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, August 25, 2021

In The Pines + ZAVA + Eggs On Mars + Tucker Slough

10:00 – Station ID

10:00 – “Support for Wednesday MidDay Medley from Blue Fox Productions”

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. Liam Kazar – “Nothing To You”
   from: Due North / Woodsist – Mare / August 6, 2021
   [The Kansas City-based, Chicago-raised musician and acclaimed chef/founder of the Armenian pop-up restaurant Isfahan, describes the making of Due North as a personal revelation, where the more he wrote the more his songs showed what kind of artist he’s always wanted to be. A bandmate performing with artists like Jeff Tweedy, Steve Gunn, Daniel Johnston, and more, making his own songs presented a chance to finally find his own voice. But figuring out how to step out was a rewarding challenge. “This record kind of all stemmed from a conversation I had with Jeff,” says Kazar. “I showed him some of my earliest songs I was working on and he told me, ‘It sounds like you’re writing for the people in your bands, you’re not writing for yourself.’ He was completely right. I was not writing songs for myself.” With that needed insight, Kazar decided to start from scratch and write songs that felt like himself. // Jeff Tweedy said, “I love everything about Liam. His voice, his songs, the way he plays instruments, his smile, his cooking… Everything,” says Tweedy. ”Whenever I hear one of his songs for the first time I almost immediately start thinking to myself, ‘oh yeah! This song! I love this song.’ It’s a magic trick very few people can pull off: making something brand new sound like a cherished memory.” // “There were two words I had in my head during the making of this record, which was joyful and vulnerable,” says Kazar, citing Al Green’s 1978 The Belle Album as an LP that encapsulates such a feeling. “I was trying to talk about things that I’m scared about but acknowledging that I’m not that powerful and you can still be joyful in the face of your own insecurities.” Take album highlight “Frank Bacon,” where Kazar sings, “When you’re running uphill and swimming upstream / Nothing’s ever gonna be the way it seems.” Despite any lyrical uncertainty the track is bursting with life, especially in the monster groove from drummer Spencer Tweedy and bassist Lane Beckstrom. Elsewhere on “Nothing To You,” Kazar finds the sweet spot between indie rock jangle and subtle country twang as he sings, “I hope you don’t resent / The love between your hands.” // Along with Tweedy and Beckstrom, Kazar enlists keyboardist Dave Curtin (Woongi), co-producer James Elkington on pedal steel, as well as Ohmme and Andrew Sa on backing vocals. Opener “So Long Tomorrow” showcases the band’s chemistry, a winding jam full of playful and soulful instrumental flourishes. One of the last songs written for the album, it was recorded remotely in quarantine but despite the distance the band’s tight bond is obvious. “These songs totally blew me away the first time I heard them: they sound like David Bowie meets the Band,” says Mare Records co-founder Kevin Morby. Due North was mixed by Sam Evian at his Flying Cloud Recordings Studio in upstate New York. “Sam knew exactly what I’m trying to do with this record,” says Kazar. “He put the whole track listing together and really had a vision for the record that I needed at that time.” // Like most musicians, the pandemic threw Kazar for a loop, knocking out both his touring revenue and his part-time gigs as a bartender. With more than enough time in his Kansas City home, he decided to pursue his longtime love of cooking by creating the restaurant, Isfahan. With recipes that honor his Armenian heritage and his family’s journey to the United States from Iran, Syria, and Lebanon, Kazar’s cooking has received press from Time Out Chicago and Eater. “In COVID, my mantra was to not have my heart broken about the future and be present,” says Kazar, explaining that ethos is one of the reasons why he named the LP Due North. // Though Due North is full of songs that act as a mirror to Kazar’s many talents, few sum it up as concisely as “No Time For Eternity.” On the track, he and Chicago country crooner Andrew Sa sing over wailing pedal steel, taking stock of the most important things in life: “Making time to live my life / Making time for you and me.” “The reality of my life is that when I come home, and I’m talking with my partner, maybe we had a bad day, but we still are laughing and having a good time with each other at the same time,” says Kazar. “I had to make music that expressed that part of me that’s a person who genuinely enjoys themselves.”]

3. Remy Styrk – “Heavy”
   from: Fountainhead EP / Remy Sryrk / August 16, 2021
   [22 year old Remy Styrk lives in Leawood Kansas, originally from Newark, New Jersey. This multi instrumentalist has been writing & recording music for several years. “Fountainhead” is 3 intimate songs about grieving different parts of my life. these songs are the most honest way i can share with you. i am doing it for no one other than myself. welcome back, old friend. Remy Styrk is a composer and creator. Born to a homeless heroin addict in Newark, New Jersey in 1999. At the age of 14 months, he was adopted by a couple, the husband, a fashion photographer and wife, a creative director. His parents’ love of the arts helped deepen his curiosity in music and the creation of it. In 2020 Remy released “Of My Own Design” his 9-minute interactive album structured like an “Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.” Remy asked listeners, to imagine and create the visual story. In 2019 Remy released “In Too Deep” one of 5 singles Remy has released sice 2018. Remy Styrk released the EP Sunday, on Jan 25, 2018, following the Aug 12, 2015 full length album, Telling Stories Through The Basement Door. More info at: http://www.remystyrk.com]

4. Effie – “Ain’t Gotta Lie”
   from: Curve My Enthusiasm / DISTRKCT / August 13, 2021
   [Effie is Effie Altoro. Effie is a songwriter, singer, rapper, producer, one part of Kansas City’s own Jet Pack Productions originally from the Bronx, New York. Effie says that music saved her life and means everything to her. She puts herself in the category of a R&B/Hip Hop Artist. She claims Nina Simone as her biggest influence. Effie writes, “I have been writing for so many years but never shared any of my personal work until last year. So I’m working on pacing myself with releases, instead of just putting so many albums out back to back. My album, Curve My Enthusiasm, is so special to me that I’m going to release a deluxe version in January with 4 additional tracks and videos, including some exciting collaborations. I have also been writing for other artists, so you’ll be able to hear some of those releases soon, as well!” More info at: https://smarturl.it/37jrdz%5D

2. In The Pines – “Ghosts”
   from: Interlude / Arctic Rodeo Recordings / August 20, 2021
   [In The Pines are back with their 2nd album, INTERLUDE, 13 years after the release the self titled debut. Both albums are on Arctic Rodeo Records. More info at: http://www.arcticrodeorecordings.com . KC based six piece band with Brad Hodgson on guitar & vocals, Darren Welch on bass, Laurel Morgan on violin & vocals, Matt Wolber on guitar, and Mike Myers on drums. Made up of two guitars, a bass, a violin, a viola, a pump organ, drums, and five vocals, their music is serene at times, other times brooding, creating an atmosphere ideal for their subject matter: narratives of a man wasted away in prison, a woman burning to death as her dress catches fire, a handless man intent on showing others the subtle gifts in life. It is dark, it is dirty, it is sometimes drunken. It is intimate. Arctic Rodeo Recordings wrote: When we listened to IN THE PINES from Kansas City for the first time, we were totally blown away. This melancholic, morbidly charming and dark sounding music was so special, it was a real discovery. IN THE PINES sounded so different than anything we had in mind for Arctic Rodeo: A 6 piece band, 2 playing strings, sounding more like folk than like rock, mixing it up with singer/songwriter elements, and their songs were slow and beautiful, and so sad at the same time. We fell in love with IN THE PINES right away and ended up putting their debut album as the 7th release on Arctic Rodeo back in 2008. The band came over to Europe for touring and opening up for The New Amsterdams and Kevin Devine. 13 years later, IN THE PINES have finished their second record. We became friends and have always been in touch during this long period of time, and at some point, we honestly did not dare to hope for a new album to come anymore at all. But as special as this band sounds anyway, they actually did it and proved us wrong. Now, as a five piece band, IN THE PINES are back with their second record called Interlude, that has just been mastered by non other that Bob Weston in Chicago. The first single called Bones has already been released in June last year. It shows our friends continuing exactly where they started back 13 years ago – and it was totally worth the wait.Please check out the video for the first single Bones below. Interlude will be available on limited edition white vinyl and on all digital platforms. More info at: http://www.inthepines.com

10:18 – Interview with Laurel Morgan Parks and Darren Welch

Darren Welch and Laurel Morgan Parks are original members of the band In The Pines. They join us live in our 90.1 FM Studios. In The Pines are back with their first new album since their 2006 self titled debut album, In The Pines. INTERLUDE was released on August 20, 2021, 13 years after the release the debut. Both albums are on the Hamburg Germany label, Arctic Rodeo Records. The KC based six-piece band includes Brad Hodgson on guitar & vocals, Darren Welch on bass, Laurel Morgan on violin & vocals, Matt Wolber on guitar, and Mike Myers on drums. “Made up of two guitars, a bass, a violin, a viola, a pump organ, drums, and five vocals, their music is serene at times, other times brooding.” More info at: http://www.inthepines.com

Darren Welch & Laurel Morgan Parks, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

From: https://arcticrodeorecordings.com

When In the Pines released their self-titled debut in 2008, their sound resonated profoundly within and beyond the Kansas City music community.

Founded as a sextet that included a two-piece string section, the band deftly mixed music from disparate genres and eras into a sound that was fresh but familiar—nostalgic, even: a blend of old-time folk, classical music and experimental folk-rock. It cast a spell that transported listeners forward into new terrains and back into long-lost times, a sound with a sepia-toned Dorthea Lange/Dust Bowl vibe embellished with contemporary attributes that quashed any notions of revivalism or retroism.

“In The Pines” impressed listeners far beyond the band’s hometown, It was released in Kansas City by Second Nature Recordings, which led to some regional touring, and by the German label Arctic Rodeo, which led to a tour of Germany. The future looked bright. Then life got in the way.

In 2010, lead singer Brad Hodgson moved to Austin, Texas. Then live shows became more infrequent; the lineup changed; the band took a hiatus; and the recording process was delayed, interminably, it seemed to fans awaiting new music.

In June 2020, the band released “Bones,” the first song from the impending, long-awaited second full-length. The lineup still includes five original members: Hodgson, Darren Welch (bass, vocals), Laurel Morgan Parks (violin, vocals), Matt Wolber (guitar) and Mike Myers (drums).

Despite the song’s title, there was nothing skeletal about “Bones.” It’s a lush and orchestral, midtempo, folk-ish rock ballad awash in strings, embroidered with violin and guitar filigrees and bathed in dreamy vocals and supernal harmonies – five minutes of deep reverie.

And now, a year after the release “Bones,” In the Pines is set to release on Arctic Records its 11-track, full-length second album, “Interlude.” The song, it turns out, revealed in many ways what the rest of the album would sound like.

It signified a departure from the Pines’ initial sound yet replete with all its trademark traits: melodic, meditative and built on clever turns and changes. Over the course of 45-plus minutes, the band transports listeners on a mesmeric ride, one filled with hypnotic grooves and dusky terrains.

The opening track is aptly titled “The Sun Is Going Down.” It’s a twilit ballad with shifting time signatures and spell-binding vocals that don’t appear until halfway through. “Ghosts” sways gently to a hearty, angelic, orchestral-folk vibe. The instrumental closer, “Moving On,” arrives and departs in 2 minutes and change, depositing its own unique spirit along the way, one garbed in piano, strings and horns. As the album’s swan song, it casts a fitting mood, one of optimism and melancholy.

Upon the release of the “Bones” single, Hodgson called the process of making “Interlude” a “long haul with lots of obstacles” but one with a deeply satisfying payoff: “The thing that stands out is how much I love working with and creating with the band. We’ve been together so long, no matter the distance or time apart, it still feels like family.”

The rewards of that long haul and hard work are about to be distributed beyond the band family. Loyal fans at home and abroad will soon discover that the decade-plus wait for “Interlude” was well-worth all the patience spent

In The Pines includes (five original members):
Brad Hodgson on guitar & vocals,
Darren Welch on bass,
Laurel Morgan on violin & vocals,
Matt Wolber on guitar,
Mike Myers on drums.

Laurel Morgan Parks has other musical projects including:

Of Tree – a folk-pop band from Kansas City made up of Benjamin Parks (guitar/vocals), Laurel Morgan Parks (violin/fiddle/vocals) and John Bersuch (percussion/sub-bass). The music can be as quiet as porch ballads on a lonely summer night or as textured as a multi-pieced orchestra layering on top of soaring bowed guitars. Dynamic and expressive, Of Tree’s music draws from deep emotions of loss and triumph, failure and hope,

The Wires (Alternative String Duo). Created in KCMO with: Laurel Morgan Parks, violin, and Sascha Groschang, cello, have been composing dynamic and cinematic music as best friends since 2009. Their music is inspired by imagery found in the natural world, folk styles and modern string techniques. Following their debut album in 2012, their 2nd album “Wilder” (May 2019) is an imagined journey that includes depths of the oceanic world, the vast expanse of Celtic hills, the coldness of frozen tundra and a discovery of the cosmos. Their holiday album, “Winter” (December 2020) encompasses a cinematic, yet an intimate timbre, with the classic sounds of the season. “Winter,” their collection of holiday favorites arranged by The Wires along with their original piece, ‘Campbell Street,’ is published by Mel Bay Publications.

Laurel Morgan Parks & Sascha Groschangs are the hosts and curators of “Sound Currents” on 91.9 Classical KC – a weekly radio show that explores & discovers a broad range of new music.

“Fiddle Life,” (http://www.fiddlelife.com), teaches adults traditional styles at beginner and intermediate levels. The duo performs at festivals, concert halls, and music venues in the Midwest and beyond.

Musician/Collector/Curator Darren Welch is a key stitch in the fabric of the KCMO music scene for the past 30 years.

The Hearers – lead singer and bassist. The Hearers are a Kansas City “space country” band that released, FIVE SEASONS on September, 17, 2017
Darren Welch – bass, vocals, 12-string, keys
Marc Tweed – guitar, vocals, synth
David Moore – guitar, vocals, Hammond
Chris Braun – piano, cello, Hammond, ukulele, flute, vocals
Jay Kakert – harmonica, glockenspiel
Jeff doom – electric guitar
Eric Mardis – pedal steel, banjo
Rob Veitch – drums, percussion, concert bass drum
Recorded, mixed and mastered by David Moore at Merriam Shoals
Additional recording by Marc Tweed at SexDungeon Studio

In the 1990s Darren Welch was with the bands: DracoMagnet and Amputato,

Found Sound – 1826 Grand Boulevard, KCMO, Temporarily closed. A KC Crossroads retail/consignment shop with a vintage guitar store vibe and Hi Fi stereo gear. We offer guitar, pedal and amp repair. Open 11-6 Thurs-Sat or by appt. (with his biz partner Cole Wheeler.) http://www.foundsoundkc.com with co-owner/wife Kathi Callahan Welch

CowTown MallRoom at The El Torreon, then Holy Cow, a DIY mixed store/venue setting with live music, PBRs and sangria.

Darren also works with Matt Kesler with the Midwestern Musical Company.

Darren Welch & Laurel Morgan Parks, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

In The Pines are back with their first new album since their 2006 self titled debut album, In The Pines. INTERLUDE was released on August 20, 2021, 13 years after the release the debut. Both albums are on the Hamburg Germany label, Arctic Rodeo Records. More info at: http://www.inthepines.com or http://www.arcticrodeorecordings.bandcamp.com

10:31

6. In The Pines – “Sinner”
   from: Interlude / Arctic Rodeo Recordings / August 20, 2021
   [In The Pines are back with their 2nd album, INTERLUDE, 13 years after the release the self titled debut. Both albums are on Arctic Rodeo Records. More info at: http://www.arcticrodeorecordings.com . KC based six piece band with Brad Hodgson on guitar & vocals, Darren Welch on bass, Laurel Morgan on violin & vocals, Matt Wolber on guitar, and Mike Myers on drums. Made up of two guitars, a bass, a violin, a viola, a pump organ, drums, and five vocals, their music is serene at times, other times brooding, More info at: http://www.arcticrodeorecordings.bandcamp.com]

10:35 – Underwriting

7. Zava – “Wrong”
   from: “Wrong” – Single / Taylor Avazpour / August 13, 2021
   [Zava is the musical project, of Taylor Avazpour. Zava ‘s new single “Wrong” was recently added to the “New Queer Friday Playlist” on Spotify. “Wrong” is the 5th single Zava has released this year, including: “Electric” on June 4, “I Could Get used To This” on May 14, “Attitude” on April 23, and “Lightyears” on February 12. Since 2017 Taylor has been releasing music videos, has worked at Starlight Theatre, lived in New York City and Boston. Zava was a featured performer at this year’s Show-Me Kansas City Pride Festival (Aug. 21-22) in Theis Park, KCMO, as presented by KC Pride Community Alliance. Taylor Avazpour is Senior Operations Analyst at Netsmart and Assistant Director at Music Theatre Kansas City. More information at: http://solo.to/thisiszava%5D

10:41 – Interview with Taylor Avazpour

Singer, songwriter, actor, dancer – Taylor Avazpour joins us to talk about his musical project, Zava and his new single “Wrong” that was released on August 13, 2021 and recently added to the “New Queer Friday Playlist” on Spotify. “Wrong” is the 5th single Zava has released this year, including: “Electric” on June 4, “I Could Get used To This” on May 14, “Attitude” on April 23, and “Lightyears” on February 12. Since 2017 Taylor has been releasing music videos, has worked at Starlight Theatre, lived in New York City and Boston. Zava was a featured performer at this year’s Show-Me Kansas City Pride Festival (Aug. 21-22) in Theis Park, KCMO, as presented by KC Pride Community Alliance. Taylor Avazpour is Senior Operations Analyst at Netsmart and Assistant Director at Music Theatre Kansas City. More info at: @thisiszava

Taylor Avazpour, Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

“Wrong” was recently added to the “New Queer Friday Playlist” on Spotify.

Zava was a featured performer at this year’s Show-Me Kansas City Pride Festival (Aug. 21-22) in Theis Park, KCMO, as presented by KC Pride Community Alliance.

“Wrong” is the 5th single Zava has released this year, including: “Electric” on June 4, “I Could Get used To This” on May 14, “Attitude” on April 23, and “Lightyears” on February 12.

Since 2017 Taylor has been releasing music videos. Taylor Avazpour has worked at Starlight Theatre, went to college in Boston, and then lived in New York City.

Taylor Avazpour is Senior Operations Analyst at Netsmart and Assistant Director at Music Theatre Kansas City.

We asked Taylor about his role models and inspirations. He told us that when he was a young kid he was in love with the music of The Spice Girls and their bright positive affirming songs. His mother took him as a young eight-year-old the see The Spice Girls in concert at Sandstone Amphitheatre. While he and his mom were waiting for the concert to begin, someone from The Spice Girls team approached them and asked if Taylor wanted to be part of the show. During the concert there was a moment when Baby Spice sings to a young boy form the audience. Taylor was asked if he wanted to be on stage with Baby Spice. It all happened and Taylor had his stage debut and was able to go back stage, after the show and meet all of The Spice Girls.

Taylor has an upcoming show with Stephonne and Felix.

Taylor Avazpour, Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

“Wrong” that was released on August 13, 2021 and recently added to the “New Queer Friday Playlist” on Spotify. “Wrong” is the 5th single Zava has released this year, More info at: @thisiszava

10:53

8. Zava – “Electric”
   from: “Electric” – Single / Taylor Avazpour / June 4, 2021
   [Zava is the musical project, of Taylor Avazpour. Zava ‘s new single “Wrong” released August 13, 2021, was recently added to the “New Queer Friday Playlist” on Spotify. “Wrong” is the 5th single Zava has released this year, including: “Electric” on June 4, “I Could Get used To This” on May 14, “Attitude” on April 23, and “Lightyears” on February 12. Since 2017 Taylor has been releasing music videos, has worked at Starlight Theatre, lived in New York City and Boston. Zava was a featured performer at this year’s Show-Me Kansas City Pride Festival (Aug. 21-22) in Theis Park, KCMO, as presented by KC Pride Community Alliance. Taylor Avazpour is Senior Operations Analyst at Netsmart and Assistant Director at Music Theatre Kansas City. More information at: http://solo.to/thisiszava%5D

9. Just Angel – “My Way”
   from: Just Angle Pt.1 – EP / Just Angel / December 24, 2020
   [Just Angel is a Kansas City based, singer, musician, songwriter, dancer. and creative artist. Se recently contributed vocals to the recent Sisterbot record. More info at: /distrokid.com/hyperfollow/justangel/just-angel–pt-1

[Just Angel is Kansas City opener for the Edi Callier THE ROAD TO GREATER TOUR! August 26, 2021. https://www.officiallyedi.com/tour%5D

11:00 – Station ID

11:01 – “Support for Wednesday MidDay Medley from Blue Fox Productions”

10. Eggs On Mars – “Fingers & Lips”
    from: Brighter Now / Subjangle / June 25, 2021
    [Eggs on Mars, a four-piece soft psych pop band from Kansas City, Missouri. Brad shares details about the new 7-track album, BRIGHTER NOW, released June 25, 2021. Eggs on Mars is: Brad Smith on vocals & guitar, Mason Potter on drums & backing vocals & self-sacrificial tambourine, Bennie Neselroad on keyboards & backing vocals, and Doug Bybee on bass & backing vocals. All songs on the new album were written by Eggs on Mars. Their new album was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Rodd Fenton. The album was recorded in the fall of 2020 at Solstice Audio. Album cover painting by Jesse Bartmess. Info at: http://www.eggsonmars.bandcamp.com]

11:04 – Interview with Brad Smith

27 year old Brad Smith is Assistant Manager at Mid-Continent Public Library the largest library system in the Kansas City metropolitan area serving over 820,000 residents in Clay, Jackson, and Platte counties. Brad studied Marketing at Northwest Missouri State University. Brad Smith is also the lead vocalist and lead guitar player for the Kansas City based band Eggs On Mars who since 2014 have released 5 full length albums and two EPs, equalling a total of 60 musical compositions on record. For the band’s first five releases they played as a 3-piece. With their latest release, BRIGHTER NOW, the band has had a line-up change, and is now a 4-piece band, at least on record. BRIGHTER NOW, was released June 25, 2021. Eggs on Mars is: Brad Smith on vocals & guitar, Mason Potter on drums & backing vocals & self-sacrificial tambourine, Bennie Neselroad on keyboards & backing vocals, and Doug Bybee on bass & backing vocals. Joining us in our 90.1 FM studios is Brad Smith of Eggs On Mars.

Brad Smith thanks for being with us on WMM.

Brighter Now was released on June 25, 2021

Eggs on Mars is:
Brad Smith on vocals & guitar,
Mason Potter on drums & backing vocals & self-sacrificial tambourine,
Bennie Neselroad on keyboards & backing vocals, and
Doug Bybee on bass & backing vocals

Longtime band member and bass player – Justin Longmeyer was not on this new record he recently moved to Japan for a teaching job.

Brighter Now was recorded / mixed / mastered by Rodd Fenton
Recorded in the fall of 2020 at Solstice Audio

Brighter Now cover painting by Jesse Bartmess

Subjangle Records

http://www.eggsonmars.bandcamp.com

Brad Smith is Assistant Manager at Mid-Continent Public Library the largest library system in the Kansas City metropolitan area serving over 820,000 residents in Clay, Jackson, and Platte counties.

It Will Be Like It Was came out on October 4, 2019 and Brighter Now came out on June 25, 2021, some where in the middle of making of those two recordings Brad Smith got married to Taylor Smith.

Eggs On Mars where did that name come from?

Eggs On Mars Discography

Welcome to our Family August 25, 2014
10-track album
Recorded Summer 2014 at Potter Underground Studios
Guitars/Lead Vocals-Brad Smith
Bass/Other Vocals-Justin Longmeyer
Drums-Mason Potter

Spacey Stacy September 4, 2015
8-track album
Recording/Mixing/Mastering/Pancakes-Doug Bybee
Recorded August 2015 at Sound + Vision Studios of the Lawrence Public Library
Cover photo taken by Mason Potter
Guitars/Vocals – Brad Smith
Bass – Justin Longmeyer
Drums – Mason Potter

On Hold, Hold On October 7, 2016
5-track EP
Album art by Anna Smith
Recorded/Mixed/Mastered by Justin Longmeyer
Guitars/Vocals/Keys – Brad Smith
Bass – Justin Longmeyer
Drums – Mason Potter

In A Desert Place March 15, 2018
10-track album
Recorded/Mixed/Mastered by Justin Longmeyer
Recorded at 2319
Guitars/Vocals – Brad Smith
Bass/Vocals/Guitar solo – Justin Longmeyer
Drums – Mason Potter

Mama Pancake November 9, 2018
10-track album
Recorded/mixed/mastered by Rodd Fenton
Recorded May through September of 2018 at 2319
Artwork by Julie Smith
Brad Smith – guitars/vocals/keys
Justin Longmeyer – bass
Mason Potter – drums/percussion

It Will Be Like It Was October 4, 2019
10-track album
Recorded/Mixed/Mastered by Rodd Fenton
Recorded summer of 2019 at Bread Basket Music Studios
Guitars/Vocals/Keys – Brad Smith
Bass – Justin Longmeyer
Drums – Mason Potter

Brighter Now June 25, 2021
7-track EP
Recorded / mixed / mastered by Rodd Fenton
Recorded in the fall of 2020 at Solstice Audio
Cover painting by Jesse Bartmess
Brad Smith – Vocals, guitar
Mason Potter – Drums, backing vocals, self-sacrificial tambourine
Bennie Neselroad – Keys, backing vocals,
Doug Bybee – Bass, backing vocals

Brad Smith thanks for being with us on WMM.

BRIGHTER NOW, was released June 25, 2021.
http://www.eggsonmars.bandcamp.com

11:16

11. Eggs On Mars – “Oil Spill Rainbow”
    from: Brighter Now / Subjangle / June 25, 2021
    [Eggs on Mars, a four-piece soft psych pop band from Kansas City, Missouri. Brad shares details about the new 7-track album, BRIGHTER NOW, released June 25, 2021. Eggs on Mars is: Brad Smith on vocals & guitar, Mason Potter on drums & backing vocals & self-sacrificial tambourine, Bennie Neselroad on keyboards & backing vocals, and Doug Bybee on bass & backing vocals. All songs on the new album were written by Eggs on Mars. Their new album was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Rodd Fenton. The album was recorded in the fall of 2020 at Solstice Audio. Album cover painting by Jesse Bartmess. Info at: http://www.eggsonmars.bandcamp.com]

11:19

12. videodisk – “Last Day”
    from: “Last Day” – Single / videodisk / August 12, 2021
    [videodisk is: Elizabeth Garcia on vocals. Steven Garcia on bass & vocals, Corey Vitt on guitars & drum programming. Recording Engineer, Mixing, and Additional Percussion by Pat Tomek. Mastering by Duane Trower of Weights and Measures Soundlab. Michael Lindau – Cover Artwork. Elizabeth Garcia – Cover Photo. Kansas City shoegaze / dream pop band featuring current and former members of Beautiful Bodies, Hidden Pictures, Rooms Without Windows, Shadow Paint, Is Paris Burning, Deco Auto, Knee Jerk, and Armchair Martian. More info at: http://www.videodisk.bandcamp.com]

13. Miki P – “Don’t Lose Your Hope” from: Don’t Lose Your Hope – EP / Miki P / June 25, 2021 [Singer, songwriter, dreamer. Miki P makes music sometimes by herself and she leads the band Miki P and the Swallowtails.We first heard a different version of this song on the July 17, 2000 release of Kansas City Syzygy a special compilation of over 25 Kansas City-based musicians who created music during the shutdown of the world in the Spring of 2020. Though COVID-19 may have shut down innumerable business and altered our lives forever, one thing it couldn’t stop is the creative drive and spirit in the world’s artists. Kansas City Syzygy is a glimpse into the music created in the middle of the map in the middle of a pandemic. All proceeds donated to KC Tenants, a local nonprofit organized to ensure that everyone in KC has a safe, accessible, and truly affordable home. // Miki P contributed an earlier version of this track, but had created even more songs. The result is her new EP release, DON”T LOSE HOPE, 6 songs created in covid isolation, in Miki P’s home office space. Sitting & working from Miki’s computer, she composed and recorded 80% of the EP, working through the music like a journal entry, creating each song from her internal hurricane of emotions. All songs written, recorded, played, & mixed by Miki P. Recorded & Mixed with Emma Klien and Jake Hilger. Mastered by Joel Nanos.// Mikala Petillo, who was born in Kansas City, KS, and performed ‘She Loves You’ at her 7th grade talent show. In 9th grade she joined a teen-band called American Slim as drummer & vocalist, and released a full-length album, Irreplaceable, in 2017, played Middle of the Map Fest, Crossroads Music Fest, Kauffman Stadium, Arrowhead Stadium, and The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art before officially ending in 2018. That year, at 21, Miki P began work on her debut solo-record, Dome of Swallows, released August 2, 2018. She then formed Miki P and the Swallowtails who released their first EP, Swallowtail in 2019, with Rachel Lovelace on bassoon, Adee Dancy on cello & vocals, Cade Pool on drums, Robert Castillo on bass, and Miki P on guitar & lead Vocals. In June they’ll release a follow up. With half of the band’s members having Classical music degrees, and the other half with Jazz degrees, Miki P is a self-taught musician/multi-instrumentalist & songwriter driving the Swallowtails into a creative collaboration like any other. Each member is an integral part of the Kansas City music scene, writing, arranging, performing, and collaborating original music for their own groups and several other projects in the metro. “Introspective pop music with lyric-driven folk influences, mixed with collaborative energy & an odd pairing of instruments, Miki P locked in with the Swallowtails create a moment with music written and arranged from the heart.” Miki P started playing guitar in middle school. She taught herself to play the drums, while listening to Mitch Mitchell, Keith Moon and Ringo Starr. As a teen she played drums for various groups including American Slim. She wrote songs for their full-length album Irreplaceable released in 2017, followed by a single “Queen of Hearts” released April 11, 2018. Miki P and The Swallowtails –released, Right Where We Are /on August 21, 2020 with Rachel Lovelace on bassoon, Adee Dancy on cello & vocals, and Miki P on guitar & lead Vocals. Each member is an integral part of the Kansas City music scene, writing, arranging, performing, and collaborating original music for their own groups and several other projects in the metro. “Introspective pop music with lyric-driven folk influences, mixed with collaborative energy & an odd pairing of instruments, Miki P locked in with the Swallowtails create a moment with music written and arranged from the heart.” Miki P also plays ukulele & piano, teaching herself how to play both the instruments, using them frequently in all projects she is involved in. She was a featured vocalist with The Band That Fell to Earth Bowie Tribute. She’s played Boulevardia, Middle of the Map Fest, Royal’s Kaufman Stadium, recordBar, Uptown Theater, Arrowhead Stadium, Nelson Atkins Museum, the Crossroads Music Festival and the SXSW Music Fest. More info at: http://www.mikipmusic.com .]

14. Hotel Leo – “Gaslight” from: Oddity / French Exit Records / August 20, 2021 [Written, recorded, produced, and performed by Stephen Roper. Production assistance by Jess Klein. Mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering. Hotel Leo released the 10-track album, OVERFLOW on May 29, 2020 and the self titled EP Hotel Leo on October 14, 2016. More info at: http://www.hotelleo.bandcamp.com]

11:28 – Underwriting

15. Tucker Slough – “No Participation Tropies”
    from: DraculaVision / Tucker Slough / June 16, 2021
    [Tucker Slough is an MC/drummer/actor/ who makes stuff that you may enjoy…. DraculaVision was performed entirely by Tucker Slough with guest appearances by Shante’ Clair of ShinyJets and a cartoon bear. More info at: http://www.tuckerslough.bandcamp.com]

11:38 – Interview with Tucker Slough

Kansas City based MC, drummer, and actor, Tucker Slough joins us to share music and details about his latest 16-track album, DraculaVision, released June 16, 2021. A veteran of the Kansas City music community, Tucker has previously released the 23-track album, Sloughterhouse V, in 2007, the 15-track album, The Sloughvinci Code, from 2007-2008, and the 28-track album Neonderthal in 2014. Tucker Slough has also released two vinyl albums: EPs 1 & 2, and EPs 3 & 4, with Shante’ Clair for their experimental Chicago/Kansas City band, ShinyJets. Info at: http://www.tuckerslough.bandcamp.com or http://www.shinyjets.bandcamp.com

Tucker Slough Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

We just heard the epic “No Participation Tropies”. On July 16, 2021 Tucker Slough posted a music video for “No Participation Trophies” on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt2gbEHJauY

Tucker Slough is a veteran of the Kansas City Music Community.

His father is Fred Slough a well know Kansas City Attorney, and part of the progressive law firm Slough Connealy Irwin and Madden who had offices above The Corner Restaurant in Westport, back when Westport was progressive and cool.

The late Kathleen Connealy was an Attorney for KKFI in our early years. Kay Madden was a regular contributor to KKFI’s The Tenth Voice for over a decade.

Tucker’s music is incredibly original, theatrical, hilarious, political, making social commentary with song, and the poetry of hip hop.

Tucker’s home i where he makes his music and where his band ShinyJets practice and make music.

How did Tucker start making music as a very young kid. All of his life he has loved rap music and has been making hi own home made tapes.

Tucker is an actor who has been in show at The Coterie Theatre and The Kansas City Repertory Theatre.

Tucker is a drummer. He has played in many different bands in Kansas City and in Chicago.

Tucker is part of the band ShinyJets: Shiny Jets is an experimental rock band formed in Chicago in 2004. The band began when drummer Tucker Slough encountered Singer/Guitarist Shanté Clair performing at a party thrown by a mutual friend in the Rogers Park area. The two struck up a friendship and began trying to incorporate Tucker’s drumming into Shanté’s existing solo project, The Maybe. Soon they began writing new songs and pushing their musical ideas further, incorporating looping pedals and other electronics until they had compiled a number of songs. Some time afterwards, Tucker moved back to his hometown of Kansas City and Shanté left Chicago to live in New York for a number of years. Around 2014, the two began working on new songs together, with Shanté writing songs that Tucker would then add drums parts to and send back via Dropbox. Within a short time the material they were creating began to take shape and discussions began about re-establishing the band. In March of 2015 Shanté packed up and moved to Kansas City to begin work on the project that would assume the moniker Shiny Jets. Incorporating songs written back in Chicago and those songs written long distance between New York and Kansas City, the two began adding layers of sampling and further experimentation with even more complex looping and arrangements. Currently Shiny Jets are currently based in Kansas City where the band rehearse, perform and record. More info at: http://www.shinyjetsmusic.com

Tucker Slough is a husband and father.

Tucker Slough Discography

Sloughterhouse V, released in 2007
23-track album, Produced by Tucker Slough in Chicago and Kansas City. Featuring the cartoon bear. http://www.neonderthalkcmo.bandcamp.com

Tucker Slough: The Sloughvinci Code, released 2007-2008
15-track album, recorded in KCMO 2007, 2008 in a house near Topp Boom’s crib. All production by Tucker Slough. Rhymes by Tucker Slough.

Sloughchwitz. Released in 2009-ish
Sloughschwitz is a concept album recorded in and around Kansas City in 2009-ish, at a time when Tucker Slough was obsessively studying the bizarre and fascinating, crypto-right wing extremist Lyndon Larouche cult, and observing in horror the growth of the right-wing extremism in the United States and around the world. All music and rhymes by Tucker Slough except Negro Sco verse on his cameo song. This album has a conspicuous absence of the cartoon bear.

Neonderthal released in 2014
28-track album, Produced by Luke Rocha and Tucker Slough, compact disc and digital download available at- http://www.neonderthalkcmo.bandcamp.com. Recorded in Kansas City, 2014. Symbol Heavy Recordings

(There are other Tucker Slough recordings that Tucker doesn’t really want anyone to hear.)

Tucker Slough has also released two vinyl albums:
EPs 1 & 2, and EPs 3 & 4, with Shante’ Clair for their band, ShinyJets.

Tucker Slough Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Tucker Slough’s latest 16-track album, DraculaVision, was released June 16, 2021. Info at: http://www.tuckerslough.bandcamp.com

16. Tucker Slough – “the pretty sweet strawberries”
    from: DraculaVision / Tucker Slough / June 16, 2021
    [Tucker Slough is an MC/drummer/actor/ who makes stuff that you may enjoy…. DraculaVision was performed entirely by Tucker Slough with guest appearances by Shante’ Clair of ShinyJets and a cartoon bear. More info at: http://www.tuckerslough.bandcamp.com]

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

Next week on WMM, on September 1 we welcome back to the show Julia Othmer. We also welcome William Smith and play music from his new band CompanyNoCompany. Plus, we welcome singer songwriter Whim Grace.

ZAVA photograph by: @pigeonshellie

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

On your local radio dial 90.1 FM or
STREAMING LIVE at: kkfi.org

Show #904