Wednesday MidDay Medley
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Wednesday, December 10, 2014

The 114 Best Recordings of 2014
(Part 1 of 4)

Part-one, of our four-week special: The 114 Best Recordings of 2014. This is our celebration of the year in music. Based on our playlists, we’ve compiled our favorite recordings, as previously played on this little ole radio show. In 2014 we’ve played over 1000 songs, and hundreds of New & MidCoastal Releases. Over 40 of the bands and artists on our list have joined us live on the show or performed in-studio. We’ve interviewed over 200 local and national guests. 2/3rds of the recordings on our list were locally produced. It’s all good!

Tune into 90.1 FM, Wednesdays in December. We’re packing the radio show with: The 114 of Best Recordings of 2014!

1. (114.) Wussy – “Teenage Wasteland”
from: Attica / Shake It Records / May 27, 2014
[Fifth studio album from Cincinnati, Ohio, indie rock band formed in 2001. The 11 songs on Attica! were recorded at Ultrasuede Studios in Cincinnati, which is owned by former Afghan Whigs bassist John Curley. The album also saw the return of a member of one of Wussy frontman Chuck Cleaver’s former bands–Ass Ponys guitarist John Erhardt performed on Attica! as Wussy’s fifth member. Attica!’s opening track, “Teenage Wasteland”, describes singer Lisa Walker’s memories of listening to the Who, especially the song “Baba O’Riley”, and includes shoutouts to several of its members. The song also contains a guitar part that closely resembles that on Baba O’Riley. The album’s title track also references Dog Day Afternoon, portraying it as a tale of romantic desperation. Wussy played the recordBar, July 3, with Schwervon!, and Admiral of the Red.]

2. (113.) Papercuts – “Life Among the Savages”
from: Life Among the Savages / Independent / May 6, 2014
[Indie pop project centered around San Francisco songwriter/producer Jason Robert Quever. Born in Arcata, California, Quever moved to the bay area during grade school, living in various places until settling in San Francisco. He began making home recordings after buying a four-track recording desk at the age of 15, and his first work as an engineer/producer was on Cass McCombs’ Not the Way EP in 2002. The first official release as Papercuts was 2004’s Mockingbird (on Oaklands Antenna Farm Records). The band’s next two albums, Can’t Go Back (2007) and You Can Have What You Want (2009), were released on the Gnomonson

3. (112.) Sarah Jaffe – “Leaving The Planet”
from: Don’t Disconnect / Kirtland Records / August 19, 2014
[Sarah Jaffe was born Jan. 29, 1986, and she is a singer-songwriter from Denton, Texas. Jaffe self-released her first EP titled Even Born Again, which was recognized by Rolling Stone and the Dallas Observer. (She gave us a vinyl copy). In late 2009, she was signed to Kirtland Records and released her first full-length album, Suburban Nature, in May 2010. She has previously toured with Lou Barlow, (we saw her with Lou at the recordBar!!!!) Norah Jones, Blitzen Trapper and Chelsea Wolfe, as well as fellow bands Midlake, Old 97’s and Centro-matic. “Don’t Disconnect is her third full length album and it was produced by McKenzie Smith of the band Midlake, whose “amazing partnership,” Jaffe enthuses, was “like two friends in the studio.” With this new album she is moving in a new direction as a songmaker, experimenting with new sounds.]

4. (111.) Eleni Mandell – “Put My Baby To Bed”
rom: Let’s Fly A Kite / Yep Roc / Jan. 28, 2014
[We’ve interviewed Eleni Mandell twice on the show. Her new release explores the joys and trials of being a mother to young twins with the help of Nick Lowe’s crack backing band and producer Neil Brockbank.]

5. (110.) The Coathangers – “Springfield Cannonball”
from: Suck My Shirt / Independent / March 18, 2014
[4th studio release from The Coathangers, a punk group formed in Atlanta, in 2006 as a joke. After playing a house show, they were asked to open for The Hiss on the strength of their performance. The name was chosen for its vulgarity, an irreverent take on abortions, though all band members are pro-choice. In 2011, they released their third album, Larceny and Old Lace for Suicide Squeeze Records, to generally positive reviews. They have opened in New York City for the Black Lips. The Coathangers played Riot Room August 20.]

6. (109.) The Thunderclaps – “7 Doos, No Donts”
from: The Thunderclaps / Independent / August 17, 2014
[Colin Blunt – Drums and Bryce Jones – vocals and Guitar. Bryce works as an English teacher in Salina, KS.]

7. (108.) Perfume Genius – “Don’t Let Them In”
from: Too Bright / Matador / Sept. 23, 2014
[Perfume Genius is the stage name for Seattle-based solo artist Mike Hadreas. As of 2014, he has released three albums. Hadreas began composing music after he moved from New York to live with his mother in Everett, Washington. In 2008, he set up a MySpace page under the name Perfume Genius. His debut album, Learning, was released on 21 June 2010, through Turnstile Records in Europe and Matador Records in the United States. In 2011, Hadreas supported the band Beirut on their North American tour. In September of the same year he played Split Works’ inaugural Black Rabbit festival in China alongside acts like Gold Panda and Mount Kimbie. Hadreas’ second album, Put Your Back N 2 It, was released on February 20, 2012. The promotional video for the album, featuring Hadreas and pornographic actor Arpad Miklos embracing each other wearing only underwear. Perfume Genius played Riot Room, Mon. Sept. 29.]

8. (107.) Miranda Hall – “Kingdom”
from: Kingdom / Independent / March 4, 2014
[5-song debut EP from 2014 Blue Valley North High School graduate is now going to college in Maine.]

10:30 – Underwriting
10:32

9. (106.) Morningglories – “At Least She Says So”
from: Wilderness Songs [EP] / Independent / June 9, 2014
[Debut from KC based 4-piece formed by: Alex Yoffie, Meredith McGrade, Tom Hudson, Steve Gardels.]

10. (105.) Ovaries-eez – “No Sympathy”
from: Snow Daze / Whatever Forever / 2014
[The Ovaries-eez are a trio: Johni Lacore, Amber Hansen and Monica George. Their new 4 song EP tape and digital release was recorded at Seedco Studios, Lawrence, KS http://www.whatevertapes.com. The Ovaries-eez played live on the show on September 10.]

11. (104.) Sharon Van Etten – “Afraid of Nothing”
from: Are We There / Jagjaguar / May 27, 2014
[4th studio album by Brooklyn based singer–songwriter Sharon Van Etten. On the lack of a question mark in the title, Van Etten said: “… open-ended, I ask myself that question all the time, for my work, for my love, even for my friends. It’s just really good to check in with yourself and it’s a play on words, about touring and about travelling, being in transition.”]

12. (103.) Dustin Rapier – “One More Chance”
from: Spectrum / Fly Penguin Records / June 22, 2014
[Dustin Rapier was born into a musical family in Northwest Arkansas. His debut album “Songs About No One” was released July 23, 2012. The album began in a college dorm room at a small private college. After trying a few things using school recording equipment, Dustin fell in love with the recording process. He eventually created Fly Penguin Records. Now in Kansas City, Dustin played a midwest album release tour for his latest release, as well as steady gigs at Californos, The Point, The Green Lady Lounge, restaurants, piano lounges, and bars all over the Midwest, where Dustin on piano plays everyone from Earth Wind & Fire, to Lana Del Rey, and the Jackson 5. Dustin’s latest shows feature live looping and sampling to craft a mesmerizing, “something from nothing” performance. Dustin played live on the show on August 20.]

10:45

13. (102.) Royalphonic – “Hit It”
from: We Three Kings / Independent / November 3, 2014
[Erin Bopp- vox & bass, Mikal Shapiro – vox & guitar, Brad Williams – drums, Elgin Smith – bar/tenor sax]

14. (101) AY MusiK – “Do What We Do (feat. Hailey Canalas)”
from: Above and Beyond EP / TeamAY / January 3, 2014
[Born and Raised in KC, AY is a 23 year old, producer, writer, rapper, singer/songwriter, who leads his band with what he calls “New age Hip Hop.” Lead singer Hailey Canalas brings her pop and country vocals to give AY MusiK a unique blend of genres. AY-MusiK was a contestant in 2012 on the X Factor receiving 4 Yes’ votes from celeb­rity judges L.A. Reid, Britney Spears, Louis Walsh, & Demi Lovato. The band has performed over 100 touring shows & college shows between 2013-2014, including opening for XV, Cris Cab, Zak Waters & The Lonely Biscuits.]

10:55 – Interview with Spencer Brown aka Trampolina

Trampolina (played by Kansas City’s very own Spencer Brown) is part of America’s Favorite Dragapella® Beautyshop Quartet. This critically acclaim, national touring act is legendary and hilarious. The group is on the road all of December with the return of their holiday hit “Oy Vey in a Manger”! Playing onstage tonight in NYC, Coming to Kansas City, Sun, Dec 21, at 7:00 pm at The Folly Theatre. In Oy Vey in a Manger, we find Rachel, Winnie, Trixie, and Trampolina trying to sell off their manger–yes, that manger–before it’s foreclosed upon. Crises arise, secrets are revealed, Jewish-Gentile tensions surface, and mayhem ensues–all in glorious four-part harmony. Oy Vey boasts The Kinsey Sicks reinterpretations of holiday classics, such as “God Bless Ye Femmy Lesbians,” and “Satan Baby”, plus hilarious Jewish satiric fare, including “Don’t Be Happy, Worry” and the Chanukah spa classic “I Had a Little Facial”. *Adult Content* Tickets: $35 GA floor/$25 GA balconies

The KINSEY SICKS: OY VEY IN A MANGER TOUR:

Dec. 4-6 – New Hope, PA;
Dec. 7,9,10 – Metropolitan Rm, NYC;
Dec. 11 – Santa Cruz;
Dec. 13 – Castro Theatre, SF;
Dec. 14 – Sonoma State University;
Dec. 19 – Cedar Rapids, IA;
Dec. 20 – MayneStage in Chicago;
Dec. 21 – Folly Theater in KC
Dec. 23 – Jan. 3 – The Palm Cabaret in Puerto Vallarta, MX!

KINSEY SICKS: OY VEY IN A MANGER, Sunday, December 21, at 7:00 PM at The Folly Theater – 300 West 12th Street – KCMO. Ticket Office 816.474.4444 – http://www.follytheatre.org

15. (Extra.) The Kinsey Sicks – “God Rest Ye Femmy Lesbians”
from: Oy Vey In A Manger / Independent / September 27, 2005

11:00 – Station Identification –

16. (100.) brutus – “Too Much Everything”
from: grow-up club [EP] / Independent / February 22, 2014
[Written and performed by Brent Jamison with additional guitar from Hume Man. Recorded and mixed at Chappy Road. Mastered by Jon Tidy at Epic Sound Studios. More info at: http://www.brvtvs.bandcamp.com]

17. (99.) Til Willis – “Demons in The Static”
from: Tin Star / Independent / November 8, 2014
[One of three full length releases put out in 2014 including Hackles (Nov. 18), and Cars Etcetera with Til Willis & Erratic Cowboy.]

18. (98.) Folkicide – “The Little Death”
from: Meaningless Glare of Broken Human Beings / Indep. / June 15, 2014
[KC based singer-songwriter, Folkicide, has described his music as “despair-core” and writes that his vision of constructive pessimism, he hopes in time, will be recognized as a new acoustical genre, fully devoted to the documentation of the delightful futility of existence. Since 2010 Folkicide has released 4 full-length recordings and one EP, writing and arranging and recording over 60 tracks. He adds to his discograpy with a new album of 13 songs called, “Meaningless Glare of Broken Human Beings” Engineered and mastered mid-August by David Moore at Merriam Shoals Studio. The album also features guest artists: Jason Beers, Betse Ellis, Mike Walker, Darren Welch and Marco Pascolini. More info at http://www.folkicide.bandcamp.com. Folkicide played live on our show with Marco Pascolini on June 25.]

11:14

19. (97.) Gardienne – “Man on the Moon”
from: Walking Trees EP / Independent / January 7, 2014
[Gardienne is KC-based artist Alyssa DeGraff. Her debut release “Walking Trees” features an indie artist’s dream team: impeccable guitar tones and overall production by Josh Scott of JHS pedals, on guitar & production, the string-quartet stylings of Jeremy Larson of the bands: Sucre, Sleeping at Last, and a stellar mix crafted by Chad Howat of the bands: Paper Route, Brooke Waggoner, Kye Kye. More info at: gardienne.bandcamp.com]

20. (96.) Kishi Bashi – “Philosophize In It! Chemicalize With It!”
from: Lighght (Deluxe Version) / Joful Noise + Kishi Bashi / May 13, 2014
[Kishi Bashi is the pseudonym of singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter Kaoru Ishibashi born November 4, 1975, in Seattle, Washington. Ishibashi grew up in Norfolk, Virginia where both of his parents were professors at Old Dominion University. As a 1994 graduate of Matthew Fontaine Maury High School, he went on to study classical music becoming a renowned violinist. Ishibashi has recorded with and toured internationally as a violinist with diverse artists such as Regina Spektor, Sondre Lerche, and most recently, the Athens, Georgia based indie rock group of Montreal. Ishibashi is also the singer and founding member of the New York synth rock outfit, Jupiter One. In 2011, he started to record and perform as a solo artist. Kishi Bashi played Middle of the Map Fest, Sat, Apr 5, on Outdoor Stage.]

21. (95.) Mac DeMarco – “Salad Days”
from: Salad Days / Captured Tracks / April 1, 2014
[McBriare Samuel Lanyon “Mac” DeMarco, born Vernor Winfield McBriare Smith IV, is a Canadian musician born April 30, 1990, in Duncan, British Columbia. Formerly recording as Makeout Videotape, he has produced three solo albums, Rock and Roll Night Club, 2, and Salad Days. His style has been described as “blue wave”, or “slacker rock”. He is a multi-instrumentalist as well as a multimedia artist.]

22. (Extra) Dolls On Fire – “We are the Lucky Ones”
from: Synesthesia / Independent / December 12, 2014
[This album is not officially released until 2015, but will have a special KC pre-release. Recorded by Duane Trower at Weights and Measures studio. Zach Hodson on lead vocals & guitar, Rachel Jaggard on lead vocals & keys, Michelle Bacon on bass, Ben Byard on guitar and Mark Johnson on drums. Dolls on Fire joined us live on Nov. 19.]

[Dolls on Fire play Davey’s Uptown Ramblers Club, Friday, December 12, w/ The Philistines, Pedaljets, in a Benefit for 90.1 FM KKFI – Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Wednesday MidDay Medley, PLUS: the Special KC Release for Dolls On Fire new album: Synesthesia.]

11:30 – Underwriting
11:32

23. (94.) Mount Veritas Orchestra – “Africa’s Joy”
from: Maji and Irio – Water Is Food / Independent / September 6, 2014
[Mũcũgũ Wahome and musicians from Mount Veritas Orchestra joined us on September 3rd to share new recordings and live performances from “Water Is Food” a recording to benefit: Water.org and Cultivate Kansas City. We are premiered music from “IRIO,” the Food Album on Wednesday Midday Medley. Music from “MAJI” the Water Album premiered on River Trade Radio, Aug. 31. Also joining us will be, Ami Freeberg of Cultivate KC. Gamelan Genta Kasturi, Mount Veritas Orchestra, and Metatone collaborated together for this special project. A download of “Water Is Food” is available at http://www.mountveritas.org where you can donate to the not-for-profit organizations: Water.org and Cultivate KC. The band performed a”Water Is Food” FREE Concert, Saturday, September 6, at The City Market, KC.]

24. (93.) Kelley Hunt – “This Time”
from: The Beautiful Bones / 88 Records / May 20, 2014
[Kansas Music Hall of Fame Inductee, Kelley Hunt also played on Krisite Stremel’s Wildflowers.]

[Kelley Hunt will perform in a special, Wildflowers CD and Book In-Store performance Sat., Dec. 13 at 2:00pm, at Vinyl Renaissance, 1415 West 39th Street, KCMO. Free Show / All Ages -Bring the kiddos!!! Kansas City artists who contributed songs and poems for the newly released Wildflowers CD and Book will be performing their works LIVE! Featuring: Victor & Penny, Timothy Finn, Kristie Stremel, David George, Greg Wickham, Kasey Rausch, Mark Manning, Fred Wickham, and more!]

25. (92.) Kate Gray – “Lazy Sunday”
from: Prairie Bird / Independent / January 1, 2014
[Kate Gray started her music career in 1997 in a bluegrass band called ‘Sweet Grass’ with some friends in Lawrence, Kansas. Shortly after, she also joined the band ‘Coyote Project’, consisting of 8 members which was an Americana, rock, experimental jam band. They played at local Lawrence icons like the Bottleneck, Granada and Jazzhaus. Her music was put on hold whiled Gray decided to attend Kansas State University to study horticulture. 10 years later Gray became the lead singer of the band ‘Stereo Command’ with friends in Kansas City, Kansas that played The Czar Bar and The Record Bar. Short lived as well, Gray started developing her own sound. Her husband Jerame Gray, also a musician was working on his solo album ‘Kill Creek Road’ on which Kate sings backup vocals, was a huge influence on Gray, who encouraged by her husband began working on her own solo album. Inspired by their newborn daughter and mother who died of breast cancer soon after, Gray was fueled by the beauty and grief of these experiences. Her husband Jerame Gray plays lead guitar throughout and backing vocals, B Adam Hayes on saxophone, bass and backing vocals, Matt Peters on piano, Roshelle Hudson on violin and viola, Mike Harte on cello, Mollie Hull and Sandy Wessling on backing vocals. The album was produced by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studio.]

26. (91.) Miry Wild – “To the Ends of the Earth”
from: Miry Wild [EP] / Independent / May 3, 2014
[KC based, 5 member folk-pop band made up of friends: Katelyn Miles- Upright Bass & Bass Guitar, Julia Hamilton- Guitar & Lead Vocals, Havilah Powers- Vocals, Emily Marriott- Drums, Holly Grimwood- Piano, Guitar, Vocals. To hear their music you can visit: http://www.mirywild.bandcamp.com] [Miry Wild played Ink Music stage at The Plaza Art Fair, Sept. 21]

11:45

27. (90.) Ariel Pink – “Put Your Number In My Phone”
from: Pom Pom / 4AD / November 18, 2014
[17 tracks and 69 minutes of music from Los Angeles native Ariel Pink who said, “Although this is the first “solo” record credited to my name, it is by far the least “solo” record I have ever recorded.”]

28. (89.) Robert Ellis – “Good Intentions”
from: The Lights From The Chemical Plants / New West Records / February 11, 2014
[from Amazon.com: Produced by Jacquire King (Tom Waits, Kings Of Leon), The Lights From The Chemical Plant , Robert Ellis’s 2nd album continues his journey into folk music he began 3 years ago. The songs on the new album, which range from the majestic string-adorned title track to noir pop rock and somber confessionals, both show Ellis’ growth and the various sides of this multidimensional songwriter. Ellis recently told Rolling Stone The Lights From The Chemical Plant is “stylistically ambiguous,” as he is inspired by a wide variety of artists. “On this record I was trying to channel everything from Paul Simon.”]

29. (88.) Chambers – “Inner Room”
from: Inner Room / The Record Machine / June 10, 2014
[4 piece Mood Rock band from Denton, Texas. Judson Valdez- Lead guitars, Lead vocals, backing vocals; Piper Johnson – Synths, Lead vocals, backing vocals; Chase Johnson – drums, samples, Backing vocals; Daniel Pelletier – Bass, backing vocals. When Judson Valdez and Chase Johnson started working together in October of 2012, they were playing as backing musicians for a mutual friend’s project. After only a couple of months playing together, they quickly realized that they shared creative similarities and decided to try writing music together. Along the way of writing the songs that would eventually become Chambers first album, they recruited Johnson’s sister Piper, stole their sound engineer, Daniel Pelletier, away to play bass to round out the band and became Chambers. Chambers has played with: Grimes, Cold War kids, Efterklang, Chelsea Wolfe, Tennis, Torres, Frontier Ruckus, and Seryn. Chambers talked with us live on the show on June 11.]


11:59:30

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

Sources for notes on tracks: artist’s websites, wikipedia.org, and where noted.

Next week on December 17 – we present part TWO of our 4-week special: The 114 Best Recordings of 2014. We’ll count down #87 through #58 of our list, with music from: The Project H, The B’Dinas, Phylshawn, Violet and the Undercurrents, Claire and the Crowded Stage, The Clementines, Carswell & Hope, The Phantastics, Wells The Traveler, John Statz and Josh Harty, Federation of Horsepower, Conor Oberst, Brooke Tuley, Jack White, King Tuff, PUJOL, Prince, Beck, Spoon, Ex-Hex, Lykke Li, Temples, tUnE- yArDs, Sneaky Creeps, Wick & The Tricks, Scruffy & The Janitors, Truckstop Honeymoon, The Kansas City Bear Fighters, The Noise FM, and Sleepy Kitty.

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

Show #555