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

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10:28 – Underwriting

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

10:34 – Interview with Michael J C Taylor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10:47

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

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

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

11:00 – Station ID

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

11:03 – Interview with Matt Weinman and Melissa Weinman

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11:16

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

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

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

11:28 – Underwriting

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

11:33 – Interview with Aaron Rhodes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11:41

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

11:44 Interview continued…

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

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

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

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

11:48

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

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

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

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

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

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

Show #886