WMM Playlist from August 23, 2023 with Bill Sundahl, Mireya Ramos, and Trevor Turla of the 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest

Posted on August 24, 2023 by Mark Manning

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, August 23, 2023

Mireya Ramos & Trevor Turla & Bill Sundahl of the Crossroads Music Fest

“It’s Showtime Folks”
from: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to All That Jazz / 1980
[WMM’s theme song]

Joining us for the entire show is our guest co-host Bill Sundahl, the founder of Crossroads Music Festival who has been coming on this radio program for 19 years now sharing information about the music and venues and collaborations associated with CMF.

Bill Sundahl founded the Crossroads Music Fest in 2005. After a varied set of careers that led to the Fundraising Leadership Series at the University of Missouri – Kansas City in 2016, Bill’s passion for connecting people with ways to grow our community took root. Bill Sundahl spent eight years at KKFI 90.1 FM, starting as an events and volunteer coordinator, then as 90.1 FM KKFI’s Development Director. For last 10 years Bill has played bass and provided vocals for the Kansas City super group, Starhaven Rounders. Bill and his wife Wende are the proud parents of two daughters who all love to find fun places to camp near the water. Bill serves as vice president of corporate partnerships at The Beacon. The Kansas City Beacon is a non-profit online news outlet covering Kansas City local news focused on in-depth journalism in the public interest.

Bill Sundahl thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

The Kansas City Beacon is a non-profit online news outlet covering Kansas City local news focused on in-depth journalism in the public interest. It launched in March 2020. It is part of The Beacon, a regional nonprofit news network serving Kansas and Missouri that was founded by Kelsey Ryan, who served as the Beacon’s first publisher.

Beacon stories are revelatory, contextual, data-driven and solutions-driven, with a focus on Kansas City local news. Our reporting centers around issues in health care, education, economics, environment and civic engagement.

Mission: To spur reforms in the public interest by shining light on wrongdoings and abuse by government, businesses and other powerful institutions through in-depth, solutions-driven journalism.

CMF IS A FUNDRAISER FOR 90.1FM KKFI – KANSAS CITY COMMUNITY RADIO

Presented by Community Lending of America, Inc. The 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest is this Saturday, August 26 – 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM. This longrunning festival showcases Diverse Music on 6 Stages, with 25+ Bands, in The Historic West Bottoms. More info or for advance tickets: http://www.cmfkc.com

Six Stages in the Historic West Bottoms:

Union Avenue Stage, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO (Outdoor, on street in front of The Ship)
All Else The Sea (at The Ship), 1221 Union Ave, KCMO (Indoor Stage)
The Ship, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO (Indoor Stage)
The Black Box, 1060 Union Ave, KCMO (Indoor Stage)
The Black Box, 1060 Union Ave, KCMO (Outdoor Stage)
Somera Road, 1215 Union Avenue, KCMO (VIP Stage)

Featuring: Mireya Ramos + KC Latin Jazz Orchestra + Jass & The Boys + Black Light Animals + Julia Othmer + Heidi Lynne Gluck + Trevor Turla + Memphissippi + Men of Men + Carswell & Hope + Rural Grit All Stars + Zee Underscore & Noye + David Luther + Elizabeth Moen + Jamogi + WAP Gang + Whitney Payne Quartet + Jay Welch + The Chunk + Impossible Objects w/ special guests Camry Ivory, Emily Milner, Matt Brahl & Chase Horseman + DJ Joe McGuire + Rebel Song Academy + Art as Mentorship Students

The Black Box, 1060 Union Ave, KCMO (Outdoor Stage)
Sponsored by Stockyards Brewing Company

6:00 to 6:45 PM – Whitney Payne Quartet
7:30 to 8:15 PM – Rebel Song Academy
9:00 to 9:45 PM – Memphissippi Sounds
10:30 to 11:30 PM – Heidi Lynne Gluck

Memphissippi Sounds – “Crossroads”
from: Welcome to the Land / Memphissippi Sounds / September 20, 2021
[Memphissippi Sounds are Cameron Kimbrough on vocals, guitar, & percussion, and The Legendary Yella P on vocals, guitar, and blues harp. One fateful summer night in a club on Beale Street, the paths of two uniquely gifted musicians aligned. Cameron Kimbrough (grandson of Junior Kimbrough and native of the famed Mississippi hill country) brought his raw, stripped-down rhythms from the open air of Potts Camp, MS, to the crowded room. As the audience took in Kimbrough’s drum beats, another powerful and mesmerizing voice emerged – the sound of Damion “Yella P” Pearson’s harmonica. // An instant connection grew from this chance encounter, and Cam and Yella teamed up to form Memphissippi Sounds. Kimbrough had grown up hearing the blues at his grandfather’s juke joint, and he later taught himself to play. Yella P was also self-taught on the harmonica. He bought his first blues harp at age 13, spending countless hours honing his style and listening to the blues on Beale Street. Memphissippi Sounds officially debuted their custom sound (a blend of North Mississippi hill country blues combined with Memphis blues, soul, and hip-hop) at the New Daisy Theatre while opening up for guitar legend Eric Gales. Since then, they’ve taken the Memphissippi sound on the road, playing everywhere from juke joints to major music festivals throughout the United States and abroad. In 2021, Memphissippi Sounds released their critically acclaimed debut album, Welcome to the Land, a project that charted internationally and also earned them their first Blues Awards nomination for Best Emerging Artist Album.]

[Memphissippi Sounds play the 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, Sat, August 27, at 9:00 PM on the Stockyards Brewing Company Stage at The Black Box Theatre, 1060 Union Ave, KCMO (Outdoor Stage) one of 6 STAGES in the Historic West Bottoms with over 25 Bands. Info at http://www.cmfkc.com]

Heidi Lynne Gluck – “All I See Is Magic”
from: Migrate Or Die / Heidi Lynne Gluck / July 7, 2023
[Cowritten with Kenny Childers. Heidi Lynne Gluck released the singles: “All I See Is Magic” on May 25, 2023, “I’m Not Free” on June 2, 2023 and “Skyscraper” on June 7, 2023 Lawrence, Kansas based Heidi Lynne Gluck is a songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist originally from the middle of Canada. After transplant-ing herself from the plains of Manitoba to the midwestern United States, Heidi quickly became an in-demand player, performing on stage and in the studio both as a solo artist and with renowned musicians including Juliana Hatfield & Some Girls, Margot & The Nuclear So and Sos, Lily & Madeleine, The Pieces, The Only Children, and others. Heidi Lynne Gluck joined us live on WMM on June 8, and Aug. 24, 2016. Heidi Lynne Gluck released her critically acclaimed album, PONY SHOW through Lawrence based Lotuspool Records on Aug. 26, 2016. This was the follow-up to her critically acclaimed release THE ONLY GIRL IN THE ROOM, released April 28, 2015. Heidi Lynne Gluck released the 8th edition of the Too Much Rock, limited edition, 7” vinyl Single Series on Aug. 3, 2018, featuring her original song, “Party Line.” and the B-side, “Good Guys and Bad Guys” a new version of Camper Van Beethoven song. Heidi Lynne Gluck also plays with the band the Roseline and was a featured vocalist on “Beauty in the Distance” with Asterales. Heidi recently released two new singles with Tom Brosseau, “Sunflower” on Dec. 15, 2022, and “Under African Skies” on Feb. 17, 2023.]

[Heidi Lynne Gluck plays the 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, Saturday, August 27, at 10:30 PM on the Stockyards Brewing Company Stage at The Black Box Theatre, 1060 Union Ave, KCMO (Outdoor Stage) one of 6 STAGES in the Historic West Bottoms with over 25 Bands. More info at http://www.cmfkc.com]

10:17

CMF IS A FUNDRAISER FOR 90.1FM KKFI – KANSAS CITY COMMUNITY RADIO

Presented by Community Lending of America, Inc. The 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest is this Saturday, August 26 – 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM. This long running festival showcases Diverse Music on 6 Stages, with 25+ Bands, in The Historic West Bottoms. More info or for advance tickets: http://www.cmfkc.com

Six Stages in the Historic West Bottoms:

The Ship, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO (Indoor Stage)
Sponsored by Kissick Construction

5:00 to 5:45 PM – WAP Gang
6:15 to 7:00 PM – Jamogi
7:30 to 8:15 PM – The Chunk
8:45 to 9:45 PM – Jay Welch
10:30 to 11:30 PM – Zee Underscore & Noye
12:00 to 1:00 AM – Men of Men

11:23 – Underwriting

Jamogi – “Star-Crossed Lover”
from: Star-Crossed Lover – EP / Jam Tunes / March 3, 2023
[Jamogi is also know as Byron Hyde a Kanas City based singer, songwriter, MC, producer, originally form Los Angeles, California. Since releasing this EP Jamogi released a “Star-Crossed Lover GALACTIC REMIX (feat. Watchman)” single on June 9, 2023.Jamogi previously released the AGE OF AQUARIUS EP on March 3, 2023, and the single “Celebration” on December 9, 2022, and the single “Anymore” on May 6, 2022.]

[Jamogi plays the 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, Saturday, August 26, at 6:15 PM on the Kissick Construction Stage at The Ship, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO (Indoor Stage) one of 6 STAGES in the Historic West Bottoms with over 25 Bands. More info at http://www.cmfkc.com]

The Chunk – “Gateway Drug”
from: The Chunk: Greatest Hits World Tour, vol. 1 / Skank Records / April 20, 2022
[The Chunk is a high energy punk rock power trio that is pioneering a genre they call “Chunk Rock”. With a mix of ska, punk, reggae, hard rock, and their signature chunk spice this new sound aims to hit hard and make you feel the groove. Bryan, Ollie, and Jansen first met in 2014 on the University of Kansas Drumline where they all picked up a heavily rhythmical influence and the same sense of rehearsal etiquette. It would only be years later in 2017 when they decided to get together in the basement of Bryan’s parents’ house to play some Sublime and Blink 182 covers and that’s where it all started. From there they built a library of classics and made themselves into the perfect band for your weekend house party and would go on to play many living rooms and basements. Their original music is made of aggressive riffs, fast tempos, and is designed to turn the vibe up to eleven. Electric performances paired with a bit of witty banter, The Chunk always puts on a good show. More info at: wwwchunkrock.com]

[The Chunk plays the 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, Saturday, August 26, at 7:30 PM on the Kissick Construction Stage at The Ship, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO (Indoor Stage) one of 6 STAGES in the Historic West Bottoms with over 25 Bands. More info at http://www.cmfkc.com]

Zee Underscore – “In The Way (feat. Amadi Luv)”
from: “In The Way (feat. Amadi Luv)” – Single / Underscore Form / July 12, 2023
[Zee Underscore is a Kansas City based singer, songwriter, electrical engineer, and co-founder @zntl_ent More information at: https://linktr.ee/Zeebee.notes%5D

[Zee Underscore & Noye play the 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, Saturday, August 26, at 10:30 PM on the Kissick Construction Stage at The Ship, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO (Indoor Stage) one of 6 STAGES in the Historic West Bottoms with over 25 Bands. More info at http://www.cmfkc.com]

CMF IS A FUNDRAISER FOR 90.1FM KKFI – KANSAS CITY COMMUNITY RADIO

Presented by Community Lending of America, Inc. The 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest is this Saturday, August 26 – 1:00 PM to 1:00 AM. This longrunning festival showcases Diverse Music on 6 Stages, with 25+ Bands, in The Historic West Bottoms. More info or for advance tickets: http://www.cmfkc.com

Six Stages in the Historic West Bottoms:

The Black Box, 1060 Union Ave, KCMO (Indoor Stage)
Sponsored by Missouri Arts Council

6:45 to 7:30 PM – Impossible Objects (Nate Hofer & Krysztof Nemeth) w/
8:15 to 9:00 PM – Impossible Objects (Nate & Krysztof) w/
9:45 to 10:30 PM – Impossible Objects (Nate & Krysztof) w/

With special guests: Camry Ivory, Emily Milner, Matt Brahl & Chase Horseman

10:41

Chase The Horseman – “Disinformation Blues (Radio Edit)”
from: Disinformation Blues EP / Chase The Horseman / July 12, 2019
[Music & lyrics by Chase Horseman. Recorded & Mixed by Joel Nanos & Chase Horseman at Element Recording. Mastered by Joel Nanos. Drums by Ian Dobyns, bass by Skylar Cowdry, guitar/vocals/synthesizers by Chase Horseman. Chase The Horseman released the single “Poor Song” on February 4, 2020, and the single “U Martyr U” June 19, 2018, and the single “Modern Ruins” on Oct 4, 2018. Chase The Horseman film composer, band leader, multi-instrumentalist, audio engineer, & producer. They have composed music for over 40 films and as producer collaborated with Teri Quinn, Heidi Lynne Gluck, KD Kuro, Nan Turner, The Roseline. Recently Chase created the music for two feature-length episodes of the Blum House Films and Hulu original series, “Into the Dark.” On May 1 Chase released, a quarantine cover of “Midnight, The Stars and You” written by Harry M. Woods, Jimmy Campbell & Reg Connelly Stanley. The most famous version was recorded in 1934 by Ray Noble & his Orchestra with an uncredited Al Bowlly on vocals. This was used in the ballroom scene and closing of Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 horror film The Shining based on the novel by Stephen King. All of the profits of this single will be donated directly to service industry workers in Kansas City and Midwest Music Foundation on a 50/50 basis. http://www.chasethehorseman.bandcamp.com]

[Chase the Horseman plays the 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, Saturday, August 26, on the Missouri Arts Council stage at The Black Box Theatre, 1060 Union Ave, KCMO (Indoor Stage) one of 6 STAGES in the Historic West Bottoms with over 25 Bands. More info at http://www.cmfkc.com]

10:44

CMF IS A FUNDRAISER FOR 90.1FM KKFI – KANSAS CITY COMMUNITY RADIO

Presented by Community Lending of America, Inc. The 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest is this Saturday, August 26 – 1:00 PM to 1:00 AM. This longrunning festival showcases Diverse Music on 6 Stages, with 25+ Bands, in The Historic West Bottoms. More info or for advance tickets: http://www.cmfkc.com

Six Stages in the Historic West Bottoms:

Union Avenue Stage, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO (Outdoor, on street in front of The Ship)
Sponsored by Community Lending America

5:00 to 6:00 PM – Black Light Animals
7:00 to 8:00 PM – Jass & The Boys
9:00 to 10:00 PM – Mireya Ramos
11:00 to 12:00 AM – Kansas City Latin Jazz Orchestra

10:50

Black Light Animals – “Persephone”
from: Persephone – Single / Groove King Records / September 23, 2022
[Persephone” is the latest release from the psychedelic soul group, Black Light Animals, comprised of members of the soul powerhouse, The Freedom Affair. Written and produced by 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, with Alyssa Bell on viola, Matt Bennett on violin, and Sascha Groschang on cello. String Arrangement by Alyssa Bell and Colby Bales. Mixed and Engineered by Cole Bales. Album Artwork by Sean at Pariah in the Sky. Video Directed by Dave BrickThe track is modeled after the sweeping, orchestral arrangements akin to the likes of Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazelwood as well as David Axelrod. And in the tradition of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” the song tells the story of the narrator’s plea to a mysterious woman to not steal her lover’s heart. This new single follows the release of Black Light Animals’ full length debut album, Playboys of The Western World released on Groove King Records on July 3, 2020. Black Light Animals played a special Vinyl Release Show at Lemonade Park, Saturday, August 21, with The Freedom Affair. 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. Playboys of the Western World is a sprawling, decadent examination of what it means to be a human being through the lens of horror movie organs, spaghetti western guitars, hip hop grooves, psychedelic sojourns, and ballads crooned to lovers in the night. More info at: http://www.blacklightanimalsband.bandcamp.com]

[The Black Light Animals plays the 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, Saturday, August 26, on the Missouri Arts Council stage at 5:00 PM on the Community Lending of America sponsored Union Avenue Stage, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO (Outdoor, on street in front of The Ship) one of 6 STAGES in the Historic West Bottoms with over 25 Bands. More info at http://www.cmfkc.com]

Jass – “Lifetime”
from: “Lifetime” – Single / JASS / January 6, 2023
[Jass is Jasmine “Jass” Couch. Jass and The Boys released the single “Love U Like I Love U” on December 2, 2022. Jass released the EP, OFF KEY: TOO HIGH on September 23, 2022. Jass released the single “Higher Ground” on August 16, 2022. It was #1 on WMM’s 50 Favorite Singles of 2022. Jass released her single, “Him” on February 23, 2022. Jass released At the Close of a Decade on November 26, 2022. It was part of WMM’s 121 Best Recordings of 2021. She wrote, “After years of writing and recording in voice memos .. I decided to grab my iPad and began recording something that I am very proud of. I named it, At the Close of A Decade, and released it in November 2019. With my iPhone/iPad, some apple headphones, I created this project. The amazing people around me told me it was worth it, even when I didn’t believe it myself. I convinced myself I would be the only one that liked my songs. If you decide to listen you’ll hear sound clips of shows and movies that made a difference in the way I saw the world, the way I saw myself, and the way I overcame my experiences. I remember asking my grandma and my son if I should release what I’ve been writing and they both said very simply to do it, so I’ve done it. I want to thank all of my wonderful friends who have been my soundboards during this process, all of the people that have asked me when it’s coming, the people that have kept me accountable, and believed that this time it was for real. My story is so very triumphant and beautiful because I have overcome experiences and shunned the fear I had to do what I love. It’s crazy how you can talk your way out of some amazing things and also how you can talk yourself into making some amazing things happen. If you partake, I hope you enjoy.” // Jass has opened for Thundercat sat GRINDERS, headlined a show at The Bottleneck in Lawrence with my boys! (Colby Bales and Brande Moser), and she opened up for The New Respects at The Uptown, and sang the Negro National Anthem at BLAQUE to School Night at the KC Monarchs game.More info at: http://www.jassrcouch.com] [Jass played Manor Fest 5 in Kansas City on Thur, May 25, at 7:00 PM at Big Mood, 2020 Baltimore, KCMO – East Crossroads with Dalima Kapten, and The Swallowtails.] [Jass played live on WMM on June 21 for Make Music Day!]

[Jass & The Boys plays the 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, Saturday, August 26, on the Missouri Arts Council stage at 7:00 PM on the Community Lending of America sponsored Union Avenue Stage, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO (Outdoor, on street in front of The Ship) one of 6 STAGES in the Historic West Bottoms with over 25 Bands. More info at http://www.cmfkc.com]

Jass & The Boys – “Gvn2u (feat. Jass & Black Light Animals)”
from: “Gvn2u(feat. Jass & Black Light Animals)”-Single / Groove King Records / July 14, 2023
[New single from Jass & The Boys follows their earlier single, “Love U Like I Love U (feat. Jass & Black Light Animals) “ released December 2, 2022 through Groocve King Records. “The Boys” are the members of Black Light Animals: Colby Bales, Branden Moser, & Cody Calhoun. Colby and Branden also are pare of the Freedom Affair. Jass is Jasmine “Jass” Couch released the EP OFFKEY: TOO HIGH on September 23, 2022. Jass released her single “Higher Ground” on August 16, 2022. It was WMM’s #1 Single in our 50 Favorite Singles of 2022. Jass released her single “Him” on February 23, 2022. Jass released AT THE CLOSE OF A DECADE on November 26, 2022. It was part of WMM’s 121 Best Recordings of 2021. She wrote, “After years of writing and recording in voice memos, I decided to grab my iPad and began recording something that I am very proud of, and named it, At the Close of A Decade, and released it in November 2019. With my iPhone/iPad, some apple headphones, I created this project. The amazing people around me told me it was worth it, even when I didn’t believe it myself. I convinced myself I would be the only one that liked my songs. If you decide to listen you’ll hear sound clips of shows and movies that made a difference in the way I saw the world, the way I saw myself, and the way I overcame my experiences. I remember asking my grandma and my son if I should release what I’ve been writing and they both said very simply to do it, so I’ve done it. I want to thank all of my wonderful friends who have been my soundboards during this process, all of the people that have asked me when it’s coming, the people that have kept me accountable, and believed that this time it was for real. My story is so very triumphant and beautiful because I have overcome experiences and shunned the fear I had to do what I love. It’s crazy how you can talk your way out of some amazing things and also how you can talk yourself into making some amazing things happen. If you partake, I hope you enjoy.” // Jass has played The Essence Festival, Apocalypse Meow, Manor Fest, Farmers Ball, KC Monarchs, recordBar, Bottleneck, Mutual Musicians Foundation, Grinders, Sofar Sounds, The Uptown Theatre . She has shared the stages with The New Respects, Thundercat, Old Sound, and many others. More info at: http://www.jassrcouch.com]

11:00 – Station ID

Mireya & The Poor Choices – “Regresa Ya”
from: “Regresa Ya” – Single / Mireya Ramos / July 28, 2023
[Latin-Grammy-winning, multiple Latin Grammy nominated and Grammy-nominated vocalist, violinist, Guitarron player, composer, producer, arranger and founder of Flor de Toloache – NY’s only all-women mariachi. She embodies all of her musical influences whether classical, mariachi, salsa, merengue or hip-hop, always creating a unique and refreshing sound. Her versatility, natural improvisational skills and beautiful tone has made her one of the top Latin artists in New York City and has landed her features on legendary albums by Latin Grammy Winner percussionist Luisito Quintero, Bobbito & Stretch, Len Smythe, Chicano Batman, Adrian Quesada (Black Pumas) and many more. As a big advocate of empowering the next generation and promoting the importance of representation, she has been an integral part of educational projects like México Beyond Mariachi, Lincoln Center, and Mariachi Academy NY. She continues to share her experience and knowledge through workshops, educational programs and performances. Apart from touring with her band, she is proudly involved in She is the Music, the Recording Academy as a serving governor of the NY Chapter, a SAG-Aftra member and promoting her debut solo album self titled “Mireya” which include collaborations with Flor de Toloache, Gaby Moreno, Haydée Milanés, Camilo Lara, Adrian Quesada, Velcro and the legendary Mike Garson. Originally for San Juan, Puerto Rico, Mireya Ramos, has an exciting new album coming out that was recorded here in Kansas City titled, Sin Fronteras, co-produced with Beau Bledsoe and the KC-based super-group, Slim Hanson and the Poor Choices. Sin Fronteras will be officially released on September 15, 2023.]

[Mireya Ramos plays the 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, Saturday, August 26, at 9:00 PM on the Community Lending of America sponsored Union Avenue Stage, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO (Outdoor, on street in front of The Ship) one of 6 STAGES in the Historic West Bottoms with over 25 Bands. More info at http://www.cmfkc.com]

11:04 – Interview with Mireya Ramos & Trevor Turla

Latin-Grammy-winning, multiple Latin Grammy nominated and Grammy-nominated vocalist, violinist, Guitarron player, composer, producer, arranger and founder of Flor de Toloache – NY’s only all-women mariachi. She embodies all of her musical influences whether classical, mariachi, salsa, merengue or hip-hop, always creating a unique and refreshing sound. Her versatility, natural improvisational skills and beautiful tone has made her one of the top Latin artists in New York City and has landed her features on legendary albums by Latin Grammy Winner percussionist Luisito Quintero, Bobbito & Stretch, Len Smythe, Chicano Batman, Adrian Quesada (Black Pumas) and many more. As a big advocate of empowering the next generation and promoting the importance of representation, she has been an integral part of educational projects like México Beyond Mariachi, Lincoln Center, and Mariachi Academy NY. She continues to share her experience and knowledge through workshops, educational programs and performances. Apart from touring with her band, she is proudly involved in She is the Music, the Recording Academy as a serving governor of the NY Chapter, a SAG-Aftra member and promoting her debut solo album self titled “Mireya” which include collaborations with Flor de Toloache, Gaby Moreno, Haydée Milanés, Camilo Lara, Adrian Quesada, Velcro and the legendary Mike Garson.

Originally for San Juan, Puerto Rico, Mireya Ramos, has an exciting new album coming out that was recorded here in Kansas City titled, Sin Fronteras, co-produced with Beau Bledsoe and the KC-based super-group, Slim Hanson and the Poor Choices. Sin Fronteras will be officially released on September 15, 2023. Mireya Ramos plays the 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, Sat, August 26, on Union Avenue Stage, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO.

Mireya Ramos Thank you for being with us on WMM.

Trevor Turla a multi-talented Kansas City based trombonist, singer, songwriter, bandleader and composer. Trevor Turla is the founder of the soul/rock band Sulu Moon and for 8 years was a member of the Grand Marquis blues ensemble, he has a new solo single called, “Walk With Love” to be released on August 26, 2023. Trevor Turla plays the 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, Saturday, August 26, at All Else The Sea (at The Ship), 1221 Union Ave, KCMO.

Trevor Turla, Thank you for being with us on WMM.

Also with us is Bill Sundahl, the founder of Crossroads Music Festival who has been coming on this radio program for 19 years now sharing information about the music and venues and collaborations associated with CMF.

Bill Sundahl thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

We last welcomed Mireya Ramos on the radio show on March 15, 2023 when she joined us to share details about Mireya Ramos Presents Ladies Rock! on Saturday, March 18, 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Charlotte Street, 3333 Wyoming, Kansas City Missouri.

Mireya Ramos, is founder of the Latin-Grammy winning, all-female mariachi group Flor de Toloache. Flor de Toloache is an all-female mariachi band based in NYC and founded by Mireya I. Ramos & Shae Fiol in 2008. // Flor de Toloache first began playing in the NYC subways where they were noticed by numerous media outlets including the New York Times. In 2014, they released their first album Mariachi Flor de Toloache and in 2016 they toured with The Arcs after having contributed to their album Yours, Dreamily. In 2017, they won a Latin Grammy for “Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album” for their second studio album Las Caras Lindas – a first-time win by women. “We wanted to do fusion because there was so much more that we can express musically, and we wanted to work with [producer] Rafa Sardina,” says Ramos. “We were really excited and also nervous. We didn’t know what to expect.” In 2019, they were nominated for a Grammy for “Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album” for their third studio album Indestructible, which was produced by Rafa Sardina and includes collaborations with notable artists including John Legend, Miguel, Camilo Lara, and Alex Cuba.

11:13

Mireya & The Poor Choices & Calvin Arsenia – “I Fall To Pieces”
from: “I Fall To Pieces” – Single / Mireya Ramos / August 22, 2023
[Latin-Grammy-winning, multiple Latin Grammy nominated and Grammy-nominated vocalist, violinist, Guitarron player, composer, producer, arranger and founder of Flor de Toloache – NY’s only all-women mariachi. She embodies all of her musical influences whether classical, mariachi, salsa, merengue or hip-hop, always creating a unique and refreshing sound. Her versatility, natural improvisational skills and beautiful tone has made her one of the top Latin artists in New York City and has landed her features on legendary albums by Latin Grammy Winner percussionist Luisito Quintero, Bobbito & Stretch, Len Smythe, Chicano Batman, Adrian Quesada (Black Pumas) and many more. As a big advocate of empowering the next generation and promoting the importance of representation, she has been an integral part of educational projects like México Beyond Mariachi, Lincoln Center, and Mariachi Academy NY. She continues to share her experience and knowledge through workshops, educational programs and performances. Apart from touring with her band, she is proudly involved in She is the Music, the Recording Academy as a serving governor of the NY Chapter, a SAG-Aftra member and promoting her debut solo album self titled “Mireya” which include collaborations with Flor de Toloache, Gaby Moreno, Haydée Milanés, Camilo Lara, Adrian Quesada, Velcro and the legendary Mike Garson. Originally for San Juan, Puerto Rico, Mireya Ramos, has an exciting new album coming out that was recorded here in Kansas City titled, Sin Fronteras, co-produced with Beau Bledsoe and the KC-based super-group, Slim Hanson and the Poor Choices. Sin Fronteras will be officially released on September 15, 2023.]

11:18 – More Interview with Mireya Ramos & Trevor Turla

We are talking with Latin-Grammy-winning, multiple Latin Grammy nominated and Grammy-nominated vocalist, violinist, Guitarron player, composer, producer, arranger and founder of Flor de Toloache – NY’s only all-women mariachi. Mireya Ramos

Mireya Ramos, has an exciting new album coming out that was recorded here in Kansas City titled, Sin Fronteras, co-produced with Beau Bledsoe and the KC-based super-group, Slim Hanson and the Poor Choices. Sin Fronteras will be officially released on September 15, 2023. Mireya Ramos plays the 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, Sat, August 26, on Union Avenue Stage, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO.

Also with us is Trevor Turla a multi-talented Kansas City based trombonist, singer, songwriter, bandleader and composer. Trevor Turla is the founder of the soul/rock band Sulu Moon and a member of the Grand Marquis blues ensemble, he has a new solo single called, “Walk With Love” to be released on August 26, 2023. Trevor Turla plays the 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, Saturday, August 26, at All Else The Sea (at The Ship), 1221 Union Ave, KCMO.

Mireya Ramos and Trevor Turla, Thank you for being with us on WMM.

Also with us is Bill Sundahl, the founder of Crossroads Music Festival who has been coming on this radio program for 19 years now sharing information about the music and venues and collaborations associated with CMF.

Bill Sundahl thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Mireya and Trevor and Bill are here to share all of the details about 19th Annual KKFI Crossroads Music Fest – Saturday, August 26th, 2023

Trevor Turla released his debut EP AND WE CONTINUE on April 21, 2022.. Trevor Turla composed all of the music on this EP that included Trevor Turla on trombone, Daniel Dissmore on trumpet, Aryana Nemati on saxophone, Fritz Hutchison on guitar & banjo, Miki P on guitar & vocals, John O’Keefe on bass, Nik Douglas on drums, Carmen Dieker on fiddle, Jake Keegan on dobro, and Chris Hazelton on organ. “Let Go” was the second single released on February 17, 2022. We first played Trevor Turla on WMM on July 29, 2020. His track “Busted” was released on a compilation titled KANSAS CITY SYZYGY that featured over 25 Kansas City-based musicians who came together to create a compilation of music created during the shutdown of the world in the Spring of 2020. // Originally from Wichita, Kansas, Trevor Turla is now lives in Kansas City. Trevor defines himself as a musician. He started playing the bagpipes, at 8 and hasn’t stopped the pursuit of music since. He received his Bachelor’s in Jazz Studies for trombone from the UMKC Conservatory of Music. Trevor now creates music full time by playing, recording, and holding clinics around the United States. Trevor ha collaborated with” Kadesh Flow, Jake Wells, Grand Marquis, Miki P, Fritz Hutchison, LA Jones, and many more. He was also the founder, lead singer & trombonist for the band Sulu Moon. Info at http://www.trevorturla.com.]

Mireya Ramos and Trevor Turla, Thank you for being with us on WMM.

Mireya Ramos plays the 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, Saturday, August 26, on the Missouri Arts Council stage at 0:00 PM on the Community Lending of America sponsored Union Avenue Stage, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO (Outdoor, on street in front of The Ship) one of 6 STAGES in the Historic West Bottoms with over 25 Bands. Info at http://www.cmfkc.com]

All Else The Sea (at The Ship), 1221 Union Ave, (Indoor Stage) Sponsored by Somera Road

6:00 to 7:00 PM – David Luther
8:00 to 9:00 PM – Julia Othmer
10:00 to 11:00 PM – Elizabeth Moen
12:00 to 1:15 AM – Trevor Turla

11:27

Trevor Turla – “Walk With Love”
from: “Walk With Love” – Single / Trevor Turla / August 26, 2022
[New Single recorded with Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studios. Trevor Turla released his debut EP AND WE CONTINUE on April 21, 2022.. Trevor Turla composed all of the music on this EP that included Trevor Turla on trombone, Daniel Dissmore on trumpet, Aryana Nemati on saxophone, Fritz Hutchison on guitar & banjo, Miki P on guitar & vocals, John O’Keefe on bass, Nik Douglas on drums, Carmen Dieker on fiddle, Jake Keegan on dobro, and Chris Hazelton on organ. “Let Go” was the second single released on February 17, 2022. We first played Trevor Turla on WMM on July 29, 2020. His track “Busted” was released on a compilation titled KANSAS CITY SYZYGY that featured over 25 Kansas City-based musicians who came together to create a compilation of music created during the shutdown of the world in the Spring of 2020. // Originally from Wichita, Kansas, Trevor Turla is now lives in Kansas City. Trevor defines himself as a musician. He started playing his first instrument, the bagpipes, at the age of 8 and hasn’t stopped the pursuit of music since. He received his Bachelor’s in Jazz Studies for trombone from the UMKC Conservatory of Music. Trevor now creates music full time by playing, recording, and holding clinics around the United States. Trevor plays & sings in numerous bands, including Jake Wells, Grand Marquis, Miki P, Fritz Hutchison, & LA Jones. He was also the founder, lead singer & trombonist for the band Sulu Moon. Info at http://www.trevorturla.com.]

[Trevor Turla plays the 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, Sat, August 26, at 12:00 PM at All Else The Sea (at The Ship), 1221 Union Ave, KCMO (Indoor Stage) ]More info at http://www.cmfkc.com]

11:30 – Underwriting

11:32 CMF IS A FUNDRAISER FOR 90.1FM KKFI – KANSAS CITY COMMUNITY RADIO

Six Stages in the Historic West Bottoms:

All Else The Sea (at The Ship), 1221 Union Ave, (Indoor Stage) Sponsored by Somera Road

6:00 to 7:00 PM – David Luther
8:00 to 9:00 PM – Julia Othmer
10:00 to 11:00 PM – Elizabeth Moen
12:00 to 1:15 AM – Trevor Turla

11:38

Elizabeth Moen – “Nobody Wants A Lonely Heart”
from: For Arthur EP / Elizabeth Moen / July, 28, 2023
[About Elizabeth’s new EP she writes, “Finding Arthur Russell’s music was a special moment in my life. Finding out he was also from a small town in Iowa was too. His work expanded over genres and he brought together so many people through his love of music and sound throughout his career. It was a joy to make these covers. I’m grateful for them and all the friends involved. We all love Arthur. Thank you to my grandfather, another dear Iowan, for painting the cover.” “This EP of covers is For Arthur. For my brother. For my friends. For queer artists. For queer people in Iowa. For queer people in red states or small towns who don’t feel like they can be themselves. For anyone who feels lonely or heartbroken. For anyone who loves Arthur. For anyone who happens to hear it. If you do, thanks for listening.” // Elizabeth Moen grew up in Vinton, IA and taught herself how to play guitar as a teenager. She moved to Iowa City, IA for college where she studied French and Spanish at the University of Iowa. She played her first open mic at The Mill at age 20 and wrote her first original song at age 21. Elizabeth is currently based in Chicago. // Moen self-released a self-titled EP in 2016, a debut LP That’s All I Wanted in 2017 and became a staple of the Iowa City music scene. Her sophomore album A Million Miles Away, released in 2018 drew praise from regional press as well as Paste Magazine. // In 2019, her recording of a new song “Headgear” for the Tiny Desk Contest drew praise from NPR Music. Listed as “one of the entries we can’t stop watching.” // Moen has recorded at Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco, Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Hellfire Studios in Dublin, Ireland and Flat Black Studios in Lone Tree, Iowa. (The tracks from these various recordings will all be featured on her upcoming album to be released in 2022. // Moen was accepted into the 2020 SXSW festival as an official showcase artist and featured in NPR Music’s Austin 100. Moen has also appeared in several festivals including Hinterland, Lollapalooza (official after show), Mission Creek, Mile of Music, 80/35, Lincoln Calling, and Knockan Stockan. She was also invited to perform at The Ruby Sessions in Dublin, Ireland. // Moen has toured throughout the United States and Europe and supported artists such as Lake Street Dive, Margaret Glaspy, Houndmouth Ani DiFranco, St Paul and the Broken Bones, Lucy Dacus, Esme Patterson, The Weepies, Buck Meek, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Birds of Chicago, Margaret Glaspy, William Elliott Whitmore, LP and Lissie. // In the 2020 Democratic primary, she supported Bernie Sanders and was invited to play several of the Senator’s rallies in Iowa. // Elizabeth has had several songs featured in television series and movies including the following: How it Ends, Candy Jar, Elsewhere, Roswell New Mexico (CW network), Tell Me a Story (CBS), and Shameless (Showtime). More info at http://www.elizabethmoen.com]

[Elizabeth Moen plays the 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, Sat, Aug 26, at 10:00 PM at All Else The Sea (The Ship), 1221 Union Ave, (Indoor Stage) Sponsored by Somera Road. info at http://www.cmfkc.com]

David Luther – “With Us Love”
from: David Luther – EP / David Luther / March 4, 2021
[David’s first release in 2009 was a self titled EP produced by Nashville based Neilson Hubbard, featuring Garrison Starr. David released the single, “Home To Kansas City” on February 3, 2021 that was produced by David Goerge. David Luther released the 7-track album TAKE ME HOME on March 11, 2022, also produced by David George. Engineered by Pat Tomek at Largely Studios. Horns engineered by Duane Trower at Weights and Measures Soundlabs. Mastered by Duane Trower – Weights and Measures Soundlabs. Info at: http://www.thedavidluther.com]

[David Luther plays the 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, Sat, Aug 26, at 9:00 PM at All Else The Sea (The Ship), 1221 Union Ave, (Indoor Stage) Sponsored by Somera Road. More at http://www.cmfkc.com]

Julia Othmer – “Black Boys on Mopeds”
from: SEEDS, Volume 2 (LIVE) / Frickin’ Awesome Records / March 20, 2021
[Written by John Fogerty. This is Julia’s 4th full length and contains 10 live songs selected from her 30-day Songs of September Project, where Julia performed live covers of her favorite songs of protest and hope, broadcast through streaming social platforms to inspire people to vote on November 3. Julia’s fans democratically selected their favorite tracks to be included on SEEDS. Julia Othmer released “Sound,” on April 12, 2019, her second album, that took 3 years to complete, and was produced with James Lundie, who also married Julia in January of 2016, during the completion of the record. Julia Othmer, is a graduate of Park Hill High School. She moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to record her 1st full-length album, “Oasis Motel.” In 2018 to 2019 Julia Othmer toured with and opened for The Alarm in US show and shows in the United Kingdom. When Julia Othmer is in Kansas City she plays with Johnny Hamil on bass, Chris Tady on guitar, John Floyd Whitaker on drums. More info at http://www.juliaothmer.com. Julia Othmer was our guest on WMM on September 1, 2021 and March 9, 2022. and May 18, 2022. // From Song Facts.com: Sinéad O’Connor wrote this song for her second album I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got. She makes her thoughts on England clear in this song, where she sings: “England’s not the mythical land of Madame George and roses, It’s the home of police who kill black boys on mopeds”. // Growing up in Ireland, she felt that England often acted as oppressor, both to Irish citizens and their own citizens of the lower classes, particularly Jamaican immigrants. Still, she ended up living in London as her music career took off, and that’s when she wrote this song. In her memoir Rememberings, she told the story: “‘Black Boys On Mopeds’ is based on a true story involving two young teenagers near where I lived in London. They had taken a cousin’s moped without asking permission; the cops were called and gave chase; the boys got frightened, crashed, and died. This was at a time when there was a terrible scandal in London about Black men going missing in police stations. It was a time in London also when if a burglar was apprehended, he was reported as a ‘Black burglar’ (or, alternatively, an ‘Irish burglar’). There was a lot of tension created between Londoners on the one hand and the Jamaicans and the Irish on the other.” // Karl Wallinger of World Party and The Waterboys worked on the song’s arrangement with O’Connor, who played acoustic guitar on the track.]

[Julia Othmer plays the 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, Sat, Aug 26, at 8:00 PM at All Else The Sea (The Ship), 1221 Union Ave, (Indoor Stage) Sponsored by Somera Road. info at http://www.cmfkc.com]

11:48

CMF IS A FUNDRAISER FOR 90.1FM KKFI – KANSAS CITY COMMUNITY RADIO

Presented by Community Lending of America, Inc. The 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest is this Saturday, August 26 – 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM. This longrunning festival showcases Diverse Music on 6 Stages, with 25+ Bands, in The Historic West Bottoms. More info or for advance tickets: http://www.cmfkc.com

Six Stages in the Historic West Bottoms:

Featuring: Mireya Ramos + KC Latin Jazz Orchestra + Jass & The Boys + Black Light Animals + Julia Othmer + Heidi Lynne Gluck + Trevor Turla + Memphissippi + Men of Men + Carswell & Hope + Rural Grit All Stars + Zee Underscore & Noye + David Luther + Elizabeth Moen + Jamogi + WAP Gang + Whitney Payne Quartet + Jay Welch + The Chunk + Impossible Objects (w/ special guests Camry Ivory, Emily Milner, Matt Brahl & Chase Horseman) + DJ Joe McGuire + Rebel Song Academy Band + Art as Mentorship

2023 CMF ADVANCE TICKETS WILL BE FOR SALE ONLINE ONLY http://www.cmfkc.com

Festival Pass – 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM – Wrist band that gets you into 4 different venues with over 25 bands.

ADVANCE FESTIVAL PASS – $25.00 // AT GATE $30.00
ADVANCE VIP FESTIVAL PASS – $75.00 // AT GATE $90.00
Free Day Party in Union Ave. from 1:00 PM to – 4:00 PM
DAY OF FESTIVAL – TICKET BOOTHS & WILL CALL – Saturday, August 26. 5:00 PM to Midnight at Union Street Stage at 1221 Union Ave, KCMO (In front of The Ship)

Go to: http://www.cmfkc.com

12 & Under are FREE at All Stages, Must be accompanied by Parent or Guardian // The Ship is 21+ and minors are allowed accompanied by Parent or Guardian.

Sponsors: Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund, Missouri Arts Council, Seen Merch, No Vacancy. Kissick Construction, Stockyards Brewing Co., North Kansas City Beverage Co., Midwest Music Foundation, KC Heartland, The Kansas City Beacon, 90.9 KTBG – The Bridge, Silly Goose Records, The Wichita Beacon, Angela Believes, and KKFI 90.1FM

Noon – 5:00 PM – CMF Free Day Party – The Main Stage, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO (in front of The Ship). FREE to All (thanks to Community Lending of America)

12:00 PM – Arts As Mentorship Students
12:45 PM – DJ Joe McGuire
1:00 PM – Rural Grit All Stars
2:30 PM – DJ Joe McGuire
3:00 PM – Carswell & Hope
4:00 PM – DJ Joe McGuire

THANK YOU to Bill Sundahl and all of the artists and volunteers who make the Crossroads Music Fest a reality!

11:54

Carswell & Hope – “Sign of the Times (Feat. Katlyn Conroy)”
from: Sign Of The Times / Silly Goose Records / August 30, 2022
[Sign of the Times, the first single and title track from the Carswell & Hope full length originally released as a single on June 12, 2022. Featuring Katlyn Conroy on vocals. Single available on Bandcamp, Soundcloud and streaming platforms from July 12th, 2022. Recorded and produced by Jason Slote and Nick Carswell. Mixed and mastered by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studios. 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 Ireland and has found a new home on the plains of Kansas.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. More info at: http://www.carswellandhope.bandcamp.com]

[Carswell & Hope plays the 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, Sat, Aug 26, at 3:00 PM at – CMF Free Day Party – The Main Stage, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO (in front of The Ship). FREE to All (thanks to Community Lending of America) info at http://www.cmfkc.com]

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

Next week on Wednesday, August 30 we welcome special guests Nicolette Paige Davis. At 11:00 Am we talk with Robert Bearce about Briar Fest 8 a two day family friendly Music Festival benefiting the Midwest Music Foundation, Synergy Services and North Kansas City Parks and Recreation. Located in beautiful Macken Park in North Kansas City, Missouri on Friday September 8th and Saturday, September 9th 2023. And at 11:30 AM Miki P joins us to share details about the new Swallowtails album THE WORLD IS STILL.

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 #1008

WMM presents: Mireya Ramos & Trevor Turla & Bill Sundahl of the Crossroads Music Festival 19

Posted on August 22, 2023 by Mark Manning

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, August 23, 2023

Mireya Ramos & Trevor Turla & Bill Sundahl of the Crossroads Music Fest

Mark spins more New & MidCoastal Releases from: Mireya Ramos & The Poor Choices & Calvin Arsenia, Trevor Turla, Jass, Black Light Animals, Jass & The Boys, Memphissippi Sounds, Heidi Lynne Gluck, Zee Underscore, Elizabeth Moen, David Luther, Julia Othmer, The Chunk, Jamogi, Carswell and Hope featuring Katlyn Conroy, and Chase The Horseman.

At 10:00 Bill Sundahl joins us to share details about the 19th Annual KKFI Crossroads Music Fest, Saturday, August 26, with 25+ Bands on 6 stages in the KCMO Historic West Bottoms with a Main Stage on Union Street, 2 Stages at The Ship, 2 Stages at The Black Box Theater, and a VIP Stage at Somera Road. Featuring Mireya Ramos, KC Latin Jazz Orchestra, Jass & The Boys, Black Light Animals, Julia Othmer, Heidi Lynne Gluck, Trevor Turla, Memphissippi Sounds, Men of Men, David Luther, Elizabeth Moen, Jamogi, WAP Gang, Whitney Payne Quartet, Rebel Song Academy Band, Jay Welch, The Chunk, Impossible Objects (w/ special guests Camry Ivory, Emily Milner, Matt Brahl & Chase Horseman), Strawberry Swing Makers and Vendors + Day Party (Noon – 5:00 PM) on Union St in front of The Ship, featuring: Carswell & Hope, Rural Grit All Stars, Art as Mentorship Students, and DJ Joe McGuire. This fundraiser for 90.1 FM KKFI. All details at WWW.CMFKC.COM.

At 10:30 Mark welcomes Mireya Ramos, who is a Latin-Grammy-winning, multiple Latin Grammy and Grammy-nominated vocalist, violinist, Guitarron player, composer, producer, arranger and founder of Flor de Toloache – New York City’s only all-women mariachi band. Originally for San Juan, Puerto Rico, Mireya Ramos, has an exciting new album coming out that was recorded here in Kansas City titled, Sin Fronteras, co-produced with Beau Bledsoe and the KC-based super-group, Slim Hanson and the Poor Choices. Sin Fronteras will be officially released on September 15, 2023. Mireya Ramos plays the 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, Saturday, August 26, on Union Avenue Stage, 1221 Union Ave, KCMO.

Also at 10:30 is Trevor Turla a multi-talented Kansas City based trombonist, singer, songwriter, bandleader and composer. Trevor Turla is the founder of the soul/rock band Sulu Moon and was a member of the Grand Marquis blues ensemble, he has a new solo single called, “Walk With Love” to be released on August 26, 2023. Trevor Turla plays the 19th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, Saturday, August 26, at All Else The Sea (at The Ship), 1221 Union Ave, KCMO.

On your local radio dial 90.1 FM or
STREAMING LIVE at: kkfi.org

Show #1008

WMM Playlist from August 16, 2023 with Jocelyn Olivia Nixon + The Black Mariah Theater + JNabe

Posted on August 17, 2023 by Mark Manning

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, August 16, 2023

Jocelyn Olivia Nixon & Amplify Lawrence + Sophia and Analiese of The Black Mariah Theater, Asian Rap Music Wunderkind…JNabe + New & MidCoastal Releases

“Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / December 20, 1979
[WMM’s Adopted Theme Song]

Monta – “Mobius Trip (fest. Your Friend)”
from: “Mobius Trip )Feat. ” – Single / The Record Machine / July 14, 2023
[Monta has reteamed with Domino Records artist Your Friend — who previously joined the band on their classic Argentum Dreams album — for the spiraling and hallucinatory “Mobius Trip.” The song was originally recorded by the psych-rock band H.P. Lovecraft in 1968, meant to convey the world’s turmoil in a plea to unite global citizens in mutual understanding. Now it’s 2023 and, unfortunately, the tune still has purpose. Thus, Monta and Your Friend’s collaborative version, modernized and techno-sized with electronic rhythms and bold synth chords, transfers the message into today’s relevance. Your Friend’s dreamy vocals once again complement Monta’s sonic miasma and post-punk guitar riffs, inspiring a collective trip that aims to project beauty across all colors and cultures. The journey continues. // It’s a strange time to be making music at all. In the midst of this bizarre attention economy, it’s hard to retrain our minds to sit still for an entire song. We are in constant states of flux. Kansas City’s resident post-punkers Monta find themselves in that same state of change now. The band is finding freedom in the moment, wherever it takes them. // Monta means “to climb higher.” Through lineup changes and scenes ebbing and flowing, this band continues that climb. Monta has grown into its own community with a rotating cast of musicians and characters. Krysztof Nemeth and Lucas Behrens play guitars. Dedric Moore experiments with synthesizers and electronics. On drums, Matthew Heinrich is the heartbeat of the band; keeping everyone in time and allowing for spontaneous musical moments. Joined by songwriter and vocalist Mikal Shapiro, Monta is now able to take their noisy, pulsing soundscapes and pair those with pop hooks. With friends and other collaborators making appearances, Monta expand and contract to fit the need of the song. // This shift towards melody is audible in their newer material. “Everybody’s Baby” is a dark-wave rager, perfect for the back room of a dimly-lit club. “Looking Back” is an uplifting synth pop groove mixed with contemplative thoughts about the past. // On March 24, 2023 Monta released their 4-track EP, Crystal Momentum. The 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. // This shift towards melody is audible in their newer material. “Everybody’s Baby” is a dark-wave rager, perfect for the back room of a dimly-lit club. “Looking Back” is an uplifting synth pop groove mixed with contemplative thoughts about the past. // Peak of Eternal Light, released in 2021, alternates between dreamy post-punk and dark synth pop with no missteps in between. Dedric remarks that the band is in the process of “simplifying the song down to what it needs.”The band has honed-in on this approach, and are making some of their most interesting material to date.Their songs beg us to dance away the darker moments of our lives. By dredging up these murky memories and setting them against a backdrop of groovy, angular post-punk, Monta helps us to make sense of this cold, bleak world. In a cultural ocean with ever-changing waves, it’s nice to know that some things are still built to last. Monta is here to stay, even though they won’t ever remain the same. // Peak of Eternal Light, released in 2021, alternates between dreamy post-punk and dark synth pop with no missteps in between. Dedric remarks that the band is in the process of “simplifying the song down to what it needs.”The band has honed-in on this approach, and are making some of their most interesting material to date.Their songs beg us to dance away the darker moments of our lives. By dredging up these murky memories and setting them against a backdrop of groovy, angular post-punk, Monta helps us to make sense of this cold, bleak world. In a cultural ocean with ever-changing waves, it’s nice to know that some things are still built to last. Monta is here to stay, even though they won’t ever remain the same. Info at: kosmiccity.com / therecordmachine.co]

Timbers – “Time’s Stinger”
from: “Time’s Stinger” – Single / Timbers / May 27, 2023
[Aaron Mitchum on vocals & guitars, Devon Teran on guitar & pedal steel, Riley Taylor on bass & BGV, Nathan Lewis on drums, cover art, Jilliann De Jong on vocals. All songs written by Timbers. Earlier this year Timbers released the single “Breakers” on January 18, 2023. Engineering, Mixing, Mastering by Joel Nanos. Recorded at Element Studio in Kansas City, MO. Timbers was formed in 2013, their music is blend of rock & roll, country, soul. Follow up to the band’s self titled 2018 EP Timbers.]

[Timbers play Nighthawk, 1228 Baltimore Ave., KCMO, Thursday, August 17, at 9:00 PM.]

The Roseline – “Seven Hundred Second Chances”
from: Constancy / RPH Records / November 5, 2021
[First single from the band’s 8th album CONSTANCY. The track features Colin Halliburton on lead vocals, acoustic guitar, & aux percussion; Bradley McKellip on mandolin & electric guitars; Colin Jones on bass; Jim Piller on drums; Chase Horseman on piano and organ; and Heidi Gluck on background vocals. It was recorded and produced by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studios in Kansas City, Missouri. Lead singer and songwriter Colin Halliburton writes, “This song came together relatively quickly when I brought the acoustic skeleton to the band. It has a comfortable groove and familiarity to it, but we tried to make it all our own with little sonic touches like the sustaining fuzz note and the chimey, vintage vibe of the bridge. Lyrically, I’m exploring the corruptibility of humans and examining my own privilege, while also noting that we should all be aspiring to the greatness of teachers.” // The Roseline are a Lawrence, KS, based alt-country, Americana, rock band, formed by Colin Halliburton with friends in 2005. The Roseline released their 7th album GOOD / GRIEF on April 3, 2020. The Roseline released BLOOD on September 29, 2017; and TOWNIE on June 19, 2015. The band has toured the US and Halliburton has completed two European solo tours thus far, taking him through Poland, Germany, Belgium, and The Netherlands. // Eight albums into their career, the Lawrence band has crafted a songbook that is at once familiar and singular. The Roseline founder and principal songwriter, Colin Halliburton, began the project as an acoustic folk trio. It has since evolved into the five-piece heartland rock band of its current form. // Kind foreign press and high charting on the Euro Americana Chart (“Lust for Luster,” “Blood,” “GOOD/GRIEF” and “Constancy” all charted in the top 10) led to a deal in the Benelux with Dutch label King Forward Records. The band also released “Vast as Sky” in 2012 with the Bay Area label Ninth Street Opus (home to Sarah Lee Guthrie and Carrie Rodriguez). Aside from those, the project has largely been a truly DIY, independent venture. // The Roseline has had the good fortune of landing placements in indie movies and major network television shows such as ABC’s “Nashville” and “Resurrection,” as well as USA’s “Queen of the South,” Netflix’s “Virgin River” and MTV’s “Teen Mom.” The band’s work has been featured on NPR, “Pop Matters,” “American Songwriter,” “The Bluegrass Situation” and “No Depression,” among others. The band closed out 2022 by releasing two new singles, “Hot Dice” and “Saber Rattlers.”Colin Halliburton joined us on WMM on March 25, 2020. More info at: https://roselinemusic.com/%5D

[The Roseline play Midwest Trust Center for the 2023 Light Up the Lawn Concert Series, at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS, Friday, August 18, at 8:30 PM]

Mikal Shapiro – “The Situation”
from: The Crow, The Lark & The Loon / Independent / 2008
[Artist, Singer & Songwriter, Mikal Shapiro was our guest live in the studio on March 3, 2008. She has been one of our most frequent guests appearing on our recent 1000th show. Her recording The Crow, The Lark & The Loon made our list of The 100 Best Recordings of 2008. She has recorded several solo and collaborative recordings and performs in many different venues in Kansas City Mikal Shapiro is founder of State City Films creating documentary and experimental filmmaking practices. // Mikal studied Film History, Film, & Writing at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York. She received her MFA in Film/Video/New Media/ Animation from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2012. Artist, filmmaker, puppeteer, ring-leader, Mikal Shapiro is a KC songwriter whose musical influences span popular songs, psych rock, lounge, classic country and old time spirituals. She has toured extensively across the United States and has recorded 5 critically acclaimed albums Mikal also performs with Shapiro Brothers, and Monta At Odds. Mikal was the original co-host and co-creator of River Trade Radio. She is also the creator and co-host of Siren Song, Saturdays at 11:00 AM on 90.1 FM KKFI KC Community Radio. Mikal also serves as Coordinator of Kansas City Folk Fest. // Mikal Shapiro released her critically acclaimed album The Musical II on May 26, 2018 which included “Everybody’s Baby” her pop song she wrote that got a lot of radio play, but all the songs on The Musical 11 are great. The Musical is Mikal Shapiro, on vocals & guitar, Chad Brothers on vocals & guitar, Johnny Hamil on bass, and Matt Richey on drums. Recorded separately and with social distancing. The Musical II is the sequel to Shapiro’s 2015 concept album, “The Musical.” Along with Mikal Shapiro, Chad Brothers, Johnny Hamil and Matt Richey, special guests include: Hermon Mehari on trumpet, Tina Bilberry on viola & violin, Damon Parker on keyboards, and Lauren Hughes on vocals. Engineered and co-produced by Joel Nanos at Element Recording & Mastering Studios. Mikal Shapiro is a KC songwriter whose musical influences span popular songs, psych rock, lounge, classic country and old time spirituals. She has toured extensively across the U.S. and has recorded five critically acclaimed albums. KC Star and Tim Finn declared her album “The Musical” to be one of his top five releases of 2015. A third generation storyteller, she draws inspiration from her travels, love life, and the state of the Union.]

[Mikal Shapiro & There Musicalplay Mike Kelly’s Westsider 1515 Westport Rd. KCMO, Saturday, Aug 19, at 7:00 PM]

Crystal Rose – “Goddamn You Kansas City (Live at Ocean Way Nashville for Ultimate Playlist)”
from: “Goddamn You Kansas City” – Single / rosebud / June 9, 2023
[Crystal Rose is a singer song-writer formerly based in based in Kansas City, shhe moved to Nashville two years ago. // (From Michelle Bacon for The Bridge 90.9 – Since leaving KC for Nashville during the pandemic, Crystal has begun carving out a space for herself in a city where that’s tough to do. Her latest single is “Goddamn You Kansas City,” a poignant reflection of her experience in a place she still calls home, but with an acknowledgment of its setbacks. Some of those moments are outlined in “The Secrets of Hillsong,” a recent Hulu documentary where Crystal spoke out about the racism she experienced as a worship leader at a local Hillsong church.) // Her EP, ARENA was released September 18, 2020. It was part of WMM’s 120 Best recordings of 2020. // In 2019 she was featured on the nationally televised NBC reality – competition program The Voice. At a young age she was Influenced by powerhouse vocals like Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Christina Aguilera. She has since drawn much inspiration from blusey and folk centered artist like James Bay, James Vincent Mcmorrow and Johnnyswim. Crystal Rose released her debut single “Come Alive” on May 6, 2016. Earlier this year Crystal released the single “Not Leaving (Stripped)” on January 30, 2020.Crystal is a Kansas City based singer songwriter and UMKC journalism student who has played solo and also with Paige Turner on guitar. To listen to more Crystal Rose please visit: http://www.crystalro.se]

[Crystal Rose plays recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd., KCMO, Saturday, August 19, 7:00 PM with Julia Cannon, Stephonne, and Pure XTC.]

Kelly Hunt – “How Long”
from: Even The Sparrow / Rare Bird Records / May 17, 2019
[The daughter of an opera singer and a saxophonist, Kelly Hunt was raised in Memphis, TN, and grew up performing other people’s works through piano lessons, singing in choirs, and performing theater. “It was a very creative, artistic household,” says Hunt. During her teenage years, influenced by musical inspirations as diverse as Norah Jones, Rachmaninov, and John Denver, she began writing her own songs on the piano as a creative outlet. After being introduced to the banjo in college while studying French and visual arts, Hunt began to develop her own improvised style of playing, combining old-time picking styles with the percussive origins of the instrument. “I’m self-taught, I just started letting the songs dictate what needed to be there,” she says. “I heard a rhythm in a song that I wanted to execute, so I figured out how to do it on the drum head while still being able to articulate certain notes in one motion.” After college, Hunt followed a rambling path that took her through careers in acting, graphic design, traditional French bread making, and medicine, all the while making music as a private endeavor. “I wanted to get serious about a responsible career choice, but music kept bubbling up. I was writing a lot and playing a lot and started to not be satisfied just playing to my walls of my room.” After moving to Kansas City and discovering her mysterious Depression-era tenor banjo, Hunt began recording Even The Sparrow in Kansas City alongside collaborator Stas’ Heaney and engineer Kelly Werts. “It took almost two years to record,” she says, “learning how to let the songs dictate the production.” Having finally come to light, the album displays Hunt’s penchant for masterful storytelling and intriguing arrangement, as researched and complex as they are memorable, punctuated by her articulate melodies and a well-enunciated and creative command of lyrical delivery infused with deft emotional communication. While reminiscent of modern traditionalists such as Gillian Welch–a number of her songs even borrow titles and phrasing from traditional American music (“Back to Dixie,” “Gloryland”)–Even The Sparrow reveals an ineffable quality that hovers beyond the constraints of genre, à la Anais Mitchell and Patty Griffin. In “The Men of Blue & Grey,” what begins as a Reconstruction-era ballad about the repurposing of Civil War glass plate negatives in a greenhouse roof soon becomes a meditation on the hope that growth and life may one day be able to emerge from the ruins of suffering and haunting of violence. “Across The Great Divide” turns an otherwise traditional accounting of spurned love into a philosophical epic of the ethics of forgiveness and freedom, evoking the ideas of Søren Kierkegaard and Walt Whitman.] [Kelly Hunt’s EVEN THE SPARROW was in the TOP TEN of WMM’s 119 Best Recordings of 2019.]

[Kelly Hunt plays an Album Release & The Matchsellers 10 Year Bandiversary at The Warwick, 3927 Main Street, KCMO, Friday, August 18, at 6:00PM to 10:00 PM]

10:29 – Underwriting

JNabe – “Ramen (feat. Jawny BadLuck)”
from: “Ramen (feat. Jawny BadLuck)” – Single / JNabe / May 26, 2023
[JNabe is Kansas City’s premiere Indie Asian Rapper. JNabe started rapping in 2020. He loves making music and strives to make songs that connect with people. // JNabe met his mentor Nawlage a Dancehall artist in 2022. Together they made an album called NAMEGAH coming out in August 18, 2023. // From jnabeofficial.com: “JNabe is a reputable Rapper who began their exciting musical voyage of artistic discovery in 2020. Since then, they’ve used constant collaboration and experimental sound exploration to shape the signature sound that echoes with their inspiration from the streets of Kansas City. In the music world, there’s no standing still. You must constantly learn about new techniques and continue honing your musical craft.” // Inspired by the work ethics of fellow musicians he met along his musical journey, JNabe moved to Kansas City to pursue a career in rapping. In 2022 JNabe released 110 singles! So far in 2023 Jnabe has released 10 singles. Last year, JNabe met his mentor Nawlage, a Dancehall artist, together they made an album called NAMEGAH that is scheduled to be released on August 18, 2023. More info at: http://www.jnabeofficial.com]

11:34 – Interview with JNabe

Kansas City’s premiere Indie Asian Rapper, JNabe is also know as Justin Watanabe. He started rapping in 2020. Jnabe is a Hip Hop Artist, Voiceover Artist, and Radio DJ. JNabe was born in New Jersey, and raised in Pennsylvania where he began his musical journey playing the piano. At a young age he gained experience playing piano recitals in front of audiences. JNabe enrolled in Choir, Orchestra, and Band while in middle school, doing all three programs for 4 years. When JNabe was 14 years old he won his first singing competition. Inspired by the work ethics of fellow musicians he met along his musical journey, JNabe moved to Kansas City to pursue a career in rapping. In 2022 JNabe released 110 singles! So far in 2023 Jnabe has released 10 singles. Last year, JNabe met his mentor Nawlage, a Dancehall artist, together they made an album called NAMEGAH that is scheduled to be released on August 18, 2023. More info at http://www.jnabeofficial.com

JNabe thank you for being our guest on WMM

We just heard “Ramen (feat. Jawny BadLuck)” a new single released on May 26, 2023 This single will be on JNabe’s upcoming album.

JNabe met his mentor Nawlage, a Dancehall artist, together they made an album called NAMEGAH that is scheduled to be released on August 18, 2023.

JNabe was born in New Jersey, and raised in Pennsylvania where he began his musical journey playing the piano. At a young age he played at piano recitals with fellow musicians and displayed his musical prowess. JNabe enrolled in Choir, Orchestra, and Band while in middle school, doing all three programs for 4 years. in front of audiences.

JNabe moved to Kansas City to pursue a career in rapping.

Some of the artist JNabe has recorded with this year include: The Real Tez, NuSince, Julia Reynolds, Sa!txero, Canibus, Rick Ross, and I Am Justified

Jnabe released “Ballin and Blowing featuring Rick Ross” on April 19, 2022. And today JNabe released the single, “So Alone” on April 27, 2022.

When we interviewed JNabe last year on April 27, 2022 he had released 13 singles so far that year, and by the end of 2022 JNabe released 110 singles!

So far in 2023 Jnabe has released 10 singles.

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

JNabe is Kansas City’s Premiere Indie Asian Rapper. JNabe started rapping in 2020. He loves making music and strives to make songs that connect with people.

JNabe thank you for being our guest on WMM

In 2022 JNabe released 110 singles! So far in 2023 Jnabe has released 10 singles. Last year, JNabe and Dancehall artist, created the album NAMEGAH, scheduled to be released on August 18, 2023. More info at http://www.jnabeofficial.com

11:50

JNabe – “2002 Acura”
from: “2002 Acura” – Single / JNabe / August, 2023
[JNabe is Kansas City’s premiere Indie Asian Rapper. JNabe started rapping in 2020. He loves making music and strives to make songs that connect with people. // JNabe met his mentor Nawlage a Dancehall artist in 2022. Together they made an album called NAMEGAH coming out in August 18, 2023. // From jnabeofficial.com: “JNabe is a reputable Rapper who began their exciting musical voyage of artistic discovery in 2020. Since then, they’ve used constant collaboration and experimental sound exploration to shape the signature sound that echoes with their inspiration from the streets of Kansas City. In the music world, there’s no standing still. You must constantly learn about new techniques and continue honing your musical craft.” // Inspired by the work ethics of fellow musicians he met along his musical journey, JNabe moved to Kansas City to pursue a career in rapping. In 2022 JNabe released 110 singles! So far in 2023 Jnabe has released 10 singles. Last year, JNabe met his mentor Nawlage, a Dancehall artist, together they made an album called NAMEGAH that is scheduled to be released on August 18, 2023. More info at: http://www.jnabeofficial.com]

Sylvan Esso – “Ferris Wheel”
from: Free Love / Loma Vista – Concord / September 25, 2020
[3rd studio album by indie pop duo Sylvan Esso, from Durham, North Carolina, formed in 2013. The band consists of singer Amelia Meath and producer Nick Sanborn. They made their debut with the single “Hey Mami” and released their eponymous debut album on Partisan Records on May 12, 2014, which reached No. 39 on the Billboard 200. They released their second album What Now with Loma Vista Recordings on April 28, 2017, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album. Lead singer Amelia Meath, who was at the time involved with her trio, Mountain Man, created the vocals to the song called “Play It Right”. She later met electronic music producer Nick Sanborn (who played bass in Megafaun) in Milwaukee at the Cactus Club, performing at the time solo as Made of Oak, and asked him to make a rendering of her single, Play It Right, in his own way. From 2012 to 2013, the band slowly formed. Meath returned from a year-and-a-half tour w/ Feist and was looking for an affordable place to live, landing in Durham with Sanborn and began making their album, with all of their songs being recorded in Sanborn’s apartment bedroom. // On May 19, 2022, the band released the single “Sunburn” on streaming services, with album artwork including “Sylvan Esso IIII”. In an interview with Stereogum Sanborn described the first three Sylvan Esso albums as “a completed trilogy, with “Your Reality” as a first glimpse at a new chapter for the band.” On July 24, 2022, the band released “Your Reality” and announced that their fourth studio, titled No Rules Sandy would released on August 12, 2022. The album title is a reference to Nick Sanborn’s nickname and the band’s ethos for writing the album. The album was recorded in January 2022 at a makeshift studio in a rental house with pickups recorded at their North Carolina studio named Betty’s. The album received generally positive reviews, with a score of 75 on Metacritic and Jon Pareles of The New York Times describing the album as having “spirit of try-anything, knob-twirling whimsy. // Sylvan Esso is an American electronic pop duo from Durham, North Carolina, formed in 2013. The band consists of singer Amelia Meath (born July 2, 1988) and producer Nick Sanborn (born March 8, 1983). Amelia Meath performs vocals, production, lyrics. Nick Sanborn performs instrumentals, and production. Meath and Sanborn married in June 2016 They made their debut with the single “Hey Mami” and released their eponymous debut album on Partisan Records on May 12, 2014, which reached No. 39 on the Billboard 200. They released their second album What Now with Loma Vista Recordings on April 28, 2017, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album. // Lead singer Amelia Meath, who was at the time involved with her trio, Mountain Man, created the vocals to the song called “Play It Right”. She later met electronic music producer Nick Sanborn (who played bass in band Megafaun) in Milwaukee at the Cactus Club, performing at the time solo as Made of Oak, and asked him to make a rendering of her single, Play It Right, in his own way. From 2012 to 2013, the band slowly formed. Meath had returned from a year-and-a-half tour with Feist and was looking for an affordable place to live, thus landing in Durham with Sanborn and began making their album, with all of their songs being recorded in Sanborn’s apartment bedroom. The band derived the first part of its name, “wikt: sylvan” from a character in an early iOS game titled “Sword and Sworcery”.]

[Sylvan Esso play The Midland Theatre, 1228 Main Street, KCMO, on Friday, August 18, at 8:00 PM. with indigo De Souza. Sylvan Esso’s No Rules Tour.]

Alyssa Murray – “S.D.D.”
from: S.D.D – Single / LYSSA RECORDS / August 11, 2023
[The first single from Alyssa Murray’s upcoming album SCROLLIN’ to be released September 1, 2023. SCROLLIN’ is a sonic kaleidoscope of synth-tastic beats and experimental delightAlyssa Murray is a keyboardist, singer-songwriter, and producer who combines a keen songwriting sense with a playful display of sonic influences, Alyssa Murray creates a satisfying juxtaposition of synth and song. The Kansas City based singer/songwriter, keyboardist, and producer takes after some of the very best art-pop mainstays, electronic wizards, and west coast beat makers. // Alyssa has been featured on the Los Angeles based ‘Beat Cinema’ and was noted as one of KC’s 90.9 The Bridge’s favorite of EPs of 2021. She was selected to collaborate with visual-artist Barry Anderson for Charlotte Street and Eddie Moore’s ProDo Lab Series and in 2022 was awarded a CFX Grant from the Creative Arkansas Community Hub and Exchange. // Always feeling a strong pull towards songwriting, Alyssa studied piano, voice, and guitar in her teens deep diving into such influences as Fiona Apple and Stevie Wonder. Further pursuing her passion for jazz and improvisation, Alyssa moved to Kansas City to study jazz-piano at the UMKC Conservatory while immersing herself in the local music scene. Her 2015 debut ‘As of Now’ showcases her ability to combine elements of jazz with the narrative sophistication of contemporary-folk. // In addition to performing, Alyssa is an experienced music educator and teaches 20+ private lessons a week covering subjects ranging from entry-level piano, ukulele, to jazz improvisation. // She also has years of experience as a dance accompanist with the Kansas City Ballet’s community-outreach program Reach Out And Dance and Owen/Cox Dance Group’s in-school program Take the Stage. // Alyssa has a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and has studied under the direction of Bobby Watson and Dan Thomas; as well as classical repertoire with Karen Kushner and Diane Petrella. // More info at: http://www.alyssamurraymusic.com]

11:00 – Station ID

The Black Mariah Theatre – “Shakedown”
from: Mean To Be Mean / The Black Mariah Theatre / July 21, 2023
[Twin sisters Analiese and Sophia make up the Kansas City based band, The Black Mariah Theater. Their sparkly witch-rock sound, as it’s been described, is genre-bending funky drum beats, jazzy guitar tones, and tell-it-like-it-is lyrics. Perfect for anyone who’s had a bad day, a lonely night or a broken heart. // Recorded and mastered by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studios in Kansas City. // released On The Black Mariah Theater released the single “Broken Bone” was also recorded, mixed, and mastered at Element Recording Studios by Joel Nanos. alternative duo female vocals garage rock indie rock Kansas City]

[The Black Mariah Theater play The Warwick Theatre, 3927 Main Street, KCMO, on Saturday, August 26. The doors open at 7:00 PM, and the show starts at 8:00 PM. w/ Mitzi McKee, and Captain Howdy & The Sunset Serenaders opening. ]

11:03 – Interview with Sophia and Analiese Motta of The Black Mariah Theater

Twin sisters Sophia and Analiese Motta are The Black Mariah Theater and are joining us LIVE in our 90.1 FM Studios. Called a “Sparkly-witch-rock duo,” The Black Mariah Theater meld multiple genres into one band; with live shows full of angst, attitude, and powerful sound. The Black Mariah Theater released their first EP, BLACK HEARTS in 2017, their first full-length album, PATRON SAINT in 2020, an EP, ACOUSTIC COVERS in 2021, and they just released their newest album, MEAN TO BE MEAN on July 21, 2023. The Black Mariah Theater play The Warwick Theatre, 3927 Main Street, KCMO, on Saturday, August 26. The doors at 7:00 PM, the show at 8:00 PM. with Mitzi McKee, and Captain Howdy & The Sunset Serenaders opening. More info at: http://www.theblackmariahtheater.com

Sophia Motta and Analiese Motta, Thanks for being with us as today on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Sparkly-witch-rock duo, The Black Mariah Theater, made up of twin sisters Sophia and Analiese, bring infectious energy on and off stage, that captivates audiences with their tightness as a group and seasoned stage presence. With carefully crafted, mean-spirited lyrics on top of jazzy guitar and funky drums, The Black Mariah Theater melds multiple genres into one band; with live shows full of angst, attitude, and powerful sound, fit for more than a duo!

The Black Mariah Theater released their first EP in 2017, first full-length album in 2020, an acoustic EP in 2021, and just released their newest album, “Mean To Be Mean” this summer! They have toured across the US performing at music festivals and conferences, and opened for some of their favorite artists like Olivia Jean, The Velveteers, Laura Jane Grace, Low Cut Connie, and Kiss the Tiger!

https://www.instagram.com/theblackmariahtheater/
https://www.facebook.com/theblackmariahtheater/
https://www.tiktok.com/@theblackmariahtheater

RIGHT CHORD MUSIC
The Black Mariah Theater Share Funk-Rock EP ‘Mean To Be Mean’
August 4, 2023

The Black Mariah Theater, a sister duo based out of Kansas City, have released an EP called Mean To Be Mean it’s their first since the release of their 2020 album entitled Patron Saint. With Analiease on drums and Sophia on vocals and guitar, these two bring retro energy to the modern music world.

Black Mariah Theater – Mean To Be Mean

Previously spotlighted on our First Signs of Love Feature, Analiese and Sophia aka The Black Mariah Theater have no doubts about their sound. The same 70s groove can be found in all of their work, coupled with vocals that ring similar to Amy Winehouse. Themes of desire and heartbreak-fueled emotions make their music easy to relate to, especially for young women. Their flashy clothing draws you in, but their vocals and catchy guitar rhythms make you stay.

Mean To Be Mean begins with a funky tune that confidently asserts an aching for attention. Entitled Gin & Attention, the lyrics perfectly encapsulate a drunken one-night stand. This song sets the stage for the theme of empowerment and sexual freedom that is consistent throughout the record.

The title track follows the leading song, which begged for a quick hit of attention. Mean To Be Mean does quite the opposite, expressing an aversion to a particular someone. With lyrics like, “But I guess you just bring out the worst in me” and “We were no good for each other / Always just pressing buttons / Fighting until we scream” this song casually confesses being over someone once and for all. Listening to this song inspires getting over your toxic ex as if they were a little speed bump in the road.

The final four songs of the album are more mournful and sentimental than the beginning tracks.

Shakedown starts with a quiet yet vengeful guitar strum, complementing the metaphorical lyrics that tell a story of being on the receiving end of cheating, lying and manipulation. It almost acts as a prelude to the previous songs; a reason behind the carelessness and need for quick love. After a period of mistreatment, one grows tired. Leaving is the only next step.

Broken Bone tells listeners how hard it was to initially break the ties of the relationship. Despite having a “heart made out of stone”, the singer’s lover still managed to gain enough power to break it into two and forever change them.

The next song is similar to the first song in its expression for attention but is more personable. Expensive Champagne is a song of jealousy, whereas the first one was a selfish fulfilment.

“I know she’s harder to forget than me / Because I can’t stop thinking about her”

That final lyric repeats, highlighting the singer’s envy against her ex-lover’s new girl.
Ending with another heartbreak blues-esque song, Old Flame. This song reflects the overall back-and-forth emotion of the album. The song questions the singer’s own decisions regarding her past romantic interest. Why does she return to her ex despite knowing that it only leads to pain? Does she gain anything from running back? Just in the same minute that she calls herself out, she still plays around with the idea of going back to her so-called old flame, wondering if she missed the opportunity to do so.

The Black Mariah Theater keep 70s rock alive with their funky jams that call for dancing and groovy outfits. Undeniably inspired by that era of rock bands, these two sisters are taking a once male-dominated genre and making it their own.

In totality, this album is universally relatable as it has heavy themes of heartache, anger, regret and romantic yearning. Although there are a range of emotions in this album, the songs seem to be part of one storyline

11:11

The Black Mariah Theatre – “Mean To Be Mean”
from: Mean To Be Mean / The Black Mariah Theatre / July 21, 2023
[Twin sisters Analiese and Sophia make up the Kansas City based band, The Black Mariah Theater. Their sparkly witch-rock sound, as it’s been described, is genre-bending funky drum beats, jazzy guitar tones, and tell-it-like-it-is lyrics. Perfect for anyone who’s had a bad day, a lonely night or a broken heart. // Recorded and mastered by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studios in Kansas City. // released On The Black Mariah Theater released the single “Broken Bone” was also recorded, mixed, and mastered at Element Recording Studios by Joel Nanos. alternative duo female vocals garage rock indie rock Kansas City]

11:13 – Interview with Sophia and Analiese Motta of The Black Mariah Theater

Twin sisters Sophia and Analiese are The Black Mariah Theater and afre joining us LIVE in our 90.1 FM Studios. Called a “Sparkly-witch-rock duo,” The Black Mariah Theater meld multiple genres into one band; with live shows full of angst, attitude, and powerful sound. The Black Mariah Theater released their first EP, BLACK HEARTS in 2017, their first full-length album, PATRON SAINT in 2020, an EP, ACOUSTIC COVERS in 2021, and they just released their newest album, MEAN TO BE MEAN on July 21, 2023.

The Black Mariah Theater play The Warwick Theatre, 3927 Main Street, KCMO, on Saturday, August 26. The doors at 7:00 PM, the show at 8:00 PM. with Mitzi McKee, and Captain Howdy & The Sunset Serenaders opening. More info at: http://www.theblackmariahtheater.com

Sophia Motta and Analiese Motta, Thanks for being with us as today on Wednesday MidDay Medley

The Black Mariah Theater Discography

Mean To Be Mean – 6-track Album, released on July 21, 2023

“Broken Bone” – Single, released October 5, 2022

“Mean To Be Mean” – Single, released August 26, 2022

Acoustic Covers – 4-track EP, released July 16, 2021

“Play With Fire” – Single, released February 9, 2021

Patron Saint – 7-track Album, released February 14, 2020

“Winter Song” Single, released December 24, 2020

“Got No Luck” – Single, released November 29, 2019

BLACK HEARTS – 4-track EP, released August 18, 2017

Sophia Motta and Analiese Motta, Thanks for being with us as today on Wednesday MidDay Medley

11:21

The Black Mariah Theatre – “Old Flame”
from: Mean To Be Mean / The Black Mariah Theatre / July 21, 2023
[Twin sisters Analiese and Sophia make up the Kansas City based band, The Black Mariah Theater. Their sparkly witch-rock sound, as it’s been described, is genre-bending funky drum beats, jazzy guitar tones, and tell-it-like-it-is lyrics. Perfect for anyone who’s had a bad day, a lonely night or a broken heart. // Recorded and mastered by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studios in Kansas City. // released On The Black Mariah Theater released the single “Broken Bone” was also recorded, mixed, and mastered at Element Recording Studios by Joel Nanos. alternative duo female vocals garage rock indie rock Kansas City]

Saving Miles Lemon – “‘Til the Sun Comes”
from: “’Til the Suns Comes” – Single / Saving Miles Lemon / July 13, 2023
[Saving Miles Lemon is the psychedelic-pop project of Miguel Silva-Leon. Formed in 2019 with the goal of releasing an album by the end of the year, the project has transformed into a full-blown musical odyssey for Miguel (who likes to go by Mig) to explore new sounds. It’s hard to define what genre Saving Miles Lemon fits into as they like to let the music go where it wants to go. From smooth dance pop, to blown-out stoner rock, Mig likes to keep things interesting and never stay with one sound for too long. // Having grown up learning to play the piano at the age of 7, Miguel found themself picking up new instruments frequently from the clarinet, saxophone, and oboe to guitar/bass and drums. Just as with their instruments, Mig began practicing their production skills in high school with small bedroom projects and hardcore bands. In a way, nothing has changed, as all of Saving Miles Lemon’s music is recorded and produced entirely by Mig in their bedroom studio to this day. // Their live members include Jacob Frisbee (bass), James Wiltfang (keys), and Zeke Bockleman (drums). // As a live act, the band began performing in 2021 and quickly took over the DIY scene in Kansas City before moving on to the bar/venue scene with sold-out shows at The Rino (KCMO) and The Bottleneck (LFK). They’ve opened for national and international touring bands such as Cub Sport at The Encore at Uptown Theatre (KCMO). // Saving Miles Lemon has released two full-length LPs and a handful of singles. A third album is set to release in 2023.]

[Saving Miles Lemon plays miniBar, 3810 Broadway Blvd, KCMO, on Tuesday, September 12, at 8:00 PM with Various Blond, and De Lux]

11:28 – Underwriting

The Creepy Jingles – “Nicotine Mom”
from: TAKE ME AY MY WORDPLAY / High Dive Records / March 25, 2022
[From band’s 11-track, full-length debut, TAKE ME AT MY WORD PLAY. The Creepy Jingles are a Kansas City based, 4-piece rock and roll band that both honors and defies convention. Led by singer / song-writer Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, a transgender wordsmith who charms with razor wit and dazzles with her lyrical acrobatics. Nick Robertson on drums, Travis McKenzie on guitar, and Andrew Woody on bass guitar bring first class musicianship and creativity, helping Nixon paint the perfect picture of colors and sounds that don’t stay in the lines. Their new album, “Take Me at My Wordplay” is an eclectic blend of catchy Brit-Pop melodies that dance around the landscape of surf, NY garage rock, psychedelia and folk music. Paired up with lyrics centering on themes of identity, strained relationships, social media madness, meme magic, pandemic paranoia, paid off political pundits, backyard bullies and barking up the wrong tree. Everything and the kitchen sink or swim. No stoner left unturned. The Creepy Jingles released their Debut EP on High Dive Records on May 3, 2019. The release was in the top ten of WMM’s 119 Best Recordings of 2019. ] The Creepy Jingles released their Debut EP on High Dive Records on May 3, 2019.]

[The Creepy Jingles play a Fundraiser for Amplify Lawrence at The Bottleneck, Saturday, August 26 at 6:00 PM, with The Creepy Jingles, MellowPhobia, Lyxe, DJ Romance, and drag performances by Kansas Campbell-Mykals, Ms. Amanda Love, and Jeni Tonic. The event is co-sponsored by Amplify Lawrence, Lawrence Pride, I Heart Local Music, KJHK 90.7 Lawrence, Manor Records, and High Dive Records. Info at: http://www.amplifylawrence.com]

10:33 – Interview with Jocelyn Olivia Nixon of The Creepy Jingles

Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, is the singer, songwriter, guitarist & keyboard player for The Creepy Jingles, joins us to share details about a Fundraiser for Amplify Lawrence at The Bottleneck, Saturday, August 26 at 6:00 PM, with The Creepy Jingles, MellowPhobia, Lyxe, DJ Romance, and drag performances by Kansas Campbell-Mykals, Ms. Amanda Love, and Jeni Tonic. The event is co-sponsored by Amplify Lawrence, Lawrence Pride, I Heart Local Music, KJHK 90.7 Lawrence, Manor Records, and High Dive Records. More info at: http://www.amplifylawrence.com

Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

From http://www.amplifylawrence.com:

Girls Rock Lawrence is now AMPLIFY LAWRENCE! We are proud of our history with the Girls Rock Camp Alliance and we will continue to be active partners working to meet their mission. GRCA supports camps across the world, each focused on the mission of inclusivity and social justice working towards collective liberation by serving local communities.

Year after year our camp community has included femmes and those with marginalized gender identities, broad racial identities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The name change was initiated by campers, and we hope the new name will help future campers and volunteers feel welcome in our community. We will continue to offer opportunities for marginalized groups to AMPLIFY their voices through the joy of music and power of community.

AMPLIFY LAWRENCE – MISSION
We provide a safe-space for femmes and others with marginalized gender identities in the community to come together, inspire one another, and have a voice. We are dedicated to educating and empowering youth through musical exploration, creative expression, and performance. Our goal is to foster the growth, self-respect, collaboration, and critical thinking among individuals of all backgrounds and abilities within a non-competitive learning environment.

AMPLIFY LAWRENCE – CAMP
We host a week-long summer camp for girls and others with marginalized gender identities, ages 12-18, to form bands, write an original song, and play it live at the end of the week. No experience necessary! We offer engaging and empowering workshops throughout the week in addition to music instruction. This camp is not limited to any specific genres or styles and each band member will bring their own unique flavor to the band they form.

Last year The Creepy Jingles released the single “Decepticon Artist” featuring The Swallowtailsn September 9, 2022, following their debut full-length album, TAKE ME AT MY WORDPLAY released March 25, 2022, on High Dive Records.

The Creepy Jingles are led by Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, a transgender wordsmith who charms with razor wit and dazzles with her lyrical acrobatics “centering on themes of identity, strained relationships, social media madness, meme magic, pandemic paranoia, paid off political pundits, backyard bullies and barking up the wrong tree.”

Take Me At My Wordplay All songs written by Jocelyn Olivia Nixon

The Creepy Jingles social Media Links
Twitter @CreepyJingles
Facebook @CreepyJingles
Instagram @thecreepyjingles
http://www.highdivekc.com/bands/the-creepy-jingles

The Creepy Jingles released the stand alone single, “Throwing In The Femme Fatale” on Nov. 18, 2021. As lead singer Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, who is a transgender woman, told 90.9 The Bridge, “This is one of those songs we wanted to make space for and share because it was a favorite little oddball of ours, it’s a bit outside the box of what we normally do.” Nixon continued, “I wrote it to appear vague enough where it could be about a song, idea or a person that gets stuck inside your crawl space,” the song was about her own mindset before transitioning. “…This overwhelming thought about showing the world who I really was, because I couldn’t ignore it anymore.”

The Creepy Jingles self titled debut EP was released on High Dive Records on May 3, 2019
Ross Brown of (Shy Boys and Full Bloods) recorded & mixed the EP at escape Pod Audio.
Mike Nolte Mastered the recordings at Eureka Mastering. EP credits give special thanks to: Collin Rausch and Kyle Rausch of Shy Boys

From http://www.highdivekc.com: “The brainchild of singer/ songwriter, Jocelyn Olivia Nixon acts to guide the listener thru a self-actualized Mono-myth of forging identity thru Bizarre arcane cosmic poetry coupled with the wordplay of a wry smile and eccentric wit.”

“Drummer Nick Robertson charges the group forward with a fiery fueled obsidian backbeat. Andrew Woody on bass guitar; Rounding out the band is Guitarist Travis McKenzie who generously spins a holographic spectrum of color that lift the catchy Brit pop melodies that effortlessly dance about the rapidly changing landscapes of New York Garage Rock and 60s/70s folk music. “

From FALLY AFANI, I Heart Local Music (June 22, 2019) “The Creepy Jingles are really throwing us for a loop. Like, we know garage rock is supposed to sound raw and a little loose. But The Creepy Jingles are so on point with their craft, we’re not entirely comfort-able with picturing them as some laid back group of rockers. Every. Single. Note. Is. Perfect. When The Creepy Jingles play, it sounds like they practice every single day. They don’t miss a single thing! Every note in every song is spot on, we haven’t heard a group of rockers this tight with their performance in ages. When they hit the Replay for their album release show Thursday night, it was hard to look away. Jocelyn Olivia Nixon runs a tight ship with this group. They began the set with her pounding away at the keys, leaving a throbbing urge for more of their exciting rock noise. Then, when they fully dove into their impeccable guitar work, the audience was also treated to her gnarly-as-hell vocals. The growls, the screams, the RAWNESS of it all brings out our most primal emotions.”

Jocelyn Olivia Nixon is Community Organizer at Bandwaggn Kansas City
Jocelyn Olivia Nixon is Singer/ Songwriter/ Guitar/ Keys at The Creepy Jingles
Jocelyn Olivia Nixon is Singer-songwriter at English Major
Jocelyn Nixon Studied Filming/Directing/Acting/writing at The Art Institute of Austin
Jocelyn Nixon Studied Studied Broadcasting & Film at University of Central Missouri
Jocelyn Nixon Studied Studied Creative Writing in English at Missouri State University
Jocelyn Nixon went to Blue Springs South High School and Jocelyn Nixin lives in OP. KS.

From The Pitch KC June 19, 2019 Nick Spacek: “Jocelyn Olivia Nixin was part of the band Abracadabras, that was active around Kansas City from 2006 to 2009 or so. Nixon fronted the band, which also included brothers Collin and Kyle Rausch, who now play in the pop act Shy Boys. “

10:41

The Creepy Jingles – “Working Class Clown”
from: TAKE ME AY MY WORDPLAY / High Dive Records / March 25, 2022
[From band’s 11-track, full-length debut, TAKE ME AT MY WORD PLAY. The Creepy Jingles are a Kansas City based, 4-piece rock and roll band that both honors and defies convention. Led by singer / song-writer Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, a transgender wordsmith who charms with razor wit and dazzles with her lyrical acrobatics. Nick Robertson on drums, Travis McKenzie on guitar, and Andrew Woody on bass guitar bring first class musicianship and creativity, helping Nixon paint the perfect picture of colors and sounds that don’t stay in the lines. Their new album, “Take Me at My Wordplay” is an eclectic blend of catchy Brit-Pop melodies that dance around the landscape of surf, NY garage rock, psychedelia and folk music. Paired up with lyrics centering on themes of identity, strained relationships, social media madness, meme magic, pandemic paranoia, paid off political pundits, backyard bullies and barking up the wrong tree. Everything and the kitchen sink or swim. No stoner left unturned. The Creepy Jingles released their Debut EP on High Dive Records on May 3, 2019. The release was in the top ten of WMM’s 119 Best Recordings of 2019. ] The Creepy Jingles released their Debut EP on High Dive Records on May 3, 2019.]

10:43 – More Interview with Jocelyn Olivia Nixon of The Creepy Jingles (continued)

We are talking with Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, singer, songwriter, guitarist & keyboard player for The Creepy Jingles, joins us to share details about a Fundraiser for Amplify Lawrence at The Bottleneck, Saturday, August 26 at 6:00 PM, with The Creepy Jingles, Mellow-Phobia, Lyxe, DJ Romance, and drag performances by Kansas Campbell-Mykals, Ms. Amanda Love, and Jeni Tonic. The event is co-sponsored by Amplify Lawrence, Lawrence Pride, I Heart Local Music, KJHK 90.7 Lawrence, Manor Records, and High Dive Records. More info at: http://www.amplifylawrence.com

Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

Nixon had quit playing music toward the end of her time in Austin, and she gave herself a few years during her transition to “get my head right and heal from a breakup, and also, approaching this new phase in my life,” as she puts it. But she kept writing songs.

Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, a transgender wordsmith who charms with razor wit and dazzles with her lyrical acrobatics “centering on themes of identity, strained relationships, social media madness, meme magic, pandemic paranoia, paid off political pundits, backyard bullies and barking up the wrong tree.” Nick, Travis, and Andrew help Nixon paint the perfect picture of colors and sounds that don’t stay in the lines, blending Brit-Pop melodies that dance around the landscape of surf, NY garage rock, psychedelia and folk music.

Jocelyn Olivia Nixin told Nick Spacek in an article published in The Pitch KC on June 19, 2019,

“That was, like, the first band,” Nixon says. “I’d been writing songs since I was probably about 22, and that was our first band together. So it was like we all grew up together … Once I went to Austin, I felt like it was time for me to stand on my own.”

“I’d left [Kansas City] to work on my marriage,” Nixon continues. “My wife at the time was offered a job and I figured, Yeah, Austin, great music city. I should see what happens. A music city like Austin was the silver lining in moving away from my band.”

The marriage hit the skids a few years in, but Nixon continued writing music. She released a solo project called English Major, a divorce record of sorts. Five years in, though, everything finally seemed to come to a head.

“The traffic, the cost of living — our rent went up $750,” Nixon says. “It was almost impossible to stay. I was like, Why am I killing myself to do this? I was also starting to come to terms with my own personal identity, and it blew into this existential crisis, where I was like, I can’t keep this bottled up anymore.”

Being “bottled up” was Nixon acknowledging her recent transition into life as a woman, a process she’d started early during her time in Austin.

“Tweezing my eyebrows, laser hair removal, therapy, going out more in femme,” she says — but largely abandoned after her marriage fell apart and she stepped into a new relationship. But the desire to transition hadn’t gone away; Nixon was just burying it.
“I was depressed to the point where I kind of — there’s that line in ‘Yer Blues,’ where John Lennon’s like, Feel so suicidal/ Even hate my rock & roll.’ I was like, ‘Oh, I get that line,’”

Nixon says. “I didn’t ever feel like I was going to commit suicide, but I had this fantasy of faking my death and becoming a new person, which was all sort of leading me to transition, but I was just miserable and I just didn’t want to be around it.”

She decided to leave Austin and return to KC, though moving back home as she transitioned wasn’t something Nixon was initially eager to do. “I thought it was scarier to move back,” she says. But then she realized that, as she says, “I needed to do this in front of the people I grew up with, and have those tough conversations, and tell them who I really am and how I really feel. It felt like the most honest way to do things, and it felt like the most authentic way to bridge my past to my present.”

Nixon started hormones and came out as a woman after she moved back home to KC. She says everyone’s been cool about it — tons of support.

“When I came out, I felt stupid, because I was like, ‘I should’ve done this sooner,’” she says. “An immediate weight lifted off of me, just from carrying the weight of that consuming all my mental faculties at all times. It just shot my nervous system.”

She started jamming with Nick Robertson, a drummer. Then they brought in Travis McKenzie, a former Abracadabras guitarist, and the Creepy Jingles were born. They played around for a few years and then, last year, began recording what would become their debut self-titled EP.

“We took it slow, doing it like, once a week, and then once fall rolled around, we were like, ‘Let’s record some things,’” Nixon says. They took the music to Ross Brown, another Shy Boy, who recorded & mixed the EP in his basement. Collin Rausch ended up playing bass.

“It was kind of like a little family reunion,” Nixon says of reuniting with old bandmates.

Nick Spacek wrote: The EP was released on High Dive Records at the beginning of May. It’s confident and exuberant, a Kinksy mishmash of Britpop garage rock”.

She says. I felt like I had to adopt a mask or a character to protect myself a little bit onstage. Now it feels very me, and I’m very comfortable.”

10:50

Jocelyn Olivia Nixon, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

The Creepy Jingles play a Fundraiser for Amplify Lawrence at The Bottleneck, Saturday, August 26 at 6:00 PM, with The Creepy Jingles, MellowPhobia, Lyxe, DJ Romance, and drag performances by Kansas Campbell-Mykals, Ms. Amanda Love, and Jeni Tonic. The event is co-sponsored by Amplify Lawrence, Lawrence Pride, I Heart Local Music, KJHK 90.7 Lawrence, Manor Records, and High Dive Records. Info: http://www.amplifylawrence.com

LYXE – “Wave (Remastered 2023)”
from: ”Wave (Remastered 2023)” – Single / LYXE / June 23, 2023
[Produced by Joel Nanos. Remaster by Jake Vertigo, with: Ryan Wise (of The Sluts) on vocals, Jimmy Girod on percussion, AJ Knudson on bass, and Chase Horseman on synthesizer. This was originally the debut single “Wave” showcases the band’s fun pop rock sensibility. We experience a different side of Wise’s songwriting with crooning vocals and vintage guitar sounds. Accompanied by drummerDebut single from LYXE, a new band from Lawrence, Kansas. LYXE formed in 2019 and played locally until covid forced the band into a two year hiatus. Recently reformed, the band has had a successful string of shows in 2022 and is poised to release their first EP, Everything You Could Ever Want on September 15, 2022. LYXE creates hip shaking rhythms reminiscent of classic 80’s and 90’s sounds.“Wave” is the ideal first taste of what this band can accomplish. LYXE is Ryan Wise on lead vocals & guitar, and AJ Knudson on bass & vocals.]

[LYXE play a Fundraiser for Amplify Lawrence at The Bottleneck, Saturday, August 26 at 6:00 PM, with The Creepy Jingles, MellowPhobia, DJ Romance, and drag performances by Kansas Campbell-Mykals, Ms. Amanda Love, and Jeni Tonic. The event is co-sponsored by Amplify Lawrence, Lawrence Pride, I Heart Local Music, KJHK 90.7 Lawrence, Manor Records, and High Dive Records. More info at: http://www.amplifylawrence.com]

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

Next week on August 23 – Bill Sundahl joins us to share details about the 19th Annual KKFI Crossroads Music Fest, Presented by Community Lending of America, Saturday, August 26, with 25+ Bands on 6 stages in the KCMO Historic West Bottoms with a Main Stage on Union Street, 2 Stages at The Ship // 2 Stages at The Black Box Theater (indoor & outdoor) , and a VIP Stage at Somera Road. Featuring: Mireya Ramos – KC Latin Jazz Orchestra – Jass & The Boys – Black Light Animals – Julia Othmer – Heidi Lynne Gluck – Trevor Turla – Memphissippi Sounds- Men of Men – Carswell & Hope – Rural Grit All Stars – Zee Underscore & Noye – David Luther – Elizabeth Moen – Jamogi – WAP Gang – Whitney Payne Quartet – DJ Joe McGuire – Jay Welch – The Chunk – Impossible Objects (w/ special guests Camry Ivory, Emily Milner, Matt Brahl & Chase Horseman), Rebel Song Academy Band & Art as Mentorship Students + Free Daytime Events + Strawberry Swing Makers and Vendors + Day Party on Union St in front of The Ship, Noon-5:00 PM, Featuring: Art as Mentorship Students, Rural Grit, Carswell & Hope + This KKFI Fundraiser is a celebration of the KC Regions Music Scene. All details at WWW.CMFKC.COM.

ALSO next week on August 23 Kate McCandless and Cody Wyoming join us to share details about SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES submits: PJ Harvey’s To Bring You My Love W/ THE CODY WYOMING DEAL, Friday, August 25, 7:00 PM at Lemonaide Park, 1628 yomoing Street, KCMO – WEST BOTTOMS, featuring 50ft. QUEENIE. SHE SPEAKS IN TONGUES is Kate McCandless- vocals, performance, percussion // CODY WYOMING DEAL is Cody Wyoming- guitar, Organ, Synth, backing vox. Matt Richey-Drums, Justin Muschinske – bass, Baritone, Organ, Guitar, Synth; J. Howell-Guitar, prepared Guitar, Sound Design; Katie Gilchrist- backing vox, percussion, keys // 50ft. QUEENIE is Chris Meck on guitar, Brandon Phillips on Guitar, Adam Phillips on drums, Chris Wagner on Bass.

WMM in on the web: http://www.wednesdaymiddaymedley.org // http://www.kkfi.org

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 June 7 and June 14, and through social media, we raised $4742.00 from 59 individual Donors! Thank you to our diverse and beautiful listeners who generously donated to allow us to continue our great mission here at 90.1 FM KKFI.

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 #1007

WMM presents Jocelyn Olivia Nixon & Amplify Lawrence + The Black Mariah Theater + JNabe + New & MidCoastal Releases

Posted on August 14, 2023 by Mark Manning

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, August 16, 2023

Jocelyn Olivia Nixon & Amplify Lawrence + Sophia and Analiese of The Black Mariah Theater, Asian Rap Music Wunderkind…JNabe + New & MidCoastal Releases

Mark spins more New & MidCoastal Releases from: The Creepy Jingles, Lyxe, Timbers, Monta, JNabe, The Black Mariah Theater, Crystal Rose, Kelly Hunt, Saving Miles Lemon, The Roseline, Mikal Shapiro, and Sylvan Esso.

At 10:30, we welcome Asian Rap Music Wunderkind…JNabe. JNabe is a reputable Rapper who began their exciting musical voyage of artistic discovery in 2020. Since then, they’ve used constant collaboration and experimental sound exploration to shape the signature sound that echoes with their inspiration from the streets of Kansas City. JNabe met his mentor Nawlage, a Dancehall artist, in 2022. Together they made an album called Namegah that is scheduled to be released on August 18, 2023. In the music world, there’s no standing still. You must constantly learn about new techniques and continue honing your musical craft. More info at: http://www.jnabeofficial.com

At 11:00 twin sisters Sophia and Analiese of The Black Mariah Theater join us LIVE in our 90.1 FM Studios. Sparkly-witch-rock duo, The Black Mariah Theater meld multiple genres into one band; with live shows full of angst, attitude, and powerful sound. The Black Mariah Theater released their first EP, BLACK HEARTS in 2017, their first full-length album, PATRON SAINT in 2020, an EP, ACOUSTIC COVERS in 2021, and they just released their newest album, MEAN TO BE MEAN on July 21, 2023. The Black Mariah Theater play The Warwick Theatre, 3927 Main Street, KCMO, on Saturday, August 26. The doors open at 7:00 PM, and the show starts at 8:00 PM. with Mitzi McKee, and Captain Howdy & The Sunset Serenaders opening. More info at: http://www.theblackmariahtheater.com

At 11:30 our friend Jocelyn Olivia Nixon of critically acclaimed band, The Creepy Jingles shares all the details about a Fundraiser for Amplify Lawrence at The Bottleneck, Saturday, August 26 at 6:00 PM, with The Creepy Jingles, MellowPhobia, Lyxe, DJ Romance, and drag performances by Kansas Campbell-Mykals, Ms. Amanda Love, and Jeni Tonic. The event is co-sponsored by Amplify Lawrence, Lawrence Pride, I Heart Local Music, KJHK 90.7 Lawrence, Manor Records, and High Dive Records. More info at: http://www.amplifylawrence.com

Crystal Rose Photo by Kate Lamendola

On your local radio dial 90.1 FM or
STREAMING LIVE at: kkfi.org

Show #1007

PLAYLIST from August 9, 2023 with Danny Alexander + Michael B. Tipton + Mark Meisenheimer

Posted on August 10, 2023 by Mark Manning

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, August 9, 2023

Danny Alexander & Kick Out The Jams! + Michael B. Tipton + Mark Meisenheimer & “Quindaro Ruins” + New & MidCoastal Releases

“Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / December 20, 1979
[WMM’s Adopted Theme Song]

Joanna Sternberg – “I’ve Got Me”
from: I’ve Got Me / Fat Possum Records / June 30, 2023
[Joanna Sternberg was born August 18, 1991. Joanna is a singer, songwriter, visual artist and multi-instrumentalist based in New York City. Sternberg released their debut full-length album, Then I Try Some More, on Team Love Records, later picked up on Fat Possum Records. Sternberg went on their first tour opening for Conor Oberst in North America in July 2018. Sternberg’s second album, I’ve Got Me, was released in 2023, on Fat Possum Records; it was produced by Matt Sweeney. Sternberg identifies as gender neutral and uses singular they/them pronouns. They are based in Manhattan. Sternberg is Jewish. At Joanna’s Bandcamp page she writes: “i, my name is Joanna. I am a person who sings songs, writes songs, draws, plays different musical instruments, and watches what the majority of the world would consider “WAY TOO MUCH” TV. You do not have to buy my album but if you do, THANK YOU SO MUCH! And also thank you so much if you are reading this! I love you!” More info at” http://www.joannasternberg.com]

Jass & The Boys – “Gvn2u (feat. Jass & Black Light Animals)”
from: “Gvn2u(feat. Jass & Black Light Animals)”-Single / Groove King Records / July 14, 2023
[New single from Jass & The Boys follows their earlier single, “Love U Like I Love U (feat. Jass & Black Light Animals) “ released December 2, 2022 through Groocve King Records. “The Boys” are the members of Black Light Animals: Colby Bales, Branden Moser, & Cody Calhoun. Colby and Branden also are pare of the Freedom Affair. Jass is Jasmine “Jass” Couch released the EP OFFKEY: TOO HIGH on September 23, 2022. Jass released her single “Higher Ground” on August 16, 2022. It was WMM’s #1 Single in our 50 Favorite Singles of 2022. Jass released her single “Him” on February 23, 2022. Jass released AT THE CLOSE OF A DECADE on November 26, 2022. It was part of WMM’s 121 Best Recordings of 2021. She wrote, “After years of writing and recording in voice memos, I decided to grab my iPad and began recording something that I am very proud of, and named it, At the Close of A Decade, and released it in November 2019. With my iPhone/iPad, some apple headphones, I created this project. The amazing people around me told me it was worth it, even when I didn’t believe it myself. I convinced myself I would be the only one that liked my songs. If you decide to listen you’ll hear sound clips of shows and movies that made a difference in the way I saw the world, the way I saw myself, and the way I overcame my experiences. I remember asking my grandma and my son if I should release what I’ve been writing and they both said very simply to do it, so I’ve done it. I want to thank all of my wonderful friends who have been my soundboards during this process, all of the people that have asked me when it’s coming, the people that have kept me accountable, and believed that this time it was for real. My story is so very triumphant and beautiful because I have overcome experiences and shunned the fear I had to do what I love. It’s crazy how you can talk your way out of some amazing things and also how you can talk yourself into making some amazing things happen. If you partake, I hope you enjoy.” // Jass has played The Essence Festival, Apocalypse Meow, Manor Fest, Farmers Ball, KC Monarchs, recordBar, Bottleneck, Mutual Musicians Foundation, Grinders, Sofar Sounds, The Uptown Theatre . She has shared the stages with The New Respects, Thundercat, Old Sound, and many others. More info at: http://www.jassrcouch.com]

[Jass plays Second Presbyterian Live on the Front Porch, 318 E 55th St, KCMO, TONIGHT Wed, August 9 at 7:07 PM. 2nd Presbyterian’s Front Porch Concerts are presented by Center Cut Records.]

[Jass & The Boys play The Ship 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO WEST BOTTOMS, Thursday, August. 10, at 8:00 PM]

Obongjayar – “Just Cool (Radio Edit)”
from: “Just Cool (Radio Edit)” – Single / September Recordings / May 11, 2023
[London-based Nigerian artist Obongjayar shares his first single of 2023, “Just Cool,” via September Recordings. The track showcases his signature blend of musical influences — from Afrobeat to R&B and soul — and marks the first of a series of new releases from the artist in 2023. “Just Cool,” with its upbeat tempo and call-and-response refrain, marks a stylistic break from the solemnity of his critically-acclaimed 2022 debut album Some Nights I Dream Of Doors.The track arrives on the heels of Obongjayar’s debut at Austin’s SXSW, where his performances were heralded as standouts of the festival by PAPER Magazine, Austin Chronicle and Austin American-Statesman, among others. // Speaking on the track, Obongjayar says: “Everyone is on edge! How could we not be? Where’s our united humanity? Where is our united love for our brothers and sisters and children looking for safety and opportunity? Where is the love for our planet? We’re constantly being lied to, used and squeezed of whatever energy is left in us. We’re in a pit fighting amongst ourselves while the bloodsuckers incite division and cheer from high above while poking at us continuously. Be cool and let cool.” // “Just Cool” further illustrates Obongjayar’s continued growth — from his 2021 EP Sweetness with renowned Nigerian producer Sarz to his show stopping feature on Little Simz’ single “Point And Kill” from that same year and his debut album last year, he has no intent to slow down any time soon. // Steven Umoh, known by his stage name Obongjayar, is a Nigerian musical artist based in London. After releasing multiple EPs, his debut studio album, Some Nights I Dream Of Doors, was released in 2022. // Steven Umoh grew up in Calabar, Nigeria. He was raised by his grandmother; his mother had moved to the UK to escape Umoh’s father, who was abusive. Early in his life, Umoh primarily listened to bootleg rap, particularly Eminem, Usher, Nelly, Snoop Dogg and Ciara. // Umoh moved to live with his mother in England at the age of 17, but stayed active in the Nigerian music scene. He grew up a devoutly religious Christian, but became less so after he attended university in Norwich. In college he sang primarily in an American accent, influenced by his childhood spent listening to American hip hop music, but he transitioned to singing in his natural Nigerian-British accent before embarking on his professional career. // Obongjayar started his career publishing his music on SoundCloud. His work caught the notice of XL Recordings executive Richard Russell, who then asked Obongjayar to contribute to his Everything Is Recorded project. In 2016, Obongjayar released his first extended play, Home, described by Noisey as “a unique voice: one that navigates darkness with nocturnal, near-spiritual hymns.” // He followed Home with a second EP, Bassey, which was noted for its sparse production and afrobeat rhythms, as well as its themes of spirituality, politics, and his experiences as a Black person. He also contributed to Richard Russell’s 2017 EP, Close But Not Quite. // In 2019, Obongjayar featured on Detroit rapper Danny Brown’s fifth studio album U Know What I’m Sayin? on the tracks “Belly of the Beast” and “uknowhatimsayin¿”. // In collaboration with afrobeat producer Sarz, Obongjayar released a third EP, Sweetness, in 2021. He featured on rapper Little Simz’s second studio album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert on the fourth single “Point and Kill”, which was later accompanied by a music video. Obongjayar also released the song and music video “Message in a Hammer”, the lead single for his debut album. Some Nights I Dream Of Doors was released in May 2022. // On May 13, 2022, Obongjayar released the alnum SOME NIGHTS I DREAM OF DOORS through September Recordings. Iot was part of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2022. // Obongjayar’s music has been called “hard to describe”, incorporating elements of afrobeat, spoken word, soul, and electronic music. His lyrics incorporate spiritual overtones, although they are not readily identifiable with any specific religious tradition. A unifying feature of all of Obongjayar’s music is his unique voice, which slides between rapping, singing, and spoken word.]

Cuee – “Proud Boi”
from: “Proud Boi” – Single / Cuee / June 1, 2023
[Cuee most recently released the (3-song Single) “With Love” including the track “See You Tonight” on February 14, 2023. Before that Cuee released the (3-song Single) “Coming Out” on June 24, 2022. Lawrence based hip-hop artist Cuee is a rapper with a Master’s Degree. Cuee received his Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas. Cuee is also a graduate of Artist Inc. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Cuee has wowed audiences in Lawrence and KC with exciting live performances. And since 2017 Cue has released several critically acclaimed albums, an EP, multiple singles. We last talked with Cuee on March 3, 2021 and on May 5, 2021 and before that, on August 12, 2020, when he released the single “Who’s Back.” and before that on May 29, 2019. Cuee released the single: “Ain’t Goin Backon May 7, 2021, “Gravity (Feat: Lindsey Alderman)” on April 29, 2021 and part of GOSPEL the album. In 2020 Cuee’ track, “Shook” landed on an official Spotify playlist dedicated to transgender, non-binary and gender-fluid musicians across the globe including Kim Petras and Lex Allen. Spotify sent out a note said, “Hey Cuee you hit a high note this month.” Cuee said he didn’t even know what that meant, and he looked up to discover he had over 24,000 listener during the month of June on Spotify. I was trying to figure out what happened. I did a little research, I logged onto my instagram account, I was starting to get a flood of followers. I was just tracing it back and I landed on a Spotify playlist, it was an editorial playlist so he couldn’t find out who put him on there. “Someone found me.” Cuee made three trips home to Chicago to record the record. For the new album GOSPEL Cuee explained that this term can have biblical connections but it also means ‘the truth.” The video for “Ain’t Going Back” takes place in a church, and is a declaration of freedom, and identity, while also paying respect. Cuee talked us about how the track was created in the studio and translating the song into a video that was shot in a church. Last time we talked with Cuee he shared his thoughts about ‘”Queerness in a church,” Cuee said, “you know, is very…different, I mean I wanted to bring that into that space, and freedom into that space, allow that space to be seen and heard by other people who traditionally wont take up that space.” Originally from Chicago, Illinois. 27 year old Lawrence based hip-hop artist emcee, and educator. Cuee has gained fans over the last six years in Lawrence and Kansas City for his critically acclaimed musical releases and live performances. Along with getting his Master’s Degree, Cuee has released around 30 different musical tracks, legally changed his name, and has transitioned physically and vocally. The song “Ain’t Going Back” features Cuee’s friend Joel Leoj who is originally from Florida, but after moving to Chicago, became friends with Cuee in school, and recently moved to Lawrence to make music and collaborate on recordings with Cuee. Cuee explained that they have known each other since high school, that they “started a Hip Hop culture club in our high school, to bring music, kinda having a place to chill after school, write music together as a community. That’s how we started.” “I moved out here to Kansas, to go to school, he stayed back in Miami, and then we kind of connected back, maybe about two years ago, and hit it off really strong. We decided we wanted to pursue this music thing together. We decided let’s just do this. So he said he was going to move to Lawrence. I didn’t believe him at first, until he showed up on my doorstep, and I was like, Wow, you are here, let’s do this.” Joel Leoj released the album, JOEY IN WONDERLAND on January 31, 2021. Cuee is a featured guest emcee on the tracks “Eden” and “No Debate.” More info at: http://www.officialcuee.com]

[Cuee plays Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusrtts, Lawrence, KS., Sunday, August 13, at 10:00 PM with Cardian, VCMN, and Joel Leoj]

Big Thief – “Vampire Empire”
from: “Vampire Empire” / “Born For Loving You” – 7” Single / 4AD / October 20, 2022
[Big Thief present their highly-anticipated new single, “Vampire Empire,” off their forthcoming “Vampire Empire” / “Born For Loving You” 7” out October 20th on 4AD. “Vampire Empire” is Big Thief’s most eagerly awaited song ever, with the non-album single taking on a life of its own as it became a live fan favorite. Coming off the back of a Grammy-nominated album and debuting on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, it’s already a viral anthem. The television performance and hundreds of live performances of “Vampire Empire” took TikTok by storm. Recorded and produced by Dom Monks at Guissona, Spain’s Teatre de cal Eril Studio during a recent tour, “Vampire Empire” speaks to the beautiful complexity of gender identity and breaking destructive internal cycles. It was celebrated by Stereogum as “ragged, surging […] with some huge harmonies and a great sense of slow-build catharsis.” // Of the song, Adrianne Lenker adds: “For me, it’s about getting out of toxic internal patterns – leaving the empire of energy drains that obscure pure essence, learning about what healthy boundaries are, and finding the power to implement them for the possibility of giving and receiving (both inwardly and outwardly) unbroken and infinite Love.” // Big Thief are currently embarking on a North American tour, including a coveted headlining spot at Pitchfork Music Festival, as they continue to celebrate their landmark Grammy-nominated album Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You. Big Thief’s guitarist Buck Meek will also be releasing his third solo album later this summer. Full dates are listed below, many of which are sold out, with remaining tickets on sale now. // Big Thief released their last album, DRAGON NEW WARM MOUNTAIN I BELIEVE IN YOU on February 11, 2022, It was their 5th studio album released as a double album through 4AD. It was pat of WMM’s 120 Best recordings of 2022. Produced by drummer James Krivchenia, the album features 20 songs which were recorded over five months in four different locations across the United States. The album’s release was preceded by 8 singles. It received acclaim from critics upon release and entered the top forty in several territories, including Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, New Zealand, the USA and the UK. // In 2019, Big Thief left Saddle Creek and signed to 4AD, releasing two studio albums: U.F.O.F. in May 2019 and Two Hands in Oct. 2019. The albums were the band’s most successful and acclaimed to date: U.F.O.F. received a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album and both albums appeared on the Billboard 200 chart, with Two Hands peaking at 113. Their song “Not” from Two Hands was named by many publications as one of the year’s best songs and was nominated for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. Big Thief toured in support of the albums until March 2020, when their European tour was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Drummer James Krivchenia released a solo album titled A New Found Relaxation in June 2020. In October 2020, Lenker released two solo albums: Songs and Instrumentals. Guitarist Buck Meek released his second solo album Two Saviors in January 2021. // Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You album was produced by drummer James Krivchenia, who conceived the concept behind its recording. In late 2019, while at a hotel in Copenhagen, Krivchenia presented the band with the concept that they would travel to four different locations: Upstate New York, Topanga Canyon in California, the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, and the Colorado mountains. They would record at four different studios with four separate engineers, and go to each place with a specific sonic plan in mind. Krivchenia’s intent was to capture a full expression of Lenker’s songwriting and the band onto a single album. Krivchenia’s production handling also marks the band’s first album not produced by their longtime collaborator Andrew Sarlo. // The band recorded over the span of five months, resulting in 45 complete songs which were ultimately edited down to the album’s 20 tracks. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the band initially quarantined in the Vermont woods for two weeks in July 2020. The 1st session was in July and August 2020 at Sam Evian’s Flying Cloud Recordings in Upstate New York. The 2nd session was with Shawn Everett in Oct. 2020 at Five Star Studios in Topanga, California. The third session was with engineer Dom Monks, who previously engineered U.F.O.F. and Two Hands; the session took place in Nov. 2020 at MusicGardens – Studio In The Clouds in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, located just outside Telluride. The fourth and final session was in Dec. 2020 at Scott McMicken’s Press On Studio in Tucson, Arizona. Mat Davidson, a former member of the Low Anthem and a longtime friend of the band who performs under the moniker Twain, was invited to contribute to the recordings in Arizona. Davidson had previously featured on the band’s second studio album, Capacity (2017), with his vocals & fiddle performances featuring heavily throughout the Arizona Dragon New Warm Mountain recordings, marking the first time the band incorporated a fifth instrumentalist for such a substantial contribution]

Lava Dreams – “R.I.P. The Old Me” – Single
from: “R.I.P. The Old Me” – Single / RIOT / July 28, 2023
[“R.I.P. THE OLD ME” was written and produced by Lava Dreams – vocal produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Spencer Hoad. This is the first release from Lava Dreams since their single, “Thrill Ride” which dropped in July of 2022. // Lava Dreams (she/they) is a queer songwriter, producer, musician, and director from Kansas City, Missouri. Their music is genre-bending Alternative Pop, unified by the use of electric guitar, danceable rhythms, and ethereal vocals. // Lava Dreams and their band recently performed the new single along with six other original songs at J. Rieger’s Electric Park for On Stage With SIS – a concert hosted by local video production company Stellar Image Studios to benefit Band of Angels – a nonprofit that provides musical instruments to children in need in the Kansas City area. // “I’m excited for my fanbase to hear a more explosive, explorative side of me now that I’m in my band-leader era. This latest track is definitely an example of that.” – Lava Dreams //Lava Dreams released their debut EP “Good Energy + Focus” on June 13, 2020. Written by Lava Dreams and produced by Duncan Burnett. Solo artist Lava Dreams aka Julia Hamilton writes songs influenced by pop, soul, RnB, jazz, trap, house, funk, reggae, rock, and world music. Hailing from Kansas City, MO, her guitar-based music is both dreamy & electric. Lava Dreams began writing lyrics and melodies as a young child. Growing up, she learned to play her first guitar chords from her father – who played around the house and in local bars. After playing guitar and singing in several Kansas City bands as a teenager, she set out to become a solo artist in 2018. Julia Hamilton is also a film maker who received her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Film from Avila Unversity. You can listen to Lava Dreams on Spotify, iTunes, Tidal, Deezer, Google Play, YouTube Music, SoundCloud, Bandcamp, or at LavaDreamsMusic.com. Lava Dreams joined us on WMM on April 22, 2020. ]

Jean Claude and the Eclairs – “What Are You Doing Tonight?”
from: HOW TO TALK [EP] / Jean Claude and the Eclairs / June 22, 2022.
[The band released their EP, HOW TO TALK on National Eclairs Day, June 22, 2022. “Sweet” was released as a single on April 7, 2022. Alternative Pop/Rock band, based in Lawrence, KS., formed in 2016. The band includes: Cooper Scott on vocals, Garrison Krotz on bass, Quinn Maetzold on drums, and Ryan Pollock on guitar. T Produced and Engineered by Ryan Wasoba. The Band wrote on Facebook: “Three years of writing, demoing, recording, rewriting, re-recording, meet ups in Omaha, KC, St. Louis, and Chicago, shows at venues with sketchy PAs, forming new friendships, all of those moments were key to making this EP. We are so excited for you to hear it and we can’t wait to make more music.” Info at: http://www.instagram.com/eclairsofficial/%5D

Jean Claude and the Eclairs Discography:

“Enzymes” (Single) released November 17, 2017
“Crazy For You” (Single) released September 7, 2018
“All It Ever Was” (Single) released November 20, 2018
“City Sounds” (Single) released February 21, 2019
“Glasgow” (Single) released April 4, 2019
“Sweet” (Single) released April 7, 2022
“Couldn’t Be Anybody Else” (Single) released May 19, 2022
HOW TO TALK [EP] released June 23, 2022

[Jean Claude & The Eclairs play The Rino, 314 Armour Blvd., NKC, on Thursday, August 10, at 7:00 PM with Midcentury Llama and Land Lion.]

Corinne Bailey Rae – “New York Transit Queen”
from: Black Rainbows / Black Rainbows Music / September 15, 2023]
2 time Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae confirms her years-in-the-making Black Rainbows project. Inspired by the objects and artworks collected by Theaster Gates at the Stony Island Arts Bank in Chicago, the work includes a collection of songs, a book Refraction/Reflection of the Arts Bank photographed by Koto Bolofo, live performances, visuals, lectures and exhibitions—a bold move from her previous work. // The album Black Rainbows is set for release September 15 via Thirty Tigers. The first single, “New York Transit Queen,” is out now. “I knew when I walked through those doors that my life had changed forever,” says Bailey Rae. “Engaging with these archives and encountering Theaster Gates and his practice has change how I think about myself as an artist and what the possibilities of my work can be. This music has come through seeing. Seeing has been like hearing, for me. While I was looking, songs/sounds appeared.” // Wide ranging in its themes, Black Rainbows’ subjects are drawn from encounters with objects in the Arts Bank, a curated collection of Black archives comprising books, sculpture, records, furniture and problematic objects from America’s past. From the rock hewn churches of Ethiopia to the journeys of Black Pioneers westward, from Miss New York Transit 1957 to how the sunset appears from Harriet Jacobs’ loophole. Black Rainbows explores Black femininity, Spell Work, Inner Space/Outer Space, time collapse, ancestors and music as a vessel for transcendence. // About Corinne Bailey Rae: English singer/songwriter/musician Corinne Bailey Rae shot to stardom with her self-titled #1 U.K. debut album in 2006, featuring the global hits “Put Your Records On” and “Like A Star.” Over the course of her career she has released three critically acclaimed studio albums—Corinne Bailey Rae, The Sea and The Heart Speaks in Whispers—and earned two Grammy Awards, two MOBOS, and has been nominated for multiple awards including the BRIT Awards, Mercury Music Prize and BET Awards. Her work for film and television includes the theme to Stan Lee’s Lucky Man (SKY1), “The Scientist” for Universal Pictures’
Fifty Shades Darker openin title and soundtrack which charted globally, and in 2020 her song “New to Me” was performed in the film The High Note by Tracee Ellis Ross. Bailey Rae has collaborated with a wide range of artists including Mary J. Blige, Al Green, Herbie Hancock, KING, Paul McCartney, Kele Okereke (Bloc Party), Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Questlove, Salaam Rami, RZA, Tyler The Creator, Paul Weller, Richard Hawley, Stevie Wonder, Tracey Thorn, Pharrell, Logic, Mick Jenkins and many more.

10:29 – Underwriting

Janelle Monáe – “We Were Rock & Roll”
from: Electric Lady / Wondaland Productions – Badboy Records / September 6, 2013
[On June 8, 2023 Janelle Monae released her 4th Studio album, The Age of Pleasure.. Monáe announced the album alongside the release of “Lipstick Lover”, which they first previewed at their Met Gala after-party in early May. It is her first studio album in over five years since her previous album Dirty Computer (2018). // Janelle Monáe Robinson was born on December 1, 1985 in Kansas City, Kansas and was raised in a working-class community of Kansas City, Quindaro. Her mother, Janet, worked as a janitor and a hotel maid. Her father, Michael Robinson Summers, was a truck driver. Monáe’s parents separated when Monáe was a toddler and her mother later married a postal worker. Monáe has a younger sister, Kimmy, from their mother’s remarriage. // Monáe was raised Baptist and learned to sing at a local church. Her family members were musicians and performers at the local AME church, the Baptist church, and the Church of God in Christ. Monáe dreamed of being a singer and a performer from a very young age, and has cited the fictional character of Dorothy Gale from The Wizard of Oz as a musical influence. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which Monáe bought two copies of with her first check, was another source of inspiration. She performed songs from the album on Juneteenth talent shows, winning three years in a row. // As a teenager, Monáe was enrolled in the Coterie Theater’s Young Playwrights’ Round Table, which began writing musicals. One musical, completed when she was around the age of 12, was inspired by the 1979 Stevie Wonder album Journey Through “The Secret Life of Plants”. // Monáe attended F. L. Schlagle High School, and after high school, moved to New York City to study musical theater at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, where she was the only black woman in her class. Monáe enjoyed the experience, but feared that she might lose her edge and “sound, or look or feel like anybody else”. In a 2010 interview Monáe explained, “I felt like that was a home but I wanted to write my own musicals. I didn’t want to have to live vicariously through a character that had been played thousands of times – in a line with everybody wanting to play the same person.” // After a year and a half, Monáe dropped out of the academy and relocated to Atlanta, enrolling in Perimeter College at Georgia State University. She began writing her own music and performing around the campus. In 2003, Monáe self-released a demo album titled The Audition, which she sold out of the trunk of a Mitsubishi Galant. During this period, Monáe became acquainted with songwriters and producers Chuck Lightning and Nate Wonder. The three would eventually form the Wondaland Arts Collective. She worked at an Office Depot but was fired for answering a fan’s e-mail using a company computer, an incident that inspired the song “Lettin’ Go”, which in turn attracted the attention of Big Boi. // Janelle Monáe Robinson (/moʊˈneɪ/;[9] born December 1, 1985) is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, actress, and record producer. Monáe is signed to Atlantic Records, as well as to her own imprint, the Wondaland Arts Society. Monáe has received eight Grammy Award nominations. Monáe won an MTV Video Music Award and the ASCAP Vanguard Award in 2010. Monáe was also honored with the Billboard Women in Music Rising Star Award in 2015 and the Trailblazer of the Year Award in 2018. In 2012, Monáe became a CoverGirl spokesperson. Boston City Council named October 16, 2013 “Janelle Monáe Day” in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, in recognition of her artistry and social leadership. // Monáe’s musical career began in 2003 upon releasing a demo album titled The Audition. In 2007, Monáe publicly debuted with a conceptual EP titled Metropolis: Suite I (The Chase). It peaked at number two on the US Top Heatseekers chart, and in 2010, through Bad Boy Records, Monáe released a first full-length studio album, The ArchAndroid, a concept album and sequel to her first EP. In 2011, Monáe was featured as a guest vocalist on fun.’s single “We Are Young”, which achieved major commercial success, topping the charts of more than ten countries and garnering Monáe a wider audience. Her second studio album, The Electric Lady, was released in 2013 and debuted at number five on the Billboard 200, serving as the fourth and fifth installments of the seven-part Metropolis concept series. // In 2016, Monáe made her theatrical film debut in two high-profile productions; Monáe starred in Hidden Figures as NASA mathematician and aerospace engineer Mary Jackson, and also starred in Moonlight. Hidden Figures was a box office success, while Moonlight won the Academy Award for Best Picture at the 89th annual ceremony. Monáe’s third studio album, Dirty Computer, also described as a concept album, was released in 2018 to widespread critical acclaim; it was chosen as the best album of the year by several publications and earned Monáe two nominations at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. The album debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 and was further promoted by Monáe’s Dirty Computer Tour, which lasted from June to August 2018.]

[Janelle Monae plays The Midland Theatre, 1228 Main Street, KCMO, on Saturday, September 9 at 8:00 PM.]

10:35 – Interview with Mark Meisenheimer

Mark Meisenheimer joins us to share details about his new documentary film “Quindaro Ruins”. Once an Underground Railroad site in Kansas, what’s left of “Old Quindaro” not only fights to be relevant in the narratives of Kansas City 19th Century History, but its residents fight for its neighborhood’s existence. The Quindaro Ruins, once slated to be part of a landfill, is surrounded by a predominantly African-American neighborhood that has been disinvested and disenfranchised. The film showcases the struggle of many community members to keep its history alive.

Mark Meisenheimer is a former TV journalist who worked in TV News for 12-years. “Quindaro Ruins” won the Award for Exceptional Excellence at the Docs without Borders International Film Festival-Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The film has also been shown at Kansas City FilmFest International, the Filmteenth International Film Festival in Bethesda, Maryland, and is scheduled for National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Film Festival in Church Creek, Maryland.

Mark Meisenheimer, thanks for being with us on WMM.

Once an Underground Railroad site just on the other side of the Missouri River in Kansas, what’s left of “Old Quindaro” not only fights to be relevant in the narratives of Kansas City 19th Century History, but its residents fight for its neighborhood’s existence. The Quindaro Ruins, once slated to be part of a landfill, is surrounded by a predominantly African-American neighborhood that has been disinvested and disenfranchised. The film showcases the struggle of many community members to keep its history alive, but also in seeking ways to lift up the area which has in many ways been abandoned and forgotten.

Director Biography:

Mark Meisenheimer is a former TV journalist. He worked in TV News for 12-years, both in front of the camera and behind it in: Wisconsin, Nebraska and Iowa. He is the author of two books, one fictional: Green Fields, and one non-fiction: No Pants Required: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at TV Sports Broadcasting. Mark, a Wisconsin native, currently calls Kansas City home. He lives in the Brookside neighborhood with his wife Jessica, his son Princeton and dogs Charley and Hudson. Quindaro Ruins is Mark’s second documentary film following his debut documentary: Legacy of a Newsman.

Director Statement:

The filming of “Quindaro Ruins” started as an attempt to showcase Underground Railroad sites that were impacted by the border war between Kansas and Missouri, an often discussed topic in regards to the area’s 19th century history. We simply stumbled into Quindaro and knew almost immediately that its story was something special.

Over almost three years, we’ve approached community members, stakeholders and politicians to help gain a greater understanding of the complex history surrounding the Quindaro Ruins. Our goal from the beginning was to help raise a level of awareness about the site’s rich history, and perhaps help in some way to give the Quindaro Ruins greater significance as a historic site and tourist destination in the area.

Preview:

Mark Meisenheimer, thanks for being with us on WMM.

Mark Meisenheimer’s new documentary film “Quindaro Ruins” and is scheduled for a sreening at the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Film Festival in Church Creek, Maryland.

More information at http://www.quindaroruins.com

10:51

Chris Hazelton – “Easy Talk”
from: Easy Talk / Cellar Live – La Reserve Records LLC / August 11, 2023
[Chris Hazelton – Hammond B-3 Organ, Brett Jackson – Baritone Saxophone, Jamie Anderson – Guitar, John Kizilarmut – Drums, Pat Conway – Congas (Tracks 1, 5, & 7). Executive Producer: Cory Weeds. Produced by Chris Hazelton. Recorded at Weights & Measures Soundlab (Kansas City, MO) on February 19th & 20th, 2022. Engineered and mixed by Duane Trower. Mastered by Adam Boose at Cauliflower Audio. Photography by Cory Weeds. // On his Bandcamp page Chris writes: “Dark (noun): a: a place or time of little or no light (ex: night, nightfall) b: absence of light. // I’ve always been somewhat of a night owl. I suppose it comes with the territory of being a jazz musician. We feel at home in dimly lit, hazy settings during the wee small hours of the morning. Something about nighttime has always been enchanting to me. There are endless possibilities, and one never knows what could happen before daybreak. // Towards the end of 2021, however, I found myself in a state of darkness that was truly unfamiliar to me. Like every other musician, the pandemic had brought my career to a grinding halt in the previous year. It seemed like losses were becoming a pattern and grief was becoming more than I could bear. At times, I even questioned whether I still WAS a musician. As the beginning of 2022 approached, I was faced with the reality that three of my greatest musical mentors had passed on, and I suddenly felt a new weight of responsibility for carrying on the tradition of the Hammond B-3 Organ in jazz. Consequently, I found a fresh sense of purpose and inspiration. // So with no real game plan in place, I booked a weekend in the studio and hired friends that I knew could deliver the feeling I was looking for. I have always had an affinity for the sound of a baritone sax in front of the organ trio. Going all the way back to George Benson’s first two albums with Ronnie Cuber and Lonnie Smith, as well as recent releases by my friends Adam Scone and Ian Hendrickson-Smith, the format has a certain grit and heaviness not found in other configurations within the jazz realm. // After dark, there is magic and mystique waiting… and maybe even some true darkness… but AFTER dark, there is always light! // from http://www.chrishazelton.com: Some things in life are just meant to be. The first time Chris Hazelton experienced a real Hammond B-3 organ, he knew instantly that it was the instrument he was destined to play. At the request of his college professor, the then-underage aspiring musician snuck into a dark Kansas City jazz club called Bobby’s Hangout to hear the man behind the console, jazz organ master Everette DeVan. After several weeks of coaxing, Mr. DeVan agreed to take Chris on a student, showing him the ins and outs of the complex machine. With a background in string bass and piano, Chris’ transfer to organ was a natural one. // From 2007 to 2009, Chris called the Big Apple home. New York City provided an education that can only be found by living there. The rhythm of the city and the constant presence of jazz royalty helped sharpen his playing into a potent combination of groove and artistry. During his time there, Chris regularly performed at legendary Harlem jazz clubs such as Minton’s Playhouse, the Lenox Lounge, and Showman’s Jazz Lounge. In 2009, Chris had the honor of studying with the world’s foremost authority in the jazz organ world, Dr. Lonnie Smith! // Upon returning to his native Kansas City, Chris has made a name for himself as one of the premier jazz organists in the midwest and recently made an appearance with the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. // His flagship ensemble, Chris Hazelton’s Boogaloo 7, was assembled in 2013 and held a impressive seven-year Friday night residency at Kansas City’s Green Lady Lounge. This seven piece unit focuses on funky, rhythmic soul-jazz that harkens back to the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, a time when Lou Donaldson, Jimmy McGriff, Charles Earland, Grant Green, Lonnie Smith, and a host of others packed dance floors and venues along the “Chitlin Circuit”. The Boogaloo 7 has released two 45rpm 7-inch vinyl singles and two full-length LPs on Sunflower Soul Records, a label established by Hazelton in 2014 that produces soulful recordings with unashamedly old-school, analog vibe. // For nearly 10 years, Chris served as the organist at “The Historic” Centennial United Methodist Church in the 18th & Vine Jazz District of Kansas City, MO – a church that was once home to Count Basie and Charlie Parker. He plays bass guitar with the popular soul ensemble The Freedom Affair. He is happily married to the love of his life, Erica, and together have a daughter named Evelyn and a son named Jaxon..]

[The Freedom Affair play recordBar 1520 Grand Blvd. KCMO, on Saturday, August 12 doors at 7:00 PM, with Flutienastiness and The Soulpatrol.]

SEYKO – “What I Want”
from: “What I Want” – Single / Groove King Records – Fat Beats / June 23, 2023
[Produced by Colby Bales of the band Black Light Animals and also a bandmate of SEYKO’s in The Freedom Affair. // From http://www.seykomusic.com: Seyko has always found music to be a reflection of her innermost thoughts and feelings, a way of self-expression but even deeper than that. Music was always a life-giving, constant companion from the happiest moments to the darkest days. Music continues to be Seyko’s way of communicating with the world around her. // Seyko developed her musical talent during her formative years through church and school choirs, friendships that evolved into singing groups, and professional training through voice lessons and songwriting. Opportunities presented themselves, but Seyko also created opportunities for herself as she chased her dream to create and perform her own music. // The Freedom Affair and Sunu, two Kansas City bands Seyko performs and writes with, have solidified her place in the music scene and provide a solid foundation for beginning her solo career. Seyko’s singing and songwriting career has spanned twenty years, and it shows! Her creative growth has led to her being a well-respected artist in Kansas City, allowing her to participate in recording projects for fellow musicians and even singing background vocals for Michael Bublé at a live concert in 2022.]

[The Freedom Affair play recordBar 1520 Grand Blvd. KCMO, on Saturday, August 12 doors at 7:00 PM, with Flutienastiness and The Soulpatrol.]

11:00 – Station ID

MC5 – “Kick Out The Jams”
from: Kick Out The Jams (Compilation) / Warner Music Group / March 22, 2017
[From Wikipedia: Kick Out the Jams is the debut album by American proto-punk band MC5. It was released in February 1969, through Elektra Records. It was recorded live at Detroit’s Grande Ballroom over two nights, Devil’s Night and Halloween, 1968. //MC5 is an American rock band formed in Lincoln Park, Michigan, in 1963. The classic line-up consisted of vocalist Rob Tyner, guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred “Sonic” Smith, bassist Michael Davis, and drummer Dennis Thompson. MC5 were listed by Parade as one of the best rock bands of all time. The band’s first three albums are regarded by many as staples of rock music, and their 1969 song “Kick Out the Jams” is widely covered. // “Crystallizing the counterculture movement at its most volatile and threatening”, according to AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine, MC5’s leftist political ties and anti-establishment lyrics and music positioned them as emerging pioneers of the punk movement in the United States. Their loud, energetic style of back-to-basics rock and roll included elements of garage rock, hard rock, blues rock, and psychedelic rock. // MC5 had a promising beginning that earned them a January 1969 cover appearance on Rolling Stone and a story written by Eric Ehrmann before their debut live album was released. They developed a reputation for energetic and polemical live performances, one of which was recorded as their 1969 debut album Kick Out the Jams before the group disbanded in 1972. // Vocalist Tyner died of a heart attack in late 1991 at the age of 46 and was followed by Fred Smith, who also died of a heart attack, in 1994 at the age of 46. The remaining three members of the band reformed in 2003 with The Dictators’ singer Handsome Dick Manitoba as its new vocalist, and this reformed line-up occasionally performed live over the next nine years until Davis died of liver failure in 2012 at the age of 68. // In 2022, Kramer announced that a tour under the banner of We Are All MC5 would take place that spring, and that a new MC5 studio album with producer Bob Ezrin would also be released later that year with original MC5 drummer Dennis Thompson playing on two tracks.] [The LP peaked at No. 30 on the Billboard 200 chart, with the title track peaking at No. 82 in the Hot 100. Although the album received an unfavorable review in Rolling Stone magazine upon its release, it has gone on to be considered an important forerunner to punk rock music, and was ranked number 294 in both 2003 and 2012 editions of Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” lists, and at number 349 in a 2020 revised list. // While “Ramblin’ Rose” and “Motor City Is Burning” open with the band’s typical leftist and revolutionary rhetoric, it was the opening line to the title track that stirred up controversy. Vocalist Rob Tyner shouted, “And right now… right now… right now it’s time to… kick out the jams, motherfuckers!” before the opening riffs. Elektra Records executives were offended by the line and had preferred to edit it out of the album (replacing the offending words with “brothers and sisters”), while the band and manager John Sinclair adamantly opposed this. // The original release had “kick out the jams, Motherfuckers!” printed on the inside album cover, but was soon pulled from stores. Two versions were then released, both with censored album covers, with the uncensored audio version sold behind record counters. // Making matters worse, Hudson’s department stores refused to carry the album. Tensions between the band and the Hudson’s chain escalated to the point that the department stores refused to carry any album from the Elektra label after MC5 took out a full-page ad that, according to Danny Fields, “was just a picture of Rob Tyner, and all it said was ‘Fuck Hudson’s.’ And it had the Elektra logo”. To end the conflict and to avoid further financial loss, Elektra dropped MC5 from their record label. // Later the same year, Jefferson Airplane recorded the song “We Can Be Together” for their Volunteers album, a song containing the word “motherfucker”. Unlike Elektra, RCA Records released the album wholly uncensored. // “Kick out the jams” has also been taken to be a slogan of the 1960s ethos of revolution and liberation, an incitement to “kick out” restrictions in various forms.[citation needed] To quote MC5 guitarist Wayne Kramer from his interview with Caroline Boucher in Disc & Music Echo magazine on August 8, 1970: People said “oh wow, ‘kick out the jams’ means break down restrictions” etc., and it made good copy, but when we wrote it we didn’t have that in mind. We first used the phrase when we were the house band at a ballroom in Detroit, and we played there every week with another band from the area. […] We got in the habit, being the sort of punks we are, of screaming at them to get off the stage, to kick out the jams, meaning stop jamming. We were saying it all the time and it became a sort of esoteric phrase. Now, I think people can get what they like out of it; that’s one of the good things about rock and roll. // Kramer also claimed during a 1999 interview that was excerpted for Goldmine magazine that the phrase was specifically aimed toward British 1960s bands playing at the Grande who MC5 felt were not putting enough energy into their performances.[citation needed] The title has also (jokingly) been reinterpreted as an establishment message masquerading as a revolutionary anthem. David Bowie sings in the song “Cygnet Committee”: “[We] stoned the poor on slogans such as/Wish You Could Hear/Love Is All We Need/Kick Out the Jams/Kick Out Your Mother”. // In March 2005, Q magazine placed the song “Kick Out the Jams” at number 39 in its “100 Greatest Guitar Tracks” list. The same track was named the 65th best hard rock song of all time by VH1.// “The MC5 were a mercurial band,” remarked guitarist Wayne Kramer. “We were inconsistent. All of a sudden, this was the night. It was a lot of pressure for us to be under. I hear it every time I listen to the record. I hear me making clumsy mistakes on the guitar; I hear Dennis all over on the tempos; I hear Rob not quite in the perfect voice he was capable of.”]

11:03 – Interview with Danny Alexander

Danny Alexander joins us to share details about a new book he co-edited called KICK OUT THE JAMS Jibes, Barbs, Tributes, and Rallying Cries from 35 Years of Music Writing by Dave Marsh. Dave Marsh was among the first editors of Creem magazine and wrote extensively for Rolling Stone and other publications. He has authored twenty-five books. Marsh cofounded the newsletter Rock & Rap Confidential and currently hosts Kick Out the Jams on SiriusXM. For over thirty years, Danny Alexander served as Associate Editor for Rock & Rap Confidential while also writing for, among others, Kansas City’s Pitch and the Kansas City Star. Alexander teaches the Literature of American Popular Music at Johnson County Community College. His book Real Love, No Drama: The Music of Mary J. Blige was published by University of Texas Press in 2016.

Danny Alexander hosts a Kick Out the Jams Release Party, Tuesday, August 15, at 7:00 PM at The Warwick Theatre, 3927 Main Street, KCMO.

Danny Alexander, Thanks for being with us as today on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Selected writings on three decades of popular music from Dave Marsh, one of the most influential critics of his generation.

KICK OUT THE JAMS
Jibes, Barbs, Tributes, and Rallying Cries from 35 Years of Music Writing
By Dave Marsh
Edited by Daniel Wolff and Danny Alexander

ABOUT KICK OUT THE JAMS

In the 2020s, it may seem absurd that there was a time when rock and its audiences were not taken seriously, were mocked and even criminalized, and a fighting matter. Dave Marsh, one of the most influential critics of his generation, came up in those times, and this collection, among its many virtues, argues for the value and possibility of rock, soul, and rap music.

Dave Marsh was a founding editor for Creem magazine, featured Rolling Stone writer and other publications, and acclaimed music critic. Spanning three decades worth of astute, acerbic, and overall astounding music writing, KICK OUT THE JAMS is the first large-scale anthology of the work of Dave Marsh – offering some of his best writing from the mid-1980s through the 2010s. Ranging from Elvis Presley to Kurt Cobain, from Nina Simone to Ani DiFranco, from the Beatles to Green Day, the book gives an opinionated, eye-opening overview of 20th century popular music—offering a portrait not just of an era but of a writer wrestling with the American empire.

Every essay bears the distinct Dave Marsh attitude and voice. That passion is evident in a heart-wrenching piece on Cobain’s suicide and legacy; a humorous attack on “Bono’s bullshit;” an indignant look at James Brown and the FBI; deep, revelatory probes into the work of under appreciated artists like Patty Griffin and Alejandro Escovedo; and inspiring insight into what drives Marsh as a writer, namely “a raging passion to explain things in the hope that others would not be trapped and to keep the way clear so that others from the trashy outskirts of barbarous America still had a place to stand—if not in the culture at large, at least in rock and roll.”

If you want to explore the recent history of pop music—its politics as well as its performers—Kick Out the Jams is the perfect guidebook.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dave Marsh was among the first editors of Creem magazine and wrote extensively for Rolling Stone and other publications. He has authored twenty-five books, including two bestselling biographies of Bruce Springsteen, Before I Get Old: The Story of the Who, and The Heart of Rock & Soul: the 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made. Marsh cofounded the newsletter Rock & Rap Confidential and currently hosts Kick Out the Jams and other programs on SiriusXM.

ABOUT THE EDITORS

Daniel Wolff
Grammy-nominated author Daniel Wolff has published six books of award-winning non-fiction, from You Send Me, a biography of singer Sam Cooke, to How To Become an American: A History if Immigration, Assimilation, and Loneliness. He worked with Dave Marsh on Rock & Rap Confidential, has published four volumes of poetry, produced a number of documentary films, and written collaboratively with musicians, choreographers, sculptors, and scientists.

Danny Alexander
For over thirty years, Danny Alexander served as Associate Editor for Rock & Rap Confidential while also writing for, among others, Kansas City’s Pitch and the Kansas City Star. Alexander teaches the Literature of American Popular Music at Johnson County Community College. His book Real Love, No Drama: The Music of Mary J. Blige was published by University of Texas Press in 2016. He blogs at http://takeemastheycome.blogspot.com/

11:15

Patti Griffin – “Flaming Road”
from: Flaming Road / A&M Records / June 23, 1998
[Patricia Jean Griffin was born March 16, 1964. She is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. She is a vocalist and plays guitar and piano. She is known for her stripped-down songwriting style in the folk music genre. Her songs have been covered by numerous musicians, including Emmylou Harris, Ellis Paul, Kelly Clarkson, Rory Block, Dave Hause, Sugarland, Bette Midler and The Chicks. // In 2007, Griffin received the Artist of the Year award from the Americana Music Association, and her album Children Running Through won the award for Best Album. In 2011, Griffin’s album Downtown Church won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Gospel Album and her 2019 self-titled album won the Grammy Award for Best Folk Album. // Griffin is from Old Town, Maine, United States, next to the Penobscot Native American reservation. The youngest child in her family, with six older siblings, she bought a guitar for $50 at age 16. She sang and played but had no inclination to become a professional musician. After a 6-year marriage, which ended in 1994, Griffin began playing in Boston coffee houses and was “scouted” by A&M Records, which signed her on the strength of her demo tape. When the finished studio recordings were submitted to A&M, the company executives thought it was overproduced, so producer Nile Rodgers and A&M instead released a stripped-down reworking of her demo tape as the album Living with Ghosts.// Griffin’s second album, Flaming Red, released in 1998, was a departure from the acoustic sound of Living with Ghosts, with a mix of mellow songs and high-tempo rock and roll songs. The title track, “Flaming Red”, is an example of the latter, beginning with an even beat until it increases to a fevered pitch of emotion. Another song from the album, “Tony”, is also featured on the charity benefit album Live in the X Lounge. // Her third album, Silver Bell, has a sound similar to its predecessor. It was released by A&M in 2013, 13 years after it was recorded (and well after bootlegged copies had been circulated). A&M dropped Griffin’s contract after Silver Bell was recorded, and she was then signed by Dave Matthews’s ATO Records. Griffin re-recorded songs from that album for later releases, such as “Making Pies”, “Mother of God”, “Standing”, and “Top of the World”. Copies of the unreleased Silver Bell were leaked and bootlegged and can be easily acquired by the B&P (blanks and postage) method on message boards. In August 2013, it was announced that UMe planned to release Silver Bell, mixed by producer Glyn Johns, in October 2013. // Four albums followed on ATO: 1000 Kisses (2002), A Kiss in Time (2003), Impossible Dream (2004), and Children Running Through (2007). // In 2004, Griffin toured with Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings as the Sweet Harmony Traveling Revue. On February 6, 2007, she released Children Running Through. The album debuted at number 34 on the Billboard 200, with 27,000 copies sold. Of the album, Griffin told Gibson Lifestyle, “I just kind of felt like singing what I wanted to sing, and playing how I wanted to play. It’s not all dark and tragic. It’s a different way for me to look at things. Getting old—older, I should say, I’m not so serious all the time.” It was also said that the album was inspired by her childhood.// Griffin’s songs have been recorded by numerous artists, including the Irish-born singer Maura O’Connell (“Long Ride Home”), Linda Ronstadt (“Falling Down”), The Chicks (“Truth No. 2”, “Top of the World”, “Let Him Fly”, “Mary”), Bette Midler, Melissa Ferrick and Missy Higgins (“Moses”), Beth Nielsen Chapman, Christine Collister, and Mary Chapin Carpenter (“Dear Old Friend”), Jessica Simpson (“Let Him Fly”), Martina McBride (“Goodbye”), Emmylou Harris (“One Big Love”, “Moon Song”), Bethany Joy Galeotti (“Blue Sky”), the Wreckers (“One More Girl”), Keri Noble and Ruthie Foster (“When It Don’t Come Easy”), Joan Osborne (“What You Are”), Solomon Burke (“Up to the Mountain”), and Miranda Lambert (“Getting Ready”). Kelly Clarkson performed “Up to the Mountain” with Jeff Beck on guitar, accompanied by some orchestration on the “Idol Gives Back” episode of American Idol, and the live recording was released as a single immediately afterwards, reaching number 56 on the Billboard Hot 100 in its first week and giving Griffin her highest-charting position as a songwriter. (The audience gave Clarkson a standing ovation following her performance.) Griffin’s version of the song was featured in episode 11 of the fourth season of the ABC television show Grey’s Anatomy.]

10:17 – More Interview with Danny Alexander

Danny Alexander shares details about a new book he co-edited called KICK OUT THE JAMS Jibes, Barbs, Tributes, and Rallying Cries from 35 Years of Music Writing by Dave Marsh. Dave Marsh was among the first editors of Creem magazine and wrote extensively for Rolling Stone and other publications. He has authored twenty-five books. Marsh cofounded the newsletter Rock & Rap Confidential and currently hosts Kick Out the Jams on SiriusXM.

For over thirty years, Danny Alexander served as Associate Editor for Rock & Rap Confidential while also writing for, among others, Kansas City’s Pitch and the Kansas City Star. Alexander teaches the Literature of American Popular Music at Johnson County Community College. His book Real Love, No Drama: The Music of Mary J. Blige was published by University of Texas Press in 2016.

Danny Alexander hosts a Kick Out the Jams Release Party, Tuesday, August 15, at 7:00 PM at The Warwick Theatre, 3927 Main Street, KCMO.

Danny Alexander, Thanks for being with us as today on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Praise for Dave Marsh and Kick Out the Jams

“Throughout [Kick Out the Jams], Marsh’s deep passion for the music and the artists he writes about provides a bassline of energy and excitement. The author breathes new insight into well-known artists and provides avenues of discovery for new music while maintaining humor and heart…Heartfelt and often amusing, these essays will have you reaching into your record collection to listen with fresh ears.” — Kirkus Reviews

“I regarded Dave Marsh as a teacher right away. With Dave, it’s emotional, it’s personal. He draws people together on an emotional as well as an intellectual level.” — Jackson Browne

“Not only is Dave Marsh a great writer, a great person, life-giving lover, a great friend, and a wordsmith, but he has great insight into the music business, connecting the dots, defining things for me.” — Dion
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“One of the striking things about Dave Marsh, right off the bat, is his emotional involvement. It’s fun to sit down and talk with him about music.” —Patty Griffin

“Dave Marsh has always been a tireless advocate of justice, human rights, and rock’n’roll. His pen and voice are an important player in the history of the music we love and the struggle for a more just and decent world.” — Tom Morello

“Dave Marsh has always been vociferously a champion of equal rights in music writing and of viewing music outside of the segregationist categories formed by the music industry and too often the music press. He’s just a great writer.” — Ann Powers, author of Weird Like Us and Good Booty

“I connected to Dave because I knew he felt about music the way I felt about it. It was life sustaining. It was central to your existence.” — Bruce Springsteen

“The impact of Dave Marsh seeped into my critical consciousness early on. He was the kind of leader in the field who pushed to see the critical conversation be democratized and inclusive and incredibly diverse.” — Greg Tate, author of Flyboy in the Buttermilk

“Dave was just full on, 100%, tying together art and politics, which of course are really tethered anyway. He was the embodiment of that.” — Steven Van Zandt

ABOUT THE BOOK
Kick Out the Jams: Jibes, Barbs, Tributes, and Rallying Cries from 35 Years of Music Writing
By Dave Marsh
August 15, 2023
Hardcover, 336 pages, $28.99
HC ISBN: 9781982197162 | eISBN: 9781982197186 | Audio: 9781797160788

Danny Alexander, Thanks for being with us as today on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Danny Alexander teaches the Literature of American Popular Music at Johnson County Community College. His book Real Love, No Drama: The Music of Mary J. Blige was published by University of Texas Press in 2016.

Danny Alexander hosts a Kick Out the Jams Release Party, Tuesday, August 15, at 7:00 PM at The Warwick Theatre, 3927 Main Street, KCMO.

He blogs at http://takeemastheycome.blogspot.com/

11:25

Sly & The Family Stone – “Everyday People”
from: Stand! (Bonus Track Edition) [2007 Remaster] / Sony Records / May 3, 1969
[“Everyday People” is a 1968 song composed by Sly Stone and first recorded by his band, Sly and the Family Stone. It was the first single by the band to go to number one on the Soul singles chart and the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.[2] It held that position on the Hot 100 for four weeks, from February 9 to March 8, 1969, and is remembered as one of the most popular songs of the 1960s. Billboard ranked it as the No. 5 song of 1969. // This section possibly contains original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed. (May 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) // The song is one of Sly Stone’s pleas for peace and equality between differing races and social groups, a major theme and focus for the band. The Family Stone featured white members Greg Errico and Jerry Martini in its lineup, as well as females Rose Stone and Cynthia Robinson; making it an early major integrated band in rock history. Sly and the Family Stone’s message was about peace and equality through music, and this song reflects the same. // Unlike the band’s more typically funky and psychedelic records, “Everyday People” is a mid-tempo number with a more mainstream pop feel. Sly, singing the main verses for the song, explains that he is “no better / and neither are you / we are the same / whatever we do.” // Sly’s sister Rose Stone sings bridging sections (using the cadence of the “na-na na-na boo-boo” children’s taunt) that mock the futility of people hating each other for being tall, short, rich, poor, fat, skinny, white, black, or anything else. The bridges of the song contain the line “different strokes for different folks”, which became a popular catchphrase in 1969 (and inspired the name of the later television series, Diff’rent Strokes). Rose’s singing ends each part of the bridge with the words: “And so on, and so on, and scooby dooby doo”. // During the chorus, all of the singing members of the band (Sly, Rosie, Larry Graham, and Sly’s brother Freddie Stone) proclaim that “I am everyday people,” meaning that each of them (and each listener as well) should consider himself or herself as parts of one whole, not of smaller, specialized factions. // Bassist Larry Graham contends that the track featured the first instance of the “slap bass technique”, which would become a staple of funk and other genres. The technique involves striking a string with the thumb of the right hand (or left hand, for a left-handed player) so that the string collides with the frets, producing a metallic “clunk” at the beginning of the note. Later slap bass songs – for example, Graham’s performance on “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again)” – expanded on the technique, incorporating a complementary “pull” or “pop” component. // “Everyday People” was included on the band’s classic album Stand! (1969), which sold over three million copies. It is one of the most covered songs in the band’s repertoire, with versions by the Winstons, Aretha Franklin, the Staple Singers, William Bell, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, the Supremes and the Four Tops, Peggy Lee, Belle & Sebastian, Pearl Jam, and Nicole C. Mullen, Ta Mara and the Seen and many others. Hip-hop group Arrested Development used the song as the basis of their 1992 hit, “People Everyday”, which reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 8 on the Hot 100. Dolly Parton’s previously unreleased 1980 cover of the song was included as a bonus track on the 2009 reissue of her 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs album. Rolling Stone ranked “Everyday People” as No. 145 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. “Everyday People” was prominently featured in a series of Toyota commercials in the late 1990s as part of their “Everyday” slogan campaign. In 2021, the song appeared in another TV commercial, this time for Aspen Dental. // The third verse of Sly and the Family Stone’s 1969 “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”, a No. 1 hit by February 1970, references the titles of “Everyday People” and several of the band’s other successful songs.]

11:30 – Underwriting

11:32 – Interview with Michael B. Tipton

We are happy to welcome back to the show Michael B. Tipton who was actually one of our very first guests on Wednesday MidDay Medley back in 2004 the year this show first went on the air. Michael join us back then to talk about his band Tabla Rasa. Over the years Michael has been a part of some of our most played Kansas City area bands including Molly Picture Club and Kodascope.
.
Michael B Tipton is a seasoned singer-songwriter who has performed for audiences nationwide for over 26 years. With a remarkable versatility across genres like folk, country, electronic, indie rock, and hard rock, his compositions are written to be adapted to various musical styles. Michael made his mark as a member of acclaimed bands: Tabla Rasa (1999-2005), 5 Defy (2006-2008), Molly Picture Club (2009-2013), and Kodascope (2013-2016). He is also the driving force behind Found A Job, a popular 8-piece tribute to Talking Heads since 2012, where he embodies David Byrne’s essence.

Michael B. Tipton joins us today to shares his new single, “Scoundrel” to be released August 18, 2023. “Scoundrel” is from Michael’s new solo album, OUT OF THE WOODS, to be release in October. More info at: @michaelbtiptonmusic

Michael B. Tipton, Thanks for being with us as today on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Meet Michael B Tipton, a seasoned American singer-songwriter who has performed for audiences nationwide for over 26 years. With a remarkable versatility across genres like folk, country, electronic, indie rock, and hard rock, his compositions are written to be adapted to various musical styles. Michael made his mark as a member of acclaimed bands such as Tabla Rasa(1999-2005), 5 Defy (2006-2008), Molly Picture Club (2009-2013), and Kodascope (2013-2016).

He is also the driving force behind Found A Job, a popular 8-piece tribute to Talking Heads since 2012, where he embodies David Byrne’s essence.

In addition to his live performances, Michael’s songwriting prowess has earned him placements on notable TV shows like “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” and various Discovery Channel segments. With an extraordinary ability to connect through heartfelt lyrics, captivating melodies, and a solid beat, Michael B Tipton continues to enchant audiences with his music. Stay tuned as this artist ventures into new musical horizons.

BIO – New Music: Out Of The Woods
After enduring a prolonged songwriting drought, Tipton found solace in the music of his upbringing—Asleep At The Wheel, Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys, Ernest Tubb, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and George Jones. This rediscovery sparked a creative surge, resulting in a collection of heartfelt songs. Scheduled for release in the fall of 2023, “Out of The Woods” captures Tipton’s revival and showcases his storytelling. As Tipton explains, it’s the most personal and coherent set of songs he’s written to date.

11:41

Michael B. Tipton – “Scoundrel”
from: Scoundrel / August 18, 2023 / January 31, 2023
[Recorded & Produced by Duane Trower at Weights & Measures Soundlab, Kansas City, MO. Musicians: Michael B Tipton on vocals, guitars, percussion; Aaron “Big Al” Lewis on Bass;| Justin Danner on Drums; Matt Smithmier on Mandolin; Jace Hughes on Electric Guitar; Brad King on Slide Guitar; Mallory Edson on Fiddle; Devon Teran on Pedal Steel Guitar; Nate Holt on Organ, Piano; Kate Valliere on Backing Vocals. // Michael B Tipton is a seasoned singer-songwriter who has performed for audiences nationwide for over 26 years. With a remarkable versatility across genres like folk, country, electronic, indie rock, and hard rock, his compositions are written to be adapted to various musical styles. Michael made his mark as a member of acclaimed bands: Tabla Rasa (1999-2005), 5 Defy (2006-2008), Molly Picture Club (2009-2013), and Kodascope (2013-2016). He is also the driving force behind Found A Job, a popular 8-piece tribute to Talking Heads since 2012, where he embodies David Byrne’s essence.]

11:47 – More Interview with Michael B. Tipton

We are talking with Michael B. Tipton who joins us today to shares his new single, “Scoundrel” to be released August 18, 2023. “Scoundrel” is from Michael’s new solo album, OUT OF THE WOODS, to be release in October. More info at: @michaelbtiptonmusic

Michael B. Tipton, Thanks for being with us as today on Wednesday MidDay Medley

“The title ‘Out of the Woods,’ has a double meaning for me. It’s both a recurring theme for the lyrics and itspeaks to an acoustic-heavy instrumentation, which is the literal meaning because the music is coming outof the woods.” Tipton pulled in long-time collaborators and newfound friends from the KC music scene tohelp him bring his album to life. This is Tipton’s first album under his name, even though he has released 7albums and 6 EPs over the years. It is scheduled for release Friday, October 13, 2023.

Recorded & Produced by Duane Trower at Weights & Measures Soundlab, KC, MO

Michael B. Tipton, Thanks for being with us as today on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Listen To Songs at Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/ryYYn
Bandcamp / Videos + Social @michaelbtiptonmusic

10:50

Youth Lagoon – “Prizefighter” (radio edit)
from: Heaven is a Junkyard / Fat Possum Records / June 9, 2023
[Youth Lagoon is amidst “a striking reclamation of artistic identity” (Pitchfork). The cherished project of Trevor Powers released “Prizefighter,” the new single/video from his album (and Youth Lagoon’s first in eight years), Heaven Is a Junkyard, on Fat Possum, with a massive tour of North America, his first in 8 years, and will be playing songs from his entire catalog. Following lead single, “Idaho Alien,” “one of Powers’ best feats of songwriting to date”(Paste), “Prizefighter” explores the bond between two brothers, leaving undefined what is fact and what is fiction. // Powers explains:”4 years ago, I started writing a song about brothers. I grew up with 3 of them, so our house was doomsday but with more sugar cereal. Our love was strong and so was our barbarity. It was real joy — the kind you didn’t have to look for cuz it smacked you in the face or pushed you off the bed into a file cabinet. Beyond that, we were homeschooled. 4 fuckin’ weirdos home all day who adored each other and hated each other and played baseball everyday in the backyard and threw rocks at each other’s heads and laughed ’till we threw up. Our bond is forever. That song I started those years ago meant too much to me to finish. I was scared of it. Scared of not making it great… so I tabled it. // A couple weeks before leaving to make the record, I went through some old voice memos while watching a VHS of Drugstore Cowboy. I listened to that 30-second sketch called “Prizefighter.” It was like an angel fell from the sky to tell me how to finish it. “Don’t make it great,” she said. “Make it true.” I finished the song in 2 days.” // Throughout Heaven Is A Junkyard, Powers stitches together a lyrical style that feels both punk and western. With whispers of country, Heaven Is a Junkyard is mutant Americana in a world of love, drugs, storytelling, and miracles — held together by Powers’ voice and an upright piano. In Powers’ own words, “Heaven Is a Junkyard is about all of us. It’s stories of brothers leaving for war, drunk fathers learning to hug, mothers falling in love, neighbors stealing mail, cowboys doing drugs, friends skipping school, me crying in the bathtub, dogs catching rabbits, and children playing in tall grass.” ]

11:54

Sara Swenson – “Transitions”
from: Runway Lights / Sara Swenson / July 15, 2014
[Sara Swenson released the single, “The Moment You Fall Asleep” on Friday, June 4, 2021. These follow an earlier release this year called “I Wont Let You Feel Alone” that Sara wrote and is featured in her husband Michael Price’s film “The Hidden Pandemic” that aired on Kansas City PBS, about the mental health crisis in KC. The song and the film also features Mark Lowrey’s piano playing. To see a trailer for “The Hidden Pandemic” you can visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nkd7046rPtU. Critically acclaimed singer songwriter Sara Swenson has released some of our most played and favorite recordings of the last 18 years. Her self titled debut album was at the top of our list of WMM’s 100 Best Recordings of 2009. In 2010 Sara Swenson released her second full length recording, “All Things Big and Small” again working with Don Chaffer in Nashville who added new layers to Sara’s great songs and voice. In November of 2011, Sara released her 5 song EP called “Never Left My Mind,” featuring her band at the time, The Pearl Snaps. In that time frame, she also picked up two Kansas City Singer-Songwriter of the Year awards, performed with Sarah McLachlan’s Lilith Fair, and placed a song on the season finale of ABC’s “Private Practice.” Then after the school year ended in 2012, Sara Swenson left her job as a High School English and Journalism Teacher in Platte County High School, and left the Kansas City music scene, and flew off to the United Kingdom, where she got married. In the spring of 2014, Sara returned to Kansas City and performed for the Folk Alliance International Conference. On July 18, 2014 she released her 4th album, RUNWAY LIGHTS that captures snapshots of her 18-month experience of living abroad, moving from dating, to marriage, and sorting through the accompanying transitions and emotions. Produced by Don Chaffer in Nashville. Since 2014 Sara has performed less frequently and has been raising her family. More info at: http://www.saraswenson.com]

[Sara Swenson plays Knuckleheads Saloon in The Gospel Lounge, 2715 Rochester Street, KCMO, on Saturday, August 12, at 8:00 PM with Banjo Kelly Hunt.]

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

Next week on August 16 we welcome Asian Rap Music Wunderkind…. JNabe, at 11:00 the Sisters of Black Mariah Theater join us LIVE in our 90.1 FM Studios, AND at 11:30 our friend Jocelyn Olivia Nixin of The Creepy Jingles shares all the details about a Fundraiser for Amplify Lawrence at The Bottleneck, Saturday, August 26 at 6:00 PM with The Creepy Jingles, MellowPhobia, Lyxe, and DJ Romance and drag performances by Kansas Campbell-Mykals, Ms. Amanda Love and Jeni Tonic co-sponsored by Amplify Lawrence, Lawrence Pride, I Heart Local Music, KJHK 90.7 Lawrence, Manor Records and High Dive Records.

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 #1006

WMM presents: Danny Alexander & Kick Out The Jams! + Michael B. Tipton + Mark Meisenheimer & “Quindaro Ruins” + New & MidCoastal Releases

Posted on August 7, 2023 by Mark Manning

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, August 9, 2023

Danny Alexander & Kick Out The Jams! + Michael B. Tipton + Mark Meisenheimer & “Quindaro Ruins” + New & MidCoastal Releases

Mark spins more New & MidCoastal Releases from: Jass & The Boys, Cuee, Lava Dreams, Jean Claude & The Eclairs, Janelle Monae, Chris Hazelton, Seyko, Michael Tipton, Sara Swenson, Joanna Sternberg, Obongjayar, Big Thief, Youth Lagoon, and Corrine Bailey Rae. We’ll also play MC5, Patty Griffin and Sly & The Family Stone.

At 10:30, we talk with Mark Meisenheimer about his new documentary film “Quindaro Ruins”. Once an Underground Railroad site in Kansas, what’s left of “Old Quindaro” not only fights to be relevant in the narratives of Kansas City 19th Century History, but its residents fight for its neighborhood’s existence. The Quindaro Ruins, once slated to be part of a landfill, is surrounded by a predominantly African-American neighborhood that has been disinvested and disenfranchised. The film showcases the struggle of many community members to keep its history alive. Mark Meisenheimer is a former TV journalist who worked in TV News for 12-years. “Quindaro Ruins” won the Award for Exceptional Excellence at the Docs without Borders International Film Festival-Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The film has also been shown at Kansas City FilmFest International, the Filmteenth International Film Festival in Bethesda, Maryland, and is scheduled for National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Film Festival in Church Creek, Maryland. More info at: https://youtu.be/ETbrn75Qf7o

At 11:00 Danny Alexander shares details about a new book he co-edited called KICK OUT THE JAMS Jibes, Barbs, Tributes, and Rallying Cries from 35 Years of Music Writing by Dave Marsh. Dave Marsh was among the first editors of Creem magazine and wrote extensively for Rolling Stone and other publications. He has authored twenty-five books. Marsh cofounded the newsletter Rock & Rap Confidential and currently hosts Kick Out the Jams on SiriusXM. For over thirty years, Danny Alexander served as Associate Editor for Rock & Rap Confidential while also writing for, among others, Kansas City’s Pitch and the Kansas City Star. Alexander teaches the Literature of American Popular Music at Johnson County Community College. His book Real Love, No Drama: The Music of Mary J. Blige was published by University of Texas Press in 2016. He blogs at http://takeemastheycome.blogspot.com/ Danny Alexander hosts a Kick Out the Jams Release Party, Tuesday, August 15, at 7:00 PM at The Warwick Theatre, 3927 Main Street, KCMO.

At 11:30 Michael B. Tipton shares his new single, “Scoundrel” to be released August 18, 2023. “Scoundrel” is from Michael’s new solo album, OUT OF THE WOODS, to be release in October. Michael B Tipton is a seasoned singer-songwriter who has performed for audiences nationwide for over 26 years. With a remarkable versatility across genres like folk, country, electronic, indie rock, and hard rock, his compositions are written to be adapted to various musical styles. Michael made his mark as a member of acclaimed bands: Tabla Rasa (1999-2005), 5 Defy (2006-2008), Molly Picture Club (2009-2013), and Kodascope (2013-2016). He is also the driving force behind Found A Job, a popular 8-piece tribute to Talking Heads since 2012, where he embodies David Byrne’s essence. More info at:
@michaelbtiptonmusic

On your local radio dial 90.1 FM or
STREAMING LIVE at: kkfi.org

Show #1006

WMM PLAYLIST from August 2, 2023 – Tillie Hall & Innovation Fest + Joy Zimmerman + Paris Williams + More New & MidCoastal Releases

Posted on August 3, 2023 by Mark Manning

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, August 2, 2023

Tillie Hall and Innovation Festival 2023+ Joy Zimmerman + Paris Williams + More New & MidCoastal Releases

“Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / December 20, 1979
[WMM’s Adopted Theme Song]

Calvin Arsenia – “Flying Monkeys”
from: Paradise / Calvin Arsenia / June 23, 2023
[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 VERY 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, 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 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 was on WMM on Feb. 15, April 12, Sept. 20, and Oct. 25 , 2017.

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 NY 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 plays 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 VERY GOOD BOY DOES FINE / Andrews McMeel Universal / Oct. 5, 2021a collection of Poetry & Prose More info at http://www.calvinarsenia.com

Shamir – “The Beginning”
from: “The Beginning” – Single / Kill Rock Stars / July 27, 2023
[Shapeshifting Philadelphia-via-Vegas artist Shamir shares a sentimental third and final single & video “The Beginning”from Homo Anxietatem the 9th album & debut for Kill Rock Stars out August 18, 2023. “The Beginning” dives into the missteps of a relationship gone by, while feeling emotionally trapped as time barrels forward. Opening with a jolting record scratch, then seamlessly flowing into a driving guitar strum, the building chorus evokes a nostalgia akin to the soundtrack of a coming-of-age film. With playful lyrical snacks like “I wish I could turn back time, just like Cher” to the painful reality check “we’re so caught up on having a happy ending…we forgot the beginning” – you can’t help but dance & cry along to Shamir’s ever poignant songwriting. The new track follows healing first single “Oversized Sweater”, bittersweet “Our Song”, and surprise release “Crime” featured in HBO’s Last Call: When a Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York. // Shamir (he/she/they) directed the hometown video filmed in Bartram’s Garden with musician friends, including members of the band Friendship and Accidental Popstar Records’ own Ladifa, saying “’The Beginning’ is a song I wrote when I was 14 years old and had never experienced love, yet I was already inundated by all the typical tropes. Even back then I realized a happy ending was contingent on a healthy beginning. The video represents the healing power of being around friends after a break up.” // Homo Anxietatem releases August 18, 2023 . For the 9th Shamir album in eight years, and his debut for the legendary Kill Rock Stars label, the shapeshifting songsmith tries on yet another shade of perfect popcraft. After a run of critically acclaimed heavy rock and industrial-tinged records, Shamir forms his literally unforgettable tunes into alternately subdued and soaring alt-pop. For a 28 year-old, Shamir’s amassed a huge body of work. His live show and recorded output are more closely aligned than ever, holding close to guitar-bass-drums combos. The songs are elemental, yet flawless in their own Shamir-ness. And with the studio polish provided by Hoost (Rina Sawayama, VC Pines), the barebones songwriting becomes the foundation for Shamir in a more introspective mode. This is what happens when one of the most prolific songwriters of a generation calms down a bit: the search for meaning becomes mundane. What happens when someone who lives a chronically unstable life finds solid ground? Well, out comes a perfect pop-punk-rock record. // All songs Written by Shamir Bailey with the exception of “Appetizer” written by Grant Pavol. // All songs Produced by Justin Tailor with the exception of “Appetizer” Produced by Grant Pavol and Justin Tailor and “Words” produced by Teddy Thompson. // All guitar, bass, and live instrument performed by Shamir Bailey and Justin Tailor with the exception of “Appetizer” guitar, bass, and drums performed by Grant Pavol and “Words” bass by Teddy Thompson. // All songs Mixed by Charlie McClean // Mastered by Amy Dragon.]

PJ Harvey – “Seem an I (Radio Edit)”
from: I Inside the Old Year Dying / Partisan Records / July 7, 2023
[The story behind PJ Harvey’s tenth album – I Inside the Old Year Dying – goes back six years to the end of touring around her previous record The Hope Six Demolition Project, and Harvey’s keen feeling that somewhere in the endless grueling cycle of albums and shows, she had lost her connection with music itself. “I was quite lost,” she says. “I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do: if I wanted to carry on writing albums and playing, or if it was time for a change in my life.” // Eventually (thankfully), she once again began to feel pulled in the direction of new songs, music, and sounds. The resulting body of work is audacious and original even by the standards of an artist who has always ensured that each phase of her progress has taken her somewhere new. Full of a sense of a cyclical return to new beginnings, it combines its creative daring with feelings of openness and invitation, in the most fascinating way. Collectively, the songs emerge as one of the most powerful and arresting statements of Harvey’s career. // Anchored by her nearly thirty-year creative partnership with her most trusted, long-term musical associates John Parish and Flood, Harvey set out with an explicit mission: to avoid anything reminiscent of their musical past. She draws on the creative freedom she had felt in past musical work on soundtracks, and in the theater. Her perspective shifts away from the big themes of previous albums Let England Shake and Hope Six (“looking out, at war, politics, the world”), towards something more intimate, eerie, and human. “I instinctively needed a change of scale,” she says. “There was a real yearning in me to change it back to something really small – so it comes down to one person, one wood, a village.” Meanwhile, her voice has become, if anything, a more intensely pure instrument over the years. // With I Inside the Old Year Dying, Harvey builds a sonic universe somehow located in a space between life’s opposites, something embodied by Wyman-Elvis, a Christ-like presence in some of the songs who symbolizes the thin line between life and death – and, for that matter, between recent history and the ancient past. Scattered with biblical imagery and references to Shakespeare, all these distinctions ultimately dissolve into something profoundly uplifting and redemptive. “I’m somewhere where I’ve not been before,” Harvey says. “What’s above, what’s below, what’s old, what’s new, what’s night, what’s day? It’s all the same, really – and you can enter it and get lost. And that’s what I wanted to do with the record, with the songs, with the sound, with everything.” // PJ Harvey has commanded attention since the start of her career and is the only musician to have been awarded the UK’s Mercury Music Prize more than once, winning first in 2001 for Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea and again in 2011 for Let England Shake. An accomplished poet and visual artist, as well as a musician and songwriter, her work is striking in its originality: vivid, absorbing and distinct. Since the release of The Hope Six Demolition Project, which went to #1 album in her native UK, she has contributed compositions for stage and screen; most recently for Sharon Horgan’s acclaimed Bad Sisters mini-series.]

Jo Mackenzie – “Metaverse”
from: “Metaverse” – Single / Middle of The Map Music / July 21, 2023
[Follow up to her last single, “Radiator” released on May 27, 2022. Before that on March 11, 2022, Jo Mackenzie (producer and songwriter) released the EP, TOURIST. Last year, Jo Mackenzie and 19 year old Dia Jane (singer/songwriter) released the EP, BRAINBABY on September 5, 2021. The two met at an open mic in Kansas City, Missouri, when Jo was in 8th grade and Dia was in 10th grade. Three years later, the two reconnected to started a musical project together that eventually turned into Baby and the Brain, a self-produced indie-pop band. In 2020 Kansas City based singer songwriter, Jo MacKenzie released this year now collected together in a 5 -song EP, written, performed and produced by Jo MacKenzie. Mixed by Harper James. Jo MacKenzie released her Debut EP Proud on November 17, 2018. Along with Proud, Jo Mackenzie released the single “Just Like Rain” on August 18, 2018; “I Should Come with a Warning Sign” on September 28, 2019; and “Alaska” on November 23, 2019 and the single “Suicide Season” on February 1, 2020, and the single “Lose My Face” on April 24, 2020. Info at http://www.jomackenzie.com]

Silicone Prairie – “Elysian Fields”
from: Vol. II / Feel It Records / July 28, 2023
[Ever since releasing ‘My Life on the Silicone Prairie Vol. I’ in 2021, Ian Teeple has been riding a creative high. Whether you’ve noticed his incredible visual art, witnessed the cathartic Silicone Prairie live band, or know Ian as the newest member of Snõõper – his driving, free-spirited energy abounds. Silicone Prairie have transcended landlocked guitar punk/jangle into new realms on Vol. II. The album manages to color outside the lines of genre, blurring worlds of sound together beautifully. Cloudy bedroom pop tangles with fields of flute, warbled tape editing, thick fuzzed guitars, and a sage sense of introversion. ‘My Life on the Silicone Prairie Vol. II’ is a deeply personal, ethereal ride through the mind of Ian Teeple, joined by friends from Kansas City and abroad. // “You can’t really listen to Silicone Prairie on record without noticing the laborious production and limber musicianship. Take for one, the way organized horns and muffled jungle beast roars harmoniously make themselves adjacent. Or the polarity of the bass and guitar, the grace of every instrument when it peeps. It has a raw edge though, the idiom and architecture does not impede the visceral, emotional content. It’s about form AND heart AND realness, the more rigorous AND open AND boiled down, the more wrenching. It communicates in introspections and outbursts. The vocal can lilt with melancholy only to turn with smug angst within a phrase. For all its forethought, the end result pends until the application of the last stroke. There is nuance and humanity in this, there is aim and aimlessness, side by side and both fully present. Like Ayers or Newell or Stamey. Like Carole King or Abba or Don Mclean in the power pop Olympics, and then closed off and difficult and foaming at the mouth. See: bittersweet folk unknowns, reprobate bedroom glammists, serpentine flight simulators, or synchronized swimmers.” -Joe Chamandy (Celluloid Lunch) // Recorded in 2021 & 2022 at Troost House by Shoutsie on the Tascam 388, then something snapped I couldn’t fix. Serpent, Willkommen + Cows recorded in the Winkler-verse. // Kyle Rausch plays drums on Elysian Fields; Leslie Butsch plays sax on Mirror on the Wall, Neon Moon, and Elysian Fields (on which she also sings.) Lina Dannov plays the flute on Mirror on the Wall. Duet on The Minotaur and Deutschspraching is Johann Schreier. Intro Segura Como La Leche by Esli Meuly. Buz Clatworthy plays the 12 string guitar on Elysian Fields. Without them I wouldn’t have made this record.]

Maria The Mexican – “Crazy World”
from: “Crazy World” – Single / Maria The Mexican / August 11, 2023
[Maria The Mexican guitarist Garrett Nordstrom writes to us that: “Maria has been working on a full length record since before the pandemic and it is complete. She is going to take the route of releasing a few singles before a full length release and we are hoping you will consider the 1st single, “Crazy World.” // She has been doing a monthly matinee show at the Ship and will be promoting her 8/11 performance as a single release. It will receive a digital platform release and be accompanied by a video as well.]

[Maria The Mexican plays The Ship at 1217 Union Ave. KCMO, West Bottoms, August 11, 2023.]

Robert Finley – “What Goes Around Comes Around”
from: Black Bayou / Easy Eye Sound – Concord / October 27, 2023
[The 69 year opld soul singer-songwriter returns with a Dan Auerbach-produced album: a swaggering tour de force of Blues, Soul, and Funk sharing stories from the swamps of Louisiana his timeless tales of srviving love, betrayal, and alligators cements him as one of the last true bluesman of his time. // Robert Finley announces his third studio album Black Bayou, set for release October 27 on Easy Eye Sound / Concord. Finley is joined again by frequent collaborator and producer Dan Auerbach for a thundering, swaggering record that tells Finley’s story of his life in the bayou of Louisiana. Finley also releases his first track “What Goes Around (Comes Around)” – a sweltering, swampy rock track that shows off Finley’s smooth-as-whiskey vocals. // Of the track Finley states, “You gotta reap what you sow…do to another what you would have done to you. Be real, tell the truth. For all those out there hurting, you just have to keep the faith. I’ve seen it over the years, especially with my career — you got to put joy out into the world and it will come back. It’s never been anything short of the truth for me.” // Black Bayou, Finley’s third studio album, is a portrait of Louisiana from an insider who’s lived there all his life and coalesces all of the vibrant genres bubbling in the bayou from gospel, blues, rock and roll and more. With this Auerbach-produced album, they created a vivid collection of songs that depict life in North Louisiana, with Finley playing the role of charismatic and knowledgeable tour guide. // “It’s amazing to realize how much of an impact Louisiana has had on the world’s music,” says Auerbach, “and Robert embodies all of that. He can play a blues song. He can play early rock and roll. He can play gospel. He can do anything, and a lot of that has to do with where he’s from.” Finley recorded Black Bayou at producer Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound Studio in Nashville. // It’s the fourth time the duo have worked together, although for this record they did things a little differently. Rather than write songs beforehand—as they did on 2017’s Goin’ Platinum and 2021’s Sharecropper’s Son—they devised everything in the studio, with Auerbach leading a band of some of the finest players around: drummers Patrick Carney (The Black Keys) and Jeffrey Clemens (Ani DiFranco, G. Love & Special Sauce), bassist Eric Deaton, and legendary Hill Country blues guitarist Kenny Brown along with vocalists Christy Johnson and LaQuindrelyn McMahon—who just happen to be Finley’s daughter and granddaughter. They worked quickly, devising their parts spontaneously and getting everything in one take. “I started singing, and they started playing,” Finley explains. “That’s how we made the album. It wasn’t written out. Nobody used a pencil and paper. We just sang and played together in the studio.” // If Finley’s previous albums established him as a formidable blues and soul artist — overcoming losing his sight in his 60s to become a music star — Black Bayou reveals Finley as something even more distinctive: a truly original Louisiana storyteller who evokes the place and its unique culture for the rest of the world. Finley doesn’t plan to call any other place home. “I’m not interested in living in no big city,” he says. “There’s good places here for hunting and fishing. I can fall asleep in my yard or sleep out on my porch, and nobody’s gonna bother me. Nothing bad is gonna come and get me.” // Struggle and celebration commingle in the stories of Black Bayou. In everyday life death looms. Through the jaws of an alligator on “Alligator Bait,” where Finley shares a true tale of his grandfather using him as as bait to catch an alligator when he was a child or just the gradual pace of time, on “Nobody Wants To Be Lonely” a poignant track spotlighting the generation forgotten in nursing homes across the nation. On “Sneakin’ Around” or “Miss Kitty,” Finley’s tales of lust and love are a timeless induction into the canon of the blues tradition. In all, a collection set to establish Finley as perhaps one of the last true bluesmen of our time.]

10:29 – Underwriting

SPINE – “Raices”
from: RAICES / Convulse Records / June 30, 2023]
[KC hardcore band Spine just released its third LP, Raíces, via Denver label Convulse Records. Many of the lyrics are in Spanish and discuss vocalist Antonio Marquez’ struggles as the son of Cuban-American immigrants. // The album is 12 songs in 13 minutes and aside from featuring some of their best songs yet, there are samples of salsa music and voicemails from Antonio’s family. It was recorded by guitarist Alex Tunks in their Southwest Boulevard storage unit practice space. // We’re hoping to drum up some press in advance of their ch features a great mix of touring and local bands opening up. This is their 12th year as a band, which is pretty remarkable in the hardcore world. // Another possible peg is Antonio’s brother, Julian “The Cuban Missile Crisis” Marquez, who is a signed UFC fighter with a 9-4 pro record. He was signed in 2017 after a head kick knockout in a Contender Series match attended by Dana White and Snoop Dogg. // Longevity is rarely achieved in hardcore – but SPINE’s third LP, Raíces is a testament to a band as uncompromising and aggressive as they were over 10 years ago. In fact, Raíces may be the band’s most aggressive output to date, presenting the band’s usual blend of classic USHC and early west coast powerviolence at its most raw – tipping the scale to the latter influence. Lyrically, the record grapples with the interplay of heritage and identify, family, and world outlook in the face of oppressive governments. // With Raíces, Kansas City’s Spine becomes the rare hardcore band with three notable LPs. They enter the ranks of band’s like Gauze, Madball, Poison Idea, and Integrity, and further establish their legacy as one of the great aggressive bands of their era and of the Midwest. // On this recording, Spine was Antonio Marquez, Alex Tunks, Max Chaney and Dylan Bendetti. // Recorded and Mixed by Alex Tunks at The Space (Kansas City, MO) // Mastered by Will Killingsworth at Dead Air More info at: https://linktr.ee/spinecrew%5D

Raíces

Mira que bien hablas
What they say
Que bola asere
Is what I say

But in reality
It’s never enough
Mixed Identity
You don’t see me

Mira que bien hablas
What they say
Que bola asere
Is what I say

But in reality
It’s never enough
Mixed Identity
You don’t see me

Never accepted
I don’t fit in
Mixed identity
You will see me

[SPINE plays a RAÍCES Album Release show at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO on Saturday, August 5, Doors at 5:00 PM , Show at 6:00 PM with Candy Apple, World I Hate, The Consequence, Livid, Asbestos, PerfumeUSA, Madman, and Make No Mistake. This is an 18+ (All Ages with Legal Guardian) Presented by Kansas City hardcore, Shuttlecock Music Magazine, and Spine.]

Emmaline Twist – “ASPERA”
from: ASPERA” – Single / Black Site / July 1, 2022
[The band is Meredith McGrade on vocals & guitar, Kristin Conkright on bass, Jonathan Knecht on drums, Krysztof Nemeth on baritone guitar, and Alex Alexander recently joined the band on synthesizers & guitar. Emmaline Twist, is a Kansas City based Darkwave / Post-Punk / Shoegaze project. This is the second single from the band’s upcoming album release and follow up to the single “Drugs” released July 1, 2021. Their critically acclaimed debut LP, DISSIMULATION was released August 24, 2018 from Black-Site Records. That album was recorded, mixed, and produced at Massive Sound by Paul Malinowski, and Mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering. In 2017 the band released “Dissimulation 1,” 4 songs in digital format. This is their first single since their 2016 single release of “Vega” b/w “Moon Eyes.”]

[Emmaline Twist plays Innovation Festival 2023, for the Saturday, August 5, Beats Day Lineup, 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM at Crown Center 2450 Grand BLVD with Colony House, Dante Elephante, Mike Mains & the Branches, Harbour, Young Mister, Social Cinema, Mellowphobia, and Cory Phillips & the Band of Light.]

10:37 – Interview with Tillie Hall

KC based musician Tillie Hall of the band MellowPhobia joins us to talk about Innovation Festival 2023, August 3 thru August 5, 11:00 Am to 10:00 PM at Crown Center – The Saturday, August 5, Beats Day Lineup includes: Colony House, Dante Elephante, Mike Mains & the Branches, Harbour, Young Mister, Social Cinema, Mellowphobia, Cory Phillips & the Band of Light, and Emmaline Twist. More info at: http://www.theinnovationfestival.com.

We just hear their single, “Weekender” released July 1, 2022. MellowPhobia released the 4-track EP, IS THIS SEAT TAKEN?, on July 14, 2021. One of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2021.

MellowPhobia has a powerful landlocked surf rock sound. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the band relocated to Kansas City, Kansas and recorded 12 tracks full of energizing and driving alternative elements. MellowPhobia’s debut single “Jackal” showed an evolution of the MellowPhobia sound that blazed them into the Kansas City community, establishing themselves at music festivals and indie venues alike, and opening for national touring acts such as The Greeting Committee, The Regrettes, The Velveteers, Colony House, and more. Driving their way into 2023, “Jackal” surpassed 30,000 streams and Weekender passed 10,000, paving the way for future MellowPhobia releases.

Tillie Hall thanks for being with us on WMM.

This weekend MellowPhobia, plays the second annual Innovation Festival on August 3-5 at Crown Center 2450 Grand BLVD]

August 5 – Line Up – Music Line Up
4:00 PM – Social Cinema – Hill’s Pet Nutrition Stage
4:30 PM – Emmaline Twist – Kansas MFG Solutions Stage
5:00 PM – HARBOUR – Hill’s Pet Nutrition Stage
5:45 PM – Young Mister – Kansas MFG Solutions Stage
6:30 PM – MellowPhobia – Hill’s Pet Nutrition Stage
7:15 PM – Cory Phillips & The Band of Light – Kansas MFG Solutions Stage
7:45 PM – Mike Mains & The Branches – Hill’s Pet Nutrition Stage
8:30 PM – Dante Elephante – Kansas MFG Solutions Stage
7:35 PM – Colony House – Hill’s Pet Nutrition Stage

MellowPhobia were formed out of the indie alt-rock scene of Pittsburgh, PA.

Now residing in their home city of Kansas City, they continue to grow their audience producing a highly original sound that they describe as “landlocked surf rock”. With a love of the British sound, socially conscious lyrics, and hook laden tunes; the band will keep the crowd jumping and give them something to think about.

MellowPhobia released their 4-track EP, IS THIS SEAT TAKEN? on June 23, 2021 through Jackal And Hide Records.

Music and lyrics written by Tillie Alexandra Hall Produced by Tillie Alexandra Hall.

Recording Engineer: Justin Mantooth. Mastering Engineer: Pete Maher. Drums: Adam McKee. Illustrator: Jenifer Prince. More info at http://www.melloephobia.bandcamp.com

The band revolves around songwriter and guitarist Til who provides the distinctive vocals to all MellowPhobia tracks.

The year of the pandemic saw MellowPhobia creative force Til Hall go into the studio, hunker down and record 12 new tracks.

10:45

MellowPhobia – “Weekender”
from: “Weekender” – Single / Jackal And Hide Records / July 1, 2022
[Music and Lyrics by Tillie Alexandra Hall, Producer Tillie Alexandra Hall. Recording Engineering by Justin Mantooth. Mastering by Pete Maher. Adam McKee on drums. MellowPhobia were formed out of the indie alt-rock scene of Pittsburgh, PA. Now residing in their home city of Kansas City, producing a highly original sound that they describe as “landlocked surf rock”. Socially conscious lyrics, and hook laden tunes keeps the crowd jumping. The band revolves around songwriter and guitarist Til who provides the distinctive vocals to all MellowPhobia tracks. On June 23, 2021 MellowPhobia released their EP IS THIS SEAT TAKEN? This EP was pat of WMM’s 120 Best recordings of 2021. In July 2018 MelloPhobia released the 3-song EP LISTEN. More info: http://www.mellowphobia.com Tillie Alexandra Hall of MelloPhobia was our guest on WMM on Oct. 20, 2021.]

[MellowPhobia plays Innovation Festival 2023, for the Saturday, August 5, Beats Day Lineup, 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM at Crown Center 2450 Grand BLVD with Colony House, Dante Elephante, Mike Mains & the Branches, Harbour, Young Mister, Social Cinema, Mellowphobia, Cory Phillips & the Band of Light, and Emmaline Twist.]

10:49 – Interview with Tillie Hall

We are talking with Tillie Hall of MellowPhobia who joins us to talk about Innovation Festival 2023, August 3 thru August 5, 11:00 Am to 10:00 PM at Crown Center – The Saturday, August 5, Beats Day Lineup includes: Colony House, Dante Elephante, Mike Mains & the Branches, Harbour, Young Mister, Social Cinema, Mellowphobia, Cory Phillips & the Band of Light, and Emmaline Twist. More info at: http://www.theinnovationfestival.com

Tillie Hall thanks for being with us on WMM.

This weekend MellowPhobia, plays the second annual Innovation Festival on August 3-5 at Crown Center 2450 Grand BLVD]

Pittsburgh PA versus Kansas City, MO

Always ready for a collaboration, Til teamed up with Brazilian artist Jenifer Prince to create the striking cover for both “Jackal” and “Is This Seat Taken?”

The sophomore E.P. ‘Is this Seat Taken?’ includes four fresh tracks; Allie, LRH, MaryAnn Elizabeth, and Hide.

Tillie Hall thanks for being with us on WMM.

MellowPhobia plays Innovation Festival 2023, for the Saturday, August 5, Beats Day Lineup, 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM at Crown Center with Colony House, Dante Elephante, Mike Mains & the Branches, Harbour, Young Mister, Social Cinema, Mellowphobia, Cory Phillips & the Band of Light, and Emmaline Twist. More info at: http://www.mellowphobia.bandcamp.com

10:57

Cory Phillips & The Band of Light – “Fit You (Radio Edit)”
from: SEX THIRSTY LOVE HUNGER / Cory Phillips / May 21, 2021
[Cory Phillips is a sultry tenor & moody jet-setter who lights dangerous fires with erotic poetry and bedroom soul funk. Michael Hamm on guitar (Play Dead, the Band That Saved the World), Nate Holt on keyboards (Asterales, Approach), Mario Vlasic on bass, Chel Rich on drums (Half Tiger Half Bear, Red On Yellow, Stone Cutters Union) are the Band of Light. The group spans from southern rock to classic soul and disco to jazz in the same movement, mirroring Phillips’ fire dance with their own seasoned acrobatics. Their seductive live shows are consistently epic funk and disco parties, the excitement and prowl of which were miraculously captured on this new studio album. With SEX THIRSTY LOVE HUNGER, Cory Phillips & the Band of Light take us to their party, get us naked, and remind us that there is something perfectly spiritual in our appetite for hedonism.. // Cory Phillips definitely has something to prove. The entire collection is brimming with summer party gold. It’s been over 10 fast years since he released anything larger than a single, and this long-awaited follow up to Phillips’ self-titled 2009 debut is meant to make up for lost time. // When asked why it’s been so long, Phillips laughs it off, “No one was ready for this yet. I think people now are dying to groove and be sexual again.” // Phillips and his bands have played coast to coast for a decade, amassing fans drawn to his erotic singing and bedroom funk. Yet only the time that Covid-sequestering afforded him allowed for the definitive recording of his decade’s better work. // The new album is an effort in innovation. In the midst of the health crisis, new freedoms and limitations developed for the musician with a secret life pursuing his PhD in climatology at the University of Kansas. Gigs cancelled, tours off, Phillips converted part of his house into a recording studio and brought in his Lawrence/Kansas City-based ‘Band of Light’ along with wizard engineer Robert Rebeck (Tech N9ne) to complete the 14-song hitlist of retro-tinged solid gold. // Each song on the quasi-concept album is a testament to love and sex based on hard-lived experiences in Phillips’ own life: loves gained and lost, the joys and costs of being a habitual pleasure-seeker, longing and courtship, even carnal moments in real time. The content always exudes refined wisdom and sensitivity but dips into the dark waters of illicit love equally. The dirty bouquet of groove, funk, soul, and classic pop Phillips & the Band of Light developed is a horny blend of vintage spice. On this album the mature music man has learned how to communicate more info in his poems, and this book of songs is a tantalizing read at the turntable. // The album’s first single, “Fit You”, is a foray into their musical boudoir (dudeoir?). Evoking Sade and Michael Jackson, Phillips pits Feminism against Machismo as he tries to make sense of a friend/lover. Ultimately we discover which role wins, instinctively, as the song concludes with commanding sexuality.] [Cory Phillips and The Band of Light played an Album Release Party, Friday, May 21, at Replay Lounge 946 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS.]

[Cory Phillips & the Band of Light plays Innovation Festival 2023, for the Saturday, August 5, Beats Day Lineup, 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM at Crown Center 2450 Grand BLVD with Colony House, Dante Elephante, Mike Mains & the Branches, Harbour, Young Mister, Social Cinema, Mellowphobia, and Emmaline Twist.]

11:00 – Station ID

Joy Zimmerman – “Hoping For a Click”
from: WHERE THE LIGHT LIVES / Cultivate Joy Records / August 4, 2023
[WHERE THE LIGHT LIVES was recorded and mixed by Maggie Heeren at La Luna Recording & Sound in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Joy Zimmerman and Maggie Heeren co-produced this album with mastering by Anna Frick of Ally Sound. Kansas City musicians were recorded at Weights and Measures Soundlab by Duane Trower. Joy’s acoustic guitar and soulful violin are featured on WHERE THE LIGHT LIVES, along with a grand collection of musicians – her son Ryan Dugan (guitars), Mike Fuerst (bass), Carolyn Koebel (percussion), Christine Broxterman (cello), Adam Danis (electric guitar and Rhodes), Jeff Freling (electric guitar), James Isaac (sax), Joel Tyrone Myers (mandolin), and Beau Bledsoe (dobro). The vocals of Joy Zimmerman, Katie Dahl, Danielle Anderson, Erin McGrane, Eboni Fondren, Maggie Heeren, Ryan Dugan, Jeff Freling, Beth Patterson, and Mike Anyonga ring out.]

[Joy Zimmerman plays an Album Release Concert on Saturday, August 5, at 7:00 PM, at Green Guitar Folk House, 9400 Pflumm Rd Lenexa, KS. More information at http://www.joyzimmerman.com]

10:02 – Interview with Joy Zimmerman

Singer songwriter Joy Zimmerman joins us live in our 90.1 FM Studios to share the details about her new album, WHERE THE LIGHT IS, recorded and mixed by Maggie Heeren at La Luna Recording & Sound in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Joy Zimmerman and Maggie Heeren co-produced this album with mastering by Anna Frick of Ally Sound. Kansas City musicians were recorded at Weights and Measures Soundlab by Duane Trower. WHERE THE LIGHT IS will be officially released on August 4, 2023. Joy Zimmerman will be playing an Album Release Concert on Saturday, August 5, at 7:00 PM, at Green Guitar Folk House, 9400 Pflumm Rd Lenexa, KS. More info at http://www.joyzimmerman.com

Joy Zimmerman, Thanks for being with us as today on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Joy Zimmerman’s superpower is her ability to find light within the cracks. This brilliance is illuminated on her lush new album, WHERE THE LIGHT LIVES. Joy’s honeyed vocals invite the listener into complex stories of immigration, divorce, identity, and perseverance. Her uplifting album embodies community with its seventeen musicians, including Katie Dahl, Je Freling and Erin McGrane (Victor & Penny), and Danielle Anderson (Danielle Ate the Sandwich).

Each new song was born of challenge, and the results are empowering. Joy shares her great grandmother’s immigrant story (“How Shall We Sing”) and her hopes for her sons following divorce (“Bend Not Break”). She makes peace with her mistakes (“I Stand Corrected”), celebrates her identity (“Say What I Need to Say”), and emphasizes kindness and intention (“Nobel Prize”). Esteemed singer/songwriter Katie Dahl joins Joy for a unique duet of a Bruce Springsteen love song (“If I Should Fall Behind”), while multiple vocalists sing of hope (“We Are a Bell”) and (“Keeping Vigil”). Joy’s sense of humor is clear as she faces down social media (“Hoping for a Click”). Two previously released singles, “We’ll Hold the Light” showing our gratitude and acknowledgement of the trauma and service among medical professionals and first responders and “Hear Our Voices” with its diverse voices singing about their need for reproductive choice, have been redone for this record.

WHERE THE LIGHT LIVES was recorded and mixed by Maggie Heeren at La Luna Recording & Sound in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Joy Zimmerman and Maggie Heeren co-produced this album with mastering by Anna Frick of Ally Sound. Kansas City musicians were recorded at Weights and Measures Soundlab by Duane Trower.

Joy’s acoustic guitar and soulful violin are featured on WHERE THE LIGHT LIVES, along with a grand collection of musicians – her son Ryan Dugan (guitars), Mike Fuerst (bass), Carolyn Koebel (percussion), Christine Broxterman (cello), Adam Danis (electric guitar and Rhodes), Je Freling (electric guitar), James Isaac (sax), Joel Tyrone Myers
(mandolin), and Beau Bledsoe (dobro). The vocals of Joy Zimmerman, Katie Dahl, Danielle Anderson, Erin McGrane, Eboni Fondren, Maggie Heeren, Ryan Dugan, Je Freling, Beth Patterson, and Mike Anyonga ring out.

Joy Zimmerman is a touring folk & acoustic roots artist and multi-instrumentalist. Her previous album, The Canvas Before Us, debuted at #8 on the FAI Folk Charts in August 2021. Joy curated a portrait exhibit at the InterUrban ArtHouse based on “Women Who Walked on Water,” her #4 single in March 2022. A former social worker, Joy lives with her wife and a lot of plants in the Kansas City area.

“Joy Zimmerman’s follow up to her very fine 2021 album, The Canvas Before Us, is an even better representation of her considerable singing, songwriting, and violin playing skills. If I had to choose one adjective to describe this album, it would be “uplifting.” Even when dealing with difficult topics, Joy finds a way to an affirming, positive place.”
~ Bob McWilliams, Host of Trail Mix, Kansas Public Radio

“Joy Zimmerman has the knack for taking an audience on a musical journey with storytelling and music in a way few artists are able to do. With her latest album, Joy surpasses even herself. This album should be in every folk music lover’s collection.”
~ Dani Goodband, Host of Lakeside Music

For Radio Promo/Interviews: Kari Estrin Mgt/Consulting, PO Box 60232, Nashville, TN 37206 http://www.kariestrin.com | 615.262.0883 | kari@kariestrin.com

This new album is a follow up to Joy’s August 2, 2021 release, THE CANVAS BEFORE US was produced, recorded and mastered by Gary Gordon of Inside-Out Studio, Sparta, IL. Additional vocal mixing was done by David Travers-Smith of Found Sound, Toronto, Canada. Along with vocals, Joy played guitar, fiddle, ukulele and typewriter on the album. The stellar contributing musicians are Robert Bowlin, Ryan Dugan, Polly Lanuay, Ross Sermons, Gary Gordon, Monty Jackson, and Roberta Gordon. Joy Zimmerman’s songwriting has been recognized nationally with an American Songwriter Lyric Contest Honorable Mention and ten Walnut Valley Festival NewSong Showcase wins. “We’ll Hold the Light”, Joy’s single honoring health care workers during the pandemic, was a Top 20 Song of the Month on the Folk DJ Chart.

Joy Zimmerman released her 12-song album, PUZZLING BRUSH, on February 12, 2021.

Joy Zimmerman’s songwriting has been recognized nationally with an American Songwriter Lyric Contest Honorable Mention and ten Walnut Valley Festival NewSong Showcase wins. “We’ll Hold the Light”, Joy’s single honoring health care workers during the pandemic, was a Top 20 Song of the Month on the Folk DJ Chart.]
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Joy Zimmerman, a soulful singer/songwriter, explores the everyday and the extraordinary with a captivating voice. Her songs resonate with humor, triumph and humanity. Joy’s seventh studio album, The Canvas Before Us, is an acoustic reinvention set for release in August 2021.
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Born with a lucky tooth on Shakespeare’s 400th birthday, it’s no wonder Joy is a natural writer. Her songwriting has been recognized nationally with an American Songwriter Lyric Contest Honorable Mention and ten Walnut Valley Festival NewSong Showcase wins. Her music has been described as “vivid and alive, tender and poignant, and altogether a gift for the listener.” (Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, former Kansas Poet Laureate)
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Joy’s emergence as a dynamic singer/songwriter is surprising. She didn’t pick up a guitar, sing a solo or write her first song until her sons were in elementary school. But all the elements were there…a voice of honey waiting to be discovered, insights to write about for days, & a lifelong love of music beginning with violin lessons before kindergarten.

A touring musician based in Kansas City, Joy’s performances are engaging, thought-provoking and full of opportunities to laugh and reflect. She leaves you wishing you had heard her sooner and trying to figure out how to be her friend.

Joy performs solo or in a duo or band. Past venues include Louisville Arts Center (CO), Green Guitar Folk House (KS), Knuckleheads (MO), Stone Room Concerts (DC), InterUrban ArtHouse (KS), The Warming House (MN), InterContinental Hotel (MO), Chateau Chantal Winery (MI), Taos Inn (NM), and McMenamins (OR).

An accomplished violinist on her albums, Joy was once in the Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, Fargo-Moorhead Symphony, Concordia College Orchestra, and Kansas City Civic Orchestra. She was also Assistant Music Director at Saint Andrew Christian Church, Director of No Strings Attached, and Music Leader at Crittenton Children’s Center.

Combining her background in music and social work, Joy has led interactive workshops and retreats on creativity, resilience, gratitude, grief, songwriting, and the power of music. Settings have included conference centers, hospitals, festivals, retirement centers and numerous nonprofit organizations.

“Joy has a wonderfully unique way of connecting to her audience that I have seen no other performer do…she engages every audience and wraps everyone in a velvet blanket of beautiful music.” –- Peggy Kelly, Open Range Concert Series

“Joy Zimmerman’s “To the Girl” has a heart, to paraphrase the title of one of her songs, as big and wide as the sky. The music here is vivid & alive, tender & poignant, & altogether a gift for the listener.” – Caryn Mirriam Goldberg, former Kansas Poet Laureate

“I’ve been on the road….and listening to Joy Zimmerman’s very cool music from her latest CD, To the Girl! The production is SO smooth and well suited for her voice and songs. A couple of standouts: Why Be Normal has a “world music” feel to it and a super cool vibe. What Next could be a calling card song! Both set the table for another dimension for Joy as a writer/performer. Truly, they make me want to know “what’s next” from JZ.” –- David G Smith, Nashville singer/songwriter, First Place Winner 2008 International Song Contest

“Joy Zimmerman’s “To the Girl” is for all of us. Joy Zimmerman has been a prolific singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist touring and recording for the past 10 years. This is Joy’s sixth album and her most eclectic and engaging yet. Recorded at Weights and Measures in KC, ‘To the Girl” is a must listen. Not just once but over and over again.

Joy’s lyrics take on a new depth with each listen. The combination of her voice and poignant lyrics are like advice from a trusted friend. “To the Girl” by Joy Zimmerman is a powerful musical experience for us all.” – Kathy Forste, Music Director KC Café Radio

“Cultivate Joy” and “Amplify Hope” logos adorn Joy’s merchandise.

“The Canvas Before Us” is a lyrical gift from a kind, thoughtful and fully formed artist. The tableau set for each song is complemented with superb instrumentation; each cut has a stringed “star.” It is apparent from Joy’s work on this album she is well read, a student of history and the human condition. Her voice is crystal clear. The words indicate her “antenna” was up and she is now ready to broadcast these songs that paint beautiful sonic pictures. ~Diana Linn Ennis, DJ/Podcaster of Tasty Brew Music and Co-Founder/Director of Heartland Song Network, Inc.

Joy Zimmerman and the Gordons have long been two of our favorites. We were thrilled when we learned that Gary Gordon was producing this CD and it is truly a match made in heaven. This is a poignant concept album and there is a brush stroke of lyrics running through every song, reminding us that we are the creators of our lives. The title fits this project perfectly and the palette of instruments and Joy’s crystal clear voice have added just the right colors in just the right places. This CD is a WORK OF ART! ~ Donna and Kelly Mulhollan aka Still on the Hill

“The Canvas Before Us” is a warm and beautiful album about hope, reflection and the loving humor that only Joy Zimmerman can infuse. I love this album! Inspiring women, love, our future, the state of the world—so many unique stories accompanied by music that is both original and comforting. Joy Zimmerman gives us both in this lovely and thoughtful new release. Lucky us. ~Dani Goodband, Lakeside Music

“A Canvas Before Us” brings Joy’s beautiful soprano to us in a way that allows her voice to ring in its clear, clean truth as never before. The instrumentation creates buoyant liquid for her to float in the center and carry the listener along. Even the songs I am very familiar with were a new & wonderful listening experience. The world gets to celebrate the true Joy in this CD. It leaves us wanting for more! ~ Peggy Kelly, Open Range Concerts – up north

Joy’s single, “We’ll Hold The Light” that was released on January 25, 2021 with Music & Lyrics by Joy Zimmerman. Recorded, Mixed & Mastered: Duane Trower, Weights and Measures Soundlab, Kansas City, MO. Joy Zimmerman on vocals, guitar & violin, Ryan Dugan on guitar, bass, & harmony vocals; Beau Bledsoe on dobro; and Christine Broxterman on cello. Joy Zimmerman writes: “We’ll Hold the Light is a song of gratitude for the brave, selfless work of health care workers and first responders every day and especially during this pandemic. Facing unprecedented and life-threatening conditions, they have provided steadfast care for us all. I was inspired to write this song from my front row seat to heroism. My spouse, Linda, is an anesthesiologist at a Level 1 Trauma Center, safety net hospital, so I have witnessed the toll of long, stressful shifts within an overtaxed medical system.” // “Working all night at the hospital is like time out of time. The outside world, which includes your loved ones and friends, goes on without you. You miss dinner, bedtime, gatherings of friends, special events. And you are immersed in trauma, illness, grief, loneliness that those outside your work life will never know. The chasm between the two parts of your life sometimes feels immense…” ~Dr. Linda Dill // Joy Zimmerman continues: “How do health care workers and first responders handle the sights and sounds they experience, the vicarious trauma, the grief? Let’s make sure our gratitude is backed by a strong commitment to adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), mental health services and other support. I encourage you to join me in making a donation to your local YMCA Covid-19 Emergency Child Care Services for Essential Workers. These program offer child care and other services at 1,000 sites nationwide for families of medical personnel, essential employees and first responders. https://www.ymca.net/emergency-child-care-services. We’ll Hold the Light is available for download at joyzimmermanmusic.com.

11:09

Joy Zimmerman – “Bend Not Break” (LIVE)
also available on: WHERE THE LIGHT LIVES / Cultivate Joy Records / August 4, 2023
[WHERE THE LIGHT LIVES was recorded and mixed by Maggie Heeren at La Luna Recording & Sound in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Joy Zimmerman and Maggie Heeren co-produced this album with mastering by Anna Frick of Ally Sound. Kansas City musicians were recorded at Weights and Measures Soundlab by Duane Trower. Joy’s acoustic guitar and soulful violin are featured on WHERE THE LIGHT LIVES, along with a grand collection of musicians – her son Ryan Dugan (guitars), Mike Fuerst (bass), Carolyn Koebel (percussion), Christine Broxterman (cello), Adam Danis (electric guitar and Rhodes), Jeff Freling (electric guitar), James Isaac (sax), Joel Tyrone Myers (mandolin), and Beau Bledsoe (dobro). The vocals of Joy Zimmerman, Katie Dahl, Danielle Anderson, Erin McGrane, Eboni Fondren, Maggie Heeren, Ryan Dugan, Jeff Freling, Beth Patterson, and Mike Anyonga ring out.]

[Joy Zimmerman plays an Album Release Concert on Saturday, August 5, at 7:00 PM, at Green Guitar Folk House, 9400 Pflumm Rd Lenexa, KS. More information at http://www.joyzimmerman.com]

10:13 – Interview with Joy Zimmerman

Singer songwriter Joy Zimmerman joins us live in our 90.1 FM Studios to share the details about her new album, WHERE THE LIGHT IS, recorded and mixed by Maggie Heeren at La Luna Recording & Sound in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Joy Zimmerman and Maggie Heeren co-produced this album with mastering by Anna Frick of Ally Sound. Kansas City musicians were recorded at Weights and Measures Soundlab by Duane Trower. WHERE THE LIGHT IS will be officially released on August 4, 2023. Joy Zimmerman will be playing an Album Release Concert on Saturday, August 5, at 7:00 PM, at Green Guitar Folk House, 9400 Pflumm Rd Lenexa, KS. More info at http://www.joyzimmerman.com

Joy Zimmerman, Thanks for being with us as today on Wednesday MidDay Medley

WHERE THE LIGHT IS will be officially released on August 4, 2023.

Joy Zimmerman will be playing an Album Release Concert on Saturday, August 5, at 7:00 PM, at Green Guitar Folk House, 9400 Pflumm Rd Lenexa, KS.

Song By Song of Joy Zimmerman’s WHERE THE LIGHT LIVES

How Shall We Sing (3:30) – Celtic folk, fiddle driven, mid-tempo ballad. The story of Anna Marie Olson Hanson, Joy’s great-grandmother, from orphan in Norway to immigrant in Minnesota in the late 1800s, ending with an acapella fiddle solo to reflect her deep faith.
We Are a Bell (2:51) – Rhythmic, upbeat, hopeful vocals. Like the reverbera-tion of a ringing bell or a birdsong before dawn, our actions ripple out into the world. A multitude of voices inspires us to persevere in this empower-ing song.
Nobel Prize (3:51) – Mid-tempo waltz, sax solo, lilting, reflective. In a culture focused on big awards and celebrity, this song reminds us that a well-lived life is full of small memorable moments and acts of kindness.
Say What I Need to Say (2:30) – Upbeat, empowering, anthemic chorus. A joyful musical statement that Joy will speak her truth and openly love who she needs to love. She offers rousing encouragement to others to do the same and sing out strong.
Keeping Vigil (3:32) – Mid-tempo, reflective, expressive cello. A dying bird, a searching friend, and a planet in peril called Joy to write of the importance of caring and protecting each other. A collective chorus adds their hopeful voices.
Hoping for a Click (1:24) – Rhythmic, upbeat, clever, full of instrumental sur-prises. Joy finds a sense of humor in her mixed reactions to the power of social media. A myriad of instruments highlights the distractibility, appeal and challenge of modern technology.
I Stand Corrected (2:55) – Americana leaning, upbeat, catchy. Learning from individual and collective mistakes to remain resilient.
Hear Our Voices (4:02) – Intimate stories sung by four women, anthemic chorus, swirling harmonies. This song invites us to listen to the complex stories of women and girls seeking reproductive choice.
If I Should Fall Behind (3:23) – Mid-tempo, two women vocalists, romantic lush strings. Katie Dahl joins Joy on a duet version of a Bruce Springsteen love song, offering a vision of love and devotion.
Bend Not Break (3:00) – Mid-tempo, tender, rich acoustic guitars and strings. Joy’s fervent hope that her sons live the wisdom and strength they gained after her divorce.
We’ll Hold the Light (3:48) – Reflective, compelling images, mid-tempo, rousing chorus. A song of gratitude for selfless healthcare workers and first responders who face trauma every day within an overtaxed system.
.
http://www.joyzimmermanmusic.com

11:20

Joy Zimmerman – “Say What I Need To Say” (LIVE)
also available on: WHERE THE LIGHT LIVES / Cultivate Joy Records / August 4, 2023

10:23 – Interview with Joy Zimmerman

Singer songwriter Joy Zimmerman joins us live in our 90.1 FM Studios to share the details about her new album, WHERE THE LIGHT IS, recorded and mixed by Maggie Heeren at La Luna Recording & Sound in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Joy Zimmerman and Maggie Heeren co-produced this album with mastering by Anna Frick of Ally Sound. Kansas City musicians were recorded at Weights and Measures Soundlab by Duane Trower. WHERE THE LIGHT IS will be officially released on August 4, 2023. Joy Zimmerman will be playing an Album Release Concert on Saturday, August 5, at 7:00 PM, at Green Guitar Folk House, 9400 Pflumm Rd Lenexa, KS. More info at http://www.joyzimmerman.com

Joy Zimmerman, Thanks for being with us as today on Wednesday MidDay Medley

WHERE THE LIGHT IS will be officially released on August 4, 2023.

Joy Zimmerman will be playing an Album Release Concert on Saturday, August 5, at 7:00 PM, at Green Guitar Folk House, 9400 Pflumm Rd Lenexa, KS.

Joy Zimmerman, Thanks for being with us as today on Wednesday MidDay Medley

More information at http://www.joyzimmerman.com

11:28 – Underwriting

Paris Williams – “LONDON, TOKYO (feat. Sam Wells)” (radio edit)
from: REBEL HEART / Bitter Sweet Sound / January 31, 2023
[Paris Williams is a 24-year old artist from Muskegon, Michigan in the midst of redefining the bedroom pop label. Employing his own sound that he’s dubbed, “bittersweet,” Williams never shuts away from his DIY aesthetic – producing his own work to maintain full creative flexibility. Premiering in December of 2019 with his debut album, DROP DEAD GORGEOUS, Paris is a believer in hitting the ground running and then just never letting off the gas. This mentality was shaped by the inspiration he’s pulled from other famously out-of-the-box artists: such as Kanye West, Pharrell, and Toro y Moi. // Fueled by the multi-faceted artists, Williams believes heavily in pulling from all creative mediums as a way to add layers and texture to his music. This approach has led to Williams seeing support from larger than life musical pillars, like Iggy Pop himself – who showed love to Williams’ song of the same name by spinning it on his BBC radio show in 2018. Williams reshapes the musical landscape around him as his burgeoning career continues to solidify its own form more and more each day by bringing in a breath of fresh air with him everywhere since he wrote his first bars in elementary school. Paris Williams previously released the single, “Hopscotch” on June 21, 2022. He released,“Chunky”on April 20, 2022. He released the single, “Sunsets & Solariums (feat. Bloom Allen)” on October 21, 2021 through Bittersweet Sounds. More info at: allmylinks.com/popstarparis]

[Paris Williams plays miniBar, at 3810 Broadway KCMO, on on Friday, August 11, with the Bittersweet Bunch, Saving Miles Lemon, and MC RUE & Mikey. More info at: allmylinks.com/popstarparis]

11:33 – Interview with Paris Williams

Paris Williams is a 24-year old artist from Muskegon, Michigan in the midst of redefining the bedroom pop label. Employing his own sound that he’s dubbed, “bittersweet,” Williams never shuts away from his DIY aesthetic – producing his own work to maintain full creative flexibility. Premiering in December of 2019 with his debut album, DROP DEAD GORGEOUS, Paris is a believer in hitting the ground running and then just never letting off the gas. This mentality was shaped by the inspiration he’s pulled from other famously out-of-the-box artists: such as Kanye West, Pharrell, and Toro y Moi.

Paris Williams joins us today to share details about his new single, “Pack Light.” The release is a follow up to his EP, REBEL HEART released on January 31, 2023 on Bitter Sweet Sounds.

Paris Williams plays miniBar, at 3810 Broadway KCMO, on on Friday, August 11, with the Bittersweet Bunch, Saving Miles Lemon, and MC RUE & Mikey. More info at: allmylinks.com/popstarparis

Paris Williams, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley
“LONDON, TOKYO” features the vocals of Sam Wells from the EP, REBEL HEART released January 31, 2023.

Fueled by the multi-faceted artists, Williams believes heavily in pulling from all creative mediums as a way to add layers and texture to his music.

This approach has led to Williams seeing support from larger than life musical pillars, like Iggy Pop himself – who showed love to Williams’ song of the same name by spinning it on his BBC radio show in 2018.

Williams reshapes the musical landscape around him as his burgeoning career continues to solidify its own form more and more each day by bringing in a breath of fresh air with him everywhere since he wrote his first bars in elementary school.

The EP is a beautiful demonstration of what Paris writes about in his bio, his “DIY aesthetic – producing his own work to maintain full creative flexibility.”

Releasing music through his own bedroom pop label Bitter Sweet Sound.

Paris Williams is from Muskegon, Michigan he moved to Kansas City to find more of a community of musical artists. He is also good friends with members of the Blackstarkids.

11:41

Paris Williams – “Pack Light” (radio edit)
from: “Pack Light” – Single / Bitter Sweet Sound / August, 2023
[Paris Williams is a 24-year old artist from Muskegon, Michigan in the midst of redefining the bedroom pop label. Employing his own sound that he’s dubbed, “bittersweet,” Williams never shuts away from his DIY aesthetic – producing his own work to maintain full creative flexibility. Premiering in December of 2019 with his debut album, DROP DEAD GORGEOUS, Paris is a believer in hitting the ground running and then just never letting off the gas. This mentality was shaped by the inspiration he’s pulled from other famously out-of-the-box artists: such as Kanye West, Pharrell, and Toro y Moi. // Fueled by the multi-faceted artists, Williams believes heavily in pulling from all creative mediums as a way to add layers and texture to his music. This approach has led to Williams seeing support from larger than life musical pillars, like Iggy Pop himself – who showed love to Williams’ song of the same name by spinning it on his BBC radio show in 2018. Williams reshapes the musical landscape around him as his burgeoning career continues to solidify its own form more and more each day by bringing in a breath of fresh air with him everywhere since he wrote his first bars in elementary school. Paris Williams previously released the single, “Hopscotch” on June 21, 2022. He released,“Chunky”on April 20, 2022. He released the single, “Sunsets & Solariums (feat. Bloom Allen)” on October 21, 2021 through Bittersweet Sounds. More info at: allmylinks.com/popstarparis]

[Paris Williams plays miniBar, at 3810 Broadway KCMO, on on Friday, August 11, with the Bittersweet Bunch, Saving Miles Lemon, and MC RUE & Mikey. More info at: allmylinks.com/popstarparis]

11:44 – Interview with Paris Williams

Paris Williams joins us today to share details about his new single, “Pack Light.” The release is a follow up to his EP, REBEL HEART released on January 31, 2023 on Bitter Sweet Sounds.

Paris Williams plays miniBar, at 3810 Broadway KCMO, on on Friday, August 11, with the Bittersweet Bunch, Saving Miles Lemon, and MC RUE & Mikey. More info at: allmylinks.com/popstarparis

Paris Williams, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Paris is a believer in hitting the ground running and then just never letting off the gas. This mentality was shaped by the inspiration he’s pulled from other famously out-of-the-box artists: such as Kanye West, Pharrell, and Toro y Moi.

Fueled by the multi-faceted artists, Williams believes heavily in pulling from all creative mediums as a way to add layers and texture to his music.

Paris Williams was searching for other musical artists who came from Muskegon, Michigan, that was when he learned more, and then also wrote a song called “Iggy Pop.”

About “Sunsets & Solariums (feat. Bloom Allen)” Shuttlecock Music Magazine wrote: “Co-produced by Williams, Bloom Allen, and Internet Brad, the track features a sublime mixture of bright, inviting rhymes and the type of nocturnal rhythms you can do schoolwork to, or whatever that YouTube stream is. The single is backed by another track called “As Of Late,” which Williams accurately described at a recent show as (paraphrasing) ‘two minutes of straight bars.’

Paris Williams, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

More info at: allmylinks.com/popstarparis

11:55

Paris Williams – “Sunsets & Solariums” (radio edit)
from: REBEL HEART / Bitter Sweet Sounds / January 31, 2023
[Paris Williams is a 24-year old artist from Muskegon, Michigan in the midst of redefining the bedroom pop label. Employing his own sound that he’s dubbed, “bittersweet,” Williams never shuts away from his DIY aesthetic – producing his own work to maintain full creative flexibility. Premiering in December of 2019 with his debut album, DROP DEAD GORGEOUS, Paris is a believer in hitting the ground running and then just never letting off the gas. This mentality was shaped by the inspiration he’s pulled from other famously out-of-the-box artists: such as Kanye West, Pharrell, and Toro y Moi. // Fueled by the multi-faceted artists, Williams believes heavily in pulling from all creative mediums as a way to add layers and texture to his music. This approach has led to Williams seeing support from larger than life musical pillars, like Iggy Pop himself – who showed love to Williams’ song of the same name by spinning it on his BBC radio show in 2018. Williams reshapes the musical landscape around him as his burgeoning career continues to solidify its own form more and more each day by bringing in a breath of fresh air with him everywhere since he wrote his first bars in elementary school.Paris Williams previously released the single, “Hopscotch” on June 21, 2022. He released,“Chunky”on April 20, 2022. He released the single, “Sunsets & Solariums (feat. Bloom Allen)” on October 21, 2021 through Bittersweet Sounds. More info at: allmylinks.com/popstarparis]

[Paris Williams plays miniBar, at 3810 Broadway KCMO, on on Friday, August 11, with the Bittersweet Bunch, Saving Miles Lemon, and MC RUE & Mikey. More info at: allmylinks.com/popstarparis]

Nicolette Paige Davis, Paris Williams, Suzanne Johnstone

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

Next week on August 9, 2023, we talk with Film Maker, Mark Meisenheimer about his new documentary film about the Quindaro Ruins in Kansas City Kansas. We also talk with writer Danny Alexander about a new book he co-edited for writer Dave Marsh called KICK OUT THE JAMS. And Mike Tipton joins us to talk about his new single release, “Scoundrel.”

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 Spring Fund Drive shows on June 7 and June 14, and through social media, we raised $4742.00 from 59 individual Donors! Thank you to our diverse and beautiful listeners who generously donated to allow us to continue our great mission here at 90.1 FM KKFI.

THANK YOU to my incredible Fund co-hosts: Betse Ellis & Marion Merritt & Nico Gray, and our wonderful KKFI Staff: Director of Development and Communications, J Kelly Dougherty, Vounteer Coordinator Darryl Oliver, and Chief Operator Chad Brothers. And to all of our fantastic phone volunteers.

This radio station is not about the individual hosts of each individual radio show. Instead it is about a collective spirit of hundreds of wonderful 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.

Anthony Dominick Benedetto (August 3, 1926 – July 21, 2023)

Sinéad O’Connor (December 8, 1966 – July 26, 2023)

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

Emmaline Twist photo by Shaun Hamontree

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

Show #1005

WMM presents: Tillie Hall and Innovation Festival 2023 + Joy Zimmerman + Paris Williams + More New & MidCoastal Releases

Posted on July 31, 2023 by Mark Manning

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, August 2, 2023

Tillie Hall and Innovation Festival 2023 + Joy Zimmerman + Paris Williams + More New & MidCoastal Releases

Mark spins more New & MidCoastal Releases of 2023 from: Silicone Prairie, Paris Williams, Calvin Arsenia, Maria The Mexican, Jo MacKenzie, Joy Zimmerman, Emmaline Twist, MellowPhobia, Cory Phillips & the Band of Light, Spine, Shamir, Robert Finley, and PJ Harvey.

At 10:30 KC based musician Tillie Hall of the band MellowPhobia joins us to talk about Innovation Festival 2023, August 3 thru August 5, 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM at Crown Center – The Saturday, August 5, Beats Day Lineup includes: Colony House, Dante Elephante, Mike Mains & the Branches, Harbour, Young Mister, Social Cinema, Mellowphobia, Cory Phillips & the Band of Light, and Emmaline Twist. More info at: http://www.theinnovationfestival.com

At 11:00 Mark talks with Joy Zimmerman about her new album, WHERE THE LIGHT IS, recorded and mixed by Maggie Heeren at La Luna Recording & Sound in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Joy Zimmerman and Maggie Heeren co-produced this album with mastering by Anna Frick of Ally Sound. Kansas City musicians were recorded at Weights and Measures Soundlab by Duane Trower. WHERE THE LIGHT IS will be officially released on August 4, 2023. Joy Zimmerman will be playing an Album Release Concert on Saturday, August 5, at 7:00 PM, at Green Guitar Folk House, 9400 Pflumm Rd Lenexa, KS.

At 11:30 hip hop musician, songwriter & producer Paris Williams shares details about his new single, “Pack Light.” The release is a follow up to his EP, REBEL HEART released on January 31, 2023 on Bitter Sweet Sounds. Paris Williams is a Rapper/Producer originally from Muskegon, MI. Previously Paris Williams released the single, Hopscotch” on June 21, 2022. He released,“Chunky” on April 20, 2022. He released the single, “Sunsets & Solariums (feat. Bloom Allen)” on October 21, 2021 through Bittersweet Sounds. Paris Williams plays miniBar, at 3810 Broadway KCMO, on on Friday, August 11, with the Bittersweet Bunch, Saving Miles Lemon, and MC RUE & Mikey. More info at: allmylinks.com/popstarparis

Emmaline Twist photo by Shaun Hamontree

On your local radio dial 90.1 FM or
STREAMING LIVE at: kkfi.org

Show #1005

WMM presents: Stacy Busch & Queer Narratives Fest + Zava + WMM’s Favorite MidCoastal Releases of 2023…So Far! (Part Two)

Posted on July 27, 2023 by Mark Manning

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, July 26, 2023

Stacy Busch & The Queer Narratives Festival! + ZAVA + Part 2 of WMM’s Favorite MidCoastal Releases of 2023…SO FAR!

“Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / December 20, 1979
[WMM’s Adopted Theme Song]

Semper Viridis – “Snakes and Ladders”
from: “SNAKES AND LADDERS EP / Mixtape Meditation Records / July 14, 2023
[Born in the spinnel the life changing power of creativity. We are celestial twins who are driven to share our love of music with the world.’ Kirsten Paludan (Olympic Size, KP & the Key Party) and Nate Holt aka Asterales (DJNOTADJ) met in the mid 90’s on the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence, but didn’t start collaborating until nearly 20 years later. After being reintroduced to each other by playing together in the local scene, they discovered that they were musical kindred spirits and quickly formed a bond. During the second year of the pandemic, KP recorded guest vocals for several Asterales tracks, and their creative connection was cemented. Not long after, they actively began making original music together as Semper Viridis. // Out everywhere on July 14th, Semper Viridis’ first EP Snakes and Ladders is released with the support of Mixtape Meditation Records (Dallas, TX). Mastered by Brutus DeClaibornio (BAC Studios, Lincoln, NE), Snakes and Ladders features six tracks of eclectic electro, including the title song and first single, an uptempo electro pop anthem that clocks in at just over three minutes. Two music videos are being released in conjunction with the EP, (Projecting Shadows and Snakes and Ladders), both created by David Jerret Fulton. // On January 6, 2023 Semper Viridis released the singke, “Dreams in Color” written and recorded by Kirsten Paluden & Asterales (Nate Holt). Mixed by Asterales. Mastered by Brent Clabaugh. Semper Viridis is the Kirsten Paluden and Nate Holt recently collaborated for Nate’s musical project Astereles and the album, FUTURESPECTIVE on Datura Records released on March 25, 2022 that was Produced, mixed & mastered by Asterales. They performed for the track “Let Go.” KC based leftfield, experimental, electronica music maker, also known as Nate Holt. Asterales eleased the 5-track EP, WORK HOURS on Sept. 6, 2016 in collaboration with Aikido Bray, Leo Minor, Katlyn Conroy, and Tanner Walle, with synthesizers, production, recording, engineering & mastering by Etan Tioh for Datura Records. This was followed by the 3-track EP, FRAGMENTS, released Feb. 3, 2017. Asterales released the single A.M. on Feb. 4, 2017. Asterales released the 10-track album, OUTSIDE THE BOX on Oct. 31, 2017. Asterales released the singles: “Brkfst 4 Btlvrs” on Oct. 31, 2017; and “Soft Spheres” on April 21, 2018. Asterales released the 10-track album ORBITAL DEBRIS: VOL. 1 on Aug. 14, 2020 on Mr. Furious Records. Asterales released the single “ASTR_40” on Aug. 26, 2020. Asterales released the 4-song EP EXTRA JUNK on Dec. 4, 2020 through Mr. Furious Records. Asterales released the singles: “Solstice Song” on Dec. 21, 2020, and “Desire (Tanner Walle) – Asterales Remix” on Jan. 29, 2021. Asterales released the single “Offline” on Feb. 26, 2021. Asterales released the single, “Beauty In The Distance feat. Heidi Gluck)” on March 31, 2021. Produced & mixed by Asterales, vocals by Heidi Gluck. lyrics by Approach, mastered by Royce Diamond. Asterales released the single, “So Easy (feat. Royce Diamond)” on April 30, 2021. Asterales released the single, “Let Go” on May 31, 2021. Produced, mixed & mastered by Asterales, lyrics by Royce Diamond, vocals by Asterales. Asterales released the single, “Paraglider” on June 30, 2021. Produced, mixed & mastered by Asterales. Asterales released the single, “Kinugemi” on July 31, 2021. Produced, mixed and mastered by Asterales. Asterales released the single, “Variable Stars Pt. 1″ on August 30, 2021. Produced, mixed & mastered by Asterales. Asterales released the remix single, “She Left (Asterales Remix)” on Sept. 2, 2021, produced by Asterales. Remix artwork by Gordon Leadfoot & Asterales. Asterales released the single, “P@!omAr-1” on September 28, 2021. Produced, mixed and mastered by Asterales. More info at: http://www.asterales.bandcamp.com Asterales released the remix single, “Cory Phillips & the Band of Light – Give & the Take (Asterales Remix)” on October 1, 2021. “Give & the Take” was written by Cory Phillips coryphillipsmusic.com “Give & the Take – Asterales Remix” Produced by Asterales. Asterales released the single, “Calling Me (feat. Ghostmind)” on October 31, 2021. Produced, mixed & mastered by Asterales. Vocals and guitar performed and recorded by Ghostmind. Lyrics by Ghostmind. Artwork by Asterales. Asterales released the single “Your World or Mine (Feat. Approach)” on November 30, 2021. Produced, mixed and mastered by Asterales. Lyrics and vocals by Approach. Asterales released “Right Here, This Moment (feat. Royce Diamond & Maria Cuevas)” on December 31, 2021, produced, mixed & mastered by Asterales. Lyrics & vocals by Royce Diamond. Background vocals by Maria Cuevas (of Maria The Mexican). One of 14 singles Asterales released in 2021. More information at http://www.asterales.bandcamp.com] [Semper Viridis plays a Snakes and Ladders EP Release show at The Ship, 1217 Union Ave. KCMO, West Bottoms, Friday., July 14, at 10:00 PM w/ Monta & w/ DJ Ray Velasques.]

Zion Isaiah – “Medicine”
from: “Medicine” – Single / Zion Isaiah / January 17, 2023
[21 year old Zion Isaiah released the single “Bad Habits” and May 5, 2023“. Zion released “21” on October 28, 2022. Calla released the single “you and i (feat. Zion Isaiah & Hannah You) on June 15, 2022, on Memesquirt Records. Zion Isaiah released the single “So Harsh” on May 6, 2022. Zion Isaiah released the single “Oasis” on January 22, 2022. Zion Isaiah released the single “Tired of Missing You” on November 12, 2021. Zion Isaiah released the single, “Drive (feat. Painter Boy)” on August 13, 2021. Kansas City, Missouri based Zion Isaiah works at JHS Pedals, studies at Johnson County Community College, and Went to Kansas City Christian School. More info at: http://www.facebook.com/zeeon.boklender.%5D [Zion Isaiah plays Boulevardia on Saturday, June 17, at 3:15 PM on the Quirk Terrace Stage]

True Lions – “Fake Tears”
from: True Lions / Fritz Hutchison Split Cassette / Manor Records / April 26, 2023
[“Fake Tears” contains lyrics from the poem “The Fake Tears of Shirley Temple” by Patricia Lockwood, from Motherland Fatherland Homelandsexuals, published by Penguin Books, New York (2014) “Fake Tears” was the first single from the True Lions / Fritz Hutchison Split Cassette. True Lions released their debut full length album, “The Fempire Strikes Back,” on Manor Records on April 9, 2021 with Alisön Hawkins on keytar & vocals; Adee Rocket Dancy on cello & vocals; Claire Adams on guitar, Elizabeth Kosko on drums & percussion; Iona DeWalt on synthesizers; Miki P on guitar & vocals, and Teri Quinn on bass & vocals. Recorded at Deep Space Co-op. Tracking & engineering by Ross Brown at Escape Pod Audio. Mixing and mastering by Joel Nanos at Element Recording. In 2019 True Lions released their EP debut, “Cute at Best,” on February 5, 2019. They followed up with a second EP called. You’re Not Invited, released on November 9, 2019. For these recordings True Lions was: Alison Hawkins on guitar, synth, and vocals; Elizabeth Kosko on percussion, vocals; Mikala Petillo on bass, vocals; Claire Adams on guitar, vocals; Leslie Butsch on saxophone, Ezgi Karakus on cello; and Teri Quinn on vocals. All songs written by True Lions and produced by Claire Adams and Alison Hawkins. Tracking & Engineering by Claire Adams. Mixing and Mastering by Ian Dobyns and Chase Horseman. More info at: http://www.manorrecords.com .] [True Lions played The True Lions / Fritz Hutchison Split Cassette Release Show is Wednesday, April 26, at 7:00 PM with Jass & The Boys at The Ship 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO WEST BOTTOMS. More info at http://www.manorrecords.com]

Jass – “Lifetime”
from: “Lifetime” – Single / JASS / January 6, 2023
[Jass is Jasmine “Jass” Couch. Jass and The Boys released the single “Love U Like I Love U” on December 2, 2022. Jass released the EP, OFF KEY: TOO HIGH on September 23, 2022. Jass released the single “Higher Ground” on August 16, 2022. It was #1 on WMM’s 50 Favorite Singles of 2022. Jass released her single, “Him” on February 23, 2022. Jass released At the Close of a Decade on November 26, 2022. It was part of WMM’s 121 Best Recordings of 2021. She wrote, “After years of writing and recording in voice memos .. I decided to grab my iPad and began recording something that I am very proud of. I named it, At the Close of A Decade, and released it in November 2019. With my iPhone/iPad, some apple headphones, I created this project. The amazing people around me told me it was worth it, even when I didn’t believe it myself. I convinced myself I would be the only one that liked my songs. If you decide to listen you’ll hear sound clips of shows and movies that made a difference in the way I saw the world, the way I saw myself, and the way I overcame my experiences. I remember asking my grandma and my son if I should release what I’ve been writing and they both said very simply to do it, so I’ve done it. I want to thank all of my wonderful friends who have been my soundboards during this process, all of the people that have asked me when it’s coming, the people that have kept me accountable, and believed that this time it was for real. My story is so very triumphant and beautiful because I have overcome experiences and shunned the fear I had to do what I love. It’s crazy how you can talk your way out of some amazing things and also how you can talk yourself into making some amazing things happen. If you partake, I hope you enjoy.” // Jass has opened for Thundercat sat GRINDERS, headlined a show at The Bottleneck in Lawrence with my boys! (Colby Bales and Brande Moser), and she opened up for The New Respects at The Uptown, and sang the Negro National Anthem at BLAQUE to School Night at the KC Monarchs game.More info at: http://www.jassrcouch.com] [Jass played Manor Fest 5 in Kansas City on Thur, May 25, at 7:00 PM at Big Mood, 2020 Baltimore, KCMO – East Crossroads with Dalima Kapten, and The Swallowtails.] [Jass played live on WMM on June 21 for Make Music Day!]

[Jass & The Contraband play The Ship, 1217 Union Ave, KCMO West Bottoms, Thurs, July 27, 8:00 (Doors) 9:00 PM (Show) Jass & The Contraband blend Jazz & R&B for a special night of music.]

Akkilles – “Happily”
from: “Happily” – Single / David Bennett / April 21, 2023
[Akkilles recently released the new single “Way I Feel” on May 5, 2023. Akkilles is the music project of David Bennett who makes music under the moniker Akkilles. He also helps other people make music. Engineered & Produced by David Bennett at Aorist Studios in KCMO. Main vocals, keys, acoustic & electric guitar by David Bennett. And additional electric guitar by Baird Williams. Recorded at: Aorist Studios in KC. Akkilles released three singles in 2019. “By Myself” – Single was released November 1, 2019. “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.]

Malek Azrael & The Vibez – “Anxiety”
from: “Anxiety” – Single / Malek Azrael / April 30, 2023
[On October 15, 2021 Makek Azrael released his 10-track album debut. Male Azrael lives in KCMO. He has worked for Boys Grow, and is currently working with touring. Malek Azrael has been involved with Making Movies non-profit organization Art As Mentorship. He sometimes plays with Making Movies and played the Ameri-Kana Fest. Malek Azrael played KKFI’s 18th Annual Crossroads Music Fest, on Aug. 27, at The Black Box, in West Bottoms.] [Malek & The Vibez played Boulevardia Festival at Crown Center, June 16.]

. The Blast Monkees – “The Doctor Said I’m Not Crazy Anymore”
from: “The Doctor Said I’m Not Crazy Anymore” – Single / The Blast Monkees / June 23, 2023
[The Blast Monkeys released the single “Mr. Nice Guy” on May 22, 2023. Recording Engineer: Justin Mantooth of Westend Recording Studio. The Blast Monkeys are two dudes making music out of Tonganoxie, Kansas. Formed in 2017 by high school best friends, Scott Vick & Kyle Chambers, they plan to make music their career by any means. Their songs fuse high-energy drums and catchy guitar riffs with goofy jokes and a “passionate” stage presence that is sure to win over any crowd. For more info: http://www.theblastmokeys.com. and http://www.theblactmonkees.bandcamp.com

The Blast Monkeys Discography
“My Nice Guy” (Single) / May 22, 2023
Summer Camp (9-track Album) / July 18. 2022
“Capo 2.0” (Single) / February 16, 2022
Big Things, Small Places (4-track EP) / August 21, 2021
Washed Out (3-track EP) / December 16, 2019
Moon Juice (5-track EP) / March 25, 2019.]

10:29 – Underwriting

Modern Day Fitzgerald – “City Burning”
from: “City Burning” – Single / Modern Day Fitzgerald / May 26, 2023
[Modern Day Fitzgerald is releasing a new album at the beginning of September called ‘Meet Me on Armour Road’. I will link it to you here: “Meet Me On Armour Road” The bad will release the second single from the album, ‘Sad Boi’ in mid August. The new album is a concept/rock opera that takes place on Armour Road in North Kansas City, Missouri. This is a love and hate letter to the music scene. This album captures the Kansas City music scene’s bohemian atmosphere. From playing a late night show in a small run down club to waking up early to go to back to work. The album deals with the excitement of being in the music scene, falling in and out of love, dealing with pretentious folks who pretend to have it all, the stress of wanting to be recognized and heard, and the burnout from wanting to do something since they were young. Here are their stories. The majority of the album was recorded in a studio inside a music venue on Armour Road. Modern Day Fitzgerald includes members: Mica-Elgin Vi a first generation Filipino American. He is the lead vocalist, guitarist and head songwriter for Modern Day Fitzgerald. He grabs influences from musicians like The White Stripes, Weezer, Beastie Boys and Childish Gambino. In the band Modern Day Fitzgerald, they released two E.Ps, and one live album since 2016. Performed in the same festival with acts like Clairo and Beabadoobee, performed in showcases during South by Southwest, and opened up for The Romantics. // Noah Bartelt the bass player, vocalist and songwriter for Modern Day Fitzgerald. They are also the lead singer for the band The UK’s and Sara Bellum and the Brainwaves. // Sean East is the drummer and songwriter for Modern Day Fitzgerald. He also works behind the scenes in film industry as a gaffer, key grip and lighting technician. He is currently in the works release some new music in the upcoming year. // Alex Garnett is the producer and sound engineer for Modern Day Fitzgeralds new album “Meet me on Armour Road”. He is the owner of the studio “The Triceratops Room”. Alex has been working with the band since 2020 for their live album “Live at the Rino”. More information at: http://www.Moderndayfitzgerald.net]

Kirstie Lynn & Galen Clark – “Julie Boy”
from: Cindergarden (B Sides) / Lost River Sound / May 22, 2022
[Kirstie Lynn & Galen Clark released Cindergarden (A Sides) through Lost River Sound on May 22, 2022. Kirstie Lynn is a classically trained soprano with a passion for songwriting, always looking to marry poetry and melody. Though Kirstie’s voice has been compared to that of Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez, her sound is uniquely her own. Kirstie Lynn is a folk singer-songwriter originally from the fingerlakes region of upstate, NY. She began her professional music studies at the age of 15, and has since received both a Bachelor’s degree from Shenandoah University and a Master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University in voice and opera performance. Her vocal training lends her the freedom to paint her nature inspired lyrics with a wide range and a beautiful and effortless sound. Kirstie Lynn is one half of the duo Kirstie Lynn and Galen Clark. // Galen Clark introduces an alternative perspective and approach to music that contains multitudes. Migratory melodies, multi-instrumental fluency, and mysterious texture all outline the stylings of the newly transplanted Cuyahoga Valley songwriter, producer, and musician. // Born into an Air Force family, Clark grew up in many places with family anchors in Vermont and Colorado. At the age of 9 following many failed piano lessons, Clark’s grandparents gifted him a Harmony parlor guitar from a Shelburne flea market, starting a journey that would span almost 2 decades of stylistic development, a plethora of ephemeral bands, a degree in music production and recording technology, and a refined take on songwriting. .. Sharing songs spanning the stoic mountains of Idaho’s lost river range to the ancient hum of the Shenandoah Valley, Galen draws upon energy strewn between varied time and place, a broader quest for belonging, and rejuvenation beyond the front door. Clark’s previous records, Providence (2018) and The Well (2020) offer a contemplative portrait of moods in natural ambiguity, collective consciousness, and introspection. His most recent collaboration with KC – based artist, Kirstie Lynn is a reckoning that is to be heard live and will transport you elsewhere if not in mind than in spirit.][Kirstie Lynn & Galen Clark play a CINDERGARDEN B-Sides, Special Release Show at Hillsiders, 403 N. 5th Street, KCK, TONIGHT on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 with Kelly Hunt opening the show.]

Fritz Hutchison – “Little Referee”
from: True Lions / Fritz Hutchison Split Cassette / Manor Records / April 26, 2023
[Fritz Hutchison released his second solo full length album, MOVIE NIGHT On April 15, 2022. Fritz was signed by Manor Records that same year. Multi-instrumentalist Fritz Hutchison was born May 27, 1991. A life-long resident of KC. Since 2008 he’s been part of multiple bands playing drums with: She’s a Keeper, Freight Train Rabbit Killer, and Grand Marquis. As a guitarist he has played along side True Lions, J Ashley Miller, Lauren Krum, Miki P, Calvin Arsenia. A decade of lending an ear and a hand to other musicians Fritz Hutchison released his debut solo album Wide Wild Acres on Center Cut Records on March 27, 2020. Written & performed by Fritz Hutchison. Produced by Fritz Hutchison & Joel Nanos. Recorded & mixed in KC by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studio. Mastered by Collin Jordan at The Boiler Room in Chicago.] [Fritz Hutchison plays The True Lions / Fritz Hutchison Split Cassette Release Show is Wednesday, April 26, at 7:00 PM with Jass & The Boys at The Ship 1221 Union Avenue, KCMO WEST BOTTOMS]

Teri Quinn – “When I’m Gone”
from: “When I’m Gone” – Single / Teri Quinn / June 14, 2023
[Teri Quinn released her new 4-track EP DEAFENING SILENCE, on June 30, 2023 Tracked live at Element Recording and Mastering Studios with Teri Quinn on banjo & vocals, Landon Hambright on guitar & vocals, John O’keefe on bass, and Ryan Smith on drums. // This single follows Teri’s earlier single release”Running Away” released June 2, 2023 with John O’keefe on bass, Ryan Smith on Drums, Landon Hambright on guitar. Produced and Engineered by Joel Nanos at Element Recording & Mastering Studios. And the single “Sweet Savannah” released February 26, 2020 Produced and engineered by Chase Horseman at Element Recording Studios. Mastered by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studios. For this recording: Landon Hambright on guitar, Matt Richey on drums, Joel Stratton on Wurlitzer, Molly Mclaughlin on alto flute, Chase Horseman on synth bass, and Teri Quinn on banjo and vocals. Teri released her debut EP, Moons and Meltdowns in 2017, setting the gritty tone for her indie folk sensibilities. She was nominated for Best Musician for the 2018 Pitch Awards. // Teri Quinn is a Kansas City based, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose primary songwriting instrument is the banjo. She uses the banjo as a way to create soundscapes drawing you in to her tales of wandering and self-discovery., originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Teri moved to Kansas City in 2009 to study clarinet performance and Music Composition at the UMKC’s Conservatory of Music where she graduated in 2013. Along with being a touring solo artists Teri has also played with Claire and the Crowded Stage, Abandoned Bells, True Lions, and Monta.]

Caley Rose – “Here We Go”
from: “Here We Go” – Single / Caley Rose / June 23, 2023
[Performed by: Caley Rose who co-wrote the song with Henry Ingraham, Cassandra Jane Boettcher. Produced by: Henry Ingraham. Mixed by: Tyler Spratt. Trumpet by: Scott Bel // Caley Rose is a Billboard Charting Pop Singer & Songwriter whose music has been featured on Top 40 radio. She empowers women & youth by partnering with organizations that uplift females and by speaking about confidence in schools across the country. She has received awards from the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, Mid Atlantic Song Contest.]

Kye Colors – “IN THE DARKNESS (clean)”
from: Colorman: Red [EP] / Wasteland Records / March 16, 2023
[Kye Colors released his single “Phil Collins” on March 25, 2022. // Kye Colors, born J’Kye Slatton, is a 21 year-old rapper and producer from the South side of Kansas City, Missouri. Kye began writing music as early as age 5, usually done in crayons. “I’d describe my music as very colorful and vibrant from the beats to the lyrics” Colors says. “I’d describe my music as very colorful and vibrant from the beats to the lyrics” // The name Kye Colors derives from multiple meanings. The first coming from the idea that hues enact certain moods, “you can feel orange, you can feel yellow, you can feel brown; it’s like an emotion” says Kye. The second is best described through his lyrics on the track Broken Place, “I’m KC for real, check the initials.” // His gift of rap was nurtured and harbored from Elementary School to High School. As a teenager, Kye’s talent was quickly taken notice by his peers. While in school, his seniors made sure that he would get his high school diploma before he could fully pursue his music career. After sporadic trials with rap he went by the name Kye Colors by age 14. The same year he began producing. // In 2015 he released his first mixtape entitled “00“. The project garnered attention from hip hop fans all over the Kansas City Metropolitan. In 2017, he joined the rap collective “CaviArt” alongside artists Gee Watts, A’Sean, Ray Muney, and others. // Soon after and at only 17 years old, he would release his 1st full length project “Milk Is Nasty”. It was nationally acclaimed by Lyrical Lemonade, publicized in local Newspapers such as The Kansas City Star and The Pitch KC, and also gained notable local airplay. The project also led to him performing alongside Denzel Curry, Famous Dex, Wiz Khalifa, Lil TJay and many more. // “Milk Is Nasty”. It was nationally acclaimed by Lyrical Lemonade, publicized in local Newspapers such as The Kansas City Star and The Pitch KC, and also gained notable local airplay. // In 2019, Kye released some of his most popular single releases to date including “Sweet Thang,” “Doggy,” “Talk About It” and more. These independent releases would land him on platforms such as Baller Alert, a modeling gig with Lee Jeans, and national airplay on Shade45. // In 2020, at the age of 20 he founded his label “Wasteland Records” partnering with manager Jesse Brown and Jaron Baston. He went on his first independent tour and released his 2nd LP With Love By Faith. It peaked at 166 on the Top 200 Rap/Hip Hop albums on iTunes. // Come 2021, Kye delivered three glossy singles “Nike Boy Freetstyle”, “Grateful”, “1-800” and an impressive five-track EP “WOW” in which helped him rank in the top 10K “R&B, Funk & Soul” artists in the world. // Kye kicked off 2022 with a flamboyant and captivating new single “TAKE UR PLACE”. A track thats surely setting the mood for whats to come. // From having a vibrant young passion for his penmanship to flourishing on the energy of his supporters, Kye looks to establish his mark in the industry as a rapper, and creative with a purpose. The artist intends to create moving and powerful connections through his newly-constructed label, releasing quality music, and collectively refining the abilities of his sound. More info at: http://www.kyecolors.com]

Christena Graves – “Swingin” On The Stars”
from: “Swingin On The Stars” – Single / Christena Graves / June 28, 2023
[Christena Graves writes that, “This is a song that has been on the back burner for a while. We’ve been waiting for the right time to release it and this summer is it! The lyrics for ‘Swingin’ on the Stars’ came out of a conversation I had years ago with another songwriter about the sky being full of songs. He said, “it’s all one big song and all we do as is reach up and pull a piece of it down.” That has stuck with me. I love the connectedness of it. All of us songwriters are pulling from the same pool and the air is full of music! We are all breathing it in.” // Christena Graves released her album, FINDING MY FOOTING on February 11, 2021. It was one of WMM’s 120 Best Recordings of 2021. Christena Graves writes songs in order to make sense of her world. Her lyrics are a mixture of a heartfelt acknowledgment of the pain and suffering in life, balanced by the steadying force of committed relationships. Growing up in a coastal area of western Michigan, Christena draws from her deep connection with the natural world to help frame the difficulty of the human emotional landscape. “Nature brings focus for me. I rely on it to color my lyrics.” She found her musical beginning learning to sing harmonies with her older brothers and sisters. Music was an important part of her family and they would often sing hymns together. She fondly remembers the day her oldest brother sat her on the kitchen counter and taught her to sing harmony to Jingle Bells. It was a moment that gave fuel to her love of singing. // After leaving Michigan to attend college in Missouri, she met her husband Brandon and joined the band Waterdeep as the keyboard player. After touring for several years, she stepped away from the band to raise their children. Songwriting became a release to help process the struggles of life. Eventually, she was writing songs for her church community and helping lead music on Sunday mornings. Once the kids were old enough, Christena and Brandon decided to form a new project and return to making music in a bigger way. // 2019 marked the beginning of the Christena Graves Band and the ground work being laid for her return to the music industry. In mid 2020 Greg Lafollette, a long time musical friend, moved back to KC from Nashville where he had built a successful career as an artist and producer. Greg offered his help to record a collections of songs that have become her new record. The album is titled, Finding My Footing. A nod to the difficulty of reengaging in a music business that has changed dramatically over the last 20 years but also a humble acceptance that life can be hard at times but it is important to keep moving forward. // The release of Finding My Footing marks her first full length solo album since 1996 and her first project ever as a band leader. The songs are stories of loss, fear, struggle, and joy. “This project ended up being much more than just making a good record. I spent a lot of time in self reflection—maybe I should call it a mid-life moment. I questioned my ability and worth as an artist, as a woman, and a human. It has been difficult to go through but I am learning so much about myself. I am happy with where I am and I am proud of what I’ve said with this album.” More info at: http://www.christenagravesmusic.com] [Christena Graves was guest on WMM on February 10, and on July 7, 2021.]

Corey Dies in the End – “Boy With No Job”
from: “Boy With No Job” – Single / Lime Squeeze Records / February 17, 2023
[Corey Dies in the End just recently release the new single, “Buyers Remorse” on June 9, 2023. Corey Dies in the End is the solo musical project of Corey Vitt who has been playing in Kansas City and Lawrence bands since 2006 playing with Videodisk, Parents, Hidden Pictures, Rooms Without Windows, and Beautiful Bodies. With Corey Dies in the End on vocals, programming, & guitars and Matty Harris on mixing & mastering. / Corey Dies in the End released the single, “Stranger’s Faces” on September 2, 2022. / Corey Dies in the End released the single, “Goth Girl Summer” on May 20. 2022. / Corey Dies in the End released the single, “Air” on January 26, 2022. / Corey Dies in the End released the single, “Island” on October 6, 2021. More info at: http://www.coreydiesintheend.bandcamp.com]

11:00 – Station ID

Zava – “H.O.E”
from: “H.O.E.” – Single / Taylor Avazpour / June 1, 2022
[Zava is the musical project, of Taylor Avazpour. Zava ‘s last single “Wrong” was released August 13, 2021 and was added to the “New Queer Friday Playlist” on Spotify. “Wrong” is the 5th single Zava has released in 2021, including: “Electric” on June 4, “I Could Get used To This” on May 14, “Attitude” on April 23, and “Lightyears” on February 12. Since 2017 Taylor has been releasing music videos, has worked at Starlight Theatre, lived in New York City and Boston. Zava was a featured performer at the 2021 Show-Me Kansas City Pride Festival (Aug. 21-22) in Theis Park, KCMO, as presented by KC Pride Community Alliance. Taylor Avazpour is Senior Operations Analyst at Netsmart and Assistant Director at Music Theatre Kansas City. More information at: http://solo.to/thisiszava%5D

[ZAVA will be making his debut at Gaels Public House and Sports, 5424 Troost Ave, KCMO, on Friday, August 4, at 6:00-9:00 PM. ]

11:03 – Interview with ZAVA (Taylor Avazpour)

Joining us in our 90.1 FM Studios is Taylor Avazpour, who performs as ZAVA. He is a singer, songwriter, actor and dancer from Kansas City who has worked in professional theatre and is also a recording artist. ZAVA is a play on Taylor’s name where “AVAZ” translates as “voice” or “song” in Persian. ZAVA shares his soul through his love of music in intimate settings that explore the feelings and experiences of this human adventure and what lies beyond. ZAVA recently made his debut at The Folly Theater earlier this year with his show, FOREVERMORE. This show weaves a lifetime of stories together through classic jazz standards, futuristic R&B ballads, covers of songs by the Bee Gees and Spice Girls, all the way to Persian-infused dance pop.

ZAVA will be making his debut at Gaels Public House and Sports, 5424 Troost Ave, KCMO, on Friday, August 4, at 6:00-9:00 PM.

ZAVA (Taylor Avazpour), Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Last year on June 1 we premiered the ZAVA single “H.O.E.” that was released June 1, 2022. We talked about the upcoming ZAVA appearance at the 2022 Kansas City PrideFest in Theis Park, 522 Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard, KCMO.

Zava writes: “In a world shrouded in darkness, ZAVA pierces through like lightning. Between soaring vocals, infectious grooves, and celestial production, ZAVA blends all of the music that inspired him to create, what he likes to call, ‘Empowerment Pop’ music. Through this energy, ZAVA hopes to inspire people to discover and cultivate their own light and power from within themselves. Our world depends on it.”

Zava writes: “At the dawn of the 21st century, the world is shrouded in darkness. Humans, the only conscious beings on Earth, have become prisoners in their own minds. Hate has become the weapon of the ego. Love has become a feeling of the past. Souls yearn for connection and imagination only to be forgotten through the conditioning of society.”

“In a moment when all hope seems lost, the soul remembers. Even buried beneath the layers of conditioning, the soul remembers. The love, the connection, the imagination. The reason we are here. As the great awakening emerges, souls from around the world will remember who they are. Not the roles they play, not the identities to which they attach themselves, not even the body in which their souls rest. This is a remembering that peace, joy, and love is who we are. The only way to unlock this treasure is to surrender the ego and dive into the universe that lies within.”

“Like all things in the universe, there is balance. When darkness reigns, light rises to meet it. Now is the time to awaken, to fight for the light, and to remember who we are.”

“In making the “H.O.E.” video ZAVA wrote: “That’s a wrap on my first video shoot. I had a moment today where I looked around and genuinely felt a sense of pride in how far I’ve come. Not just as an artist, not just as a human, but as a gay man. All of the struggle, confusion, internalized homophobia I had to survive to get here is making this moment so precious to me. To be able to share all sides of myself – the masculine, the feminine, and everything in between – is what I’m most excited about. It’s time for our society, and especially gay men, to embrace all parts of our humanity. Wear makeup if you want, dance however it feels best for your body, sing as high as the heavens if your soul tells you to. We are not hiding anymore.”

“We are not judging anymore. We are not competing anymore. We are loving ourselves and sharing that love with other members of our community. We are uplifting. We are inspiring. We are supporting. That, more than anything, is what this song and music video represent to me. I am the pop star I always wanted when I was younger. A gay man singing about other men, feeling sexy asf, moving how I wanna to move, singing how I wanna sing, wearing a dress, dancing shirtless, expressing my true self.”

Since 2017 Taylor has been releasing music videos, has worked at Starlight Theatre, lived in New York City and Boston. Taylor Avazpour is Senior Operations Analyst at Netsmart and has worked as Assistant Director at Music Theatre Kansas City. Info at: http://solo.to/thisiszava/

ZAVA played Kansas City PrideFest, in Theis Park, 522 Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard, KCMO in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023

Zava’s single “Wrong” was released Aug. 13, 2021, and was added to the “New Queer Friday Playlist” on Spotify. In 2021 Zava also released the singles: “Electric” on June 4, “I Could Get Used To This” on May 14, “Attitude” on April 23, and “Lightyears” on February 12.

in 2022 ZAVA Collaborated with Stephonne on the track “Boyz”

Stephonne – “Boyz (feat. Dustin Rapier & Zava) [Radio Edit]”
from: SIS: Side B [EP] / Stephonne / June 24, 2022
[Co-produced by, Justin Mantooth, and recorded at Westend Recording Studios. Johnny Hamil on bass, and Adam McKee on drums.]

ZAVA recently made his debut at The Folly earlier this year with his show, “FOREVERMORE.”

“ZAVA Presents: FOREVERMORE” weaves a lifetime of stories together through classic jazz standards, futuristic R&B ballads, covers of songs by the Bee Gees and Spice Girls, all the way to Persian-infused dance pop. With “AVAZ” meaning “voice” or “song” in Persian, ZAVA shares his soul through his love of music in this intimate setting that explores the feelings and experiences of this human adventure and what lies beyond…

Social media: @thisiszava

1:16 – ZAVA LIVE in the 90.1 FM Studios!

Zava – “How Deep Is Your Love” (LIVE)
“How Deep Is Your Love” written mainly by Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb
[“How Deep Is Your Love” is a pop ballad written and recorded by the Bee Gees in 1977 and released as a single in September of that year. It was ultimately used as part of the soundtrack to the film Saturday Night Fever. It was a number-three hit in the United Kingdom and Australia. In the United States, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 on 25 December 1977 and stayed in the Top 10 for 17 weeks. It spent six weeks atop the US adult contemporary chart. It is listed at No. 27 on Billboard’s All Time Top 100. Following mixing for Here at Last… Bee Gees… Live, the Bee Gees began recording songs for what was to be the follow-up studio album to 1976’s Children of the World. Then the call came from Robert Stigwood requesting songs for a movie he was producing. The Bee Gees obliged and gave him five songs, one of which was “How Deep Is Your Love”. This track was written mainly by Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb. Barry worked out the melody with keyboard player Blue Weaver, though he is not credited officially as a songwriter here. Co-producer Albhy Galuten later admits the contribution of Weaver on this track, “One song where Blue [Weaver] had a tremendous amount of input. There was a lot of things from his personality. That’s one where his contribution was quite significant, not in a songwriting sense, though when you play piano, it’s almost like writing the song. Blue had a lot of influence in the piano structure of that song” ]

[ZAVA plays Gaels Public House & Sports, 5424 Troost, KCMO, on Friday, August 4, at 6:00-9:00 PM.]

11:20 – Interview with ZAVA (Taylor Avazpour)

Joining us in out 90.1 FM Studios is Taylor Avazpour, who performs as ZAVA. He is a singer, songwriter, actor and dancer from Kansas City who has worked in professional theatre and is also a recording artist.

ZAVA (Taylor Avazpour), Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

ZAVA will be making his debut at Gaels Public House and Sports, 5424 Troost Ave, KCMO, on Friday, August 4, at 6:00-9:00 PM.

ZAVA is a play on Taylor’s name where “AVAZ” translates as “voice” or “song” in Persian.

ZAVA shares his soul through his love of music in intimate settings that explore the feelings and experiences of this human adventure and what lies beyond.

ZAVA recently made his debut at The Folly Theater earlier this year with his show,

FOREVERMORE. This show weaves a lifetime of stories together through classic jazz standards, futuristic R&B ballads, covers of songs by the Bee Gees and Spice Girls, all the way to Persian-infused dance pop.

ZAVA (Taylor Avazpour), Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

ZAVA plays Gaels Public House & Sports, 5424 Troost, KCMO, Fri, Aug 4, at 6-9:00 PM.

11:28 – Underwriting

Nicholas May & Ellen R. Sommer – “Tone Studies”
from: Tone Studies: The Saxophone Music of David Maslanka / Albany Records / Mar. 1, 2019
[he much beloved and acclaimed composer David Maslanka (1943-2017) featured the saxophone in many of his compositions, including concertos, solo, and chamber works. Nicholas May has chosen two for his debut recording — the Sonata for Alto Saxophone (1989) and Piano and Tone Studies (2009). Maslanka’s music requires not only tremendous technique but also a performer who is master of sound and color. The saxophone is an instrument of tremendous beauty and flexibility and Maslanka’s works require a saxophonist capable of broad swaths of color, rich depths of contrast, and generous apportionment of the musical canvas. Nicholas May is such a saxophonist and this recording defines the works. May has been a finalist in numerous state, national, and international competitions. He received degrees from the University of Kansas and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is now on the faculty at Mid Plains Community College and a member of the Heartland Duo and the Sanders-May Duo. His collaborator, pianist Ellen Sommer is on the faculty at the University of Kansas School of Music. // David Maslanka, composer // Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano // Nicholas May (saxophone); Ellen Sommer (piano) // David Maslanka, composer // Tone Studies // Nicholas May (saxophone); Ellen Sommer (piano) // Heralded as “highly virtuosic” whose “artistry further imbues his performance with an unmatched sense of lyricism and expression. (Christina Ensign, Composer), saxophonist Nick May is sought after as a highly expressive, intuitive performer that “brings his personality to every performance – full of genuine joie de vivre!” (Javier Oviedo, Classical Saxophone Project) and quickly garnering attention for his compelling programs that have been described as “Incredible; bringing to life some of the best music that has ever been written.” (Maestro Hughes, Arapahoe Philharmonic). // Since his solo debut at the age of eighteen with the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra, May’s career has taken him throughout the United States, Singapore, Germany, Sweden, and Denmark, appearing recurrently as a guest artist and recitalist. Additionally May has garnered prizes at many prestigious national and international competitions with recent Carnegie Hall performances with pianist and M2 Duo partner, Maya Tuylieva, described as “two incredible musicians, who perform as one voice.” (Dave Kenney, Composer) // He has performed as a soloist and been featured with the Mid America Freedom Band, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Saxophone Choir, Classical Saxophone Project, Baker University Jazz Combo and Big Band, Arapahoe Philharmonic Orchestra, Kansas Wesleyan University Wind Ensemble, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Orchestra, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Wind Ensemble, and the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra. // May has premiered works and collaborated with today’s most eminent and emerging composers including Kevin Day, Jennifer Higdon, Peter Dayton, Ingrid Stölzel, Dave Kenney, Spencer Arias, Nathan Froebe, Evan Boegehold, John Kosch, Christina Ensign, David von Kampen, Suhan Tuyliyev, among others. He released his debut album in 2019 under Albany Records – Tone Studies: the Saxophone Music of David Maslanka; is also featured on The Chamber Music of David von Kampen and the University of Nebraska – Lincoln Jazz Orchestra’s album, The Good Life. Additionally, he is the founder of the I Exist Project, which aims to inspire the creation and promotion of innovative queer repertoire that celebrates the unique experiences and voices within our community, fostering greater understanding, connection, and visibility for all.]

[Nick May plays the The 4th Annual Queer Narratives Festival at The Black Box, 1060 Union Avenue, WEST BOTTOMS, KCMO, on August 4 at 7:00-11:00 PM Big Bang Buffet, Epiphany, Nicole Springer, J Petty, Korea Cavalli, and SISTERBOT.]

Sisterbot – “Feel The Color”
from: Truth House / Sisterbot / July 10, 2021
[Sisterbot is a performing artist dedicated to breaking genre boundaries, creating cosmic musical and theatrical experiences. The 9-piece Sisterbot Band is a “punk pop chamber orchestra” complete with electric guitar, drums, piano, strings and horn. “Truth House (2021) is a concept album written over the span of three years, encapsulating a chapter of my life that I spent in a house alone, dealing with the aftermath of trauma and rebirth.”- Sisterbot (Adee Dancy). Written by Sisterbot. Produced by Jametatone and Sisterbot. Engineered, Mixed, Mastered by Jametatone, except “Approval” which was Produced, Engineered, & Mixed by Andrew Bonci Jr. at Magnolia Tree Studios, with AJ Bonci on guitar, Just Angel and Sisterbot on vocals. Cover Art by Mazzy Mann. Adee Rocket Dancy released the single “Hello Moon (feat. The Swallowtails)” on April 26, 2021. (This is on the Sisterbot album.) Produced by Jametatone & Adee Rocket Dancy. Adee Rocket Dancy on piano & vocals & cello; Rachel Lovelace on bassoon; Mikala Petillo on guitar & background vocals, Mixing & Mastering by Jametatone. Adee Rocket Dancy writes, “This is a song about my life-long love for the moon. Adee chose April 26, 2021 to honor “The Pink Moon.” Info: Sisterbot.bandcamp.com]

[SISTERBOT plays the The 4th Annual Queer Narratives Festival at The Black Box, 1060 Union Avenue, WEST BOTTOMS, KCMO, on August 4 at 7:00-11:00 PM Big Bang Buffet, Nick May, Epiphany, Nicole Springer, J Petty, and Korea Cavalli.]

11:37 – Interview with Stacy Busch

Stacy Busch, composer and performer who utilizes her voice with electronics to build unique sound worlds. Her work is a meeting point between art pop, avant-classical and singer-songwriter. Stacy is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of No Divide KC, an arts and advocacy non-profit that creates artistic events for social causes.

No Divide KC & InterUrban ArtHouse presents The 4th Annual Queer Narratives Festival at The Black Box, 1060 Union Avenue, WEST BOTTOMS, KCMO, on August 4-5, 2023 at 7:00-11:00 PM. Known for its celebratory and inclusive energy, the Queer Narratives Festival features artists at all stages in their arts practice, and represents all artistic mediums and queer identities.

Friday, August 4 features: Big Bang Buffet, Nick May, Epiphany, Nicole Springer, J Petty, Korea Cavalli, and SISTERBOT.

Saturday, August 5 features: Sass-a-Brass, Melissa Ferrer, Kyle Jones, Glitch Gal, U-Hollers, Victor Shawn, and COLLIDESCOPE. 7:00-11:00 PM / Doors Open at 6:30 PM / Show Starts at 7:00 PM http://www.nodividekc.org

Stacy Busch, Thank You for being with us on WMM

Stacy Busch is a queer composer and performer who utilizes her voice with electronics to build unique sound worlds. Her work is a meeting point between art pop, avant-classical and singer-songwriter.

Stacy’s work has been performed nationally and internationally. She has received grants from ArtsKC, ArtSounds, Charlotte Street Foundation and the UMKC Women’s Council. Stacy is a 2020 Charlotte Street Foundation Generative Artist Fellow.

Stacy is the cofounder and Executive Director of No Divide KC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that uses the arts as a vehicle for stimulating social awareness, participation and community building. No Divide KC partners with Kansas City-based organizations and artists to create artistic events that are focused on the stories of underserved and misrepresented communities in Kansas City

Known for its celebratory & inclusive energy, the Queer Narratives Festival features artists at all stages in their arts practice & represents all artistic mediums and queer identities.

Friday, August 4 includes: Big Bang Buffet 7:00-7:30 PM // Nick May 7:35-7:55 PM //
Epiphany 8:00-8:30 PM // Nicole Springer 8:35-9:05 PM // J Petty 9:10-9:30 PM //
Korea Cavalli 9:35-10:00 PM // SISTERBOT 10:15-11:00 PM

Saturday, August 5 includes: Sass-a-Brass 7:00-7:25 PM // Melissa Ferrer 7:30-7:55 PM // Kyle Jones 8:00-8:25 PM // Glitch Gal 8:30-8:55 PM // U-Hollers 9:00-9:25 PM //
Victor Shawn 9:35-10:05 PM // COLLIDESCOPE 10:15-11:00 PM

Food Trucks – Vendors, artisans and activities – Performances from 7-11PM Indoor/Outdoor

General Admission Tickets – $15 Low Income/Artist – $20 General Admission –
$35 Super Supporter – $30 Both Day Deal ($10 discount)

Parking in The Black Box parking lot and street

Other events from Queer Narratives Festival

LGBTQIA+ ART BUSINESS with Executive Director & Composer Stacy Busch
June 20 – August 3, 2023, Tuesdays at 12-1:00 PM Virtual / Thursdays at 6:00-7:00 PM
Plexpod, 300 East 39th Street, KCMO

Gentle Yoga
July 5, 7:30-8:30 PM
At The Nelson Atkin Museum Lawn

PRIDE & PLEASURE with Kristen Thomas
July 15, 5:00 PM
InterUrban ArtHouse, 8001 Newton Street, Overland Park, KS.

Queer Joy and Creativity (Music Workshop)
July 17, 7:00-8:30 PM – Plexpod, 300 East 39th Street, KCMO

LGBTQ+ HEALTH FAIR
Saturday, July 22, 11:00-5:00 PM – InterUrban ArtHouse, 8001 Newton Street, OPKS.

Scene
InterUrban ArtHouse, 8001 Newton Street, Overland Park, KS.
Saturday, July 29, 2023 7:00-9:00 PM – Open Mic Night dedicated to monologues & duets

No Divide KC – Mission Statement: No Divide KC uses the arts as a vehicle for stimulating social awareness, participation and community building. No Divide KC partners with Kansas City-based artists and organizations to create artistic events that are focused on the stories of underserved and misrepresented communities in Kansas City.

Some of the local organizations we have partnered with include: InterUrban Arthouse, Care Beyond the Boulevard, Free Hot Soup, Open the Doors Coaching, Charlotte Street Foundation, The Whole Person, El Centro, Don Bosco Centers, La Luz Immigration Clinic, Kansas City Center for Inclusion, Kansas City Anti-Violence Project, Reconciliation Services, Kansas City Heroes, the Kansas City Ballet School and the Johnson County Library. We also feature community members in our documentary series and programs because there is power in community participation and sharing our stories.

Info at: http://www.nodividekc.org

Stacy Busch is a composer/performer who utilizes her voice with electronics to build unique sound worlds. Her work is a meeting point between art pop, avant-classical and singer-songwriter. Stacy is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of No Divide KC, an arts and advocacy non-profit that creates artistic events for social causes. Stacy’s work has been performed nationally and internationally. Recently, Stacy composed the new music concert, When/Time performed in Kansas City and was commissioned by The Mid America Freedom Band to compose a double concerto for two drag queens titled “It’s For Us.” Stacy has performed at Omaha Under the Radar, Electronic Sound Studios Chicago, InterUrban ArtHouse and Splice Electroacoustic Music Festival. She scored the documentary “The Ordinance Project” which premiered at the Kansas City LGBTQ Film Festival, she partnered with Gilda’s Club KC and Owen/Cox Dance Group to compose and perform the music for “Collective: Our Stories of Cancer”. In addition to Kansas City, Stacy’s work has been featured at the University of Colorado-Boulder, University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, Western Michigan University and Central Michigan University. It has also been performed by ensembles including: loadbang, Bent Frequency, Beo String Quartet and newEar Contemporary Chamber Ensemble. Lastly, performances at international residencies include Listhus Artist Residency in Iceland and ArtHouse Holland in The Netherlands.

Stacy is a 2022 OneBeat Virtual Fellow for Global Music Leaders and she received the 2020 Charlotte Street Foundation Generative Performing Artist Award. Stacy has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Mid America Arts Alliance ArtsKC, ArtSounds, Charlotte Street Foundation and the UMKC Women’s Council. Stacy received her MM in composition from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and her BM in composition from Western Michigan University. Her teachers include Paul Rudy, James Mobberley, Chen Yi. Christopher Biggs and Lisa Coons.

Stacy Busch thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

No Divide KC & InterUrban ArtHouse presents The 4th Annual Queer Narratives Festival. The Black Box, 1060 Union Avenue, WEST BOTTOMS, KCMO, on August 4-5, 2023 at 7:00-11:00 PM / Doors Open at 6:30 PM / Show Starts at 7:00 PM http://www.nodividekc.org

11:54

Collidescope – “The Beast”
from: FunHouse / Collidescope / October 13, 2022
[ “The Blackness” is from the upcoming album “Clown Town” that Collidescope hopes to release in early 2023. Collidescope is essentially a duo that includes: Hadiza. on vocals, beats, & synthesizers; and Madison Monroe on guitar, bass, beats, synthesizers, mixing & vocals. On December 31, 2020 Collidescope released their 7-track album DEEP TAPE. DEEP TAPE includes Victoria Falls Stillwater on addition sound production and vocals, and was mixed and mastered by J.Ashley Miller. DEEP TAPE is a follow up the band’s debut EP SYSTEMIC released December 16, 2017. Hadiza also released her solo album SHADOW WEIGHT on Nov. 22, 2019. More info at: http://www.hadizaisnothere.bandcamp.com or http://www.acollidescope.bandcamp.com ]

[COLLIDESCOPE plays the The 4th Annual Queer Narratives Festival at The Black Box, 1060 Union Avenue, WEST BOTTOMS, KCMO, on Saturday, August 5 with: Sass-a-Brass, Melissa Ferrer, Kyle Jones, Glitch Gal, U-Hollers, and Victor Shawn 9:35-10:05 PM.]

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

Next week on August 2, 2023, KC based musician Tillie Hall of the band Mellophobia joins us to talk about Innovation Festival 2023, August 3 thru August 5, 11:00 Am to 10:00 PM at Crown Center – The Saturday, August 5, Beats Day Lineup includes: Colony House, Dante Elephante, Mike Mains & the Branches, Harbour, Young Mister, Social Cinema, Mellowphobia, Cory Phillips & the Band of Light, and Emmaline Twist.

We also talk with Joy Zimmerman about her new album WHERE THE LIGHT IS, recorded and mixed by Maggie Heeren at La Luna Recording & Sound in Kalamazoo,
Michigan. Joy Zimmerman and Maggie Heeren co-produced this album with mastering by Anna Frick of Ally Sound. Kansas City musicians were recorded at Weights and Measures Soundlab by Duane Trower.

AND we’ll welcome hip hop musician, songwriter & producer Paris Williams and play new music from Paris, along with other new tracks from: Making Movies, Calvin Arsenia, The Black Mariah Theatre, Maria The Mexican and more.

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 #1004

WMM presents: Stacy Busch & The 4th Annual Queer Narratives Fest + Zava + Part 2 of WMM’s Favorite MidCoastal Releases of 2023…So Far!

Posted on July 24, 2023 by Mark Manning

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, July 26, 2023

Stacy Busch & The Queer Narratives Festival! + ZAVA + Part 2 of WMM’s Favorite MidCoastal Releases of 2023…SO FAR!

Mark continues with Part 2 of WMM’s Favorite MidCoastal Releases of 2023…So Far! We’ll spin tracks from: Kye Colors, The Blast Monkeys, Jass, Cory Dies in The End, Semper Viridis, Zion Isaiah, Collidescope, Modern Day Fitzgerald, Akkilles, Christena Graves, True Lions, Teri Quinn, Fritz Hutchison, Kirstie Lynn & Galen Clark, Malek Azrael, and Caley Rose. We will also play SISTERBOT, Nicholas May & Ellen R. Sommer, and ZAVA!

At 11:00 we’ll talk with Taylor Avazpour, who performs as ZAVA. He is a singer, songwriter, and dancer from Kansas City who has worked in professional theatre and is also a recording artist. ZAVA is a play on Taylor’s name where “AVAZ” translates as “voice” or “song” in Persian. ZAVA shares his soul through his love of music in intimate settings that explore the feelings and experiences of this human adventure and what lies beyond. ZAVA recently made his debut at The Folly Theater earlier this year with his show, FOREVERMORE. This show weaves a lifetime of stories together through classic jazz standards, futuristic R&B ballads, covers of songs by the Bee Gees and Spice Girls, all the way to Persian-infused dance pop. ZAVA will be making his debut at Gaels Public House and Sports, 5424 Troost Ave, KCMO, on Friday, August 4, at 6:00-9:00 PM. Social media: @thisiszava

At 11:30 we’ll talk with Stacy Busch, composer and performer who utilizes her voice with electronics to build unique sound worlds. Her work is a meeting point between art pop, avant-classical and singer-songwriter. Stacy is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of No Divide KC, an arts and advocacy non-profit that creates artistic events for social causes. No Divide KC & InterUrban ArtHouse presents The 4th Annual Queer Narratives Festival at The Black Box, 1060 Union Avenue, WEST BOTTOMS, KCMO, on August 4-5, 2023 at 7:00-11:00 PM. Known for its celebratory and inclusive energy, the Queer Narratives Festival features artists at all stages in their arts practice, and represents all artistic mediums and queer identities. Friday, August 4 features: Big Bang Buffet, Nick May, Epiphany, Nicole Springer, J Petty, Korea Cavalli, and SISTERBOT. Saturday, August 5 features: Sass-a-Brass, Melissa Ferrer, Kyle Jones, Glitch Gal, U-Hollers, Victor Shawn, and COLLIDESCOPE. More info at: http://www.nodividekc.org

On your local radio dial 90.1 FM or
STREAMING LIVE at: kkfi.org

Show #1004