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, November 3, 2021

Colin Halliburton of The Roseline + Sarah Magill of Quiet Takes +
Rebecca Liberty Interview with Kurt von Schlemmer + Max & Eva von Schlemmer

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. Deerhoof – “Scarcity Is Manufactured”
   from: Actually, You Can / Joyful Noise Recrdings / October 22, 2021
   [Deerhoof are an American independent music group formed in San Francisco in 1994. They currently consist of founding drummer Greg Saunier, bassist and singer Satomi Matsuzaki, and guitarists John Dieterich and Ed Rodriguez. Beginning as an improvised noise punk band, Deerhoof became widely renowned and influential in the 2000s through self-produced albums that combine “noise, sugary melodies, and an experimental spirit into utterly distinctive music” (AllMusic). // They have released eighteen studio albums since 1997. Their most recent album, Actually, You Can, was released on October 22, 2021. // Deerhoof were formed in San Francisco in 1994 as Rob Fisk’s improvisational bass/harmonica solo project. Greg Saunier joined on drums a week later. They were quickly signed to record a single for Kill Rock Stars after owner Slim Moon witnessed their performance at the 1994 Yoyo A Go Go festival. Satomi Matsuzaki joined Deerhoof within a week of moving to the United States from Japan in May 1995, with no prior experience playing in a band, and went on tour as Deerhoof’s singer only a week later, opening for Caroliner. Their 1997 debut album The Man, the King, the Girl was recorded on 4-track tape. // Deerhoof’s style has been described as indie rock, noise pop, punk rock, and “experimental pop mired in a pure punk sense of adventure”. AllMusic characterizes them as “highly revered indie rockers … who play fractured, whimsical noise pop with an avant-garde edge”, while MaineToday describes them as “the beloved punk band whose erratic style veers between pop, noise, and classic rock and roll”. // According to Noisey, Deerhoof formed as a “minimal noise improv” act before shifting to “pop-infused noise-punk”. According to AllMusic, their early releases “had a more traditionally harsh, no wave-inspired sound, though they also included the quirky tendencies that dominated their later efforts … [which] mix noise, sugary melodies, and an experimental spirit into utterly distinctive music that made them one of the most acclaimed acts of the 2000s and 2010s.” Impose writes that since “their beginnings as a noise punk band … [Deerhoof have] taken leaps and bounds artistically and stylistically, experimenting with pop and punk in ways we could’ve never imagined … [and] ultimately [proving] that punk can fit into an artistic world.” According to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, they made “some of the most difficult and unclassifiable noise of the mid-’90s [before] unexpectedly [rising] to international prominence as one of indie rock’s most renowned and influential groups … too ‘pop’ for ‘noise,’ and too ‘noise’ for ‘pop.'” For The Guardian, their breakthrough after many albums of “elliptical art-pop” came with Friend Opportunity, which showcased “a band playing a constantly shifting mixture of psychedelia, post-punk, jazz and pop, which should have been difficult and forbidding, but was given an accessible focus by the sweet vocals and expressionist lyrics of bassist/chanteuse Satomi Matsuzaki. … [The followup] Offend Maggie is head-spinning bliss from beginning to end, and proves that the quartet are the best prog-rock post-punk Afro-Oriental art-pop folk-jazz band in the world. Deerhoof also experiment with contemporary classical music. // The band has been appreciated by and/or influential to other artists, notably David Bowie, Radiohead, Questlove, St. Vincent, Foo Fighters, Dirty Projectors, Tune-Yards, Stereolab, Henry Rollins, Sleigh Bells, and of Montreal. Deerhoof’s songs are covered often by other artists (notably Phil Lesh, Los Campesinos!, Marco Benevento, David Bazan, and classical composer Marcos Balter).]

3. Efterklang – “Dragonfly”
   from: Windflowers / City Slang Records / October 8, 2021
   [Efterklang (Danish pronunciation: [ˈeftɐˌkʰlɑŋˀ]) is a Danish indie rock group from Copenhagen, formed in December 2000. The band has recorded six studio albums and are currently signed to the 4AD label, as well as their own record label Rumraket. Core group members include: Casper Clausen on vocals, Mads Brauer on electronics, and Rasmus Stolberg on bass// In 2012, they released their fourth album Piramida to good reviews. // The name Efterklang comes from the Danish word for “remembrance” or “reverberation.” Formed in Copenhagen, its three core members are Casper Clausen, Mads Brauer and Rasmus Stolberg. The original lineup also included Rune Mølgaard, but he has taken a more secluded role since 2007. Drummer Thomas Husmer left the band 2011. When performing live, the core three-piece band is complemented with the addition of live band members. // Efterklang released their first album Tripper to warm critical acclaim in autumn 2004. Their second album Parades saw the band working with British producer Darren Allison (Spiritualized), and was released in October 2007, receiving widespread critical acclaim by the likes of Mojo, Uncut, Drowned in Sound and Stylus magazine. Parades was named the 38th best album released between April 2005 to April 2009 by Clash in April 2009. In September 2008, Efterklang and The Danish National Chamber Orchestra performed Parades in its entirety at the Copenhagen Concert Hall; the performance was documented on a limited edition LP/DVD set entitled Performing Parades, which was released in October 2009. // In September 2009, Efterklang signed a new record deal with the British independent label 4AD. Their third full-length album Magic Chairs was Efterklang’s first on their new label, released in February 2010. Magic Chairs won IMPALA’s European Independent Album of the Year on February 28. The record was well received by Pitchforkmedia. // In August 2010, French filmmaker Vincent Moon and Efterklang’s 8-piece live band met up on an island off the Danish coast. The objective was to shoot a film with the same length as an album, and a film full of performances, experiments and collaborations. The result was called An Island. // In 2011, drummer and trumpet player Thomas Husmer left the band and the other members announced that they would carry on as a trio. // In 2012, the band went on tour to present their fourth album Piramida with an orchestra and drummer Budgie of Siouxsie and the Banshees as special guest for the live shows. The premiere at the Sydney’s “Opera House” in June was praised by Time Out and Mojo. The latter wrote : “Piramida is the sound of Efterklang’s grasp meeting their reach, of their ambition evading the pretentious, the blankly grandiose, and rewarding them with a masterpiece.”. A European leg coincided with the release of Piramida. The band performed with an orchestra and Budgie in Ireland, Scandinavia, UK, the Netherlands and Belgium. // At its release in September, their fourth album Piramida received good reviews. Mojo rated it four stars and said: “Despite the elegant grey-sky thinking, deep beneath the emotional permafrost, Piramida isn’t as cold as it seems”. BBC Music said : “This see-saw, between exquisite gloom and bruised hope, is part of what makes Piramida so powerful” before concluding by these words, “rarely have the Serious Young Man Blues been articulated with such grace, so affectingly”. British Fact magazine wrote: “Piramida is an abandoned mining town located deep within the Arctic Circle. It’s the setting for Efterklang’s fourth and finest album, an acutely musicianly affair employing lorry loads of classical instruments, brass, synths and what appears to be a choir of thousands broadcasting from the deep end of a fjord”. Q magazine commented: “here’s a band on top of the world, and on top of their game… Piramida is a revelation.” // From December Efterklang went on tour with their new 6-piece band. In 2013, the Piramida tour took the band around North America and Europe. // In 2015, The Leaf Label released a number of re-issues as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations. A poll enabled fans to vote for which albums from the label’s back catalogue they wished to see re-issued, and Efterklang’s Parades was selected. The album, released on double vinyl LP, was initially available to fans through the PledgeMusic service and was introduced to shops in early 2016. A double vinyl re-issue of Tripper is also available from The Leaf Label after a successful BeatDelete campaign. // In 2016, the members of Efterklang, along with drummer Tatu Rönkkö, formed the band Liima. They released their debut album, ii, on March 18, 2016. The album received positive reviews, earning a score of 70 on Metacritic, based on 8 reviews. // Liima’s second album, 1982, was released on 3 November 2017.]

4. Get Smart! – “Where Did This Week Go?”
   from: Words Move / Get Smart! / December 1, 1981
   [Get Smart! formed in Lawrence, KS in 1980. The group helped to solidify Lawrence as an alternative music hotbed and toured extensively, performing 300 shows in six years. They released a flexi-disc and Words Move, a 4-track EP in 1981. In 1983 they relocated to Chicago. Their first LP, “Action Reaction” was released in 1984. The band’s second LP, “Swimming With Sharks” was released in 1986. During seven years of relentless touring, Get Smart! earned a national reputation for intense live shows and edged their way onto college radio playlists with their first two LPs, Action Reaction (1984) and Swimming With Sharks (1986). In January, 1987, the band began work on their third album with seminal recording engineer, Iain Burgess. In 1990 Get Smart! Disbanded. These recordings were archived for 33 years until Get Smart! reformed this year. With the aim of matching their live sound, the band commissioned Steve Albini to craft the final mixes with them. More info at: http://www.getsmartmusic.com]

[Get Smart! play a special Reunion Show, Sat, Nov. 6, 2021 at 8:00 PM at The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St. Lawrence, KS w/ Pedaljets, Other Geese, Boy Soprano,. DJ Ray Velasquez spins post-punk classics & deep cuts. Proof of vaccination or negative test results within 72 hours of door time are required, masks required regardless of vaccination status. All Ages. 7:00PM Doors]

5. The Roseline – “Catalpa”
   from: “Seven Hundred Second Chances” – Single / Alt Country Club / April 2, 2021
   [First single and title track from their upcoming record, Seven Hundred Second Chances. The track features Colin Halliburton on lead vocals, acoustic guitar, & aux percussion; Bradley McKellip on mandolin & electric guitars; Colin Jones on bass; Jim Piller on drums; Chase Horseman on piano and organ; and Heidi Gluck on background vocals. It was recorded and produced by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studios in Kansas City, Missouri. Lead singer and songwriter Colin Halliburton writes, “This song came together relatively quickly when I brought the acoustic skeleton to the band. It has a comfortable groove and familiarity to it, but we tried to make it all our own with little sonic touches like the sustaining fuzz note and the chimey, vintage vibe of the bridge. Lyrically, I’m exploring the corruptibility of humans and examining my own privilege, while also noting that we should all be aspiring to the greatness of teachers.” // The Roseline are a Lawrence, KS, based alt-country, Americana, rock band, formed by Colin Halliburton with friends in 2005. The Roseline released their 6th album GOOD / GRIEF on April 3, 2021. The Roseline released BLOOD on September 29, 2017; and TOWNIE on June 19, 2015. The band has toured the US and Halliburton has completed two European solo tours thus far, taking him through Poland, Germany, Belgium, and The Netherlands. Colin Halliburton joined us on WMM on March 25, 2020. More info at: https://roselinemusic.com/%5D

[The Roseline play an Album Release Show for “Constancy” on Friday, November 5, 2021 at Replay Lounge, on the Patio, 946 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, Kansas in a Matinee Show at 6:00 PM with Suzannah Johannes with a full band opening.]

10:16 – Interview with Colin Halliburton

We welcome Colin Halliburton founder & songwriter of the Lawrence, KS based band, The Roseline., who’ve had the good fortune of landing songs on ABC’s ‘Nashville’ and ‘Resurrection’, as well as USA’s ‘Queen of the South’. The Roseline has been featured on NPR, Pop Matters, American Songwriter, The Bluegrass Situation, and No Depression, among others. The band recently wrapped up their seventh LP titled CONSTANCY which will be released on November 5, 2021. The Roseline play an Album Release Show for “Constancy” on Friday, November 5, 2021 at Replay Lounge, on the Patio, 946 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, Kansas in a Matinee Show at 6:00 PM with Suzannah Johannes with a full band opening.

Colin Halliburton, thanks for being with us on WMM.

The album was recorded, engineered & produced by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studios in KCMO.

The Roseline include: Colin Hallibeurton on vocals and guitar, Bradley McKellip on guitar, Colin Jones on bass,, Jim Piller on drums,

AND, guest appearances from: Heidi Gluck on keys & vocals, Chase Horseman on piano and organ vocals.

From POP OFF October 28, 2021 by Randall Radic

The Roseline Releases Wistful “Catalpa”

Lawrence, Kansas-based folk-rock outfit The Roseline releases “Catalpa,” a track lifted from their upcoming seventh album, Constancy, slated for release November 5.

Talking about “Catalpa,” founder and songwriter Colin Halliburton told Buzz Music, “It’s a little tune about aging out of a college town while being constantly surrounded by youth. The two verses lay in contrast with each other — one being content with middle age and the other pining for youth.”

Initially, The Roseline was an acoustic folk trio, but evolved into a five-piece American rock band.

Their forthcoming album, Constancy, witnesses the evolution of The Roseline’s sound, adding synths and guitar effects, as well as a more collaborative approach to songwriting.

Halliburton explains, “There’s something to be said for stubborn perseverance. I think good things can come from the simple act of just showing up over and over again. It can be applied to your day job, your love life, your children, your side hustle, your hobbies, and beyond. That’s where the idea of “constancy” came from for me.”.

“Catalpa” opens on low-slung shimmering guitars riding a gentle rhythm. A drawling steel guitar imbues the tune with melancholic savors as Halliburton’s delicious voice gives the lyrics soft coloration. Rippling with sumptuous, gliding layers of sonic hues, the melody drifts on creamy, translucent tendrils.

“In the sticky, summer heat / As we strolled down Ousdahl street / The wind blew steadily through the Catalpa trees / The blossoms fell softly at our feet / It looked like snow but our eyes were deceived / We heard some college kids on their balcony / Vapor cigarettes and yelling epithets / Making lists of girls they ain’t conquered yet / Some may ache for youth / Couldn’t pay me to go back.”

Oozing with plush Americana aromas, as well as hints of SoCal soft rock, “Catalpa” displays the virtuosity, the lustrous, delicate subtlety of a superb band — The Roseline.

The Roseline, formed in 2005.

Friday, Nov. 5 @ 6:00PM ALBUM RELEASE SHOW REPLAY LOUNGE, LAWRENCE, KS

Tuesday, November 16 – KATALIN, UPPSALA, SWEDEN
Wednesday, November 17 – CAFÉ SMEDJAN, NORRTÄLJE, SWEDEN
Thursday, November 18 – HOLÄNNAPAVILJONGEN, LJUSDAL, SWEDEN
Friday, November 19 – MOSKUS, TRONDHEIM, NORWAY
Saturday, November 20 – BROKEN DREAMS, BORLÄNGE, SWEDEN
Sunday, November 21 – KONTORET, UDDEVALLA, SWEDEN
Monday, November 22 – HOTELL HULINGEN, HULTSFRED, SWEDEN
Wednesday, November 24 – BILJARDKOMPANIET, KRISTIANSTAD, SWEDEN
Thursday, November 25 – FOLK Å ROCK, MALMÖ, SWEDEN
Friday, November 26 – TRYCKHALLEN, FALKENBERG, SWEDEN
Saturday, November 27 – GARAGE BAR, HÖGANÄS, SWEDEN
Sunday, November 28 – TWANG, STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

The Roseline has toured the US and Halliburton has completed two European solo tours thus far, taking him through Poland, Germany, Belgium, and The Netherlands. They have had the good fortune of getting sync placements in hit television shows like ABC’s Nashville and Resurrection as well as USA’s Queen of the South. They have been featured in/on NPR, Pop Matters, No Depression, and The Bluegrass Situation. They have had two records debut in the top five on the Euro Americana Chart. Spring 2020 tour dates as well as all other info can be found at: roselinemusic.com.

What a difference a year makes

Last year on March 25, 2020 Colin spoke with us about their album release GOOD / GRIEF a very fine vinyl release. The album cover was a rendering of a sky full of giant clouds, and a tornado reaching down through the sky, with the words GOOD / GRIEF embossed in the upper center of the image. It was beautiful and troubling at the same time. The songs on GOOD / GRIEF were born, largely, in response to the death of Halliburton’s best friend (and keyboardist in The Roseline) Ehren Starks, as well as the loss of his mother-in-law to suicide. Additionally, the album explores themes of love & marriage, the grieving process, elder millennial existential dread, politicized rage, drugs, and mortality. // GOOD / GRIEF included songs inspired by the death of Halliburton’s best friend (and keyboardist in The Roseline). Ehren Starks was also a big part of The Roseline and your best friend, can you talk about is friendship and how it inspired the record. // Ehren Starks was also part of the band Other Americans, and when They were on the show last year Brandon Taylor Phillips talked about what a great loss it was after Ehren’s death, that he was such a big part of the creation of their early son

Last year The Roseline were set to play an Album Release show at Replay Lounge in Lawrence, Friday, With Other Tour Dates included:
April 7th – Nashville, TN @ The 5 Spot
April 8th – Louisville, KY @ Mag Bar
April 9th – Chicago, IL @ Montrose Saloon
April 10th – Minneapolis, MN @ Driftwood
April 11th – Omaha, NE @ Barley St. Tavern
April 24th – Pittsburg, KS @ Europe Park
April 25th – Tulsa, OK @ The Whittier Bar

All were cancelled due to COVID

The Roseline (pronounced rose like the flower, line like a straight line) is a band from Lawrence, Kansas USA. Six albums into their career, they have crafted a songbook that is at once familiar and singular. Founder and songwriter, Colin Halliburton, began the project as an acoustic folk trio, and it has since evolved into the five-piece Americana rock band of its current form. Kind foreign press and high charting on the Euro Americana Chart (‘Lust for Luster’, ‘Blood’, and ‘GOOD/GRIEF’ all charted in the top ten), led to a deal in the Benelux with Dutch label, King Forward Records. The band also released one album, ‘Vast as Sky’ (2012), with the Bay Area label Ninth Street Opus (home to Sarah Lee Guthrie and Carrie Rodriguez).

The Roseline has had the good fortune of landing sync placements in indie movies and major network television shows such as ABC’s ‘Nashville’ and ‘Resurrection’, as well as USA’s ‘Queen of the South’. The Roseline has been featured on/in NPR, Pop Matters, American Songwriter, The Bluegrass Situation, and No Depression, among others. Halliburton also performs solo under The Roseline moniker and has embarked on two European tours thus far.

The band recently wrapped up their seventh LP titled ‘Constancy’ which will be released on November 5th, 2021. The album marks a distinct evolution in the band’s sound, as they found themselves taking more risks in the studio and expanding their sonic spectrum with the addition of vintage synth textures, myriad guitar effects and heroics, as well as a more collaborative songwriting approach.

Lyrically, it is Halliburton’s most diverse and accomplished collection of songs, ranging from fictional narratives, to abstracted allegories, to intimate confessionals, and beyond. Ultimately he finds the constancy inherent in good love, family, art and joy, is what leads to a life worth celebrating. This is not to say he shies away from the darker corners of the human condition, but rather that the darkness is a necessary foil for the light.

Halliburton explains, “There’s something to be said for stubborn perseverance. I think good things can come from the simple act of just showing up over and over again. It can be applied to your day job, your love life, your children, your side hustle, your hobbies, and beyond. That’s where the idea of “constancy” came from for me.”

The first single “Seven Hundred Second Chances” was released April 2nd, 2021. The second single “Joy” was released on May 7th, 2021.

We are talking with Colin Halliburton about CONSTANCY the new album from his band The Roseline. More info at: http://www.roselinemusic.com

Colin Halliburton, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

The Roseline play an Album Release Show for “Constancy” on Friday, November 5, 2021 at Replay Lounge, on the Patio, 946 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, Kansas in a Matinee Show at 6:00 PM with Suzannah Johannes with a full band opening.

10:28

6. The Roseline – “Seven Hundred Second Chances”
   from: “Seven Hundred Second Chances” – Single / Alt Country Club / April 2, 2021
   [First single and title track from their upcoming record, Seven Hundred Second Chances. The track features Colin Halliburton on lead vocals, acoustic guitar, & aux percussion; Bradley McKellip on mandolin & electric guitars; Colin Jones on bass; Jim Piller on drums; Chase Horseman on piano and organ; and Heidi Gluck on background vocals. It was recorded and produced by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studios in Kansas City, Missouri. Lead singer and songwriter Colin Halliburton writes, “This song came together relatively quickly when I brought the acoustic skeleton to the band. It has a comfortable groove and familiarity to it, but we tried to make it all our own with little sonic touches like the sustaining fuzz note and the chimey, vintage vibe of the bridge. Lyrically, I’m exploring the corruptibility of humans and examining my own privilege, while also noting that we should all be aspiring to the greatness of teachers.” // The Roseline are a Lawrence, KS, based alt-country, Americana, rock band, formed by Colin Halliburton with friends in 2005. The Roseline released their 6th album GOOD / GRIEF on April 3, 2021. The Roseline released BLOOD on September 29, 2017; and TOWNIE on June 19, 2015. The band has toured the US and Halliburton has completed two European solo tours thus far, taking him through Poland, Germany, Belgium, and The Netherlands. Colin Halliburton joined us on WMM on March 25, 2020. More info at: https://roselinemusic.com/%5D

[The Roseline play an Album Release Show for “Constancy” on Friday, November 5, 2021 at Replay Lounge, on the Patio, 946 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, Kansas in a Matinee Show at 6:00 PM with Suzannah Johannes with a full band opening.]

10:32 – Underwriting

7. Quiet Takes – “Still Looking for McDavid”
   from: “Still Looking for McDavid” – Single / Sarah Magill / October 26, 2021
   [Written by Sarah Magill. Produced by David Bennett. Vocals and keyboards by Sarah Magill. Guitars, bass and percussion by David Bennett. Drums by Jared Bond. Engineered and mixed by David Bennett at Aorist Studios in Kansas City, MO. Mastered by Zach. This new single swill be included in Sarah’s upcoming EP, WEEKLY, WEAKLY, coming out November 5, 2021, the third collaboration between Magill and producer/multi-instrumentalist David Bennett. “Ghosty…” was inspired by pandemic-era panic attacks and social unease. This song was one way I tried to process the new, very anxious voice inhabiting my brain, which I nicknamed Ghosty. Sarah writes, “I made the WEEKLY, WEAKLY EP exactly as titled: During weekly Friday sessions at Aorist Studios with my producer, David Bennett, while feeling extremely weak. I was living alone during the pandemic and (like many of us) coping with isolation, depression and anxiety. Making this EP was my lifeboat. Both the process of making music — refining lyrics, experimenting with new textures, collaborating on harmonies — and the commitment to the weekly process kept me relatively grounded and connected. This project tethered me to human-ness when I was afraid I was going to float off into some kind of feral, disconnected netherworld of pandemic loneliness. I’ll forever be grateful to David and his wife, Kayla, for creating a safe space to continue working at Aorist during such a dangerous time.” “Ghosty Was Here” follows the release of Sarah Magill’s EP under her moniker, Quiet Takes. Written by Sarah Magill. Produced by David Bennett and Sarah Magill. Vocals and keys by Sarah Magill on vocals & keyboards, David Bennett on guitars and bass, Ian Thompson on additional keyboards & synthesizers, Kyle Rausch on drums, and Bryan Koehler on percussion. Engineered and mixed by David Bennett at Aorist Studios in Kansas City, MO. Mastered by Zach Hanson. Cover image by Shawn Brackbill. Sarah Magill released her single “Wanted (The Dirty Windshield Version)” on May 1, 2020. . Sarah Magill released Ahem, a 4-song EP, on December 11, 2020. The songs were originally released under her old project name MYRY, in November 2018. Quiet Takes (formerly MYRY) is an on-going collaborative music project by Sarah Magill a writer & musician based in KC. She performs with a rotating cast of friends—although these stay-at-home days, she is playing solo. In KC, she is known for hosting house shows and co-founding Rubix, a performance art collective. MYRY’s first EP, AHEM, was released in 2018. Sarah released four of MYRY’s songs from that 2018 EP release as Quiet Takes singles in 2020. Sarah Magill was a guest on WMM on May 13, 2020. We interviewed Sarah Magill on March 10, 2021. More info at: https://quiettakes.com ]

[Quiet Takes plays a House Show, Saturday, November 13, in KCMO to celebrate the release of Weekly, Weakly. The show will feature collaborations with members of the performance art collective RubiX, and a portion of the proceeds will go to support the Midwest Music Foundation’s new mental health fund for musicians. Limited number of tickets; reservations will open later this week http://www.quiettakes.com]

11:37 – Interview with Sarah Magill

Musician and songwriter Sarah Magill joins us to talk about her music project Quiet Takes, and the her new EP, WEEKLY, WEAKLY, coming out November 5, 2021. This is Sarah’s third collaboration with producer/multi-instrumentalist David Bennett. On Saturday, November 13 Quiet Takes plays a House Show in KCMO to celebrate the release of Weekly, Weakly. The show will feature collaborations with members of the performance art collective RubiX, and a portion of the proceeds will go to support the Midwest Music Foundation’s new mental health fund for musicians. Limited number of tickets. More info at: https://quiettakes.com

Sarah Magill thanks for being with us on Wednesday Midday Medley

This is Sarah’s third collaboration with producer/multi-instrumentalist David Bennett. Sarah writes, “I made WEEKLY, WEAKLY exactly as titled: During weekly Friday sessions at Aorist Studios with my producer, David Bennett, while feeling extremely weak. I was living alone during the pandemic and (like many of us) coping with isolation, depression and anxiety. Making this EP was my lifeboat. Both the process of making music — refining lyrics, experimenting with new textures, collaborating on harmonies — and the commitment to the weekly process kept me relatively grounded and connected. This project tethered me to human-ness when I was afraid I was going to float off into some kind of feral, disconnected netherworld of pandemic loneliness. I’ll forever be grateful to David and his wife, Kayla, for creating a safe space to continue working at Aorist during such a dangerous time.”

About “Still Looking For McDavid” Sarah writes:

“When I think of belonging, I think of McDavid Hall, the fine arts dorm I lived in during college. A small, rag-tag group of journalism and arts majors, stuffed into a cinder-block building with a grand piano in the common area. Practice rooms, open mics, ever-changing murals, lit mags, long existential discussions. It wasn’t perfect, but I never doubted I belonged there, in that place, with those people. Among former McDavid Hall residents, the idea is common: We’ve been searching for another McDavid ever since we left.”

“McDavid is the touchstone I conjure up when I’m afraid I’ll never fit in anywhere ever again (yes, my internal monologue is that melodramatic). After many a counseling session trying to parse out why that community was so good, I ended up with a short list of McDavid-y qualities—green flags, if you will—that now function as my all-purpose Swan List. They describe who I want to become, who I want to be around, and the kinds of communities I want to invest in. The places and people that make me feel immediately at home and those that arrest me with that heart-leap/break swan call—they match up perfectly. My swans just feel McDavid-y. And when I’ve gotten in too deep with places or people or communities that aren’t striving for these same things? At some point, the connection frays. I can’t sustain it. And that’s ok. We’re just not of the same flock. I know that now. Because I know what I’m looking for: I will always, ever be looking for McDavid.”

“So. That’s what the song is “about,” but I had a lot of help bringing “Still Looking for McDavid,” to life: The track was produced, engineered and mixed by David Bennett, who also lended guitars, bass and percussion. Jared Bond played some pretty amazing drums, and Zach Hanson did the mastering. They are a pretty McDavid-y group, and I’m grateful to them all.”

From http://www.quiettakes.com :

Songwriter Sarah Magill is a Midwestern introvert who makes music for feelers as Quiet Takes. Pairing understated lyricism with “melan-happy” melodies, Magill plumbs idiosyncratic inner narratives for points of wider emotional connection.

Quiet Takes’s “breezy mix of dream pop, avant folk, and smooth psychedelia” (WLUR) finds further refinement on the upcoming release, Weekly, Weakly (November 2021), the third collaboration between Magill and producer/multi-instrumentalist David Bennett.
Crafted through pandemic-era weekly studio sessions, the newest Quiet Takes EP self-soothes admissions of loneliness and anxiety with shimmering synths and whispered harmonies.

Quiet Takes’s second EP, San Fidel, was embraced by college and AAA stations across the country earlier this year, widening Magill’s audience beyond her current home base in Kansas City. A writer and wanderer, Magill is returning to road-trips and live performances while working toward her first full-length album in 2022.

Sarah Magill thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Quiet Takes, new EP, WEEKLY, WEAKLY, comes out November 5, 2021. Quiet Takes plays a House Show, Sat, Nov. 13, in KCMO to celebrate the release. The show will feature members of the performance art collective RubiX, and a portion of the proceeds will go to support the Midwest Music Foundation’s new mental health fund for musicians. Limited number of tickets; reservations will open later this week http://www.quiettakes.com. More info at: https://quiettakes.com

10:50

8. Quiet Takes – “Guess Who Showed Up Again”
   from: “Still Looking for McDavid” – Single / Sarah Magill / September 28, 2021
   [Written by Sarah Magill. Produced by David Bennett. Vocals and keyboards by Sarah Magill. Guitars, bass and percussion by David Bennett. Drums by Jared Bond. Engineered and mixed by David Bennett at Aorist Studios in Kansas City, MO. Mastered by Zach. This new single swill be included in Sarah’s upcoming EP, WEEKLY, WEAKLY, coming out November 5, 2021, the third collaboration between Magill and producer/multi-instrumentalist David Bennett. “Ghosty…” was inspired by pandemic-era panic attacks and social unease. This song was one way I tried to process the new, very anxious voice inhabiting my brain, which I nicknamed Ghosty. Sarah writes, “I made the WEEKLY, WEAKLY EP exactly as titled: During weekly Friday sessions at Aorist Studios with my producer, David Bennett, while feeling extremely weak. I was living alone during the pandemic and (like many of us) coping with isolation, depression and anxiety. Making this EP was my lifeboat. Both the process of making music — refining lyrics, experimenting with new textures, collaborating on harmonies — and the commitment to the weekly process kept me relatively grounded and connected. This project tethered me to human-ness when I was afraid I was going to float off into some kind of feral, disconnected netherworld of pandemic loneliness. I’ll forever be grateful to David and his wife, Kayla, for creating a safe space to continue working at Aorist during such a dangerous time.” “Ghosty Was Here” follows the release of Sarah Magill’s EP under her moniker, Quiet Takes. Written by Sarah Magill. Produced by David Bennett and Sarah Magill. Vocals and keys by Sarah Magill on vocals & keyboards, David Bennett on guitars and bass, Ian Thompson on additional keyboards & synthesizers, Kyle Rausch on drums, and Bryan Koehler on percussion. Engineered and mixed by David Bennett at Aorist Studios in Kansas City, MO. Mastered by Zach Hanson. Cover image by Shawn Brackbill. Sarah Magill released her single “Wanted (The Dirty Windshield Version)” on May 1, 2020. . Sarah Magill released Ahem, a 4-song EP, on December 11, 2020. The songs were originally released under her old project name MYRY, in November 2018. Quiet Takes (formerly MYRY) is an on-going collaborative music project by Sarah Magill a writer & musician based in KC. She performs with a rotating cast of friends—although these stay-at-home days, she is playing solo. In KC, she is known for hosting house shows and co-founding Rubix, a performance art collective. MYRY’s first EP, AHEM, was released in 2018. Sarah released four of MYRY’s songs from that 2018 EP release as Quiet Takes singles in 2020. Sarah Magill was a guest on WMM on May 13, 2020. We interviewed Sarah Magill on March 10, 2021. More info at: https://quiettakes.com ]

[Quiet Takes plays a House Show, Saturday, November 13, in KCMO to celebrate the release of Weekly, Weakly. The show will feature collaborations with members of the performance art collective RubiX, and a portion of the proceeds will go to support the Midwest Music Foundation’s new mental health fund for musicians. Limited number of tickets; reservations will open later this week http://www.quiettakes.com]

9. Elexa Dawson – “Mother (feat. Stanley Hotel)”
   from: “Mother (feat. Stanley Hotel)” – Single / Turns Out Records / October 29, 2021
   [Written by Elexa Dawson. Elexa Dawson on vocals & rhythm guitar; Adam Stanley on keyboard & percussion; Isaac Nelson on lead guitar, engineering & mastering. Recorded at Remote Studios, Wellston, Oklahoma. // Elexa’s 2019 album, MUSIC IS MEDICINE (Lost Cowgirl Records) and her song “High Place” charted at #6 on Sirius XM’s Indigenous Music Countdown. // Elexa Dawson released “New Song” through Lost Cowgirl Records on April 2, 2021. Elexa writes about “New Song”: The song was written at the very beginning of the shutdown and is a call to all of our better, higher selves to imagine a better world. “The Way it has always been done is now gone. This is our moment to sing a new song.” // I thought it would be a great campaign song for Bernie Sanders, but the day after I wrote it, he suspended. Ah, well. It’s still a good song. ”“New Song” is Elexa Dawson on vocals & guitar, Kelby Kimberlin on bass guitar, Melissa Tastove on vocals & percussion, Jenna Rae on vocals & percussion, Martin Farrell on vocals & keys. Recorded, produced & engineered by Martin Farrell, Lost Cowgirl Records http://www.thelostcowgirl.com Mastered by Brody Wellman Mixing by Peter Oviatt, Moonflower Sounds http://www.moonflowersounds.com. Cover Photo: Jordan Storrer, Lifeleak Visuals Elexa Dawson joined WMM on June 2, 2021. http://www.elexadawson.com]

10. Paris Williams – “Sunsets & Solariums (feat. Bloom Allen)”
    from: “Sunsets & Solariums (feat. Bloom Allen)” – Single / Bitter Sweet Sounds / October 21, 2021
    [Paris Williams. Rapper/Producer from Muskegon, MI. More info at: allmylinks.com/popstarparis]

11:00 – Station ID

11:00 – In honor of our friend Kurt von Schlemmer with Rebecca Liberty and Max von Schlemmer & Eva von Schlemmer

Welcome back to Wednesday MidDay Medley in our second hour we present a special show in honor of our friend Kurt von Schlemmer. This show would not be possible without my friend Rebecca Liberty who served as co-producer, co-host and editor for this hour. Kurt was married to Anne Winter who died on October 22, 2009. Anne & Kurt were owners of Recycled Sounds at Westport Road and Main Street, a gathering space for the local music and arts communities in the late 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. In March of 2006 Recycled Sounds closed their doors after 18 years. We produced a special Wednesday MidDay radio show 15 years ago on October 28, 2009 about Recycle Sounds with many former staff members, Kurt, Anne, Kasey Rausch, Frank Alvarez, Iris DeMent all contributing to the tribute. Anne Winter & Kurt von Schlemmer were instrumental in building: 90.1 FM KKFI, Recycled Sounds, Culture Under Fire, The Free Speech Coalition, The ACLU, Border Star Elementary, The RIME Center, Rolling Thunder, Artists for Amnesty Int., Mardi Gras Celebrations on 18th Street, and so much more.

Also, Max von Schlemmer & Eva von Schlemmer share music their parents passed on to them.

But first we welcome Rebecca Liberty who shares a special interview she conducted with Kurt von Schlemmer just days before he died on August 31, 2021. (Recorded on Sat, Aug. 28, 2021.)

Rebecca Liberty, thank you for being with us today. Thank you for this special interview.

Mark’s Tribute to Kurt:

Our dear friend Kurt von Schlemmer left this physical world at 4:00 AM this morning surrounded by his beautiful children Max and Eva and friends including Rebecca Liberty. His brother Mark von Schlemmer made the announcement on Facebook this morning.

Kurt was so many things, Actor, Artist, Healer, Friend, Father, Husband, Boyfriend, Prop Master, Puppeteer, Political Activist, Singing Telegram Performer & Manager, Massage Practitoner, and Record Store Owner & Manager of Recycled Sounds with wife Anne Winter.

My own personal paths crossed over with Kurt’s in many ways. Many of my dearest friends went to school with Kurt at KU and worked in theatre with him at KU and in Kansas City. Kurt created the costume and played Lobster Man in my friends Lisa Cordes and Scott Cordes production of “Cowboy Mouth” in Lou Jane Temple’s loft space in Columbus Park.

Kurt was Manager of Mabel “H” Singing Telegrams where many of us independent theatre artists worked when we needed extra money and had 4 or 5 part-time jobs at the same time. Kurt’s incredible specific directions to suburban residences in Raytown, Gladstone, and Overland Park help me learn how to drive all over the metro region, while also changing costumes from the dancing Birthday Cake to the Kissing Bandit. It was also an acting challenge and get into a room, take control of the crowd, perform the song and message, and get out. Kurt himself did many of these telegrams too.

I remember seeing Kurt working in the store front window with artist Ran Adler in his Prop Shop on West 39th Street.

I also remember when Kurt and Anne Winter first started dating. They were involved in one of David Ford’s many big performance art shows at The Left Bank Gallery down on Summitt and Southwest Blvd, where I performed an original monologue on stage for the first time.

I remember images of Kurt and Anne in a boat floating on the lake in Loose Park.
And of course through my friendship and collaborations with Anne Winter through Recycled Sounds, Free Speech Coalition, Culture Under Fire, Iris DeMent, and so many incredible events and concerts I was in the same space with Kurt and his beautiful friendship. Kurt’s presence in all of these places always gave me a sense of security and safety. He was a thoughtful quiet guide.

Kurt was a true gentleman. He was so very smart and elegant and handsome. He wished for equality for everyone. He spoke out for justice. He loved nature and music and art and science and The Rolling Stones, The Dalai Lama, Bowie, The Pixies, and he especially loved his beautiful children Max and Eva.

When Anne left us over 11 years ago, I made a pact with a few very close friends to stay connected, and to take up just a little of the work Anne did for our community. That is one of the biggest reasons I do the radio show that I do at KKFI 90.1 FM. Just with Anne, for Kurt’s passing, we must all pick up a little of the work Kurt did, especially for his children. To help watch over these young adults as their guardian angels.

Kurt was taken away from us far too soon. It is not fair. Is is tragic and sad. Our hearts break with the grief of his passing. He will be missed and he will always be remembered.

---

Rebecca and Anne became close friends just a few years before Anne left us. Rebecca had made a promise to Anne to become friends with Kurt, to seek out his business as a massage Therapist and healer. Rebecca who has run her own school, and is also a mom of two children stepped in to help whenever she could with Kurt, Max and Eva and helped them through this recent transition in their family.

This portion of the interview starts after Rebecca’s question to Kurt, “How did you meet Anne?”

11:05 – Rebecca Interviews Kurt von Schlemmer

11. Kurt von Schlemmer – “Part 1 – Meeting crazy lady saving the day”
    from: Rebecca Interviews Kurt Von Schlemmer / Recorded Sunday, August 29, 2021

12. Kurt von Schlemmer – “Part 4 – Shift To The Next Level”
    from: Rebecca Interviews Kurt Von Schlemmer / Recorded Sunday, August 29, 2021

13. Kurt von Schlemmer – “Part 5 -Statue of Liberty”
    from: Rebecca Interviews Kurt Von Schlemmer / Recorded Sunday, August 29, 2021

14. Kurt von Schlemmer – “Part 6 – And Then There Were Two”
    from: Rebecca Interviews Kurt Von Schlemmer / Recorded Sunday, August 29, 2021

11:18 – Interview with Rebecca Liberty

Welcome back to WMM and our special show in honor of our friend Kurt von Schlemmer.

Rebecca Liberty conducted this interview with Kurt von Schlemmer just days before he died on August 31, 2021. (Recorded Sunday, August 29, 2021.)

Rebecca Liberty, thanks for being with us on WMM.

Kurt was married to Anne Winter who died on October 22, 2009.

Anne & Kurt were owners of Recycled Sounds at Westport Road and Main Street, a gathering space for the local music and arts communities in the late 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s.

This portion of the interview Kurt talks about “Laundry” and Having Kids.

11:21- Rebecca Interviews Kurt von Schlemmer

15. Kurt von Schlemmer – “Part 7 – Laundry / Making it Work”
    from: Rebecca Interviews Kurt Von Schlemmer / Recorded Sunday, August 29, 2021

16. Kurt von Schlemmer – “Part 8 – The kids join the adventure”
    from: Rebecca Interviews Kurt Von Schlemmer / Recorded Sunday, August 29, 2021

17. T-Rex – “Children of The Revolution”
    from: Soundtrack to Breakfast on Pluto / Milan / 2006
    [“Children of the Revolution” is a song by T. Rex, written by Marc Bolan, produced byTony Visconti. It was a No. 2 hit single in September 1972. The song broke their sequence of four official single releases all reaching No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart (“Hot Love”, “Get It On”, “Telegram Sam”, “Metal Guru”). It did not receive a regular album release. // “Children of the Revolution” was first recorded at Ascot Sound Studios for the film Born to Boogie, and featured Elton John on piano and Ringo Starr on a second drum kit. // A longer version of the song, at over twelve minutes in length, was recorded on March 31, 1972 at Copenhagen’s Rosenberg Studios during sessions for the band’s third album The Slider. Flo & Eddie, formerly of the Turtles, contribute backing vocals to this version of the release. The tape box contained the note that the jam was “for the attention of Ringo”. // The recording of the single version of the song began during the sessions for the Tanx album in August 1972. The track was mixed at Air Studios in mid August before being release on 8 September. // T. Rex Also known as Tyrannosaurus Rex, and Marc Bolan & T. Rex, Glam rock rock and roll hard rock psychedelic folk (early) active 1967–1977. T. Rex were an English rock band, formed in 1967 by singer-songwriter and guitarist Marc Bolan. The band was initially called Tyrannosaurus Rex, and released four albums under this name – three psychedelic folk and one mellow psychedelic rock. In 1969, while developing the style for the fourth album, Bolan began to change the band’s style towards electric rock, and shortened their name to T. Rex the following year. This development culminated in 1970 with the song “Ride a White Swan”, and the group soon became pioneers of the glam rock movement. // From 1970 to 1973, T. Rex encountered a popularity in the UK comparable to that of the Beatles, with a run of eleven singles in the UK top ten. They scored four UK number one hits, “Hot Love”, “Get It On”, “Telegram Sam” and “Metal Guru”. The band’s 1971 album Electric Warrior received critical acclaim as a pioneering glam rock album: it reached number 1 in the UK. The 1972 follow-up, The Slider, entered the top 20 in the US. Bolstering their style with soul music, funk and gospel, the band released Tanx in 1973 which reached the top 5 in several countries. From 1974, T. Rex’s appeal began to wane, though the band continued releasing one album per year. They blended rock with R&B influences, and occasionally incorporated disco elements in their music, on subsequent releases before returning to a stripped-down sound. // In 1977, founder, songwriter and sole constant member Bolan died in a car crash several months after the release of the group’s final studio album Dandy in the Underworld, and the group disbanded. T. Rex have continued to influence a variety of subsequent artists. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.]

11:28 – Interview with Max von Schlemmer & Eva von Schlemmer and Rebecca Liberty

“Children of The Revolution” from T-Rex, that was one of Max’s choices for today’s show. Max talked with us about the music Kurt would play in the car on the way to school. In the morning to get them going he started with Buddhist Chants and end with T-Rex.

Kurt talks about how you were upset that they closed the store.

Max and Eva did confirm that they were upset that Recycled Sounds closed the doors just as they were getting ready to really enjoy the place. Eva talked about how their mom let them bring their bikes to the record store and the isles were just big enough to ride between and round.

Rebecca in your interview with Kurt you talk about how great his kids are. You all have been friends for 13 or 14 years now. Part of as Kurt called it, “The Adventure.”

Coming up we will play a track requested by Eva or today’s show. And we’ll hear Kurt’s emotional story about the day the Prince came into Recycled Sounds and bought two posters.

But first we pause for these brief announcements

11:33 – Underwriting

11:30 – Interview with Max von Schlemmer & Eva von Schlemmer and Rebecca Liberty

Welcome back to WMM and our special show in honor of our friend Kurt von Schlemmer.

Rebecca Liberty conducted this interview with Kurt von Schlemmer just days before he died on August 31, 2021. (Recorded Sunday, August 29, 2021.)

Rebecca Liberty, thanks for being with us on WMM.

Also with us are Max von Schlemmer and Eva von Schlemmer.

Rebecca you wanted to mention:

People can send Memory Cards to Sister Anne’s Records and Coffee, 901 East 31st St., KCMO

And there is an active Go Fund Me – Support Fund for Kurt von Schlemmer and his Family.

There is a link on our Wednesday MidDay Medley Facebook page, as well as the Sister Anne’s and Coffee Facebook Page.

https://gofund.me/237a5e23

Max von Schlemmer and Eva von Schlemmer, shared a few stories about their father. ?

Earlier in the radio show Rebecca mentioned Sister Anne’s – Records and Coffee 901 East 31st St., KCMO and very cool vintage vinyl store and Coffee House that opened 2018 by two former employees of Recycled Sound James Oshel and Frank Alvarez.

In this next section of Rebecca’s interview with Kurt we will hear Kurt’s emotional story about the day the Prince came into Recycled Sounds and bought two posters. Featured in the story is Recycled Sounds Manager Frank Alvarez.

11:40 – Rebecca Interviews Kurt von Schlemmer

18. Kurt von Schlemmer – “Part-12 Sincerely Frank And PRINCE “
    from: Rebecca Interviews Kurt Von Schlemmer / Recorded Sunday, August 29, 2021

19. Prince – “Gotta Broken Heart Again”
    from: Dirty Mind / Warner Bros. / October 8, 1980
    [Dirty Mind is the third album by American recording artist Prince. It was released on October 8, 1980, by Warner Bros. Records as the follow-up to his self-titled second album, Prince, (1979). It was produced, arranged, and composed entirely by Prince in his home studio in Minneapolis, Minnesota during May to June of 1980. Dirty Mind has been considered by critics as Prince’s most creative and boldest album, setting the baseline for his artistic direction in the following years. During the spring of 1980, Prince and his backing band members Dez Dickerson, André Cymone, drummer Bobby Z, and keyboardists Doctor Fink and Gayle Chapman spent nine weeks on the road opening for Rick James, a musical rival of Prince. Following the end of James’ tour, Prince returned to Minnesota and rented a house in Wayzata where he set up a 16-track studio. During the recording of the album, Doctor Fink’s jam-out during a rehearsal provided the basis for the album’s title track. A fusion of post-disco, new wave, funk and dance, Dirty Mind is more prevalent in punk sounds than Prince’s previous albums. Prince’s high and feminine vocals, along with his androgynous image during the Dirty Mind era, has been recognized for bringing attention to gaydar. Controversially, the album’s theme is fueled by explicit topics including oral sex, threesome and ejaculation, which has been credited for opening the doors for sexually explicit albums in the coming years. The first single of Dirty Mind, “Uptown” reached number five on both the Billboard Hot Soul Singles and the Billboard National Disco Action Top 30 charts. Though the album only reached number 45 on the Billboard 200, it earned widespread acclaim from music critics and crossover success. Due to its fusion of genres, critics have hailed it for setting the sound for urban black music of the early 1980s. The album has been ranked by several publications as one of the greatest albums of all time. // Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016) was an American singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, dancer, actor, and filmmaker. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest musicians of his generation. A multi-instrumentalist who was considered a guitar virtuoso, he was well known for his eclectic work across multiple genres, flamboyant and androgynous persona, and wide vocal range which included a far-reaching falsetto and high-pitched screams. Prince’s innovative music integrated a wide variety of styles, including funk, R&B, rock, new wave, soul, synth-pop, psychedelia, pop, industrial, and hip hop. He pioneered the Minneapolis sound, a funk rock subgenre that emerged in the late 1970s. He was also known for his prolific output, releasing 39 albums during his life, with a vast array of unreleased projects left in a vault at his home after his death; it is believed that the vault contains dozens of fully produced albums and over 50 music videos that have never been released, along with various other media. He released hundreds of songs both under his own name and multiple pseudonyms during his life, as well as writing songs that were made famous by other musicians, such as “Nothing Compares 2 U” and “Manic Monday”. Estimates of the complete number of songs written by Prince range anywhere from 500 to well over 1,000. Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Prince signed a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records at the age of 19. In 1984, he and his backup band, The Revolution, released his sixth album Purple Rain, which was also the soundtrack to his hugely successful film acting debut of the same name. It quickly became his most commercially successful record, spending 24 consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200.[5] The film also won the Academy Award for Best Original Song Score, the final film to receive the award. After disbanding The Revolution, Prince released the critically acclaimed double album Sign o’ the Times (1987). In the midst of a contractual dispute with Warner Bros. in 1993, he changed his stage name to the unpronounceable symbol Logo. Hollow circle above downward arrow crossed with a curlicued horn-shaped symbol and then a short bar (known to fans as the “Love Symbol”), and was sometimes referred to as “The Artist Formerly Known as Prince” or simply “The Artist”. He signed with Arista Records in 1998 and began referring to himself by his own name again in 2000. On April 2016, at the age of 57, Prince died of an accidental fentanyl overdose at his Paisley Park home and recording studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota. He sold over 130 million records worldwide, ranking him among the best-selling music artists of all time. He was honored with special awards including the Grammy President’s Merit Award, the American Music Awards for Achievement and of Merit, and the Billboard Icon Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006, and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2016. Rolling Stone placed Prince among its list of both the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time and 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time. He is also ranked on the Top 100 Artists of All Time list by Billboard.]

11:50 – Interview with Max von Schlemmer & Eva von Schlemmer and Rebecca Liberty

Welcome back to WMM and our special show in honor of our friend Kurt von Schlemmer.

Today’s show featured portions of Rebecca Liberty interview with Kurt von Schlemmer just days before he died on August 31, 2021. (Recorded Sunday, August 29, 2021)

Rebecca Liberty, thanks for being with us on WMM.

Also with us are Max von Schlemmer and Eva von Schlemmer.

Eva, you chose that last track for our show today. David Bowie – “Life On Mars” Eva talked about how her father loved David Bowie. That Bowie was his inspirations and love.

For WMM, and Rebecca Liberty, and Max and Eva von Schlemmer, I’m Mark Manning. Thanks for listening!

11:53:30

20. David Bowie – “Life On Mars”
    from: Nothing Has Changed / Parlophone Records / November 17, 2014
    [“Life on Mars?” is a song by English singer-songwriter David Bowie, first released on his 1971 album Hunky Dory. In 1968, Bowie was commissioned to write English lyrics for the Claude François French song “Comme d’habitude”. After his lyrics were rejected, songwriter Paul Anka rewrote it into “My Way”, which became famous by singer Frank Sinatra in 1969. Annoyed at the success of “My Way”, Bowie used the song as a template and wrote “Life on Mars?” as a parody of Sinatra’s recording. Like other songs Bowie wrote during this period, it was written primarily on piano. Recording for “Life on Mars?” took place on 6 August 1971, the final day of the Hunky Dory sessions. Co-produced by Bowie and Ken Scott, the backing band consisted of guitarist Mick Ronson, bassist Trevor Bolder and drummer Mick Woodmansey; Ronson also composed the song’s string arrangement. After failing to acquire pianist Dudley Moore, piano was played by Strawbs member Rick Wakeman. // Musically, “Life on Mars?” is described as a “soaring, cinematic ballad”. It is primarily glam rock, with elements of cabaret and art rock. The song has a complex structure, containing different chord changes throughout. The instruments act in tangent with one another and Bowie’s vocal, steadily growing throughout its runtime. Lyrically, the song describes a girl who goes to the cinema to escape reality, using numerous surreal images. It thematically reflects optimism and the effects of Hollywood. Despite its title, the song has no connection to Mars itself; it is instead a reference to a then-recent media frenzy between the United States and Soviet Union. // At the height of Bowie’s fame as Ziggy Stardust, RCA Records issued “Life on Mars?” as a single on 22 June 1973 in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart and stayed on the chart for thirteen weeks. The single release was promoted by a promotional video shot by photographer Mick Rock, featuring a made-up Bowie in a turquoise suit performing the song against a white backdrop. Bowie performed the song during his concerts frequently throughout his career, performances of which have appeared on several live albums. The song also has appeared on numerous compilation albums and was remixed by Scott in 2003 and 2016, the latter being a ‘stripped down’ mix. The 2016 mix was accompanied by a remastered and reedited version of Rock’s video. // “Life on Mars?” is considered by biographers and reviewers as one of Bowie’s finest songs, with many describing it as a masterpiece. Praise is also given to Bowie’s vocal performance and growth as a songwriter. Several publications have also considered it one of the greatest songs of all time. The song was the namesake of the British television series Life on Mars and has featured in other films and television shows. Artists who have covered the song include singer Barbra Streisand and Nine Inch Nails members Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. The song charted worldwide following Bowie’s death in 2016 and became a frequent tribute song for the artist; tributes by Nicholas Freestone and singer Lorde garnered widespread attention.]

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

Next week on Wednesday MidDay Medley, on November 10 – Heidi Phillips of the band Frogpond joins us on the radio show to talk about their new single “Love Song” and their upcoming album TimeThief. Also next week… Ivory Blue joins us to talk about their new single, “Good Changes” and upcoming album, COMPOUND LOVE. PLUS…Musician Taylor Hughes returns to share the latest music from her project PURE XTC, AND… Riley The Musician returns to share music from her new album MONTANA.

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

Quiet Takes Photo by Shawn Brackbill Photography

Show #914