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

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

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

10:00 – Station ID

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10:28 – Underwriting

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

10:33 – Interview with Rob Rice

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

Rob Rice thanks for being with us on WMM.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

http://www.robricemakesmusic.com

Rob Rice thanks for being with us on WMM.

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

10:46

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

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

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

11:00 – Station ID

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

11:04 – Interview with Sherman Breneman

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

Sherman Breneman thanks for being with us on WMM.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Record Store Day Drop #1 – June 12, 2021

Sherman Breneman thanks for being with us on WMM.

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

11:17

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

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

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

11:28 – Underwriting

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

11:33 – Interview with MG Salazar

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

11:34

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Show #885