#879 – March 3, 2021 Playlist

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 3, 2021

New & MidCoastal Releases + Robert Moore + Cuee

  1. “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
    from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / December 20, 1979
    [WMM’s Adopted Theme Song]
  1. The Besnard Lakes – “Feuds With Guns”
    from: The Besnard Lakes Are The Last of the Great Thunderstorm Warnings / FatCat Records / January 29, 2021
    [6th studio album by Canadian psychedelic rock band The Besnard Lakes. The music featured on this album was originally written ten years prior as a single track film score. It it the band’s first ever double album. The Besnard Lakes are a Canadian indie rock band from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Formed in 2003 by the husband and wife team of Jace Lasek and Olga Goreas, the band also includes Kevin Laing (drums), Richard White (guitar), Sheenah Ko (keyboards) and Robbie MacArthur (guitar). // The band are currently a six-piece centered around the atmospheric songs of Lasek and Goreas, whose expansive sound draws from numerous aspects of rock ‘n’ roll history. The band’s name comes from Besnard Lake in North-Central Saskatchewan. The band’s second album, The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse was recorded at singer Lasek’s own Breakglass Studios, with members of Stars, The Dears and Godspeed You! Black Emperor/Silver Mt. Zion making guest appearances. It was nominated for the 2007 Polaris Music Prize. Many songs on The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse are prefaced by recordings from shortwave radio number stations as first made popular in recordings such as The Conet Project. // A third studio album, The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night, was released on Jagjaguwar on March 9, 2010. A 12″ record featuring album track “Albatross” and “Four Long Lines” was released on February 9, 2010. This album was a shortlisted nominee for the 2010 Polaris Music Prize. // The band wrote their first film score for the film Sympathy for Delicious, from actor/director Mark Ruffalo. They also wrote and performed the score for the National Film Board of Canada web documentary Welcome to Pine Point. The collaboration came about when Lasek was approached by the website’s co-creator Mike Simons, an old friend from high school. The soundtrack includes their reworking of the Trooper single, “We’re Here for a Good Time (Not a Long Time)”. The group released their score for Welcome to Pine Point as a twelve-inch EP entitled You Lived in the City. The album also features a previously unreleased outtake from their score for the film Memories Corner entitled “The Corner.]
  1. Nan & the One Nite Stands – “Yeah (Radio Edit)”
    from: High – Caliber / Nan Turner / February 19, 2021
    [All songs by Nan Turner. // “Yeah” is track 1, on this 5-song EP // Initial Engineering on songs 2 and 5 by Mark Ospovat @ Speakersonic Studios, Brooklyn and on songs 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 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 >> Nan Turner will be with us on WMM on March 31.]
  1. They Call Me Sauce – “Liberation Excercise No. 1”
    from: Liberation Excersize No. 1” – Single / I Got The Sauce / February 15, 2021
    [Mixed and Mastered by Royce “Sauce” Handy for I Got The Sauce Studio. Produced by Whiteboi Beats. Royce “Sauce” Handy is a rapper, songwriter, beat maker, designer, teacher, MC, business owner, social media manager, husband, father, and community organizer. He has worked with AdHoc Group Against Crime, Teens in Transition, Storytellers Inc., Arts Tech, Mid-America Regional Council, UMKC, Rep. Brandon Ellington, and former KC Mayor, Sly James. He is co-owner of The Rap Asylum, We are RAP, and owner of Melanin Connoisseur. In 2017 Sauce released his EP, Summer Sauce, part of WMM’s 117 Best Recordings of 2017. In 2018 Sauce released Soul Food 4. In 2019 his collective NuBvckCity w/ Kartez Marcel, Mae C, & VP3 released “All Night” / “Alive”. This was #1 on WMM’s 39 Favorite Singles of 2019. In 2020 They Call Me Sauce released 5 Singles including “Make You Sing [feat. Love, Mae C]” on March 27, 2020. Sauce was on WMM on April 29, 2020]
  1. Geneva Jacuzzi – “Clothes on The Bed”
    from: Lamaze / Mexican Summer / February 26, 2021 [reissued Out Of Print 2010 Debut]
    [Geneva Jacuzzi is a pop artist working in the strange paradise of angels, Los Angeles. An early pioneer of the modern lo-fi bedroom pop terrain, she is a notable figure in the underground scenes in Hollywood and Los Angeles, with her influence spreading worldwide in the pop, noise, and independent art communities. Geneva directs and produces music videos (Julia Holter, Nite Jewel, Frankie Rose) and video art installations, designs and produces her own sets and wardrobe, and choreographs her stage performances. // LAMAZE is Geneva’s 2010 debut, a document of the development of her musical style: from her first appearance in 2004 up to 2009. Venerated as canon among her devotees and a coveted relic among fans and collectors of pop artifacts and rarities, it is among the first lo-fi pop recordings that became the lexicon of the new music frontier. // Geneva Jacuzzi is well known for her uncompromisingly obtuse synth-driven pop and one-of-a-kind performance art that is comprised of one time only spectacles and installations. Her works have been presented in famous art institutions such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, MOCA, The Broad Museum, Vooruit, Kampnagel, and numerous other venues across the globe. She has developed a very focused cult following in the art AND music scenes. She was originally well known for her multitude of self-released home recordings but also released a full length Lamaze in 2010 to much acclaim. Her most recent album Technophelia (Medical Records) is the culmination of a hybrid of DIY and professional studio recordings. Her lyrics describe blood thrown onto fire, clown-like machines in search of sadness, and the raging monologues of elemental beings, while her videos and live performances depict the shattering of self into a variety of personas, all played by Jacuzzi. More info at: http://www.genevajacuzzi.com]
  1. Claire Adams – “Calico Skies”
    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. ‘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 Claire Adams will be with us on WMM on April 7!]
  1. True Lions – “Communion Day (feat. Teri Quinn)”
    from: Communion Day – Single / Manor Records / March 5, 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 Alisön Hawkins will be our guest on WMM on April 7. 2021.]
  1. R.I.Peter – “In Your Eyes”
    from: In Your Eyes – Single / Manor Records / February 26, 2021
    [2nd single form R. I.Peter’s up coming 12-track album release, SOFT SERVE, coming this spring from Manor Records. Earlier this year R.I. Peter released the single, “Green House” on February 5, 2021. On April 10, 2020 R.I.Peter released the singles: “Cruis’n” and “Rising Sun” through Manor Records. 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. More info t http://www.manorrecords.com R.I.Peter will be with us on WMM on March 17, 2021.]

10:29 – Underwriting

  1. David Luther – “Home To Kansas City”
    from: “Home To Kansas City” – Single / Grand Central Bell Records / February 3, 2021
    [Recorded and produced by David George and Pat Tomek (The Rainmakers). He released his debut EP David Luther in 2009, recorded in Nashville with Nielson Hubbard and Garrison Starr. On 2017 David Joined David George & A Crooked Mile serving as a touring guitarist and back up vocalist. David is releasing several singles this year including the release of “The World’s Gonna Change,” a previous collaboration with Academy Award and Golden Globe winning songwriter Tom Whitlock. Info at: http://www.thedavidluther.com]
  1. David Luther – “With Us Love”
    from: David Luther – EP / David Luther / July 22, 2011
    [David Luther’s debut EP, David Luther, was recorded in Nashville with Nielson Hubbard and Garrison Starr.]
  1. Rob Rice – “Tiny Window (feat. Calvin Arsenia & Ezgi Karakus)”
    from: “Tiny Window” – Single / Rob Rice / March 3, 2021
    [1st single 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]
  1. Rob Rice & the Devil’s Threesome – “Serial Lover”
    from: Kansas City Syzygy / Kansas City Syzygy / July 17, 2020
    [Lead singer songwriter Rob Rice told us that “’Serial Lover’ is based on a conversation he had with a dear friend around relationships, specifically monogamous vs. polyamorous, and opening our eyes to learn more about the others experience. This song is one of 6 that Rob is working to finish up this summer and release later this year under the album name ‘And The Devil’s Threesome’. This 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…) Here is a sample of the first four tracks and the names of artists/musicians who have collaborated on this project 1. “Tiny Window” with Calvin Arsenia (Harp and Vocals) and Ezgi Karakus (Cello); 2. “There’s A Devil Inside Me” with Landon Hambright (Upright and Vocals) and Rachael Feeley (Vocals); 3. “Thinking of Another” with Teri Quinn (Clarinet and Vocals) and Stephen Roper (Drums, Electronics and Vocals); And 4. “Serial Lover” with Coleen Dieker (Violin and Vocals) and Robert Castillo (Upright Bass and Vocals). Rob Rice is finalizing the last two tracks and we are working to have rob on WMM when he is ready for the release. /// Though COVID-19 may have shut down innumerable business and altered our lives forever, one thing it couldn’t stop is the creative drive and spirit in the world’s artists. Kansas City Syzygy is a glimpse into the music created in the middle of the map in the middle of a pandemic. Mastering by J Ashley Miller. Design by JC Franco. Direction by Robert Castillo. Over 25 Kansas City-based musicians came together to create “Kansas City Syzygy,” a compilation of music created during the shutdown of the world in the Spring of 2020. “Syzygy” is a term most commonly used in astronomy and is defined as “connected or corresponding events.” Album designer JC Franco states “like planets or stars aligning, so did our lives.” The nineteen songs on the album span the entire spectrum of music. Calvin Arsenia’s “Painted Ladies” is a dreamscape sung form his voice and harp, while Seth Andrew Davis’ “No Place But Home” invokes scenes of an underground dance club. Some musicians are collaborating for the first time on this album, as demonstrated on “Abyss.” Local electronic musician Chris Crabtree and Robert Castillo, bandleader of the groove jazz ensemble The Sextet, worked together with vocalist Audrey Chopin to create an experimental piece of EDM-adjacent music. Songs like “The Virus” by KC hip-hop artist Kemet Coleman comments on the impact of the coronavirus, as well as the virus that is racial injustice in America that has received global attention during the past months. The album can be purchased from Bandcamp beginning July 17, 2020. All proceeds will be donated to KC Tenants, a local nonprofit organized to ensure that everyone in KC has a safe, accessible, and truly affordable home.]

10:51

Look for these special guests on upcoming editions of Wednesday MidDay Medley on KKFI 90.1 FM: Sarah Magill, Dan Jones, Juliette Frost, Alex Horton & Ian Weidner of Club Sinister, R.I.Peter (Peter Beatty), Everett The Grey, Nico Gray, Katy Guillen & Stephanie Williams of Katy Guillen and The Drive, Chris Hudson, J Jerome Searle, Nan Turner, Claire Adams, Alisön Hawkins, Jen Harris & Vanessa Aricco, Rob Rice, MG Salazar, Sherman Breneman, members of the band Dimension Bill Edwards, Aaron Rhodes, Michael J C Taylor, Shawn Stewart, Jillian Riscoe, Judy Mills and more!

10:55

  1. Everett The Grey – “Riddles (Radio Edit)”
    from: “Riddles” – Single / Alex Hill / February 3, 2021
    [Everett The Grey is a Kansas City based hip hop artist. Everett The Grey is also know as Alex Hill, a musician and medical student at Kansas University Medical Center. Everett The Grey combines Rock, Hip Hop, folk, and other genres into his own individual sound. Everett The Grey released the EP, PARAGON, in 2019, and is currently working on his next tape set for a summer release. Everett The Grey has been featured in The Pitch and played over on 90.1 The Bridge. Everett The Grey joins us on WMM on March 17.]

10:58 – Community Voices – Gilda’s Club

11:00 – Station ID

  1. Cuee – “Ain’t Going Back (feat. Joel Leoj)” [Radio Edit]
    from: Ain’t Going Back (feat. Joel Leoj) – Single / Cuee / February 14, 2021
    [Follow up to “Who’s Back “ single released August 12, 2020. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Cuee is a 27 year old Lawrence based hip-hop artist emcee, and educator. In the last 5 years Cuee has wowed audiences in Lawrence and KC for his critically acclaimed musical releases and live performances. Cuee exhibits an energetic and fun, yet smooth and motivational edge to his style of music. Drawing major influence from hip-hop artists such as Jay Z, Kanye West and Chance The Rapper, one could see why his storytelling essence fuses with harmonic flows. His fan favorites include Shook, Blessed, and Feeling Lucky from Cuee’s 2018 album, Shameless. Cuee is currently working to release an new album titled, “Gospel.”Cuee received his Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas. Cuee is also a recently graduate of Artist Inc. Cuee was our guest on WMM on August 12, 2020 to share music from his new album! More info at: http://www.officialcuee.com ]

11:03 – Interview with CUEE

Lawrence based hip-hop artist Cuee is a rapper with a Master’s Degree. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Cuee has wowed audiences in Lawrence and KC with exciting live performances. And since 2017 Cuee has released two critically acclaimed albums, an EP, multiple singles, and is working on releasing a new album called, GOSPEL, set for release this spring. Cuee received his Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas. Cuee is also a graduate of Artist Inc.

Cuee Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Mark: “We last talked with you on August 12, 2020, when you released the single “Who’s Back,” and also shared with us a 2020 re-recording and remix of the track, “Shook”. Last year “Shook” landed on an official Spotify playlist dedicated to transgender, non-binary and gender-fluid musicians across the globe including Kim Petras and Lex Allen. How did you find out about that?”

Cuee: “It happened during Pride Month. Spotify sent out a note that said, ‘Hey Cuee you hit a high note this month.” I didn’t even know what that meant, and I looked up to discover he had over 24,000 listeners during the month of June on Spotify. I was trying to figure out what happened. I did a little research, I logged onto my instagram account, I was starting to get a flood of followers. I was just tracing it back and I landed on a Spotify playlist, it was an editorial playlist so he couldn’t find out who put him on there. Someone found me.”

Mark: “The new single, “Ain’t Going Back” features Cuee’s friend Joel Leoj who is originally from Florida, but after moving to Chicago, became friends with Cuee in school, and recently moved to Lawrence to make music and collaborate on recordings with Cuee.”

Cuee: “We have known each other since high school, we started a Hip Hop culture club in our high school, to bring music, kinda having a place to chill after school, write music together as a community. That’s how we started.”

Cuee: “I moved out here to Kansas, to go to school, he stayed back in Miami, and then we kind of connected back, maybe about two years ago, and hit it off really strong. We decided we wanted to pursue this music thing together. We decided let’s just do this. So he said he was going to move to Lawrence. I didn’t believe him at first, until he showed up on my doorstep, and I was like, Wow, you are here, let’s do this.”

Joel Leoj has already dropped a new album, JOEY IN WONDERLAND was released on January 31, 2021. Cuee is a featured guest emcee on the tracks “Eden” and “No Debate.”

Mark: “In the last five years you have received a Master’s Degree, released around 30 different musical tracks, legally changed your name, and have transitioned physically and vocally. We’re you prepared for your new voice to arrive behind the mic?”

Cuee: “It was a shocking experience, but also it was validating. I didn’t know what my voice would sound like, after I got behind the mic, a few months in, but once I heard the playback I was pretty satisfied about what I heard. Everything I heard kind of matched up to the sound I thought I heard in the beginning, you know. I was really nervous to release music. I thought about re-branding and all of these things, and I decided that the best way to go about these things was to be open and honest, my true self, be authentic. So I guess that kind of prepared me to go behind a mic and release,“Ain’t Going Back” which is the first track I’ve released since the transition. “

“Ain’t Going Back” will be part of GOSPEL the album Cuee is getting ready to release in late spring of 2021.

Mark: “The video for “Ain’t Going Back” takes place in a church, and is a declaration of freedom, and identity, while also paying respect. How was the track created in the studio and what was it like translating the song into a video that was shot in a church.”

Cuee: “The track was created in the studio working on music together with Joel and I, we always work on these things together, and we all knew that I had this album coming out called Gospel, and I was looking for any material that sounded great. Once we got done recording it, and the engineer pressed playback on the final version, we looked at each other and said I think this is one for Gospel. The track was just created, we kind of got the beat from the engineer, and then we wrote to it. “

“People saying I’ve changed, I told them that I’ve evolved, crossing over so you know I can ball.” – from “Ain’t Going Back”

Cuee: “For the video I took a lot of time thinking about symbolism, how symbolic can I make this? ‘Queerness’ in a church, you know, is very…different, I mean I wanted to bring that into that space, and freedom into that space, allow that space to be seen and heard by other people who traditionally wont take up that space.”

Mark: “We just finished Black History Month, I for one, believe we must teach Black History all year long, to make up for all those years where Black History and LGBTQIA History has been erased. Representation is so important, do you feel the extra responsibility of being a representative of a Black Transgender Hip Hop Artist with a Master’s Degree?”

Cuee: “Definitely with that title. I feel like a lot of people probably aren’t as open, as brave, as comfortable or feel safe enough to do what I’m doing. And I think it is an extra responsibility. In my ballpark to make sure I’m just honest about this, to show people what it’s all about.”

Mark talked about how Fally Afani introduced Cuee to Mark through the radio.

Mark: “Where does your courage comes from?”

Cuee: “I think honestly my courage comes from the idea that I really have nothing to lose. I feel supported. I’m happy, and I think when you are happy that reflects on everyone else. “

Mark: “What do you love about Music?”

Cuee: “I think I love the connection and the community and the language that music brings between people, I think it builds and forms great relationships. A lot of peole can get along by listening to music. That’s what I love most about it, it is a beautiful language.”

Mark: “What’s next?”

Cuee: “Gospel is in the works right now, projected for late spring. I wanted it to be early spring but I want the album to be perfect, so I’m still working on it. I do have a couple features out there with Royal Chief and Joel Leoj, so you’ll want to look out for it.”

Cuee Discography:

THE EVOLUTION OF MIXTAPE – 7-track Album – November 3, 2016
“Summer Jam (feat. Lil Bro)” – Single – February 21, 2017
“Long Day” – Single – March 21, 2017
MASTER’S CAP – 6-track EP – May 14, 2017
“Netflix and Chill” with J Brooks & Joi – Single – August 9, 2017
SHAMELESS – 10-track Album – November 28, 2018
“Shook” – Single – June, 2020
“Who’s Back” – Single – August 12, 2020
“Ain’t Going Back (feat. Joel Leoj)” – Single – February 14, 2021

Originally from Chicago, Illinois.Cuee is a 27 year old Lawrence based hip-hop artist, emcee, producer, and educator. Cuee has gained fans over the last six years in Lawrence and Kansas City for his critically acclaimed musical releases and live performances.

Cuee received his Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas where he also works. Cuee is also a recent graduate of Artist Inc.

Follow Cuee @cueemusic everywhere | http://www.officialcuee.com .
IG: @cueemusic Twitter: @cueemusic SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/cueemusic

CUEE Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

11:15

  1. Cuee – “Shook (2020 Remix)”
    originally from: Shameless / Cuee / Nov. 23, 2018 / [Re-recorded & re-mixed – Aug. 2020]
    [Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Cuee is a 27 year old Lawrence based hip-hop artist emcee, and educator. In the last 5 years Cuee has wowed audiences in Lawrence and KC for his critically acclaimed musical releases and live performances. Cuee exhibits an energetic and fun, yet smooth and motivational edge to his style of music. Drawing major influence from hip-hop artists such as Jay Z, Kanye West and Chance The Rapper, one could see why his storytelling essence fuses with harmonic flows. His fan favorites include Shook, Blessed, and Feeling Lucky from Cuee’s 2018 album, Shameless. Cuee is currently working to release an new album titled, “Gospel.”Cuee received his Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas. Cuee is also a recently graduate of Artist Inc. ]
  1. Dream & PmBata – “Road Trip”
    from: “Road Trip” – Single / Dream Music / February 4, 2021
    [“Road Trip” has gotten over 13 million spins on Spotify. Dream is a hip hop/rap project that has released two EPs an several singles. PmBata is Parker Bata also has a new single with DJ Diddy & Jack Omstead called “Better with U.” PmBata released the 8-song album 808 FACADES in 2018, and the 12-song album THE MUSEUM in 2019. He has also released 1ps and the solo artist or as a featured artist. More info at: https://www.instagram.com/pmbata/ or https://linktr.ee/pmbata%5D
  1. 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. https://soundcloud.com/user-127889442/surrealberry-hill%5D
  1. Other Americans – “Kink Wave”
    from: Paranoid Fiction / Gran Calavera Records / February 9, 2021
    [New 8-song EP follow up to the band’s October 19, 2019 release OA2. The band released their debut EP, Other Americans on June 29, 2018. Julie Berndsen on lead vocals, Adam Phillips on drums, Brandon Phillips on guitar, Michelle Bacon on bass. Produced by Brandon Philllips. Engineered by Joel Nanos. Recorded at Element Recording Studios in Kansas City. All remixes by Mensa Deathsquad. Hailing from the musical hotbeds of Kansas City, MO, and Lawrence, KS, the electro-alternative OTHER AMERICANS are comprised of members of such regional luminaries as The Architects, Latenight Callers, The Philistines, Radar State and Brandon Phillips and The Condition. Other Americans is a virtual Midwestern supergroup. The cohorts first crossed paths in when a mutual friend and matchmaker introduced Brandon Phillips to vocalist Julie Berndsen “We were all looking for something new to do musically, recalls Brandon. “The way I remember it, a mutual friend (KC music producer Joel Nanos) told me that Julie was looking to start something new and I sent her a note about it. We had tacos to see if we liked each other.”]

11:28 – Underwriting

  1. The Damned – “Love Song”
    from: Machine Gun Etiquette / Ace Records / November 2, 1979
    [3rd studio album from the Damned. The group’s first since reforming with a new lineup of Dave Vanian on vocals, Captain Sensible on lead guitar, Rat Scabies on drums and Tank frontman Algy Ward on bass guitar. On Machine Gun Etiquette, the band brought more variety to their punk rock. The voice at the album’s start is Jack Howarth, taken from his 1971 album ‘Ow Do’, a recording of Lancastrian monologues. The mispronounced album name would later be used in fusion with Thee Headcoats name as the Japanese band name Thee Michelle Gun Elephant by their former bassist. // Formed in London, England, in 1976 by lead vocalist Dave Vanian, guitarist Brian James, bassist (and later guitarist) Captain Sensible, and drummer Rat Scabies. They were the first punk band from the UK to release a single, “New Rose” (1976), release an album, Damned Damned Damned (1977), and tour the USA. They have 9 singles that charted on UK Singles Chart Top 40. // They briefly broke up after Music for Pleasure (1977), the follow-up to their debut album, was critically dismissed. They reformed without Brian James, and released Machine Gun Etiquette (1979). In the 1980s they released 4 studio albums, The Black Album (1980), Strawberries (1982), Phantasmagoria (1985), and Anything (1986), which saw the band moving towards a gothic rock. The latter 2 albums did not feature Captain Sensible, who had left in 1984. In 1988, James & Sensible rejoined to play a series of reunions. One of which was released the next year as the live album Final Damnation. // The Damned reformed for a tour in 1991. In 1995, they released a new album, Not of This Earth, which was Scabies’s last. This was followed by Grave Disorder (2001), So, Who’s Paranoid? (2008), and their most recent, and the first to crack the UK’s Official Charts’ top 10, landing at #7, Evil Spirits (2018). Despite going through numerous lineup changes, the formation of Vanian, Sensible, keyboardist Monty Oxymoron, drummer Pinch and bassist Stu West had been together from 2004 until 2017, when West left the band and former bassist Paul Gray rejoined. // As one of the first gothic bands with lead singer Vanian’s vampire-themed costume, baritone singing voice & dark lyrics, The Damned were a major influence on the goth subculture. More info at: http://www.officialdamned.com]

11:34 – Interview with Robert Moore

Robert Moore is the host and producer of Sonic Spectrum, now airing Saturdays, 6:00 to 8:00 PM, on 90.9 The Bridge. The show was created in 2003 by Robert Moore who has a 30-year career in the music business, working for various record labels and founding his own in 2006 — OxBlood Records — which featured KC artists such as Ghosty, American Catastrophe and the Pedaljets. In addition to his work with artists like R.E.M., Los Lobos and Concrete Blonde, he has experience in music publishing, consulting, teaching, podcasting, and in broadcasting as a music and program director.

Robert Moore thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

We had asked Robert what track we should play right before our interview, and he chose, The Damned – “Love Song,” from their break-through album, Machine Gun Etiquette, from 1979/1980. Mark asked Robert what that song meant to him.

Robert Moore: “That album is one of my top 2 or 3 albums of all time, for sentimental reasons. It’s just an album I always went back to from start to finish. That specific track, the voice you hear at the beginning, (Jack Howarth) saying ‘Ladies and Gentleman Ow Do,’ I put that at the beginning of every mixtape I made in the 1980s, as my signature. It’s just a real big song for me personally.”

Mark: “Congratulations on Sonic Spectrum, 18 years is a long run for a radio show, but it is almost unheard of, having a radio show continually broadcasting, but on three different radio stations, in the same market, bouncing from public radio, to commercial radio, and back to a different public radio station. Did you ever imagine this would be the journey, when you started the show back in 2003.”

Robert Moore: “Oh not at all. I’m like the Gaylord Perry of radio. Some listeners wont get the reference, but yeah, it work’s for me.” (Gaylord Perry played in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher for eight different teams from 1962 to 1983.)

Mark: “When you started Sonic Spectrum in 2003, on KCUR 89.3 it was a whole different world musically, and socially. The Bridge didn’t really exist in it’s present form, but you kept a steady ship through it all, ‘playing cutting-edge classics’ and also doing the work of sifting through all the new releases and sharing the very best with your listeners. What has kept you going all of these years?”

Robert Moore: “I guess, just my love of sharing music. It’s pretty much what I’ve done since I was a kid. You know, like I mentioned the mixtape thing, and then going into the record industry in the 1980s. It’s just been my drive all my adult life. I’m just really lucky to do it. I honestly thought, when the The Buzz was basically changing formats and getting rid of most of us, I pretty much was resigned to the fact, that the show was done, and it was fine. It’s cool, we had a nice run. But, when The Bridge reached out, it was good to be back in non-commercial radio. It is such a different atmosphere.”

Mark: “You have broadcast 8 episodes of Sonic Spectrum on The Bridge – 90.9 FM, so far. I love the way you kicked off your first show on The Bridge, on January 9, 2021, with “Do You Remember Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio? from The Ramones, “D.J.” from David Bowie, “Left of The Dial” from The Replacements, “Good To Be Back Home” from Charles Bradley, and “Thank you (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” not by Sly & The Family Stone, but instead by the post punk band, Magazine, from 1980, which was a great lead into the Bowie Tribute that followed. You’ve talked about how you put a lot of time and thought into your playlists. Can you share some secrets about your process?”

Robert Moore: “Oh god. Um well, somebody with OCD, when it comes to music, it’s not easy. I spend 4 or 5 hours on one set, which is basically 6 songs. And then, if I don’t feel it by the end of that set, I will scrap it and start all over again. So it just depends on what inspires me that week. I try to create a unique set, with roots and progressions throughout the set. Each song will be linked somehow to another, whether it be personnel, a producer, or a style, or sound. Like I said it might be something that inspired me during that week, or an event that happened that will inspire a set. It’s just really from week to week, it varies completely. Whatever is in the air for me.”

Mark: “One of the biggest reasons I ended up doing a radio show at KKFI was because of a mutual friend we shared named, Anne Winter who we lost about 11 years ago. I think she did as much to try to talk me out of doing a show on KKFI as she did to try to support me and share her talents with me. She helped create KKFI while also building her Record Store Recycled Sounds, just down the street from here. Anne was a big influence on you, is that not true?”

Robert Moore: “Oh God yes, to say the least. She was the big sister I never had. She was the whole reason I was at KKFI. She urged me to run for the board of directors there. I then was General Manager for a bit. She definitely helped me get the confidence I needed to do a radio show on KCUR. I worked for Recycled Sounds as well. Yeah, she was there through a lot of very important events in my life. My son, the first one, when he was born, she was there in the hospital. She was such an amazing friend, and amazing supporter. Someone I always bounced any idea I had off of her.”

Mark: “I think about her (Anne Winter) a lot, and I know you do too. I’ve seen some of your posts where you wrote about how Anne came to you, in a dream of you had the night before, and how it was like a gift. I love that she got you involved at KKFI and that at one point you were the General Manager at KKFI.”

Robert Moore: “Yeah, a long time ago.”

Mark: “You’ve had the experience of community radio and all of your experience with public radio, because at KCUR you served as Music Director as well as being host of Sonic Spectrum. Isn’t that right?”

Robert Moore: “Yes, I sure did. And I also was as a reporter there as well. It was a great place to really dip your toes into every aspect of radio. It was a great learning experience.”

Mark: “When I first started producing Wednesday MidDay Medley I thought I could just play all of my favorite music that I never got to hear on commercial radio, but as the weeks rolled by, musicians and local record label folk, and writers, and organizers, started asking if they could come on the show to share information about their projects. Slowly I began to learn about the Kansas City Music Community. I remember having you on the show to share what you were doing with OxBlood Records and feature the OxBlood Compilation and music from Ghosty and Pedaljets, and American Catastrophe and Be/Non, and Roman Numerals. That compilation was an early road map for me in learning about the KC Music Community. Starting a record label is a huge task, and in 2005 / 2006 there really wasn’t that many area labels to support the bands, especially compared with the present. Can you share why you launched OxBlood, and what was the biggest lesson you learned from that experience?”

Robert Moore: “Oh. Don’t put a second mortgage on your house, that is probably the most important lesson. It was just a moment in time. At that time to me, Kansas City’s music scene, as well as Lawrence, was just thriving. 2006 it was such an exciting time, with so many bands. A very good friend of mine, at the time, was a former musician from the band Frogpond…Megan Hamilton. We were just sitting one night at Harry’s Bar & Tables talking and said, ‘let’s do it. Let’s start a label and start promoting the Kansas City scene!’ And the next thing we knew we were investing in the record label, and putting out some records. It was right at the time when CDs were just kind of on their way out, and everything was going to digital. So we kind of screwed ourselves on that. We has purchased a ton of CDs, that we didn’t need. So we learned a lot about the business. It wasn’t as easy to get the bands out of town touring, as we hoped, to promote the albums and things like that. But I’m definitely proud of what we did. We put out four albums. And I definitely stand by all four.”

Mark: “You, are a child of California, what has kept you in the midwest all of these years? How do you deal 8 degrees below zero?”

Robert Moore: The cold I don’t mind, It is really the summers I hate. I can’t handle the humidity. I really am miserable in the summer, and parts of the spring, due to allergies. Winter is actually refreshing to me because I don’t have to worry about allergies. It took time to get used to it definitely. I enjoy the seasons. It is something I never grew up with, so I like it. You feel a little more wiser after every winter. So I like it.”

Mark: “You are also a dad of two sons. One son is now 23 years old, the other son, Charlie is 8 years old. Do your children influence the way you listen to music?”

Robert Moore: “Yeah, I think so. My oldest son especially, he is totally into hip hop, obsessed. So he turns me onto a lot of the underground modern hip hop that I don’t get much exposure to, so that’s helped a lot. My youngest, he is on the spectrum. He is obsessed with music constantly, and he sings to himself a lot, so he definitely has the music bug as well. It is in the blood.”

Mark: “What do you love about Music?”

Robert Moore: “Oh God, to me it is just another emotion. It is just part of us. It’s very hard to explain. People say it’s art, and stuff like that, but to me it is just an extension of us as humans.”

Mark: “Nowadays people are ‘renting’ music with Spotify and Apple Music and all of these places, and I’m not always a big fan of that myself. I’ve read where people will watch a movie or a TV show, maybe once or twice, but music is different, because people want to hear songs over and over again, and treasure them, and make them part of a playlist, or part of a mixtape. How have all of the changes in the music industry effected you? What do you think about where the music industry is headed?”

Robert Moore: “The vinyl resurgence has been nice. I like that end of it. To me it’s a much more personal way to collect music. I remember vinyl growing up with it in the seventies and laying there, studying the album cover and reading the liner notes and everything, while you’re listening to the record. It is just a whole different experience than clicking on your computer or something to listen to a song. There is nothing visual there, so that’s different. As far as digital, it took me a while to embrace, especially because I was a former record label owner, and how much entities like Spotify and iTunes rip-off artists. It’s very hard to support, but also as a DJ, that goes out on events now and then, I also know how Spotify is useful and makes my life easier. It’s a double edged sword. You can’t get away from it, but it’s also unfair.”

Mark: “We live in a town that loves music and I think I counted 12 record stores that we have in the metro area, if you count places like, It’s A Beautiful Day, that also sell vinyl records. It’s kind of a thriving industry. Friends of mine who have started record stores are doing really well. It’s kind of good to be in a town that loves music. From KCUR, to The Buzz, to The Bridge, you have had a wild ride in radio. What do you say to those folk who say, radio is dead.”

Robert Moore: “You know I’ve been hearing that the entire time I’ve been working in radio, and I’ve been in radio since 1993. It’s ridiculous. I also look at the podcast craze whether it’s ‘true crime’ or ‘music’ or anything. That is just an extension of radio too, whether it’s terrestrial or not. Radio is also my favorite medium for hearing a story. That’s why I loved working at an NPR station. The way they tell stories on the radio is unlike sny other. This American Life and others, pretty much started the whole podcast trend. I mean people can say that terrestrial radio is dead. That’s fine, but the ‘left of the dial’, the ones like us will always be here. The corporates will come and go, and you wont be able to tell the difference, from format to format, and it doesn’t really matter, they are kind of just selling schlock anyway. But I think non-commercial radio will be fine. I think a lot of people still seek it out.”

Mark: “The Band That Fell To Earth has been happening for several years now, and producer Michelle Bacon credits a Sonic Spectum Bowie Tribute at the old recordBar that you curated, as the embryo of this event. Will you be doing more Sonic Spectrum Events?”

Robert Moore: “I hope so, when the clubs start opening again.”

Mark: “I noticed on The Bridge that you are doing more interviews again. Does Public Radio open the door for you to do more creative things with your show again?”

Robert Moore: “Yes, definitely. Going back to non-com has opened up the boundaries for me. I was never given specific boundaries at The BUZZ, but you know you do have to keep a demographic in mind. And so I did push the boundaries there, but definitely not as much as I can at a triple A station. I mean I love what The Bridge is doing. They throw me curves all the time, to see what they throw in there new and old. They have a set up that is just amazing, so I really look forward to doing in-studio performances and interviews like I did at KCUR. The BUZZ was just a different animal. You’ve got six stations, in one huge building, so the studios are constantly in use by the shows. So I really didn’t have the chance to get in there like I would at KCUR, and can do now at The Bridge.”

Mark: “Robert Moore, I really hope you will want to back on our show again soon. Please know you are always welcome, Congratulations on the new home of Sonic Spectrum.”

Robert Moore thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

Sonic Spectrum, now airing Saturdays, 6:00 to 8:00 PM, on 90.9 The Bridge. More info at: http://www.bridge909.org/shows/sonicspectrum

11:49

  1. Field Division – “Manifest”
    from: “Manifest” – Single / Field Division / February 26, 2021
    [Laurel Canyon tinged psychedelic folkrock and transcendent dream pop. Written, performed, and produced by Field Division. Field Division is Evelyn Taylor on lyrics, vocals, keyboard, high-strung acoustic guitar; and Nicholas Frampton on mixing, engineering, vocals, drums, bass, nylon guitar, high-strung, baritone guitar acoustic guitar, electric guitar, percussion, & keyboards; with Evan Jacobs on prophet synthesizer. Mastered by Matt Pence @ Echo Lab Studios. Laurel Canyon tinged psychedelic folkrock and transcendent dream pop.Recorded at home in IA. Additional recording @ Redwood Studio in Denton, TX. More info at: http://www.fielddivisionmusic.com]
  1. The Fey – “Wolf Of The Wild”
    from: “Wolf of The Wild” – Single / The Record Machine / February 12, 2021
    [New single that follows their last single, “Tear It off” released August 7, 2020. The Fey released “Lost In My Head” pn August 2, 2019, that followed the band’s July 13, 2018 EP Strawberry Lemonade. The Fey is a Rock/Soul sextet based in Lincoln, Nebraska. The band has created 3 EP’s under the alias “AZP”, but have recently made a name change to, The Fey. Charles Hull, Founder and Managing Director, Silver Street Records writes, The Fey is: Zach Watkins on lead/backup vocals, keys, percussion; Ishma Valenti on rap vocals; Trey Shotkoske on drums; Michael Rogers on guitars; John Fucinaro on bass, and Ludwing Siebenhor. Additional Backup vocals by Jasmin Ondap and Aly Millanes. Engineered and mixed by James Fleege at Silver Street. Mastered by Doug Van Sloun at Focus Mastering. Produced by Zach Watkins and James Fleege at Silver Street. Album art by Zach Watkins]
  1. Noel Coward – “The Party’s Over Now”
    from: Noel Coward in New York / drg / 2003 [orig. 1957]

Next week on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 we will talk with musician and songwriter Sarah Magill about her music project Quiet Takes and the new EP, San Fidel. We will also talk with Dan Jones about his band, Dan Jones and The Squids and their new live album, Serve Without Delay. And we will talk with 16-year old Juliette Frost about her new music she recorded in Los Angeles with musician and producer Dominique Saunders.

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 #879

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