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

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Ivory Blue + The Black Creatures + namelessnunmberheadman + Ari Fish & Alicia Ellingsworth

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. Flare Tha Rebel & Bob Pulliam – “The Revolution Will Not Be Hashtagged”
   from: The Revolution Will Not Be Hashtagged / Shafer / July 9, 2021
   [Inspired by Gil Scott-Heron’s 1971 single, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”. Career and love brought hip-hop MC Flare Tha Rebel back to his hometown of Kansas City, MO, which created a second wind of new music. Noted by The Pitch, “As a member of hip-hop collective Anti-Crew, Flare Tha Rebel made quite an impact on the Kansas City hip-hop scene. After making the leap from KC to Chicago in the late ‘00s, he’s now back…” Known for a highly energetic live performance, Flare has shared the stage with artists such as Chance the Rapper, RZA of Wu-Tang Clan, Mac Lethal, Nappy Roots, and CES Cru. Although hip-hop at the core, Flare Tha Rebel’s versatility remains as he balances music with socially progressive themes that are still enjoyable enough to raise a glass to at a party. There’s also a duality to Flare’s approach. Many of his songs are connected to his Art to Empower initiative, raising awareness and funds for a variety of social justice causes and nonprofits. Info at: http://www.flaretharebel.com

3. Daniel Gum – “The Wolverine (ft. Rachel Cion)”
   from: The Wolverine (ft. Rachel Cion) – Single / Manor Records / September 10, 2021
   [Daniel Gum is a singer-songwriter based out of Kansas City, KS who has been active since 2017—releasing a messy, electronic pop EP, I’M NOT DEAD in 2017 and an acoustic EP, MOON in 2018. In addition to working on his own solo project, Daniel has been working with other local groups—playing bass and engineering for his band Pillow (a post-punk/shoegaze group) and playing drums behind singer-songwriter Chloe Jacobson, also doing some recording for her. Channeling the likes of Elliott Smith & Andy Shauf, he co-produced his new record THIRTEEN with Mike Crawford, playing almost everything you hear on the album and mixing it himself. Signing to Manor Records in the spring of 2020, he officially released THIRTEEN on cassette & CD on October 30, 2020. All songs written, performed, and.mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering. Daniel Gum is a 24 year old singer-songwriter . Since the age of 12, he has spent the majority of his time writing and recording songs by himself in his room. The Moon EP was released December 7, 2019. It was engineered by Mike Crawford and Daniel Gum and mixed by Daniel Gum with piano and accordion by Cole Crawford. Daniel Gun released his EPI’M NOT DEAD on October 25, 2017, and his 10-song album Reorient on July 31, 2015, with all songs written, recorded and mixed by Daniel Gum who also performed all vocals guitars, drums, piano, bass. harmonica, and programming. The first single from Daniel Gum’s album, Thirteen “Ruin Your Life” was released on September 4, The second single, “In The Worst Ways” was released September 28, 2020. ] [On our July 22, 2020, WMM show we played Daniel Gum’s track, “Tired Saint” from French Exit Records – Black Lives Matter Compilation, released July 6, 2020. French Exit Records was launched two years ago as an independent music label in KCMO, founded by Brad Girard. French Exit Records has released albums for No Magic and Raymond,. BLM Compilation is 22 acts from the area, with all proceeds donated to One Struggle KC’s Liberation Fund, a Black-led coalition of KC activists seeking to connect the struggles of oppressed communities, locally & globally. Daniel Gum joined us on WMM on November 11, 2020.]

4. Frogpond – “It’s Not Over”
   from: “It’s Not Over” – Single / Black-Site Records / September 3, 2021
   [Newly reformed KC indie rock band, Frogpond, will release TimeThief, its first album in over twenty years on November 19, 2021, on the KC record label cooperative Black Site. Frogpond is: singer/guitarist and founder Heidi Phillips, long-time bassist, Justine Volpe, with Kristin Conkright on rhythm guitar, and Michelle Bacon on drums. More info at: http://black-site.org/frogpond // Frogpond digitally reissued their Au 1996 vinyl and cassette release Count To Ten on March 12, 2021, 25 years after its original release on August 9, 1996 on Columbia Records. Frogpond was formed in Warrensburg, Missouri. The band existed from 1994-2000, primarily performing in Kansas City and Lawrence, Kansas. COUNT TO TEN was the band’s 12-track national debut full length released on Tristar Music – Columbia on CD and vinyl in 1996 with songs written by Heidi Phillips, with Heidi Phillips on vocals & guitar, Justine Volpe on bass, Megan Hamilton on drums, Kristie Stemel on guitar and backing vocals. Art Alexakis (of the band Everclear) served as producer and contributed backing vocals. // In 1999 Frogpond released the 13-track second album, SAFE RIDE HOME on C2 Records – Columbia, on CD and vinyl with songs written by Heidi Phillips, and with Heidi Phillips on vocals & guitar, Justine Volpe on bass & backing vocals, and Billy Johnson on drums. The album was recorded by Doug McBride at Gravity Studios in Chicago who also served as producer and contributed electric piano and piano. // In 1994 Frogpond self released their 8-song cassette release 2%. 2% was produced, engineered, and mixed at Red House Recording, Lawrence, Kansas, October 1994. All songs written by Heidi Phillips, with heidi Phillips on vocals & guitar, Megan Hamilton on drums, Tawni Freeland on guitar, and Annie on bass. Produced, Engineered, and Mixed By E.J. Rose.]

5. Ivory Blue – “Family Tables”
   from: “Family Tables” – Single / Sound Ballistics Muaic & Publishing / September 7, 2021
   [KC based singer songwriter and rock & roller, Ivory Blue is currently in the studio putting together a new full length 10-song album called “Compound Love” for release in 2021. Ivory Blue’s debut EP, Ready Get Set was released in June 2015 and had wide radio airplay on this show and multiple radio and television stations in Kansas City and across the country. In 2017 Ivory was among 1800 bands that competed in neXt2Rock. Ivory won local & regional challenges and advanced to nationals in Los Angeles to win the top prize. Ivøry Blue has played Crossroads Music festival, The Middle of the Map Festival, The Westport Roots Festival, the KCPT Screening of “Real Boy” at The Kansas City Public Library. Ivøry Black plays the Kauffman Stadium, July 1, Royals home game. Born in 1986 in Peoria Illinois, and given up for adoption at the age of four, it was difficult to find trust in people after living with eight different foster families. Running away at 15, Ivøry moved from Indiana to Oklahoma and eventually ended up in Seattle. In 2011 Ivøry moved to Kansas City, and has became a part of new family.]

10:16 – Interview with Ivory Blue & Klaartje Van Lue

Ivory Blue & manager Klaartje Van Lue join us to talk about Ivory’s new album, COMPOUND LOVE to be released this year, and the new video for Ivory’s song “Family Tables” directed by Mikal Shapiro that features Ivory, and a “family” cast that includes Klaartje and her husband Dan. On August 18, 2021 Ivory Blue signed a publishing deal with Sound Ballistics Music & Publishing of Atlanta GA. This company will manage Ivory with Klaartje and handle all of their publishing. Ivory Blue released the “FAMILY TABLES” music video on August 21, 2021 and the single was released digitally on September 7. Along with finishing Ivory Blue’s first full-length album COMPOUND LOVE, Ivory will also release a new EP, RED LIGHT in 2022. More info at: http://www.ivorybluemusic.com

Ivory Blue & Klaartje Van Lue, thanks for being with us on WMM.

IVORY BLUE lived a nomadic existence until settling in Kansas City MO and becoming part of the local musical community. After winning a nationwide talent contest in 2017 Ivory Blue started having success with some national and international radio play which continues today.

Ivory Blue was born in 1986 in Peoria Illinois, as Devin James Miclettet. Ivory’s birth mother put them up for adoption at the age of four. Ivory speaks about how it was difficult to find trust in people offering their home to someone denied it for so long, Ivory lived with eight different families. before running away at 15.

Ivory has talked with us about how in their life they have turned to music to express pain. Ivory spent most of their childhood looking for a family. In 2010 Klaartje Van Lue saw Ivory performing in a YouTube video and contacted them, flying them Ivory KC, and adopting Ivory into the Van Lue family. During the past 10 years Ivory came out as “Non-Binary Transgender.

As a multi-instrumentalist, Ivory began refining their performance style, using digital looping pedals to stack harmonies and guitar parts live on stage, giving their solo shows the feel of a full band. In 2011, Ivory settled in Kansas City, MO and quickly began attracting an intense regional following for their strong vocals and incisive, deeply personal lyrics.

By 2013, IVORY BLUE was playing regularly in and around Kansas City and the first EP ‘Ready Get Set’ was released. in 2015. While the EP helped spread the word and got much attention from regional radio and TV stations, a big break would come in 2017.
Ivory entered NeXt2Rock, a nationwide talent search with over 1800 artists/bands who applied to find fresh and promising rock artists.

The top 5 national bands battled it off for the win in Los Angeles CA at the legendary Viper Room, with judges Scott Borchetta (BMLG), John Varvatos (fashion designer), Steve Jones (Sex Pistols Guitarist and Host of “Jonesy’s Jukebox”), Desmond Child (Musician, producer), Chris Lord-Alge (producer), Ivory Blue won over the judges and became the grand prize winner! Ivory

Ivory won the contest and a one-year record deal with BMLG who re-released the song Ready Get Set from the 2015 EP. Ivory’s 2018 re-release of ‘Ready Get Set’ undauntedly received National and International airplay within weeks.

NeXt2Rock Judges Comments about Ivory Blue:

“You got star quality and a lot of potential” by Steve Jones (Sex Pistols Guitarist and Host of “Jonesy’s Jukebox” on KLOS (95.5) Los Angeles, CA, USA)

“Giving us the diamond in the rough we can only dream of, the foundation that’s built underneath it, that’s what music is made from. by Chris Lord-Alge (Engineer/Mixer).

“I love everything about you, you sing what you live, you’re fantastic” by Desmond Child (Musician \ Songwriter and Producer).

“We’ve been waiting for the WOW, and you are the WOW”, “You’re a true artist” by John Varvatos (Fashion Designer and Record Label Head)

“You exude artistry from the minute you step on that stage” by Scott Borchetta – Big Machine Label Group president and CEO.

“There’s something special about you”, “You’re a true artist” by Gavin Rossdale (British musician, singer, lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band BUSH).

---

Ivory Blue has played Crossroads Music festival, The Middle of the Map Festival, The Westport Roots Festival, Kansas City Public Library, and Kauffman Stadium.

We are talking with KC based singer songwriter and rock & roller, Ivory Blue has been busy in the studio putting together new music for upcoming releases of a new album COMPOUND LOVE and several EPs. In 2020 Ivory released the singles “Elite Dreamland,” (Feb. 17, 2021), “Half a Life” (Sept. 20, 2021), and “Family Tables” on September 7, 2021.

In February 2020 and after studying the craft of recording and self-producing, this amazing singer-songwriter with soaring vocals, passionate love for everyone struggling through life, released ‘Elite Dreamland’. There are no words to describe the incredible artistry behind this song. a single that hits your heart about understanding how it feels to be misunderstood in a world of people that seem to know what they are doing.

On the new album IVORY BLUE produced all the tracks with the exception of Drums and Bass. Ivory is currently working with Lester Estelle (Drummer for Kelly Clarkson), Craig Kew (Bass) KC, Kurt Festge (Mastering | Citizen Kane & Vilent Femmes) NC. and Nick Poortman (LA based Los Angeles based Producer, Engineer, Mixer, and Songwriter) Nick has worked alongside producers including Justin Gray, Gil Norton, Big Tank, and Greg Haver on sessions throughout the USA, UK, Europe, and New Zealand.

On August 18th 2021 Ivory Blue signed a publishing deal with Sound Ballistics Music & Publishing out of Atlanta GA.

Ivory Blue released the video of ‘FAMILY TABLES’ on August 21, 2021 and the track was released on September 7, 2021. Ivory Blue is currently finishing the first full length CD/Album ‘Compound Love’ to be released in 2021 as well as the Red Light EP for 2022.

“Family Tables” hit #1 on Banks Radio in Australia the first week of the release. 23 countries have listed on Ivory’s Spotify reports and that after just 1 week released.

Kayden Gorden from The Kayden Gordon Radio Show has asked for a radio interview. The Kayden Gordon show is heard on 60+ stations (FM & Online) across the world.

IVORY BLUE signed with Sound Ballistics Music & Publishing on Aug 18th, 2021. This is a new Publishing Company out of the Atlanta GA area. They have big plans for IVORY BLUE. Ben Baeumert. Founder and CEO is an artist himself with many years of experience in the music industry. He’s already been contacted by a large music supervisor company who said that IVORY BLUE’s music is amazing and that they love everything about the artist and wants to pitch the music to Music Licensees for potential TV, Film, commercials etc. That’s exciting news knowing that this will push music to a lot of listeners.

They were going to take over management for IVORY BLUE per my request, but instead partnered up with us to help the business grow and keep me as sole manager for IVORY BLUE and at their request other artists as well. I am therefore going to continue as Devin’s manager (she actually didn’t want me to hand over to another manager so was so happy about that decision) As far as the other artists, I haven’t made a final decision yet.

Family Tables, track release date Sept 7th 2021 AND music video on YouTube has been getting attention from multiple Magazines.
https://www.ivorybluemusic.com/post/article-links-on-family-tables
https://www.ionindiemagazine.com

Multiple national & international radio stations have shown interest to play Family Tables

The music video for “Family Tables” was shown during the 17th Annual Crossroads Music Festival. IVORY wrote the plot for the music video and Mikal Shapiro produced and captured IVORY’s vision perfectly.

Ivory Blue has been on the WMM 11 times since 2015.

Ivory Blue & Klaartje Van Lue, thanks for being with us on WMM.

Ivory Blue’s new album, COMPOUND LOVE to be released this year, and the new video for Ivory’s song “Family Tables” directed by Mikal Shapiro was released on August 21, 2021 and the single was released digitally on September 7. On August 18, 2021 Ivory Blue signed a publishing deal with Sound Ballistics Music & Publishing of Atlanta GA. Along with finishing Ivory Blue’s first full-length album COMPOUND LOVE, Ivory will also release a new EP, RED LIGHT in 2022. More info at: http://www.ivorybluemusic.com

10:29

6. Ivory Blue – “Elite Dreamland”
   from: “Elite Dreamland” – Single / Sound Ballistics Muaic & Publishing / September 20, 2020
   [KC based singer songwriter and rock & roller, Ivory Blue is currently in the studio putting together a new full length 10-song album called “Compound Love” for release in 2021. Ivory Blue’s debut EP, Ready Get Set was released in June 2015 and had wide radio airplay on this show and multiple radio and television stations in Kansas City and across the country. In 2017 Ivory was among 1800 bands that competed in neXt2Rock. Ivory won local & regional challenges and advanced to nationals in Los Angeles to win the top prize. Ivøry Blue has played Crossroads Music festival, The Middle of the Map Festival, The Westport Roots Festival, the KCPT Screening of “Real Boy” at The Kansas City Public Library. Ivøry Black plays the Kauffman Stadium, July 1, Royals home game. Born in 1986 in Peoria Illinois, and given up for adoption at the age of four, it was difficult to find trust in people after living with eight different foster families. Running away at 15, Ivøry moved from Indiana to Oklahoma and eventually ended up in Seattle. In 2011 Ivøry moved to Kansas City, and has became a part of new family.]

10:33 – Underwriting

7. Arquesta Del SolSoul – “GROW SOMETHING (Fela Minded KC)”
   from: GROW SOMETHING (Fela Minded KC) – Single / unreleased
   [Arquesta Del SolSoul is a Kansas City-based music collective featuring 3 musicians who worked together in Hearts of Darkness. They call themselves, “African Futurist Genre Killerz from the Middle of the Map bringing an innovative multidimensional sound inspired by our founding musical ancestors to decolonize and time bend indigenous sounds of the Caribbean, Latin America, West, Central, and Southern Africa.” Members include (but not limited to) Les Izmore, Jessica Ayala, Brad Williams, Jade Green, Chalis O’Neal, Irving Graham, Ernest Melton, Andres Ramirez, Fabian Prado.]

10:36 – Interview with Alicia Ellingsworth & Ari Fish

Alicia Ellingsworth is Executive Director and Co-Founder of The KC Farm School at Gibbs Road. Alicia has always fed people. She waited tables in high school and through college at Ohio State, and after across the country. She apprenticed with biodynamic farmer Mark Trela at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana for several years before coming to Gibbs Road Farm in 2009. It was there she found home and for six years demonstrated how much food can be grown on one urban acre utilizing six high tunnels for year-round production with sales topping $135,000. Her farm crews were apprentice farmers and over the course of those years she mentored 40+ young growers at Gibbs Farm and at the Juniper Gardens Training Farm‘s New Roots For Refugees program. She’s a Robert Wood Johnson Fellow, serves on the Growing Growers Organizing Committee, Johnson County Community College Sustainable Ag Advisory Board, and was the 2019 recipient of the John Kaiahua Mentorship Award. For Alicia this farm grows possibility and a place where hope lives.

Alicia Ellingsworth thank you for being with us today on WMM.

Ari Fish is a 4th-generation gardener with over 16 years of experience as an educator. Ari is a professional artist specializing in large-scale, multimedia installation, the winner of the prestigious Charlotte Street Visual Artist Award, and a two-time recipient of the ArtsKC Inspiration Grant. Her passion is in community engagement and cultivating curiosity and a love of learning at all ages. When she is not teaching or making art, Fish can be found working in her garden with her two daughters, Iko and Ona, cooking from her own recipes, and researching music history. To see some of Ari’s art you can visit: http://www.arifish.com

Ari Fish thank you for being with us today on WMM.

Alicia Ellingsworth & Ari Fish about The KC Farm School at Gibbs Road and the FALL FEST AT COMMON GROUND, Saturday, October 2, at 3:00 PM, 4223 Gibbs Rd, Kansas City, KS 66106, an on-farm community celebration to enjoy, explore and imagine with farm tours, live music, interactive agricultural demonstrations, storytelling, and more. More info at: http://www.kcfarmschool.org/fall-fest.

Alicia Ellingsworth & Ari Fish tell us about The KC Farm School at Gibbs Road 4223 Gibbs Rd, Kansas City, KS 66106

KC Farm School at Gibbs Road empowers individuals of all ages, abilities, and ancestries through on-farm, hands-on experiences connecting them to opportunity and their community.

The center of its community, the farm generates an inspiring environment transforming the individual and society through community-wide, multi-generational, participatory, and collaborative food projects and while it provides vocational training, job opportunities, healing, and fun.

KC Farm School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

Every Wednesday from 3:00 to 6:00 PM the Farmer’s Market at KC Farm School at Gibbs Road, 4223 Gibbs Road, KCK 66106 is open and with an online store, where customers can order online by 2:00 PM and then pick up produce during market hours from 3 to 6. Featuring organically grown veggie, herbs and floweres along with products from farmers and producers including: Circle 7 Fuller Farms, Doña Fina Family Farmed Coffee, Van Eden Garden, Ferments Fair Share Farm, The Kansas City Food Hub, Skyview Farm and Creamery, and others. Pay-what-you’re-able. Www.kcfarmschool.org

Common Ground: KC Farm School is thrilled to announce their purchase of an additional eleven acres of raw, rolling land just east of our current farm site. It will be a gathering and growing space with wild and shared places, and room for orchards, animals, composting, and more. KC Farm School imagines Common Ground as a safe space for critical conversations that seed action. KC farm School believes in the power of this community to join in to create a tomorrow better than today, right here, right now.

It is time to gather on Common Ground. KC Farm School feels able to accomplish a lot because they invite the community to join in the effort. If you feel inclined to learn more about growing Common Ground, please reach out. Contact Lydia Nebel, Farm Director at Common Ground, lydia@kcfarmschool.org

FALL FEST AT COMMON GROUND, Saturday, October 2, at 3:00 PM, 4223 Gibbs Rd, Kansas City, KS 66106, an on-farm community celebration to enjoy, explore and imagine.

Fall Fest is a community celebration at Common Ground, KC Farm School’s eleven-acre addition. KC Farm School invites the community to visit the farm to enjoy, explore, and imagine what we might do on this rolling land just east of our beloved Gibbs Road Farm. Admission is free. Donations appreciated. There will be: Farm Tours, Fun and Games, Placemaking Activities, Interactive ag demos, Geocaching, Bouncy Houses!, Storytelling, Live Music, Online Silent Auction, Community Resources, and Free COVID Testing & Vaccines More info at: http://www.kcfarmschool.org/fall-fest.

Alicia Ellingsworth and Ari Fish thank you for being with us today on WMM.

FALL FEST AT COMMON GROUND, Saturday, October 2, at 3:00 PM, 4223 Gibbs Rd, Kansas City, KS 66106, an on-farm community celebration to enjoy, explore and imagine with farm tours, live music, interactive agricultural demonstrations, storytelling, and more. More info at: http://www.kcfarmschool.org/fall-fest.

10:48

7B. Arquesta Del SolSoul – “GROW SOMETHING (Fela Minded KC)”
from: GROW SOMETHING (Fela Minded KC) – Single / unreleased
[Arquesta Del SolSoul is a Kansas City-based music collective featuring 3 musicians who worked together in Hearts of Darkness. They call themselves “:African Futurist Genre Killerz from the Middle of the Map bringing an innovative multidimensional sound inspired by our founding musical ancestors to decolonize and time bend indigenous sounds of the Caribbean, Latin America, West, Central, and Southern Africa.” Members include (but not limited to) Les Izmore, Jessica Ayala, Brad Williams, Jade Green, Chalis O’Neal, Irving Graham, Ernest Melton, Andres Ramirez, Fabian Prado.]

10:50

8. Melissa Mayhew – “Mountain”
   from: Mountain – Single / Melissa Mayhew / August 18, 2021
   [Produced by Eric Davis of the band Hembre. Originally from Lawrence, Kansas now living in Nashville.Melissa graduated from Lawrence Free State High School in 2008. Melissa studied at Belmont University. More info at: http://www.melissa-mayhew.com]

9. Baby and the Brian – “PT Cruiser”
   from: BrainBaby / Baby and the Brian / September 3, 2021
   [Baby and the Brain is comprised of 18 year old Jo Mackenzie (producer and songwriter) and 19 year old Dia Jane (singer/songwriter), who met at an open mic in Kansas City, Missouri, when Jo was in 8th grade and Dia was in 10th grade. Three years later, the two reconnected to started a musical project together that eventually turned into Baby and the Brain, a self-produced indie-pop band. Baby and the Brain also released the 8-track, BrainBaby with BONUS TRACKS on September 5, 2021. Info at: http://www.babybrainband.bandcamp.com]

10. Blvck Hippie – “If You Feel Alone At Parties”
    from: “If You Feel Alone At Parties” – Single / The Record Machine / August 6, 2021
    [“If you listen through If You Feel Alone At Parties you’ll hear a restlessness woven into the fabric of the songs. From the angular, affected guitar to the pensive vocals, Josh Shaw invites us into a Sad Boy Indie Rock world that feels nostalgic and pioneering at the same time. It’s a search for home in musical form, led by Shaw’s acute lyrics and ardent playing.” -Davy Haynes. Blvck Hippie is a Sad Boy Indie Rock Band from Memphis, Tennessee, tryna show Black kids that they can be weird too. More info at: blvckhippie.com]

11:00 – Station ID

11. The Black Creatures – “Negative Zero”
    from: “Negative Zero” – Single / Center Cut Records / April 2, 2021 [remixed, 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 their 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 2019/2020 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). 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 play Pints On The Patio at The KC Irish Center, Drexel Hall, September 16, 2021]
[The Black Creatures play Plaza Art Fair, September 24, 2021]
[The Black Creatures play AMERI’KANA at Grinders, September 25, 2021]
[The Black Creatures play Raj Mahal with Stephonne on September 25, 2021
[The Black Creatures play Troostapalooza on October 2, 2021]

11:05 – Interview with Jade Green & Xavier Martin

Jade Green & Xavier Martin of The Black Creatures recently played The 17th Annual Crossroads Music Fest last weekend and coming up will play Pints On The Patio at The KC Irish Center, at Drexel Hall, September 16, 2021; the Plaza Art Fair, September 24, 2021; AMERI’KANA at Grinders, September 25, 2021; the Raj Mahal with Stephonne on September 25, 2021; and Troostapalooza on October 2, 2021.

The Black Creatures, return to WMM to share their new single, “True Friends” to be released this Friday, September 17, 2021 through Center Cut Records. The single is the first from their upcoming album, BY THY HAND produced by Xavier, and written by Jade and Xavier, and mastered by Collin Jordan (Xiu Xiu, Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco). The single features the hallmark vocals and beats from their previous album, WILD ECHOES, that was re-released and re-mastered by Center Cut in 2020 and named Album Of The Year from The Pitch Magazine. The Black Creatures will be releasing more singles and videos leading up to the release of BY THY HAND next year. You can find more info at: http://www.theblackcreatures.com or http://www.centercutrecords.com

Jade Green & Xavier Martin welcome back to Wednesday MidDay Medley.

The Black Creatures recently released their single “Negative Zero” on April 2, 2021, with a music video that was the continuation of a story from their earlier single and video release for “wretched (it goes),” (originally released on The Black Creatures 2019/2020 album Wild Echoes.) Wild Echoes landed at #2 on WMM’s 119 Best Recordings of 2019, after being remastered and reissued by CenterCut Records in 2020.

Mark’s brief review: “Being named “Album of The Year” from The Pitch Kansas City was the recognition this young band deserved, because there is really no other band in Kansas City creating incredibly beautiful and painful protest songs in multi genre styles of beats, vocal styles, textures. The immediate personal and poetic lyrics of Jade Green and tribal, dance floor and soulful beats and melodies of Xavier bring the listener into a multicultural, mixed, gender fluid, soul celebration of life and an honest indictment of the racist, homophobic, and sexist world they are navigating through to survive. Listen carefully to these young music makers, they are wise beyond their years. They sound beautiful and speak the truth to power. They are beautiful. They are The Black Creatures.”

From Center Cut Records Promo Materials: The Black Creatures make a point to blur the lines of genre while maintaining a recognizable cohesion; oftentimes blending contemporary styles of pop, hip-hop, dance, R&B, EDM and soul with cinematic and storytelling sci-fi/fantasy elements and themes. With the complex and creative approach The Black Creatures take to their art, a diverse audience regularly flocks to their gripping and intensely enchanting performances.

Representing the strange land of Kansas City, Missouri, Jade Green and Xavier began working together around the end of 2013 after meeting on-line talking about cosmetics. After Jade stumbled upon Xavier’s SoundCloud, they asked if they could put their vocals on it, and this led to future collaborations with no more than the intention to dabble. They couldn’t stop and eventually dubbed the project The Black Creatures.

Both Jade & Xavier write and perform vocals, with Xavier at the helm of production and composition. Jade Green has a vocal background in opera and a penchant for theatrics, and both are the foundation of their ever-evolving approach to writing and performing in The Black Creatures. While the instrumentals may set the tone for the show, Jade’s voice captivates the audience from beginning to end. Originally a violinist, Xavier unfurled into a producer and vocalist, maintaining the same air of intrigue and mystery throughout his compositions and performances in The Black Creatures.

After releasing Wild Echoes in the fall of 2020, the record received Album Of The Year from The Pitch Magazine, along with high praise from around the world for the four released singles and accompanying videos. “Wretched (It Goes)” was featured in the NPR Live Sessions “Songs For Change” when The Black Creatures were selected as one of 12 national artists, and included in 90.9 The Bridge’s Top 100 singles along with their song “D’ummm” which was in heavy rotation in the winter. Nuance Magazine wrote, “The Black Creatures take their musical talents and use them in such a way that forces listeners to not only tap their foot to a catchy tune, but pay attention and feel something about what is going on in the world around them. Tackling fascism, police brutality, and the deep-rooted effects of slavery in a rhythmic fashion is one thing. Simultaneously making it a good listen is another. However, The Black Creatures make it happen.”

The Black Creatures will be releasing more singles and videos leading up to the release of By Thy Hand, and they have a full plate of performances in the coming months, so keep your antennae up!

SOCIALS:
https://www.theblackcreatures.com/
https://smarturl.it/wildechoes
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW_KKKYdsM2Jq4iKm_UkStQ
https://www.facebook.com/theblackcreatures
https://www.instagram.com/theblackcreatures/

The Black Creatures have new single “True Friends” coming out Friday

11:13

12. The Black Creatures – “True Friends”
    from: “True Friends” – Single / Center Cut Records / September 17, 2021
    [The single is the first from their upcoming album, BY THY HAND produced by Xavier, and written by Jade and Xavier, and mastered by Collin Jordan (Xiu Xiu, Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco). The single features the hallmark vocals and beats from their previous album, WILD ECHOES, that was re-released and re-mastered by Center Cut in 2020 and named Album Of The Year from The Pitch Magazine.]

We are talking with Jade Green & Xavier Martin of The Black Creatures who played The 17th Annual Crossroads Music Fest last weekend and will play Pints On The Patio at The KC Irish Center, at Drexel Hall, September 16, 2021; the Plaza Art Fair, September 24, 2021; AMERI’KANA at Grinders, September 25, 2021; the Raj Mahal with Stephonne on September 25, 2021; and Troostapalooza on October 2, 2021. The Black Creatures’ new single, “True Friends” will be released this Friday, September 17, 2021 through Center Cut Records.

Jade Green & Xavier Martin welcome back to Wednesday MidDay Medley.

The single is the first from their upcoming album By Thy Hand produced by Xavier, and written by Jade Green and Xavier.

Mastered by Collin Jordan (Xiu Xiu, Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco).

The Black Creatures will be releasing more singles and videos leading up to the release of BY THY HAND next year.

Per Jade, “This song is not only a celebration, but an offering of gratitude to the support system that I’ve been lucky to have in my life. Especially during this time where everybody feels so isolated, so far removed from community and from collaboration, this song is a cheeky way of telling listeners ‘you deserve loyalty, you deserve love – did you forget who the F you are?!'”

Xavier Martin is DJ/Writer/Producer/Rapper/Singer at The Black Creatures

Jade Green performs with: Arquesta Del SolSoul. a Kansas City-based music collective featuring 3 musicians who worked together in Hearts of Darkness. They call themselves: African Futurist Genre Killerz from the Middle of the Map bringing an innovative multidimensional sound inspired by our founding musical ancestors to decolonize and time bend indigenous sounds of the Caribbean, Latin America, West, Central, and Southern Africa.” Members include Les Izmore, Jessica Ayala, Brad Williams, Jade Green, Chalis O’Neal, Irving Graham, Ernest Melton, Andres Ramirez, Fabian Prado.

Info at: http://www.theblackcreatures.com or http://www.centercutrecords.com

The Black Creatures – Upcoming Shows:

9/10 Wildstock — K-State Student Union (Manhattan, KS)
9/11 Crossroads Music Fest — Parlor
9/16 Pints On The Patio — The KC Irish Center, Drexel Hall
9/24 Plaza Art Fair
9/25 AMERI’KANA — Grinders
9/25 Raj Mahal w/Stephonne
10/2 Troostapalooza
10/9 miniBar w/Nan + The One Nite Stands And Stay Outside
10/13 Mockingbird Lounge
10/15 Art On Oak w/Kian Byrne — Second Presbyterian Church
10/22 The Ship
10/23 Charlotte Street Magic Mirror Ball Gala

Congratulations on being signed to Center Cut Records

All proceeds from The Black Creatures single “Negative Zero” go to the Tamir Rice Foundation. Info at: http://www.tamirericefoundation.org. This song was originally released on the December 6, 2017 album, SEE NO EVIL The song was re-recorded. Band member Xavier Martin told us that, “Everything was done from the ground up. Remixing, rerecording, mastering, etc.”

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.”

The Black Creatures Discography

The Black Creatures “Mouth 2 Mouth” – Single, June 5, 2016.
The Black Creatures released their debut album, See No Evil, Dec. 6, 2017.
The Black Creatures “Elements” – Single, February 14, 2018
The Black Creatures “Silver Tears” – Single, June 19, 2018 with additional voices provided by AniMal (Ana Marcela Maldonado Morales) , Barbara Solomon , Kassidee, Quaranta , Adres Va Cortas
The Black Creatures “Dare” (Gorillaz Cover)” – Single, August 8, 2019
The Black Creature – Wild Echoes – September 30, 2019
The Black Creatures – “Turn” – Single, October 30, 2019
The Black Creatures – “Quartz (Twilight)” – Single, November 13, 2019
The Black Creatures – “SHINE” – Single, December 11, 2019
The Black Creatures- “Ghost Bustin’ Dead Prezidentz” – Single, January 8, 2020
The Black Creatures – “To Whom It May Concern” – Single, January 22, 2020
The Black Creatures – “Arcade Love” – Single, February 5, 2020
The Black Creatures – “Run Up” – Single, February 19, 2020.
The Black Creature – Wild Echoes – September 30, 2019
The Black Creatures – “wretched (it goes)”- Single [Center Cut], July 17, 2020 [remastered]
The Black Creature – Wild Echoes – Album (Remastered] August 28, 2020 [Center Cut]
The Black Creatures – “Negative Zero” – Single/Video [Center Cut] April 2, 2021 [remixed, remastered]
The Black Creatures – “True Friends” – Single [Center Cut] Sept. 17, 2021

Jade Green & Xavier Martin, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

The Black Creatures play Pints On The Patio at The KC Irish Center, Drexel Hall, September 16, 2021 the Plaza Art Fair, September 24, 2021, AMERI’KANA at Grinders, September 25, 2021, the Raj Mahal with Stephonne on September 25, 2021 and Troostapalooza on October 2, 2021, More info at: http://www.centercutrecords.com

We go out with, “wretched (it goes)” originally released on The Black Creatures 2019 album Wild Echoes. In 2020 Center Cut Records remixed and remastered and reissued a the album and released “Wild Echoes” as one of 4 singles from the album. In 2020 The Pitch named Wild Echoes “Album of the Year”.

11:25

13. The Black Creatures – “wretched (it goes)”
    from: “wretched (it goes)” – Single / Center Cut Records / July 17, 2020 [remastered]
    [“wretched (it goes)” was originally released on The Black Creatures 2019 album Wild Echoes. Recently released as a single in collaboration with Center Cut Records who remixed a few of the songs, and added some new vocals, and remastered the album. Center Cut Records released the full remastered album on August 28 2020. The Black Creatures are Jade Green & Xavier Martin. “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 play Pints On The Patio at The KC Irish Center, Drexel Hall, September 16, 2021]
[The Black Creatures play Plaza Art Fair, September 24, 2021]
[The Black Creatures play AMERI’KANA at Grinders, September 25, 2021]
[The Black Creatures play Raj Mahal with Stephonne on September 25, 2021
[The Black Creatures play Troostapalooza on October 2, 2021]

11:28 – Underwriting

14. namelessnumberheadman – “Mt Analogue St”
    from: Mt. Analogue St.- Single / Namelessnumberheadman / August 13, 2021
    [1st single, from their upcoming album, PLOT THE POINTS. Info at: https://soundcloud.com/nnhm. Mt Analogue St – Rene Daumal wrote a moving, amusing, and confusing book, Mount Analogue, in which there is an expedition to find a mountain that is so tall that the top can’t be seen. Why might someone want to take the journey up the mountain? Step after step plodding up the mountain, trusting that even though no one has seen the peak, that it’s actually there. Namelessnumberheadman is: Chuck Whittington, Jason Lewis, and Andrew Sallee. Plot the Points will be released on Friday, September 2, 2021. Back in 2019 Namelessnumberheadman released three instrumental records (The Ground, Current, and Meditations) which we were very proud of. But during the shutdown in 2020 we decided to dive back into our classic way of working: melding catchy rock/folk songs with sonic panoramas.]

11:33:30 – Interview with Chuck Whittington & Andrew Sallee

Chuck Whittington & Andrew Sallee, who with Jason Lewis, make up the alternative trio, Namelessnumberheadman. The band is releasing their new album, PLOT THE POINTS, on September 24, 2021. Originally from small-town Oklahoma, but now Kansas City-based with one member in Boston, the band crafts recordings and live performances that are part lab-experiment and part indie rock band. In 2019 Namelessnumberheadman released three instrumental albums of experimental sounds, and ambience. When the shutdown of 2020 happened, the band took the opportunity to focus on recording the collection of pop songs and ambitious soundscapes that make up 2021’s PLOT RHE POINTS, which includes recent singles: “Mt Analogue St” and “From Up Above.” Namelessnumberheadman play recordBar, 1520 Grand, KCMO on Friday, October. 1, with Elevator Division. Namelessnumberheadman play Replay Lounge, October 23.

Chuck Whittington & Andrew Sallee thanks for being with us on WMM.

We first discovered the music of namelessnumberheadman on the 2007 OxBlood First Blood Compilation that featured the band’s song “Unchopping Our First Tree” with somgs fro, Olympic Size, The Republic Tigers, Ghosty, In The Pines, Roman Numerals, The Pedaljets, Ssion, American Catastrophe, Architects, Lovers in Transet, Be/Non, and Softee. That compilation was an early roadmap to the area music community for the early years of WMM.

In 2009 the band’s song “Lesser Fates” was included in 72 Musicians the film and soundtrack.

“Namelessnumberheadman is a band that holds polar opposites together: Acoustic guitar with synthesizer. Human voices with sound glitches. The organic with the synthetic. The ground with the stars.”

The guitar and vocal work is always perfection. The music crosses through genre like an an olympic ice skater, I’m hearing the production quality of an Air album, from a band presenting the,selve not unlike late 1980s DEVO, with folk, country, progressive guitar, and harmonic, clear vocals that remind me of my humanity, while tumble traveling through space and time in a cluttered world this music takes me into a different space.

Originally from small-town Oklahoma, but now Kansas City-based with one member in Boston, the band crafts recordings and live performances that are part lab-experiment and part indie rock band.

In 2019 Namelessnumberheadman released three instrumental albums of experimental sounds, and ambience.

When the shutdown of 2020 happened, the band took the opportunity to focus on recording the collection of pop songs and ambitious soundscapes that make up 2021’s PLOT RHE POINTS, which includes recent singles: “Mt Analogue St” and “From Up Above.”

Namelessnumberheadman (Recent Discography)

When We Leave, We Will Know Where We’ve Been – 10-track album – January 1, 2002 (Scatterplot Sounds)
Your Voice Repeating – 11-track album – 2003 (Scatterplot Sounds)
Wires Reply – 11 track album – April 24, 2004 (St. Ives)
“Unchopping Our First Tree” – Single Track on First Blood Compilation – May 8, 2007 (Oxblood Records)
The Ground – 9-track album – January 25, 2019
Current – 5-track album – September 6, 2019
Meditations – 5-track album – December 27, 2019
“Mt. Analogue St.” – Single – August 13, 2021
“From Up Above” – Single – September 10, 2021
Plot The Points – 7-track album – September 24, 2021

Chuck Whittington also plays in the band Summer Breeze: a tribute to Yacht Rock with Billy Brimblecom and Greg LaFollette and others.

Chuck Whittington also plays in the “house band” for ThunderGong! also with Billy Brimblecom and Greg LaFollette and others.

Chuck Whittington & Andrew Sallee thanks for being with us on WMM.

Namelessnumberheadman releasing their new album, PLOT THE POINTS, on September 24, 2021. Namelessnumberheadman play recordBar, 1520 Grand, KCMO on Friday, Oct. 1, with Elevator Division. Namelessnumberheadman play Replay Lounge, October 23.

11:45

15.namelessnumberheadman – “From Up Above”
from: From Up Above – Single / Namelessnumberheadman / September 10, 2021
2nd single, from the new upcoming album, PLOT THE POINTS. Namelessnumberheadman is: Chuck Whittington, Jason Lewis, and Andrew Sallee. Plot the Points will be released on Friday, September 2, 2021. Back in 2019 Namelessnumberheadman released three instrumental records (The Ground, Current, and Meditations) which we were very proud of. But during the shutdown in 2020 we decided to dive back into our classic way of working: melding catchy rock/folk songs with sonic panoramas.]

[Namelessnumberheadman play recordBar, 1520 Grand, KCMO on Fri, Oct. 1, with Elevator Division]
[Namelessnumberheadman play Replay Lounge, October 23]

16. Low – “More”
    from: Hey What / Sub Pop Records / September 10, 2021
    [Focusing on their craft, staying out of the fray, and holding fast their faith to find new ways to express the discord and delight of being alive, to turn the duality of existence into hymns we can share, Low present HEY WHAT. These ten pieces—each built around their own instantaneous, undeniable hook—are turbocharged by the vivid textures that surround them. The ineffable, familiar harmonies of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker break through the chaos like a life raft. Layers of distorted sound accrete with each new verse – building, breaking, colossal then restrained, a solemn vow only whispered. There will be time to unravel and attribute meaning to the music and art of these times, but the creative moment looks FORWARD, with teeth. HEY WHAT is Low’s thirteenth full-length release in twenty-seven years, and their third with producer BJ Burton.

11:54:30

17. Radkey – “Underground”
    from: Green Room / Little Man Records / November 27, 2020
    [On Green Room the band serve as their own producers. On April 7, 2020 Radkey released a fabulous cover of “Ain’t No Sunshine” written by Bill Withers who died in 2020. The band released singles “Underground” on November 27, and “Seize” on November 29, 2020. Isaiah, Dee, and Solomon Radke of the critically acclaimed rock trio Radkey joined us live in our 90.1 FM studios on September 5, 2018. Radkey was formed in 2010 in St. Joseph, where the brothers were raised. The family moved to Kansas City. The band has released two full-length recordings — “Dark Black Makeup” in 2015 and “Delicious Rock Noise” in 2016 — plus multiple EPs and singles, and were part of a MasterCard advertising campaign on digital billboards in NYC along with a national television commercial that aired during the 2018 Grammy Awards that brought the band to the attention of Jack White who asked the band to tour with him. In 2018 the band went back on the road with The Damned throughout the United States. In December they went back into the studio to record with producer Bill Stevenson of the California punk rock group Descendents. In early 2019 they played shows in Amsterdam and Stockholm. In 2018 the band released “Basement,” “St. Elwood,” “Rock & Roll Homeschool,” as well as several other singles. On February 22, 2019, Radkey released “No Strange Cats…P.A.W.” a 7-song EP is essentially a collection of the band’s most recent singles. It comes after the January 11, 2019 release of No Strange cats…Spiders – EP a 6 song EP of several new songs mixed with several singles from late 2018.]

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

Next week on Wednesday MidDay Medley, on September 22 we talk with singer songwriter Joy Zimmererman about her fabulous new album THE CANVAS BEFORE US. Chris Hudson also joins us to share music from his new release with his band the Bard Owls called THE EASING being released September 29. And in our second hour Nathan Reusch joins us to share music from The Record Machine and bands playing the Lemonade Social September 24 and September 25 at Lemonade Park including The Republic Tigers, Monta At Odds, The Fey, Indoor Creature, Brent Windler, Jass, Black Light Animals celebrating the 18th Anniversary of The Record Machine!

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:
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http://www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1

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STREAMING LIVE at: kkfi.org

Show #907