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, April 21, 2021

New & MidCoastal Releases + Dr. Michael J C Taylor + Dimension Bill Edwards + Aaron Rhodes

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

2. Edison Lights – “Find Some Light”
   from: Find Some Light / Edison Lights / January 20, 2021
   [Edison Lights is Chris Doolittle on vocals & guitar, Eason Pritchard on vocals & bass,
   Scotty Rex on vocals & drums, Nate Juraschek on vocals & keyboards, and Todd Yarrow on vocals & guitar. Formed in 2014 to play at a company picnic, two veterans from Kansas City’s music scene dusted off their amps, tuned up their guitars and began to dream again. Bonding over beer, Big Star, The Replacements and The Beatles, guitarist Chris Doolittle (The Front, Frank’s Dream) began swapping song ideas with bassist Eason Pritchard (Symetrix, Deege). The two bandmates sought out drummer Scotty Rex (Sons of Rex, Go Kart) and began writing and recording a full-length album. “Bright Ideas | Dark Matters” was released two years later before the band had played its first live show. The album is comprised of songs that accumulated over the years with a few new tracks added later in the sessions. Each track intentionally pays tribute to late 70’s, early 80’s, rock and power-pop genres. The music evokes memories of long-play listening with car windows rolled down and the volume turned up. “We spent a lot of time talking about the lost art of listening to albums, reading liner notes and lyrics as the album played through,” said Pritchard. “There’s an entire experience wrapped up in that moment that you don’t get from listening to digital, streaming music … We don’t intend to change people’s way of listening back to that style. We want to remind them of a time when they once did.” Edison Lights has since added members Nate Juraschek (Earth Note Syndicate) and Todd Yarrow (Drew 6) into the fold. Edison Lights played their first show July, 15th 2017 at the Riot Room in Kansas City. More info at http://www.edisonlightsmusic.com]

3. Kadesh Flow & The Enclave – “But Hope”
   from: ”But Hope” – Single / Ryan Davis / March 26, 2021
   [Written, produced, performed, mixed and mastered by Kadesh Flow. More info at: http://www.kadeshflow.com This is one of 12 new singles Kadesh Flow has released so far this year: Kadesh Flow & The Enclave released, “Soft Side”, on Jan. 21, 2021 written, produced, performed, mixed & mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow released, “Assumptions feat. Shubzilla”, on Jan. 29, 2021. Kadesh Flow released, “Frosty”, on February 12, 2021, Written, produced, performed, mixed and mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow & The Enclave released, “Cry For Me 2”, February 12, 2021. Kadesh Flow released, “Not on My Watch”, on February 19, 2021, Inspired by Lord Beerus (Dragonball Super). Kadesh Flow released, “Held Me Longer”, on March 5, 2021, Written, produced, performed, mixed and mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow released, “Your Dream Isn’t Always Yours”, on March 12, 2021, Written, produced, performed, mixed and mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow & The Enclave released, “Forgot About Me”, on March 14, 2021. Kadesh Flow released, “Take Backs (feat. Ryan Heinlein)”, on March 26, 2021, Written, produced, performed, mixed and mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow & The Enclave released, “But Hope” on March 26, 2021, Written, produced, performed, mixed & mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow released the single, “I Don’t Care” on April 9, 2021. Written, performed, mixed and mastered by Kadesh Flow. Produced by D. Professor. Kadesh Flow released the single, “That Way” on April 16, 2021. Written, performed, mixed and mastered by Kadesh Flow. Produced by Dominique “Bassman” Saunders. More info at: http://www.kadeshflow.com. Kadesh Flow is Ryan Davis is a rapper with an MBA. He is an emcee, producer, & trombonist. At age 11, he began rapping and playing trombone within two weeks of one another. His music has been featured on network television in multiple countries and territories across Southeast Asia. Kadesh performs as a solo hip hop artist. He also plays with The Phantastics, and Marcus Lewis Big Band. Kadesh Flow was on WMM on Oct. 21, 2020.]

4. R.I.Peter – “Green House”
   from: Soft Serve / Manor Records / March 19, 2021
   [R. I.Peter debut full length 12-track album release, SOFT SERVE . Earlier this year R.I. Peter released the single, “Green House” on February 5, 2021. Kansas City based musician and songwriter Peter Beatty also plays in the band Momma’s Boy, and before that was in Rev Gusto that was formed with Jerry Frederick, Sam Frederick, Shaun Crowley; and Quinn Hernandez on drums while they were in high school at Saint James Academy. Peter studied at University of Kansas. Peter released the debut EP solo project R.I.Peter on July 5, 2019. Manor Records described R.I.Peter’s music saying, “It’s like if you took video game music and mashed it with Fleet Foxes or something. electronic pop ambient america folk mystic Both of the songs were written by Peter Beatty. R.I.Peter joined us live on WMM on March 17, 2021. Info at: http://www.manorrecords.com.]

[R.I.Peter plays an Album Release Show with Jass & Scabb, Friday, April 23, doors at 6:00 PM Scabb at 7:00, Jass at 8:00, R.I.Peter at 9:00 PM, at Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming St, KCMO, in the West Bottoms, behind Voltaire, promoting social distancing and proper Covid-19 hygiene practices, brought to you by Voltaire Restaurant, Moxie Catering, & recordBar. More at http://www.lemonadeparkkc.com]

5. Dry Cleaning – “Scratchcard Lanyard”
   from: New Long Leg / 4AD / April 2, 2021
   [Dry Cleaning are an English post-punk band who formed in South London in 2018. Dry Cleaning is Florence Cleopatra Shaw on vocals, Thomas Paul Dowse on guitar, Nicholas Hugh Andrew Buxton on drums & percussion, and Lewis Maynard on bass. Produced and mixed by John Parish. Engineered by Joe Jones. Recorded at Rockfield Studios, Monmouthshire, Wales. Mixed at Invada Studios, Bristol, England. Engineered by Stu Matthews. Mastered by Jason Mitchell at Loud. All songs written and recorded by Dry Cleaning (Warp Publishing). The band is noted for their use of spoken word primarily in lieu of sung vocals, as well as their unconventional lyrics. Their musical stylings have been compared to Wire, Magazine and Joy Division. The band released their debut single, “Magic of Meghan” in 2019. Shaw wrote the song after going through a break-up and moving out of her former partner’s apartment the same day that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced they were engaged. This was followed by the release of two EPs that year: Sweet Princess in August and Boundary Road Snacks and Drinks in October. The band were included as part of the NME 100 of 2020, as well as DIY magazine’s Class of 2020. The band signed to 4AD in late 2020. More info at: http://www.drycleaningband.com]

6. Fake Fruit – “No Mutuals”
   from: Fake Fruit / Rocks In Your Head / March 5, 2021
   [Oakland, California based Fake Fruit is: Hannah D’Amato on Vocal & guitars, Alex Post on guitars & vocals, Miles MacDiarmid on drums, and Martin Miller on bass. Recorded by Andrew Oswald and Mastered by Mikey Young. Fake Fruit distill Pink Flag era Wire, Pylon, and Mazzy Star to expound on the absurdity of modern life. Front woman Hannah D’Amato leads the group through three minute clap backs of minimal, moody post-punk.]

7. Yaya Bey –”September 13″
   from The Things I Can’t take With Me / Big Dada / April 9, 2021
   [Born and raised in Queens, New York, Bey considers herself mostly an “East Coast Girl” because of the formative years she spent as an adult creating and protesting in the DMV area. It was D.C. producer Chucky Thompson (known for his work with Notorious B.I.G. and Diddy) who encouraged Bey to record her own songs after years of writing for others and performing spoken word poetry. Like her dad, the pioneering rapper Grand Daddy I.U., Bey made the most out of what she had as a self-taught musician with a penchant for storytelling and an ear for sampling. Singer-songwriter Yaya Bey is multidisciplinary artist . The self-produced, six-track EP follows her last album, 2020’s intimate and political Madison Tapes, which received critical praise from Pitchfork (7.7), FADER, Afropunk, Noisey, and more. Following the same spirit of her previous projects, The Things I Can’t Take With Me searches the deeply personal and refreshingly honest truths of Black womanhood and love. // The project’s first single “fxck it then” radiates as an affirmative anthem for rediscovering your shine, reminding everyone that Yaya Bey “ain’t average.” It’s accompanied by new collage work created by Yaya herself, and a music video directed by Morgan B. Powell. “The video was a true labor of love,” Bey said, describing the visuals as “an ode to hood joints.” The nostalgic super 8 film aesthetic features styling by Alexea Brown and glimpses into Bey’s polaroid photography. // On The Things I Can’t Take With Me, Bey works her way through a breakup that triggered the deepest of wounds: the childhood trauma that resurfaces in our relationships. “I never seen my daddy treat a woman good/I don’t know what it’s like to be understood,” Bey sings over a fuzzy riff on the opening track “the root of a thing.” On “you up?,” she grapples with the duality of addictive passion and arguing all day: “This is hell but I’ve been waiting all my life for this/Oh the lips that tell me lies but I can’t wait to kiss.” // The new EP came together unexpectedly when Bey set out to record her next album. After her relationship ended, the direction of the project took a detour. “[The album] is going to be about the journey home to self,” Bey explained. “But on the way, there’s all this shit I gotta let go of, just the things I can’t take with me.” So, she allowed herself to make the music she needed to make, drawing on breakthroughs in therapy to process her grief and move forward. // The Things I Can’t Take With Me feels like a natural progression from last year’s Madison Tapes, both of which were recorded during the pandemic and what Bey describes as a “deep, deep depression.” But unlike the laid-back, collaborative vibe of the album, The Things I Can’t Take With Me flows like a solitary intention. Bey maneuvers effortlessly from heartbroken introspection towards a newfound security, denouncing the wack morals of an industry dude and embracing her own agency as a “bad bitch.” The EP culminates in the enthralling “protection spell,” empowering Bey in the mantra of returning to herself, whole. Her voice floats over watery guitars like a hymn: “No weapon/Formed against me/Not even you baby.” // Yaya Bey’s 2016 debut, The Many Alter-Egos of Trill’eta Brown, was an ambitious project that included a dreamy, largely acoustic mixtape, book, and digital collage inspired by her front-line activism as a street medic in Ferguson. “You spend two years of your life protesting and getting assaulted and arrested—you got a lot of shit to say after that,” Bey said. // Since then, she’s sharpened her sound and honed her focus, using the same D.I.Y. ethos that drove Trill’eta Brown to move from the global struggle of Black liberation towards her own inner healing. Inspired by the warm, smooth soul of Donny Hathaway and the strength of musicians like Alice Smith, Mary J. Blige, and writer Toni Morrison, Bey aims to soundtrack the lives of Black women just like her. With her 404 and pen, she brings an electrifying insight to the seemingly mundane like corporate malaise, heartache, and social media anxieties. // Bey has also developed her skills as a multidisciplinary artist, labeled “a force to be reckoned with in the art world” by Essence Magazine and acclaim from Solange’s Saint Heron agency. To date, she’s shown her collage work in galleries and has had two residencies at Brooklyn’s MoCADA Museum.. ]

10:28 – Underwriting

8. The Chicks – “Gaslighter”
   from: Gaslighter / Columbia Records / July 17, 2020
   [First album in 14 years. The Chicks (previously known as Dixie Chicks) are an American country music band composed of lead singer Natalie Maines and multi-instrumentalist sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer (both née Erwin). The Erwin sisters founded the band in 1989 in Dallas, Texas with bassist Laura Lynch and vocalist/guitarist Robin Lynn Macy, and performed bluegrass and country music, busking and touring the bluegrass festival circuits and small venues for six years without attracting a major label. Macy left in 1992 and Lynch became the lead vocalist soon afterward. Following the replacement of Lynch with Maines and a change in repertoire, the Chicks achieved commercial success, beginning in 1998 with hit songs “There’s Your Trouble” and “Wide Open Spaces”. // Days before the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Maines told a London audience the band did not endorse the war and were “ashamed” of US President George W. Bush being from Texas. The remarks triggered boycotts in the US and backlash from fans. After a hiatus, they toured again in 2010, 2013 and 2016. In 2020, they dropped “Dixie” from their name, citing negative connotations, and released their first album in 14 years, Gaslighter. // The Chicks have won 13 Grammy Awards, including five in 2007 for Taking the Long Way—which received the Grammy Award for Album of the Year—and its single “Not Ready to Make Nice”—which received the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and the Grammy Award for Song of the Year. By July 2020, with 33 million certified albums sold, and sales of 27.9 million albums in the U.S. alone, they had become the best-selling female band and best-selling country group in the U.S. during the Nielsen SoundScan era (1991–present) // On May 3, 2018, the band landed new management and signed with Ian Montone and Rick Yorn at Monotone/LBI Entertainment, as previous manager Simon Renshaw retired after having managed the band since 1995. Following their collaboration with Taylor Swift on her song “Soon You’ll Get Better” from Swift’s seventh studio album Lover, the Dixie Chicks confirmed that they would return to music with a new studio album after a 14-year hiatus. The album, Gaslighter, produced by Jack Antonoff, was later confirmed with a scheduled release date of May 1, 2020; however, the album’s release was postponed to July 17, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The album’s first single, “Gaslighter”, and its accompanying music video was released on March 4, 2020. // On June 25, 2020, the band changed their name to the Chicks, dropping the word “Dixie”, which referenced the American Mason–Dixon line that separated the free Northern and slave-owning Southern states. The name change followed criticism that the word had connotations of American slavery. The band said they had picked “that stupid name” as teenagers, and had wanted to change it for years; they said they were moved to change it when they saw the Confederate flag described as “the Dixie Swastika” on social media in June 2020. They received the blessing of the Chicks, a New Zealand duo, to share the name. Alongside the name change, the Chicks released the protest song “March March” with a music video directed by Seanne Farmer, in tribute to social justice movements. They also introduced John Silva as their new manager, with publicity by Cindi Berger of R&CPMK. On August 20, 2020, the Chicks performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.]

10:34 – Interview with Michael J C Taylor

Constitutional Historian, Dr. Michael J C Taylor joins us to talk about his new book, The Constitution and the American Presidency, from Peter Lang Publishing of New York, 2021. Michael J C Taylor earned his double Bachelor of Arts from Rockhurst College and obtained his Doctorate in history and political science from the University of Missouri Kansas City. He served as Professor of American History and Politics at Dickinson State University, Bemidji ( bə-MIJ-ee ) State University and Paine College. Michael’s previous book was, The Preamble and Mission of the Constitution, released December 9, 2018 from Peter Lang Publishing of New York.

Michael J C Taylor, thanks for being with us on WMM.

In the preface of Dr. Taylor’s book he writes about watching the United Staes Senate voting to acquit President Donald Trump at the close of his Impeachment trial (the first time) on February 5, 2020, and he was stunned but not surprised.

Mark’s words: Three years into Trump’s Presidency seemed like cruel and unusual punishment. Impeachment was followed by a global COVID19 Pandemic made worse because of poor presidential leadership, a rough and dirty election where Trump lost by millions of votes but instead of conceding the election, he created the “Big Lie” that the election had been rigged. He had carried that lie through the campaign, then into the transition time, and then galvanized his followers to stage an insurrection at our National Capital Building on January 6, 2021, in an effort to interrupt the official counting of the electoral ballots, which then led to a second impeachment.

Dr. Michael J C Taylor says that the framers of our constitution anticipated all of this.

Chapter 4 of his book: “The Fountain of Hope: The President as Diplomat”, examines visionary Presidents: Wilson, FDR, Kennedy.

Chapter 5 of his book examines examples of the worst Presidents we’ve ever had: Andrew Jackson, James Buchanan, Ronald Reagan.

Chapter 6, “To Preserve, Protect and Defend – Historical Lessons from the Apex and Nadir of Presidential Leadership,” Dr. Michael J C Taylor offers up solutions to the “problem of the Presidency” itself.

Michael’s big point: The farthest we get from the constitution the more problems we have.

Michael J C Taylor, thanks for being with us on WMM.

Dr. Michael J C Taylor ‘s new book, The Constitution and the American Presidency, is from Peter Lang Publishing of New York, 2021.

10:47

9. Pala Zolo – “Sycophant”
   from: “Sycophant” – Single / The Record Machine / April 9, 2021
   [Pala Zolo released the single “You Can’t” on April 17, 2020. Pala Zolo released the single “Up Northern” on February 8, 2019 on The Record Machine. Pala Zolo is the instrumental electronic project of Lawrence, KS musician Eric Davis. In Pala Zolo, Davis blends synthesizers and drum machines with live instruments to create his blend of cinematic pop music. He chose the name to pay homage to his Sicilian heritage by naming the project after a small Sicilian village he spent time in while studying abroad in Italy. Pala Zolo allows Davis the full freedom to experiment in ways that are a departure from his main gig as the keyboard player in buzzy up-and-coming rock band Hembree (Thirty Tigers, Oread Records). // The inspiration for Pala Zolo came from a chance meeting with fellow electronic musician, Tycho’s Scott Hansen. One day while working at The Granada Theater in Lawrence, Davis was given the job of being Hansen’s driver. For years Davis had been writing and recording his own demos and was completely unsure of what to do with them. After spending the entire day with Hansen and seeing him perform, Davis realized he could bring his incomplete ideas to life in his own unique way. Seeing an instrumental band perform such an emotionally charged set inspired Davis to finish his songs without traditional vocals and to begin creating his own sound in that genre. // Soon after, Davis set forth to finalize the recordings with his good friend and producer Joel Martin (Y god Y). The two of them spent countless hours experimenting with synthetic and acoustic textures to create perfect soundscapes to compliment Davis’ intricately arranged compositions. In 2018, Davis self-released singles House Plant & 40K, and continued to take Pala Zolo to another level by performing live with drummer Gerardo Rojas. The duo brings the songs to life with live synths, guitars and drums and has been resonating with audiences.]

10. Lee Walter Redding – “Elephant Man (feat. Stephonne)”
    from: “Elephant Man (feat. Stephonne)”-Single / Lee Walter Redding & Stephonne /Apr. 9, 2021
    [Lee Walter Redding told me that he learned about Stephonne Singleton from listening to Wednesday MidDay Medley and hearing Stephonne for the first time. “WMM bringing musical collaborations together since 2004.” Lyrics and music by Walter Lee Redding. Vocals and raw emotion on “Elephant Man” by Stephonne. Mixing and mastering by Justin Skinner. Lee Walter Redding writes: “Elephant Man” is inspired by young, black men diagnosed with schizophrenia and the issues they face dealing with stigma and difficulty fitting into a society that makes little room for those with severe mental health challenges. This is something that Stephonne felt deeply connected to and was gracious enough to put his full heart on display for the world to hear. // Kansas City based Lee Walter Redding was raised on 60s rock, steeped in 90s Britpop ennui, and guided by contemporary neo-soul, Lee Walter Redding weaves dry humor into vibrant sonic textures that sway from wistful to chaotic. Think 2010s Nick Lowe fronting The Velvet Underground. On warped vinyl. // Stephonne grew up in KCK. He released his debut album, “Caged Bird Sings Songs About Red Beard.” The album was one of WMM’s 118 Best Recordings of 2018. Stephonne was born and raised in Wyandotte County, Kansas. He has performed in multiple shows for Late Night Theatre. Stephonne told John Long of Camp Magazine “I was surrounded by records, and my parents always had music on.” A special video for “Want Me” was released in 2020. Stephonne joined us on WMM on July 15, 2020]

11. Eems – “Kinfolk”
    from: Big Fake Smile / Eems / March 17, 2021
    [Eems writes, “in my opinion it is my best body of work in about 6 years. I didn’t try to fit a mold that I thought I had developed over the past few years, the mold of the super happy motivational ukulele player. I got to be me. I got to come from behind that BIG FAKE SMILE. I hope it inspires someone, maybe not everyone but someone. Give it a listen.” More info at: http://www.music.apple.com/us/album/big-fake-smile/1555169479 Eems is Phillip Jackson, a KC based ukulele loop artist, singer songwriter, rapper, pianist, drummer, The resonance of his bright musical sounds, and lyrical calls, are woven through genres of folk, hip hop, pop, and dance influences. He has shared the stage with notable hop hop artists, and KC Folk Music Fest, Middle of The Map Fest. For Eems, a ukulele is a jumping off point that leads to an uncharted and often unpredictable world of sound and inspiration. Blending it with loops and effects to achieve a captivating blend of R&B and pop music, Eems has used his unique sounds, voice and sense of humor to reach crowds across the country. Eems has opened up for” Slick Rick The Ruler and GLC form Kanye West’s G.O.O.D music label. Eems released the 8-track SWEET DREAMS on January 10, 2020. Eems also released four new singles in 2020 including: the two song release “Spacelord” on February 29, 2020, “Middle” on May 4, 2020, and “Unbreakable” on October 11, 2020. Eems released his EP DREEMS on June 26, 2018. Eems released ROCKET SHIP EP on August 11, 2017. Eems released IIID on June 17, 2016.]

11:00 – Station ID

12. Dimension Bill Edwards – “Surrealberry Hill”
    from: Surrealberry Hill – Single / Mello Music Group / February 16, 2021
    [Dimension Bill Edwards is: Matt Weinman on lyrics, vocals & guitar; Melissa Weinman on lyrics, vocals & dance moves; Grant Buell on keyboards & accordion; Mallory Edson on violin; Phil Craven on bass & recording engineer; John Bersuch on drums. Grant Buell and Melissa Weinman are also in the band Good Time Charley. Phil Craven and Mallory Edson are also in the band, Whiskey for the Lady. This track will be on their debut album coming (hopefully) this summer.]

11:03 – Interview with Matt Weinman and Melissa Weinman

On the phone we have Matt & Melissa of the band Dimension Bill Edwards. The band released their single “Surrealberry Hill” on February 16, 2021. Dimension Bill Edwards is: Matt Weinman on lyrics, vocals & guitar; Melissa Weinman on lyrics, vocals & dance moves; Grant Buell on keyboards & accordion; Mallory Edson on violin; Phil Craven on bass & recording engineer; John Bersuch on drums. Grant Buell and Melissa Weinman are also in the band Good Time Charley. Phil Craven and Mallory Edson are also in the band, Whiskey for the Lady. This track will be on their debut album coming (hopefully) this summer.

Matt Weinman and Melissa Weinman thanks for being with us on WMM.

“Surrealberry Hill” was released on Fat Tuesday, and was inspired by Matt and Melissa’s move from the West 39th street area where they lived for many years to Strawberry Hill in Kansas City, Kansas. The release coincided with an amazing “Float House” that Melissa Created for Mardi Gras in Pandemic times. Melissa transformed the front of her home in Strawberry Hill into “the Happy Little Float House” in the spirit of Bob Ross and his “happy little trees”. Robert Norman Ross (October 29, 1942 – July 4, 1995) was an American painter, art instructor and television host. He was the creator and host of The Joy of Painting, an instructional television program that aired from 1983 to 1994 on PBS. Melissa owns Happy Trees Painting Co. and through her Happy Little Float House she raised $900 in donations for ScrapsKC to care for our homeless friends.

Dimension Bill Edwards is a band that formed through live performances at the Walnut Valley Folk Festival during the last set of the festival called “Heavy Petting Zoo” held in the Pecan Grove, and also through member’s association with the band The Kansas City Bear Fighters.

Matt performs many spoken word pieces during live performances. He has challenged himself to memorize certain works of poetry and literature. The spoken word portion of “Surrealberry Hill” is actually a “field recording” of Matt reading from the Egyptian Book of The Dead during a live performance on the last day of the Walnut Valley Festival, in 2019, in the Pecan Grove. The Book of the Dead passage reads “Make me strong against the slayer of my father.” You can see this video on the band’s facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Dimension-Bill-Edwards-1657429741234196

When Matt and Melissa returned home from the festival they were informed that Matt’s father had been killed after being hit by a local judge in New Mexico, while he was riding his bicycle, on the very afternoon of their performance that evening. Mountainair, New Mexico resident Billy Weinman was killed while bicycling west of Mountainair, when he and Karl Baumgartner, also a Mountainair resident, were struck by an SUV driven by Seventh Judicial District Court judge Shannon Murdock, according to Torrance County sheriff Martin Rivera. The case is still ongoing.

Dimension Bill Edwards is:
Matt Weinman on lyrics, vocals & guitar
Melissa Weinman on lyrics, vocals & dance moves
Grant Buell on keyboards & accordion
Mallory Edson on violin
Phil Craven on bass & recording engineer
(John Bersuch on drums for “Surrealberry Hill”)
Ike Golets on drums for future recordings and live performances.

Matt and Melissa met John Bersuch when he moved in next door to them in Strawberry Hill on New Years Eve 2019.

Grant Buell and Melissa Weinman are also in the band Good Time Charley. Phil Craven and Mallory Edson and Ike Goletz are also in the band, Whiskey for the Lady.

Band members found a wooden sign that read” Dimension Bill Edwards” behinds Cupini’s on West 43rd Street. No one knew what the sign was from or what it meant, but they decided to use this for the name of their band.

“Surrealberry Hill” will be on their debut album coming (hopefully) this summer.

Matt Weinman and Melissa Weinman thanks for being with us on WMM.

11:16

13. Dimension Bill Edwards – “Business Traveling”
    from: “Business Traveling” – Single / Mello Music Group / October 20, 2020
    [Dimension Bill Edwards is: Matt Weinman on lyrics, vocals & guitar; Melissa Weinman on lyrics, vocals & dance moves; Grant Buell on keyboards & accordion; Mallory Edson on violin; Phil Craven on bass & recording engineer; John Bersuch on drums. Grant Buell and Melissa Weinman are also in the band Good Time Charley. Phil Craven and Mallory Edson are also in the band, Whiskey for the Lady.]

14. Krystle Warren & The Crew – “Bein’ Green”
    from: The Crew EP / Parlour Door Music / September 15, 2020
    [Through isolation came unity. The Crew is Lakecia Benjamin, Matthew Silberman, Jacob Snider, Joe Blaxx, Solomon Dorsey, Zach Djanikian, Cassorla, Krystle Warren, and Ben Kane. They have recorded unique versions of classic songs with the hope of encouraging the rallying cries of The Moment: the movement of the people. // In the lockdown of their homes, they sewed together their interpretations of “Bein’ Green” (based upon Ray Charles’ rendition); “Gimme Some Truth” (a mighty John Lennon composition); “Dear Landlord” (a scathing indictment from the blistering pen of Bob Dylan); and “Rhythm of Life”, (a timeless statement originally performed by Oleta Adams). // A portion of the proceeds from The Crew. EP will be donated to the various causes and organizations. From Billboard.com: Singer-songwriter Krystle Warren has made a powerful statement about the struggle for Black equality with the help of Kermit the Frog’s iconic song “Bein’ Green” (written by Joe Raposo). // The moving five-minute clip, over which Warren sings her rendition of the 1970 song — since recorded by Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra and others — sprang from a covers EP she recorded during the pandemic with a group of musicians known as The Crew. Warren embarked on the project after her forthcoming album with her regular group, The Faculty, was put on hold due to COVID-19. The EP, which tackles themes of racial injustice in the wake of nationwide Black Lives Matter protests this summer, also includes a cover of John Lennon’s “Gimme Some Truth.” // The “Bein’ Green” video weaves in footage of this year’s Black Lives Matter protests, and also includes a heartbreaking montage of young Black children choosing white dolls over dark-skinned ones. It additionally features archival footage of such transformative Black figures as James Baldwin, Angela Davis, Malcom X, Nina Simone, Marsha P. Johnson and Al Sharpton, as well as victims of police brutality including Sandra Bland, George Floyd and Eric Garner. It ends with a clip from a speech by civil rights activist Ella Baker. // “‘Bein’ Green,’ it’s such a gorgeous song, and it says so, so much,” says Warren. “I began thinking about what I wanted it to express visually before we started [recording the song]. Essentially — it’s not easy being Black. That’s what Ray Charles was saying, and we felt it needed to be said again.” // Warren, who now resides in Paris, began performing in her native Kansas City at the age of 16 before moving to New York City, where she started busking on the streets and later formed her regular band, The Faculty. She and the group have recorded several full-length albums, including 2009’s Circles, 2012’s Love Songs and 2017’s Three the Hard Way. Her next album is slated for release this winter. // A large percentage of proceeds from sales of the EP — which is available for digital downloads via Warren’s website now and released on all streaming platforms next Friday — will be donated to the ACLU. Krystle Warren joined us live on WMM on September 23, 2020.]

15. Tune-Yards – “Cannonball”
    from: “Cannonball” – Single / 4AD / March 17, 2021
    [Tune-Yards cover The Breeders big hit from their album Last Splash. Part of 4AD’s BILLS & ACHES & BLUES compilation, released April 2, 2021 digitally and July 23, 2021 on Vinyl + CD. The compilation features 18 of its current artists covering a song of their choosing from 4AD’s past: a creative experiment rooted in the spirit of collaboration and a snapshot of 4AD, 41 years after its inception. Tune-Yards released their 5th studio album SKETCHY through 4AD Records on March 26, 2021. On September 22, 2020, Tune-Yards released “Nowhere, Man”, the first single in two years. The single is a reference to The Beatles’ 1965 song Nowhere Man. Lead vocalist Merrill Garbus said of the single: “The song and the video for “nowhere, man” were created under conditions of feeling squeezed and pushed to the brink – relatively, of course. I wanted to ask, “How loudly do I have to shout and sing before I’m heard?” And the video asks, too, “What am I not hearing?” We hope the music brings energy and a strong wind of encouragement to those who are shouting and singing loudly for justice right now.” The second single “Hold Yourself” was released on January 27, 2021. In a statement, the band said: “This song is about feeling really betrayed, by my parents’ generation, and at the same time, really seeing how we are betraying the future”. The band performed the single on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on February 22, 2021. On March 18, 2021, Tune-Yards performed the single “Hypnotized” on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. A week later, on March 23, 2021, the band released the single. Tune-Yards is the Oakland, California–based music project of musician Merrill Garbus (born March 3, 1979), with long-time collaborator, bassist Nate Brenner. Garbus’s music draws from an eclectic variety of sources and utilizes elements such as loop pedals, ukulele, vocals, and lo-fi percussion. Tune-Yards’ 2011 album Whokill was ranked the number one album of that year in The Village Voice’s annual Pazz and Jop critic’s poll. // The album Nikki Nack was released in 2014, with its first single, “Water Fountain”, being picked up by Google Pixel in 2016 for an advertising campaign. The album I Can Feel You Creep Into My Private Life was released in January 2018. At the same time, the Tune-Yards provided an atmospheric score for the sci fi film Sorry to Bother You. // Garbus was born in 1979 and was raised in New York City and in New Canaan, Connecticut. She attended Smith College. She was a puppeteer for the Sandglass Theater in Vermont and lived in Montreal where she played ukulele in the band Sister Suvi with guitarist Patrick Gregoire and drummer Nico Dann. Merrill’s sister Ruth Garbus is also a musician who has played solo and in the band Happy Birthday. After releasing her first Tune-Yards album in 2008, she moved to Oakland, California, where her partner in Tune-Yards, Nate Brenner, also lives. // The first Tune-Yards album, Bird-Brains (stylized as BiRd-BrAiNs) was originally self-released by Garbus on recycled cassette tape. It was recorded using only a handheld voice recorder. A limited edition vinyl was released in June 2009, via the Portland-based imprint Marriage Records. In July 2009, it was announced that Tune-Yards had signed to 4AD, and a limited edition pressing of Bird-Brains was released on August 17, 2009. A full worldwide release followed on November 17 in North America. The autumn 2009 pressing was remastered at Abbey Road Studios by Christian Wright, and includes two new bonus tracks: “Want Me To” and “Real Live Flesh.” // A second album, Whokill (stylized as w h o k i l l), was released on April 19, 2011. A single from it, “Bizness”, came out in February 2011. It was produced by Garbus and engineered by Eli Crews at New, Improved Studios in Oakland, California. Applying the live approach to Garbus’ studio work for the first time, Garbus works with bass player Nate Brenner, who co-wrote some of the album’s songs. Comparing the act to Sonic Youth, Frontier Psychiatrist said, “if Bird-Brains was Garbus’ Evol, a record bursting with musical ideas that attempted to subvert the notion of song, who kill is Garbus’ Sister, a record that embraces the traditional pop song as a vehicle to convey those ideas.” The album as well as singles “Bizness” and “Gangsta” received mention on many top 2011 album and song lists, including Time, Rolling Stone, Spin, and the New York Times. In early 2012, the Village Voice’s annual “Pazz and Jop” poll of critics named Whokill the No. 1 album of 2011. The song “Fiya” is featured on a 2010 commercial for the Blackberry Torch, while the song “Gangsta” has been used in the television shows Orange Is the New Black, Letterkenny, Weeds and The Good Wife and the song “Bizness” was used in Season 3 of Transparent. // Garbus started recording material for her third LP during the latter half of 2013, with a working title of Sink-o. A May 6, 2014 release date was later announced with the title Nikki Nack. The album spawned three singles, including “Water Fountain”, which was featured in the soundtrack for EA Sports video game FIFA 15 as well as in a 2016 commercial for the Google Pixel. // A 4th album was released on January 19, 2018, called I Can Feel You Creep Into My Private Life. The album showed more of an electronic influence. The single “Look at Your Hands” was released earlier, in October 2017, followed by “Heart Attack” in January. // Tune-Yards scored the satiric sci fi film Sorry to Bother You (2018). The film was shown at Sundance, then began a theatrical run. Its soundtrack songs are performed by the Coup, fronted by the film’s director, Boots Riley. Riley said he started working with the Tune-Yards in “early 2015” to create the film’s score, with demo tracks already available before the script was complete, and before the start of principal photography. Riley said he was attracted to Garbus’s voice, and to the band’s “unorthodox use of percussion and vocal layering. Info at: http://www.tune-yards.com]

11:28 – Underwriting

16. Maal, Tom Richman – “Radio”
    from: Grass EP / Paper Records / March 5, 2021
    [the 9-song album, GRASS owas created by Maal who is Jamaal Washington, originally from Lawrence, Kansas and now based in Los Angeles, and producer and beat maker Tom Richman who is now based in New York City. Maal has been releasing mixtapes and albums sine 2011. Maal has released multiple collaborations with producer Tom Richamn, as well as recordings with B. Morris. They were part of Team Bear Club. Maal and Tom Richman are the cover story for the premiere printed edition of Shuttlecock Music Magazine. More info at: http://www.maalmaal.bandcamp.com.]

11:33 – Interview with Aaron Rhodes

Aaron Rhodes is a Kansas City music journalist and the owner and editor-in-chief of Shuttlecock Music Magazine, which just published their first printed magazine edition. Aaron Rhodes also hosts the Shuttlecock’s flagship podcast. For over 4 years Aaron Rhodes has been a music writer for The Pitch. Aaron is also a freelance contributing writer for www.Bridge909.org and content manager at www.Do816.com. Aaron is also a co-host of the music blog, “In My Head Ache” with Bill Brownlee. Aaron Rhodes joins us to share music and details about Shuttlecock Music Magazine and their first printed magazine edition. More info at: http://www.shuttlecockmusic.com

Aaron Rhodes thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

We just heard Maal and Tom Richman from their new EP GRASS. They are on the cover of the premiere issue of Shuttlecock Music Magazine. Aaron Rhodes has been a fan of their music since their early music created with B. Morris, as part of the collective Team Bear Club.

Shuttlecock started as a blog six years ago, just after Aaron graduated from High School.
Aaron initially created the blog as a place where he could show off his writing samples for prospective writing gigs. The blog took on a life of its own.

Aaron has just released the first printed edition and found a way to pay for each issue with advertising from area music businesses like record labels, record stores, radio stations, and music resources. The magazine is free and will be published quarterly.

Along with Shuttlecock Music Magazine, for over 4 years Aaron Rhodes has been a music writer for The Pitch coving live music events and the music community.

Aaron is also a freelance contributing writer for http://www.Bridge909.org

Aaron is also content manager at http://www.Do816.com, although for th past 12 months there has been virtually no live performances, except for a few exceptions.

Aaron is also a co-host of the music blog, “In My Head Ache” with Bill Brownlee.

The first issue also has a Q and A with Window Seat aka Rose Brown

11:41

17. Window Seat – “If I Were Neil Armstrong I Would Have Planted a Flower on the Moon Instead”
    from: ❤ / Window Seat / February 14, 2021
    [New 4 -track EP, ❤ from Window Seat also known as Rose Brown, is a singer-songwriter from Shawnee, Kansas, currently attending University of Kansas in Lawrence. Info at: http://www.windowseatks.bandcamp.com]

11:44 Interview continued…

We are talking with Aaron Rhodes owner and editor-in-chief of Shuttlecock Music Magazine, which just published their first printed magazine edition.

One of the other articles in the new Shuttlecock Magazine is Aaron’s tribute to the Kansas City punk band Dark Ages and their album, CAN AMERICA SURVIVE? from 2011

Aaron Rhodes Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

For more information about Shuttlecock Music Magazine’s first printed magazine edition. You can visit: http://www.shuttlecockmusic.com

11:48

18. Dark Ages – “Power”
    from: Can America Survive / Sorry State Records / May 30, 2011
    [Jordan Carr on lead vocals and songwriting, Justin Betterton on guitar, Neal Dyrkacz on bass, and Jason Shrout on drums. Dark Ages played their final show in 2015. Jordan Carr operates Oddities Prints. Betterton hosted KCDIY Radio on 90.1 FM until 2020. Jason Shrout now plays in the band 34, and Neal Dyrkacz plays in te band Unner Altar and Bootkrieg.]

19. Supermoto – “Rachel Green”
    from: “Rachel Green” – Single / Kind of Red Records / April 15, 2021
    [Supermoto is the musical project of St. Louis, Missouri based Garrison Krotz. This track also has Shayne Hayes on drums. Mixing & Mastering: Ryan Pollock.]

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

Next week on Wednesday, April 28 we welcome special guests: Judy Mills of Mills Record Company, Byron Huhmann of the band Knife Crime, and Singer songwriter producer Shawn M. Stewart.

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/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1

Show #886

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, April 21, 2021

New & MidCoastal Releases + Dr. Michael J C Taylor + Dimension Bill Edwards + Aaron Rhodes

Mark plays more New & MidCoastal Releases from: Eems, Dimension Bill Edwards, Window Seat, Kadesh Flow & The Enclave, Krystle Warren and The Crew, Lee Walter Redding with Stephonne, Edison Lights, Maal and Tom Richman, Pala Solo, R.I.Peter, Supermoto, Dark Ages, Dry Cleaning, Fake Fruit, Tune-Yards, The Chicks, and Yaya Bey.

At 10:30 Constitutional Historian, Dr. Michael J C Taylor joins us to talk about his new book, The Constitution and the American Presidency, from Peter Lang Publishing of New York, 2021. Michael J C Taylor earned his double Bachelor of Arts from Rockhurst College and obtained his Doctorate in history and political science from the University of Missouri Kansas City. He served as Professor of American History and Politics at Dickinson State University, Bemidji State University and Paine College. Michael’s previous book was, The Preamble and Mission of the Constitution, released December 9, 2018 from Peter Lang Publishing of New York.

At 11:00 Mark talks with Matt & Melissa of the band Dimension Bill Edwards. The band released their single “Surrealberry Hill” on February 16, 2021. Dimension Bill Edwards is: Matt Weinman on lyrics, vocals & guitar; Melissa Weinman on lyrics, vocals & dance moves; Grant Buell on keyboards & accordion; Mallory Edson on violin; Phil Craven on bass & recording engineer; John Bersuch on drums. Grant Buell and Melissa Weinman are also in the band Good Time Charley. Phil Craven and Mallory Edson are also in the band, Whiskey for the Lady. This track will be on their debut album coming (hopefully) this summer.

At 11:30 AM we talk with Aaron Rhodes a Kansas City music journalist and the owner and editor-in-chief of Shuttlecock Music Magazine, which just published their first printed magazine edition. Aaron Rhodes also hosts the Shuttlecock’s flagship podcast. For over 4 years Aaron Rhodes has been a music writer for The Pitch. Aaron is also a freelance contributing writer for http://www.Bridge909.org and content manager at http://www.Do816.com. Aaron is also a co-host of the music blog, “In My Head Ache” with Bill Brownlee. Aaron Rhodes joins us to share music and details about Shuttlecock Music Magazine and their first printed magazine edition. More info at: http://www.shuttlecockmusic.com

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

Show #886

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, April 14, 2021

New & MidCoastal Releases + Rob Rice + Sherman Breneman + MG Salazar

10:00 – Station ID

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

2. Octo Octa – “Spell For Nature”
   from: She’s Calling EP / T4T LUV NRG / February 5, 2021
   [Octo Octa is US-based transgender artist Maya Bouldry-Morrison. Constantly attempting to make work that will have you smiling, crying, screaming, and dancing. // For their forth release, T4T LUV NRG present an e.p. of two beautiful songs and one evocation by label co-founder, DJ, and producer Octo Octa (Maya Bouldry-Morrison). “She’s Calling” is the third piece in Octo Octa’s two-year exploration of the connection between music and ritual, closing the loop on themes explored on her “For Lovers” ep (Technicolour, 2019) and full-length album “Resonant Body” (T4T LUV NRG, 2019). // While many describe dance music in terms of escape, for Octo Octa and many others like her, dance music is about connection. The connections we feel on a dancefloor are transformative, but in time spent alone, dance music remains a powerful tool for connection with nature, with ourselves, and with something ineffable that feels like magic. The title track, “Goddess Calling,” captures a moment of such revelry, a result of the union of sound and ritual. // Maya wrote the second song, “Find Your Way Home,” in early 2020, a few weeks before she cancelled her tour and headed back to the States because of the pandemic. She originally intended the title as a metaphor, the journey being internal, but the title would prove to be prescient. She made the song in order to take a trip into herself, to bring herself peace during an intense time. // Many religious and mystery traditions employ the use of uttered word formulas as a way to bring something into your life. “Spell for Nature” is Octo Octa asking in her own voice to connect with nature personified in the form of a goddess. The recording is about the moment when she saw something she knew was there all along. When she peaked behind the curtain and found something enveloping and eternal. // 50% of the profits from the album will be donated to the Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP), which works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination, or violence. // Octo Octa Discography: LET ME SEE YOU, debut 4-track EP, released September 12, 2011. ROUGH,RUGGED, AND RAW, 11-track album, released December 19, 2011 on cassette through SILK Records. OH LOVE, 4-track EP. released June 12, 2012 on SILK Records. BETWEEN TWO SELVES, 8-track album released May 26, 2013. CAUSE I LOVE YOU 4-track EP released March 18, 2014. MORE TIMES 4-track EP released February 3, 2015. FOR LOVERS a 3-track 12″ and digital album released March 1, 2019. RESONANT BODY an 8-track vinyl double album and digital release from September 6, 2019. LOVE HYPNOSIS VOL.1 a 2-track digital album and limited edition cassette release from April 3, 2020. RIVER a single 8:41 track released November 18, 2020. More info at: http://www.soundcloud.com/octoocta%5D

3. The Weather Station – “Tried to Tell You”
   from: Ignorance / Fat Possum Records / February 5, 2021
   [5th studio album by Canadian band the Weather Station. Ignorance was widely acclaimed by music critics. Lindsay Zoladz of The New York Times called it a “piercing new album” and applauded Tamara Lindeman’s lyrics about climate change. The Weather Station is a Canadian folk music band fronted by Toronto based Tamara Lindeman. The band formed in 2006, and membership has changed over the years, but as of November 2018 includes Lindeman, with Ben Whiteley on bass, Will Kidman on electric guitar and keys, and Ian Kehoe on drums. Their debut album, The Line was released in 2009. The second album, All of It Was Mine, made in collaboration with Daniel Romano, was released in 2011. Lindeman was a nominee for the 2013 SOCAN Songwriting Prize for The Weather Station song “Mule in the Flowers”, co-written with Steve Lambke. The third album, Loyalty, was recorded at La Frette studios near Paris, France, with Afie Jurvanen and Robbie Lackritz, who has worked on albums with Bahamas, Feist, Zeus, and Jason Collett. Loyalty was released May 5, 2015 on Paradise of Bachelors (U.S., worldwide), and Outside Music (Canada).

4. Alyssa Murray – “Thx”
   from: “Thx” – Single / LYSSA / April 2, 2021
   [The first single ‘thx’ with a music video to follow mid/late April from Alyssa Murray’s new EP, HALF & HALF, an indie, electronic album comprised of half vocal tunes & half beats. Combining a keen songwriting sense with a playful display of sonic influences in a juxtaposition of synth and song. HALF & HALF will be released May 14, 2021. Written, performed, and produced by Alyssa Murray. July 2020-Jan 2021 using Korg Minilogue XD and Sequential Prophet Rev2 with Adam Schlozman on bass (track 3) and John Kizilarmut on drums (track 3). Mixed and Mastered by Duane Trower at Weights and Measures Soundlab Kansas City MO http://www.wmsoundlab.com Info: http://www.alyssamurraymusic.com Alyssa Murray will be on WMM on May 19.]

5. Eddie Moore – “We Chillin'”
   from: “We Chillin’” – Single / Eddie Moore Music / April 9, 2021
   [Some chill piano vibes to relax or study to written and produced by Eddie Moore with Eddie Moore on piano and Morgan Faw on alto sax. Mixed By Pajmon Porshahi. Eddie Moore’s band We The People released their album MISUNDERSTOOD on September 25, 2020. Eddie Moore is the recipient of the 2016 Charlotte Street Generative Performance Award for his genre bending collaborations. Raised in Houston Texas, he began his musical journey at Texas Southern University where he later earned a Bachelors in Arts and immersed himself in the Houston music scene. Eddie relocated to Kansas City to study under Bobby Watson at the University of Missouri-Kansas City where he received a M.A in Jazz Studies. 2017’s Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art “Artist in Residence” in collaboration with Rashid Johnson. In 2018 his work with The Outer Circle was nominated for an Indie Music Award for “007”. His music has also been featured commercially for Sprint, Netflix’s “Queer Eye”, and Morgan Cooper’s short film “Room Tone”. Moore’ has shared the stage and record with distinctive artist such as Bobby Watson, Pam, Watson, Logan Richardson, Maurice Brown, Boys II Men, Brian Blade and the Fellowship, John Baptiste, Erykah Badu, Mosdef, Bilal, Ledisi, Chantae Cann, Krystal Warren, Matt Otto, Brandon Draper, Andre Hayward, Tivon Pennicott, Various Blonde, Dominique Sanders, 77 Jefferson, and the Marcus Lewis Big Band. We the People is a genre-defying quartet comprised of keyboardist Eddie Moore, bassist/producer Jason Emmond, drummer Zach Morrow, and turntablist/producer Kethro. . Eddie Moore joined us live on WMM on September 23, 2020.]

6. Stik Figa – “Felt Like It”
   from: Stik Figa EP / Stik Figa / April 2, 2021
   [From Stik Figa’s bandcamp page: “Stik Figa returns with quicstrike release for Bandcamp Friday! 3 unreleased tracs for my real supporters that you won’t find anywhere else! Thank you all for continuing following me on this music journey.” All songs written and performed by Stik Figa. Track 1. “Stik Figa: was produced and mixed by Calvin Valentine and recorded by Joshua Browning @ Lucky Seven Studios; Lawrence, KS. Track 2. “Felt Like It” was produced by Mike Hurst and recorded and mixed by Sean Patrick @ Twlvs Studio; Fort Worth, TX. Track 3. “JYLND Freestyle” was produced by Mike Hurst and recorded and mixed by Sean Patrick @ Twlvs Studios; Fort Worth, TX. photography and layout by Well Cultured. // Stik Figa is rapper from Topeka, KS who cut his teeth on the Kansas City rap scene for close to a decade. Making a name for himself as a charismatic performer and premier lyricist in the region, releasing 9 solo albums and multiple collaborations // Later partnering with notable independent hip-hop label Mello Music Group releasing collaboration with L’Orange, “The City Under the City” and straight forward hip-hop album Central Standard Time. More info at: http://www.stikfiga785.bandcamp.com]

7. Making Movies –”Listening Wind ft. Calvin Arsenia, Jeremy Kittel”
   from La Cuarentena EP / 3/2 Recordings / February 5, 2021
   [Not long after Making Movies released their newest single “Could You” on January 12, 2021 the band released a sneak peek of the new music they’ve been working on. The 7-song, La Cuarentena EP includes a brand new version of the first Making Movies song, “La Marcha” and the lullaby “Could You?” (both mixed by Jim Eno of Spoon and tracked at Memphis Magnetic studio), love ballad Una Vida, covers of Talking Heads and Tears for Fears classics, plus bonus live acoustic tracks. This EP was made available for only three days starting on BandCamp Friday, February 5 through February 7. In regard to the new song “Could You” Making Movies lead singer Enrique Javier Chi writes, “I was thinking about what to share for “Could You?” and I just go back to the fact that Memphis is a profound place… it is a place where you can feel what America truly is and where it comes from. I think you see and feel the reality that so much of this nation was built from exploiting people. You can see that our pop culture is driven by the Black community and yet that community is still the most oppressed in the nation. Things are still so messed up. // Memphis is the place where Elvis started singing black music with a country twang and where Martin Luther King Jr. was shot. It’s a beautiful place, it’s a charming place, it feels at times downtrodden and it’s a place that reminds me of home (both Kansas City and Panamá in different ways. Our experiences going to Memphis gave us the context to create “Could You?” It was filmed originally for AMERI’KANA TV, but we feel like we needed to share it now. In its initial role, it served as a pacifier for me, something that would help me feel a little better when I felt super anxious, so hopefully, it will feel like that for you.” Making Movies is a Kansas City based 4-piece band and made up of : Enrique Chi on guitar and lead vocals; Diego Chi on bass & vocals; Juan-Carlos Chaurand on percussion & keyboards; and on drums. The band draws their influences from the origins of their families: Santiago, Panama, and KC Missouri, and Guadalajara, Mexico. Making Movies released their critically acclaimed album ameri’kana through 3/2 Recordings on May 24, 2019. This was #1 on WMM’s 119 Best Recordings of 2019. Produced by Steve Berlin and Ben Yonas. The notes for this album read: “ameri’kana is a canary in a coal mine, the watchman at the tower. It is a desire to remember where we come from and assure that we better ourselves in every step along our journey. Every chapter is an example, a reason to not be silent and not accept corrupt leaders as something inevitable. ameri’kana is based on faith, faith that every person on this continent carries within themselves the ability to grow, to awaken their consciousness and merits of the same rights. We were accomplices to get ourselves to this point so we will have to be accomplices in the solutions.” This was the band’s follow up release to their critically acclaimed, I Am Another You, released May 26, 2017. The quartet has toured with Arcade Fire, Thievery Corporation, Cold War Kids, Los Lobos, Ozomatli, Tennis, Sergio Mendoza of Calexico, Rodrigo y Gabriela, and Hurray for the Riff Raff.]

8. Krystle Warren & The Faculty – “Little Wonder”
   from: Love Songs- A Time You May Embrace (Love Songs: A Time to Refrain from Embracing) / Parlour Door Music / April 9, 2012 UK]
   [Krystle Warewn learned to play the guitar by listening to Rubber Soul & Revolver from The Beatles. Krystle graduated from Paseo Arts Academy in 2001 and began her musical career in collaborating with area jazz and pop musicians. After living in San Francisco and NYC, Krystle was signed to a French label, Because Music, and moved to Paris to release “Circles” in 2009. Krystle played French and British television programs, including Later with Jools Holland, garnering critical acclaim and traveling all over the world with Rufus Wainwright, Nick Cave, Norah Jones, and Joan As Police Woman. Krystle created, Parlour Door Music, to release “Love Songs: A Time You May Embrace” a recording from a 13-day session in Brooklyn, where she recorded 24 songs live with 28 musicians including her band, The Faculty, alongside choirs, horn and string sections. Krystle Warrren and The Crew released The Crew on September 15, 2020 Through isolation came unity. The Crew is Lakecia Benjamin, Matthew Silberman, Jacob Snider, Joe Blaxx, Solomon Dorsey, Zach Djanikian, Cassorla, Krystle Warren, and Ben Kane. They have recorded unique versions of classic songs with the hope of encouraging the rallying cries of The Moment: the movement of the people. // In the lockdown of their homes, they sewed together their interpretations of “Bein’ Green” (based upon Ray Charles’ rendition); “Gimme Some Truth” (a mighty John Lennon composition); “Dear Landlord” (a scathing indictment from the blistering pen of Bob Dylan); and “Rhythm of Life”, (a timeless statement originally performed by Oleta Adams). // A portion of the proceeds from The Crew. EP will be donated to the various causes and organizations. From Billboard.com: Singer-songwriter Krystle Warren has made a powerful statement about the struggle for Black equality with the help of Kermit the Frog’s iconic song “Bein’ Green” (written by Joe Raposo). // The moving five-minute clip, over which Warren sings her rendition of the 1970 song — since recorded by Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra and others — sprang from a covers EP she recorded during the pandemic with a group of musicians known as The Crew. Warren embarked on the project after her forthcoming album with her regular group, The Faculty, was put on hold due to COVID-19. The EP, which tackles themes of racial injustice in the wake of nationwide Black Lives Matter protests this summer, also includes a cover of John Lennon’s “Gimme Some Truth.” // The “Bein’ Green” video weaves in footage of this year’s Black Lives Matter protests, and also includes a heartbreaking montage of young Black children choosing white dolls over dark-skinned ones. It additionally features archival footage of such transformative Black figures as James Baldwin, Angela Davis, Malcom X, Nina Simone, Marsha P. Johnson and Al Sharpton, as well as victims of police brutality including Sandra Bland, George Floyd and Eric Garner. It ends with a clip from a speech by civil rights activist Ella Baker. // “‘Bein’ Green,’ it’s such a gorgeous song, and it says so, so much,” says Warren. “I began thinking about what I wanted it to express visually before we started [recording the song]. Essentially — it’s not easy being Black. That’s what Ray Charles was saying, and we felt it needed to be said again.” // Warren, who now resides in Paris, began performing in her native Kansas City at the age of 16 before moving to New York City, where she started busking on the streets and later formed her regular band, The Faculty. She and the group have recorded several full-length albums, including 2009’s Circles, 2012’s Love Songs and 2017’s Three the Hard Way. Her next album is slated for release this winter. // A large percentage of proceeds from sales of the EP — which is available for digital downloads via Warren’s website now and released on all streaming platforms next Friday — will be donated to the ACLU.]

10:28 – Underwriting

9. Rob Rice – “Thinking of Another (feat. Teri Quinn & Stephen Roper)”
   from: and the Devil’s Threesome / Mongrel Manor Records / March 21, 2021
   [Another song from the debut EP of Rob Rice titled, and the Devil’s Threesome to be released March 21, 2021. Singer/songwriter Rob Rice is a Kansas City native with a spark of millennial magic, his dusty acoustic music transitions from barn-burning ballads to soothing serenades, all of which contain notes of love, loss, and lust whilst learning to live with oneself through it all. On his debut EP and the Devil’s Threesome, Rob humbly assumes the role of choirmaster to a caravan of iconic Kansas City artists and musicians (12 in total) to create unique trios for each song, meditating and musing on the woes and wins of yesteryear. With instrumentation ranging from harp (Calvin Arsenia) and cello (Ezgi Karakus) to piano (Mark Lowrey) and layered vocals (Miki P), the collection remains cohesive with Rob’s compelling vocal melodies, introspective lyrics, and folky guitar. // and the Devil’s Threesome is a collection of six original songs Rob has composed and recorded that features a female and additional male accompaniment to showcase (hence the Devil’s Threesome. We first played Rob Ricelast year when his track “Serial Lover” was part of the KC Syzygy Compilation released July 17, 2020. Info at: http://www.robricemakesmusic.com Rob Rice will be with us on WMM on April 14, 2021]

10:33 – Interview with Rob Rice

Rob Rice is on the phone with us to share music and information from his debut EP, and The Devil’s Threesome, released March 21, 2021. Singer/songwriter Rob Rice is a Kansas City native. On his EP Rob humbly assumes the role of choirmaster to a caravan of 12 Kansas City artists and musicians to create unique trios for six songs. With instrumentation ranging from Calvin Arsenia on harp and Ezgi Karakus on cello to Mark Lowrey on piano and Miki P on layered vocals, the collection is held together by Rob’s solid vocal melodies, and lyrics, and folky guitar. and the Devil’s Threesome is a collection of songs Rob has composed and recorded that features a female and additional male accompaniment for each track. Info at: http://www.robricemakesmusic.com

Rob Rice thanks for being with us on WMM.

Rob Rice is an Engineer at DEG, a digital marketing company. He lives in Kansas City, Kansas. He is a freelance designer who specializes in logos and branding and is also a freelance photographer specializing in portraits, products, and places and Rob Rice Creative. Rob is also a Second Shooter at Heirloom Photo Company.

Rob Rice Studied Music Composition at University of Central Florida
Attended from 2009 to 2011.

In the middle of creating this record Rob also married to Hannah Kloster on November 13, 2020.

Singer/songwriter Rob Rice makes music so sultry and amorous it eradicates any ailment currently cramping your youthful, sensuous soul. A Kansas City native with a spark of millennial magic, his dusty acoustic music transitions from barn-burning ballads to soothing serenades, all of which contain notes of love, loss, and lust whilst learning to live with oneself through it all.

On his debut EP and the Devil’s Threesome, Rob humbly assumes the role of choirmaster to a caravan of iconic Kansas City artists and musicians (12 in total) to create unique trios for each song, meditating and musing on the woes and wins of yesteryear. With instrumentation ranging from harp (Calvin Arsenia) and cello (Ezgi Karakus) to piano (Mark Lowrey) and layered vocals (Miki P), the collection remains cohesive with Rob’s compelling vocal melodies, introspective lyrics, and folky guitar.

For listeners of Sufjan Stevens, Andrew Bird, and Damien Rice (not related).

“Tiny Window” (Single) was released on March 3, 2021
and the Devil’s Threesome EP was released March 31

and the Devil’s Threesome EP – 12 artists in trios with Rob on 6 songs

This collection of 6 original songs composed and recorded by Rob Rice that feature a female and additional male accompaniment to showcase (hence the Devil’s Threesome…)

1. The angry yet empathetic single “Tiny Window” shines a spotlight on learning to appreciate the only natural light source in a cold, cathartic basement. With Calvin Arsenia (Harp and Vocals) and Ezgi Karakus (Cello)
2. The three-part harmonies of “There’s a Devil Inside Me” emphasize the egoic voices that take hostage of your head after losing a loved one. With Landon Hambright (Upright and Vocals) and Rachael Feeley (Vocals)
3. The haunting “Thinking of Another” recalls of a night of seeing eye to eye by sleeping skin-to-skin with a semi-stranger. With Teri Quinn (Clarinet and Vocals) and Stephen Roper (Drums, Electronics and Vocals)
4. The melancholy strings of “Serial Lover” explore the nuances between long-term and fleeting relationships. Serial Lover’ is based on a conversation Rob had with a dear friend around relationships, specifically monogamous vs polyamorous, and opening our eyes to learn more about the others experience. With Coleen Dieker (Violin and Vocals) and Robert Castillo (Upright Bass and Vocals)
5. “Down the Road” discusses the desire to stay together, despite the redundancy of departures in the past. With Mark Lowrey (Piano) and Miki P (layered vocals)
6. The intimate and reflective “Swipe Right” proves that real relationships can come from a dating app. With Clint Ashlock (Trumpet) and Eve Louise Hall (Vocals)

http://www.robricemakesmusic.com

Rob Rice thanks for being with us on WMM.

and the Devil’s Threesome was released by Mongrel Manor Records on March 21, 2021
Info at: http://www.robricemakesmusic.com

10:46

10. Rob Rice – “Down the Road (feat. Miki P & Mark Lowrey)”
    rom: and the Devil’s Threesome / Mongrel Manor Records / March 21, 2021
    [Another song from the debut EP of Rob Rice titled, and the Devil’s Threesome to be released March 21, 2021. Singer/songwriter Rob Rice is a Kansas City native with a spark of millennial magic, his dusty acoustic music transitions from barn-burning ballads to soothing serenades, all of which contain notes of love, loss, and lust whilst learning to live with oneself through it all. On his debut EP and the Devil’s Threesome, Rob humbly assumes the role of choirmaster to a caravan of iconic Kansas City artists and musicians (12 in total) to create unique trios for each song, meditating and musing on the woes and wins of yesteryear. With instrumentation ranging from harp (Calvin Arsenia) and cello (Ezgi Karakus) to piano (Mark Lowrey) and layered vocals (Miki P), the collection remains cohesive with Rob’s compelling vocal melodies, introspective lyrics, and folky guitar. // and the Devil’s Threesome is a collection of six original songs Rob has composed and recorded that features a female and additional male accompaniment to showcase (hence the Devil’s Threesome. We first played Rob Ricelast year when his track “Serial Lover” was part of the KC Syzygy Compilation released July 17, 2020. Info at: http://www.robricemakesmusic.com Rob Rice will be with us on WMM on April 14, 2021]

11. Sam Arjes – “So It Goes”
    from: “So It Goes” – Single / Sam Arjes / March 21, 2021
    [Kansas City musician Sam Arjes was influenced at an early age by folk, rock and pop music of the 60’s and 70’s. A songwriter since the age of fourteen, he blends traditional folk and roots-rock sounds with 60’s-era vibes, then infuses it with a modern flair. He strives to create songs that resonate with listeners and feel “timeless”–familiar and nostalgic, yet new and exciting. More info at: samarjesmusic.com]

12. Christena Graves – “Give Me A Minute”
    from: Finding My Footing / Christena Graves / February 11, 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]

11:00 – Station ID

13. The Hold Steady – “Lanyards”
    from: Open Door Policy / Positive Jams / February 19, 2021
    [8th studio album from, The Hold Steady an American rock band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2003. The band consists of Craig Finn (vocals, guitar), Tad Kubler (guitar), Galen Polivka (bass), Bobby Drake (drums), Franz Nicolay (keyboards) and Steve Selvidge (guitar). Noted for their “lyrically dense storytelling,” and classic rock influences, the band’s narrative-based songs frequently address themes such as drug addiction, religion and redemption, and often feature recurring characters based within the city of Minneapolis. // Formed four years following the break-up of Finn and Kubler’s former band, Lifter Puller, The Hold Steady released the debut album Almost Killed Me in 2004. They came to prominence with the release of their third studio album, Boys and Girls in America, in 2006. In 2010, keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist Franz Nicolay left the band prior to the recording of their fifth studio album, Heaven Is Whenever (2010). During the band’s subsequent tour, the band became a five piece, once more, with the addition of guitarist Steve Selvidge. The band released their sixth LP, Teeth Dreams, on March 25, 2014. // Nicolay re-joined the band on May 4, 2016, and the band has since embarked on several concert residencies in the US and the UK. To coincide with each new event, The Hold Steady releases stand-alone singles, marking the first recorded material of the six-piece line-up. The band’s seventh LP, Thrashing Thru the Passion, was released in August 2019.]

11:04 – Interview with Sherman Breneman

Sherman Breneman, manager of The Vinyl Underground at 7th Heaven, 7621 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri where he has worked since 2010. Sherman graduated from Shawnee Heights Senior High in Tecumseh, Kansas in 1985. He graduated with a Bachelor in Science in Computer Information Systems at Friends University on 2002. Sherman also studied Management at Baker University where he graduated in 2004. Sherman is a former Elementary School Art Teacher in the Kansas City Public Schools. A life-long record collector and music enthusiast Sherman also doesn’t drink, smoke, or eat meat. In non-pandemic times Sherman travels to live concerts all over the region and in Kansas City. More info at: http://www.7thheavenKC.com

Sherman Breneman thanks for being with us on WMM.

We just heard, The Hold Steady song “Lanyards” from their new album Open Door Policy released through their own label Positive Jams on February 19, 2021.

Sherman graduated from Shawnee Heights Senior High in Tecumseh, Kansas in 1985,but he grew up in Topeka, Kansas.

He graduated with a Bachelor in Science in Computer Information Systems at Friends University on 2002. Sherman also studied Management at Baker University where he graduated in 2004.

Sherman is a former Elementary School Art Teacher in the Kansas City Public Schools.

Sherman is a life-long record collector and music enthusiast.

Sherman also doesn’t drink, smoke, or eat meat.

In non-pandemic times Sherman travels to live concerts all over the region and in KC.

The Vinyl Underground at 7th Heaven, 7621 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri where Sherman has worked since 2010.

Record Store Day Drop #1 – June 12, 2021

Sherman Breneman thanks for being with us on WMM.

Record Store Day – Drop #1 is Saturday June 12, 2021. The Vinyl Underground at 7th Heaven, 7621 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri. More info at: http://www.7thheavenKC.com

11:17

14. Arlo Parks – “Hurt”
    from: Collapsed in Sunbeams / Transgressive Records / January 29, 2021
    [Anaïs Oluwatoyin Estelle Marinho was on August 9, 2000. She is known professionally as Arlo Parks, is a British singer-songwriter and poet. Her debut studio album, Collapsed in Sunbeams, was released in 2021 to critical acclaim and peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart. // Anaïs Oluwatoyin Estelle Marinho was born on 9 August 2000 and raised in Hammersmith, West London. She is half Nigerian, quarter Chadian and quarter French. Her mother was born in Paris. Marinho learnt to speak French before she did English. // Parks chose her stage name in the manner of King Krule and Frank Ocean. In 2018, she began uploading demos to BBC Music Introducing which caught the attention of BBC Radio 1 DJ Jess Iszatt who distributed these demos to Ali Raymond of Beatnik Creative, who soon began managing Parks. She made her solo debut when she released the song “Cola” through Beatnik Records in November 2018, and announced the release of her debut EP, Super Sad Generation. She told Line of Best Fit that the song is “a reminder that betrayal is inevitable when it comes to pretty people that think flowers fix everything.” Olivia Swash wrote that the vocals on the song “flourish thanks to [Parks’] creative writing background, with her delicate tone taking centre stage against the gently plodding guitars and soft crackle of vinyl.” By November 2019, the song had amassed over three million streams on Spotify. // Following the release of “Cola”, Parks signed to Transgressive Records. She released the title track of her upcoming EP, Super Sad Generation, in January 2019. Robin Murray told Clash that the song portrays an “astute, nuanced creative control that also utilises word-play that speaks of youthful emotions spinning out of control.” Her third single, “Romantic Garbage”, was released in March 2019, before the release of the full four-track EP, Super Sad Generation in early April 2019. The EP was recorded in her home in South West London and an Airbnb in the Angel district of London. // Parks performed her first-ever gig at The Great Escape in Brighton in May 2019, and has gone on to perform on the BBC Music Introducing stage at Glastonbury Festival in late June 2019, as well as at Latitude Festival in July 2019. She embarked on her first tour supporting Jordan Rakei on the UK leg of his tour in September 2019. Throughout the last half of 2019 Parks released the songs “George”, “Second Guessing”, “Sophie”, and “Angel’s Song” ahead of her second EP, Sophie Sean Kerwick told DIY that the five-track EP “oozes with the hang-ups of heartbreak and mortality; a topic that seems to overshadow many gen-Z musicians.” // Parks embarked on her first headlining tour of Europe in February/March 2020, but could not complete it due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2020, Parks released the singles “Eugene” and “Black Dog”, which were well received during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, the latter of which became BBC Radio 1’s Tune of the Week. Parks made the front cover of NME in late July 2020. She won the AIM Independent Music Award for One to Watch in 2020 in August 2020, after losing the same award to Georgia a year before. Parks and Moses Boyd made the front cover of Music Week for the publication’s indie takeover special following the AIM Awards ceremony. Parks released her debut album, Collapsed in Sunbeams, on 29 January 2021. // Parks is openly bisexual and is based in London. She was educated at Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith and completed her A Levels in early 2019. In her auto-biographical blurb on her Spotify profile, Parks claimed that she spent most of secondary school “feeling like that black kid who couldn’t dance for shit, listening to too much emo music and crushing on some girl in her Spanish class.” // Parks has named Sylvia Plath and Joni Mitchell as among her influences. More info at: http://www.arloparksofficial.com]

15. Art d’Ecco – “Head Rush”
    from: In Standard Definition / Paper Bag Records Records / April 23, 2016
    [Art d’Ecco is based in British Columbia, “There’s more than a little David Bowie in both the sonic and fashion leanings of Art d’Ecco, a performer who fluidly crosses musical and gender lines, creating highly memorable tracks — and sporting an unforgettable look. Often labelled “neo glam,” the music boasts hints of everything from ’50s pop to psychedelics, from Velvet Underground-era art rock to Grimes-inspired electronics.” – CBC Music Art d’Ecco freleased the album Trespasser on Paper Bag Records on October 12, 2018. When d’Ecco moved into his grandmother’s cottage on one of the islands, he hadn’t planned on creating a new project. But, as it often does, circumstance charted his course. His grandmother, living with Alzheimer’s, suffered a related phenomenon called ‘sundowning,’ which triggers increased agitation and anxiety around sunset. “The only way to calm this lady down was to sit down at the piano,” says d’Ecco. He would play “Bohemian Rhapsody,” passing it off as Beethoven. After she was relocated, d’Ecco remained in the empty house where he had played as a child. Draped in memory, he gravitated toward the piano, spending the long, lonesome, quiet nights on the bench before the instrument. This is where Art d’Ecco was created. He relocated to a new cottage, built a studio and barricaded himself with copies of Deerhunter’s Cryptograms, Bowie’s Low, and choice krautrock records. In this solitude, d’Ecco would chase tones for hours. The result is a richly-realized confluence of the ferocious spark of those trailblazers and a distinct sadness, with d’Ecco as mad scientist, stitching together these delicious fragments and animating them.]

2. Lesser Pleasures – “Island”
   from: LPEP01 / Lesser Pleasures / October 31, 2020
   [Debut EP from Lawrence Kansas based Lesser Pleasures with Kirsten Paludan on vocals & keyboards, Jessica Gomez on guitar, Dalin Horner on guitar, Mark Sanders on bass, and Nicholas Stahl on percussion. All songs by Lesser Pleasures. Tracking by Joel Martin. Mixing and mastering by David Gaumé. For more info: http://www.lesserpleasures.bandcamp.com]

11:28 – Underwriting

17. Hurray For The Riff Raff – “Living In The City”
    from: The Navigator / ATO Records / March 10, 2017
    [Hurray for the Riff Raff is an American folk-blues and Americana band from New Orleans, Louisiana formed by lead singer and songwriter Alynda Segarra. Segarra was raised by her aunt Nereida in the Bronx where she developed an early appreciation for doo-wop and Motown. She is of Puerto Rican descent. Her mother was former New York City Deputy Mayor Ninfa Segarra. Segarra became a regular attendee of hardcore punk shows at ABC No Rio when she was young. She left her home in the Bronx at age 17, spending time crossing North America, hopping freight trains. During this time, around 2007, Segarra became a part of the Dead Man Street Orchestra, a band that was documented in a photo essay by Time Magazine in 2007. After two self-released albums, 2008’s It Don’t Mean I Don’t Love You and 2010’s Young Blood Blues, Hurray for the Riff Raff released a self-titled CD composed of Segarra’s favorite songs from those records on Loose Music in Europe on March 21, 2011. Tracks from the band’s debut release received airplay on BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music. In February 2011, the band were featured in an article in The Times, based around the HBO TV series, Treme, with their track “Daniella” being listed in their selection of New Orleans’ essential songs. In May 2012, Hurray for the Riff Raff released Look Out Mama on their own label, Born to Win Records. Loose Music released Look Out Mama in Europe on August 20, 2012. The album was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee at The Bomb Shelter Studios and produced by Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes).In February 2014, Hurray for the Riff Raff had their ATO Records debut, Small Town Heroes. The record features original songs written or co-written by Segarra, and features fiddler Yosi Perlstein, keyboard player Casey McAllister, and two members of The Deslondes: Sam Doores on guitar and Dan Cutler on bass.]

11:33 – Interview with MG Salazar

MG Salazar is a poet, writer, performer, curator, business owner, chef, civil rights activist, assistant to Antoni Porowski for Season 3 & 4 of Netflix‘s acclaimed television program – Queer Eye, cultural reporter & music reviewer for KCUR 89.3 FM, subject of the HBO documentary, Abortion: Stories Women Tell, and recent addition to the team of Hosts & Producers on 90.1 FM’s long running LGBTQIA program, The Tenth Voice, Saturdays, at 1:00 PM. A lifelong activist for equality & justice, MG Salazar twice traveled to Standing Rock during the winter of 2016-2017 to stand as a water protector at the Oceti Sakowin Camp. In 2020 MG Salazar ran as a Democratic candidate for Missouri’s 5th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, challenging 8-term, incumbent Emanuel Cleaver II. MG’s latest book,, Little Bits of Flesh was published by La Resistencia in 2019; their book, Striking the Black Snake: Poems from Standing Rock, was published by 39 West Press in 2017; and MG’s debut book, If You See My Ghosts Like I Do, was published by Spartan Press in 2016.

11:34

18. Mark Interviews MG Salazar
    Recorded Saturday, April 10, 2021 at KKFI Productions Studios

MG Salazar, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

MG recently joined the team of hosts & Producers on 90.1 FM’s long running LGBTQIA program, The Tenth Voice, Saturdays, at 1:00 PM.

MG Salazar ran as a Democratic candidate for Missouri’s 5th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, challenging 8-term, incumbent Emanuel Cleaver II. When running for Congress MG ran openly as a non-binary candidate. They / Them

From MG Salazar’s Campaign bio, MG wrote: “I can’t ask you to vote for me because I am Non-Binary. Or based solely on any of the identities I hold as a marginalized person. There are plenty of people who exploit their identities for political gain and do nothing to actually impact the community they claim to represent, or only represent the most privileged of their community. I do, however, promise to Queer Congress.”

What does that mean? “It means challenging the status quo. Agitate Cisgender & Hetero-sexual Peers to reflect on their values. Make it clear that Queer & Trans people are not going anywhere without a fight. In many Indigenous Cultures, like the ones of my ancestors, Transgender & Gender Variant people were REVERED and CELEBRATED.”

MG Salazar aka Maite has had a passion for making change that started when they were very young. Their first time “organizing” was when they were a little kid, advocating for animal rights with plans to send a “Barbie Jeep” to save endangered animals from poachers. As they grew up, they got involved in the Anti-War movement during the Bush Administration, at the age of 17 going as far as participating in a direct action when President Bush was in town, that was powerful enough that he thought it was best to run from his car to the building of the event, rather than confront the protest. This was the start of Maite putting themselves on the front lines of movements seeking justice.

One of the most memorable movements they were a part of was the North Dakota Pipeline Shutdown protests facilitated by the Water Protects. During the protests, Maite raised thousands of dollars to support Water Protectors on the front lines, and even joined the front lines themselves, witnessing/experiencing first hand the full barrage of human rights violations and police brutality facilitated by the United States Government, North Dakota and Private Police forces on their fellow peaceful protesters.

As far as their adult life, Maite has worked Service Industry jobs for over 17 years, at restaurants, bars, call centers and more. Customer Service is one of their greatest skills.

They also have spoken at almost every University in the Kansas City area, including some guest lecturing for The Art Institute and Park University, as well as worked as a cultural reporter and music reviewer for KCUR.

MG writes that they are no a millionaire. Not groomed by any party. Not from a political family. Just a regular working class person with some powerful experiences who saw an opportunity to make a difference for the people of 5th district and the took it.

In 2020 MG Salazar ran as a Democratic candidate for Missouri’s 5th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, challenging 8-term, incumbent Emanuel Cleaver II. Why Challenge an Incumbent Democrat? MG believes in direct democratic representation, and that reaching your representative should be EASY and NORMAL. That a representatives responsibility is to be an ACTIVE member of community, not just a public figure who shows up for photo ops and fancy closed door fundraisers and events. MG supports Progressive Polices her opponent doesn’t believe in. They here to stay, and they are gonna keep challenging incumbents until they are replaced by people who understand what being a representative is REALLY about.

MG Salazar worked as an assistant to Antoni Porowski for Season 3 & 4 of Netflix’s critically acclaimed and Emmy winning television program – Queer Eye. MG Salazar talked about how Antoni Porowski is just as beautiful on the inside as he looks on the outside. MG set up all of the food demos on the show.

MG Salazar recently joined the team of hosts & producers on 90.1 FM’s long running LGBTQIA program, The Tenth Voice, Saturdays, at 1:00 PM. MG hosts the second Saturday of each month called Rainbow Spirit, emphasizing queer, indigenous, trans, two-spirit, gender non-conforming, non-binary voices and, music. Indigenos culture embraces two-spirit. The first Saturday is hosted by Inoru Wade, the 2nd Saturday is MG Salazar, the 3rd Saturday is Show People with Michael Grayman Parkhurst, and the 4th Saturday is Trans Talk with Una Nowling & Fiona Nowling, who host along with Rachael Cady who also engineers and serves as Executive Producer for the entire show.

MG Salazar’s books:
Little Bits of Flesh / La Resistencia Press (2019)
Striking the Black Snake: Poems from Standing Rock /39 West Press (2017)
If You See My Ghosts Like I Do / Spartan Press (2016)

MG Salazar is a cofounder of La Resistencia, a collective of LGBTQ creatives of color in the KC area: Jessica Ayala, Lucky Garcia, Alex Martínez, Miguel M. Morales and MG Salazar Sharing their words, art, voices, & bodies with community and to live the pride of their people. Sharing & celebrate the lived experiences of QTPOC and amplifying voices.

MG Salazar Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

The Tenth Voice, airs Saturdays, at 1:00 PM. MG Salazar’s most recent book, Little Bits of Flesh was published by La Resistencia Press (2019)

19. The Black Creatures – “Negative Zero”
    from: “Negative Zero” – Single / Center Cut Records / April 2, 2021 [re-recorded, remastered]
    [All proceeds from this track go to the Tamir Rice Foundation. Info at: http://www.tamirericefoundation.org. The Black Creatures are Jade Green & Xavier Martin. This song was originally on the December 6, 2017 release, SEE NO EVIL The song was recently re-recorded. Band member Xavier Martin told us that, “Everything was done from the ground up. Remixing, rerecording, mastering, etc.” The Black Creatures wanted to released this as a single and video as a “part-two” to their earlier single and video release for “wretched (it goes)”, which was originally released on The Black Creatures 2019 album Wild Echoes. The video for “Negative Zero” picks up where the video for “Wretched (It Goes)” left off, “so there is a conceptual thread between the two,” says Patrick Sprehe of Center Cut Records. All music produced, arranged, recorded, and performed by The Black Creatures. Engineering and Mastering by J. Ashley Miller aka Jametatone. The Black Creatures write, “We talk about it all the time, but ‘Negative Zero’ is the best example of this phenomenon; sometimes we come together with pieces of a song that fit together so perfectly the results surprise even us. So, conceiving a video that acutely paralleled the direness of the message was a huge deal for us. The process happened in a similarly fluid stride that furthered our awareness of the unfortunate necessity of art, media, and dialogue that exist in the same sphere. With that in mind, there’s some positivity we hope fans of The Black Creatures can also takeaway from this music video. // We had been sitting on this video for a while, already finished filming and that whole process was very fun and literally nourishing (because we got Fannie’s West African Cuisine to celebrate after filming). Like past music video releases, we worked with Rondevu Productions on this video—and it was a careful little gathering! We all got our ‘negative’ COVID test results within 48 hours of each other and said, ‘Okay, let’s go to the lake like a family,’ and we did. We spent two days filming on a freezing cold lake, dancing on cryptic constructions, and being outside way late at night. // We have set up this release to directly fund The Tamir Rice Foundation, founded by mother Samaria Rice. We also encourage others who can, to give to something that is centered around Black life.” // After being signed to Center Cut Records the label remastered and reissued Wild Echoes and began releasing singles. “Wild Echoes” was #2 in WMM’s 119 Favorite Releases of 2019 (Albums & EPs). Since the release of ”Wild Echoes” the band has released seven entirely new songs, nearly one per month, all posted to their bandcamp page. The Black Creatures fuse dark-pop hip-hop, soul, jazz, and electronic music with elements from science fiction to tell inter-dimensional stories of love, community, life, culture, history. Xavier & Jade have made an impression in the KC music community with their live shows in clubs, galleries, record stores, and area music festivals. The Black Creatures released their debut single “Mouth 2 Mouth” June 5, 2016. They released the album, See No Evil, December 6, 2017. The duo released the singles, “Elements” February 14, 2018; “Silver Tears” June 19. 2018; “Dare” a Gorillaz cover August 8, 2019. They released the album “Wild Echoes” September 30, 2019. The Black Creatures released the singles “Turn” October 30, 2019; “Quartz (Twilight)” November 13, 2019; “SHINE” December 11, 2019; Ghost Bustin’ Dead Prezidentz” January 8, 2020; “To Whom It May Concern” January 22, 2020; “Arcade Love” February 5, 2020; and “Run Up” Feb. 19, 2020. The Black Creatures will join us live on WMM on May 26, 2020]

20. duendita – “Open Eyes”
    from: “Open Eyes” – Single / Mexican Summer / March 3, 2021
    [Written by duendita and Anton Remy at Baketown (Berlin, Germany). Produced and performed by duendita. Recorded at Gary’s Electric Studio (Brooklyn, NY). Mixed and mastered by Al Carlson. With Endea Owens on bass, Paul Wilson on piano & juno, and Austin Williamson on drums. duendita is also know as Candace Camacho. From Pitchfork: “After growing up in Queens, Camacho attended New York University’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. The 23-year-old recently released her debut record, direct line to My Creator, which also served as her college senior thesis project. The 10-track collection is a celebration of the divine in herself and the people she loves, expertly sequenced and intentionally self-contained. It begins with a dial tone and ends with the sound of a phone being hung up. What plays in between is a conversation with God and with those closest to her; on the bouncy highlight ‘pray,’ she sings, ‘I pray to my God and my mom because they’re both the same.'”]

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

Next week on Wednesday, April 21, we welcome special guests: Michael JC Taylor, Members of the band Dimension Bill Edwards and from Shuttlecock Magazine, Aaron Rhodes.

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/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1

Show #885

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, April 14, 2021

New & MidCoastal Releases + Rob Rice + Sherman Breneman + MG Salazar

Mark plays more New & MidCoastal Releases from: Eddie Moore, The Black Creatures, Stik Figa, Alyssa Murray, Making Movies with Calvin Arsenia & Jeremy Kittel, Christena Graves, Krystle Warren and the Faculty, Lesser Pleasures, Rob Rice with Teri Quinn & Stephen Roper, and Miki P & Mark Lowrey, Sam Arjes, duendita, Arlo Parks, Art d’Ecco, Octo Octa, The Weather Station, The Hold Steady, and Hurray For The Riff Raff.

At 10:30 Rob Rice shares music from his debut EP, and The Devil’s Threesome, released March 21, 2021. Singer/songwriter Rob Rice is a Kansas City native. On his EP Rob humbly assumes the role of choirmaster to a caravan of 12 Kansas City artists and musicians to create unique trios for six songs. With instrumentation ranging from Calvin Arsenia on harp and Ezgi Karakus on cello to Mark Lowrey on piano and Miki P on layered vocals, the collection is held together by Rob’s vocal melodies, lyrics, and folky guitar. and the Devil’s Threesome is a collection of songs Rob has composed and recorded that features a female and additional male accompaniment for each track. Info at: http://www.robricemakesmusic.com

At 11:00 Mark talks with Sherman Breneman, manager of The Vinyl Underground at 7th Heaven, 7621 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri where he has worked since 2010. Sherman graduated from Shawnee Heights Senior High in Tecumseh, Kansas in 1985. He graduated with a Bachelor in Science in Computer Information Systems at Friends University on 2002. Sherman also studied Management at Baker University where he graduated in 2004. Sherman is a former Elementary School Art Teacher in the Kansas City Public Schools. A life-long record collector and music enthusiast Sherman also doesn’t drink, smoke, or eat meat. In non-pandemic times Sherman travels to live concerts all over the region and in Kansas City. More info at: http://www.7thheavenKC.com

At 11:30 AM we talk with MG Salazar a poet, writer, performer, curator, business owner, chef, civil rights activist, assistant to Antoni for Season 3 & 4 of Netflix’s acclaimed television program – Queer Eye, cultural reporter & music reviewer for KCUR 89.3 FM, subject of the HBO documentary, Abortion: Stories Women Tell, and recent addition to the team of Hosts & Producers on 90.1 FM’s long running LGBTQIA program, The Tenth Voice, Saturdays, at 1:00 PM. A lifelong activist for equality & justice, MG Salazar twice traveled to Standing Rock during the winter of 2016-2017 to stand as a water protector at the Oceti Sakowin Camp. In 2020 MG Salazar ran as a Democratic candidate for Missouri’s 5th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, challenging 8-term, incumbent Emanuel Cleaver II. MG’s book, Little Bits of Flesh was published by La Resistencia in 2019; their book, Striking the Black Snake: Poems from Standing Rock, was published by 39 West Press in 2017; and MG’s debut book, If You See My Ghosts Like I Do, was published by Spartan Press in 2016.

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

Show #885

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, April 7, 2021

New & MidCoastal Releases + Claire Adams + Alisön Hawkins + Stacy Busch + Jen Harris & Vanessa Aricco

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

2. Lazy Projector – “Hookworms”
   from: “Hookworms” – Single / Lazy Projectors / April 2, 2021
   [Written and recorded by Lazy Projectors. Aaron Shinn on guitars, vocals, keyboards; Adam Mcgill on bass guitar; Jordan Shinn on guitar, backing vocals. Lazy Projector released their single “Windows” on December 4, 2020. ”Hookworms” and “Windows” will be featured on Lazy Projector’s upcoming album to be released in 2021. Lazy Projector released their debut album, “evoco” in 2018. More info at http://www.lazyprojector.com]

3. Tune-Yards – “Hypnotized”
   from: Sketchy / 4AD / March 26, 2021
   [Fifth studio album by indie pop band Tune-Yards. Writing for the album began in 2019, in the band’s own studio in Oakland, California. On September 22, 2020, Tune-Yards released “Nowhere, Man”, the first single in two years. The single is a reference to The Beatles’ 1965 song Nowhere Man. Lead vocalist Merrill Garbus said of the single: “The song and the video for “nowhere, man” were created under conditions of feeling squeezed and pushed to the brink – relatively, of course. I wanted to ask, “How loudly do I have to shout and sing before I’m heard?” And the video asks, too, “What am I not hearing?” We hope the music brings energy and a strong wind of encouragement to those who are shouting and singing loudly for justice right now.” The second single “Hold Yourself” was released on January 27, 2021. In a statement, the band said: “This song is about feeling really betrayed, by my parents’ generation, and at the same time, really seeing how we are betraying the future”. The band performed the single on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on February 22, 2021. On March 18, 2021, Tune-Yards performed the single “Hypnotized” on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. A week later, on March 23, 2021, the band released the single. Tune-Yards is the Oakland, California–based music project of musician Merrill Garbus (born March 3, 1979), with long-time collaborator, bassist Nate Brenner. Garbus’s music draws from an eclectic variety of sources and utilizes elements such as loop pedals, ukulele, vocals, and lo-fi percussion. Tune-Yards’ 2011 album Whokill was ranked the number one album of that year in The Village Voice’s annual Pazz and Jop critic’s poll. // The album Nikki Nack was released in 2014, with its first single, “Water Fountain”, being picked up by Google Pixel in 2016 for an advertising campaign. The album I Can Feel You Creep Into My Private Life was released in January 2018. At the same time, the Tune-Yards provided an atmospheric score for the sci fi film Sorry to Bother You. // Garbus was born in 1979 and was raised in New York City and in New Canaan, Connecticut. She attended Smith College. She was a puppeteer for the Sandglass Theater in Vermont and lived in Montreal where she played ukulele in the band Sister Suvi with guitarist Patrick Gregoire and drummer Nico Dann. Merrill’s sister Ruth Garbus is also a musician who has played solo and in the band Happy Birthday. After releasing her first Tune-Yards album in 2008, she moved to Oakland, California, where her partner in Tune-Yards, Nate Brenner, also lives. // The first Tune-Yards album, Bird-Brains (stylized as BiRd-BrAiNs) was originally self-released by Garbus on recycled cassette tape. It was recorded using only a handheld voice recorder. A limited edition vinyl was released in June 2009, via the Portland-based imprint Marriage Records. In July 2009, it was announced that Tune-Yards had signed to 4AD, and a limited edition pressing of Bird-Brains was released on August 17, 2009. A full worldwide release followed on November 17 in North America. The autumn 2009 pressing was remastered at Abbey Road Studios by Christian Wright, and includes two new bonus tracks: “Want Me To” and “Real Live Flesh.” // A second album, Whokill (stylized as w h o k i l l), was released on April 19, 2011. A single from it, “Bizness”, came out in February 2011. It was produced by Garbus and engineered by Eli Crews at New, Improved Studios in Oakland, California. Applying the live approach to Garbus’ studio work for the first time, Garbus works with bass player Nate Brenner, who co-wrote some of the album’s songs. Comparing the act to Sonic Youth, Frontier Psychiatrist said, “if Bird-Brains was Garbus’ Evol, a record bursting with musical ideas that attempted to subvert the notion of song, who kill is Garbus’ Sister, a record that embraces the traditional pop song as a vehicle to convey those ideas.” The album as well as singles “Bizness” and “Gangsta” received mention on many top 2011 album and song lists, including Time, Rolling Stone, Spin, and the New York Times. In early 2012, the Village Voice’s annual “Pazz and Jop” poll of critics named Whokill the No. 1 album of 2011. The song “Fiya” is featured on a 2010 commercial for the Blackberry Torch, while the song “Gangsta” has been used in the television shows Orange Is the New Black, Letterkenny, Weeds and The Good Wife and the song “Bizness” was used in Season 3 of Transparent. // Garbus started recording material for her third LP during the latter half of 2013, with a working title of Sink-o. A May 6, 2014 release date was later announced with the title Nikki Nack. The album spawned three singles, including “Water Fountain”, which was featured in the soundtrack for EA Sports video game FIFA 15 as well as in a 2016 commercial for the Google Pixel. // A 4th album was released on January 19, 2018, called I Can Feel You Creep Into My Private Life. The album showed more of an electronic influence. The single “Look at Your Hands” was released earlier, in October 2017, followed by “Heart Attack” in January. // Tune-Yards scored the satiric sci fi film Sorry to Bother You (2018). The film was shown at Sundance, then began a theatrical run. Its soundtrack songs are performed by the Coup, fronted by the film’s director, Boots Riley. Riley said he started working with the Tune-Yards in “early 2015” to create the film’s score, with demo tracks already available before the script was complete, and before the start of principal photography. Riley said he was attracted to Garbus’s voice, and to the band’s “unorthodox use of percussion and vocal layering. Info at: http://www.tune-yards.com]

4. Stacy Busch – “Away [Remastered]”
   from: Away Remastered – Single / Stacy Busch / December 7, 2020
   [Originally from Stacy’s first album, recently remastered and released as a single. “What is certain is that Busch is an important emerging compositional voice, fearless in its vulnerability, and able to pull disparate musical genres into a cohesive whole eithout artifice.” -KC METROPOLIS. Stacy Busch is a composer and performer. Her concerts and productions are designed to be provocative yet accessible in order to cultivate broader artistic interest and, in particular, reach under-served and/or misrepresented communities. Stacy is the founder and president of No Divide KC, an arts and social justice non-profit that creates artistic events for social causes. Artistically, her work deals with internal conflicts that are often taken abstractly from her personal experiences with addiction and bipolar disorder. These experiences of duality both in the mind and body are universal and her work expresses this underlying human vulnerability. Stacy’s work has been performed nationally as well as in France and Iceland. In 2020, Stacy’s non-profit No Divide KC is producd the 1st Annual Queer Narratives Festival. Also in 2020 Stacy worked on composing the new music and theater production, When/Time in partnership with Charlotte Street Foundation. COVID-19 has changed the dated of this performance. Stacy also has collaborative pprojects in the works with The Mid America Freedom Band. Recently, Stacy released a new project and subsequent album, titled Mass, which she premiered at MTH Theater. Stacy has performed at 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, Owen/Cox Dance Group and Charlotte Street Foundation to compose and perform the music for “Collective: Our Stories of Cancer,” other service with No Divide KC includes partnerships with the Kansas City Ballet School and the Johnson County Library. In addition to Kansas City, Stacy’s work has been featured at the University of Colorado-Boulder, UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance, Western Michigan University and Central Michigan University. It has also been performed by ensembles including: loadbang, Bent Frequency and the Beo String Quartet. She is a 2020 Charlotte Street Foundation Generative Performing Artist Fellow. Stacy has received grants from 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 Rome Prize winners Paul Rudy and James Mobberley as well as Pulitzer Prize winners Zhou Long and Chen Yi. Other influential teachers include Guggenheim Fellow Curtis Curtis-Smith, Christopher Biggs and Lisa Coons. Prior to studying music, Stacy studied print journalism at Boston University.]

10:15 – Interview with Stacy Busch

Stacy Busch is a composer and performer. Her concerts and productions are designed to be provocative yet accessible in order to cultivate broader artistic interest and, in particular, reach under-served and/or misrepresented communities. Stacy is the founder and president of No Divide KC, an arts and social justice non-profit that creates artistic events for social causes. Stacy is a 2020 Charlotte Street Foundation Generative Performing Artist Fellow. Stacy has received grants from ArtsKC, ArtSounds, Charlotte Street Foundation and the UMKC Women’s Council. Stacy joins us on the radio today to talk about No Divide KC’s 2nd Annual Queer Narratives Festival. More information at: http://www.nodividekc.org

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

Kansas City nonprofit organization, No Divide KC is officially accepting applications from artists for its second annual Queer Narratives festival to be held August 2 – 7, 2021 at The Black Box in the West Bottoms that will highlight performing and visual artists of various backgrounds.

Submissions for the second annual Queer Narrative Festival are open until 11:59 PM. Sunday, April 11. Apply via the website: http://www.nodividekc.org – click the link and submit your art and information. There is no fee to submit and will be an artist stipend of $200 for selected artists.

The festival will include artists of all mediums, from music and dance to photo-graphy and video, but definitely not limited to burlesque, inks, and sculpture are welcome. Participating artists also get the chance to take the reins on other programming such as workshops or open mics.

The 2021 Queer Narratives Festival is set to take place from August 2 to August 7. The week-long festival. See No Divide KC’s website for info: http://www.nodividekc.org/

Other Events:

When / Time June 25-27, 2021 Charlotte Street Foundation Black Box Theatre

Come As You Are: Vulnerability in the Concert Space, September 10, 2021 at St, Mary’s Episcopal Church.

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.

Stacy’s work has been performed nationally as well as in France and Iceland. In 2020, Stacy is composing/performing the new music and theater production, When/Time in partnership with Charlotte Street Foundation. The Mid America Freedom Band is premiering her double concerto piece for two drag queens. No Divide KC is producing “Stories from Under the Stars” a storytelling event focusing on homelessness in Kansas City as well as the 1st Annual Queer Narratives Festival.

Recently, Stacy released a new project and subsequent album, titled Mass, which she premiered at MTH Theater. She performed at 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, Owen/Cox Dance Group and Charlotte Street Foundation to compose and perform the music for “Collective: Our Stories of Cancer,” other service with No Divide KC includes partnerships with the Kansas City Ballet School and the Johnson County Library.

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 and the Beo String Quartet.

She is a 2020 Charlotte Street Foundation Generative Performing Artist Fellow. Stacy has received grants from 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.

Stacy’s teachers include Rome Prize winners Paul Rudy and James Mobberley as well as Pulitzer Prize winners Zhou Long and Chen Yi. Other influential teachers include Guggenheim Fellow Curtis Curtis-Smith, Christopher Biggs and Lisa Coons. Prior to studying music, Stacy studied print journalism at Boston University.

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

Submissions for the second annual Queer Narratives Festival, August 2 to August 7, at the Black Box are open until Sunday, April 11. To Apply visit: http://www.nodividekc.org

When / Time is June 25-27, 2021 Charlotte Street Foundation Black Box Theatre

Come As You Are: Vulnerability in the Concert Space, September 10, 2021 at St, Mary’s Episcopal Church. http://www.nodividekc.org

10:26

5. St. Vincent – “Pay Your Way In Pain”
   from: Daddy’s Home / Loma Vista / May 14, 2021
   [6th studio album by St. Vincent. Like its predecessor, Masseduction (2017), Annie Clark produced the album alongside Jack Antonoff. The album was promoted by the lead single, “Pay Your Way in Pain”, released on March 5, 2021. Daddy’s Home was inspired by Clark’s father’s release from prison at the end of 2019, as well as the musical palette of New York City in the first half of the 1970s. Annie Erin Clark was born September 28, 1982. She is known professionally as St. Vincent, is an American musician, singer, songwriter and producer. She began her music career as a member of the Polyphonic Spree. She was also a member of Sufjan Stevens’s touring band before forming her own band in 2006. Her debut album is Marry Me (2007), followed by Actor (2009), Strange Mercy (2011), St. Vincent (2014), Masseduction (2017) and will be releasing Daddy’s Home, her sixth studio album on May 14, 2021. // Her fourth solo album, St. Vincent, was released that same year and was named album of the year by The Guardian, Entertainment Weekly, NME, and Slant, as well as second best album of the year by Time. The album won her a Grammy for Best Alternative Album, her first Grammy Award. She was the first solo female performer in 20 years to win a Grammy in that category. In 2018, St. Vincent was included twice in NPR’s “200 Greatest songs by 21st Century Women”: at number 181 with “Digital Witness” and at number 38 with “Cruel”. Strange Mercy was among Pitchfork’s 200 Best Albums of the 2010s, ranking at number 55. St. Vincent ranked number 65 on Rolling Stone’s 100 Best Albums of the 2010s.// Masseduction, Clark’s fifth studio album, released in 2017, earned her Best Rock Song and Best Recordings Package at the Grammys, where she also performed alongside Dua Lipa for a mashup performance of their respective Grammy-nominated songs ‘Masseduction’ and ‘One Kiss.’ // Clark was born on September 28, 1982, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her mother is a social worker and administrator for a non-profit organization, while her stepfather works in corporate tax administration. Her parents divorced when she was three, and when she was seven she moved with her mother and two older sisters to Dallas, Texas. Clark is of Irish, and a small amount of Jewish, ancestry. She was raised Catholic and Unitarian Universalist. // From her parents’ blended families, she has four brothers and four sisters. // Clark was fond of the movie La Bamba and Ritchie Valens himself at a very early age, and received a plastic red guitar at age five that her mother got her at a Target store for Christmas. She began playing her first real guitar at age 12 and worked some of her teenage years as a roadie for her aunt and uncle, the guitar-vocal jazz duo Tuck & Patti. In 2001, she graduated from Lake Highlands High School, where she participated in theater and the school’s jazz band, and was a classmate of actor Mark Salling. // Clark attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts for three years before dropping out, studying with Professor Lauren Passarelli. She felt that art institutions such as Berklee can be more directed towards the athleticism of art rather than the product. In retrospect, Clark said, “I think that with music school and art school, or school in any form, there has to be some system of grading and measurement. The things they can teach you are quantifiable. While all that is good and has its place, at some point you have to learn all you can and then forget everything that you learned in order to actually start making music.” // In 2020, St. Vincent was credited as a guitarist on “Texas Man” and a co-writer on “Young Man” with the Chicks, Antonoff, and Justin Tranter for the Chicks’ eighth studio album Gaslighter. In August 2020, St. Vincent collaborated with Japanese musician Yoshiki to release a classical arrangement of “New York”. In October 2020, St. Vincent’s online instruction class on Creativity and Songwriting was added to the MasterClass series. In late 2020, St. Vincent featured on the track “Chalk Tablet Towers” from the first season of the Song Machine project by Gorillaz.]

10:29 – Underwriting

6. Mismo Sismo (Claire Adams) – “Moras Parte III”
   from: Moras / Claire Adams / July 21, 2020
   [Claire Adams wrote and recorded this EP at home during the first months of the COVID-19 quarantine. The three songs are meant to be played all together but also stand alone. The project is called Mismo Sismo (same earthquake) and is a collaboration with photographer Hugo Parasol. Musically curious and multifaceted, Claire Adams has spent more than a decade touring, recording and songwriting to hone her melodic instincts and vision. A bassist, guitarist, singer and songwriter, Adams has lent a discerning ear and versatility to a number of projects. Claire Adams has collaborated with the KC based string quartet Rewound, jazz pianist Alyssa Murray & drummer Fritz Hutchinson. Claire Adams also plays guitar with True Lions. More info at: http://www.claireadamsmusic.com]

10:33 – Interview with Claire Adams

Musician Claire Adams joins us on the phone to share information about her recent musical recordongs, including: WORDS OF LOVE released February 5, 2021. And from Claire’s musical collaboration with photographer Hugo Parasol called Mismo Sismo that was quietly released on July 21, 2020. Both of these EP releases followed Claire’s 10-track album, YOU KNOW I KNOW YOU, released April 24, 2020. Musically curious and multifaceted, Claire Adams has spent more than a decade touring, recording and songwriting to hone her melodic instincts and vision. A bassist, guitarist, singer and songwriter, Adams has lent a discerning ear and versatility to a number of projects. Claire Adams has collaborated with the KC based string quartet Rewound, jazz pianist Alyssa Murray & drummer Fritz Hutchison. Claire Adams also plays guitar with True Lions. More info at: http://www.claireadamsmusic.com

Claire Adams thanks for being with us on WMM.

Words of Love released February 5, 2021 – Recorded and Produced by Claire Adams at Casa 34 in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Mixed and Mastered by Duane Trower at Weights + Measures in Kansas City, MO. Cover Photo by Hugo Parasol. ‘So This Is Love’ written by Mack David, Al Hoffman, and Jerry Livingston. ‘Pocketful Of Rainbows’ written by Ben Weisman, ‘Till There Was You’ written by Meredith Wilson. “Words of Love” written by Claire Adams. ‘Calico Skies’ written by Paul McCartney.

Mismo Sismo (same earthquake). Claire Adams wrote and recorded this EP at home during the first months of the COVID-19 quarantine. The three songs are meant to be played all together but also stand alone. Mismo Sismo (same earthquake) is a collaboration with photographer Hugo Parasol.

YOU KNOW I KNOW YOU, released April 24, 2020, including 10 songs all written by Claire Adams. Recorded at The Blue House in Kansas City, MO. Additional tracking at MARZ Studios in Nederland, TX. Mixed & mastered at Weights + Measures Soundlab in KCMO. Written by Claire Adams, with Claire Adams on guitars, bass, and vocals; Alyssa Murray on keyboards & vocals; and Fritz Hutchison on drums & vocals.

In 2020 Claire also recorded with the band Ondist who released three full length albums: No Coincidence on June 12, and Electricity on August 14, and Mise en Place on November 13 totaling 41 songs, plus a 26 track Acapellas & Instrumentals Release on July 3, plus a 4-song EP entitled Resound on February 28, plus 9 singles. Ondist is Corbin Dooley, Nick Poortman, and Maya Coppola. With divergent backgrounds rooted in Arkansas, New Zealand, and New York, the trio connected in Los Angeles. Recording in Malibu, Dallas, Kansas City, and Las Vegas brought environmental influences to the center of the Ondist sound, which is united by its cinematic vision of hope. Several of the tracks for all three albums were recorded at Weights & Measures with Duane Trower with Sam Platt on drums, Eddie Moore on keyboards, DeAndre Manning on bass, Jamie Anderson on guitar, Claire Adams on vocals, and Jillian Riscoe on vocals. Corbin Dooley signed Nine Inch nails to TVT Records in 1990. He managed Blur, and Tekronic. We interviewed Maya Coppola on the October 7, 2020 on WMM.

Claire Adams also plays guitar with True Lions.

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

Claire Adams thanks for being with us on WMM.

Claire Adams’ EP WORDS OF LOVE was released February 5, 2021. The Claire Adams project, Mismo Sismo – Moras EP was released on July 21, 2020. Claire Adams’ album YOU KNOW I KNOW YOU, was released April 24, 2020. True Lions play Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming, Friday, April 9, at 6:00 PM with Khrystal., Collidescope, and KuJo.

10:46

7. Claire Adams – “Words of Love”
   from: Words Of Love / Claire Adams / February 5, 2021
   [Recorded and Produced by Claire Adams at Casa 34 in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Mixed and Mastered by Duane Trower at Weights + Measures in Kansas City, MO. Cover Photo by Hugo Parasol. ‘So This Is Love’ written by Mack David, Al Hoffman, and Jerry Livingston; ‘Pocketful Of Rainbows’ written by Ben Weisman; ‘Till There Was You’ written by Meredith Wilson; “Words of Love” written by Claire Adams; and ‘Calico Skies’ written by Paul McCartney. This new EP is a follow up to the Claire Adams album YOU KNOW I KNOW YOU, released April 24, 2020, including 10 songs all written by Claire Adams. Recorded at The Blue House in Kansas City, MO. Additional tracking at MARZ Studios in Nederland, TX. Mixed & mastered at Weights + Measures Soundlab in KCMO. Written by Claire Adams, with Claire Adams on guitars, bass, and vocals; Alyssa Murray on keyboards & vocals; and Fritz Hutchison on drums & vocals. Musically curious and multifaceted, Claire Adams has spent more than a decade touring, recording and songwriting to hone her melodic instincts and vision. A bassist, guitarist, singer and songwriter, Adams has lent a discerning ear and versatility to a number of projects. Claire Adams has collaborated with the KC based string quartet Rewound, jazz pianist Alyssa Murray & drummer Fritz Hutchinson. Claire Adams also plays guitar with True Lions. More info at: http://www.claireadamsmusic.com ]

8. Calvin Arsenia – “Tip Toe”
   from: Cantaloupe / Center Cut Records / September 15, 2018 (KC Release)
   [The first release on Bullseye Records. Calvin Arsenia who came home to KC in 2014 after living in Edinburgh, Scotland, and has released the EPs, Moments, Prose, and last year’s full length debut, Catastrophe. This year he released the EP Caviar to special guests who attended his Wickstock West show in West Bottoms. Standing at 6 foot 6 inches, Arsenia’s powerful vocals span a 3.5 octave range, while playing piano, banjo, guitar & harp. Calvin has played Folk Alliance International, KC Fringe Fest, Apocalypse Meow, The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, The Kauffman Center For The Performing Arts, Middle of the Map Fest., The Folly Theatre. Last year he undertook a three month US/European Outlyre Tour where he has played San Francisco, Portland, Vancouver, NYC, Boston, Edinburgh, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Switzerland, Lyon and Paris.]

[Calvin Arsenia plays Raj Ma Hall, 2829 East 7th Street, KCMO, Saturday, April 10, 2021, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM with Erin Keller. Raj Ma Hall is a COVID SAFE outdoor community setting of 2-tops, 4-tops, and 6-tops, all with a perfect view of the stage. Limited audience of 50 people, Temperature taken at admission, No touch service, built in Social Distancing. For more info: http://www.rajmahall.org.]

9. Lava Dreams – “Surprise!”
   from: “Surprise” – Single / R.I.O.T. LLC / March 26, 2021
   [Solo artist Lava Dreams aka Julia Hamilton writes songs influenced by pop, soul, RnB, jazz, trap, house, funk, reggae, rock, and world music. Lava Dreams is planning to release an 11-song album later this year and will be releasing a new single every month leading up to the release. This is the 3rd single and follow up to, “You’re The One” released February 26, 2021 and “The Amazing Wave” released January 8, 2021 through R.I.O.T. LLC Music and produced by Duncan Burnett. 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 is 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, Google Play, SoundCloud, Bandcamp, or at LavaDreamsMusic.com. Lava Dreams joined us on WMM on April 22, 2020. Info at: http://www.LavaDreamsMusic.com]

10. Cibo Matto – “Birthday Cake”
    from: Viva! La Woman / Warner Music / January 16, 1996
    [Cibo Matto is an Italian phrase that translates to “Crazy Food.” Cibo Matto was an American band formed by Yuka Honda and Miho Hatori in New York City in 1994. Initially, the band’s lyrics were primarily concerned with food, before expanding into broader subject matter following the addition of Sean Lennon, Timo Ellis, and Duma Love to the band for their second studio album. While Honda and Hatori are Japanese expatriates, the group initially did not gain as large a following in Japan as it did in the United States. Their first album Viva! La Woman sold 40,000 copies in Japan, but was more successful in the U.S., with over 74,000 copies sold. Over time, the group’s following in Japan grew, which resulted in their signing to Japanese record label Commmons in 2014. After an almost decade-long hiatus, Honda and Hatori reunited as Cibo Matto in 2011, playing a series of concerts and recording new material. They released their third and final studio album Hotel Valentine on February 14, 2014. It peaked at number 168 on the Billboard 200. Cibo Matto announced their split in December 2017. // After working together in the noise rock band Leitoh Lychee, Miho Hatori and Yuka Honda formed Cibo Matto in 1994 with Honda as the instrumentalist and Hatori as the vocalist (although occasionally Honda sang and Hatori contributed instrumentally). In 1995, Cibo Matto released a self titled EP on El Diablo Records. The EP caught the attention of Warner Bros. Records, which signed Cibo Matto later in the year. Through Warner Bros. the duo released its first major album, Viva! La Woman. Many of the tracks from Viva! La Woman, which was produced by Mitchell Froom, featured lyrics related to food, including “Know Your Chicken”, “Apple”, and “Birthday Cake”. The album’s first single, “Sugar Water”, was a modest college radio and dance hit. The song was accompanied by an innovative split screen music video that was directed by Michel Gondry, where each side showed the same footage—one side going forward, and one backward, meeting mid-song. After the music videos for “Know Your Chicken” and “Sugar Water” enjoyed success on MTV, Cibo Matto made appearances on various television shows such as Oddville, Viva Variety, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. “Birthday Cake” was heavily featured in the video game Jet Set Radio Future. in 1996, Cibo Matto contributed “Águas De Março (Waters of March)” to the AIDS benefit album Silencio=Muerte: Red Hot + Latin, which was produced by the Red Hot Organization. // In 1997, Cibo Matto released a new EP entitled Super Relax, which would complete the line-up by introducing new members Sean Lennon and Timo Ellis with Duma Love joining soon thereafter. In 1998 Lennon released his debut solo album Into the Sun, which featured Hatori (“Into the Sun”, “Sean’s Theme”) and Ellis (“Mystery Juice”, “Home”, “Spaceship”). Into the Sun was produced and inspired by Honda (whom Lennon was dating at the time). Honda, Hatori, Ellis and Love appeared in the closing scene of the video for Lennon’s single “Home”. Cibo Matto went on to release its second album Stereo Type A in 1999. Although it was a departure from the familiar sound of Viva! La Woman, Stereo Type A was well received by music critics. That year the band performed in Toronto with Luscious Jackson at The Opera House in Toronto. // Cibo Matto continued to play live and tour until disbanding in 2002. Honda said: “We felt the need to move to the next step. It was a healthy decision, though it was sad at the same time. Things just need to grow out of things sometimes.” All of the members of Cibo Matto went on to release solo material. A compilation entitled Pom Pom: The Essential Cibo Matto was released in 2007. // Cibo Matto announced its reunion on March 18, 2011, to perform as part of a benefit concert for victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The concert, which took place on March 27 at Columbia University in New York City, also included Yoko Ono, John Zorn, Sonic Youth, and Mike Patton. Following the success of this show, a second was added, this time featuring the Plastic Ono Band and Patti Smith along with Cibo Matto. The group appeared at the Hollywood Bowl on June 26, 2011, for another benefit, alongside Yellow Magic Orchestra. // On May 16, 2011, Cibo Matto announced its US reunion tour titled “Yeah, Basically Cibo Matto” with a tour Web site Wayback Machine and promotional video. During the concerts, the band reportedly spoke about a new studio album that was to be released in 2012. On July 17, 2012, the band announced it would be opening for Wilco at one of its shows. The band included Yuko Araki on drums during this time. // On June 15, 2013, the band played the Meltdown Festival in London and announced that its new album would be released in 2014. While the performance also featured Yoko Ono on “Know Your Chicken”, the group also played new songs titled “MFN”, “Check In”, and “Tenth Floor Ghost Girl”. On December 11, Pitchfork reported that Hotel Valentine would be released on February 14, 2014 (Valentine’s Day), and that Cibo Matto had shared its music video for “MFN”. Hotel Valentine peaked at number 168 on the Billboard 200. // In 2014, the band signed with Japanese label Commmons. This new relationship resulted in several live dates in Japan including Summer Sonic Festival 2014 and shows at Blue Note Jazz Club Nagoya and Blue Note Jazz Club Tokyo. In September 2014, Cibo Matto announced their Fall Flavor Tour and the release of their newest music video with a teaser. Rioux opened for multiple US shows. Nels Cline (of Wilco) also performed with the group on tour. The music video for “Déjà Vu” was released on September 18, 2014 in collaboration with New York City-based director Jean Claude Billmaier and creative house Marabigo. Pitchfork identified the video as “a colorful, datamosh-y new video”, and Spin as a “stylish bubblegum pop-meets-digital-disaster (intentional).” Cibo Matto completed two small tours in 2015; an “Avocado Tour” of Japan and a “Banana Split Tour” across the eastern US and Canada. On Dec. 11, 2017, Cibo Matto announced their breakup, explaining that this was a “necessary and positive change.]

11:00 – Station ID

11. True Lions – “Ode to Keytar [feat. Adee Rocket Dancy]”
    from: “Ode to Keytar [feat. Adee Rocket Dancy]” – Single / Manor Records / March 22, 2021
    [2nd single from True Lions debut album, “The Fempire Strikes Back,” to be released on April 9, 2021. 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 q 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 play Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming, Fri, April 9, 6:00 PM w/ Khrystal., Collidescope, & KuJo.]

11:03 – Interview with Alisôn Hawkins

Joining us live on the phone is our friend Alisön Hawkins who joins us to share information about True Lions and their debut album, THE FEMPIRE STRIKES BACK, that is being released this Friday, April 9, on Manor Records. The album was written & produced by Alison Hawkins and arranged & performed by True Lions: Alisön Hawkins, Elizabeth Kosko, Teri Quinn, Claire Adams, Adee Rocket Dancy, Aryana Nemati, Iona DeWalt, and Miki P. More info at: http://www.truelions.bandcamp.com

Alisön Hawkins thanks for being with us on WMM.

True Lions has been called a Multi-instrumentalist femme DIY super collective from Kansas City.

True Lions and their debut album, THE FEMPIRE STRIKES BACK, will be released in two days on Friday April 9, on Manor Records. Recorded at Deep Space Co-op & Element Recording Studios in KCMO, the tracking was engineered by Ross Brown at Escape Pod Audio with additional tracking, mixing & mastering by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studios. The album was written & produced by Alison Hawkins. THE FEMPIRE STRIKES BACK was arranged & performed by True Lions.

from True Lions & Manor Records:

A Kansas City-based “flosspunk” alt-pop supergroup led by Alison Hawkins, True Lions meshes the band members’ backgrounds in classical, punk, jazz, folk, and blues, ultimately creating a well-rounded, unique sound. The band’s revolving lineup includes Elizabeth Kosko, Teri Quinn, Claire Adams, Adee Rocket Dancy, Aryana Nemati, KuJo, Iona DeWalt, and Miki P. While they’re a gender-diverse collective of women/nonbinary/trans/boi/vegan multi-instrumentalists and genre-flirts, the focus of this project is not their genders or dietary restrictions, but rather, their attitudes, imaginations, and the group’s inspiring ability to empower and celebrate one another through the refuge they create within their music.

They emphasize friendships with bandmates over conventional instrumentation, and prioritize character and integrity over perfectionist musicianship. Combining flossy harmonies, clever metaphors, and solid hooks, True Lions confronts serious subject matter with a light and often silly approach. They maintain an anti-patriarchal agenda while still having a fun party time, calling it “carbonated honesty.”

They’re known for reputable collaborations with artists such as Calvin Arsenia, Fritz Hutchison, and The Swallowtails, and cite influences like Cibo Matto, The Go-Go’s, Sleater-Kinney, The Raincoats, and Fanny. Their debut album, The Fempire Strikes Back, releases April 9, 2021 via Manor Records.

From Anna Selle (Hear Queer)

“…though most of their lyrics tackle heavy topics, like misogyny in the music industry and inane copyright battles, their melodies are light and punchy, silly and danceable. Something about the band’s presence and authenticity allows their audience to dive in with them to a euphoric and affirming state of being…”

THE FEMPIRE STRIKES BACK also features: Calvin Arsenia, Rachel Lovelace, John O’Keefe, Claudia Sudekum, Fritz Hutchison, Coleen Dieker, Leslie Butsch, Ezgi Karakus, and Daniel Cox.

True Lions play Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming, Friday, April 9, at 6:00 PM with Khrystal., Collidescope, and KuJo.

True Lions Discograpy

True Lions released Like A Lamb (Covers) April 20, 2020. We played “Origins (Tennis cover)” on WMM. Like A Lamb (Covers) is an EP collection of 4 songs: “Pressure To Party” (Julia Jacklin cover), “I’d Rather Dance With You” (Kings of Convenience cover), Archie, Marry Me” (Alvvays cover), and “Origins” (Tennis cover). Recorded in Strawberry Hill, Kansas City, KS., during mandatory self-quarantine. All songs performed by True Lions. Produced and recorded by Alison Hawkins and Fritz Hutchison. Mixing/Mastering by Fritz Hutchison. Album Artwork by Alison Hawkins. Alison Hawkins: piano, guitar, violin, synth, percussion, vocals. Fritz Hutchison: drums/percussion, guitar, bass, synth, vocals. Featuring “Falcon” the chicken.

True Lions released THERMAL IN JUNE (demos), February 29, 2020 also recorded in Strawberry Hill, Kansas City, KS. All songs written by True Lions. Tracking Engineering by Fritz Hutchison. Album Artwork by Alison Hawkins. Alison Hawkins on lead vocals, guitar, piano, synth, percussion. Fritz Hutchison on vocals, guitar, bass, synth, drums/percussion. Daniel Cox on vocals, saxophone, percussion.

True Lions released their 2nd EP, YOU’RE NOT INVITED, November 29, 2019 with: 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. Album Artwork by Genevieve Sloan. Special thanks to Calvin Arsenia and Fritz Hutchison.

True Lions released their debut EP, CUTE AT BEST February 5, 2019 with Alison Hawkins on guitar, piano, synth, vocals; Mikala Petillo on percussion, bass, guitar, vocals; and with Ross Brown serving as producer & engineer; and Nika Winn providing artwork. This EP began as an unrelated, musical dispute between lovers, but triumphantly became the spunky collaboration of two midwestern “woms” whose passion for playing music nearly exceeds their desire to create it.

11:14

Alisön Hawkins thanks for being with us on WMM.

True Lions play Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming, Friday, April 9, at 6:00 PM with Khrystal., Collidescope, and KuJo. True Lions debut album, THE FEMPIRE STRIKES BACK, will also be released on Friday April 9, on Manor Records. More info at: http://www.truelions.bandcamp.com

11:15

12. True Lions – “Escape Room (feat. Miki P)”
    from: “Escape Room (feat. Miki P.) – Single / Manor Records / April 2, 2021
    [1st single from True Lions debut album, “The Fempire Strikes Back,” to be released on April 9, 2021. 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 q 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 play Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming, Friday, April 9, at 6:00 PM with Khrystal., Collidescope, and KuJo.]

13. Collidescope – “Thicker Than Blood”
    from: DEEP TAPE / Kansas City Syzygy / December 31, 2020
    [7-track album. Collidescope is essentially a duo that includes: Hadiza. on vocals, beats, & synthesizers; and Madison Monroe on guitar, bass, beats, synthesizers, mixing & vocals. 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 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 Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming, Friday, April 9, at 6:00 PM with Khrystal., True Lions, and KuJo.]

14. Khrystal. – “Never”
    from: “Never” – Single / Khrystal. / December 31, 2020
    [“never” was follow up to Khrystal.’s. single “Magic” released on August 8, 2020 on limited edition cassette singles with her most recent single “You Again” as a B-Side by Manor Records. On September 1, 2017 Khrystal. released The Glow Up EP, Produced & Written by Khrystal Coppage and Duncan Burnett. This was follow up to Khrystal’s Debut EP, Quarter Century Living. Executive Produced By Duncan Burnett. Written By Khrystal Coppage & Duncan Burnett. Kansas City based Khrystal Coppage served as Editor-in-Chief of Khorage Magazine. She served as Production Manager at UMKC University News from 2015 to 2016. She graduated from UMKC in 2016 where she studied Family Studies. She graduated from Kansas City Kansas Community College in 2013. She is a graduate of Sumner Academy of Arts & Science, in KCK.]

[Khrystal. plays Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming, Friday, April 9, at 6:00 PM with True Lions, Ciollidescope, and KuJo.]

15. Kadesh Flow – “Take Backs (feat. Ryan Heinlein)”
    from: Take Backs (feat. Ryan Heinlein) – Single / Ryan Davis / March 26, 2021
    [Written, produced, performed, mixed and mastered by Kadesh Flow. More info at: http://www.kadeshflow.com This is one of 10 new singles Kadesh Flow has released so far this year: Kadesh Flow & The Enclave released, “Soft Side”, on January 21, 2021 written, produced, performed, mixed and mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow released, “Assumptions feat. Shubzilla”, on January 29, 2021. Kadesh Flow released, “Frosty”, on February 12, 2021, Written, produced, performed, mixed and mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow & The Enclave released, “Cry For Me 2”, February 12, 2021. Kadesh Flow released, “Not on My Watch”, on February 19, 2021, Inspired by Lord Beerus (Dragonball Super). Kadesh Flow released, “Held Me Longer”, on March 5, 2021, Written, produced, performed, mixed and mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow released, “Your Dream Isn’t Always Yours”, on March 12, 2021, Written, produced, performed, mixed and mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow & The Enclave released, “Forgot About Me”, on March 14, 2021. Kadesh Flow released, “Take Backs (feat. Ryan Heinlein)”, on March 26, 2021, Written, produced, performed, mixed and mastered by Kadesh Flow. Kadesh Flow released, “But Hope”, on March 26, 2021, Written, produced, performed, mixed and mastered by Kadesh Flow. More info at: http://www.kadeshflow.comKadesh Flow is Ryan Davis is a rapper with an MBA. He is an emcee, producer, & trombonist. At age 11, he began rapping and playing trombone within two weeks of one another. His music has been featured on network television in multiple countries and territories across Southeast Asia. Kadesh performs as a solo hip hop artist. He also plays with The Phantastics, and Marcus Lewis Big Band. Kadesh Flow was on WMM on Oct. 21, 2020.]

11:29 – Underwriting

16. Vanessa Aricco – “Human Animal”
    from: Human Animal / Vanessa Aricco / August 25. 2018
    [Vanessa Aricco also released the 10-track album THE MIDNIGHT RUSH on November 10, 2017. Vanessa Aricco is a multimedia poet and co-host of Confessing Animals, an interview-style podcast discussing creativity with writers and artists. She is a Charlotte Street Foundation 2019-21 Studio Resident. Info at: http://www.confessinganimalspodcast.com. Music composed by Ashley Raines (Grass Strand Music). Words written and spoken by Vanessa Aricco (Pettinella-Winters) // “Modernity is the transitory, the fugitive, the contingent, the half of art of which the other half is eternal and immutable.” —Baudelaire, The Painter of Modern Life // “The poem is about a pursuit of modern happiness that results in an erotic failure. Happiness is a matter of good timing, when two people meet at the right time, in a right place and somehow manage to arrest the moment. The time of happiness is like a time of revolution, an ecstatic modern present. The encounter brings the poet a shock of recognition followed by spatial and temporal disorientation. The time of their happiness is out of joint. // The unknown woman is an allegory of modernité at once statuesque and fleeing, she exemplifies eternal beauty and the modern transience. She is in mourning, possibly a widow, but for a poet her veil is that of anticipatory nostalgia for the lost chance of happiness. Her mourning mirrors his, or the other way around. The poet and the woman recognize each other’s feeling nostalgias. Desiring to arrest time, he mixes opposites in a fury; in one moment he experiences a new birth and death, a pleasure and pain, darkness and light, the present and the eternal. The woman is lost and found and then lost again and then found again in the poem. Rhyming functions like a form of magic, it slows the reader down, making the poem reflect on itself, creating its own utopian temporality where the fleeing erotic fantasy of a lonely urban dweller can be remembered and even memorized.” —Syvetlana Boym (The Future of Nostalgia) describing Baudelaire’s poem À une passante from in Les Fleurs du mal .]

11:32 – Interview with Vanessa Aricco and Jen Harris

Joining us on the phone is Poet Vanessa Aricco from Kansas City and Poet Jen Harris who is originally from KC, but is now based in Eugene Oregon. Vanessa and Jen join us to share details about their show: Live! from the POETRY FORT! Sunday, April 11, 7:00 PM (Central). Celebrating National Poetry Month the co-hosts come to you LIVE on Zoom from their respective poetry forts. Jen & Vanessa are also the co-hosts of the Confessing Animals Podcast.

Vanessa Aricco is a multimedia poet. Her work includes two poetry albums, The Midnight Rush and Human Animal. She is a Charlotte Street Foundation 2019-21 Studio Resident in Kansas City, MO, where she’s been working on a third poetry album called Teenage Poetry. More info at: vanessaaricco.bandcamp.com.

Vanessa Aricco, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Jen Harris is a transplant from KC now based in Eugene, Oregon. A sought-after performance artist, she is the founder and host of The Writing Workshop KC, whose mission is to nurture creative curiosity and inspire confidence within prompt-based writing workshops. More info at: http://www.poetjenharris.com

Jen Harris, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Jen & Vanessa are the co-hosts of the Confessing Animals Podcast. They met through Jen’s Writing Workshop KC

Vanessa Aricco is a multimedia poet, exploring conflict and duality, the precarious nature of life, and the anxiety that arises from it. More info at: vanessaaricco.bandcamp.com.

Vanessa Arrico – Discography

Vanessa Aricco – HUMAN ANIMAL – August 25. 2018
[Music composed by Ashley Raines (Grass Strand Music), Words written and spoken by Vanessa Aricco (Pettinella-Winters)]

Vanessa Aricco –THE MIDNIGHT RUSH – November 10, 2017
Words written & performed by Vanessa Aricco (Pettinella-Winters). Music composed & performed by Ashley Raines (Grass Strand Music) http://www.ashleyrainesmusic.com Art by Lora Siemer & Vanessa Aricco

Jen Harris Bio

A transplant from KC Jen Harris (she/they) is a creative entrepreneur now in Eugene, OR

A sought-after performance artist, Harris is the co-host of Confessing Animals Podcast, interviewing seasoned and fresh-faced artists (of every genre) to discuss how to make creativity work within the complexities and challenges of adult life. She is the founder and host of The Writing Workshop KC, whose mission is to nurture creative curiosity and inspire confidence within prompt-based writing workshops.

Through an aggressively vulnerable, trauma-informed lens, Mx. Harris unites strangers of all ages and walks of life whom share an interest in creative expression, and facilitates the development of active, engaged, supportive, empowering writing communities. Mx. Harris is particularly passionate about reaching queer people and those experiencing homeless-ness or struggling to thrive within the multitude of oppressive systems. From dive bars to performance halls worldwide, reaching thousands from ages 10-80, Jen cultivates passion and emboldens the aspirational through her performances & educational workshops.

She is inspired to eradicate the toxic mythology of the hapless creative, offering her students the opportunity to create, develop, edit and perform their work before engaged, paying audiences, all the while seeking validity in the process and not the outcome. Mx. Harris challenges her students to defy the internal censor, revive or discover the joy of creating and offer themselves the gift of fulfillment through art.

Featured on NPR, TEDx, Button Poetry, Write About Now Poetry, Queer Eye, Harris is the author of 3 books of poetry and the recipient of numerous accolades. Her firstborn love child, Kansas City Poetry Slam, has been sold-out, monthly, since 2013. Harris’ work is a confessional assortment of first-person accounts of queer life in impoverished America.

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

Jen Harris – Residencies & Authorship

2020, Culture Hustlers
2019 – 2018, Writing residency, The Drugstore KC
2017 -2016, Writing residency, Charlotte Street Foundation
2019, Unconfirmed Certainties, author
2019, Lust & Disdain, author
2019, Slammed, 2nd edition, author
2017, Slammed 1st edition, author

In Process

Collective, Our Stories of Cancer
Butch
Multiple collaborations with visual and performance artists

Live! from the POETRY FORT! Sunday, April 11, 7:00 PM celebrating National Poetry Month the co-hosts come to you LIVE on Zoom from their respective poetry forts.

https://www.poetjenharris.com/podcast Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9237824393

Confessing Animals Podcast, is where Vanessa and Jen interview seasoned and fresh-faced artists (of every genre) to discuss how to make creativity work within the complexities and challenges of adult life. http://www.confessinganimalspodcast.com

Seasoned and fresh-faced artists (of every genre) discuss how to make creativity work within the complexities and challenges of adult life. In Season One of Confessing Animals podcast, co-hosts Jen Harris + Vanessa Aricco, both working writers, unveil the secrets and struggles of creative living in a rapid fire Capitalist society. The theme for Season One is Translation. One guest at a time, Jen + Vanessa ask, How Does Your Life Translate to Art?

Since January 12, 2021 Vanessa and Jen have produced 13 shows, actually 18 if you count the teasers and the pre-show info shows about WWKC

Vanessa has lived in Kansas City for 5 years. On the podcast she is very open about her own personal anxiety issues and personal struggles as an artist.

Check out the videocast and teasers over on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/confessinganimals

The Writing Workshop KC, mission is to nurture creative curiosity & inspire confidence within prompt-based writing workshops. Every Tuesday Night.
https://www.poetjenharris.com/workshops

Vanessa Aricco and Jen Harris, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

For more information about: Live! from the POETRY FORT! Sunday, April 11, 7:00 PM celebrating National Poetry Month and the Confessing Animals podcast. Visit: http://www.poetjenharris.com http://www.confessinganimalspodcast.com

11:45

17. The Freedom Affair – “Out of My Mind”
    from: Freedom is Love / Sunflower Soul / Sept. 25, 2020 / [Released on vinyl March 2021]
    [Debut album from KC’s newest soul juggernaut, The album explores themes of love, heartache, empowerment, and togetherness through a varying landscape of hard-hitting funk, luscious soul, and everything in between. The Freedom Affair is a unique collective featuring 3 powerhouse female vocalists in front of a dynamic 6-piece band. On “Freedom Is Love”, each of the ladies get their time to shine individually, but the magic is on full display when all 3 come together in unison and harmony, symbolically embodying the messages that they sing about. The album was recorded and produced by Chris Hazelton, utilizing the best of vintage and new recording technologies to create an authentic experience, befitting of a soul record that would have been relevant 50 years ago as much as it will be 50 years from now. The Freedom Affair is: Misha Roberts on vocals; Paula Saunders on vocals; Seyko Groves on vocals; Cole Bales on guitar, sitar (Track 3); Branden Moser on guitar; Chris Hazelton on bass guitar, organ (Tracks 1, 2, 9, & 10), Tambourine (Track 1), Glockenspiel (Track 3), & Chimes (Track 4); Dave Brick on drums; Pete Carroll on trumpet; Brett Jackson on tenor sax, baritone sax (Tracks 1 & 5), & tambourine (Tracks 5, 6, & 8). Additional Musicians: Pat Conway on Congas (Tracks 1, 3, & 6), Alyssa Bell on viola (Tracks 3, 4, & 7), Elizabeth Codd on violin (Tracks 3 & 4), Matt Bennett on violin (Tracks 3 & 7), John Wickersham on timpani (Track 4), Pamela Baskin-Watson on piano (Track 10), Nick Howell on tambourine (Track 10), The Freedom Family Choir (Track 10): Misha Roberts, Erica Hazelton, Seyko Groves, Paula Saunders, Jordyn Saunders, Cole Bales, and Chris Hazelton. All Horn & String Arrangements by Chris Hazelton except: “Heartaches Don’t Come Easy” and “Give A Little Love” by Pete Carroll & Brett Jackson. “Don’t Shoot” by Chris Hazelton & Allyssa Bell. Produced, Recorded, & Mixed by Chris Hazelton. Assistant Produced by Dave Brick. Rhythm Section on Track 10 recorded by Chad Meise. Mastered by JJ Golden. Cover Artwork by Matthew “Mo” Manley. Front cover photograph of civil rights protesters in Kansas City, MO (April 9th, 1968). The Freedom Affair and their track “Rise Up” were selected to be part of Colemine Records 3xLP box set, “Soul Slabs Vol. 2” a Record Store Day Exclusive, released April 13, 2019. Colemine writes: “The Freedom Affair is a freight train of KC soul! Dirty, funky drums, gritty horns, and the combined vocals of Misha Roberts, Seyko Groves, and Paula Saunders to put this band over the top. Politically charged soul music for the dancefloor!”]

[The Freedom Affair plays Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming (NW corner of Wyoming & 17th St.), behind Voltaire, on Saturday, April 10, at 6:00 PM. Lemonade Park is a limited capacity socially distanced outdoor venue created in partnership between recordBar, Voltaire, and Moxie Catering.]

18. Sara Swenson – “I Wont Let You Feel Alone”
    from: “I Wont Let You Feel Alone” – Single / Sara Swenson / March 26, 2021
    [Sara Swenson wrote to me that her new song is featured in her husband Michael Price‘s film “The Hidden Pandemic” that airs Thursday, April 8 at 7:00 PM on Kansas City PBS. The film is about the mental health crisis in KC – it’s a powerful film that also features Mark Lowrey’s piano playing. Sara’s song is featured in various parts of the film, and then also at the end. 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 7 years. Her self titled debut ended up at the top of our list of The 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 had 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 she 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.]

[The Hidden Pandemic airs Thursday, April 8 at 7:00 PM on Kansas City PBS]

Next week on Wednesday, April 14 we welcome special guests: Rob Rice who shares music and info about his beautiful 2021 EP …and The Devil’s Threesome; we also talk with Sherman Breneman, Manager of The Vinyl Underground at 7th Heaven; and also MG Salazar poet, chef, political organizer and one of the team of hosts and producers on 90.1 FM’s The Tenth Voice, airing every Saturday afternoon at 1:00 PM on 90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio.

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/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1

Show #884

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, April 7, 2021

New & MidCoastal Releases + Claire Adams + Alisön Hawkins + Stacy Busch + Jen Harris & Vanessa Aricco

Mark plays more New & MidCoastal Releases from: Sara Swenson, True Lions, Claire Adams, Collidescope, Khrystal., Lava Dreams, Stacy Busch, Vanessa Aricco, The Freedom Affair, Lazy Projector, Calvin Arsenia, Kadesh Flow, Tune-Yards, St. Vincent, and Cibo Matto.

At 10:15 we talk with performance artist and composer Stacy Busch and founder of the non-profit organization No Divide KC who shares details about the 2nd Annual Queer Narratives Festival, August 2-7 2021 at The Black Box with Workshops, talk backs, open mics and more throughout the week. Applications are being accepted now, more info at: https://www.nodividekc.org/queernarrativesfestival.

At 10:30 Mark talks with musician Claire Adams about her recent musical releases including WORDS OF LOVE released February 5, 2021. This new EP is a follow up to the Claire Adams album YOU KNOW I KNOW YOU, released April 24, 2020, including 10 songs all written by Claire Adams. Musically curious and multifaceted, Claire Adams has spent more than a decade touring, recording and songwriting to hone her melodic instincts and vision. A bassist, guitarist, singer and songwriter, Adams has lent a discerning ear and versatility to a number of projects. Claire Adams has collaborated with the KC based string quartet Rewound, jazz pianist Alyssa Murray & drummer Fritz Hutchinson. Claire Adams also plays guitar with True Lions. More info at: http://www.claireadamsmusic.com

At 11:00 Alisön Hawkins talks about True Lions and their debut album, THE FEMPIRE STRIKES BACK, releasing April 9, on Manor Records. Recorded at Deep Space Co-op & Element Recording Studios in KCMO, the tracking was engineered by Ross Brown at Escape Pod Audio with additional tracking, mixing & mastering by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studios. The album was written & produced by Alison Hawkins and arranged & performed by True Lions: Alison Hawkins, Elizabeth Kosko, Teri Quinn, Claire Adams, Adee Rocket Dancy, Aryana Nemati, Iona DeWalt, and Miki P. THE FEMPIRE STRIKES BACK also features: Calvin Arsenia, Rachel Lovelace, John O’Keefe, Claudia Sudekum, Fritz Hutchison, Coleen Dieker, Leslie Butsch, Ezgi Karakus, and Daniel Cox. More info at: http://www.truelions.bandcamp.com True Lions play Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming, Friday, April 9, at 6:00 PM with Khrystal., Collidescope, and KuJo.

At 11:30 AM Poets Jen Harris and Vanessa Aricco share details about their show: Live! from the POETRY FORT! Sunday, April 11, 7:00 PM (Central). Celebrating National Poetry Month the co-hosts come to you LIVE on Zoom from their respective poetry forts. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9237824393 Jen & Vanessa are the co-hosts of the Confessing Animals Podcast. Vanessa Aricco is a multimedia poet. Her work includes two poetry albums, The Midnight Rush and Human Animal. She is a Charlotte Street Foundation 2019-21 Studio Resident in Kansas City, MO, where she’s been working on a third poetry album called Teenage Poetry. More info at: vanessaaricco.bandcamp.com. Jen Harris is a transplant from KC now based in Eugene, Oregon. A sought-after performance artist, she is the founder and host of The Writing Workshop KC, whose mission is to nurture creative curiosity and inspire confidence within prompt-based writing workshops. More info at: http://www.poetjenharris.com

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

Show #884

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, March 31, 2021

New & MidCoastal Releases + Nan Turner + J. Jerome Searle + Chris Hudson + Rhonda Lyne

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

2. The Wild Women of Kansas City – “Don’t Let Go”
   from: Live At Pilgrim Chapel 9/26/2010 / Cosmic Cowboy Records / Reissued March 14, 2021
   [Reissued on digital for the first time by Cosmic Cowboy Records, The Wild Women of Kansas City, LIVE AT PILGRIM CHAPEL 9/26/2010 is a 14-track live recording. The vocal quartet included legendary Myra Taylor (1917-2011), Millie Edwards, Geneva Price and Lori Tucker, singing in harmony. More info at: https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-wild-women-of-kansas-city/1557857551 from Bill Brownlee’s Plastic Sax blog: “The Wild Women’s repertoire belied its billing as a jazz group. The 55-minute recording includes readings of the disco anthem “I Will Survive,” Ray Charles’ earthy hit “Night Time Is the Right Time” and the proto-rock gem “Don’t Let Go.” // Backed by an unidentified organist, bassist and drummer, the crowd-pleasing entertainers also perform familiar warhorses like “Sentimental Journey,” “Stormy Weather” and the inescapable “Kansas City.” Edwards sings lead on “What a Wonderful World” and Taylor does her playful Louis Armstrong impression during “On the Sunny Side of the Street.” // The women assert their intent on “Let the Good Times Roll”: “Tell everybody: Wild Women are in town/Sometimes we’re serious, sometimes we got to clown/ We don’t let nobody play us cheap/We got heart, soul- ooh, listen to the beat.” Thanks to the invaluable Live at Pilgrim Chapel 9/26/2010, their vital beat plays on.”]

3. Art Of Flying – “Song For Iris”
   from: Escort Mission / throatculture / November 11, 2018
   [“The duo known as Art of Flying, Anne Speroni (vocals, bass, piano) and David Costanza (guitar, keyboards, vocals, trumpet, harmonium), has been recording music together in Taos, New Mexico since 1998. Along their musical journey they’ve been joined by a variety of guest musicians. Their latest, Escort Mission, is their tenth recorded in their home studio. And for this go-round they were joined by Kevyn Gilbert (guitar), Max Moulton (drums, mandolin), Joel Ricci (trumpet), and Rita O’Connell (vocals). The album is a collection of eight exquisitely executed, introspective dream-pop songs. You can easily visualize the music as an accompaniment to an animation of their lithographic cover art. The soothing songs are a delight to listen to, though the eight minute “Jesus Said and Mary Said” is a bit too long.” – Henry Schneider, Expose Online! Published 2020-06-12. // 3 Recording Studios! 3 Years in the Making! (How many mixes & re-mixes, who knows?! We stopped counting)!!! Multiple Cover Images! Numerous Titles!! Everything given the once-over thrice! Escort Mission. 8 new songs from Art of Flying. Mastered at Chicago Mastering Service by Margaret Luthar, Escort Mission sounds beautiful!! Limited Edition (550) LP’s include: hand-printed & numbered silk-screened covers, (printed in Taos, NM) with liner notes & lyric sheet. Info at: http://www.artofflyingmusic.com]

4. Sam Wells – “For The Deflated”
   from: For The Deflated / French Exit Records / December 31, 2020
   [Debut EP from Kansas City, based singer songwriter Sam Wells who has shared stages with Betsy Phillips, Kelly Hunt, Andrew Ryan, The Zack Pietrini Band, and The Phantastics. She was featured as a composer and performer in the Kansas City Repertory Theater production of “Ghost Light” performed on the lawn of The Nelson Atkin Museum of Art in October, 2020. Sam has also performed in Troostival (2020), Kansas City Porchfest (2019) and Jamdemic. In 2019, Wells released her debut single “Lesson Learned.” In early 2020 Wells released her second single “Sugar” producer and engineered by Riley Corbin at the Lawrence Kansas Public Library recording studio. It was only a decade ago, Sam Wells sat in her bedroom learning the Corrine Bailey Ray classic “Put Your Records On”. This was all it took to ignite a lifetime love affair with music. With her smooth and sultry voice and the warm tones of a baritone ukulele, she shares stories of love, loss and everything in between. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Sam Wells has lived in Lawrence, but now calls KC home. Info at: http://www.whoissamwells.com. Sam Wells was on WMM on May 13, 2020 and January 20, 2021.]

[Sam Wells plays MMF’s 3rd Annual Spring Donation Drive -Livestream Kick Off Concert Sat, April 3, at 8:00 PM featuring: Jessica Paige, Slights, The Uncouth. Streaming links on recordBar’s Facebook page, & MMF’s Facebook & YouTube pages. Info at: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org]

10:15 – Interview with Rhonda Lyne

Rhonda Lyne is Executive Director of Midwest Music Foundation. She is a scientist by day and avid supporter of the arts by night. Rhonda has had an active role with the Midwest Music Foundation since the inaugural fundraiser, Apocalypse Meow, in 2008. Inspired by MMF founder, Abigail Henderson, Rhonda is dedicated to the mission of the MMF a nonprofit created to support music & musicians in KC and the surrounding areas, founded in 2008 by a collective of musicians & music lovers. MMF unites and empowers the greater KC music community by providing programs & resources to area musicians through outreach, support, education, & health care opportunities. Rhonda is instrumental in MMF’s fundraising, volunteer and event coordination, overseeing the health care fund, and other day to day activities of the organization..

Rhonda Lyne joins us on the phone to share details about Midwest Music Foundation’s 3rd Annual Spring Donation Drive – April 3-10, with a Livestream Kick-Off Concert on Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 8:00 PM featuring: Jessica Paige, Slights, Sam Wells, The Uncouth. Find the streaming link on MMF’s Facebook and YouTube pages, and recordBar’s Facebook page. The MMF Spring Donation Drive will help those affected both physically and financially by the coronavirus and other health related emergencies and help MMF resume Musicians’ Health Care Clinics. Info at: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org

Rhonda Lyne thanks for being with us again on WMM.

MIDWEST MUSIC FOUNDATION – Launching the 3rd Annual MMF Spring Donation Drive (Apr 3-10) with a Livestream Concert of amazing KC artists!

Jessica Paige
Slights
Sam Wells
The Uncouth

The Live-Stream begins at 8:00 pm on Saturday, April 3. You can find the streaming links on MMF’s Facebook and YouTube pages, and recordBar’s Facebook page.

This will be a virtual live stream concert broadcast from recordBar. No live audience.

MMF will use the funds generated by the Midwest Music Foundation Spring Donation Drive to help those affected both physically and financially by the coronavirus as well as other health related emergencies and help us resume Musicians’ Health Care Clinics.
Details and an application for grants are available on our website: https://midwestmusicfoundation.org/healthcare/

COVID-19 Relief Grant: https://midwestmusicfoundation.org/covidreliefform/

How To Donate:

–> Venmo: https://venmo.com/midwestmusicfoundation (@midwestmusicfoundation)

—> PayPal: https://midwestmusicfoundation.org/donate/

Merch available from Seen Merch:

https://shop.merchcentral.com/…/midwest-music-foundation

Huge thanks to all our sponsors that make this event possible!

For a full list of sponsors please visit: https://midwestmusicfoundation.org/mmfsponsors/
https://linktr.ee/Midwestmusic

http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org

Contact rhonda@midwestmusicfound.org for info or schedule an appt. for health services.

For more info and full list of sponsors visit: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org

Tito’s Handmade Vodka will match all donations up to $10,000.00 through out the month of April. You can donate at http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org Text: SUPPORTMUSIC to 55678

For a COVID 19 Emergency Relief Application visit: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org

Midwest Music Foundation Staff

Rhonda Lyne, Executive Director
Sondra Freeman, Director of Promotions and Artist Relations
Canyon McClung, Production Specialist
Scott Easterday, Website Administrator, Musician
Christopher Tate, Technical Officer, Website Specialist

Midwest Music Foundation Board

Amber Hulet, President, Volunteer Coordinator, Social Media
Chris Meck, Vice President, Musician and CM2 Audio
Ellen Sherman, Secretary, Chair of Marketing
Eric Barton, Treasurer, General Counsel
Dr. K. Allen Greiner, MD, MPH, Chair of Health + Wellness, University of KS Med Center
Erin Corriveau, MD, MPH, Public Health Officer, University of Kansas Medical Center
Michelle Bacon, Editor
Erin McGrane, Musician
Julia Haile, Musician
Molly Gotobed, Program Director at the Community Health Council of Wyandotte County
Jerry Jones JD, Director of Community Health at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of KC

Rhonda Lyne, thanks for being with us again on WMM.

Midwest Music Foundation’s 3rd Annual Spring Donation Drive – April 3-10, with a Livestream Kick-Off Concert on Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 8:00 PM featuring: Jessica Paige, Slights, Sam Wells, The Uncouth. Find the streaming link on MMF’s Facebook and YouTube pages, and recordBar’s Facebook page. The MMF Spring Donation Drive will help those affected both physically and financially by the coronavirus and other health related emergencies and help MMF resume Musicians’ Health Care Clinics. Info at: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org

10:27

5. Slights – “Higher Than Stoned”
   from: Flow State / Slights / November 30, 2018
   [Slights is a collaboration band between Ben Parks & Matthew Dunehoo. In late January, 2017 they recorded an album at Ghost Cat Studios in San Francisco w/ Ryan Kleeman and their friend Andrew Skikne on bass. Ben Parks is also visual artist & painter as well as part of the band, Of Tree. Matthew Dunehoo is also a filmmaker & actor, and has been a member of the bands: Loose Park, Baby Teardrops, Doris Henson. On Nov, 7, we interviewed Ben Parks & Matthew Dunehoo who joined us to talk about the debut release of their new band Slights. The new 11-song album was created over the past year. Matt is the founder of Elk’s Pride Pictures, based in KCMO. As a LIVE band Slights includes Steve Tulipana on bass and Alex Alexander on guitar More information at http://www.slightsband.com]

[Slights plays MMF’s 3rd Annual Spring Donation Drive -Livestream Kick Off Concert Sat, April 3, at 8:00 PM featuring: Jessica Paige, Sam Wells, The Uncouth. Streaming links on recordBar’s Facebook page, & MMF’s Facebook & YouTube pages. Info at: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org]

10:29 – Underwriting

6. Gullywasher – “Blood Red Moon”
   from: Holding The Dawning / Gullywasher / March 15, 2021
   [First studio release from the KC based Gullywasher, that includes: Matt Cathlina on upright bass & vocals, Chris Hudson on guitar & vocals, and Sam Wright on banjo & vocals. Formed in 2018 the band started recording demos, rehearsing and performing these songs at multiple venues, including a trip to SXSW in Austin in early March 2020 just before the COVID-19 Pandemic shut down and quarantine. In the early months of the pandemic they continued to rehearse and write more songs and do live streaming shows.. Chris Hudson wrote the majority of the songs. Sam Wright wrote the song “Eastward Facing Road.” The band writes that their songs are” a mix of Americana, Folk, ProgRock, Emo and Jazz.” HOLDING THE DAWNING was recorded between September and November 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic, at Weights and Measures Soundlab in Kansas City Mo with Duane Trower. Gullywasher brought in special guest perfomers for several tracks local Chad Brothers of the band Old Sound on guitar, Devan Teran of The Timbers Devon Teran on pedal steel, and Mark Hamblin on Trumpet. More info at: http://www.gullywasherkc.com]

[Gullywasher plays live at Barley’s Kitchen + Tap, 11924 W 119th St, Overland Park, KS
Friday, April 9, 2021 at 7:00 PM]

[Gullywasher plays live at Corvino 1830 Walnut St, KCMMO, on Sunday, April 25, 2021 at 6:00 PM.]

[Gullywasher plays a Holding The Dawning – CD Release Show with Jenna & Martin, and Folk n The Flow Friday, April 30, 2021 at 7:00 PM at the Kaw Valley Public House.]

10:35 – Interview with Chris Hudson

Chris Hudson a Kansas City Native. He is a classical guitarist, guitarist, musician, composer, multi-instrumentalist, singer songwriter, teacher and visual artist. Chris has been teaching guitar and music for over 30 years. He currently works for Kansas City Young Audiences. Chris plays solo and he also plays with the bands Gullywasher, The Bard Owls. And with Julie Bennett Hume in the duo, The Multiverse. Chris Hudson joins us live on the phone to talk about his band Gullywasher’s new album, HOLDING THE DAWNING, released on March 15, 2021. Gullywasher plays a Holding The Dawning – CD Release Show with Jenna & Martin, and Folk n The Flow Friday, April 30, 2021 at 7:00 PM at the Kaw Valley Public Houses. More info at: http://www.gullywasherkc.com

Chris Hudson thanks for being with us on WMM.

Chris Hudson has been playing and creating songs for decades in the KC – Lawrence area. We last talked with hin on the radio show on November 4, 2020, when he and Julie Bennett Hume joined us to share details about their release Songs Of Latter Days.

HOLDING THE DAWNING is the First studio release from the KC based Gullywasher.

Matt Cathlina on upright bass & vocals,
Chris Hudson on guitar & vocals,
Sam Wright on banjo & vocals

Formed in 2018 the band started recording demos, rehearsing and performing these songs at multiple venues, including a trip to SXSW in Austin in early March 2020 just before the COVID-19 Pandemic shut down and quarantine. In the early months of the pandemic they continued to rehearse and write more songs and do live streaming shows.. Chris Hudson wrote the majority of the songs. Sam Wright wrote the song “Eastward Facing Road.” The band writes that their songs are” a mix of Americana, Folk, ProgRock, Emo and Jazz.”

HOLDING THE DAWNING was recorded between September and November 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic, at Weights and Measures Soundlab in KCMO with Duane Trower.

Gullywasher brought in special guest perfomers for several tracks local Chad Brothers of the band Old Sound on guitar, Devan Teran of The Timbers Devon Teran on pedal steel, and Mark Hamblin on Trumpet. More info at: http://www.gullywasherkc.com]

Chris Hudson also plays with Julie Bennett Hume. They have been playing and creating songs for decades in the KC – Lawrence area. Their new musical project The Multiverse, released the album, Songs Of Latter Days, on November 1, 2020. They play on all songs together with help from the Kansas City acclaimed alternative string duo The Wires with Laurel Morgan parks on violin and Sascha Groschang on cello. Also contributing to the recording was Jason Beers. More info at: http://www.themultiverse.com

Gullywasher Shows:

Gullywasher plays live at Barley’s Kitchen + Tap, 11924 W 119th St, Overland Park, KS
Friday, April 9, 2021 at 7:00 PM

Gullywasher plays live at Corvino 1830 Walnut Street, KCMMO, on Sunday, April 25, 2021 at 6:00 PM.

Gullywasher plays a Holding The Dawning – CD Release Show with Jenna & Martin, and Folk n The Flow Friday, April 30, 2021 at 7:00 PM at the Kaw Valley Public House

Chris Hudson thanks for being with us on WMM.

Gullywasher’s new album, HOLDING THE DAWNING, was released on March 15, 2021. Gullywasher plays a Holding The Dawning – CD Release Show with Jenna & Martin, and Folk n The Flow Friday, April 30, 2021 at 7:00 PM at the Kaw Valley Public House. More info at: http://www.gullywasherkc.com

10:47

7. Gullywasher – “All This We Saw”
   from: Holding The Dawning / Gullywasher / March 15, 2021
   [First studio release from the KC based Gullywasher, that includes: Matt Cathlina on upright bass & vocals, Chris Hudson on guitar & vocals, and Sam Wright on banjo & vocals. Formed in 2018 the band started recording demos, rehearsing and performing these songs at multiple venues, including a trip to SXSW in Austin in early March 2020 just before the COVID-19 Pandemic shut down and quarantine. In the early months of the pandemic they continued to rehearse and write more songs and do live streaming shows.. Chris Hudson wrote the majority of the songs. Sam Wright wrote the song “Eastward Facing Road.” The band writes that their songs are” a mix of Americana, Folk, ProgRock, Emo and Jazz.” HOLDING THE DAWNING was recorded between September and November 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic, at Weights and Measures Soundlab in Kansas City Mo with Duane Trower. Gullywasher brought in special guest perfomers for several tracks local Chad Brothers of the band Old Sound on guitar, Devan Teran of The Timbers Devon Teran on pedal steel, and Mark Hamblin on Trumpet. More info at: http://www.gullywasherkc.com]

[Gullywasher plays live at Barley’s Kitchen + Tap, 11924 W 119th St, Overland Park, KS
Friday, April 9, 2021 at 7:00 PM]

[Gullywasher plays live at Corvino 1830 Walnut St, KCMMO, on Sunday, April 25, 2021 at 6:00 PM.]

[Gullywasher plays a Holding The Dawning – CD Release Show with Jenna & Martin, and Folk n The Flow Friday, April 30, 2021 at 7:00 PM at the Kaw Valley Public House.]

10:51

8. Elexa Dawson – “New Song”
   from: “New Song” – Single / Lost Cowgirl Records / April 2, 2021
   [Elexa’s 2019 album, MUSIC IS MEDICINE (Lost Cowgirl Records) and her song “High Place” charted at #6 on Sirius XM’s Indigenous Music Countdown. Elexa Dawson on vocals & guitar, Kelby Kimberlin on bass guitar, Melissa Tastove on vocals & percussion, Jenna Rae on vocals & percussion, Martin Farrell on vocals & keys. Recorded, produced & engineered by Martin Farrell, Lost Cowgirl Records http://www.thelostcowgirl.com Additional mixing by Peter Oviatt, Moonflower Sounds http://www.moonflowersounds.com. Mastered by Brody Wellman. Cover Photography: Jordan Storrer, Lifeleak Visuals http://www.lifeleakvisuals.com // Elexa Dawson writes: The song was written at the very beginning of the shutdown and is a call to all of our better, higher selves to imagine a better world. “The Way it has always been done is now gone. This is our moment to sing a new song.” // I thought it would be a great campaign song for Bernie Sanders, but the day after I wrote it, he suspended. Ah, well. It’s still a good song. // http://www.elexadawson.com]

8. Star Feminine Band – “Le Musique”
   from: Star Feminine Band / Born Bad Records / November 13, 2020
   [Star Feminine Band are a group of 7 girls, between 10 and 17 years old, from Natitingou, a remote town in the north of Benin. In 2016 they responded to a local radio call out to take part in a series of music training sessions. Previous experience was not neccessary. Indeed, none of the girls had come close to a guitar, microphone or drum kit before. Recorded in Natitingou at Musée Régional (Benin) by Juan Serra & Juan Toran (February 2019). Mastered by Jammin Masters. // Without warning, a group of young girls from a remote region of Benin is shaking up the world of garage rock with breathtaking freshness, ingenuity and energy, playing spot-on, loud and clear. // During the first half of the twentieth century, the division of the majority of Africa by European powers introduced a forced modernity throughout most of the continent. In cities and ports, the continent buzzed with new energy as electricity began its timid appearance. Thanks to booming maritime transport, the 78 rpm records brought in by Latin American sailors, in particular Cubans, but also by European soldiers or settlers, had a durable influence on the new musical interests along the African coasts. // Gradually, the reinterpretation of Cuban, but also Caribbean, jazz or rhythm’n’ blues music began. For the most part originally from Africa, this music from the Americas acted as a natural truth on the continent. Some orchestras thus decided to “re-Africanize” this Afro-Cuban and black American music heard in ports, public places or broadcasted on the radio. Bars and dance halls, as well as youth associations also played an important role in the dissemination and development of this music. // In most African cities, many orchestras were born during the 1950s and 1960s. They became symbols of modernity, like electricity, cars and cinema. The euphoria of the years following independence was therefore set to music by these orchestras. These were partly influenced by Ghanaian dance formations that toured through all the major cities of the Gulf of Benin, from Nigeria to Liberia. The cultural exchanges were fertile. // In the early 1960s, the rich local traditions of Benin, starting with trance and voodoo ceremonial music, began to merge with Afro-Cuban, Congolese rumba and high-life. Dozens of orchestras, artists and labels participated in this unprecedented movement. Unlike its population count, Benin is the most prolific African country in terms of record production, especially during the extraordinary exhilaration of the 1970s.// In Guinea, Ivory Coast or Mali, each major city or prefecture had at least one modern orchestra, whether in Cotonou, Porto-Novo, Parakou, Ouidah, Natitingou, Abomey or Bohicon. Bands such as the Black Santiagos, the National Jazz of Dahomey, the Super Star of Ouidah, the Picoby Band, the Renova Band of Abomey and the Black Dragons of Porto Novo gained in popularity at the national level. In the mid-1960s, singer Sophie Edia became the first female singer to distribute Beninese music outside of the country’s borders, starting with Nigeria. // In 1975, Unesco promoted the International Women’s Year, an event designed to raise awareness of the role of women in many countries, where their role is too often downplayed or flouted. This initiative had a considerable impact on the African continent. Whether in Mali with Fanta Damba, in Côte d’Ivoire with Mamadou Doumbia, in Cameroon with Anne-Marie Nzie, in Congo Brazzaville with Les Bantous de la Capitale or in Burkina Faso with Echo del Africa, they all paid tribute to this initiative. All over French-speaking Africa, people were awakening to women’s rights. // In 1976, the Cameroonian poet Francis Bebey published the eloquent La Condition Masculine. Under its humorous airs, this gem challenged morals with lightness and tact.]

11:00 – Station ID

10. J. Jerome – “Steady One”
    from: “Steady One” – Single / Chromatic Contact / January 19, 2021
    [J. Jerome is the moniker of Jamie Searle the band leader of My Brothers and Sisters and his former band It’s Over. J. Jerome released the single, “Through My Skin” on Chromatic Contact on February 19, 2021, featuring Melissa Backstrom Searle who is married to Jamie and also is a lead singer for My Brothers and Sisters. J.Jerome released the 5-track EP Blap Kit, on February, 21, 2021. MY BROTHERS & SISTERS released reimagined version of the song, “Folsom Prison” (Johnny Cash) on February 26, 2021. Info at: http://www.jsearlemusic.com or http://www.jjeromechromatic.bandcamp.com]

11:02 – Interview with J. Jerome aka Jamie Searle

Joining us live on the phone is our friend J. Jerome aka Jamie Searle, producer, composer, musician, singer, songwriter and band leader of My Brothers and Sisters and his former band, It’s Over. J. Jerome released the single “Steady One” on January 19, the single, “Through My Skin”, on February 19, featuring Melissa Backstrom Searle who is married to Jamie and also sings for My Brothers and Sisters. J. Jerome released the 5-track EP Blap Kit, on February, 21. MY BROTHERS & SISTERS also released a reimagined version of, “Folsom Prison” on Feb 26. Jamie also has produced music for Sam Arjes, Stephonne Singleton, Mayme Marshall and others. More info at: http://www.jsearlemusic.com or http://www.jjeromechromatic.bandcamp.com

J. Jerome aka Jamie Searle thanks for being with us on WMM.

Jamie Searle has been a friend and afrequent quest on Wednesday MidDay Medley especially leading up to the release of VIOLET MUSIC: VOLUME 1, from My Brothers and Sisters on Jan. 14, 2014, the recording was #3 on WMM 114 Best Recordings of 2014.

His band It’s Over was frequently played on the show in 2007, 2008 and beyond. It’s Over was one of the last bands to do an “in-store” performance art Recycled Sounds Record Store on Main Street and Westport Road.

We’ve watched Jamie grow up, start a professional career as a musician and band leader, become a student at The University of Missouri – Conservatory of Music in Composition, start a new band – My Brothers and Sisters, get married, become a father, create his own production company – Chromatic Contact, to begin producing music, singles, EP & full length albums for other artists.

Jamie Searle decided to rebrand himself as J. Jerome, which is a nod to his grandfather, and because people would mispronounce his last name Searle.

Jamie Searle as a Producer – The role of producer has been one in flux for decades and continues to be a nebulous term within the music world. I have broken the term down to my capabilities below, but will illuminate the work I have done with 3 very brief stories ranging from least to greatest of the responsibilities.

COMPOSITION – Songwriting, Film, Radio and Podcast.

ARRANGEMENTS – Scoring, Backing Tracks, Live Band and Studio.

RECORDING – Traditional microphone based tracking to modern plug-in, synth, & drum machine production.

In 2016, Matthew Hodapp, creator of Fountain City Frequency, commissioned Jamie Searle to write original podcast music beds and theme songs. I was given an audio edit of an interview and begin to create a myriad of moods throughout, giving the piece deeper emotional connection. After I was finished, I sent in my recordings with and without the interview segments for final editing. Days later the finished work would be released.

Kansas City Good Samaritan Bill Brandmeyer hired Jaime Searle for a charity driven video he was going to shoot for an inner-city school that was in a contest for funding in 2015. The concept and song was The Blues Brothers, “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love.” It was shot within an hour and a half with a live band inside a school auditorium and time was of the essence. The task at hand required me to arrange (notate/chart) the song, hire and rehearse the 7-piece soul band, and finally conduct them and take notes on performances while the camera was rolling to make sure that we got the best musical takes to match with the video.

“Caged Bird Sings Songs About Red Beard,” a 10-song debut album from Stephonne Singleton released in the Summer of 2018, was an incredible undertaking that took an immense amount of time, focus, & inspiration. Jamie aligned himself as director of recording, arranging, & composition. Dense scores were prepared before recording, musicians were hired, and pre-productions for every song were made to fit the artist’s taste as well as an aid for musicians during innumerable recording sessions, which Jamie engineered. Stems were cleaned and transferred to Westend Recording Studios for mixing and live drum recordings. The clear communication & accountability that must transpire in order for this level of performance & vision to become a reality cannot be overstated.

J. Jerome – Jamie Searle Discography

MY BROTHERS & SISTERS – “Folsom Prison Johnny Cash Re​-​Imagination” February 26, 2021. A complete re-imagination of the Johnny Cash Classic Folsom Prison performed by MY BROTHERS & SISTERS. A gritty cinematic take on the original which context-ualizes the bitterness of systemic racism felt by women of color imprisoned by a for profit corrupt judicial system. Written by Johnny Cash, Arranged and produced by J. Jerome

J. Jerome – Madness (feat. Mayme Marshall), February 26, 2021. This is close to original but with a female perspective from Mayme Marshall and additions to showcase her vocal range. Written by Matthew Bellamy of MUSE. Arrangement & production by J. Jerome

J. Jerome released the 5-track EP Blap Kit, on February, 21, 2021.

J. Jerome released the single, “Steady One” on January 19, 2021

J. Jerome released the single, “Through My Skin (feat. Melissa Backstrom)” – Feb 19, 2021

J. Jerome released the EP Chakra Centric by Amajie Vedra, on May 15, 2018. Chakra – Centric is the musical interpretation of 26-year-old composer Amajie Vedra. Here she successfully captures the moods represented within each Chakra, how they must work together for vitality and balance. When asked how she began the process, she replied with undeniable wisdom, “I considered how, that without the primal ‘root chakra’ that is so important for survival, one could not value one-self to reach Sahasrara, or the ‘crown chakra.’” What’s even more astounding is how the album seems to grow from ancient to modern. “It was important for me to include obvious musical elements of my culture (sitar, tabla, etc.) to show respect to the chakra system origins, however, it is modern day and I believe that like music, enlightenment also evolves. This is why I included electronic instruments and references to modern sounds and song structures.” She goes on to say, “Music itself is a spiritual space that will not be confined to ancient sounds in order to convey the eternal.” She says that this album illustrates the powers that live inside us, and how the chakras manifest themselves singularly and as a unit to bring us closer to our courageous sense of intuition. Justin Mantooth @ Westend Recording – Mixing Engineer.

J. Jerome released the 10-track debut, VIOLET MUSIC: VOLUME 1, from My Brothers and Sisters on Jan 14, 2014. Jamie Searle – All Songs & Arrangements, Lead VoX, Rhythm & Lead Guitar, Aux Electro Percussion, Synthesizers. Engineered by: Andy Oxman @ Soundworks Studio. Mixed & Mastered by: Joel Nanos @ Element Recording Studios.

J. Jerome released AEROPLANE SESSIONS from It’s Over, on August 1, 2008 (Previously Unreleased Final Release from It’s Over!) Recorded in the summer of 2008 at Aeroplane Studios. Engineered and mixed by Alex Abnos. Jamie Searle on guitar & lead Vocals, Ryan Donegan on lead guitar & vocals & keyboards, Bill Sundahl on bass & vocals, and Mike Judge on drum kit & percussion & keyboards.

J. Jerome released THAT GIRL from It’s Over on May 1, 2007. Songs written in 2005 – 2007. Jamie Searle on guitar & lead Vocals, Ryan Donegan on lead guitar & vocals & keyboards, Bill Sundahl on bass & vocals, and Andrew Twenter on percussion & vocals. Enginnered by Andrew Twenter @ Chapman Recording Studios. Mixed by Justin Mantooth. Additional Engineering by Robert Rebeck. Mastered by Michael Fossenkemper @ Turtle Tone Studio, NY.

Jamie also has produced music for Sam Arjes, Stephonne Singleton, Mayme Marshall and others. More info at: http://www.jsearlemusic.com or http://www.jjeromechromatic.bandcamp.com

J. Jerome aka Jamie Searle thanks for being with us on WMM.

J. Jerome released the single “Steady One” on January 19, 2021, the single, “Through My Skin”, on February 19, featuring Melissa Backstrom Searle who is married to Jamie and also sings for My Brothers and Sisters. J. Jerome released the 5-track EP Blap Kit, on February, 21, 2021. MY BROTHERS & SISTERS also released a reimagined version of, “Folsom Prison” on Feb 26. More info at: http://www.jsearlemusic.com or http://www.jjeromechromatic.bandcamp.com

11:15

11. J. Jerome – “Through My Skin (feat. Melissa Backstrom)”
    from: Through My Skin (feat. Melissa Backstrom) – Single / Chromatic Contact / Feb. 19, 2021
    [J. Jerome is the moniker of Jamie Searle the band leader of My Brothers and Sisters and his former band It’s Over. Melissa Backstrom Searle is married toJamie and also is a lead singer for My Brothers and Sisters. J. Jerome is released the new single “Steady One” on January 19, 2021. J.Jerome released the 5-track EP Blap Kit, on February, 21, 2021. MY BROTHERS & SISTERS released reimagined version of the song, “Folsom Prison” (Johnny Cash) on February 26, 2021. Jamie Searle will be on WMM on March 31, 2021. More info at: http://www.jsearlemusic.com or http://www.jjeromechromatic.bandcamp.com]

11:18 – Mid 90s Reissued

12. Frogpond – “Talk To Me”
    from: Count To Ten / Columbia Records / August 9, 1996 [Reissued Digitally March 12, 2021]
    [Frogpond reissued their acclaimed national debut album, “Count To Ten” on digital platforms for the very first time on Friday, March 12, 2021, 25 years after its original release on August 9, 1996 on Columbia Records. More info at: https://www.amazon.com/Count-Ten-Frogpond/dp/B000005D8A. Frogpond was an alternative rock band formed in Warrensburg, Missouri. The band existed from 1994-2000, primarily performing in Kansas City and Lawrence, Kansas. COUNT TO TEN was the band’s 12-track national debut full length released on Tristar Music – Columbia on CD and vinyl in 1996 with songs written by Heidi Phillips, with Heidi Phillips on vocals & guitar, Justine Volpe on bass, Megan Hamilton on drums, Kristie Stemel on guitar and backing vocals. Art Alexakis (of the band Everclear) served as producer and contributed backing vocals. // In 1999 Frogpond released the 13-track second album, SAFE RIDE HOME on C2 Records – Columbia, on CD and vinyl with songs written by Heidi Phillips, and with Heidi Phillips on vocals & guitar, Justine Volpe on bass & backing vocals, and Billy Johnson on drums. The album was recorded by Doug McBride at Gravity Studios in Chicago who also served as producer and contributed electric piano and piano. // In 1994 Frogpond self released their 8-song cassette release 2%. 2% was produced, engineered, and mixed at Red House Recording, Lawrence, Kansas, October 1994. All songs written by Heidi Phillips, with heidi Phillips on vocals & guitar, Megan Hamilton on drums, Tawni Freeland on guitar, and Annie on bass. Produced, Engineered, and Mixed By E.J. Rose.]

13. Vitreous Humor – “Why Are You So Mean To Me”
    from: Posthumous / Crank! / 1998 [Reissued on vinyl May 7, 2021]
    [Vitreous Humor are reissuing their 1998 album, POSTHUMOUS on white vinyl for the first time, on May 7, 2021. The release contains two additional tracks, remastered by Bob Weston. The Lawrence, Kansas 4-piece band existed in the mid 1990s and were signed to Crank! Records where they released their self titled debut in 1995, a split single with label mates, Boys Life. More info at: http://www.vitreoushumor.bandcamp.com Vitreous Humor was formed in Topeka, KS in the late 1980s by Danny Pound, Brad Allen, and Dan Benson. Described by AllMusic as “not easily categorized”, the band was often referred to as “emo”. Originally a quartet, the band had a revolving door of bassists until in 1993, Allen opted to play the bass. The group stayed as a trio for a year until the band took in Brooks Rice as their bassist, allowing Allen to return to his role of guitarist. Their sound was an angular, noisy take on indie rock, often juxtaposing clean, jangly chords and minimal guitar lines with dissonant, distorted power chords, much in the vein of Sonic Youth. // The band’s first release was a self-titled 7″ record, with three songs. Consequently, this was Crank! Records’ first release as well. They also released a split 7″, sharing their song “Why Are You So Mean To Me?” (which was covered by the band Nada Surf) with fellow Crank! band Boys Life and their song “Temporary”. // Their closest thing to a full-length release while they were still together is a self-titled EP, recorded with producer Bob Weston and released in 1995. The strength of this EP granted the band a lot of publicity, and tours with Archers of Loaf, Urge Overkill and Everclear, while the band was hounded with contracts from Elektra Records and Maverick Records. During this period the band recorded several tracks with Dave Trumfio in Chicago and released a 2 song 45 EP on Mute Records, which barely saw the light of day. The song “My Midget” from this session eventually made it to the band’s final album, “Posthumous”. // Eventually, the stress of touring got to the band, culminating in lead singer Danny Pound puncturing his left lung twice. The band broke up shortly afterward in 1996. // The members of Vitreous Humor would reunite not long after the original band broke up (minus Brooks Rice) and formed The Regrets, who took the band’s previous focus on clean-but-angular guitars and pushed it, as they could no longer be as noisy as they were when Brooks Rice was in the band. Eventually the band reunited again as Vitreous Humor with Rice back in the fold; the band released one more album in 1998- the odds-and-sods “Posthumous”. // Danny Pound continues to make music as a solo artist as The Danny Pound Band. Dan Benson from Vitreous Humor/The Regrets played drums for the band, but left and was replaced by Ken Pingleton. // Discography: Splits and EPs: Vitreous Humor (EP, 1994, Crank! Records); Boys Life/Vitreous Humor (split 7″ with Boys Life, 1994, Crank! Records); Vitreous Humor (EP, 1995, Crank! Records) Albums: Posthumous (1998, Crank! Records). They started playing shows with the likes of Urge Overkill, Everclear, and Archers of Loaf. Faster. Majors came running at full speed. Perhaps it was all of this industry attention that began the friction which ultimately destroyed the band. Brooks left the band. Brad left the band. Months later the original trio (Danny, Dan and Brad) resurfaced in the form of The Regrets, holding a sound altogether different than their previous incarnation.]

14. Japanese Breakfast – “Be Sweet”
    from: Jubilee / Dead Oceans / June 4, 2021
    [Third album from Japanese Breakfast is the solo musical project of musician Michelle Zauner, born March 29, 1989. Under the alias, Zauner has released two previous studio albums: Psychopomp (2016) and Soft Sounds from Another Planet (2017). Michelle Zauner was born in Seoul, South Korea. Her family moved to Eugene, Oregon when she was nine months old. // Before Japanese Breakfast, Zauner fronted a solo project under the moniker Little Girl, Big Spoon. As a student at Bryn Mawr College, Zauner fronted Post Post, an indie pop band with other students from Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges. Later, she started the Philadelphian emo band Little Big League. Zauner fronted the band between 2011 and 2014, before returning to her hometown of Eugene, Oregon in 2013 as her mother was diagnosed with cancer. // While in Oregon with her family, Zauner began recording solo music. She described the project as having much more to say after Tropical Jinx, the 2014 studio album by Little Big League. Originally Zauner began to record samples of music as a meditative exercise and “instant gratification”. // On April 1, 2016, Japanese Breakfast released its first studio album, Psychopomp, under Yellow K Records. Zauner described the debut album as a confrontation of her mother’s death as well as “dark and heavy-handed”, although she had a desire to make the music urgent and “sonically upbeat.” // On June 23, 2016, Japanese Breakfast was signed to the Dead Oceans label. Her second album, Soft Sounds from Another Planet, was released on July 14, 2017, to “universal acclaim”, with a Metacritic score of 83. In Brian Shultz’s review for The A.V. Club he gave it an A- grade and said, “there’s a confidence and crispness to Soft Sounds that shows just how fully realized Zauner’s formerly homemade experiments have become.” // In 2019, Japanese Breakfast released two singles under the W Hotels music label, “Essentially” and a cover of the Tears for Fears song, “Head Over Heels”. // In 2020, Japanese Breakfast collaborated with Ryan Galloway of the band Crying to form Bumper (stylized BUMPER) and released an EP called “pop songs 2020” on YouTube. // On March 2, 2021 Michelle Zauner released the song and self-directed music video, “Be Sweet,” the first single from the third Japanese Breakfast album, Jubilee. The album will be released by Dead Oceans on June 4, 2021. // Michelle Geslani of Consequence of Sound has described Japanese Breakfast’s sound as experimental pop. Anna Gaca of Spin has described it as lo-fi/ // Zauner has said she hopes her work can influence more Asian-Americans to be involved in music. // On February 28, 2019, it was announced that the publishing rights to Michelle Zauner’s memoir, Crying in H Mart, were won at auction by Knopf. More info at: http://www.japanesebreakfast.rocks]

11:29 – Underwriting

15. Nan & the One Nite Stands – “Yeah (Radio Edit)”
    from: High – Caliber / Nan Turner / February 19. 2021
    [All songs by Nan Turner. Initial Engineering on 2 and 5 by Mark Ospovat @ Speakersonic Studios, Brooklyn and on 1,3,and 4 by Pat Tomek @ Largely Studios, KCMO. All songs co-engineered, mixed, and co-produced by Chase Horseman @Element Studios, Kansas City, MO. Mastered by Ian Dobyns. // “Yeah” is track 1, on this 5-song EP // The One Nite Stands who played on these songs! Lizz Weiler on bass on 1, 3, and 4; Pat Tomek on drums on 1, 3, and 4; Mark Ospovat on bass on 2 and 5; Don Dawn + Tracy Flowers on backing vocals on 2, 4, and 5; Chase Horseman on keyboards, guitar, and co-production on 1-5. // Thanks to Mark O, Pat, Chase, Ian, Lizz, Don Dawn, Tracy, Peter Gallagher, and Frida the Dog. Xtra BigThanks to: Chase Horseman for sonic textures + production magic. Kimya Dawson, Bertrand “BP” Perrot, MMM, and Sun Ra for Tour Dawg “Space is the Place” Inspiration. // Follow up to the single “Desert Nights” released May 22, 2020, written by Nan Turner, and recorded by Mark “Dragon” Ospovat @ SpeakerSonic Studios in Brooklyn, NY. Additional recording and mixing and production by Chase Horseman @ Winky World Studios in Kansas City, MO. Mastered by Ian Dobyns. On July 12, 2019, Nan Turner released her solo EP, Champs and Losers, Version 2. Recorded, Mixed, and Co-Produced at Winky World in Kansas City, by Chase Horseman. Mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music, New Windsor, NY. Ian Dobyns plays drums and Chase Horseman plays bass. Nan Turner is also one half of the critically acclaimed band Schwervon! Nan has been called the “Lucy Ricardo of Indie Rock. Her music has been described as “Tone Loc meets the Velvet Underground.” More Info at: http://www.nanturner.bandcamp.com ]

11:34 – Interview with Nan Turner

Singer-songwriter-drummer-dancer-actress-action hero, Nan Turner has been called the “Lucy Ricardo of Indie Rock. Nan is known for being one half of the critically acclaimed band Schwervon! Nan Turner has turned playing drums into a full blown dance numbers. With Matt Roth of Schwervon! Nan has toured all over the world, and lived in New York City was was a contributing artist and an influential part of the Anti-Folk music scene in NYC at SideWalk Cafe with artists like Kimya Dawson, Paleface, Moldy Peaches, Regina Spector, and others. Nan joins us live on the phone to share information about her new release from, Nan + The One Nite Stands, HIGH-CALIBER released February 19, 2021. Last year Nan released the single, “Desert Nites”, on May 22, 2020. Nan released her solo EP, CHAMPS AND LOSERS, VERSION 2, on July 12, 2019.

For more information you can visit: http://www.nanturner.bandcamp.com

Nan Turner, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Along with her new EP, Nan Turner also contributed a track to a new compilation called, Ain’t I Folk? (Indie, Acoustic, Pop, Rock, Weird, And Bedroom Lo-Fi Covers of New York Antifolk Classics) released February 17, 2021 on Weemayk Music. Nan recorded a cover of “I don’t get love” written by her friend Angela Carlucci who goes by the name “Little Cobweb”. More info at http://www.littlecobweb.bandcamp.com/track/i-dont-get-love // Angela is also one of Nan’s dancers (and singers) for The One Nite Stands in NYC…and they’ve been dancing and doing shows together for many years. She is also in a great two-piece band called, True Dreams. More info at: truedreams.bandcamp.com

Anti-folk (sometimes called antifolk or unfolk) is a music genre that arose in the 1980s in reaction to the remnants of the 1960s folk music scene, to mock the perceived seriousness of the time’s mainstream music scene, with the intention to shock and protest. Artists of the anti-folk genre observe the “rules” of music, but then deliberately break them. // Anti-folk was introduced by artists who were unable to obtain gigs at established folk venues in Greenwich Village such as Folk City and The Speakeasy. In the mid-1980s, singer-songwriter Lach started The Fort, an after-hours club on NYC’s Rivington Street in the Lower East Side. The Fort’s opening coincided with the New York Folk Festival. Because of this, Lach dubbed his event the New York Antifolk Festival. Other early proponents of the movement included The Washington Squares, Cindy Lee Berryhill, Brenda Kahn, Paleface, Beck, Hamell on Trial, Michelle Shocked, Zane Campbell, and John S. Hall. Roger Manning, Kirk Kelly, and Block. // The original Fort was shut down in 1985 by the police, and because of this the club moved locations several times, including East Village bars Sophie’s and Chameleon, before settling in the back room of the SideWalk Cafe starting in 1993. The New York Antifolk Festival continues to be held annually at the SideWalk Cafe (long outlasting the original Folk Festival). Events have also taken place in the band shells in Tompkins Square Park and Central Park. While living in San Francisco in the early 1990s, Lach helped establish a West Coast anti-folk movement at the Sacred Grounds Coffee House.

Schwervon! is a two-piece American indie rock band. The band members are Matt Roth (Major Matt Mason USA) on electric guitar and Nan Turner on drums; the pair share singing duties. They started the band in 1999 on the Lower East Side of New York City, shortly after they began their ongoing romantic relationship. They have released five albums through Major Matt’s Olive Juice Music independent record label. Their first two albums have also been distributed by Shoeshine Records in Europe, where they have toured with Jeffrey Lewis and Kimya Dawson. In 2011, they did European tours, opening for the recently reunited UK alternative band The Vaselines, as well as Belle and Sebastian.

In 2012 Schwervon! relocated to Shawnee, Kansas.Their album, Broken Teeth, was released in 2014 on local Kansas City label Haymaker Records.

Schwervon! Discography

Quick Frozen Small Yellow Cracker (2000)
Poseur (2004)
I Dream of Teeth (2006)
Elephant in the Room (2007; German compilation of previously released material)
Low Blow (2009)
Courage (2012)
Broken Teeth (2014)
EPs and singles[edit]
Gas Money Tour EP (2005; with Jeffrey Lewis)
Elephant (2006; 7-inch single)
Cotton Mouth (2006; 7-inch single)
Fall Tour ’06 EP (2006; with Toby Goodshank)
“Paradise by the Dashboard Light” (2011; 4-way split 7-inch single/Meat Loaf cover with Elastic No-No Band, Huggabroomstik, and The Leader)
Landlocked/Off Duty Trip (The Raincoats) (2013; 7-inch single)
Blood Eagle/Wrath Of Angels (2017; 7-inch single)

Nan went to college with Soon-Yi Previn

All songs on HIGH-CALIBER were written by Nan Turner.

Initial Engineering on 2 “Space” and 5 “Iguana” by Mark Ospovat @ Speakersonic Studios, Brooklyn and on 1 “Yeah”, 3 “Other People’s Feelings” , and 4 “Lion” were recorded by Pat Tomek @ Largely Studios, KCMO.

All songs co-engineered, mixed, and co-produced by Chase Horseman @Element Studios, Kansas City, MO. Mastered by Ian Dobyns.

“Yeah” is track 1, on this 5-song EP // The One Nite Stands who played on these songs! Lizz Weiler on bass on 1, 3, and 4; Pat Tomek on drums on 1, 3, and 4; Mark Ospovat on bass on 2 and 5.

Don Dawn + Tracy Flowers on backing vocals on 2, 4, and 5; Chase Horseman on keyboards, guitar, and co-production on 1-5.

Nan sent her Thanks to: Mark O, Pat, Chase, Ian, Lizz, Don Dawn, Tracy, Peter Gallagher, and Frida the Dog.

Xtra BigThanks to: Chase Horseman for sonic textures + production magic. Kimya Dawson, Bertrand “BP” Perrot, MMM, and Sun Ra for Tour Dawg “Space is the Place” Inspiration.

Nan Turner Discography

Nan Turner – For Champs and Losers, Version 1 – February 28, 2007
[All songs and instruments by Nan Turner. Dibson Hoffwiler played drums on tracks 1 and 3, and guitar freakout on 3. Lisa Li-Lund sang vocals on track 5. Tracks 1-4 recorded by Dashan Coram at Luv-a-Lot Studios in Brooklyn. Track 5 recorded by Lisa Li-Lund in Brooklyn. All tracks mastered by Major Matt at OJ Studios, NYC.]

Nan Turner – Construction of a Champ – May 12, 2010
[Songs written by NAN TURNER. (except track 9 by Nick Cave) Tracks 3, 5, 7, 8 Recorded by Dashan Coram @ Luv-a-Lot Studios, Brooklyn/NYC. Tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, 9 Recorded & Co-Produced by Mark Ospovat @ Emandee Studios, Brooklyn, NY. All songs mastered by Matt Roth @ Olive Juice Music Studios, NYC. ONE NITE STANDS: Simon Beins: Guitar on 5, Bass on 7, 9. Trumpet on 8, 9; Daoud Tyler-Ameen: Drums on 2, 3, 5, 7, 9; Dan Gower: Piano on 9; Dave End: Vox on 7; Dan Fishback: Vox on 8; Christian De Roeck: “Dragon” Vox on 4; Adey Lobb: Melodica on 6; Mark “Slave to Production” Ospovat: Bass & many other newfangled synthy guitarey noise things: 1, 2, 4, 6.]

Nan Turner – For Champs and Losers, Version 2 – July 12, 2019
[All songs by Nan Turner. Recorded + Mixed + Co-Produced @ Winky World by Chase Horseman Kansas City, MO. Mastered by Alan Douches @ West West Side Music, New Windsor, NY. Ian Dobyns – drums on 1, 2, + 4; Chase Horseman – bass on 1, 2, + 4.
Huge thanks to Chase for your ears + producer magic. Also thanks to Ian, Alan, all my friends in KC and NYC, and to Frida the dog.]

Nan & The One Nite Stands – Desert Nites (Single) – May 22, 2020
[Written by Nan Turner. Recorded by Mark “Dragon” Ospovat @ SpeakerSonic Studios in Brooklyn, NY. Additional recording and mixing and production by Chase Horseman @ Winky World Studios in Kansas City, MO. Mastered by Ian Dobyns. Nan Turner on vocal & beats, Mark Ospovat on guitar & percussion, Chase Horseman on wurlitzer & bass & synthesizers, Dawn Yoder & Tracy Flowers on backing vocals. // Thanks to Mark O.,Chase, Ian, Tracy, Dawn, NY one nite stands Leslie, Angela, and Susan. My Dad. And last but not least, Frida the Dog. // Nan writes: I learned about existentialism at a young age. My Dad was a Philosophy Professor. Waiting for Godot and Archibald MacLeish’s J.B. were in my Ballet Bag for years. My mother + stepfather are libertarian folk that went to church, shot guns, and sold Amway. // I’m not saying this song is about any of that. But it’s also NOT NOT about that. // I started recording this song in 2017 with my good friend and collaborator Mark Ospovat in Brooklyn, NY. We laid down the foundation tracks of beat, guitar and vocals. Then I let the song lie.. …because I didn’t know how to finish it or where it fit in my oeuvre. I almost wrote ovaries. That too. (You do know that songs are like babies, right?) // Cut to March 2020, Kansas City. Chase Horseman and I unearthed the tracks right before the quarantine. He sat down at the Wurlitzer and played some notes and suddenly the song made sense to me. Of course it needed Wurlitzer! Through Chase’s arrangements of keys and other instrumentation, and Dawn and Tracy’s backup vocals (shoutout to KC one nite stand dancers extraordinaire)…I knew the song was finally there and it was time to release it into the world.Thanks so much to both Mark Ospovat & Chase Horseman for helping me realize the song’s potential and also for adding your own inventive arrangements. A One Nite Stands Magical Collaboration from NYC to KC.]

Nan + the One Nite Stands – High-Caliber – February 19, 2021
All songs by Nan Turner. Initial Engineering on 2 and 5 by Mark Ospovat @ Speakersonic Studios, Brooklyn and on 1,3,and 4 by Pat Tomek @ Largely Studios, KCMO. All songs co-engineered, mixed, and co-produced by Chase Horseman @Element Studios, Kansas City, MO. Mastered by Ian Dobyns. The One Nite Stands who played on these songs! Lizz Weiler-bass on 1, 3, and 4 // Pat Tomek -drums on 1, 3, and 4 // Mark Ospovat – bass on 2 and 5 // Don Dawn + Tracy Flowers – vox on 2, 4, and 5 // Chase Horseman- keys, guitar, co-production on 1-5. // Thanks to Mark O, Pat, Chase, Ian, Lizz, Don Dawn, Tracy, Peter Gallagher, and Frida the Dog. Xtra BigThanks to: Chase Horseman for sonic textures + production magic. Kimya Dawson, Bertrand “BP” Perrot, MMM, and Sun Ra for Tour Dawg “Space is the Place” Inspiration.

Nan Turner, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

Nan + The One Nite Stands, released HIGH-CALIBER on February 19, 2021. Last year Nan released the single, “Desert Nites”, on May 22, 2020. Nan released her solo EP, CHAMPS AND LOSERS, VERSION 2, on July 12, 2019. Nan Turner is one half of the critically acclaimed band Schwervon! Info at: http://www.nanturner.bandcamp.com

11:49

16. Nan & the One Nite Stands – “Space”
    from: High – Caliber / Nan Turner / February 19. 2021
    [All songs by Nan Turner. Initial Engineering on 2 and 5 by Mark Ospovat @ Speakersonic Studios, Brooklyn and on 1,3,and 4 by Pat Tomek @ Largely Studios, KCMO. All songs co-engineered, mixed, and co-produced by Chase Horseman @Element Studios, Kansas City, MO. Mastered by Ian Dobyns. // “Yeah” is track 1, on this 5-song EP // The One Nite Stands who played on these songs! Lizz Weiler on bass on 1, 3, and 4; Pat Tomek on drums on 1, 3, and 4; Mark Ospovat on bass on 2 and 5; Don Dawn + Tracy Flowers on backing vocals on 2, 4, and 5; Chase Horseman on keyboards, guitar, and co-production on 1-5. // Thanks to Mark O, Pat, Chase, Ian, Lizz, Don Dawn, Tracy, Peter Gallagher, and Frida the Dog. Xtra BigThanks to: Chase Horseman for sonic textures + production magic. Kimya Dawson, Bertrand “BP” Perrot, MMM, and Sun Ra for Tour Dawg “Space is the Place” Inspiration. // Follow up to the single “Desert Nights” released May 22, 2020, written by Nan Turner, and recorded by Mark “Dragon” Ospovat @ SpeakerSonic Studios in Brooklyn, NY. Additional recording and mixing and production by Chase Horseman @ Winky World Studios in Kansas City, MO. Mastered by Ian Dobyns. On July 12, 2019, Nan Turner released her solo EP, Champs and Losers, Version 2. Recorded, Mixed, and Co-Produced at Winky World in Kansas City, by Chase Horseman. Mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music, New Windsor, NY. Ian Dobyns plays drums and Chase Horseman plays bass. Nan Turner is also one half of the critically acclaimed band Schwervon! Nan has been called the “Lucy Ricardo of Indie Rock. Her music has been described as “Tone Loc meets the Velvet Underground.” More Info at: http://www.nanturner.bandcamp.com ]

17. Jametatone – “Crucible”
    from: Take-A Number / J Ashley Miller / January 21, 2021.
    [The album was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Jametatone at The Infoaming Vertex, KCMO. Vocals, Bass and Uke on Crucible by Miki P More info at: http://www.jametatone.bandcamp.com Jametatone, is the solo project of J. Ashley Miller who has recorded with his band as Metatone. Jametatone also collaborates with an esemble of musicians under the moniker Blastocyst. J. Ashley Miller is the 2016 Charlotte Street Generative Performing Artist Award Fellow. He is a composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist. His genre-bending trans-modern work has been performed everywhere from YJ’s to the Kauffman Performing Arts Center, to the MoMa PS1 in NYC. Ashley utilizes a diverse range of technologies, techniques, and collaborators to access obscure facets of the human emotional landscape. You can view more of Ashley’s work at http://www.jametatone.com]

18. Julia Othmer – “Fortunate Son”
    from: SEEDS, Volume 2 (LIVE) / Frickin’ Awesome Records / March 20, 2021
    [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 joined us onWMM on Nov. 11, 2020.]

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

Next week on Wednesday, April 7 we talk with performance artist and composer Stacy Busch and founder of the non-profit organization No Divide KC who shares details about the 2nd Annual Queer Narratives Festival, August 2-7 2021 at The Black Box with Workshops, talk backs, open mics and more throughout the week. Applications are being accepted now, more info at: https://www.nodividekc.org/queernarrativesfestival. // At 10:30 Mark talks with musician Claire Adams about her recently musical releases including WORDS OF LOVE released February 5, 2021. This new EP is a follow up to the Claire Adams album YOU KNOW I KNOW YOU, released April 24, 2020, including 10 songs all written by Claire Adams. Musically curious and multifaceted, Claire Adams has spent more than a decade touring, recording and songwriting to hone her melodic instincts and vision. A bassist, guitarist, singer and songwriter, Adams has lent a discerning ear and versatility to a number of projects. Claire Adams has collaborated with the KC based string quartet Rewound, jazz pianist Alyssa Murray & drummer Fritz Hutchinson. Claire Adams also plays guitar with True Lions. More info at: http://www.claireadamsmusic.com // At 11:00 Alison Hawkins talks about True Lions and their debut album, THE FEMPIRE STRIKES BACK, releasing April 9, on Manor Records. Recorded at Deep Space Co-op & Element Recording Studios in KCMO, the tracking was engineered by Ross Brown at Escape Pod Audio with additional tracking, mixing & mastering by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studios. The album was written & produced by Alison Hawkins and arranged & performed by True Lions: Alison Hawkins, Elizabeth Kosko, Teri Quinn, Claire Adams, Adee Rocket Dancy, Aryana Nemati, Iona DeWalt, and Miki P. THE FEMPIRE STRIKES BACK also features: Calvin Arsenia, Rachel Lovelace, John O’Keefe, Claudia Sudekum, Fritz Hutchison, Coleen Dieker, Leslie Butsch, Ezgi Karakus, and Daniel Cox. More information at: http://www.truelions.bandcamp.com True Lions play Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming, Friday, April 9, at 6:00 PM with Khrystal., Collidescope, and KuJo. // At 11:30 AM Poets Jen Harris and Vanessa Arricco share details about their show: Live! from the POETRY FORT! Sunday, April 11, 7:00 PM(Central)celebrating National Poetry Month the co-hosts come to you LIVE on Zoom from their respective poetry forts. 7:00 PM (Central). Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9237824393. Jen & Vanessa are the co-hosts of the Confessing Animals Podcast. Vanessa Aricco is a multimedia poet. Her work includes two poetry albums, The Midnight Rush and Human Animal. She is a Charlotte Street Foundation 2019-21 Studio Resident in Kansas City, MO, where she’s been working on a third poetry album called Teenage Poetry. More info at: vanessaaricco.bandcamp.com. Jen Harris is a transplant from KC now based in Eugene, Oregon. A sought-after performance artist, she is the founder and host of The Writing Workshop KC, whose mission is to nurture creative curiosity and inspire confidence within prompt-based writing workshops. More info at: http://www.poetjenharris.com

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

Nan Turner photo by Ailecia Ruscin of Oh! Snap! Photography!

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

Show #883

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, March 31, 2021

New & MidCoastal Releases + Nan Turner + J. Jerome Searle + Chris Hudson + Sondra Freeman

Mark plays more New & MidCoastal Releases from: Nan + The One Nite Stands, Gullywasher, Julia Othmer, Elexa Dawson, J. Jerome, Melissa Backstrom, Jametatone, Sam Wells, Wild Women of Kansas City, Slights, Frogpond, Vitreous Humor, Art of Flying, Japanese Breakfast, and Star Feminine Band.

At 10:15 Sondra Freeman shares details about Midwest Music Foundation’s 3rd Annual Spring Donation Drive – April 3-10, with a Livestream Concert Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 8:00 PM featuring: Jessica Paige, Slights, Sam Wells, The Uncouth. Find the streaming link on MMF’s Facebook and YouTube pages, and recordBar’s Facebook page. The MMF Spring Donation Drive will help those affected both physically and financially by the coronavirus and other health related emergencies and help MMF resume Musicians’ Health Care Clinics. Info at: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org

At 10:30 Mark talks with Chris Hudson about his band Gullywasher‘s new album, HOLDING THE DAWNING, released on March 15, 2021. Chris Hudson is a guitarist, artist, music teacher, singer-songwriter and band leader of Gullywasher and The Bard Owls. He also performs with Julie Bennett Hume in the duo The Multiverse. Chris attended the Conservatory of Music at UMKC in the 1990s where he studied classical guitar. He has been teaching guitar and music since finishing college. He currently works for Kansas City Young Audiences as a teaching artist, coordinating the Garage Band Classes for kids. More info at: http://www.gullywasherkc.com

At 11:00 we talk with J. Jerome aka Jamie Searle producer, composer, musician, singer, songwriter and band leader of My Brothers and Sisters and his former band, It’s Over. J. Jerome released the single “Steady One” on January 19, 2021. J. Jerome released the single, “Through My Skin”, on February 19, 2021 featuring Melissa Backstrom Searle who is married to Jamie and also sings for My Brothers and Sisters. J. Jerome released the 5-track EP Blap Kit, on February, 21, 2021. MY BROTHERS & SISTERS also released a reimagined version of, “Folsom Prison” on February 26, 2021. More info at: http://www.jsearlemusic.com or http://www.jjeromechromatic.bandcamp.com

At 11:30 AM Mark talks with singer-songwriter-drummer-dancer-actress, Nan Turner about her new release from Nan + The One Nite Stands, HIGH-CALIBER released February 19, 2021. Last year Nan released the single, “Desert Nites”, on May 22, 2020. Nan released her solo EP, CHAMPS AND LOSERS, VERSION 2, on July 12, 2019. Nan Turner is one half of the critically acclaimed band Schwervon! Nan has been called the “Lucy Ricardo of Indie Rock.” More Info at: http://www.nanturner.bandcamp.com

Nan Turner photo by Ailecia Ruscin of Oh! Snap! Photography!

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

Show #883

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, March 24, 2021

Special Guest Producer Nico Gray + Special Guest Katy Guillen

Wednesday MidDay Medley welcomes back to the show, Nico Gray, as “Guest Producer.” Nico is a writer, performance artist, and has worked as an actor with KC Rep, Gorilla Theatre, 8th St. Cafe Theatre, Actor’s Craft, and Big Bang Buffet. He appeared in HBO’s Truman and you can see him as a drunken sailor smoking a cigarette stumbling down the hallways of Union Station in the Robert Altman film Kansas City. Nico has worked for Theatre League, The Midland Theatre and is currently a marketing & advertising consultant with Union Station and the Marketing Director for Fringe Festival KC and WaterFire KC. For WMM Nico Gray has co-hosted several of fund drive shows, Glam Rock show, Bowie Tribute Shows, and our 700th show. Today is his 10th appearance as Guest Producer.

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

2. Reitzell/Beggs — “Intro Versaille”
   from: From: Marie Antoinette (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) / Verve Forecast / 2006

3. Valerie June —“Starlight Ethereal Silence”
   from: The Moon And Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers / June Tunes-Concord Records / March 12, 2021
   [5th full length album co-produced by Jack Splash and Valerie June. Valerie June Hockett was born January 10, 1982), known as Valerie June, is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Memphis, Tennessee, United States. Her sound encompasses a mixture of folk, blues, gospel, soul, country, Appalachian and bluegrass. She is signed to Concord Music Group worldwide. // Born in Jackson, Tennessee on January 10, 1982, June is the oldest of five children. As a child growing up in Humboldt, June was exposed to gospel music at her local church and R&B and soul music via her father, Emerson Hockett. As a teenager, her first job was with her father, owner of Hockett Construction in West Tennessee, and a part-time promoter for gospel singers and Prince, K-Ci & JoJo, and Bobby Womack. She helped by hanging posters in town. Her father died in late 2016. // June relocated to Memphis in 2000 and began recording and performing at the age of 19, initially with her then-husband Michael Joyner, in the duo Bella Sun. After her marriage ended, she began working as a solo artist, combining blues, gospel and Appalachian folk in a style that she describes as “organic moonshine roots music”, and learning guitar, banjo, and lap-steel guitar. She became associated with the Memphis-based Broken String Collective. // In 2009 she was a featured artist on MTV’s online series $5 Cover (following the lives of Memphis musicians attempting to make ends meet), and in 2010 she recorded the EP Valerie June and the Tennessee Express, a collaboration with Old Crow Medicine Show. // In 2011 she was honored by the Memphis and Shelby County Music Commission at the Emissaries of Memphis Music event. She raised funds to record an album with producer Craig Street via Kickstarter.com, raising $15,000 in 60 days. Later that year she relocated from Memphis to Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Shortly after, record producer Kevin Augunas introduced June to Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, which led to the recording of June’s album Pushin’ Against a Stone in July 2011, which was co-written and produced by Dan Auerbach and Kevin Augunas. // In 2012, June performed with producer John Forté on a collaboration called Water Suites (on the hip-hop-blues song “Give Me Water”), and with Meshell Ndegeocello on the song “Be My Husband”. She contributed The Wandering’s 2012 album Go on Now, You Can’t Stay Here: Mississippi Folk Music Volume III. In 2012 she performed in the UK for the first time, playing at Bestival and appearing on Later… with Jools Holland. // She has received substantial radio play in Europe on BBC Radio 6, including a feature on Cerys on 6 with Cerys Matthews. Mary Anne Hobbs of XFM has said of June: “This woman has already touched my heart, she really, really has.” // In February 2013, June was invited to support Jake Bugg on the UK leg of his tour. In March 2013, June performed two nights at South By Southwest. The first performance was on March 14 as part of the Heartbreaker Banquet. On March 16, June performed again, this time as part of The Revival Tour. Rolling Stone June’s second album, The Order of Time one of the 50 Best Albums of 2017, citing “her handsomely idiosyncratic brand of Americana, steeped deep in electric blues and old-time folk, gilded in country twang and gospel yearning….a blend of spacey hippie soul, blues and folk with June’s pinched, modern-Appalachian voice at the center”. In a 2017 interview, Bob Dylan was asked what artists he listened to and respected; June was among the artists he mentioned in reply.More info at: http://www.valeriejune.com]

4. Valerie June —“Home Inside”
   from: The Moon And Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers / June Tunes-Concord Records / March 12, 2021

5. Elvis Costello —“Revolution 49”
   from: Hey Clockface / Concord Records / October 30, 2020
   [Hey Clockface is the 31st studio album by English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello. The album was released on 30 October 2020 by Concord Records. Declan Patrick MacManus, OBE was born August 25, 1954), known professionally as Elvis Costello, is an English singer-songwriter. He has won multiple awards in his career, including Grammy Awards in 1999 and 2020, and has twice been nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Male Artist. In 2003, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked Costello number 80 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. Costello began his career as part of London’s pub rock scene in the early 1970s and later became associated with the first wave of the British punk and new wave movement that emerged in the mid-to-late 1970s. His critically acclaimed debut album My Aim Is True was released in 1977. Shortly after recording it, he formed the Attractions as his backing band. His second album This Year’s Model was released in 1978, and was ranked number 11 by Rolling Stone on its list of the best albums from 1967 to 1987. His third album Armed Forces was released in 1979, and features his highest-charting single, “Oliver’s Army” (number 2 in the UK). His first three albums all appeared on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Costello and the Attractions toured and recorded together for the better part of a decade, though differences between them caused a split by 1986. Much of Costello’s work since has been as a solo artist, though reunions with members of the Attractions have been credited to the group over the years. Costello’s lyrics employ a wide vocabulary and frequent wordplay. His music has drawn on many diverse genres; one critic described him as a “pop encyclopaedia”, able to “reinvent the past in his own image”. Costello has co-written several original songs for motion pictures, including “God Give Me Strength” from Grace of My Heart (1996, with Burt Bacharach) and “The Scarlet Tide” from Cold Mountain (2003, with T-Bone Burnett). For the latter, Elvis was nominated (along with Burnett) for the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media.]

6. Sharon Van Etten – “Let Go”
   rom: Let Go – Single / Jagjaguwar / October 13, 2020
   [Sharon Katharine Van Etten was born February 26, 1981. She is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She has released five studio albums, the latest of which is Remind Me Tomorrow (2019). // Van Etten was born in Belleville, New Jersey, the middle child of five. She lived in Nutley, New Jersey, then moved to Clinton, New Jersey as a pre-teen. She attended North Hunterdon High School, at which she participated in the chorus and performed in stage musicals. // Later, she moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee to attend Middle Tennessee State University and studied recording, but dropped out after a year. She ended up working at the Red Rose, a coffee and record shop and music venue in Murfreesboro for about five years. She fell into an abusive relationship with a rock musician who discouraged her from writing songs. After five years, she left in the middle of the night with whatever she could carry. She showed up to her parents’ house on Thanksgiving Day and her mother answered the door, holding the dishes she’s about to put on the table, to find her black-sheep middle child, who hasn’t spoken to her in ages, standing on the doorstep. // In 2004, she moved back to New Jersey, where she worked at Perryville Wine and Spirits, then moved to New York City in 2005. She lived in Brooklyn for a number of years, in the suburban neighborhood of Ditmas Park.// Van Etten self-released handmade CDs until 2009, when her debut studio recording was released. Before her studio debut, she worked at Astor Wines and as a publicist at Ba Da Bing Records. // Van Etten’s debut, Because I Was in Love, was released on May 26, 2009, on Language of Stone, and was manufactured and distributed by Drag City. Because I Was in Love was produced by Greg Weeks at Hexham Head studio in Philadelphia. // On September 21, 2010, Van Etten released her second album, epic, on Ba Da Bing Records. With no set band at the time, Van Etten called on friends Jeffrey Kish, Dave Hartley, Jessica Larrabee, and Andy LaPlant of She Keeps Bees, Cat Martino, Meg Baird, Jim Callan, and Brian Christinzio. The first song recorded for the album was “Love More”, recorded in December 2009 by producer Brian McTear for Weathervane Music’s Shaking Through documentary video series. The remainder of the album was produced by Brian McTear with engineer Amy Morrissey in May 2010 at Miner Street Recordings in Philadelphia. NPR described it as possessing “a fuller sound compared to the super-spare arrangements on her first two self-produced albums, but epic still feels incredibly intimate, with lots of room to breathe and unfold.” // Van Etten’s third studio album, Tramp, was released on February 7, 2012, on Jagjaguwar. Tramp was produced by The National’s Aaron Dessner and recorded in his home studio in Brooklyn, New York. Additional recording took place at Miner Street Recordings in Philadelphia, where the album was also mixed with Engineers and Mixers Brian McTear and Jonathan Low. The album features musicians Doug Keith, Thomas Bartlett, Bryan Devendorf, Bryce Dessner, Matt Barrick, Rob Moose, Julianna Barwick, Peter Silberman, Logan Coale, Clarice Jensen, Ben Lanz, Zach Condon, and Jenn Wasner. // May 2014 brought about the release of Van Etten’s fourth studio album, titled Are We There, on Jagjaguwar. Van Etten produced the record with Stewart Lerman, with the guidance of bandmate and manager Zeke Hutchins. Most of the recording was done at Hobo Sound Studios in Weehawken, New Jersey, with piano tracks being recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City. The record features musicians Zeke Hutchins, Doug Keith, Heather Woods Broderick, Dave Hartley, Adam Granduciel, Marisa Anderson, Stuart D. Bogie, Mickey Free, Mary Lattimore, Little Isidor, Jacob Morris, Torres’ Mackenzie Scott, Shearwater’s Jonathan Meiburg, Lower Dens’ Jana Hunter, and Efterklang touring member Peter Broderick. The EP I Don’t Want to Let You Down, a compilation of songs that were not included on Are We There, was released on Jagjaguwar in 2015. // On October 2, 2018, Van Etten released a new track entitled “Comeback Kid” and announced her next album Remind Me Tomorrow, released on January 18, 2019.[16] On February 28, 2019, Van Etten appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to perform the single “Seventeen”. // On April 22, 2020, Van Etten played bass and sang harmony as the three surviving members of Fountains of Wayne performed in a televised benefit with various New Jersey-affiliated musicians to raise funds for COVID-19 relief. She filled the role left vacant by the COVID-19-related death of Adam Schlesinger a few weeks earlier. She and the other three members of the band played simultaneously from remote locations. The band played the song “Hackensack” from the album Welcome Interstate Managers. // On May 15, 2020, Van Etten dropped a cover of (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding? with Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme. // Van Etten’s music is characterized by a heavy use of harmonies. Pitchfork described her songs as having “echoes of folk tradition.” NPR Music asserts: “Her songs are heartfelt without being overly earnest; her poetry is plainspoken but not overt, and her elegant voice is wrapped in enough rasp and sorrow to keep from sounding too pure or confident.” With “Comeback Kid” and Remind Me Tomorrow, she introduced electronic sounds into her music. // Since 2016, Van Etten has appeared in both seasons of the Netflix drama The OA as Rachel, a fellow abductee along with Prairie in Dr. Percy’s basement lab/terrarium. Rachel and the other captives are subjected to after-life experiments while conspiring over a period of years to possibly escape, and at one point, Rachel sings a song of remembrance. Van Etten also appeared in episode six of the 2017 Twin Peaks series on Showtime. // Van Etten made her feature film debut with a supporting role in Never Rarely Sometimes Always directed by Eliza Hittman, for which she also wrote and performed the original track ‘Staring at a Mountain’. // Van Etten had her first child, a son, in 2017 with her romantic partner Zeke Hutchins. Hutchins used to be her drummer and then became her manager. After living in New York City for 15 years, she moved with her family to Los Angeles in Sept 2019. More info at: http://www.sharonvanetten.com]

7. Art d’Ecco – “Nothing Ever Changes” (Vinyl)
   from: Day Fevers / Your Face Records / 2016
   [Will be on upcoming release IN STANDARD DEFINITION to be released April 23, 2021. Based in British Columbia, “There’s more than a little David Bowie in both the sonic and fashion leanings of Art d’Ecco, a performer who fluidly crosses musical and gender lines, creating highly memorable tracks — and sporting an unforgettable look. Often labelled “neo glam,” the music boasts hints of everything from ’50s pop to psychedelics, from Velvet Underground-era art rock to Grimes-inspired electronics.” – CBC Music Art d’Ecco freleased the album Trespasser on Paper Bag Records on October 12, 2018. When d’Ecco moved into his grandmother’s cottage on one of the islands, he hadn’t planned on creating a new project. But, as it often does, circumstance charted his course. His grandmother, living with Alzheimer’s, suffered a related phenomenon called ‘sundowning,’ which triggers increased agitation and anxiety around sunset. “The only way to calm this lady down was to sit down at the piano,” says d’Ecco. He would play “Bohemian Rhapsody,” passing it off as Beethoven. After she was relocated, d’Ecco remained in the empty house where he had played as a child. Draped in memory, he gravitated toward the piano, spending the long, lonesome, quiet nights on the bench before the instrument. This is where Art d’Ecco was created. He relocated to a new cottage, built a studio and barricaded himself with copies of Deerhunter’s Cryptograms, Bowie’s Low, and choice krautrock records. In this solitude, d’Ecco would chase tones for hours. The result is a richly-realized confluence of the ferocious spark of those trailblazers and a distinct sadness, with d’Ecco as mad scientist, stitching together these delicious fragments and animating them.]

8. Miley Cyrus —“Sweet Jane”
   from: MTV Unplugged Presents Miley Cyrus Backyard Sessions / You Tube / October 16, 2020
   [The Backyard Sessions are a series of music videos released by Miley Cyrus on YouTube in 2012, 2015 and 2020. The 2015 series coincided with the formation of Cyrus’s philanthropic organization, the Happy Hippie Foundation, and were billed as “Happy Hippie Presents Backyard Sessions”. // On October 16, 2020, Cyrus premiered a full Backyard Sessions concert on MTV. Her band called themselves “Miley Cyrus and the Social Distancers,” and all members except the singers wore masks in performance. On October 17, she posted six concert videos to her YouTube channel. Four were covers: “Gimme More” by Britney Spears, “Communication” by The Cardigans, “Sweet Jane” by the Velvet Underground, and “Just Breathe” by Pearl Jam. She also posted a live version of her song “Midnight Sky” from her album Plastic Hearts and a duet with her sister Noah Cyrus of Noah’s song “I Got So High That I Saw Jesus.” During the concert, she also performed a cover of Jackson Browne’s “These Days,” but this was not uploaded to Cyrus’s channel in October. // Miley Ray Cyrus was born Destiny Hope Cyrus, on November 23, 1992. She is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Noted for her distinctive raspy voice, her music spans a range of styles, from pop and country pop to hip hop, experimental and rock. Cyrus has attained the most US Billboard 200 top-five albums in the 21st century by a female artist, with a total of thirteen entries. Her personal life, public image, and performances have often sparked controversy and received widespread media coverage. // Cyrus, a daughter of country music singer Billy Ray Cyrus, emerged as a teen idol while portraying the title character of the Disney Channel television series Hannah Montana (2006–2011). As Hannah Montana, she attained two number-one and three top-five soundtracks on the US Billboard 200, including the US Billboard Hot 100 top-ten single “He Could Be the One.” Cyrus’s own discography includes the US number-one albums Meet Miley Cyrus (2007), Breakout (2008), and Bangerz (2013); the top-five releases Can’t Be Tamed (2010), Younger Now (2017), Plastic Hearts (2020) and the free album Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz (2015). Cyrus’s EPs The Time of Our Lives (2009) and She Is Coming (2019) also debuted in the top-five. Plastic Hearts became Cyrus’s most acclaimed album, and her first entry on the Billboard Rock Chart, debuting atop the chart. It included the lead single “Midnight Sky”. Her other singles include the US top ten-charting “See You Again”, “7 Things”, “The Climb”, “Party in the U.S.A.”, “Can’t Be Tamed”, “We Can’t Stop”, “Malibu”; and the chart-topping “Wrecking Ball”. “Party in the U.S.A.” was certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). // Cyrus’s career accolades include entries on the Time 100 list in 2008 and 2014, MTV’s Best Artist of 2013 Award, and placement on Billboard’s Greatest of All Time Artists Chart in 2019. She is often regarded as one of the few examples of successful child actors-turned-singers. As an actress, Cyrus has made appearances in the animated film Bolt (2008) and the feature films Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009) and The Last Song (2010). On television, Cyrus served as a coach on the singing competition series The Voice across two seasons and starred in an episode of the Netflix series Black Mirror (2019). Cyrus is an advocate for animal rights and adopted a vegan lifestyle in 2014; she founded the non-profit Happy Hippie Foundation in 2014, which focuses on youth homelessness and the LGBT community.]

9. Magon – “Coucou My Friend”
   rom: Hour After Hour / T.Rex Recordings / January 29, 2021
   [Isreali born, Paris, France based. Written & composed by Magon except: “Aerodynamic” by Magon & Alexa Rotarescu, “Coucou My Friend” by Magon & Alexa & Yvonne Rotarescu. Recorded, mixed & mastered by Magon. Magon on vocals, guitars, bass, drums, & percussions; Ferdinand De Fournoux on drums, & percs; Nimrod Goldfarb on guitar, bass, & percussions; Alexa Rotarescu on vocals. http://www.magon.bandcamp.com]

10:28 – Underwriting

10. Maxence Cyrin – “Where Is My Mind”
    from: Novö Piano / Kwaidan Records / April 12, 2010
    [French pianist and composer living in Paris. As a child, Cyrin studied classical piano at a conservatory. In his teenage years, he was exposed to new-wave and techno, greatly influencing his first recordings, also made during these years. He subsequently made recordings with independent electro labels.[1] A few years later, he recorded an LP of piano compositions titled Instants on independent record label Sine Terra Firma, which has also released Yann Tiersen’s debut album. // In 2005, he released his first album Modern Rhapsodies on FCom, the label founded by DJ Laurent Garnier, in which he arranged for solo piano tracks from Massive Attack, Depeche Mode, Moby, and Aphex Twin. He also composed scores for silent movies, such as Jean Epstein’s 1923 film Cœur fidèle. // Novö Piano, Cyrin’s second album, was released in 2009 through Kwaidan Records and produced by Marc Collin of Nouvelle Vague. It contains cover songs of Pixies, Nirvana, Daft Punk, and MGMT, among others. As of 2017, the music video for Cyrin’s cover of Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind?” has been viewed over seven million times on YouTube – his version of the song was used in the TV shows The Leftovers, Mr. Robot and black-ish in addition to the TV spot for the video game Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End. It also features in the 2015 film Man Up. // In 2012, the album The Fantasist was released on the record label EOS Records. It is, at the same time, a musical self-portrait and an imaginary movie soundtrack. // In 2014, he signed with the new classical record label Evidence Classics, founded by sound engineer Nicolas Bartholomée (Aparté). In 2015, he released the album Nocturnes, a collection of ten compositions for solo piano. // Cyrin’s album Novö Piano 2 was released on November 13, 2015, and is another collection of solo piano covers. // In June 2016, he performed in the USA for 3 weeks.// In September 2017, Apple used his piano version of Arcade Fire’s song “No Cars Go” for the inauguration of The Steve Jobs Theater. // He is currently working on a new album of personal compositions with piano and strings. // He is regularly involved in world of fashion, composing and playing for shows including Chanel, Lanvin, Valentino, Margiela, and Hermès. ]

11. Madlib – “Hopprock”
    from: Sound Ancestors / Madlib Invazion / January 29, 2021
    [Sound Ancestors is a studio album by American musician Madlib. It was produced by Madlib, it was arranged, edited and mastered by Four Tet. The album debuted at number 153 on the Billboard 200 in the United States. // Otis Jackson Jr. (born October 24, 1973), known professionally as Madlib, is an American DJ, music producer, multi-instrumentalist, and rapper. One of the most prolific and critically acclaimed hip hop producers of the 2000s, he is widely known for his collaborations with MF DOOM (as Madvillain), J Dilla (as Jaylib), and Freddie Gibbs (as MadGibbs). Madlib has described himself as a “DJ first, producer second, and MC last.” // Otis Jackson, Jr. was born in Oxnard, California, to musician parents Otis Jackson, Sr. and Dora Sinesca Jackson. He sampled his first song at 11 years old, sourced from his father’s collection. His younger brother is the producer and rapper Michael “Oh No” Jackson. His uncle is the jazz trumpeter Jon Faddis. He was raised in Oxnard, where he began his music career. // In the early 1990s, Madlib formed a loose-knit collective composed of rappers who worked with him in his Oxnard-based “Crate Diggas Palace” studio. This collective was composed primarily of his friends, and became known as CDP. Madlib’s first commercially released music was production for the rap group Tha Alkaholiks in 1993. He went on to record music of his own with the group Lootpack. Their 12-inch EP Ill Psyche Move was released by Madlib’s father in 1995 on a label also called Crate Diggas Palace. This record caught the attention of Peanut Butter Wolf, founder of the Stones Throw Records label, who signed the group in 1998. // Lootpack’s 1999 debut album Soundpieces: Da Antidote ushered in a string of releases on Stones Throw centering on Madlib’s production work which would continue for a decade. His first solo work, The Unseen, under the guise of Quasimoto, came in 2000. The album was met with critical acclaim and named by Spin as one of the top 20 albums of the year. //In 2001, Madlib moved away from hip hop music and began a series of releases from Yesterdays New Quintet, a jazz-based, hip hop and electronic-influenced quintet made up of alter-egos or fictional musicians played by Madlib. Over the next several years, through several record releases on Stones Throw and other labels, the growing number of pseudonyms and fictional players came to be known as Yesterdays Universe. Madlib was later invited to remix tracks from the Blue Note Records archive in 2003, which he released as Shades of Blue. In addition to the remixes, the album contained newly recorded interpretations of Blue Note originals, many of which were credited to members of Yesterdays New Quintet. Beginning with the 2007 album The Funky Side of Life by Yesterdays New Quintet spin-off group Sound Directions, the Yesterdays Universe also began incorporating additional session musicians who were not pseudonyms of Madlib. // Returning to hip hop music in 2003, Madlib announced two collaborative projects. He joined hip hop producer J Dilla in a duo known as Jaylib, which released Champion Sound. Madlib then collaborated with rapper MF DOOM, known together as Madvillain. Produced by using a Boss SP-303 and a turntable, their 2004 album Madvillainy was highly anticipated and well-received, topping many critics’ year-end lists. // The 2005 Quasimoto album The Further Adventures of Lord Quas met with warm reception and continued the Quasimoto tradition of using vocal samples from Melvin Van Peebles, who is credited on the album liner notes as a collaborator. Throughout the rest of the decade Madlib continued to release jazz material simultaneously with his hip hop work: Perseverance with Percee P, Liberation with Talib Kweli, Sujinho with Ivan Conti of Azymuth, his own instrumental hip hop series Beat Konducta, In Search of Stoney Jackson with Strong Arm Steady, O. J. Simpson with Guilty Simpson, and production work for artists such as Erykah Badu and De La Soul. // In 2010, Madlib announced his own imprint called Madlib Invazion, formed to release a music series called Madlib Medicine Show. The series would ultimately take over two years to complete, culminating with 13 album releases and several vinyl-only EPs spanning hip-hop, jazz, remixes, and multi-genre DJ mixtapes. The label has continued to release records outside of the original series. In 2011, Madlib composed the film score for the A Tribe Called Quest documentary film Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest. Madlib also produced “Cadillacs” with Snoop Dogg for his mixtape That’s My Work Volume 3, released on February 27, 2014. // Freddie Gibbs and Madlib announced plans for a collaboration album late in 2011 with the release of an EP titled Thuggin, which was followed by a second EP titled Shame on June 22, 2012 and a third EP titled Deeper on September 24, 2013. The duo’s full-length collaboration album Piñata was released on March 18, 2014 to widespread critical acclaim. The pair, later known as MadGibbs, released a follow-up album titled Bandana on June 28, 2019. // In a 2010 interview with LA Weekly, Madlib stated that Kanye West put five of his beats on hold for the album he was working on at the time. While none of the beats were used, Madlib did take part in the recording sessions for the album, which evolved from Good Ass Job to My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. He was also rumored to be involved in West’s collaboration album with Jay-Z entitled Watch the Throne, but ultimately was not. West was interviewed as part of the 2014 Stones Throw documentary film Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton, in which he opens up about working with Madlib and wanting more of his beats for future projects. // On January 18, 2016, West released the Madlib-produced “No More Parties in L.A.” featuring Kendrick Lamar on SoundCloud as part of his GOOD Fridays series. According to reports, the track originated from the recording sessions for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy in 2010. West also recited a few lines from the track in the Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton interview. “No More Parties in L.A.” appears on his seventh album, which underwent several name changes: So Help Me God, SWISH, and Waves, before finally being released as The Life of Pablo on February 12, 2016. West also hinted at the possibility of future collaborations with Madlib via Twitter thanking him for sending over six beat CDs. // Following Mac Miller’s death, Chicago producer Thelonious Martin claimed on February 20, 2019, that Mac Miller and Madlib were reportedly working on an album together, called MacLib. Madlib addressed this statement on March 19, 2019, stating that he had recorded an EP with Mac Miller between 2015 and 2017, but that there was no plans of releasing the EP. However, Madlib added during an interview on June 3, 2019, that if Mac Miller’s estate gives him the right to, he will release the EP. On February 8, 2020, a MacLib song was leaked. // During an interview on Chrome Children, Madlib stated that his most significant musical influences include Miles Davis, Sun Ra, and David Axelrod. Some of his hip-hop influences are Large Professor, Marley Marl, Paul C, DJ Pooh, and Dr. Dre. More info at: Madlib at stonesthrow.com]

12. Wax Tailor – “Never Forget”
    from: The Shadow of Their Suns / Lab’ Oratoire / January 8, 2021
    [Jean-Christophe Le Saoût was born July 19, 1975, in Vernon, Normandy. He is better known by the stage name Wax Tailor, is a French trip hop producer from Vernon, Normandy. He has released six studio albums collaborating with other artists. // After being a host on French radio in the Paris suburb of Mantes-La-Jolie, Le Saoût started the French Rap band La Formule in the 1990s. He created his label Lab’Oratoire in 1998 and produced records from La Formule as well as Break Beat compilations and a collaboration with the Swedish band Looptroop. He began working on the Wax Tailor project in 2001, first appearing on a remix of Looptroop and La Formule’s “Deep Under Water”. // In 2004, JC Le Saoût launched the Wax Tailor concept with an EP, “Lost the Way”, that gained the attention of DJ’s and music critics in his home country. // In 2005, Wax Tailor released his first album “Tales of the Forgotten Melodies”. The album has never left the Electronic Album sales charts on iTunes since its release. // In 2007, Wax Tailor released his second album “Hope & Sorrow” and had his first crossover hit single with “Positively Inclined”. // In 2008 in France, he was selected in the Victoires de la musique as “best electronic music album of the year” and won the 7th annual Independent Music Awards Vox Pop vote for best Dance/Electronica album.// In 2009, Wax Tailor came back with “Say Yes”, his first single on his new album In The Mood For Life released on September 21, featuring with Charlie Winston, Charlotte Savary, Sara Genn, Dionne Charles, A State Of Mind, Mattic, Ali Harter, and Speech Defect. // In 2012, after three years of touring around the world, Wax Tailor released “Dusty Rainbow from the Dark”, narrated by Don McCorkindale, who voiced the BBC’s serialized version of the classic TV show “The Avengers”.// In 2014, To celebrate the 10th anniversary of his career, Wax Tailor launched the “Phonovisions Symphonic Orchestra’. Alongside a 35-piece orchestra and a 17-person choir, Wax Tailor embarked on an ambitious re-orchestration of 27 highlights from his 4 albums, to present them in a completely different setting. After a sold-out European tour, the Phonovisions Symphonic Orchestra was chosen to play 3 shows for the re-opening of the prestigious Teatro Colon in Bogota, accompanied by the National Symphonic Orchestra of Colombia. // In 2016, Wax Tailor released his fifth album “By Any Beats Necessary”. The title references the Malcolm X phrase “By Any Means Necessary”, which was inspired by Sartre’s play “Dirty Hands”. Wax Tailor invited on this album Ghostface Killah from the Wu Tang Clan, R.A. The Rugged Man, A-F-R-O, Token, T // In 2017, following the release of “By Any Beats Necessary”, Wax Tailor went on a long world tour. During this tour, he came up with the idea of having this album remixed. Established producers such as Ollie Teeba (The Herbaliser) or the US duo Du-Rites (J-Zone) as well as a cohort of rising artists such as ProleteR, Soul Square, The Geek x Vrv, Poldoore, Kognitif, Fatbabs, Madwreck, Benji Blow, Le Parasite were selected by Wax Tailor to keep a general musical cohesiveness to the project and bring new life to the original album. // In 2021, Wax Tailor released his sixth record – “The Shadow Of Their Suns” with musicians like Del The Funky Homosapien, Gil Scott-Heron, D Smoke, among others. Monre infor http://www.waxtailor.com]

13. Mind The Beatz (ZOËN & DJFysh) – “French Connection”
    from: Night Cuts (An Original Beatz Soundtrack / Dora Dorovitch / March 5, 2020
    [Hip-hop duet composed of ZOËN on the beatz and FYSH on the Turntables, MIND THE BEATZ announces the release of its first album “NIGHTS CUTS” in March 2020 on DORA DOROVITCH RECORDS. // At the end of their 2018 tour, Mind The Beatz decided to record their first album. This was recorded in emergency, from November 2018 to April 2019, between diapers, bottles and short nights. Indeed, zoën and fysh respectively become dad for the second time, it was built in the middle of a limited schedule, with itchy eyes and full of dark circles. // Thus, several coffee makers later, the group gave birth to NIGHTS CUTS, an 11tracks album with nocturnal and cinematic aromas. Oscillating between soundtrack samples and old school breakbeats, through trip hop songs with palpable tension, NIGHTS CUTS is an ideal record for escaping, feeling, breathing and traveling (but surely at night). // zoën produced the beatz; fysh on turntables; Cisko on bass guitar on tracks 2, 3, 6, 8 and 11. Recorded at home between November 2018 and April 2019. All tracks mixed by zoën, except 3 and 10, mixed by Fabien De Macedo. Mastering by Jérôme Trichard and Séverin Chaline @ studio du village brûlé. More info t: http://www.mindthebeatz.bandcamp.com]

14. Various Artists – “Underdog”
    from: Television’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 / TVT Records / 1986 [originally recorded in 1964]
    [Television’s Greatest Hits – 65 More TV Themes From The 50s & 60s is the second volume of the Television’s Greatest Hits series of compilation albums by TVT Records. // Underdog is an American animated television series that ran from October 3, 1964, to March 4, 1967 starting on the NBC network until 1966, with the rest of the run on CBS, under the primary sponsorship of General Mills, for a run of 62 episodes. The show continued in syndication until 1973. // Underdog, Shoeshine Boy’s heroic alter ego, appears whenever love interest Sweet Polly Purebred is being victimized by such villains as Simon Bar Sinister or Riff Raff. Underdog nearly always speaks in rhyming couplets, as in “There’s no need to fear, Underdog is here!” His voice was supplied by Wally Cox. // The show is also remembered for its title song, “Underdog,” which was arranged and produced by Robert Weitz, with lyrics by Chester Stover, W. Watts Biggers, Treadwell Covington, and Joseph Harris. Several notable covers of the theme song have been made. The original song was sung by Robert Ragaini. He explained, “As a struggling singer in New York, I’d gotten a job singing a theme song for a newly proposed TV cartoon series named ‘Underdog.” I went to the studio, I think “O.D.O.” on West 54th Street, sang as part of the backup group (ah-ooo, ah-ooo), then quickly sang the theme song over the track and left. I remember how pleased I was that I’d taken that mouthful of words and made them understandable. Oh yes, they paid me 50 dollars. No contract – I wasn’t yet a member of SAG – and I was thrilled to get it. Until I heard it again, year after year. By then I’d become a successful jingle singer and I knew what I should have been making. When it came out as the music track of a Reebok commercial I filed a claim with the Screen Actors Guild, but of course I had no documentation. A friend did give me an Underdog T-shirt. I wore it once, but when a man I passed on West 14th Street started singing the song, I retired it.]

15. Wax Tailor – “Shining Underdog (feat. Boog Brown)”
    from: The Shadow of Their Suns / Lab’ Oratoire / January 8, 2021

16. Drab City – “Working For The Men”
    from: Good Songs For Bad People / Bella Union / June 12, 2020
    [A heady air of dislocation envelops Drab City’s debut album, where songs of innocence and experience merge with dub, hip-hop, dream-pop and jazzy soundtrack vibes to intoxicating effect. Drab City are fixated on social alienation, violent revenge, and (perhaps) romantic love as salvation; topics not new in music, but listening to Drab City in 2020, one is struck by how uncommon they’ve become. Lyrically, these songs often project punkish angst and resentment. “Working For the Men” is a degraded service worker’s revenge ballad, imagining male tormenters brought to a violent end. “Hand On My Pocket” tells of a destitute, wandering youth. One night she meets a stranger on a desert road, and is told of a nearby city where a soft, rich citizenry make easy targets. Class war is palpable. Other songs are more opaque, but seem to speak of being the black sheep of the family, or being weighed down by the dullness of hometown life. Yet the casual listener might not notice the violence as the music itself is far from abrasive. Dreamy and ethereal, a foundation of flute, vibraphone, and jazzy guitar chord melody can switch to drum machines or funk-inflected girl-group pop at a moment’s notice. It’s a flurry of 20th century references, combining and recombining at such a schizophrenic pace, the overall effect is something that could only be conjured in our frenzied present. At once catchy and unfamiliar, the melodic, welcoming soundscapes are a Trojan horse for the band’s antisocial outlook.]

17. Mongo Santamaria – “El Pussy Cat”
    from: El Pussy Cat / Columbia / 1965
    [16th album as a leader, of 43 albums from 1952 to 1998. // Ramón “Mongo” Santamaría Rodríguez (April 7, 1917 – February 1, 2003) was a Cuban percussionist and bandleader who spent most of his career in the United States. Primarily a conga drummer, Santamaría was a leading figure in the pachanga and boogaloo dance crazes of the 1960s. His biggest hit was his rendition of Herbie Hancock’s “Watermelon Man”, which was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. From the 1970s, he recorded mainly salsa and Latin jazz, before retiring in the late 1990s. // Mongo learned to play the congas as an amateur rumba musician in the streets of Havana. He then learned the bongos from Clemente “Chicho” Piquero and toured with various successful bands such as the Lecuona Cuban Boys and Sonora Matancera. In 1950, he moved to New York City, where he became Tito Puente’s conguero and in 1957 he joined Cal Tjader’s band. He then formed his own charanga, while at the same time recording some of the first rumba and Santería music albums. By the end of the decade, he had his first pachanga hit, “Para ti”. He then became a pioneer of boogaloo with “Watermelon Man” and later signed record deals with Columbia, Atlantic and Fania. He collaborated with salsa artists and became a member of the Fania All-Stars, often showcasing his conga solos against Ray Barretto. In his later years, Santamaría recorded mostly Latin jazz for Concord Jazz and Chesky Records. // Santamaría learned rumba as a kid in the streets of Havana’s Jesús María neighborhood. He reminisced: “In the neighborhood where I came from we had all kinds of music, mostly from Africa. We did not leave it alone; we changed it our way. The music we made dealt with religion and conversation. The drum was our tool and we used it for everything”. Gerard points out: “Santamaría, like other drummers of his generation, learned music in the streets by observing different drummers. When he started playing professionally, he learned on the job. His approach was utilitarian, not theoretical”. Santamaría was mentored on bongos and congas by Clemente “Chicho” Piquero, who played in Beny Moré’s band. He recalled: “I would go with Chicho and play the tumbadora and also the [quinto]. I would play everything because I learned a lot from Chicho—because he could play everything”. // Santamaría recorded some of the very first recorded folkloric rumbas. Because he recorded for mainstream jazz labels, his folkloric records were consist-ently available to the public. Santamaría’s albums tended to list the personnel and their instruments; so record buyers came to know other Cuban rumberos, such as Armando Peraza, Francisco Aguabella, Julito Collazo, Carlos Vidal Bolado, Modesto Duran and Pablo Mozo. The 10 inch 33 1/3 rpm phonorecord Afro-Cuban Drums by Santamaría was recorded in SMC’s New York City studios on November 3, 1952. Santamaría’s next recordings with folkloric rumba were on Changó (re-issued as Drums and Chants) recorded in New York (1954). Yambú (1958), Mongo (1959), and Bembé (1960) followed. // Santamaría did not analyze his personal style: “When I play I don’t know how I do it, or what I do … I just play”. The following example is an excerpt from a quinto performance by Santamaría on his composition “Mi guaguancó” (1959). The excerpt shows variations on two main motifs, marked as A and B. Santamaría’s repetition of what is typically a secondary phrase (B), makes it the primary motif here. // Santamaría began playing bongos with Septeto Beloña in 1937. In the 1940s he worked in the house band of the prestigious Tropicana nightclub. When Chicho could not go on the tour in Mexico in the late 1940s, he recommended Santamaría for the job. Mexico opened Santamaría up to the wider world beyond his island home. After returning from Mexico in 1950, Santamaría moved to New York City, where he became Tito Puente’s conga player. In 1957 Mongo Santamaría joined Cal Tjader’s Latin jazz combo. // In 1959 Santamaría recorded “Afro Blue,” the first jazz standard built upon a typical African 3:2 cross-rhythm, or hemiola. The song begins with the bass repeatedly playing 6 cross-beats per each measure of 12/8, or 6 cross-beats per 4 main beats—6:4 (two cells of 3:2). The following example shows the original ostinato “Afro Blue” bass line. The slashed noteheads indicate the main beats (not bass notes), where you would normally tap your foot to “keep time.” // In 1960 Santamaría went to Havana, Cuba with Willie Bobo to record two albums “Mongo In Havana” and “Bembe y Nuestro Hombre En La Habana.” After recording, he returned to New York City to form the charanga orquestra La Sabrosa. // In late 1962 Chick Corea had given notice and Santamaría needed a pianist to fill in for the upcoming weekend gigs. Herbie Hancock got the temporary job. Hancock recalls what happened the night that Santamaría discovered “Watermelon Man”, the only tune of Santamaría’s to reach the top of the pop charts: [Jazz trumpeter Donald Byrd] “came to this supper club to see how I was doing. Anyway, during one of the intermissions, Donald had a conversation with Mongo, something about, ‘What are the examples of the common thread between Afro-Cuban or Afro-Latin music and African-American jazz?’ Mongo said he hadn’t really heard a thing that really links it together, he was still searching for it. And I wasn’t paying much attention to that conversation, it was a little too heavy for me at the time. But then all of a sudden Donald Byrd says, ‘Herbie, what don’t you play ‘Watermelon Man’ for Mongo?’ And I’m thinking, ‘What does that have to do with the conversation they’re talking about?’ I thought it was a little funky jazz tune. So I started playing it, and then Mongo, he got up and he said, ‘Keep playing it!’ He went on the stage, and playing his congas, and it fit like a glove fits on a hand, it just fit perfectly. The bass player looked at my left hand for the bass line, and he learned that. Little by little, the audience was getting up from their tables, and they all got on the dance floor. Pretty soon the dance floor was filled with people, laughing and shrieking, and was having a great time, and they were saying, ‘This is a hit! This is fantastic!’ It was like a movie! So after that, Mongo said ‘Can I record this?’ I said ‘By all means.’ And he recorded it, and it became a big hit. That’s how it happened. The sudden success of the song (which Mongo Santamaria recorded on December 17, 1962) propelled Santamaría into his niche of blending Afro-Cuban and African American music. Santamaría went on to record Cuban-flavored versions of popular music R&B and Motown songs. // On February 1, 2003 Santamaria died in Miami, Florida, after suffering a stroke, at the age of 85. He is buried in Woodlawn Park Cemetery and Mausoleum (now Caballero Rivero Woodlawn Park North Cemetery and Mausoleum) in Miami, Florida.]

18. The Cure – “The Lovecats”
    from: Acoustic Hits / Fiction Records / April 22, 2017
    [Originally released on CD in 2001 through the “Greatest Hits” compilation as bonus disc of the 2xCD limited edition. Recorded 13th August 13, 2001 at Olympic Studios, London. Released on double album vinyl LP, by Fiction Records in 2017 // The Love Cats” (sometimes rendered as “The Lovecats”) is a song by English rock band The Cure, released as a stand-alone single in October 1983. It was the band’s first Top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at number 7. It also reached number 6 on the Australian chart in early 1984. The single later appeared on the compilation album Japanese Whispers, released in December 1983. // At the time the song was written, Robert Smith was very interested in the work of Australian author Patrick White. According to a number of his fans, Smith was inspired to write “The Love Cats” after reading White’s novel The Vivisector (1970), although this claim is difficult to verify. In the novel, the protagonist, Hurtle, is appalled when his lover’s husband drowns a sack of stray cats. White draws a parallel between the way in which the cats are discarded, and the treatment of certain characters in the book; by extension, the cats symbolize the most innocent and vulnerable members of society, and the casual cruelty with which they sometimes meet their fate // The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex, in 1978. The band members have changed several times, and guitarist, lead vocalist, and songwriter Robert Smith is the only constant member. The band’s debut album was Three Imaginary Boys (1979) and this, along with several early singles, placed the band in the post-punk and new wave movements that had sprung up in the United Kingdom. Beginning with their second album, Seventeen Seconds (1980), the band adopted a new, increasingly dark and tormented style, which, together with Smith’s stage look, had a strong influence on the emerging genre of gothic rock as well as the subculture that eventually formed around the genre. // Following the release of their fourth album Pornography in 1982, the band’s future was uncertain. Smith was keen to move past the gloomy reputation his band had acquired, introducing a greater pop sensibility into the band’s music. Songs such as “Let’s Go to Bed” (1982), “The Love Cats” (1983), “In between Days” (1985), “Close To Me” (1985), “Just Like Heaven” (1987), “Lovesong” (1989), and “Friday I’m in Love” (1992) aided the band in receiving commercial popularity. The band have released 13 studio albums, two EPs, over 30 singles, and have sold over 30 million albums worldwide. // The Cure were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.]

19. Yusuf/Cat Stevens – “Longer Boats”
    from: Tea For The Tillerman 2 / Cat-O-Log Records – A&M / September 18, 2020
    [Tea for the Tillerman 2 (stylised as Tea for the Tillerman²) is the sixteenth studio album by singer-songwriter Yusuf / Cat Stevens, released on 18 September 2020. It is a re-imagining of his hit 1970 album Tea for the Tillerman. // Yusuf Islam (born Steven Demetre Georgiou; 21 July 1948), commonly known by his stage names Cat Stevens, Yusuf, and Yusuf / Cat Stevens, is a British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. His musical style consists of folk, pop, rock, and, in his later career, Islamic music, before returning to secular music in 2006. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. // His 1967 debut album and its title song “Matthew and Son” both reached top ten in the UK charts. Stevens’ albums Tea for the Tillerman (1970) and Teaser and the Firecat (1971) were certified triple platinum in the US. His 1972 album Catch Bull at Four spent weeks at the top of several major charts. He earned ASCAP songwriting awards in 2005 and 2006 for “The First Cut Is the Deepest”, and the song has been a hit for four artists. His other hit songs include “Father and Son”, “Wild World”, “Moonshadow”, “Peace Train”, and “Morning Has Broken”. // In December 1977, Stevens converted to Islam and adopted the name Yusuf Islam the following year. In 1979, he auctioned all of his guitars for charity. He has since bought back at least one of these guitars as a result of the efforts of his son Yoriyos, and left his musical career to devote himself to educational and philanthropic causes in the Muslim community. He was embroiled in a long-running controversy regarding comments he made in 1989 about the death fatwa on author Salman Rushdie. His current stance is that he never supported the fatwa: “I was cleverly framed by certain questions. I never supported the fatwa.” He has received two honorary doctorates and awards for promoting peace as well as other humanitarian awards. // In 2006, he returned to pop music – releasing his first new studio album of new pop songs in 28 years, entitled An Other Cup. With that release and subsequent ones, he dropped the surname “Islam” from the album cover art – using the stage name Yusuf as a mononym. In 2009, he released the album Roadsinger and, in 2014, he released the album Tell ‘Em I’m Gone and began his first US tour since 1978. His second North American tour since his resurgence, featuring 12 shows in intimate venues, ran from 12 September to 7 October 2016. In 2017, he released the album The Laughing Apple, now using the stage name Yusuf / Cat Stevens, using the Cat Stevens name for the first time in 39 years. In September 2020, he released Tea for the Tillerman 2, a reimagining of his classic album Tea for the Tillerman to celebrate its 50th anniversary. More info at: http://www.catstevens.com]

11:02 – Station ID

20. Gabriels – “In Loving Memory”
    from: Love and Hate in a Different Time – EP / Gabriels / December 4, 2020
    [Gabriels is an LA based group consisting of lead singer Jacob Lusk and producers Ari Balouzian and Ryan Hope. Love and Hate in a Different Time is about how we appear to be losing the ability to peacefully be together in a space and express ourselves. Together. We have always endured agendas of hate, hardship and war but we have in someway always found a way to be together and put aside our differences. However in recent times with the development of the technology/disinformation it appears this is tested. // The video is a history of the complex relationship between the film camera and people dancing together. How we used to be able to get through things in the worst of times and has this development of technology been a good thing? Has it in fact caused us to lose this sensibility of being able to put differences to the side and just be together peacefully? // The effort we would go to connect with each other / compared to now the super fast throw away instant feel these moments have become. More info at: http://www.gabriels.bandcamp.com]

21. Gil Scott-Heron & Makaya McCraven – “Running”
    from: We’re New Again: A Reimagining by Makaya McCraven / XL Recordings / 2020
    [Gilbert Scott-Heron (April 1, 1949 – May 27, 2011) was an American soul and jazz poet, musician, and author, known primarily for his work as a spoken-word performer in the 1970s and 1980s. His collaborative efforts with musician Brian Jackson featured a musical fusion of jazz, blues, and soul, as well as lyrical content concerning social and political issues of the time, delivered in both rapping and melismatic vocal styles by Scott-Heron. His own term for himself was “bluesologist”, which he defined as “a scientist who is concerned with the origin of the blues.” He is considered by many to be the first rapper ever. // His music, most notably on the albums Pieces of a Man and Winter in America in the early 1970s, influenced and foreshadowed later African-American music genres such as hip hop and neo soul. His recording work received much critical acclaim, especially for “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”. AllMusic’s John Bush called him “one of the most important progenitors of rap music,” stating that “his aggressive, no-nonsense street poetry inspired a legion of intelligent rappers while his engaging songwriting skills placed him square in the R&B charts later in his career.” // Scott-Heron remained active until his death, and in 2010 released his first new album in 16 years, entitled I’m New Here. A memoir he had been working on for years up to the time of his death, The Last Holiday, was published posthumously in January 2012. Scott-Heron received a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. He also is included in the exhibits at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) that officially opened on September 24, 2016, on the National Mall, and in an NMAAHC publication, Dream a World Anew. // Gil Scott-Heron was born in Chicago, Illinois. His mother, Bobbie Scott, was an opera singer who performed with the Oratorio Society of New York. Scott-Heron’s father, Gil Heron, nicknamed “The Black Arrow”, was a Jamaican soccer player who in the 1950s became the first black man to play for Celtic Football Club in Glasgow, Scotland. Gil’s parents separated in his early childhood and he was sent to live with his maternal grandmother, Lillie Scott, in Jackson, Tennessee. When Scott-Heron was 12 years old, his grandmother died and he returned to live with his mother in The Bronx in New York City. He enrolled at DeWitt Clinton High School, but later transferred to The Fieldston School[9] after impressing the head of the English department with one of his writings and earning a full scholarship. As one of five black students at the prestigious school, Scott-Heron was faced with alienation and a significant socioeconomic gap. During his admissions interview at Fieldston, an administrator asked him, “‘How would you feel if you see one of your classmates go by in a limousine while you’re walking up the hill from the subway?’ And [he] said, ‘Same way as you. Y’all can’t afford no limousine. How do you feel?'” This type of intractable boldness would become a hallmark of Scott-Heron’s later recordings. // After completing his secondary education, Scott-Heron decided to attend Lincoln University in Pennsylvania because Langston Hughes (his most important literary influence) was an alumnus. It was here that Scott-Heron met Brian Jackson, with whom he formed the band Black & Blues. After about two years at Lincoln, Scott-Heron took a year off to write the novels The Vulture and The Nigger Factory. Scott-Heron was very heavily influenced by the Black Arts Movement. The Last Poets, a group associated with the Black Arts Movement performed at Lincoln in 1969 and Abiodun Oyewole of that Harlem group said Scott-Heron asked him after the performance, “Listen, can I start a group like you guys?” Scott-Heron returned to New York City, settling in Chelsea, Manhattan. The Vulture was published by the World Publishing Company in 1970 to positive reviews. // Although Scott-Heron never completed his undergraduate degree, he was admitted to the Writing Seminars at Johns Hopkins University, where he received an M.A. in creative writing in 1972. His master’s thesis was titled Circle of Stone. Beginning in 1972, Scott-Heron taught literature and creative writing for several years as a full-time lecturer at University of the District of Columbia (then known as Federal City College) in Washington, D.C. while maintaining his music career. // Scott-Heron began his recording career with the LP Small Talk at 125th and Lenox in 1970. Bob Thiele of Flying Dutchman Records produced the album, and Scott-Heron was accompanied by Eddie Knowles and Charlie Saunders on conga and David Barnes on percussion and vocals. The album’s 14 tracks dealt with themes such as the superficiality of television and mass consumerism, the hypocrisy of some would-be black revolutionaries, and white middle-class ignorance of the difficulties faced by inner-city residents. In the liner notes, Scott-Heron acknowledged as influences Richie Havens, John Coltrane, Otis Redding, Jose Feliciano, Billie Holiday, Langston Hughes, Malcolm X, Huey Newton, Nina Simone, and long-time collaborator Brian Jackson. // Scott-Heron’s 1971 album Pieces of a Man used more conventional song structures than the loose, spoken-word feel of Small Talk. He was joined by Jackson, Johnny Pate as conductor, Ron Carter on bass and bass guitar, drummer Bernard “Pretty” Purdie, Burt Jones playing electric guitar, and Hubert Laws on flute and saxophone, with Thiele producing again. Scott-Heron’s third album, Free Will, was released in 1972. Jackson, Purdie, Laws, Knowles, and Saunders all returned to play on Free Will and were joined by Jerry Jemmott playing bass, David Spinozza on guitar, and Horace Ott (arranger and conductor). Carter later said about Scott-Heron’s voice: “He wasn’t a great singer, but, with that voice, if he had whispered it would have been dynamic. It was a voice like you would have for Shakespeare.”// 1974 saw another LP collaboration with Brian Jackson, the critically acclaimed opus Winter in America, with Bob Adams on drums and Danny Bowens on bass. The album contained Scott-Heron’s most cohesive material and featured more of Jackson’s creative input than his previous albums had. Winter in America has been regarded by many critics as the two musicians’ most artistic effort. The following year, Scott-Heron and Jackson released Midnight Band: The First Minute of a New Day. 1975 saw the release of the single “Johannesburg”, a rallying cry to the issue of apartheid in South Africa. The song would be re-issued, in 12″-single form, together with “Waiting for the Axe to Fall” and “B-movie” in 1983. // A live album, It’s Your World, followed in 1976 and a recording of spoken poetry, The Mind of Gil Scott-Heron, was released in 1978. Another success followed with the hit single “Angel Dust”, which he recorded as a single with producer Malcolm Cecil. “Angel Dust” peaked at No. 15 on the R&B charts in 1978. // In 1979, Scott-Heron played at the No Nukes concerts at Madison Square Garden. The concerts were organized by Musicians United for Safe Energy to protest the use of nuclear energy following the Three Mile Island accident. Scott-Heron’s song “We Almost Lost Detroit” was included in the No Nukes album of concert highlights. It alluded to a previous nuclear power plant accident and was also the title of a book by John G. Fuller. Scott-Heron was a frequent critic of President Ronald Reagan and his conservative policies. // Scott-Heron recorded and released four albums during the 1980s: 1980 and Real Eyes (1980), Reflections (1981) and Moving Target (1982). In February 1982, Ron Holloway joined the ensemble to play tenor saxophone. He toured extensively with Scott-Heron and contributed to his next album, Moving Target the same year. His tenor accompaniment is a prominent feature of the songs “Fast Lane” and “Black History/The World”. Holloway continued with Scott-Heron until the summer of 1989, when he left to join Dizzy Gillespie. Several years later, Scott-Heron would make cameo appearances on two of Ron Holloway’s CDs: Scorcher (1996) and Groove Update (1998), both on the Fantasy/Milestone label. // Scott-Heron was dropped by Arista Records in 1985 and quit recording, though he continued to tour. The same year he helped compose and sang “Let Me See Your I.D.” on the Artists United Against Apartheid album Sun City, containing the famous line: “The first time I heard there was trouble in the Middle East, I thought they were talking about Pittsburgh.” The song compares racial tensions in the U.S. with those in apartheid-era South Africa, implying that the U.S. was not too far ahead in race relations. In 1993, he signed to TVT Records and released Spirits, an album that included the seminal track “‘Message to the Messengers”. The first track on the album criticized the rap artists of the day. Scott-Heron is known in many circles as “the Godfather of rap” and is widely considered to be one of the genre’s founding fathers. Given the political consciousness that lies at the foundation of his work, he can also be called a founder of political rap. Message to the Messengers was a plea for the new generation of rappers to speak for change rather than perpetuate the current social situation, and to be more articulate and artistic. Regarding hip hop music in the 1990s, he said in an interview: They need to study music. I played in several bands before I began my career as a poet. There’s a big difference between putting words over some music, and blending those same words into the music. There’s not a lot of humor. They use a lot of slang and colloquialisms, and you don’t really see inside the person. Instead, you just get a lot of posturing.— Gil Scott-Heron // In 2001, Scott-Heron was sentenced to one to three years imprisonment in a New York State prison fo possession of cocaine. While out of jail in 2002, he appeared on the Blazing Arrow album by Blackalicious.He was released on parole in 2003, the year BBC TV broadcast the documentary Gil Scott-Heron: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised—Scott-Heron was arrested for possession of a crack pipe during the editing of the film in October 2003 and received a six-month prison sentence. // On July 5, 2006, Scott-Heron was sentenced to two to four years in a New York State prison for violating a plea deal on a drug-possession charge by leaving a drug rehabilitation center. He claimed that he left because the clinic refused to supply him with HIV medication. This story led to the presumption that the artist was HIV positive, subsequently confirmed in a 2008 interview. Originally sentenced to serve until July 13, 2009, he was paroled on May 23, 2007. // After his release, Scott-Heron began performing live again, starting with a show at SOB’s restaurant and nightclub in New York on September 13, 2007. On stage, he stated that he and his musicians were working on a new album and that he had resumed writing a book titled The Last Holiday, previously on long-term hiatus, about Stevie Wonder and his successful attempt to have the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. declared a federally recognized holiday in the United States. // Malik Al Nasir dedicated a collection of poetry to Scott-Heron titled Ordinary Guy that contained a foreword by Jalal Mansur Nuriddin of The Last Poets. Scott-Heron recorded one of the poems in Nasir’s book entitled Black & Blue in 2006. // In April 2009, on BBC Radio 4, poet Lemn Sissay presented a half-hour documentary on Gil Scott-Heron entitled Pieces of a Man, having interviewed Gil Scott-Heron in New York a month earlier. Pieces of a Man was the first UK announcement from Scott-Heron of his forthcoming album and return to form. In November 2009, the BBC’s Newsnight interviewed Scott-Heron for a feature titled The Legendary Godfather of Rap Returns. In 2009, a new Gil Scott-Heron website, gilscottheron.net, was launched with a new track “Where Did the Night Go” made available as a free download from the site. // In 2010, Scott-Heron was booked to perform in Tel Aviv, Israel, but this attracted criticism from pro-Palestinian activists, who stated: “Your performance in Israel would be the equivalent to having performed in Sun City during South Africa’s apartheid era… We hope that you will not play apartheid Israel”. Scott-Heron responded by canceling the performance. // Scott-Heron released his album I’m New Here on independent label XL Recordings on February 9, 2010. Produced by XL label owner Richard Russell, I’m New Here was Scott-Heron’s first studio album in 16 years. The pair started recording the album in 2007, with the majority of the record being recorded over the 12 months leading up to the release date with engineer Lawson White at Clinton Studios in New York. I’m New Here is 28 minutes long with 15 tracks; however, casual asides and observations collected during recording sessions are included as interludes. // The album attracted critical acclaim, with The Guardian’s Jude Rogers declaring it one of the “best of the next decade”, while some have called the record “reverent” and “intimate”, due to Scott-Heron’s half-sung, half-spoken delivery of his poetry. In a music review for public radio network NPR, Will Hermes stated: “Comeback records always worry me, especially when they’re made by one of my heroes … But I was haunted by this record … He’s made a record not without hope but which doesn’t come with any easy or comforting answers. In that way, the man is clearly still committed to speaking the truth”. Writing for music website Music OMH, Darren Lee provided a more mixed assessment of the album, describing it as rewarding and stunning, but he also states that the album’s brevity prevents it “from being an unassailable masterpiece”. // Scott-Heron described himself as a mere participant in an interview with The New Yorker: This is Richard’s CD. My only knowledge when I got to the studio was how he seemed to have wanted this for a long time. You’re in a position to have somebody do something that they really want to do, and it was not something that would hurt me or damage me—why not? All the dreams you show up in are not your own. // The remix version of the album, We’re New Here, was released in 2011, featuring production by English musician Jamie xx, who reworked material from the original album. Like the original album, We’re New Here received critical acclaim. // In April 2014, XL Recordings announced a third album from the I’m New Here sessions, titled Nothing New. The album consists of stripped-down piano and vocal recordings and was released in conjunction with Record Store Day on April 19, 2014. // “Gil Scott-Heron released poems as songs, recorded songs that were based on his earliest poems and writings, wrote novels and became a hero to many for his music, activism and his anger. There is always the anger – an often beautiful, passionate anger. An often awkward anger. A very soulful anger. And often it is a very sad anger. But it is the pervasive mood, theme and feeling within his work – and around his work, hovering, piercing, occasionally weighing down; often lifting the work up, helping to place it in your face. And for all the preaching and warning signs in his work, the last two decades of Gil Scott-Heron’s life to date have seen him succumb to the pressures and demons he has so often warned others about.” – Fairfax New Zealand, February 2010 // Scott-Heron died on the afternoon of May 27, 2011, at St. Luke’s Hospital, New York City, after becoming ill upon returning from a European trip. Scott-Heron had confirmed previous press speculation about his health, when he disclosed in a 2008 New York Magazine interview that he had been HIV-positive for several years, and that he had been previously hospitalized for pneumonia. // He was survived by his firstborn daughter, Raquiyah “Nia” Kelly Heron, from his relationship with Pat Kelly; his son Rumal Rackley, from his relationship with Lurma Rackley; daughter Gia Scott-Heron, from his marriage to Brenda Sykes; and daughter Chegianna Newton, who was 13 years old at the time of her father’s death. He is also survived by his sister Gayle; brother Denis Heron, who once managed Scott-Heron; his uncle, Roy Heron; and nephew Terrance Kelly, an actor and rapper who performs as Mr. Cheeks, and who was a member of Lost Boyz. Before his death, Scott-Heron had been in talks with Portuguese director Pedro Costa to participate in his film Horse Money as a screenwriter, composer and actor. // After Scott-Heron’s death, Malik Al Nasir told The Guardian’s Simon Hattenstone of the kindness that Scott-Heron had showed him throughout his adult life since meeting the poet backstage at a gig in Liverpool in 1984. The BBC World Service covered the story on their Outlook program with Matthew Bannister, which took the story global. It was subsequently covered in other media such as BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live, where jazz musician Al Jarreau paid tribute to Gil, and was mentioned the U.S. edition of Rolling Stone and The Huffington Post. Malik & the O.G’s performed a tribute to Scott-Heron at the Liverpool International Music Festival in 2013 with jazz composer Orphy Robinson of The Jazz Warriors and Rod Youngs from Gil’s band The Amnesia Express. Another tribute was performed at St. Georges Hall in Liverpool on August 27, 2015, called “The Revolution will be Live!”, curated by Malik Al Nasir and Richard McGinnis for Yesternight Productions. The event featured Talib Kweli, Aswad, The Christians, Malik & the O.G’s, Sophia Ben-Yousef and Cleveland Watkiss as well as DJ 2Kind and poet, actor, and radio DJ Craig Charles. The tribute was the opening event for 2015 Liverpool International Music Festival. // In response to Scott-Heron’s death, Public Enemy’s Chuck D stated “RIP GSH…and we do what we do and how we do because of you” on his Twitter account. His UK publisher, Jamie Byng, called him “one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met”. On hearing of the death, R&B singer Usher stated: “I just learned of the loss of a very important poet…R.I.P., Gil Scott-Heron. The revolution will be live!!”. Richard Russell, who produced Scott-Heron’s final studio album, called him a “father figure of sorts to me”, while Eminem stated: “He influenced all of hip-hop”. Lupe Fiasco wrote a poem about Scott-Heron that was published on his website. // Scott-Heron’s memorial service was held at Riverside Church in New York City on June 2, 2011, where Kanye West performed “Lost in the World” and “Who Will Survive in America”, two songs from West’s album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. The studio album version of West’s “Who Will Survive in America” features a spoken-word excerpt by Scott-Heron. Scott-Heron is buried at Kensico Cemetery in Westchester County in New York. // Scott-Heron was honored posthumously in 2012 by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Charlotte Fox, member of the Washington, DC NARAS and president of Genesis Poets Music, nominated Scott-Heron for the award, while the letter of support came from Grammy award winner and Grammy Hall of Fame inductee Bill Withers. // Scott-Heron’s memoir, The Last Holiday, was published in January 2012. In her review for the Los Angeles Times, professor of English and journalism Lynell George wrote: The Last Holiday is as much about his life as it is about context, the theater of late 20th century America — from Jim Crow to the Reagan ’80s and from Beale Street to 57th Street. The narrative is not, however, a rise-and-fall retelling of Scott-Heron’s life and career. It doesn’t connect all the dots. It moves off-the-beat, at its own speed … This approach to revelation lends the book an episodic quality, like oral storytelling does. It winds around, it repeats itself.]

22. Sault – “Don’t Shoot Guns Down”
    from: Untitled (Black Is) / Forever Living Originals / June 19, 2020
    [Third studio album from British rhythm and blues musical group. Originally released for free as a digital download and proceeds from subsequent sales went to charity. The album has been met with positive critical reception. // The editorial staff of AllMusic gave this album four out of five stars, with reviewer Andy Kellman calling it “an urgent outpouring of grief, anger, affirmation, and consolation, virtually anything seems possible for their future”. Marcus J. Moore of NPR notes that the album’s lyrics explore the entirety of the black experience, including anger at the killing of African-Americans by the police to sorrow at mourning and the intimacy of daily life. Gordon Rutherford of Louder Than War gave this five out of five bombs, calling it a “zeitgeist” and the album of the year made of “powerful, potent protest album that is musically magnificent”. Tom Doyle of Mojo scored Untitled (Black Is) four out of five stars, calling it “another masterwork from a group with no peers”. In Q, Steve Yates gave the album four out of five stars, summing it up as “beautiful and potent stuff”. Lizzie Manno of Paste declared it an “album-of-the-year contender” and “a revolutionary soundtrack to 2020”. Salem Collo-Julin of Chicago Reader echoed these sentiments, calling this album the “soundtrack for the 2020 revolution” because the “revelatory jazz-soaked soul music on Untitled is a call to action”. Writing for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Dan DeLuca gave the release 3.5 out of four stars, calling it “a seductive listen” whose powerful lyrics timed with a Juneteenth release and roots in several black genres of music “raise… a fist against oppression and celebrates collective strength”. BBC 6 Music named this album as their number one recommended album of 2020. // Sault are a pseudonymous British music collective that make a mixture of rhythm and blues, house and disco. Despite critical acclaim, they eschew interaction with the media. // They frequently foreground black-centric issues. // Their first four albums credit Inflo as producer; winner of Ivor Novello awards for his work on Little Simz’ Grey Area and as co-writer of Michael Kiwanuka’s “Black Man in a White World”. More info at: http://www.sault.global]

23. Sault – “Little Boy”
    from: Untitled (Rise) / Forever Living Originals / September 19, 2020
    [Untitled (Rise) is the fourth studio album from British rhythm and blues musical group Sault. The album has been met with positive critical reception.// Untitled (Rise) was met with universal acclaim reviews from critics noted at review aggregator Metacritic. This release received a weighted average score of 93 out of 100, based on six reviews. Alexis Petridis of The Guardian gave the album five out of five stars, saying that Sault had released the best album of the year again, following Untitled (Black Is) and points out the exceptional musicianship, writing that the album “hardly yields highlights because the quality never wavers: whoever’s involved, it feels like they’ve been galvanised to the top of their game”. Jem Aswad of Variety accentuates how timely the work is, with the worldwide response to the George Floyd protests and struggles of black peoples in the United States and United Kingdom, writing, “Sault seduces listeners, drawing them in with beautiful sounds, and then hits them with uncompromisingly direct lyrics and messages that startle them into thinking about things they might not normally think about… [their music] is definitively 2020, by, for and about these times”. In Clash, Robin Murray gave this album nine out of 10, also noting how the lyrics discuss contemporaneous issues, noting the diverse musical influences, from Brazilian rhythm to 1980s “boogie shimmer”. Jeremy Monroe of Beats Per Minute scored this 81 out of 100, calling listening to Untitled (Rise) a “thrilling experience” with a spiritual dimension. Gordon Rutherford of Louder Than War gave this 4.5 out of five bombs, calling it a “another stab at winning the award for album of the year”, following Untitled (Black Is). Reviewing the album for AllMusic, Andy Kellman felt that it was Sault’s “most striking and affecting work yet.” // Sault are a pseudonymous British music collective that make a mixture of rhythm and blues, house and disco. Despite critical acclaim, they eschew interaction with the media. They frequently foreground black-centric issues. Their first four albums credit Inflo as producer; winner of Ivor Novello awards for his work on Little Simz’ Grey Area and as co-writer of Michael Kiwanuka’s “Black Man in a White World”.]

24. Midnight Sister – “Sirens”
    from: Painting the Roses / Jagjaguwar / January 15, 2021
    [Midnight Sister is a band from Los Angeles, California. The duo of multi-disciplinary Los Angeles artists Juliana Giraffe and Ari Balouzian revive their oddish pop institute with a gorgeous 70s silver screen waltz. More info at: http://www.facebook.com/midnightsistermusic%5D

25. DUO – “Lolita, No!”
    from: Duo / LiTA- AWAL Recordings / December 18, 2020
    [Duo is composer & lyricist: Luke Pritchard and composer & lyricist: Ellie Rose. more info at: http://www.facebook.com/weareduomusic%5D

26. La Femme – “Disconnexion”
    from: Paradigmes / Born Bad Records – Disque Pointu / April 2, 2021
    Romainville France based. Paradigmes is the 3rd album of La Femme. It features 15 tracks including Paradigme, Cool Colorado, and signs the return of the band, four years after Mystère. // La femme was born during the X years in Biarritz, when Sasha and Marlon started composing on their guitars music they recorded on Garage Band. Together they ride surfboards, pianos and synthetiseur as they gave a try to various styles, from 60s yéyé French pop to Californian surf music. Marlon moved to Paris, and there he met Sam, who played bass. Together they formed SOS Mademoiselle along with Olivier Peynot, and played vintage French rock, as Sasha was practising his scales in reverb feed surf band « Les redoutables! // After getting his grade, Sasha joined his friends in Paris, where they discovered French cold wave and synth pop, Marie & Les Garcons being one of their favourite. They polished a style that could be described as one of these following : Surf wave, Bizarre wave, strange wave, weird witch wave, silly mental wave or Psycho tropical Berlin ». In fact anything you want as long as it ends with « wave ». And the boys created LA FEMME. // La Femme has no frontier, neither in her style nor in her voice. She’s always on a quest for new sounds, images and sensations. // Joined in 2010 by drummer Noé and female singer Clémence, La femme formed its first live roster in few days after French rider and artist Pandora Decoster asks them to play on stage for a big surf contest in Biarritz. From her hazy and changing background, La femme takes shape and release that same year its first anthem « Sur la Planche », a song that was made to be hummed and whistled while ridding a board. // La femme uncovers, boys, girls, plenty of option, a bit of mystery, loads of energy. // Later she released her second EP, Paris 2012. In the music video she produced for this song, she blows down the effeil tower as a symbol, it’s time to go ans see something else. // After swilling Paris bars, La femme goes for a tour in USA, en mode journey, and come back in France with improved reputation where they play for various festival. Soon joined by fancy rhythm drummer Nunez Ritter Von Merguez aka « La Sauterelle » and gorgeous singer Clara Luciani, La femme takes for a ride around Europe : from beyond the grave to Berlin, by London, Bruxelles and Roubaix. // Cryptic and Mysterious, La femme is in perpetual motion and the band, based around full time and up-to-date boys (Sasha, Marlon, Sam), invites over the course of its wish and needs in studio a whole cast of female singer : Clémence, Clara, Marilu, Jeanne… // Sooner this year, La femme released a self titled EP, that went by along with a 11 minutes long psychedelic music video, an epic and baroque short film for tracks « La femme, Hypsoline », preceding the release of her first album in April. // La femme was born during the X years in Biarritz, when Sasha and Marlon started composing on their guitars music they recorded on Garage Band. Together they ride surfboards, pianos and synthetiseur as they gave a try to various styles, from 60s yéyé French pop to Californian surf music. Marlon moved to Paris, and there he met Sam, who played bass. Together they formed SOS Mademoiselle along with Olivier Peynot, and played vintage French rock, as Sasha was practising his scales in reverb feed surf band « Les redoutables! » // After getting his grade, Sasha joined his friends in Paris, where they discovered French cold wave and synth pop, Marie & Les Garcons being one of their favourite. They polished a style that could be described as one of these following : Surf wave, Bizarre wave, strange wave, weird witch wave, silly mental wave or Psycho tropical Berlin ». In fact anything you want as long as it ends with « wave ». // La Femme has no frontier, neither in her style nor in her voice. She’s always on a quest for new sounds, images and sensations. // Joined in 2010 by drummer Noé and female singer Clémence, La femme formed its first live roster in few days after French rider and artist Pandora Decoster asks them to play on stage for a big surf contest in Biarritz. From her hazy and changing background, La femme takes shape and release that same year its first anthem « Sur la Planche », a song that was made to be hummed and whistled while ridding a board. // Later she released her second EP, Paris 2012. In the music video she produced for this song, she blows down the effeil tower as a symbol, it’s time to go ans see something else. // After swilling Paris bars, La femme goes for a tour in USA, en mode journey, and come back in France with improved reputation where they play for various festival. Soon joined by fancy rhythm drummer Nunez Ritter Von Merguez aka « La Sauterelle » and gorgeous singer Clara Luciani, La femme takes for a ride around Europe : from beyond the grave to Berlin, by London, Bruxelles and Roubaix. // Cryptic and Mysterious, La femme is in perpetual motion and the band, based around full time and up-to-date boys (Sasha, Marlon, Sam), invites over the course of its wish and needs in studio a whole cast of female singer : Clémence, Clara, Marilu, Jeanne… // Sooner this year, La femme released a self titled EP, that went by along with a 11 minutes long psychedelic music video, an epic and baroque short film for tracks « La femme, Hypsoline », preceding the release of her first album in April : « Psycho Tropical Berlin »: // It’s the story of a couple who slipped chaos and survives by watching each other. Le Danger est partout – Peril is all around as written in the booklet. // Rock and pop, rococo bahaus, fed from multiples influences (Krafwerk, Elli & Jacno) La Femme just want to please you. Generous and welcoming, she stretches you her white hand in the dark, if you grasp it, it could be the shiver of you life.It’s the story of a couple who slipped chaos and survives by watching each other. Le Danger est partout – Peril is all around as written in the booklet. // Rock and pop, rococo bahaus, fed from multiples influences (Krafwerk, Elli & Jacno) La Femme just want to please you. Generous and welcoming, she stretches you her white hand in the dark, if you grasp it, it could be the shiver of you life.

11:28 – Underwriting

27. Katy Guillen & The Drive – “No Control”
    from: Dream Girl EP / Katy Guillen / March 20, 2020
    [7-song EP from Katy Guillen & The Drive, the latest project dedicated to Guillen’s songwriting that is founded on the creative spark and chemistry between Katy Guillen & Stephanie Williams. With Guillen on guitar & vocals and Williams on drums, the two sculpt a sound that recalls bands like Led Zeppelin, The Bangles, and Band of Skulls. In 2012, Guillen & Williams formed Katy Guillen and The Girls, and began to build a foundation of touring and recording that carried them through six years and produced three full-length albums: Katy Guillen & the Girls, Heavy Days, and Remember What You Knew Before. Between 2012 and 2018, they traveled the United States extensively, performed at the International Montreal Jazz Festival, toured Sweden, and supported major acts like The Doobie Brothers, Robin Trower, and Heartless Bastards. In these 6 years playing together, Guillen & Williams created a dynamic, sound informed by Guillen’s mesmerizing, emotive guitar style and poignant arrangements, and an equally captivating live show that showcased Williams’ technical, melodic style, resulting in a powerful on-stage chemistry. In addition to the compelling synergy formed by years of playing together, the two developed a method of working together on Guillen’s songs that only deepened their artistic connection, propelling them to forge a path to a new plateau in their music. KG & The Drive push ahead with a melodic, heavy, and soulful sound while maintaining the edge of the artist’s rock ‘n’ roll and blues roots. Katy Guillen joined us on WMM on March 18, 2020.]

11:33 – Interview with Katy Guillen

We are now joined by Katy Guillen of the band Katy Guillen and The Drive, that featuring the creative spark and chemistry between Katy Guillen on guitar & vocals, and Stephanie Williams on drums. Since 2012 the band have sculpted a sound that recalls bands like Led Zeppelin, The Bangles, and Band of Skulls. Katy Guillen and Stephanie Williams are also principle players in the Kansas City Band That Fell to Earth playing annual tribute shows to David Bowie with an all- star area band including their frequent collaborator and friend Michelle Bacon who produces these annual shows. Last year the bnd released the 7-song EP Dream Girl on March 20, 2020 just as the COVID 19 Pandemic Quarantine started, and halted all touring and live music venues. Katy Guillen join us to share all of the details about the big LIVESTREAM Concert this Saturday, March 27, at 8:00 PM live from recordBar’s stage. The concert will feature multiple cameras by XO Blackwater and full live production and sound from Paul Malinowski of Massive Sound Studios.

Katy Guillen thanks or being with us on WMM

Go to http://www.therecordbar.com for tickets to Katy Guillen and The Girls LIVESTREAM Concert this Saturday, March 27, at 8:00 PM live from recordBar’s stage.

In 2012, Guillen & Williams formed Katy Guillen and The Girls, and began to build a foundation of touring and recording that carried them through six years and produced three full-length albums. Between 2012 and 2018, they traveled the United States extensively, performed at the International Montreal Jazz Festival, toured Sweden, and supported major acts like The Doobie Brothers, Robin Trower, and Heartless Bastards.

KG & The Drive push ahead with a melodic, heavy, and soulful sound while maintaining the edge of Katy Guillen’s rock ‘n’ roll and blues roots. Guillen calls their genre-bending style “indie soul-rock.”

Katy Guillen – Discography

Katy Guillen and The Drive – Dream Girl EP

Katy Guillen & The Girls – Four Walls EP

Katy Guillen & The Girls – Remember What You Knew Before (2018)

Katy Guillen & The Girls – Heavy Days (2016)

Katy Guillen & The Girls – Self-Titled (2014)

(Katy & Go-Go – When I Get Away) (2013)

In early January 2020 we saw the 4th annual The Band That Fell to Earth Tribute shows at recordBar. Katy Guillen and Stephanie Williams are also principle players in the Kansas City Band That Fell to Earth playing annual tribute shows to David Bowie with an all- star area band including their frequent collaborator and friend Michelle bacon who produces these annual shows.

In early January Katy Guillen & The Drive recently played Feb 14 in St Petersburg, FL; Frb. 14, Tampa, FL Feb. 15; Goodland, FL Feb. 16; Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea VI. February 18 – 22 .

We last interviewed Katy Guillen on WMM on March 18, 2020, just before the released of the band’s 7-song EP, Dream Girl on March 20, 2020 just as the COVID 19 Pandemic Quarantine started, and halted all touring and live music venues.

Katy Guillen & The Drive’s Dream Girl showcases Guillen’s songwriting and is founded on the energetic creative spark and long time chemistry between Katy Guillen and Stephanie Williams. With Guillen on guitar and vocals and Williams on drums, the two sculpt a sound that recalls bands like Led Zeppelin, The Bangles, and Band of Skulls.

In 2012, Guillen and Williams formed Katy Guillen and The Girls, and began to build a foundation of touring and recording that carried them through six years and produced three full-length albums and two EPs. More info at: http://katyguillenmusic.com/

Between 2012 and 2018, they traveled the United States extensively, performed at the International Montreal Jazz Festival, toured Sweden, and supported major acts like The Doobie Brothers, Robin Trower, and Heartless Bastards.
The Katy Guillen and The Drive LIVESTREAM Concert is this Saturday, March 27, at 8:00 PM performing live from recordBar’s stage. The concert will feature multiple cameras filmed by XO Blackwater and full live production and magical sound from Paul Malinowski of Massive Sound Studios

Ticket sales from this livestream are going directly into the cost for recording their new album this spring.

Go to http://www.therecordbar.com for tickets to Katy Guillen and The Girls LIVESTREAM Concert this Saturday, March 27, at 8:00 PM live from recordBar’s stage.

Katy Guillen is one of our most frequent and most favorite guests. She has been on WMM at least 8 times now since 2010 when we first interviewed her as a member of the band the B’Dinas.

1. September 22, 2010 with The B’Dinas
2. February 22, 2012 with The B’Dinas
3. November 20, 2013 for our 500th Show
4. September 3, 2014 for Katy Guillen & The Girls CD Release at Knuckleheads
5. Nay 4, 2016 Our 12th Anniversary Show!
6. November 8, 2017
   7. March 18, 2020 for Katy Guillen and The Drive – Dream Girl EP Release

In these 7 years playing together, Guillen and Williams created a dynamic, driving sound informed by Guillen’s mesmerizing, emotive guitar style and poignant arrangements, and an equally captivating live show that showcased Williams’ technical, melodic style, resulting in a powerful on-stage chemistry.

In addition to the compelling synergy formed by years of playing together, the two developed a method of working together on Guillen’s songs that only deepened their artistic connection, propelling them to forge a path to a new plateau in their music.

Into the next decade KG & The Drive push ahead with a melodic, heavy, and soulful sound while maintaining the edge of the artist’s rock ‘n’ roll and blue

Katy Guillen is known as one of Kansas City premiere musicians. We first met her as part of the band The B’Dina’s.

Katy Guillen, thanks or being with us on WMM

The Katy Guillen and The Drive LIVESTREAM Concert is this Saturday, March 27, at 8:00 PM live from recordBar’s stage. The concert will feature multiple cameras by XO Blackwater and full live production and sound from Paul Malinowski of Massive Sound Studios.

Go to http://www.therecordbar.com for tickets to Katy Guillen and The Girls LIVESTREAM Concert this Saturday, March 27, at 8:00 PM live from recordBar’s stage.

11:46

28. Katy Guillen & The Drive – “Dream Girl”
    from: Dream Girl EP / Katy Guillen / March 20, 2020
    [New 7 song EP from Katy Guillen & The Drive, the latest project dedicated to Guillen’s songwriting that is founded on the creative spark and chemistry between Katy Guillen & Stephanie Williams. With Guillen on guitar & vocals and Williams on drums, the two sculpt a sound that recalls bands like Led Zeppelin, The Bangles, and Band of Skulls. In 2012, Guillen & Williams formed Katy Guillen and The Girls, and began to build a foundation of touring and recording that carried them through six years and produced three full-length albums: Katy Guillen & the Girls, Heavy Days, and Remember What You Knew Before. Between 2012 and 2018, they traveled the United States extensively, performed at the International Montreal Jazz Festival, toured Sweden, and supported major acts like The Doobie Brothers, Robin Trower, and Heartless Bastards. In these 6 years playing together, Guillen & Williams created a dynamic, sound informed by Guillen’s mesmerizing, emotive guitar style and poignant arrangements, and an equally captivating live show that showcased Williams’ technical, melodic style, resulting in a powerful on-stage chemistry. In addition to the compelling synergy formed by years of playing together, the two developed a method of working together on Guillen’s songs that only deepened their artistic connection, propelling them to forge a path to a new plateau in their music. KG & The Drive push ahead with a melodic, heavy, and soulful sound while maintaining the edge of the artist’s rock ‘n’ roll and blues roots. Katy Guillen joined us on WMM on March 18, 2020.]

29. Philippe Cohen Solal & Mike Lindsay – “We’ll Never Say Goodbye (feat. Adam Glover & Hanna Peel)”
    from: Outsider / Ya Basta! Records / March 12, 2021
    [Outsider is an album of ten astonishing pop songs, five years in the making, and inspired by America’s most celebrated outsider artist Henry Darger, whose lyrics, written over 50 years ago, have been set to music for the first time and brought into the present day. Darger’s artwork has been lovingly and faithfully reproduced across all the outsider visual assets. Outsider is the brainchild of Philippe Cohen Solal, the million-selling artist, producer and composer behind Gotan Project, who has been given exclusive, unprecedented access to Henry Darger’s life and works. He has brought together the Mercury Prize winning producer Mike Lindsay of acid folk group Tunng, to co-write and co-produce the album, bringing in the acclaimed Hannah Peel (The Magnetic North, Game of Thrones) for the brass and strings instrumentation and backing vocals depicting Darger’s child characters The Vivian Girls, and Adam Glover for the lush, crooning lead vocals, that reflect the inner voice of Darger himself through the original lyrics.]

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

Next week on Wednesday, March 31 we talk with Sondra Freeman about Midwest Music Foundation’s 3rd Annual Spring Donation Drive (Apr 3-10) with a Livestream Concert Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 8:00 PM featuring: Jessica Paige, Slights, Sam Wells, The Uncouth. More info at http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org // We also talk with musician Chris Hudson about his band Gullywasher’s new album, Holding the Dawning, released on March 15, 2021. More info at: http://www.gullywasherkc.com // We also talk with J. Jerome aka Jamie Searle about his slew of new recordings and releases with his band My Brothers and Sisters and others. More info at: http://www.jjeromechromatic.bandcamp.com // And we talk with singer songwriter drumm er dancer actress Nan Turner about her new release from Nan + The one Nite Stands – High – Caliber, released on February 19, 2021.

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

Nico Gray Portrait by: Jan McNiel

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

Show #882

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, March 24, 2021

Special Guest Producer Nico Gray + Special Guest Katy Guillen

Mark welcomes back Nico Gray, for his 10th time as “Guest Producer” for WMM. Nico is a writer, performance artist, and actor who has performed with KC Rep, Gorilla Theatre, 8th St. Cafe Theatre, Actor’s Craft, and Big Bang Buffet. Nico has worked for Theatre League, The Midland Theatre, and is currently a marketing & advertising consultant with Union Station, KC Fringe, and KC Creates. Nico grew up in KC but has lived in Chicago, New York, and Marseille.

Nico will feature tracks from: Valerie June, Elvis Costello, Sharon Van Etten, Art d’Ecco, Madlib, Wax Tailor, Mind The Beatz, Drab City, Gabriels, Gil Scott-Heron, Sault, Midnight Sister, Miley Cyrus, Magon, Maxene Cyri, DUO, LA FEMME, Mongo Santamaria, Reitzell/Beggs, The Cure, Yusus/Cat Stevens, Philippe Cohen Solal & Mike Lindsay.

At 11:30 AM Mark talks with Katy Guillen of Katy Guillen and The Drive who will share all of the details about the big LIVESTREAM Concert this Saturday, March 27, at 8:00 PM performing live from recordBar’s stage. The concert will feature multiple cameras filmed by XO Blackwater and full live production and magical sound from Paul Malinowski of Massive Sound Studios. Ticket sales from this livestream are going directly into the cost for recording their new album this spring. More info at: http://katyguillenmusic.com/

Nico Gray Portrait by: Jan McNiel

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

Show #882