

Calvin Arsenia – Honeydew / Center Cut Records / June 28, 2019
[On September 15, 2018 Calvin released Cantaloupe on Center Cut Records. This new EP is a remix of three of the songs from Cantaloupe, plus a Talking Heads cover that was performed live in this style at a New Year’s Eve show at The Truman opening for Making Movies who performed the entire Talking Heads album, Remain in Light. The last three songs on Honeydew were from performed in this style at The Nelson Atkins 2019 event “Party Arty.” Honeydew was produced by Jametatone, Simon Huntley, Calvin Arsenia.

Quixotic & Calvin Arsenia – “Goddess – EP / Quixotic / May 17, 2019
[An innovative performance art collective that fuses imagination with technology, dance, projection, mapping & live music to create fully-immersive, multi-sensory experiences. Quixotic harnesses light, rhythm and expressive emotion. Quixotic was given Silicon Valley’s unofficial stamp of genius when they were invited to perform at the global TED Conference in 2012. A unique blend of performance art, technology & emotion. Quixotic fuses all these elements in to what the New York Times branded an “innovative circus performance”.]

Calvin Arsenia – all is calm / Calvin Arsenia. / December 13, 2019
[Arsenia’s dreamlike whimsy shimmering through your favorite Christmas Classics. All proceeds for this album go towards the purchase of Calvin’s first harp. Featuring: Ben Muñoz on Cello, Shane Borth on Violin & Voila, & Luke “Skippy” Harbur on Beatbox. Mastered by Jametatone at the Infoaming Vertex and special thanks to Simon Huntley. Calvin wrote: “I recorded the majority of this album in my bedroom in between flights to and from KC and SF. I had my nephews and friend’s kids in mind and wanted an album of Christmas lullabys. I think it became just a little more sassy than anticipated, but I think you’ll enjoy it regardless.

Calvin Arsenia – Summer in Hindsight / Calvin Arsenia & Mike Dillon / Oct. 16, 2020
Soundtrack by Calvin Arsenia and Mike Dillon for The West 18th Street Fashion Show’s 20th year as a feature-length film. COVID-19 changed everything in 2020. “We are moving it from the street to the screen,” says Peregrine Honig to inkansascitymagazine. “Mike Dillon and Calvin Arsenia will be scoring and performing in the film.” The film premiered October 16, 2020 at The Boulevard Drive-In. Honig wrote,. “We did this during a pandemic and a cultural revolution. I am not sure where else or how else this could happen at this moment in history.” Calvin Arsenia had recently been emotionally and greatly moved by the area and national Black Lives Matter Movement. His own research into his own family revealed that Calvin’s great, great, great grandmother Alice Gilliam Scott, was a former slave who lived to observe her 100th birthday as noted by a regional newspaper Calvin had written. In the summer of 2020 Calvin wrote “Revelation” an unreleased track inspired by Black Lives Matter. Calvin premiered the song on WMM on August 12, 2020. He later shared his other new songs, “Scars and Stripes” and “The Flying Monkees are Coming!” on our October 14, 2020 edition of WMM. Both of those songs ended up on Summer in Hindsight.

Calvin Arsenia – Paradise / Calvin Arsenia / June 23, 2023
Calvin Arsenia played a PARADISE Album Release Party, Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24, at 7:00 PM at The Emerald, 1715 West 9th Street, KCMO, WEST BOTTOMS. More info at http://www.calvinarsenia.com

Calvin’s Book EVERY GOOD BOY DOES FINE / Andrews McMeel Universal / Oct. 5, 2021
a collection of Poetry & Prose More info at http://www.calvinarsenia.com.

  1. Talking Heads – “Cities (Live) [2023 Remaster]”
    from: Stop Making Sense [2023 Remaster] / Rhino / July 7, 2023
    [Talking Heads joined forces with director Jonathan Demme for the groundbreaking concert film Stop Making Sense. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the concerts filmed for Stop Making Sense, a newly restored 4K version of the film returned to theaters for a global theatrical run with A24. // Rhino Records also released a deluxe version of the soundtrack that included the complete Stop Making Sense concert for the first time. STOP MAKING SENSE (DELUXE EDITION) became available on August 18, 2023 as a limited edition, 2-LP setSOLD OUT and digitally along with a Dolby Atmos mix of the complete concert, mixed by Jerry Harrison and E.T. Thorngren, who also mixed the original release. // Both versions feature every song performed in the film, including two that have never been released – “Cities” and “Big Business / I Zimbra.” The limited edition vinyl version featured a 28-page booklet with previously unpublished photos along with new liner notes from all four band members –Tina Weymouth, David Byrne, Chris Frantz, and Jerry Harrison. // A live version of “Cities” that was previously unreleased is now available. It was previously only included in the original 1999 VHS/DVD of the Stop Making Sense film but is now the first Talking Heads single after more than 30 years. // The inspiration for Stop Making Sense came when director Jonathan Demme saw Talking Heads perform during the band’s 1983 tour for Speaking in Tongues. Afterward, he approached them with the idea of making the show into a concert film. They agreed and worked together over the next few months to finalize the details. Ultimately, Demme filmed three shows at Hollywood’s Pantages Theater in December 1983 to create Stop Making Sense. // The concert film presents a retrospective of the band up to that point, with a performance that weaves together songs from all six of its studio albums. The show progresses methodically, opening with Byrne onstage performing “Psycho Killer” alone with a drum machine. After each song, he’s joined by a new band member until Weymouth, Frantz, and Harrison are all on stage with him. The group continues to grow throughout the concert as members of the stellar touring band are added: keyboardist Bernie Worrell, percussionist Steve Scales, guitarist Alex Weir, and back-up singers Lynn Mabry and Ednah Holt. // The band performs 18 songs in Stop Making Sense, including its recent single at the time, “Burning Down The House.” That summer, the song was in heavy rotation on radio and MTV, helping the song become the band’s first top 10 hit in America. It was, however, a different song from Speaking in Tongues that was destined to deliver one of the film’s signature moments. Byrne would perform “Girlfriend Is Better” wearing his now iconic, oversized suit inspired by costumes worn in traditional Japanese theater. For good measure, a picture of him in the suit also graces the album cover. // Stop Making Sense focuses mainly on music by Talking Heads but does include a few songs recorded outside the band: “Genius Of Love” by Tom Tom Club, and “What A Day That Was” and “Big Business” from Byrne’s 1981 album, The Catherine Wheel. Limited edition vinyl versions of both of these albums, along with Harrison’s The Red And The Black, were released for this year’s Record Store Day. // Stop Making Sense was an artistic and commercial triumph when it arrived in September 1984. The film had people dancing in theatre aisles while the soundtrack sold over two million copies. Just last year, the Library of Congress added Stop Making Sense to the National Film Registry in recognition of its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance. // In the STOP MAKING SENSE (DELUXE EDITION) liner notes, the four band members share their thoughts and memories of the project. // Weymouth praises Demme as a collaborator: “…Jonathan was a very enthusiastic, highly adaptive, and imaginative guy who was just as good a listener as he was a talker and collaborator. From the get-go you just got the impression he was as flexible as he was disciplined. Being team players, that boded well for a great relationship and a great film!” // Harrison says the film still holds up today: “To me, Stop Making Sense has remained relevant because the staging and lighting techniques could have been created in a much earlier time period. For example, Vari-Lights, lights with motors to re-aim them, had just come into vogue. Had we used them, there would have been a timestamp on the film, and it eventually would have felt dated…The absence of interviews, combined with the elegant and timeless lighting, created a film that can be watched over and over.” // Byrne says it’s interesting that this album was – for many people – an introduction to Talking Heads. “We had done a live album before this, but coupled with the film, and with the improved mixes and sound quality, this record reached a whole new audience. As often happens, the songs got an added energy when we performed them live and were inspired by having an audience. In many ways, these versions are more exciting than the studio recordings, so maybe that’s why a lot of folks discovered us via this record.”
    // Frantz recalls the sheer joy surrounding the entire Stop Making Sense experience. “I’m talking about real, conscious, transcendent joy… I’m talking about what the Southern gospel people call ‘getting happy,’ which means ‘to be filled with the Spirit.’ That is what happened to us onstage every night, and from my seat behind the drums, I recognized that this was happening to the audience too. Joy was visible in front of me and all around me every night.” STOP MAKING SENSE (DELUXE EDITION) Limited Edition 2-LP Track Listing

Side One
“Psycho Killer”
“Heaven”
“Thank You For Sending Me An Angel’
“Found A Job”
“Slippery People”
“Cities” (Previously Unreleased)

Side Two
“Burning Down The House”
“Life During Wartime”
“Making Flippy Floppy”
“Swamp”

Side Three
“What a Day That Was”
“This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)”
“Once In A Lifetime”
“Big Business / I Zimbra” (Previously Unreleased)

Side Four
“Genius Of Love”
“Girlfriend Is Better”
“Take Me To The River”
“Crosseyed And Painless”

  1. Bad Alaskan – “Big Bang”
    from: Red & Black / Bad Alaskan / June 19, 2023
    [Bad Alaskan is Lawrence, Kansas based musician, scientist, researcher, speaker, activist, teacher, Alex Kimball Williams who identifies and celebrates her Native Alaskan / Black / Portuguese origins, with the motto: “Music is medicine.” Alex Kimball Williams also played in the band UltraVivid. Band Alaskan released the single “Red & Black” on December 10, 2021 The album also contains a cover of “Strange Fruit” that Bad Alaskan released as a single on August 17, 2019. 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.]
  1. Geese – “I See Myself”
    from: 3D Country / Partisan Records / June 23, 2023
    [n the summer of 2021, Geese emerged from out of nowhere, sparking a hype cycle unlike anything that had been seen for a young American rock band in recent memory. Suddenly a band that had previously planned to release some music, break up, and go away to college was touring the world. They made their TV debut on Colbert, were profiled by the NY Times, Stereogum Band To Watch, Consequence Artist Of The Month, Paste Best Of What’s Next, Rolling Stone called them “indie rock prodigies,” and they toured with Jack White and Spoon. // And during this entire process, that very same band everyone was getting to know ceased to exist. On a practical level, Geese are still the group we were introduced to in 2021: vocalist Cameron Winter, guitarist Gus Green, guitarist Foster Hudson, bassist Dom DiGesu, and drummer Max Bassin. But spiritually, Geese have returned as an entirely different prospect. ‘3D Country’ is the sound of a restless, adventurous band redefining themselves. // ‘3D Country’ fuses recognizable sounds with warped meditations on daily life in a world sliding out of view, Geese repurposing fragments of classic rock into a sound that is stranger and wholly their own. Right out the gates, the album kicks off with serpentine grooves underneath the armageddon visions of “2122,” before quickly ceding to the title track’s gospel-flecked chorus.“Undoer” is a slowburn simmer constantly building to something apocalyptic; “Crusades” travels back to Medieval times but chugs along on a “Heroes”-esque groove before strings swoop in around it. Later, Green and Hudson’s guitars bend and fry while Hudson also jumps in on vocals for an inhuman wail on “Mysterious Love,” and the whole album ends with the sideways piano elegy of “St. Elmo,” playing out like a saloon song viewed through a funhouse mirror. // With a heightened ambition fueling ‘3D Country,’ the band created a bugged-out, wild, unpredictable ride — an almost phantasmagoric reflection of contemporary life. Drummer Max Bassin sums up, “It feels like going to the circus and instead of having a good time, everyone is trying to kill you.” // Geese will tour extensively behind ‘3D Country,’ including a headline run of UK and European dates which they have shared today. Full dates below and here. More info: http://www.geeseband.com]

10:28 – Underwriting

  1. Novella Olive – “Expectations”
    from: Flowers on The Wall [EP] / Ill Fit Records / May 22, 2023
    [4-track EP debut from 15-year old singer songwriter from KansasCity.]

[Novella Olive plays the 1st Annual Farm School KC Youth Music Fest, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 at 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at 5901 NW Waukomis Drive, KCMO. The Fest features youth bands & dance troupes from all over the greater KC area including VanBros, Rottweiler Chicken, The Shrimps, RHO, Novella Olive, Axe Capeira KC, The Schoolhouse Rock Band, Traditional Music Society, Sounds of Africa.]

10:33 – Interview with Lisa Mckenzie

Lisa McKenzie went to Blue Springs Senior High and Studied Cultural Anthropology at UMKC. After her early heavy-metal bands with Heather, she became drummer for Cher UK and with the band was signed to Red Decibel Records, released numerous singles, two Red Decibel albums and wreaked havoc on stages across the country. After Cher UK ended, Lisa helped to form the Grand Marquis in 1998 where she played and recorded with the band for 18 years releasing multiple albums and EPs and winning Best “Blues” band one year, and best “Jazz” band the next, from The Pitch Music Awards. Lisa has played drums for the bands: Bantaba, Sycamore Grove, Alex Abramovitz & His Swing’n KC Jazz Band, she is a drummer of Damien Gunn band. Lisa teaches at Farm School KC a Motessori School serving students 12 to 18, where she is a Lead Adolescent Guide teaches Humanities, French, and runs the Equine Program.

Lisa Mckenzie joins us to share details about the 1st Annual Farm School KC Youth Music Fest, Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at 5901 NW Waukomis Drive, KCMO. The Fest features youth bands and dance troupes from all over the greater Kansas City area including VanBros, Rottweiler Chicken, The Shrimps, RHO, Novella Olive, Axe Capeira KC, The Schoolhouse Rock Band, Traditional Music Society, and Sounds of Africa. Info: wwwfarmschoolkc.org

Lisa brought along Farm School KC Staff Member – Jackson Broadwater and five of the students of Farm School KC including Brodie, lead singer of the three piece student band Definitely Overthinkng This and their first single “Hotel Pool”.

Lisa Mckenzie & Jackson Broadwater thanks for being with us on WMM

We just heard Novella Olive one of the artist playing

1st Annual Farm School KC Youth Music Fest, Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at 5901 NW Waukomis Drive, KCMO. – The Fest features youth bands & dance troupes from all over the greater Kansas City area including VanBros, Rottweiler Chicken, The Shrimps, RHO, Novella Olive, The Schoolhouse Rock Band, Traditional Music Society, and Sounds of Africa.

10:39

  1. Definitely Overthinking This – “Hotel Pool”
    [New Single just recorded by a three-piece student band including Brodie on lead vocals]

Farm School KC is a Montessori Middle & High School program where students learn the power of self to contribute to their community, while developing global responsibility, leadership, empathy, self-awareness, and the ability to question and challenge, on a 10-acre campus with a fully functioning farm, run by the students. Info: wwwfarmschoolkc.org

1st Annual Farm School KC Youth Music Fest, Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at 5901 NW Waukomis Drive, KCMO. The Fest features youth bands and dance troupes from all over the greater Kansas City area including VanBros, Rottweiler Chicken, The Shrimps, RHO, Novella Olive, The Schoolhouse Rock Band, Traditional Music Society, and Sounds of Africa. Info: wwwfarmschoolkc.org

10:48

  1. Cheery – “90210 Poster”
    from: “90210 Poster” – Single / Spirit House Records / August 16, 2023
    [“Bliss” is Cheery’s 5th single, and one of three new singles released by Cheery this summer, from her new home in Liverpool, England, United Kingdom. Cheery released “True Lover” on July 19, 2023. Cheery released “90210 Poster” on August 16, 2023. Cheery released “Bliss” on September 20, 2023. All three singles come with fabulous new music videos Katlyn has created. Cheery is the “Dream Pop” music project of musician and singer and songwriter Katlyn Cowpland formerly known as Katlyn Conroy, who was formerly based in Lawrence, Kansas. Katlyn met her husband on OkCupid and moved 4000 miles away to get married and relocate in Liverpool, England. When she was still based in Lawrence, Kansas, As Cheery, Katlyn released the single “Concept of Love” and b-side, “Vulture” on August 3, 2021, written and performed by Katlyn Conroy, and engineered and mixed by Eric Davis. Katlyn Conroy released SAPPHIRES funder her previous moniker and band, La Guerre through The Record Machine on January 20, 2015. It was #10 on WMM’s 115 Best Recordings of 2015. Katlyn Conroy was also part of the critically acclaimed band, Cowboy Indian Bear. She was the recipient of the 2013 Pitch Music Award for Best Singer-Songwriter. With over 20 years of live performance experiences she has performed alongside Daniel Johnston, Florence and The Machine, Grizzly Bear, Sara Barielles, Why? and more. Katlyn Conroy joined us on WMM on March 4, 2015 and August 26, 2015. More info at: http://www.cheery.bandcamp.com or https://linktr.ee/HearCheery ]
  1. Nellie McKay – “The Drinking Song”
    from: Hey Guys, Watch This / Hungry Mouse Records / JAugust 21, 2023
    [Nellie McKay returns with Hey Guys, Watch This, out August 25th on Hungry Mouse Records. This is her first release since 2019’s Bagatelles, and her first album of original material in 13 years. // Recorded in Charleston, West Virginia, Hey Guys, Watch This traces the haunted sounds of Appalachia to a renaissance of revelry. For the album, Nellie enlisted The Carpenter Ants – Michael Lipton (guitar/vocals), Ted Harrison (bass/vocals), Jupie Little (drums/vocals), Mark Bates (vocals). Also featured on the album are Tim Carbone (fiddle), Ron Sowell (harmonica) and Alexi David (upright bass/vocals). // Speaking about The Carpenter Ants, Nellie states “When I discovered The Carpenter Ants, I felt at home. They know how to put on a good time. These guys exude a groundedness and connection to the Earth that’s reassuring. Beyond musicianship, maybe it’s the heart of these players, Mountain Stage and West Virginia generally that feels like a big hug.” She continues, “I’ve wanted to do something with the band for a long time, and though the songs on this album are not strictly Appalachian, I like to think encountering all the souls in this wonderful place rubbed off a little on the results, and it’s my great pleasure to share these songs with you!”]
  1. Heavy MakeUp – “Gone Too Long”
    from: ‘Heavy MakeUp / Shuffle Records / September 8, 2023
    [Heavy MakeUp—the self-titled debut album from the dynamic new project of Edie Brickell, CJ Camerieri and Trever Hagen—is out now via Shuffle Records/Thirty Tigers. // Written and produced by the trio, Heavy MakeUp is filled with sonic exploration, capturing the artists’ improvisational spirit and shared curiosities through voice, synths, drum machines and brass. The album is their first official project as a collective, after initially discovering their musical chemistry when collaborating on 2022’s “More and More,” released by Camerieri and Hagen’s project, CARM. Following that experience, Brickell, Camerieri and Hagen were inspired to further explore their shared creativity and spent three days together improvising, which went on to become the basis of Heavy MakeUp. // In celebration of the new music, Heavy MakeUp made their live debut earlier this summer with shows at Westerly, RI’s The Knickerbocker and Newport Folk Festival. Each Heavy MakeUp performance is a singular musical experience, filled with song, spontaneity and improvisation. // About Edie Brickell: A GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician, Edie Brickell has released thirteen albums throughout her renowned career including 2021’s Hunter And The Dog Star, the most recent release with the New Bohemians. Released to widespread critical acclaim, Spin declared, “Brickell’s emotive vocals delve deep into the human condition while her band nimbly crosses numerous musical genres…complex but compelling work.” In addition to her work with New Bohemians, Brickell has also released music as a solo artist, as part of the groups The Gaddabouts and The Heavy Circles, and in collaboration with Steve Martin. Brickell and Martin have released two studio albums together including Love Has Come For You, whose title track won Best American Roots Song at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. The pair also wrote the 2016 Tony-nominated Broadway musical, Bright Star. // About CJ Camerieri: Since graduating from The Juilliard School in 2004 with a degree in Classical Trumpet Performance, CJ Camerieri has become an esteemed soloist, chamber musician and indispensable collaborator for some of the most important artists of our time. He is a 2x GRAMMY winner and a co-founder of the acclaimed contemporary classical sextet yMusic. Camerieri has toured the world as a core member of Paul Simon’s band since 2013 as well as with artists such as Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens, Ben Folds and Sting among many others. In 2021, Camerieri debuted his project, CARM, which was highlighted by performances on “The Late Show with Colbert Show” and NPR Music’s “Tiny Desk Concert.” // About Trever Hagen: Trever Hagen is an experimental trumpet player and producer who has collaborated with a range of musicians and ensembles from Bon Iver, Mouse on Mars, Marijuana Deathsquads, and Aaron Dessner to his own solo performances, albums and bands, including techno group Awefekt and avant-garde noise improv group Fanny Hill. Hagen’s solo trumpet electronica albums have been released by the labels 37d03d, Audiotong, Music of New Reference and No Icon. Coming up in the traditional music worlds of jazz and classical music, Hagen sought out new sounds and techniques of performing the trumpet outside the boundaries of institutions. Although having performed on stages such as Coachella, Bonaroo and arenas across Europe, Hagen’s musical imperative lies in underground, DIY and counterculture musical communities. These musical goals have brought him around the globe as a solo noise artist playing no-input feedback with a mouthpiece-less trumpet to create a performance of entirely new sounds and textures. Having recently returned to his native United States after fourteen years in Europe and Asia, Hagen joined the trumpet-forward project Carm, writing and producing for the group along side performing, including on NPR’s Tiny Desk, Stephen Colbert’s Late Show and the Netherland’s-based new music platform, 2 Meters Sessions. As well, Hagen holds a Grammy nomination, a PhD and is an Oxford Press author.]
  1. Sufjan Stevens – “Will Anybody Ever Love Me”
    from: Javelin /Asthmatic Kitty / October 6, 2023
    [adrienne maree brown sings on “Will Anybody Ever Love Me?“ “Everything That Rises“ “Genuflecting Ghost,“ “My Red Little Fox,“ “So You Are Tired,“ and “Javelin (To Have And To Hold).“ Nedelle Torrisi sings on “A Running Start.“ Pauline Delassus sings on “Shit Talk.“ Bryce Dessner plays acoustic and electric guitars on “Shit Talk“. Megan Lui and Hannah Cohen sing on “Goodbye Evergreen,“ “A Running Start,” “Will Anybody Ever Love Me?“ “Everything That Rises,“ “My Red Little Fox,“ “So You Are Tired“ “Javelin (To Have And To Hold),“ “Shit Talk,“ and “There’s A World.“ Sufjan Stevens performs everything else. This album was recorded, engineered, arranged, produced and mixed by Sufjan Stevens. Mastered by Heba Kadry, NYC. Vinyl mastering by Josh Bonati. // All original artwork, collage, painting, photography, typography, layout and design by Sufjan Stevens. // Over the course of his career, Sufjan Stevens has blurred distinctions between the major and the minor, between the details that color our existence and the big events that frame our lives. He has turned historical footnotes of States into kaleidoscopic pop, and rendered the immeasurable grief of loss with intimacy and grace. // His new album ‘Javelin’—Sufjan’s first solo album of songs since 2020’s The Ascension and his first in full solo singer-songwriter mode since 2015’s Carrie & Lowell—bridges all these approaches. Sufjan uses the quietness of a solitary confession to ask universal questions in songs we can share communally. // Where The Ascension, lauded by The New York Times as “a cry of despair and prayer for redemption,” used ornate but urgent electronics to square up to its moment, ‘Javelin’ begins more like a self-portrait, detailed yet plain. Yet whether listened to individually or as an album, these 10 songs become something much bigger, the entire experience of Sufjan’s 25-year career expressed in four-minute bursts. Choral, orchestral, and electric wonder: it all shows in ‘Javelin’, all of it animating these songs as full spectacles. In each song we hear the vulnerability and candor of quiet starts, then Sufjan raising the stakes. // At times, ‘Javelin’ has the feel of a big team album production—but it is decidedly not: almost every sound here is the result of Sufjan at home, building by himself what sometimes feels like a testament to classic ’70s Los Angeles studio recording sessions. There are indispensable contributions from a close circle of friends; the harmonies of five singers who afford ‘Javelin’ so much frisson: adrienne maree brown, Hannah Cohen, Pauline Delassus, Megan Lui, and Nedelle Torrisi. Bryce Dessner plays acoustic and electric guitar on “Shit Talk.” And, of course, Neil Young wrote the tender and mystic closer, “There’s a World.” // And speaking of the world: there is a permeable sense of world-building imbued in every corner of ‘Javelin’, especially in the 48-page book of art and essays that accompanies the album. With a series of meticulous collages, cut-up catalog fantasies, puff-paint word clouds, and iterative color fields, Sufjan builds order from seeming chaos and vice versa. And toward the middle of it all are 10 short essays by Sufjan, another window into the process that informed ‘Javelin’. // On ‘Javelin’, Sufjan returns as we may know him best, offering vulnerable reflections on love and relationships, so that in listening we may see ourselves more fully.

11:00 – Station ID

  1. Supermassive Black Holes – “Weatherby Lake”
    from: Stop Safely Now / Supermassive Black Holes / October 27, 2023
    [The album was recorded, engineered, mixed and mastered by Duane Trower at Weights and 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 play an Album Release Party “Acoustic” Show at Mike Kelly’s Westsider, 1515 Westport Rd. KCMO on Thursday, October 26, 2023.]

[Supermassive Black Holes play an Album Release Party Electric Show at Lucia, 1016 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, KS. on Friday, November 10, 2023.]

[Supermassive Black Holes play a New Year’s Eve Eve Show at OurHouseKC, 1815 West 39th St., KCMO, on Saturday, December 30, 2023.]

11:04 – Interview with Chad Brothers

Musician & songwriter Chad Brothers and members of the band, Supermassive Black Holes talk about their new studio album, “Stop Safely Now,” to be released on Friday, October 27, 2023. Formed in 2010 during the legendary Monday jam nights at Crosstown Station. 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. Supermassive Black Holes play an Album Release Party “Acoustic” Show at Mike Kelly’s Westsider, 1515 Westport Rd. KCMO on Thurs, Oct. 26, 2023. // Supermassive Black Holes play an Album Release Party Electric Show at Lucia, 1016 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, KS. on Fri., Nov. 10, 2023. // Supermassive Black Holes play a New Year’s Eve Eve Show at OurHouseKC, 1815 W. 39th St., KCMO, on Sat, Dec. 30, 2023. Info at: http://www.smbhkc.com

Chad Brothers thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Supermassive Black Holes were formed in 2010 during the legendary Monday jam nights at Crosstown Station.

Black Holes are: Alexis Barclay on bass guitar & vocals;
John Johnson on electric & acoustic guitar, synthesizer, kazoo & vocals;
Matt Davis on drums, piano & vocals;
Chad Brothers on electric & acoustic guitar & vocals.

Stop Safely Now / SMBH / Oct. 27, 2023 (songwriter & lead vocal credits)

  1. Spaghettification IV – 2:26 (John Johnson & Chad Brothers)
  2. Smile Then I Sigh – 6:04 (Alexis Barclay)
  3. Down In the Back – 2:44 (Chad Brothers)
  4. Lifeboat – 4:14 (John Johnson)
  5. Put Down the Phone – 3:49 (Alexis Barclay)
  6. Who You Are – 6:58 (Matt Davis & John Johnson)
  7. Weatherby Lake – 3:29 (Chad Brothers)
  8. Why – 5:37 (Alexis Barclay)
  9. Whole – 3:21 (John Johnson)
  10. Visualizer – 3:18 (Chad Brothers)
  11. Slice – 4:50 (John Johnson)
  12. Change Your Mind – 5:45 (Matt Davis)
  13. Bend – 4:44 (John Johnson)
  14. Wiser – 4:05 (Chad Brothers)
  15. Lockdown – 4:40 (John Johnson)
  16. Spaghettification III – 0:25 (John Johnson)
  17. Young and Childlike – 7:09 (Alexis Barclay)

11:12

  1. Supermassive Black Holes – “Put Down The Phone”
    from: Stop Safely Now / Supermassive Black Holes / October 27, 2023
    [The album was recorded, engineered, mixed and mastered by Duane Trower at Weights and 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 Alexis Barclay]

[Supermassive Black Holes play an Album Release Party “Acoustic” Show at Mike Kelly’s Westsider, 1515 Westport Rd. KCMO on Thursday, October 26, 2023.]

[Supermassive Black Holes play an Album Release Party Electric Show at Lucia, 1016 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, KS. on Friday, November 10, 2023.]

[Supermassive Black Holes play a New Year’s Eve Eve Show at OurHouseKC, 1815 West 39th St., KCMO, on Saturday, December 30, 2023.]

11:16 – More Interview with Chad Brothers

Musician & songwriter Chad Brothers and members of the band, Supermassive Black Holes talk about their new studio album, “Stop Safely Now,” to be released on Friday, October 27, 2023. Formed in 2010 during the legendary Monday jam nights at Crosstown Station. 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. Supermassive Black Holes play an Album Release Party “Acoustic” Show at Mike Kelly’s Westsider, 1515 Westport Rd. KCMO on Thursday, October 26, 2023. // Supermassive Black Holes play an Album Release Party Electric Show at Lucia, 1016 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, KS. on Friday, November 10, 2023. // Supermassive Black Holes play a New Year’s Eve Eve Show at OurHouseKC, 1815 West 39th St., KCMO, on Saturday, December 30, 2023. More info at: http://www.smbhkc.com

Chad Brothers thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Supermassive Black Holes

John Johnson – electric & acoustic guitar /  synthesizer / kazoo / vocals
 – Has been involved with other bands including Heads of State, David George Band, Sopchoppy, plus his solo project John El & Modern Culture.  He enjoys collecting stamps and spending time with his friends named Doug.

Matt Davis  –  drums / piano  / vocals
 – Studied audio engineering at Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in Arizona; worked at Conway Studios in Los Angeles, other projects have included Brody Buster Band, Hellhound Junkies, Counter-Culture and The MGDs.

Alexis Barclay  –  bass / vocals – Hailing from Northwest London and grew up with a chimpanzee. Has performed with other projects including Yossarian’s Lament, Blarney Stoned, Brother Bagman and the duo Brothers Barclay (w/ Chad Brothers)

Chad Brothers  –  electric & acoustic guitar  /  vocals – 
Grew up in Winfield, KS, home of the annual Walnut Valley Festival and National Flatpicking Championships. Has performed with other projects including Grazgrove, Old Sound, with his wife and partner Mikal Shapiro in The Musical and Shapiro Brothers, and with other area musicians including Howard Iceberg, Danny McGaw and Wells the Traveler.

11:25

  1. Supermassive Black Holes – “Whole”
    from: Stop Safely Now / Supermassive Black Holes / October 27, 2023
    [The album was 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 John Johnson]

[Supermassive Black Holes play an Album Release Party “Acoustic” Show at Mike Kelly’s Westsider, 1515 Westport Rd. KCMO on Thursday, October 26, 2023.]

[Supermassive Black Holes play an Album Release Party Electric Show at Lucia, 1016 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, KS. on Friday, November 10, 2023.]

[Supermassive Black Holes play a New Year’s Eve Eve Show at OurHouseKC, 1815 West 39th St., KCMO, on Saturday, December 30, 2023.]

11:28 – Underwriting

  1. Monta – “Perimeter Dancer”
    from: Crystal Momentum EP / The Record Machine / March 24, 2023
    [The band released the single “Looking Back” on February 27, 2023, and “Everybody’s Baby” on January 27, 2023. Monta’s latest, the Crystal Momentum EP, hones the Kansas City band’s mastery of electrified dreamworld post-punk, presenting four spacious songs to accompany out-of-body explorations. Monta’s core players — Mikal Shapiro on vocals, Krysztof Nemeth and Lucas Behrens on guitars, Dedric Moore on electronics, Matthew Heinrich on drums, and Teri Quinn with additional vocals — accompany their visions with a groovy flow that rings with subtle tensions, introspective instrumentation, and chorus-fed uplifts. // Found within are “Everybody’s Baby,” an otherworldly adoration of unnamed strangers set to transfixing melodies and a snake-like groove; the buoyant “Looking Back,” which shines a danceable, sonic brightness through a haze of ecstatic reminiscence; the inspired “Perimeter Dancer,” an ode to those who fight for the cause, accompanied by a punky disco beat and a chorus that launches the song upward to a mirror-ball-lit sky. And then there’s “Luna Lost In Your Gaze,” a righteous desert sleepwalk of a tune that recalls the spaghetti western tones of Monta’s past while remaining on the current trajectory. // With the Crystal Momentum EP, Monta grabs the moment, further defining the distinctive mix of synth-pop and dark psychedelia that’s become the band’s trademark. Take a leap and fall into their world. // Monta means “to climb higher.” Through lineup changes and scenes ebbing and flowing, this band continues that climb. Founded by brothers Dedric and Delaney Moore, Monta (originally Monta At Odds) has grown into its own community with a rotating cast of musicians and characters. More Information at: kosmiccity.com / therecordmachine.co]

[Monta plays 20 Years of The Record Machine featuring The Noice FM, Black Light Animals Soultru and Pala Zolo, on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd]

11:33 – Interview with Nathan Reusch

At 11:30, Mark talks with Nathan Reusch, co-founder of The Record Machine a pioneering independent record label that has been making waves in the industry for over 20 years. Originally focused on promoting local talent, the label quickly expanded its reach and began releasing music from artists across the United States. In addition to producing exceptional music, The Record Machine also organizes events in its own backyard. Nathan will share information about 20 Years of The Record Machine featuring The Noice FM, Monta, Black Light Animals, Soultru and Pala Zolo, on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd. KCMO. More info at: http://www.therecordmachine.co

Nathan Reusch, thanks for beig with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

The Record Machine started as a homegrown, pioneering independent record label and expanded to events in Kansas City, MO. We initially established the label to promote and release music from our hometown, but as time went on, we began releasing records from all across the country. We aim to work with a diverse group of hardworking, dedicated, and stand out on their own accord. Our catalog is an eclectic mix; we are proud that we don’t fit into any single genre and a unifying, uplifting quality to our releases. We hope to nurture musicians and connect them with a broader audience. Tim Finn of The Kansas City Star remarked about The Record Machine’s output “[They] have assembled a stable of diverse artists who are making music that deserves national attention.”

11:38

  1. Soultru – “Neighborhood”
    from: The Legend of Guitar Boy [EP] / The Record Machine / April 7, 2023
    [Soultru released, The Truth: an Acoustic EP. through the Record Machine, on October 19, 2020, with vocals by Terrance Banks. Singer, songwriter, poet and emcee Terrance A Banks is a;so known as 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. More info at: http://www.soultrumusic.com]

[Soultru plays 20 Years of The Record Machine featuring The Noise FM, Black Light Animals, Monta and Pala Zolo, on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd. KCMO. More info at: http://www.therecordmachine.co]

11:41 – More Interview with Nathan Reusch

At 11:30, Mark talks with Nathan Reusch, co-founder of The Record Machine a pioneering independent record label that has been making waves in the industry for over 20 years. Originally focused on promoting local talent, the label quickly expanded its reach and began releasing music from artists across the United States. In addition to producing exceptional music, The Record Machine also organizes events in its own backyard. Nathan will share information about 20 Years of The Record Machine featuring The Noice FM, Monta, Black Light Animals Soultru and Pala Zolo, on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd. KCMO. More info at: http://www.therecordmachine.co

Nathan Reusch, thanks for beig with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

In 2011 The Record Machine founded Middle of the Map Fest as a joint venture between KC’s Ink magazine(Part of the KC Star) and The Record Machine. In the years since, the festival has grown to encompass Music, Speakers, and Film. Bands that we love like Spoon, Grizzly Bear, Iron and Wine, Fred Armisen, OK Go, Lord Huron, Vince Staples, Cold War Kids, Charles Bradley, Aimee Mann, Atmosphere, The Get Up Kids, Daniel Johnston, Of Montreal, Kate Nash, The Joy Formidable, Two Door Cinema Club and many more have shared the same stage as Record Machine artists.

“It’s a great way for KC to show off and, more specifically, showcase our flourishing arts and culture scene,” KC Mayor Sly James said in a KC Biz Journal article earlier that year. “Events like Middle of the Map Fest bring crowds of people to our city who oftentimes leave in awe of everything Kansas City has to offer.”

The Record Machine is the collective sum of individuals, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, and talent; our artists represent a significant part of not only our culture but our company’s reputation and achievements. We embrace and encourage our artist’s differences in race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, religion, sexual orientation, and other characteristics that make our community unique.

11:45

  1. The Noise FM – “Distant Lover”
    from: Deleted Scenes / The Record Machine / November 3, 2023
    [Seven songs from the vault never before released. A live version of this song is on their album, Hot Sauce: The Noise FM Live From recordBar released December 9, 2016. Formed by the core duo of brothers Austin and Alex Ward in the small town of Fort Scott, Kansas, The Noise FM plays melodic, beat-driven indie-rock. Sometimes the band’s songs get really loud, emphasizing bombastic drums, fuzzed-out synthesizers, and intricate guitar riffs — a sound inspired by the brothers’ love of the 90s alternative bands they grew up watching on Canada’s MuchMusic channel (inexplicably, Fort Scott aired MuchMusic instead of MTV, likely making it the only rural Kansas town with a teenage population fluent in Canadian alternative rock). At other times, The Noise FM’s music focuses on tight, danceable grooves and harmonized vocal melodies. / Following multiple years touring behind the release of 2014’s full-length record Attraction (The Record Machine), the band temporarily shifted its focus to outside projects with Alex & Austin moonlighting as members of successful Chicago garage-pop group Archie Powell & The Exports and internationally touring rock group Hembree. / After living nearly 9 years in Chicago, the brothers recently relocated to Los Angeles to pay significantly more in rent while completing The Noise FM’s long-awaited follow-up to Attraction. // Austin and Alex Ward also play in the band Hembree // Austin and Alex Ward also play in the band Scores with CJ Calhoun, and Greg Panciera. Scores just released the 5-track EP Vol. 2 through Oread Records on October 6, 2923]

[The Noise FM plays 20 Years of The Record Machine featuring Soultru, Black Light Animals, Monta and Pala Zolo, on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd. KCMO. More info at: http://www.therecordmachine.co]

The Noise FM Discography

Dream of the Attack / 9-track Album / November 14, 2008
Enclave / 6-track EP / May 14, 2010
Attraction / 10-track Album / The Record Machine / January 28, 2014
Road Warrior Remix / 8 Remixes / The Record Machine / December 2, 2014
Hot Sauce: The Noise FM Live From recordBar / The Record Machine / December 9, 2016
“Cooler Heads Prevail” / “Who’s Watching Who?” / Singles / The Record Machine / July 31, 2020
“Will You Spend Merry Christmas with Me?” / Single / The Record Machine / Dec. 1, 2022]

11:49 – More Interview with Nathan Reusch

At 11:30, Mark talks with Nathan Reusch, co-founder of The Record Machine a pioneering independent record label that has been making waves in the industry for over 20 years. Originally focused on promoting local talent, the label quickly expanded its reach and began releasing music from artists across the United States. In addition to producing exceptional music, The Record Machine also organizes events in its own backyard.

Nathan will share information about 20 Years of The Record Machine featuring The Noice FM, Monta, Black Light Animals Soultru and Pala Zolo, on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd. KCMO. More info at: http://www.therecordmachine.co

Nathan Reusch, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

20 Years of The Record Machine featuring The Noice FM, Monta, Black Light Animals Soultru and Pala Zolo, on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd. KCMO. More info at: http://www.therecordmachine.co

  1. Black Light Animals – “Pink Lemonade”
    from: “Pink Lemonade” – Single / The Record Machine / September 15, 2023
    [The latest release from the Kansas City based psychedelic soul group, Black Light Animals: Alex Hartmann on drums & percussion, Branden Moser on bass & background vocal, Cody Calhoun on lead electric guitar & background vocals, Colby Bales on lead & background vocals, & acoustic guitar. This band is also “The Boys” as in Jass and The Boys plus Clarence Copridge on keyboards, who have been releasing their own string of singles “Daydream Girl” (August 25, 20230 “GVN2U” (July 14, 2023) and “Love U Like I Love U” ((December 2, 2022). Branden Moser and Cole Bales also play bass and guitar in the soul powerhouse, The Freedom Affair. This new single follows “Persephone” that was released on September 23, 2022. Black Light Animals released their full length debut album, Playboys of The Western World on Groove King Records on July 3, 2020. Formed from the ashes of their last band, Instant Karma the new record contains lush pop vocals crooned over spaghetti western riffs, psychedelic synth, and hip hop drums. More info at: http://www.blacklightanimalsband.bandcamp.com]

[The Black Light Animals play 20 Years of The Record Machine featuring The Noise FM, Soultru, Monta, and Pala Zolo, on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd. KCMO. More info at: http://www.therecordmachine.co]

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

Next week on November 3 we welcome Guest Producers – Brock Wilbur, Editor in Chief of The Pitch, and Nick Spacek, Music Editor of The Pitch. Also next week, from Midwest Music Foundation – Sondra Freeman joins us to share details about Apocalypse Meow 16, Saturday, November 6, at 6:00 PM at recordBar, 1520 Grand.

THANK YOU to all of our listeners & friends who generously donated to support KKFI 90.1 FM – Kansas City Community Radio!!! During our Wednesday MidDay Medley Fund Drive shows on October 12. With our On-Air Wednesday MidDay Medley fundraiser, combined with our Facebook Fundraiser, 45 individuals, all collectively donated a total of $2643.00 in honor of Wednesday MidDay Medley! Making Wednesday MidDay Medley in the top three fundraising shows at KKFI. In fact all five of KKFI’s MidDay Medley shows were in the top 25, as well as 4 of the 5 Jazz Shows. Thank you EVERYONE! You have again enabled us to continue the endeavor of KKFI 90.1 FM – Kansas City’s Community Radio!!!!

THANK YOU to my incredible Fund co-hosts: Marion Merritt & Joelle St. Pierre & Nicolette Paige, AND KKFI Staff; Director of Development & Communications – J Kelly Dougherty, Volunteer Coordinator – Darryl Oliver, Chief Operator – Chad Brothers. And Lincoln Dreher one of our volunteers who went way above and beyond as a volunteer! And all of our phone volunteers.

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

Wednesday MidDay Medley in on the web:
http://www.kkfi.org,
http://www.WednesdayMidDayMedley.org,
http://www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM

Show #1017

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