Wednesday MidDay Medley
TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio
Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Wednesday MidDay Medley’s
25 Favorite Singles of 2018

Wednesday MidDay Medley presents our 25 Favorite Singles of 2018. These are stand alone single releases of 2018 that are not included on any EPs or full length album releases. We’ll count down #25 to #1.

1. “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
from: Motion Picture Soundtrack to All That Jazz / Universal / Dec. 20, 1979
[WMM’s theme]

2. (#25) Y god Y – “Tired”
from: “Tired” – Single / Y god Y / February 16, 2018
[KC based duo made up of Garrett Marsh on vocals & Joel Martin on music, making “experimental R & B” with influences of 80’s electropop. This is their 3rd single. They released “All Day” Sept. 19, 2017 Produced & recorded by Joel Martin, written by Joel Martin and Garrett Marsh. More info at http://www.ygody.bandcamp.com]

3. (#24) Lava Dreams – “SWEET SWEET”
from: “SWEET SWEET” – Single / Lava Dreams / October 19, 2018
[Written, produced, recorded, and performed by Lava Dreams. Lava Dreams is Kansas City based songwriter and producer Julia Hamilton on guitar, and lead vocals. Hear Queer writes: “In her music, Julia Hamilton of Lava Dreams creates landscapes and terrains to explore. Ambient sound and swimming melodies fill the environments that Hamilton is constructing through song.”]

[Lava Dreams played Outer Reaches Fest, at recordBar.]

4. (#23) Payge Turner – “But For Now”
from: Acoustic Vibes – Single / Middleman / February 25, 2018
[3rd Single from KC based singer songwriter originally born in the Caribbean. Payge moved to Colby, Kansas when she was in the 6th grade. She writes, “Ever since I was able to talk, all I ever wanted to do was sing!”]

5. (#22) Dylan Guthrie & The Good Time Guys – “Dreaming of Love”
from: Dreaming of Love – Single / Dylan Guthrie & The Good Time Guys / January 2, 2018
[Dylan Guthrie & The Good Time Guys released their debut EP, Live at The Indiana House, on December 19, 2016. Dylan Guthrie was formerly the lead singer for Pink Royal who left to travel and work in China and is back and has now formed a new six piece band with several of the members of Pink Royal. The band is made up of Dylan Guthrie, Olie Bowden, Alexander Hartmann, Vik Govindarajan, Lucas Parker, and Cody Stuber. Mixed by Jim Barnes. Mastered by Steve Hall at Future Disc.]

6. (#21) Keaton Conrad – “(If I Told You to) Stay”
from: “(If I Told You to) Stay” – Single / Keaton Conrad / July 20, 2018
[Keaton Conrad is a recording artist from Kansas City. He has been regarded as “exceptionally promising” (The Kansas City Star) and “making things happen on stages …with an engaging voice and passion for creating good music” (Ink Magazine). In 2015, Keaton Conrad released his debut EP, Panic & Blame, which contained five original songs that were heavily inspired by the pop rock sound he grew up on. His first full-length album, Waves, followed in January 2017 which ranged in style from pop rock to hip-hop to ambient. Conrad spent 2 years as the lead singer & keyboardist in the cover band ChangeUp, performing around KC. ]

[On November 30, 2018, Keaton Conrad is releasing a new single called “Scars and Diamonds”]

10:27 – Underwriting

7. (#20) Danny McGaw – “You an Me”
from: “You an Me” – Single / Danny McGaw / September 1, 2018
[Manchester, England born Danny McGaw was a footballer, then a street musician, then a bar musician, and then a husband and father living in Lawrence, Kansas, where he released one of our favorite recordings of 2012 called, “Eccles Road.” After that he formed the band, Welles The Traveler with Jason Jones, Dan Hines, Chad Brothers, and Mike West, who produced the group’s debut recording. Eventually Danny and family relocated to California. He has made 10 records in 14 years and records his songs in his home studio.]

[Danny McGaw played Plaza Art Fair, Sept. 23.]

8. (#19) Jo MacKenzie – “Stuck”
from: “Stuck’ – Single / Jo Mackenzie/ September 1, 2018
[One of 5 new singles released this year from Kansas City based 15 year old singer songwriter Jo MacKenzie.]

[Jo Mackenzie played in the special preshow showcase opening for Miki P’s Album Release Show, Friday, September 14, at The Rino, 314 Armour Rd, North Kansas City, with: Alisön Hawkins, Adee Dancy, Kelly Hunt, Jo MacKenzie, Courtney Ann Hall, Ivy Roots, and Mason Blaize Cline.]

[Jo MacKenzie also played 90.1 FM KKFI’s 30th Anniversary at The Folly Theatre, June 30.]

9. (#18) Lovergurl – “Rebel”
from: “Rebel” – Single / Lovergurl / September 14, 2018
[Recorded and mastered with RLT at Audibly Recording. KC based 4-piece band, Lovergurl caught our ear with their synth pop sound and lyrics reflecting social and political messages with hip hop and punk elements. Lovergurl released their EP, The President is a Sex Offender on May 19, 2017. Keyboardist and vocalist, Stephanie Bankston was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. She is a graduate of The University of Missouri. She moved abroad in her 20s, and lived in Seoul, Korea, where she played in a mostly female band called BaekMa (“White Horse”). Stephanie returned to Kansas City in the Fall 2015. Brook Worlledge, is 27 years old and is a Kansas City native. She is the band’s drummer and she sings and writes songs for the band. Brook is a defender of the proletariat. Brook’s influences range from The B-52s, The Velvet Underground, and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Lovergurl guitarist and vocalist, Heather Andrews is also 27. She was born and raised in Rhode Island, and moved to Kansas City in 2011 and fell in love with the city.]

[Lovergurl play Stray Cat Film Center, 1662 Broadway, KCMO on Friday, December 7, at 9:00 PM for the Joesph Warren & The Wanderlust Revival “HAIR LIKE LEMONS” music video prtemiere concert with Erica Joy]

[Lovergurl play The Riot Room, 4048 Broadway, KCMO, Friday, December 14, at 8:00 PM, opening for The Sluts with Other Americans.]

10. (#17) Hot Suede – “Forget About You”
from: “Forget About You” – Single / Hot Suede / August 16,, 2018
[Formed October 4, 2017, Hot Suede is a new original rock and roll band from Kansas City, Missouri showcasing fiery guitar riffs, an equally groovy and thunderous rhythm section, soaring vocals, and unparalleled swagger. Rising from the ashes of juggernaut Cherokee Rock Rifle, guitarists Doug Nelson, Scott Reed, and drummer Brett Southard joined forces with bassist Chad Toney and vocalist Wayne Hutcherson aka Bobby W. Topaz to form an unpretentious rock band with classic undertones and guitar-driven songwriting. On October 12, 2017 Hot Suede released the single “Get What You Came For.” On December 20, 2017 Hot Suede released the single, “Make It Harder.” More info at: http://www.hotsuede.com]

[Hot Suede played Mills Record Company, Fri, Nov 2, for Apocalypse Meow 11.]

11. (#16) Olivia Fox – “Utah”
from: “Utah” – Single / OLIVIA FOX / February 16, 2018
[Lauren Flynn, Aubrey Callahan and Tiffany Smith make up the KC band, OLIVIA FOX who released their self titled debut EP, June 2, 2017. OLIVIA FOX followed with three singles: “Slow Motion” released Dec 14, 2017, “Utah” released Feb 16, 2018, and “Easy” released June 1, 2018. On November 2, 2018 the band released their EP Renditions, with 4 songs written by The Doors, The Beatles, The Cranberries, and Bon Jovi. OLIVIA FOX call their sound Folk/Pop, a marriage between classic folk vocals & harmonies to modern programmed beats & synth pads.] [Olivia Fox played Middle of The Map + Crossroads Music Fest]

12. (#15) Chloe Jacobson – “True Blue”
from: “True Blue” – Single / Chloe Jacobson / November 16, 2018
[Kansas City, Missouri based singer songwriter. Her soulful, bluesy vocals are colored with the pop cadence of aughts-era emo. Her first album release, titled “Frozen Fruit” is expected to drop in early 2019 following with a midwest tour soon to be announced. More info at: http://www.chloejacobson.online]

[Chloe Jacobson played Manor Records for MOCSA, on November 16, at Blip Roasters, 1101 Mulberry, KCMO in The Bottoms with Rachel Cion, and Mason Blaize.]

13. (#14) The Depth and The Whisper – “Souvenir”
from: “Souvenir” – Single / The Depth and The Whisper / October 26, 2018
[Dave Tanner on bass, guitar & vocals; Albert Bickley on guitar & vocals. Albert Bickley, a Kansas City native, has been writing, recording and performing original music for years. Everything, including other bands he’s been in, have led to this moment and this project. Dave Tanner, a Canadian who calls Parkville, MO, home, has played bass in numerous bands through the years from rock and heavy metal to folk and punk. Albert Bickley and Dave Tanner do not believe the world owes them anything, but they know that they have something to give her. The two songwriters and musicians met in 2010 in the music scene of Kansas City, where they both had been active for several years. “When my last band broke up and I wrote new songs again, I immediately thought of Dave,” Albert remembers “I wanted his bass. I just told him to come over when you have time. He played the demos, we listened to it and just said, ‘That’s it! Perfect! ‘”This feeling is very rare.” Dave confirms:” We immediately had great respect and reverence for each other. We are both at the moment. And our music satisfies a deep need in us. We complement each other, we get better. And by that I do not just mean the music. “Because since then an extraordinary friendship has grown between them. “Albert and I started a conversation back then,” Dave explains, “and it never ended.”]

11:00 – Station ID

14. (#13) Kelly Hunt – “Dear Sarah”
from: “Dear Sarah” – Single / Never Records / September 14, 2018
[Kelly Hunt performs her adaptation of the Sullivan Ballou Civil War love letter. Sullivan wrote this letter to his wife one week before he was killed at the Battle of Bull Run. This song was recorded by Ted Riederer of Never Records on September 14, 2018. New York artist and musician Ted Reiderer launched Never Records in 2010 as part of a collaborative project with curators No Longer Empty in the former sales floor of Tower Records’ fabled East Village flagship store. One year later, Never Records had expanded to become a mobile record-making lab, using recording equipment and a vinyl record lathe to cut two, four-minute records on the spot for whoever walks in the door (one copy stays behind in the fast-growing library). Never Records opened in Kansas City on August 25, 2018 as part of Open Spaces Kansas City, and ran through October 28th, 2018, in a storefront space in the Crossroads district of Kansas City. The space was located at 1611 Oak St., KCMO. The exhibition was open Wednesday – Sunday, with workshops and special events. Never Records is a combination recording studio and record shop, all operating in one building. The sole proprietor, interior decorator, and engineer is New York-based artist Ted Riederer. Inspired by his own redemptive education at a young age inside the walls of a local record store in Rockville, Maryland as well as the field recording projects of Alan Lomax, Riederer devised his unique community art installation in the early part of this century and has been replicating it with regional variations throughout the world since 2010. Performers from a locale sign up for recording sessions ahead of time, with no auditions necessary. Riederer usually offers three hour sessions, during which he mixes on the fly and cuts vinyl right in front of the artist’s eyes once both are satisfied with a particular take. The recordings are free to the artist, the sessions are open to the public, and you can’t buy anything you see. Ted hasn’t lowered prices by cutting out the middleman. He is the middleman. He is not a vertical operation; he is an elliptical one, a constant feedback loop supplying its own demand. Still, everyone takes something home, even if it’s the barest speck of record shop camaraderie inadvertently inhaled. Within the walls of the Never Records shop, visitors can view a gallery of photographs and artwork from previous temporary establishments in the US and UK, as well as flip through stacks of vinyl representing the hundreds of solo folk artists, punk bands, storytellers, jazz groups, and noisicians who jumped at the chance for a free recording session. Black wooden bins hold a curated selection of records from the growing collection, but these aren’t for sale or even trade. The artist or band is allowed to take their own copy home, and another is added to Riederer’s archives, as well as a digital copy. Riederer encourages bands to use the recording any way they want. There are no fees, royalties, or ownership issues. More information at: http://www.neverrecords.net]

15. (#12) Chase The Horseman – “U Martyr U”
from: “U Martyr U” – Single / Chase the Horseman / June 10, 2018
[Recorded at Element Recording with Joel Nanos and at Chase’s Home Studio. Featuring Lennon Bone on Drums. Chase the Horseman is a band, film composer, multi-instrumentalist, audio engineer, and producer. He has composed music for over 36 films and as musician has collaborated with Clairaudients, Teri Quinn, Heidi Lynne Gluck, and many more. Chase The Horseman also released the single “Modern Ruins” on Oct 4, 2018.]

[Chase The Horseman played Middle of The Map and Apocalypse Meow 11]

16. (#11) Jessica Paige – “Night Train”
from: “Night Train” – Single / Jessica Paige / June 1, 2018
[29 year old Jessica Paige moved to Kansas City from Manhattan, Kansas, after caring for her ailing grandmother for several years. She told CJ Janovy of KCUR News. “After she passed away, I started doing music full time, recorded my album and started touring.” Jessica self-produced my first album “Sweet Nothings” with Nashville-based artists and producers. The album is a reflection of the life-cycle of a relationship; the exciting and insecure beginnings to the lamenting demise of something that was once beautiful. The single released from the album, “Beautiful Life,” is a soul-pop reflection of someone trying to reconcile the conflicting emotions of trying to rescue or walk away from a relationship, while still appreciating how beautiful it is to love, regardless of how things turnout. While working on “Sweet Nothings,” Jessica settled in to Kansas City to start working with a full band and laying the groundwork for her next album.]

11:15 – Top Ten Singles

17. (#10) Red Kate – “Iraqi Girl”
from: “Iraqi Girl” – Single / Too Much Rock / February 24, 2018
[L. Ron Drunkard on bass & lead vocals, Andrew Whelan on drums & vocals, Desmond Poirier on guitar & vocals. The KC based Punk Rock and Roll band, Red Kate has been rocking venues since 2007. In the review of their debut EP, The Pitch wrote, “Bassist and lead vocalist L. Ron Drunkard, (aka Shawn Saving) is a socialist activist by day, bellows like an Appalachian Roger Daltrey.” The band’s first full-length album, “When the Troubles Come” was released on Replay Records in 2013. In 2016 the band released their follow up, full – length record, unamerican activities, on Kansas City’s coop record label, Black Site. The band has also released two 7″ split single releases with The Bad ideas, and Stiff Middle Fingers. Red Kate released “Iraqi Girl,” as part of the Too Much Rock – Singles Series, 7” vinyl 45-rpm release, with a B side cover of TSOL’s,” American Zone,” the first recording with the band’s newest member, rhythm guitarist Shaun Hamontree. Too Much Rock, is a music blog created by Sid Sowder in 1997 to share photos, videos & comments of live music shows . The Too Much Rock Singles Series is a collection of 45 rpm singles that marry great songs with great bands all for the love of vinyl. Each old-school two-song single features one unique song paired with one cover chosen by Too Much Rock who press 500 limited edition copies and then simply give them to the band. Schwervon!, Rev Gusto, Josh Berwanger Band, The Uncouth, Hipshot Killer, and Witch Jail have all recorded for the Too Much Rock Single Series. Info at: http://www.toomuchrock.com.]

18. (#9) Remy Styrk – “In Too Deep”
from: “In Too Deep” – Single / Remy Sryrk / June 13, 2018
[20 year old Remy Stryk lives in Leawood Kansas. Originally from Newark, New Jersey. This multi instrumentalist has been writing & recording music for several years. “In Too Deep” is one of 4 singles Remy has released in the last 2 years. Written by Remy Styrk. Mixed & Mastered by Joel Nanos at Element Recording. Remy Styrk released the EP Sunday, on Jan 25, 2018 a follow up to the Aug 12, 2015 full length album, Telling Stories Through The Basement Door.]

19. (#8) Instant Karma – “Give Me Freedom”
from: “Give Me Freedom” – Single b/w “Shine On” / Sunflower Soul Records / May 11, 2018
[Recorded, mixed, and produced by Chris Hazelton, and mastered by Adam Boose. Instant Karma features Cole Bales on vocals & guitar, Cody Calhoun on guitar, Branden Moser on bass, Zach Harris on drums. With Caitlin Walker and Grace Sakoulas Griffin-Spain on Background Vocals.]

20. (#7) Heidi Lynne Gluck – “Party Line”
from: “Party Line” – Single b/w “Good Guys and Bad Guys” / Too Much Rock / August 3, 2018
[Produced and engineered by Heidi Gluck at 200 Studios, Lawrence, Kansas. The tracks were co-produced, mixed and mastered by Paul Mahern at White Arc in Bloomington, Indiana. Lawrence, Kansas based songwriter, producer, singer and multi-instrumentalist, Heidi Lynne Gluck is a originally from Manitoba, Canada. After transplanting herself from the plains of Manitoba to the midwestern plains of the United States, Heidi quickly became an in demand player, performing on stage and in the studio both as a solo artist and with renowned musicians including: The Roseline, Approach, Josh Berwanger, Juliana Hatfield & Some Girls, Margot & The Nuclear So and Sos, Lily & Madeleine, The Pieces, The Only Children, and others. In 2015 Heidi released her critically acclaimed EP, Only Girl In The Room, last year on Lotuspool Records. In 2016 Heidi Lynne Gluck released her full length album called, Pony Show, also on Lotuspool, and on vinyl. Heidi Lynne Gluck released “Party Line” with as part of the Too Much Rock – Singles Series, 7” vinyl 45-rpm release, with a B side cover of Camper Van Beethoven’s,”Good Guys and Bad Guys.” Too Much Rock, is a music blog created by Sid Sowder in 1997 to share photos, videos & comments of live music shows . The Too Much Rock Singles Series is a collection of 45 rpm singles that marry great songs with great bands all for the love of vinyl. Each old-school two-song single features one unique song paired with one cover chosen by Too Much Rock who press 500 limited edition copies and then simply give them to the band. Schwervon!, Rev Gusto, Josh Berwanger Band, The Uncouth, Hipshot Killer, Witch Jail, Red Kate have all recorded for the Too Much Rock Single Series. Info at: http://www.toomuchrock.com.]

11:29 – Underwriting

21. (#6) The Black Creatures – “Elements”
from: “Elements” – Single / The Black Creatures / February 14, 2018
[The Black Creatures are a dark pop hip-hop musical duo from Kansas City, Missouri pulling elements from sci-fi to tell an inter-dimensional story. Xavier Martin and Jade Beomh released their debut album, See No Evil, on December 6, 2017.]

22. (#5) Freight Train Rabbit Killer – “Shake Em”
from: “Shake Em” B-Side Single of “Happy Times Waltz” / Rural Grit-Haymaker Records / Oct 26, 2018
[Volume 4 of a 4-part 7″ vinyl release called, Wake Snake Death Dance.This song was written by Mark Smeltzer. Recorded, mixed and mastered at Organica Studios with Andrew Crowley who also played keyboards. Freight Train Rabbit Killer, a musical duet made up of Kristopher Bruders (Freight Train) and Mark Smeltzer (Rabbit Killer).]

[Freight Train Rabbit Killer play Outer Reaches Fest, Friday, October 26 at recordbar.]

23. (#4) Rachel Mallin and The Wild Type – “It Isn’t Love”
from: “It Isn’t Love” – Single / Rachel Mallin / November 9, 2018
[Indie synthpop from Kansas City based, 4-piece band that includes: Rachel Mallin on lead vocals & guitar, Justin Walker on bass, Austin Edmisten on drums & back-up vocals. “It Isn’t Love” the latest single from Rachel Mallin & the Wild Type. Mallin wrote, recorded and produced her first album, The Persistence of Vision, in 2014 — a solo effort that spoke to her synthpop sensibilities and landed her on Kansas City radio. That same year, she left the University of Missouri to pursue a music career, and enlisted bassist Justin Walker and drummer Austin Edmisten to form The Wild Type. By mid-2016, the act — with keyboardist Jesse Bartmess and former guitarist Matt Kosinski — released its debut EP, Degenerate Matters, recorded, produced, and mastered by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studios. Musical Arrangements written and performed by Rachel Mallin, Justin Walker, Austin Edmisten, Jesse Bartmess, and Matt Kosinski. Lyrics written by Rachel Mallin. That same year, The Wild Type earned support slots for acts from Cold War Kids to Metric and The Struts, and widespread recognition in its hometown at festivals such as Middle of the Map and Boulevardia.]

24. (#3) Momma’s Boy – “Love That Way (Demo)”
from: “Love That Way (Demo)” – Single / Manor Records / June 26, 2018
[Momma’s Boy, is an Indie Surf Pop 4-piece band from KCMO, formed December 2015, and made up of former members of Rev Gusto: Peter Beatty on guitar & vocals, Shaun Crowley on guitar & vocals, Quinn Hernandez on drums, and Jared Bajkowski on bass & vocals. Their debut EP Liquid Courage was released February 25, 2017. Self-recorded in the Momma’s Boy band practice attic. Mixed by Jared Bajkowski, and mastered by Ross Brown. This track was released as part of a series of singles the band has put out over the year. including “Want Me Back” released January 19, 2018 (part of Dead Summer Single Series), and “Asleep On The Floor” on October 12, 2018 (part of Demo Singles Series).]

[Momma’s Boy play Iowa City Yacht Club in Iowa City, on Saturday, December 1.]

25. (#2) Radkey – “Basement”
from: “Basement” – Single / the Century Family / July 31, 2018
[Isaiah, Dee, and Solomon Radke of the critically acclaimed rock trio Radkey joins us live in our 90.1 FM studios to talk about their upcoming performance Saturday night at recordBar with Quixotic Performers, as headliners for the 14th Annual Crossroads Music Fest. Radkey was formed in 2010 in St. Joseph, where the brothers were raised. The family moved to Kansas City several years ago. The band has released two full-length recordings — “Dark Black Makeup” in 2015 and “Delicious Rock Noise” in 2016 — plus multiple EPs and singles, and recently were part of a MasterCard advertising campaign on digital billboards in NYC along with a national television commercial that aired during the Grammy Awards that brought the band to the attention of Jack White who asked the band to tour with him. After Crossroads Music Fest the band goes back on the road playing shows with The Damned throughout the United States. In December they’ll go back into the studio to record their next album with producer Bill Stevenson of the California punk rock group Descendents. Then in 2019 they play shows in Amsterdam and Stockholm. “Basement” is one of several singles that band has released this year, including “St. Elwood” released August 24, 2018; “Rock & Roll Homeschool” released October 5, 2018; and “Junes” released November 16, 2018.]

26. (#1) Violet and The Undercurrents – “Still Here”
from: “Still Here” – Single / Violet Vonder Haar Music / November 1, 2018
[Columbia Missouri based band made up of Violet Vonder Haar on lead vocals & guitar; Linda Bott on bass guitar; Phylshawn Johnson on drums, and Lizzy Weiland on lead guitar. The Columbia, Missouri-based quartet is anchored by the intrepid songwriting of Violet Vonder Haar and enriched by the creative energy of her musical counterparts. Raised in a small town at the edge of the Missouri River and nurtured by a thriving folk music-centered community, Vonder Haar started honing her craft as a songwriter, performer and vocalist at an early age. She was inspired by her father, a riverboat captain who introduced her to the music of folk legends and encouraged her journey as an artist. More information at: http://www.violetandtheundercurrents.com]

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

Next week, on December 5, we present part one of our 4 week series: The 118 Best Recordings of 2018. Wednesdays in December on the 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th we will be counting down representative tracks from our favorite EPs and full length albums. This is our celebration of the year in music based on the playlists of this little ole radio show.

In 2018 we’ve played from over 400 New & MidCoastal Releases. In 2018 we’ve played from over 250 MidCoastal New Releases, of these nearly 200 were from full length or EP recordings, and over 50 were single releases. We also conducted over 117 interviews with over 150 different guests, live over our community airwaves.

Tune into Wednesday MidDay Medley throughout December as we present our 4-week special series: The 118 Best Recordings of 2018, on December 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th. This is our celebration of the year in music based on the playlists of this little ole radio show.

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

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

Show #762